Don't KILL ME! I know its been a year since I updated! I kind of lost inspiration for this story... eek... but I got it back and so...!
Chapter Fourteen: Promise
"Shikamaru?" Choji called.
"What is it, Choji?" Shikamaru replied.
"Don't be so worried. Naruto's alright," Choji said with confidence, "We'll find him."
Shikamaru and company was flying through the trees following the path Naruto and his team supposedly took. Shikamaru was leading with Hinata on his left, Choji on his right and Ino directly behind him. Choji could see the look of determination and panic written all over Shikamaru's face. Choji couldn't quite figure out why Shikamaru was all worked up, Naruto is the shinobi hero. He saved the world; he could handle a few criminals.
"Shikamaru, there are two chakra signatures up ahead, I don't know them but they are small," Hinata said.
"That maybe Naruto's genin," Shikamaru said picking up speed with the others following in suit.
Shikamaru landed with a thunk on a tree branch right above where Hinata detected the chakra signatures. Choji, Ino and Hinata landed on either side of him. Below them, Inuzna Ashi and Nara Morimaru sat back to back with kunais drawn.
"That's two of Naruto's genin. Nara Morimaru and Inuzna Ashi," Shikamaru explained.
"A Nara? Why didn't you get him, Shikamaru?" Ino asked.
"Long story, I will explain later," Shikamaru replied as he jumped down scaring the two boys.
"Shikamaru-sensei!" Ashi exclaimed as he and Morimaru stood up.
Ino jumped down beside Shikamaru, followed by Choji and Hinata.
"Ino-sensei! Choji-sensei! Hinata-sama!" Ashi continued.
"Ashi, where is Naruto and Kasumi?" Shikamaru said as he walked up and placed a hand on Ashi's shoulder, "What happened? Why are you separated?"
"Our group was attacked by bandits, and Naruto-sensei instructed us to stand back and guard the scroll while he took care of the bandits, but one of them moved away from the group and attack us. He took Kasumi, but didn't even try for the scroll," Ashi explained, "Naruto-sensei took off after the guy and Kasumi and we haven't seen them since."
"We were told to stay here and wait till he got back, but he never returned," Morimaru said, "We would have continued to Suna to report what happened, but we don't know the land or where we are going and since we still have the scroll, we didn't want to risk it."
"I understand. You two did the right thing," Shikamaru nodded, "How long ago was this?"
"Five days," Morimaru replied.
"Which direction?" Shikamaru pushed.
Morimaru turned and point to the south.
"Alright. Choji!" Shikamaru called.
"Yes, Shikamaru?" Choji replied.
"Take these two and continue on to Suna. Deliver the scroll then head back to Konoha," Shikamaru ordered.
"Yes, sir," Choji nodded.
"Ino, Hinata," Shikamaru said, "You will continued on with me in search of Naruto and Kasumi."
Ino and Hinata both nodded.
"Head out," Shikamaru ordered.
Shikamaru, Hinata and Ino headed to the south flying through the trees, while Choji took the two genin and continued heading towards Suna.
Several hours later, a worn out Hinata and Ino still continued to follow a determined Shikamaru in search of Naruto and his young genin, but with little success.
Damn, I wish I were a sensory type…
"Hinata," Shikamaru called without wavering his speed as he bounced off another tree branch, "Anything?"
"No, I'm sorry," Hinata replied, "I'll keep trying."
"Thank you," Shikamaru nodded.
"Shikamaru, it's been hours," Ino tried.
"And?" Shikamaru replied bluntly.
"WAIT!" Hinata called stopping on the nearest branch.
Shikamaru and Ino followed in suit and came to a halt on other various tree limbs. Hinata narrowed her eyes.
"Someone's ahead," Hinata nodded, "There's something else but I can't place it."
"Can you tell who it is?" Shikamaru asked.
"It's…," Hinata explained.
Shikamaru nodded before Hinata could even finish and shot ahead. Soon, the trio came upon a small girl kneeling over a blonde laying on the ground. Shikamaru landed next to the duo.
"Shikamaru-sensei!" Kasumi exclaimed.
