AN: Howdy all! Well, we just keep trucking. Here's the next chapter for your enjoyment. As a reminder, Tumblr chapters are posted Monday, Wednesday and Friday. chapters are posted all on Sunday. Extra content will generally only be posted on Tumblr. Anyway, we own nothing and below is a list of words you might have forgotten.
Arc – Transition of Power
Chapter Five – Political Captives, Part One
Shikamaru glared at the huge mahogany doors as they closed on his face, once again leaving him to his own devices while the Fire Daimyo spoke with the Koushi-sama in a meeting he clearly wasn't invited to attend. This was the seventh time in so many days that this had happened, but it couldn't be helped. He obviously wasn't cleared for the information being shared.
'Well, it's either that or the Daimyo just hates me,' he thought as he mentally reviewed his previous interactions with the man. 'Wait, has he even ever addressed me directly?' he questioned curiously before tossing the issue aside. He really didn't care if the Fire Daimyo recognized his existence. In fact, his dreams of a wonderfully average life required that the man didn't.
And it wasn't as if he actually wanted to be in there anyway. Stuck listening to the oddly flamboyant man with no way out until the Fire Nation ruler was done on pain of inciting an unfortunate diplomatic incident. 'Yeah, no. I'd rather have a tooth pulled without anesthetic,' he thought with a sigh. 'Not that this is any better,' he continued, glaring at the doors one last time before turning away to face the rest of the corridor.
It was empty except for the few guards stationed at regular intervals. He took a step to his right before leaning beside the doorframe. This was perhaps the definition of pure boredom, mind numbingly dull to the point that he was almost willing to subject himself to an hour of Rock-san's non-stop talking if he could get out of this detail. Closing his eyes in frustration, he realized he'd just reached beyond the point of desperation. 'What a troublesome thought,' he sighed.
But of course, while he might loath his current predicament, he definitely did not envy his new partner. No, he wouldn't take her place on pain of death. Especially not when death would at least release him from the endless boredom. 'Yeah, she's just going to have to take one for the team this time,' he thought absentmindedly. 'Well, maybe not team,' he continued fairly certain that the Daimyo barely managed to remember his name and would probably not notice if he was even in the room without his trusty assistant reminding him. 'Which does wonders for my ego,' he finished irritably.
Of course, none of that mattered. Not when he was conveniently out here not losing huge chunks of his life to obnoxious chatter that would be about as useful as a Hyuuga at keeping patrons in a brothel. 'Still, this isn't some cake walk either,' he thought as he eyed the artwork in the hallway. That Yajirobe painting across from him had practically become his best friend with how much time he'd spent staring at it.
'What a pain,' he thought as his gaze traced the abstract piece, taunting him with its sky blues and puffy whites so much like his second favorite pastime. Looking at it was almost like gazing at the sky on a partially cloudy day only without the possibility of his all-time favorite pastime, napping. But, it wasn't as if he could just nap while he was still technically on the job. 'Actually, I can't even leave this damn hallway,' he thought, clarifying the whole irritating matter. No matter what Ino claimed, he was lazy, not irresponsible.
'Troublesome missions with their technically incomplete objectives because annoying Fire Lords always seem to have one more thing, just one more conversation that just can't wait. All perfectly convenient for keeping us here completely against our will,' he thought bitterly. 'Oh, why did I become a Chuunin? I should have slept in and avoided all this.' Really, early mornings with Gai-sensei didn't seem all that bad in comparison.
Unfortunately, he couldn't change the past, which left him here, still on an active mission. And the Ninja Readiness Handbook was clear on the matter. Active missions required 'battle ready' preparedness and for ninja to remain 'ever alert' to all possible attacks. It didn't matter that they were in the relative safety of the Fire Nation Capital. As it was, ninja had been attacked in far safer environments.
How a three-day escort mission, four days tops, could end up on the tenth day with no end in sight was beyond all rational thought. It wasn't just bothersome; it was downright insufferable. How was his luck this bad to end up in this situation? Not only had he not gotten some kind of vacation like the majority of the Rookie Nine, their thanks for services rendered above and beyond the call of duty, but he'd also managed to land a mission that apparently had no end date.
