It All Started With A Smell

Pulse

The anger seeped from his body but before he had a chance to answer the door to the emergency ward opened. He heard a sigh, a light sigh.

"He's going to be just fine!" Lady Tsunade told him, clearly referring to her patient, Choji.

Her words struck him like a blow, making him shake. His throat constricted and his eyes stung.

"The antidote worked," The woman went on, "The extermination of cells caused by the pills effects have been rested. I couldn't have done it without your help, Shikaku. The Nara Clan's sacred medicine guide was invaluable. The work that went into that manual, the years of research! Well, it's quite impressive to say the least."

It was her voice, filled with admiration and astonishment that made Shikamaru pause. It was the hard work of his predecessors that saved Choji's life. The Nara clan and the Akamichi clan had always been close but he had never stopped to think that the Nara's would work hard to use their intelligence as they had. It struck him that this was what his father meant. A ninja's job wasn't to become stronger to protect themselves. It was like Genma had said. A ninja became stronger so that their comrades could return to their loved ones.

"Thank you." Shikaku replied.

"LADY TSUNADE!"

Shikamaru could see Shizune running towards them, a large smile across her pretty face.

"Neji Hyguya is safe! His condition has stabilised. And there's more. I've just heard that Kakashi Hatake and Naruto Uzumaki have returned and they have been examined. Naruto's injuries are serious but not life threatening. He's going to be okay."

A slow smile appeared on his face, his body shook and his legs felt weak. A giddy sensation filled him. He closed his eyes.

"Shikamaru, your mission was a failure," Lady Tsunade called out to him, "However, everyone's alive. That's the most important thing."

Tears leaked down his face, splattering the ground in front of him. Hearing the Hokage repeat the information made it all the more real to him. They were alive. All of them. And Naruto's seal didn't break. Even in her weakened state the Nine-Tails was not able to break free.

"Next time the mission will go perfectly," He promised. He didn't care that everyone could see him; he didn't bother to stop his tears. After all the tension it felt good to release it all. "Can I see them? Can I see Naruto?"

"Choji and Neji need rest," Shizune replied, "Naruto is unconscious but when he's awake you can see him. Kiba is conscious, though I'm not sure how. Come with me and I'll show you to him."

He wiped his face and followed the woman who led him to Kiba's room. He knocked before entering, finding Kiba lying down with Akamaru on a dog bed beside him. The two looked miserable. He looked over sharply at Shikamaru only to yelp in pain.

"No one will tell me anything. Is everyone alright? What about Choji and Neji? I heard as I was coming in that they were bad."

"Kiba, relax. I just got word. Everyone is alive and stable. Choji and Neji were touch and go but Lady Tsunade and Shizune were able to save their lives. Naruto... was bad but stabilised before Kakashi-Sensei even got him back to the village by the sounds of it." Shikamaru sighed, dropping into the vacant chair. Saying the words felt good.

"Who did Naruto fight?"

It wasn't until Kiba's question that Shikamaru realised who Naruto's opponent was. "Sasuke. Sasuke Uchiha killed Naruto."

"I thought you said Naruto was alright." Kiba tried to sit up, only to scream and hold his stomach.

"He is now but when Kakashi-Sensei found him he wasn't breathing."