Ch 10 Complications

I am on a role! Let's keep this thing going!

(I know Asuma said things would be tough, not only for my mental health, but for my physical health as well. I feel sick to my stomach. I'm guilty for kissing Tayuya, but then again, can I really be blamed for liking more than one person? Its not like I signed some sort of pledge linking me forever to Temari, but it is a commitment... I hate commitments... They are always so... Troublesome...)

Shikamaru woke up and took a shower.

(Honestly, the showers look like they have never been cleaned... I'm probably making myself worse by using this thing.)

He got out and dried his hair.

(What am I going to do with Tayuya? I mean I like her, she's charming in her own frightening way. She's honestly not much different then Temari. They both have tried to kill me in the past, they both have quick tempers. The only difference is that Tayuya seems like she can't do everything on her own. Her past was rough, she has no parents or siblings. The only person she's close to is Kidomaru, who I don't trust in the slightest. Temari on the other hand is strong enough to support herself, she has Kankuro and Gaara to help her out, as well as whatever other friends she has made in the Sand Village. Though I have seen a side of her I don't think many have seen before. Women are such a drag...)

Shikamaru had gotten suited up for whatever today's mission might be. He sat next to Jesei for breakfast. At a table with Kidomaru, Tayuya, and a few other sound ninja. Yamabico sat off at another table, alone. Shikamaru looked at Yamabico then looked at Jesei, "What's his problem?" Shikamaru asked.

Jesei simply shook his head. Kidomaru took a sip of ramen and attempted to talk at the same time, "E At-d me lst nigt do a bet em op."

Tayuya punched him in the arm, "Swallow your damn food!"

Kidomaru rubbed his arm and swallowed, "He decided to attack me last night, so I wiped the floor with him."

Shikamaru's eyes widened in disbelief, "What?"

Kidomaru smiled, "You know, he had that same look when I stopped his attack and punched him in the gut."

Shikamaru got angry, "What was it all about?"

Kidomaru held two of his palms up to reassure Shikamaru, "Hey, I didn't start anything, he kinda rushed me. Said something about his clan's law. I didn't break anything or hurt him too badly, and I even carried him back to bed to avoid any trouble."

Shikamaru saw truth in his words, but still walked over to Yamabico. Yamabico looked up at Shikamaru, obviously knowing the cause for Shikamaru's approach. Shikamaru sat across from him.

Yamabico stared at the table as he talked, "I assume you heard about the conflict."

Shikamaru nodded, "I'm afraid so."

There was a silence as they both indulged in their meals.

Shikamaru drank the last of his tea and looked at Yamabico accusingly, "What were you thinking? Attacking the leader of the only help we have out here?"

Yamabico stared at the table again, "Its my clan's law to remove anyone who know our secrets."

Shikamaru pounded a fist on the table, "Then you might as well remove this entire team, because I saw where that spider was on your back when you recklessly charged into an obvious trap! Now even I know where the blind spot is! Your reckless behavior is only going to compromise not only our mission, but your clan's secrets as well."

Yamabico looked up, insulted by Shikamaru's logic, "My clan comes before the mission."

Shikamaru saw that shouting wasn't going to solve anything, "Well if you have any respect for me as a leader, you will save your clan's vendettas for after this one. We are in the middle of saving a village, and if you do anything else to compromise this mission, you'll be on a one way trip back to Kahona, and Kidomaru will be warned of Hyuga assassins."

Yamabico looked at the table again, Shikamaru continued, "Our main goal is that once we reform this government, we can make it into a powerful ally. The last thing that should happen is the need of a clan to outweigh the need of the village."

Yamabico looked at the table again, "I'll think on it..."

Shikamaru realized that Yamabico needed to be alone, so he headed back to his original table.

Jesei spoke as Shikamaru sat down, a rare occurrence, "How is he?"

Shikamaru smiled, "I think he'll be fine, he just needs some time to think is all."

Jesei nodded. Shikamaru smiled again, it was nice to know that Jesei had some concern about his partner, even if he didn't show it.

Breakfast ended soon after and everyone headed to their posts. Jesei stayed behind with Yamabico, while Shikamaru went with Kidomaru and Tayuya to the command room. Nezumi traveled close behind, he was still recovering from Kyojin's death, but at least he wasn't shivering in a corner. Everyone took their seats. Kidomaru stood up and rolled a map of the sound village across the table. Red lines were etched across the map.

