On the whim of a stranger

Night Search

Shikamaru went to the first people he knew who could find Naruto: Team 8.

As he neared Ichiraku's, Kiba could already smell him and divide him from the crowd. "Hey, Shikamaru!" He called with a grin. Dog face didn't seem moody anymore. Shika guessed that he was just hungry earlier.

"What are you doing here again? Can't find Naruto?" Kiba asked, curious.

"Yeah.. About that." Shikamaru scratched his head. "He's left the village and he's not on a mission." Hinata gasped while Kiba raised an eyebrow and Shino... he just looked stoic.

"Are you sure? I mean.. Even if he leaves, he's not gonna take long right?" Kiba asked, not sure whether he should be worried. "After all, the guy is powerful and loyal. So he can't really get himself killed and we all know he won't abandon the village. At least, not for something as stupid as power."

"Exactly, that's why I'm here. I'm NOT sure. That's why we have to try and find him before he manages to leave the leaf's boundaries so he can at least tell us why. It's not like him to leave without telling the Hokage."

"And how do you know he didn't tell her?"

"He wrote it on a note okay?! Seriously man, are you gonna ask more questions or help me cause you're being a real drag here." Shikamaru snapped, frustrated with Kiba's laid back attitude.

"Fine man, don't go snappy on me just because I'm curious." Kiba replied, holding his hands in a surrender position. "Hinata, Shino, are you going to come?" He said, turning to the other two whom had kept silent throughout the conversation.

"S-sure." Hinata stuttered while Shino just nodded.

"Good." Said Shikamaru. "Kiba, Shino, both of you scout the village for Naruto while I take Hinata with me for awhile. I need to find Sakura and find out if she knows about Naruto's disappearance and if she can tell me where to find him." With a nod, Kiba and Shino disappeared in a flash, reappearing on the rooftops before heading in separate directions. "Hinata," He looked at her. "You know what to do."

"Un!" She activated he byakugan, her eyes narrowed to help her focus. "She's north of us and just leaving the hospital." She said, pointing at the direction in front of them and byakugan still activated.

"Okay. You can start searching for Naruto now. Thanks." With that, Shikamaru headed towards the hospital where he found Sakura just leaving out the door like Hinata said. He was about to approach her when her head darted left and right before she disappeared.

"Huh?" He wondered, startled. He shook his head before scrunching his face, getting himself back into focus. She couldn't have gotten far with that teleportation jutsu. It has it's limitations. He looked around, scanning the crowd before he noticed a silhouette on the roof looking down at him. "There!" He muttered.

He teleported himself onto the roof, only to notice Sakura had already broken off into a run. While chasing her, several thoughts swam through his mind. Why is she running away? Is she going the same place Naruto is?

"Sakura! I just want to talk to you!" He tried to shout. She didn't even turn around. In fact, her pace quickened the minute she heard him. He grunted as he fuelled more chakra into his feet, which were already pounding with fatigue thanks to all his running earlier. Shikamaru started to panic as they neared the walls. He felt as if the minute she left those walls, all hope would be lost.

Just as she was about to poke her foot over it, Shikamaru saw a blur before she was tackled to the ground by a green blob.

"Sakura-chan!" It called out to her after lifting itself from the ground.

"Lee.." She murmured rubbing her head. "Gentle as always, eh?" She tried to smile.

"Lee!" Shikamaru called. "What are you doing here?"

"I saw my beautiful cherry blossom leaving without a goodbye! Of course I had to catch her!" He cried, anime tears running down his face.

"I was wondering the same thing.. Or at least, something like that." He said before turning to her. " Why are you leaving without telling anyone? Why did you run away from me?" Lee also looked at her, curiosity and a little bit of over-dramatic hurt showing in his eyes.

"Well.. " she started. " I was leaving without telling anyone because I knew you wouldn't let me go if I told you why." She stared at them blankly before turning her head away. " I ran away because I knew you wanted to know why Naruto left and.." She played with the loose dirt at her foot. "I didn't want to betray him or lie to you guys so.." She trailed off. She didn't need to finish anyway. Shikamaru understood what she meant.

"And.. One more thing.." She looked up at them, a cheeky smile in place.

"I ran because I was a distraction."

"Wha-"

*Poof*

She was gone.

A clone...

I'm an idiot.

~~~

"Sakura-chan~" Naruto called out to the Pinkette who was approaching him at a very high speed.

"YOU BAKA!" She shouted before pounding him into the ground.

"What?!" He cried, rubbing his bruised cheek as he sat up from the blow.

"You left OH SO SNEAKILY HUH?" she yelled. "Guess what? They know we're gone!"

Naruto's face lost it's lightheartedness as his expression grew more serious. "I know."

"Then why-"

"Because I knew they would find out one way or another. Sakura, who wouldn't notice the village hero AND the Hokage's faithful apprentice are gone?"

Sakura stayed silent, knowing he was right. She was also shocked with his sudden change in attitude.

This must be really important to him.