Notes: A thanks to Curtis Zidane Ziraa, the only person who reviewed my story so far. I agree with you, they really need to fix the name listed. Anyway, please enjoy and review!
Chapter 5: Noon
Shikamaru knocked lightly on Choji's door. He could hear someone slowly plod down the stairs and he took a small step back. The door opened noiselessly as Choji's face came into view, remnants of the snack he was eating still on his face. He brightened when he saw Shikamaru.
"Hey." He noticed the small group that accompanied Shikamaru. "Something up?"
"Yeah, we've got a meeting with a guy now. It's about the scouting mission. Can you come?" inquired Shikamaru.
"Yeah sure, I'm ready now." Choji pushed through the door as he looked at Ino. "Hey Ino."
"Hey yourself," she smirked.
"Who's this?" Choji gestured to Temari, his face a mask of confusion.
"She's-" Shikamaru began.
"Temari of the Sand," finished Temari.
Choji gawked at the two, and wondered if this was a joke. Shikamaru felt a familiar flow of emotions lurch forward again. This time, amusement also emerged. "This woman loves to control..."
"Should we grab Kankuro?" Temari aimed the question at Shikamaru. Her eye brow was raised as if whatever he said was what she expected to hear.
"We probably should," remarked Shikamaru. "He doesn't know anything about the mission."
Temari nodded her head in agreement. "We should hurry then, it's almost noon."
"Yeah. Actually, you three go to academy now, I'll drop by my house and pick up Kankuro. It'll be faster that way." Shikamaru glanced at Choji and Ino. "You two know the way right?"
"Of course," puffed Ino. "Let's head out!" Ino pointed exaggeratingly toward the general direction of the academy. Choji followed slowly, as he opened another bag of chips. Temari glimpsed at Shikamaru, and rolled her eyes in exasperation. "Enthusiastic?" she mouthed to Shikamaru. He returned his own exasperated expression. He was rewarded with a grin as she also turned to follow. He felt another sensation rise within him.
With the group heading toward the academy, Shikamaru dashed toward his home. He wondered if Kankuro was still there. If he wasn't, this would become a bigger pain than it warranted.
Shikamaru finally arrived at his home. He was lightly panting from running the whole distance but he continued into the house. He didn't immediately see anyone upon entering and began calling out Kankuro's name.
"Kankuro?"
He received no response and he called out louder. "Kankuro!"
He heard a faint answer come from the second floor. "I'm up in your guest room."
He leaped up the stairs and burst into the room. Kankuro had Karasu out on the bed, a flask of oil in one hand, a small screwdriver in the other as he performed some simple repairs. He raised his head and looked at Shikamaru. "Yeah?"
"We've got a meeting soon. Let's go."
"Give me a second." Kankuro returned his attention to the puppet. Shikamaru exhaled noisily as he leaned against the door frame. He folded his arms and tapped one of his fingers on his arm as he stared at the ceiling.
A minute later, Kankuro dropped the flask and screwdriver on the bed and wiped his hands on a rag. "Okay, I'm done." As he reached down to wrap Karasu, Shikamaru motioned him to come.
"It's just a meeting, don't bother."
"It won't take long," protested Kankuro.
"Just come."
"What a pain in the ass you are," Kankuro pointed out humourlessly.
Shikamaru rolled his eyes in annoyance. "This guy is related to Temari?" he thought disbelievingly.
"So... Temari, what's going on between you and Shikamaru?" Ino asked coyly.
"What?" blurted Temari. She tried to hide her surprise but did so poorly. "How the hell did this woman know?" she thought.
Ino grinned mischievously. "Oh, don't worry, Shikamaru would never talk. Just call it a 'woman's intuition'."
"Like I haven't heard that before," remarked Temari dryly.
"It's true. So, really, what's up?" Ino's grin remained plastered on her face.
"Nothing!" exclaimed Temari.
"Sure. Like I haven't heard that before either." Ino leaned in closer. "Really now, what's up?"
Temari sighed in defeat. It wouldn't hurt to tell her anyway. "Not much," admitted Temari. "The feeling is mutual but... I don't think he knows it."
"Men..." Ino made a slightly disgusted noise. "Perceptively lacking."
Temari laughed at this.
"You don't have to worry," Ino pointed out.
"And why is that?"
"Knowing Shikamaru? He's going to ask you first."
"Ask me what?"
"Ask about your feelings, duh," said Ino, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.
"And you know this because...?" Temari was growing curious.
"Because it's Shikamaru. Just trust me on this." Ino gave her an encouraging grin.
"And you don't mind me taking him away from you?" It was Temari's turn to play it coy.
