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Review replies:

Gulanticus:

Yeah, I'm realizing that this arc gives out the impression that it's a little crowded. Which is why I left the fate of the Demon Brothers even vaguer then Kishimoto did (so far as that is possible). I need moar enemies. As Hekholts said, Naruto needs this arc to develop. I had to take him along.

earthdancer7:

Thank you, but don't hold your breath. The pace slows down a little here.

sonicwind123:

Thanks for your comments, I realize I shouldn't just go right into a new scene just like that everytime.

Well, here we go.

The rest of the day was spend resting, removing senbon from Naruto and Sasuke and eating. Asuma-sensei told them that they would start a new training regimen tomorrow. Before bedtime Asuma found the Genin that neither had to stay in bed nor had someone to fawn over sitting on the porch in front of the backyard looking at the sky.

"At the time, that stunt you pulled against Zabuza seemed utterly ridiculous and it kind of looked liked you just panicked, but I guess I should be thanking you, Shikamaru-kun." The Jounin said walking up to him.

Not turning around the reply came. "Sometimes, that's the best move you can make. Send one piece to break open the enemy lines, even if it means sacrificing it... I should you be thanking you sensei." Shikamaru said thinking back to the person who taught him that.

"And who in the world told you that?" Asuma said incredulously. "Ah-, my father," Shikamaru answered lamely. "I'm sure he was just talking about shougi though..."

"I see, maybe if we can find aboard in town you and I can play sometime." Asuma said cheerfully. "I'd like that." "But in the meantime, you should get some rest. We got work to do tomorrow."

The Genin went inside, as he passed him the two finally made eyecontact. For the most part Asuma could only see laziness but for a second he could tell there was more going through that one's head.

The next morning found the seven Konoha Shinobi out in the woods. "Okay, first I should ask you, have any of you received training to go up trees yet?" Shikamaru decided to stay silent, the rest were wondering if the man was stupid. "Yeh uh sensei? Going up trees isn't that hard, you know!"Naruto said. "Here I'll show you!" The blonde hastily scrambled up the tree and reached the irst branch. "See, heeheehee, did you see that Sakura-cchan, Hinata-chan?"

"Uhm, that was amazing, Naruto-kun." Sakura only replied by facepalming. "Yes, very impressive Naruto-kun, but try oing it like this." The Jounin walked up the tree vertically to join Naruto. "You see the idea is that send chakra down to your feet..."

As Shikamaru tried to block out the troublesome explaination he thought back to the past, to the last time he faced an ex-Mist ninja.

CLASH! The gigantic Sword that once belonged to the man known as the Demon of the Hidden Mist was caught in the trenchknives that once belonged to one of the Twelve Guardians. The man underneath it pushed it back slowly. Sliding his hands together along the edge of the Zanbato the shadow manipulator made a quick handsign. Before the shadow could connect to his opponent's the man evaporated in water, somehow holding onto his sword and clothes as he fell back. "Amazing, how you move around like that!" Shikamaru admitted. He then made four more handsigns. "Fire Style: Great Fireball Jutsu!" The fireball engulfed the water but as it dispersed one pissed off Suigetsu was still there. "Hey asshole, quiet it or I'll evaporate completely!" "Well yeah, thats the idea anyway. Now sit still, will you." The Konoha ninja said as he threw one of his knives at his opponent. The knife went straight through the man's clothes, body and landed right in his shadow. "Now then..." He took a deep breath...

"Umm, hello? Shikamaru?" The blonde kunoichi was actually knocked on his head when he phased in again. "Tch, what do you want troublesome woman?" Her head become a shade redder but tried to let it slide. "Look around you, Shikamaru!" And so he did.

Sasuke was sitting on the ground panting in front of a tree of which most of the bark had come off. Ino's face was flushed and Shikamaru could tell she was exhausted. Nobody else was in view. "Naruto already finished? You guys suck, you know that?" "No! Hinata and Sakura already finished but Hinata offered to help us along but that asshole Naruto said the two of them should go somewhere else so we don't steal their techniques. I swear, if he gets home before we do I'm going wring your neck!"

Shikamaru sighed loudly. "Okay, let me help you guys out. The trick is...!" He ran up to a tree and went up vertically as he explained.

The trio came home just before dinner, Shikamaru lazily with his hands in his pockets in front, Ino and Sasuke trailing behind him supporting each other. "Hey, wait up!" Naruto, who may have been last, seemed A-OK as he came in with Hinata. "So you all managed to get up the tree huh?" Asuma said pleased with the kids. "Yeah, Hinata-chan is an awesome teacher!" As Ino and Sasuke got into chairs Sakura didn't miss the big smile the blonde gave her. She was a second away from shattering the table when she thought off how she was dismissed by a very disgruntled Sasuke after making it up the tree first that morning. "So, let's eat!" Naruto said eagerly.

A/N: Remember to go my profile and vote on the poll that's there (it's there now, I fixed it).