Sorry for the wait. There is a lot of heavy stuff going on in my life at the moment.
This is a short chapter. I'm aware, but I didn't just want to fill it with anything meaningless. I hope everyone likes it regardless.
And, thanks to everyone who liked, reviewed or followed. Getting those emails makes my day which has really helped.
Disclaimer: Naruto is owned by Kishi-sensei, I just borrow the characters.
:)
"Lady Tsunade! We've received an urgent message from the Village Hidden in the Sand!" At the unexpected intrusion Tsunade looked up from the mountainous pile of paperwork scattered across her desk and focused her gaze on her assistant. Having gained the Hokage's full attention Shizune continued to relay the troubling news.
"Lady Temari and her team have gone missing, along with five shinobi squads. The Kazekage requests our assistance finding his sister and their comrades." Hearing the report Tsunade frowned, it was not what she was expecting to hear. The Kazekage had to be in a desperate situation to get help from the Leaf. It was no secret to Tsunade that the village didn't trust their new leader but they had to trust the freshly formed alliance with the Leaf even less. Their villages had been enemies for longer than the current Hokage had been alive. She crossed her arms over her chest, taking a moment to think through her options.
"Shizune, find Shikamaru, he is to come here at once. I'll begin putting a team together for him." Tsunade barked, startling a sleeping TonTon. Shizune nodded briefly, turning to leave before Tsunade's words seemed to have sunk in.
"Is that really for the best my lady? Shikamaru is very young and doesn't have as much battle experience. Maybe an existing jonin team would be better suited for this… delicate mission." Shizune stammered, trying to explain her doubts without offending the hot tempered Hokage. Not that it seemed to be working.
"That's enough Shizune. Shikamaru is an obvious choice. Not only is he a brilliant tactician he's had the experience with the Sand." Tsunade narrowed her eyes, sending her assistant away with a fierce glare.
Shikamaru followed a nervous Shizune into the Hokage's office. If his suspicions hadn't already been raised Tsunade's serious expression and the frantic way she was completing the paperwork on her desk would have done the job. Upon entering he looked between the two females and let out a sigh. Today was supposed to be his day off.
"Shikamaru, I apologise for drawing you here on your day off. If it wasn't so important…" She trailed off, glancing up from her paperwork to gauge his reaction. His posture, the normal slouch would suggest that the chuunin was half asleep, however Tsunade knew him better. It was obvious that Shikamaru was interested. He was yet to mumble a single 'troublesome'. Deciding it was better to continue, rather than study the young shinobi, she looked back to her paperwork.
"I'm sending you on a mission away from the Land of Fire. Neji, Shino, Kiba and Akamaru will make up your team. I trust you'll all work well together." Tsunade stated bluntly. She had learnt from experience that it was always best to present a Nara with straight information.
"Sounds like the perfect tracking team. What's the mission?" Shikamaru asked, astute as ever.
"Several squads of sand ninja have gone missing lately. At first it was questioned whether they were defecting…" Tsunade paused, undecided. Shikamaru straightened, leaning toward the Hokage slightly, his curiosity overriding his usual apathetic appearance.
"Until?" He prompted, already beginning to work on a strategy.
"A sensei and her students mysteriously disappeared in an electrical storm. Similar circumstances were connected to the other four disappearances."
That caught Shikamaru's attention. No teacher would ever defect and take their students with them. It wasn't practical.
This mission already sounds like a pain. An interesting pain, but I don't see why the Leaf is involved. How troublesome.
"Naturally, the Kazekage sent out one of the sand's most formidable squads, attempting to find their missing comrades." Tsunade continued, noticing Shikamaru's sudden change in demeanour.
Shikamaru's heart thumped painfully, it felt like it was about to burst out of his chest. His clenched his hands at his sides and began taking deep breaths. He knew it was pointless to be having such reaction, something Temari had continued to remind him with that ridiculous nickname. Not that he actually minded it that much.
"Unfortunately, Lady Temari and her team have disappeared too."
Shikamaru let the information sink in. Temari was no easy opponent, having battled her himself and knowing her personally, he knew she was both smart and powerful. A deadly mix.
To have taken her down would have been no easy feat. Temari is fast, resourceful and utterly terrifying. Whoever we're up against means serious trouble. What a drag.
"Shikamaru, I want you to take your team to the Village Hidden in the Sand and follow all orders from the Kazekage. Your mission is to find the missing sand shinobi and take them back to the Sand Village. If at all possible. It doesn't take a genius to realize that this is a highly sensitive mission. Shikamaru, I'm counting on you. Do you understand?" Tsunade warned.
"Of course, my lady." Shikamaru bowed and retreated. As he walked out of the building he failed to notice Asuma and Kurenai calling to him as he walked past. He was in shock.
Travelling out to the main gate he picked up supplies for their upcoming three day trip, churning through his emotions as he went. At the gate the rest of his team waited patiently, already prepared for the mission and ready to leave at his command. Shikamaru shook his head.
Trust Temari to make me go on such a pain of a mission.
He headed over to his team to explain the situation.
"Time to think up a winning strategy" He muttered under his breath.
Another short chapter coming up next, it would have been the end of this one but they just didn't run well together... See you soon?