'This is absolute bullshit,' he thought bitterly. 'It defies nearly all levels of probability. I should…' He let the thought linger for a moment more before quickly discarding it with a heavy sigh. Staring across from him was his friend the abstract Yajirobe sky, his surrogate for his own favorite sight, but it just wasn't the same. Dragging his gaze away from the painting, Shikamaru glanced up, mind imagining what he should have seen instead of the intricately designed ceiling of the palace. 'No, nothing can replace a lazy day atop soft green hills under a bright blue sky,' he thought wistfully.
So he hated every irksome moment he spent like this instead of where he was supposed to be. He hated every second he remained the Daimyo's political captive.
"Ah, the face of an abused man. Nara-san, I take it my father is in another meeting with the esteemed Koushi-sama?" The light voice filled with amusement drew Shikamaru's gaze away from the ceiling to face the growingly familiar Katsuo-sama, the Fire Daimyo's only son.
Tall and lean, his sharp features where nearly an identical mirror of his father's. He struck a striking figure garbed in the traditional Fire Nation colors, all bright reds, yellows and orange hues like the brilliance of the rising sun. Shikamaru would have envied the older boy, if not for his certainty that he had even less time to relax then himself. After all, the life of a noble could not be without its responsibilities and expectations.
Still, the young lord's jovial personality was infectious, and Shikamaru found himself easily nodding his head in respect, a small smirk creeping at the edge of his lips as he greeted the older boy, "I am afraid you are correct, Katsuo-sama. As troublesome as it seems, Koushi-sama has once again been drawn into another endless meeting with the Fire Lord."
"Do cheer up, Nara-san. I doubt you need guard the door for the next several hours." A huff of exasperation nearly left him at the comment, a slim brow lifting in clear disbelief. He was a shinobi of the leaf, unless the young lord was here to request another game of shogi, Shikamaru was in for more of Yajirobe-sensei's abstract paintings all of which decorated this wing of the palace.
Still, there was always that little bud of hope that his eternal boredom might be ending. After all, as a shinobi of the leaf, he could not deny the future lord of the Fire Nation. There need be only an offer of a game of shogi and he could say goodbye to boredom as he put his wits to the test. It wasn't often that a young lord didn't mind getting beaten in a game of wits.
As if reading his mind, Katsuo-sama shook his head at the unasked question. "Gomen'nesai, Nara-san, but I cannot avail myself for your entertainment today. Unfortunately, our last game of shogi took quite a spell to complete, and I would be remised in my duties if I once again indulged for such extended hours today." His face pulled into a sad smile as he continued, "Unfortunately, studies await no man. Even the future Fire Daimyo is not immune to its call."
"Of course, Lord Katsuo," Shikamaru stated quickly, touched by the young lord's genuine care. It was certainly not something he would have anticipated before this mission. Of course, Shikamaru hadn't ever really concerned himself with what kinds of people made up the nobility of the Fire Nation, but it hadn't taken him long to realize that the genuine kindness and consideration Katsuo-sama showed him was a rare trait. Well, perhaps not quite so rare given that his partner had shown him a true earnestness and willingness to work with him that spoke of a similar consideration at odds with what he would expect from her title.
"Still, I do believe my father's guards and the ever vigilant dedication of the Koushi-sama will be more than enough to protect him. So I see no reason you can't explore the city for a turn."
The protest was on his lips in an instant, not requiring conscious thought to even register his required response. He knew his job, knew what was expected of him even if he loathed the irksome responsibilities of it all. He could not simply do as he pleased, not while still on active duty. But the young lord would not hear a word of it, continuing to speak even before the words of protest could leave Shikamaru's lips.
"Not a word, Nara-san. Not a word. You have stood vigilant for nearly a week. My father can be without you for one day." Katsuo-sama paused, waiting patiently for Shikamaru to visibly give in to the order before continuing, "Now please, enjoy the pleasures of the city. It is as much your home as it is mine. I will inform the Koushi-sama of your departure at their meeting's conclusion. I am certain she will not begrudge you this small opportunity."
Shikamaru nodded. Although he thought he could make an accurate general assumption of her behavior given the general extent of their interactions thus far, in actuality, he barely knew his new partner. That said, by all appearances the young lord clearly knew Koushi-sama far better than he. So he trusted the young noble's opinion, confident that the familiarity in the lord's voice spoke of a certainty that Shikamaru doubted he'd ever be able to gain.
