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“There are wars starting all over…It’s just like Rei said.” Shikamaru sighed.
“Is that so?” Neji asked.
“It’s what Tsunade Sama told me…”
“You two…should just give up on shogi…” Sakura sighed as she set down tea for them. She sat down next to Neji. “You know you’ve never beat Shikamaru, Neji.”
“Someday…” Neji sighed.
“I don’t know…he’s come close a few times, Sakura.” Shikamaru said.
“Oh, really…”
“Yes…but he keeps beating me in the last few turns.”
Shikamaru moved a piece. “And that’s game…Sorry Neji…guess someday isn’t today…”
“Err…I’ve got to win at least once before I die!” Neji grumbled.
Ai ran over with Seiji.
“Did Shikamaru win again,” Ai asked her father.
“Yeah I did…” Shikamaru sighed.
“Are you guys done practicing?” Sakura asked.
“Ai needed a break…Me too…” Seiji said collapsing on the deck.
Ai sat next to him.
“Shikamaru sensei is really good at shogi…Dad I don’t think any one can beat him.” Seiji looked to his father.
“He’s good at Go to.” Ai added.
“Thanks for the encouragement you guys…” Neji sighed.
They all laughed.
“It’s not funny!” Neji sighed.
“Sorry…Neji…” Sakura kissed him on the cheek. “We all know that you’re smart to…maybe shogi just isn’t your thing…”
“Yeah, yeah…”
“Hey Seiji, Ai, want to learn how to play?” Shikamaru asked.
“Yeah sure..!” Ai smiled.
“Alright…!” Seiji grinned.
“Shikamaru…you actually want to teach them?” Rei’s voice broke in.
“Rei…” Sakura jumped up and ran over to her.
“Hi Sakura…Itachi said that I should come see you…” Rei smiled.
“That’s like him…” Sakura smiled back. “Come on…This will be interesting.”
Rei and Sakura sat on the edge of the deck and watched. Neji and Shikamaru tried to teach the twins shogi.
“So that’s it?” Seiji asked.
“Basically, but if you are playing against someone who is really good the game becomes a lot more difficult.” Neji said.
“Like when you play with Shikamaru.”
“That’s right Ai…” Rei said as she scooted next to her.
“You know how to play to, Rei?” Ai asked.
“Yes…” Rei looked at Shikamaru. “Shikamaru taught me a long time ago…”
“Hmmm…” Shikamaru opened one eye.
Rei smiled. “I beat him once too…” She laughed.
“Unn…” Shikamaru opened his eyes wide. “And you promised not to tell anyone!” He sighed.
“Shikamaru..? Did Rei…really beat you?” Sakura giggled.
“Err…yeah…” Shikamaru grumbled.
“Looks like I have a chance after all…If Rei-chan can beat you.” Neji smiled.
“Man…See what you did Rei…now he’ll never give up…” Shikamaru looked at her.
“Oh, come on Shikamaru…losing to me can’t be that bad…even if I am a girl…” Rei laughed.
“You…must be really smart then Rei…” Ai smiled. “I want to be smart like you…That way I’ll be able to beat Shikamaru at Shogi to!” Ai smiled.
“Uhh….” Shikamaru fell backwards. His legs twitched in the air. “Two Reis…” Shikamaru thought aloud.
This made them all laugh. Shikamaru sat up and rubbed the back of his head. Rei giggled.
“Ou…ch” Shika sighed.
Seiji looked over at Rei. *She…must be really smart to be able to beat Shikamaru sensei…*
“Uh…Is something wrong Seiji?” Rei asked as she saw him staring at her.
“Oh, it’s nothing…” He laughed.
“Humhum…” Rei giggled. *He’s not like Sasuke-kun at all* Rei smiled.
“Hey Seiji…Let’s play!” Ai pulled him over to the board.
“Ok…Ai”
Seiji and Ai started a game with a little help from Shikamaru and Neji. Ai won the first time. Seiji won their second game.
“That’s enough for now…” Neji said getting up.
“You two are pretty good…” Shikamaru sighed as he stood up.
The two men went inside and Seiji went in to get a drink.
“I’ve got to get lunch ready…Rei why don’t you stay?” Sakura smiled as she stood.
“That sound s great Sakura!” Rei said.
“Good…” Sakura disappeared in to the house.
Ai and Rei stayed out on the porch.
