Chapter 26: Shikamaru Meets Gaara
Shikaku and Inoichi had successfully escorted as many Genins they could find. And currently, said Genins were gathered at the lobby of the hospital which became some sort of sanctuary. But most teams didn't make it back.
Team Ino and Team Lee were safe and accounted for. The heir of Suna, along with his Sand siblings were found and escorted to safety. It did not escape Shikaku that something horrendous must have happened the moment the exam began. Someone had been brutally murdering everyone. Whether it had been Orochimaru's allies or not, it was unknown. But most Genin had been essentially buried and crushed to death. The brutality of it all had him on high alert. It was a matter worth investing once this was over.
Shikaku and Inoichi were about to leave the hospital. And before parting, they verbally assured Chouji that Choza will soon join them. But once outside, Shikaku took a moment to look around the empty streets of the Leaf Village. It appeared like a complete ghost town without a single civilian in sight. Shibi Aburame's team must have done his job in warning the villagers.
Shikaku glanced over at Inoichi, whose emerald eyes glowed with concern over their missing teammate.
"Let's look for Choza. He should've been here by now." Inoichi said to Shikaku as they took a few steps down the stairs. Just then, a large explosion was heard. Everything around the village was still intact. Thus, something was happening at the border.
Shikaku and Inoichi didn't have to look at one another to know that priorities had changed.
"That will have to wait since Choza is probably headed there right now." Shikaku said as they ran towards the village's border.
After their parents left, Shikamaru, Ino, and Chouji waited around while nurses made rounds and perform minor first aid to small scratches and injuries. Shikamaru had been leaning against a wall while he allowed a nurse to treat his cuts which had been inflicted by sharp branches. There were not enough chairs to go around but Chouji and Ino manage to snare a spot on a soft cushion.
Shikamaru evaluated everyone with his eyes. He noticed all Genins had a few scratches here and there. The red-headed guy which they learned was known as Gaara was a contradiction to this. The boy's skin was pale and unbruised. He was located against a wall on the opposite side, while his teammates also remained standing next to him.
Shikamaru frowned and didn't look away once a pair of jade eyes locked with his. It was the setting that gave him the courage to stare at Gaara. The suspense of not knowing anything about Hinata was eating away at him. The lazy boy sighed out in regret. He should've been more verbal and opposing against his father, Shikaku. He regretted not asking his father for this one personal favor, to help escort Hinata back to safety.
Ino and Chouji watched in horror as Shikamaru pushed himself off the wall and made his way towards Gaara. He ignored his teammates calls as he stopped dangerously close, in front of Gaara. The red-headed boy was a little on the short side, allowing Shikamaru to get away with looking down at him.
"Hey if you're looking for a fight, you're going to get one." The older teen with face paint took a step forward between Shikamaru and Gaara. On the contrary to what Gaara believed, Kankuro was trying to protect the challenging teen. He tried to intimate the teen away but he wasn't getting the hint.
"You insult me, Kankuro," Gaara said to Kakuro's back. "Do I look like I need to be rescued? Do you think that I need my fights to be fought?" He allowed his chakra to spike to a dangerous level, affecting everyone in the room. Team Lee made sure to stay out of it.
"N-No not at all Gaara." Kakuro quickly stepped out of the way and stood next to an older teen with blond hair that defied gravity.
"But as Kakuro pointed out if you are looking for a fight, you're indeed going to get one. I can feel your animosity from across the room. But I don't recall ever doing anything directly to you." Gaara said impassively. He managed to remain in control of his bloodlust because he let loose during the exam. Leaving him capable of some restrain.
"Did you see a girl with dark blue hair at the exam?" Shikamaru asked. Gaara's lips formed into a grin as he tilted his chin and glanced up at Shikamaru. It was a sinister smile that Shikamaru mistook a "Yes, so what?".
By then, Chouji and Ino had made their way over and to stand behind Shikamaru for moral support.
