Different from the Rest

A Nara Shikamaru Romance

Ch. 4 - To Suna

Weeks passed since Asuma's death. Six weeks, to be exact. Between visiting Kurenai, training, and working at the hospital, Saya found herself in the middle of more Fuma clan meetings.

In a large room, nearly two dozen clan members gathered around a long rounded table so that each was able to face each other. Saya sat at the head of the table. On her left was her Aunt, and on her right, was her Uncle. Saya re-crossed her legs under the table as she listened to one of the members speak.

"Something is coming," said Manabu, a jounin with a long scar that effected his right eyesight on his face. "Konoha's peace has been disrupted as of recent events."

"Konoha has never truly been at peace," Saya said matter-of-factly. "So long as organizations such as Akatsuki exist and we war with other villages, we will never understand peace."

Manabu gave Saya a hard stare for a moment and swallowed all the malicious things he thought. "Be that as it may, Saya-san," Manabu put an emphasis on her honorary title, as if mocking her. "We must become prepared. More weaponry, more tools, and more," Manabu glared at Saya, "a more fit leader. One who has been around to see the last Shinobi war."

Saya's eyes flamed angrily as she remained in her seat, willing herself to be calm. Around her, every voice shouted up angrily. Most defended Saya, but there were still few who took Manabu's side.

"Silence," yelled Saya's uncle, Eisu, slamming his hands on the table as he stood.

The disputes ceased as all turned to face him. Eisu turned his dark eyes on Manabu. "Why do you doubt Saya? A couple years ago, you and the rest of your clan seen here unanimously voted her in. Is it because she is young? What is your problem now?"

"She has no experience!"

This time Saya did react, standing and punching her fist into the table. "I have no experience because you intend to keep me here in Konoha when I could be doing more missions! We have ties with Sunagakure, if you recall, Manabu, and if I wasn't caged here, then perhaps we could strengthen those bonds!"

Manabu laughed harshly. "You're foolish, Saya. You're sixteen and still a only Chuunin. When I was 15 I became a Jounin. You're inexperienced. Even our Suna ties will mock you!"

"If you remember correctly our ti-," started Saya, before she was cut off by Renji.

"How do you know?"

All eyes turned to Renji who watched this exchange intently. He glanced at Saya and gave her a light smile before addressing the rest of the clan in the meeting. Taking a seat, Saya folded her arms across her chest, thankful for Renji.

"I personally do not want an inexperienced leader either," started Renji.

Manabu grinned evilly in triumph, and Saya's eyes widened with surprise. 'Renji, what are you saying?'

"But," Renji continued. "How does anyone gain experience? By learning. If we don't send Saya out on inter-village missions and meetings with our comrades then how will she grow? If she stays around here, sheltered by us, then she will grow to be a weak leader and she will inevitably be overturned. This is why I propose that we as Tsunade-sama if she has a mission for Saya that requires her going to Suna, as well as meet with our ties."

Roars erupted again from the clansmen as they argued for the logic and against the logic in Renji's words.

Saya met Renji's eyes across the table. She smiled at him. 'Renji…thank you.'

"Enough!" To Saya's left, her Aunt, Koharu, spoke over the arguing people, who once again instantly quieted.

"I agree with Renji," Koharu stated. "Saya is the heiress of this clan and future leader when the time is right. She'll need to find missions and meet with those in Suna." Koharu turned to Saya and pat her arm with a maternal instinct.

"Saya-chan," Koharu started, still unable to fully believe that the girl before her has grown-up into a strong, medical chuunin. "You are to go to Tsunade-sama and ask her for a mission as well as tell her that you plan on staying for a while longer. You are to take Renji with you as a bodyguard."

"But I don't need a body-"

"Don't interrupt me," Koharu said angrily and Saya automatically shrank back with a disturbed look, still slightly fearful of her aunt's infamous temper. More kindly, Koharu continued. "You will need Renji. He knows how you work and you know how he works. Besides, it is a custom that all heads of clans never travel on missions alone or without a bodyguard, especially if they're young. Especially if they're female."

Saya looked into her aunt's chocolate brown eyes that matched her own. Taking a breath she smiled. "Fine, Auntie," Saya answered, knowing that ultimately, her aunt was right.

Satisfied with Saya's response, her uncle nodded and clapped his hands once. "Alright, this meeting is over. You can all go back to what you were doing."

There was a shuffle of feet and chairs being pushed back as the clansmen left the meeting room. Manabu was among the last to leave. He glared at Saya, Eisu, Koharu, and Renji.

