Chapter 3

Another chance.

Fu Pos.

This was my one and a lifetime chance to survive this experience, he might be able to help me. I can get away and live my life, or try to in the countryside. Away from all those big villages and disappear without a trace. If only that were possible, while I have this thing inside of me. They just want to use me to control this Bijuu, to grant the village power, even if they saw me as a monster.

Looking towards the guy named Shikamaru, I wandered back to our conversion. He was rather rude, disregarded women, but he seemed like he understood me somehow. The usual pity that I saw in my eyes weren't in his, he showed compassion for my wounds. Why was he different, or was it that he was just putting on a act?

He walked ahead of me in the caves, it looked like he knew where he was going. It was odd, because usually the only people able to navigate the caves were members of the waterfall village. Each cavern held a different place that could lead another to their demise, or lose forever within the expansive cave system. He must have studied the path, while he was taken away by those damn grass nin.

His suspicious attitude was alarming, could he be someone else in disguise? He turned back to me, his eyes didn't show much emotion, but he was like that in the cage. He walked more confidently than before, it was starting to get on my nerves that he could be someone in a transformation justu.

He was slightly smiling, I really didn't know him at all to know if that was a good thing. What could be the problem with him, maybe he was glad to get out of here and back to the village that didn't shun him. The sound of a waterfall was more apparent as we approached the end of the cave.

"Where are we going?"

"To an exit, I saw them use it to enter and exit this cave."

"You saw them."

"Yeah, they were transporting supplies and something about guests."

"I never expected you to be so resourceful, you really come off as an ass."

"I only hide my true talents, so my enemies can be tricked so easily."

"How did you escape anyway?"

"...We can talk about that later, right now we must focus on escaping this cave and those ninja's."

"I'm sorry, if I'm being troublesome."

"You're not troublesome, so lets just get out of here."

It was those words that he spoke that had sealed the deal, he wasn't like the guy from before. I could tell now, his mannerisms were completely different. I stopped following him, looking for another way out before he would notice. Where was the real Shikamaru? or was he already died by Honjin's hands?

That bastard will pay for his crimes, I would ensure that if it was the last thing I do. Taking a different path, I found myself near the entrance of the waterfall. This could be my only chance to escape this accursed path, so I decided to take my chance.

Rushing towards the waterfall, I felt the presence of others in the area. Shikamaru had appeared right in front of the exit with a calm smile on his face, his eyes told another story. They were lifeless, the of the group had appeared around me with their swords ready.

It was a trap from the beginning but for what purpose? I was already trapped in that cage, was it to draw out the rest of my energy? Why was shikamaru working with them, was it because he wanted to survive and gave up his allegiance to his village.

"It's so sad that things had to turn out this way, we could have made it out."

"Shut the hell up, you're not the real Shikamaru!"

"Yes I am, it's just that they changed my mind. They will give me power if I join them, that is what I want all along."

"...You can't be serious, you didn't act like one of those power hungry bastards."

"That's because you're so naive, you deserve to be killed. All your power and you don't use it to take what you want."

"That's because I am not like you, even if people shun me. I don't have to be a monster to get anything I want."

"That is where you are wrong, but now lets just deal with you. Of course, just looking at your peasantly attractive face one last time was enough. Hope in your eyes, innocence and resolve….too bad it will be put to waste."

"Honjin, you sick bastard!. What did you do with him!"

"Quite simple my dear, Fu. Look above your head."

I did as he said, my eyes shocked at the image before me. It was shikamaru hung above the floor, his eyes were still open and his body was limp. I could feel the blood drawn from my face, what had they done to him. I couldn't turn my head away from him, he was really dead and it was because of Honjin sick ways.

My body started to shake uncontrollably, as the shock was affecting my body now. Why did it have to happen to him, why couldn't it be me instead? . The group of bandits readied their swords, as Honjin ordered them to take there time. I could feel the rest of my energy ready to explode, once the first one had tried to attack my body reacted.

Breaking the sword in two with my bare hand, the bandits jumped back as a massive amount of chakra was starting to form around me. The Bijuu finally appeared again and it was time to kill them all, scum of this planet. I charged in, attacking with all my power and taking down the few bandits around me.

The others stood in the back, as Honjin only watched me. He only tilted his head and smirked darkly at my power, like he was waiting for me to show my true colors. I only indulged him, aiming directly for his face with a roundhouse kick that would tear him in half. when my kick connected, his body turned to water and I could feel myself being trapped.

