Hello everyone!

Sorry for the late update...and for it being a bit short. I usually try to write more so that you guys can get a good long read out of a chapter. But I was short on time and with the whirlwind of the holidays, it's been hard to write and upload.

Anyway, a happy new year to all of you, and I hope you enjoy this chapter.

Sincerely,

Kgirlthefox


1 Year Later.

Shikamaru rubbed it between his fingers. The small and tattered purple pouch.

He thought it was stupid, that he had kept it this whole time.

But he liked the way it felt in his hands when he had a moment to himself. It felt better than holding a damn cigarette anyway. And he hated to admit it, but she was right. It did help with the nasty headaches. And it helped him on some nights to get to sleep. He grumbled for a moment. And he did suppose...it was better than smoking.

He turned it over in his right hand, seeing the golden weaved designs of circles, imitating the wind, as it blew a pattern of leaves and flowers around the entire pouch. It was just an empty bag now, after being used so many nights.

He thought back to when he first showed it to Sakura and a few other medical ninja so long ago. She was quite surprised. "Shikamaru? Where on earth did you get this?" And he remembered making up some lame excuse on the spot. "Oh...uh...I was searching a dead Suna ninja and just happened to stumble upon it. I thought I could use it for something."

He recalled Sakura giving him a weird look, with her one eye brow raised on her large forehead. "It's a really good medicine...I be if that sannin Tsunade were here, she could probably tell you more about it...but unfortunately...I don't have anything like it in our records. I'd like to study it if I can since I'm still training my medical ninjutsu." "Of course" he nervously mumbled out, as she handed him what was left after taking a small sample of the powder.

"What would it be good for anyway?" He tried to ask nonchalantly, as she placed a hand to her mouth, analyzing the substance. "It seems like it'll be good for headaches and fatigue. It looks like its from an invigorating type of plant that probably only grows in Suna. It'll be interesting to study" "Ah...I see..." Was all he replied with and had left the medical tent afterwards.

And although the medicine was long gone, he still kept the pouch, tucked away, deep under the kunai and shuriken of his weapons bag. Only taking it out occasionally, when he his thoughts somehow wandered to her. He didn't know why, but he thought of her often.

On those long and difficult missions, he remembered her slight smiles, grinning back at him. On those days when a team member was buried and bloodied flowers were placed upon their grave, he thought back to the look she had given him. Soft. Comforting. Sad.

He shook his head this time, trying to dispel the thoughts as he walked through the dark streets of Konoha. He tried not to dwell to much on his thoughts about her. He figured that she was the only woman in his life that he thought the most about. Other than Ino and his mom.

Her green eyes and smiling face flashed in his mind's eye once more and he groaned. It had been progressively been more difficult to push the thoughts away. They had been more persistent as ever since he had not seen her for almost a year.

Shikamaru was surprised himself. He thought they would, of course, have another miraculous run in or encounter or attack with one another. But, he just simply had not seen her. The platoons were lead by other generals. The attacks conducted by other ninja. He snorted. It seemed she really did just vanish into thin air.

But he knew that couldn't be the case. Sooner or later she would pop up out of nowhere. He knew it to be so.

A soft pair of footsteps trodded behind him and he paused, grumbling out angrily. "Sai?" As he turned, his dark orbs focused in on the pale man in front of him, his face dark and brooding for once. "Shikamaru...the Hokage requested to see us...I came to get you."

He felt the energy leave his body as he breathed out an exasperated sigh. "Of course..." He shoved the purple pouch into his pocket quickly, ensuring that was secure, before taking off after Sai. They bounded through the different rooftops of the quiet sleeping village, until they finally arrived at their destination.

Shikamaru and Sai quickly strode their way through the different halls, finally arriving at Danzo's quarters. He rapt upon the door quietly as there was a shuffling inside. "Come in" Danzo commanded as the two strode in, crossing their arms behind their backs as they awaited orders.

Danzo sat upon the Hokage's chair, his good eye closed as he breathed out a sigh. "Who knew that this war would last four long years..." He grumbled angrily, taking the cap off and placing it lightly upon the desk. "And Konoha and Suna are still stalemated...how unfortunate...and now, another problem arises..." he sighed, as Shikamaru and Sai said nothing, their eyes focused upon their leader in front of them.

"Which is why...I summoned the two of you here." He tossed a scroll suddenly at Shikamaru and he deftly caught it. He glanced down once at the scroll and then back again to Danzo. "I would send another messenger from the foundation...but they have not been getting through. So I figured you two would be the best options..."