"Hopefully, the rest of your day proceeds far more pleasantly then it already has. Now, I must bid you ado."
"Of course, Lord Katsuo," he stated, bowing deeply as the young lord took his leave before doing likewise, heading in the opposite direction.
By now the palace halls had become more than familiar. Brilliant golds. Radiant reds and yellows. Ornate carvings in strong woods at every twist and turn. It would have made for a wonderful sight if he'd had the time to leisurely peruse each corridor. Alas, such off-duty activities were granted only to those staying as guests of the palace.
Gaze drifting, Shikamaru glanced down a random hall, spying the extremely intricate design of several gold sculptures. Given the sheer number of similar such statues, he'd cleverly named that part of the palace the 'gold wing'. He assumed only the highest profile guest stayed there, but given the glare of the guard standing sentinel at the hall's opening, he was sure he'd never get a chance to confirm it.
Here he was, going through all this trouble only to be barred from the majority of the home of the man he was technically here to protect. Honestly, would it have really been so bad for them to have accepted the Daimyo's offer and enjoyed at least some of the palace's splendor? But Koushi-sama had declined the proffered rooms practically before the offer had even been fully made.
'Of course she had,' Shikamaru thought as he turned the corner, mentally confirming the guard locations as he made his way out of the palace. She'd also refused the apartments and hotel rooms the Daimyo had offered that were within the Palace District as well. He understood humility. Didn't really see a point to it, but he understood. 'Still the Koushi-sama takes it to new extremes.'
He wasn't sure if that was a Hyuuga thing, or if his new partner was just extremely humble. Either way, her humility was getting in the way of his comfortable captivity. 'Maybe she's got some kind of monk thing going on?' he thought, absentmindedly turning down the last corridor. If he remembered correctly, the Hyuuga were among the most pious of the Clans in the village.
He hated to admit that their characteristic piety hadn't even crossed his mind in concerns to the Koushi-sama, but when he thought about it now, her reserve did make sense. Which was a shame because the only thought that had carried through the village making the idea of this assignment bearable was the notion that he'd at least get to indulge in some of the luxuries his pay grade could not – and honestly, never would be able to – afford. 'I am partnered with the ninja world's equivalent to a princess. There should be some benefits to that,' he thought with a sigh as he finally reached the high doors that barred his exit from the palace proper.
'And yeah, sure, a private wing in the palace for just the two of us would have been a bit much, but did she really have to refuse every offered gift outside of the most basic request of a single hotel room?' he thought as he pushed the heavy dark oak doors open. Wincing at the harsh glare of the sun burning his retinas, Shikamaru raised a hand to shield his eyes as they adjusted to the bright winter sun.
'At least it's been a warm season.' Now he wouldn't have to worry about freezing on his unnecessarily long walk back to their small shared hotel room. His feet took him silently down the immaculate streets of the Palace District. Every shop he past was large and elegant, but more importantly annoyingly out of his price range.
Looking away, his gaze caught the steam from what he knew to be the largest bathhouse outside of Hotspring Country. He sighed wistfully. It was free entry. At least free to anyone actually staying within the Palace District. He'd tried to fake it early on, but the voucher he'd used – a simple genjutsu on a piece of scrap paper he'd found lying around – had been easily expelled. It seemed a lot of ninja, Genin and Jounin alike tried to enter like that.
'Just one perk. One. Is that really too much to ask?' he thought bitterly. Where were the lavish hotels? Free meals from five star restaurants? Complimentary anything? But no, he was denied nearly every perk that would have made this captivity bearable.
Trudging down a nearby alleyway, a shortcut he'd found early in their forced stay, Shikamaru grumbled to himself. He couldn't even blame his partner. Fuck, he only knew that she slept because she hadn't passed out from exhaustion yet. As it was, she was still pouring over paperwork with her annoying Hyuuga assistant when he dragged himself to sleep every night and she was just getting back in from whatever training she did when he dragged himself from bed every morning. She was so busy she might have had six maybe eight hours, not counting sleep or training, of free time in the past seven days. Instead, she was either at the Daimyo's ear or behind a desk piled high with more paperwork than he imagined the Hokage had to sift through.
