Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or any of its characters. They belong to Masashi Kishimoto. This story is purely a work of fanfiction.

Nina- is my original character (I do own her)


Chapter 106


Finally, when Shikamaru arrived at the hospital with Kurenai, he was greeted by his father with a no-nonsense look. The light above the treatment room was still a blazing red meaning they were still inside tending to his Sensei. Shikaku swayed his head from side to side- meaning he'd had no update. Shikamaru took up a seat next to Kurenai.

Protect the King.

Well, he'd done that. Once he'd got over being a stunned mullet, he'd ran to Kurenai who was completely overwhelmed by the events. These things came with the territory when you pursued the life of a shinobi but Shikamaru was still inexperienced. Comparatively, Nina had launched into action without hesitation. He supposed that was why she was a medic and not he.

He thunked his head against the wall behind him. No. Regardless he was a shinobi.

Shinobi Rule 13: Hesitation is death.

Sitting here in the starkness of the hospital it brought Shikamaru back to his first mission as a Chunin to bring Sasuke back. The one he had failed terribly; resulting in his teammates needing lifesaving treatment. Hmpf. Tilting his head back upright. Temari had been there. Sitting directly across from him as he twiddled his fingers awaiting any news of Neji and Choji. Looking up he caught his father's stern eyes. He'd broken down. His father had lectured him. Reminding him of the reality of their chosen life.

A tactician yes, but if he could avoid unnecessary work then Shikamaru exploited that wherever possible. He'd worked hard to ensure his next missions would be a success. That his friends would never suffer like they had. And Asuma had helped him achieve that. Now, it was his Sensei that was in trouble. Dammit. He wasn't strong enough.

On limited sleep he'd arrived at first light as instructed by the Fifth. They had, as they always did, set up the shogi board. Shikamaru thought back to the morning. Nothing particularly stood out to indicate anything was out of place or that a few hours following his arrival that his beloved Sensei's life would be at stake.

Casting his eyes over Kurenai she was silent and still. Yep, she was still in shock. His eyes travelled down her front to the small bulge of her growing stomach. The King. Words were pointless and Naara men weren't known for false pleasantries. The reality was as stark as the hallway they sat in. Asuma could die.

The silence was broken with the squalls from beyond the door of treatment room one. They were loud enough that his father even moved to avoid any unnecessary collision.


"Nina, I said cease treatment!"

Tsunade had her hands full clearing away the equipment they had been using so that they could begin the next process. Her subordinate was blatantly ignoring her, instead was staring her down.

Shinobi Rule 20: A Shinobi must never question their commander.

The blood drained from her body hearing the command. She still had her wits about her and she wasn't going to take this one laying down. How could she? And how the hell could she expect her to?

Tch.

Nina lunged over to the nearby bowl of food pills and scoffed two. She practically inhaled them causing her to cough as they made their way down. She returned to Asuma's lungs.


"Nina!" Her subordinate again ignored her. Tsunade threw the metal kidney dish she had in her left hand across the room. "Get out. Everyone out."

"But Mellady…" Sakura meekly spoke out concerned about leaving just the Fifth and Nina for these final minutes.

"I said out."

The room emptied.


"What's going on in there?"

Sakura kept silent and left the information relay to Shizune.

"Nina and Lady Tsunade are still finalising…" Shizune realised that Kurenai was sitting behind Shikamaru and quickly re-evaluated her next words. "It's best we wait for Lady Tsunade."

Shikaku was leaning up against the wall near the seat where his son had been sitting. He kept his head down, eyes closed and arms crossed across his chest.

"Just tell us already!"

"Shikamaru."

What a drag. They deserved to know. Shizune said finalising that means… he fist balled tight at his sides, turning his skin white.


Once the door clicked shut Tsunade stepped over to pull Nina away. She instantly jumped over the other side of the bed. This was juvenile. Such behaviour she would normally expect from the likes of Naruto not Nina.


"Did you…" Nina increased the follow of chakra before shooting a hard stare at her superior who was opposite her; hands on hips. "Did you stop trying with Dan?"


"Nina. Stand down."

She was fast forcing her hand. She didn't want to have to resort to such means.


Her brother grumbled and groaned. He was in his last moments. Nina knew but she just couldn't … no she wasn't going to accept it.

"Nina. P…please. Stop. Enough."

"No. I… Just be quiet."

His vitals were dropping drastically, the machines were blaring their alarms. Nina was pouring everything into him. Even with the food pills, she was on her last reserves.


Tsunade huffed and slid the door open. Good there were two of them. It had to be done.

"Shikaku, Shikamaru. Restrain Nina."

"What?"

"Shikamaru, listen to your Hokage. Our orders stand."

Stepping back allowing the two Naara men to enter the room.

Of course she hadn't stopped trying with Dan. But these systems were in place for a very good reason. It wasn't fair to prolong a life that couldn't be saved. The pain that Asuma would be in currently would be indescribable and Nina was being selfish and irrational.

