Deep End (ShikamaruXOC)

9.

My head pounded as the light filtered through my blinds onto my sleeping figure, I was fine until Ino and I started drinking more...

Leave it to Ino to enable my already bad behavior, but I guess it wasn't a bad thing I really did need to let loose after everything that's been happening. Especially if we have a new enemy on the horizon. As if my morning hangover could get any worse, someone started pounding on my door making my head rush with pain. Who would be bothering me this early!?

11:26 AM

Dumb clock.

Making my way to the door not even bothering to attempt to look put together, I swung it open to see a couple fellow shinobi standing on the other side. They blushed awkwardly at my appearance and looked away.

"Um, Choi Unima?"

"Yeah?"

"Lord Sixth would like to speak with you, it's an urgent matter."

I nodded and slammed the door in their face only to open it a moment later with my robe and slippers now on, "Well if he's going to bother me this early this is what he's getting, lead the way."

We took off in the direction of the Hokage's building, earning some strange looks by those who were already out and about. It didn't take long for us to come through the main doors and be greeted by the guards who snickered at my lackluster appearance. That earned them two middle fingers up from yours truly. The ninja leading me knocked on the office door waiting to hear a firm come in from Kakashi, he looked at me bewildered and angry for a moment before putting the dots together in his head and letting out a fit of laughter.

His laughing died down and he looked at me again, attempting to regain his composure, "Oh I remember those days Choi. Well, you better pull yourself together quickly. I know you only just returned from your mission, but we have gotten some important information from the captive brought in and need to send out a team immediately, including you."

I nodded lightly, "Yes Lord Sixth. May I ask what intel we've gathered?"

He closed his eyes thoughtfully, "We may be up against something that only an intricate amount of strategy could take down without absolutely slaughtering everyone around. Choi, these are powerful enemies. We need to know the best way to take them down and there's only one shinobi that can think up such plans."

As if on cue, Shikamaru came through the office doors and I suddenly felt wildly embarrassed about my appearance, "Of course it's you."

He had to stifle his laughter at my appearance, "Lord Sixth you summoned for me?"

He smiled at the Nara man, "Yes Shikamaru, I will need you and Choi to embark on a mission tomorrow morning. I've put together a file that goes over the finer details, but essentially the enemy captive led us to the information that the others in their group are spread out in all the different lands. Due to our allied power each land will be sending out their own teams accordingly, but for those arriving in the land of fire soon we would like to send you two."

I attempted to smooth my hair down, "Why just us two?"

Kakashi eyed us cautiously, "Shikamaru has an unbeatable mind. You have unbeatable jutsu, especially when combined with shadow possession. If we want to find out more about this enemy's motive and how they operate I see you two as our best bet."

Lady Tsunade always lost her bets...let's hope Kakashi is different.

He dismissed us with our file and told us to leave no later than dawn tomorrow, giving me an especially stern yet playful look due to my situation this morning. As soon as his office doors shut behind us Shikamaru placed a hand around my upper arm, it was gentle still.

"What the hell is wrong with you this morning?"

I used my free arm to bring my hand to my forehead, "Let's just say I won't be drinking or staying up late for quite some time if I can help it."

He laughed at my statement and shook his head, "Ino really did come over last night, didn't she?"

"Scared the living daylights out of me, but yeah she was already cozy when I got home."

His smile was contagious and I couldn't help but grin as well, "Had some nice girl time? Spilled all about the new love of your life?"

My smile faded as his took on a fake appearance at his own words, "Not quite, I told her I was glad I went on that date with Genma—"

His eyes dimmed slightly, "Hm."

"—because now I know for fact it was only a little crush. I don't think I actually care for him anything more than a friend and teammate."

I avoided his gaze, but I could still feel his chocolate brown eyes burning into the side of my face and cleared my throat before starting to exit the Hokage's building. The shadow ninja walked beside me and stayed silent until we came to the fencing outside. He muttered a "see you later" and we parted ways. Why would I tell him all of that? It's not like he cares about any of my gossip, I know he doesn't hate me but it doesn't mean he likes me enough to hear me talk about that dumb shit. Doesn't matter...

I made my way back home to freshen up and look like an actual person that participated in life outside of my home and went out to run some errands. I've been meaning to pick up a new book...maybe I could take it with me to avoid any awkward conversation with the shadow ninja that now suddenly gave me butterflies and made me blush? The streets were less busy than usual, given that most people were sitting down for lunch right about now so the chimes above the door to the book shop sounded loud against the still air. The woman at the front greeted me kindly and asked how I had been, she knew me to come in pretty regularly, but it had certainly been a while.

It was nice having damn near the whole shop to myself, but I was interrupted as I heard someone clear their throat in the aisle I was on. I quickly looked over to see a figure wearing a hat that covered most of their face and a mask to cover the rest. They wore a simple robe so it was unknown what the gender, if any preferred, this person was.

"Yes?"

They looked up, only revealing a shocking glint of purple eyes, "Do not trust the plan. They will perish."

It was as if their eyes sent of an electric shock and with those words I broke into a cold sweat, "What do you mean? Who are you?"

They took a slow step towards me, "A friend."

Adrenaline pumped through my veins as I stared at the mysterious being, but in the blink of an eye they were gone and the shop was filled with smoke sending me and the cashier outside in a fit of coughs. Who was that!? What did they mean?

"Are you alright?"

The woman who ran the shop leaned on me for support as I led her to the next store down and told her to wait there until the smoke cleared for her safety. I needed to speak with Kakashi...