Ace

When Ole Reliable Fails

"Shikamaru? Where's Sasuke?" Choji said running to his friend, bringing him to the others.

"He...he's still inside...we couldn't...I can't...it's over...." He gasped out, collapsing onto his butt when they got to the others.

"You left him?!" Sakura said looking back to the dome of ice mirrors.

"I thought he was coming with me. He told me to run...I see..."

"What?" Ino said giving the Nara some water to drink.

"He hoped I'd be able to think of something to beat this guy...I. I don't think we can. He's too strong."

"Welp, if that's the case, I think I'll try my hand at it."

They all turned and saw Naruto walking towards them. Blood covered his right hand and his white hoodie had a splatter of red on it. His blue gaze was on the mirrors before it shifted on them. Any doubts, any fears they had was gone in that single instant. That single gaze. For some reason, they believed it was all going to be fine now. He'd figure something out.

Naruto did not stop as he went by. "Naruto! He's too strong! Going inside is suicide. It's checkmate!" Shikamaru said shaking from his stupor.

Naruto turned over his shoulder, a small smile on his face. "I've got it from here, friend."

Shikamaru tried to stand, tried to stop Naruto.  Finally, after all this time, he'd finally been acknowledged by Naruto. He didn't want him to do this, to walk into a losing situation. It was foolish, it was reckless, it was...suicide. Ino and Choji held him back though. "Let me go! He...he's going to die!"

"And you'll get him killed faster by going. You're exhausted and wounded. Think logically like you're supposed to!" Ino said slapping him. "I don't like him going in there if you came out like this, but what else can he do? Sasuke is still stuck, we still need to figure something out. If you want to help, then think. Do the thing you know he will have faith in!"

"Alright...alright..." Shikamaru took a few breaths to relax himself. "What is that?" He said looking to Ino's hip.

"Huh?" She looked down and grabbed it. "A sealing scroll?" Looking at the note attached she locked eyes with Shikamaru. "You may not have to think after all."

Sasuke watched as the Senbon were moments from hitting when a kunai hit them from the side. Stopping them from coming any closer, in that same moment he felt himself be dragged and turned around. Looking back where he'd originally been facing, he saw Naruto standing there.

"I leave you alone for a few days and you nearly die."

"Shut up." Sasuke grunted. "He's too strong, Naruto. You shouldn't have come in here."

"Oh and miss out on saving the Princess? Nah, I've got this."

"You've made a grave mistake coming into my technique." Haku said but the grin had not once left Naruto's face. Why was he so confident that he'd succeed?

"Have I now? Well, let's see. You're shielded it seems since you're not hurt in any way. This guy's a pyro lover so it wasn't strong enough. Such a defense must be...exhausting."

"It's not just defense." Haku's voice appeared beside him as he was stabbed in the stomach.

Turning around, he saw her entering the mirror. "Yeah, definitely exhausting." He chuckled. "Anyways, as much as I want to fight this technique, I'll be getting the princess out. See, there's something I have to tell your pal Zabuza."

"How are you getting us out?" Sasuke said as he couldn't get up.

"I'm going to hit her with a kunai."