I said two days and two days it has been.
Enjoy!
The sun was just beginning to lower itself under the horizon as Shikamaru paced along the sand, waiting anxiously for news. It was almost unbearable to be outside, doing nothing and feeling useless when Temari was in danger. He hadn't felt so helpless and unworthy since their talk in the hospital. For the most part, he'd taken what she said to heart, letting it fuel him to grow stronger, smarter. He'd vowed that never again would he let his comrades get hurt by his mistakes.
That's why this hurts so much, right? Because in our own weird, albeit slightly abusive way, we're friends?
The quickening of his heart rate and the odd, unsettling feeling in his gut told him otherwise. Sighing, he looked around him, content not to linger on that particular destructive train of thought. He knew the confusing feelings would resume soon enough. By now it had become common for thoughts of the sand kunoichi to plague him. It was simply a matter of time before he would be forced to address the issue, whatever the issue may be.
"Troublesome."
He glanced around, spotting the familiar black clad shinobi. Kankuro was lazily sitting on the sand, under the shade of his newest puppet, Salamander. Shikamaru had already been given the full tutorial on his defence system and the new combination attacks he could perform with black ant and crow. As interesting as Kankuro's jutsu was… He shrugged; the information was stored for later use, he just hopped he never had the occasion. Watching Kankuro critically he began to notice the shinobi's agitation. Although he looked the picture of ease, Shikamaru could clearly see the apprehension rolling under the surface of his calm façade.
Shikamaru turned away, seeking out the rest of their squad. Kiba was not too far away, standing with Akamaru and Shino. He and Akamaru were standing stock still, no doubt taking advantage of their enhanced sense to learn what they could about the area, enemies and Neji's progress. Despite this, they were clearly taking in the beauty of the sunset, ensnared by the splendour and peace of the desert. The open sky was a picturesque blanket of pinks, purples and blues. The sun, now sitting right on the sand in the distance, cast a rosy glow over the vacant, sprawling region. The effect was completely enchanting. It was a picture of the true magnificence of the desert and not something many of their peers had witnessed before.
The sight reminded Shikamaru of the first time he'd seen the sunset from the centre of the desert. Temari had dragged him away from the village just after sunrise and they'd marched all day, only stopping for lunch at a small oasis. He'd honestly thought she was luring him off to a secluded place to dispose of his body. An hour before sunset Temari climbed atop yet another of the unending dunes and just… sat; perfectly content with their position. Then they'd waited in silence, sitting together comfortably. It was the first time they hadn't argued since Shikamaru had set foot in the village a month earlier. She had been unusually bitter his whole visit.
"Neji and my bugs have defeated two enemy shinobi inside. My bugs have done a full sweep. They can't find anyone else." Shikamaru turned towards Shino and nodded, focus returned to the mission.
"Time for Kiba and Akamaru to take over the search I guess."
Kiba, Akamaru and Kankuro were already racing across the open expanse of desert.
He glanced to the left, where Kiba and Akamaru once waited by Shino. The swirl of sand was the only indication they'd ever been there. He shook his head, mildly bemused at their childish enthusiasm. He had expected Kankuro's impatience to rescue his sister and already factored it in their plan.
Those three are almost as eager and impatient as Naruto…
Kiba and Akamaru looped across the sand, leaping easily into the cave with Kankuro hot on their heels. They surveyed the open space before them, opening their senses and familiarising themselves with the scent of everyone in the enormous cavern. Kankuro passed them quietly and immediately rushed forward. As he reached the mass of figures chained to the floor he pulled out the scroll containing Salamander.
"What are you two waiting for? An invitation? Look for my sister." Kankuro yelled over his shoulder as he worked diligently, helping Neji free the sand shinobi before them.
"Akamaru, man beast mimicry." Not willing to let Kankuro one-up them, Kiba and Akamaru began to work methodically around the room, searching for any signs of the missing kunoichi and her team. After lapping the chamber twice they came to a stop by the far wall.
Her scent is here. But it just disappears. How?
"Neji, have you looked through the walls again? Are there any other rooms adjoining this?" Neji looked over and shook his head.
"I've tried. I still can't see through the walls at all." The news was disappointing, without an earth style user there was no way of knowing if there were other caverns beside the one they were currently occupying.
"However, this cave is made of sandstone. There is a high possibility of other, naturally formed interconnected caves."
Thank god Neji's a genius!
