A/N: Two weeks are up, so you all know the drill! First, I would like to apologize for how short this is (also not a fan how it turned out), this is the other half of the last chapter. The next chapter will be MUCH longer. Second, I've been kind of in between being pissed off and sad because of some nasty reviews that I received on another story (I'm sure they were from the same guest because they came one after the other). I deleted those nasty reviews because they were coming for me as an individual not just reviewing the story. I understand that when I put my stories up that I'm opening myself up to criticism. I enjoy feedback more than most people, but I really don't understand why people feel the need to be keyboard warriors and say negative shit. If you don't like something then don't read it. Plain and simple. All of you are the most wonderful little Shikoba followers. Every single one of you, even the ones that don't review and just want to read, are amazing. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your support.

!ALERT!: THE GAARA AND NEJI DEBATE HAS TWO ON EACH SIDE. This is in regards to a story I want to write for both of them. They'll both be getting a story; I just want to know who to do first. Thanks to Mangafreak1997's idea I will be posting little pieces from both stories on Thanksgiving. I will reveal who will be getting a story first in the next real chapter. Thank you all so much for your feedback!

Thank you for the favorites and/or follows: YaoiLovinKitsune, Whydoitmc, kaikurayami, , Skeater4, Felicia 99, shika93, danceofshadows, RatchetsGirl1, tici285 and XxSakuraFanxX

Special thank you for following and favoriting me as an author: XxSakuraFanxX, danceoftheshadows, and YaoiLovinKitsune

lllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll

*Normal POV*

Shikamaru watched his longtime crush's match full of annoyance. She had promised him that she wouldn't participate.

'Troublesome woman.' Shikamaru's usually relaxed face was stuck in a scowl. He didn't understand why she let the blonde chick provoke her to the point of a fight. Until, his mind flashed back to how she took down Ino without hesitation. Back then she wasn't even giving Ino her all. Hell, she barely held back against the guy from her village. He had frozen when he thought she was going to decapitate him. The sound ninjas she went up against back in the forest of death were no joke, but she was ruthless. Angry being the key word. She treated them as if they were nothing.

She was a completely different person in battle. She was either furious or void of all emotions. Watching her now made him go back and analyze her every move during a fight. He had seen her in three fights total in the ten years he had known her. She didn't even allow him to watch her train whether she be alone or with anyone else. He was really taking in the orange haired lava shinobi below.

His entire posture stiffened, and all thoughts of her fighting style left his mind as he watched her get sliced to ribbons. Her blood flowing behind her like a gentle breeze. He felt like something had clogged his throat as he stood straighter. He recognized right away that she was at a disadvantage without her chakra, but to also be without an arm...she was still the ruthless fighter he knew her to be. Shikamaru knew Temari Sabaku was done for as soon as Kabocha was within arm's reach. He gazed at her tattered clothing feeling a familiar emotion make an appearance along with his growing annoyance.

It was rare that Shikamaru Nara was angry. He had never been angry at Kabocha before. He was also aware that her tattered clothing weren't all her choice, but he was pissed beyond belief at the sight of her exposed stomach. There was also a hint of her left breast exposed which furthered his dark mood. He completely ignored the fact that Kabocha had gone in for a killing blow when Temari was immobile in favor of looking at Kabocha's unwrapped left arm. The exposed scales appeared to move with the rise and fall of her chest. He had even more questions for her now. Questions that he knew she would never answer.

He felt his anger come down to a simmer, and disappointment rear its ugly head. He just wanted to understand her, to know her like no other. He felt that he would never get that opportunity at this rate...

Kabocha turned around to make her way back into the stands. Shikamaru watched her pause at seeing the look on his face. Her stoic expression cracking into a wry, nervous smile. He watched her pivot on her heel and leave the stadium. Shikamaru hadn't even noticed anyone saying anything to him; when Naruto had been cheering and speaking to him the entire time, his focus was only on Kabocha.

He had known Kabocha for an entire decade, and he didn't even know what she preferred to eat in her village.

What was her favorite color and why?

Where did the name Dragon of the West come from?

Why was her Uncles so...passive agressive? Well...Gorudo is.

What was her father like?

What was going on with Tsuyoi? Did she have any other family members?

What was with her left arm? Where did the scales come from?

The questions bounced around in his mind making him have doubts about their relationship. He didn't know her at all. She was different...he came to the conclusion that she must have an animal trait like the Inuzuka clan. He had known that the day he met her, and didn't expect her to tell him right away what made her family different but it had been ten years now. An entire decade of barely even knowing the basics of her everyday life.

