It ended up being earlier than usual when Shikamaru stepped into the parking lot of The Sound. Things had gone smoother than expected. After Kankuro had left Shikamaru had been able to call Kakashi and arrange a meeting at a nearby park. He even got in a quick shower and changed clothes before he arrived at the park and Kakashi appeared with Yamato in tow.

Tenzo (or Yamato, or whatever he called himself) disappeared among the dark bark and green leaves to keep look-out, as Shikamaru briefed Kakashi on the meeting between Danzo and Orochimaru that he observed the night before. Not unexpectedly, Kakashi confirmed his suspicions that Orochimaru, Danzo, and more than half the police force were as dirty as the sewers that ran beneath the city. The fetid roots of the city.

Kakashi had learned that Akatsuki were starting to make some moves, and word on the streets was that they were gearing up for something big. There had even been a sighting of the infamous Itatchi in town, but most of the rumors swirled around the Akatsuki controlling and moving their people into multiple city's top government positions. If someone refused to play ball and be controlled, they would just eliminate them and replace them with someone who would. Problem solved.

Shikamaru had to admit to himself that it was a good plan. Afterall, it's hard to be kept in check by the law when you are the ones enforcing and writing the laws. It's easier to control things from the top.

The news also caused an uneasy turn of his stomach. He still hadn't quite figured out the relationship between Temari and Kankuro with their brother Gaara. (Admittedly, he hadn't tried all that hard, as it hadn't seemed all that important.) But he had suspected for some time now that there was more there than they had let on and something different than what he had learned. The melancholy look in Temari's eyes on the few occasions she had mentioned Gara, just didn't fit into the story of someone who hated their brother. Families were complicated. Relationships were complicated. Screw it – you could just say people were complicated. It was all a drag.

The day's events culminated in him finding himself here, outside The Sound, unable to keep himself away. He couldn't help but wonder if the information from Kakashi was really all that new and urgent or if he was always going to find himself here.

The question circled in his mind as leaned against his dusty car and took a drag off a cigarette. His eyes lingered on lightning zagging through the sky along the darkening horizon. A storm was on the way. He hadn't been a fan of rain since Asuma's death. Even the smell would bring the smell of blood, but it wasn't something that could be avoided for the rest of one's life. Tonight he just hoped when it came it would at least take the heat with it.

If it was going to storm, he was going inside (but he knew he was always going to go inside). There he could at least attempt to lose the feelings the pending storm stirred and himself in music and alcohol… and maybe even Temari's company.

The glowing of the tip of his cigarette disappeared under the grinding of his heel.

The lights were already low when he pushed through the doors. His eyes scanned the room, sticking on an unexpected face behind the bar. Kankuro had mentioned he had a shift tonight but he was not who he saw behind the bar.

Shikamau walked there, squinting in the dim light to make out the new bartender's face. It took him a minute to recognize his old classmate. His formerly shaggy brown hair was now slicked neatly back, but it was his wolfish grin and piercing eyes that gave him away.

"Kiba, since when did you start working at this joint?"

"Long time no see, Shikamaru! Just started today." Kiba's gray dress shirt sleeves were rolled up his tanned forearms. His red tie already slightly loosened. Kiba was

"Ah, is that so?"

"Apparently, the guy working here before me quit today." Kiba leaned forward on the bar, "I don't know what exactly happened, but it worked out for me. But he showed up here just a little while ago. I hope he doesn't think he can get his job back, cause I need this money to get my own place. My mom and sister…"

Shikamaru interrupted, "He's here?"

"Huh? Oh… the previous bartender? Yeah, he came in and went straight to the singer's dressing room." Kiba smirked, "Makes you wonder what's going on there…"

Shikamaru felt annoyance course through him, causing him to grit his teeth and clench his fists. He knew they didn't look much alike, and the knowledge that they were siblings wasn't exactly common knowledge - but Kiba's insinuation still hit a nerve he didn't realize he even had.

"They're related." His clipped words didn't bother hiding his feelings, and Kiba stared at him in surprise.

Shikamaru immediately internally cursed his mistake and worked to bring an air of non-interest to the rest of his words as he continued, "At least that's just what I heard." He scratched the back of his head and gave an apologetic smile, "It's been a long week. Can I get a scotch for when I get back? I gotta hit the head."

Kiba's smile was back, "Sure, man!"

Shikamaru scanned the mostly empty lounge as he headed to the hallway that held the restroom at one end and Temari's dressing room at the opposite end. It was early. Temari hadn't even taken the stage for her first set. Kiba was distracted as he looked for the bottle of scotch and the few folks that were there had their eyes elsewhere. He wasn't worth a second glance, just how he liked it.

It was easy to slide down the hallway to her dressing room. He would slip in and talk with them both. It was the raised voices that stopped him outside the door, and he instinctively moved closer to the door to make out what was being said.

The agitated timber of Kankuro's voice carried through the door, "... and how many times have you reminded me, Temari?!"

When the question received no response, Kankuro pushed, "How many?! We promised…"

"Do you think I don't know?!" A bang sounded as something was slammed, "I think about it all the damn time, Kankuro. All. The. Time. And now, I'm supposed to just sit back and watch again?"

"But you're not.. it's different this time..."

"Why not me? Why can't I be the one to go?"

"You know this." Kankuro's voice lowered, causing Shikamaru to strain to hear, "Things are starting to happen and move here, and one of us needs to stay. You have a better handle on working with Nara and the Uchiha. You're better at gathering information, too."

"Now you're just buttering me up…"

"Come-on Mari, we both know it's true."

"It's not fair."

Kankuro chuckled, "Yeah, it's not."

There was a long pause before he barely made out Temari's response, "Fine."

At the sound of Temari's subdued response his chest filled with an uncomfortable feeling. He had listened in on something personal between them. But he had listened to many private conversations without any issue - it was just part of the job. What made it different this time?

Shikamaru headed back to the bar. He didn't want to insert himself in whatever that was. He would just talk to Temari later, he was sure she would fill him in on anything that he needed to know then.

A glass of scotch awaited him at the bar and he slid up on a stool. He paid for his drink and had barely taken a drink when he felt a bump to the shoulder.

Kankuro leaned across the bar and waved Kiba over, but under his breath he said, "Meet outside in ten, Nara."

Then Kankuro was speaking louder as Kiba approached, "Hey man! I just want to wish you luck, some of the regulars aren't the easiest to deal with. Watch out for the boss man, Sakon. He can be real two-faced and often seems out to get ya."

Kiba grinned at Kankuro and rolled his eyes, "Sure man, I'll keep that in mind."

Kankuro cleared his throat, "And with that, my vast knowledge has been shared. Good luck!" he turned and headed out the door.

And ten minutes later, Shikamaru pushed out through the same doors and into the darkened lot where he swore he felt the first drop of the coming storm hit his shoulder.