I'm baaaaack!
So, didn't mean to take almost a full year hiatus. My last trimester of pregnancy turned out to be very rough. I'm talking morning sickness, legs swelling to the point I still can't feel three of my toes, horrible reflux so I couldn't sleep, very low iron, and pain, so much pain. Then I was in labour for 3 and a half days. Yep. 84 hours almost to the minute. But the weird thing was I didn't seem to be in active labour even though the contractions were at the pain scale of active labour.
Well, my beautiful boy was finally born, perfectly healthy. Full head of thick hair (no wonder I had reflux). I lost 1.5 litres of blood though and I took a bit longer to heal than the doctors were hoping. But I healed… except I was still experiencing sharp pain in my side…
Yeah, turns out I needed my gallbladder removed. I gained gallstones just before, or just after I became pregnant and the symptoms of bad gallstones is vomiting, leg swelling, reflux, and pain in the side and back… which are also pregnancy symptoms. They created a bit of a feedback loop which got worse during my labour. Hence my bubby wasn't ready to come out but my contractions seemed bad enough. You know it's bad when the surgeons all cringe when they find out you had labour and gallstones. After giving birth the gallbladder eased off a little so I wasn't throwing up or anything but I was still in a lot of pain.
Well, late November I finally got my gallbladder removed and I am healing, though it's made a bit slow by having a 7 month old to look after. But he is worth it.
As for those who have asked about my son. His name is Sebastian. My husband and I didn't pick it from anywhere in particular, it's just a name we've both heard over the years and have always though 'huh, that's a nice name' so we gave it to our son. He is a ridiculously happy bubby, to the point that my doctor has declared him the happiest baby he has ever seen, and he can already say mummy.
I get a night every week to myself to write so now that I am on the mend and should be back to 100% soon I'm hoping to be able to get chapters out without giant gaps in between. I am sorry for the unannounced hiatus but apparently when it pours it fucking hails.
He knew he was being somewhat pathetic. It hadn't even been three days since Naruto had left and he missed her more than he thought possible. Unfortunately, he knew he had to get his mind on the important matter of the war. Every able body in the village above Genin had moved out to meet with the forces from the other villages. The number of ninjas were overwhelming, and yet, Shikamaru couldn't help but wonder: would this be enough?
Madara was a legend, a warrior with only one equal, the first Hokage. A fighter of their calibre had not been seen since their death. Except, that wasn't entirely true. Shikamaru thought about the little blonde everyone saw as a screw up, then he thought about the powerhouse that had not only taken on all 6 Pains when even the top Jonins had trouble taking on one, but had also been able to move the collateral that was the Nine-Tails away from the villagers. If Naruto could gain control over the power of the Nine-Tails she could be on par with Madara, though there was no knowing for certain. There was also the added risk of sending one of the two people he needed straight at him. Not to mention the woman Shikamaru loved. There was no way he was uttering a word of his suspicions about Naruto's true strength to anyone.
Instead of dwelling on those thoughts he tried to hope that there were some talented fighters from the other villagers that he didn't know about and sheer numbers would have an effect over Madara and any forces he had. That was another big issue. There was no way the nearly depleted Akatsuki could have been the only form of an army that Madara had. Even as powerful as the man was, he couldn't be so arrogant to fight alone. So, who were making up his forces?
He scanned the assembled fighters wondering if there was someone secretly strong enough to at least hold out against Madara. He was so focused on studying the swarm of people in front of him that he didn't notice anyone walk up behind him until they slammed their hands into his shoulders painfully. With the sound of laughter ringing in his ears he spun around to glare at the offending party. He ended up scoffing and rolling his eyes when he saw Kankuro grinning at him.
"You're a pain."
"Sorry," Kankuro chuckled. "Couldn't help myself."
"Hmm." Reaching out, Shikamaru quickly run his finger through one of the lines of war paint on the other man's face. He smirked at Kankuro's indignant squawk.
"Well, there goes two hours in front of the mirror," declared Temari, coming to stand beside her brother. "We saw you getting lost in your own mind and thought we'd save you."
"Thanks. Though a gentler route would have been nicer," he joked, rubbing his shoulder with a pointed look at Kankuro who just shot him an amused grin. With a sigh, he sobered up. "So, what do you think our chances are?"
