While the lovers moaned and kissed on the large bed—nestling in each other's embraces and experiencing joint orgasm—the neat black pattern in Kasumi's lower abdomen suddenly flashed with barely visible light and completely disappeared.
At that very moment Kasumi reconciled with her subconscious and suddenly saw herself as a little girl who was very cold. Behind her—with grim faces—stood all members of the Nara Clan led by Shikaku.
Twenty meters opposite the little girl—in the rays of the sun—stood a young guy smiling at her with a kind bright smile. Behind the guy stood two girls with babies in their arms—and also smiled. The little girl smiled back and tried to step forward—wanting to throw herself into the guy's arms and feel warmth for the first time in a long time.
As soon as the girl tried to step forward—she noticed she couldn't take a step. Turning around—she saw her own shadow inextricably linked to the shadows of all clan members. She tried to step forward again but couldn't move.
Turning back—she looked at the clan members and tears flowed from her eyes. Suddenly she waved her hand—and the shadow firmly holding her suddenly tore. Looking at them one last time—she saw faces distorted with rage.
The little girl cried even harder and with difficulty found strength to turn away. Seeing the shining young man before her—she took a step toward him then another and another. With each step she accelerated then switched to running. The closer she got to this bright young man—the more her tears of sorrow transformed into tears of joy. At the last moment she jumped and was caught by strong but tender hands—then enclosed in loving embraces—feeling warmth for the first time in a long time.
*****
Evening of the 189th day.
On a richly decorated veranda sat two. A stately forty-five-year-old man with a neat beard and hair tied in a spiky bun. Opposite him sat his younger copy. A ten-year-old boy with eyes unusually clear for such a young age. Between them was a shogi board and two cups of the best tea.
Looking at his young son—Shikaku squinted contentedly. More than peace—the current Nara Clan head loved watching his son. In every action Shikaku saw pragmatism uncharacteristic of other children—and double or sometimes triple meaning.
Nara Clan members were always famous for intelligence—but young Shikamaru surpassed all his peers and even his father and grandfather at his age in this parameter. Shikaku saw in his son a future strongest pillar for the clan—and one who might break the hitherto impregnable barrier blocking Nara Clan members from the coveted "Kage" rank.
Throughout history—only the clan founder had the title "Kage" and in just twenty years laid the strongest foundation for the now-prospering clan. It was from him clan members inherited shadow control ability and excellent intellect.
Suddenly Shikaku's smile froze then completely slid off his lips. He felt something he couldn't explain himself. As if a taut string snapped in his brain. The last time he felt something similar was during the Second Shinobi World War when his cousin died at the very moment he sat in headquarters assisting his father.
He still hated himself for—instead of covering his brother's back—being forced to sit around and develop strategies. But most of all he hated the one who killed his brother and best friend. Now the killer bore the title Kazekage of the Hidden Sand Village.
Even then Rasa was a very famous shinobi who took many lives with his golden sand—striking terror on the battlefield, and that ill-fated day was no exception.
Shikaku—being only a Jonin at the time—understood he wasn't a match for Elite Jonin Rasa. But that didn't diminish his desire to kill even slightly. Now—having learned the clan's most important secrets and being Elite Jonin rank—Shikaku dreamed of meeting Rasa on the battlefield. He wasn't afraid of Kage-level shinobi at all and only slightly feared figures like Uchiha Madara and Senju Hashirama. But according to available information—no such shinobi remained in the world.
"Game over. Go to the training ground and train shadow needles until sunset." Shikaku commanded—standing and slowly heading outside.
"Yes, father…" Shikamaru muttered with a sigh. He wasn't going to argue with his father—not when he was furious. The young clan head heir knew his father's character perfectly and noticed the slightest changes in behavior and facial expressions. He hadn't seen his father this angry in a very long time and tried to silently retreat to avoid getting caught in the crossfire.
Shikaku silently stepped down from the veranda and slowly walked along neatly laid stones beside the pond with carps sparkling in the sun. At that moment he didn't want contact with anyone and tried to dispel his rage in silence and peace.
Suddenly his keen gaze caught an unusual picture. One small carp was trapped—buried under a large branched tree branch that fell into the pond. The small carp was incredibly beautiful—but the shadow hanging from a large stone didn't let it shine in the sun, and many sinuous black branches didn't allow it to escape to freedom.
Shikaku was about to help the poor fish but stopped. An absolutely unusual spectacle unfolded before his eyes. A larger carp broke through the branches—circled its kin and rushed out—clearing the way for the smaller but incredibly beautiful carp.
As soon as they escaped the shadow trap—they immediately revealed all their splendor—glittering in the sun's rays. They began joyfully swimming parallel—sometimes spinning and creating an incredible sight for the eyes.
"Shikaku-sama." one of the clan elders interrupted his thoughts.
"Yes, Yoshiro—speak."
"Kasumi's tablet was destroyed." the elder reported briefly.
Shikaku said nothing and only sighed deeply. He already knew—so the news didn't surprise him. With each rank shinobi began feeling the surrounding world better and had incredible intuition. That's why Kage-level shinobi extremely rarely died by the sword.
"Good. Convey my decree. For any reliable information about Kasumi—a reward depending on the value of information. Announce a reward for her kidnapper—one million Ryo, and five million if delivered to the Nara Clan." Shikaku said.
Suddenly seeing the same carps frolicking in the pond—he added: "The kidnapper must be alive and unharmed—otherwise no reward."
"Yes!" Yoshiro reported and—seeing a nod—immediately retreated.
Shikaku looked again at the carps rejoicing in freedom—took a deep breath and headed into the house.