**Auhtors Note: 

Okay so I was struggling to write out the upcoming battle but actually once I got it rolling the rest came rather smoothly. 

This is a fair warning that after Chapter 38 things happen rather quickly. So a lot of things are going to happen consecutivly after the other and well you'll just to wait and see what that exactly entails. 

But sadly yes this is the beginning of that battle. It was actually quite sad having to write it out but I think I did a decent job with it.

So enjoy this chapter, let me know what you all think and the following chapters will be let out shortly. **

Shikamaru

The twenty newly formed platoons had one mission directly from Lady Tsunade. Find the Akatsuki members that have been hunting jinchuriki in the Land of Fire. Asuma-Sensei was leading our Platoon, it was strange not having Ino and Choji here I’ll admit but kotetsu and Izumo were also good team mates. Our first stop was at the Fire Temple, one monk had managed to escape to Konoha. He said the temple had been encased in a sphere of darkness and when he stepped into it, it had made his flesh burn. He told us couldn’t see anyone other than a flash of lightening silencing the screams inside the sphere.

“Whoa” I stopped when the others did and glanced at Kotetsu before looking up at the temple, where the doors used to stand two monks walked out.

“You’ve come from the leaf village correct?” The younger monk asked.

“Yes” Asuma-Sensei confirmed.

“I see, we we’re contacted by the monk that has been in your care” He explained as we began to walk up the steps.

“Greetings to you all, I am the head monk in charge of the fire temple. I had been away from the temple for quite some time but when I heard what had happened I rushed back as quickly as I could” The elder monk started. We followed a few paces behind him as he led us into the temple.

“It was a terrible site indeed” I stared at the ruins of the temple and the caskets lined in what may have been the courtyard at some point. The elder monk sighed when we stopped in the centre of the graves.

“A fine black mist was covering the entire temple. It burned when attempted to step through it. Many of the bodies we’re made unrecognizable and much of the temple has quickly decayed” He explained. I walked towards what was left of the temple as Asuma-Sensei asked about Chiriku. I recognized the marks on the stone, what was left over after dark chakra receded. It wasn’t exactly a complicated mystery to connect the dots of who caused this. It was on the other hand hard to stomach.

“Rin” I breathed. I felt my stomach churn. The thought of two Akatsuki members doing this made my blood boil but looking at the caskets and realizing the destruction had come from Rin made me sick. I felt light headed and jumped when Asuma-Sensei touched my shoulder.

“Are you alright?” He asked. I nodded slowly.

“Does this guy have a bounty on him?” I asked and Izumo nodded.

“30 million on the black market” He confirmed.

“And Ri-“ I stopped. I couldn’t even say it out loud. That Rin wouldn’t have known that.

“Shikamaru” I glanced at Asuma-Sensei and sighed.

“And there assassin would have known that” I corrected.

“Their assassin?” The elder monk questioned.

“Rin Uchiha” Asuma-Sensei said flatly. I felt my chest tighten as I stepped back trying to get the attention off me as the silence fell.

“Yes, we’ve heard rumours of the Princess but to defeat Chiriku single handed is impossible” He replied.

“These marks and the dark mist that prevented you from entering the temple, it’s left behind after dark chakra is used.”

“Impossible” The elder monk breathed. I shook my head.

“No, she possesses dark chakra and the means to utilize it in battle. I’ve witnessed it first-hand” I explained.

“Then she must have the body” I shook my head.

“No, dark chakra wears down it’s user quickly. She wouldn’t have the strength” I objected.

“True but she wasn’t alone, chances are whoever is with her are cashing in the bounty” Asuma-Sensei pointed out.

“Izumo where are the collection offices?” Kotetsu asked. He looked down at his book.

“Including the one closes to us there are five locations in total” He replied. Asuma-Sensei nodded.

“We’ll send word to the other platoons…” I had to step away as they spoke. It was hard to ignore the caskets I passed. Even the earth had been scorched by dark chakra. I knew Rin was meant to be my enemy, I knew she had made a name for herself as an assassin and I knew that day might come where I’d have to face her as such. I mean arresting her was one thing but fighting her was something I wasn’t sure I was capable of. Our orders were clear that if we couldn’t bring them alive then we were to end their lives. Even if I could bring myself to fight Rin I already knew there was no way I could take her life.

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Rin

I had neglected to go inside with Hidan and Kakuzu. I had never actually been inside the collection offices. I had always insisted that my job was the kill and delivery. Kakuzu’s job was the rest. Hidan had carried me most of the way here and only now was I beginning to regain feeling in my legs. I was sitting on the steps of the building, legs crossed in a meditation position. Surprisingly this is something I picked up from Hidan, while he used it to pray to Jashin or whatever I found it somewhat relaxing. I didn’t pray but having to sit in one position for so long helped clear my mind after kills, helped push away the guilt to say the least. Also every now and then if I mediated for long enough I could see glimpses of the holes in my memory.