"Nope!" Temari said, shaking her head viciously. "Don't think about the odds. Honestly, think about all our major fights. So often it seems like the battle is against us, and we win, and then I know I've been in battles I thought I could easily win, and I didn't."
"Hell, when the Sand invaded the Leaf we thought we had it in the bag," Kankuro admitted, "when Gaara lost control I thought your friends would be dead for sure. Then I found Naruto and Gaara in the same clearing, Gaara unconscious and Naruto still having enough strength to finish him if she needed too. You can't predict these things. And yes, I know Naruto is a girl!"
"But do you really know?" Shikamaru asked, throwing his head back with laughter when Kankuro stomped his foot in frustration.
"Yes!"
Temari suddenly grabbed Shikamaru's head, pushing it to the side and yanking down the collar of his turtleneck. She gave a dramatic gasp whilst Kankuro, having seen what his sister exposed, started fanning himself as though he saw something scandalous that made him feel faint. Shikamaru smacked Temari's hands away and pulled his collar back into place but it was too late. He could feel his face reddening as the two siblings continued to laugh and act like Shikamaru was debaucherous.
"Yeah, yeah, very funny," he grumbled. He was certain Naruto had done something to the hickey to ensure it took longer to fade. Though he did find comfort with the knowledge of it being there to mark his skin.
"So, you found some courage and admitted you're pathetically in love with Naruto than?"
Shikamaru looked straight at Temari, face blank though still a little red. "Yep."
Before the siblings could say any more there was a called to assemble. From then on Shikamaru felt like he was in a whirlwind. The forces of all five ninja villages had been combined and then split back into five groups to do with specialties. From there, people were assembled into squads. He was both surprised and not surprised that he was given the captaincy of one such team, as well as being made second in command of the 4th Company, under Gaara. He was aware that he had a marked talent for strategy but he still found it difficult to believe he was ready to lead a squadron or company in this war. There was a tangle of fear as he remembered the first time he led a team. With a deep breath, he told himself that he had changed, grown stronger and smarter, since then. Releasing the breath, he told his subordinates to move out. As he led his squad away from the court yard they had gathered in to hear Gaara he caught Ino's eye. The woman gave him a tight smile, one Shikamaru struggled to return. He wanted to say something to her but he had never been particularly articulate and that wasn't going to suddenly change.
Whilst Ino went to the Fifth Company, he and Choji were sent to the Fourth Company, stationed in the desert. They were going to be under Gaara's command, Choji being part of the close-range squad in the overall long-ranged unit. Although it was logical to have Ino in the support formation he found it unsettling to have her out of sight. They were a team after all. The entire time he worked with the other soldiers he felt like he was waiting for the inevitable moment.
Finally, it came. Ino, Choji, and himself all converged. Although their abilities were all very different, they were still the latest generation of Ino-Shika-Cho and there was a reason that the three clans always placed their heirs in a team together. As a unit, they were near unstoppable. Separately, their clan abilities were formidable, but together they were almost a flawless attack. The fact that they weren't just part of the reinforcements but purposely selected for the battle spoke volumes about their enemy. Their team was being called in for one person. Even with so many people bulking up the forces on the beach, they were still needed.
His father had admitted to him that even the Raikage was afraid of the man named Kinkaku. When his father explained the items that would be on the battle field Shikamaru instantly started planning for how to best use them. When his father contacted them again to check if they had a plan already, Shikamaru made sure to ask a few last questions to ensure that Ino would be safe if they enacted his strategy. Even with a plan the idea of going up against a man who had eaten a part of the Nine-Tails was terrifying.
Shikamaru's father hadn't shied away from the fact that a small part of the reason they were called in was because of their familiarity with the Nine-Tails' powers through times that Naruto had lost control. Whilst they had never fought Naruto on those occasions, they had been able to observe how her fighting style was affected, as was her strength and abilities. The man they faced, however, was much different from Naruto. Kinkaku was in complete control of himself as he used the Nine-Tails' chakra to fight the Allied Forces. The cloak didn't appear to cause him any pain, unlike when it burnt Naruto's flesh away. Though, as someone reincarnated it was unclear if Kinkaku had skin. Shikamaru stopped with his two teammates upon arriving on the edge of the battlefield. They were ahead of the rest of the reinforcements and were able to take the time to observe the devastation. One thing quickly became clear to all three of them.
