Notes: Sorry about the shorter chapter, I've decided to cut it in half and split it among Chapter 3 and 4. Additionally, things might slow down for a little bit, work has finally caught up with me. Please enjoy and review!
Chapter 3: The Nara Rooftop
The morning rays of the waking sun fell upon Konoha. The dissipating morning mist gracefully landed upon the earth, enshrouding the blades of grass with pearl-like dew drops. The birds sang their sweet songs, gently arousing the residents of Konoha. A tender eastward breeze swept through the village, shaking away the last vestiges of a long slumber.
Shikamaru had been awake long enough to witness the sunrise, something he never grew bored of. It fascinated him, for it was the only thing that remained unchanged ever since the dawn of this world. It was almost beyond human reckoning and even his strategically advanced mind could not fathom it. He was content with Shogi and Go for now.
He lay against a porch pillar, as he drank his tea. He remembered the promise he made with Janus and regretted it. He was unsure how long sleep would keep the Sand Ninjas in its embrace. It was to his understanding that they had travelled non-stop and he was reluctant to wake them. He prayed that they slept light. He took a final glance at the rising sun before he trudged back into the kitchen. His mom was busy cleaning away the last remnants of breakfast he and his father had together. Then he realized he had completely forgotten to mention the new arrivals.
"Oh crap, mom, I forgot to tell you, the Sand Ninja's came late last night." Shikamaru scratched the back of his head as he said this.
"I know, I heard you come in with the group last night," replied his mom. "I would appreciate it if you told me earlier." She gave him a scolding look.
"Yeah I know, but it was late and I didn't want them to have to sleep at the Consulate." Shikamaru wrinkled his nose. "Not the greatest place anyway, so I offered them our home. I know, I didn't speak with you or dad but it was a spur of the momen-"
"Don't worry son, I would have been disappointed if you hadn't offered our home." Shikamaru's dad, Shikaku, suddenly appeared out of the study, some folders in hand. He ignored his wife's disapproving look and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek. "I'm off to the bureau today honey, see you tonight."
"Don't you dare go near a bar today," warned Shikamaru's mom, Yoshino. She pointed her finger ominously at her husband. "Or you're sleeping on the couch tonight."
"I won't," grinned Shikaku. He winked at his son who promptly rolled his eyes. His father walked out on to the porch and a second later, he was gone.
"For an assassin, he sure can be an idiot at times," thought Shikamaru. He smirked at the thought of his dad killing one moment, singing drunken karaoke the next, and then jumped up the stairs. He almost slammed right into Kankuro.
"Morning."
Kankuro responded with a lethargic wave. "Where's your bath?"
"Just walk down that hall and it'll be the last door to the right." Shikamaru pointed as if to emphasize the path.
"Thanks," mumbled Kankuro. He half walked, half crawled as he yawned. Shikamaru stifled a grin with difficulty as Kankuro swore having walked into a wall.
He tramped up the remaining steps and paused on the rooftop of his home, the door still ajar. He wasn't needed anywhere all morning, and he decided to train for a little while before watching the clouds. He closed the door quietly behind him and walked toward the center of the roof top. Like many of the buildings in Konoha, the angled sides of the rooftop were covered in orange-tiles. The plateau of the roof was a simple chalk white and it had served as his cloud gazing spot and most recently, his training grounds. Crates lay nearby, along with training dummies. "Something simple for this morning," he said aloud. "There's no real need to strain myself yet."
He brought his hands together to perform the seal. "Kage Bunshin no Jutsu!" In a puff of smoke, three exact copies of Shikamaru appeared, all of them with the same bored expression. He bent his head to the right, cracking his neck and then shook his arms, loosening up. He then raised his arms, feet spread out in a simple battle stance and beckoned them to come. As if obeying, one the clones lunged forward, as he pulled out multiple kunai. Shikamaru immediately flicked his finger upward as he leapt back, preparing his other hand to shield him. The shadow of a nearby crate formed into a makeshift poleaxe and darted toward the charging the clone. The clone dodged it with ease and swung his arm in a semi-circle, throwing the kunai like a wall of blades. Shikamaru thrust his other hand toward them as his shadow formed a box around him on the concrete, the blades stopped in mid-air and clattered upon the ground. He had developed a new defensive technique, one which prevented objects which casted shadows from penetrating the shadow barrier around him.
Shikamaru noticed one of the clones was trying to ensnare him in the shadow imitation technique. He threw himself to the right, clenched his fist and brought it toward the incoming shadowy thread. The poleaxe he had created earlier intercepted the shadow jutsu. The clone was now in control of a wooden box. Before the clone could break the jutsu, Shikamaru flicked two fingers upward again, and the shadow of a nearby training doll formed two blade-like tendrils. The clone was immediately impaled through the face and torso and dispersed into a bluish-grey cloud.
