A full week had passed with the volunteer Leaf forces training with the Water Airborne. Each passing day the training became more and more intense. As much of bullshit as the training was, those of us that complained about it also begrudgingly accepted the necessity of it. Temari and Kankuro seemed to have calmed down a little bit and Ino crawled out of whatever brooding shell she's been in. It didn't last long with Ino but it was refreshing to see her at those rare moments which helped out 3rd squad's morale some. In comparison the jovial natures of Naruto and Ayako kept the spirits of 4th squad at a consistently good level, even if Sergeant Mitarashi was trying to keep a lid on them. I dunno about Ayako but I knew Naruto was all cheery to also dull the pain of being away from Hinata for a week already and even longer when the mission started. Guess that's why they felt like that little quickie then huh?

One thing you could say was better despite the training getting worse was that the bond between Water and Leaf was starting to form again. Sure that snooty corporal that I defeated was still having sour grapes over the matter but it was too much of an effort to try to bury any hatchet, especially since I committed no wrong. We had heard word of more rocket attacks harassing allied forces coupled with small skirmishes along the border between the Grass and Rain Nations, but nothing significant. My guess was they were trying to deter any and all invasions and using those damned rockets as their main tool. As long as we were on the other side of the fence they were free to do whatever the hell they wanted with them. The evening was cool with a crisp breeze flowing through the tents. My squad along with 4th were prepping our equipment to handle the gliders. Front-loading was going to give me a hernia I swear to the heavens but I guess it's better than not being properly seating and bouncing around the plane like a rubber ball. I found myself sitting down, loading my bullets into stripper clips while entranced with the setting sun. The dark orange gleam lit the clouds as if someone had taken a match to them. It was like my favorite relaxing activity giving me a cock tease before the inevitable shitstorm that was to follow. Oh well, I guess the sky had good intentions right?

"You cloud watching again crybaby?" The soothing voice asks me as her hand slides its way up my back and gently squeezes my shoulder. Since we had consummated our love that first training day things got a little less troublesome with her.

"Have you noticed?"

She stopped to finally try and see the clouds the way I did. With a simple nod she replied, "You're right. They are rather beautiful, but it seems your head is up there as well like you want it to be there."

"You have no idea Temari."

"If wishes were horses…"

"Yeah, yeah, beggars would ride. I know." The sigh that came from my lips only goaded her to get closer, this time slowly massaging my shoulders as I continued to load rounds into my pouch. I felt like it should've been annoying me the way Ino used to chirp like a harpy but truth be told it really didn't. "I just wish I wasn't here right now and soon to be in a plane where I can't control my fate and instead I trust on the skills of some pilots in a Soundie-infested nation."

"Would you have preferred marching cross-country ya bum?"

"Good point."

Temari pulled out her stopwatch and scanned at the antiquity. It was a brass-colored relic that probably belonged to her parents or her elder she mentioned before, Chiyo. "It's almost time." She meant of course the time we were board the gliders and prepare for takeoff.

"That it is." I sighed out. We had already gotten the briefings from Captain Momochi concerning the different flight patterns. The same group that we had quarreled with we had now gotten along with…for the most part including that Water LT. She still had a bit of an issue with command but maybe she'll get past that…but likely not. We'd have a couple Spitfires escorting us but that would be only around the border area. After that we were on our own and hopefully we'd evade their guns. But of course, what would really go down would be us in a real mess with our plane getting shot down and most if not all of us meeting an untimely demise. Sometimes my cynicism was unhealthy. Luckily the concern I had for Temari, Choji, and Naruto who still had to propose to Hinata negated it. "I hate flying, I really do."

"Really? I figured you'd have liked it since you're still so obsessive over the clouds. You keep harping how you wish you were up there with them."

"Yeah but not in a tin can just begging to burst into flames. You really don't catch onto detail do you Temari?" That snippy remark earned a rather uncomfortable squeeze on my shoulders.

"I do. I just like giving you a hard time you cynical schmuck. You're just impossible and you still manage to play right into my hands. You're a good man toy Shikamaru."

"And you're still bothersome even though I met you a little less than a year ago." Her hands slid over my shoulders and down to my chest where she held me in an embrace.

"How are we ever gonna keep this going if you keep up with this whining?"
I closed my eyes and tried to gather my thoughts. "Maybe something'll get worked out. I think it should start with you."

"Keep dreaming lover boy."

"Ugh…typical of you to say that. I hate pet names." My head felt the soft, massaging stroke of her fingers as she just snickered like she did when we were in the Waterfall Nation. "How many hours left Temari?"

"We've got five more, then we take off."

"As much as it kills my pride and my character, I'm nervous."

"Shikamaru," her face nuzzled with mine softly, "you wouldn't be human if you weren't." I still didn't really know what was with this woman and how she penetrated my defenses with such ease. The tendencies to carry on with such thoughts made me worry too much and that in and of itself was a bother to me.

"Temari…" My hand met hers and we shared a quick moment of tenderness before I caught Sarutobi and the rest of 3rd moving our way. "Shit. Here they come."

