"Hey! Snap out of it!" Shikamaru noticed Choji's voice after snapping out of his daydream just in time to jump out of the way of one of their opponent's tails as they swung wildly around, knocking out many of his comrades. He snarled slightly, annoyed with himself for getting so sidetracked, and by a girl no less.
"Thanks, Choji." Come on. Get your head out of the clouds. You need to come up with a strategy to get rid of this thing before- Just as he started to focus, his father's voice interrupted his thoughts. Speaking to him from headquarters, Shikaku informed his son of an impeding strategy, and their impending deaths. A look of shock was replaced with pain as he heard his father speak, telling him that if his plan didn't work, he and Ino would inevitably have to take over the reins as the brain of the ninja alliance.
When he opened his eyes, he saw his blonde haired teammate, frozen in shock before him. The world seemed to go quiet as a purple mass shot over them like a comet and illuminated the sky when it struck the building that served as a base for headquarters. The silence was broken by Choji, who could find no words other than his best friend's name. "Shikamaru..."
"We're in the middle of a war," Shikamaru growled, still attempting to bury the pain from suddenly losing his father, "So, don't waste any words on me... or on Ino." He watched as Ino wiped the tears from her eyes and straightened herself, seemingly ready to fight again. "We have to do what we have to do... just like Dad said."
After painfully swallowing their grief, Team ten assumed formation, ready to initiate their predecessors' plan while Inoichi and Shikaku's words rang through their heads.
"Never forget that we live on inside of you... forever."
"Don't forget."
"Now then, Sasuke... What next?" Sasuke stood, his head flooded with memories of his older brother after listening to the past Hokage's explanation of Konaha's history with the Uchiha clan. It took him a moment to answer Orochimaru's question, but he eventually looked down at his younger sister then back to Hashirama who was seated in front of him like a true storyteller.
"I'm going to head to the battle field." Sasuke finally spoke, causing Sakaria to smile wide. "I won't let the village and Itachi become nothing."
Sakaria's smile was joined with Hashirama's as he stood, "It's decided! Tobirama, prepare to fly us outside."
"I'd love to use flying raijin, but I'm bound right now." Tobirama responded. His brother, suddenly remembering the person who'd resurrected them, turned to face the group before him again.
"Orochimaru was it? What will you do now?"
"I believe you said earlier you'd stay with Sasuke, didn't you?" Sarutobi spoke to his former pupil, hoping that he would stay true to his word for once.
"Of course. We shall accompany him," Orochimaru confirmed. Despite his soothing tone, Suigetsu, who had been standing by listening just as the rest of his group had, objected fearfully.
"Jugo! Are y-"
"I'll go with them too. After all, it's my duty to protect Sasuke," Jugo interrupted, looking down at his squeamish friend.
Suigetsu's words caught in his throat as he looked over at Sakaria who was still standing faithfully by her brother, a look of admiration in her eyes. An unconvincing grin crossed his face. Four mighty zombies and three monsters!? If I tag along, I'm gonna die for sure...I'm making a break for it when I get the chance.
After their small regime was teleported outside, they stood at the top of the stone faces, looking over Konaha. While the Hokage all reminisced about their time in the village, Suigetsu seized the moment to tug at Sakaria's hand. She turned to him, her black eyes curious while her friend inched his way further from the group. "Suigetsu?" She questioned, not pulling her hand away from him.
"C'mon, Fireball, let's get outta here. Now's our chance!" He goaded, attempting to pull her toward him. Sakaria stood still like a stubborn mule and retracted her small, pale hand.
"No way, Suigetsu! I'm going with Sasuke!" She whispered harshly, glaring at him for even making such a suggestion. "If you don't wanna help, then fine! Get outta here you coward!" Suigetsu felt the sting of her insult and sighed, not really wanting to leave her to die.
"C'mon. I think they've got this handled. Between the four Hokage, Orochimaru, Jugo, and your crazy brother, we'll just be pawns. In the way. Let's make a break for it before we get killed!" Sakaria thought about it for a moment, then swallowed the fear manifesting inside of her.
"I'm staying with Sasuke," She repeated as she turned back to her brother. She didn't even bother telling her companion goodbye.
Suigetsu snarled a little then turned, attempting to run away as fast as he could. It's now or never! Just as he thought he'd made his getaway, a foot crashed down on his head, causing him to fall to the ground although the blow was sustained by his water transformation jutsu. "WHAT THE HELL!?"
In an instant, his old teammate was crouched over him, taking her anger out on his chest as she screamed, "SO IT REALLY WAS YOU, SASUKE! I SENSED YOUR CHAKRA AND I COULDN'T HARDLY BELIEVE IT TIL I SHOWED UP HERE AND WHAT DO I FIND!?" She landed one final blow at Suigetsu, slamming both fists down on his chest with a splash.
"Karin," Sasuke said, turning toward the redhead in a show of slight surprise.
"My, my. So many of my best experiments all together in one place," Orochimaru purred with a smug smile on his face.
Sakaria stood firmly beside Sasuke, not saying anything. She recognized the girl beating up her runaway friend from when she had been brought to Konoha on the brink of death. "So, that's Karin," She mumbled, her eyes not leaving the red haired barbarian who was huffing for breath after her shrieking entrance. Suigetsu was right, she is annoying... Why would she attack Suigetsu but yell at Sasuke?... Even still though, serves him right for trying to chicken out. The Uchiha girl thought.