"This is what Naruto is capable of if she stopped fighting the Nine-Tails?" Ino gasped, staring at the decimated cliff-face with horror.
"No, she could do a lot more. Kinkaku only has a drop of the chakra Naruto has." Choji scanned the area, probably looking for his father.
"Except if Naruto accessed the chakra like Kinkaku, she would be in control. She would never do this," Shikamaru reminded them sharply.
The two seemed to realise what they had insinuated and gave Shikamaru an apologetic look. He knew they didn't mean it but he couldn't have them thinking such things if Naruto joined the war. Because if she joined, it would be with the full strength of the Nine-Tails. Taking in the scene again, he realised what that truly meant. He knew that Naruto and the Jinchuriki for the Eight-Tails could change the tide of the war, they could easily destroy the enemy's line. That also meant that if the enemy was able to access the power of the Tailed Beasts they already had, the Allied Forces were in a lot of trouble. It was only a miracle that the Akatsuki hadn't been able to capture the Nine-Tails, the greatest attacker.
Team Asuma shared a hard look before descending on the battlefield. The reinforcements had finally caught them and were only a step behind them.
"Sorry we're late," Ino called to the ninjas fighting Kinkaku.
"So that's him." Shikamaru looked closely over the imposing man covered in the unfortunately familiar red Nine-Tails' cloak. The slow, predatory movements were intimidating but Naruto's unpredictable viciousness when she had the cloak was much more terrifying. In his mind he saw the look Naruto got on her face at times, the calm, slow flickering of her eyes, the slight cock of her head. Over time Shikamaru had realised that was her evaluating situations and people down to chakra signals. Shikamaru had found the expression highly appealing but it was only now that he thought of what Naruto could do with that talent once she had almost unlimited power behind her. The thought didn't make the look any less enjoyable to him.
"How could he do all of this?" Choji wondered out loud, looking over the scene again now that they were closer.
Shikamaru almost jumped when a resounding cheer rang through. He looked out at the corner of his eye to spy where some of the sound came from only to find the 1st Company clapping and cheering for not only the reinforcements but the Ino-Shika-Cho that they had been waiting for.
"So- uh- do you get the feeling that there's a lot of hope riding on us now?" He found it hard to swallow around his dry mouth. "That's the kind of people we've become?"
"It's making me kinda nervous though," Choji said, always being the one willing to admit his true feelings.
"Well, I guess we're just gonna have to live up to their expectation." Ino pulled her shoulders back. For a moment, Shikamaru could see the type of woman she would have become if Naruto had stayed her sister. Ino had a lot of strength, and yet she often let the idea of how she was meant to behave get in the way of that. Sometimes it was like she thought she had to choose between being a female and being a ninja. If she had had Naruto's influence in regard to not caring for 'gender norms' Ino's strength would probably show itself more often.
Next moment a voice in the crowd sounded out. "Hey, wait, they're just the kids. Not the real Ino-Shika-Cho."
The cheers turned to groans.
Shikamaru put a hand to his head, sighing. "Yeah, kinda figured they would say something like that."
"Me too."
Ino was yet again the one to keep the fight in them. "Come on now, we're gonna start a legend of our very own. So, let's get going, guys."
Both men agreed with her. The forces used paper bombs to create a smoke cover, allowing Choji to charge in in Human Bolder form. Kinkaku fought against the strength coming at him and threw Choji over his head. By then it was too late. Shikamaru had Kinkaku in his shadow. The moment the man realised he tried to fight against it. Shikamaru had been assaulted by the Nine-Tails' chakra before. This was nothing like it. Perhaps it was because Naruto's warm, energetic chakra was mingling with the chaotic burn but this was different. It wasn't even like when he felt the Nine-Tails take over Naruto years before during her fight with Sasuke. Back then it had felt like an intense heat, singeing his face raw even from a great distance. This felt more like a blunt punch, which was appropriate given that Kinkaku literally punched at where the shadow held him to release himself. It left Shikamaru winded and shaking off the dull throb that beat through his body. Kinkaku shot out one of his tails. Shikamaru knew it didn't matter but his heart gave a pained thump at the sight of it. Ino had locked in on Kinkaku and the moment Shikamaru's shadow broke, she transferred. The tail stopped an inch from Shikamaru's face.
