A/N - I am so sorry for the delay. I have had a manic month and just now trying to get back into the swing of things!
As the kunai flew through the air, time seemed to slow for Shikamaru. His mind, usually quick to assess and react, was now sluggish, each thought crawling as if mired in quicksand. Every instinct screamed at him to dodge, to move, but his body refused to cooperate. It was as if his limbs were encased in lead, a paralysing weight dragging him down into an ocean of inertia. His mind, usually so clear and sharp, was clouded, like a fog had descended over his thoughts, dulling his senses and slowing his reactions to a crawl.
Panic began to claw at the edges of his consciousness, a rare and unwelcome intruder. Shikamaru had always prided himself on his ability to remain calm under pressure, to think his way out of any situation. But now, with the kunai hurtling toward him, there was no time for thought, no room for strategy—only the cold, hard reality that he was powerless to move.
His eyes, wide with a mix of confusion and disbelief, locked onto Kenji. A fellow Konoha shinobi, a comrade, someone who was supposed to be an ally. But why? Why would Kenji attack him? The question echoed in his mind, a desperate plea for understanding that went unanswered as the kunai continued its deadly trajectory.
Then, with a sharp, metallic thud, the kunai struck the target—but not in the way Shikamaru had feared. The weapon embedded itself into the rough bark of a tree, just inches from his head. The force of the impact sent a shower of splinters flying, and Shikamaru flinched involuntarily, his breath catching in his throat.
His gaze shifted to the point of impact, where the kunai had pinned a peculiar, furry creature to the trunk, by a tag that was stuck to its back. It was an abnormally large squirrel, its body twitching as it struggled weakly against the steel that held it in place. But what truly caught Shikamaru's attention was the sizzle, a faint but unmistakable sound emanating from the explosive tag that had also been caught on the tree, the adhesive holding it momentarily in place.
For a split second, the squirrel hung there, the explosive tag pinned securely to the trunk by the kunai. But as the creature squirmed, its weight began to pull against the adhesive. Shikamaru watched in growing horror as the animal slowly peeled away from the bark, the squirrel's frantic movements eventually freeing it from the tree. But the tag remained and there was no way to get out fast enough now.
The full weight of the situation crashed over Shikamaru in that instant. This was no random attack, no thoughtless act of aggression. It was a calculated move, a precise strike to neutralise a hidden threat. And in his foggy state, Shikamaru had almost missed it, almost misunderstood Kenji's intent entirely.
The sizzle grew louder, more insistent, snapping Shikamaru out of his daze. The explosive tag was seconds away from detonating, and there was no time to lose. His body, slowly responding to the urgency of the situation, moved finally. He pushed off from the ground with all the strength he could muster, his legs trembling with the effort as he tried to scramble off to the side.
"Raizo!" Kenji's voice rang out with the kind of authority that cut through the chaos like a blade."Get Hotaru and the other two out of here!" His eyes, sharp and focused, locked onto Shikamaru's, a silent message passing between them. Kenji's swift movements were a blur, but Shikamaru, still struggling against the fog that clouded his mind, could barely react, his body too sluggish to fully comprehend the urgency. Kenji launched towards him, grabbing him by the collar of his short-sleeved jacket and hauled him away as fast as he could. But he wasn't - couldn't be - fast enough.
Meanwhile, Raizo didn't waste a second. With a speed born of instinct, he launched himself toward Hotaru's unconscious form, scooping her up in one fluid motion and draping her over his shoulders in a fireman's carry. "Ino! Chōji! Move it!" His voice was rough, edged with the urgency of the situation. He saw them hesitate, their eyes darting toward Shikamaru, clearly torn between helping him and following Raizo's command. But there was no time for second-guessing.
As they made a move to assist Shikamaru, Raizo's hand shot out, gripping Ino's arm with a firm, unyielding hold. "Kenji's got him! We need to go—now!" His voice brooked no argument, the command leaving no room for doubt. The sheer force of his grip and the intensity in his eyes snapped them into action.
With a final glance back at Shikamaru, Ino nodded, the determination hardening in her gaze. She and Chōji fell in line behind Raizo, their steps quick and purposeful as they retreated, moving with the kind of coordinated precision that only came from years of training together. They were leaving Shikamaru in Kenji's hands, trusting him to do what needed to be done. The stakes were too high to falter now.
