Love has Danger
A simple reconnaissance mission, Naruto said, it will be easy, he said. Easy her ass!
Asuka dodged the incoming shuriken with strain, deflecting others with her kunai as Kajirumaru and Gaea took care of the others. The Aikawa's body was littered with dirt, cuts, scrapes, and blood, both fresh and old, and her overall appearance was simply a mess. Her clothes were ripped and stained with blood seeping from the variety of wounds on her body and from the enemies before her. Konohamaru and Mugino were barely holding their own, the two freshly minted jonin also battered and bruised like herself due to the rogue ninja assault. They had only been a week into their reconnaissance when somehow, much to her utter confusion, came to know of their presence and promptly attacked without remorse. Asuka, Kajirumaru, and Gaea had taken down a large group of them as the two other jonin handled a small group of their own and their team still was swarmed with rogue ninjas as they raced to escape. She could tell that Mugino and Konohamaru were running low on chakra and were growing weaker with every blow deflect and dealt and that they would be unable to hold on for much longer.
A cry escaped her lips as she placed yet another ninja in a genjutsu, her mind aching from the blatant overuse of her dojutsu. Gaea slashed at an attacking rogue as Kajirumaru bit his neck, a scream of agony escaping the shinobi at the teeth sinking into throat.
"Aghhhh!"
"Konohamaru!"
Asuka's swirling eyes snapped over to where the two young jonin were, horrified realization filling her veins at seeing the gaping wound now present in the Sarutobi's side. Konohamaru had promptly collapsed to the ground, forcing Mugino to cover him with gritted teeth, and it was in that moment that Asuka knew what she had to do.
Stabbing another ninja through the heart, Asuka ripped from the battle with a shout, "Kajirumaru, Gaea, move to Konohamaru and Mugino!"
Her two let out understanding calls and the trio swiftly shushin over to the two males, Asuka knocking away a shinobi bearing down on Mugino.
Her hand came to touch the ground as she cried out, "Shadow Teleportation jutsu!"
The surrounding shadows enveloped the group and deposited them as far as Asuka could manage in that moments, nearly a mile from the battlefield.
Pained gasps escaped her as Asuka's body trembled with exhaustion, "We are safe, for now."
Mugino turned his attention to Konohamaru, the jonin swiftly reaching in his pouch and wrapping their comrade’s wound with gauze and medical tape, "We can't keep this up, not with Konohamaru injured like this and our chakra reserves so low."
She knew what needed to happen, what she must do. Kami, she did not want to though.
"This I know, which is why I will act as a diversion as the pair of you head for Konoha," Asuka plainly stated, rising to her feet.
With a pained groan, Konohamaru vehemently shook his head, "No, we aren't leaving you!"
The Aikawa gazed at him with eyes of steel, her voice unforgiving, "It is my duty as Guardian to protect our village and its inhabitants and you two happened to be just that. One of us needs to return to Konoha and inform Naruto and the others and with you in such a state and Mugino low on chakra, this is our best option and as the leading shinobi on this squad, I am making this a direct order."
Kajirumaru let out a saddened whine as he came to nudge his head against her thigh and all Asuka could do was caress his matted fur with a tender hand, "I trust you and Gaea will take good care of them, Kajirumaru. Watch over my little boy for me."
The ninja dog mournfully licked her dirtied face and pulled away, allowing her to look at Gaea with saddened eyes, "This is where we part my friend."
Gaea gazed at her knowingly, mourning in her silver irises, "That it seems, summoner. They will know of your heroic sacrifice, this I swear."
Asuka nodded, bowing her head in respect, " Thank you."
She then turned her attention to the two jonin, steeling herself for the inevitable, "The four of you need to leave immediately. Whatever you hear, do not turn back, do you understand me?"
Mugino reluctantly nodded, "Hai, Lady Asuka."
Her attention went to the torn Sarutobi, the young jonin replying weakly, "You shouldn't be the one to do this."
"Yet here I am," Asuka retorted unapologetically. "When you see them, tell my husband and wife that I am sorry. Now go!"
Konohamaru was swiftly placed on Kajirumaru's back by herself and Mugino and with one last look, the group took off towards Konoha. With their chakra signatures fading into the distance, Asuka turned her attention away to the matter at hand.
Making quick work, she set traps about the small clearing they had come to stop in and simply waited. Her right hand fiddled with her necklace as she clutched the photo of her family, regret and solemn agreeance flooding her veins. She would never have the chance to see Shikadai grow into the excellent shinobi Asuka knew he would be, nor would she experience growing old beside her ever faithful and loving partners.
At the age of twenty-seven, Asuka Aikawa, Konoha's fifth Guardian, would meet her end amidst serving the village she swore to protect. What an honorable death laid before her, though it was one of bittersweetness. She steadied herself as the swarm of rogue ninja approached and after taking a deep and cleansing breath, opened her eyes to face the music.
Shikamaru, Temari, please forgive me.