Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto. I do own my creations, such as the Dragonlands and the Dragon ninja.
Chapter 1:
"Dracen, Jerod!" Zaynah watched in horror as the explosion ripped through the trees. Her teammates disappeared in the flames, she was forced to her knees, and a kunai was suddenly against her throat.
"Well now, poppet." A poisonous voice cooed in her ear. "It's goodbye. I've had a wonderful time!"
Zaynah stiffened as the rogue ninja pulled back her kunai to strike. A soft grunt and a gasp met her ears; she opened her eyes to see the rogue stretched on the ground, and her sister wielding her double-bladed spear, now bloodied in her twin's defense.
"Zephyr, Dracen and Jerod—"
"Are fine." A pair of strong arms swept her up and they were dashing through the thick forest. Zaynah clung to Dracen's vest as exhaustion hammered her.
"Dracen…"
"Blast it all, Zaynah, you could have died!" Zephyr snarled, worry blunting the anger in her tone as she easily kept pace with Dracen. "Using the Razors after being poisoned, it was idiotic!"
"It saved our lives." Jerod said quietly, effectively halting Zephyr's tirade. Zaynah felt Dracen's arms tighten around her and she smiled, finally succumbing to the darkness.
Before she finally passed out, she heard Dracen say softly.
"We're nearing the border of Konoha…if we can only get there in one piece…"
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Shikamaru leaned against the wall, his bored gaze scanning the expanse of trees in front of him. He sighed and folded his arms, leaning back to take a nap.
Wallguard duty was so troublesome.
Just as he was about to doze off, a loud voice shouted in his ear,
"HEY! Shikamaru!"
Shikamaru jumped and came down with a kunai pointed at the annoyance. Naruto stood grinning at him, carefully stowing his ANBU uniform in his bag. Shikamaru automatically scowled and put away his kunai.
"What are you doing here? You should be reporting to the Hokage."
"Already did!" Naruto said cheerfully, placing his fox mask in his pack. "Our squads have gone home; she kept Sasuke behind for the finer details, but he should be here any moment!"
"And why are you here?" Shikamaru lifted an eyebrow. Naruto opened his mouth to reply, when Sasuke appeared with a swirl of leaves. His own raven mask dangled from his hand (as he had yet to put it away) and he glared at Naruto.
"Have you told him yet, dobe?"
"Oi! I was about to when YOU had to go and interrupt me!" Naruto yelled, practically steaming.
Sasuke ignored him and turned his gaze on Shikamaru. "We encountered a few irritations on the road, and signs of battles. They led toward Konoha. All the wallguards are to be especially alert; since you are guarding the gate today, we thought we should inform you ourselves."
Shikamaru nodded, amazement rising in him as he once again marveled at Sasuke's transformation. Ever since Naruto had brought him back, after Orochimaru's demise, Sasuke had become more open and friendly…at least as much as his anti-social personality would allow. Of course, both Naruto and Sakura had something to do with that…
A sudden explosion had all three scanning the forest. A plume of smoke rose not a mile away. Shikamaru hit the alarm on the wall as Naruto and Sasuke checked their weapons.
"Shikamaru, once help arrives, follow us with a small group." Naruto ordered, falling easily into his role as an ANBU squad leader. "I don't want any needless death."
Shikamaru's reply was lost as a small whirlwind appeared before them. When it died, they saw the shocking sight of two silver-haired girls. The taller one with her hair pulled into a bun was carrying the second girl, who was unconscious. The girl stepped forward, but her legs gave out and she slid to the ground, carefully cradling the second girl even as her strength abandoned her.
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Zephyr blinked as darkness edged her vision and looked up. Three men wearing the symbol of Konoha ninja stood watching her in suspicion and surprise; all three were jounin. She felt her strength fading and managed to gasp out a single plea.
"Please, help us! Our teammates…"
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The girl's astonishing plea trailed off as she fainted. Shikamaru quickly caught her, scanning both girls for injury.
"Chakra depletion, lacerations, the braided one has several broken ribs…" Shikamaru looked up to see Sakura, Hinata and Lee dashing toward him; Naruto and Sasuke were gone. Neji appeared beside him.
"Neji, Lee, you're with me." Shikamaru relinquished the girls to Sakura's care. "Sasuke and Naruto have already left; we have a rescue situation."
"Let's go." Neji commanded, and they were gone.
Sakura lifted both unconscious girls, her amazing strength put to good use, and headed toward the hospital as Hinata informed the tense wallguards of the situation. She then scanned the forest with pearl-grey eyes and frowned.
Why can't I see the disturbance?