Here comes the Next Chapter, this one will cover the chase after Sasuke and Gaara. Let it Begin!

Chapter 28: Shikamaru Leads! Temari Intercepts!

"We need to pick up the pace, it seems we are being followed," Shikamaru said.

"But how many?" asked Sakura as the three ran down the forest.

"Nine of them I believe," came a voice from behind them. They turned to see a dog with a vest on.

"Who the hell are you?" asked Naruto as the dog ran along side them.

"Kakashi summoned be to help you guys, and besides, who wouldn't want Pakkon to help them on a mission?" asked the Dog.

"Whats so special about you?" asked Naruto.

"Well my paws are soft and bouncey," Pakkon smiled as he jumped along. E very one just stared at him with a look that said WTF, "Alright, there SUPER SOFT AND BOUNCY!"

"What the hell does that have to do with anything!" Naruto yelled.

"Nothing, but if you quit complaining I may just let you touch them," Pakkon smiled with a look that said he was giving them a deal.

"Naruto, calm down and let me handle this," Shikamaru said trying to calm down the enraged NAruto, "You seem to be a tracking dog, so what way did Sasuke and the Sand Nins go?"

Pakkon jumped in the lead to show them the direction to go. After a while of following the Pakkon turned his head towards the group and said, "We have about Eight Ninja's, no Nine on our trail. There catching up to us quite quickly."

"Should we set up an Ambush?" asked Sakura.

"Yeah, that will give us a good advantage," smiled Naruto.

"No, that won't work," said Shikamaru, "In order for an Ambush to work you need to be a good distance ahead of your pursuers, which we are not. In addition since Orichimaru is leading this assault and he is originally from Leaf he most likely trained these Ninja for pursueing targets in this area. Because of that they would have an easy time setting up an Ambush. Our only option is for one of us to delay them for a while so that the rest can cover their tracks long enough so that the enemy will be unable to pursue them any farther."

"So that means one of us will get killed?" asked NAruto.

"No, I will stay behind. I'm better at running away then the rest of you so don't worry, I'll be Okay," Shikamaru sighed.

Naruto had a worried look on his face. However Shikamaru was a friend, and even though they weren't that close, NAruto believed in him, "Alright Shikamaru, See ya later," and then Naruto and the others took off.

"Do you really think you can trust that guy?" asked Sakura.

"Yeah, even though he's the laziest idiot here I can tell we can count on him," said NAruto.

Shikamaru had set up some quick traps. Sure enough the following Shinobi had been careful and avoided the initial trap. However Shikamaru's shadow shot from the bushes and caught all of them.

"What the hell?" asked one of them.

"I couldn't very well let you pursue my friends right now, so I had to buy them some time," smiled Shikamaru. However he knew he wouldn't make it out alive. The last Ninja always trailed behind in case of an ambush and Shikamaru didn't have the Chakra left to bind someone else into his shadow. He could only await until the Ninth one arived. All I wanted was to lead an average life. Be an average Ninja, marry an average looking women, have two kids. First a boy then a girl, and as soon as the boy leave's I'd marry off my daughter. Then I would retire and play Shoji and die before my wife. Now here I am sacrificing myself to help some people I barely know, Shikamaru thought, "How troublesome."

Just then someone jumped out from behind him and Shikamaru cringed awaiting a deathblow that never came. HE turned his head around to see Asuma standing there with a sound Ninja draped over his shoulder, "Its about time. I was waiting for a good chance to get this guy without the rest of them noticing and jumping me. Lets take care of these guys, alright Shikamaru?" he smiled.

"Well, I do have some time left on the Shadow bind, looks like you attack and I'll drop it before you hit. Then your on your own," Shikamaru smiled.

"Sounds good," Asuma said putting on a pair of nuckles that had a blade coming out of the sides, "Lets do it."

again thanks for all the support. Three more chapters to finish up the Invasion of Kohona arc. Again thanks for all the help and please r & r.