"Not that she spent that time having anything even resembling fun," Shikamaru muttered, hands digging further into his pants pockets as he slipped down another back alleyway. As he recalled, those eight hours, broken up over a period of four days, had been spent in conference with businessmen or at least someone dressed like arrogant businessmen. He hadn't asked for clarification. He'd just found some place else in the hotel to be during those meetings.
Shrugging the thought aside, Shikamaru slipped around one more corner stepping out into the bustling street that held their fairly non-descript hotel. It was a simple building, ornate, but not overly so, a fairly good pick for a pair of ninja attempting to keep a low profile. The only problem was; they shouldn't have needed the room to begin with. At least not for this long. Still, there wasn't anything he could do to change that.
Striding forward, Shikamaru paused outside the hotel, sturdy oak doors the only obstacle between him and the comfort of his bed. He could go up the three flights of stairs and navigate the winding hallways to reach his shared hotel room. He could even ignore the silent, yet extremely judgmental Hyuuga likely still there organizing Koushi-sama's missives. Hell, he was sure it would be easy to ignore the man's annoyingly condescending gaze, brows pinched behind thick rimmed glasses in silent disapproval as he fiddled with papers only to finally manage to take the nap that he so rightly deserved. But…
'Is it really worth all the trouble?' he questioned, thoughtfully glancing behind him and to the bright winter sky. 'Surely there's a beautiful grassy knoll out there where I can kick back and enjoy the clouds lightly dotting the sky,' he continued taking a step back and away from the building.
With a nod, Shikamaru spun slowly on his heels feet pointed in a random direction as he started walking. It might take him some time to find that perfect place to relax, but at least this way he wouldn't have to deal with Koushi-sama's troublesome assistant. 'And if I'm lucky, I might stumble into someone I know. Maybe con them into a game of shogi,' he added wistfully. That was one of the many things he missed about being a Genin under Asuma-sensei's teachings. That and the lack of responsibility. Oh well. 'When I get back, if I get back, I'll just have to challenge the man to a game.'
Briefly he wondered if he could coax his new partner into a game, sure that the famed calculating logic of Hyuuga tactics would make for an interesting challenge. But of course the prospect of coaxing anything out of a Hyuuga, let alone the Koushi-sama, just seemed too troublesome a task. At least he wouldn't be bringing the subject up anytime soon.
Distracted and lost within his own thoughts, Shikamaru traveled aimlessly through the city, small bits of conversation floating to his ears every once in awhile.
"…I'm telling you Nii-san stay away from that quarter while that manic is there. I don't trust folks that…"
Shikamaru absentmindedly turned a corner, the conversation fading out as the crackle of children's laughter filled the air. Distracted, his mind on other things, he still noticed the moment he entered the Uchiha Quarter. Bright laughter and warm cadences, the sounds were the same. The sights and smells intimately familiar in their near identical quality.
Glancing around, Shikamaru nodded once in confirmation. Gaze flirting around the bustling area noting the only real difference between the Quarter here and the District back in Konoha, the people. Men and women in near equal numbers selling their wares in stark contrast to the Konoha streets where nearly all the shops were run by men alone. But it was more than that. The voices of the old and young, all friendly, all cheerful. Far more welcoming to the surrounding strangers than the highly divided measures back in the village. Politics was the name of the game he just hated to play, but was probably the primary cause for such differences.
Even so, it was an interesting contrast to see. A difference of character so unlike any of the other clans of Konoha if that stuffy Hyuuga assistant creeping around their hotel room like a bad smell was anything to go by. Apparently, only the Uchiha seemed to work as two different clans in two distinct places.
The clamoring of activity briefly caught his attention. A young man, really more boy than man, stepping out of the entryway, no door to be seen, with an old woman following after him, her slow measured steps likely a product of her advanced years. Dark hair and equally dark features screamed Uchiha which was only confirmed by the arrogant tilt of his chin as he spoke, the Uchiha fan embossed on his back.
"Really, Baa-chan? I heard you the first time. I'm going, okay." The young man's voice had a familiar exasperation that Shikamaru was all too accustomed to. Overbearing women were all the same, not that he'd tell that to their faces,he didn't have a death wish.
"And don't you forget a thing on that list," the old woman stated, voice raised. Just as Shikamaru had thought. Nagging women, always demanding activity. Why couldn't they let a man sleep? Maybe then he could have failed the Chuunin Exams and live out at least the next five years as an average Genin.