Raizo's focus was entirely on getting Hotaru and the others to safety, his thoughts racing even as he kept his movements steady. The weight of Hotaru on his shoulders was a constant reminder of the stakes—they couldn't afford to lose her. As they darted through the underbrush, multiple tags in that area they were camping detonated, the echoes of the explosion still ringing in their ears. Raizo's grip on Hotaru tightened as he lost his footing from the tremors of the explosion.
Kenji's hand grabbed Shikamaru's collar just as the first of many explosive tags detonated. The force of the blast sent a shockwave through the forest, uprooting trees and scattering debris like a hurricane. Kenji yanked Shikamaru with all his strength, the two of them diving for cover, but the explosion caught them both mid-air.
The blast propelled them, sending both Kenji and Shikamaru flying. They crashed through the underbrush, rolling and tumbling until they came to a halt several metres away. Pain flared through Shikamaru's body as he hit the ground hard, the world spinning around him in a disorienting blur.
Raizo, still holding Hotaru protectively, barely managed to shield her from the brunt of the explosion as he was thrown back, his body twisting to ensure she remained as unharmed as possible. He skidded to a stop, dirt and debris flying up around him as he landed heavily on his back, Hotaru now cradled in his arms.
Shikamaru coughed, trying to catch his breath as the ringing in his ears began to subside. He struggled to focus, to understand what had just happened. His body ached, and his head pounded with the aftereffects of both the explosion and the strange lethargy that still clung to him like a heavy fog.
Kenji, battered but determined, was already on his feet, scanning the area for any further threats. "Everyone stay down!" he ordered, his voice cutting through the lingering smoke. His sharp eyes flicked between the surrounding trees, searching for any sign of movement.
Ino and Chōji, who had been trying to reach Shikamaru, stopped in their tracks, eyes wide with shock. The force of the explosion had knocked them off balance, but they quickly recovered, looking to Kenji for direction.
Raizo, still holding Hotaru close, pushed himself up to a sitting position, wincing at the pain that shot through his body. He glanced down at Hotaru, relieved to see that she was still alive. Somehow she had slept through that entire ordeal.
"Is everyone alright?" Kenji called out, his voice steady despite the chaos.
Shikamaru groaned as he forced himself to sit up, his vision still swimming. "I'm... I'm okay," he managed, though his body protested every movement.
Raizo nodded, his grip on Hotaru tightening. "We're fine, but she's asleep… still. Something is off."
Kenji nodded, his mind already racing to assess the situation and work through their list of priorities. "Ino, Chōji, stay with Raizo and Hotaru. Shikamaru and I will secure the area." He glanced at Shikamaru, who was slowly getting to his feet. "Can you move?"
Shikamaru nodded, though his legs felt like they could give out at any moment. "Yeah... let's go."
As the teams began to regroup, the gravity of what had just happened settled in. The forest was quiet now. Almost too quiet.
The smoke from the explosion hadn't even begun to clear when a new threat emerged from the shadows. A group of three Sand Village ninja materialised from the dense foliage, their movements swift and silent. They had been lurking nearby, waiting for the perfect moment to strike, and their explosion traps provided the cover they needed. And now the young genin team was splitting up… Timing could not be more perfect.
Kenji, still reeling from the explosion, barely had time to register the new attackers before they were upon him. The leader of the group, a tall ninja with a grim expression and a flowing cape, launched a barrage of shuriken toward Kenji and Shikamaru, forcing them further from the group. The leader then stepped forward, acting as a barrier between them.
Kenji clenched his fists as he saw the other two from the Sand village approach the rest of their team. Shikamaru readied himself for his shadow possession.
"Ah, ah, ah." The leader sing-songed, wagging his finger at the two boys. "Try anything and we'll kill your friends right here in front of you."
Kenji and Shikamaru exchanged a brief, tense glance, the unspoken understanding clear between them: they were cornered. The Sand Village ninja's threat hung in the air like a knife's edge, poised to strike at the slightest provocation. Shikamaru's mind raced, desperately trying to shake off the lingering fog from the earlier explosion. His shadow possession technique was ready, but any sudden move could spell disaster for Raizo, Hotaru, Ino, and Chōji.
Kenji's eyes narrowed, assessing the Sand leader. He noted the ninja's confident stance, the easy way he blocked their path—it wasn't just bravado; this enemy was skilled and knew it. Kenji's grip tightened around the kunai in his hand, weighing his options. Every second counted, but the wrong move would cost them all.
The leader smirked, his eyes gleaming with a cold, calculating malice. "I suggest you cooperate. Hand over the scroll," he commanded simply.
