Disclaimer: I do not own the Naruto series, universe, or characters.
The two uniformed Sand shinobi grabbed onto Shikamaru and pulled him out of bed. Shikamaru, his senses still not entirely with him, said, "Why am I being arrested exactly?"
One of the shinobi let go of him for a moment to hold up several papers and documents. "Last night, someone broke into the Kazekage's office and stole these papers. We have reason to believe it was you."
Shikamaru was again roughly grabbed and escorted downstairs, where he saw Temari and Gaara. Before he could try and talk to them, he was rushed out of the Kazekage's home and into Suna's prison.
Shikamaru, now dressed in prisoner's clothing, was dragged into a dungeon and both his hands were chained to the wall. He noticed seals on the chains and tried to raise his chakra. Unsurprisingly, the seals blocked his chakra from being raised high enough to do much of anything. He took a moment to look around his cell. He definitely wouldn't be winning any clean home awards with this place. It was dank and smelled of sweat, waste, and death. In one corner he could see a remnant of a human skull.
He looked up and saw his guard, a Suna ANBU standing in front of the bars of his cell.
"I'm flattered they think I'm dangerous enough to warrant an ANBU guard." Shikamaru said.
The ANBU stared at him with the black eyes of his mask, reminding Shikamaru why the masks were designed so.
A door creaked and Shikamaru heard steps coming towards him. Temari and Gaara appeared a few seconds later. Gaara looked concerned, but Temari looked rather angry. She couldn't possibly be angry at me, Shikamaru thought, I'm the one in jail, and it wasn't even my fau–''
"How could you be so stupid?!?" Temari yelled.
Shikamaru sighed. "Look, I didn't take anything, okay?"
"Oh, I know that. How could you be so stupid to not have an alibi at the time the papers were taken, and how could you let them end up in your room?" Temari said.
"Oh yes, because I should always be prepared in case someone tries to frame me for a crime," Shikamaru said sarcastically.
"You should be, baka." Temari said, storming out of the prison.
Gaara apologized for his sister. "She's just mad at whoever framed you. Unfortunately, she likes to take anger out on you."
Shikamaru sighed again. "I need a cigarette."
Gaara made his unusual almost-smirk and said, "I take it you're taking this in stride, then?"
"Well, I've been better. But the situation will clear up. I hope."
"I've been trying to clear you, but the evidence is…not in your favor," Gaara's eyes narrowed, "and the elders aren't exactly trusting of me."
Shikamaru sat for a moment, and then had a realization. "Where's Koji? He was in the restroom with me when I passed out."
"Koji," Gaara said, thinking for a moment. His eyes widened. "hasn't been seen since last night. Do you think he had something to do with it?"
Shikamaru closed his eyes, concentrating. "Well, if my drink was spiked, like I think it was…Koji brought the drinks back to the table. He definitely had enough time to spike mine."
Gaara's eyes narrowed again. "I never did like him. I'll see if I can find him. If I can, he'll be heavily questioned."
Shikamaru nodded. "Thanks."
Gaara turned to leave, but stopped to say a word to the ANBU. Shikamaru watched with interest as a small clod of sand floated towards his right hand. He caught the sand quickly, concealing it. Gaara then walked out the door. Shikamaru was left alone with the ANBU guard.
Shikamaru sat down as comfortably as his chakra-blocking chains would allow. "So, I bet this job sucks," Shikamaru said towards the ANBU, "All you do is watch prisoners who are basically helpless anyway, right?"
The ANBU stepped forward, making Shikamaru think he would answer, but he instead reached for his mask. The blank mask came off, and Koji's face was uncovered. He held a kunai in his hand.
Shikamaru was sure his jaw dropped for a moment, but he desperately tried to regain his composure. He looked at the door, wondering if Gaara was too far away to hear his screams.
"Don't even think about it," Koji said, guessing Shikamaru's thoughts. His voice was much harsher-sounding than Shikamaru remembered. "I used a sound-muting technique. Anyone out of the range of five feet can't hear us. I did it while you and Gaara were talking."
Shikamaru raised an eyebrow. "That's pretty impressive. I didn't notice. I guess Gaara didn't either." Shikamaru looked hopefully at the door.
"I doubt it." Koji said. "He underestimates me."
"Well surely, if he didn't notice it was you behind that mask." Shikamaru said, hoping he could somehow talk his way out of this, or at least buy enough time… "So why did you do it? It has to be you who framed me."
Koji shook his head. "I framed you, but that's all I'm saying. I've read too many books where the bad guy is an idiot and tells the heroes his plan, and just how to stop him."
"Good point," Shikamaru said. He began moving his right hand, trying to be inconspicuous. "What was it, jealousy?"
"Jealousy? Hah," Koji said, a haughty grin on his face. "What you're talking about is pretty impossible. Temari would never settle for a guy like you."
"Like she'd settle for you?" Shikamaru smirked, knowing he was playing with fire. "You'd probably turn her lesbian."
Koji gritted his teeth. He knew Shikamaru was just trying to make him angry. But he also knew it was working. "Shut your mouth, before I tear it off." Koji stepped towards the door, opening it with his jailer's key.
"After all, to her, you're just a friend. A long-time friend." Shikamaru said, goading Koji even more.
Koji stepped closer to Shikamaru. "I probably would have killed you anyway, but you've sealed the deal." Koji took another step forward. "Any last words?"
Shikamaru smirked. "I hope you kill better than you hit on a woman."