Temari knew that her brother was trying to instigate a fight. And quickly intercepted before any more damage could be done. Unlike Kankuro, she was sure she would not fail. It was important to not be seeing as the enemy. And she prioritized this over allowing the fear she had of her brother consume her.
"We all did. During the first part of the exam. She was the Hyuga helping you guys cheat." She didn't say how she knew so much about the Byakugan and the connection it had to the Hyugas. Which meant that the clan is indeed famous even outside the village's walls.
Gaara spun around and glared at his sister. He crossed his arm as if to emphasize how displeased he felt about her butting in.
"Temari," He growled.
"S-Sorry Gaara." She quickly apologized, but her apologies were always empty and never felt.
"Hn." Shikamaru spun around and tucked his hand inside his pockets and proceeded to walk away.
"What is your name?" Gaara called out. Shikamaru paused and tilted his head slightly to look over his shoulder. His piercing brown eyes looked cool and uninterested. But Gaara knew better. He knew his weakness. It was the girl.
"Shikamaru Nara."
"I'm Gaara of the Sand, and I will not forget your challenge." The red-headed boy replied. He remained impressed with Shikamaru's ability to keep up this act of aloofness. Gaara sidestepped and turned around in contemplation as his siblings watched in anticipation. But he ignored them.
Whoever this girl was, she somehow managed to spark the courage and balls that it takes for a sane human to go out of their way and seek to challenge him. It was enough to peak his interest. An image of her profile quickly came to mind. He recalled the shy girl who always seemed to walk in a group formation that centered around her protection. She stood out to him immediately after the first part of the exam. But not for the reason you would think.
It happened after he signed the contract before part two of the exam began. He took the time to stroll around when he noticed something that got him curious. It had struck him as odd that a group of Genins belonging to different teams would shift their body language slightly when around her. They would unconsciously circle around her, making sure all blind spots were covered in the event of an attack. Gaara found this fascinating and wasn't sure if they themselves were even aware of this. The blonde girl, the pink-haired girl, the loudmouth blond, the dog boy, the bug boy, almost everyone had done this.
Kankura and Temari's heart began to race in panic. They watched with concern as Gaara's bloodlust accidentally slipped for a second. Their brother visually trembled in excitement over whatever it was that he was fantasying about.
Shit, Kankuro thought to himself. That stupid teen had just dug a few graves and didn't even know it.
But before Gaara's bloodlust could get out of hand, something happened to interrupt it.
Loud explosions followed by a small earthquake able to rock the hospital's floor. That snapped Gaara back to normal.
Everyone looked around at one another as if to confirm that it had not been their imagination.
The explosions continued in waves. Genins and medics alike ran to the closest window to witness a large purple snake that could be mistaken for a dragon.
"Where are you taking Shino?" Tsume asked, knowing that the hospital was out of the question.
"To Danzo. He has the tools to help him. You understand right? That I can't take him to the hospital otherwise he will cause harm to everyone around, including the nurses." The voice was void of emotions. But Tsume assessed that he was no older than 17.
As they continued to run, something strange started to happen, Shino's bugs were currently dropping dead after trying to bite the young man's skin.
So direct skin contact kills you, Tsume mused.
The continuous sounds of explosion coming from the border couldn't be ignored any longer. Thus, Tsume motioned her dog to stop. She turned to the Root member and decided to entrust the young man will deliver Shino safely to Danzo. Her time would be better spent lending her strength in the upcoming battle instead of waiting it out in the emergency room. Kiba was going to be fine, her boy was strong and stubborn.
"Make sure to inform Shibi Aburame about his boy." Tsume warned the young adult before turning to join the battle.
The Inuzukas heard loud explosion while on their way to the hospital. This prompted them to pick up the speed. They knew a battle was happening and were probably needed there.
And just as they were nearing the hospital, the Inuzuka in charge of Hinata could no longer ignore her odd behavior.