As Shikamaru heard his name being announced he was almost to a decision about Kabocha as he made his way down the stairs into the arena. Maybe...she didn't trust him….

He had never heard her say the words 'I love you'...ever. He hadn't said it to her even after his realization that he did, in fact, love Kabocha more than just a friend. Maybe...she didn't love him at all.

*With Tsuyoi*

"Thank you." Tsuyoi masked his surprise with a face of indifference at Kisame's gratitude. He requested that Tsuyoi go back to Konoha to check on things. Since they were aware of Orochimaru's presence, it was decided in the trio that he would be the best suited to enter and exit Konoha without much hassle. He had already made plans to return today to watch Kabocha and Shosha's matches. Unknowing to Kisame, Tsuyoi, had a fondness for Kanpekina because not only was she his brother's tamer but his brother loved her and vice versa.

"Mm..be careful." Itachi hummed facing away from Tsuyoi and he stared at his back. "I always am," came Tsuyoi's simple response before he disappeared in a swirl of flames. They were near the hidden Rain village because of a meeting making Konoha quite a ways away even through teleportation. He used half of his chakra reserves to transfer himself from the outskirts of the Rain village to just outside the North gate of Konoha.

"So it's begun…" He spoke quietly just in case anyone was around that his senses couldn't pick up. He watched the snake tear through the gate of Konoha with ease killing dozens of Leaf Shinobi in its destructive wake.

It didn't take long before he felt an intense shift in power coming from just inside of Konoha. He immediately recognized the conjoined chakra, but wasn't aware of the result. He was taken aback at the sight of the three headed dragon. He wasn't even aware that the dragons allowed contracts. Well...dragons of that size considering how fickle the Grand dragon could be.

Tsuyoi's attention was snatched away from when he smelled three shinobi and a dog being pursued by a large group outside of the village. It had been some time since he smelled Shikamaru Nara and Naruto Uzumaki, but the smells were unmistakable. They spent enough time with Kabocha for them to be recognizable.

Tsuyoi sat still for a moment debating what he should do. He had come to check on his siblings and Kisame's estranged daughter. Itachi didn't make it a point to tell him to check on Sasuke, but he definitely had to now considering he could locate and determine what he was up against...the Shukaku.

Tsuyoi jolted off of the branch and took off after the future Nara head, and the boy his sister considered a brother. He also kept Sasuke in the back of his mind for the simple fact that Itachi loved him more than anyone...even him….

He didn't want to waste anymore chakra since he would have to teleport back to where Kisame and Itachi were. If they were even still near the Rain village when this was all over. He grunted in exertion, picking up speed to catch up with the large group of shinobi trailing the three man and a dog squad.

He didn't need his sense of smell to realize that someone was coming up behind him. He also wasn't going to take any chances with dealing with them or the person recognizing who he was. He pulled down the all black mask that he inherited from his grandmother and readied himself for a fight. He unsheathed his grandmother's twin blades as well. He picked up his speed a little more so he could deal with the person tailing him and the group in the front all at once. His current objective still standing: protect Shikamaru Nara.

*With Shikamaru*

He had made the decision as he explained the mechanics of an ambush to Pakkun, Sakura, and Naruto. He already knew that he was going to be the decoy. He had always been aware of his intelligence and how his laziness got in the way most of the time. He couldn't nap his way out of this one even though he was tired... He was choosing to sacrifice himself.

'I guess this would be a good time to think about my future...that's what most people do right before they die anyway…' Shikamaru thought sarcastically to himself as he tilted his head back to stare at the clouds. He could feel his shadow possession jutsu waning with every passing second. He used too much chakra when he was fighting against Gin. He needed just a little extra chakra to stretch his jutsu to the ninth sound ninja that he missed. He was going to die there…

'I just wanted to be an average shinobi making an average living. I wanted to marry a regular girl that wasn't super pretty or super ugly...have two kids….a girl and a boy. I wanted to retire when my daughter got married and spend the rest of my days playing shog. Then, I would die of old age peacefully in my sleep before my wife...that's the life I wanted...' Shikamaru thought calmly to himself until a beautiful golden eyed girl flashed through his mind.

'Forget super ugly or super pretty...I would've married the most beautiful girl in all the great nations. We would probably have all boys because of how strong she is… She would make me work hard until I dropped dead, so I could forget about my leisure retirement. She also wouldn't let me die before her…she'd revive me and threaten to kill me if I left her again...' Shikamaru almost outright laughed thinking about his first love and the future they would have had; in that moment he didn't care about the secrets anymore. His heart was almost painfully beating in his chest at the thought of her not knowing that he loved her.

