Unspoken Rules
Chapter 12
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Konoha Shinobi (Unspoken) Rule #15: To defeat Nara Shikamaru in Shougi is to defy a law of nature. You can try, but you will never succeed.
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Shikamaru sat on a ledge on the top of a guard tower, cigarette dangling between two fingers. The shinobis stationed there didn't bother him. They knew their War Leader had a penchant for watching clouds, and the roof of that particular guard tower was one of his favorite spots. What they didn’t know was that today the strategist wasn’t watching clouds. No, the man was currently watching the departure of one Hyuuga Neji who would be gone for an undetermined amount of time on a mission in another country.
The young tokubetsu jounin wasn’t worried. If anything, he was rather relieved that Neji would be safe for the time being. Until Shikamaru deemed it was safe enough for his lover to come back, the young Hyuuga would stay in the Hidden Village of the Sand, all the way in the Wind Country. And he wouldn't be staying at some inn, either. Neji was to stay in the Kazekage’s manor under the protection of Sabaku no Temari, sister to the Kazekage. Nobody could touch him there, not even the Hyuuga clan.
Yes, the mission was bogus. Shikamaru had orchestrated the whole thing. It didn’t matter to him that he had to cash in a few favors and pull a few strings. Getting a senior staff member in the mission room -- namely Iruka -- to spew out a mission order was one thing, but to make it legit by having the Hokage sign it was another. Luckily, he had helped resolve a certain… conflict between Tsunade and the biggest gambling house in their country a while back, in a very discreet manner, so she owed him one. As for Temari… well, let’s just say she was his genie for one wish. He never thought he’d use it to have her baby-sit his boyfriend, but what the hell. It was worth it.
Shikamaru had planned this weeks ago, along with many other plans to help the situation. None of them were put to use because there was one factor in the way and that was Neji himself. The strategist had plans for them, but Neji didn’t even want to acknowledge that the problem existed. Shikamaru wouldn’t, couldn’t force the issue. Whenever he approached the subject, Neji would change it. And he would comply. Every. Damn. Time.
Neji had very little control of his own life. As a Shinobi, he lived by his superior’s decisions. As a Hyuuga, he lived by his clan’s decisions. That was why Shikamaru never wanted to force or manipulate him into anything, not even a simple discussion. He would rather die than take Neji’s decision away. In anything. Even on what to have for dinner. And besides, the young Nara grumbled inwardly, all his lover had to do was smile and he would do anything, anything the man asked him. Like father, like son he guessed.
Shikamaru knew things would go downhill. It was only a matter of time. He also knew Neji wouldn’t do anything about it, let alone drag him into it -- his willingness notwithstanding. So the tactical genius also devised plans for himself, one of which was a fake mission to hide Neji should the worst case scenario ever happen. And now it had.
He couldn’t hide Neji in Sunagakure forever. This was only temporary, a way to keep Neji safe while he made his moves. His lover would be angry once he found out, probably even leave him altogether, but anything was better than letting the man die while there was still something he could do about it. He had mapped out every possible move and countermove. All he waited for was the cue.
A long trail of smoke traveled upward and dissolved into the sky as Shikamaru let out a deep breath. His lover was no longer in sight. It was time. He had a shougi match to win.
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Hiashi stepped into the exclusive shougi parlor he routinely visited with a sigh. What had happened that day weighted his mind immensely, and he wanted nothing more than a couple of engaging games to distract him. He was surprised, however, when the manager approached him with a smile way too bright for his comfort.
“Hyuuga-san! You’ve arrived!”
“Yes, I have,” Hiashi answered with a puzzled look. “Why are you so happy, if I may ask?”
“Our famous War Leader has finally decided to play here. You have no idea how many offers and invitations we’ve thrown at him, yet the young genius kept visiting that shabby parlor downtown. That is, until now.”
Hiashi frowned. “Are you talking about Nara Shikamaru?”
“The one and only,” the manager beamed. “He said he was intrigued by your reputation as an exceptional shougi player and came here because he wished to play with you.”
“Oh, really?” the aforementioned clan leader asked with sarcasm that flew right over the manager’s head. Today just wasn’t his day. First, he had to torture his closest nephew nearly to the point of death, and now he had to face said nephew’s lover. This was just peachy. “I am glad to have been able to help you get him here then.”