Turning away from the pair, Shikamaru moved to continue his aimless walk. Some dreams were just that, dreams. Suddenly, his fight or flight response kicked in, instincts moving in overdrive. On autopilot, he found himself pressing a kunai into the pale neck of an oddly familiar face as his would be assailant loosened his grip on his arm.
"Ah? You're the honorable Koushi-sama's partner, correct?" the boy questioned nervously, dark eyes shifting from side to side. Shikamaru didn't immediately let go at the question. Sure, the boy didn't seem like a threat, but he was annoyed enough at the interruption not to care. "Ah, it's, um, Tingzhe of the Donghai Family. We met at the Daimyo's Dinner a few days ago," the boy continued, his nervousness growing with each passing second.
An exasperated sigh left Shikamaru's lips as he took a step back, putting away his kunai before he caused a political incident that he couldn't talk his way out of. There was, after all, no way to live an average existence if he injured a nobleman's son. "Of course, I remember you now," Shikamaru replied as Lord Tingzhe steadied his nerves. 'You and the rest of the eligible flock of nobles that can't seem to take a hint,' he added silently with a roll of his eyes at the memory of said dinner. This was beyond irksome.
"Great, great," Lord Tingzhe nodded, nervously wiping his hands along the length of his trousers, the wool material easily absorbing the sweat from his palms. His suit was as nice as anything Shikamaru could have expected for a son of one of the most powerful nobles in Fire Nation, high thread count, beautiful cross stitching. Causal without the matching necktie, top button left undone, long dark hair tied in a simple topknot atop his head, one intricately carved pin holding it together.
'That's probably jade and gold,' Shikamaru thought with an irritated sigh as his gaze shifted away from the hairpin back to the nervous gaze of the nobleman. He waited in the prolonged silence, unwilling to engage the slightly older boy, but also painfully aware that he couldn't just walk away like he would have preferred. That would have been rude, and unlike Naruto, who somehow got away with that on a regular basis, he could no sooner deny that he was raised with some form of manners. Manners beaten into him at a young age and thus couldn't be ignored.
"Okay…well," the nobleman paused again, one nervous hand wiping at the back of his neck as he searched for words. Lord Tingzhe took a breath, steadying himself before the confidence that Shikamaru had once witness at the Fire Daimyo's state dinner came rushing back. "Tell me about the Koushi-sama," he commanded, self-assured that his request would not be denied.
'Ah, this,' Shikamaru thought as he raised a questioning brow at the older boy. He knew what he wanted. How could he not when he'd spent the better part of an entire evening watching practically every suitable Fire Nation noble son hover at a short distance from the Koushi-sama waiting impatiently for her attention at a dinner Shikamaru still wasn't sure how the Daimyo managed to cobble together in such a short time frame.
Actually, now that he was thinking about it, he was pretty sure that another one of those dinners was coming up soon. Within the next two days in fact. It was the current excuse for why they'd been forced to once again extend their stay. He'd been expecting something like this days ago, but that didn't mean he was prepared for it. 'I was supposed to see them coming so I could find myself somewhere else to be.' Oh well, he couldn't always be perfect. In the meantime, he'd just have to deal with troublesome noblemen.
His silence had the effect he wanted as the young lord lost his momentary confidence and broke out into a heavy nervous sweat. 'Probably ruining that nice suit.' Then again, the kid probably had another dozen of the same. Why was he even thinking about doing this again?
"Look, Nana-san. It was Nana-san, right? As the Koushi-sama's partner, you're privy to a wealth of information. I just want some of it."
'Right, I'm the partner to the Koushi now.' She was going to owe him for this one. If he ever got around to telling her, which now that he thought about it also seemed like too troublesome a task.
"I need…I, ah, I can make it worth your while. The Donghai Family has far more pull in this city than nearly all of the other great families." The young lord stumbled on.
"Nara," Shikamaru replied with a bored sigh. He couldn't just leave, but he certainly didn't have to entertain a guy who couldn't even be bothered to learn his name before approaching. The kid should have at least learned his name if he was going to try to buy him. Not that it would help him get what he wanted, but it was the basic rule of bribery.
"I beg your pardon?" Tingzhe replied in confusion.