The shadow possession jutsu wore off making the eight men grin at him. Shikamaru had come to terms with his death as soon as the leader announced for the ninth shinobi to come out and cut off his head. There was a pause...too long of a pause.

Shikamaru's eyes widened when a figure landed behind him. He was so sure it was the ninth ninja coming to cut his head off until he smelled cigarette smoke and heard Asuma's voice.

"I finally caught up with you guys." Asuma grinned down at him, he was still shocked that someone had come to back them up or was it more than someone…

A dead body dropped right in front of Shikamaru startling his already shocked mental state. A figure came down and landed right in front him, the figure had its back turned to him. He was dress in all black and even wore a black mask. He stood even slightly taller than Asuma.

"Stand back." The muffled, baritone voice advised but no one was sure to whom the masked figure was speaking to. The masked man let out an almost inaudible sigh, stretching his left arm out behind him and nudging Shikamaru with the back of his hand towards a safe spot.

"And just who are you supposed to be?" Asuma puffed out through a cloud of smoke. The masked man ignored him in favor of making sure Shikamaru wasn't in the way. He was his top priority and then he would go check on Naruto and Sasuke. He could already smell Kabocha closing in on them so he had to take care of this quick.

"Stay out of my way." The masked man said in Asuma's direction. "Yeah...that would be my line." Asuma said with a sarcastic smirk.

"Are you all done talking...because it's time to d-" The leader shouted with a voice full of fear but was cut off by the masked man slitting his throat with one fluid motion. Everyone around was shocked at the masked man's quickness and cold-blooded actions. Shikamaru had never really seen anyone die in such a brutal manner...the image was chilling.

"Next." The masked man stated flicking one of the twin blades. Asuma zoomed past the masked man, not caring to deal with him just yet since his focus seemed to be protect Shikamaru. Both Asuma and the masked man disposed of the sound ninja in record time. Asuma knocked the sound ninjas unconscious while the masked man killed them. Shikamaru fell on his ass in relief giving a huge sigh in exhaustion.

"You did good Shikamaru. I'm proud of you." Asuma turned to tell Shikamaru with a grin. Shikamaru pursed his lips and shook his head. "Yeah but this was way too much work…"

Asuma almost laughed at his pupil until he remembered the masked man about to leave the small clearing. "Now...who are you-"

"Shikamaru!" A sharp scream cut into Asuma's question. A head of fiery hair could be seen barreling through the trees and into Shikamaru, knocking him onto his back. He landed with a loud 'umph', unconsciously wrapping his arms around the frantic girl.

"Kabocha?" Shikamaru questioned out of breath, looking down at the crown of her orange head. Her armor pressing heavily into his body, but he still felt that she was borderline trembling in his arms. He had never seen her look panicked, but here she was on the verge of tears and shaking.

The young couple didn't notice the masked man tense up as soon as Kabocha's name was said but Asuma certainly did…

Shikamaru sat up with Kabocha still in his arms, her arm tight around his neck while her left arm stayed limp at her side. He was trying his best to soothe her and ignore the pulsing, scaley arm. One of his hands cradling the back of her head and the other rubbing her armor clad back.

"You're coming with me." Asuma said startling both Kabocha and Shikamaru. Kabocha unburied her face from Shikamaru's neck to look over her shoulder to see who Asuma was talking to. She was in such a hurry that she hadn't noticed anyone but Shikamaru.

She froze upon seeing the man facing her direction and barely ten feet away. Shikamaru felt her entire body stiffen. He couldn't see her face as she stood slowly to her feet. Of course he couldn't see the masked man's face but he felt like he was staring at Kabocha. He didn't like how uncomfortable that thought made him...this unknown man staring at his...girlfriend?

"Tsuyoi…" Kabocha whispered out brokeningly into the tense silence. The masked man didn't move a single inch, Kabocha sucked in a painful breath as Tsuyoi turned his back on her. He didn't plan on her seeing him, and seeing the pain in her eyes was almost too much on his soul. She was his baby sister...he loved her more than anyone...even Itachi. He had to ignore her...hurt her so she wouldn't be tempted to follow after him.

Tsuyoi had discreetly raised the the first layer of eye protection on the dark mask. He still couldn't see much, but he definitely saw enough. He had been selfish with his sluggish movements and staying a moment to gaze at her soft features; which were new to him since she had always had sharp features. He was also concerned about her left arm, but he would have to look into that later. She also looked worse for wear overall. He had been selfish enough, it was time for him to make an escape.

