Nightshift 39: Main Hallway, 1-Center

[fourtharcana]

[from here]

He paused at hearing a noise in the hallway. Akihiko whipped his head around, searching for the source. "You're paranoid," he told himself quietly, when he didn't see it.

He shrugged again, noting the Sun Room door was partially open. He pushed the door open and stepped inside.

[to here]

Comments

[see_my_back]

[[from here]]

It didn't take long to reach the meeting point, but there was still no sign of Naruto. They hadn't wasted much time, so it was likely he was bumbling down the halls as they were stuck waiting. Looked like that was the same story for a few others who'd chosen this place as their meeting point.

"To answer your other question," she continued, as though Shikamaru's little stunt down the last hall had never happened, even if her tone was slightly clipped. "I don't know how much Naruto is capable of. I don't think he has access to his sealed chakra. I had to heal him a couple nights ago. I haven't seen him fight either, so I can't say much for sure."

[toobothersome]

In retrospect, Shikamaru probably should have held that jutsu for a little bit longer.

He forced back the reflex to rejoin their shadows, knowing he'd need his chakra later and probably (probably) against things more dangerous that Sakura, or at least more likely to actually kill him. Instead, he gulped and tried unsuccessfully to evade her grip, then cringed in anticipation of the blow. Hopefully, she'd have the sense not to waste chakra either.

For once, the troublesome unpredictability of women worked in his favor, and when Sakura released him with a shove, he stumbled back and caught himself before gulping again, then meekly following her further into the hallway. Jeez. Women.

Shikamaru didn't even try to justify his actions, but settled for leaning against the wall, arms crossed, looking generally grumpy.

[whirlingwinds]

[ From here]

Naruto spotted out Sakura and Shikamaru, grinning and making his way to them. He realised Shikamaru looked a little grumpy, but that seemed usual. It was either grumpy or bored, with him.

"Hey, guys!" He greeted, smiling at Sakura and nodding at the other boy. "You got here today, right? Or was it last night?" He asked him, mildly curious.

[see_my_back]

Sakura found herself tapping her fingers against her arm in impatience while they waited. Just when she was about to go hunt the last ninja down herself, he came waltzing up like nothing had happened. Ugh! If she hadn't promised to be nice to Naruto, she would have been just itching for an excuse to deck him.

"What took you so long?" she said and tried, really hard not to sound as frustrated as she felt. It wasn't easy, but she managed to calm down a bit more.

"Anyway," she said before giving him a chance to reply, "we should get going. We can talk on the way, but we're wasting time just standing here."

[toobothersome]

Shikamaru was aware that he probably should have given her some advance notice, but seriously Who else was he going to try it on? A stranger? Taking control of a person via used more chakra and skill than simply manipulating his own shadow, and it wasn't like he'd put her in danger or made her do anything stupid. Sheesh. She could try trusting her teammates once in a while. Shikamaru remained in an annoyed sulk for quite a few seconds, though his mood brightened once Naruto showed up. Finally, someone who didn't want to punch him

[lostonlifesroad]

[ From here. A Kakashi is fine too? :D]And there they were. Kakashi slowed down just a bit when he spotted the trio, but didn't particularly try to mask his presence. As fun as it might have been, Kakashi decided not to distract them too much. He was hopeful that they'd make some significant progress this night, especially since it seemed like none of them had been taken for the experiments

[whirlingwinds]

"Sorry!" Naruto said, scratching the back of his neck sheepishly. "I went as fast as I could!"

Maybe not, but he'd made his meeting with Jiraiya as short as he could have. He didn't feel like skipping on them entirely, especially not after what he'd learned earlier that day. He had to focus on the fact that he was here now, and make the best of it. He was going to take the vision of his death as a tool that could help him stop it, or help him save him.

Naruto nodded at Shikamaru, before starting to explain one of the ways to get to the basement.

"There's a way through a kitchen, if I remember right. I think we need to get through the sun room, and there's usually a lot of...stuff happening then," he said, before Kakashi arrived and he turned to grin at him.

"I got here before you this time!"

[see_my_back]

At least Shikamaru had the good sense not to say anything she could twist around, and Naruto was only mildly annoying, but once she'd just barely gotten past that, Kakashi had to show up and spoil her mood once again! Did she have a target painted on her back or something?! Geez!

She sent a pointed glare in her sensei's direction and cracked her knuckles ominously. "What was that sensei? Did you say something? I could've sworn you did, but I know Kakashi-sensei wouldn't say something so rude to one of his beloved students."

Sakura was reminded though, that they had very little time to work with. This didn't keep her from giving anyone the stink eye and it definitely wouldn't stop her from busting heads if one more stupid male decided to make a brainless comment or try a jutsu on her without saying anything

[toobothersome]

She tends to do that, Shikamaru thought, but this time, he exercised the restraint not to say it out loud. He'd already managed to escape getting hit once tonight, and he wasn't going to press his luck. It seemed like Sakura was just moving from target to target, and if she didn't break the pattern, he'd be next in line unless someone else showed up to get on her nerves

[lostonlifesroad]

"Oh, I'd never do that." Kakashi laughed easily when Sakura threatened him, holding up a hand in a placating gesture. He was reasonably sure that she wouldn't actually try anything. Mostly. Either way, he did have some faith in his own abilities, so Kakashi wasn't too worried about it, despite what he'd said

[whirlingwinds]

Naruto nodded, agreeing that splitting into teams would be a good idea. He wondered if he'd be paired up with Sakura again, but wasn't sure he wanted too -- she seemed to be in a bad mood, and he knew that meant he'd be in for some punches

[see_my_back]

Sakura feigned impatience while the information was exchanged. Sure it was necessary; she wasn't about to openly argue that, but she didn't have to like it either. At least it gave her a little time to cool off and gave her a better idea of what her teammates were capable of. Shikamaru might be right a lot of the time, but he could sure be an ass about it.

Naruto managed to redeem himself, much to her surprise, by offering her some weapons and she took what was offered, tucking the extras into the pouch she'd set at her side. She muttered a thanks that was almost socially acceptable, and wondered idly if Naruto or Sasuke ever thought she was an obnoxious know-it-all too. No, she was pretty sure she remembered Sasuke using the word 'foolish,' when she'd talked to him just earlier. Ugh.

[toobothersome]

After accepting the additional scalpels with a quick 'thanks' and tucking them into the same pocket as the others (mental note: come up with a less idiotic way to store sharp things), Shikamaru turned his attention to cross-referencing Naruto and Kakashi's answers with what he already knew about himself and Sakura

[lostonlifesroad]

"Well, at least this will give us all some unique opportunities for training." Kakashi, like the rest, knew that most of Naruto's teachings had focused on utilizing his chakra. Even the techniques he had yet to learn in their world relied on a foundation of chakra manipulation. Yet here, Naruto's biggest asset had been completely negated. Kakashi understood better than most the consequences of the development in terms of Naruto's morale, especially when coupled with what his eyes would see of the future