“Yes, we are very grateful to you, Hyuuga-san. His presence will boost this parlor’s popularity immensely. Why, rumors have it he even beat the Daimyo each time they played during his yearly visit to the Fire Castle.”
“Ah, yes. I have heard about that,” Hiashi forced a smile. “We should not keep him waiting now, should we?”
“Of course, Hyuuga-san. Please, this way. He’s waiting in the VIP room.”
Hiashi followed the manager calmly, head held high as usual, belying the trepidation within. There was no doubt that the Nara heir knew about what had happened. The question now was what the young man had in mind. A shougi parlor was a public place, so the possibility of foul play was slim. The strategist most likely only wanted to talk.
In any case, at least now he’d get the engaging game he had wished for. As most shougi aficionados, Hiashi was more than eager to test Shikamaru’s skills, to see whether or not the young man’s reputation was true. After all, the stories he had heard about the young strategist were mostly unbelievable. Defeating an immortal Akatsuki member on his own when he was fifteen? Hmph. Rubbish.
Hiashi’s pondering ceased as the manager stopped and opened a door. He curtsied for his most favored patron to enter before leaving with exclamations about getting more refreshments -- all complimentary and of the highest quality -- and closing the door behind him. The Hyuuga leader nodded at his much younger opponent with a smile and the young Nara returned the gesture. Hiashi let his bad thoughts fly away. He had a shougi match to win.
--- First Match ---
“Of all the Furibisha openings, you chose to use the most standard one.” Hiashi smirked after a couple of moves from both sides. “You surprise me, Nara-san. I never thought that you, of all people, would do such a thing as underestimating your opponent.”
“Of course not,” Shikamaru calmly tapped his cigarette on an ashtray and sipped his sake. “After all, I wasn’t the one who thought a jounin wouldn’t notice when a mere mediocre chuunin was observing and investigating him.”
Hiashi barely covered his shock. “I beg your pardon?”
The young Nara smirked. “How is Heishi, by the way?”
The Hyuuga clan leader had sent his distant nephew, Hyuuga Heishi, to do just that for the last couple of weeks. But he never thought that the target himself knew about it. Ah, well, Hiashi mulled inwardly, all the cards were on the table now. He might as well go with it.
“He is quite well, thank you,” Hiashi answered. “I hope he did not cause you any inconvenience during his clan-appointed task?”
“No, not at all.” Shikamaru inhaled from his cigarette and smiled. “He was the one who almost lost an eye by senbon impalement. No worries though; it was just a bit of a misunderstanding with one of my associates. I managed to diffuse the situation before Heishi even noticed anything.”
“Oh my,” Hiashi chuckled. “I guess I should thank you then.”
“It’s alright,” the strategist laughed goodheartedly along. “I must commend his surveillance skill. It was exceptional. Only I and three of my companions noticed him. His data gathering, however, could use some improvements.”
“Thank you again. I will see to it.” Hiashi paused as he drank his sake and moved a pawn. “Was that how you found out about him?”
Shikamaru raised an eyebrow. “I’m a reserve ANBU, Hyuuga-san. I noticed him the minute he identified me as his target.”
“Yet, you did nothing,” the older man stated. “You did not stop or even question him, nor did you tell Neji about it.”
The young tactician gave him a mysterious smile. “I have my reasons.”
“You intended for me to know about your relationship with my nephew?”
“Yes,” Shikamaru answered casually. “As Hyuuga Neji’s closest relative and clan leader, you, more than anyone else in this village, have the right to know. Had he let me, I would’ve come to you personally. However, the situation is nowhere near that simple, wouldn't you agree?”
Hiashi sighed. “Yes, I would say so.”
“I know for a fact that my relationship with your nephew has never entered Konoha’s rumor mill. You were most likely trying to verify a bit of information you had somehow acquired. Upon recognizing the appointed operative, I knew you had no intention of sharing your knowledge with any of the other clan members. Telling Neji about your well-meant action would only make things… troublesome.”
