Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Upside Down ❯ Remedy ( Chapter 4 )

Chapter Four: Remedy

Shikamaru opened his stinging eyes to the artificial lights on the ceiling. His head was throbbing pain into the tenderest part of his skull. He turned his head and gazed upon her hunched over form. She sat in a chair with her elbows resting on her knees and her face into her hands. He watched her for a moment in silence.

“You're a sight for sore eyes…” he said. She immediately looked up at him with those dark jade pools.

“Shika…” her lips whispered and stood up to sit on the edge of the hospital bed. “What happened… what happened to Konoha?”

“There's no need for you to worry, Temari… The Akatsuki are gone now… unfortunately so is Konoha…. I don't know exactly what happened but I think it had something to do with Sasuke Uchiha. The Hokage commanded us to leave before some kind of explosion. The village is nothing but ashes now. I'm not sure if anyone survived but I was left to wander around for months until you found me in the desert… looks like you saved my butt again… I'm sorry for the trouble…”

“Don't be, it's the least I can do for you,” she said. “I'm sorry about your village… its destruction has affected everyone. We've been struggling to make ends meet over here. Konoha was our main trader for certain medicines that you can't find in the desert and our medical staff doesn't know the forest too well to collect them so we've been in a rough patch.”

“I see…” turned his eyes back up at the ceiling with a groan. “The Akatsuki thought they were riding the world of pain by destroying the Leaf village but it only made things worse. T-Temari… what if I'm the only one left?”

“Oh, come on, Shika…” she said while placing a hand over his. “I'm sure that you're not. The Konoha shinobi aren't that easy to kill… trust me, I've tried before.” Shikamaru arched an eyebrow and smirked tiredly. He moved his hand from under hers to turn it palm up so he can hold hers back. His thumb stroked the softness of the back of her delicate but strong hand.

“You're right… If I didn't know any better, I'd say Naruto is on his way here as we speak.”

“Naruto? You really think that idiot is alive?”

“He may be an idiot, but like you said, the Leaf ninja are hard to kill… especially Naruto.”

“Well, in the mean time, you should concentrate on getting better,” she said while standing up and heading for the door. “You still owe me a shogi match so I expect you to be in top shape when facing me.”

“I'll be looking forward to it,” he replied with a tired smirk as he watched her leave the room, allowing him to dose off into a peaceful slumber.

 

 

“So… Naruto, what is the plan exactly?” The pink haired girl asked while following him closely behind in the dark forest.

“We are going to meet up with Gaara and see if we can get some back up,” he explained. “We're going to get to the bottom of what happened and we are going to make sure that it doesn't happen again… not on my watch.”

 

Suna was soon at sunset, one of the desserts most beautiful features and Temari was enjoying it on the balcony of the Kazekage's mansion. She soon found that she wasn't alone however. Her youngest brother came out, placing a hand on her shoulder.

“You seem down,” he said in his rough and quiet voice. “How's the Konoha shinobi?”

“He's doing much better, just sleeping now,” she replied. “Gaara… do you think that the Akatsuki were in the right mind about riding this world of pain and misery?”

“In some context, yes,” he said joining her side while holding his arms like he always does. “People hurt others because they are hurt inside… forever raking evil upon this world for just a few mistakes with the tailed demons that our ancestors made. The Akatsuki were arrogant, however. You can't heal wounds with more bloodshed. That is something that I've learned after fighting with Naruto… but there will always be sadness and bloodshed… all you can do is protect those who are precious to you from it.”

“Yes… I know,” she said. “That is why you became the Kazekage…” After a few moments of silent thought Temari spoke again. “Shikamaru said that there is a good chance that Naruto is on his way here…”

“I've had that feeling, too. I figured it was only a matter of time before he came to seek our aid… but Temari, the void of darkness is approaching… I have a feeling that things are going to get worse before they get better…”

“Hmm…”

 

A/N: doo doo doo! Alright I thought this was a good one. Not much Naruto and Sakura but still good. Be prepared for some hot action soon!