"Let's get down to buisiness shall we?" Kidomaru exclaimed in his usual sarcastic tone, "I think its about time that we began our assault on the church."

Everyone at the table, including Shikamaru was stunned, Shikamaru immediately argued against the plan, "We don't have nearly enough forces to attack that place! They pretty much have everyone in the village on their side!"

Kidomaru smiled, "That's where your wrong my friend. You see, I have observed and listened to the voice of the people. They believe that the zealots are truly invincible. We know that this isn't fact, but they need to see it with their own eyes. After that, we'll see how faithful they are."

Shikamaru was still against the plan, "How do you expect us to kill a zealot? They assume we already tried to assassinate them, do you really think they'd be stupid enough to leave themselves open again?"

Kidomaru smiled, "Once again, I have been watching. Sanjin is a little overconfident about his power. He doesn't leave the walls of the village, but he still leaves the church, walking around to be feared, or worshiped by the villagers. He has made himself a sitting duck."

Shikamaru still wasn't convinced, "We almost lost Yamabico to him last time, and we haven't seen all of his abilities yet!"

Kidomaru smiled, "I knew you wouldn't be so happy about this idea, that's exactly why this is my personal mission. I will confront him on my own."

Everyone at the table was stunned except for Tayuya.

Shikamaru calmed down a bit, "Do you really think you can take down a zealot on your own?"

Kidomaru grinned widely, "You really shouldn't underestimate me. He wont be a problem."

Yamabico and Jesei entered the room, Yamabico spoke with a determined look on his face, "What if the other zealots come as reinforcements?"

Kidomaru looked up at Yamabico, "Well white eyes, I'd hope you'd be able to back me up."

Yamabico smiled at Kidomaru, a sight Shikamaru thought he'd never see. It seems today was full of surprises.

Shikamaru smiled and stood up as well, "Alright. Let's go kick some zealot ass."

Sanjin looked around the village. People shrouded in black robes bowed in his presence. Anyone without a robe quickly got out of sight. It was a wonderful feeling. To be loved and equally feared. Sanjin digested the feeling, and it only made him want more. He glared at the civilians without robes, instantly causing them to cower. He dashed to a civilian that was attempting to run, "Do not try to hide from the lord, he is everywhere."

The civilian begged for his life, Sanjin pondered his pleas. Then he looked towards the nearest sundial.

"You have much luck, for I am forbidden to kill unless during a time of ritual. You shall be spared."

The peasant pathetically thanked the zealot, overjoyed that he was still breathing. Sanjin continued his solo march through the village. It was nice, being the avatar of Jashin. No one would ever even attempt to oppose him... "Hey Jackass!"

Sanjin thought that his ears had deceived him, certainly no civilian had openly insulted a zealot. "Yea you! With the pointy black hair! That stuff about Jashin is a bunch of bullshit!"

Sanjin turned to see a man in a black robe pointing at him and shouting insults. Sanjin scowled, "It appears that I may see some blood after all..." Since when could Jashin have too much blood? Sanjin pulled out his scythe and casually walked toward the heretic. The rain of insults continued as he walked over.

Sanjin raised his scythe, "All heretics will be silenced in the lords name, prepare to die by my blade."

The robed man laughed, "Let's play a little game shall we? I call it, kill the immortal!"

The robed man sliced downward, only to have his scythe lodged into a lump of bronze material. The blade was stuck, and Sanjin didn't have time to remove it. "Ninja Art: Sticky Spider thread!" A volley of spider webs were launched from another robed man. Sanjin watched as the volley sped towards him, he then made a handsign with his free hand, "Ninja Art: Laceration!"

The blade of Sanjin's scythe became enveloped in a blood red chakra and ripped threw the chitin clone. Kidomaru's webs were sliced split-second. Kidomaru smiled, he had always loved a challenging game. Sanjin's expression didn't change, "I thought as much, I take it you brought someone stronger to ambush me this time?"

Kidomaru laughed, "Actually, the first group was only there to find out what you could do. I'm here to kill you."

Sanjin simply stared, "Good luck heretic."

