Thiiiiirtyyyy chapterssss! Oh my gosh, thank you guys so much for sticking with me this long.

This chapter includes:

Bushy Brow's Jutsu: Sasuke Style!

Zero Hour: The Destruction of the Hidden Leaf Village Begins!

Village in Distress, A New A-Ranked Mission!

A Shirker's Call to Action: Layabout No More!

I crossed my arms, leaning my shoulder against the wall. Down in the arena below, were Sasuke and Gaara. I ignored Shikamaru and Naruto behind me, my head leaning against the wall as well. They were in their own conversation, talking about whatever, when a hand was laid on my shoulder. I turned around to look, and saw Kakashi standing behind me. I groaned, closing my eyes.

"Can't you just leave me alone?"

"Now why would I do that with you mad at me?" He asked simply. "Come here." He motioned his head behind us. I rolled my eyes and followed him back, away from the other finalists. When we were far enough away, he stopped, turning back to look at me. "What's going on?" I looked away.

"I don't know what you're talking about." Kakashi sighed.

"For once, don't be difficult. I know you're mad at me, I just don't understand why. Ever since the hospital-"

"Look Kakashi," I sighed back, looking away. "there's just a lot going on right now, and I'm trying to figure out how to handle it. I am mad that you wouldn't train Naruto or I, but it's whatever at this point. I'm more annoyed than anything." Kakashi nodded understandingly. "I don't know the other teachers as well, so you're the one I know the best, and I wanted you to train me, but when you didn't, I was mad. I'm sorry." I looked up at him apologetically. Kakashi put his hand on top of my head, ruffling my hair a little bit.

"I'm sorry too, Tessa. But hopefully, this will all be over soon, and we can go back to being a team." I nodded, rubbing one eye with my hand.

"All this fighting is exhausting." I whined. Kakashi let out a chuckle.

"I'm gonna go see Sakura while this match starts, okay?" I nodded, starting to turn around but stopping.

"Hey wait, Kakashi!" I stopped him before he disappeared.

"Hm?" He looked over his shoulder. I walked back over to him.

"Do you...do you think you could find out something for me?" His eyebrow furrowed. "Shino...he didn't show up for his match against Kankuro, and I was supposed to fight him. But, it's not like Shino to miss something like this. Could you see if you could find out if he's okay?" I asked, concerned. Kakashi nodded seriously.

"Yes, I'll see what I can find out for you." He nodded his head again once. "Good luck." He disappeared. I sighed, turning back around and joining Shikamaru and Naruto once again. They were leaning over the railing, watching Sasuke with anticipation. I walked over to the railing as well, leaning on it myself.

Not even 10 minutes later, Naruto stood up straight, looking at Shikamaru and I, me being distracted by just how fast Sasuke has gotten.

"Huh?" I looked at him. "What's wrong?"

"We gotta go talk to Kakashi-sensei! We have to go stop the match!" I stood up as well, looking at him in disbelief.

"What do you mean?! He's doing just fine, Naruto!" He grunted, and ran off, ignoring me.

"Hey, Naruto!" Shikamaru yelled, going after him. I groaned, smacking my hand on my forehead.

"You guys are gonna be the death of me." I looked up in the direction Naruto took off. "Dammit guys, hold it!" I ran after them.

We watched in amazement as Sasuke pierced the sand shield, his arm still in it. So that's what Kakashi and Sasuke were doing this entire time. Why can't I learn that?! I'd love to. Just watching Sasuke fight like that, that Jutsu was insane, and Sasuke was crazy fast.

Suddenly, the arena was filled with a bloodcurdling scream.

"BLOOOOOOOOD! IT'S MY BLOOOD!" My eyes widened as I watched the sand dome carefully, clenching my fists. I turned for a moment, and exchanged a frightened look with Shikamaru, who looked unsettled. I looked back to see Sasuke struggling to pull his arm out of the dome, despite all his effort.

"He's gotta get outta there!" I yelled, worried for Sasuke. The air around him filled yet again with lightning, Sasuke yelling and Gaara's screams yet again filling the arena. When he yanked his arm out, a long cream colored arm with bluish purple veins followed Sasuke, trying to grab him again. "W-What the hell is that?!" I shouted, feeling myself fill with fear, despite me trying not to. I felt a strong, terrible chakra start to grow, when I saw it. A large eye poked out of the opening of the hole, whatever it was letting out a roar.

