Hypothermia.
Whatever Yuji did, it seriously messed up Shikamaru's chakra flow to the point that his blood circulation was compromised. The drizzle only served to make matters worse. And Shikamaru was barely breathing.
Neji looked at Shikamaru, a somewhat helpless feature crossing his face in that vulnerable moment before his instincts took over – he had to get the Nara to shelter before the rain turned into a full out storm.
Using his Byakugan, he scanned the surroundings and located an abandoned temple a few kilometres away. Without wasting another second, he heaved Shikamaru up, balancing the Nara's weight against his body before making the hand signs for the Body Flicker Technique.
His mind idly recalled the irony of the situation.
Once inside the temple, he laid Shikamaru down on the ground gently, again scanning his chakra network.
The damage was, in all essence of the word, bad.
Shikamaru needed medical attention but there was no way Neji could bring him back to the village in time, especially not in this rainstorm. Running through the downpour would only risk Shikamaru's life.
Which left only one option.
Neji analysed Shikamaru's chakra pathways again, this time mapping every intrinsic detail, taking note of exactly which tenketsu was affected. The Nara's chakra was depleted and whatever was left was churning wildly – results from taking a direct hit from Yuji. Even if Neji managed to restore his chakra flow, there wasn't enough chakra to sustain the Nara's body.
On any other occasion, Neji was sure that he would have been delighted to face such a strong opponent, one that excelled at the same taijutsu as him no less.
Neji sighed deeply. There was no choice; if he wanted Shikamaru to live, he would have to transfer his own chakra into Shikamaru.
Neji didn't care about the effects it would have on him but it was risky for Shikamaru as well. Chakra flow and stability was all about the balance between the natural yin and yang of the human body. People without the People without the yin and yang elemental affinity were lucky in the sense that there weren't other factors that could potentially disrupt the balance.
However, the Nara clan's dependence on their shadow techniques made them rely a great deal on their yin elemental affinity. The blow that Shikamaru endured had severely messed up the yin part of his chakra flow, probably because he had been utilising his jutsu at the time of the attack.
Neji had to be very careful.
If not he'd risk more than the Nara's health; he'd be risking his life.
The amount of chakra I have to transfer to him will weaken me greatly… meaning we'd be completely helpless if someone decides to attack us. But if I don't do it, it's only a matter of time before his body gives out. Yet if someone attacks us, we'll both be dead. No, he won't even survive that long. But, no matter how hypothetical, we are too near Kawagakure to be considered safe.
Neji shook his head; he was thinking too much.
Who cares about all those? Saving him is priority.
With that conclusive thought, Neji casted a protection barrier around them. It wouldn't help much if someone decided to attack them but it hid them from view at least.
Neji then shifted Shikamaru into a sitting position, balancing his weight against his own crossed legs. Carefully tracing the veins with his Byakugan, Neji located the affected spots and started planning the order in which he would treat them. Order was paramount in restoring chakra flow. If he chose them arbitrarily, there was chance of him bursting open a blood vessel and causing haemorrhage. It really didn't help that Shikamaru's blood was agglomerating as well which meant that he had to be quick.
Ignoring the flare of pain at his temple, Neji focused on the inflamed tenketsus one at a time. When he was certain that he had come up with a full proofed plan, he charged his fingertips with chakra. Tapped the affected points with pinpoint accuracy, he started manipulating the Nara's chakra flow such that it started to unclog and flow normally again.
It was almost like the time he freed Gaara and Fuu during the Chuunin exams except that he was only dealing with one tenketsu then. The amount of concentration required was completely different. Plus, there was the fact that he had to monitor the flow before tapping another tenketsu. It really depended on how quickly the chakra flow in Shikamaru's body could stabilise.
After a while, he finally managed to get the chakra flow moving again though it was faint and barely there. The blood clots were settled and Shikamaru's blood circulation was working at least. He'd have to hurry transfer his own chakra to Shikamaru; if not, it'd only be a matter of minutes before the Nara's body collapsed under the strain.
Without thinking twice, Neji focused his chakra into his palms and pressed them tightly against Shikamaru's back, feeling his life force being pressed into the other's body. He could feel himself getting weaker way quicker than normal but that was to be expected – he had expended a large amount of chakra himself.
But he had to get Shikamaru's chakra levels up to normal at least.
His veins were straining painfully the longer he kept his Byakugan activated but he pushed the pain aside and focused on watching Shikamaru's chakra. Only when the Nara's chakra flow glowed a steady light blue did Neji finally let up, crumpling to the ground beside Shikamaru.
