Chapter 11: Shadows in the Forest*
Author? notes:
Arata7:I didn't opt for kaiten because I believe Needle Jizo is a better defence and could stop it and hold onto it allowing Neji to do similar to what he did in the show just without harminf himself.
--
Neji darted through the dense forest, his Byakugan sweeping the area ahead for any sign of his comrades. The trees rushed past in a blur of green and brown, but his focus remained sharp. His breath hitched slightly when he spotted a familiar form leaning against a tree, barely conscious—Chouji.
"Chouji!" Neji called out as he skidded to a halt.
Chouji was slumped against the rough bark, his skin pale and clammy. His breathing was labored, and his body seemed almost lifeless. Neji crouched beside him, gently shaking his shoulder to get a response.Chouji's eyes fluttered open briefly, but he was too weak to say anything coherent.
The toll of the fight and the effects of the green pill were evident.Neji bit his lip, conflicted. He had two choices—continue chasing after the others to provide support or get Chouji back to the village for medical treatment. Time was ticking, and every second could determine the outcome of their mission, but Chouji's condition was dire.
As Neji stood there, indecision gnawing at him, the memory of Shino's fight crossed his mind. If Shino was still out there, he could be in trouble too. Could he really leave two teammates behind? His gut told him no. Neji sighed, his mind made up.
"I have to get you back, Chouji," Neji whispered. He lifted Chouji carefully, placing him over his shoulder before turning back toward the direction of the village.
His legs strained under the added weight, but he pushed forward, determined to get his friend to safety.The forest was eerily quiet as he made his way back, the sound of his footsteps the only noise disturbing the silence. But just as Neji started to pick up his pace, his Byakugan flared—there was someone up ahead.He halted, his senses alert, as a shadowy figure emerged from between the trees. Neji tensed, preparing for a fight, but as the figure stepped closer, recognition dawned.
"You...!" Neji's eyes widened in surprise, relief washing over him as he realized who it was.The figure gave a small nod. "I'm glad you recognized me," the person said calmly, their voice carrying an air of reassurance.
Neji relaxed slightly, though the tension in his body didn't completely fade. He hadn't expected to see this person here, and though he felt a sense of relief, there was also confusion.
"What are you doing here?" Neji asked.The shadowy figure approached slowly, their face still partially obscured by the darkness of the forest.
"I came to ensure things didn't get worse," they replied, their tone steady. "Your team is scattered, and I've already sent Shino back to the village. He's injured, but he'll be fine."
"Shino's... back at the village?" Neji's voice betrayed his surprise.The figure nodded again. "Yes. I've taken care of him, but you should focus on getting Chouji back as well."
Neji looked down at the unconscious Chouji on his shoulder, a wave of relief sweeping over him. Knowing that Shino was safe lifted a huge weight off his mind, but something still didn't sit right with him. Why was this person here, helping them? And why did it seem like they were one step ahead of everything?Before Neji could ask more questions, the figure spoke again.
"Don't worry about the others right now. I know you're concerned, but trust your team. They're strong. Get Chouji back to the village. That's your priority."
Neji hesitated for a moment, his instincts telling him to question further, but he couldn't argue with the logic. Chouji was in critical condition, and the rest of the team was still fighting. As much as he wanted to be with them, this was the right choice. He nodded firmly, acknowledging the advice.
"Thank you," Neji said, his voice sincere. The figure smiled faintly.
"You've grown, Neji. Don't let doubt cloud your judgment. Go. Time is running out."With that, the figure turned and disappeared back into the shadows, leaving Neji standing there with Chouji.
For a brief moment, Neji stood still, processing the encounter. He trusted the figure—there was something about their presence that reassured him.Neji adjusted his grip on Chouji and began moving again, faster this time. He had to get back.
--
Meanwhile, Shikamaru dashed through the forest, his mind spinning with plans and strategies. He could hear the sounds of a fierce battle up ahead, and as he drew closer, he saw Kiba and Akamaru locked in combat with Sakon and Ukon from the Sound Four.Kiba's body was bruised and battered, his clothes torn and stained with blood. Akamaru, though still fighting fiercely, was visibly exhausted.
"Kiba!" Shikamaru called out as he rushed over.Kiba glanced at Shikamaru, his face twisted in frustration.
"Finally!" he growled. "Took you long enough!"
Shikamaru surveyed the situation quickly. Kiba was holding his own, but he was clearly struggling against the two enemies. They were dangerous, and even Kiba's strength was being tested.
"Where's Naruto?" Shikamaru asked, scanning the area for their impulsive teammate.Kiba dodged a kick from Sakon and landed a punch of his own before shouting back, "He's gone after the leader of the Sound Four!"
Shikamaru's eyes narrowed in concern. "The leader? Who is he?"
"Some new guy," Kiba replied, his breath heavy. "Showed up out of nowhere, grabbed the barrel Sasuke was in, and told us we didn't stand a chance. Naruto wouldn't listen and ran after him."
Shikamaru cursed under his breath. Of course, Naruto would go off on his own. Especially when Sasuke was involved.
"He told me to stay back and handle these two, but I'm barely keeping up!" Kiba barked, frustrated.
Shikamaru's mind worked quickly, formulating a plan. They couldn't waste any more time. Naruto was already off on his own, chasing after a dangerous enemy, and Kiba was being pushed to his limits.
"We need to finish this," Shikamaru muttered to himself. "Fast."
He glanced at Kiba, determination settling on his features. They had to trust Naruto to hold his own for now. First, they had to deal with Sakon and Ukon.
