A Shirker's Call to Action: Layabout No More!
As we leapt across the tree branches I kept glancing at Shikamaru and Choji, who were both on either side of me, and I felt almost guilty for dragging them into this for my own selfish reasons.
"If that thing from before manages to awaken again, I may just have to unleash my full powers, and hopefully having them there will be just enough to keep me in control." I thought, glancing from Choji back to Shikamaru. "And since he volunteered to be my anchor, I can only hope he doesn't get killed because of me. I'll never be able to forgive myself."
I took a deep breath and sighed, looking ahead at my two teammates in front of me. I had to prepare for the worst case scenario, and that meant the possibility of unleashing Helena from her confinements in my subconscious mind and letting her aid me on the battlefield, should the worst come to pass.
Pakkun sniffed the air and led us in another direction, and for a stubby little dog, he was pretty fast.
"How long until we catch up Pakkun?" I asked.
"Don't know, a long time if they keep moving at this pace." Pakkun answered.
"Oh c'mon." Naruto grumbled.
I bit my lip in frustration.
"Hurry it up kids." Pakkun ordered. "Step on it."
"Bossy little mutt." Choji mumbled.
"Pakkun, what is it?" I asked.
"Did you find Sasuke?" Naruto followed.
"No, but there's two squads behind us, that's eight ninja." Pakkun informed. "No wait, there's one more. That's nine ninja following us."
"What, seriously?" Sakura questioned.
"And Kakashi-sensei was giving us crap because our squad was a bit big." Choji reminded.
"Give me a break here." Shikamaru groaned.
I focused my senses and could feel the ninja closing in on us. "Guys, we better put an extra spring in our step just to lengthen the gap between us and them." I told them.
We all sent a little bit of chakra to the soles of our feet for a burst of speed, and that put a little bit more ahead of the nine shinobi following us.
"It seems like they haven't discovered our location yet." Pakkun said. "But we need to figure out a way to loose them."
"How do we do that?" Choji asked.
"Follow my lead." Pakkun answered, jumping down from the branches and landing on the forest pathway.
"What do we do now?" Naruto asked.
"Keep quiet and follow me." Pakkun barked, backing up over his paw prints. "If we go back over our tracks, they'll seem to disappear. And that might distract our pursuers long enough so we can be far ahead of them before they catch on."
We followed what Pakkun did and back flipped onto the branch behind us.
"They have to be pretty lame ninja to fall for this." Naruto giggled.
"Hurry up Naruto!" I called.
"We don't have all day here." Sakura added.
Naruto quickly joined us and we went back to pursuing Sasuke.
A few minutes later, Angel sniffed the air and whimpered. "Uh guys, our little trick didn't work." she said. "They're back on our trail, and gaining ground."
"Be prepared for an ambush kids." Pakkun ordered.
"Great, they're probably all Chūnin or higher in rank." Shikamaru pointed out. "We'll be wiped out if they catch us."
I rolled my eyes, "Wow what a nice jolt of optimism, Shikamaru." I said sarcastically, looking at him. "You defiantly know how to lighten the mood."
"Hey, I'm just being realistic here." Shikamaru defended.
"Yeah, but you being realistic sure sounds like being negative to me." I pointed out.
"She does have a point." Choji agreed.
"Look you guys, I don't really see any other option here but to ambush them before they ambush us." Naruto voted.
"An ambush?" Sakura repeated. "That could work. Even if there are twice as many of them as there are us, if we could just catch them off guard…"
"No, it won't work." Pakkun cut in.
"And why the hell not?" I asked him, raising an eyebrow.
"I'm afraid that the ninja chasing us are Orochimaru's henchmen." Pakkun answered. "My guess is, they're all Jōnin level."
Shikamaru gritted his teeth, "I really thought the ambush plan would work, but I guess not."
"Why not?" Choji asked, looking over at him. "The level of an opponent doesn't really have much to do with an ambush, does it?"
Shikamaru groaned, "Let me explain it. Yes, an ambush is a key battle tactic and can be very beneficial, but only if two certain conditions are met." he said.
"So what are the conditions?" I asked, looking at him.
"Yeah, tell us and we'll meet them." Naruto added.
Shikamaru held up his left index finger, "Number one; the ninja on the run must be completely quiet and must find the enemy first." he added his middle finger, "Number two; they must catch their pursuers off guard and lead them to an area where they can do a lot of damage quickly, and then conceal themselves just as quickly."
We all nodded to show we understood.
