amethyst solitary (naruto u.)

Redemption

Shikamaru Nara was a young shinobi of the Nara clan, a family famed for its Shadow Possession techniques.

Most days, he worked within the Hokage Residence, serving directly under Tsunade, who relied on him more than she admitted. Out of all the shinobi at her disposal, Shikamaru was the one she trusted most when strategy mattered more than strength.

His mind was too sharp to ignore and too efficient to waste even if he wore laziness like a second skin.

And Shikamaru was anything but dense.

He had heard enough earlier to know something was wrong.

The walls of the Hokage Residence were terrible at keeping secrets. Well, mostly because Tsunade's voice could probably be heard from a mile away due to how loud she usually is. Yet, Shikamaru did not mean to listen, but a few very loud phrases made sure he did anyway.

He managed to pick on "new girl", "massive chakra" and the worst of all "Madara Uchiha being alive".

He didn't know the full story, l̶e̶t̶ ̶a̶l̶o̶n̶e̶ ̶s̶h̶e̶ ̶w̶a̶s̶ ̶f̶r̶o̶m̶ ̶a̶ ̶d̶i̶f̶f̶e̶r̶e̶n̶t̶ ̶w̶o̶r̶l̶d̶!̶, yet, these keys points were enough to make his thoughts stop drifting.

His eyes widened the moment the pieces began trying to arrange themselves into something coherent.

Still, he did not trust assumptions. There were too many missing parts, and guessing wrong in matters like this could end in misunderstandings.

During what had to be his tenth break from paperwork that day, he found himself at Ichiraku Ramen with his teammates, Ino Yamanaka and Choji Akimichi.

"Shikamaru, how has your day been?" Choji asked between mouthfuls of noodles.

Shikamaru gave no answer.

He only stared down at his untouched bowl, his chopsticks resting idly in his hand while his thoughts kept circling the same problem.

A few minutes passed before Choji looked up.

"Hm? Is something bothering you?"

Still nothing.

That was enough to irritate Ino.

She smacked him across the head without hesitation.

"When someone asks you something, you respond back dumbass!"

Shikamaru blinked and rubbed the sore spot, snapping out of his thoughts with a tired wince.

"S-Sorry..."

His quiet response took some of the sharpness out of Ino's expression.

"You're being unusually quiet," she said, narrowing her eyes. "Well, you're always quiet, but this time more than usual. Something is obviously on your mind, what's wrong?"

Shikamaru let out a sigh.

"Nothing. Just a long day."

He finally lifted the bowl and began eating, though neither Ino nor Choji looked convinced. They exchanged a worried glance over his head.

Then a familiar voice rang out behind them.

"Hey, everybody!"

All three turned and perceived in an upbeat blond shinobi in an orange outfit.

"Hey, Naruto," Ino greeted. "You are back from your mission already? How did it go?"

Naruto shrugged.

"Meh, no biggie. Just had to save a princess from some bad ninja 'tis all. Sent the losers flying in the air and brought her back safe."

Right after he went quiet, Shikamaru spoke.