Once Naruto and the team got back to the hot springs, Tesina went to her room, while Sakura, Hinata and the boys all went to their respective rooms, except Shikamaru and Choji who, true to Shikamaru's plan, stood guard over the building, with Shikamaru laying traps in the trees surrounding the springs and hotel, and Choji standing on top of the hotel in plain sight.

"Hey, Shikamaru? Is it almost time to go in, yet?" Choji asked, munching on his favorite bag of chips.

"It will be, in about 5 minutes. Don't even think about falling asleep before me." shikamaru said, rubbing the back of his neck as he laid on the roof of the hot springs building. "Hey Choji, you remember when we first met? On that bench?"

"Yeah, how could I forget? You were my first friend." Choji responded, with his eyes closed.

"What do you think ever happened to that butterfly?"

Choji looked at his friend. "What's with this, all of a sudden, Shikamaru?"

"I don't think I'll..." Shikamaru was interrupted by a burning sensation in his left pants pocket. "The enemy is here, go get Naruto and the others!" Shikamaru told Choji.

Choji, went immediately, and gathered everyone. However, when they arrived outside, Shikamaru's corpse, or at least what was left of it, was slumped up against a chimney, with a note attached to his face.

'This is what happens when you don't heed the warnings of Necrosus. Turn back now, or die, one by one. The mission the Daimyo has given you, is one that will lead to your deaths, just like it has led to this one's. Necrosus is against killing, if possible. However, should you continue one this mission, you will be erased.

R. E. S.'

As Naruto read the note, his eyes turned red, and his pupils, into slits. "Naruto..." Hinata said softly, holding his arm with a gentle firmness. After a few seconds, his eyes went back to normal, and he spoke very quietly.

"I'm sorry Shikamaru. I can understand if any of you do not wish to continue this mission, I won't hold it against you."

Almost immediately, Choji punched Naruto in the face. "If you ever say something like that again, I'll beat your face in, Naruto. We all know the risks of going on mission, especially ones this important, and I'm pretty sure Shikamaru knows this better than anyone, seeing how Asuma-Sensei was killed on a mission, right in front of his eyes," Choji said, with a fierce determination, as if daring someone to contradict him.

"I agree with Choji, Naruto. You can't just ask us all on a mission like this and not let us see it through. We were chosen by the Fourth's Son after all. That should mean we are at least trust-worthy enough to fight beside you," Kiba said quietly, and Akamaru barked in agreement. Shino and the rest nodded their heads, agreeing with Choji and Kiba.

Naruto took a second to compose himself, and said "Alright. Kiba, we're going to keep watch for the rest of the night. Everyone else go and try to get some sleep."

As they started to move, no-one noticed a small stream of blood, slowly rolling off the side of the building, and turning into crystals as it fell, shattering on the ground upon impact...

A/N: woah! Shikamaru's dead?!?! or is he? You'll hafta find out, yeah? Hehe. Also i'm not really sure if Asuma really was killed in front of him, but im pretty sure he was. If you can prove otherwise, plz tell me and i'll change it. Till then, it'll be as it is. Also sorry for the late update, I was working all damn summer, and only just got the time to right out a few paragraphs, so it's kinda short this time T-T (cryface)anyway, I hope you enjoyed the latest chapter, i'll try to start getting them in sooner, and make them longer. Until next time :D pieces!