"And it's only under those two conditions that an ambush can truly be effective." Shikamaru went on. "Now the first condition is easily met because the ninja hounds' noses can sniff out the enemy." he added. "And the second condition also happens to be in our favor since we know the geography of our village like we know the backs of our hands."
We all kept up pace so we wouldn't slow down and let the enemy shinobi catch up to us.
"However," Shikamaru went on, "Orochimaru is a former Leaf ninja." he reminded. "So on the second condition, we're out of luck."
"We are?" Choji questioned.
"What makes you say that Shikamaru?" I asked, meeting his eyes.
"Our pursuers have studied the layout of this village, and I have to assume they've been put through simulated battle tactics." Shikamaru answered. "And we can all but assume they're probably masters of the pursuit jutsu."
"So basically they know all the cards we're holding." Sakura pointed out.
"Well, I suppose an ambush could give us an advantage, but so many things are uncertain." Shikamaru added. "This unit was put together specifically for this operation, and what are the seven of us?" he questioned, looking in our direction. "A fool," Naruto shot him a glare, "a Kunoichi with no particular talents," Sakura shot daggers at him, "a mutt," Pakkun let out a small growl, "a ninja who thinks more with his stomach than his head," Choji narrowed his eyes in Shikamaru's direction, "a puppy," Angel yipped, "a Kunoichi with an alternant personality with homicidal tendencies," I shot him a glare and Helena growled, "and me, the shirker who doesn't even wanna be here." he finished listing us off in the most negative fashion.
"He's one to be pointing out our flaws, when he's the laziest person I've ever met." Helena growled. "And I've met a lot of people in my time."
Shikamaru sighed, "Look, tactics are all about figuring out your enemies motives and formulating the best plan of counterattack." he reminded us. "And right now, only one plan makes sense. Just one."
"And that only option is?" Sakura prided.
"A trap that only looks like it's an ambush." Shikamaru answered. "So one of us is gonna have to stay behind and slow them down."
"So one of us will be a decoy?" Choji questioned.
"That's right, if one of us can delay them, they won't be able to follow the rest of us." Shikamaru replied.
"But won't that be kinda dangerous? I mean it'll be one Genin against nine Jōnin." Choji asked, worry in his voice.
"Yes, the one who acts as the decoy will probably…die." Shikamaru answered.
Everyone suddenly stopped on the next few branches that were only inches apart, and we all stood motionless. Each of us contemplating on who would risk their lives to be the decoy so the rest of us could go on with the mission.
I gulped, "So…" I muttered, clutching the cloth of my skirt, bunching it up. "Who's gonna do it?"
No one immediately answered. No doubt it was because we were all scared. I mean, who in their right mind wouldn't be? These guys were Orochimaru's subordinates, so they were bound to be incredibly strong and ruthless. And the lot of us were just Genin, still Rookies as far as we're concerned.
"We need the dogs to follow Sasuke's scent." Shikamaru pointed out, "So that means one us is gonna have to stay behind."
I looked ahead of me and saw Naruto clenching his fists, "I guess I'll be the one who'll-" he started to say.
"I'm the only one who can do it." Shikamaru cut in.
"Shikamaru!" I gasped, looking directly at him, although his back was towards me.
"Why does it have to be you?" Choji asked.
"It's better than all of us being wiped out, right?" Shikamaru chuckled lightly. "I'm the only one who's capable of pulling off this decoy act." he added. He jumped and backflipped in mid-air, landing on the branch behind the one Choji and I were standing on. "And of surviving this attack." he added. Shikamaru turned his head back over his shoulder and looked at the rest of us. "After all, 'Shadow Possession Jutsu', was invented as a delay tactic. I'll catch up with you guys later."
I clenched my hands into fists and jumped onto the branch he was standing on. "What if something happens and you're not there?" I asked in a hushed whisper.
"Then you'll just have to use it without me there." he answered, turning his face to look at me.
I could feel the tears welling in my eyes. "But what if I loose control and-"
Shikamaru took my hand in his and interlocked our fingers, "I believe you'll be just fine." he cut in, turning his body so he was standing directly opposite me. "And to help you out, if only a little," he used his other hand and undid my headband that was around my waist, and put it in his ninja pouch. He then pulled out his own headband and tied it around my neck, "keep this on so that a part of me is still with you, and that should be enough to keep you in control."
He pulled the headband tight around my neck and his arms fell down to his sides. I reached up and touched the symbol etched into the metal plate.
"Thank you." I whimpered, feeling tears fall down my cheeks. I took my headband from his ninja pouch and tied it tightly around his left bicep.
