A/N: At the end of each section, I will say what time frame it is
Neji slowly awoke. He used his arms to slowly push himself up. His back and jaw still ached from his battle with Naruto. After his speech of not being able to change, about his rant about being destined to win, he had lost. Naruto had proven to him that everyone has the ability to shape his own destiny. Fate is not something that is decided at birth and people can escape their destiny.
Taking a look around the room, Neji was not surprised to find himself in the hospital. The doctors and medicine in the Hyuga mansion were reserved for only the main branch. Everyone else was treated in the hospital or left to fend for themselves. Of course, there needed to be guards present as they were operated on in order to protect the secrets of the Byakuyan. It was disgusting. No matter what the cause, the doctors of the main household were prohibited on treating members of lower branches. To just stand by and watch people die only because they were not of the main household- that is unforgiveable.
He touched his forehead to feel his the engraving of a bird in a cage slightly indented into his forehead. He remembered back to the time when he and his father watched Lady Hinata spar with Hiashi. My father was punished for even thinking of harming Lady Hinata because he believed that I deserved better. Then, one day, my father was forced to die in order to protect the main branch. This clan is disgusting. I will change the ideas of this family at the cost of my life.
(A/N: This is going on while the 1st Prologue is going on)
"Man this is a drag... its been almost a week since Asuma left on his mission. I haven't played a game of Shogi since!" Shikamaru complained as he, Choji, and Ino walked out of the usually Steak House.
"Well, it is an A rank mission. And I heard that he's doing this one alone because-"
"What? He's doing it alone?" Ino and Shikamaru yelled at the same time.
"That's only what I've heard th-."
Shikamaru shot off in the direction of the Hokage's office with Ino at his heels. "Hey! Wait Shikamaru! Hold on Ino! Aww.. I hate running."
Shikamaru burst into the room, "Where has Asuma gone?" Shizune jumped up in surprise, while Tsuade sat without with her fingers interlocked. The only movement she made was looking up.
"Asuma has gone a very important mission. I thought he would have told his students that."
"He has, but why is he doing this mission alone? Even a member of the Twelve Ninja Guardians couldn't do it alone."
"...That was my choice alone. All of the other ninja are busy with other missions."
Ino started, "But wh-"
"So you would risk the life of a ninja just because the village has to have a minimum number of ninja on standby in the village?"
"Those who have made the choice to become ninja have made peace with the fact that they could die at any moment. That is what it means to be a shinobi: to put your life"
Shikamaru stared at the Lady Hokage for a second before storming out, closely followed by a worried Choji and a saddened Ino. He was pissed that the Leaf Village would even consider sending only one jounin on an A-Rank mission. Even if ninja were prepared to die for a mission, a sole ninja would not be able to survive, let alone even carry out and finish the mission. When had the ninja handbook rules become so twisted? He could feel his blood boiling in his body at the thought.
"Shikamaru, what are you-" Ino started, interrupted by Shikamaru in a rage.
"I'll tell you what I'm going to do! I'm out of this village! You heard the Hokage! When you become a ninja, you live or die! The Leaf doesn't care for any of their lives! We're all disposable. Well, I'm not going to stick around and die as someone's puppet."
"Oi Shikamaru, think logically here." Choji tried to calm down his best friend.
At that moment, a chuunin ran by with Sakura right next to him. "Hurry, we have to tell Lady Hokage the circumstances!"
"Hey Sakura, what's wrong?" Ino called out.
Sakura spun around for a second. Her eyes were red and puffed. Tears ran out and dripped onto her clothing. Saying nothing, she turned back and hurried along with the Chuunin.
"What's up with her?" Choji asked, whipping out a bag of potato chips from inside his jacket.
"Let's go find out." Ino ran. Shikamaru and Choji slowly followed.
Shikamaru had just come into view as they heard loud sobs and whimping.
"-and then... then they left! *sobs* Sasuke and Naruto left!" Sakura fell to her knees in tears. "Sa-Sasuke said.. he said because he was an avenger! A- And Naruto told me that it was because of what he was."
Ino was also down on her knees. She couldn't believe it. The Sasuke that she had been in Academy with her was gone? How can that be? And Naruto with him?
"What is she talking about Shikamaru?" Choji whispered.
"How should I know? Just listen."
Lady Tsunade sat at her desk and listened, her fingers interlocked and resting on her desk. After hearing the whole story, she sighed, "So... those two have left their village and went rogue... there's nothing we can do about it now. They're long gone."
"Huh... so those Naruto and Sasuke already figured out that this dump doesn't deserve them. Choji... I told you already that I'm leaving this village. I won't live as a dog for this country any longer. Are you- "
"I'll follow you wherever you go Shikamaru. You were my first real friend and we said that we'd look out for each other, right?"
A/N: This happens the day after Naruto and Sasuke left. Not sure how I'll portray the other characters, but I'll figure it out I think... Please review guys or at least leave a comment
