War could easily be one of the ugliest words in the entire world, in any language, in any dialect and in any way. It was disgusting once someone knew what happened in war, during war, the aftermath of war… and the lives that go into it. Yet, knowing this, Shikamaru could do nothing but fight in them, he was after all the brilliant strategist, Special Jounin Shikamaru. Known to turn entire tides of combat with brilliant bouts of strategy, with such insane tactics and with tens of thousands of steps planned ahead, each carefully devised to ensure maximal survival rate and maximum success rate.
Ino knew that, she knew it so well and yet she knew she couldn't stop him from going into the Sound-Leaf War as a Commander of an entire division of ANBU. It was an all out war, Naruto would be at the point, fighting with every ounce of his being, Sakura has been appointed to the Healing Corps and would have her hands dipped in blood for the duration of the long, disgusting war. Hinata and Neji would be at the head of the Hyuuga family, directing the head and branch families accordingly. Ino knew how Hinata must've felt… Naruto was at the spearhead of the entire army and would only be accompanied by three other elite soldiers while Tsunade and Shikamaru had agreed that for everyone to survive and make it home… that the Rookie 9, the friends that have grown up together and fought together on so many different occasions… will have to be split up.
Ino knew it so well… as she was also part of an ANBU corps, Color Red. She was with Kiba and Shino, and they were, along with Color Black and Blue ANBU corps, were to strike from behind with as much power and speed as they could muster. Orochimaru and Sasuke would be at the spear point to deal with Kakashi, Naruto, Sai and Yamato… but Kabuto and his support corps would be in the rear, providing crucial support. Ino's job was to make sure the former spy was dead along with as many of his healing support units.
Ino also knew that everyone of the ANBU Corps only has a 29.6 chance of survival. Shikamaru had gotten it up from the previous percentage, a measly 9.2. She knew that only 1/3 of the possibilities would have her seeing Shikamaru again… seeing everyone again. She cried herself to sleep that night, the night before it all began, before everyone would be shipped out and have to fight with every fiber of their being… for the Fire Country… for their loved ones… for their village. She would allow herself this one night of vulnerability… for she know for the following few days, even weeks, no vulnerability must ever be shown.
Shikamaru looked at the map of Fire Country and all the terrain, he looked at list after list of people who had to go out to fight… 29.6 … that was too small, too small of a chance that he was willing to let Ino to go off like that. "If only…" He growled and slammed his fists into the table, nearly reducing it into splinters. His anger contained, he narrowed his eyes, scolding himself.
"Anger doesn't make things better… only make things worse… concentrate"
"Hey… come on. You should rest, we're going out tomorrow" The voice was strong, but also very supporting and warming.
"You know I can't leave my friends with such a pitiful chance of survival!"
"You know how war is like, you can't save everyone." She replied again, her voice more soothing than strong now.
Shikamaru's narrowed eyes started to weep with tears. "I know… I know! But…" He rests his head in his hands, the tear continuing to leak out.
"Hey…" Temari sat down next to the genius and embraced him in a warm hug. "Everyone will be fine, you did your best… you have to get some sleep. You have to be in tip top shape if you want to ensure you can think on your feet."
"Ten thousand possibilities… tens of hundreds of thousands of possibilities… and only 29.6…" Shikamaru rested in Temari's warm arm, her soothing voice and warm caress soothing the pain in his chest.
"Come on… we got one last night to relax before we set out tomorrow. I'll be with two Sand Elite CORPS, we will be assisting your CORPS remember?"
Shikamaru nodded. Gaara was able to only spend two elite CORPS along with Temari to assist Konoha but they were one of their best… according to the spreadsheets and Shikamaru's own calculations, it brought the Color ANBU Corps up another five percent, easy.
"Yea… Yea…" Shikamaru nodded. The lights went out as the genius continued to lay in Temari's arms… her embrace being the only blanket he needed.
The next morning, it was raining hard, something that Shikamaru did not predict. However it would have little impact to his calculations, a small .5 reduction on the even the Fire Jutsu specialized units. However… the rain was strange, the dark clouds seeming to reflect every emotion inside the genius.
"No time for that… I got to get to work." He was to be with Tsunade when she gave her speech to all the soldiers. He hugged Temari one last time before disappearing onto the podium, where Tsunade was in her usual attire, screaming on the top of her lungs about courage, strength and unity. She finished with the Sandaime's famous poem of the fire country and the leaves. Shikamaru smiled, remembering the old man's great poem that caused more tears that inspiration among the older ninjas.
Shikamaru then stood up to the stand, seeing all his friends and comrades, all fighting in accordance to his strategy. He opened his mouth at first, but nothing came out. He smirked pathetically then gathered up his courage again. With a booming voice, Shikamaru's words were heard across the entire army.
"Members of Konoha, today we fight what could possibly be the most deadly battles of our lives. I am sure most of you know who I am, if you do now then you sure understand that I am the one who has devised every little detail to the battle plan, and has spend weeks and many hours grueling over each little detail. However, I am not here to talk about that. I am here to tell you all how great you all look. Even in this rain, every one of you is the epitome of strength! Courage! Spirit! Family and ultimately POWER."
Shikamaru waited for the roar of the crowd settle, weapons rose into the air in unison. Naruto was the loudest of them all, rallying them even more. He continued when everyone once again started to pay attention to the Nara strategist. "However! We are not only fighting cause the Sound country is scum, not just because they threaten our country… not just because we will die. Cause as ninjas we are never, EVER afraid of death! Not even in the worst circumstances! We are only afraid of one thing, and this thing we WILL NOT allow to happen." Shikamaru roared. His voice reinforced by every strength and will in his body.
"We will not let the Sound country and that son of a bitch Orochimaru take our loved ones. We will not let him take the lives of the people that have made OUR lives bearable, amidst all the blood and combat. WE WILL NOT LET THEM TAKE WHAT IS PRECIOUS TO US! OUR LOVED ONES!"
The roar this time was deafening, everyone was cheering until their throats were raw, and by the energy of the rally, Shikamaru knew that today would be their victory.
Naruto then jumped up onto the podium, screaming at the top of his lungs. "YOSHA! BANZAI!" The traditional Japanese cheer for combat.
"Now! You know what to do gang! Let's GET TO IT!" Naruto cried one last time, winking at Shikamaru. Everyone disappeared with his or her respective squads…
The war was on. Sound was going to regret every messing with Konoha.