“What are you doing?” I sighed as the concentration was lost.

“I was meditating until you so rudely interrupted” I replied annoyed as I uncrossed my legs.

“Oh, sorry I guess” I raised an eyebrow as I glanced up at Hidan.

“Sorry?” I questioned.

“I am a spiritual man believe it or not”

“I’m not converting to your cult” He rolled his eyes.

“I’m aware” He said shortly.

“Is Kakuzu done?” I asked and he shook his head as he took a seat next to me.

“You smell weird” I noted and he sighed as I pulled his scythe from his back

“It’s the collections office. Smells like piss and death in there”

“That stench is going to stick to your cloak for ages” I replied.

“Would you prefer me shirtless?” He questioned.

“I’d prefer not be traumatized Hidan, thanks for the offer though” 

“Are you always a smart ass?” He asked.

“Since I could talk” He rolled his eyes again and it fell silent as we stared into the forest.

“When you said I wasn’t there for a while, when we fought the two-tails. What did you mean?” I asked finally.

“You weren’t there” He replied simply.

“I’m serious Hidan”

“Has this happened before?” He replied instead and I was quiet.

“You can’t expect information without something in return Uchiha” I sighed then as I leaned back and stared at the sky.

“I can’t remember” I admitted.

“There are spots in my memory that are blank. It always starts with a headache sometimes followed by a surge of power and then nothing. I’ll wake up sometime later with no recollection of after that headache” I explained. It was silent again and I thought for a minute he wasn’t going to reply.

“Dark chakra was coming off you” He started. I glanced at him when he pushed open his cloak. At first I focused on the small vile of my blood hanging from his pendant but below that were burn marks.

“The white in your eyes were black, and when you spoke your voice was deep and raspy. Like a thousand voices speaking at once.” He explained and I felt my skin crawl.

“What did I say?” I asked.

“That I wasn’t the one that drew its power and that it would let you wake once the battle was over”

“It?” I questioned and he met my gaze.

“That wasn’t you Rin. You don’t scare me” I held his gaze searching for a lie but there wasn’t one. I sighed as I looked back into the forest. This just left me with more questions than before.

“We managed to have an actual conversation” I realized and heard Hidan scoff.

“Don’t get used to it Princess.”

“Don’t call me Princess, asshole”

“Why you little…” I sensed it then. A new presence, I drew my Katana as I jumped to my feet and deflected the shuriken that had come a little too close for comfort.

“Hidan!” I shouted.

“Get back!” I jumped when Hidan replied just as he threw his scythe forward. The attacker dodged and I managed to land on the handle of the scythe.

“Hidan seriously, you need speed up your draw back time!” I waited for a snarky remark in return and looked over my shoulder when I didn’t hear one. I recognized Izumo and Kotetsu immediately and I followed the shadow that connected to Hidan already knowing who it belonged to.

“Shikamaru” I breathed. I stared up at him sitting on the roof and I noticed him glance down. This couldn’t be happening.

“Good to see you Rin” I knew the voice the moment I head it. I stepped down from Hidan’s scythe as I faced him and chose to ignore the threat of Shikamaru’s shadow.

“Asuma” I greeted cautiously.

“Rin some help would be nice!” I looked at Hidan and the others looked shocked to see him still alive. I guess I had grown used to his immortality. I flinched when an explosion rocked the roof of the building and turned relieved when I saw Shikamaru hit the ground. Asuma easily moved between Kakuzu and Shikamaru and called for the others to retreat.

“Well, well looks like today is your lucky day Rin” I glanced at Kakuzu and realized he was staring at the sash around Asuma’s waist. 

“First Kazuma, and then Chiriku and now this one; you’ll single-handedly take out the remaining members of the twelve guardian ninja” I looked away when Asuma and Shikamaru’s gaze fell on me. I didn’t have an excuse or response. I mean Asuma technically killed Kazuma but Chiriku was all on me.

“Rin got the last one, these guys are…”

“No!” It had slipped out before I had the chance to stop it. I nearly tripped when Kakuzu caught my wrist and pulled me towards him. I felt my heart hammering in my chest as his grip strengthened. I had a short temper, Hidan had a short temper but Kakuzu’s temper was the reason his partner was immortal.

“If you betray us I will kill you” He threatened. I glared at him and saw the reflection of my Sharingan in his eyes.

“Go ahead and try” I challenged. I slammed into the stairs when he threw me aside and sat up slowly. I noticed the look in Shikamaru’s eyes and had to look away again. I don’t know what was worse, having them see me as a killer or having them watch what I endured daily.

“These three are mine” I looked towards Hidan as he pulled back Scythe.

“You two can stay out of it” I was relieved in a way. Hidan taking this fight meant I didn’t have to. I didn’t have to fight my best friend and comrade but now there was a more pressing matter. Would I have to stand by and watch my best friend die?