"JERK! I'LL NEVER FORGIVE YOU!" Karin shouted upon standing, stomping her foot into Suigetsu's unmoving torso.
"I'm sorry, Karin," Sasuke apologized simply. Sakaria looked up at him and noted the lack of regret or empathy in his voice.
"BASTARD! YOU THINK... an apology... will get you off the hook for...what... you... did... to... me..." Her voice lessened to a squeak as she struggled to stay angry. "Good for nothing..." A blush crept over the redhead's face as she stared at the Uchiha man.
"I see you still have a weakness for Sasuke, Karin," Orochimaru teased.
In an instant, Karin was inches away from them, pointing her finger indignantly in her master's face. "Just listen, Lord Orochimaru," she demanded harshly, "Sasuke had the nerve to stab me! Do you believe that!?" She whined. Sakaria couldn't help but think she sounded like a child, running to tattle to her father because someone wasn't playing nicely.
"Me too, dear. Quite a coincidence," Orochimaru teased, smiling. "But now I'm cooperating with Sasuke. This is perfect... You can come help us too."
"Whaaaat..." Karin quickly melted toward her black haired love interest and leaned against his chest affectionately, "Well, I guess I have no choice." She erupted into a series of giggles until Sakaria spoke up.
"Does she always change her tune this quickly?" The Uchiha girl finally asked, raising an eyebrow at her older brother who was busy attempting not to fall over from Karin's affectionate gestures which he was not returning.
Suddenly, a dark glint came over the redhead's glasses, and she eyed Sakaria up and down with a suspicious anger. "HEY WAIT A MINUTE! JUST WHO IS THIS! I'M GONE FOR JUST A MOMENT AND YOU RUN OFF AND FIND A NEW GIRL HUH!? WHAT'S SO SPECIAL ABOUT THIS ONE!? YOU THINK SHE'S BETTER THAN ME, HUH!? IS THAT IT!?"
"Even if that was the case, I couldn't blame him since you never seem to stop shrieking," Sakaria replied, cooly crossing her arms over her chest as she looked at Karin with annoyance.
"WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY TO ME! JUST WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE!? I'LL KILL YOU, YOU LITTLE GOODY TWO SHOES BIT-" Karin, who had started to charge at Sakaria, was quickly cut off by her opponent as she kicked her in her mouth. After flying a few feet through the air, she landed on her back, confused as to what had just happened. She then sat up to look at Sakaria, who was still standing in the same place she had been before.
"Sasuke, I didn't know you were so bad with a sword," she teased, looking at her brother.
"Hm?" Sasuke questioned, raising an eyebrow back to her.
"Well, you'd have to have pretty shitty swordsmanship if you got the chance to stab this thing and it's still alive." Sasuke suppressed a laugh while Karin hopped back to her feet and pointed at the girl.
"NOW LISTEN HERE YO-"
"That's enough, Karin," Sasuke reprimanded. "You don't have to like her, but you do have to respect her. Now... let's get moving."
Respect her!? She sure as hell isn't acting very respectful to me! Karin thought, pouting like a child.
"Hey, Suigetsu!" Sakaria shouted as Suigetsu laid still on the ground in a gelatinous puddle, "Quit being a guppy and let's go!"
Suigetsu sighed and looked on as Karin rejoined their group indignantly. Four mighty zombies, three monsters, and now an idiot. I bet Madara'll be shocked too. Soon after that thought went through his head, he looked up to see Sakaria knelt beside him, smiling. He hadn't seen such pure joy cross her face before now, and he knew it must have been because she was finally reunited with her brother. Still, something was pulling him to follow her, even if it meant dying in the process. He couldn't let her go to war without being beside her. "You sure you wanna go on this suicide mission?" Suigetsu sighed in a last ditch effort to convince her to abandon the idea although he knew it wouldn't work.
"Who's afraid of the unknown now?" Sakaria beamed, reaching her hand out. Suigetsu solidified himself, then took her hand and stood up, an unsure grimace crossing his face as he scratched the back of his neck.
"You really are a huge pain in my ass, ya know that?" He murmured. I can't believe I'm marching off to slaughter for this girl... Did she put me in some kind of genjutsu? I really must've lost it. His thoughts were interrupted when Sakaria leaned in a kissed his cheek.
"Don't run off on me, now." Sakaria said, using the words he had said to her before to mock him playfully. Suigetsu, much to his surprise, felt an unfamiliar heat rise up in his face while his stomach knotted up. He looked away from her only for a moment before bringing his hand back to her shoulder and running his thumb over the bite mark he had placed on her which was still hidden by her hair.
"Let's get going, girlie, before I change my mind." The two exchanged a genuine smile with one another, happy to have had even a small moment to themselves before they went to battle.
Several yards away, however, Sasuke stood, peering over his shoulder at his sister. His protective nature caused him to snarl slightly at the encounter he was witnessing, but he turned, trying to focus on the battle at hand, and not the one being waged in his head.
If the war doesn't kill him, I just might...