“Very well said,” the clan leader concurred with a smile, inwardly praising the young man in front of him. Heishi was the only male clan member with a distant enough blood tie and close enough age to Hinata. He was to marry her once he turned eighteen next year. That, added with the fact that Heishi’s father had been killed in a mission a few years ago, made the young chuunin his most favored nephew beside Neji. Shikamaru knew that and brilliantly used that bit of information to calculate everything. Not only that, he was wise enough to keep his lover out of the loop, probably knowing how hotheaded Neji could be when it comes to clan matters.
A couple of moves were made in silence before Hiashi finally asked, “Why come to me now?”
Shikamaru gave him a long, unreadable stare. “Neji almost died today. All gloves are off.”
“What are you asking of me, exactly?”
“There will be no more discretion between us, Hyuuga-san. I won’t have it. I need to know exactly where you stand, and you will tell me.”
“Does it even matter, Nara-san?” Hiashi snorted sardonically. “There is nothing in this world that I want more than Neji’s happiness, but my hands are tied. You have no idea-”
“Who are you to tell me what I know and don’t know?” Shikamaru asked while casually squishing his cigarette in the ashtray. “I am the War Leader of the strongest Hidden Village. The Daimyo of the largest country summons me every year to consult strategies. I can and will untie your hands, but not before I know whether or not you’re with me.”
The two men stared at each other for a while before Hiashi said firmly, “I stand with my nephew. If you have found a way to-”
“Good,” Shikamaru cut him off again while moving his bishop. “Checkmate.”
Hiashi glared at the board, analyzing the position of every piece. His opponent had ingeniously transformed a standard opening into a unique, formidable attacking formation, and he hadn’t even noticed.
“Great game, Hiashi,” Shikamaru’s voice made the Hyuuga look up. “Let’s have another one. How does same time tomorrow sound?”
The older man nodded and Shikamaru took his leave without another word. Hiashi guessed pretense was also one of the gloves that had come off, seeing how Shikamaru didn’t even bother to be civil with him anymore. It was actually understandable that the strategist despised him. After all, he very nearly killed the man’s lover. If Shikamaru was any other eighteen-year-old shinobi, they would’ve been killing each other instead of playing shougi.
It was a pity, really. He was truly starting to like, respect, and even admire Nara Shikamaru. He had to give Neji credit for landing the guy.
Hiashi snorted at his own thoughts. No matter. Tomorrow Shikamaru would elaborate his plans, and in the mean time, he would beat the young Nara in shougi.
--- Second Match ---
“Another seal?” Hiashi asked incredulously while perusing the shougi board.
Shikamaru indifferently moved a pawn, a burning cigarette perched between his lips. “Hm. As you may know, each clan is obligated to submit a copy of their written law to the village’s archive and the public library to avoid any contradiction regarding policies or mission orders, and to avoid any misunderstanding with people outside the clan. More than that, all internal clan affairs that affect a member's records in the village's archive are also to be submitted; such as marriage, banishment, execution, and so on.”
Hiashi moved his lance. “Yes, and?”
“Apparently, the set of scrolls containing the Hyuuga clan laws that we have now is the revised edition.”
“Revised?” Hiashi frowned. “That can not be. I would have known.”
“They were submitted about seventy years ago,” Shikamaru responded while taking the cigarette off his mouth, “whereas the Hyuuga clan has existed as a part of Konoha for how long?”
The clan leader glared at him. “How do you know this?”
“I checked the entry log,” Shikamaru answered nonchalantly. “And from there I checked the inventory and found the original.”
Hiashi’s eyes widened. “What part of it was revised?”
“The punishment for clan members who refuse to perform a duty. As it turned out, there used to be a choice for them. The clan leader could torture them until they give in or die, or they could be banished from the clan with another seal placed on their bodies.”
The older man was speechless, so Shikamaru continued. “Just like most clans, the Hyuuga devised their law based on bloodline limit preservation and containment. Banishment was paradoxical to that, so it wasn’t surprising that it was nullified. What bothered me was why it wasn’t done until only seventy years from now.”
Again, Hiashi could only stare as the issue got pointed out. The young strategist went on, “So I combed through personal files. All Hyuugas. From the first entry to the last.”