"Tsuyoi." Kabocha said with a stronger voice. "Tsuyoi Kasai...S-ranked missing nin." Asuma said with a serious expression and the look on Kabocha's face darkened to the point where she was almost unrecognizable to Asuma and Tsuyoi. Shikamaru wasn't able to see her face, but her body language was screaming in anger.

"It doesn't matter what his title is. He is my brother above all else, so if you plan on taking him in your going to have one hell of a fight." Kabocha's trembling was gone. She stood in a defensive manner putting Asuma and Shikamaru on edge. Her general persona had taken over the minute Asuma announced Tsuyoi's status like he was a threat.

Kabocha turned her attention back to Tsuyoi. "Tsuyoi...please come home." Shikamaru felt his heart thudding against his ribcage at her simple yet strong statement. Her tone had softened when addressing her older brother...the same brother that had tried to kill their father apparently. Something was adding up by how she was treating him. He watched her take a small step away from him and one small step towards Tsuyoi. Asuma readied himself for a fight watching the Kabocha.

Tsuyoi began to make hand signs...hand signs that were similar to Kabocha even though his back was turned to her. She readied herself to sprint towards him but she was stuck in place by...a hand on her wrist.

"Shikamaru, release m-"

"I love you." Kabocha's loud snarl died on her lips at his confession. "Don't go...I love you so much…" Kabocha sucked in a breath hearing him say it again but louder. Both Tsuyoi and Asuma was staring at the young couple. Tsuyoi merely turning his head to the side since he couldn't really see much even with the first layer of eye protection raised.

He was happy that he had heard it with his own ears...she was blessed by the dragons to have a tamer that loved her despite what she was at heart. Tsuyoi wasn't aware that Shikamaru had no idea what he was let alone what she was. All he heard was a confession of love and a heartbeat that hadn't faltered when someone lies.

Her inner turmoil could be seen clearly on her face, tears of frustration clouded her vision. She watched through blurry eyes as Tsuyoi turned his back on her once again. He started the hands signs over again and disappeared in a swirl of flames.

Kabocha didn't make a second attempt at chasing him. The tears of frustration finally falling down her cheeks. She could feel a burning pain in her back that sent her to her knees, her heart beating painfully against her ribcage and loud in her ears.

"Kabocha...I'm sorr-"

"I love you too…" Kabocha choked through the pain, not being able to feel anything but agony. She didn't feel Asuma or Shikamaru's hands on her back which was the source of her pain. Unbeknownst to all of them that the final emotional seal had been broken until Shikamaru noticed the drastic change in her body and hair.

Her wavy hair was back to its wild, curly state. All of her small wounds healed, her chakra returning with a vengeance. Her claws on her right hand lengthened, her new left arm almost looked to be taking deep breaths. She no longer looked haggard and on her last leg, the visible change was astounding. Asuma finally noticed the difference in Kabocha, taking his and Shikamaru's hand off after feeling the heat from the dissipating seal even through her armor and cape.

Kabocha finally realized what was happening when her strength and heightened senses returned to her. She felt a laugh bubble up deep in her chest even through the prolonged sharp pains. She grinned stumbling to her feet and startling both Asuma and Shikamaru. She turned to face her love and his sensei. Her grin was blinding giving her a glow yet worrying both males as she began laughing loudly.

"All I had to do was admit my feelings...all I had to do was hear no doubt about your love for me!" Kabocha laughed out calming down when she saw the confusion on Asuma and Shikamaru's faces. She leveled her features to just a gentle smile, gazing at Shikamaru with an intensity that shook him to his core.

Asuma had never thought anything of their little relationship even when he caught them at the training ground that one time. He thought it was just hormones...just a fling, but the look she was giving him told him otherwise. He had never seen any woman, fully grown or otherwise, look at any man the way she looked at Shikamaru. He had no doubt in his mind that when Kabocha Kasai loved, she loved hard. It was even clear when she was willing to fight him for her brother's safety. This teenage girl was putting all of her eggs in one basket, and he was happy that his pupil's basket was the one she chose.

"Thank you, Maru-kun…" Shikamaru blushed brightly realizing that they had had a moment in front of people instead of privately like he had always dreamed of. His sensei and her oldest, dangerous brother was now aware of how deep his affection ran for her.

"Stay with Asuma. My mission isn't over yet." She told him...well ordered him in a voice he had never heard her use. He wasn't sure if he was annoyed or attracted to her bossing him around.

"Kabocha, I hope you're not planning to follow Naruto." Shikamaru wasn't an idiot. He already knew she was going to go after him. Asuma also didn't it was a good idea to go after Naruto in her state. She seemed to still be shaking and that arm of hers was still out of commission. Both of them recognized that she was fatigued from whatever her body just went through.