"Hold them off for just a bit longer, Kiba," Shikamaru said, his hands forming the familiar seal for his Shadow Possession Jutsu. "I've got a plan."
Kiba grinned despite the pain. "About time."
Shikamaru's shadow stretched out toward the two Sound ninja, and the real fight began. Shikamaru's mind raced as he and Kiba faced off against the twisted duo of Sakon and Ukon. The dense forest around them provided little cover, but Shikamaru's Shadow Possession Jutsu had managed to catch one of the brothers—Sakon—leaving Ukon still free.
"Stay alert, Kiba," Shikamaru muttered through clenched teeth. "I can only hold down Sakon. Ukon's still loose somewhere."
Kiba, breathing heavily from the earlier exchange of blows, glanced around, his fists clenched and eyes sharp. He couldn't spot Ukon anywhere, which made him even more on edge. "Yeah, I noticed. These freaks fight dirty."
Akamaru barked in agreement, his fur standing on end, ready to strike at a moment's notice. They had faced tough opponents before, but these two were something different, something darker.
Shikamaru's shadow stretched taut as it maintained its grip on Sakon. He couldn't afford to lose focus, but he also had to think two steps ahead. The brothers' unique ability to merge and separate made them tricky, and he had only a few seconds to figure out the best course of action. Before Shikamaru could devise a new strategy, Ukon's voice echoed from the trees around them, cold and mocking.
"You think you've got us figured out, don't you, Nara?"
Kiba's eyes darted around, trying to locate the source of the voice. His instincts screamed at him to move, but it was too late. In a blur, Ukon appeared—no, not appeared, entered—Kiba's body. His hand reached through Kiba's shoulder, followed by his head protruding grotesquely out of Kiba's neck.Kiba froze, his entire body going rigid as Ukon's sinister grin stretched across his face.
"Gotcha," Ukon whispered, his voice unnervingly close to Kiba's ear. "You know what happens now, right? Any damage I take... well, let's just say you'll be feeling it too."
Shikamaru's eyes widened. "Kiba!"
Kiba's breathing grew ragged as Ukon's words sunk in. The sensation of another person inside his body was nauseating, but the reality of what Ukon was threatening was far worse. Every injury Ukon sustained would be transferred to him. He was being held hostage by his own body.Kiba grit his teeth, refusing to show fear.
"I don't care what kind of creepy jutsu this is," he growled. "I'm not going down that easy."But Ukon only chuckled, his breath hot on Kiba's skin. "You don't have a choice. You and I are bound now, inseparable. Your fate is mine."
Kiba's mind raced. He had to do something fast before Ukon could take control completely. But what could he do? Fighting back would only hurt himself, and Shikamaru's shadow possession couldn't reach Ukon as long as he was inside him. He could feel Ukon starting to spread his control, inching deeper into his body.
But then an idea sparked in Kiba's mind—an idea just as wild and reckless as any plan he'd ever had.
Without hesitation, Kiba reached for the kunai strapped to his belt. In one swift motion, he jammed the blade into his own side, causing blood to gush from the wound. Pain surged through his body, but he forced himself to stay focused.Ukon's eyes widened in shock. "What are you doing, you idiot?!"
Kiba grinned, despite the agony. "If I'm going down, I'm taking you with me!"
Ukon screamed as the shared pain ricocheted through him. His grip on Kiba faltered as the intense injury forced him to retreat, trying to separate his body from Kiba's. His head began to retract, leaving Kiba gasping for air as he stumbled back.
"Now, Shikamaru!" Kiba yelled, clutching his side.
Shikamaru didn't need to be told twice. With Sakon still trapped in his Shadow Possession Jutsu, Shikamaru narrowed his eyes and activated his next move—the Shadow-Neck Binding Technique.
His shadow extended and coiled around Sakon's body, snaking upward toward his neck. The dark tendrils of chakra constricted tightly, cutting off Sakon's air supply. Sakon's eyes bulged as he gasped for breath, his hands clawing uselessly at the shadow tendrils tightening around his throat.
"End of the line," Shikamaru muttered, his voice cold.With one swift motion, the shadow snapped, and Sakon went limp, collapsing to the forest floor.
Ukon, now fully separated from Kiba, watched in horror as his brother fell. "Sakon!"
In a desperate attempt, Ukon lunged toward Shikamaru, rage burning in his eyes. But Kiba, wounded and battered, wasn't done yet. With a fierce snarl, he and Akamaru launched themselves at Ukon, tackling him to the ground before he could reach Shikamaru.
Kiba, using the last of his strength, pinned Ukon to the ground, growling through the pain. "You're not getting away that easily!"
Ukon struggled, but he was weakened from the shared injuries. Kiba's kunai wound had done more damage than either of them realized, and Ukon could barely muster the strength to fight back.
Shikamaru approached slowly, his expression unreadable. "It's over," he said quietly, standing over Ukon's prone form.
With a final surge of willpower, Kiba slammed Ukon's head into the ground, knocking him unconscious.
Panting heavily, Kiba collapsed beside Akamaru, who whined softly in concern.
"You okay?" Shikamaru asked, kneeling beside him.Kiba nodded weakly, wincing from the pain in his side. "I'll live. That was... intense."
Shikamaru sighed in relief, looking at both Kiba and Akamaru. "Good work. You bought us the time we needed."
Kiba grinned tiredly. "I told you... I don't go down easy."
Shikamaru chuckled softly, shaking his head. "Yeah, you don't."
But as the two of them caught their breath, the reality of the situation set in. Naruto was still out there, chasing after the leader of the Sound Four. And time was running out.
"We need to regroup," Shikamaru said, his tone serious. "We're not done yet."
--