The dome started cracking, and eventually was nothing but sand on the ground, Gaara panting for breath and gripping his shoulder which was bleeding. What the hell was that thing, and where did it go?!

While I was distracted, I wasn't distracted enough to feel myself getting drowsy, the arena feeling...fluffy. Like, feathers. I felt myself start to stumble, when I heard Kakashi.

"...Genjutsu." Genjutsu. Shit! I tried to focus enough to put my hands together, focusing my chakra.

"Release!" I said. Immediately the effect went away, and I felt so much better, already wide awake. Everyone else though, except a few ninja, were passed out. An explosion rumbled, drawing my attention along with Guy's and Kakashi's, whom also broke the Genjutsu. It was on the Hokage's location!

"Lord Hokage!" Guy shouted. "Leave it to me!" He started running in the direction of the Hokage, when ninja in brown and black robes raced past us to the Hokage. A race to the Hokage began up there, the ANBU ninja trying to get to him before four ninja brought up some kind of barrier. Wait...I might know those guys...

"That's a barrier ninjutsu.." Guy spoke up.

"They outwitted the ANBU Black Ops, and the ANBU are supposed to be the best."

"Then why are they not able to get through that barrier?" I asked sarcastically. I mean, if they're supposed to be the best... an ANBU then dropped in front of Kakashi and Guy as they started to run for the Hokage, stopping them.

"Why are you here? Lord Hokage's in danger!" The man stood up, making a handsign, suddenly joined by sound ninja.

"What a nuisance." Kakashi growled.

"An enemy masquerading as ANBU Black Ops."

"Its Kabuto!" I shouted, pulling out a kunai. The fake ANBU laughed, pulling off his mask.

"You're right. Somehow." He scowled at me.

"So this was your plan all along, was it Kabuto?!" I shouted angrily, wanting so badly to stab him right in the throat.

"More or less." He shrugged, a smile on his face. "Of course, after Dosu was killed, we had to get you in the match to take you down a notch, so we went ahead and poisoned that bug kid, so he wouldn't show up. But your Hokage pulled him out knowing something was wrong." My eyes widened. Shino. "Don't worry, he's still alive, just paralyzed." He smirked. "But you've got worst things on your plate, don't you Tessa?" I could feel my heart pounding at the fact that one of my worst enemies was standing in front of me and threatening me, but I had to push that fact back, seeing as how Lord Hokage was in danger.

"You're not gonna touch her." Kakashi stepped in front of me, protectively.

"K-Kakashi sensei.." I whispered, feeling grateful. Kabuto hm'd.

"No matter." Kabuto smirked. "It'll all be over soon."

"Kakashi, look, inside the barrier!" Guy said, catching all of our attention. I looked, and my heart might as well have stopped. Orochimaru was holding the Hokage with a kunai up to his throat.

"Orochimaru!" Sakura's voice shouted, making my head snap over towards her. I had been so focused on everything, I didn't even realize she had undone the Genjutsu on herself. "Hey Sasuke!" She turned, yelling at him. We both looked, noticing he wasn't even in the arena anymore. "He's...he's gone!" Sakura suddenly let out a gasp. My head turned, and I saw two of the sound ninja jumping to attack her. She put her hands over her head, waiting for the impact.

"Dammit Sakura!" I shouted and rushed to reach her before the sound ninja did. I didn't even have to worry about it. Kakashi stood on the back of the bench behind her, swiping both the ninja with two kunai that was in both of his hands, killing them. I let out a sigh in relief, as Kakashi looked down at her from his spot above her.

"Sakura." He gave a closed eye smile, or at least, I think so. "Just stay there while I trim the enemies numbers down to size." I grinned, showing my teeth.

"Don't count me out either!" I jumped for a sound ninja, ducking under his kunai and slicing his stomach with mine. Kakashi seemed to let out a sigh, either in relief or amusement, I'm not sure. "Kakashi, duck!" He dived down just in time as I threw a Kunai over his head, throwing it into a sound ninja's shoulder. A kunai aimed for my face was coming fast, but Kakashi jumped in front of me, quickly grabbing it and turning, throwing hit at another ninja and hitting him with a thud.