He trace the Nara's face gently, feeling relief warm his being as he heard Shikamaru exhale an audible breath, before he finally gave in to the darkness.
Shikamaru awoke, feeling light and refreshed, a pleasant hum coursing through his body. His first thought was that it was queer that he would wake from that last hit feeling so pleasant but that was pushed aside when his eyes landed on the unconscious figure next to him.
He immediately bolted upright, searching his memory for the events of the previous night only to find a big gaping hole where it should be. All the while, his mind assaulted him with images of Neji lying on the ground in his own blood. And more recently, images of Neji pale as death.
Had they been kidnapped? He looked around for signs of enemies when his eyes landed on the protection charm. Shikamaru smiled in spite of himself – only Neji would be so thorough. Kiba or Naruto wouldn't even have the presence of mind to close the temple doors.
"Neji," Shikamaru called, feeling his panic double and heart beat triple at the lack of response. He scooted closer to the Hyuuga and gently shook him. "Neji," he called out again, this time a little louder.
Neji groaned lightly and the tension flooded out of Shikamaru, relief replacing it.
He's not dead.
The Hyuuga's eyes fluttered and it looked like it was taking him a lot of effort to open his eyes. Shikamaru frowned; usually, Neji was up in a heartbeat. Something must have happened to him if it was taking him this long to become alert.
Shikamaru watched him carefully and almost startled when he saw the uncharacteristic tender warmth in those opalescent eyes.
"You're okay," Neji said with a small smile as he sat up, looking like he was exerting more effort than was required for such a simple act.
"You're not," Shikamaru said, somewhat joking, mostly serious.
"I just need to rest," Neji replied, closing his eyes. "I used up too much chakra last night."
"What happened after I was knocked out?" Shikamaru asked with a frown, not liking the blank in his mind. He placed his elbow onto his leg and balanced his head in his hands, leaning forward a little.
"I took out Yuji and brought you here," Neji answered, opening his eyes and pinning those moonlight orbs onto the Nara, a somewhat accusatory glance in them. "Be more alert, Nara."
Shikamaru scoffed, incredulous and somewhat affronted at the lack of appreciation. "You were the one who wasn't watching your back."
"I'm always watching my back," Neji said, tapping his temples lightly to indicate his Byakugan.
"Uh-uh. You totally weren't back there," Shikamaru insisted, leaning back and folding his arms, pinning the Hyuuga with a piercing look. "You're not being grateful; I warned you."
"I've repaid you," Neji retorted vaguely and Shikamaru was sure that had Neji been a little more like Naruto, he would have stuck out his tongue as well.
"Yeah, and exactly what did you do?" Shikamaru asked, quirking an eyebrow, noticing how the Hyuuga was now pointedly not looking at him. "I feel great and I know for a fact that Yuji pulled no punches when he tried to send me to my maker."
"He messed up your chakra flow pretty badly so I fixed it," Neji answered calmly, not lying but obviously not revealing the full truth either.
"That's it?"
Moonlight cut across shadow.
"That's it."
Shikamaru held Neji's gaze evenly for a few more seconds before he looked away.
Fine.
"How are you feeling? It must have been tough keeping your Byakugan activated after the fight," Shikamaru said instead, once again steering the topic back onto safe grounds.
"Tired," Neji said with a slight shrug. "It's nothing too serious really. Though a chakra pill would be much appreciated."
"It's your lucky day," Shikamaru announced with a chuckle as he reached into his shinobi pouch.
Neji raised an eyebrow.
"Ino," Shikamaru explained as he pulled out a sachet decorated fancily with flowers, deer and butterflies, "always makes sure I carry them with me. It's troublesome, but there are times when it's helpful I guess. You know, like right now, when a Hyuuga is in distress."
Neji would roll his eyes if he were the type of person to that. Instead, he settled for a scoff. Shikamaru just smirked and picked one out, passing it over to Neji. He looked on, impressed, as the Hyuuga swallowed it without so much as a grimace.
"I swear you are the first person to do that," Shikamaru commented with a laugh, stretching his arms and smirking in satisfaction when he heard his shoulder joints crack back into place.
"Do what?"
"Swallow it without looking like you want to puke it right back out," Shikamaru said as he sniggered. "Chouji always has to eat around four to five of those because his chakra reserves are so huge and Ino always has such a hard time convincing him to do so. Ah, but then she always resorts to threats in the end so that gets the job done, I guess." A fond smile, the kind that happens unconsciously when a happy memory plays, lit up Shikamaru's features. "Those troublesome idiots."