"Nara, as in my name," Shikamaru continued. Why hadn't he avoided this conversation again? 'Right trying to find that grassy knoll.' He looked out at the bustling streets. Concrete everywhere. His partner really owed him after dealing with this idiot. This was the last thing he wanted to do, fall into the political games of the nobility. He wasn't equipped for it, at least not like his partner who'd clearly been well versed in it if the ease she'd avoided every annoying prick vying for her attention at dinner was anything to go by. Not a one of her would-be suitors had gotten a word in edgewise with the Daimyo talking her ear off. Which was great for her, but given the fact that he was now being accosted by an entitled ass not so stellar for him.
"Oh, of course, my apologies," the lord corrected offhandedly before rushing forward. "But do tell me all you can about the lovely Koushi-sama. As you may be aware, I was…unable to obtain a significant amount of her time, and I would very much like to rectify that problem. Your assistance is much appreciated and will of course be well compensated."
"Unfortunately, the Koushi-sama and I have only been partners for a short time." Stall tactic one employed. 'Now, just turn around, so I can be on my way.'
"Oh, but surely, you can tell me something."
Shikamaru tried not to roll his eyes. There goes that game. "Hai, I could…" he began but was interrupted before he could finish.
Tingzhe smiled widely, "Great! Do tell me everything over lunch. My treat. I know this great place in the Hyuuga Quarter. Best barbeque…"
"But I won't," Shikamaru finished. He really didn't need to know everything he was throwing away, especially since he was almost positive Tingzhe was talking about the only Akimichi owned restaurant in the Fire Nation Capital. 'I couldn't afford that place even if I was making Jounin money,' he thought bitterly as Tingzhe sputtered, his anger slowly darkening his features.
"You know who I am. You'd do well to remember that," he spat in growing anger.
"Sumimasen, Lord Tingzhe, however my partner and I are both ninja of the leaf. You see, we ninja really value our privacy. Of course, I'm sure you'll do well enough without my assistance," Shikamaru answered as politely as he could still hoping to avoid an incident.
Tingzhe's face turned bright red at that, probably in both embarrassment and anger. "I shall remember this, Nara-san. You have made an enemy of the Donghai Family today," Tingzhe spat before turning away rushing further into the Uchiha Quarter as he went.
'I guess I shouldn't have corrected him about my name,' Shikamaru hummed quietly, turning on his heels to quickly vacate the area. Now that Tingzhe had mentioned it, he found himself a little hungry. The smells from the Uchiha Quarter made his stomach rumble, but he needed to get out of here. It wouldn't do for any more desperate nobles to approach him today. He really could only afford to make one enemy a day.
'Clearly being the Koushi-sama's partner is just as troublesome as I thought it would be,' Shikamaru sighed as he trudged blindly through the city market place on the lookout for a street vendor. Unlike Konoha, which lived on street vendors, the Fire Nation Capital had far more restaurants in comparison, all of which seemed too much trouble to bother with.
Aimlessly, Shikamaru wandered, bright colors flirting across his vision, rancorous conversation assaulting his ears unendingly. The Capital was full of more life and energy then he could have imagined. Exhaustingly so. Surely these people couldn't be happy all the time.
'Surely I should have stumbled upon the Hyuuga Quarter by now.' That place would be all muted colors and subdued sounds, instead of this seizure inducing sensory overload that seemed to make up the majority of the Fire Nation Capital so far.
Kids laughed. And shop owners called joyfully from their bustling stoops. Not even the occasional stiff backed and rigidly held patron could detract from the nonstop energy.
"Matte ne," Shikamaru mumbled as his gaze snapped back to the unusually large group of grayscale garbed, long haired individuals congregated just outside of one of the more festive looking restaurants. 'Isn't that…'
Gaze shifting across the clearing, Shikamaru let his thought trail off, unfinished as his dark gaze tracked more of the low energy patrons. Similarly dressed to the group he'd spotted just outside of the restaurant he'd passed less than a kilometer ago, there could be no mistaking it. Even without confirmation of what he assumed would be pale eyes, the obvious indication of a doujutsu more famous then perhaps the Fire Daimyo himself. Those were Hyuuga. More than he'd expect to be outside of their own Hyuuga Quarter. So that could only really mean one thing.