Ino's grin faltered as her face darkened. She spoke slowly as if to tread carefully on the subject. "Not really... I just want to see him happy. Besides, I'm going after someone else." She ended with another playful grin.
Temari responded with a smile of her own. "Shikamaru is lucky when it comes to his friends," she thought.
"Just be patient with him... he's not used to this." Ino's face had darkened again and Temari instantly remembered Shikamaru's mother saying something similar. "You're the only girl he's ever liked."
She responded similarly and gave Ino a soft smile.
Shikamaru's mind wandered again as he and Kankuro ran through the streets. He visualized Temari's face as he mulled over what he would say to her later. Doubt was nagging at him again as he sighed. "Damn it, I'll just go on gut..." he thought. Kankuro's voice rudely pulled him out of his thoughts.
"Shikamaru?"
"What?" Shikamaru gave him an annoyed look.
"What were you doing on the rooftop with my sister?" Kankuro stressed 'my' as he glared at Shikamaru portentously.
"I already told you. You don't need to kno-"
"God damn it Shikamaru! I do need to know! She's my sister!" exploded Kankuro.
"Kankuro..."
"Tell me you bastard!"
"Look, I didn't do anything to her, okay? Lay off."
"I don't fucking believe you."
"I was training, and she showed up. I didn't lure her there," said an incensed Shikamaru.
"I still don't believe-" started Kankuro.
"Fine, don't believe me," interrupted Shikamaru. "Nothing I say is going to change anything."
"You're a bastard."
Shikamaru stayed silent. "There I go again... getting all angry over nothing," he thought.
"You got a thing for her don't you?" It wasn't a question.
"And what if I do Kankuro?" asked Shikamaru quietly.
Kankuro remained silent as well. Shikamaru couldn't quite see his face but he knew Kankuro was still furious. He wondered what he'd say next.
"Fucking bastard..." muttered Kankuro.
"What?" Shikamaru stopped abruptly as he peered at Kankuro. Kankuro had also stopped running.
"You're a fucking bastard," repeated Kankuro.
"What the hell?" thought Shikamaru.
Kankuro was breathing loudly but not out of exhaustion. "I'll allow this... but you do anything funny, anything to hurt her, and I'll fucking break you."
"Since when did your opinion count?" questioned Shikamaru.
"She's. My. Sister," hissed Kankuro. With that, he continued running leaving behind an irritated Shikamaru. "So damn troublesome..." he thought. He quickly followed Kankuro.
A few minutes later, Shikamaru and Kankuro arrived at the academy, both of them breathing heavier than normal. As Shikamaru paused to get his bearings, he saw Ino wave at them.
"Shikamaru! Over here!"
As he drew closer, he could have sworn he saw Ino give him a knowing look. Maybe he was imagining it, but as soon as he saw it, it was gone. All he could do was grumble inwardly. "Women..."
"Ah, you've finally arrived. Excellent!" said a familiar voice. Shikamaru turned to find the source of the voice. It was Janus. He was casually waving as he stood next to the gate entrance. Shikamaru couldn't help but stare at the strange left eye again. He noticed that the others did the same. Janus ignored the stares.
"I see you've brought your friends too. Good, good. Let's find an empty classroom to discuss this, yes?" Janus held his arms toward the gate as he smiled.
"Wait, we're not eating lunch?" asked Choji incredulously.
"Of course not. I've already eaten, haven't you?" Janus stared at them with one eye brow raised. His strange eye gazed down on Choji, and he visibly shuddered.
"You've got to be kidding me," muttered Choji.
"The meeting won't be long, you have my word." Janus smiled again.
Choji sighed. "Fine..."
"That's a good lad. Come on then."
As they entered a vacant classroom, Shikamaru noticed the maps and scrolls that already littered the front desk. The windows were covered in simple industrial-like grey blinds and only a small lamp attached to the front desk illuminated the room. A number of wooden chairs already surrounded the front desk as Janus sank into a black leather office chair. He motioned toward the chairs as if asking them to sit, but began speaking before they could become settled.
"First off, does everyone know the mission?"
Shikamaru immediately answered. "No, Temari and Kankuro haven't been briefed yet."
"Ah, the Sand Ninjas." Janus nodded at them. "Simply put, it's a scouting mission. You'll be exploring the north-eastern part of Fire Country, east of the Valley of the End."
"Do you have a map...?" asked Kankuro.
"Yes... give me a minute... ah, here." Janus pulled out a map about as big as a kitchen table cloth. He placed his palm down on the top right corner of a country highlighted in red. "Roughly this part of Fire Country."
"Hmm..."