"I can see that you're enjoying yourself at their expense," Neji observed drily, feeling the fatigue slowly leaving his body as his chakra levels were slowly replenished. It wasn't enough by a long shot given how much chakra he had transferred to Shikamaru but at least he wasn't liable to faint at any random moment.
"Hey, don't get me wrong," Shikamaru said with that lazy smirk, "they're my friends and all and I love them but it's really too hilarious to watch."
Neji shook his head in amusement. "You're evil, Nara."
"No, I'd just rather not get in Ino's way," Shikamaru retorted pointedly, sounding righteous and justified. "Troublesome."
"Is there anyone not troublesome for you?" Neji asked with a light chuckle.
"Asuma," Shikamaru responded immediately. He knew that he didn't have to elaborate but somehow he just did. "He just lets me be, you know. And though he's an eccentric guy, well, he's the coolest adult I know."
And that wasn't supposed to come out because if Asuma ever found out that Shikamaru thought that way, the Sarutobi would be grinning endlessly and be insufferable for at least a year. Make that two years.
Well, at least it wasn't like Neji would run off and tell Asuma that anyway. Kiba and Naruto on the other hand…
"I think Gai-sensei is pretty cool too… sometimes," Neji remarked offhandedly but Shikamaru could still hear the underlying and carefully concealed respect in his voice. Neji's voice became sharper as he narrowed his eyes at Shikamaru. "Don't you ever dare tell him that."
An image of Gai with tears cascading down his face and locking Neji in an Embrace of Eternal Youth was immediately conjured up by his mind and Shikamaru fell into an endless fit of laughter.
Neji eyed him wearily. "I actually know what you thought of."
"Because you totally thought of the same thing yourself," Shikamaru shot back, wiping away a stray tear from his eye.
"Laughing at someone else's expense again," Neji said, shaking his head in mock disappointment.
"Come on, Hyuuga, it is hilarious," Shikamaru maintained, smirking widely.
Neji just scoffed and looked away. Shikamaru was sure he was holding back a smile.
Come on, Neji, smile for me. Shikamaru thought as a sad smile cross his features. He hadn't even realise what had transpired in his brain but Neji spoke up before he could even think about it.
"We should head back," Neji said eventually as he stood up with his usual grace. Apparently the chakra pill had done its magic. "Ino and Sakura are bound to be worried."
Shikamaru groaned as he dragged himself up and off the floor. "Ino's gonna nag. Troublesome."
"Your problem, not mine," Neji told the Nara simply with a slight smirk as Shikamaru eyed him darkly. They stepped out of the temple into the late morning sun. All traces of the storm from the previous night were wiped out.
"I'd like to see you battered up and explaining yourself to Tenten," Shikamaru said, obviously displeased with the entire situation, his brain idly doing the calculations for the duration that they were away from the village.
About 18 hours… yeah, Ino is gonna flip.
"That will never happen," Neji replied firmly before sparing the Nara a sidelong glance. "Besides, you aren't battered up."
"Oh, I will be alright, when Ino gets her hands on me."
"I was under the impression that she would be worried about your health."
"You do know that nagging is fatal, right?" Shikamaru asked with a quirked eyebrow as if he was reciting a fundamentals shinobi truth straight out of the academy textbook.
Neji let out an exasperated sigh. "You exaggerate."
"You're only saying that because no one has ever nagged at you before. Like really nagged at you," Shikamaru retorted, flicking away a branch in his way with more force than necessary.
"No one needs to," Neji shot back simply.
"No one dares to," Shikamaru corrected with a cheeky grin which developed into a smirk as he caught Neji stopping himself from glaring at him as he did back at Moonlight Temple.
"Hn," was all Neji offered in response instead.
The journey back to the village took about twice the amount of time they took to track down the band of rogue-nins, since both of them weren't in their best conditions. By the time the village entrance came into view, the sun was high up in the air.
"Shikamaru!" a shrill scream pierced the air and the Nara was tackled by a blur of blond and purple.
"Hey, hey, hey." Shikamaru raised his hands up in defence and dig his heel into the ground so that he could support Ino's weight without being thrown off his balance. He shot Neji a helpless look as Ino unwrapped her arms from around his neck and jabbed him harshly in the chest.
