It was late at night, the moon cold and the stars chilly.
A blond-haired boy raced along a dark, silent path.
The boy carried a large cloth sack over his left shoulder and a girl slung upside down over his right.
The girl trembled on his shoulder. All he had done was have dinner with some friends, only to be knocked unconscious on his way home.
If it had just been a prank, he could have let it slide. But he had heard his kidnapper say he wanted both his money and his body!!?
If it were only money, he wouldn't have worried. His family was wealthy-they sold medicinal herbs wholesale.
But his body? That was absolutely out of the question...
Though the jolting as his captor sprinted nearly shook him to death, he soon calmed down and lifted his head slightly to look around.
After looking for a while, he realized this was an unfamiliar, deserted area. Coupled with what this man had said earlier, it was the perfect place for... that. Even if he screamed himself hoarse later, probably no one would come to save him.
"Boo-hoo... please, Mr. Kidnapper, let me go. I'm not even twelve yet. My family has lots of money."
Naruto had only been teasing Shikamaru as he ran. He hadn't expected the little thing to actually believe him, much less put up no resistance at all after waking up.
At that thought, a knowing smile curled Naruto's lips.
What Naruto didn't know was that his earlier chop to the neck had scared Shikamaru witless.
Seriously, someone who could sneak up without a trace and knock him out in a single silent blow? Even if Shikamaru were an idiot, he wouldn't dare struggle and anger him now.
"Money? Do I look like someone who's