"Sakura, Tessa! Release the Genjutsu and wake Naruto and Shikamaru." I nodded, jumping back and getting closer to the boys. "Naruto will be excited. He'll be getting a mission after such a long time."

"What kind of mission?" Sakura asked, making me look at him.

"You'll have to be careful on this one. It's the first A-rank assignment since the Land of the Waves." I felt my nerves travel up and down my body, and nodded. I felt someone coming for Sakura, and jumped, slamming my foot into the bottom of their chin and throwing him up in the air. I spun as he came down, slamming my foot into his stomach, throwing him back.

"But Sensei, what are you doing? With this battle going on, why send us on a mission?"

"Sasuke's chasing Gaara and the other Sand ninja." I grabbed a kunai that was embedded in the seat, and threw it at a sound ninja, barely scraping his arm. "Release the Genjutsu, wake Naruto and Shikamaru, and follow Sasuke." I nodded, jumping over a kunai thrown at me, and using my chakra to catch it on the bottom of my foot, turning quick and kicking, sending it back where its came from.

"But then, shouldn't we wake Ino and Choji and go in a group?" She's not completely wrong.

"No time, I suspect that many sound and sand shinobi may have already infiltrated this village. Besides, if you have more than the five ninja we usually have essential to a squad, it takes longer to get anything done, and becomes more difficult to hide from the enemy. You did learn that in Academy patrol training, didn't you?"

"Of course! With four squad members, in our case five, that means you'll be coming with us, right?"

"No. I must not leave this place." Kakashi made hand signs, and put his hand down. "Summoning Jutsu!" There sat a dog with a little ninja jacket and a ninja headband. Awe, how cute! "Pakkun here will track Sasuke down by scent."

"Wait, seriously, our fourth member is a puppy?" Sakura asked in disbelief. The puppy jumped over to Sakura, and got close to her face.

"All right, listen, little girl. Don't you dare go around saying I'm just some cute puppy." I chuckled at this, patting him.

"Don't worry, I think you're cute, and besides, we gotta get going."

"Alright, it's time. Sakura, Tessa, go release the Genjutsu." Sakura and I nodded, before hurrying over to Shikamaru as Sakura went to Naruto.

"Release." I touched Shikamaru. He didn't even stir. I leaned over him, gently shaking him.

"Get down!" I suddenly hear Sakura shout, making me turn and look. A kunai went just over Naruto's head, Sakura pushing him to the ground. I watched as it hit the wall above Shikamaru's feet, making me scowl. I turned back to Shikamaru, shaking him gently again.

"Shika, get up, we gotta go." I leaned down, listing to see if he was even breathing. I could feel heat rising from his face, but his eyes were closed, him not even moving. Then his eyes twitched the slightest bit. "Shikamaru, get up, I know you're awake!" I scolded. Before I could say anything else, Pakkun came over and bit Shikamaru on the leg. Shikamaru immediately sat up, yelling in pain and trying to shake Pakkun off of him.

"Ha! Serves you right!" I smirked teasingly.

"You released Genjutsu too, you faker!" Sakura scolded, pointing at him. "Why were you pretending to be asleep this whole time?" Shikamaru grabbed Pakkun by the back of his tiny jacket, holding him.

"I didn't want to get involved." I rolled my eyes. "Just give me a break." He pulled at Pakkun's face. "I couldn't care less about Sasuke." He let go of Pakkun's face, who immediately bit Shika's hand, making him yell in pain again.

"Stop playing with him, and he'll stop biting you!" I gently grabbed Pakkun, pulling him off of Shikamaru and holding him to my chest. My eyes widened, and I lifted my hand, shoving backwards by his chest. "Down!" I fell back with him just in time as a kunai embeds itself right where Shikamaru and I was. Pakkun hopped out of my arms and off my chest, right as a ninja appeared behind Naruto, trying to slam a kunai into his neck. "Behind you Naruto!" I sat up and reached out towards him, but a yell interrupted me, before a shape of green went past us, rumbling vibrating the ground where we were at as Guy slammed the ninja into the wall.

"So...fast.." The ninja barely got out.

"Not just fast, powerful." Guy pushed the guy, creating a huge hole in the wall next to us, making me widen my eyes.