"Now that's good timing," Shikamaru shot over his shoulder at Ino.
He caught Ino as her consciousness transferred into Kinkaku, making the dead man respond to his own name and be sucked into the waiting gourd. Even though he had checked to make sure Ino wouldn't be taken with him Shikamaru still stared at her unmoving body in fear. It only took moments for her to wake up, giving him a relieved smile. After Ino had found her feet Shikamaru instantly made his way towards where Choji landed. The bigger man was waterlogged but otherwise fine.
With the defeat of the Gold and Silver brothers the troops appeared to gain a new set of energy. The change in their perception of the younger Ino-Shika-Cho was astounding and made Shikamaru need a breath. He wondered for a moment if Naruto felt like this but at a more powerful level when the village cheered for her after her fight with Pein.
After the moment he took for himself he surveyed the surrounding area, looking for the next imposing enemy. It wasn't difficult for him to locate one. A man that looked familiar even from a distance was holding a ninja up by the neck.
The man before them opened his mouth and a gruff, uncaring voice spoke. "Long time, no see, Ino-Shika-Cho."
"If I remember correctly, you're Kakazu. We took the keen. The gold shoji general is ours and we know the moves of Kakuzu the Bishop good, so we'll attack." Just looking at the man made Shikamaru think of the last time he saw him. He shivered, the cold despair of loss creeping up his spine.
"The brat who uses shadows. You being here only means one thing. You must have taken down Hidan. Did he get his head chopped off again whilst he was praying? Or since he's not here, does that mean he's still out there somewhere?"
"Who even cares if he's dead or alive?" Ino snapped.
Shikamaru bit back a growl at the mention of Hidan. If they lost, how long would it take for Kakuzu to track Hidan down? Shikamaru had sworn that the murderer of Asuma-Sensei would never breath air, never walk the earth again, he couldn't fail that now.
"Hmm. So I'm on defence with no rook and my gold and silver generals are taken." Kakazu, with terrifying casualty, reached into the chest of the dead ninja he still had suspended, taking the man's heart. "And that makes five."
"Wait, that's right," Ino exclaimed as they all tried not to watch the ally corpse drop. "If he's got five hearts now we've gotta stop him five times."
Shikamaru swore silently before he confirmed Ino's statement.
Kakauzu put the heart in his chest. "I think it's time to start the game in kind." He released the four masked forms from his back. "Hu, by the way, we've got our own pieces taken from your side too. Don't you want to know who they are?" He paused only long enough for Shikamaru to raise an eyebrow and for Choji to gulp. "Lady Tsunade's love, Don Kato, and also- "
Fire erupted on one of the side cliffs, drawing their attention. Within the flames Shikamaru saw a familiar figure that he prayed was a trick of the light.
"Your former teacher, son of the third Hokage, Asuma Soratobi."
"Asuma-Sensei," Choji whimpered as they all gasped.
"So, I guess you're not the only ones who's managed to take your own opponents game pieces. And there are still others yet remaining. It's ironic, huh?" Kakuzu taunted.
"Why you!" Shikamaru growled, spying Choza battling who Shikamaru assumed was Don. Even from a distance he could see that Don was begging Choza for something. Unfortunately, Kakazu sent his masked forms to break up the Allied ranks in that fight.
Before Shikamaru or his teammates could react, Izumo and Kotetsu attacked Kakuzu from behind, cutting through his torso with their double ended chain scythe.
"We still owe you one," hissed Kotetsu. "Hope you haven't forgotten, you stringy mess."
"Sorry, but I don't remember everyone who can't make me money."