"I'm not sure I understand Hokage-sama" Shikamaru asked, puzzled, as Danzo stood from his chair and turned, his hands crossing behind his back. "It is rumored that Sasuke Uchiha has left Orochimaru's side...and I myself have been trying to contact Orochimaru...but none of my messengers have been getting through..."

"You have been in contact with Orochimaru?" Shikamaru questioned suddenly, his eyes forming into a tight glare. "Only recently..." Danzo chuckled, turning slightly so Shikamaru could see his covered face. "And then, the messages had stopped. We had...an arrangement being made."

Shikamaru felt his stomach twist itself into knots. Danzo never gave him enough information. And he himself wasn't sure what he could trust coming out of the man's mouth.

"I believe the messages stopped because of that damn new Kazekage..." Danzo seethed then, turning back to pace with his cane around the desk. The clacking of the wooden rod upon the ground ringing slightly in Shikamaru's ears. "A new Kazekage?" Sai stated cautiously as Danzo nodded.

"Yes...apparently he had gained the favor of his people last year. And it's been the main reason why our efforts had been thwarted so easily...the damn one tailed beast and it's host...Gaara of the sand."

Shikamaru felt himself stiffen for a moment, at the mention of Temari's brother. He had become the Kazekage? The gears shifted and turned in Shikamaru's mind, immediately filling in the pieces of the puzzle.

No wonder he had not seen her. She had probably been helping her brother Gaara since he was now the leader of the Suna. She must have been busy trying to help him to maintain control in their village and complete other political work.

"And what are you thinking Shikamaru?" His voice cut through Shikamaru's thoughts suddenly, as Shikamaru glanced a way for a moment. "If I didn't know about this correspondence between you and Orochimaru...then I don't suspect Suna would know of it either" he stated matter-of-factly, as Danzo pondered his words for a moment. He brought a hand up to scratch the large x shaped scar upon his face.

"True...it could also be a possibility that it is someone else thwarting our plans." With that, the old man sat back down and extended a hand in front of him. "Nonetheless...I am sending the two of you to personally deliver this message to Orochimaru. It is of the utmost secrecy and urgency" he nodded resolutely.

The two shinobi glanced at each other, and then took a bow. "It will be done Hokage-sama" Sai stated formally, as Shikamaru said nothing, his lips drawn to a thin line. With that, they both proceeded out.

Shikamaru glanced at Sai briefly after they exited and tried to read his expression. But it was as blank as always. He breathed out an uncomfortable grumble as the pale ninja glanced at him. "Are you against this Shikamaru?" "Of course I am...especially since one of the first few missions I had was against Orochimaru's sound ninja...I will never forget it for the rest of my life...I...I almost got everyone in my squad killed..." He growled out, as Sai did not speak.

He simply stared at Shikamaru, eyes questioning. "Is that the only reason why you are against this?" "Man...of course not" Shikamaru chided Sai, as they finally managed to make their way out of the Hokage's building. "It's just...This entire thing sounds troublesome...I don't trust Orochimaru...OR Danzo...this doesn't...it just doesn't feel right. I can't explain it." He felt a gnawing feeling in his gut, as he stared out into the dark and silent streets.

"I agree with you..."

Shikamaru turned to face Sai, a bit shocked, as the pale one simply looked out at the village before him. "I'm not sure what Danzo-sama is planning...but I don't think it will end well...we must be cautious." His eyes connected briefly with Shikamaru's as he gave him a slight nod.

"I will need to get prepared. I will meet you in an hour right by the city gates." "Righto..." Shikamaru huffed, splitting off from Sai to walk through the village.

He felt a little better at least. Sai understood what this was and he had a few worries of his own apparently. And Danzo working with Orochimaru was certainly unexpected.

However, as Shikamaru thought about it, there was a still an unnerving feeling that he just couldn't dismiss. A slew of questions which crowded into his brain. He grimaced for a moment, and stuck his hands into his pockets, as he continued to shuffle down the street.

But as he did, he felt the soft cloth of the bag rub against his knuckles and he immediately began to finger it around in his palm. It was comforting, just having something to cling on to and distract yourself from the overwhelming thoughts. As he was just about to turn down the street, he paused.