Sarutobi flowed right through the flaps of the tent and made his way towards the water cans and ammunition boxes. "Knock it off you two." Temari and I scooted away from each other. "All right 3rd let's do our final checks. I want everyone with full everything, so that includes your mags, your canteens, and your rations. We'll have no support from anyone so you guys had better be prepared. If you lose something or it gets destroyed, your buddy will share will you and should your buddy be low, I expect you to do the same. Akimichi you feel comfy enough with your .30 cal?"

"Like it's an extension of myself sergeant." He confidently replied.

"Good. It's gonna be rough carrying that bad boy around but it's the most firepower we have save for some of the stovepipes."

"That reminds me," Temari whispered, "Kankuro's not too happy getting the Water's version of his weapon. That thing was like a pet to him. Silly…"

"Some people get that way with their weapons."

"Let's also get some chow before we leave. I have a feeling that we're not gonna be eating a hot meal for a while."

Choji lit up. "I couldn't agree more sergeant!"

I chuckled. "Of course you wouldn't."

An hour had passed, four more hours left to go. The food was satisfactory but of course I felt like it could've been better. Alas that was my spoiled side kicking in when I knew that what Sarutobi had said before was going to ring true. Temari and I stocked up all the food we could pack and the shit we wanted as well. I figured an extra snack for Choji or Sarutobi, since half of his pouches were filled with smokes, would've been a plum nice thing to do.

Three hours left. A slight shakiness developed in me but I was sure I wasn't the only one. The air was getting cold not only with the fading of the sun but the sense of foreboding and inevitable conflict where there would be blood, sweat, and tears, the three of them preferred to be more with the Soundies than with me and my comrades. Darkness had enveloped the camp but the lights from the command tents and planes helped our eyesight some, only to screw us over when we had to walk through the twilight, our eyes adjusting slower than we had hoped. Ino took a bad digger over some ammo tins about a half-hour ago but she was ok. She was more pissed that we, including Choji, were laughing when it happened. Reminding herself of the ticking clock she did what she could to blow it off. The girls were taking care of personal business somewhere else that I dared not venture to. Meanwhile I found a little section of the camp lacking a crowd and decided to take a seat and gather my thoughts. The gentle wind flowed through the strands of my hair and in the crevices of my uniform. My hands cradled my head as I closed my eyes and tried to relax. I heard footsteps.

"Hey buddy…trying to get a quick nap? Sorry if that's the case."

"Nah Choji, just sitting down away from the noise. I'm getting a headache from all that. Even a few minutes is good for me."

"Mind if I join?" His question was innocent enough and looking around it was just him and no one else.

"Sure." He sat himself up against the wall as best as he could, a heavy sigh leaving his lips.

"Ya know I never really thanked you for what you told me about Ino."

I raised my hand up and interrupted him. "No need Choji. I really don't like being a blabbermouth normally with such troublesome topics, but I figured I owed it to ya for everything. Consider it an incredibly early birthday present so now if this war is over come May I owe you nothing." I grinned devilishly at him to which he just laughed.

"All right…that seems fair to me. You broke character and gave me confirmation that Ino is in love with me. That's more than I could ask for buddy. I'll just try not to fuck it up."

"You better not. I had to deal with a sap session with her with to me is the equivalent to getting my teeth pulled out."

"Spare me the detail Shikamaru." He scoffed sarcastically.

"I will repeat myself though Choji. She's your responsibility now. Her parents are gone and from the looks of it you're going to be the closest thing she's got. Sarutobi comes in a very close second."

He paused before turned his head to me. "You think Ino's ok?"

"Choji…her parents were just killed a little more than a week ago. Shit, even I'd still be traumatized. If a man like Sarutobi is still bent on vengeance, you can bet your bottom dollar that an emotional girl in her twenties who just lost her guardians will be even more lusting for payback. All we gotta do is make sure she doesn't get herself killed because Sarutobi can't keep his eyes on her twenty-four seven."

"I know Shikamaru…I just…I just never woulda thought that such a fate befall Ino of all people. I always enjoyed her sunny demeanor and the brightness in those blue eyes of hers, but now…"

"Death never discriminates Choji. You know that as well as I. We've seen the devastation wrought by the bombs. Men, women, and even children have died. Mr. and Mrs. Yamanaka were no different and we gotta accept that while being grateful that it wasn't our parents who suffered from those rockets."

"Amen to that friend. Well if that's the path that has been decided for Ino then I will do what I can to be by her side. If I can I'll have her stick by me and Nazuka…figures one of us can watch her and she'll get more protection with me than with you an' Temari no offense."

"None taken. The fewer soldiers I have to baby-sit the better. Speaking of the babysitter, how about Sarutobi?"

"Well he hasn't been givin' you that 'You could be sergeant someday Nara' talk has he Shikamaru?"

"No. No he hasn't which is rather strange because he was so upbeat about that damn possibility when I lead those guys out of that goat fuck battle back in Kusa."

