It All Started With A Smell

No Shadow Without Light

"What's happening?" Sakura asked in disbelief.

"Let's move out," Shikamaru ordered, jumping out of the window and hitting the ground running.

His heart dropped painfully when an explosion shook the entire village. Civilians ran as fast as they could to the evacuation tunnels. With Naruto out of the village there was only one person's safety that he had to worry about before taking action against the attackers. He knew that Kurenai-Sensei would be going to a pre-natal class soon, and if she was somewhere that couldn't see or feel the attack she wouldn't know to be careful and evacuate. He had to dodge debris as he ran to Kurenai-Sensei's apartment. He found her just stepping out onto the street.

"Stop!" He commended, coming to a halt. "Get back inside."

"Shikamaru, what's going on?" Kurenai-Sensei asked.

"It's the Akatsuki! They're here." There was another explosion, rather close. Looking up he saw a black and orange creature that looked like a giant caterpillar on top of the apartment building across from Kurenai-Senseis. It started to destroy the building as it moved towards them. Shikamaru activated his Shadow Imitation jutsu, piercing it multiple times in the body and once in the head.

"Kurenia-Sensei, do me a favour and step back please," Shikamaru said, forcing his voice to be calm. The woman did as he asked, allowing him to use a shadow to pull three kunai out of his weapons pouch, paper bombs dangling from their handles. He growled, "Now you die."

After throwing the kunai into the creature's body he ran to Kurenai-Sensei, shielding her with his form. "Get down!"

When the creature was destroyed, Shikamaru pulled back to evaluate Kurenai-Sensei's state.

"Are you alright?" Kurenai-Sensei asked.

He almost laughed. "Yeah, don't worry about me. You need to take the underground tunnel to the evacuation shelter. I'll take you part of the way. No arguments. If something happened to you or your child I'd never be able to face Asuma-Sensei."

Kurenai-Sensei smiled. "Shikamaru." She held out her hand, letting Shikamaru help pull her to her feet.

He made sure that he not only kept an eye out for the enemy but for debris and civilians. He knew that civilians could be dangerous when scared. The last thing he needed was for someone to knock the heavily pregnant woman down. When the ground shook again from an explosion and screams radiated through the air Shikamaru picked the Kurenai-Sensei up, running faster. He was just thinking that he would have to take Kurenai-Sensei the entire way to the escape tunnel when he spotted Dai with a group of adults helping to ferry children through the village.

"Dai," Shikamaru called, getting the large man's attention. He put Kurenai-Sensei down when he reached the bartender. "Can you help Kurenai-Sensei get to the tunnels?"

The man nodded. "Of course. We have to go slower but safer for the orphans, so it won't strain you, Madam Kurenai."

"Thank you," Shikamaru breathed. "I cannot even think of how to repay you."

He took off running towards the source of the explosions he was hearing. Skidding around a corner Shikamaru came face to face with a tall man with long, orange hair, and five rods protruding from his face. In his outstretched hand he grasped the forehead of a woman who twitched before her body went slack.

"She knew nothing of Naruto," Pain commented in an almost bored voice. He dropped the ninja, turning his unnerving eyes onto Shikamaru. "Let's see if you know."

As Pain started walking towards him Shikamaru moved into a fighting stance. Making sure to keep Pain in sight, he cast a gaze onto the limp ninja. It was hard to tell if the ninja was dead or unconscious, but there were no markings on her body indicating what Pain had put her through. Deciding he didn't want to find out first hand he activated his Shadow Imitation and attacked Pain. The man dodged far too easily. When he was within range of Shikamaru he extended his hand towards the Nara's forehead. A sickening thought entered his mind at such a familiar pose, making him jump back. He stumbled to find his feet, costing him time. Pain advanced again, his hand still extended.