A Magical Princess

Chapter 37

The other clans were still snubbing the Hyuuga, but Hinata had admitted they were making headway on the removal of the seal from branch members as a result. Pressure from both within the clan and outside of it had the elders backed into a corner.

Neji had moved into the Nara house, and though he was still reserved and calm Eito had latched onto him, following him around like a duckling when they were both home. It was kind of adorable. Hari was putting together dinner when Shikamaru slouched into the kitchen a week after the engagement.

She smiled when he leaned his hip against the counter next to her. "What's up? You have a mission?" Hari gestured towards the pack on his shoulders, and he nodded.

"Yeah. I'll be gone for a week or so. Suna asked for some backup with a group they're having issues with."

"Oh?" Hari asked, distracted by the leeks she was chopping.

"Mm-hmm. A group of anti-shinobi terrorists, or something. Apparently, they've found a way to suppress chakra and they're having trouble getting close to them."

Hari frowned and gave him her full attention. "Shikamaru...that sounds dangerous."

"That's why they asked for me. They need a good strategist. Come on, Hari, don't make that face, I'll be fine."

She sighed. "I know. Just be careful, alright?"

He nodded, then looked out the window at where Neji was sitting cross legged on the ground, talking to Eito and Natsu, who seemed fascinated by whatever he was saying.

"I'll keep an eye on him," Hari said softly.

"I know you will," he said with a shrug, and sent her a look of such fondness that she couldn't help but beam at him.

"Ugh, save it for dad. He's probably a monster by now, I don't envy Inoichi and Chouza," he grumbled, but pulled her into a hug.

"Bye, Shikamaru." She looked down at her hands after he pulled away. "I love you," she said, her English heritage showing itself in her discomfort, then turned quickly to her task and concentrated on cutting vegetables.

He was silent for a minute. "I love you too," he mumbled, obviously just as embarrassed as she was, before darting out to the backyard to say goodbye to the twins and Neji.

Four evenings later, the twins had gone to stay with Sasuke, who had just gotten back from wherever it was he went when he wasn't in the village. Hari couldn't tell whether he actually wanted them over, but he had said yes, so she'd shrugged it off. Shikaku was due back that night, and Hari wanted privacy for their talk.

A knock on her door had her looking up from her tea in confusion. Her heart dropped to her stomach when she saw Rai standing on the porch, obviously upset. "Can I come in?" she asked, voice thick.

Hari numbly stepped back, following the woman into the kitchen. "Hari, I just talked to the Hokage." Rai took a deep breath. "The unit from Sand that Shikamaru was sent out with was captured."

Hari's breath hitched. "By - by the anti-shinobi group?"

Rai jerked a nod. "Yes."

"What are they doing? Who's on the rescue team?" Rai closed her eyes and swallowed.

"Rai?"

"They can't get close to the base where they're holding Shikamaru," she said. "The Kazekage himself is trying. His brother and sister were both in the unit, too. There's some sort of field sucking the chakra from anybody who gets close and making them ill. Tsunade has called in a favor from some samurai. Their chakra systems are less developed, so they should have an easier time with the side effects, but they won't be here for a week -" Hari stood abruptly and walked to her room, cutting off the Rai's uncharacteristic babble.

"Hari!" Rai followed her, but Hari didn't answer as she dropped to her knees in front of her trunk and pulled out a bundle of canvas. Then, urgency suddenly hitting her, she ran out to the yard and tossed the bundle to the ground. She took out her wand, and a few waves later her old tent popped into existence. She darted inside and made a beeline for a dresser in the back.

Rai had followed her in, and was now gaping around the tent. "Woah..."

Hari pulled out her old auror uniform, swallowing before taking off her dress, which she'd worn specially for Shikaku, as it was his favorite. She faltered when she thought about her husband. What she was about to do was a direct contradiction of his orders. But...she couldn't leave sweet, lazy Shikamaru in enemy hands for a week. Not when she could help him.

"What are you doing?" Rai asked, suspicious.

Instead of answering, she pulled on her leather pants and shirt, spelled to withstand stabbing, burning, and cutting. She then pulled her red fitted auror robes on, wishing not for the first time that she had been carrying her invisibility cloak instead of Ron all those years ago.

"Hari," Rai said, more sternly. "Whatever you're thinking of doing..."

"Rai." Hari turned, the old feeling of her roves twisting around her filling her with confidence. She could do this. She had fought through a war, killed a dark wizard, and trained to be a fighter. Hari would not and could not leave Shikamaru behind. "I'll be fine. But if I'm not back before Shikaku gets here...tell him we're fine, okay? And I'm sorry."