Shadows

Chapter 6

Shikamaru took a hesitant step forward. As he went to take his second step Kakashi placed a hand on his shoulder halting the shadow ninja. Shikamaru didn't turn to look, his eyes stayed glued on the woman before him. Yae was tear stained and dust covered. His body kept humming for him to move but Kakashi's hand on his shoulder kept him grounded.

The Mizukage held onto Yae as the woman shook. Behind the two the goddesses were talking quickly, only two were present, and the brown haired one was making wider hand gestures then her sister. From the room next door, they could hear Shizu's laugher.

"They've killed two," Whispered Yae as she turned to look at the Mizukage, her eyes lingered for a moment before looking to her goddesses.

"Two? How? And who for that matter?" She asked rushed as the goddesses looked to the ladies. Yae looked at the red haired one, her eyes weren't meeting Yae's they looked just over her. Yae turned and came face to face with the men in the room. Her eyes widened quickly and she stood up.

"Yae sit, don't do this now," The Mizukage gripped Yae and pulled her back to her spot on the couch.

"When?"

"Two days ago. I requested him specifically," Yae bowed her head watching her hands grip her dress.

"Why?"

"Shikamaru Nara will be relocated to the village hidden in the mist. I'm taking him away from Tsunade. She's not fit to rule," All eyes landed on the Mizukage's but Yae's.

"I filled the reports if he's not allowed it will be his choice to abandon the leaf,"

"It's done! If it means her, I give up the leaf."

"WHY!?" Yae's sob filled yell made everyone in the room fall silent. From the doorway Shizu and Dio stood. The little girl smiled as she ran to Shikamaru.

"MARU!"

"It's obvious Yae. No child, should grow up without both her parents. Not when they both are alive and healthy. You need him to be there for you, you need stability." Said the Mizukage placing a hand on Yae's angry ones.

"Your a treasure. Tsunade didn't see that. Your mine now, to look after. I'll do what i can to keep this village safe. You are of my village now."

Yae watched as Shikamaru bent down to his little twin and the girl seemed to make hand signals quickly for him. Shikamaru's eyes widened and he looked behind the girl.

"These are.." Shikamaru watched as her little shadow twitched then settled. Yae gave an uneasy chuckle as her tears began to flow in abundance.

"She's never spoken till now and the first word out of her mouth is a father she's never known..." Said Kimiri as she layed a hand on Yae and vanished.

"Father..." Shikamaru whispered at Shizu put her hands on Shikamaru's chest. He looked at the little girl and smiled as she smiled big at him. She gripped his hands and pulled him to the chess set on the table. The Mizukage stood and greeted Kakashi pulling him into the room and sitting him in a chair before the table.

"It's amazing how smart she is," Yae stood up and moved to the window. She looked out into the hazy mist and noticed that it was slowly lighting up. Morning was here and they had yet to address the real issue.

"She has her father's brains," Kimiri moved to the little girl, patted her on her head and then vanished. The scarf around her waist turned a dull brown. Shikamaru watched the scarf, he ground his teeth, the Mizukage noticed.

"We don't have time for this," Came Yae's winded sigh. She turned to look at the gathered group. Dio, forgotten, stood by the door of the room, his eyes closed and hands behind his back. Kakashi looked uncomfortable where he sat, but his eye met with hers and she felt the tension in her shoulders fade. The Mizukage smiled as Shizu made the first move and Shikamaru right away followed suit. They went with no words spoken between them, a small smile came to Yae's face. Kakashi leaned back.

"So what exactly are we in for?" Asked Kakashi as he watched Yae lean back heavely on the window. He then sees her arm, the pale green sleave was covered in a streak of red.

"Are you in-" He hadnt seen Dio move. The long haired ninja was at her side in an instant placing a chakra filled hand on her shoulder. Yae winced as she looked up at the older ninja, Kakashi noticed that she cussed at him abit.

"We are in for more then just a war, I'm being hunted. They've killed two of my Goddesses, and the only ones that had information on the four. A handful here in Mist and.." She stopped as she looked to the Mizukage.

The Mizukage noticed Shikamaru and Kakashi freeze.

"You think the Leaf is responsible?" Asked Kakashi as he stood and moved to the door.

He made a few hand signs and a seal appeared on the door.

"I know they are responsible, your the only ones with that mark." Says Yae as Dio pulls her arm up and examines the movement.

"Who was it?" Asked Shikamaru as he stood up and moved to Yae's side. He takes her arm from Dio and pulls her closer. He feels Yae shiver under his hands and he smiles at the older man. Dio smiles as he puts his hands up and walks away, choosing to lean up against the desk.

Yae pulled away and looked at Shikamaru straight on.

"If I tell you what will you do?"

"On our end, they will be handled I will be demanding they be handed over. They attacked one of ours." Said the Mizukage as she stood and picked up Shizu. The little girl smiled and gripped onto her hair.

"They didn't just come after me, they were aiming to kill me. Cant think of anyone who wants me dead?" Asked Yae as she took the child and little Shizu began to rub at her eyes. She looked at her mother and then layed her head on Yae's shoulder.

"She was sentenced to death. How can you think that, you haven't seen what happed that day," Said Shikamaru moving forward and coming to stand before her. Yae sighed and patted at Shizu's back.

" I wasn't imagining a blonde kicking my goddesses asses Nara Shikamaru. You asked me, now you know. Shes not done." Kakashi moved to the shadow ninja and cut his next statement off.

" She was pulled out of the records, it's standard for secret ANBU members. Those who give up family and titles," Said Kakashi as he looked to Yae.

"I've known something to be wrong for the last few months but I could not place it. So I've had a dear friend of mine look into it. Before we left she informed me that Ino Yamanaka was still alive, not just alive but a keeper. She was watching someone." Kakashi held his hand up and continued on.

"She, Usagi, said that they were set on a mission just after we left. Her team followed us here. I figured they'd be harmless, they are on a mission. There only target is Shikamaru, to prevent him running off. Now Usagi and a two man team are headed here to aid us." Everyone looked at Kakashi.

"You knew there would be trouble?" Asked the Mizukage as her face turend pale and then beat red.

"Trouble? Hardly, we were told we'd be here for a month or two. I was just thinking of my own needs. It's only been a few days but I already miss my wife," The Copy ninja scratched at the back of his head and looked to be smiling under the mask.

Everyone seemed to nod at that and then froze. Three heads turn to the ninja quick.

"WIFE?"