"Where the hell were you!" She demanded, hands on hips and eyes narrowed dangerously, the epitome of feminine fury.
"At the temple praying for you not to attack me when I get back," Shikamaru replied, causing Ino to growl and jab him harshly in the ribs. A flicker of concern crossed her features before she smirked at him in triumph.
"You deserve it."
Shikamaru rolled his eyes and looked at Neji instead, directing Ino's gaze towards the Hyuuga. But Sakura was already there, assessing his injuries. He and Neji actually looked pretty fine but that just meant that most of the damage was internal.
"You idiot," Ino murmured in defeat, reaching out and grasping Shikamaru's burnt arms gently in her hands. This was probably the worst of his external injuries. She held his arm up with her left hand while her right hand, glowing a light green, hovered over it as she assessed the damage. She released his arm, her soft actions a contrast to the heated glare in her eyes. "Come on, I'll heal you back inside the village."
Shikamaru nodded and followed after the blonde. Even though Ino hadn't said anything, Shikamaru could tell from the dark circles around her eyes that she hadn't slept well the previous night, if she had even bothered to sleep at all. He kind of felt like an ass for putting her through that worry but they were shinobi; they were always bound to run into trouble of some kind.
Along the way, Ino backtracked so that she and Sakura could update Neji on the medical situation in the village. The traumatised victims were mostly all right after Ino had taken a look them. Those who suffered major PTSD symptoms had their memories erased or slightly altered. As with the case with all scars, it was best to leave it to the healing hands of time.
There were still quite a few physically injured villagers but all those who had suffered severe injuries were already treated and resting in a few houses that were temporarily transformed into medical centres. The hospital hadn't survived the attack. It was lucky that Tsunade had the foresight to ask her two students to bring additional medical supplies.
"We are always making some medicine to last them till the hospital is back up and running," Sakura informed Neji who nodded in approval. He would have asked them to do the same thing.
Shikamaru couldn't help but notice how Sakura kept shooting Neji worried glances throughout their trip to one of the medical centres but he didn't say anything about it.
Entering a house, they were greeted with the sight of patients lying down on stretches, some groaning in pain. They didn't look that injured though and Shikamaru assumed that these were the people that hadn't been treated yet.
"Shouldn't you take a look at them first?" Shikamaru asked with a frown as he and Neji followed Ino and Sakura into a room.
"Shush, you," Ino said airily, taking a seat on a chair and gesturing for her teammate to sit on the bed in front of her.
"We've given them some pain killers first so that it won't hurt as much when we heal them later," Sakura explained as she indicated for Neji to do the same on another bed. "After all, they're not shinobi." She placed her hands on her hips as she smirked down at her captain. "Since I'm in charge now, you're going to tell me every single thing that happened."
"We killed the bad guys, yay," Shikamaru intoned drily, wincing in pain when Ino slapped his back. "Woman, I am your patient."
"Boy, I don't care."
Shikamaru glared, eyes half lidded while she smiled back sweetly.
"The worst I got was this – " Shikamaru raised his arm, "– and that hit from the stupid grizzly bear."
"You were attacked by a bear?!" Ino shrieked as she immediately started looking over Shikamaru for more injuries.
"I'm honestly still not sure," Shikamaru said seriously, causing Neji to scoff in amusement. Ino did not share the same sentiments and smacked the Nara harshly across the head. He rubbed at it and glared up at her with a look that clearly said 'seriously'.
"That's what you get for making me worried for nothing," Ino sneered, sticking out her tongue at him. Shikamaru did it back just because.
"But serious, though," he said, slouching more in his seat. "Neji got the shorter end of the stick."
"I can see that," Sakura said emphatically, looking down at Neji knowingly.
"Shikamaru," Neji started slowly in a tone that suggested the Nara was going to regret what he said very soon, "was knocked unconscious by the grizzly bear."
"Haha."
Ino glared at Shikamaru.
"It wasn't serious."
"It's not now," Neji agreed way too amiably, "since I fixed his messed up chakra flow. Which is why my chakra levels are so low." He looked at Sakura as he said this. "And the fighting took up a lot of chakra because Nara decided to bow out halfway."
Ino stopped her inspection of Shikamaru's chakra network and nodded in gratification. She turned to Neji, a slight awe and gratitude in her eyes. "Whatever you did, he's definitely alright now." She turned back to Shikamaru with a wide smirk. "Sucks for you, huh, slacker? After I fix that arm, you'll be fit for duty."
