Chapter 2- Shikamaru
The grin set upon her face was undeniable; as if she had never left, as if she'd been there all those years after she walked out on the people that loved her; the people she loved. Tsunade honestly had never been more shocked, stunned, and bewildered to see her beloved apprentice standing right before her eyes. 'Long time no see…."she thought. Indeed, it was a long time. It had been TOO long.
Sakura's bold features, dazzling emerald eyes and vivacious pink hair, stood out despite the dark prison cell. Her smile faded as soon as she absorbed the state her shisou was in, but she remained composed. "Shisou…I missed you," she finished in a grin.
"Are you SURE you still remember your poor shisou here? I mean, leaving without a word goodbye?"
The pink-haired woman's body language suddenly displayed a sense of discomfort. "Well… if I told you, I think you would've stopped me," she stuttered uncomfortably.
"You're damn right I would've…" Both teacher and student stood there in a comfortable silence. Out of the blue, they both broke into a mild fit of laughter.
As Sakura composed herself, her expression grew serious. "So… Shisou, would you care to explain this mess?"
"Eh…" Tsunade gestured waving off her apprentice's question. Sakura crouched down near her mentor and slung an arm across her shoulders.
"Well…we can talk later. Up you go." When Tsunade did not make an effort to stand, Sakura eyed her questionably.
"Sakura… I can't go.'
Sakura's eyes now exhibited a mild sense of shock. She cleared her throat. "Well… I guess I can leave you here and waste all my effort breaking in here," she said with a smile, "But… may I ask you… why the hell NOT?"
Tsunade's eyes widened at her apprentice's use of inappropriate language. "My my, Sakura, you've gotten touchy. But… I can answer your question. It's because I can't leave Jiraiya here."
Contemplation spread on her apprentice's face. Then, she simply replied, "Ok."
"Ok? Really? No questions?"
"I said ok," Tsunade broke into another grin, "BUT, can you tell me who I should save that will get all of us out of this mess?"
Tsunade hung her head, eyes glued to the floor in concentration. Slowly, raising her eyes to meet Sakura's she replied sweetly, "Shikamaru." Sakura stood and made her way towards the prison cell door. "Wait," Sakura's head slowly revolved to meet Tsunade's eyes once again, "how'd you know what happened?"
Smiling, she responded, "I heard two Sound spies talking about it outside the village." Then, she was gone. The door to the prison cell remained closed.
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Shikamaru's body remained slung sloppily across the blood soaked, cold, and hard ground for the past hour. He deemed it too troublesome to actually get up and rearrange his body so that his back was against the prison wall. Fresh wounds marred his slim, muscular body causing shooting pain through his limbs with every breath or minute movement. Still, the lazy expression on his face seemed to remain. "Still lazy as always, I suppose…" the voice spoke from the shadowed corner of the prison cell.
The shock caused Shikamaru to jerk his head up slightly to face whoever or whatever hiding within the confines of the shadows that even he could not sense. Stepping out of the shadows, Sakura's amused expression caught his once lazy eyes. He blinked a couple of times, not quite believing what or who he was seeing.
"S-Sakura?" His voice wavered slightly. She smiled in response. The next thing he knew, he was being slung easily over her right shoulder. Really, he was surprised. He didn't think she could carry him. "Sakura…w-what are you doing?"
"What do you think I'm doing? I'm breaking you out," she replied now somewhat amused.
"What about the others?" Sakura, now, had managed to silently unlock the door by picking the lock with a strand of her chakra.
"Tsunade only instructed me to save you."
"You've seen Tsunade? How is she?"
She chuckled. "Don't worry. She's in better condition than you are."
"I see. That's very creative by the way, picking the lock like that."
"Chakra control and manipulation is every medic's basic skill," she replied with a smile. Strolling down the corridor swiftly and gracefully, Shikamaru was surprised that they had yet to encounter an enemy. "I bet you're wondering why it's so empty here, huh?"
He sniggered quietly, "Yes, I was."
"Well… I knocked them all out before I strolled in here."
"Ah.. I see. You didn't encounter Orochimaru?"
"Oh, he's not here now. He's out and about around the village surveying the war. I probably wouldn't be able to stroll in here with THIS MUCH EASE if he was indeed here."
"Smart."
"I try." In a flat minute, they were out of enemy lines. Shikamaru let out a breath and inhaled the fresh unconfined air.