Choji looked startled for a second. "You don't think…"

"Don't say it Choji." I shrunk my head into my uniform as much as I could. "I know what you're thinking and I'd prefer you'd not say it."

"But…"

"Please Choji. The less I ever have to reflect on it the more peace of mind I can get. I'm not trying to be a dick and I understand my responsibilities as a corporal, but in this war usually the ways someone obtains a higher rank is…"

"Yeah…sorry to bring it up."

"It's ok." Neither of us wanted to think about it but it was still in the realm of possibility.

While it gnawed at me that the possibility of me being in charge existed, it burdened me even more that it'd be at the expense of someone else. If I had to be in charge of someone I would never want it to be my own squad. Looking after Choji and Ino would kill me on the inside, especially if something happened to them. Back in Kusa, I wasn't in charge of those two per se, but I did have to look out for Naruto, Hinata, Kankuro, and more importantly Temari. Granted that was one incredible clusterfuck that was one in a million, ironic and expected that it befall me of course, but it happened and I was damn lucky to survive that.

"Hey Shikamaru." Choji nudged me.

"Yeah?"

"Pardon the sap but I'm glad I'm fighting this war in the same squad as you. We coulda been in different platoons or different companies or hell even different squads, but we were lucky and here we are, about to go into battle once again. I'm glad I'm doing this with you man."

I patted him on the shoulder. "Thanks Choji. I'm glad too. Friends aren't too plentiful with me but you're one of the good ones. Too bad we don't have any sake or nothin' to toast to that."

"Seriously. Big things are going down."

"That they are friend."

He paused for a second. "I love her Shikamaru."

I chuckled. "I know you do. Shit everyone knows you do…and now you have her."

"I just wished it didn't have to go down like this though."

His lament made me think of Temari for a second and I agreed with him. "I think there are a lot of things that we wish happened without this war but they did so we gotta take 'em for what they're worth. We just have to survive to hold onto those things we care about Choji."

He laughed. "Since when did the lazy Shikamaru Nara become such a man of philosophy?"

"Ever since you people forced me to be one. God…you have no idea how troublesome it is. I just wanted to lay out in the fields all day at my farm and…"

"Yeah, yeah…stare at the clouds for hours. Jeez we've heard that sob story a million times. Looks like it wasn't in the cards for you pal."

"Shit."

Two hours. That uneasy feeling crept into me again despite Choji's best efforts to lighten the mood. Didn't really see much of Sarutobi since he was getting a quick brief. The gliders were fueled and the pilots testing all of their equipment. I bet they were more scared shitless than we were. I always heard the Sound pilots took more pleasure in killing the pilots themselves shooting the cockpits directly instead of relying on the crash or whoever was down below to finish the job. I thought it was silly until I've heard the stories and seen some of the wreckage myself in past battles. It's nothing to take lightly.

"Sergeant…I don't feel too good." Sugiyama moaned clutching her stomach.

Sarutobi looked at her as if he knew exactly what was wrong. "C'mon over here private…" The two of them walked out of the tent and around the back where not even the sounds of others could drown out her puking. Ah the old pre-combat jitters. They left Choji and I faster than you could say Konoha.

"That's it private…get it all out." He spoke to her like a father which upon retrospect, it's kind of what he was. Meanwhile she was whimpering a little bit but with the sergeant nearby I bet she was trying to tough it out. A minute later they both walked back in, Sugiyama wiping her mouth with her sleeve and slowly slinking away to where Toyama was sitting. She took a swig from her canteen and spit out whatever else was there before refilling.

"Ok 3rd, listen up." He huffed as he lit up a cigarette, resting the burning stick at the corner of his mouth. "We're boarding the planes in one hour. Now you all say we're all stocked up and 4th squad finally has their shit together so I want a last inspection before we get on and someone pulls an 'oh shit' moment. Get in line."

All nine of us huddled up as Sarutobi gave us the usual checkup. It wasn't the turn your head and cough one but he was close enough to make it feel that way. Sugiyama was still shaking a little bit, but a slight grin and firm hand on the shoulder from the sergeant made her feel a little better.

"Ok you guys are good. Akimichi you got enough food for yourself."

"And then some sergeant…"

"That's what I like to hear. Corporal, how are you doing?" I could feel his breath flowing into my face, the smell of nicotine in my passages already.

"Fit as a fiddle sergeant."

"Good. Yamanaka, you able to carry as much medical things as you need?"

"It's a little heavy sergeant but I'll manage."

"What about food, water, and ammo?"

"I'm good to go sergeant."

"Good. Guys let's get ready."

One hour. Not a word was needed to be said as the night air cooled and we strode our way towards the gliders.

"Asuma! Long time, no see!" Sergeant Mitarashi blared out as 4th followed, merging into us from the left. She jogged right up to Sarutobi and ruffled his hair much to his annoyance.

"Anko…cheery as always."

"Oh come on Asuma, don't be such a baby. You really hate flying that much?"

"I'd rather be walking any day." It was like watching two kids sometimes, one playful and vivacious and the other reserved but calm.