Despite my power, it was a water clone and a water prison jutsu mixed into one. I couldn't move my body under the pressure of the water, as he looked at me from the back. He was a skilled assassin afterall, who was able to capture me and he knew that I couldn't win. The rest of his bandits had rushed into the room, circling around my bubble prison.

"You just don't learn, you can't defeat me in your weaken state. Now you must pay, pale her boys."

They did as they were commanded, plunging their swords into the water prison. The sharp steel would pierce into my arms and legs, the pain that swept through my system had made me scream in pain. Yet, the only thing that could be heard was gaggles as water pour down my throat attempting to choke me.

I could feel my body starting to slow down, my brain was giving out as I started to suffocate in his prison drenched in my blood. I couldn't hold on for very long, this is how it would all end it seems….there is no such things as Miracles.

The bubble prison subsided, dropping me to the floor rather suddenly. Knocking some wind into my chest, as I started to cough up the water in my system. The swords pierced into my arms and legs were stopping me from fleeing, it was all to painful but why did he stop his prison?

I looked around the area, Honjin was hunched over gripping his side. Blood was pouring from his wound, the other bandits were wondering what had happened, but I could feel another person around me. The figure had crouched down to me, pulling the swords from my body and picking me up in his arms bridal style.

Looking up at the figure, it was shikamaru! So he didn't die, but how?

"How are you still alive?"

"We don't have time for this, so don't be troublesome, while I save you."

It was him.

….

Shikamaru Pos.

I looked at the massive group of bandits in front of me, a wounded girl in my arms and their leader wounded. This was the playing field, taking into account I was rather low on chakra and only had some equipment on me from what the bandits had to offer. The leader of this group stared daggers in my direction, it was his own fault to lower his guard.

Transforming into one of his dead guards, which took my place in the hanging. It took some of my reserve chakra, but I was at least alive for now. The dagger I threw in his side was on the floor now, covered in his blood and this gave me time to focus on my next plan. Pulling out five kunai into my fingers, I would toss them forwards towards the ceiling.

Each impacted the cave walls, followed soon by a row of paper bombs following close behind. The bandits were surprised at my actions, wondering what would occur from this predicament. The leader only narrowed his eyes at me, not even caring for what my row of paper bombs would mean for him and his bandits.

"I wouldn't take a step closer, if I were you. If those bombs go, this entire cave will collapse on itself."

"Boss, I think he is serious."

"So you lived after all, you little bastard. Surviving the hanging, killing one of my bandits and thinking you can order me around?"

"You don't have much of a choice, if you want to live."

"You know, you might be right, but either way I will die if I don't get her back."

"What are you talking about?"

"Since were in his dire situation now, that girl right there has incredible power. A certain group of people would like to get there hands on her at any cost. Do you know who I am speaking of?"

"I have an idea of who, if my hunch is right."

"So a smart boy like yourself, wouldn't want to mess with them." '

"Yeah you're right, it would be a drag."

"Than just leave the girl, and save yourself."

I thought over his words, the rumors of a group collecting certain targets was known. They were indeed powerful to overcome any problem that they face, but it would only be a matter of time before they caught up to this group. The girl in my hands was one of the targets, so being with her would cause problems, but as I stared down to her. She only looked at me with sadden expression that created a spark in me.

"If only I wasn't a gentlemen, I might have listened to you. I've made up my mind about saving her, so just shut up with your sad attempts."

"You will pay for your actions."

It would only be a matter of time, before they would call my bluff. Only one of those paper bombs were real, the other were simply a ploy to get them to bend to my will. The leader stepped closer to the wires, along with his goons. It was time to go to plan B, igniting the paper bomb at the very top caused the cave to shake uncontrollably.

Everyone seemed to duck behind cover, leaving me time to jump down the waterfall passageway. I had seen a few of his group use it, when I was in disguise. It lead to the outside cliffs, which meant trouble for me while I have this girl in my arms.

Damn, why does it always have to be women getting in my way. When we reached outside the walls of the damp cave, it was already the middle of the night. A full moon was out tonight, leaving some light to find a clear path, as I started my descent down the cliffs.

"Why are you risking your life for me?"

"Because I can? What more reason do I need?"

"it just..."

"Whatever, your pretty heavy anyway. I could drop you, if you want."

"You take that back!"

"Currently you're not in a position to debate with me."

She didn't really say anything else after that, as we reached the bottom of the waterfall. The sound was rather soothing, but the immediate danger that followed was growing stronger. We needed to find a way out of this area, but as I tried to dash away a water dragon had formed out of the waterfall.

