Third person pov 

Naruto grimaced at the paper in his hands. Hidan leaned over his shoulder, his eyes grimly scanning it a few more times.

An enemy is among you; it's not who you think.

Tread very lightly and don't allow even a blink.

To look away would mean certain death.

He's simply waiting for a time to spite you back.

"Great. This is just what I needed today." Naruto said dryly, staring down at the letter. Apparently two other people were back from the past, two people they didn't know about. One was nice enough to warn them, although the message was cryptic. The other person was apparently out to get them. Naruto wouldn't be surprised if it was Danzo or maybe a slightly-salty Orochimaru who was feeling bored. The blonde didn't know.

"It's not you, is it?" Naruto looked up at Hidan, who's face twisted with considerable disgust and maybe a little bit of disbelief and hurt. Although, the ex-Jashinist did understand why the blonde would ask. Before this, he'd been the enemy. A criminal in every sense of the word. He raped, murdered, pillaged, etc. He'd been a pretty shitty guy.

"No, it's not me, you little shit head. Besides, it says it's not who you think it is, and clearly everyone is going assume it's my skinny white ass." Hidan scoffed. "We probably don't know who the shit head is. It's probably that Danzo asshole or some other shithead who wants your ass dead."

"That's what I was thinking, but I still thought I'd ask." Naruto shrugged, looking back at the note. He hadn't known Hidan very long, but he seemed alright. For someone who used to be a criminal anyway. Plus, he seemed like he was really trying! He hadn't sacrificed anyone, or tried to slit anyone's throats while they slept. Naruto was suspicious that the man may only be here because he lacked anything else to do, but he didn't mention it.

"Pft, whatever." Hidan scoffed. "Should we show the fucking potato head?"

"Believe it."

~

"Ugh..." Shikamaru groaned, his head pounding. His mind felt hazy, and his throat, dry. He tried to remember what happened. He could feel his wrists and ankles wrapped in something, probably rope. It wasn't too tight. If he needed to, he'd definitely be able to squirm out. He remembered seeing his father, and then he was pretty sure some ANBU leapt down. He supposed that's what he got for doing suspicious things in front of the Hokage. Like dragging the Kazekage off and threatening his well-being.

"Don't struggle, Shikamaru." The voice was sad but tony at the same time. He squinted through the darkness. He knew it was his father speaking. "It's going to be alright. It's just- you've been acting so weird, and after the Kazekage incident, we simply couldn't ignore it." He said. A light flickered on.

Shikamaru blinked a few times, looking around. He knew where he was. This was the ANBU headquarters. It was one of their interrogation rooms where the mind specialist, most of which belonged to the Yamanaka clam, came in to assess the prisoner and try to figure out just what they're thinking. It almost made the young Nara scowl, but he stopped himself. He was suspicious enough.

"We have a few questions, Shikamaru." Inoichi was here, which was no big surprise really. Shikaku trusted the man greatly. Shikamaru wouldn't expect anyone else. He knew how much his father loved him. This probably pained him quite a bit.

"...Alright, what is it?" Shikamaru forced himself to look nervous, glancing around. He wondered why they'd tied him up. It was possible they suspected him as an intruder, even though he'd done nothing to harm the village. He supposed they didn't know that, though. They knew nothing, and that's exactly why he was here.

"Alright." Shikaku sighed, relieved he hadn't said no. He and his Yamanaka friend sat down across from him in two metal chairs not unlike the one Shikamaru was tied to. The boy gazed at them with the most startled and confused look he could muster up as Inoichi did some hand signs. Shikaku had to look away. His some, his four year old son, was being held here. He hated that. He was so young and yet he was being suspected of... He didn't know. He didn't know anything anymore. He hated that too.

Inoichi reached out to press a hand to Shikamaru's temple, and the boy flinched. "Don't worry, Shikamaru." Inoichi smiled as comfortingly as he could. "This will just tell me if you lie or not, okay?"

