Dearest Readers,
*SONG* "Angels" ~Within Temptation
Read on, Cherubs.
Over and out.
Close Encounter
They were all standing with anticipation in front of Tsunade's desk, waiting for her to give them their orders of how to go about the search for Shikamaru.
"Since we have no idea where he is, you will have to divide into small groups…split into your teams would be best. However, all of you start from the woods next to the training grounds and once you reach the next village, fan out from there. If one of you find him, bring him back here and I'll send out other ninja from the village to search for the rest of you telling you that Shikamaru has been found. However, with that being said, I do have one rule."
"What's that?" Naruto asked, anxious to get out of her office and go search for their friend and comrade.
"I'll give you a month to look for him. If Shikamaru is not found in one month, you will come back and we'll think of a different approach."
They didn't like the fact that they had a time constraint, but it was better than not being able to search for him at all. So they nodded in agreement and left the tower towards the woods.
"Alright Gang, here's the number one rule," Kakashi said as they started through the woods. "Don't do anything that could get yourself hurt. Don't try to be a hero and don't put yourself in any unnecessary dangerous situations." They nodded in agreement as the senseis discussed on where they should lead their teams, unaware of the fact that they were being watched by two pairs of dark eyes.
ItachiXShikamaru
They sat in a tree branch high off the ground, staring up at the clear blue sky. Shikamaru sat with his back against Itachi's front, enjoying the feeling of having his arms wrapped possessively around his waist. He was no longer in pain from their "activity" a few weeks ago and when the others found out about it by seeing the mark on his shoulder; they were as fine with it as they were when their relationship started.
"We should be doing something productive, Love." Itachi said, Shikamaru smiling at his new pet name.
"We are doing something productive."
"What are we doing exactly?"
"We're turning oxygen into carbon dioxide…duh." Shikamaru said smiling up at him.
"Shall we travel?" Shikamaru's eyes became bright: he loved going on day long travels. They never decided where they were going, they just started going in any direction.
"Of course, but you have to carry me half of the time." Shikamaru said as they stood, Itachi taking hold of his hand.
"In your dreams, Love."
They started on their day of traveling, not sure where they were going. As they continued on their path, they stopped when they heard voices and hid in the seclusion of a leafy branch. They looked down and Shikamaru felt his blood run cold: it was them. Both he and Itachi eyed them carefully, listening in on their conversation.
"There's a small village just up ahead; that's where we'll split and fan out. Asuma, take your team towards the Land of Earth. Gai, take yours towards the Land of Wind. Kurenai, take yours towards the Land of Water. Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura, we'll head towards the Land of Lightning. Agreed?"
So they were looking for him…interesting. He watched them, feeling his anger about what his comrades had said about him rise. He knew what he wanted to do from here. He didn't want them to know he was there with them…but he wanted them to know that he knew there they were. He turned to Itachi, signaling for him to cover his ears. Itachi knew that he was going to use his new gift of using his voice as a weapon.
Silently, Shikamaru moved from his hiding place and moved to another leafy branch, never losing sight of them. He closed his eyes, focusing on the melody and words of the song flowing in his mind. His eyes slowly opened and he began to sing.
"What the hell is that?" Asuma asked quickly, all of them suddenly hearing someone's singing echo through the woods. They felt gravity pull harder on them and their hearts feeling like they were trying to jump from their chests.
Sparkling angel, I believe
You were my savior in my time of need
Blinded by faith, I couldn't hear
All the whispers, the warnings so clear
I see the angels
I'll lead them to your door
There's no escape now
No mercy no more
No remorse-'cause I still remember
The smile when you tore me apart.
You took my heart
Deceived me right from the start
You showed me dreams
I wished they would turn into real
You broke a promise and made me realize
It was all just a lie
Sparkling angel, I couldn't see
Your dark intentions, your feelings for me
Fallen angel, tell me why?
What is the reason, the thorn in your eye?
I see the angels
I'll lead them to your door
There's no escape now
No mercy, no more
No remorse-'cause I still remember
The smile when you tore me apart
You took my heart
Deceived me right from the start
You showed me dreams
I wished they would turn into real
You broke a promise and made me realize
It was all just a lie
Could have been forever
Now we have reached the end
This world may have failed you
It doesn't give the reason why
You could have chosen a different path
The smile when you tore me apart
You took my heart
Deceived me right from the start
You showed me dreams
I wished they would turn into real
You broke a promise and made me realize
It was all just a lie
Could have been forever
Now we have reached the end [1]
Shikamaru looked coldly down at them as the strange sensations that they felt lifted.
"W-what was that?" Naruto stuttered, never feeling anything like that in his life. Whoever is near us…they're strong, no doubt about that. Using sound as a weapon is one thing…using your voice as a weapon is another. Sasuke thought, his eyes darting around his surroundings, not aware that his older brother was watching him. He's grown up quite a bit…it's nice to see you Sasuke.
Shikamaru had written a brief note on a tag and attached it to a kunai. Making sure that he wouldn't hit any of them, he threw it towards the ground, making it stick in the dirt. They all assumed defensive positions as Shikamaru made his way back to Itachi as he led the way back to the Akatsuki base.
"Why would someone throw a tag and not have it explode? Not only that, why would someone throw one and not stay around?" Sakura asked eyeing the tag as Kakashi pulled it out of the ground and examined the tag.
Kakashi felt his body freeze, not believing the name on the tag.
"What is it?" Asuma asked, noticing Kakashi's stiff posture. The silver-haired man turned towards them, surprise evident on his face.
"Shikamaru was here."
"What?" Ino asked, dumbfounded.
"He was here…just now. He must have been the one who was singing."
"But how is that possible? Shikamaru can't do something like that."
"It seems like he's learned a lot in the past 2 years."
"What did he say?" Choji asked, nodding towards the tag. Kakashi looked down at the neat cursive letters and began to read:
Even though you have decided to search for me, I am in a place where I cannot be found. 2 years ago, I started my life over…and I'm glad I did…I'm glad I left. If you do somehow manage to come near to my location…know this: I am not alone.
~Shikamaru
"He's not alone? But who…who would he be with?" Ino asked the one question they all were wondering.
"Whoever he's with, chances are…they're someone who's left their village as well."
ItachiXShikamaru
A relatively short chapter, however, I felt that it was necessary to include.
See that beautiful button at the bottom of the screen? Click on it…write something…you know you want to.
*SONG* "Angels" ~Within Temptation