eleven

We were outside the gates waiting for the sand people to get here. We'd be escorting them back.

We had a pretty big team for only three ninjas but we were escorting the kazekage. There was Naruto, Sakura, Sasuke and Sai. Plus their captains Yamato and Kakashi. I was glad he was coming it made me feel like we were all going to be safe.

Shikamaru was next to me picking the fallen cherry blossom petals out of my hair. I looked up at him feeling happy.

"Ugh why don't you just get out from underneath the tree and you won't have to keep picking out the petals." I looked over to a stormy looking Sasuke and felt my eyes roll. I actually liked the kid but sometimes his sour mood put me off.

"Shut up Uchiha." Shikamaru said picking another one out sighing contently. In a second Sasuke was on the branch above us and shook it hard making us be completely imerged in petals. I laughed throwing some into the air like a little kid.

Sasuke groaned obviously hoping for the opposite effect. He hopped down from the tree continuing to ignore everyone. I finally decided to get away  pulling Shikamaru to sit on the ground after shaking everything off of me. Ten minutes had passed and they finally showed up. Naruto was with them and I looked to the side to see his clone, that was with us, disappear.

"Shikamaru." I had to hold my anger in as the blond girl walked forward still trying to flirt with my Shika. She looked down at me not saying anything as she tried to start up a conversation. I could feel anger building but I just sighed getting up and walking away I didn't want to get in trouble for beating up someone we were suppose to be protecting.

I went and stood by Sakura keeping an eye on the two. Just because I wasn't near them doesn't mean she could touch him.

Sakura chuckled and wrapped an arm around my shoulder.

"C'mon miss jealous." I blushed was it that obvious.

"Trust me Shikamaru is smitten with you. He wouldn't do anything."

"It's not him I'm worried about." I looked back at the two to see Shikamaru smirking at me. I poked my tongue out at him and watched as his gorgeous smile took over his features.

"See?" I turned back to Sakura pleased. We started walking and I slowly made my way back to Shikamaru. Temari had gone to talk to her brother and he was alone so I took my chance.

"Jealous much?" I slapped his shoulder.

"Don't tease me!" I said with a pout, expecting him to laugh I was confused when a blush spread across his cheeks. He cleared his throat again before grabbing my hand, i didn't mind intertwining our fingers.

........

Halfway through the journey to the sand we decided to set up camp in a large clearing I was looking for some fire wood when i encountered a lost child with cute little pigtails. She rushed forward, clinging to me and I bent down to pick her up. Noticing right away a paper bomb was attached to her back I ripped her jacket off and threw it quickly just in time for it to explode away from us.

I looked down at the child who was crying in fear. Who the hell would do that? Shikamaru and even Kakashi rushed forward to me leaving their guard in front of Gaara.

"Idiots go back and protect the kazekage.

"Go." I searched the trees around me and couldn't feel anyone. They were good at hiding themselves. The child clung to me crying and I had to reposition myself while I pulled out a few Kunai.

"Hey sweetheart you're going to be okay. I need you to let go of me so I can protect you." She shook her head and held on tighter.

"Ohh Poppy. Come back here now. We haven't finished you're medicine." A lone man stood just outside of the bush and was beckoning the little girl forward. She whimpered and I turned my glare to the man. What kind of sick bastard is he?

"Ohh I see you've found one of my old test rats.... Two" I looked around to see who he was talking about.

"Ohh she doesn't know." A wicked laugh escaped the evil man and the sound sent shudders down my spine like I had heard it before.

Sasuke who was deadly quiet walked up and stood beside me. Glaring at the man with recognition.

"Kabuto, you sick fuck." The spectacled man let out another creepy laugh before turning toward me again.

"Now Poppy." The girls face turned evil and she tried to bite me, long sharp teeth extending towards my neck. I huffed and Sasuke grabbed the girl by her hair throwing her away.

The little girl let out a demonic laugh and started to slowly shift into a taller figure joints cracking until she was a he.

"My young Kami. Come back to see her creator." I frowned I didn't know who he was but his face sent my body into panic mode. I was frozen.

Kakashi was glaring daggers at the long haired guy.

"Orochimaru... So it was you? You did this to her." Referring to me.

"Hatake Kakashi, it must've been a real shock to see her... Alive."

Everyone in our team looked confused except for the three of us.

"What did you do to her?" His voice was calm and that's what made Kakashi seem so deadly even i felt fear.

"Nothing much. Just made her perfect. Come my Kami. Come to me." It all happened so fast. His eyes were so captivating almost as if I was under a spell. I felt my left leg move on it's own accord but was held back by a hand.

"Kira? What are you doing?" Sasuke yelled at me but I couldn't talk it was like I wasnt controlling myself.

"Come now."  My body slapped Sasuke's hand away and I was shocked. I didn't do that. It was then all of my comrades tried to  stop me one by one I hurt them effortlessly. I was using speed and strength i didnt know i had. Kicking punching just attacking them back into their places.  I cried not being able to stop. Kicking Sakura back and watching her hit the tree hard was the last straw, I let out a whimper. I wanted to apologise but orochimaru started talking.

