Chapter 4: Joint-Class Mission part 5

The teams are set, ready to take this mission by force and make their teachers proud of them. The difficult training, the enduring sweat and the crimson red blood along with the plentiful tears. This is proof that they exist, that they left their marks and bid future Shinobi's to surpass them.

The announcer, sweat slightly sliding down the side of his temple with excitement and cheers in the air. He raises his hands proudly in the air, intimidating the students and then finally slams it hard on the desk.

The young future shinobi's make their way to Gai-sensei. The middle age man isn't afraid, to be exact, there's a small smile on his face. He steps aside and does a few stretches as the groups catch up to his location, slowly, but surely closing in.

Little does anyone know, Shikamaru actually got ahead of them during the heated start and planted himself on top of a tree. He had his shadows around Gai sensei the whole time. He also did his research and found out that Maito Gai is one of the cockiest teachers there is, at least from what he read. Shikamaru couldn't help but feel a little nervous, considering he's about to trap Gai single-handedly, without the help of his allies.

This will not only be proof that he is far more fit to be in team 10, but also prove the whole world that his existence is the future of Konoha, but the most important thing is. He wouldn't have to go through that tiring and boring training anymore. He snickers, thinking of how easy this is going to be.

Shikamaru isn't the only one determine to be the all star of this mission. The teams are even closing in on Gai and if you look at it from the stands. It looks like Gai is caught because there's no exit at all. The funny thing is, Gai didn't even start yet, he's now having a chat with Kakashi who's equally not caring how this situation is going.

Kakashi's face is smoothed inside the paper of a novel he's interested in. Kiba snickers, thinking they have this in the bag, "What's this old man thinking!" he laughs to everyone else, but before he could launch an attack. He hears a small chuckle from the curious masked shinobi.

The Shinobi with slightly bright gray hair brings his hands to his head and his book on his lap. If Kakashi didn't have a dark mask covering his mysterious face all the time you could tell there's a sly smile beneath it. "Maito Gai isn't going to be caught that easily..." he said calmly, devastating everyone around him.

The question wasn't really pointing towards the groups closing in on Gai, but towards Shikamaru. "I almost find it insulting you would think of us that weak. I know you're Chakra is small, maybe useless...but we're still experienced Shinobi's." he cleverly smiles, sarcastically teasing the students who are looking at the image of Gai.

Shikamaru grunts, knowing his mastermind plan is found out. He felt a new irritation that he thought didn't exist, but it doesn't matter, even if he was found out by the both of them. He has Gai where he wants him. He laughs, still hiding on top of the tall tree.

There's no way he's going to make it out. Shikamaru's chakra may be weak compared to these senior shinobi's, but there's just no way he could break out of the hold so easily. It will give enough time for everyone to get in at least and trap Gai...unless...

Shikamaru hesitates to breath, not knowing the foundation of honest truth or insane physical abilities. He completely underestimated Gai sensei and now he bitterly witnesses his overall strength's. He falls on the ground, eyes widened, staring directly at the frozen image of Gai.

He felt so stupid not knowing about it until now. All he had to do was squint his eyes. He found it out in the end, but even then, he can't believe it. The truth about Gai's technique is nothing fancy. He's not using a shadow clone jutsu or any substitution jutsu for that matter. It's just that Gai's moving in such quick speed that his body is still visible from where he first stood.

He could see now that there is a small blur returning back to that same image, as if restarting it's artificial existence.

Shikamaru isn't the only one worried about this. The rest feel the endless trouble this problem could cause them. Kiba swallows hard, this insane technique isn't a jutsu. It's something that is done by pure athletic ability. He understood perfectly well why Lee looks up to him.

This veteran Shinobi is definitely truly amazing. The man himself is overly thrilled having young people awestruck at his greatness, everyone but one person. The blonde whiskered young boy isn't having any of it. Ino felt a little worried, thinking he would do something he doesn't mean to and she was right. Naruto quickly speeds up in front of everyone else and jumps on Gai's image.

The quickness of the impact hits Naruto, but for that split moment. The image disappears and it catches Shikamaru's attention, but as he ponders about this. Naruto's body launches several feet in the air only to come tumbling back on the ground.

Naruto rubs his boiling hot head with his hand, trying to cool the pain. "Tsk..." he said, while Ino quickly darts to his side. She worriedly looks at Naruto, her eyes moving all over him trying to find an open wound or something dangerous to his health.

Naruto smiles a little, glad he has someone like Ino to care for him. Sakura on the other hand watches curiously, feeling something was a tad bit odd. She knows Ino, one of her rivals for the love of Sasuke and even if it was irritating to have a rival to contest her undying love. It's unnatural to see her care for someone else, that person being Naruto just intensifies the complication by ten folds.