"Well just the thought of taking my gun and ramming into some Soundie's face gives me a nice warm and fuzzy, especially after everything those bastards did."

The two of them, or rather just Mitarashi, blabbed on for another minute while we casually strolled behind them. I caught Naruto from the corner of my eye.

"Ready Shikamaru?"

"As if I have a choice Naruto?"

He slung his rifle over his shoulder. "No I guess not, but I can guarantee you that I'm ready to kick some ass. Believe it. Right Konohamaru?"

"Right boss!"

"That kid ever call you by your real name Naruto?" Choji inquired as he was kinda puzzled with the whole status Naruto had with Sarutobi's nephew.

He looked at Konohamaru whose back who scooted up a little farther to get close to his uncle, then he turned to Choji and I. "Nah. Besides…I kinda like the whole idea of a protégé, reminds me a little of myself and…Iruka." He held his head a little low with that one but picked it right back up, understanding his new role. "Well regardless, he'd want me to look after the kid just like he did me, and who better of a role model than Naruto Uzumaki huh?"

I rolled my eyes to which he caught with slight annoyance.

"Ah you're just being a hater Shikamaru. You don't have anyone that's lookin' up to ya that's all."

"Whatever Naruto."

I then noticed despite the confident face he bore, he was furiously rubbing the cloth sack with that ring inside. "What?" He asked me puzzled by my inquisitive looks.

"Nothing." I was about to say more but the droning of the planes drowned out my voice. They were ready.

"C'mon lads, c'mon! It's time to board up!" The Water captain yelled through the bullhorn he had. Around him lieutenants and flight crews scurried around him making sure everything was operational and going according to plan. Given the delicacy of this operation I wasn't surprised.

"In we go 4th Platoon!" The same LT who we had been training with the whole time waved at her soldiers and ours from outside the hatchway. According to the briefings, this 4th Platoon of the Water Airborne along with my squad and 4th were going to assault the rocket base southeast of the borderline. Turns out they wanted a platoon plus element instead of two squads. Hell, whatever meant the enemy shooting at me less was grand in my eyes. It was just this woman who bothered me. I always had a beef with women in leadership roles but I was wise never to publicly announce it. Of course I'd dare not insult Major Shizune or the now Brigadier General Tsunade to their face or to my comrades but that didn't mean I got apprehensive of them. I mean the last thing I'd ever want is Mitarashi or worse…someone like Sakura or Ino barking orders at me. It made it worse seeing this woman's decisions controlling my fate along with those of Ino, Choji, Temari, and especially Sarutobi.

The cabins inside were a little cramped. Our two squads shared the plane with the LT and one other squad of her own troops. We packed on as much as we could seeing how long we were going to be away from any friendly establishments.

"Think the plane will take off with all this extra weight?" Toyama nudged me while pointing to Choji. He turned and glared at him.

"Real subtle Kaz…real subtle."

"Knock it off 3rd squad." Sarutobi tersely said aloud.

"Feelin' all right bro?" Temari asked lightheartedly to Kankuro who was fiddling with his harnesses in a fit of frustration.

"Yeah…never friggin' better sis. How about giving me a hand with these damn straps? I swear to God this is a bigger pain in the ass than you'd think."

"Ugh...you're the pain in the ass sometimes ya know that?" She groaned as she guided his arm through one and got him untangled with the other. "It boggles my mind how you could work the delicate strings of those puppets yet you fail miserably with the harness of a transport plane."

He snarled in animosity. "Just shut up and help…"

"Whatever…seems like I'm always fixing something for you. Just a little twist and…there. You're all set Kankuro. Try not to tangle yourself again."

"Thanks…sis." He reluctantly muttered while turning his head.

"Love you too little bro." She snickered and pecked him on the forehead. I smirked at the spectacle but who wouldn't?

"Awwwww now ain't that the most touching thing you've ever seen?" Naruto joked aloud earning the glare from the Sand siblings. I dared not say a thing.

"'ow much time we got sir?" The LT asked Captain Momochi rather gingerly as he walked in from the hatch. Turns out he wasn't going on this ride with us but he wanted to wish his scattered men and women good luck.

"About twenty-five more minutes. Doors will be closing in ten. I assume your troops are fit and ready for the flight leftenant."

"They're as ready as can be sir. We won't let you down."

"Right. Good luck then and Godspeed all of you." With a crisp salute from the young woman Captain Momochi took off.

"Damn shame he won't be with us huh?" Choji pondered.

"Yeah…but at least that Wave fella Inari will be even if he's in the other plane." Naruto commented.

Choji nodded back. "True. Hope he'll be all right. I kinda like that guy." Of course I already knew why he thought Inari was a good man, mostly because of his never-say-die attitude to which he imparted as advice to the lamenting-over-Ino at the time Choji.

"Ten minutes!" The pilot and his assistant screamed out. "Get yer arses in those seats and fasten all yer harnesses. It's going ta be a bumpy takeoff lads!"

"Wonderful…as if I wasn't freaked enough that we'd be picked off from the sky, now I fear we'll run into a tree before we're airborne."