"Well in that case… Fang over Fang"
"They've burrowed into another cave. Apparently there is another…" Shino's sentence tapered off as he turned toward his remaining team mate and found himself alone. His shoulders hunched slightly as he realised they'd overlooked his presence again.
"Shikamaru?" Once again he turned and peered through the fading light toward the entrance to the cave system. Shadows now covered most of the open space; night closing in quickly.
I thought Shikamaru was the lazy one?
The dark haired boy heaved a sigh and began walking leisurely toward the cave. There was no real need to hurry.
As Kiba and Akamaru transformed back into their normal forms they surveyed the room. A large number of Shino's bugs were already inside and more were pouring through the large hole they'd just made in the wall. Towards the middle of the room was what appeared to be a deep pit. Directly in front of this was a giant mountain of a man. In contrast to the large, well-used cavern they had just come from the room was quite small. There was only one light illuminating the space, while the shadows completely obscured the walls. The mountain turned slowly towards them as Kankuro burst into the room. Crow, Black Ant and Salamander were drawn before him.
"Secret black technique…"
"Earth style, crushing…"
"Fang over…"
Even Shino's bugs stopped moving.
"What a drag. It's troublesome, but now I can see that I've gotten your attention." The shadows across the wall on the far side of the room began to quiver, swiftly rushing in towards a single point as they rapidly condensed into the form of a body. Shikamaru stepped forward and surveyed the room's occupants. His time in the shadows had already given him the full layout of the area.
Shikamaru walked slowly around the edge of the pit. Splitting his shadow so many times was exhausting. He could already feel his chakra draining. Sighing, he withdrew his jutsu from Kiba, Akamaru, Kankuro and the bugs. Sweat rolled down his face. Holding the mountain in place was exceptionally difficult.
"When'd you get in here?" Kankuro asked, puzzled.
"About three seconds after Shino told me that you'd broken in. Not too troublesome to travel at dusk." Shikamaru paused as more bugs flowed into the room and attached themselves to the shinobi he still held. He could feel the man's struggles decrease in fervour as the bugs fed of his chakra.
"Not to damped spirits or anything but, DOES ANYONE WANT TO GET US OUT OF HERE?" a voice from below screamed. Kankuro chuckled softly, genuinely smiling for the first time in a week.
Poor little Matsuri, stuck with Temari all this time. She's turning into her little clone.
Shikamaru pulled the last sand kunoichi out of the pit and set her carefully on the ground. She hastily crawled over to Temari's unconscious form, and knelt between Matsuri and Takumi.
"Her wounds are infected. She's really hurt." Matsuri's voice broke and Kankuro moved forward, silently pulling her into a tight hug. He knew the young girl was probably reliving her parent's deaths seeing Temari in this state.
"It's alright. Can you imagine the punishment you're going to get from her when she's recovered?"
Hiccupping slightly a teary eyed Matsuri looked up at Kankuro. She quickly swiped at the tears running down her cheeks. Temari would never forgive her for showing weakness in front of Leaf shinobi. Especially these shinobi.
Despite this, she didn't fail to miss the look in Shikamaru's eyes as he had pulled her out of their holding cell. Even now, he was standing to the side, watching over her. She felt her lips curve, just slightly, as she remembered the way Temari had fitfully whispered his name during one of her more frightening nightmares.
"Thanks Kankuro."
Shikamaru pushed away from the wall and calmly walked over, joining their small group.
"We'll rest for another hour before heading straight back. Factoring in the slower pace, we should arrive just before midday."
Kankuro nodded never taking his eyes off his sister's unconscious body. The possibility of never seeing her again, never being criticised or beaten up by her again had been almost debilitating. No one could calm Gaara, make Matsuri listen, or get Kankuro to participate like Temari. She was an essential aspect of their lives and just as vital to their village.
Leaving the harrowing thoughts behind, Kankuro focussed on their biggest problem. It was going to be incredibly difficult to get everyone back. He had already placed the three unconscious people on Salamander's back, the dead bodies had been put into scrolls, but the rest would simply have to walk. He glanced over to where Shino, Kiba and Neji were busy feeding and consoling people, helping them regain their strength for the trip home. From where he sat on the other side of the cave, Kankuro could see that Kiba was busy talking to everyone, lending a shoulder to those who cried, sympathising with everyone and cracking bad jokes just to make people smile. Even the usually pessimistic Huugya was lending a supportive hand to those who asked while Shino and Shikamaru were taking inventory of everyone's injuries.
The Leaf sure is different.
Do I really need to do the disclaimer? We all know I don't own Naruto...
What did you think? Good? Maybe?