I turned back to watch Honjin control the creature, riding on top of it's head with a few of his bandits following behind. He wasted no time to attack, as the dragon tried to smash right into us. I couldn't clear the area quick enough, getting swept away from the flood of water and letting go of the women.

I stood back up as his bandits had rushed me with their blades, I dodged the attacks. Taking out my kunai and counter attacking. Taking down a few of them, before two slashed my right arm and leg. Causing me to drop the kunai, as they backed off. Looking for the women, she was in the arms of Honjin now.

"It seems that your little trick didn't save you."

"It at least tricked you."

"Laugh it up kid, you were not match for me. Now I have the girl back in my arms, and you are about to die."

"Big talk, why don't you come and fight me yourself."

"No, that would be a waste of my time. So I'll let my Peons deal with you."

The peons that he spoke of were right behind him, they both had raised their blades ready to kill. I only smirked as this was the perfect time for my plan, doing a handsign the shadows around me would slip by unnoticed as they both attached themselves to his Peons. I turned my body, causing them to slash at their leader's back, who yelled in pain and dropped the women to the floor.

I released my control on their bodies, and quickly pulled the women into my arms once more. Jumping away from the leader, before he would get back up and try to kill me. Expect when I tried to turn away, the area was filled with the rest of the Grass ninja that had attacked us from before. We were trapped like a rat, this wasn't in the plan and my chakra was nearly spend.

"Damn, a counter trap."

"You little bastard, I can't believe that you harmed me. So the fabled Nara clan jutsu weren't a myth, but it's too bad that it will end with your life."

"I wouldn't underestimate me."

"I don't plan on it, Water dragon explosion jutsu!"

Another water dragon had formed out of the waterfall, flying through the air. It approached as fast as lightning, he didn't hold back this time. He didn't care for his target, only that we would be dead, but I knew that I had to use the rest of my chakra.

I kneeled down with girl in my arms, and signed with one hand. Focusing all my chakra into my shadow, when the dragon came down upon us. My shadows stretched out into tendril spears that leashed out and blocked the area from above. Blocking most of the bunt of the attack, until it tore through the barrier and afflicted me with explosive burns on my back.

I was still protecting the women in my arms, why was my ninja way such a drag. When the attack was over, I stood there almost untouched by his attack. He was stunned at my display, but my body finally gave out and didn't want to move.

"Shikamaru, are you alright?"

"What do you think?"

"Why are you such a…."

"Because I don't want regrets, If I'm going to die."

"WHICH WILL BE VERY SOON! I can tell that you wasted the rest of your chakra, now you will be slim pickings for us."

"Cowards make the worst leaders."

"You will surely pay for that."

He nodded to the rest of his bandits, they slowly started to circle around us. Ready to deal the finishing blow, while we were incapable of fighting back. The savages deserved to die.

"Shikamaru, answer me one thing."

"What do you want now?"

"Why did you risk your life to save me?"

"...If I have to be honest."

"You better be."

"It would be because I knew someone like you, he was shunned and didn't care for anybody else than himself."

"Then why would you care for me?"

"Despite what people saw in him, he still tried hard to prove himself to everyone and became stronger. After all the time that they shunned him, later he became known throughout the whole village and an inspiration to many."

"..."

"I believed that if you survived this ordeal, maybe you can try to change your life as well. Instead of being your typical Damsel in distress, they always get so troublesome when I have to save them."

"...Thank you for at least showing me some compassion, Shikamaru."

I was shocked by her next action, she circled her arms around my neck and kissed me. I didn't know what to do, maybe it would be the last thing I would do. So only gave in, what came next was a shock to me. My body started to glow red, with my wounds starting to heal up in only a matter of seconds and my shadows pierced into all those around us.

Everyone around us were ripped to shreds by the tendrils, I didn't even know what was happening. They were acting on their own, blood sprayed all over the ground, creating a river of mayhem….the funny thing was that I was enjoying this feeling.

My mind snapped back to reality, pulling away from the women. It didn't matter, she had fainted in my arms, but what had I done? Was it because of her power? This blood shed was beyond anything I would ever do, the feeling in my gut made me look away. The leader was nowhere to be found, had he been killed as well., but at least we survived this encounter.

Who was this girl, where did she get all her power from and why do I get stuck with all of these troublesome woman!? Heading off into the main road with a woman in my arms passed out never looks good, but the sound of more ninja's had grabbed my attention. Causing me to get into another battle stance, when I lowered my guard at who it was. Asuma, Ino and choji were standing right in front of me,relieved to have some comrades again. They all approached, when the women in my arms grabbed their attention…..this was going to be a long story.