Temari turned her head. "Tell me Shikamaru…do you always complain this heavily?"

"I do it just for shits, but now I can do it just for you if you fancy." She scoffed and just sat there but I caught a little smile. She liked my cynical nature but she dared not show it sometimes.

"Five minutes!" With a sudden jolt the airplane started its gradual movement towards the runway, the crews loading the tow hitch from which the other planes would put us up in the sky. Several other gliders took off ahead of us. We were the last ones to go. The glider turned and the lights went on, the pilots guiding it to the makeshift runway we walked around for a week straight. The grass and slightly lumped ground made the slow ride to the runway already a bumpy pain in my ass as the anticipation of flying certainly made all of our hearts speed up the beat.

"We gonna be ok boss? I've never flown before."

"Konohamaru…you'll be all right. Your uncle's here and I assure you…we'll be all right." Sarutobi in a rare moment comforted him with a warm tone and a confident smile. The boy's nervousness seemed to fade as he also looked at Naruto who nodded in agreement. It was moments like that which made me glad he was my squad leader.

I held my hands on top of my thighs firmly to help reduce the tension. Suddenly another's touch was felt, soft and delicate. It was Temari. Her hand grasped mine as her thumb stroked the top of it.

"A little tense there?" Her calm demeanor dug under my skin.

"No. I'm fine." Sure as sure I could only respond in the classic way I always did, reluctant to show any weakness in front of a woman such as her.

"It's ok whiner."

I scoffed at her arrogance. Thank God she was nothing more than a partisan. If she were my platoon leader or worse…my squad leader, desertion and/or suicide wouldn't be nearly as repugnant of notions to consider. Well…at least she's not Ino.

"Angel Eight to base, preparing for takeoff with Angel Seven."

"Copy that Angel Eight. Runway is clear. Angel Seven departs in one minute."

"This is Angel Seven. I read you loud and clear. Preparing for takeoff."

I could hear several of the soldiers muttering to themselves, some praying and some just trying to take their minds off of the takeoff. Ahead of us the roar of the glider flowed through the cabin as the first batch of soldiers just took off and I knew it wouldn't be long before we were right behind them.

"This is base Angel Eight. You are ready for takeoff in T-minus ten…nine…eight…" every passing second resonated with a heavier heartbeat. "Two…one…"

Suddenly everyone in the cabin was thrust backwards as the plane started its acceleration, pulled by the tow plane with surprising violence.

"Oh God…oh God…oh God…" Despite her usual confident and plucky demeanor, Sugiyama was quite afraid as she clung to her rifle…and Toyama…as tightly as she could. A couple of the newer soldiers also whimpered as the plane continued to barrel down the runway.

"Damn controls…come on…bloody work for me!" The co-pilot yelled which I wish she hadn't. Suddenly a little panic set through the cabin.

"The bloody 'ell is goin' on up there?" The LT screamed as loud as she could.

"Just sit tight! We'll get 'er flyin'!" The pilot responded, not even bothering to let anyone know what the deal was. The ride got real bumpy as our straps strained to hold us in, my very own digging into my clothing. "C'mon girl…work for me, pick up that speed."

"We gotta turn around! We won't reach it past the runway!" His co-pilot yelled. Turns out she was just as worried as everyone else.

"Yes we bloody will! Just trust me…"

"Shit." I muttered.

The plane was picking up speed that was for sure, but what irked me the most was that I couldn't see shit outside.

"C'mon girl…just get enough speed. We're almost there…almost…" Faster and faster the glider went down the runway, yet I could imagine the end nearing where it'd be nothing but tall grass and some trees that would love to crunch against a fast-moving sled of metal with some soft cargo inside waiting to get squished. I loved how my mind worked with imagery like that, and by love I mean love like I would the flu or a hernia.

"Not much time left captain!" The co-pilot yelled once more.

"We've got it…almost there…and…pull!" It felt as if he was talking more to himself than anyone else but if it kept him functional then shit, who am I to complain? The plane lurched up and I could literally feel the wheels pick themselves right off the ground, skimming right atop the tall grass. We had made it, but by a God damn hair.

"Holy shite. Captain that was a close one, please don't pull that off again."

"You're telling me…thanks girl. Base, this is Angel Eight. We are flying high and trailing right behind Angel Seven."

"Roger that. Continue course. Aegis One and Two have been assigned as your escort but one you reach the border between here and the Rain Nation, I'm afraid to say that they'll be pulling back and you'll be on your own. Good luck…all of you."

"For His Majesty, the Mizukage."

"For His Majesty…base out."

"Hey Yuriko…you look like you're gonna…oh shit!" Nakamura screamed almost like a girl when the poor private kept lurching and trying to hold her mouth. Her efforts were in vain. As expected she hurled a little bit more on the plane's deck as if those hours ago wasn't enough, eliciting groans and cries of disgust from the other passengers. Seems it was contagious as one of the Water soldiers, a young and pale private, followed Sugiyama's lead and threw up himself.

"Ah Jesus…ya nearly hit my boot!" The guy next to him yelled.