"Kasumi," Shikamaru knelt beside the young girl placing one hand on her shoulder and the other hand went to Naruto's neck checking for a pulse, "He's alive," he breathed out a breath he didn't know that he had been holding then turning to the girl, "we need to go. You can explain what happened while we are heading back. INO!"
"Yes," the blonde said landing next to him.
"Check on him please," Shikamaru ordered trying not to let his worry infiltrate his voice.
"Hai," Ino said making hand signs, seconds later her hands started to glow green over Naruto's body, "No injuries or anything life threatening, but Shikamaru we need to get him to Tsunade-sama."
Without an explanation Shikamaru knew what she was referring to.
"Lets go," Shikamaru said scooping Naruto's body in arms while Hinata helped Kasumi so they headed back to Konoha
oOo
"He'll be fine for now," Tsunade said as she walked out the room at the hospital that housed Naruto.
Shikamaru let out another breath. It had been over 48 hours since they returned. Choji had returned with the two boys while Ino kept an eye on Kasumi so Hinata could rest from using her eyes for so long. Currently everyone was crowded in the hall as Tsunade stepped out.
"Can we get an explanation of what happened?" Shikamaru asked.
"Well I read your mission reports and I guess I do owe you an explanation huh?" Tsunade nodded, no one said a word but just waited for her to continue, "it starts with Kasumi."
"Me?" Kasumi replied.
"Well, more about your father than you," Tsunade nodded, "he as you know was a very experience Shinobi, even serving in the fourth war. He contained an ability similar to the Byakugan. As far as we know he's the only one who possessed it."
"An ability like the Byakugan?" Hinata asked.
"Yes, although it doesn't have a name…" Tsunade continued until she was cut off.
"Are you talking about Ranmaru?" a voice asked.
Turning to face the new voice, the group found Guy walking towards them.
"Guy," Tsunade nodded, "yes, Ranmaru was Kasumi's father."
"He's not from Konoha though?" Guy asked.
"That would be correct, however Kasumi's mother Shiho is," Tsunade smiled.
"Shiho? From the Cryptanalysis Team?" Shikamaru asked.
"Yes, that's my mom," Kasumi nodded.
"Anyways, Ranmaru had the ability to see and hear things from long distances. With this ability, Ranmaru was able penetrate the walls of his shack to view the outside world. Although the range of his kekkei genkai is similar to the range of the Byakugan, it actually has the ability to counter and negate that trait. His ability also allowed him to perform irresistible genjutsus, which can fool even the "all-seeing" Byakugan. Ranmaru's vision also lets him locate and track others by sensing chakra, picking up chakra from long distances, and noticing changes in an individual's chakra. It is also able to sense how many individuals are present."
"Impressive," Shikamaru nodded, "And you believe Kasumi will develop this kekkei Genkai?"
"There is a high probability," Tsunade nodded.
"And why you assigned her to Naruto's team, because you believe he would be able to protect her if anyone came after her for this ability," Shikamaru thought aloud.
"Exactly," Tsunade nodded once more.
"So that's why those people attacked our group?" Morimaru asked, when the Hokage nodded in response, he continued, "then what happened to Naruto-sensei?"
Tsunade sighed, "that is classified." Tsunade looked over at Shikamaru who gave her a nod of appreciation for keeping that secret, "he will be fine in a few days with rest. Now Kasumi, I will let your sensei help you with your Kekki Genkai if it should present it self. Don't worry too much about it, we will deal with whatever comes."
"Hai," Kasumi nodded.
"Is he awake?" Shikamaru asked.
"Yes, he is. And when he is ready I need him to tell me what happened," Tsunade said implying for Shikamaru to aide her in that area.
"Ino, Hinata, Choji" Shikamaru turned to his teammates, "can you take the genin so I can speak with Naruto?"
"Of course," Hinata nodded while Ino gave him a look walking away with the genin.
"Why are you here, Guy-sensei? Shikamaru asked.
"I came to speak with Naruto when he is ready," Guy replied smiling.
"Right," Shikamaru smirked, "later? I need to talk to him."
"Of course!" Guy smiled brightly giving him a thumbs up.
Shikamaru shook his head when the green-clad ninja followed after his team. Turning to the door, the brunette took a deep breath before sliding the door open to reveal a blond laying in bed looking out the window.
"Naruto," Shikamaru breathed out.