'So this is the famed Hyuuga Quarter of the Fire Capital,' Shikamaru thought, his gaze flirting across the diverse bunch, an eclectic mix of relatively blank faced Hyuuga and bright faced citizens that seemed at odds with each other.
'Well, at least part of it,' he continued as he remembered the reported size of the sector. He'd been hesitant to believe the report before, but now. Now that he was here, gaze ghosting across shop after shop after shop, he had to believe it. Clearly, the Hyuuga's preference for joint venture operations, as interesting as Shikamaru always found it, resulted in what seemed like an endless Quarter of Hyuuga bound people and equally interesting partnerships.
"…they worship a false God! A charlatan! And you all flock at their feet…"
The screaming seemed to come from nowhere, ripping Shikamaru from his leisure walk as some priest, his face red with exertion spit foaming at the corners of his mouth, waved a brightly bound book in the air. His fingers wrapped around the book tightly, clasped around the gold pages like Midas' touch to what would have normally been an ordinary tome.
"…Denounce the Hyuuga Heretics! Their bounty is the result of cavorting with false deities and their reign will fall…"
The deep red of his priest robes shook violently as the man sharply cut through the air with a vigorously moving hand. Propped on a pedestal, he drew only the occasional curious look, but that seemed not to deter him as he continued to scream his diatribe into the empty air surrounding him.
"…Their prosperity shall be given as an offering to the one true God in all his terrifying glory! Denounce the Hyuuga Heretics NOW and you shall be blessed with his mercy! Denounce…"
Shikamaru ignored the crazed lunatic, moving past him with only a raised eye as he noticed the shine of the golden crescent moon emblazed on his back. It was novel to see a group of people – and he assumed that the fanatic wasn't alone in his lunacy as seemed to be the case for all radical groups – outside of the ninja world that despised the Hyuuga. But it was nothing more than a curiosity, an irritating one at best.
Drifting down the bustling street, gaze shifting from shop to shop, Shikamaru hummed lightly as he walked still on the lookout for an easy snack. This was nice. Well, as nice as his continued search for the perfect place to nap under the sun could be, but nice all the same. Now if only he could find something quick and easy to munch on. Where was Choji-kun when you needed him? 'Relaxing it up in Konoha,' Shikamaru thought bitterly, answering his own query.
"…oh, of course not, but I am fortunate enough to have children that all want to honor our family. Although the Calling has never really been particularly strong in our side of the family, they have all managed in their own way to bring great honor to the family." Drawn from his thoughts on his growing hunger, Shikamaru paused at the sound of conversation floated to his ears. His gaze eyeing the little café sign suspiciously. The doorless entryway leaving the café open and welcoming. He could even spy a small group of Hyuuga sitting at the table right next to the window gossiping away like old maids. This was probably a little too convenient. Should he just go in and risk interacting with people?
"I do suppose you have a point. Poor Kazue-sama. I just feel so sorry for her. I mean to have four great, productive children, with not one but two children having the Calling to Her temple," one of the gossiping Hyuuga shook his head, "and little Kazue-chan shaping up to be a woman just as dedicated as her mother. It's just a right shame for the youngest to bring so much dishonor to the family. I cannot imagine the kind of stress our Kazue-sama is under."
Shikamaru eyed the doorway suspiciously allowing the conversation to continue around him. It did smell quite tempting.
"Three years."
"No, that can't be."
"Oh, I'm afraid so. The boy has been without an apprenticeship for three years."
"But isn't he only…"
The Hyuuga nodded, cutting his friend off before he could finish, "I know. To think he has never had an apprenticeship."
"Oh, the shame."
"And that's not all. I've heard that he's acquisitioned a separate apartment."
"With no prospects?" His friend nodded. "Poor Kazue-sama."
"I pray to the Goddess every day for our dear Kazue-sama. Every day. Now if only she answered…"
Shikamaru turned away, not bothering to stay around longer to hear any more of the gossiping Hyuuga's conversation. While he'd never tell Ino to her face, there was such a thing as too much gossiping, and that was his limit. Plus, that café would be bustling with even more energy than he had the patience to deal with given the week he'd had. No, he needed relative quiet. A few minutes to himself to just relax.