"Guy Sensei!" Sakura said in surprise, before Kakashi landed behind us.

"Now, I'll explain the mission. As soon as I do, go through that opening. First, track down Sasuke and stop him. Then find a safe location and await further orders."

"Did something happen to Sasuke?" Naruto asked.

"I'll tell you what happened on the way." Sakura crawled over and said. "Now let's go!" She grabbed Naruto and pulled him out jumping away with him.

"Why me? What a drag." Shikamaru groaned. I rolled my eyes.

"Come on Shika, the village is under attack and we have a job to do." I grabbed his hand, standing up and pulling him up, before jumping out the hole, still pulling him by his hand, Pakkun following behind us. After a moment, I realized I still had Shikamaru's hand, a blush covering my face, and decided to let go of Shikamaru's hand, still continuing on.

Shikamaru and I caught up to Sakura, just as she finished explaining what happened.

"I get it, so that's what happened." Naruto acknowledged. "I guess Sasuke got all impatient."

"Oh man! Why did you have to pull me into all of this? I mean, it's such a drag."

"We're ninja Shikamaru, this is what we do. Besides, it'll be fun!" I shouted, jumping over him and laughing, landing in front of them but still running.

"It can't be helped, okay? It's Kakashi-Sensei's order!" Sakura added behind me.

"This way!" Pakkun shouted, making me halt before following him along with the others. I slowed down behind Shikamaru to keep an eye out behind us, just in case anyone decided to follow us.

"How long till we catch up?" Naruto asked.

"I don't know. A long time if they keep moving at this pace."

"Ugh, come on." Naruto complained. My eyes widened, and I turned my head over my shoulder, feeling a number of people trailing us.

"Come on you guys, hurry it up!" Pakkun suddenly shouted.

"What is it?" Sakura asked.

"We've got company!" I responded to her, still watching behind us as we continued on.

"There are two squads behind us! That's eight ninja. Wait...No, there's one more. That's nine ninja following us." I gritted my teeth, looking back at Pakkun.

"Shit.." I mumbled.

"Aw, man. Come on already. Give me a break here."

"It looks like they haven't discovered us yet. We need to lose them." Pakkun came to a stop on the ground, the rest of us stopping behind him. Naruto yelled in annoyance.

"Why are we stopping?!" Pakkun turned his head towards us.

"Zip it and follow me." Pakkun started walking backwards. "We're going back over our footprints. If we pull this off, our footprints will seem to disappear. I nodded, following his direction and backing up in my own footsteps with the others.

"Ugh, is this really gonna do anything?" Naruto asked in annoyance. "I mean, they'd have to be pretty lame ninja if this throws them off the trail."

"It'll help buy us some time. That's all we need now." Pakkun replied from the tree branch we jumped off from. "But if our pursuers get impatient, succumb to the thrill of the chase, and lose sight of our tracks, I certainly won't complain. Know what I mean?"

"Hurry up!" Sakura shouted at Naruto from the tree branch where we were at.

"We don't have all day, you know." Shikamaru said from beside me. I rolled my eyes.

"Shut up, you guys aren't helping." I said with narrowed eyebrows. Naruto reached the branch where we were at, and we took off after Pakkun. It was quiet for a moment before he spoke again.

"This is not good. Be prepared for an ambush. They're definitely back on our trail." Shikamaru groaned.

"Great. They're probably all chunin or higher. We'll be wiped out if they catch us."

"Listen guys, we don't have much choice. We're gonna have to ambush them." Naruto stated.

"An ambush?" Sakura asked. "That could work. It would give us an advantage. Even if there are twice as many of them as there are of us, if we can just catch them off-guard."

"No, it's no good. I'm afraid that those ninja chasing us are Orochimaru's henchmen. My guess is that they're all Jonin level." I gritted my teeth again, looking back behind us.

"I really thought that would work." Shikamaru replied, him gritting his teeth as well. "But I guess it won't."

"Wait, hold on, why not?" Sakura asked. I turned around, continuing after the rest of them while watching our backs, listening as Shikamaru explained the effectiveness of the ambush, which wouldn't let it be in our favor. I pulled some explosive tags out of my pouch and attached them to some of my kunai, throwing them into the bottom of the branches. They would go off when the ninja got close, and while it may not be much, it's something.

