Mean while all the little piggies lived happily ever after that night in Konoha, Shikamaru, Hinata, Tenten, and The Mask with gray hair was hurrying off towards the stone country direction in search of the mission team in request of help. Troublesome Hokage, just when I could spend 'alone' sometime with Ino she just has to call me out. I wonder who needs help? Hmp, they better be worth it.
But just as the poinytailed lazy ass was complaining in his mind he spotted five figures twenty metres ahead fighting with what seemed like Orochimaru's minions. And a long haired and a chubby figure was badly hurt. Who's that? He sort of looks like...
"Chouji!" cried Shikamaru staring at the puddle of blood pouring out of Chouji's badly hurt wounds and the unconscious Neji spralling on the ground.
"Neji-kun!" gasped Tenten whimpering with red eyes.
While Kiba and Shino were trying to defend the injured ones and Hinata, Asuma greeted the second team, "I see that Tsunadae has recieved my request, good to see that you guys came."
"Good to see you too, almost have of them are injured so let's get this battle over with." replied Kakashi.
"Ah goodie, more leaf ninjas to play with." scoffed the flute user Tayuya.
Not waiting a second less Shikamaru sprung into action along side with Tenten, Kakashi, and Hinata.
"Hinata, stay here with Chouji and Neji, try to heal them as much as you can." commanded Kakashi while leading Tenten and Shikamaru to battle the other six ninjas.
With obvious effort Tenten fought with all her strength while repeating to herself, "I won't loose this time. I will fight. For Neji."
Orochimaru's gang was only good with long distance battles so when the weapon mistress has struck them with a thousand sorts of shuriken, kunai, senbon, and other assortments that caught them off guard it was Shikamaru's cue to catch them in his Kage Mane No Jutsu. While the clueless sound nins are trying to get themselves out of the mess, Asuma pack in a powerful punch and Kakashi giving a speedy kick while Shikamaru released the shadows.
Only two out of the four sound nins were utterly defeated, but the other four just kept coming back after many injuries. They left Shikamaru no choice but to use the Shadow Strangling Technique. Now there's three down, three to go.
And as usual, the last ones standing were the strongest. Fortunately for our leaf heros, the chidori and the power knuckles of Asuma has finally ended the battle.
Returning back to the gates of Konoha, Kakashi carried Neji with Tenten by his side and Asuma carried Chouji on his back with the help of Shikamaru.
Hinata said his injuries are severe...
...she said he lost too much blood.
"Shikamaru, he might not make it."
Hinata's unsure words were swirling around Shikamaru's mind while Chouji's humble blood swirled in his hands.
Flashback
"Let's play ninja!" said a skinny boy.
"Can we play too?" asked a chubby boy with Shikamaru.
"No! No ninja is fat! Only Shikamaru can join!"
The chubby boy looked at his shoe.
"No. I don't want to play. What a childish pointless game. When Chouji grows up he'll be a great ninja. Wouldn't you Chouji?" said the young Shikamaru.
Chouji smiled.
"I will. For my best friend." whispered Chouji under his breath.
End Flashback
Come on Chouji! You can make it, remember? You said you'll be the greatest bravest ninja for me, your best bud.
Mean while in Tenten's head...
Neji, please stay awake! I know Hinata-san said that you probably won't die from loss of blood but being unconscious forever isn't good for you either right? So please Neji! Wake up...I still didn't get to tell you something that I've been meaning to tell you...something that I've just realized but that I that should have a long time ago.
"Kakashi sensei! Can't we go faster?" pleaded Tenten anxiously.
"I'm afraid not Tenten, we've lost alot of strength from that battle, if we go any faster we'll run out of energy before we reach the gate." Kakashi firmedly replied.
"Yeah, and Chouji swallowed all the energy pills during battle." added Kiba.
Shino just nodded.
Whoa, all the pills? That can't be good you Chouji. Thought Shikamaru.
From the looks of everyone's faces Hinata guessed that everyone's worried for Neji and Chouji, "D-Don't worry Tenten-chan and Shikamaru-kun...when we get back to Konoha Sakura-chan and I will heal them ourselves with Tsunadae-sama."
Mean while in Konoha...
Ino and Sasuke has been summoned by the Hokage to her office, "Ino, Sasuke. Shikamaru and the others haven't come back yet. I don't suppose that they're in too much trouble but can you guys go meet them at the north gate?"
Haven't come back yet? HAVEN'T COME BACK YET? SHIKAMARU YOU BETTER NOT DIE ON ME!
"Of course Hokage-sama."
Sasuke just grunted.