Kenji took a step forward, his posture calm but every nerve in his body coiled like a spring ready to snap. "You aren't taking our scrolls. We can work something out." His tone was deceptively cool and steady, but inside he knew better. These ninja wouldn't listen to reason. They probably didn't even need their scrolls. They just wanted to fight. They wanted blood.
Shikamaru's mind clicked into gear, formulating a plan even as he feigned compliance. He could feel the edges of his shadow extend, inching toward the leader's feet, careful to keep it hidden in the underbrush. All he needed was an opening—a single moment to turn the tide. His fingers twitched subtly, signalling to Kenji, who caught the movement in his peripheral vision.
The leader, oblivious to the growing threat beneath him, gestured to his teammates, who advanced on Raizo and the others with cruel intent. "I'll give you one last chance," he said, his voice losing its playful tone. "Hand over the scroll, or we'll rip it from your lifeless hands."
Kenji's eyes narrowed as he stood his ground, his gaze locked on the leader's, unflinching despite the rising tension. His knuckles whitened around the kunai, and he could feel Shikamaru's chakra flaring around him. Time seemed to slow, the forest silent save for the sound of leaves rustling softly in the wind. Kenji took a slow, deliberate breath, calculating his next move.
Just as Kenji went to speak, Hotaru stirred, a faint moan escaping her lips as consciousness gradually clawed its way back. Her mind felt heavy, like she was swimming through thick, suffocating mud, each thought struggling to break free from the mire of darkness. Her vision swam—shifting, blurring—distorted shapes and colours bleeding together in a dizzying whirl. She blinked slowly, trying to focus, but the world refused to come into view, leaving her disoriented and vulnerable.
Pain. That was the first sensation she could truly grasp. A dull, throbbing ache spread through her limbs, radiating out from her core and pulsing with every beat of her heart. Her muscles burned as if she'd been sprinting for hours, and a sharp sting lanced through her temples, making her wince. She struggled to breathe through the pressure constricting her chest, each inhale shallow and ragged. It was like being submerged underwater—everything muted, her own heartbeat, a distant drum in her ears.
What… what happened? The question floated aimlessly in her mind, tangled with fragments of half-formed memories. She remembered… smoke. Shouts. The feel of something cold and foreign washing over her, sapping her strength and dragging her down into a black abyss. Had she been poisoned? Caught in a genjutsu? The thoughts slipped away before she could grasp them, her brain sluggish and uncooperative.
As she strained to piece together her surroundings, vague shapes began to coalesce in her vision. The rough silhouette of trees, their branches tangled like skeletal fingers overhead. Shadows moved between them—blurry forms darting back and forth with a speed that made her head spin. Voices, too—low and tense—cutting through the murk, though the words were garbled, as if coming from underwater.
"—zama, snap out of it—"
Someone was calling her name, a voice threaded with desperation and relief. Male, familiar. Raizo. Hotaru's heart gave a weak lurch, recognition flickering dimly through the haze. She tried to focus on the sound, tried to pull herself toward it, but her body felt foreign, unresponsive.
Move… She willed her fingers to twitch, her head to turn, but her muscles remained sluggish, her limbs weighted down by invisible chains. Frustration boiled beneath her skin, mingling with the panic tightening her chest. Why couldn't she move? Why did everything hurt so much?
The world began to sharpen, ever so slowly. The blurred figures resolved into distinct shapes—Raizo's familiar silhouette crouched beside her, his face lined with worry. He was cradling her against his chest, his arms wrapped protectively around her limp form. Beyond him, she caught glimpses of Shikamaru and Kenji, their backs to her as they faced off against—
Enemies. The realisation struck like a bolt of lightning, jolting her senses awake. They were surrounded. The Sand ninja—the ambush. She sucked in a sharp breath, her heart pounding painfully against her ribs as the memories crashed back into focus. The flash of kunai, the sudden explosion, the sickly-sweet scent of something cloying and thick filling her lungs. And then… darkness. Nothingness.
They'd taken her out of the fight. Neutralised her.
Humiliation flared hot and bitter in her chest, a sharp contrast to the lingering lethargy. They think I'm helpless. The thought seared through her, igniting a spark of anger that cut through the fog clouding her mind. She forced herself to take another breath, deeper this time, letting the cold air burn through her lungs and clear her senses. The ache in her muscles faded to the background, drowned out by the fierce determination rising within her.
"Kazama… please," Raizo whispered urgently, his voice a low plea. She could feel the tremor in his arms as he held her, the unspoken fear and desperation in his eyes as he searched her face. "You need to wake up. We can't—"
"I'm… I'm here," she rasped, her voice rough and strained. It was barely more than a whisper, but Raizo's head snapped up, his eyes widening.