"...a diversion that only looks like it's an ambush. So one of us is gonna stay behind and slow them down."

"One of us will be a decoy." Sakura said in realization.

"That's right." Shikamaru replied. "If one of us can delay them, they shouldn't be able to find the rest of us. We'll be able to escape. Of course, the one who acts as a decoy will probably die." Everyone started holding their breath, as we stopped on a branch.

"Guess that's me." I gave a challenging grin to the rest. Naruto looked at me with wide eyes, as did Sakura.

"What? No way!" Naruto yelled, his hands clenching into fists.

"What are you talking about?!" Sakura asked, worry lacing her words. "You can't stay here!" I crossed my arms across my chest.

"Do you have any better ideas?" I asked, narrowing my eyes. They didn't say anything. Not even Shikamaru. "Yeah, that's what I thought. Look, I didn't even fight in the exams, so I still have a full chakra reserve. And if nothing else.." I raised my right hadn't, a small black ball of magic appearing around my hand. I made it disappear, looking at the other Genin seriously. "I'll be fine. Besides, I'll get the fight I wanted." I smirked. "But you guys have to go." Shikamaru finally spoke up.

"I'm the only one who can do it." He sighed. I looked at him with a raised eyebrow.

"Excuse me?"

"I'm the only one who's got a chance of pulling off this decoy act. And of surviving this attack." I dropped my arms, clenching my fists.

"No you're not! I can pull this off too! Maybe not as well as you, but you know what. I can do!" I shouted. "Besides, you have close to no chakra left!" Shikamaru jumped over me, landing behind me.

"Look, Shadow Possession Jutsu was invented as a delay tactic. I can catch up with you guys later." I growled angrily. There was no way he was gonna do this on his own. "Come on, get going." He added.

"I'm staying." I replied, planting my feet on the tree branch I was on, not budging.

"What? No, you can't. Naruto and Sakura is gonna need your help." I shook my head, looking at Naruto.

"Naruto, I trust you. I know you can get Sasuke and stay safe. I'm sorry, but I'm staying. Shikamaru isn't doing this on his own." Naruto sent a grin, giving a thumbs up.

"We'll get him. We're counting on you guys!" Shikamaru groaned.

"Why do you have to be so stubborn?" He asked, slight annoyance in his voice. I chuckled, landing next to him and putting an arm on his shoulder.

"You love me." I joked. Shikamaru sighed, raising his right hand in a wave to Naruto and Sakura.

"What a drag."

Shikamaru sighed, looking up at the clouds. He was squatting next to the trunk of a tree, as I knelt down on one knee. I got up, a kunai in my hand as I hid behind the tree, Shikamaru preparing to catch them. I froze as I heard the sound ninja come to a stop near us, taking softly. I hopped up on a branch above Shikamaru and the ninja, getting ready. One of the ninja stood to walk, but froze, Shikamaru catching him in his Shadow Possession Jutsu.

"Oops, sorry." Shikamaru said lazy and sarcastically. "I was supposed to be the guy who didn't want to get involved. But I Guess I'm not quite what you had expected, am I? You're right about one thing. I'm tired. On everything else, you're wrong." He lifted up a couple sticks he had, in the shape of paw prints. "Like our footprints, this is what I used to make the paw prints." I glanced down at the ground to see Shikamaru's shadow start to weaken already, making me hold my kunai tight, getting ready.

"He's just a kid."

"I can't believe we got caught by this."

"So this is the Leaf Shadow Paralysis Jutsu we've heard about, huh?" Shikamaru chuckled.

"Yeah. If you want to call it by that old name. But I'm afraid you're behind the times. Now it's called Shadow Possession Jutsu, old man." I knelt down, seeing Shikamaru pant tiredly, trying to catch his breath. He pulled out some Shurikan and kunai, preparing to throw it. But, there's only eight, which means the other one is hiding somewhere, since Pakkun said there were nine. As soon as he threw the weapons, kunai was thrown down, blocking them. I looked up for where the weapons came from. That's where he's hiding.

I looked to see Shikamaru attempt to spread his shadow to get the other ninja, but it stopped five feet from him. He's too exhausted.