I put my thumb and index finger to my lips and let out a whistle, calling for Angel, who jumped back and landed at my feet. "Yes Kristin?" she asked, her head cocked to the side.
I smiled down at her, "Once this whole decoy ambush is over and done, you can help Shikamaru meet up with us by tracking my scent."
Angel nodded her head. "You got it." he little tail whipped back and forth.
I looked up into Shikamaru's eyes and smiled. "Just be careful okay?" I asked, "Please."
Shikamaru smiled back and pulled me into his chest, his arms latched around my waist. I wrapped my arms around his neck and laid my head in the nape of it, gripping him tightly.
"I will, I promise." he whispered in my ear. "And just know that I believe in you."
I sniffled, "I just can't loose you." I admitted, tightening my grip around his neck.
"You never will, I promised you remember." he reminded, chuckling. "I'll always be here for you. Never will you be without me."
I leaned into him and heard his heartbeat clearly. The rhythm was nice and steady, and in that moment, I felt so calm and so secure, I didn't want it to end. But, I knew we had a mission to complete, so I pulled away and looked into Shikamaru's eyes.
He brushed the tears from eyes and put his right thumb and index finger right under my chin, tilting my face a little higher. Shikamaru planted a kiss on my forehead and his lips lingered there for a few seconds, and his left hand clasped my right hand and interlocked our fingers. I closed my eyes and took in this moment.
"I'll see you soon, I promise." he whispered, brushing his nose against mine.
"I'll hold you too that." I replied, looking into his brown eyes. "Thank you," I added, placing a kiss on his cheek, "for everything."
I jumped back to the branch where Choji was and turned my body so that my head was looking over my shoulder. Shikamaru turned so his back was to the rest of us.
"We're counting on you Shikamaru," Naruto said.
He raised his hand back as if to wave goodbye.
"Choji, girls." Naruto muttered, and we all looked at him. His eyes quivered but his overall expression read he was ready to move out.
I cast one more glance back at Shikamaru and met his eyes for a brief second. He winked at me like he did when he stood up for me in the Forest of Death, and I took that as reassurance for everything he just told me.
The rest of us went on ahead and I felt more tears coming, "Just please be careful Shikamaru." I thought, closing my eyes. "I don't what I would do if I ever lost you. You're the best friend I've ever had, you believe in me even when I don't believe in myself."
I wiped the tears from my eyes and picked up the pace. "Okay guys, let's get a new formation going." I said, sternly. "Naruto, you're gonna take the rear guard, Choji you're gonna flank my left and Sakura my right."
"Got it." Sakura agreed.
Naruto and Choji changed locations and I took point, right behind Pakkun.
"Why are you taking lead Kris?" Naruto asked me in groaning voice.
I smiled, "Well I am Kakashi-sensei's daughter after all." I reminded, giggling.
"She does make a point." Sakura said, backing me up.
"Okay, less arguing and more tailing." Pakkun barked, picking up speed.
The four of us genin rolled our eyes and followed Pakkun as he tracked Sasuke.
Pakkun sniffed the air, "Uh-oh, bad news guys." he admitted. "It looks like those ninja are still on our tails."
Sakura gasped. "Don't tell me Shikamaru just ran away."
I smirked, "Shikamaru's fine, trust me." I rebuffed her. "Sure he may be lazy and complain about everything, but he would never betray us."
"How can you be so sure Kris?" Naruto asked me.
"Because, and don't take this personally or anything, but…" I closed my eyes and sighed. "I trust him with my life more than I trust the two of you."
"But we're your teammates." Sakura reminded.
"And Shikamaru's been my best friend for seven years." I replied, raising my voice. "Not only that, but he was the first real friend I ever had." I added, "So believe me when I tell that Shikamaru would never, ever turn his back on us."
Choji nodded. "Sure he may never volunteer to do anything, but whenever he does, he sticks to his promises." he added. "And you guys can take my word for it, since I am his teammate, and best friend as well."
I glanced back at Choji and smiled. Choji winked at me and smiled back.
"Pick up the pace slackers!" Pakkun barked.
We all did and charged forward. I felt the breeze blow through my hair and remembered all the times Shikamaru stood up for me in the past, reassuring me just how much of a loyal friend he was…
{Flashbacks}
"Shikamaru." I felt tears forming again.
"Just because we're on separate teams, doesn't mean we're still not friends." he replied, turning his face to see me. "I'll always be there for ya, count on it." he gave me a wink and a small smile.
