Night one with Saryie. Sorry for the long wait. I'm still stuck on writing chapter 29, but here's this one for now. Don't give up on me :)

Sharing Emotions

Chapter 26

The battle was dwindling to a close on the coastline. The First Company had seem to have won the advantage as the last of the Zetsu were slaughtered. Although they manage to protect the coastline it wasn't without casualty.

Many shinobi lives were lost and practically most of the shinobi were injured in some way. Even Saryie had gain some scrapes and bruises during her many fights. She was settling on top of the cliff, puffing from her lack of chakra while she surveyed the rest. Some of the alliance members were lining up the fallen victims, attending to the wounded, or inspecting the fallen Zetsu.

The fight was over. The reanimated shinobi they fought today were sealed. Saryie hardly felt pleased knowing that they lost lives and her concern only grew for her teammates. She also wondered how Sai was fairing. Hoping he was well.

Pinks and orange danced across the sky as the sun was setting when suddenly an explosion sounded nearby. Saryie got to her feet. Every member of the alliance turned to the sound with stun gasps. Saryie never seen anything more gigantic and grotesque after the clouds of smoke dissipated from the summoned object.

The humanoid beast broke its chains and roared as Chozo and Choji immediately shot up to charge at it to attack. The beast could not be thwarted as it pushed the attack back, sending everyone flying. Saryie toppled over the cliff but quickly caught her self during her descend. She couldn't believe what she was seeing and knew the shock look on the others' faces that they couldn't imagine it either.

Commander Kitsuchi tried holding off the large summon with Earth style as the rest were ordered to retreat to the coastline. The beast could not be stopped however, as it initiated its own attack. Saryie ducted behind the stony cliff using her chakra to cling to the ground while all other shinobi braced themselves. The attack was blinding and immense as those who were not behind shelter got pushed back.

Suddenly the monster leaped and landed on the shore causing a ripple in the stone, sand, and sea water. Saryie gritted; she had no idea how they were going to face this ugly multi-eyed beast as she had to move quickly to avoid getting hit by a boulder.

Saryie skidded across the stone, quickly reverting her eyes back to the beast. She felt like ant in comparison to the grey creature while looking up at its gigantic form. Before anyone else could make a move, the horrid beast roared deafeningly.

Saryie covered her ears at the sound and then the beast vanished in a puff of smoke. She scanned her surroundings at once, realizing the summons was gone. Many more ninja were hurt and injured from the unexpected attack. Saryie soon spotted Shikamaru and Choji together along the beach as well as Darui and Kitsuchi.

It wasn't until later in the evening that Saryie found out what the enemy had been after. The supposed "Madara" had made an appearance along with his summoned Gedo Statue in order to get the Amber Purification Jar and the Crimson Gourd. He had been successful in his attempt and now had some parts of nine-tails chakra.

Saryie sighed in frustration. They were all distracted by that giant Gedo Statue that they weren't able to stop him. Now came the question how were they going to be able to stop them? She knew that the Gedo Statue will most likely appear again and she wondered what they could do to face it.

Its power was immense.

Saryie pursed her lips in thought as she sat by the fire of one of the many camps that were set up by the First and Second Division along the coastline. She sipped at bland tea and ate one of her rations bar. She had to keep up her strength for who knew when the enemy would attack again.

"I just want my fan, pretty please."

Saryie heard Tenten wail for the second time as Ino told her no. Tenten huffed in defeat. She dragged her feet towards Saryie and slumped down beside her. There was a pout evident on her face.

"No luck, huh?" Saryie quipped conversationally.

"Not at all," Tenten whined, sighing at the end. "I was so good at using that fan."

"I know." Saryie supported.

Silence fell over them. There was a somber air around the camp as others had a chance to rest while others had to stand guard. It was in the silence that exhaustion took hold of each of their bodies and concern ate away at their minds. Many finally had a chance to process what they lost as the horrors of war danced in their minds. Saryie wasn't an exception. She too couldn't stop herself from picturing the bodies she seen laying still on the sandy beach as she gazed into the fire.

"You two good?"

Saryie diverted her gaze from the fire, looking up to see Shikamaru taking a seat across the fire from her. Choji followed suit, having accompanied his friend.

"Yea, we're fine," Saryie answered as Tenten nodded with a sigh.

"Glad to hear it," Shikamaru mentioned as his gaze turned to the fire. He took a lighter out from his pocket and proceeded to open and shut it during the quiet. The metal clang was almost soothing even though it disrupted the calm.

"Any word about the other divisions?" Saryie questioned, her eyes full of curiosity knowing Shikamaru would have intel.

Shikamaru didn't turn his gaze to her. "They all held their ground. Only the Fourth Division got pushed back to delay confrontation since half of their platoon got split to join this one," Shikamaru answered, dully.