The Yamanaka florist light was on, and he spotted Ino in the distance, running out from the shop to stand alone in the street. His brow furrowed a moment, and then noticed a tall pale figure appear by her side. Sai.

He could feel his face morph to surprise. He was positive that Ino continued to pine for Sasuke this entire time. But, he supposed he was proven wrong.

Shikamaru couldn't hear their conversation, and he wasn't going to interrupt them. He simply watched, seeing Ino's face contort into slight confusion and sadness, as Sai just smiled back down at her sweetly. Ah, he was probably telling her he would be gone for a mission and wouldn't be back. Shikamaru felt himself turn on his heel, heading off into the other direction.

He didn't have anyone like that in his life. Only his mother. And there weren't any others who were a romantic interest. Ugh, romance. He seemed to scoff to himself quietly. Like he'd really want to have anything to do with it anyway. It seemed too troublesome.

Shikamaru had finally made it home, kicking off his shoes lightly as he stepped into his home. He paused at the entrance for a moment, looking around at the dark entrance.

Still, it was a nice thought knowing if someone was waiting for you. Hoping that you were alive. That you were doing well.

He furrowed his brows a moment and sighed. There weren't any women who thought of him like that. Well, not in that sense, anyway. "If anything...it's only..." He trailed off and stopped himself. He was about to utter her name.

He felt himself blush immediately and he shook the worrisome thoughts from his brain. "Ugh. I really must be losing my mind" he grumbled out now, frustrated at himself, as he stalked up the stairs, going to prepare for the meet up with Sai.

-0-

The pair moved silently through the forest. Their movements quick and unified. Shikamaru glanced around, mentally notating the positions of different trees, rock formations, or bodies of water. It was just something he was used to. His brain tried to account for everything. You never knew what might be useful to you out on a battle field.

"Well...here's to hoping that we don't run into any trouble anyway" he inwardly groaned, as they continued, leaping from the high branches of the trees. He quickly glanced at the scroll which Danzo had provided to him, noting the coordinates upon it.

Orochimaru certainly wasn't close by, and he didn't make it easy to find him either. Sai and Shikamaru had been traveling North for several days already, passing through an area called the Hidden Sound.

He remembered the sound ninja. From ages past during the chunin exams. He didn't realize that the Hidden Sound existed still.

But then again, he had been out on the battle grounds fighting against Suna. He didn't really care to think much about Orochimaru and his little land of experiments once the Sasuke mission had failed so miserably. It was a painful memory to think about.

But here he was, traversing this foreign land, trying to find Orochimaru's hideout like a needle in a haystack. He sighed angrily for a moment, still mistrustful about everything happening. "It'll be alright Shikamaru..." He heard Sai whisper out cautiously. "We'll see about that..." He whispered harshly back, as they drew nearer to the location on Danzo's map.

Suddenly before them, there was a gigantic tree. It shrouded the entire area in darkness. Shikamaru could barely make out that there was a stone entrance leading down into the earth below. The tiles of the roof of a house poking up from the grass. "How inconspicuous" he snarked, seeing as how it was literally in plain sight for anyone to dare go walking through its doors. He forgot how vain Orochimaru was, based on the files from the Konoha records division.

"Alright...let's go through..." He stated, as Sai nodded back to him. "Just a moment..." A voice cut through the silence. Shikamaru immediately whipped a dagger out in front of him, a blue hue of chakra flowing from it. Sai also pulled out his brush and scroll set, ready at a moment's notice.

A gray haired man stepped out from the inky darkness of the open door and his glasses shimmered slightly as he glanced up at them. "To what do we owe the pleasure gentlemen?" He smirked as Shikamaru immediately recognized him. "Kabuto Yakushi..." He mumbled out as Kabuto let out a small smirk.

"Ah...if it isn't you Konoha ninja. My master has been expecting you" he snidely commented as Shikamaru withdrew the blade in his hand slowly, placing back into his back pouch. Sai also retreated, folding his items back and away. "Please...follow me" Kabuto stated casually, purposefully walking down the stairs into the dark and foreboding underground room.

The two gave each other a nervous glance as they then paced forward cautiously, unsure what to expect. The sound of their footsteps was all that could be heard, as they followed Kabuto through the various winding passage ways and corridors. Eventually, they paused in front of a door, which Kabuto took the liberty of opening.

Seated on the opposite end of them, was Orochimaru himself. His face completely white, with purple markings running down the side of his nose. His dark hair masking part of his sinister smile as his yellowed eyes narrowed in on the two.

