Chapter 3: Achoo!

"What does that girl want, do you think?" the group stood in the hospital by Temari's bedside.

"We know that you know, Shikamaru. Just tell us!" Naruto insisted. Shikamaru turned away and stared out of the window. 'How troublesome…'

"Hey! Hey, I think she's waking up!" Sakura announced, pointing to Temari.

"Huh? What h-happened? Ohh…" she groaned. Shikamaru walked over.

"Oi. People, could you give us a moment?" Shikamaru asked. Everyone nodded, but put their ears to the door as soon as they were out.

"What is it you need to talk about that they can't hear?" Temari asked, sitting up in bed.

"Troublesome woman…I was just wondering if you'd want to marry me?" he asked, holding out a box with a beautiful diamond ring in it. Temari's face light up.

"Of course I will! I've been waiting for you to ask!" Temari threw her arms around Shikamaru, who smiled and slipped the ring onto her finger. Suddenly, Temari's face went pale.

"Shikamaru…Shikamaru, this isn't…this isn't because…you aren't going to…" tears filled her eyes as Shikamaru pulled away from her, looking out of the window again.

"The ultimate sacrifice..."Temari whispered. "Achoo! Achoo!" she was thrown into another sneezing fit.

(&)

"Tsunade-sama, we have the latest death count."

"…"

"Approximately 68 people have died so far, and another 139 are sick. We have no choice but to evacuate…"

"We can't."

"What?"

"We can't evacuate. The disease will be spread to the countries around us, and it could wipe out all of Japan."

"Oh…I see."

"You are dismissed."

The guard left, shutting the door behind him.

"Ring around the rosies…" Tsunade turned around. There was the little girl again! "A pocket full of posies…"

"Yes, yes. What I don't get is 'ashes, ashes'…" Tsunade glared at her.

"No, no. Not 'ashes, ashes'. It was changed over time. It is 'achoo, achoo'."

Tsunade sang to herself, "Ring around the rosies, a pocket full of posies, achoo, achoo…"

"You all fall down." The girl finished for her.

"We all fall down. That could only mean one thing."

"Correct. But…I have changed my mind on one thing. I will stop the disease earlier, if that boy is prepared! Tomorrow!"

"T-Tomorrow!"

"Yes. Then, less people will die."

"I'm ready," Shikamaru had entered the room.

"Then, gather the town again tomorrow at the same time as yesterday. Understood?"

"Understood," Shikamaru said.

"Very well, then." The girl began to disappear.

"WAIT!" Tsunade and Shikamaru yelled at the same time.

"What?" the girl asked crossly.

"What are you? What is your name?"

The girl smirked. "I…I am Death herself, from which none can escape without my…permission." She faded into nothingness.

"I'm having a hard time believing this," Tsunade muttered.

"You better. This is reality," Shikamaru said briskly, closing the door behind him.

Ring around the rosies,

A pocket full of posies,

Achoo! Achoo!

You all fall down!