A Fated Encounter

"Ino, it's me. Please disrupt the transmission from this room for a while. I have a confidential discussion with Hikari. We'll loop you in once we finalize things."

Ino's response crackled with mischief. "Confidential discussion, eh? How unromantic! Find another place for your rendezvous, but not the Hokage's office!"

Shikamaru gritted his teeth. "Ino! This is serious! It's about Boruto and Kawaki!"

"Teehee, I know, I know," Ino teased. "You're such a responsible leader. I'll do that. Good luck~" The connection cut off, leaving Shikamaru fuming.

"Sorry about that," he muttered, turning back to Hikari.
"Let's start again." He sat back down, straightening his posture.

This time, he initiated a mind transmission with Hikari directly.
"Hikari," he began, his voice serious.

"Let's keep this conversation within this jutsu for now. Someone… well, someone might be listening in." He sent her a pointed look, which Hikari answered with a small nod.

"If you already have something in mind to convince me, I will be a good informant for you, Lord Eighth," she replied through the mind link.

Her voice held a hint of weariness, but also a flicker of determination. Shikamaru let out a mental sigh of relief. Despite the hidden past and the walls she'd built, he still saw the selfless, resourceful kunoichi beneath.

"Thank you, Hikari," he replied genuinely.

Here, their conversation was shielded from prying ears, especially Ino's ever-curious ones.

"Hikari," he began, his voice laced with sincerity, "consider me someone who doesn't know about your past before you arrived in Konoha. So, let me ask you. Do you have any memories from the time you first woke up here?"

The question hung in the air, a silent plea for honesty. Shikamaru knew this was a delicate approach, a way to ease into the truth without causing suspicion.

Hikari hesitated for a moment, her mental presence flickering with a flicker of surprise. It seemed Shikamaru was truly willing to meet her halfway, to respect her boundaries.

"Memories, huh?" she replied, her voice a soft echo in his mind.

"Well, there is this one scene… hazy, but persistent. A place filled with a sense of peace and white… a hospital, I believe."

A pang of familiarity tugged at Shikamaru's heart. He forced himself to remain neutral, to not react outwardly.

Yet, his memories mirrored hers – a sterile room, the rhythmic beeping of machines, and a bandaged figure stirring on the bed. He had been there, a silent guardian waiting for her to awaken.

"A hospital, you say?" he echoed, keeping his voice carefully neutral within the mind link.

"Yes," Hikari confirmed. "And I… I was in bad shape. My face was covered in bandages, and I could barely speak for a while. I remember some kind of medical support tool attached to my body."

Shikamaru swallowed the lump that had formed in his throat. Every detail she mentioned aligned with his own memories.

The medical jutsu used to stabilize her after her retrieval, the extensive injuries that had rendered her mute for days.

The weight of the past threatened to engulf him, but he pressed on, determined to unravel the truth together.

"I see," he replied, his voice carefully controlled. "That sounds like a difficult experience, Hikari."

"It was," she admitted, a hint of vulnerability seeping into her mental voice. "But I'm grateful for the care I received in Konohagakure. It gave me a second chance."

Shikamaru took a deep mental breath. He knew they were close, on the precipice of a revelation. But before he could delve deeper, a flicker of doubt crossed his mind.

"Hikari," he began cautiously, "did anyone… anyone ever mention who brought you to Konoha? Or why?"

The question hung heavy in the mental space, a silent plea for the truth they both desperately sought.

A wave of apprehension washed over Hikari in response to Shikamaru's question. The mental link, once a refuge, now felt charged with tension.

"Well," she began hesitantly, "there was a… thing knotted around my wrist. It seemed to be a big deal for the previous Hokage at that time."

Shikamaru's breath hitched in his throat. His mind conjured a vivid image: a crimson cloth fragment, unmistakably a remnant of the Akatsuki's cloak. The implications were staggering.

"A thing?" he echoed, his voice betraying a hint of the turmoil within.

"Yes," Hikari continued, unaware of the storm brewing in Shikamaru's mind. "It seemed to cause some… isolation for me, at least initially."

The mention of isolation struck a raw nerve in Shikamaru. He desperately wanted to reach out to her, offer comfort, but the need for answers remained paramount.

"Okay," he forced himself to say, his voice carefully controlled. "Now, I want to focus on how… well, did you feel isolated after arriving in Konoha?"

Hikari hesitated, surprised by the shift in direction.

"Is… is this relevant to the mission, Lord Eighth?" she asked tentatively, a flicker of vulnerability creeping into her voice.

Shikamaru couldn't help but be touched by her fragile state. He understood the pain her past likely held, the fear of revealing it.

"Look, Hikari," he said gently, his voice softening within the mind link. "You said you wanted me to convince you of something, right? Your answer, your feelings, everything is crucial for this mission. We don't have time to waste secrets, Hikari. We need the full picture."