"It's futile kid. I see through your technique. It looks like you're at your limit. This Shadow Possession Jutsu of yours is going to fail soon. So prepare yourself." I quietly hopped up the tree, making sure not to make any sounds.

I saw the ninja above Shikamaru, and grinned evilly. I landed behind the ninja, and slammed my kunai into his throat, making him shudder, and his body shake. He gripped his neck, blood soaking his hands and his clothes, him leaning against the tree that we were on. I glared down at him, hearing the ninja below.

"Hey! Come on out! And when you do, cut off his head!" I chuckled, pushing my foot against the guy's body, and shoved him off of the tree, his body slamming into the ground. The ninja around Shikamaru gasped in shock, me landing in front of Shikamaru with a thud, kneeling on one knee. I tilted my head up and smirked.

"Someone call for a murder? I can do that." I stood, pulling out kunai between all my fingers for all eight ninja.

"What?!" A sound ninja yelled. I threw all eight kunai at the ninja, who easily blocked it with their own. I started quickly making handsigns, realizing that I needed to end this quickly.

"Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu!" I shouted, holding my hand in front of my mouth, breathing out a large fireball. I saw the ninja dodge around it, one aiming a kunai at my back. I ducked under it, throwing a blade of magic at the man, slicing open his chest, him screaming.

"What the hell was that?!" Another ninja yelled.

"Find out for yourself!" I reached my hand out, a large black magic hand appearing out like an extension, grabbing one ninja. He yelled out in surprise, and screamed as my magic squeezed his body, a sickening crunch filling the air. I started to feel the darkness building up in me, me putting a hand on my head.

"Tessa, stop!" Shikamaru shouted, clearly worried. I ignored him, but started making more handsigns.

"Fire Style: Phoenix Flower Jutsu!" I blew out little balls of fire at the ninja.

"Ninja art: Sound Wave!" A sound ninja yelled, pointing his hands at my balls of fire. A gust of wind it felt like blew my way, blowing out the fireballs. I smirked, Shurikan revealing itself inside of them. Sasuke taught me that one. "Shurikan inside the fire!" The sound ninja dodged my Shurikan except one, him getting hit in the forehead with it.

Three down, five to go.

"Stop her!" A ninja yelled. I felt two ninja move, both getting behind me. I turned quickly to throw kunai, when I saw one throwing one for Shikamaru.

"No!" I moved quickly, standing in front of him and taking the kunai, it piercing me in the shoulder. I let out a yell in pain, Shikamaru's eyes widening at me. I turned, making more hand signs. "Ninja art: Shadow Heart Wielder!" I felt the handle of a large mallet form in my hands, my magic flowing itself and combining with my chakra. I let out a strained grin, holding the mallet over my shoulder. "Who's first?"

A sound ninja in front of me moved, and I took that as my chance, disappearing quickly, despite my bleeding shoulder, and slammed my mallet down. The ninja disappeared before I hit him, my mallet slamming into the ground. A ninja appeared behind me and before I could react, a foot slammed into my back, making me let go of the shadow mallet and slamming me forward onto the ground, me sliding to a stop at the trunk of a tree. I groaned as I tried to push myself up, starting to feel the pain.

"You're nothing but a sad little genin." I looked up to see a ninja going after Shikamaru, but I forced myself up.

"Leave him alone!" I swiped my left hand towards the ninja, a sharp bar of my magic flying at them. It sliced one ninja, barely injuring him, but missed the others. A kick aimed at my stomach made contact, making me yell in pain, blood spurting out of my mouth as I hit the ground on my stomach, my arms giving way underneath me.

"Tessa!" Shikamaru shouted, stepping forward.

"S-Stay back!" I yelled back at him. He has no chakra, he can't get into this fight.

I could help you.. I chuckled internally, spitting out blood.

Yeah right, like I'm gonna let you out. Itama growled, his voice getting louder in my head.

If you die, I die..

Do I look dead yet? I snapped, ignoring the pain in my stomach.

You will be if you don't let me help you... I shook my head, both in response to Itama, and to shake off the pain.

"Look at you. You're just a pathetic kunoichi. You can't even stand up." I growled, pushing myself to a stand, my arms shaking.