"Kazama!" he breathed, relief flooding his features. He shifted, loosening his hold slightly as she tried to push herself up. "Thank god. I—"
"No… time," she croaked, shaking her head weakly. Her vision still swam, the world tilting alarmingly as she forced herself upright, her limbs trembling with the effort. The pain was a constant, throbbing presence, but she gritted her teeth against it, shoving it down. There was no room for weakness now.
Through the haze, she saw Shikamaru's silhouette tense beside Kenji as the leader's gaze shifted toward her now-awakened form. "Would you look at that?" The Sand ninja smirked, his eyes narrowing as they locked onto her. "Here I was thinking we might have set the poison a little too strong on that foot trap."
Hotaru didn't really register what he was saying. She couldn't. Her mind was still muddled, every word slurring together into an indistinct hum, but the malice in his tone cut through clearly enough. She blinked slowly, forcing her gaze to focus on him. Her vision wavered, the world still tilting unsteadily, but she managed to steady herself, planting her feet firmly on the ground.
"I'm awake, aren't I?" she whispered, her voice hoarse but steady. A defiant smile tugged at her lips as she reached toward her pouch, fingers trembling slightly. She didn't know what drove her—pride, stubbornness, or something far more reckless—but she wasn't about to back down. Not now. Not ever.
The leader's gaze followed the movement, his eyes narrowing suspiciously as her hand emerged, holding a scroll aloft. A scroll that, at a glance, looked almost identical to the Heaven and Earth scrolls they'd been tasked with protecting. Hotaru saw his eyes widen slightly, his attention zeroing in on the object in her hand.
"Well, what do you know?" she murmured, a dangerous glint in her eyes as she held the scroll out between them. "Is this what you're looking for?"
"Hotaru—!" Raizo's voice was a strangled gasp, panic flashing across his face as he took a half-step forward. Shikamaru stiffened, his eyes darting between her and the leader, comprehension and alarm dawning in equal measure. Even Kenji's normally calm expression cracked, a flicker of shock crossing his features as he tried to figure out what she was doing. He had the scrolls, so why was she trying to fool the enemy ninja?
"That's enough," the leader snapped, cutting through their reactions with a sharp gesture. His gaze locked onto Hotaru, his smile twisting into something cruel. "Hand it over, and maybe I'll consider letting your friends walk out of here alive."
Hotaru tilted her head slightly, studying him with a faint, almost mocking smile. Her heart pounded in her chest, each beat reverberating through her entire being, but she forced herself to hold her ground. Don't back down. Don't show fear.
"You want it that badly?" she murmured, her grip tightening on the scroll. She could feel everyone's eyes on her—Shikamaru, Kenji, Raizo—all of them silently willing her to stop, to stand down. But she ignored them, pushing herself forward a step, then another, until she stood just out of reach of the Sand leader. "Then come and get it."
The taunt hung in the air, and the leader's expression darkened. His lips curled back in a snarl, but his eyes blazed with a savage hunger. Hotaru saw it, the shift in his posture, the way his gaze flicked back and forth between the scroll and her face. She'd baited him. Now, she just had to survive it.
"Hotaru, stop!" Kenji hissed, his voice tight with urgency. "What the hell are you doing?!"
But she didn't look at him. Didn't even glance his way. She kept her eyes locked on the leader, the challenge clear in her gaze. Focus on me, she thought fiercely. Forget about the others. Just focus on me.
With a low growl, the leader lunged forward, his hand shooting out toward the scroll. But Hotaru was already moving, stepping back just out of reach, her focus on him never wavering. The leader's eyes flashed with irritation, and he lunged again, his movements more forceful, more desperate.
"Is that all you've got?" she taunted softly, her voice a silken whisper. The leader snarled, his fingers brushing the edge of the scroll, but she twisted sharply, pulling it away at the last second. It was so unlike her to be so… reckless, but something inside was driving her forward into this dangerous territory. She wasn't an arrogant person, but she knew she needed to take their attention away from her friends.
"Enough!" he roared, his patience snapping. With a speed that made her heart jolt, he surged forward, his blade flashing toward her throat. Hotaru's eyes widened, instinct and training kicking in just in time to duck, the blade missing her neck by a hair's breadth. But he struck her shoulder, hard.
The force of the attack sent her stumbling, and pain flared in her shoulder, but she bit down hard, refusing to cry out. She straightened slowly, breathing ragged, her vision blurring at the edges. The world swam, tilting dangerously, but she forced herself to remain upright, clutching the scroll tightly in her hand.