“So you really beat Shikamaru…?”
“Ummhumm…I did…” Rei nodded. “But I think he went easy on me to…”
“Oh…I don’t think that Shikamaru would do that…”
“I don’t think so either…but I was sick…so he may have…we can’t be sure…” Rei smiled.
“Rei…can I call you Rei-chan?” Ai asked.
“Only if I can call you Ai-chan!”
“Alright..!” Ai smiled.
“Rei…”
She looked up at the door where Shikamaru was standing.
“What is it?” Rei asked.
“Want to play a game?” Shikamaru asked.
“Why just so you can win again?” Rei smiled teasingly.
“No…Just for fun…”
“Sure..!” Rei laughed. “Even though I’ll lose…”
*Yes! Now I can see how Rei plays shogi!* Ai thought.
Rei and Shikamaru sat around the board and set up the pieces. Ai watched closely but it didn’t take long before Shikamaru had beaten Rei. Shikamaru looked up at Rei. She looked away.
“Hey Ai…Mom needs you…”Seiji peeked out the door. “Uh…Hey did you play a game?”
“Yeah…” Shikamaru sighed.
“Ahh…I missed it…” Seiji sighed.
Ai followed him in to the house.
Shikamaru stood up just as Ai shut the door. Rei looked up at him.
“Let’s take a walk…” He said as he went down the steps.
“A… walk...?” Rei stood up. “Wait Shikamaru…”
She followed after him. He took her on to the trail in the woods behind the house.
“Shikamaru…” Rei stepped beside him.
“You seem a little off…Is there something wrong?”
“Huh…? ...No I …I’m fine…”
Shikamaru stopped. He took his hands out of his pockets and turned to her.
“I know you better than that…” He put his hand on her shoulder.
“I just…I’m worried. There won’t be many peaceful days like today…with all the wars starting up…” Rei looked away as tears filled her eyes.
“She’s right.” Itachi jumped down from a tree.
“ITACHI…!” Rei turned to him. “You should still be in the hospital!”
“I’m fine…” He turned to Shikamaru. “I’m leaving the village for a few days…You better keep her safe!”
“I will…Trust me you didn’t have to ask…” Shikamaru sighed.
“I wasn’t asking…I was telling…”
“Itachi…” Rei looked at him. “Where are you going…?” Rei looked worried.
He walked over to her. “I’ll be alright…you stay here with him…”
She nodded to him. “Promise me you’ll come back.”
“Rei…”
“Promise me!” Tears ran down her cheek.
“I promise to come back to you…”
“You better…” Shikamaru walked over to Rei and wiped her cheek. “I don’t want to see her tears…” Shikamaru said to Itachi.
“I know the feeling…” Itachi looked at him.
Itachi left through the trees.
*Be careful...* Rei thought.
“Let’s go back…They’re probably looking for us…”
Shikamaru sighed.
Rei took his hand and followed him back to the house. They went in the house and smelled the food cooking.
“So there you are…Where’d you to go?” Neji asked.
“Just a walk…” Rei smiled.
“What a drag…” Shikamaru sighed. “I thought the food would be done when we got back…”
“It’s almost done…” Neji said.
Shikamaru sat down and Rei slipped into the kitchen with Sakura. Rei helped her finish the cooking. Ai set the table and they sat down to eat. Rei sat next to Shikamaru. He new she must have been worried about Itachi. Rei wasn’t as cheerful as she had been earlier that day. Seiji noticed it but said nothing. He had his own problems to think about. He wanted a mission worse the ever. To show off his new jutsu.
Yutaro wouldn’t show him up not this time. But the genin were being kept in the village. Though they were never told that was what was happening it was obvious. And from the fact that Rei was still in Konoha Seiji figured it was because Tsunade-sama wanted her here. But he didn’t know why. From the things he’d been hearing around the village and even in his own home Seiji knew that they were heading for a time of war. Also he knew he had to get a lot stronger.

“Tsunade-sama!” Shizune burst through the door.
“What is it?” Tsunade asked.
“A report from Sunagakure just arrived!”
Shizune handed the paper to Tsunade. She looked it over.
“A battle broke out…” She said almost to her self. “They need help…” Tsunade looked up at Shizune. “Send three support teams! And an Anbu Black ops squad!”
“Right, I’m on it!” Shizune left the room.