"So don't fix it," Shikamaru answered, shaking his head slightly.
"Not gonna happen," Ino said gleefully, picking his hand up and started the treatment. "What was it that you were telling Asuma-sensei the other day, huh? That torturing you was my hobby?"
"That torturing me was your skill," Shikamaru corrected and Ino gave him a cold smile. The next thing he registered was an electrifying shock in his arm. He pulled it back on reflex. "Ow! Ino! Dammit!"
"My skill, right there," Ino told Sakura, winking at her best friend while the pink-haired kunoichi laughed.
Ino snatched back Shikamaru's arm and continued the healing. Shikamaru looked at his arm mournfully as if Ino had announced that she was going to amputate it instead of heal it. It only took a while before Ino bandaged his arm and declared him fit for duty, slapping it for good measure.
Shikamaru yelped, jerking his arm away from her and cradling it to his person. "Stop abusing it! It still hurts, you know. I need this arm!"
"Oops, sorry."
And if anyone believed that was sincere, Shikamaru was going to sell that person an all-powerful pill that could heal anything.
"Since you're obviously well," Neji started to say, mirthful eyes fixed on Shikamaru. "Go with Ino to update Heiwa-sama on the progress of the mission."
"Slave driver," Shikamaru muttered under his breath as he begrudgingly got to his feet. Ino was already at the door waiting for him. "You're all picking on me."
"Come on! We have to tell Heiwa-sama the good news!"
"I slept on a cold hard floor last night," Shikamaru complained as he made his way towards her. The blonde simply rolled her eyes and left the room. "It was raining. I was cold!"
"Man up, Shikamaru!"
"I don't want to!"
"I'm sure Temari would love to hear that."
"Oh my god." Shikamaru drawled, actually sounding terrified. "Why did you have to bring that troublesome woman up? You troublesome women come in a pack or something."
"Oh really? Well, you…"
Sakura and Neji exchanged amused and exasperated glances back in the room as the voices of the two Team 10 members grew distant.
"Neji, you have to rest," Sakura was saying as Shikamaru and Ino came back an hour later. "Your chakra levels are still severely depleted despite the chakra pill. And yes, I could give you more pills but it's always better to let your body rest naturally."
"What's going on?" Shikamaru asked, unable to keep the concern out of his voice or off his face as he walked over to the two.
"Sakura is insisting that I take a rest which I certainly do not require," Neji informed Shikamaru curtly.
"Nagging not required, eh?" Shikamaru asked with a small smirk, receiving a glare in returned.
Inwardly though, he was worried. He hadn't thought that Neji's condition was so serious but then again the Hyuuga was perfectly adept at hiding his true state of being, as the poison incident in Kigakure so aptly demonstrated. If Sakura was insisting that Neji take a rest despite knowing the Hyuuga's stubborn temperament then he must be in a pretty bad shape. Shikamaru looked at Ino who was looking between Neji and Sakura in contemplation.
"Alright, let's come to a compromise," Shikamaru said as all heads turned to him. He made eye contact with Neji. "Ino does a check on you. If she thinks you're unfit for duty then you'll have to rest. If she thinks you're fine then you can decide what you want to do. Sounds fair?"
Ino and Sakura both nodded. Neji didn't do anything for a few moments but eventually he nodded his acquiescence.
The Yamanaka walked over to the Hyuuga and placed her hands over his chest. They glowed green before she started moving them, inspecting the critical areas. When she was done, she stepped back, locking eyes with Sakura and nodding once.
"Neji, it's bad, you have to rest," Ino said slowly.
The Jounin sighed as he stood up. "Well, I did give my word. Shikamaru, you're in charge while I'm out of commission." Neji glanced around the room as a frown appeared on his face. "I don't suppose I should rest in here though. You two need the space to work."
"Actually, I was thinking that it wouldn't be good for you to stay here either. Given the noise levels, I doubt you'd be able to rest properly," Sakura said, eyes straying towards the door where groaning patients lay beyond.
"How about that safe house?" Shikamaru asked, turning over to look at Ino who brightened up at the suggestion.
"That's a great idea, Shikamaru!"
Sakura was nodding too. "There are only Kibou-kun and Nozomi-san there so it should be conducive for your recuperation."
Neji's brows furrowed together as he looked at his team for an explanation. "Safe house? Kibou-kun? Nozomi-san?"
"Oh right, you don't know yet," Ino said, clapping her hands together as the realisation dawned upon her.