The leader's eyes were wild now, his control fraying. "You little—" he spat, his voice trembling with fury. With a sudden, brutal movement, he grabbed her by the collar, yanking her forward. Hotaru grunted, her hands flying up reflexively, but she was too slow.
"Drop it," he growled, pulling her towards him so he was standing behind her with his breath hot against her ear. "Drop the scroll, or I'll slit your throat right here."
Hotaru's brows furrowed together. "And then what?" She asked in a cold, low whisper as she shot him a sharp, sidelong glance. "I'll kill you where you stand. You'll be dead before a drop of my blood hits the ground."
The Sand ninja hissed in anger, and moved the blade's edge so that it cut into her throat just enough to draw a thin line of crimson, but Hotaru's voice never wavered. She held the leader's gaze steadily with a sidelong glance, her breathing ragged but her resolve unbroken. There was no fear in her eyes, no sign of backing down. Just a chilling calm that made the hairs on the back of his neck stand on end.
"Give it up." He hissed. "You're in no position to act tough here."
"No chance." She murmured, her gaze fixed on him in a sidelong glare. "If anyone's in danger, it's you."
"Hotaru!" Raizo's voice rang out, raw and panicked. She could see him out of the corner of her eye, his face pale with fear, but the two other Sand ninjas moved in tandem, cutting him off before he could take a step forward. Shikamaru and Kenji froze, their expressions twisted with frustration and desperation.
"Wait," Shikamaru called, his voice strained. His mind was racing—she could see it in the way his gaze darted around, assessing, calculating. He was trying to find a way out, trying to figure out how to get her free without triggering the blade pressing into her neck. He opened his mouth but no words came out.
The leader's grip tightened, his eyes gleaming with triumph. "You think I'm playing around?" he hissed. "I want the scrolls. Now."
He raised his free hand with the knife and then everything happened in slow motion as he drove the blade down into her.
In that moment, Shikamaru cast his shadow possession jutsu to catch the leader in its grasp.
"Shikamaru—!" Kenji's voice broke off as the two Sand ninja launched forward, kunai flashing. Shikamaru barely had time to react before one of them struck, his blade slicing into Shikamaru's side. The sound of it—the sickening thud of metal meeting flesh—sent a cold shock through Hotaru's entire being.
His shadow tendril retreated immediately.
"No!" Hotaru screamed, a surge of adrenaline flooding her veins. The world snapped into brutal clarity, the pain, the fear—all of it drowned out by a single, overwhelming thought. Protect them.
The leader's eyes widened as Hotaru twisted sharply, wrenching herself free from his grip as the blade plunged into her. He went for a second attack, but Hotaru didn't give him the chance. She lunged towards him, using her weight to push back, shoving her shoulder into him, her teeth bared, and sank them into the soft flesh of his throat.
The leader let out a strangled cry, his body jerking violently. Blood spurted across her face, hot and metallic, but she didn't let go, biting down harder as he flailed, his knife skidding across her shoulder. Agony lanced through her, but she didn't stop. She held on, tasting copper and bile, feeling his pulse flutter wildly against her tongue.
With a final, desperate snarl, he threw her off, and Hotaru stumbled back, gasping for breath. The pain was blinding—white-hot and all-consuming—but she forced herself to stay upright, blood dripping down her arm in dark, sluggish rivulets.
The leader staggered, clutching his throat as he swayed on his feet, his eyes wide with shock and rage. "You… bitch—"
Before he could finish, he lunged, his blade flashing one last time. Hotaru felt it—felt the cold, cruel bite of steel as it sank into the back of her leg, the pain exploding through her entire body. She choked on a scream, her vision blurring, but she didn't fall. She wouldn't fall.
The leader's body crumpled to the ground beside her, blood gushing from the savage wound in his neck. He gurgled weakly, his eyes glassy, and then went still, the light fading from his gaze.
Hotaru staggered, swaying on her feet as the pain roared through her. She blinked down at the fallen figure, her breaths coming in short, ragged gasps, her leg screaming in agony.
But she stayed standing.
Because that's what a Kazama did.
The remaining Sand ninja staggered back, exchanging one last look filled with a mix of fear and disbelief before they turned and fled, disappearing into the forest with ragged breaths. Hotaru watched them go, her eyes still glowing a faint red, the shadows flickering and fading around the edges of her vision. She stood motionless, her bloodstained form illuminated by the faint daylight, and for a long moment, the only sound was the rustling of leaves as the enemy retreated.