"Sorry…sorry mate." The kid meekly apologized in between gasps of air.

"Knock it off lads! The kid's sick all because of that Leaf private. Cut him some slack." The LT snarled at the complaining soldiers.

"Ah blow me you fairy." Sergeant Mitarashi in her typical arrogant fashion snapped right back at the antagonistic officer.

"Anko just shut up this one time ok?" And in a rare moment, Mitarashi actually complied. "Sorry ma'am…she's new. She's never flown before."

"That's fine sergeant. Just…keep better discipline of your soldiers." Wow for a woman we thought we got an iota of a rapport with she sure became a bitch again. Maybe she took lessons from Mitarashi.

Twenty minutes passed with us in the air. Occasionally we'd get a bump or two as the pilots changed elevation or speed. These gliders had to stay low to the ground otherwise the Sound Luftwaffe or those damn 88s would pluck us right from out of the sky.

"How ya doin' corporal?" Sarutobi's gruff voice asked me amidst the silence from everyone else.

"I'm, I'm ok sergeant."

"Good. I'm gonna need you for some help this time Nara."

"Me? Help?" It was rather alien to hear Sarutobi asking for help from me. Most if not all the time it was the other way around in 3rd squad.

"Yeah you heard me right so instead of just blowing me off this time you're gonna listen. I've never done an operation this small and especially with a leader that wasn't LT Lee or anyone that wasn't a Leaf officer." His tone was serious but light as to minimize the number of people who could hear. Luckily for us a good portion of the soldiers were trying to get as much rest as they could. "I got nothing really against this lady, but I don't feel one hundred percent comfortable with such a small number and her and that massive platoon sergeant leading us Leaf soldiers. That's where you come in. I get the gut feeling I'll be having to lead our own with those Water soldiers busy looking after themselves so I need you to help keep track of the others from 3rd. Anko will be ok with her own but this is important Nara. You showed your stuff back in Kusa…"

"But sergeant c'mon…"

"No c'mon Nara…it's time for you to man up again. I gave you that extra chevron for a reason and I expect you to prove me right."

"Son of a bitch. First he volunteers us for this crap and now I'm pulling semi-squad leader duties at his behest. I hate my life sometimes…I really do."

"Quit thinking to yourself Nara!" He snapped. Damn…was this guy a psychic or was he just tuned into me personally? "I know I called you a slacker in the past but you proved me somewhat wrong. This isn't a request by the way, this is an order. You're going to lead the squad with me whether you like it or not all right?"

I swallowed my pride and succumbed to it. "Yes sergeant."

"Good. Honestly quit yer bellyachin' anyway. You're with me this time. I got your back."

"Kind words sergeant, but they're not working." I turned to Temari who was nodding off to sleep. I couldn't help but feel concerned once more that her life might be in my hands and that was the last thing I wanted. That strong sense of foreboding traversed through my innards again but I dared not show it in front of Sarutobi. I had to be strong and as tiresome as it was I knew any other way wouldn't register with him. "Thanks sergeant."

"You can call me Asuma this one time Nara."

"Ok…Asuma." We both got a good laugh from it.

"Of course if anyone else calls me that because you said they could, your ass is mine." Again his threat wasn't as intimidating because of the jocular grin on his face. Inside I relished it. The man was essentially my mentor ever since I got attached to him and it felt great to get that extra step closer. The one regrettable thing is that with every step I got closer in my rapport with Sarutobi, it was one step closer to being burdened with more responsibility. My dad would've never put me in such positions until he knew I was fully ready…but alas this is war and shit really does happen.

"Angel Seven and Eight, this is Aegis One. We have reached the borderline and we are pulling back. Godspeed lads and make them pay dearly for the throne."

"Aegis One, copy that. We'll do the best we can. Out." The co-pilot radioed back. Looks like we were on our own now. Hopefully the Sound didn't catch wind of that transmission or just spot us in the sky in general.

"Steady now…we've got about another forty-five minutes or so before we reach our destination." The pilot alerted the lieutenant.

"Right. Very good then. Let's keep it low and quiet."

The plane coasted above the ground but it was still high enough to avoid the tallest of trees and the highest of hilltops. I took a gander at the other troops I'd be fighting with. They weren't such a bad bunch save for that arrogant corporal and the occasionally moody lieutenant. Hell we figured they were just like us except they sounded funny and their cuisine was horrendous. None of us should really bear any ill will towards them considering how we'll be fighting together for who knew how long. The thought that we were already in the Rain Nation doubtless sent shivers down our spines. How silly of me to buy into the superstitions of that land…but even with my cynical nature, I couldn't shake the feelings. Even the facts that Sarutobi was with me and Temari was by my side as well only faded them instead of eliminating them outright. Outside the window I couldn't see a thing, just darkness. I was a man of the shadows when I needed to be but when I had no control over my fate or when I was denied the liberty to use those very shadows to my benefit, only then was I truly troubled.

"It's best not to look outside Nara. Ya ain't gonna see shit anyway." Sarutobi so wisely recommended.