"Is Azumi still there then?"

"I believe so."

Saryie nodded in understanding. The leaf shinobi were still around the fire again. There were a few hums from Tenten as she stretched her back. Shikamaru continued to play with his lighter while Choji was uncharacteristically quiet. Normally he was snacking on food but after the high tension of the day, he couldn't bring himself to eat.

"What do you think will happen tomorrow?" Choji mused softly as if afraid of the answer.

Saryie's eyes snapped up to his.

"Well, the enemy will probably strike hard elsewhere since we took the oceanside," Shikamaru responded, glancing at his friend.

"Do you think that giant statue is the worst to come?" Choji muttered, timid.

"If we're lucky, yes. However, I believe the enemy may have more tricks up their sleeve," Shikamaru admitted monotone.

"How do they expect us to beat that thing. I was the same size as it and it thwarted me easily," Choji continued with concern in his voice.

Saryie gritted her teeth.

"I'm sure headquarters will come up with something. We only had one encounter with it to draw assumptions of its strengths and weakness. If it appears tomorrow, we might get a better understanding of it. Although it might take some lives in the process," Shikamaru rationalized dryly. Even he did not like the circumstances to come.

Choji gulped unintentionally and Saryie saw how nervous he was. She stood drawing the others attention.

"We'll figure it out. We'll defeat that stupid statue beast. Don't doubt your own strength, Choji," Saryie stated confidently before she walked away.

She couldn't stay and listen to Choji's doubts. His words enticed frustration from her. She didn't need her emotions riled. She needed to keep a positive, healthy, and calm attitude for this war. She won't listen to doubt. She knew they could do this. They could fight and they would win. It didn't matter how strong the enemy was. They only needed to be strong enough together to take the enemy down and they couldn't do that if some members were unsure.

As Saryie walked away from her comrades, she crossed paths with Ino that was about to join the group. Saryie didn't acknowledge her. She kept walking to nowhere in particular to keep her emotions calm.

Ino was stifled by Saryie's display and asked Shikamaru and Choji about it. Shikamaru shrugged in response while Tenten offered a minimal excuse. Ino didn't let it bother her as she guided the conversation about some of the war stories she's heard so far.

Saryie strolled across the cliff, walking until she could keep her irritation from getting the better of her. She had no idea how Sai kept himself from feeling. She knew it was from all the training he endured as a child and from the lack of social interaction. However, she couldn't fathom how to stop feeling. All she knew how to do was feel, but now she had to control what she was feeling.

With a sigh, Saryie began to descend and saunter over towards the ocean. The soft crash of the waves soothed her as she stopped shortly to gaze out at the horizon. The sky was moonless, making the water appear murky and ominous. Although, the ocean never seemed to scare her nor did the stillness of the night. She wouldn't let negative thoughts get the best of her or her emotions. She had a handle on herself and won't let herself slip back into her old ways.

Standing in front of the ocean, Saryie leaned down to pick up a rock. She threw the stone with a flicked of her wrist into the sea. A satisfied smirk appearing on her face when she saw it skipped twice.

She reached down to grab another one and repeat her actions. Once the second stone flew from her hand, she got a sense of someone was behind her.

Saryie turned in time and nearly missed a kunai that was aimed for her back. Alarmed, Saryie was quick to grab the attacker's arm and twisting their wrist. The kunai was dropped from the enemy's hand with a groan but they manage to pull Saryie in. They wrapped their arm around her neck and caging her in a head lock. Saryie sputtered as she struggled.

With a quick shot to the gut with her elbow and stomping on the attacker's foot, Saryie made her escape. She separated from the attacker, creating some distance. She was finally able to see them face to face and what she saw only surprised her.

Gaping silently at the opposition.

"What?! How?!" Saryie shot out, perplex.

The attacker looked exactly like her. Like a clone, but she did not summon a clone of herself. Saryie's brow frowned, wondering who was posing as her. Instantly she whipped out a kunai and attacked. The enemy that looked like her smirked and did the same. This only infuriated Saryie further.

The commotion of kunai clashing at the shore only drew the attention of some members of the division. Swiftly Shikamaru, Ino, Choji, Tenten, Captain Darui, and a few other alliance members gathered around to see what was going on and to lend aid if needed. The company halted though when they realized both fighters were the same ninja.

There was no telling which one was friend or foe during their skirmish. Shikamaru quickly made hand signs as he casted his family's jutsu.

"Shadow Possession Jutsu."

Shikamaru caught both of them with his shadow, paralyzing them in mid attack. The two Saryie's looked at the shadow that caught their feet and back to the Alliance members that were present.

"Shikamaru, it's me!" Both Saryie's cried out in unison before glaring at each other.

"You shit, I'm the real one!"