When there came no commotion, Tsunade entered the room again.

"What is...?"


"N…Nina. Stop. I have…"

She could barely hear him. Nina continued to work even as Shikaku and Shikamaru came into her peripheral vision. As she pivoted to collect more liquid to filter into his chest, her vest was being tugged on; by Asuma.

It felt like everyone and everything faded around her. Time became bogged down by the happenings.

Nina allowed herself to be tugged down to his mouth where his last laboured breaths and words were whispered into her ear.

Nina kept her hand on her brother's wrist as it went limp and her fingers felt the last beat of his heart. She watched as Asuma's eyes rolled back and using her free hand she closed his eyelids.

"Call it."

An inbuilt reflex; that's what it had to be because it wasn't something she had any control over. Her eyes flicked to the clock on the wall.

"10.23am"


So that's how this was to play out? Tsunade nodded to Shikaku who implicitly knew what her orders were as he directed his son out of the room by the shoulders. The father-son duo had respected Asuma's last seconds and not followed through on their orders. She would have to remember to commend them for their actions.

Tsunade gave orders for a team to attend the room and clean up. She motioned over to sit next to Kurenai. It was her responsibility to break the news. There was no pulling punches when it came to this sort of news however, Asuma's beloved partner was expecting and in a delicate physical condition. Given that, Tsunade ushered the woman to her office.

Shikaku followed behind them. She noted that Shikamaru had disappeared. There was little use in asking of his whereabouts. He'd just witnessed the death of his Sensei.


The clean-up crew came and went in a matter of minutes. They had collected specimens for further investigation. The room smelt of disinfectant. It was dankly lit, colder than normal; clinical. Nina was alone in the room with Asuma's lifeless naked body that was covered by a crisp white sheet and his feet sticking out from the bottom.

Nina unclenched the article of clothing she'd managed to secure as everything was stripped away. Taking a corner of the sash in each hand she flicked it. Somehow it'd managed to be free of any stains or marks. As pristine as it'd always been displayed on his right hip. She took great care to lay it over the right corner of the bed his body laid on. Her exposed fingertips dragged across his skin. It was already cooling.

Tch. Asuma was dead. Her brother was dead.

Nina spun on the toes, took two steps and thrusted her right fist at the wall. Blood seeped out from her clenched hand, as the rubble crumbled away from the wall due to the force it had just been impacted by. Pieces of masonry thudded against the wooden surface of her Anbu mask that still lay on the ground where she had discarded it.

Shinobi Rule 23: A Shinobi must endure.


On the other side of the same wall, Kakashi leant in on his left shoulder and head. His Anbu mask held in his left hand hung at his side. He felt the quakes of the punch.

Nina.

He hadn't arrived in time.

Kakashi ran into a very weary Sakura upon reaching the hospital. She had given him a brief rundown and he'd assumed he'd find her here; room one. The hallway was devoid of anyone so he removed his mask as he had intended to approach her. At the last minute he'd changed his mind and it was probably for the best.

Affixing his mask, Kakashi heard incoming footsteps.

"You've returned. I may need your help with her."

Shikaku didn't look directly at Kakashi as he slid the door open.

"You've been summoned."


Nina had expected this. Not as soon as this but why wait? She had to answer for her indiscretions. Steadying herself, Nina felt … nothing.

She slowly lowered her arm, crouched and picked up her mask. As she stood she put her arms to her back, at the base of her spine awaiting the next step.

Shikaku gave Kakashi a nod and he stepped forward and bound her wrists. He didn't fully understand the need but it had to be serious if this was the action being taken. Keeping one hand on her bindings and one on her shoulder he turned her around to face Shikaku.

"Have you reported to Ibiki?"

"No. My orders were to report to the hospital."

"I know. He's in the Hokage's office. Keep your hold. You will just have to wait."

"Understood."


That voice; it was... Kakashi.

"Let's go."

Shikaku's hand hooked into the crook of her elbow and they made their way through the hallways of the hospital towards the Hokage's office.


She'd just lost her brother yet...

His fingers clawed into her shoulder uncontrollably. It was all too familiar. Kakashi instantly knew what her choice was. Nina had chosen numbness.


A/N: Popping this one at the end... I really hope you're all still loving the story. I'm sure I'm going to get a bit of flack over steering away from canon but I warned from day one that this was a fanfic that didn't follow canon perfectly. I am a huge fan of the anime series and the development that results from Asuma's death for Shikamaru (It's probably up there as one of my favourites). It's just not how I seen it playing out for my story and I have confidence that it still holds its own worth this way.

Anywho... there is an incredible commssioned artwork that goes with this chapter by the very talented Lesya7. Here's the link if you wish to check it out (I highly recommend you do)! mystery-gal87/art/Little-do-you-know-Kakashi-x-Nina-OC-861930994

And once again happy reading. If you're feeling generous would love to see some more reviews 3