Fma-naruto chapter ten continued..

Shikamaru hears Three giggle over the radio in his ear, and one corner of his mouth lifts. The dust is clearing, but he sees a vague shape of a log where the masked woman should have been.

The target stands, frozen in place with golden eyes wide and staring.

"Been at a desk a while Baki." The demon masked woman remarks, voice somewhere above Shikamaru. He doesn't dare look for her, not for a second. This target is too bothersome and unpredictable to chance taking his eyes away. "Thought for sure you forgot your best moves."

Shikamaru keeps his face stony as the acting Kazekage drops down right next to him. From the corner of his eyes, he see the tall man fold his arms, but the turban like head piece the Suna-nin favors hides any facial expression. Shika notes that the man's hands are held in seals.

"That was a genjutsu." Shikamaru states, and jerks his chin to the target, eyeing the steams of tears silently dribbling down pale sunken cheeks.

"Basic academy genjutsu. Demonic Illusion: Hell viewing technique." Baki says.

Shikamaru swallows thickly. He knows the spell forces the boy to see the worst nightmare within his heart. What a drag. Not exactly a good way to do what we really need to. Doesn't Suna get that we have to win his trust?

Shika sighs, finding the distasteful move an effective one.

"You sure you want him alive?" Three says over the radio, coldly reminding Shika that the woman was Suna's version of ANBU, a special operative that likely specialized in silent killing.

"Get on with it, position Three."

With a breath of relief, Shikamaru concentrates on gathering his chakra. He glimpses the green masked woman leaping down, and the blur of her arm.

At the same time, impossibly, target jerks back, muttering what sounds like nonsense. Shikamaru narrows his eyes as he hears a fragmented phrase that he hasn't heard since childhood, and bring his hands together. The target smoothly ducks Three's strike, but crouched low, suddenly stops moving once more.

Finallly. Shikamaru thinks.

Three completes her tumble and lands in a crouch as well. If she is surprised, it doesn't show: her face unreadable due the demonic mask.

A heartbeat passes, and Shikamaru grimaces as raging, incomprehensible words tangle the target's tongue. They ring out too loudly, echoing throughout the courtyard.

"What a drag. Shadow sewing technique: successful." Shikamaru says, and cautiously extends the technique to the mouth.

Don't want to suffocate the bothersome guy.

Though muffled considerably, the target continues on with a wordless tirade that Shikamaru finds no better to hear.

Three rises from her crouch, and adjusts her grip on the narcotic needle.

"Pity the genjustsu didn't last that long." She says over the noise in a flat tone, and walks up to the target. "Losing your touch, I think, Baki."

"There isn't any charka flowing in him for a genjustsu to work properly." Shikamaru yells in exasperation.

As Three grasps the target's right arm, needle at the ready, Baki holds up his hand. Three raises her head, and though expressionless, there is a clear question hanging in the air.

The target narrows fever glazed eyes as Baki removes his glove and lays a hand on the sweat drenched, too pale fore head. The touch is followed with a knuckle on the right cheek, then the left.

"He's burning up."

"Which is why he's going back to get treatment." Three says. "Let me.."

"No. Without chakra, the seditive will
kill him."

"Tragic. I weep."

"How long can you hold him, Nara?"

What a bother.

"Depends. Sun's setting." Shikamaru says.

"Ed" Baki begins, then takes in a startled gasp as the boy defiantly spits with deadly aim. The harmless mess lands wetly on the acting Kazekage's cheek, and with a scowl, Baki slowly wipes the slight off his skin.

Shikamaru spares a glance, and stifles a bothersome chuckle as the man glares his way.

"Technique doesn't extend to the tongue." Shikamaru shrugs with an even voice.

Sent via a stray supercharged nano particle of unobtainium....