"They're trying to trick you. I'm the real one!"

The two went back and forth with mild insults as the rest of the company were puzzled on what to do.

"Captain, they have the same chakra signature."

Darui nodded at one of his subordinates as his eyes never left the bickering young Leaf ninjas. This wasn't good. How were they going to tell the real from the fake? Not only that, Darui had a sinking feeling that this wasn't going to be the only case for the night. Had the enemy already infiltrated their ranks?

"How can we tell them apart?" Choji inquired concerned as Shikamaru was holding them still.

Tenten stood tense. "Perhaps we can ask them a question only the real Saryie knows the answer to?"

"Yes, let's do that!" Saryie spoke confidently, her eyes narrowed at the other.

"I agree, this imposter can't impossibly know everything about me," the other Saryie countered, glaring.

"What's Saryie's little brother's name?" Tenten quipped.

"Nao," both Saryies answered at the same time.

Saryie's glare sharpened at the other.

"Ask something more personal." Shikamaru mentioned, steely.

"What nickname does Saryie use for Neji?" Tenten fired out.

"Captain Kill Joy," Saryie answered as the other one responded with "He has many nicknames."

Tenten pointed at the one that said Kill Joy. "That's the real one."

The others were ready to pounce at her command but Shikamaru halted them. "We can't be sure. I've heard Saryie make multiple snide remarks towards Neji."

"I can use my mind transfer jutsu on them to see which is the real one," Ino suggested, stepping up ready to cast her jutsu.

"Oh, screw this!" Saryie commented as Shikamaru yelled, "Wait."

However, it was too late as Saryie began to separate from her body with a water clone. Everyone was on their toes in that instant as Saryie escape from Shikamaru's paralysis. Her doppelganger was even surprise as she was quick to knock a solid punch across the imposter's face.

The imposter fell to the ground but could not move to pick themselves back up because of Shikamaru's jutsu that was still in place. The water clone that Saryie had made snapped on the spot as the real Saryie was seized by fellow comrades.

They held her back. Shikamaru gritted his teeth, shaking his head. "That's her alright. You couldn't keep your cool for another few seconds?"

Saryie didn't struggle in the arms of the ninja's that held her. Her eyes were sharp as she made eye contact with Shikamaru.

"I was growing tired of this banter," Saryie spoke incredulously.

Shikamaru sighed, knowing full well that Saryie's rash actions were a result of Ino's proclamation.

"Hey guys look!" Choji commented bring the attention back to the imposter.

The fake Saryie seemed to be morphing back to its original form. Everyone's eyes widened seeing as the form transform back into a White Zetsu. Immediately, Darui was shouting orders.

"Capture the enemy! Inform HQ right away. We're looking at a night raid," Darui spoke promptly.

Ino prepared herself, stepping up to the Zetsu. "I can see what they're planning."

Darui nodded while a few ninjas picked up the fallen Zetsu. Shikamaru kept his concentration, keeping the Zetsu still as possible. Ino soon performed her clan's special hands signs and slipped out of her body. Choji caught his teammates body as everyone waited for the result.

The arms that held Saryie soon released her as she was calm again. She didn't take her eyes off the Zetsu that Ino now hosted. An unexpected shiver ran down her back at the thought. She briefly remembered how she felt when her mind had been invaded and couldn't hide the disgust that was evident on her face.

Ino didn't return until a few minutes later back into her own body. Her eyes were brilliantly lite as she spilled the information she gathered. Apparently the Zetsu had copied her chakra signature during battle by coming in full contact and soaking up her chakra. Shikamaru and Darui mauled over this knowledge, both coming to the same conclusion. This probably was not the only clone among them. Whatever ninja Zetsu managed to steal chakra from during the battle, he most certainly could become any one.

With that idea, the camp soon went under lock down. They weren't sure if the enemy was already among them in ranks but they weren't going to take chances. No one was to go off alone as guards were increased around the parameters and the inventory.

Everyone was a suspect.

The night was long as distrust grew within the company. Saryie was sure that this paranoia was a part of the enemy strategy. Darui ordered the Zetsu to be killed after the information was gathered and had it communicated to HQ to notify other divisions. Shikamaru, Ino, Choji, Tenten and Saryie stayed together for the rest of the night.

Saryie wasn't sure what was to come the next day but knew she would have the backs of her comrades and knew they had hers.

Alright this felt like a long chapter. I wanted to explore the night raid that Zetsu had did where he was going around killing people in other people's bodies. I thought it would be interesting how Saryie would handle that situation as she was in close combat with the Zetsu's during the war and it wouldn't be surprising that some had stolen her chakra to make a copy of her.

Hope you like the chapter.

Next one is of Azumi.

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto. I only own Saryie, Azumi, and Michi.