He made another hand sign, "Forbidden Jutsu: Sanguine Pool." Kidomaru smiled again, this was a technique that he had prepared for. The blood traveled incredibly fast. In only a moment Sanjin was behind Kidomaru. Sanjin began to slice down, but his arm was caught on something. Kidomaru sliced backwards with his kunai, creating a huge gash across Sanjin's stomach. Sanjin flinched from the pain. He tried to move, but a sticky material had been wrapped around every one of his limbs. Kidomaru laughed at the situation, "Well now let's see how immortal you really are..." Kidomaru stabbed a non-vital spot in Sanjin's arm. Sanjin flinched again. "It looks like you can still feel pain," Kidomaru said with a smile.

The villagers watched in awe as Kidomaru stabbed the zealot. They couldn't believe their eyes. This unidentified man was stabbing what they thought was god's messenger.

Kidomaru laughed again, "I really expected this this be much more difficult. Oh well, the outcome was still predictable. Now I think its time for you to die."

Sanjin was furious, "Don't think I have even started yet you insect..."

Sanjin's wounds began rapidly healing and he forced forced his hands together. Kidomaru jumped back, not many could move his spider webs while using only their physical strength. Sanjin transformed into a pool of blood again to escape Kidomaru's trap. He reappeared in front of Kidomaru, panting as he rose from the puddle.

Kidomaru grinned a toothy grin, "Looks like I've learned something! That puddle takes quite a bit out of you doesn't it? Well you better not get trapped again, or its game over!"

Sanjin regained his composure, "It wont happen again..."

Sanjin charged directly at Kidomaru, Kidomaru used a web to throw himself back onto a nearby rooftop, "Summoning Jutsu!" Kidomaru bit his finger and summoned a large, black spider onto the roof. Kidomaru leapt back at Sanjin and removed his cloak, revealing that he had created chitin weapons for four of his arms. His cursed seal began spreading across his body and the chitin changed color from a dull bronze to a bright silver. The summoned spider crawled onto the walls of the village and began laying eggs. Sanjin's scythe flowed with red chakra. The 2 ninja clashed blades. Sanjin swung at Kidomaru, only to be blocked by two of the swords made from shiny metal chitin. Kidomaru pushed his blades at Sanjin in order to occupy his hands. While Sanjin was occupied, Kidomaru shot a giant chitinous spike from his mouth. Sanjin quickly lept back to avoid the attack then immediately jumped back within range, swinging his scythe rapidly. Sanjin tried to overpower Kidomaru as he spoke, "You fight dirty, not to mention you're a freak."

Kidomaru laughed again, "I just know how to play the game."

Kidomaru pulled two lance-like weapons from his mouth and placed them in his middle pair of hands, Sanjin realized he was about to be out ranged and leapt back. Kidomaru hurled the spears with surprising accuracy. Sanjin was barely able to deflect them with his scythe. Then, he heard noise on the rooftop behind him and glanced back. Small spiders swarmed the nearby rooftops. Kidomaru created more spears and hurled them while Sanjin was occupied. Sanjin scraped the front of his fingers on the blade of his scythe and flung it at the incoming spiders, then he spun his scythe to deflect the incoming projectiles. The spears bounced harmlessly off of his scythe. He looked back to target the next wave of spiders. An arrow came through the spinning scythe and pierced through Sanjin's side. Sanjin tossed his scythe into his other hand to look back at Kidomaru. Kidomaru had jumped back onto the rooftop of another building, and he was holding a longbow made of the silver chitin. He had summoned another large spider that was crawling on the ground in front of him, the difference was that this one was much skinnier and armored with chitin. It screeched at Sanjin. Kidomaru jumped down and rubbed its abdomen, "Looks like he's hungry... Luckily its about feeding time!"

Sanjin's eyes widened, he was beginning to doubt if he could win on his own. Sanjin's vision began blurring. What had happened? He hadn't been bitten. He looked back at the arrow, there was no poison. The screech from the spider. It was a genjutsu. Sanjin turned to see the armored spider approaching at an alarming speed. Sanjin felt a two huge fangs sink into his back shoulder. His senses were so dulled that he couldn't even sense the little ones moving behind him. Sanjin grabbed a necklace from inside his robe, "Jashin, help m..." His sentence was cut short as an arrow pierced through his neck.