"Right…ok then. Hey um…Asuma?" It felt weird to call him by his first name but still I stuck with it.

"Yeah Nara?"

"All that troublesome talk everyone keeps saying about the Rain Nation…it's not true in some aspects is it?" I couldn't believe I just asked that.

He turned and chuckled. "Am I hearing this right? You, the cynical slacker Shikamaru Nara, are asking me if rumors of a place we both have never been to are somewhat true, like there's some sort of bogeyman associated with the place?"

He really knew how to hurt a man's pride. "Yeah I know…it's troublesome, but my curiosity is getting the better of me."

He chuckled again. "Never thought I'd see the day." Real smartass of you, sergeant. "Well, I've heard them too and I will say, when I was just a kid and my father was involved in the Great War, there was always hearsay. When I asked him, he told me bad things went down there on both our side and the side of the enemy. He told me of once lush forests reduced to wastelands. He told me of terrible trench warfare lasting for weeks or months where men and women died by large amounts from the machine gun and disease. He told me of the non-stop artillery and of the poor soldiers who got hit, laying in the muddy or snowy ground dying while calling to their comrades with their organs protruding or their limbs severed. He told me of the sights, such as one time after a fierce battle when he had to hold a small trench and in front of her he saw a Leaf comrade lying on the ground, a bullet through her heart being the end of her. Her head was tilted back, her face and hair caked with dirt and blood, but her eyes open as if she was staring directly at him, haunting his psyche. He had to hold his position for hours as the dead woman continued to stare. He couldn't get up from the trench to grab that woman or at least shut her eyes lest he be picked off. When he came back he told me her face still remains in his memory. He told me that story once and only once, and it was when I had to go to war. They were the things of nightmares Nara and history told that those things were more here than anywhere else. I know I'm in a war right now but I couldn't imagine something as dreadful as that. So are such things true? I say yes and no Nara. What's happening now won't be a repeat of the Great War, but the stories do have some truth even if they're stretched out. The Rain Nation, although rebuilt, still has the horrendous scars of those years ago. There's no ghosts or bogeymen there, but the painful reminder of a terrible war."

A lump the size of a melon formed in my throat. I wasn't even born during the Great War but I could only imagine the misery and gloom emanating from there.

"I know…it's tough to absorb. Let's just hope we don't run into a similar scenario which I'm sure we won't."

"Angel Eight, this is Seven. We're almost approaching the landing zone. I say it's about another twenty to thirty, over."

"Roger that Seven. We're right behind you."

Ten minutes passed and the radios were dead. It felt rather eerie to hear the silence but we all knew it was more tactically sound to be quiet and run no risk than be coordinating back and forth and possibly get intercepted. Most of the soldiers were up from their efforts to get at least a modicum of rest. It got a little bumpier as we guessed low clouds were causing the turbulence.

Choji yawned. "Anything go on Shikamaru?"

Shaking my head I replied, "Nope. Not a thing. We've been lucky so far. Judging by the total lack of panic I think most if not all the gliders have either already made it or haven't been found out yet."

"Well what really matters is if they can do their job." Temari decided to jump in the conversation.

"Ah…good to see you're up now Temari."

"And you look like you didn't get any winks. Quite a shocking discovery Shikamaru."

"Meh. I guess I can surprise people like that."

"We gettin' any closer sergeant?" Ino asked with surprising enthusiasm.

"Pilots said we're about twenty minutes from our destination. How they're gonna land I haven't the slightest but they seem to know what they're doing so far."

"Good…can't wait." She gripped her Garand rather tightly. She still had that quest for vengeance I could certainly see. Not good.

"Listen up lads!" The LT cleared her throat. "We're approaching the landing zone so get your weapons and your kits ready! While we're not being seen right now there's a good chance those damn Sound bastards might still hear us landing so we've got to set up our perimeter as quickly as possible. Take any and all equipment and intel with you in case we need to abandon the Horsa. We'll be landing kilometres away from the rocket base as to not directly alert them. Just remember troops, it's just like we rehearsed back at camp. I'm confident you all know your parts."

"Gettin' those chills again Asuma." It was also rare to see Mitarashi slightly concerned but such circumstances would make it understandable.

"Yeah no kiddin'. I'm pissed I won't be able to have a drag. Otherwise some fuckin' Sound sniper might spot me and off goes my head." Ha. How fatalistic of him to joke like that.

"You and your cigarettes Asuma…seriously. I hope she makes you quit that shit when you get back home."

"Fat chance Anko…fat friggin' chance."

"Hey sergeant," I dropped the first name now that everyone was up, "I always forgot to ask you. Who's that 'she' you keep talking about?"

"Shit…how careless of me!" He laughed.

"Seven, this is Eight…you see anything up ahead?"

"No I don't think so…"

Sarutobi opened his mouth again. "I forgot to tell you Nara, when I kept mentioning her I forgot to tell you who she was. She's actually my…"

Suddenly the plane was rocked as it someone chucked a boulder at it. "FUCK!" The pilot bellowed. A bright flash followed by a trail of fire illuminated the cabin. To our horror our right wing was now on fire.

