"Asuma!" Shikamaru yelled.
"Well, all done here," Hidan said his skin turning back to normal.
"Just give me a second," Kakazu replied. His grip tightened and I coughed up blood.
"Damn you..." I managed to say. Shikamaru struggled to get back up.
"You son of a...! You're gonna pay for that!" he yelled charging at Hidan. Kakazu whipped his arm around, sending me into Shikamaru. Suddenly black crows appeared everywhere. Another Shinobi hid himself in the crow and attacked Kakazu. He dropped me and Ino ran up to us.
"Shikamaru! Ashelza! We're here to help!"
"Ino," I said surprised.
"Let's go," she said and we jumped on the roof. Choji was also there yelling towards Asuma. Shikamaru put his head to the sensei's chest, looking for a heartbeat.
"Choji! You have to get him to the Leaf Village hospital," he ordered. "Ino, use your medical ninjutsu to help him as long as you can!"
"Got it!" they yelled. Kakazu appeared on the roof behind us.
"I'm not giving up my bounty," he yelled.
"You four," a Shinobi said blocking his path. "Take him somewhere safe, we'll hold these two off!" Before he could do anything, Kakazu jumped back down.
"Come on, Hidan, do what Pein says!"
"Fine!"
"But we'll be back for the bounty!"
The sky turned gray as Ino was healing Asuma. "No... Stop..." he mumbled. "Don't even bother to heal me... I won't make it..."
"No! That won't happen," Shika yelled.
"Ino, Choji, Shikamaru. And Ashelza too..." I looked up, surprised that he would mention my name.
"Ino... you're bossy but you can be a... compassionate caregiver... Choji and Shikamaru are too clumsy to look after themselves..."
"Yes sir," she cried.
"Choji... you're a thoughtful, loyal friend... and a kind soul... in time you'll become a stronger Shinobi than anyone else... and another thing... try losing a few pounds..."
"I'll try sensei," he said bawling. My eyes were starting to get watery.
"Ashelza..." I lifted my head. "I didn't know you well but... today you showed me great strength for friends and people that you just med... you are very brave and kind hearted... never forget that..." I put my hands on my face to hide my tears that were flowing.
"And finally... Shikamaru..."with your razor sharp intellect... you have the instincts of a great Shinobi... you are truly worthy of becoming Hokage... but you'll probably try to avoid it... since you'll find the job such a drag..." At that point I couldn't hide my tears. "All those games of shogi... and not once could I beat you... I'm counting on you Shikamaru..." Asuma started shaking. "I know I said I'd quite but... could you give me... one last cigarette... They're in my front pocket..." I reached over and pulled out the box, handing it over to Shikamaru. He got the lighter and placed the cigarette in Asuma's mouth. Everyone was crying except Shika... the cigarette finally dropped from Asuma's mouth almost in slow motion. The flame on the lighter went out and we stared at him.
"Sensei," Ino cried laying her head on his chest. The other Shinobi, and Shikamaru, didn't shed a tear. The rain poured down faster as Shikamaru got up and walked to the other side of the roof. He stopped and held the lighter in his hand.
"I still hate those damn cigarettes."
"I see..." Lady Tsunade said. "You two tell the people about the date... I'll tell Kurenai..."
"No. I have a personal message for her..." Shikamaru said and we headed off.
"Uh... Shikamaru?" I asked. "I'll get Naruto and the west side... You get Kurenai and the east side."
"Uh... yeah... sure..."
I walked through the forest until I entered the familiar training ground (The same one I destroyed earlier).
"Oh... Ashelza! What a surprise," Yamato exclaimed breaking me out of my thoughts.
"Um... I have some information to pass on from Lady Tsunade..." Yamato's face dropped in concern and motioned for Naruto and Kakashi to come to us.
"What's up?" Naruto said all cheerful.
"Lady Tsunade... Wanted me to tell everyone... The date for..." I paused and gripped my arms.
"The date for what," Kakashi-sensei asked.
"The date for... Asuma Sarutobi's... Memorial..." I looked up and saw their blank faces.
"Asuma sensei... is dead?"