Satisfied, he turned his attention to the remaining clones. The first one pulled out another set of kunai, and performed a quick set of seals. He threw them upwards and then charged Shikamaru. The third clone pointed toward another crate, and formed his own blades. He then gestured toward Shikamaru and the tendrils sped toward him. Shikamaru faced the palm of his left hand toward the incoming strands and reformed his shadow barrier defence. He then hopped backwards and aimed his tendrils at the first clone. The first clone dodged to the side again, but then realized the tendrils were not meant for him as they turned sharply and moved quickly toward the third clone. At the same time, Shikamaru detached the box from his own shadow and reattached it to a nearby crate averting the incoming attack. The third clone opened his eyes wide in surprise just as Shikamaru's shadow blades pierced the clone through the neck. He too scattered into nothingness.
Shikamaru then turned to face the last clone only to realize he was unable to move. He swore as he grasped the situation. The clone had snuck in a shadow imitation technique just after he had thrown his shadow box defence at the third clone. The clone grinned as he pointed up and tilted his head upward, Shikamaru also doing the same. The kunai the clone had thrown earlier had remained suspended above him as their shadows were attached to the nearby trees. The clone pointed his fingers downward and the kunai whizzed toward Shikamaru, their deadly points reflecting in the sun. As the kunai speared Shikamaru, his image grew fuzzy and suddenly, the kunai were lodged within the body of a training doll. The clone yelled in surprise and took evasive measures, but it was too late. A pitch black katana pierced him through the heart. Shikamaru stood behind him, a look of triumph in his eyes. The clone coughed as blood trickled down the side of his chin. He gave Shikamaru a thumbs up and then exploded into dust.
Shikamaru sighed, clearly relieved. He swept his hands in a narrow arc, cancelling his shadow katana. "That was a lot closer than I would have liked," he thought. He wiped away beads of sweat that had formed on his brow. He decided he would go downstairs first to grab a drink before gazing at the clouds.
"Well, well, that was quite impressive, Shikamaru." Temari was staring at him through the now open door way, a grin on her face. "I didn't think you were the training type."
Shikamaru grunted. "How much did you see?"
"The whole thing. You've gotten stronger." Temari gave him another cocky smile. "A lot stronger," she admitted to herself.
"The wonders of being a Chuunin," remarked Shikamaru sarcastically. "Anyway, did you sleep well?"
"Yeah, I definitely needed that."
Shikamaru snorted. "It seems like you did. Did you eat?"
"Concerned?" She smirked. Before Shikamaru could reply, she nodded. "Yeah, your mother... she 'insisted' we eat. I didn't complain though."
Shikamaru rolled his eyes. "Yeah. Really pushy that woman..."
"How about me?" questioned Temari, a hint of amusement on her face. "I'm pretty sure you find me just as pushy."
"Yeah... but you're also different."
"Oh?" Temari widened her eyes in mock surprise.
"Well..." said Shikamaru slowly.
"Well what?" As she moved closer, Shikamaru was suddenly feeling uncomfortable.
"Well, I..."
"Temari!" Kankuro's face appeared from around the door way, a frown upon his face. "There you are, now, what's..." Kankuro paused and eyed the two of them, noticing Shikamaru for the first time. "What are you two doing up here?" he asked suspiciously.
"Nothing, now what the hell do you want?" asked Temari brusquely. "God, what great timing this guy has," she thought.
"I just wanted to know what the plan was for today." Kankuro continued to stare at them with suspicion. "Seriously, what are you two doing up here...?"
"Nothing that concerns you Kankuro," interrupted Shikamaru calmly. "As for plans, we're going to be meeting someone at noon explaining our mission in greater detail." Shikamaru also felt a tinge of annoyance but he was admittedly relieved. He was about to reveal his feelings for her and he wasn't sure how'd she take them.
"Scouting mission?" Kankuro looked at Shikamaru, his head cocked in confusion.
"You'll know more at noon."
"Okay... fine." Kankuro gave them one last lingering look and then left, closing the door behind him. Temari exhaled, still annoyed with her brother.
"Sorry, I keep forgetting how much of an ass he can be at times," said an apologetic Temari.
"No worries. Actually, speaking of the meeting, I'll need to head into the village and pick up Ino and Choji. You coming?" Shikamaru's thirst was long forgotten, having been replaced with his fading thoughts of Temari.
"Sure, I don't have anything better to do." In part, she was reluctant to face Kankuro again. He didn't need to know anything about her personal life and she was not in the mood to play with pests. She was also curious with what Shikamaru almost said earlier. "I don't want to push him too hard now," she thought.
"All right, let's go." Shikamaru leapt from his roof to a nearby tree, touching down on one of the branches effortlessly. Temari promptly followed and soon, they were deep within the bustling village, with midday fast approaching.
So ends Chapter 3 of The Fallen Leaf.