Slowly, the forest seemed to breathe again, the silence broken by the laboured gasps of the injured and the soft crackling of broken branches beneath their boots. Her friends stared at her, wide-eyed, their expressions a tangled mix of shock, wariness, and something akin to disbelief. The scent of blood hung heavy in the air, mingling with the acrid smell of fear.
"Kazama…" Raizo's voice was barely more than a murmur, as if speaking louder might shatter the fragile stillness. But Hotaru didn't hear him. The words were drowned out by the thudding of her heart, the adrenaline still coursing through her veins like fire.
Her eyes swept over the scene, lingering on the fallen body of the Sand leader she had torn apart, before settling on the figure sprawled on the ground. Shikamaru. His breathing was shallow, his face pale, one hand pressed weakly against the deep gash in his side. Blood soaked through his shirt, pooling beneath him in dark, crimson patches.
The sight of it sent a jolt through her—cutting through the haze of violence and rage—and in an instant, the red in her eyes faded, replaced by something sharp and focused.
Without a word, Hotaru moved. She stepped over the broken body of the leader, ignoring the way the blood clung to her feet, and crossed the clearing in a few quick strides. The others watched her warily as she knelt beside Shikamaru, her movements surprisingly gentle, almost reverent, as if the fury that had consumed her moments ago had been snuffed out like a flame.
Kenji flinched as she drew closer, his hand still pressed firmly over Shikamaru's wound, his eyes wide with lingering shock. "Hotaru—" he began, his voice strained, uncertain.
"I can heal him," she interrupted softly, her gaze steady as she looked at him. Her tone was calm, controlled—a stark contrast to the blood-soaked, feral image she had been just moments ago. It was as if that darkness had never existed, swallowed up and buried deep beneath the surface.
Kenji hesitated, glancing down at Shikamaru's pale face, then back at her. His hand was slick with blood, the crimson stain spreading across his skin, but he didn't pull back. "Are you sure?" he whispered, the worry in his voice raw and unguarded.
Hotaru nodded slowly, reaching out and placing her hands over his. "I've been practising," she murmured, her gaze flicking briefly to his before returning to the wound. "I know I can do this."
Kenji swallowed hard, searching her face for a moment longer, then—reluctantly—he lifted his hand, his fingers trembling slightly. Blood welled up from the deep gash, and Shikamaru let out a low, pained groan, his body tensing.
Hotaru's eyes narrowed, her focus sharpening as she placed her hands over the wound. She could feel the chakra thrumming beneath her fingertips, a faint, pulsing warmth that felt almost fragile in the face of the torn flesh, the shredded muscle and severed veins. But she pushed down the doubt, the fear of failure, and closed her eyes, drawing on the technique she'd honed in secret with Itsuki-sama.
Aetheric Atonement.
A soft glow spread from her palms, a faint blue-white light that shimmered and pulsed as she fed her chakra into the injury. It was different from the raw, violent power she wielded in battle—this was gentler, more deliberate, a steady, soothing flow that seemed to hum in tune with the natural rhythms of life.
She could feel the torn edges of the wound knitting together, the shredded muscle realigning, the bleeding slowing as the tissue began to regenerate. It was slow—agonisingly slow—but it was working. Bit by bit, the jagged edges smoothed out, the torn flesh sealing under her touch.
"I've… I've only used it on small animals before," she murmured softly, more to herself than to anyone else. "But it should be the same. It should… work." Her voice became more raspy, more laboured as she healed Shikamaru.
Kenji watched, his breath caught in his throat, as the wound slowly closed, the raw, exposed flesh knitting together until only a thin, pink line remained. He let out a shuddering exhale, disbelief warring with relief on his face. "Hotaru… how…?"
She didn't answer, didn't even look at him. Her gaze was fixed on Shikamaru's face, her hands trembling slightly as she poured the last of her chakra into him, coaxing the wound to finish healing, forcing the skin to mend completely.
Finally, the light faded, the glow receding into her palms as she pulled back, her breath hitching softly. Shikamaru's eyes fluttered open, hazy and unfocused, his face still pale but no longer twisted with pain.
"Hotaru…?" he murmured weakly, his gaze drifting up to meet hers. And that's when he saw it.
Her expression was tense, her brow furrowed in concentration, and sweat glistened on her forehead. Her hair, normally so vivid, was tangled and matted, streaked with blood and dirt. But it was her eyes that caught his attention. Those familiar, bright red eyes—always so vivid and full of fire—were different now. There was a shadow there, a dark ring circling the edges of her irises, bleeding into the whites like ink seeping into water. It was subtle, almost imperceptible, but the darkness seemed to pulse and shift, a creeping tendril that curled and coiled with every beat of her heart.