"Come  Kami." I started moving again, against my will. I was half way across the field when I stopped moving all together, stuck in place. Shikamaru. My body was trying to break out of his shadows as my eyes stayed focused on Orochimaru eyes.

Come they spoke to me and my body was trying to listen but to my relief I stayed stuck. As if he knew I wouldn't hurt him, Shikamaru slowly took steps to where I was.

"Shikamaru don't" Naruto warned. I didn't want to hurt shikamaru and my body, even though it was being controlled, didn't attack him. I didn't know how but it wouldn't let it, not him. He leaned down and picked me up, no fight on my half. He was ignoring everyone's shocked stares, acting like we weren't in front of a dangerous enemy and that i didn't just attack our comrades as he carried me back to our side. He carressed my jaw, guiding my face away from Orohimaru. The pull of his gaze was still beckoning me but it was less powerful as I took in Shikamaru.

Everyone including the two enemy's were just staring at Shikamaru as he leaned down and kissed me. I felt my body slowly become my own with every move of our lips. He pulled back his shadow justu from my feet when I felt like me again. Keeping me safe in his arms. I didn't dare try to look back at the two people.

"Hmm so he can break it? That's not good at all. Maybe we have to take him out first, master."

"Hush Kabuto. She will come to me...let us go now."

Anger built up inside me as they discussed Shikamaru but he stayed with me not noticing as he rubbed circles on my cheek, still ignoring everyone. It was like he was in a daze.

Smoke filled the field where they had been and Orohimarus creepy laugh echoed around filling my ears as they disappeared. Everyone was on high guard in case it was some sort of evil trick but as time went past they relaxed a bit. Sakura rushed to us and was about to put her hand on me but stopped when Shikamaru let an almost growl like sound.

"Don't touch her." he warned as he shielded me from everyone else. Sakura looked shocked but nodded. I noticed with guilt she had a few cuts on her cheek. Everyone did.

"Sakura... I'm so.."

"I know Kira, it's okay." She smiled almost forcefully as she looked down at me. Kakashi was staring at us before he looked at Sai. 

"Since we're closer to the sand it'll be a waste of time to go back to the Konoha. Sai we need to get there right now before they come back"

"Yes Kakashi-sensei" Sai pulled out his scroll and drew. A few seconds later giant birds came out. Shikamaru picked me up and sat on one. I screamed as it took off fast not expecting the speed.

Shikamaru wasn't talking and I was starting to worry about him. I buried my head in his neck. We made it to the village in a flash and I wondered why we didn't use these in the first place. My thoughts were hushed when an exhausted Sai got up from the bird getting helped down by Kakashi. It was a last resort jutsu, I felt guilty as he could barely keep his eyes open.

"Thank you Sai." I said as he walked past he smiled, sleepily.

"Anything for comrades." He collapsed against Kakashi and Gaara helped by letting some of his sand carry the unconcious nin.

"We'll get him to the hospital. Kankuro, Temari show them to their rooms." His voice held authority.

"Yes Kazekage-sama." They both nodded at their brother. Kakashi and Naruto followed Gaara as everyone else that was left behind just sort of stared at each other. I looked at Sasuke who was already looking at me. He looked angry turning away. It was like he thought I had hurt everyone on purpose. He followed Temari, Yamato and Sakura into the village not looking back once.

Kankuro slowly came forward keeping his distance from the still quiet Shikamaru.

"Come Shikamaru I'll take you two to a safe place." His voice was surprisingly gentle and made Shikamaru start to move as he guided us through the sand village. It was like Konoha except there was sand everywhere. The people smiled at us and alot greeted Kankuro. I smiled back at a few, what a nice village.

As soon as we were in our room Shikamaru pushed me roughly on the bed. As he hovered above me, I could see many emotions cross his face. Sad, relief, anger but most of all fear.

"I..." I reached up and kissed his forehead.

"I feel weird Kira..." I nodded, he was acting weird. It was like he snapped when I was being pulled towards Orochimaru.

"I'm okay. You're okay." I said placing a love filled kiss on his lips.

"I was so scared.... You weren't stopping.." I nodded that made two of us. I still didn't understand what happened only that my body wasn't mine around those creeps. They could obviously control me and that freaked me out. What if they make me do something drastic. I pushed the thought away, I wouldn't let them. But could I stop them?

Shikamaru was slowly returning to his normal self but he wasnt letting go of me anytime soon which I wasn't complaining about.

We stared into each others eyes.

"I think... I'm falling in love with you Kira."

"Thanks I love me too.." I tried to brighten the tense atmosphere and it worked when he cracked a tiny smile. It was only for a split second but it was there. I reached up trailing the outline of his lips a blush on my face.

"I feel the same Shika." We shared a loving kiss and stayed in the room for the rest of the day letting sleep take us. Maybe it was too soon to feel love for each other. We had only been together almost two weeks but I felt like I had known Shikamaru my whole life. All the months leading up to actually being with him was enough time for me to fall in love with the lazy ninja.