"Welcome to my humble abode...it must have been a long journey to get here" he smiled at them, his tongue reaching out to slightly lick the side of his face. Shikamaru immediately felt himself shudder. This guy really gave him the creeps. He glanced over to Sai for a moment, who was still as expressionless as ever.

"Well...uh...we were sent here by our Hokage...he said that the other messages were not getting through..." Shikamaru mumbled out nervously, withdrawing the scroll from his chest pocket. "Of course...we've had a bit of trouble...recently" Orochimaru continued to smile, his eyes narrowing in on the scroll.

Kabuto immediately extended a hand out, and Shikamaru reluctantly placed the scroll within it. With that, he and Sai immediately took a pace back, anxious and on guard. "I'll be sure to send a reply back soon. Be careful on your way back" Orochimaru seemed to snicker, as the two immediately left the room, led by Kabuto.

"Let the Hokage know that we have received his message...we'll be sending a reply back using the usual method" Kabuto simply reminded as they meandered back through the different corridors. "Right..." Shikamaru trailed off, feeling his nerves get the better of him. He dug his hands into his pockets and felt the tattered cloth of the pouch between his fingers. A slight comfort in this despicable place.

They finally reached the exit and Kabuto paused in his tracks. "One word of caution...be careful that you don't run into Sasuke Uchiha" the white haired man simply frowned as Sai and Shikamaru glanced between each other. "He's a bit...unstable right now...so I don't suggest that it's a good idea to seek him out...or for him to find you" Kabuto concluded. With that, he retreated back down the staircase and out of their view.

"I suggest we hurry away from here..." Sai stated quietly, noting the darkness of the forest and its silence. "Right..." Shikamaru gulped nervously, feeling his heart beat rapidly in his chest. His hairs were still standing on his neck as they made their way back to Konoha. His eyes glanced around anxiously, a deep seed of doubt and worry sinking deeper and deeper into him.

But before they had made it very far, Shikamaru and Sai immediately halted in their tracks, a sinister presence being felt in the trees to the right of them. The two men turned, weapons immediately at the ready. A dark haired ninja, with vivid red eyes swirling, caught them in his gaze. They both froze. Sasuke Uchiha.

"So now Konoha is back to it's usual schemes again..."

Shikamaru's eyes narrowed in on the Uchiha, a sweat running from his forehead to drop off of his chin. This really wasn't a particularly good situation. Shikamaru couldn't recall a moment where he really knew Sasuke all that well. And judging how he galavanted off with the despicable Orochimaru...it wasn't a good situation at all.

And of course, to go against Sasuke would mean certain death for sure. He was at the top of their graduating class. Maybe not exceeding Shikamaru in smarts, but in most other aspects...he knew either of them wouldn't be able to keep up. Those eyes of his also posed too much of a problem. Shikamaru didn't really take the time to study up on the Uchiha clan. Too busy with other things that dealt with the war. Besides, he and Sasuke weren't even on the same team, and not close either. He slightly wished that Naruto had gone with them. But, that wouldn't have worked out anyway since the blonde haired one was still out training with his master, Jiraiya.

"Sasuke...it has been a long time..." Was all Shikamaru could utter as the nin stood upon the branch he had been squatted upon, those red eyes never wavering. "And what does Konoha have to do with Orochimaru? Another coup perhaps? Or a massacre?" Sasuke interjected as Shikamaru immediately furrowed his brows.

"I don't...I don't have any idea what you're talking about..." He interjected as there was a brilliant flash of a sword, and the screeching noise of the metal grating out from its sheath. "You may not know...but he might" Sasuke growled out, his aim directed towards the both of them. Shikamaru's eyes flitted towards Sai for a moment, and the pale ninja's face was emotionless.

"I don't have any idea of what you're talking about" Sai simply replied as Sasuke seemed to wickedly chuckle. The hairs on Shikamaru's neck rose for a moment as a chill ran up his spine. "Look...Sasuke...we were just here to deliver a message to Orochimaru...what the message was about or why...our Hokage did not inform us...you know this right?" Shikamaru attempted to reason as the blood red eyes turned back on him. He could see them swirl for a moment as the rogue one dropped the sword near his side.

"For someone as smart as you are...you should really be asking more questions to that man...Danzo..." Sasuke chided him as Shikamaru held a swift glare. "Easy for you to say...you left Konoha...remember?"