Hiashi could barely hold back from gaping. There must be hundreds of Hyuuga shinobis throughout the generations, each with a file folder two inches thick. “You…”
“I found plenty that were declared ‘deceased; clan edict’, but from that many Hyuuga ninjas of that many generations, only one man ever chose banishment.” Shikamaru paused to take a long drag from his cigarette and exhaled. “Seventy years ago, about the same time the law was invalidated, a jounin named Hyuuga Naoto was banished from his clan at age eighteen for refusing to carry on the bloodline. He died on a mission not long after.”
“Naoto…” Hiashi mused, “I have never heard of him.”
Shikamaru moved his rook and drank his sake. “From the clan’s basic principle of bloodline limit control and the rebelling member’s reluctance, I’ve already deduced that this seal has something to do with sexual functions. However, since it wasn’t mandatory for clans to submit records about their secret techniques, I couldn’t find anything about it anywhere in Konoha’s archive.”
“You think…” the older man trailed off at the implication, fingers moving a knight.
“I don’t make assumptions based on incomplete data. That’s why I need you to find any information at all regarding this seal in the Hyuuga private library.”
Hiashi thought about it for a few moments. “Okay then, I will see to it and tell you what I find tomorrow.”
“Good,” Shikamaru said while nudging his silver general. “Checkmate.”
Hiashi swore inwardly. Tomorrow. He would beat that genius of a brat tomorrow.
--- Third Match ---
“Here,” Hiashi gave Shikamaru an old, worn scroll, “It is about the seal we talked about yesterday.”
Shikamaru took the scroll and put it in one of the many compartments on his shinobi attire. “Have you studied it?”
Hiashi looked uncomfortable as he made the first move on the board. “I have.”
“And?”
“I do not think we should proceed with this plan, whatever the plan is.”
“Plan?” Shikamaru raised an eyebrow. “When did I say anything about any plan?”
The older man stared at him. “Then… what are we doing, exactly?”
“Research.”
Hiashi didn’t know what to say anymore so he kept quiet and tried to concentrate on the game, which was easier said than done thanks to the young man in front of him. The Hyuuga clan leader couldn't help but think about Shikamaru's actions. He thought he had managed to read the man, even just a little bit. Apparently, he was wrong.
“Why are you suddenly uncomfortable about this? Is the seal life threatening?” Shikamaru asked after nearly an hour of silence and shougi moves.
“No, the seal itself is not life threatening, but the placement process would be… very painful.”
“Even more so than a minute of activation of the usual seal?”
Hiashi gave him a reproachful look. “Yes, it is. I am sure of it.”
Shikamaru went quiet again, seemingly thinking about the situation while making clever shougi moves at the same time. Hiashi had to wonder about that. At this rate, his king would be captured in less than ten moves. Did the strategist have more than one brain in that head of his?
--- Fourth Match ---
The next day, Shikamaru gave the scroll back to Hiashi with a terse obligatory nod.
“I’ve studied it,” he said while lighting a cigarette.
“Hm,” Hiashi responded absentmindedly while moving a pawn as his first move. “And?”
Shikamaru also moved a pawn. “You are to revalidate banishment as one of your clan’s commandments. You will then banish Hyuuga Neji from the Hyuuga clan.”
“I knew you were thinking along those lines,” Hiashi smirked. “However, what you ask for is not within my power to give.”
“How so? I thought I’m speaking with the highest authority in the Hyuuga clan.”
“As clan leader, I answer to my clan. You are the heir to the richest clan in Konoha, Nara Shikamaru. Surely you know how that works.”
“Yes, I do know how that works. It still doesn’t explain why you can’t do as I ask.”
“The rule was invalidated for a reason. What kind of a leader am I if I were to revalidate it for the sole purpose of my favoritism?”
“Should I write a script for you to memorize before you propose the idea to your clan?” Shikamaru asked with a derogatory smirk. “Or, to be more precise, your clan elders?”
Hiashi frowned. “Insults will not get you anywhere, Nara-san.”
The young Nara chuckled. “I was merely offering my help.”
“Oh? And what lies could you possibly have concocted and wish for me to relay to my clan?”
