Chapter 10

Healing

Team 10 stood in the infirmary. Sakura and Tsunade were in the room working with Akina. Shikamaru sat with his head in his hands as Ino and Choji peared through the windows to see what was going on.

"Any news?" Shikaku asked as him and Asuma soon joined them.

"They are working on her now. There is no update." Choji said. Asuma saw the stressed look on Shikamaru's face. "The Kunai in her back had poison in it. That's why Lady Hokage is in with Akina."

"What are you doing here?" Ino asked.

"We were worried about Akina." Asuma said. Shikaku looked at his son. He hated seeing Shikamaru like this. Shikamaru didn't hear what was being said.

'If I can't protect her here at the village, how can I protect her on missions? Maybe I'm not worthy to be her boyfriend.' Shikamaru thought.

'Don't you even think that.' Mushu's voice came in his head. Shikamaru nearly jumped out of his skin as he looked up and found himself in a red room with water under his feet. "Behind you, Little One." Shikamaru turned around to look up. Mushu laid in front of him in his giantic form. His head was on his paws and his eyes were closed, but Shikamaru knew he was awake. Mushu opened his eyes and looked at Shikamaru. There was no coldness in his eyes, but a calmness. Mushu chuckled at Shikamaru's shock. "She'll be fine. She made her choice without telling you for fear of being stopped or seeing you be killed. She was protecting you."

"I would of came with to help and we wouldn't be in this situation." Shikamaru said.

"This is why I like you. You are protective of her, but you treat her better then Daku did. You two have a bright future together even with what's to come." Mushu said.

"Well... Wait. You can see the future?" Shikamaru asked, raising an eyebrow at the dragon.

"How do you think I chose Akina as my next Jinchuriki." Mushu said. Shikamaru never thought of it. A tail came out from behind Mushu and came towards Shikamaru. Shikamaru watched as it came up to him and touched him in the middle of the forehead.

Images of a battlefield came to his head. Ninjas fighting together from all nations fighting some kind of white creature. A tree stood in the middle of the field of dead ninja. Akina was standing, battle worn with her Ninja clothes torn and blood running down her face, as she stood with Naruto, Sakura, Kakashi, and to Shikamaru's surprise Sasuke, as they faced a woman whose skin was white along with her eyes and a red eye or something in the middle of her head.

"This is what is to come. I can't tell you when or how. Even Akina doesn't know her fate. I can show you what I can that's it." Mushu said. Shikamaru didn't like the images he saw but knew he could not stop what's to come. "Don't worry, Little One. It won't be for awhile." Shikamaru sighed. "You should be getting back. They are finishing with Akina right now."

"Can I ask what your name is?" Shikamaru asked. Mushu looked at the young boy in front of him. He had earned Mushu's trust the last couple months just for treating Akina good.

"I'm Mushu, Little One. Only you and Akina know my name. I would like to keep it that way." Mushu said. Shikamaru nodded.

The door opening pulled Shikamaru away from the 10 tails and he stood up as Tsunade Sakura came out of the room.

"How is she?" Ino asked with worry on her voice.

"Akina is asleep right now and the poison is gone. We caught it in time." Tsunade said. Shikamaru sighed in relief. Tsunade looked at him. "She gained consiousness when we were working on her and she asked for you. You can stay with her until she's released from the hospital."

"Thank you." Shikamaru said.

"Can we stay with her for a bit?" Choji asked. Tsunade nodded as Shikamaru stepped into the room. Akina laid on her stomach. He could see her arms bandaged and figured her legs and back were the same. Shikamaru came to one side of the bed to look at her sleeping face. She was paler then normal. Shikamaru saw her breathing was normal and she looked peaceful as she slept. Ino and Choji joined him as he pulled a chair up on the side.

Their friends came in and out to check on Akina before doing their daily stuff. Shikamaru's mother stopped in to bring him and his friends food and check on Akina. Shikamaru didn't leave her side. Ino and Choji left but Shikamaru stayed. He was happy to be excused from his duties for the day. Shikamaru didn't like the idea of him being gone when Akina woke up. Shikamaru grabbed her hand gently. It felt warm in his hand.

'This is a drag. Wake up soon, Kina. I hate seeing you like this.' Shikamaru thought as he rubbed the top of her hand. Mushu chuckled.

'That boy worries to much.' Mushu thought as he closed his eyes.

That night. Akina woke up with pain shooting through her back. Her arms and legs were sore with some pain. She found herself laying on her stomach which she didn't like. Akina went to roll over and let a hiss of pain escape her lips as she tried to roll on her back.

"Hey. Easy. Your still healing." Shikamaru's voice came. Hands came onto her arms and helped her sit up so she could roll on her back. Akina looked up into Shikamaru's own orbs. Shikamaru had his serious look on his face, but Akina saw worry and relief in his eyes. "You scared me, Kina."

"I wasn't trying. Thought I could handle it." Akina said. Shikamaru sat with his arms crossed. "Stop acting like a ninja and be my boyfriend for once. It's over. I want a hug." Akina held out her arms and flinched from the pain. "I'm sorry for scaring you." Shikamaru hugged her being gentle with the wounds. "How long was I out?"

"All day. Thing that kept me knowing you were alive was the talk with Mushu." Shikamaru said. Akina's eyes widen.

"You had a talk with the 10 tails Dragon and he actually told you his name. Guess he does like you. He never tells anyone his name." Akina said with a smile.

"I was doubting being with you. Guess he knocked some sense into me." Shikamaru said.

"Well I would hope you aren't." Akina said with a smile. Shikamaru smiled lightly. Akina yawned.

"Get some sleep." Shikamaru said.

"Join me? I don't want to sleep alone." Akina said. Shikamaru laid next to her and she laid on her side and Shikamaru faced her. She reached for Shikamaru's hand and he took it. "What happened to Daku?"

"He's on his way to the Blood Prison. No chance he'll be getting out." Shikamaru said. Akina smiled. Shikmaru pressed a kiss to her hand. "Get some sleep, Trouble." Akina rolled her eyes.

"A new nickname?" Akina asked.

"Yes." Shikamaru said.

"Yes, Sir." Akina said. Akina and Shikamaru sat talking and soon passed out.

A week later. Akina took a few days to recover but was up and moving around. Shikamaru seemed to keep her in sight along with Sakura when Shikamaru couldn't.

Tsunade sat in her office enjoying some coffee when Akina stepped through the door. Tsunade looked up as Akina approached her desk. Shikamaru stood leaning against the door. Shizune turned from the window.

"What is it, Akina?" Tsunade asked. Akina looked at her mother.

"Mom. I heard you were the best with making atidotes. I was wondering." Akina said. She paused.

"What are you asking?" Tsunade asked. Akina looked her mother straight in the eye.

"I would like you to train me with making atidotes as well." Akina said. Tsunade was surprised with the request, but smiled.

"I can do that." Tsunade said. Akina shot Shikamaru a smile. "I am free after lunch to meet you at the hospital and we can start right away." Akina smiled. Tsunade realized it was the same smile the First Hokage had. Tsunade couldn't help but smile.

"Thank you, mom." Akina said. Akina turned and walked up to Shikamaru. Shikamaru and her walked out. Even with their relationship still strained. Tsunade felt like this would be a bonding time with her daughter and it was well needed.

AN: Been busy with work. Sorry for the long wait. Till next time.