"You wanna bet?" I panted, looking at all of the ninja. Five left. I built up my chakra in my right hand, glaring at all of them. "Try this on for size!" I jumped, slamming my hand into the ground. The ground beneath my fist cracked, creating a crater beneath the ninja. As they started to sink, I jumped, slamming my chakra filled fist into one ninja, slamming him into a tree. He hit it with a sickening thunk, and fell to the ground, motionless.

I don't have much chakra left, and I don't know if I can protect both Shikamaru and I. I don't want to have to resort to my magic, but I might have no choice. I looked back at Shikamaru, looking him in the eye. We might be dead in the next few minutes. I think he understood.

Then, his eyes widened.

"Look out!" My head snapped around to see a ninja in front of me, a kunai in his hand. It was aimed at my face. I gasped, backing up and turning my head slightly, the kunai slicing my cheek instead. I backed up, my hand pressed against my cheek. It was just a scratch, luckily.

"If you keep getting distracted, you're going to end up dead." The sound ninja warned. I gritted my teeth, making another handsign.

"Fire Style-"

"I don't think so!" A sound ninja said, coming to my right. I turned my head in what felt like slow motion. The ninja had a kunai in his hand, aiming at me with a punch. I went to block it, but someone swept me off my feet, making my eyes widen. I landed on my back with a thud, the sound ninja with the kunai sitting on top of me, the kunai on my throat. "It's over, little girl!" He smirked. I looked at him with wide eyes, looking over at Shikamaru. He made an attempt to run to me, but was blocked by another ninja.

"Uhuh. You're mine." The ninja grinned, holding up a kunai. I built chakra in my right hand, attempting to slam it into the guy's cheek above me, but he grabbed my arm, pushing it down and stabbing the kunai through my right arm, making me scream in agony.

"Tessa!" Shikamaru shouted, eyes widening. I gritted my teeth, looking over to see the kunai stuck in my arm, pinning it to the ground. It had went all the way through.

"No more of that super strength stuff, you're done." The man leaned forward on top of me, his hands pressing to my throat. I felt the pressure of his hands on my throat, me starting to struggle to breath. I grabbed at his hands with my good left hand, scratching and attempting to get him off.

"Get off of her!" Shikamaru shouted. I reached over, yanking the kunai out of my arm, and slamming it into the ninja's elbow, making him let go of me and scream out in pain.

"Goddammit!" He slammed a punch into my cheek, nearly knocking me out. I looked over at Shikamaru, my vision going in and out. "I'm gonna kill you!" The ninja above me yelled, his voice barely audible in my ears. Before I realized it, I was suddenly off the ground, a pair of arms holding me. I tilted my head back to see Asuma-sensei holding me, a lit cigarette in his mouth, and an angry look on his face.

"Well, I finally caught up with you guys." He said, his voice shaking with anger. "You beat up one of my students. You're dead."

"Asuma! How did you..?" I heard Shikamaru say next to us. Asuma ignored him, and bent down slightly.

"Here, take her." he said, gently handing me off to Shikamaru. "I got this." Shikamaru's arms carefully picked me up, my vision still going in and out.

"S..Shikamaru?" I asked softly. "Was...was that Asuma?" Shikamaru nodded.

"Yeah. It was. You're an idiot." Shikamaru said, glaring down at me. I chuckled, feeling blood run down my mouth.

"Yeah, yeah, tell me something I don't know." I said softly, closing my eyes. I reopened them to see Shikamaru glaring down at me. Well, not me, my arm. "I have bandages in my pouch.." I reached back with my left arm, pulling it off. Shikamaru nodded, opening it and taking out some bandages I had in there, sitting me on the ground letting me lay down, and carefully wrapping it around my arm. I let out cries of pain at the slightest touch, and I was biting my lip to stop myself from screaming in pain.

"You shouldn't have done any of that." I smirked up at him, feeling sweat beading on my forehead.

"What, and let them kill you? Not when I can do something about it." Shikamaru's face softened, him looking at me, before looking back down at my arm.

"We gotta get you to some medics." I turned my head to my left, seeing Asuma slam his fists into the ninja, his hands holding chakra blades.

"I kinda wanna watch Asuma beat the shit out of them." I chuckled lightly, before coughing up some blood.