The last time she saw the two together was during the entrance ceremony and even then they were in hostile terms.

Sakura walks over to the two, watching them carefully, "What's this?" she said, turning all her attention to Ino as if Ino betrayed her. It took a while, but Ino finally turns her head noticing Sakura's presence. She's too overly worried for Naruto well-being she almost forgot Sakura said anything, "W-what do you mean?"

Sakura puts her hands on her waist, lips partly open and one brow raising in the air. She then points at her hands which are nicely rested against Naruto's chest. "This!" she almost screams and Ino gives an annoyed sigh, turning her head away from Sakura and tending to more important things, "You're wasting my time. Naruto's hurt and he need my care." she said, as if it was the most natural thing in the world.

Sakura felt ignored, breathing in a small gush of air while her existence being pushed aside. She can't be ignored. She's her rival, what Ino's doing is a disgrace. "That's what I'm talking about!" She glares at Ino, not giving her a chance to think of what she's saying, "Why do you care about that monster anyways? Don't you love Sasuke?"

The sudden claim from Sakura catches Ino off-guard. The name Uchiha Sasuke still holds weight within her heart because it was only yesterday when she would choose Sasuke over the world. Her body freezes, her eyes widen and her tongue dry. She couldn't speak. Sasuke...she did love him. She loved everything about him and even now when she thought she was done with him. She can't help but feel old wounds resurface.

She swallows hard, but not one drop of saliva existed. She swallows the dryness of her lips. She then stands up, barely, as if in any moment. Her body will crack and break into pieces. The eyes all centered on her, surprisingly, everyone is interested in this subject.

It's not because Ino's in love with a new person, but because that person is Uzumaki Naruto. There's a small moment of silence to hear her case and Ino finally licks her lips, readying herself to say what she needs to say. She grips the her skirt from the sides and opens her mouth to speak, but nothing comes out. Her voice is stripped from her and she felt destroyed.

Her relationship with Naruto is still new, but strong. She has to prove that to everyone...she...

She felt like crying and her trustworthy ally Choji, was ready to step in any moment. She secretly apologizes Naruto for not being strong enough and allows her body to fall into silence. Her eyes close and a single tear drifts into the air. She just has to let Choji deal with it all, but before she could allow her body to retire and fall into the hard earth.

She suddenly feels something strong, but firm touch her back and the warmth of someone's hands surrounding her fragile body, as if holding it all together. "It's fine..." Naruto says softly in her ears, smiling only to her. "You don't have to answer anything..." he then slowly carries her into his arms and walks away from the group, only to set her down in the shade of a great, big tree. Naruto grins and gives her a thumbs up, winking, "I'll take care of this!"

he says happily and walks away from Ino to face the group.

Ino stares blankly at her hero walking away. The sun shining against his orange jumpsuit, creating a beautiful, orange glow. She knew now in her heart that she's in love with him and if ever she got the chance again to prove it. She won't allow herself to be weak.

Naruto walks to the crowd, turning his attention to Sakura especially. His former crush, "What Ino feels has nothing to do with any of you." Naruto stated, almost hostile, "She doesn't have to answer everything you ask if she doesn't want to."

Sakura tries to cut Naruto off, but Naruto's not done yet, "I don't care about any of this nonsense about being rivals or whatnot. What I do care about is Ino and if you're truly her friend. You'll be okay with me being with her, but if not...then it doesn't matter because there's nothing you...or anyone could do to bring me away from her. Not the clan heads, not the teachers, not Konoha...If Ino's fine with having me as her..." he tries to think of a better word, "...friend...then I would gladly take that offer."

Naruto looks back at Ino who's peacefully taking her time under the shade. She looks so happy now and he wants to protect that look forever.

Everyone's surprise at Naruto's sudden act of heroism, considering he usually cares for himself and no one else. They talk among themselves and even Kakashi ponders about this for a while. Shikamaru watches the two and he hears Naruto's speech. It sounds good, almost like witnessing true love, but it irritates him for some reason. He's not angry about them being together, but he's not too happy of Naruto fitting in so easily.

Ino's already in love with him and Choji's not complaining at all...is he truly that replaceable?

The corner of his lips slightly curl into a twisted smile. He thought that maybe he'll get a chance to slack off, but since the incident with Gai and the bond between team ten. He'll have to show his strengths now and show everyone that his existence is not meaningless. He couldn't allow it, not after working so hard to get to the place he is now.

Shikamaru climbs up on top of a boulder and looks among the crowd of students, "Everyone!" his voice booms with authority and their attention shifts from Naruto and Ino to Shikamaru. "Does anyone know how we're going to catch Gai?" He asks anyone, daring them to reveal a plan greater than his, but there's no answer. Kiba then finally speaks with an irritable expression, "We can't...Gai's too fast for any of us. The only person who stands a chance to do anything is Lee, but even then the chances are slim it's almost nothing."