Continuing on, luck finally seemed to turn his way as a row of street vendors lined the next street over. Mouthwatering, Shikamaru picked up a couple of onigiri and was on his way just as quick as he'd come. 'Now I've just got to find that beautiful grassy knoll.' With renewed purpose and a full stomach, Shikamaru picked up his pace just a tad. Paradise was only a few streets over. He was sure.
Soon enough he found himself on the outskirts of the Hyuuga Quarter, a ring of low end hotels and reasonably priced apartments the only thing between him and rolling hills.
Walking slowly, his eyes on the lookout for anything green among the various shades of gray, his gaze caught a familiar hairstyle, two tufts of hair parted in a way that was impossible to mistake for anyone other than his childhood friend Choji. A smile crept across his face as he searched the crowd for a blonde ponytail. If Choji was here, then Ino was surely close by as well. Except…
'Huh? Where's Ino?' he questioned, a frown slowly wiping away his grin. As troublesome as Ino was, on a vacation like the one he assumed Choji was on, she should have been a package deal. 'Unless…'
He let the thought hang, his gaze searching for other familiar forms until it landed on two familiar silhouettes. 'Ah, so not a pleasure trip,' Shikamaru thought as he eyed Shino-san and Kiba-kun warily. He missed his friends, Choji especially, but after Akamaru-kun's death Kiba-kun needed a lot more support than Shikamaru was really able to give.
So, while he wanted to say hello to his friends, unleash the rant he'd been reigning in for almost a week about his current situation, he also didn't want to have to comfort anyone. Not that he didn't want Kiba-kun to return to his bright and sunny disposition. But did he really need to be the one to do it? He'd seen the effort his father put in whenever his mother was in a bad mood. And that was normal stuff, not best friends dying in your arms bad mood. It really was too much work, especially given the week he'd been having. So, he wasn't going to go over there. This was his time to relax.
'I've got problems of my own. I don't want to add to them,' he thought with a growing sense of guilt, but he really just wanted a nap. Turning to go, his foot hesitated at the sound of his name being yelled over the crowd.
"Shikamaru-kun!"
'Oh no. I've been spotted.' In a split second, he decided to just keep going. 'Maybe if I get far enough, I can pretend I didn't hear him,' he reasoned, gaze pointedly turned away from where he knew his friends were.
"Shikamaru-kun!" The voice grew louder so Shikamaru quickened his steps, just fast enough not to seem too suspicious.
'You can do it. Just a little further and you can disappear around a corner.'
An arm came down on his shoulder, "Hey Shikamaru-kun!" Choji cheerfully replied. "I was hoping we'd bump into you," he smiled widely.
Shikamaru held back a sigh. "Yeah, I was just going…"
"No, no, stay," Choji cut him off just as Shino-san and Kiba-kun joined them. "We're going to the Red Lantern District. Those places are always better in groups."
"Indeed. While I do not normally find comfort in those types of shady areas, it is the best location for rediscovering one's self. Or so Hana-san has assured us. Why do you ask? Because of the anonymity of the place…"
Shikamaru easily tuned out the rest of Shino-san's long monologue. Choji hadn't let go, or mention his previous attempt to escape. His strong grip kept a constant pressure, pulling him in a direction he didn't actually want to go but apparently had absolutely no choice in the matter. Shikamaru cursed his luck as Shino-san continued a long running monologue of why they would enjoy themselves in the Red Lantern District.
'Geez, who knew whoring could be made to sound so unappealing,' he thought with a sigh. 'Correction. That is whoring, gambling and drinking.'
Shikamaru tested Choji grip at the next corner, hopeful that he might still be able to slip away, but his friend didn't let up. Hell, there wasn't even so much as a side glance in warning. 'Okay, so this is happening,' he thought reluctantly as dreams of a grassy knoll evaporated. He knew when he was beaten. Although the pure assertiveness Choji employed was certainly new. Clearly, he was spending way too much time with Ino.
At another firm tug down the Red Lantern District, Shikamaru shifted his gaze to eye Kiba-kun. He did look a little less pale. Hopefully his sacrifice won't be in vain. 'Trading one form of captivity for another.' "What a pain," he muttered under his breath.
AN: Howdy all. We hope you like this so far. As a reminder, we don't put anything in that isn't relevant to the story. We hope this keeps you guessing, but not too much.