"Thank you, Shikamaru." I thought, grateful to see him.
Shikamaru smiled in agreement, "Yeah, what's meant to happen, will." he glanced back at me and winked.
"Yeah, you haven't changed at all." I smiled back, trying to ignore the pain in my side.
"Let us handle these guys." Shikamaru said to me. "You just take a rest." he turned his head to look back at me.
I held my hip tighter, not wanting Shikamaru to see the wound. "Just do me a favor?" I asked, closing my eyes.
"Anything." Shikamaru replied.
"Kick their asses." I said, locking eyes with him.
Shikamaru nodded and winked before turning back to face the enemy. "Thank you, Shikamaru." I thought.
"Kris, what the hell is goin on?" Shikamaru asked, kneeling in front of me.
I gripped the collar of his mesh t-shirt with my free hand, trying not to collapse. "A piece of advice, one friend to another…" I coughed. "Get the hell outta here. You, Choji, and Ino, go…" I lowered my head so I wouldn't cough blood on Shikamaru.
Shikamaru placed his hand on my shoulder, rubbing it. He then moved it under my chin, lifting my face to meet his. "We won't be far, okay?" he said, wiping the blood from my mouth.
I nodded. He leaned down and kissed my forehead before running for the bushes to take cover.
"Now that that's all over with…" I thought, my vision blurring. "time to rest…"
I felt arms wrap around me, holding me tightly. "Kris, speak to me." the voice belonged to Shikamaru.
I looked up into his eyes and leaned into his shoulder, sighing in relief. "I'm so glad you're alright." tears fell from my eyes.
Shikamaru chuckled, "Me alright? You're the one who has all the bruises." he helped me sit up, and I immediately gripped my side.
"Ah, damn, why won't it go away?" I muttered, wincing at the throbbing pain.
Shikamaru's hand covered mine, "What is it? What's wrong?" he asked, his voice full of worry.
"Dosu." I choked out. "He threw a kunai at me." I replied. "My adrenaline was pumping so fast that I didn't even register the pain until…until you showed up."
I leaned into him for support, gasping for breath. Shikamaru held me tightly, stroking my back.
"How much…how much of the fight did you see before…" I coughed again, and tried to catch my breath.
"Long enough to see your transformation." Shikamaru answered, patting my back.
I closed my eyes and shuddered. "I was hoping you hadn't seen that." I admitted. "I never wanted either of you to see me past Stage One."
My seal regressed and as it did, I felt even more weak than I did before, like all of strength just left me. My hand was still pressed to my wound, and my vision was blurring.
"Hang in there Kris." Shikamaru said to me, holding me against his body, his hand over mine.
Shikamaru lifted me up so my head rested in the crook of his neck. My arms were wrapped around his neck, giving me support. I closed my eyes and took deep, slow breaths. I couldn't explain it but, Shikamaru's scent actually calmed me down.
"Thanks." I muttered.
"No problem." Shikamaru replied. "This is what friends are for."
I looked up at him, "I meant for stepping in when you did. My whole team would be dead if it wasn't for you." I smiled and leaned into him, sighing. "I owe you one, big time Shikamaru."
He chuckled. "That doesn't matter to me." he said. "The only thing that does matter is that you're alive." he moved my hair to the side, draping the uneven lavender locks over my shoulder.
I turned my head and body into him, hugging him. "Thanks for everything. I could never have made it without you."
Shikamaru hugged be back, "Anytime Kris. I'll always be here for you."
I turned to my left and Shikamaru's eyes met mine. "You sure your up for this?"
I nodded, "I'm fine, no pain whatsoever." I told him, meeting his gaze. I knew he would be worried about me since that tussle with the sound ninja, and that was sweet, but I was okay.
Shikamaru placed his hand on my shoulder, still meeting my eyes. "Be careful."
I smiled and placed my hand over his, and nodded. "I will, you know how I can get."
"I do know and that's why I worry." He kissed my cheek, his lips lingering there for a few seconds.
I coughed again and blood spurted from my mouth. I felt myself being turned over and I looked up and Shikamaru was leaning right over me, although my vision was blurring around the edges.
"Shikamaru?" I questioned.
He smiled a little bit and cradled my body, my head rested in the nape of his neck. One arm rested underneath my neck and the other rested under my thighs. Shikamaru rubbed my shoulders, and I felt…content in that moment.
Then I jerked my head up and threw up more blood onto the floor. I used my right arm to grip onto Shikamaru's shoulder to lift myself up. I tasted the iron in my mouth and it lingered there.