No doubt Kakuzu thought that would bother the two men. They were obviously older than Ino-Shika-Cho and yet the younger team were worth a bounty to their enemies. However, the two gate guards had no love for notoriety. No doubt though, they were going to make Kakuzu regret not knowing them after the ill-fated mission. Before Shikamaru, Ino, and Choji could fulfil their request to help them seal Kakuzu away Shikaku spoke up in their minds. His orders made Shikamaru's insides turn heavy, sitting uncomfortably in his gut.
They had to fight Asuma-Sensei.
It made sense, Shikamaru knew that. Asuma was a powerful shinobi who now had unlimited chakra, stamina, and endurance. The fact that they knew his fighting style, his hand signs, the way he thought gave them an invaluable advantage. And yet…
Shikamaru looked to his side, noticing the horror coating Ino's expression. He didn't need to look at Choji. The gentle man had always had trouble fighting his friends in a sparring match. This time, they had to take out not only a friend but their beloved teacher, someone who had a pinnacle hand in shaping who they were.
The sounds of the surrounding fight pressed in on his ears. As long as Asuma-Sensei stood, that sound wouldn't stop. More allies would fall, more men and women wouldn't return to their families, more people would feel what Shikamaru had felt at the loss of Asuma-Sensei, or would feel the pain that Kurenai-Sensei suffered. If they didn't stop their teacher quickly his legacy would change from dearly missed shinobi and man who died protecting his comrades to an enemy, perhaps one that took out his own students. They couldn't do that. Asuma-Sensei deserved better. His daughter deserved better. Never, was she to hear how her father was one of their most powerful enemies. If Shikamaru had to face the unthinkable to stop that, so be it.
Ino must have found her own resolve since she helped Choji to pull his shoulders back and prepare for battle. The hand she put on Shikamaru's back gave him the last bit of strength he needed to move. They ran in the direction of the familiar figure. Asuma-Sensei was fighting three ninjas, one who wore the Chunin vest of the Leaf. Even from a distance Shikamaru saw the hand signs for one of Asuma-Sensei's signature moves. They were too far away to warn his opponents. The ash cloud enveloped the three and seconds later the ash burst into a bright flame that singed the very air around it, leaving a heatwave in its wake and a thick cloud of dust.
Shikamaru stopped at the edge of the cloud with Ino and Choji on either side of him. The smell of burning flesh threatened to choke him. He took shallow breaths, trying to keep the smell and the smoke out of his nose. All to quickly the smoke dissipated and they all laid eyes on Asuma-Sensei.
"It's you three," Asuma-Sensei gasped.
The warm brown of his eyes was lost amongst the pit black that had engulfed the once white areas. Part of Shikamaru was thankful for the smoke that stopped any chance of Shikamaru catching a whiff of Asuma's scent that was always a mixture of cigarettes and bon fire. And if it turned out that he didn't smell like that, but of decay of death, Shikamaru wasn't sure he would be able to function long enough to fight. His knees felt wobbly at hearing the lilted rumble of his mentor's voice.
"We're all prepared for the inevitable. So, Sensei, I sure hope you're prepared for it as well," Shikamaru warned, the words fighting around the lump in his throat.
"Choji, Shikamaru, Ino, all of you have become fine shinobi."
Such simple, yet powerful words reduced all three Chunin to tears. And yet they fought to stand standing strong, knowing there was no way out of what they had to do.
"Asuma, it's all thanks to you," Shikamaru promised.
The man gave him a soft smile, staring into his eyes. Next moment, that smile turned into a almost terrifying grin. "Please tell me you finally told Naruto you love her!"
"SENSEI!" Shikamaru yelped, looking around hastily to make sure none of the enemy was within earshot.
"Whaaaat?" Whined the deseased man, his body sagging. "I died before I got to see if you two ended up together. I've been trying to help you get together since you were twelve! It was frustrating!"
"Try waiting since we were about ten," Choji piped in with a wet chuckle before sniffling quietly.
"We're seriously talking about this now?" Shikamaru snapped.
"When else… I'm dead." Asuma-Sensei gave a small bounce like an excited child. "But seriously, did you ever tell her? What did she say? Wait… I didn't just out her as a girl to Choji and Ino, did I?"
"No, you didn't," Ino assured with a small smile. "And I saw a hickie on Shikamaru's neck."
Shikamaru snapped around to glare at the blonde. "What the hell, Ino?"