"Shit! Shit! We've been hit! Seven, this is Eight! We've been hit!"

"Soundies must've of bloody spotted us!" The co-pilot screamed.

"Eight, this is Seven! Take evasive action now!" Small explosions lit up the sky as we must've passed over some flak cannons. To make matters worse the plane was pushing us in all directions.

"I'm bloody trying! Fuck!"

"Hold on Eight! For the love of God, hold on!"

"I can't hold 'er any more! Continue the mission Seven…get to the landing zone!"

"Eight! Keep it together Eight!"

"I can't anymore! Mayday! Mayday! We are going down!"

"Eight! Mother of God…EIGHT!" Seven's pilot continued to holler through.

"Seven, carry on with the mission I say again…carry on with the mission! If we survive, we'll rendezvous with you!"

"Oh shit…buckle the fuck up and hold on tight!" Sarutobi screamed through the panicked cries of the soldiers.

"Oh God…oh God…" Sugiyama started whimpering to herself again.

"Private get a hold of yourself and just hold on!"

Naruto squeezed onto his little talisman necklace. I had no idea what to do myself.

"Shikamaru!" Temari grabbed me tightly. I could feel the sudden panic in her combining with my own.

"Temari…we're gonna get through this. Just hold on. We'll survive! I know we will!" Rare that I be an optimist, but death is so troublesome so I'd rather hope I can spit in his face right now and live through what would be a very fucking hard landing.

"Bloody hell! She's not responding!"

"We gotta land this bird now!" The co-pilot yelled. "There! Try to land in that clearing over there!" I didn't know whether she was desperately fumbling with a map or she suddenly developed some sort of vision but I prayed that there was indeed a clearing or sorts.

"CHOJI!" Ino screamed out in panic.

"Ino! I'm here! Stay with me Ino…I've got you!" He clutched her as best as he could as we felt the plane start to tilt downwards. It was a miracle from the pilots that we weren't in a nosedive. If that was the case we were all as good as dead. This was bad…really bad.

Another explosion rocked the plane from behind us and if things just couldn't get any worse, a small chunk of the rear hull just got blown off. The suction from the air was strong but we were fortunate to not be as high as let's say a normal transport plane. When they stressed the harnesses, they weren't kidding. Debris from the plane got sucked out fasted than you could imagine but thank the heavens it wasn't any soldiers who were all fastened.

"Jesus! We're getting shelled!" One of the Water troopers cried out. "We're gonna die!"

"Keep it together! Just hold on tight because it will be a very hard landing!" One of the squad leaders replied in an effort to maintain some calm.

Meanwhile the pilots were trying their damnedest to hold the fucking plane together. It was almost no use. The Sound guns seemed to have faded but now we were one big bright beacon in the sky for all nearby Sound forces. Just my damn luck…and the damn pilots were conversing wildly as I could barely hear what they were saying.

"Losing altitude…systems are not responding! Damn it we have to land this thing now!"

"But sir…" the co-pilot tried to gather her thoughts. "We've gotta get a little farther!"

"A little farther and we'll be plucked right out of the bloody sky! I'm holding the girl together by a bloody thread!"

"Hinata…I'm not going to leave you…I'll survive this! I promised…" Naruto was desperate as if he hoped some higher power would pluck him from the sky and have pity on him for her sake.

The velocity of the plane was intense. My stomach was already in knots and Temari clutching tenaciously to my midsection didn't help matters much.

"Shikamaru…this can't be it."

"Just hold on Temari."

Another sudden spasm from the plane erupted, this time from the bottom.

"Damn it all! We just lost one of our wheels!"

"But…but how?"

"No idea but the bloody plane is falling apart! We're still dropping!"

So this was it huh? Was this really how I was supposed to go…in a flying, partially flaming coffin with my comrades and the one girl who I could consider being with? I mean after Hill #404, Takigakure, the Emerald Fields, and Kusa, now this would possibly be my undoing huh? Life is a son of a bitch that's for damn sure. How troublesome.

"If any of you are religious…now's a fucking good time to pray!" The co-pilot, for reasons beyond me, decided to announce.

"We're going down!"

We clutched our seats until our fingers bled and our knuckles whitened. We could hear the glider's hull scrape against the tips of the tallest trees as the drone of our descent screamed through the cabin. Soldiers were crying and I was willing to bet one or two already wet themselves. I nearly went deaf from the noise of the air suction and the cries of the panicked soldiers. Even Sarutobi had the look of utter dread on his face. I knew when I saw that…we were in some serious shit.

"EVERYBODY…HOLD ON! BRACE FOR IMPACT!"

The last thing I saw was the grass and the dirt mixed with shrubbery, dead leaves, and trees approaching us rapidly, at a rate that was too surreal for the human eye to process, like some nightmarish amusement park ride. I twitched, my arms wrapped themselves around Temari, and I tried my best to make my peace with the heavens.

"Temari!" And then just like that, everything went black.