Kidomaru smiled, "Game over..."

Kidomaru jumped on top of the warrior arachnid, "PEOPLE OF THE SOUND! HEAR ME NOW! I AM KIDOMARU AND IT IS TIME TO REBEL! MY FORCES AND I WILL SAVE THIS VILLAGE! YOU HAVE SEEN ME KILL ONE OF THE SO-CALLED 'IMMORTAL' ZEALOTS. NOW REALIZE THAT YOU ARE NOT POWERLESS BEFORE THIS JASHIN! RISE UP, AND FIGHT!"

Sanjin's body began to reconstruct itself.

Kidomaru watched as this happened. He giggled at the pointless effort. He then ordered his spiders to eat the body. Soon enough, the body was gone, bones and all.

Crowds cheered as Kidomaru's spiders were dispelled, the only one left was the one he was standing on. He noticed the lack of the black robes that once crowded the streets. Trouble. Ryuuchi and Munashii appeared before Kidomaru.

Munashii stepped forward, "I was able to catch that last part. You put on quite a great show."

Kidomaru laughed, "Well this game was supposed to have spectators, I hope you have been properly intimidated."

Munashii smiled, "I must say, I doubt I could beat you with my ability. Ryuuchi here, however... He is on a different level."

Kidomaru looked over Ryuuchi, "Well I'd assume so, he killed one of my finest. I don't have very much information about him either, but I don't have time to play with you kids right now."

The armored spider underneath Kidomaru screeched, but both zealots evaded the genjutsu. Suddenly, a flute could be heard. Munashii yelled, "Its another genjutsu!"

Munashii fell into the genjutsu. Ryuuchi made a handsign, "Forbidden Jutsu: Boiling Brain!"

Ryuuchi's eyes turned a shade of red and his skin reddened as well. He seemed to be completely unaffected by the genjutsu. Tayuya appeared from over the wall, her three golems followed behind. She was already in 1st state. Munashii awoke from the genjutsu and quickly regained her footing. Ryuuchi laughed, "YES! My blood is really boiling now! Forbidden Justu: Blood Clones!" Five separate clones formed from the blood leaking from Ryuuchi's hand. Each clone charged at Kidomaru. Tayuya played her flute, forcing the golems to charge Munashii. Munashii's robe was ripped to shreds as her bone armor formed around her. Tayuya formed a handsign, both the claw and the club golem's weapons flowed with wind chakra. The mummy golem stood back to guard Tayuya. The claw golem clashed with Munashii she had formed a bone in her hand to block the attack and another to sever the claw golem's arm. The club golem launched a ghost at Munashii's position, but Munashii was far too fast. She maneuvered past the first two golems and charged at Tayuya, who made another handsign, allowing the third golem to begin firing pressurized bullets. Munashii easily dodged the bullets and made a handsign of her own, Tayuya had it memorized by now. This was the blood pool. Munashii shifted into her liquid form and quickly was behind Tayuya. Munashii laughed, "No sign of the other one, looks like you die."

Munashii began to strike, but was interrupted by a powerful elbow to the gut. Her bone armor shattered and her ribs broke, she winced from the pain. Tayuya had gone into second state, "As if, bitch!"

Munashii repaired her bones instantly. Tayuya summoned a clone who began playing the flute, the golems reacted to the sound. Tayuya cracked her knuckles, "I'll show you just what I can do."

A pressurized air bullet was deflected off of a shield constructed by Munashii. Munashii had another opponent to deal with now. Tayuya pulled out her kunai, which radiated with wind energy. Munashii, realized Tayuya's plan. Her physical strength was strong enough to crack bone, and her speed had increased. The logical thing in this position would be to take out the golems. Munashii ran towards the golems, completely ignoring their controller. The claw golem struck at her, but she evaded and put a hand on its side, with her other hand, she made a hand sign. "Hidden Jutsu: Bone Prison." A thick layer of bone covered the golem instantly. Tayuya tried to catch up, but wasn't fast enough. Munashii moved at an incredible speed to the other golems and incased them with the jutsu. She turned to Tayuya, "Well that solves that problem." She began to rush Tayuya, Tayuya took up a defensive position. Munashii was wary however. She stopped abruptly as she she saw Tayuya's shadow reaching for her. She immediately realized that the other one was there as well. She leapt back to avoid the shadow. Shikamaru arose from Tayuya's shadow, "Man, I thought for sure that'd work."