Sasuke's eyes faded as he glared back coldly at the two of them. The sword resheathed back into its case, and he rested his hand upon it. "Yes. I did leave Konoha...and I will return one day...to kill Danzo and everyone else in it..." He seethed as both Sai's and Shikamaru's eyes widened at the statement. "Everyone will die. To pay for all of those sins committed...But for now...I do have other business to attend to..." Sasuke snarled, turning away from the two and preparing to head off into the distance.

"You should have never listened to Danzo Shimura, Shikamaru Nara..." Sasuke then warned, turned back to glare at him. "The atrocities and crimes he has done...it can never be forgiven..."

"Seeing as you both know nothing...and that I once knew you...I will spare you," Sasuke then smirked, taking off into the distance. "If we ever cross paths again, I will end your life...And be forewarned...Danzo Shimura...should never be trusted..."

With that, Sasuke had disappeared within the darkness of the forest.

The two Konoha ninja stood, a bit dumbfounded but relieved. Sasuke really was not a ninja to be trifled with. And Shikamaru knew they narrowly escaped dying by his hands.

He felt his brows furrow. But the things he was mentioning...about a coup, or a massacre? He wasn't sure what he was talking about. However, one thing was sure now, Danzo was definitely hiding something that Sasuke knew about. And it was something important. Something that could probably dethrone him as a Hokage permanently.

As they continued to make their way through the darkness, Shikamaru furrowed his brows in thought. Another headache seemed to be coming on, but he tried to brush it off as best a he could. A slew of different shogi pieces maneuvered in his mind, replaying the different events which took place.

He figured that Sasuke probably was the one thwarting the messages between Orochimaru and Dazno. No wonder the other messengers did not get through. Sasuke had made it so. They were only lucky enough to know him, and he simply seemed inclined to let them be. He wasn't really a ninja in the bingo book to stir up unnecessary trouble anyway.

Shikamaru breathed out a sigh of relief. It was maybe a good thing they had crossed paths. There was a lot that he said which he needed to think about. There were things to be done.

"Come on, let's try to make it home quickly" Shikamaru warned Sai as the pale one nodded in assent. With that, the two continued, albeit a bit faster, making their way quietly through the Hidden Sound and back to Konoha. Sasuke's words echoed throughout Shikamaru's thoughts the entire time on the way back. "Danzo Shimura should never be trusted."

-0-

As soon as he appeared by the gates, he couldn't believe his eyes.

There she was before him. Bound with her hands tied behind her back, eyes seething with rage. Three other Suna ninja surrounded her with lashings of ropes around their bodies, and a few others, trying to restrain them. She was yelling out a slew of words to the ninja and the others as she struggled against her bindings.

Shikamaru landed at the gate and stood, confusion just littered on his face. Sai appeared next to him, also quite confused. "You there! Report!" Shikamaru called out, as one of the ninja trying to restrain Temari rushed over. "Captain Shikamaru!" He stated, giving a quick salute. "One of the scouting teams found this group of Suna ninja near the border. We engaged them and managed to capture a few of them. We're taking them in for interrogation now."

"I see" was all he responded with, finally pacing forward past the ninja and making his way to stand in front of Temari. She finally noticed him, her green orbs locking in with his, as a gag was swiftly tied around her mouth. He stared back intently into those eyes. Watching them flicker with different emotions; swirling around within her like an unleashed tornado.

He watched her struggle against her wrappings for a moment and his calculated eyes flitted about her form. The ties were too tight. He could see where it rubbed up against her porcelain skin. There were a few areas around her ankles and wrists where it was red and starting to bleed. She must have been tied for a long time.

Her eyes did not leave him, and it still held a deep set glare. One of the other Suna ninja next to her struggled about still, and her eyes broke away from him. A Konoha ninja ran up and smacked her comrade, trying to subdue him. Shikamaru simply watched as her eyes narrowed in on the strike and her deep set fury let loose. With a sudden movement, Temari had swiftly stood and slammed her own forehead into the Konoha ninja's nose, breaking it in the process.

"Fuck!" Cried out the Konoha ninja, reeling back as blood gushed down his face. A few other green armored ninja paced forward, but Shikamaru held out his hand. "Enough."

Her attention shifted back to him, her forehead stained with the blood as it ran down her face. "Leave them to me." Shikamaru stated quietly, as the other ninja just simply saluted him. "Yes, Captain!"