"I just found out too," Shikamaru said, jerking his head towards the direction of the window. "When I was talking to Heiwa-sama. Kibou-kun is the boy staying in the safe house and Nozomi-san is his aunt."
"The safe house is located at the peripheral of the village and protected by various charms and enchantments," Ino explained, gesturing vaguely in what Neji assumed was the location of the safe house.
"And why is it so safeguarded?"
"It turns out that Kibou-kun and Nozomi-san come from the Kieuse Clan which possesses a very powerful bloodline limit that allows them to control time," Sakura explained and there was no hiding the awe shining in her eyes and excitement in her tone, but her voice became quieter and laced with sadness as she continued. "But there were people who feared their power and those who wanted their power. The Kieuse Clan was mercilessly hunted down. Kibou-kun's family was all that was left of the clan but even then they were massacred. He and his aunt were the only ones who made it out alive."
There a touch of intimate sympathy in the way Sakura described the events that had more to do with the similarity of this case with that of the Uchihas than out of pity for the surviving Kieuses. Wisely, none of the other three said anything.
"They arrived at the village a few months ago, seeking help, and Heiwa-sama had been sheltering them since," Ino said with a genuine smile but one without its usual glow. It was kind of hard to be completely heartened when kindness only manifested in the midst of a tragedy.
"Which actually leads me to wonder if Yuji's pack of psychos weren't actually targeting them specifically," Shikamaru threw out, his words throwing a blanket of terse silence in the room as the Konoha ninjas processed this new information.
Ino was the first to break the silence.
"Those bastards," she hissed angrily, hands clenched into fists at her sides. "Killing all those innocent people and wanting to murder an innocent, young boy who only wants to help make the world a better place." She choked on the last word and Shikamaru's hand was on her shoulder in an instant. Ino swallowed thickly and smiled at him.
"Good then, that we killed them and completed the mission," Neji told her and she turned her grateful smile onto him.
"At least those bastards got their retribution, eh," Shikamaru reminded her with a grin that was more for comforting his teammate than for expressing his happiness.
"They're lucky they're dead," Ino said haughtily as she folded her arms, seemingly already recovered. A convincing act; Shikamaru knew she'd be plagued by this for days. "If not, I'd kill them personally myself for inflicting such damage onto you!"
"I'm fine, you troublesome girl," Shikamaru said with a light chuckle.
"Well, but like Shikamaru said, at least they're dead," Sakura chimed, a relieved smile in place though her eyes were still distant, half of her someplace else. "Now Kibou-kun and Nozomi-san will be safe!"
"And while that is certainly good news, we still have a mission to complete," Neji reminded them, tone authoritative, as he tilted his head towards the door. The other three nodded, looks of determination on their faces. "Shikamaru, hold a meeting with Heiwa-san and the elders to discuss the village's reconstruction. Sakura, Ino, I know you two have been working non-stop but please try to heal as many of these people as you can." Neji stood with a grace of one that possessed health and strength; pity that he wasn't fooling anyone. "Since you all insist I be useless, you're on your own, but report to me as soon as you're done for the day. Especially you, Nara, I want all the details of that meeting."
"Yes, sir, yes," Ino answered playfully, her joyous mood seemingly back to stay now.
"I'll take you to the safe house," Shikamaru volunteered, walking over to Neji as the girls started sorting through the medical supplies that they needed.
Neji nodded and stood up, following Shikamaru out of the room and into the streets of the village. News of the dead gang had reached the civilians and there were actually people out on the streets now, wearing happy faces and hopeful eyes. The gloom of the dead still hung strongly like an irremovable stain but at least it was a start.
The village was healing already.
So it takes death to move on from death… Neji thought as he watched a group of adults chatting and joking with one another while their children played nearby, squeals of laughter filling the otherwise silent air.
The safe house was really just a normal, traditional house that could be as easily be found in Konoha. Doing the appropriate hand seals, Shikamaru stepped through the protection barrier with Neji following after him.
"I would introduce you to Kibou-kun and Nozomi-san but you should rest as soon as you can. Greetings can come later," Shikamaru told Neji as he led him down a corridor of rooms.
"It's only proper that I greet them when I first arrive," Neji said, a frown crossing his features as he considered the decorum-lacking opinion of the Nara.
"And knowing that you would say that, this is their room," Shikamaru said with a smirk as he stopped in front of a shoji door.
Neji shot him an annoyed look and was about to say something when the door was rapidly slid opened and a boy of no more than five came into view, peering up at the two konoha shinobi with wide, awe-filled eyes.
