I don't own Naruto!

Chapter 8: The Interrogation!

Ibiki sighed. Interrogation was not going well. The girl had been stubborn. She wouldn't say who she was; she barely said anything. The Seventh Hokage was getting annoyed. He had selected one of the White Ops who would interrogate her alone, but he hadn't shown up yet.

The door opened and in walked Shikamaru Nara. Over the years, the tall dark-haired boy had become an expert in interrogation, so much so that he was only called to interrogate in extreme situations. He had long ago surpassed Ibiki as the best. He took his white cloak off, revealing a simple black ninja uniform covered with a forest green jonin vest. After all these years, he still had it.

Ibiki took him to the interrogation room where Kayla was held and opened the door. Shikamaru stepped inside as the door was closed behind him. He turned to face his captive…and nearly fell over from shock.

He had never seen someone so beautiful. Her raven colored hair reached to her lower back, and her blue eyes were gorgeous and filled with determination. Shikamaru stared into her eyes, and something told him that no matter how long he spent, or how hard he tried, he would never be able to understand this girl. She would forever be a mystery to him.

Shikamaru shook himself. 'What a drag!' he thought. 'You know that I would have to interrogate the pretty one.'

"So let's begin," he said. "What are you doing here?"

"I was here to kill the Fifth Hokage."

"The Fifth? Are you sure you don't mean the Seventh?"

"I'm sure. I wasn't even aware that there was a Seventh."

"I see. Why did you want to kill the Fifth?"

"She's the last of the Sannin. The Otokage ordered that she be executed."

"But why? What purpose would that serve?"

"I don't know. I was just sent on the mission."

"So you have no idea why you were sent?"

"No. I don't know."

"Who are you?" Shikamaru asked. This was the question that she had clammed up on.

The girl remained silent.

"I'd rather not force you to talk, but I will if I have to."

Silence.

"Fine. What a drag! Ninja Art: Seven Terrors!" Shikamaru said, and his shadow began to engulf the entire room. Kayla watched as the shadow began to ripple, like the surface of a pond. A horrible smell filled the room. Suddenly, something emerged from the shadows. A putrid, pig-shaped shadow being emerged. Kayla nearly screamed as the beast began to smell her hair. Then another emerged from the floor on her left, this one shaped like a giant crow. It came over and pecked her leg. This time Kayla did scream.

"I'll talk! Please just get this thing away!"

Shikamaru released the jutsu, and the girl fell over onto the table.

"My name…is Kayla. I'm the daughter of one of the main families in the Sound Village."

"I see. Now why were you ordered to kill Lady Tsunade?"

"I can't honestly say for sure, but I think it had something to do with her knowledge. I think she knows something that the Otokage wishes she not be around to share."

"Like what?" Shikamaru said with force.

"I really don't know!"

"Fine. I'll be in touch," said Shikamaru as he opened the door.

Ibiki met him back at the entrance.

"Well?" he asked.

"Looks like Tsunade was right. The Otokage wants her dead. He's planning something, that's for sure."

"What should we do?"

"I'll speak to Yamato about some security from root. You let me know if she remembers anything."

"Yes, sir."

Shikamaru walked through the village, still thinking about Kayla.

"There was something different about her, almost as if she had no respect for the Otokage. She never referred to him as 'Lord Otokage.' I wonder what's up."

"Lord Shikamaru, Lord Hokage wants to see you," said a young chunin.

Shikamaru nodded and immediately left to see Naruto.

He appeared in Naruto's office in a puff of smoke.

"You wanted to see me?"

"Yeah. I was wondering if you learned anything."

Shikamaru proceeded to tell Naruto about what Kayla had said. It was a few moments later when Shikamaru finished.

"I see. I'm glad you got her name."

"Yeah. Maybe we can figure out who she is."

"I'll ask Granny. She might know who she is. By the way, I have a mission for us. I've spoken with Granny Tsunade and she says she doesn't mind to take over while I go on a few missions, but not overly dangerous ones."

"Are you sure about this?"

"Of course! I can't let you guys have all the fun."

"Alright, whatever. What's the mission?"

"It's a diplomatic mission. Lady Mizuumikage of the Lake Village wants to join our alliance. She's even brought her forces out of the valley and back to the village. I'm going to take a team tomorrow and meet her. We will then escort her to the summit."

"Who's going?"

"Just me, you, and Tai. I wanted to keep it small. I don't want the village to be unprotected. Some of the others will accompany Granny to the summit and meet us there."

"When do we leave?"

"Tomorrow at noon."

"Alright. No problem."

/

Sakura sat playing with Itachi. He was such a bright and happy kid. She couldn't believe that he was Sasuke's. She wondered if Naruto was sure about his adoption plans. How would he ever explain what had happened to Itachi's father? She left the adoption center and went to talk to Ino. She always had some insult to takes Sakura's mind off of things.

/

"Well?"

"Kayla was captured."

"…"

"Will we continue with the plan?"

"Yes. We will start with their summit. Mobilize the troops in the Weed and Rain. They will attack. We will kill their kages before they can mount a defense."

"Very well, sir."

Okay, so this was to get Shikamaru's love interest involved. Some of you may be wondering what happened to Temari. Well, she's still around, but her and Shikamaru had a big break up. That's not really a big deal and relationships are a bit secondary for now. Anyway, the voting for whether or not Naruto will marry Sakura or not is still open. I've decided that I will cut the voting when I post chapter 15. That will be the last major chapter before relationships begin to blossom. I hope to have that chapter and every one up to it up by the end of the month. See ya!