Road to Hokage: Save the Hyuga Clan

Wait

Shikamaru pinched the bridge of his nose in frustration. He could feel a headache coming, but he opened his eyes anyway. Sometimes, the headaches came at times like these— when he had to follow through with decisions that weren't his first choice...and others' lives were at risk... He raised his eyes to ceiling in the room in contemplation. He developed the habit of looking up at clouds in his youth and now he reflexively looked up when he was deep thought. Hinata and Ino stared back at him. Even with Hinata's help, Ino looked exhausted.

"Ino, you should get some rest for now," Shikamaru said to her but shifted his gaze to the remaining woman. Ino hesitated only a second to give Hinata's hand a reassuring squeeze before leaving. Shikamaru finally spoke to Hinata as soon as the remaining ninjas were alone. Ino had purposely blocked Hinata's ability to hear the conversation between Shikamaru and Team 7, leaving her in the dark. Ino nodded to Hinata now realizing that she made the right decision. However, Hinata looked expectedly at Shikamaru.

"What promise?" Shikamaru inquired, bluntly. "What promise did Naruto make to you?"

"To change the Hyuga Clan," Hinata whispered so low that Shikamaru had to lean in to hear her. "He is doing this to make sure he ends the Hyuga Clan's jutsu once and for all. For me...and Neji".

Shikamaru rubbed his chin thoughtfully as he remembered Lord Hiahasi and Hinata's conflicting comments during the earlier meeting. Then his mind found another memory buried. A frantic Naruto cradling a dying Neji in his arms in the middle of the war field. And even deeper in his memories, Naurto vowed to avenge Hinata's loss raising a bloody fist towards Neji then. Finally perhaps a not so distant future were Naruto's son or daughter would share the same eyes as Hinata. Shikamaru couldn't see Naruto agreeing with his future children learning such a jutsu to inflict pain on relatives in the name of tradition.

It was useless to try to change Naruto's mind. Even now, he was heading into danger without regard for his own safety because that was his way of ninja. Whenever Shikamaru tried to slow him down--get him to think through things, the blonde would laugh with a mischief gleam in his eyes.

I'm not dying until I become Hokage! He always says. Shikamaru could hear his everlasting reply even now as he reached for a cigarette. He lit the cigarette and took a puff while contemplating.

His attempt to persuade Naruto to go for the safer route failed- just as he thought. But he had to try, right?  Now that Naruto made his decision, Shikamaru's resolve hardened to support him. That's the least he could do to support his friends after everything that happened.

"Hinata," he said, aloud. "Naruto is okay.  I'll  make sure Naruto comes home after he keeps his promise ."  She returned his declaration with a teary smile and a nod. "You should get some rest, too."

" I rather keep busy," she replied, raising her voice back to her normal volume. " I can't just sit here wait."Shikamaru nodded, acknowledging her resolve.

He rose to his feet and left the main house with Hinata at his side. The sun was setting on the Hyuga grounds.  Outside, ninjas milled around. Four anbus rushed past them to relieve the current anbus maintaining the barrier. They found Sai directing the repairs to the broken wall at the edge of the compound... evidence of Choji's entrance to find Shikamaru earlier. Konohamaru stood beside Sai waving his hands animatedly. Sai shook his head "no."

"Sai," Shikamaru called, raising his hand. At the sound of Shikamaru's voice, Konohamaru's head snapped in Shikamaru and Hinata's direction before rushing to Shikamaru's side.

"Konohamaru," Hinata greeted in surprise. She appraised his appearance for the first time since the fight. His cheek was still a deep purple hue almost black. His left arm was covered in bandages from the wrist to the shoulder. Shikamaru's frowned. Konohamaru needed additional medical attention yet here he was outside pestering Sai- only after being conscious for a day.

"Sai won't tell me anything!" Konohamaru yelled  interrupting Shikamaru's thoughts. "He won't let leave me either."

"Sai is right," Shikamaru answered. "There could be more anbus after you. You stay here until this is over."

" But! " Konohamaru sputtered, in protest. " I just wanna check on Han. Any word from Naruto?!"

Suddenly, the cigarette didn't taste so good. Shikamaru threw it down and looked down at his feet. He took his time stomping it out. In the midst of everything, he realized Konohamaru had no idea. He sighed and opened his mouth to try to explain.

"Konohamaru," Hinata started as she reached gently examine his bruised cheek. "I'll explain everything while we get you checked out." Konohamaru let her lead him back the main house. Hinata gave the Nara a weak smile as they headed in the opposite direction. He gave her a slow bow of his head to show his appreciation for her handing the chunin.

"This is the last area to repair then we should be secure ," Sai reported as Shikamaru joined his side. Shikamaru nodded despite not feeling so secure at the moment. "Then we wait?"

"We wait for Naruto and the others," Shikamaru agreed with a nod. "No one gets in or out this compound. We have to keep up the appearance that the Hyugas are still on lockdown."

He sighed wistfully while looking up. The clouds were tainted by the grey haze of the barrier but still visible.

****
"Unbelievable," Kakashi murmured looking around the spacious cavern. " As the Hokage, why didn't I know about this?"  Shizune and Kakashi were transported to a spacious cavern hidden deep beneath the Hokage Rock miles beneath the surface of the village. Kakashi was more than baffled. As the Hokage and a former anbu, he thought he knew all the secrets of the village. Yet, here he was— surrounded by steel reinforcement and protective barriers that hummed with massive chakra energy.

"Lady Tsunade was going to tell you once the emergency shelter was complete," Shizune explained. "After Pain's attack and the moon mission, she realized the village needed additional emergency preparations."

"Mhm," Kakashi nodded. Shizune was furiously writing on a scroll in front of her. "Now, what? I can't stay in here. Not while the others are putting their lives at risk."

"You will have to bare it for now. You know that...Lord Hokage," Shizune answered, quietly. Kakashi sighed, but didn't argue. He knew that his position as Hokage meant he had to follow certain protocols in situation like this. She rolled the scroll up and sealed it before turning to face him. "Until we receive word about the seal Lady Tsunade is containing, you need to remain protected. Shikamaru needs this information." Kakashi took the scroll from her and reached for another scroll he kept on him at all times. He bit the tip of his finger and spread a streak of blood in his scroll across the table to summon Pakkun. The small nin hound appeared from a small cloud of smoke. This time, he looked much more alert and aware of the situation. Kakashi passed him the sealed scroll.

"Shikamaru," Kakashi explained. "He's still at the Hyuga compound. Careful- there will be barriers." The small dog nodded once before disappearing in a second puff of smoke.  He turned to Shizune with a sigh. "Now we wait."

Next Chapter: Vessels