"We have to rest."
It was Tenzo that called for a stop after another two days and it was surprisingly Choji that argued.
"No, the more time we waste, the more time they have him!"
"I know, but we need to stop. Pakkun, how far are we?"
"Not far, another hour, if that. The scents are really strong here. Any closer and you run the risk of meeting up with Orochimaru's men." The pug took a moment to lay down on the grass and catch his breath. Trees were farther in between and Tenzo hadn't wanted to lose their cover before they made a plan.
"Tenzo is right, Choji." To everyone's surprise it was Sasuke who spoke up. "By now, it's easy to see that this was a set up from the beginning. They knew when Shikamaru was leaving. Even if the four of you departed in secret, we can't assume that Orochimaru doesn't know you are on your way. Shikamaru's team is missing as well as Konoha's head medic. We can assume that Orochimaru knows we are coming." There was a collective pause in the group, urging Sasuke to push on. "Naruto and I have been traveling for nearly four days without a rest. We want Shikamaru back more than anyone." Ino scoffed, but the two other alphas ignored her. "But in order to be successful, we need to be at our full strength, all of us."
"We'll rest here for a couple of hours," Tenzo nodded, "and plan."
"They've had him for nearly a week," Ino murmured sadly as if to object, but she found herself nodding.
"Exactly," the medic chimed in. "We don't know what kind of state he is in. We can't rush in and make it worse." Sakura paused for a moment before turning to Naruto and Sasuke. "Shikamaru's resilient, but we know Orochimaru has his ways. Are you guys going to be able to handle this?"
It wasn't a question that normally would have been asked. Had Shikamaru been their omega, they wouldn't have been allowed to fight. An omega's distress could drive their alpha to insanity. And yet, Shikamaru wouldn't have any of those scents around him, they would be able to think clearly without being hindered by his pain if he was still alive. She hadn't completely ruled out that he wasn't dead, but she would hold onto hope until proven otherwise.
"Not really." Naruto looked at Sakura and answered her honestly. His eyes flickered to Sasuke who nodded and the blond sighed. "I can't promise I won't tear the place apart to find him. I can't promise that we won't destroy everything just knowing that he's already been hurt. We're angry, Sakura, and we want Orochimaru to be hurt for this. It's best if you let us focus on him while the four of you get to Shikamaru."
Tenzo and Sakura both nodded, the former speaking up. "Then that is what will happen. Ino, you can find him when we get closer and tell us how many there are and where the snake is. Naruto and Sasuke can go after Orochimaru. When we have Shikamaru and clear the area, Ino can let you two know we're out and then…" He glanced at Naruto and Sasuke who didn't hesitate to speak at the same time.
"We burn the place down."
—xOx—
Waking up from a drug-induced state was the last thing Shikamaru expected to do as he hadn't expected to wake up at all. Another failure, he thought as he attempted to peel his eyes open. It took far longer than it should have and by the time he did manage to open them, he realized it was the only thing he could move and the light was dim enough not to blind him. His arms felt like lead, his legs barely twitched under the command to move them, and lifting his head to look around was impossible. However, he did realize he wasn't paralyzed as he could feel the cold slab behind him. His dark eyes flickered down towards his chest as best as they could. His flak jacket, black shirt and mesh top had been removed leaving only dry blood that blanketed his right shoulder. The kunai he vaguely remembered. Looking further down, he realized that everything else but his black boxer briefs had also been removed making him feel incredibly vulnerable.
"Oh, the paralytic seems to be working, Lord Orochimaru!" It was a female voice that echoed like nails on a chalkboard to his ears. The genius' eyes flickered around the room, at first landing on the IV into his hand, before noticing another figure in a mask. Like the shinobi in the woods, they were completely covered and held no headband, yet this one seemed smaller and held more curves.
"You did well, Tanuki-chan." The familiar hiss would have sent shivers down Shikamaru's spine if he could move. "Now, let's begin. You're sure this will work? Everything has to be perfect." As the snake spoke, he moved closer until he was standing beside the brunette's head. A pale hand carded through dark hair that had been pulled from its customary hair tie, allowing it to fan out like a halo dipped in the shadows the Nara clan was known for.
Think Shikamaru. Start with what you know. Orochimaru…Sasuke had learned from him. During the Chunin exams he murdered the fourth Kazekage and the Third Hokage, branding Sasuke in the woods. Then he reanimated all of those people during the fourth war, including Asuma. Kabuto used to be his ally, but he's not here now. He could be elsewhere but…
Eyes darted back towards Tanuki as her hands began to glow green. Orochimaru wasn't using Kabuto for whatever they were doing. Seals? Orochimaru was good at those. Were they trying to turn him into a mole? Someone to work for him? He wouldn't, he'd kill himself first.
He attempted to struggle, but his limbs still wouldn't obey.
Tanuki. Mythological creature so likely wasn't her real name. If it wasn't her real name then their intent really wasn't to kill him. Shit, Shit, Shit.
His eyes narrowed as the green light sharpened into a chakra scalpel before slicing over his chest. Shikamaru's eyes widened in pain, even as he gasped as well as he could. They weren't using an anesthetic. He wanted to scream, he wanted to fight, but he was trapped inside his own unmovable body. Then, a hand reached into his chest and he could feel the way the fingers brushed against his insides and he had to fight to keep from throwing up.
"There, there, Shika-kun," Orochimaru cooed while still carding his hands through the now sweat-damp hair. "It'll be over soon."
Don't touch me! He wanted to scream. The genius wanted to flail and fight but he was completely helpless. Suddenly, something sharp stabbed inside of him and the world went black.
—xOx—
Shikamaru didn't think he had lost too much time because by the time he blinked open again, he saw both Tanuka and Orochimaru standing off to the side. The IV in his hand was gone, but had been replaced with manacles around his wrists and ankles. A gentle tug showed he didn't have enough movement to form seals, but it was enough to let his captors know he had woken up.
"Whatever you're doing," he panted, pulling against the bonds. "It won't work. I won't…betray the Leaf." The laughter that followed made his blood run cold.
"My dear, Shikamaru. I could care less about the Leaf."
Suddenly, his blood turned to fire and Shikamaru screamed.