Accepting Changes

Disclaimer:

I do not own any of the characters from Naruto

Summary:

Takes place in Shippuden isn't that easy to come across anymore, and 2 people might be turned away from Konoha when they are on the run from rogue ninja and need a place to stay.

Pairings:

Shikamaru/OC , Sakura/OC

Prologue

"Shikamaru move!" Ino shouted as Shikamaru was bombarded with shuriken. He disappeared in a puff of smoke and in his place a log. Shikamaru appeared behind the enemy, stabbing a kunai full force in his back. He scanned the field, taking in his surroundings, strategies already creating themselves in his head. He could see his team in over their head and he couldn't do anything about it. Choji had his hands full fighting three enemy ninja, Naruto, unconscious from an earlier ambush, being protected by Sakura who was holding her own against four opposing enemies, and Ino was getting knocked around; she was being attacked at every angle by several enemy ninja after losing focus by giving him that warning. He used a jutsu, stretching his shadow and capturing most of Ino's attackers. The attackers captured froze, unable to move. The shadow snaked its way to each of their necks and one by one; each of them snapped. Ino gained her bearings and fought the others back; her movements fluid and rhythmic as she danced around the area.

Sakura finished off her final offender and turned to Naruto, "I can heal him, cover me." She dropped to her knees and began to perform hand signs, her hands glowing greenish as she traced them over his wounds. Shikamaru was instantly at her side, observing the field for any surprise attacks. It didn't take long for Naruto to be healed but he was still unconscious. "We have to retreat Shikamaru."

"Don't you think I know that," he replied, still looking through the place, " they surrounded us; we can't go anywhere."

"So what, we fight and lose," the question was more rhetorical than anything.

"I went through any plans I can think of; I just need more time." Shikamaru put his fingertips together, dropped to the ground, and closed his eyes, racking his brain of anything he could've missed.

"We don't have any time," Sakura said, deflecting a kunai thrown at the other with one of her own, she looked at her unconscious friend, "Naruto, wake up; we need you."

Choji and Ino were fighting for their lives, holding off everyone around them; Ino was throwing rapid shuriken while the other already extended the size of his body, rolling over any enemy he could. Then suddenly as Choji jumped in the air, his body shrunk back to normal and he fell, face first, into the ground. He rolled over in time to see several shuriken that were coming his way be deflected by none other than Ino.

"I'm out of chakra," Choji explained as he got behind Ino.

"Now," Ino went wide-eyed, "this clearly isn't the best time."

"I know that, gimme a break." he retorted, trying to caught his breath. Things weren't looking good for any of the hidden leaf ninja. They were severely out numbered and running out of energy, "we need to retreat."

"Yeah I know," she replied to the obvious statement, "but we're surrounded. We'll find some way out of here. See Shikamaru over there, he'll get us out of here." Choji only nodded and gathered his weapons, ready to help Ino when needed.

Shikamaru still sat there, trying to think of anything to get them out of this situation. But, his mind came up blank. He didn't know what to do, and that scared him more than anything else that was going on at the moment. This mission they were sent on was a trap, and they walked right into it. He scanned the area one last time before getting up and entering back into the on going battle.

"Shikamaru, I've been thinking," Sakura hesitated as she spoke, "there is one way to get mos--"

"I already went through the plan," he cut her off bluntly, then spat "if we were to do that, one of us wouldn't be leaving and I'm not willing to let that happen." He snapped at her, giving her an hard glare for even voicing that idea. She faltered. Shikamaru just ignored it, he'll apologize to her later.

"Hey, this mission's not over yet!" all eyes went to the source of the loud noise as the loud teen jumped into the battle, slashing enemies left and right.

"Naruto!" Sakura yelled with joy. Seeing him awaken gave her more strength than usual. Her chakra induced strikes becoming faster and stronger. Ino relaxed as most of her enemies went to fight the blond haired boy but she still kept herself on edge as she wasn't just fighting for herself, she was fighting for Choji as well. Shikamaru still didn't trust it; something just wasn't right. Then, Shikamaru realized it was another trap.

"Naruto, don't use your shadow clones!" Shikamaru yelled, but it was too late. Naruto had already performed the hand signs and created more of himself. They all stood there cocky and ready to fight, but before they could do anything, the floor collapsed and below it lay millions of kunai. The Naruto clones and the enemy ninja they were fighting all fell, skewered by the sharp objects. But an unknown ninja hopped over the pitfall, catching the real Naruto and bringing him to stable land. Everyone was confused as this eerie white haired character stood in front of them, facing the opposite way, gathering himself.

"Who are you?" Shikamaru was the first to break the silence, the bored expression on his face for first impressions.

"Is that how you treat people that save your friend's life," the sarcasm was evident in the ninja's deep, menacing voice, "that info's irrelevant, anyway."

"Hey!" Naruto yelled, getting the strangers attention, "thanks for the help, I'm Uzamaki Naruto." He went to go shake his hand but Shikamaru's voice cut through the air.

"There, you got a name, now what's yours?"

"Don't take too kindly to strangers huh," the man commented smugly, "relax kid, we're on the same team." The man began walking away but paused, "oh, yeah, if a girl comes up to any of you, just tell her you met me. Later, Uzamaki Naruto and others."

"Th-Thanks again," this time it was Sakura that spoke, her voice a little shaky after what almost happened.

"They call me Pulse," was all he said and with that, the image of him pulsed and faded away.

"I see how he got his name," Ino commented while Choji insisted they leave since he was out of chakra and no one was in any condition to fight. Everyone agreed and left, Sakura and Ino occasionally healing them one by one when they replenished their chakra.

A/N: I'll continue this story if I get reviews saying I should