I collapsed, my head resting on my best friend's shoulder. I looked up into his eyes, "I lost…didn't I?"
Shikamaru nodded, "Yeah, but you were fantastic." he told me, caressing my cheek.
I smiled weakly, "Yeah…" my vision was getting fuzzier by the second, I knew something was wrong, but my strength was leaving me faster than I could form words.
I took a ragged, shaky breath and coughed again.
"C'mon Kris, stay with me." Shikamaru told me, cradling me closer to him.
I gripped his upper bicep, gripping the fabric of his jacket. "I can't…" I whimpered, feeling tears come to my eyes.
"Yes you can, c'mon." Shikamaru moved to help me stand, but I halted him by tightening my grip.
"No I…I can't feel my legs." I admitted, and it was true. I couldn't feel my lower body at all.
Shikamaru looked at me with wide eyes. "You can move your arms right?" he asked. I nodded. "Okay, wrap them around my neck, c'mon."
"I'm so cold." I whimpered, turning my head into his chest.
"Here." Shikamaru shrugged his jacket off and draped it over my shoulders, and I slid my arms through the sleeves. "Now wrap your arms around my neck." I did so, gripping as tightly as I could. "Now easy. Nice and easy." he whispered, slowly lifting me into his arms and standing up. His arms rested under my knees and the middle of my back.
I kept my arms laced around his neck and my head buried in the nape of it. Shikamaru leaned down and kissed my forehead, "Stay with me Kris."
Shikamaru tightened his grip and set me on the stretcher, but I kept my arms locked around his neck. Shikamaru smiled down at me and planted a kiss on my forehead. I let my arms fall from his neck and they landed at my sides. The only thing that was keeping me upright were Shikamaru's arms around my upper back.
"I promise you, as soon as the Preliminaries are over, Choji and I will come see you." he told me, looking into my eyes. He moved one hand to cup my cheek, "I promise."
The last thing I remember is someone placing a kiss on my forehead and cupping my face. His lips were soft and his touch was gentle…and then…everything disappeared into darkness.
Shikamaru smiled back and pulled me into his chest, his arms latched around my waist. I wrapped my arms around his neck and laid my head in the nape of his neck, gripping him tightly.
"I will, I promise." he whispered in my ear. "And just know that I believe in you."
I sniffled, "I just can't loose you." I admitted, tightening my grip around his neck.
"You never will, I promised you remember." he reminded, chuckling. "I'll always be here for you. Never will you be without me."
I leaned into him and heard his heartbeat clearly. The rhythm was nice and steady, and in that moment, I felt so calm and so secure, I didn't want it to end. But, I knew we had a mission to complete, so I pulled away and looked into Shikamaru's eyes.
He brushed the tears from eyes and put his right thumb and index finger right under my chin, tilting my face a little higher. Shikamaru planted a kiss on my forehead and his lips lingered there for a few seconds, and his left hand clasped my right hand and interlocked our fingers. I closed my eyes and took in this moment.
"I'll see you soon, I promise." he whispered, brushing his nose against mine.
{End Flashbacks}
I gripped the headband around my necks and tried to hold the tears back. "I know he's gonna keep his promise and catch up to us just as soon as he knocks out those shinobi chasing us." I thought, removing any shred of doubt from my heart.
Pakkun took a sniff and sighed, "Huh, those ninja don't seem to be following us anymore." he pointed out.
"Alright, that means Shikamaru succeeded." Naruto said. "The delay tactic worked."
"Was there ever any doubt?" Choji asked, chuckling.
I giggled, "I told you so." I chided, smiling. I blinked and narrowed my eyes, "Now just survive and catch up to us when you can, because I strongly believe that I'm gonna need you should I have to use that technique."
I took a deep breath and sighed, "As for the matter at hand, Sasuke whatever you do, don't engage Gaara in battle until we find you." I begged.
Helena scoffed, "Knowing him, he'll already be in battle by the time we catch up to him."
I hoped she would be wrong.
Next time…
Helena: That chakra again, it can't be.
Kristin: Just like what we felt back at the arena.
Helena: If Gaara is unleashing that then there's no hope for any of us.
Kristin: Next time: Astonishing Truth; Pushed to the Edge!
Helena: I just hope we can make it in time before that monster is completely unleashed.
A/N: Surprise! Triple feature! I honestly didn't think I would finish this chapter today, but since I did, i'll upload it for you all^^ Hope you enjoy it and review please^
XOXO~Cyber
