The silver-haired Hokage read over the scroll for what seemed to be the fifth time in as many minutes, a cold pit of dread settling low in his stomach. The scroll had arrived from Suna that morning and while the Rokudaime had expected Shikamaru's handwriting, seeing what Gaara had written had been a blow to his chest. Kakashi was grateful Naruto and Sasuke were out of the village so he could have time to figure out how to break the news to them.

"Cat," he said roughly, waiting the few seconds it took for the ANBU to appear before him. The painted porcelain mask flickered into view just as he knew it would before the masked man bowed before him. "I need Tenzo and Sakura for this. She's off today." The few seconds he waited for his kohai to remove the mask gave him enough time to roll up the scroll and hand it over. "I suggest taking Ino and Choji as well. I don't think I need to state the urgency of this mission." Kakashi heard the sharp intake of breath as Tenzo read over the scroll but his focus was elsewhere. Taking out a kunai to nick his thumb, he flashed through several seals before slamming his palm down on the desk. A small, brown ball looked up at the Rokudaime sleepily before scratching behind his ear with his hind foot.

"Yo, Boss. What's up?" The tiny pug said and Kakashi stood.

"Head to the Uchiha Compound and search for anything of Shikamaru's. Sakura will know how to get in. Track him down and either…" Kakashi paused before swallowing the lump in his throat, "Bring him back or bring his body back. Do what you have to do. For now, tell no one."

Both Tenzo and Pakkun the pug nodded before racing out of his office. Sinking back into his chair, the copy-nin dropped his head into his hands. What had kept Shikamaru from making it to Suna? The man was far more responsible than either of the two alphas he was dating so something would have had to happen to him. As the former sensei of Squad 7, he was worried for Naruto and Sasuke. How would they react to this? He was grateful they were out of the village for now, chasing down what he hoped were just rumors. However, it was also more than just sympathy for his two students. Shikamaru was his advisor and Konoha representative. No one knew more information than him, including Kakashi. He knew the genius was strong, but without knowing what their enemy was like, and if Shikamaru was just a coincidence or if he was targeted made the Hokage more than just uneasy. He just hoped the Nara was all right.

—-

Sakura, as Kakashi had predicted, was spending a rare day at home with her alpha. Tenzo hated to interrupt, but he was answered quickly by a busty blond in a loose t-shirt and shorts. Though her long, blond hair covered half of her face, the alpha's smile was still bright.

"Tenzo-Taichou. It's good to see…" Ino trailed off as the brown-haired man lowered his head in sadness and the blond saw the brown pug at his feet. "Come in. Sakura is getting dressed."

"I wish it was under better circumstances, Ino, but I need you both, and Choji." As he handed Ino the scroll, the pink-haired medic walked out in comfortable clothing as well. The woman paused, her smile falling from her face as she looked from Ino amd the scroll to Tenzo before exhaling.

"I'll get my bag."

"Shikamaru is missing, Sakura. Choji and I are going with you." Ino's tone was absolute and even if it hadn't been the plan, Tenzo wouldn't have been able to tell her no.

"Ino-chan," Tenzo bowed his head slightly. "If you could get Choji. I need Sakura to get into the Uchiha's home so Pakkun can track him. We'll meet you at the gate in half an hour."

No one needed to explain the urgency of this mission. For Ino and Choji, Shikamaru was the guy they grew up with, became ninjas with, and lost a sensei with. It was more than just a squad or childhood friends, they were family. Each had spent more than their fair share at one another's side through pain, grief and happiness. They would find their brother and bring him back.

While Tenzo did not often interact with the Hokage's advisor, he was attached to Naruto after being their team captain for so long. Seeing the blond interact with the Nara, made the almond-eyed man know that Shikamaru was one of his most precious people. However, knowing just how much the advisor knew about the village made the situation more detrimental. If he was captured, how long did they have before he broke?. What state would they find him in? And would they be able to calm Naruto or Sasuke if they couldn't save him?

For Sakura, her bond with Shikamaru was a little different. Growing up, she hadn't been particularly close to the Nara until after his fourteenth birthday. Unlike Alphas, Betas, and Omegas whose glands produced certain hormones to make them the way they were, Shikamaru's had produced both the hormones to become an alpha and an omega, each nullifying the effect the other would have. He could have picked his own, but the procedure was not only excruciating, there was a high chance it would kill him. Remaining as he was had always been the safest. Aside from Asuma, Tsunade, Shikamaru and herself, she knew no one knew. It wasn't something the genius had wanted to bring up and had always been a note of unhappiness in his life, and Sakura, as someone his age, had been someone to talk to when it got too much. She felt guilty for that time that she had convinced Shikamaru not to go through with the procedure to become an Alpha for Temari, stating that he was more useful to the village as he was. It had been the only thing stopping him, to be able to pass on Asuma's Will of Fire to the next generation.

The wards at the Uchiha Compound were already connected to her chakra and she quickly let them in. While she and Pakkun moved to the bedroom, Tenzo took the opportunity to leave a note on the table for the two alphas who would no doubt scent the three of them in their home.

See the Hokage.

Tenzo

By the time Tenzo, Pakkun, and Sakura made it to the gate, Ino and Choji were waiting for them. The red-headed Akimichi's gaze was full of resolve. Pakkun took a moment to sniff the air before leaping high onto the closest branch and running through the trees. Nearly a day and a half later, worry had really started to set in. Pakkun hadn't found any deviation in the scent and the closer they got to Suna, the more trepidation that seemed to saturate the atmosphere.

"Here!" Pakkun leapt down towards the trail. "He stopped here, and I'm picking up other scents."

"Hold up, " Ino frowned, her eyes shifted ahead of them on the trail. "Something is headed this way."