Shikamaru approached Temari, his face expressionless. She stood at the ready, hands still bound behind her and gagged, but that aura of pride and rage still emanating from her. Never willing to back down. Always ready for the fight.

But with a sudden flash, Shikamaru shot forward and slammed his elbow deep into her gut. He willed it farther into her stomach, his eyes calculated and measured. The other Konoha ninja around him took a few paces back slightly, surprised at his sudden aggression.

"Ugh!" She coughed out, her eyes wide with surprise and pain. He felt her hunched over his back, as she trembled slightly. She gasped out into his ear, her breath hitting the side of his neck. He closed his eyes momentarily, his brows furrowed. But soon, Temari slumped over him, and he felt his large hands grab onto her frame. He hoisted her over his shoulder, incapacitated. He tightly wrapped his right arm around the back of her lower thighs, and he held her there as he slowly stood. The other Sand ninja around her seemed to writhe with fury and anguish at this action. Their eyes sending daggers at his back.

Shikamaru remained calm and turned to face them, Temari still cluched in his grasp over his shoulder. "You will all comply quietly. If not..." He simply trailed off, meeting eyes with all of the sand ninja before him. His eyes finally shifted to Temari's form that he carried and he hoisted her up slightly higher, ensuring she doesn't slip from his grasp. With that, he turned on his heel and carried her through the red gates of Konoha, the other groups of ninja behind him.

He felt Sai's presence next to him. "You resolved that fairly quickly..." He mumbled out as Shikamaru simply sniffed. "It was easier this way. Anything else would've been too troublesome. Anyway...go report back to the Hokage...I'll sort through this mess." "Understood." With that, Sai took off, and Shikamaru continued to move through the streets.

As they finally began to pass through the village, he could feel the stares upon him. He continued to remain expressionless as his thoughts swirled around like a flood in his brain. He knew, he probably looked like a typical villain right now. A captured woman in his grasp. Men tied up behind him. He breathed out an irritated groan for a moment. Still, this was the best method he could come up with for now.

He heard Temari groan as he shifted her more over his shoulder. Surprisingly, she was wasn't as heavy as he thought she would be. He glanced up at the clouds for a moment, thinking. True, he wasn't the scrawny little 12 year old kid anymore. He still pretty much wore the same clothes as before, but he knew over the past years he had to get larger sizes. He was already taller than a few of the other ninja in the village.

Choji of course was slightly taller than him, but they both now towered over Ino. He pondered for a moment, wondering if he was now taller than Temari as well. But he immediately dispelled the thoughts, as he huffed lightly. Why did it matter? She was an enemy...

Eventually, the group made it to the dungeons beneath the city of Konoha and each were assigned a cell. With that, he found an empty cell near the end and walked over to it. He grunted as he shifted her body off of his shoulder, trying to be as gentle as possible to lay her down upon the floor. He laid her head first, taking care to softly place her down. He gazed quietly at her face, seeing her eyes closed and in pain.

He immediately swiped the gag off of her mouth and tucked it away into one of his pockets. Then, the undid the tight ties, taking the rope and also tucking it away as well. His rough hands grazed over her wrists for a moment, feeling the chaffed and bleeding skin. "Tch..." He snorted, pulling his hand away and pulling out a few bandages from his back pouch. He quickly wrapped up her bruised spots, and then wiped the dried blood off of her face. Finally with that completed, he stood and exited the cell.

A few of the other ninja in the cells over cursed out at him as he left. "Bastard!" "How could you do that to Lady Temari!" "We'll kill you for this!" He paid no mind, his eyes not even bothering to look at them. "Ugh...what a drag all of this has been..." He snarled under his breath, seeing Sai appear by the entrance of the dungeon.

"So?" He responded quietly as the two paced out, leaving the disconsolate ninja behind them. "Just a few days of rest for us. The Hokage thanked us for our service. And, he put you in charge of getting information out of the Suna ninja. Along with Ino Yamanaka."

"Right" Shikamaru simply responded. He felt his gut twist for a moment and he closed his eyes in frustration. He knew something was brewing, but he couldn't put his finger on it. "I'll catch up with you later Sai...say hi to Ino for me." He stated as Sai almost seemed surprised for a moment. "Oh...right..." he muttered out as Shikamaru lazily lifted a hand and waved him off. He felt himself pull his arms into his pockets as his eyes focused in on a building in the distance. He had some digging to do on his days off, that was for sure.