The group nods in agreement and Shikamaru finally descends from his rock and jumps on the ground. He smiles bitterly and walks up to Naruto. He needs Naruto to prove something, he needs to know if he could truly replace him, "They say in traditional history that the second member of the Ino-Shika-Cho is someone who introduces brilliant tactics and boost their fellow allies strengths by ten." Shikamaru said.

Their eyes finally meet and it's like a stare off between a ferocious lion and a devastating dragon. Naruto could sense the an immense amount of hatred from Shikamaru. "And...?" Naruto said, trying to look confident, but he couldn't help but feel threatened by Shikamaru. He really isn't someone who's all talk.

Shikamaru laughs, gripping his shirt tightly, desperately trying to contain his laughter, "And?!" he repeats Naruto's words, and everyone weirdly found it funny. They join in Shikamaru's attempt to put down Naruto. The original 11 weren't laughing though, they watch Shikamaru's actions and some of them even thought he lost his sanity. "And..." he whispers once more, slowly calming down.

"Uzumaki Naruto, second member of the Ino-Shika-Cho..." he bows, teasing Naruto as if he's some type of royalty. He's putting all the pressure unto Naruto, testing his ability to withstand the constant expectations of everyone around him. He wants to know if Naruto could push his level to the next stage if it requires to be so, maybe...if he could...

Ino tries to stop the two from fighting, but before she could move from the shade of the tree and grab Naruto with her. She feels a small pat on her shoulder and looks back to see Choji hiding among the shadows as well, "Naruto needs this...he needs to face this..." Choji claims, trying to figure what's roaming in Shikamaru's mind. "It's better if it's Shikamaru and not one of the clan heads."

Ino knew he's right. The pressure from everyone got to her as well when she first met Naruto. That's why she felt distaste for him in the beginning. She doesn't care about that anymore, but she's still unsure if Naruto's ready to live this kind of life. In a way, Shikamaru's actually doing something good, even if Shikamaru doesn't know it.

"So..." Shikamaru smirks, "How are you going to catch Gai?"

Everyone has their eyes set one Naruto once more and Naruto felt more alone since his friends didn't step up for him. He didn't feel like their abandoning him or anything, instead, he feels like they believe in him Naruto looks at everyone and could feel the piercing of their stares digging into his skin, but he knew it's time to bring himself together and step up for himself.

He tries to recollect himself for a second and thinks about his life, throughout everything. He's been considered as an animal, a troublemaker and even a monster. He has to live up his dreams of being great. He has to take his life in his control.

"I can't..."

Naruto breaths out slowly, and for a moment. Shikamaru thought his assumptions were right. He thought Naruto couldn't handle the pressure, but then a sudden twinkle sparks in Naruto's eyes and his lips slightly curl into a smile. He actually looks surprised to see this look, it's the look of someone determined to prove himself without being told so, without having to.

Naruto isn't different from him. Naruto did prove himself that he's a shinobi no matter how many people said differently. No matter how many people said he was a monster. He's standing here today among the original 11 as proof that he's a not a monster, but a shinobi.

"I can't...do it alone." he finishes his sentence. Then the whole crowd watches Naruto for that split moment as Naruto offers his hand to Shikamaru. There's a small silence between the two, the hostility that was once there vanishes and instead it's replaced by this small act of friendship.

"I can't do it alone Shikamaru..." Naruto repeats and Shikamaru looks back and forth from Naruto's hand to his face, "What do you mean...?" The clan heads trained Shikamaru and the other two to respond curtly to anything someone said to them, but he was never trained like this. Throughout his life. He had to prove himself, and then he would get awarded with gifts, but this time. Naruto doesn't need proof from Shikamaru.

Naruto accepts Shikamaru the way he is.

"I need your help to catch Gai..."

There's a long pause and Shikamaru finally responds back. He thought he could be the villain, but in the end, even he couldn't stand a chance against Naruto's kindness and his personality didn't really match well with being a villain. It's too bothersome. Shikamaru pushes his hands in his pocket and a small smile plants on his face, "Alright..." he snickers. Even if Naruto replaces him, he knows that his existence isn't so easily wiped away, not when he has a friend like Naruto.

"...since you asked nicely...let's catch Gai sensei!" he shakes Naruto's hand and a new friendship is born.

A/N: Hey I freaking tried making Shikamaru a bad guy, but I couldn't. It just kept coming out unnatural and what not. Anyways. The new enemy for Naruto's going to be the clan heads, but unless you guys want this story to be only 11 chapters more. I need somebody to play the new bad guy. It will take time for new chapters to set in while I think of a plot. Thanks for your patients. 3000 words!