"Well, we're not going anywhere without his help anyway." Shikamaru replied, looking up. "Ugh, what a drag, you're bleeding too much." Right after he said that, Asuma stopped in front of us, sighing.

"You're done already?" I asked, slightly disappointed. "No fair, it took me forever to hurt these guys." I whined, my voice weak. Asuma looked back at me, his eyes narrowed.

"You're injured. They got you good, didn't they?" I nodded.

"I don't think I can use my right arm right now.." I looked at the bandages, blood soaking them.

"You did well. Both of you." Shikamaru relaxed next to me, his left hand on my right shoulder.

"Yeah, but it was way too much work." Shikamaru complained, looking down at me. "Besides, she's the one who took them all out." Asuma looked back at us.

"Take her back to the village. She needs medical attention." I groaned, forcing myself up with my left hand, Shikamaru trying to stabilize me by holding me up on my back.

"W-Wait...Naruto..and the others.." Asuma shook his head.

"No. You're too injured. You won't be able to do anything." I scowled at my lap angrily.

"There's gotta be something we can do. Naruto is on his own with Sakura, chasing after Sasuke who is chasing after Gaara." Asuma shook his head once again.

"You are injured, you're no match to go after them." He scolded, making me look back down at my lap. I looked back up.

"What if-"

"No, Tessa!" He shouted, making me wince. "You are injured. You need medical attention, and unless you have enough chakra, there's no way you're gonna be anything but a burden to Naruto and them." I winced at that too, looking back down at my lap. "Look, I know you want to help..but you guys just need some rest. I'll see if I can send a medical ninja this way. But don't move." He said. I nodded, sighing. Shikamaru nodded as well.

"We'll get in the trees in case anyone else comes this way." He put his arms underneath my back and legs, lifting me up. Asuma nodded.

"Stay out of sight. I'll have someone out here soon." Shikamaru nodded before jumping up, hiding in the tree above us, and gently set me down. I looked down at my right arm, wincing at the slightest bit of movement.

"Here," Shikamaru touched it to elevate it, but I let out a cry of pain, tears flowing down my face uncontrollably.

"Don't, don't!" I screamed, making Shikamaru rip his hand away. I let out a shuddered breath, trying to breath through the pain. "P-Please don't." I whispered, looking up at him. He looked so miserable looking at me.

"I'm sorry." He replied. "I'm not trying to hurt you." I closed my eyes, swallowing the lump in my throat.

"I know." He moved me the slightest bit, making me wince, but say nothing.

"You shouldn't have done that." He repeated from earlier, making me sigh.

"I know. I know. But I wasn't gonna let them hurt you."

"Yeah, and now look at you." He narrowed his eyes down at me. "You're barely together now." I shook my head, looking up at him.

"I'd do it all over again." I said, my voice unwavering. He looked down at me in disbelief.

"Why? Why would you do that?" He asked in surprise. I shook my head, almost in disbelief that he would even ask that.

"Because I care about you, that's why!" I shouted out. I stopped, realizing what I said, and then looked away, feeling my cheeks heat up. Shikamaru said nothing, letting out a sigh.

"What a drag." He whispered. We were quiet for some time, not saying anything before I start to feel the blood soak my entire arm, leaking out of the bandages. Right after that, I felt myself shaking, getting cold which I knew wasn't a good sign.

"S-Shikamaru.." I whispered, making him look down at me with raised eyebrows. "I-I'm getting cold.." I whispered, fear lacing my words. He looked more alarmed after hearing this.

"Shit." He picked me up under my arms, despite me crying out in pain, and pulled me closer. He sat me next to him, leaning my back against the tree, and made my left arm wrap around his neck, leaning my head on his shoulder. "I should've grabbed my jacket." I gave a tiny smirk.

"Yeah...like that'd keep me warm.." I closed my eyes, feeling content with just me and Shikamaru right here.

"Hey. Stay awake." Shikamaru shook me, making me open my eyes.

"I'm just tired, that's all.." I mumbled, turning my head to look at him. His face was inches from mine, and I could feel the heat radiating from it. I leaned my head forward, feeling my forehead touch his cheek. "Wake me up when the medic gets here.." I mumbled again.

"Hey. Hey, Tessa!" I didn't answer, falling quickly into unconsciousness, his voice fading.