Shikamaru retreated against a tree. Three kunais were on his left shoulder. Moving it seemed useless now. He whined at the pain. Yakushi Kabuto, his enemy, chuckled.

"Give it up. There is no other option but to surrender."

" I have... More options than you can think of." Shikamaru said, in between heavy breaths. "And giving up isn't one of them."

"Oh really?" Again, the Sound ninja laughed. "Just look around you! All your teammates are knocked out. Just give it up already!"

Shikamaru looked around. Kabuto was right. Chouji, Ino, and their temporary Jounin sensei, Hatake Kakashi, were down.

Perhaps... He could be right. Maybe I should just give up. Anyway, I'm tired and I want to sleep so badly right now... Shikamaru fixed his gaze on Ino and smiled. Menodkusee... I guess there's no giving up when that girl's around. I can't risk that slap she'll give me... Yeah! I won't give up, no matter what! I'd gladly die fighting than die fifty years from now...

Shikamaru removed the three kunais, all the while grinning at his enemy. Kabuto cracked his knuckles and got into a fighting stance.

"I see, you're not giving up yet, huh?"

"Yeah... So what?"

"You'll regret the decision you just made. You're still young, you know? You can't die like this."

"Bah... Whatever... I already thought of that."

"Hmmm..." This time, it was Kabuto who grinned. "Aren't you running out of chakra, kid?"

"Yeah yeah... I know that... You don't have to tell me everything."

"Alright, if you're not giving up, kid, then..." Kabuto took out one needle from his shuriken holster. "I'll use only one needle on you. That should be enough."

"So? Whatever... Get it on already!" Shikamaru said confidently.

BACK AT NARA HOME...

Nara Yoshino stood at the kitchen sink, washing the dishes. As she did so, Shikamaru's favorite mug fell to the floor, breaking it to many pieces. She shook her head, picked them up, and threw them at the trash can. She hummed and continued her chore. Several seconds later, as if thunder had struck her, she freezed, sending two plates shattering on the floor. She hugged herself as she was shaking.

What is this feeling? I something happening? What the-?

Shikaku came inside the kitchen and looked sternly at his wife.

"Hey, what's the noise here? How troublesome..."

"Sorry it's just..."

"Did you feel it too?" For a moment, he seemed serious enough. "Something's definitely happening. I'm gonna report it to the Hokage right now. She'll be sending a rescue team after Team 10."

"You better do..."

Shikaku left, leaving Yoshino alone. She sat down and prayed.

Oh please, don't let anything happen to him...

BACK AT THE FOREST...

"Hmm... That was all too easy, kid." Kabuto grinned. "No sweat..."

Shikamaru was sprawled on the ground, with Kabuto sitting on his back. A needle was inserted in his right shoulder. He was shaking with fear. Kabuto chuckled.

"Are you shaking because you're afraid to die? It's your fault, kid. You should have given up."

"Hey..." Shikamaru said. "What's the stuff on the needle anyway?"

"Ahh... That substance has no name yet."

"Tell me about it... What would it do to me?"

"On some cases," Kabuto stood up. "It could kill but only when injected in the bloodstream. First, it paralyzes the body and then attacks the vital organs, causing instant death. Oh, look at you! You're already turning pale. Don't worry, I weakened that stuff in the needle. It will only produce the first effect. It doesn't just kill, by the way. It can also heal many kinds of diseases. That is, when diluted in water and taken orally. This stuff is found in the forest of Oto."

Mendokusee... I can already feel my body getting numb... Arghh...

"Well, kid, gotta go now. But wait, I still need someone."

"What? You freak! Don't!"

"What did you say? You can do nothing now. You can only say those things to me. Now... Let me see... The fat one? No. Kakashi? No way... Ahh! The girl..."

"What? Hey, no, stop!"

"Oh well..." Kabuto picked up Ino and carried her on his back. "Bye, kid! Enjoy the paralysis..."

With that, he left, leaving Shikamaru howling...

Author's note: Ok! Thanks for reading this and I may not update that quickly 'cause the connection here is kinda bugged. Sorry! I may update every week...