"Oi, Kenshii, do you recognize those hand signs? She's being at it for some time." He addressed the leader of the group, who had been too preoccupied with keeping his guard up while carrying an unconscious demon boy.
Kenshii looked over at a girl with midnight blue hair. She was draped over a dog, half-conscious, slowly performing specific hands sequence. The speed at which she moved her hands reminded him of an academy student learning their first Jutsu.
"Who are her parents?" Kenshii asked.
"You mean you don't know? That's Lord Hiashi's daughter."
The moment those words were spoken, Kenshii did a doubletake. Hinata didn't look like a Hyuga while her eyes were closed. From what he remembered, all Hyugas had brown hair, not blue.
"Don't let her finish that technique!" Kenshii yelled. And then it happened all too fast.
"Sealing eye technique, Byakugan!" The girl's voice had confirmed her identity. Kenshii couldn't stop her in time. Her eyes started to bleed in the aftermath of the technique. One of the Inuzukas ripped a sleeve and wrapped it around her eyes before continuing up the hospital's steps.
Half of Shikamaru's body had been outside the window watching the epic battle from afar. That was until he spotted familiar figures with wounds bleeding through improvised bandages made from ripped clothes.
"Hey…aren't those...?" Chouji said but didn't finish. Naruto and Sakura. Kiba, Akamaru, and someone with midnight blue hair.
"I-I think so." Ino agreed as she took in the same scene while watching from the window. But Shikamaru somehow didn't believe it.
Kenshii and his team burst through the hospital and straight to the emergency room.
The injured Genins were transferred to an emergency table and wheeled away with speed. Kenshii had forgotten about Naruto's demon. When he transferred the boy to the medical table, he did it with the gentleness of a parent. After Naruto had been taken away as well, the three Inuzukas remained there staring at the double doors that had recently closed, ignoring that the beautiful fur of their beast dogs was stained with gore.
Shikamaru slowly pulled himself away from the window. His entire heart stopped momentarily. That couldn't have been who he thought it was. Her hair was unmistakably the same hue of blue.
His eyebrows furrowed, and eyes widen upon slowly accepting this reality. It was as if the whole idea of Hinata ending up hurt was not a possibility until now. But he knew better since he gone over scenarios that covered this. That was just it, he only acknowledged this to be a possible outcome but never lingered on the question of what happens next.
And although he was equally concerned about the rest his comrades, he only whispered her name.
During earlier's commotion, Gaara found himself standing by a window. He was at a distance where he could see the beautiful despair in Shikamaru's eyes. He continued to watch the private moment, along with his siblings. It was almost as if life itself was being strangled or snuffed out of Shikamaru. Gaara turned away, no longer interested in the challenge. How boring, he had gotten excited over nothing. You see, Gaara wasn't interested in things that were already broken.
Ino's blonde hair flowed behind her as she jumped to life and rushed to the Inuzukas to get information out of them. Chouji followed, his eyes already streaming with tears. They spoke over one another in hysterical cries. Inuzukas looked away, but the leader eventually stepped forward to make Statement.
"Choza bought us some time to escape. But he stayed behind to protect Sasuke from Orochimaru." Kenshii explained.
"Where is Choza?!" Ino asked.
"Where's my dad? Where is Shino?"
"Where's Sasuke!?"
The Inuzukas looked towards their leader, eyes filled with guilt over leaving Choza alone to face the legendary Orochimaru. Orochimaru was known as one of the sages who wields unspeakable power.
"We'll go back to look for them." The leader decided, earning looks of approval from his two teammates. The battle could wait.
There was another Genin who had witnessed it all in silence. He had watched everything from the beginning until the end of how his cousin had destroyed her own eyes before going unconscious. Hinata must have been in a Genjutsu that was messing with her senses while half awake. She probably believed she was in the hands of the enemy and did what she was instructed to do in such situation.