Naruto turned to face him, putting a huge smile on his face, "I owe you big time huh?"
"You're such a idiot," Shikamaru said walking over and sitting on the edge of the bed, "why did you use it?"
The smile from Naruto's face fell as he looked away, "this is something I need to talk to Tsunade about."
"Finding a cure?" Shikamaru asked.
"No," Naruto shook his head, "I think Konoha may be facing a new enemy."
"What?" Shikamaru look puzzled, "no one can be as bad as Madara or the Akatsuki?"
"I don't know, Shika," Naruto shook his head, "it wasn't like they were hard to take down but the group who attacked my genin were no ordinary shinobi. It was like they weren't human. They had abilities that shouldn't be possible with ordinary chakra. In fact their chakra didn't even feel normal when I used Sennin mode."
"What do you mean their chakra wasn't normal?"
"Okay," Naruto thought for a moment, "Do you know how everyone's chakra came form the same tree thing?"
Shikamaru almost laughed at Naruto's lack of vocabulary, "yes."
"Well, its like their chakra came from a whole other tree!" Naruto replied.
"That's weird," Shikamaru shook his head.
"What's weird is that their chakra almost felt more advanced. It's like the chakra learned when I counter attacked. It felt like I was fighting a genin at first, then by the end of the fight both the shinobi and the chakra felt like a Chunin or even a young Jonin," Naruto explained.
Without meaning to Shikamaru smiled at his blond, causing Naruto to flinch back in concern.
"What?" Naruto asked, "why are you smiling at me like that, Shika?"
"Because you just seem so grown up," Shikamaru laughed, " being able to explain something like that probably took you years to learn how to do."
"Shut up!" Naruto laughed.
Shikamaru laughed, "you should probably talk to Tsunade about this soon."
"Yes I do," Naruto nodded.
Shikamaru's glance suddenly turned grave, "Naruto, what happened?"
Naruto sighed and looked out the window. He wasn't completely sure but he had an idea of what was going on. Tsunade also gave some answers.
"What do you think happened?" Naruto shrugged.
"Naruto," Shikamaru warned.
"I used the Kyuubi mode and it had a bigger affect on me that I thought it would," Naruto shrugged but he knew his lover would see right through his lies.
"That's not all," Shikamaru shook his head, "why can't you trust me? We've talked about this. Stop hiding it from me!"
Naruto turned to face the other with a shock on his face. It was the first time ever he heard Shika raise his voice. The two men just stared at each other for a moment. Naruto could see the pain and anger brewing in the other's eyes.
"You're right," Naruto dropped his head, "I'm sorry."
"Then tell me," Shikamaru ordered.
"I don't think I have as long as Tsunade thinks," Naruto explained, "My body is breaking down faster than I thought. My body is acting like I have a poison in my body and its killing me. I have to get rid of the chakra before its too late."
"Then we'll find another vessel," Shikamaru suggested.
Naruto shook his head, "its not that simple."
"Why not?"
"Kurama's vessel has to be an Uzumaki."
"Why?"
"The Uzumaki's chakra is the only one that can house and handle his chakra," Naruto explained.
"So we need an Uzumaki to become a Jinchuuriki?"
"Not just that," Naruto shook his head, "First it has to be a child, someone whose Chakra coils haven't been developed so that why it can adjust to the different chakra. And second, I cant just put Kurama in some random Uzumaki. I can't do that to him."
"So what do we do?" Shikamaru asked with a hint of worry in his voice. He normally wasn't the one who couldn't come up with a solution and it frustrated him.
" I don't know," Naruto shook his head.
"We'll figure out something. We have to," Shikamaru said.
"Ya know," Naruto started, "this is one of the reasons I didn't want to come back to the village so soon."
"What do you mean?"
"Well, when we are in the village, I am send on missions and use my jutsu collection more," Naruto explained, "so when I was out with you, I didn't use the 'poisonous' chakra so it didn't affect me."
"Yeah, but now that we are in the village, Tsunade can help us with this," Shikamaru reminded him.
Naruto chuckled, "I guess that true."
Shikamaru leaned forward and placed his forehead on Naruto's, "I will figure something out. I promise you."
"I know you will genius," Naruto replied.