Koji jumped forward, raising his kunai for a killing blow. Shikamaru quickly jumped from his sitting position and kicked out with his foot, performing a move that would cause his former teachers shake their heads in disappointment. He kicked Koji in the crotch. Koji yelled and fell over, groaning in pain.
"You should have worn a cup," Shikamaru said. He quickly finished using the lock pick Gaara had sent in the sand to finish freeing his right hand, then his left. He stood above Koji and started making handsigns. However, Koji recovered from his pain quickly and threw down a smoke bomb. When the smoke cleared, Koji was gone.
Shikamaru didn't waste much time worrying about where Koji went, but changed the signs he had been using, starting a new technique. He had developed this particular technique as a way to travel easier, sneak around, and even escape from battle, if necessary. The battle with the Sound girl taught him that he always needed an escape route.
He completed his technique and said, "Becoming Shadow Technique!" Shikamaru felt his body being altered by his technique and felt butterflies in his stomach, as he always did when using this technique. Practice had not made him fear becoming a shadow any less. Soon, he was just a shadow on the ground. He moved along the ground, slipping under the door of the prison and began to make his way to the Kazekage's mansion.
Temari sat in her living room, trying too cool down after being so angry. She felt rather silly now, having yelled at Shikamaru for something that obviously wasn't his fault. She had been so mad though, that she was ready to kill the person to blame for this misunderstanding. She saw some of Shikamaru's cigarettes lying on her table and grinned. He must be dying for one of these right now, she thought, then heard a voice say, "I really need one of those right now."
Startled, she looked up to see Shikamaru, still dressed in his prisoner's clothing. She jumped up and ran to him, embracing him before she thought about it. Shikamaru returned the hug awkwardly at first, but then hugged Temari back more forcefully. Temari then realized what she was doing and pushed them apart, blushing slightly.
"How did you get out?" Temari asked, getting over her embarrassment.
"Thank your brother." Shikamaru replied, reaching for a cigarette, then realizing that his lighter had been confiscated when they found it at the prison. He nearly swore and headed for the kitchen, and the oven inside.
"Did he convince the elders you were innocent?" Temari asked. Shikamaru finally managed to light his cigarette using the oven.
Taking a drag, he said, "Not exactly. Unless you count Elder Lockpick." He tossed Temari the lockpick.
Temari stared at the lockpick and shook her head. "I think you're a bad influence on him. He didn't do these kind of things before."
Shikamaru simply took another drag of his cigarette. "Look, I need to get out of here. It won't be long before the prison guards notice I'm gone. And there's probably somebody trying to kill me too."
"Who's trying to kill you?" Temari asked.
"Remember my ANBU guard? Well, he's the guy who framed me." Shikamaru said.
"Who was it?" Temari asked. Shikamaru could tell she would rip the guy apart.
Shikamaru nearly said 'Koji', but then thought better of it. Koji was one of Temari's closest friends. It would kill her to know Koji was the one who framed him. "I, uh, didn't recognize him." Shikamaru said.
"Why did he do it?" Temari asked.
"He didn't say," Shikamaru said, being truthful now. "Regardless, I need to head to Konoha. Now."
Shikamaru headed upstairs, towards his temporary room, and began gathering his belongings and gear. Luckily, the Suna shinobi hadn't thought it necessary to confiscate anymore of his things.
He changed into full shinobi attire, grabbed his pack, and headed downstairs towards the door. Next to the door was Temari, holding her own pack, and hefting her fan over her shoulder.
"What do you think you're doing?" Shikamaru asked.
"I think I'm helping and protecting a friend." Temari said.
"What if the friend wants you to stay here and remain safe?"
"Then that friend better get over it. Soon. I'm going with you. You need a partner on this. You said so yourself, someone is probably trying to kill you."
"Yes, and that means I want you to get in harm's way too," Shikamaru said, sarcasm flowing in his words. "I'm going alone. I can handle the guy. He ran away when I got free. He's scared of me."
"But I'm not," Temari said, folding her arms stubbornly. "I'm going, whether you like it or not."
Shikamaru sighed again, recognizing the glare Temari was directing his way. It meant that there was no way he was getting out of this.
"Fine, let's go," Shikamaru said, moving out the door, with Temari following closely behind, wearing a victory grin.
After he escaped Shikamaru, Koji took some time to recuperate. Something any man would appreciate, given the…wound he received in battle. After several minutes of rest, Koji was ready to pursue Shikamaru again.
If I were Shikamaru the first place I'd go is…the Kazekage's mansion, to retrieve all my things. Then, I'd head to Konoha, Koji thought to himself. Koji began leaping from roof to roof through Suna to reach the Kazekage's mansion. He reached his destination, and saw Temari and Shikamaru leave the mansion, heading in the direction of the village gate. Towards Konoha.
His eyes widened when he noticed that Temari was holding a pack of her own, obviously intent on traveling with Shikamaru to Konoha. He didn't think that she cared for Shikamaru so much. He frowned and narrowed his eyes. He wanted to kill Shikamaru even more now. Although his life was a lie, his affection for Temari, or at least part of it, was real. Her relationship with Shikamaru suddenly seemed much more…threatening now.
He began to follow the two, staying in the shadows the mid-afternoon sun provided.
A/N: Man, has it been a long time. I think this maybe the longest it's ever taken me to update. What can I say though, it was my senior year in high school, and being one of three valedictorians, I had a lot to do during the last semester of school. It almost felt weird to sit down and start writing again, but I turned out this chapter, which was so much fun to write, and I hope everyone has fun reading it.
As always, please leave a review or send me a PM. I welcome all constructive criticism.