"Have you come to play with me?"
No doubt this was Kibou.
A lady with her hair in a bun and clad in a grey yukata came forward, standing behind the young boy, shooting a reprimanding look down at him.
"Now, Kibou, behave," she said sternly and an obviously crestfallen look fell upon Kibou's face. "These gentlemen have work to do."
"Maybe another time, kid," Shikamaru said, an apologetic smile on his face as he ruffled the boy's already unruly hair some more.
Kibou's eyes crinkled at the corners as they turned into crescents while he beamed up at Shikamaru. "Un! It's a promise!"
"It sure is."
His beam grew impossibly wider before he ran out into the lawn and started chasing the butterflies that were circling the flowers. Neji wondered how a boy who was so surrounded by death could still maintain such a happy outlook. Nozomi watched Kibou with a fond yet melancholic smile.
"He should be able to live his life freely," Nozomi muttered, more of a more monologue than conversation. "Not in this cage." She didn't say it in disdain, but rather in resignation and with a touch of gratitude. "But I guess this cage is all that keeps us alive now."
She turned to the two shinobi, brows creased together. "I heard that the killings happened because of us. Is that true?"
"Nozomi-san," Neji started and her brown orbs focused on him, "those people are dead and when we fought them, we've already ascertain that they were psychopaths who relish murder as an emancipating sport. I highly doubt there was any bigger reason beyond their insatiable blood thirst."
"Neji here," Shikamaru cut in, "was also severely injured during that fight so he needs a quiet place to rest, which is why we're here."
"Where are you hurt?" Nozomi asked, concern filling her eyes as her hand covered her mouth.
"I just need some rest," Neji replied simply.
Nozomi nodded in understanding as her hand fell away to her side. Her eyes took on an angered tint as she saw Shikamaru's and Neji's bandaged arms.
"I'm a shinobi too," she said grudgingly. "I should have been sent to fight those scoundrels, at least so I can repay Heiwa-sama for his kindness."
Shikamaru shook his head. "That would be suicide. They're all highly skilled shinobi. Unless you're a Jounin, I wouldn't advice you going out there alone. Even then, the risks are still too high."
"Shikamaru and I were lucky we managed to ambush them," Neji explained, remembering the force of Yuji's blow. "Without the element of surprise, I dare say we wouldn't be standing here right now."
"And besides," Shikamaru said, cocking his head towards Kibou whose laughter was filling the air with a merry chime, "you have to stay here to protect him."
Nozomi's eyes softened as they landed on her nephew. "Yes," she murmured, looking like she wanted to go over and hug her little boy. "He's the precious token of my late brother."
Shikamaru noticed Neji's breath hitching slightly at those words and could only guess that Hiashi must have said something similar about him. But outwardly, the Hyuuga's face was still that impassable mask.
"Sorry to keep you for so long. There's a spare room down the hall. You can stay inside there to rest. I'll make sure Kibou doesn't bother you."
With that, Nozomi bowed to them and went over to her nephew. The two Konoha shinobi watched them play and laugh for a moment before exiting the scene.
"That was nice, what you did back there," Shikamaru said, tilting his head backwards a little.
"We don't know for sure if they were the cause and her being guilty over something she has no control over isn't going to help anyone," Neji explained, dismissing the act as nothing more than a passing gesture.
Shikamaru just smirked lightly. Once they entered the room, he went over to the cupboard and pulled out a futon, setting it up next to the shoji window and away from the fusuma doors.
"I am fully capable of doing that myself, you know," Neji said, watching in mild amusement as Shikamaru even went as far as to fluff up the pillow.
"I just don't want Ino nagging at me later for tiring you out," Shikamaru retorted, hands stuffed in his pockets as he walked over to Neji.
"You just want to skive," Neji said, eyeing Shikamaru knowingly. "I still want those reports by the end of the day."
"Ah, you caught me," Shikamau said, both of them laughing a little because they knew that that wasn't really the case.
"Get going," Neji said as he made his way over to the futon. He might have been arguing with Sakura earlier but even he knew his body well enough to know that it would give out soon enough without rest. He settled down on the futon and raised an eyebrow at the Nara who was lolling against the fusuma doors. "Nara, any particular reason why you're still here?"
"I'm calculating the possibility of you attempting to go back to training the moment I leave this place," Shikamaru said seriously and Neji flung the pillow at him.
