The fight
It was afternoon when they finally caught up with the thieves. These were 4 ninjas and it looked like they have been employed by the village of the Sound to steal the scrolls. The Sound had a habit of employing rogue ninjas. These four were among the strongest. They all used magnetic jutsu and it was not easy fighting them two against four. All six were long-range fighters but Shikamaru's and Temari's ninjutsu were limited to some range and these guys seemed to have no problem attacking from very far away. After some attempts at fighting Temari and Shikamaru were cornered. Enemy had all their kunai and they were floating in the air in a circle, all pointing and the two of them and controlled with the magnetic field by those guys outside the circle. Shikamaru noticed the movement of the four – they were walking around to form a square around them.
- I think they'll do some formation. – He whispered to Temari, who was panting behind him. They stood back to back. – I have a feeling they're planning to pierce us with our own kunai.
The only thing effective as a barrier was Temari's fan, but it wouldn't be enough if kunai started flying towards them from all directions, and they both knew it. Shikamaru couldn't catch them with his shadows as they were standing quite far away and even if he tried to form a sign, some of the kunai attacked him immediately.
- If this is really what they are planning, I have a plan too. – Temari told in a silent voice. It sounded strange, as she wasn't completely sure about it herself. She sighed. – Stand in front of me and squat. Try to cover yourself.
Shikamaru was a bit nervous as this was the first time he had no idea what his teammate has in mind, but right now he had no other choice than to listen to her.
- Temari, what is this?
She didn't answer, just spread her fan and placed it behind her back.
Suddenly the foes moved closer while forming some signs, but they didn't leave any time for Shikamaru to do his shadows techniques, as the kunais surrounded them and started flying towards the couple. Temari simultaneously made some hand sign and shouted "Tatsumaki!" She held her hands lifted to her sides, as the kunai changed their direction and were now flying in a circle around them instead of towards them. Shikamaru realized they are standing in the middle of a tornado, just created by Temari. He never knew she could do such a powerful ninjutsu – the trees were flying around them, and through the dust he saw the open-mouthed faces of the enemy, who stood just outside the tornado, contemplating what to do, but not backing away since the wind didn't seem to reach them.
He looked up to Temari to see why she was hesitant about using this technique. There were some wind whiffs inside the tornado as well and they cut. They cut through her clothes and her skin, her arms, legs, chest. Just as she got the cut on her cheek, she looked down at Shikamaru. She looked so powerful, harsh, and beautiful at the same. The wind let her hair loose and they were tousled harshly around her face. She shouted "Now!" – waking him up from his awe. As if they had this planned, he knew what to do. He formed a shadow technique, hid it under the tornado, catching all four of them, and pulled them into the tornado. He didn't let them go and held them so the passing rubbish would make more damage. He also noticed a bag with the stolen scrolls flying around, so he used another of his shadow "hands" to get that. During this struggling he got a few cuts himself as well, and immediately felt some weakness, as if energy was seeping through the cuts. He noticed the wind getting weaker and weaker, and turned around to see Temari falling down with her eyes closed; he managed to catch her just in time. It felt like she was as small as a little girl, powerless and harmless in his hands.
The thieves started crawling away – they were cut in many places and therefore really weak, but Shikamaru didn't bother. They retrieved the scrolls – that was the mission. And now he had an unconscious girl who has worn herself out while trying to protect both of them. He was so worried when she fell down, she looked like she was dying. But she was breathing weakly, and he could feel her heartbeat as well. This tornado took only several minutes but Temari was completely exhausted and out of chakra – most likely this tornado steals your chakra through the cuts it makes. This explains everything.
Toru came running through the bushes. Shikamaru was glad he hid so now at least one of them is undamaged. Going to a mission in a two man cell would be really tough. He decided to entrust Toru to finish the mission and to carry the scrolls to the village, which was nearby, according to the dog's nose. Temari probably will be too weak to travel for a whole day which means they wouldn't make it in time. He wrote a letter with an apology to the Grass village for not coming and explained the situation, and he sent Toru running towards the village. He should reach it in about 6 hours. Shikamaru hoped it was safe – the foes ran away in a different direction.