His words hung in the air, a silent plea for her trust. He could see the struggle within her, the battle between fear and a desperate need for connection.

Relief washed over Shikamaru as Hikari offered a hesitant answer through the mind link.

"I can say that I was confused with the sudden isolation," she admitted. "But Lady Tsunade's team made it clear they wouldn't harm me. And they kept their word." A hint of a smile flickered in her mental presence. "I became her apprentice, learning healing jutsu and other valuable things."

The confirmation warmed Shikamaru's heart. He had known Tsunade wouldn't leave an injured stranger to fend for themselves. The image of a young Hikari, confused but slowly finding her place under the legendary Sannin, soothed a part of him.

"Heh," he chuckled softly within the mind link, "for a complete stranger, you were given quite the trust."

He couldn't help but observe her with a newfound respect. This woman, shrouded in secrecy, had endured a traumatic experience, yet found acceptance and purpose within Konohagakure.

With a calculated move, Shikamaru leaned closer, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper.

"Have you ever…"

he began cautiously, "held any grudge towards Konoha? Or… schemed against them in any way?"

It was a risky question, one that could shatter the fragile trust they were building. But Shikamaru had to be sure. The fate of the village rested on their shoulders.

Hikari, startled by his sudden closeness, straightened her posture. Her mental voice, previously filled with a hint of openness, hardened with resolve.

"No. Never," she declared firmly.

"I couldn't have more gratitude for Konoha taking care of me."

Shikamaru felt a wave of relief wash over him. Her answer, devoid of hesitation, echoed the loyalty he sensed in her actions. He placed a hand on her shoulder, a silent gesture of appreciation.

"Good," he said, his voice filled with newfound trust. "May your intentions remain strong, Hikari."

Standing back up, he gestured towards the door.

"Now, let's move on to the mission then. Since you see, I believe you're the most suitable person for this job." His trademark lazy smile returned, a flicker of optimism in his eyes.

Hikari stood silent for a moment, caught between the urgency of the new mission and the lingering obligations of her apprenticeship under Tsunade.

But a single thought solidified her resolve. Saving Konoha, the village that had taken her in, was ultimately saving Tsunade's legacy.

"Alright," she finally replied, her voice laced with determination. "Tell me what needs to be done."

The weight of their shared purpose settled in the air, a silent promise of cooperation as they embarked on a mission that could change the fate of Konohagakure.

A flicker of curiosity ignited in Hikari's eyes as Shikamaru continued through their mind link.

"There's something else," he said, his voice tinged with seriousness.

"I've noticed a similarity between you and Kawaki, in terms of how you both ended up in Konoha."

Hikari's brow furrowed slightly. Despite the differences in their circumstances, she acknowledged the strange parallel Shikamaru drew.

They were both outsiders, brought to the village under mysterious conditions.
Sensing her understanding, Shikamaru pressed on.

"Now, here's the plan," he explained. "We need you to reach out to Kawaki and convince him to trust us. As you know, Eida is the one manipulating everyone's memories. But here's the catch – what if this memory manipulation is a twisted fulfillment of Kawaki's own desires?"

Hikari's mind raced, trying to absorb the implications.

"We believe Eida might have imposed this condition because it's what Kawaki subconsciously wants,"

Shikamaru elaborated. "So, the goal is to make Kawaki understand this and convince him to cooperate. He needs to tell Eida to deactivate the jutsu. That way, we can get Boruto back on our side, and then we can work on freeing his parents."

The weight of the mission settled on Hikari's shoulders. It was a risky proposition, built on an uncertain foundation. Yet, the thought of reuniting Boruto with his family, of restoring the stolen memories, ignited a spark of determination within her.

She swallowed hard, her voice trembling slightly within the mind link.

"This is a lot to take in," she admitted. "But… yes. I'm willing to do my best on this mission, Lord Eighth."

Relief washed over Shikamaru as Hikari readily agreed to the mission. A genuine smile played on his lips.

"Hikari," he declared through the mind link, "consider yourself entrusted with the highest honor. Your loyalty and bravery are unmatched." His praise wasn't empty; in the face of the unknown, her unwavering commitment was a beacon of hope.

However, a flicker of concern crossed his mind. He remembered Temari's impressive yet ultimately insufficient skills against Kara members.

He couldn't risk sending Hikari on a suicide mission.

"Speaking of bravery," he continued cautiously, "by any chance... do you possess combat abilities? Did Lady Tsunade teach you anything for self-defense?"

Hikari met his unspoken question with a confident nod.

"I do," she replied, her voice unwavering. "I possess the Wood Release technique, just like the First Hokage, even though it's not as perfect as him."

There was a hint of pride in her voice, but she knew she needed to temper it to avoid sounding arrogant.