Munashii didn't have time to talk anymore, she immediately fired shots from her fingers at the two shinobi. Tayuya deflected them with her kunai. Munashii charged them again while creating several javelins with the bones in her arms, "You wont be able to block these," She threw them as she charged ahead. They spun after she threw them, turning them into miniature drills. Tayuya and Shikamaru were forced to separate to dodge the attacks. (Where is Nezumi? He was supposed to intercept from underground!)

Munashii turned to Shikamaru and fired the tips of her fingers.

(Shit! I'm not fast enough!)

Shikamaru's reflexes were nothing compared to Tayuya's. He was able to deflect one and dodge 4 more, but 6 of them dug into his body. He managed to avoid getting hit in his vitals, but now his arm and leg were crippled. Suddenly, Munashii was crushed by a wind infused club. Shikamaru smiled, "I just had to take one for the team." Shikamaru shook as he stood up. He smiled at Tayuya and Tayuya smiled back. This moment was short lived, however. A bone shot up from the ground and through Shikamaru's stomach. Munashii erupted from the ground, her head hung loosely to the side and her arm was hanging by the tiniest fraction of a bone. Shikamaru fell to the ground. Tayuya lost control. She went into a rage and recklessly charged Munashii. Munashii saw that she had inspired this feeling and smiled, "So that's your boyfriend?" Her bones began reforming and she cracked her neck back into place. "I guess if your not careful I'll kill him." Tayuya lunged at Munashii aiming to crush her skull, Munashii saw an opening and punched her gut, "Looks like you can't save him." Tayuya fell to the ground. Munashii's remaining bones and flesh had reformed. She summoned a javelin from her arm. Shikamaru regained consciousness and struggled to move, he couldn't. The pain was excruciating. Munashii threw the javelin. Tayuya yelled in a fit of rage.

(Damn! I can't dodge! Why didn't Nezumi come in on his cue? I'm gonna die at this rate!)

Meanwhile, Yamabico and Jesei leapt to Kidomaru's side. Ryuuchi laughed, "More blood for Jashin!"

Ryuuchi's four clones charged forward. Yamabico, Jesei, Kidomaru, and Kidomaru's armored spider each engaged a clone. Each clone created a whip from their own blood as their weapon. It was liquified at the base of the whip, but hardened blood spikes lined the tip. Each member engaged a clone, fighting it and dodging in their own unique way.

The javelin sliced the wind in its path to Shikamaru. Tayuya held out her hand in a hopeless attempt to save him. Shikamaru's life flashed before his eyes.

(Well... I guess this is where it ends... And all because a plan was ruined by a rat... Oh well, I lived a good life. I had my first kiss. I helped my comrades... I wonder where I'll go after this?)

Asuma appeared in front of Shikamaru. He puffed his cigarette and looked down at Shikamaru, "You can't die yet Shikamaru. You still have to take care of my son."

Kurenai's words echoed in his mind, "I hope you can train my little one to become just as wonderful as you."

The images faded and Shikamaru had a realization.

(I can't die yet!)

A large gust of wind threw the javelin off its trajectory, it pierced the ground next to Shikamaru. Temari landed in front of Shikamaru, her fan out and behind her. Shikamaru was speechless. Temari looked back at him and winked, "Glad to see me?" Shikamaru began to grin, but his body wouldn't let him, he lost consciousness. Temari swiped her fan across the ground and her hands formed a wind seal. Her fan shredded the ground, creating a wave of dust. Munashii and Ryuuchi were blinded. Kidomaru noticed the help and called for a tactical retreat. Sand village ninja intercepted Ryuuchi's clones. Kidomaru shot webs onto the back of his new allies as he tugged on a nearly invisible web attached to his back. Yamabico and Jesei swiftly flew back into the forest with Kidomaru and his company close behind.

A sandstorm began raging in the village. It was nearly impossible to see. Munashii looked to where Tayuya once was, she was gone. The Ryuuchi clones searched for prey, but were unable to find any. Ryuuchi then caught the smell of blood on the air, a toothy grin spread across his face. There would be no escape from judgement... Because no one escapes Ryuuchi...