Sands of Time, Winds of Change (9)
Omg, is Temari okay?11oneone11
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The world seemed to stop around Shikamaru. Everyone looked in shock at the boy...man...who was staring at a critically injured sand girl, with eyes that didn't say 'How troublesome' but instead said 'I'm gonna kill you all with one freaking move'. He closed his eyes, his whole body shaking.
"You're all going to regret invading Konoha." He said in a low voice. Choji stared at him, eyes wide. Ino went to Choji's side.
"This isn't like him..." She said, grabbing Choji's arm and looking him in the face. Choji just kept staring. Naruto arrived shortly after this, only to see Shikamaru closing his eyes, his hands in fists, tears falling quickly, violently. He made a slow hand movement. "Kagemane no Jutsu." He said in a powerful voice, and thrust his shadows out. Unlike the short-range combat they usually had, they widened so much that the only spot that was light was the spot where Shikamaru and Temari were. Every single Ryuu ninja was caught in the shadow. Gasps were heard all around from the Konoha shinobi. His father pushed out of the crowd to see. Asuma turned to Shikaku.
"I didn't know he could do that." Asuma said, his jaw wide open. His cigarette lay on the ground. Shikaku looked just as shocked.
"Me neither."
Naruto's eyes were wide open, and the red chakra had faded from his body. Shikamaru pulsed more chakra into the shadow. After a few minutes of complete, shocked silence, Shikamaru turned to everyone.
"Naruto." He said quietly. Naruto bit his lip. 'Geez, serious Shikamaru is scary...maybe it's a good thing he's lazy all the time...!'
"Yeah..?" Naruto asked, his voice wavering.
"Kill the leader." Shikamaru said simply.
"What?"
"Their forehead protectors. The ones that say 'Loyal' are the followers. The one that says 'Power' is the leader. He's bigger than the rest, probably trying to blend in, but not fighting. They're a flock. Like birds, if the leader dies, they scatter, helpless. Kill the leader." He said slowly. Everyone stared, mouths hanging open. Wordlessly, Naruto walked through the rows of still Ryuu nin, looking at the Forehead protectors. He found the leader quickly. The leader had a bright red headband, and more colorful feathers. He looked in horror as Naruto got out a shuriken. Naruto winced, closing his eyes. Everyone watched in anticipation as his hand rose up...
And the shuriken pierced the heart of the leader. The leader died instantly, after clutching his heart and crying out.
"Retreat." With that, Shikamaru let go of the shadow, and the frightened shinobi scattered like a cat after a flock of birds. Everyone stared, the Rookie nine in shock, the teachers watching quietly. Suddenly Shikamaru picked up Temari, struggling to hold her. Kakashi looked at Asuma.
"What are you waiting for? Go talk to him. You were his teacher." Kakashi said calmly. Asuma, to Kakashi's surprise, shook his head.
"No. You of all people should know that loss of a loved one is the most painful thing to bear."
"This girl? He..." Kakashi asked, surprised. Asuma smirked.
"He always hung around the gates a little longer after missions. I assumed he was just glad to be alive. But now..." He said. Shikamaru turned to them.
"Can we get a medic?" He asked, and put Temari down. Then he passed out.
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"Shikamaru! SHIKAMARU!" 'Damn, another troublesome woman.' Thought Shikamaru as he blinked his eyes open. Five inches from his face was Ino. Suddenly all of the war came back to him. 'Wait...Temari..!' He rubbed his head.
"Ohhh, my arms. How troublesome." He said, staring at the many bandages on his arms where the shuriken pierced his skin. Ino grinned.
"Hey Choji! He's awake!" She squealed. Choji came over, carrying a hospital food tray.
"Here's your lunch." He said. All the plates were empty. "I kind of ate it."
"Choji!" Ino scolded. "He's a hero, he deserves his lunch! Man, you should've seen it! After you passed out, everyone started cheering for you and Naruto."
"Ugh. How troublesome." He said. "Being a hero's a drag."
"Why?" Ino said, angrily. "YOU'RE LUCKY YOU SAVED KONOHA AND GOT THAT MUCH PRAISE!" She said, her face turning red. "Ugh. Well me and Choji are gonna go out to eat."
"Choji and you...together!" He asked, surprised. Ino grinned, not a malicious grin like when she was stalking Sasuke, back then.
"What's so wrong with us on a date?" Shikamaru smirked.
"Hn." With that, Ino dragged Choji out. He sighed. Suddenly the door opened. A man stepped in, a cigarette hanging from his mouth.
"Hey! No smoking, this is a hospital!" A nurse screeched.
"Nya. Fine." Asuma said, throwing it in the garbage. "You're awake." Asuma said, eying Shikamaru.
"Yeah." He said simply.
"You're quite the talk of the town. I never thought that my one lazy student would end up being a war hero. But, ever since the Chuunin Exams, it seems you're full of surprises, eh?"
"Hn. How troublesome." Shikamaru said with his signature bored frown.
"Ha. And some things never change." He said, as he sat down.
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List of Ninjitsu used:
Kagemane no Jutsu - Shadow Imitation Technique
No, it's not over!
WudaiMarsWind