For a moment, Shikamaru could only stare, transfixed by the sight. The darkness seemed alive, almost sentient, like it was waiting—watching. And then, as if sensing his gaze, the shadows within her eyes seemed to still, sharpening like the edge of a blade.
His heart jolted, a shiver running down his spine.
"Hotaru…?" he repeated, his voice a rough, broken whisper.
Her gaze snapped to his, and for a heartbeat, the world narrowed to just the two of them. He could see it now, clearer than before—the way the darkness swirled around the edges, clawing at her irises, a roiling, restless energy that seemed to hunger for something. It was… wrong. Twisted. It looked like it didn't belong to her at all.
Hotaru finally smiled, a faint, exhausted curve of her lips. "I told you I could do it," she whispered, her voice soft and tired. "Just… don't make me do it again." She let out a breathless laugh and then closed her eyes just for a moment.
And with that, she slumped forward, the last of her strength draining out of her. Kenji caught her before she could hit the ground, his expression still caught between awe and something else—something far more fragile.
"Hotaru… what have you been doing?" he murmured softly, more to himself.
"Their scrolls." Hotaru murmured as she pointed to the ground where the leader lay. His body was completely motionless and his eyes glassed over, staring out into nothingness. "Get theirs and then let's go."
He looked down at her, at the blood still drying on her hands, her clothes, and a shiver ran through him. Because as much as he was grateful—relieved beyond words that she had saved Shikamaru—he couldn't help but remember the look in her eyes when she'd torn through their enemies. That ferocity… it terrified him.
Before they set off, Shikamaru lingered behind the group, still processing the whirlwind of events that had just unfolded. His mind raced as he tried to piece together everything. He'd been caught off guard by the sheer ferocity in Hotaru's eyes during the battle, the way she'd torn through their enemies with a level of intensity he hadn't seen before. But what really gnawed at him was something much closer to home—Kenji.
He shot a glance at Kenji, who was walking beside Hotaru while talking casually with Raizo up ahead. His heart pounded as a memory resurfaced: when Kenji had conjured up those unfamiliar hand signs and thrown that kunai during their watch earlier. In that split second, Shikamaru had thought Kenji was going to attack him. His instincts screamed betrayal, and for a fleeting moment, he was sure Kenji had turned on him.
But then the kunai struck the rodent carrying the explosive tag, saving his life. The realisation hit him hard. He had doubted Kenji—his teammate, his friend. And the worst part? He couldn't believe that thought had even crossed his mind. But the hand signs? That still puzzled him.
Kenji had saved him without hesitation, and yet Shikamaru had questioned his loyalty in that brief, critical moment. The thought made his chest tighten, guilt mixing with confusion. He always prided himself on reading people, on seeing their intentions, but with everything that had been happening, the chaos, the pressure—it had made him second-guess his instincts.
He sighed, rubbing the back of his neck as he walked a few paces behind the group. How could he have let his mind go there? Maybe it was the stress, the constant danger. Or maybe it was because Kenji had become… different lately. There was an edge to him now, something unreadable beneath his calm demeanour. He had always been sharp, always thinking ahead, but something about him felt more distant now, harder to grasp. Kenji seemed to enjoy working people out, getting under their skin, but now? Now, things seemed different. He was as perceptive as ever, but he just seemed more calculating nowadays.
Shikamaru shook his head. He couldn't afford to overthink things. They were all here, alive, and together, and that was what mattered.
Still, the doubt lingered in the back of his mind, nagging at him. He couldn't shake the feeling that something bigger was going on—something they hadn't seen yet.
With one last glance at Kenji, Shikamaru quickened his pace to catch up with the others. They still needed to find their other scroll to finish the exams, and they - he - couldn't afford to be overthinking the motives of those around him. Not right now.
Kenji caught the glance Shikamaru threw his way. Even amidst the subtle chaos of their departure, Kenji's sharp instincts hadn't dulled. He walked back toward Shikamaru with his usual calm, unreadable expression, his steps light and deliberate as the rest of the group moved ahead.
"Something on your mind?" Kenji asked, his voice soft yet direct, a slight smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. His tone carried the same nonchalance that always masked something deeper. "You keep looking at me like I'm about to… well, I don't know."