"This isn't over," he said in a threatening voice before he stormed out of the room.

Saya stared after him, and like the adult she could be, she stuck out her tongue at him. "This isn't over," she mocked, receiving warning glances from her aunt and uncle.

"Saya," Eisu started.

"I know, I know," said Saya. "But, what's his problem all of a sudden. Why is he doubting me?"

"He's sexist," Koharu answered bluntly. "He refuses to go on missions with kunoichi because he believes them to be weak. He doesn't even believe females should be allowed to defend Konoha."

"That explains it," Saya muttered as she thought some not-so-nice thoughts about Manabu. Eisu touched the top of Saya's head.

"Don't worry about him, he's only one. He may be able to start a small fire, but there's enough water in this clan to douse him."

"Thank you, Uncle," Saya said, glad to have him as well as Koharu and Renji on her side.

Renji grinned at Eisu's analogy before standing and stretching his arms over his head. "Well, I think we should go see Tsunade-sama now," Renji suggested putting his hands in his pockets. "No point in putting it off."

o0o

In Tsunade's office, Renji allowed Saya to do all the talking. When she finished, Renji offered her a smile, knowing that Saya didn't enjoy making long-winded speeches.

Tsunade and Shizune remained silent as they listened to the request. Tsunade stared at the Fuma shinobi from over her folded hands. Finally she sat up straight.

"Your request is reasonable," Tsunade said with the slightest of smiles. Saya let out a breath of relief.

Tsunade glanced at Shizune. "Shizune," she said. "Do we currently have any missions going to Suna?"

Shizune smiled and nodded. "Yes, Tsunade-sama. We have a new one right here. It is a B-Rank mission." Shizune handed Tsunade a rather thick folder and Tsunade quickly read through it.

"Right," she said. She then looked at Renji and Saya. "Alright, I have a good mission for you two. Your mission is to deliver these documents to the Kazekage. They go in no one else's hands but his. Not even to his advisers. Is that understood?"

"Yes, Tsunade-sama," Saya and Renji answered in unison.

Tsunade nodded, "You will have a week to complete the mission. Once these documents are in the Kazekage's hands, you will send a messenger bird telling me that your mission is completed, and after that you can meet with our allies. Once you are prepared for the mission come back here for the documents."

"Yes, Tsunade-sama!"

As Saya opened the door to leave the Hokage's office, when her eyes widened with surprise. Standing with his arm ready to knock on the door, Shikmaru looked down at Saya and smiled.

"Saya?"

Saya grinned. "Hey, Shikamaru, long time no see," she said. Since his mission to avenge Asuma, Saya hadn't seen much of her friend mostly because of the work she's been doing within her clan.

Shikamaru lowered his arm and gave her the smallest of smiles. "Getting a mission," he guessed.

"Yes, the first one in a long time," she said as Shikamaru moved to the side to give her and Renji room to leave. "See you later," she said before walking away with Renji.

Shikamaru sighed and shook his head, closing the door after Saya. Tsunade gave him a knowing look. Shikamaru made a quizzical sound.

"Nothing, nothing," Tsunade said, leaving Shikamaru with an annoyed expression.

"Do you have any information," Tsunade asked, all business now.

"Yes," Shikamaru said. "Fuma Manabu is to be watched."

Tsunade nodded and stood from her desk to look out her window contemplatively. Below she spotted Renji and Saya walking back to their clan home. 'That girl has the makings to be a good leader. I'm sure that's why she's going on this mission now,' Tsunade silently mused. 'If she doesn't know of the treachery that stirs in her clan we'll have to protect her until she finds out. But who knows, she's a sharp girl.'

"Shikamaru, I have a mission for you."

"What, another one?"

Tsunade turned to glare at the boy. Shikamaru held up his hands defensively, not in the mood to argue with the quick-tempered Hokage today.

"You'll like this one," Tsunade said.

Shikamaru's eyes narrowed as he furrowed his eyebrows. "Why do you say that?"

"I'm sending Saya and Renji on a mission. You are to meet them on the way back and escort them back to the village. If what you say about Manabu is true, then we cannot afford to take any chances."

Shikamaru opened his mouth to speak, but closed it again, unsure of what to say. "Fine," he said, accepting the mission with the smallest of smiles.

o0o

"Saya, I'll be fine," insisted Kurenai.

After preparing for the mission she told Renji that he should go meet the Hokage so she could make a quick run to Kurenai's apartment.