He caught it with surprisingly good agility. "I am trained in this, Hyuuga," he said, nodding his head as he tossed the pillow from one hand to the other. "You know that troublesome woman? Otherwise known as Nara Yoshino? Aka my mother? Yeah, that one. She excels at furniture air strikes."
He threw the pillow back. Neji caught it with one hand, eyes sparkling with amusement as he placed the pillow back in its position.
"I will not return to training, Nara," Neji assured the Chuunin as he laid down and pull the covers over him. "See."
The corner of Shikamaru's lip quirked up into a smirk. "Rest well, Hyuuga."
And then he was gone, speeding back to the village.
Neji closed his eyes, feeling oddly at peace despite everything.
The meeting had been long and tedious and just about as troublesome as every other meeting Shikamaru ever had to attend in his life. This was why his clan tried to have as little meetings as possible. But then again he couldn't expect everyone to have the same indolent proclivities as the Naras do.
Heiwa-sama had been cooperative enough, telling Shikamaru (rather directly in fact) the amount of help they needed from Konoha in order to rebuild the parts of the village that were destroyed. Some other elders then had an epiphany that the whole village ought to undergo a massive renovation and that it was Konoha's sacred duty to help with that.
Shikamaru did not have an easy time convincing them otherwise.
It took the better part of the day but at least things were settled and there wasn't going to be a follow-up meeting the next day. Shikamaru would run right back to Konoha and get reinforcements in if that had been the case.
He was strolling along the path leading to the safe house when Sakura and Ino caught up to him, twin looks of satisfaction on their faces.
"I'm guessing you're all done?" Shikamaru asked, folding his arms behind his head.
Ino nodded, her blonde ponytail swaying with the motion. "We even made enough medicine to last them like half a year."
"How did your negotiations go?" Sakura asked, an evil glint in her eyes. Ino wore the same devious look. It was no secret how much Shikamaru loathed these proceedings after all.
"Not talking about it," Shikamaru replied simply, ignoring the whack Ino gave his poor shoulder. He wondered how much abuse it could take before giving out. "I mean I'm going to have to tell it to Neji anyway so you can just hear about it later. Why make me repeat?"
"Lazy ass," Ino scoffed, rolling her eyes at Shikamaru. She turned around, walking backwards so that she could face him while talking. "Seriously, though, at least tell me how it went. I mean- why are you stopping?"
Both Shikamaru and Sakura had halted in their steps and were staring at something behind Ino with wide eyes. Ino frowned at the lack of response and turned around, her hand coming up to cover her mouth, muffling her sharp gasp as she watched the blazing crimson at a distance.
Shikamaru took off first, sprinting towards the safe house. Ino and Sakura were hot at his heels.
Fuck, Neji, you better be okay.
It was a calamitous sight. A raging fire stood in place of the safe house, devouring everything in sight.
Shikamaru didn't think twice before pulling out three scrolls that contained water techniques. He tossed them all to Sakura and Ino. He could use them himself but they were the ones with water elemental affinity.
"Put out the fire," was all he said before discarding all considerations for his own well-being as he ran towards the flames.
"Shikamaru!" Ino screamed but he had already leapt into the fire.
He coughed harshly as the smoke assaulted his lungs and stung at his eyes. Raising an arm to cover his nose and mouth, Shikamaru squinted and searched the area, looking out for white robes.
Come on, Neji, where the heck are you?
But Shikamaru couldn't see the Hyuuga anywhere he looked. The smoke was thick and billowing, trapping him in an endless sea of charcoal black. All that was left of the safe house was its skeleton and a cold dread filled him as the thought that everyone inside was dead crossed his mind.
In a panicked loss of sense, Shikamaru was about to dive headfirst straight what was left of the house when a hand grabbed his shoulder and pulled him back.
"Don't be an idiot, Nara," Neji rasped out, his grip on Shikamaru's shoulder weakening as his eyes fluttered shut.
Longest chapter yet! Okay, not by much but still. xD (I don't know why they always end up in mortal peril.)
I don't know if I've mentioned this before but I'm kinda planning to write through the whole Shippuden and in the original plan, Naruto was supposed to be back by chapter 3. Obviously that didn't happen. So I concluded that this is going to be a really long fanfic. I hope you guys don't get bored!
Thanks to everyone who read, reviewed, favourited and followed this story! Your support is very encouraging. :D School is letting up so I guess I have more time now. The plan is to update every week so I hope I manage to stick to that! xD
Thanks again!
~Witherwolf