Shikamaru blinked, realising he'd been caught. He shoved his hands into his pockets, trying to play it cool despite the tension lingering in his chest. "No, it's nothing," he muttered, but the weight of what had happened hung in the air between them.
Kenji raised an eyebrow, his gaze steady as if he could read everything Shikamaru wasn't saying. "Right…" he replied, clearly unconvinced but not pushing the matter. After a brief silence, Kenji reached into his pouch and pulled out a scroll—an Earth scroll. "Here," he said, holding it out to Shikamaru.
Shikamaru frowned, glancing at the scroll. "What's this?"
Kenji shrugged, his smirk returning as if the gesture was no big deal. "It's our extra scroll. We've had a second Earth scroll for a while." He admitted casually, his eyes narrowing at Shikamaru briefly for a moment. "Take it then."
Shikamaru stared at the scroll, then back at Kenji. For a moment, the weight of their earlier battle faded, and he saw the gesture for what it was—Kenji's quiet way of showing his appreciation. A token of trust, or maybe even an apology without the words.
"You're just… handing this over?" Shikamaru asked, his brow furrowing as he reached out to take the scroll. "No strings attached?"
Kenji chuckled. "No strings."
Kenji's playful tone barely concealed the truth beneath it, and Shikamaru couldn't help but wonder exactly how much of his words held real weight. His brow furrowed as he pocketed the scroll, mulling over what Kenji said, and more importantly, what he hadn't said.
"You make it sound like I was just imagining things," Shikamaru replied, narrowing his eyes slightly as he walked beside Kenji. "But I didn't miss the kunai you threw earlier. For a second, I thought…" He trailed off, unsure how to finish the sentence without accusing Kenji outright.
Kenji turned his gaze forward, his smirk fading slightly, replaced by a more serious expression. "You thought I was going to take you out?" he asked, his voice quiet, almost contemplative. He didn't wait for an answer, knowing Shikamaru well enough by now. "Can't say I blame you. But if I was gonna pull something like that, I wouldn't have done it in front of the others. We're a team, Nara. As much as I like to mess with people, I don't betray the ones I'm with."
There was a long silence between them as Shikamaru digested the words. He wasn't entirely sure if he believed Kenji—he was slippery, hard to read, and constantly kept people guessing—but something about his tone felt genuine. Shikamaru knew that Kenji had his own way of operating, one that often involved a lot of secrets and unpredictable moves, but betrayal… that didn't seem to be his style.
"I know what it looked like," Kenji added, breaking the silence. "But I threw that kunai because I saw the rodent with the explosive tag. They were trying to set us up." He glanced at Shikamaru with a more serious expression, his usual carefree demeanour slipping just slightly. "If you hadn't noticed it, we'd all be in pieces right now. And they were smart enough to try and put us all into a deep sleep before it detonated. It just so happened that they only targeted the two who were clearly awake." He then paused and looked up ahead to where Hotaru was walking carefully with Raizo. "And we haven't addressed whatever poison is coursing through her body… I don't get how she's still moving."
Shikamaru gave a slow nod, his tension easing somewhat. He remembered now—the small rodent that had darted across the clearing just before the kunai hit. He hadn't seen the explosive tag in time, but Kenji had. It all started to make more sense, but the lingering distrust was hard to shake.
Kenji must have sensed it because he let out a sigh, running a hand through his dark hair as he cast a sideways glance at Shikamaru. "Look," he muttered. "I get it. You think I'm the type to pull something sneaky, and sure, I've got my tricks. But we're in this together. I'm not here to stab anyone in the back."
Shikamaru looked at Kenji for a long moment, his mind processing everything, weighing the truth of his words. "Fair enough," he finally said, his voice measured. "But if you try anything…"
Kenji raised his hands in mock surrender, a grin returning to his face. "I swear, no assassination plans tonight," he joked. "Besides, killing you would leave too many loose ends."
Shikamaru couldn't help but smirk at that, shaking his head slightly. "You really know how to lighten the mood," he muttered, but the tension between them eased significantly.
Kenji patted him on the shoulder before glancing ahead at their team members, who had stopped and were waiting for them. "Let's just focus on finishing this exam," Kenji said, more serious now. "We've got both scrolls, and it's time to head to the centre. Don't need to hang around in this deathtrap any longer than we have to."
Shikamaru nodded. "Right."
As they rejoined their teams, the atmosphere was lighter, but Shikamaru couldn't shake the feeling that, even with their temporary alliance, Kenji still had layers of mystery surrounding him. For now, though, they were on the same side. That would have to be enough.
And finally, as they reached the central tower, the second stage was finally over.