Shikamaru froze.

Wood Release?

The legendary kekkei genkai?

His mind raced, piecing together the fragments of the past. The memory of a young girl, battered and bruised, clinging to life, yet imbued with a strange life force – the very same girl who now stood before him, a testament to the power of resilience.
A wave of emotion washed over him, a mixture of surprise, respect, and a tinge of guilt for ever doubting her.

"Look at you," he finally managed, his voice thick with emotion. "The fragile girl from the past… now a strong kunoichi."

Shame flushed through Hikari's cheeks at his unguarded words.

"L-Lord Eighth," she stammered, her voice breaking the mind link. "Thank you… I appreciate it."

Shikamaru, realizing his blunder, quickly composed himself. "S-silly me," he mumbled, a sheepish grin replacing his earlier intensity.

"I apologize, Hikari. Got a little carried away. You… you certainly caught me off guard. I underestimated you."

The tension eased as Hikari offered a small smile.

"No worries, Lord Eighth," she replied, her voice regaining its professional tone. "I am ready whenever you instruct me."

Her posture, once guarded, now exuded the confidence of a seasoned warrior. Shikamaru placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder.

"Remember, Hikari," he said, his voice filled with sincerity, "your safety is paramount. We can handle Boruto.Just focus on completing your mission and… please keep the mind transmission open for me. That way, we can maintain communication."

A silent vow passed between them, a shared commitment to a mission that held the fate of Konohagakure in the balance.With a newfound respect for each other, Shikamaru, the strategic genius, and Hikari, the enigmatic kunoichi with a hidden past, were ready to face the challenges that lay ahead.
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Hikari emerged from the Hokage's office, her head buzzing with information. The mind transmission jutsu always took its toll, leaving her feeling slightly disoriented. Her fingers instinctively reached for the small pouch hanging from her belt, where she kept calming tea leaves – a habit Tsunade had instilled in her.

As she navigated the bustling streets, a wry smile touched her lips. Ino, with her Yamanaka clan's exceptional sensory abilities, was practically omniscient when it came to Konoha's communications. A small token of appreciation was definitely in order. Perhaps some exotic fruit from the market – a taste unlike anything Ino might have sampled before.

Rounding a corner, Hikari stumbled upon a familiar sight: Naruto's daughter, Himawari, with her long, vibrant blue hair bouncing with each step. The young girl stood before a fruit stall, excitedly pointing to a mountain of oranges.

"Himawari, what are you looking for?" the shopkeeper boomed, his voice momentarily breaking Hikari's train of thought.

"Uncle, I want these oranges please," Himawari chirped, her arms already stacked high with the golden fruit.

'That's quite a load for such small arms!' Hikari thought with a chuckle. A sudden impulse seized her. Instead of heading towards the fruit stand, she altered her course.

"Are you sure you can carry all that on your own, Himawari?" Hikari called out, a hint of concern lacing her voice. The disparity between the tiny girl and the massive pile of oranges was comical, but also slightly concerning.

Himawari turned, a polite smile gracing her features. "That's alright, miss. I usually carry this much for me and my brother."

Empathy tugged at Hikari's heart. Here was a chance, an opportunity presented on a silver platter. Maybe this was her ticket to meeting Kawaki. After all, thanks to Tsunade's constant updates, Hikari knew everything about Naruto's family, including the enigmatic Kawaki whom Shikamaru wished her to approach.

"This time, let this miss help you," Hikari offered, a friendly smile blooming on her face. "It's getting late, and it wouldn't be a good idea for a young lady to walk alone with such heavy bags."

Himawari, however, tilted her head in confusion. "Am I supposed to know you, miss?" she inquired, her gaze scanning Hikari's features curiously.

Hikari faltered for a moment. Lying to Naruto's daughter didn't sit well with her. But revealing her true identity, especially with the current situation, could be disastrous. Thinking quickly, she fabricated a story.

"Well," she began, "I'm a friend of Miss Ino. We were classmates at the academy."

Himawari's eyes widened. "The academy? But I haven't met you before…" she mumbled, a hint of doubt creeping into her voice. "Maybe because I don't leave home very often."

"That's alright! There's a first time for everything, right?" Hikari countered with a reassuring smile. "My name's Hikari. Let's get those oranges delivered, shall we?"

"Nice to meet you, Hikari!" Himawari exclaimed, a genuine smile lighting up her face. "You're so friendly, miss!"

A strange mix of excitement and nervousness bubbled within Hikari. This innocent encounter might just be the key to unlocking the secrets hidden within Naruto's household, and potentially, a way to connect with Kawaki.

Her journey had taken an unexpected turn, but Hikari, fueled by a sense of purpose and a touch of apprehension, was ready to face whatever lay ahead.

To be continued.