"More specifically, you'll be heading to this village first..." Janus studied the map momentarily and then pointed at a dot on the map. "Kasai Bara."
"What's there?"
"Not much, but there have been reports of gang movements in that village. In particular, a minor gang by the name of 'Kuroi Bara'. They've been connected with the late Gato's corporation. I think it would be a good place to start."
"Any information on the village itself?" Shikamaru was going to need know what he was getting his team into.
"Yes. Population: 3000, main source of income: trade goods, and a great tourist village overall. Apparently, the village is famous for-"
"Fire Roses," finished Shikamaru.
"Yes, how'd you know?" Janus gave Shikamaru a questioning look.
"My dad knows a couple of people who live there. The village is also named after the Fire Roses," stated Shikamaru. "And it looks like the gang's name is a play on that name... the Black Rose."
"Excellent, then you might have contacts there already."
"Well... not exactly."
"What do you mean?"
Shikamaru sighed, showing signs of discomfort. He disliked talking about his dad's work. "They're all connected to assassinations he's done. Not exactly people we can trust."
"Do you think they'll recognize you?" Janus looked at him grimly.
"I'm not sure. I do look a lot like my dad... it could be a problem," Shikamaru finally confessed.
"I'm sure he'll be fine," Temari suddenly spoke. "He's improved enough to be a Jounin."
Shikamaru was thankful the room was dim as he was certain he had blushed. Kankuro's face remained neutral.
"True. You'll just have to see when you arrive." Janus looked at Shikamaru thoughtfully.
Shikamaru decided to break the uncomfortable silence that followed. "Anything else we need to know?"
"Just one more thing. Along the way, expect ambushes and traps. Despite the blanket secrecy of our mission, word may have gotten out any way."
"That's just troublesome..." thought Shikamaru.
"It's a four day trip at the very least, pack accordingly. You'll be leaving in two days time at 0700 hours sharp from the north gate. I'll be seeing you off." Janus smiled at the group.
Choji was groaning about his hunger when Janus finally relented. "That'll be all. Go on, have your lunch."
Choji grinned weakly at Janus and then hurried out of the room.
The sun shone brightly overhead as the group left the darkness of the room. Shikamaru was still thinking about the mission. He would need to plan out the route carefully. He didn't want to see his friends get hurt out of his stupidity or carelessness. For the others, lunch was all that was on their minds.
"Where do you guys want to go for lunch?" asked Ino.
"We could go to the barbeque place." Choji looked at the group hopefully.
"Doesn't matter to me," replied Shikamaru. "How about you two?"
"Barbeque sounds good," answered Temari.
Kankuro simply shrugged.
With lunch clarified, Shikamaru decided it would be time to speak with Temari. "Hey Temari."
"Hmm?"
"Could I... speak with you for a moment? In private?"
Temari concealed her grin. "Sure."
Kankuro shot Shikamaru a warning look as he continued walking with the group. Ino giggled as she pulled Choji along with her. "Come, let's leave the two love birds alone..."
The sudden awkward silence that followed gave Shikamaru a much greater sense of self awareness, something he really didn't treasure at the moment. His mind was in turmoil as he frantically searched for the right words to say. He finally decided to just go with the flow. He looked up to find a blushing Temari.
"I... ah..." stuttered Shikamaru. "Ah, fuck it," he thought.
He gently grasped Temari's hands with his own as he leaned in slowly. Temari could sense what he was planning and she pulled herself closer. He brought his face closer to hers and paused, almost as if to savour the moment. He looked into her eyes again, and lost himself in a sea of green. Not thinking, just wanting to live the moment, he kissed her gently. It was an innocent kiss that only touched the surface, but he was patient.
Temari was taken aback. Shikamaru wasn't the type to just spontaneously kiss a girl, even if he had strong feelings for her. But she loved it. She held the kiss and just let the warmth spread throughout her body. Her eyes had long been closed.
Finally, they broke apart, and slowly. He just let himself smile as Temari smiled back. Shikamaru was finally able to speak, letting the thoughts that had tortured his mind go.
"I really like you," he whispered.
Temari giggled as she kissed him again. "I like you too."
Shikamaru felt a comfortable warmth seep into his face as he closed his eyes, his smile still evident. "We should catch up with the group or they'll think we're doing something... more."
"And what if we were?" Temari said playfully.
"I wouldn't mind it at all."
They kissed a final time and walked toward group, their hands locked in a loving embrace. He didn't quite know what he had started, but he didn't care. The chaos that had plagued Shikamaru's mind was finally gone, and he was content again.
So ends Chapter 5 of The Fallen Leaf!