Goodbye

                                    

                                          
                   
                          
A wave of relief flashed over me as my kunai sank deep into his chest. Kakuzu looked down at me in surprise. I grinned, "You never take your eyes off an opponent." 
                          
            Kakuzu stumbled a little bit before regaining his composure. Then he stood up straight. My grin faltered, "H-how are you... You should be dead right now!!" I cried out. 
                          
            Kakuzu grinned, "You see, I'm like Hidan. Immortal."
                          
            My eyes widened as he took off his cloak and I saw on his back were four masks. One crumbled apart, and now there were three. "You know it's been a long time since I've lost one life." He said. "You should be proud of yourself. But, it won't last long. Now it's time I got serious."
                          
            I looked terrified as his back started to conform and started to move. Just as I thought his back was about to burst a bunch of ravens flew in blocking my view. I saw a blur of a ninja appear in between Kakuzu and me. Then I felt a pair of arms wrap around me, and out of panic I punched the person. "Ow! (Y/N) we came to help!" It was a familiar female voice. 
                          
            "Ino?" I called out. 
                          
She laughed, "Bingo!" then she pulled me away from the raven's and into a clearing. She laid me next to Shikamaru who was with Choji. They went up to me. "Are you alright?"
                          
            I nodded silently as I tried to look through the ravens. I stood up, ready to go back in to fight Kakuzu. Choji held me back. "(Y/N), you need to stay here! You're almost out of chakra you can't fight!" 
                          
            As he said this I slumped my shoulders. "You're right..." I muttered, realizing I would just be dead weight in a battle. I sank to the ground, punching the grass. "Dammit!" I cried out. Once again, something was in my grasp but I was too weak. 
                          
            I was too weak.
                          
            The ravens cleared and Kakuzu and Hidan were nowhere to be seen. Tears started to form in my eyes. I cursed again. They got away! I looked over to see everyone huddled over Asuma-sensei's body. Shikamaru had his ear to his chest. "He still has a faint heartbeat! We need to get him to Tsunade! Ino you should do emergency medical ninjutsu right now!"
                          
            Ino nodded as she placed the palms of her hands over Asuma's chest. A green shone as she tried to heal him. Asuma-sensei coughed, "It's alright..." he muttered. He looked at his team. "This...this is it for me...I know that much..."
                          
            "Don't say that!!" Shikamaru cried out.
                          
Asuma-sensei smiled bitterly. "You..guys...should know it's the end too..."
                          
            I looked at Ino, who had a sad expression on her face. It was as if she knew as well that this was the end for their teacher. Tears started to fall from her eyes. Shikamaru and Choji noticed this, realizing that it was the end. Shikamaru closed his eyes and gritted his teeth. 
                          
Asuma-sensei spoke, "I...think...I understand what the Third...went through...Ino, Choji, Shikamaru, I have a last thing...to tell you..."
                          
            "You shouldn't be talking!" Choji exclaimed, but Shikamaru raised his hand at him and Choji closed his mouth. Asuma-sensei continued, "Ino...you're very confident...take care of these two...since you know how to take care...of yourself...and don't lose...to Sakura...in ninjutsu and in love..."
                          
            A bitter smile was on Ino's face as she nodded, tears streaming down her face. Asuma-sensei turned to Choji. "You're a gentle boy, Choji...and you think of your friends...you'll be stronger than...any ninja...believe in yourself...and that you could also go on a small diet..."