Saya smiled lightly and rubbed the back of her head. "Okay," she said, laughing a bit. "It's just that-"

Kurenai smiled and nodded, interrupting her. "You worry about me, I know." In the past month, Kurenai's bright red eyes had dimmed slightly as she still mourned over her loss. However, in the past few days, the light slowly seemed to be coming back. Kurenai ran a hand over her stomach that showed only the smallest of bumps. Her ring on her left ring finger glinted in the light. "You know, between you and Shikamaru, I don't get to be alone very often."

"S-sorry, Kurenai-sensei," Saya apologized.

Kurenai laughed lightly. "Don't worry," she insisted once more, touching Saya's long black hair. "I managed without you two before, I can do it again." Kurenai smiled lightly. "If anything, you need to worry about your clan," she advised, her deep red eyes meeting Saya's chocolate brown ones with a serious intensity.

Saya nodded, "I know." Adjusting the headband around her neck, Saya gave Kurenai a thumbs-up. "Well, I need to go now. Don't want Renji or Tsunade-sama mad at me."

Kurenai nodded as the girl began to walk away. "Stay safe," she said, watching as the girl turned and gave her a smile before disappearing behind a corner.

By the village gates Tsunade and Renji were waiting. Renji was zipping up his backpack, having put the documents in there fore safe keeping. He smiled as Saya approached.

"Sorry I'm late," apologized Saya.

Tsunade made a sound as she crossed her arm over her very ample bosom. "Remember," Tsunade reminded. "Only the Kazekage's hands."

"Yes, Tsunade-sama."

"Alright, dismissed!"

Saya and Renji started at a brisk pace, running through the trees. Renji, who was faster than Saya, fell to the right of her, synchronizing their movements. Saya grinned at him. "You don't have to go slow on my account," she said.

Renji nodded. "I know. How am I supposed to be your bodyguard if I'm way ahead of you."

"I don't need a bodyguard."

Renji laughed and tugged on one of Saya's long strands of hair. "Of course you do. There are many who would want to take advantage of a girl like you. Especially with those weak looking arms of yours."

"Shut up, Renji," Saya yelled angrily, punching him on the arm.

Renji laughed again as he rubbed away the soreness. "Okay, I take back the 'weak arms' comment."

"Good."

After a moment's banter, Renji and Saya fell silent as they concentrated on their surroundings and getting to Suna as soon as possible. With their brisk pace, Saya closed her eyes for a moment, enjoying the feel of having the wind rush through her hair, savoring the fact that she was on a mission again. Glancing at Renji, she note the serious expression on his face. She had been on missions with him before so she knew that he took every mission seriously.

Renji caught Saya staring at him. His dark eyes stared at her quizzically. "What?"

Saya smiled. "Nothing, I was just thinking that it's good to be on a mission with you again. And that you should hurry and become a jounin."

Renji smirked. "Yeah, I know. I plan on taking the jounin exams next month."

This was news to Saya. "Really," she asked with a smile. "You'll do great!"

Renji scratched his cheek modestly and chuckled. "I hope so," he said.

They fell into silence once more as Saya gave him another smile. The last few times she sparred against Renji she noticed that he had grown considerably stronger, making it nearly impossible for her to beat him. Her Genjutsu abilities, in other words, were no match for his speed. A thought crossed her mind as she thought about her cousin and close friend. 'Sometimes I think that it should be you who is the leader of this clan.'

o0o

Manabu had watched Saya and Renji leave the village with an angry look. "I'll wait," he said to himself, grinning evilly. "I'll wait and let you complete your little mission to Suna. Too bad you two will never see home again."

Author's Notes: Chapter 4! I am incredibly sorry for the lack of a creative title. I couldn't think of a good one. Not much Shikamaru in this chapter, too bad. Just a heads up, I don't know how much Shikamaru will be in the next chapter, I'll figure it out as I start to write it. However, there will be a lot of him mentioned...or so I hope!

This chapter, I kind of wanted to establish Renji and Saya's relationship. They're pretty much like siblings...the good kind that actually like each other, haha.

Thanks to MaxsunnAK 47, Jo and Booker, and lyngan for reviewing! =]

Oh, a little more news! Come this weekend, or maybe sometime sooner if I get bored, or later if I'm too busy, I will be posting the first chapter of my new KakashixOC story, so I ask you all to check that out when it finally comes...just a warning...that story will be rated "M". Yep.

Reviews? :3