"If he dies, it's all my fault," said Shikamaru as they waited outside the operating theater.
Temari crossed her legs. "We've had this conversation before."
"Back then I wasn't strong enough," said Shikamaru. "Now... I'm still not strong enough."
She got up and sat beside him. "He'll get through it."
Shikamaru took her hand in his cold ones. "What if he doesn't? I'd have failed – again."
"It's not on you, Nara Shikamaru, to save everyone." Temari gripped Shikamaru's hand. "He'll make it fine, trust me. As if the son of Asuma and Kurenai would give in so easily."
Shikamaru buried his face in his hands. "He shouldn't even have been in the battle, Temari, he was supposed to have gone to the shelter."
"Again, a Sarutobi. It was in his nature to protect that which he loved – and he loved his village. Nara, he will be fine," reassured Temari, although she was almost as upset as he was when they found little Asuma.
Shikamaru shook her off and stood up. "If he dies, I'm done."
"Nara-"
"I mean it,Temari. I'm sick of this shit."
The blonde jounin watched him go, helpless and forlorn. She knew he meant it this time and, for the moment, she had nothing she could say to dissuade him.