"I let one brother slip through my grasp. I'll be damned if I let another do the same." Kabocha told both of the shocked males. Shikamaru had already persuaded her to stay once, a fact that she was never going to let down; when all she was wanted to do was bring her big brother home.

Kabocha pivoted on her heel ignoring Asuma's shout for her to wait. "I know I don't have to tell you to take care of him but...take care of him until I return. I'll nurse your wounds when I bring Naruto's squad back." Kabocha winked at Shikamaru making his blush start up again. Asuma outright laughed this time at his student's embarrassment at Kabocha's flirting. Shikamaru certainly had his hands full.

"Nice pick, Shikamaru." Asuma told him with a laugh once Kabocha had disappeared into the treetops.

"I didn't pick her she picked me...troublesome woman…" Shikamaru half-heartedly, trying to hide a smile but failed miserably. He thought about her admission of love and how happy she looked. She looked like a weight had been lifted from her shoulders, and even though she look tired she looked stronger than he had ever seen her.

Deep down both men knew she would be fine.

llllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll

Deviliciouskitty: Hey there Kitty, always a pleasure to hear from you! I am so happy you liked that chapter; I'm a worry wart about certain chapters. It's a toss up with or Maru-kun and his feelings. We'll be getting an in-depth description this chapter. Naruto is such a serious anime, it has soft moments, but not enough for me since I'm doing a story. Otherwise it'd be fine because I enjoy animes that have fighting. I laughed with happiness when I saw you were 100, 101, and 102! You came through for that 100 that I so desperately wanted! I am also a fan of juicy, naughty scenes. Those kind of scenes (to me) change a relationship. I'm torn on who to do a story for next. )': I'm going to do one for each of them, but idk who to pick first. I love Gaara just a little more, not sure why, but emotionless (or with limited emotional range) anime characters have always been the most attractive to me. AH! I'm going to be forever torn!

YaoiLovinKitsune: Thank you so much for the review, Kitsune! I'm ecstatic your loving the story so far! Stick around and don't be afraid to let me know your thoughts in the form of a review or even a pm!

Dani66: Hey Dani, great to hear from you! Unfortunately in Kabocha's current physical state she would not be able to defeat Kakashi. Maybe if she had her shit together regarding her bloodline trait, but that is still a definite maybe. You're making me want to write them fighting lol. It'd be such an intense fight scene!

Crazy Devil Girl: Hey Girl, I've been waiting for your review lol! I was two sentences away from making Kabocha and Kakashi fight! SPOILER ALERT!: They will be having words…(; Even though Jun and Gorudo hate each other...well Gorudo hates Jun; they make a fantastic, ultimate fighting duo. They grew up together, so we'll be seeing a lot more of a partnership between them unfortunately. We will also be seeing a lot of growth in Kabocha. I wouldn't say she's super strong now, at most, I'd say she's persistent or resilient. Her true power will come after training. SPOILER ALERT!: If you're disappointed with Ino wait until you see Sakura's reaction to a certain situation…*gasp* Your review is perfect as always! It will never be a mess to me, I appreciate you so much! There is no right answer for the Gaara or Neji debate. Its whoever you love more! You just evened out the score for them lol! I have a story planned for whoever gets the most votes out of the two of them! Just you wait!

Mangafreak1997: Hey Manga, it's so good to hear from you! I'm happy you enjoyed her cousin introduction. We'll be seeing a lot more of Kabocha's family in the future. Jun is so out of everyone's league power wise, and Kabocha and Shosha finally realized that last chapter. They are going to be learning a lot of techniques and jutsus. Their growth will be the most noticeable in the future. Kakashi was thinking of what was best of the village. HOWEVER, it's not his place to be telling her what to do or keeping info from her. He was a little big for his breeches addressing Kabocha like she was beneath him, when she definitely outranks him. SPOILER ALERT! He will be addressed, and Kabocha will be addressed for abandoning her post. Ino is also wrong but just wait until you see SPOILER ALERT! the altercation between Ino, Sakura, Naruto, and Kabocha! Oh my glob the last part of your review had me sweating! Your description of a potential Neji or Gaara love story made me drool over here! You're also a genius, I didn't even think to include like a summary or something for each potential story. I think I will start working on that, and then publish it on Thanksgiving...or sooner. (; Thank you so much for the great idea!

Danceofshadows: Your review really meant a lot to me (especially after my writing was called trash earlier this week). Please don't thank me, you deserve all the thanks. Thank you for taking the time to review, and letting me know that you're enjoying everything so far. I really appreciate it! Please stick around and hopefully I'll hear from you again in the future about certain events in the story! (;