"What?" she asked with fake innocence. "Am I wrong about what was on your neck? Or did Naruto not give you it? If so, I have questions since she has been living with you since the village was attacked."
"You live with me too?" Shikamaru reminded, his voice raising an octaval or two in pitch.
The smile Ino gave him was terrifying. "But I haven't been sleeping in your room."
"YES!" Asuma-Sensei cheered; arms raised in triumph.
Red faced, the Nara spluttered, "Are you serious, Sensei? And it's not- Ino makes it sound like- WILL YOU STOP CELEBRATING!"
"No!" Asuma-Sensei cackled, doing a rather embarrassing jig.
"And are you sure it's not like how I suggested?" Ino asked with a sordid smile.
His face burned hotter, and his mouth acted like a fish. Eventually, he settled for the Nara grunt.
Asuma-Sensei finally calmed down. "You two are good for each other. I've always thought that. Take care of each other."
"Thanks, Sensei, and we will." Shikamaru gave the man a sad smile. "Haven't forgiven you for tricking me into a date with Naruto though."
The man laughed before they charged him. Ino and Choji broke off, moving to attack from the sides.
"Show me what you've got, Ino-Shika-Cho!"
Ino and Choji attacked at the same time, trying to split his attention between them before Shikamaru came through the middle. Asuma-Sensei used a substitution, making his students retreat before it exploded. Choji stumbled and fell, clearly distracted.
"Shikamaru, use your shadow whips and lead me over to Choji," Asuma-Sensei advised.
"Already on it," Shikamaru admitted. He saw the flicker of pride on his teacher's face before the shadows reached out, herding the reincarnated man to the right. If Asuma-Sensei had tried to go left he would have been met with Ino's mind jutsu. Instead he went towards Choji who met him with an expanded fist. Or at least he was meant to.
"What are you doing, Choji?" Asuma-Sensei yelled from where he knelt in front of Choji's massive fist. The relieved expression he had worn upon seeing he was trapped had morphed into anger.
"Snap out of it!" Shikamaru added. "We all prepared ourselves for this."
"I'm sorry. This is way too much for me. I can't do it. I can't take our sensei down. I just can't." Tears began to run down Choji's round face.
Shikamaru had to look away. He was barely keeping himself together. He was logical. He had to be. It was everything in this moment. Ignoring the lump that was growing and cutting off his air more with every moment, the genius watched his teacher dodge around Choji's fist, kicking him clean off his feet. The Jonin yelled a warning about his next attack before performing terrifyingly familiar hand signs. Shadows reached out to him to try and trap him but he side-stepped, showing how well he knew his students. Seconds after Asuma-Sensei's wind style dust storm jutsu started Ino tackled Choji, both of them landing hard against the cliff wall. Shikamaru moved to cover them if Asuma-Sensei tried to attack whilst they recovered.
"Why? Why does it all have to end up like this?" Choji sobbed.
"It's too late to complain about it now. We agreed to take Asuma-Sensei down, remember?' Shikamaru snapped. He was struggling to draw breath, the lump was pressing so heavily that his jaw ached, and his eyes stung but he forced them to stay dry. Listening to how Choji's voice wavered, watching the desperation flicker over Asuma-Sensei's face, and hearing the hitch in Ino's breaths, all of them were too much. He needed Choji at his side, like always.
"What's with the long face, Choji? I'm an enemy now. Accept it. You don't need to hold back. I'm already dead," Asuma-Sensei snarled.
"Yeah, I know. I know that but still. Even back then, Sensei, you… Asuma-Sensei said that it was okay that this is the way I am."
Shikamaru saw Asuma-Sensei's face harden. Shikamaru had no doubt that this whole situation was hard on him too. If they didn't take him down their failure would put Kurenai-Sensei and their child in danger. "That's enough! Choji, listen up, I know you're a truly kind person but right now taking me down is the kindest thing you can do. This is the time for you to transform your kindness into strength. Now is the time, Choji. Please! Stop me!" After a beat he realised that Choji still needed one last push. "Snap out of it, Fatso! Take me down!"