Shikamaru grit his teeth but nodded, flinching again when Inoichi's fingers touched his left temple. Shikaku took a deep breath.

"Do you know why you're here?" Shikaku started. He wanted to get this over with so he could take Shikamaru home.

"Not really." He didn't. "For being suspicious?"

Inochi gave a nod, a signal he hadn't fibbed. Shikaku took another breath, continuing on.

"How did you meet Gaara?" Shikaku questioned. Gaara was the son of the Kazekage, and apparently, Shikamaru's friend. Shikaku wasn't sure when they could have possibly crossed paths.

"When he came to the village." Shikamaru answered. It's true. He'd met Gaara during his first chunin exams when he'd come to the village. He remembered how scared he'd been of the redhead then. Things had certainly changed, he mused to himself.

Inoichi nodded.

"Are you Shikamaru Nara?"

"Yes." Shikamaru assured, earning a nod from Inoichi, and a sigh of relief from Shikaku.

"Have you been in contact with the S-rank criminal Hidan?"

Shikamaru's body went rigid, but he tried not to let his panic show. He glanced at his father, and then at Inoichi. The two adults stared expectantly as Shikamaru thought about it. He couldn't say no. He had talked to the man not twenty-four hours ago. If that didn't count as communication, then he didn't know what was. He was backed into a corner.

"...Yes." Shikamaru sighed. Shikaku flinched. "But he's reformed."

Inoichi nodded, and Shikaku looked down at his list of questions. Shikamaru heard the man take in a few deep breathes of air before he asked the next question. His voice came out croaky. "Do you intend to harm Konoha?"

Shikamaru's face twisted. "Of course not." He hissed, a bit angry. He'd confirmed that he was Shikamaru, so why did they even need to ask? He as trying to save Konoha! He was trying to save everyone. If only they knew what he'd gone through, and what he was going through now. Just looking at Shikaku hurt. Being at home hurt. 

"Shikamaru, were you really raped?"

Fuck fuck fuck-

"...No." He winced. Inoichi nodded.  

"Who did that to you, then?"

Shikamaru's eyes widened in absolute horror at the question, and he immediately yanked away from Inoichi, his breath hitching in his throat. This wasn't good at all. He couldn't tell them that it had been Asuma. They'd know he was telling the truth. Only it hadn't been Asuma's fault, not in the least. But he'd still done it. H-He'd still-

"Shikamaru?" Shikaku asked as Inoichi redid the handsigns, moving to press against Shikamaru's temple. The boy squirmed against his restraints, feeling them loosen slightly. "Shikamaru, just tell us who it was. It's okay. They won't hurt you anymore."

"It wasn't their fault." Shikamaru breathed just as Inoichi pressed his hand against the boy's temple. The Yamanaka nodded. "They made him. It really wasn't his fault. You have to leave him alone."

"Shikamaru, just tell us who it was." Shikaku lowered the clipboard slightly, his coal eyes narrowing. Shikamaru's eyes darted around, his heart pounding in his chest as he looked for a way to escape the room. It was so small, and suddenly it felt like the walls were closing in all around him. He couldn't go down like this. He couldn't bring down Asuma, either. The man had no idea what was going on.

"We may have to enter his mind." Inoichi said when the boy pulled his head away again. Shikamaru hissed in protest to the suggestion, yanking his arms so hard that the rope left burns on him. It was worth it though, because they loosened. He kicked his legs, trying to get the ropes around his ankles to fall off.

"Shikamaru, you need to calm down. It's all okay." Shikaku's heart clenched as the boy continued to pull his arms. The rope was beginning to leave angry, raw red marks Shikaku was sure would start to bleed if the boy didn't stop soon. Inoichi's jaw clenched, and he had to look away.

"If you want me calm then get me out of here." Shikamaru hissed. "Get me out of this place!"

"I....I'm..." Shikaku looked away, his eyes stinging. "Shikamaru, I'm not allowed to. You're officially in the custody of The ANBU Black Ops."

"...Shit."