She did something useful for once, he thought. But couldn't stop the painful twisting inside his heart. He recited his hate for her inside his mind. But conjuring up his hatred proved impossible upon seeing her already beaten and dying. The scene had stirred different feelings for her that he was convinced he did not have.
Those damn Inuzukas continued to prove themselves clueless and foolish. They should be held accountable for their brainless actions.
"Neji are you alright?" Tenten asked. Lee remained quiet, as he hadn't learned of what to say in times of tragedy. No youth should ever have to go through this.
"This doesn't change anything," Neji replied, but soon realized his eyes had been focused on the closed double doors his cousin had been wheeled through.
Tenten nodded in understanding, although she did not know that he was merely trying to convince himself that this was the truth. And the truth was, he hadn't been prepared for a day such as this, in which his path of revenge would diverge so abruptly.
What was the point of revenge when he won't be able to take Hinata away from Hiashi during an official match while the main branch family watching? He wanted to exact his revenge with grace. He wanted to humiliate them all for looking down on him and his father. But would she ever recover from this? Everything she learned, she would have to relearn once more without the use of her eyes. And something like that would take her time. And during that time which she is to play catch up, he would already be worlds ahead.
His thoughts didn't stop there. He kept wondering of how Hiashi would react to all of this? He'll surely look to someone to blame just for the sake of revenge. Neji Hyuga wasn't blind. He knew him and his uncle were alike. But that's where their similarities ended.
You see, he witnessed firsthand the way Hiashi dotted over Hinata during her absence. The clan leader would make it his mission to hand pick the dresses or Kimonos for her to wear at events. Or how late at night, his uncle would slide the door open to check in on her sleeping form. And the way he made sure that her favorite things were always in stock in the main kitchen. Or sending Hanabi to check in on Hinata when he knew she was depressed or down. And the list of examples goes on and on.
His uncle would never let this go.
Neji scoffed after realizing that he was getting sidetracked in his own thoughts. But he wondered, why couldn't Hiashi just be honest with her in the past?
Sasuke traveled through the forest while carrying Choza. His Chakra was being drained very quickly, and needed to rest up a bit in the event he gets ambushed. He dropped from a tree with Choza's body next to him, and he gently lowered the man and used his backpack as a make-shift pillow.
He lowered himself and sat next to the man, with Kunai ready at hand. He stared at his own weapon and wondered when Sakura had grown so much. The whole situation infuriated him at first, but while carrying the man to safety, he had a change of mind. He understood Sakura's logic as he would've done the same in the situation. The only part that still infuriated him was the memory of being knocked unconscious before he could do anything.
He was aware that Sakura did not do this just for his safety. When he had stared into her emerald eyes, he had seen a strange detachment and no trace of adoration. No, what he had seen was a strong resolve to protect a cause. She had been a completely different person. Her actions earned points of respect, and he made a mental note to show her gratitude and respect. Although…He had yet to confirm whether Orochimaru had been in fact after him.
Sasuke paused when he noticed Choza's face twisted in pain as the man's eyes slowly fluttered open. His brown eyes eventually found Sasuke, and the man took in Sasuke's form. His strained smile was meant to be gentle. He forced his eyes closed and groaned in pain.
"Hey! Hang on old man!" Sasuke moved closer and looked over the man who moved his lips with struggle. He eventually managed to form sentences.
"You are safe…" The man whispered. "That's good. Now I can rest knowing that we'll win this one…" The man didn't speak again after this. Sasuke placed a hand on the man's forehead only to frown.
As if second-guessing his decision to stop and recover chakra, Sasuke removed the backpack from the man's head and put it back on. He then lifted the man up to his side. There was no time to be wasting around since this clan leader needed immediate medical attention. They were approximately an hour away from exiting the Forest of Death. Sasuke just hopes he doesn't get ambush on his way out.
Hey all, thanks for taking the time to read. I hope you didn't cringe when Hinata sealed her eyes. But I'm excited to reveal that we are nearing close to a time skip. Right now they're mostly 12-13 years old. It's almost time.