“Hyuugas,” Shikamaru grumbled. “All of you are so damn… I don’t know- stiff? The way your minds work is just too inflexible.”
The Hyuuga clan leader in front of him glared, but Shikamaru was unfazed. “Tell me, Hiashi. What is your clan’s first and foremost directive?”
“Duty above all else. Obligations toward Konoha precede any or every clan matter,” Hiashi answered firmly. “What does that have to do with anything?”
“Hyuuga Neji is the only active jounin you have right now, correct? As the only jounin-ranked Byakugan user, he is too valuable an asset for Konoha. Therefore I, as Konoha’s War Leader, hereby forbid you to punish him by death. Failure to comply will be considered as a digression from performing your duty towards Konoha, and the Hyuuga clan will be held in contempt.”
Milky white eyes widened in surprise. Shikamaru pushed on. “That could be a formal letter coming from the Hokage tower, or a show of your foresight; your choice. Either way, your clan elders will hear it and consider banishment.”
“You are very smart, Nara-san,” Hiashi said with a tired, quiet laugh. “But you are still young and hotheaded. Consider this, if you will: Validating that rule would mean giving an escape for rebelling members. As a person, I have no objection towards it, glad for it, even. However, as a leader, I can not let that happen. Our bloodline limit is at stake.”
Shikamaru snorted. “Again, you’re being inflexible.”
Hiashi’s eyebrows raised in puzzlement as the young strategist inhaled deeply from his cigarette. “Discuss this with your elders and heir. Show them the options and possibilities. You may improve this banishment rule before revalidating it. Make it the clan leader’s choice instead of the rebelling member’s. Turn it into a special rule for special situations, like when your rebelling member is the only active jounin you have and happen to be one of the strongest, most needed, most praised shinobis in Konoha.”
The Hyuuga clan leader got quiet as he contemplated everything. Shikamaru was right. Both he and Neji were too inflexible. If only he had thought of this before now, and if only Neji had let Shikamaru talk about this, he probably wouldn’t have had to torture his own nephew. As they returned to the game in silence, Hiashi affirmed his resolve to try and make this work.
“Everything’s in your hands now, Hiashi,” Shikamaru quietly said as he finally captured Hiashi's king. “We both want nothing more than to resolve this matter peacefully and discreetly. Please don’t make me do something that could result in your clan’s destruction because, believe me, I have the power to do so, and I won’t hesitate to use it should anything happen to Hyuuga Neji.”
--- Fifth Match ---
Unlike usual, today the VIP room of the exclusive shougi parlor was rather quiet. There was only the click-clack of shougi pieces being moved, complimenting the sound of running water from the adjacent garden. Currently, Hyuuga Hiashi was contemplating a way out of Nara Shikamaru’s formation. It was unlike anything he had ever seen. Solid offensive positioning coupled with a trap-filled defense. It was only a matter of time before his young opponent would capture his king.
“I have spoken with the clan elders and clan heir,” Hiashi said quietly. Shikamaru merely nodded in response, exhaling a trail of smoke from his mouth.
“They have all agreed to another tribunal once Neji is back from his mission, and should he persist, still, to back down from his duty, he will be banished from the Hyuuga clan with the placement of another seal.”
“Alright,” Shikamaru finally responded. “I will send for his return.”
Hiashi looked at the young Nara. Was Neji’s urgent mission also the young man’s scheme? But the summon was relayed by the Hokage’s personal aide, and clan members who work at the mission room stated -- at the request of the clan elders -- that Neji was briefed by the Godaime Hokage herself. Well, Hiashi sighed inwardly, at least now he knew that the man wasn’t bluffing yesterday.
“I will need some time to practice with the seal,” Hiashi continued the conversation. “I have no intention of making even the slightest mistake. Not with that kind of seal.”
Shikamaru nodded again. “How long?”
“A few days, at the most,” answered the older man resignedly. “The sooner we take care of this, the better.”
“Hn,” Shikamaru agreed. An eyebrow rose in contemplation before he said, “I’ll send for Neji tomorrow, so he’ll most likely arrive four days from now. Would that be enough timeframe?”
“Yes, four days is more than enough.”
“Very well,” Shikamaru ended the conversation. “Checkmate.” And the game.