That one insult was enough for Choji to enter the fight again. A part of Shikamaru, a section he was ashamed of, wished that that hadn't been enough, that Choji still refused to fight. He knew they had to take Asuma-Sensei out, that it was the best thing for everyone but…
Shikamaru almost screamed in frustration when Choji yet again stopped his punch before it connected. Using one of Asuma-Sensei's own daggers, he tried for a surprise attack. It failed and unfortunately set their teacher into attack. It took Shikamaru a moment to realise that Choji had not defended himself from their teacher's assault. Ino had instead thought incredibly quickly and transferred her consciousness into Choji, leaving herself vulnerable to a white Zetzu. Using his shadow, he maneuvered Ino's body into kicking the opponent.
Focusing on protecting Ino's body and keeping an eye on the surrounding battles, Shikamaru had to trust that Ino would help Choji through his inability to fight. She would have to work fast though, since although she knew Choji's fighting style, she didn't know how to use his jutsus and wouldn't be able to use his body as well as Choji could.
This became painfully clear when Asuma-Sensei used his burning ash. Shikamaru's eyes stung as he tried to see his two best friends in one form. Blinking through the tears he made out a giant figure still sparking from the attack. For a moment he wondered if Ino had somehow performed the Human Bolder, or if Choji had booted her consciousness from his mind to protect her. After a moment, the smoke cleared enough for him to see Uncle Choza shielding his son and niece from their mentor's deadliest attack.
Looking at Choza, having fallen to his knees from the strength of Asuma-Sensei's attack, Shikamaru was reminded of the last thing his teacher had imparted to him. The king always needs to be protected, and Uncle Choza would do anything for his king. Just like they needed to do everything possible to keep Asuma-Sensei's king safe.
"Snap out of it, Choji! Now!" Shikamaru yelled. "We aren't some little brats that need to be protected anymore! We're the protectors now! Do you want Asuma to murder his own child? Your idea of kindness is wrong!"
It was unclear if it was his screams, Uncle Choza's words, or something else but Choji stopped, breathing heavily, appearing to be trapped in his own thoughts. Uncle Choza stayed where he was, recovering from Asuma-Sensei's attack faster than many others would. Shikamaru couldn't tell if he had given up on his son finding the strength to fight this battle or if he knew that Choji needed the time to process what to do.
Suddenly, blue wings that appeared to be made of chakra sprouted from Choji's back. Shikamaru took half a step back out of surprise. He hadn't taken the chilli pepper pellet. Ino gained consciousness in time to hear Shikamaru question Uncle Choza about possible side-effects of Choji's transformation.
The only one who didn't appear taken aback by the development was Asuma-Sensei. He looked proudly at Choji.
The three finally entered battle with a singular resolve. The small voice that had been thankful of Choji's hesitation silenced in Shikamaru's mind. He had sworn to protect Asuma-Sensei's king, no matter how difficult that task.
When Shikamaru added his Shadow Stitching jutsu to Ino's Mind Transfer Clone jutsu that same look of pride that their beloved mentor had given Choji landed on the two of them. Asuma-Sensei couldn't counter around the dancing shadow tendrils without being attacked by the Zetzu's in Ino's control. Shikamaru felt his throat constrict but he pushed forward, watching the small upturn to his teacher's mouth as Choji came in with a large fist. Asuma-Sensei was sent flying into the stone wall created by Kinkaku's earlier attack. Shikamaru used one of his shadows to throw Asuma-Sensei's own blade towards Choji, who sent it, charged with Shikamaru's chakra, to the right of Asuma-Sensei's head. He was paralysed the moment it struck.
Asuma-Sensei stopped the sealing corp so that he could speak. Shikamaru tried to stop him, not sure he could bare it but the old man was determined.
"There's just one more thing I couldn't tell you the last time I spoke them and it's simply this. I have nothing more to tell you. Your Ino-Shika-Cho formation is complete."
The moment the sealing cloth had encompassed their teacher Choji let out a cry, allowing himself to grow taller. He declared that with the help of his teammates he was going to end the battle. Choji had never sounded so sure of himself and Shikamaru found that he couldn't think of a scenario where he didn't succeed. Choji's wings had grown so large that they reached to the top of the cliff wall.
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Hope you all like. R and R please.