Making it back to their camp with a weight of an unconscious person was difficult. Especially since Naruto was leaking blood from his feet that were leaving a trail. But they made it back and Shikamaru took it upon himself to wash him off as best he could in a nearby river. He didn't dare try and ogle his soulmate's body simply because he had no desire to. They were bordering on enemy territory this wasn't the place or time to feel some elation on having found his soulmate. 

After washing off Naruto as best he could he carried him back to camp and performed makeshift first aid on him. It wasn't enough, all of them knew it but it would give them enough time to plant the bombs, pack up and flee. Naruto never once awoke during this time and Choji had admitted that the concoction he had laced the senbon in was made to keep a person unconscious for days. Afterward, they set traps around their camp and headed off to plant the mechanisms. 

Shikamaru couldn't help the slight displeasure he felt because he was leaving Naruto unattended but he had a job to do so he had to bury the feeling and bring a victory to his village. Ino and Choji were in deep thoughts regarding Shikamaru and his newly discovered soulmate. It was quite jarring to discover them in that state and both Ino and Choji felt guilty for feeling somewhat glad that they didn't find their mate in such a state. 

Ino discovered hers when they were all welcoming a new member into the Konoha group all those years ago a few months before the war broke out. Choji had met his soulmate on the battlefield and she was the enemy. She had surrendered right then and there for the small glimpse of the happiness she found. After being vetted for several months she was welcomed into the Akimichi clan. Shikamaru however, discovered his right when his soulmate was absolutely done with life. The taking of his parents had shattered him to the point he didn't realize the severe condition he was in. 

It was a good thing Choji knocked him out. Otherwise, Naruto would be in a world of pain from all the injuries. It was nightfall when they all met up back at the camping grounds and Naruto hadn't moved an inch from where Shikamaru laid him down in his tent. They quickly packed up and under the cover of night, they hurried back to their village. 

"Team 10 coming in from an infiltration mission," Asuma reported as he showed his papers to the once smiling guards. Izumo and Kotetsu were the once sleepy, grinning guards who poked fun at anyone or anything. Now, however, that smile has been completely wiped from their face.

"Alright who's that on Shikamaru's back," Izumo asked, eyes narrowing in suspicion. "You heard the Hokage we can't have refugees in the village after the last trojan horse blew up the Jonin Lounge."

"We know but this isn't any refugee, it's Shikamaru's mate and we found him crying over his parents in a village near the border. As you can see he was tortured." Choji explained as he pulled out Naruto's identification papers. It was all official even when they tried to burn the seal that was embedded on his ID. 

"Sorry, you had to find them this way, get him to a medical facility asap," Kotetsu said as he stamped the identification papers and handed them back. They accompanied Shikamaru to the Nara Clan medical sector that was located within the clan grounds closer to the forest. Ever since the war started clan medical facilities were packed to the brim with their own clansmen begging for treatment since the regular hospital was overrun with citizens and ninjas who weren't a part of clans. 

Shikaku, Shikamaru's father was exiting the treatment area when he spotted his son and other allies. "What's going on citizens are taken to the Main Hospital," 

"Soulmate," Just that one uttered word had Shikaku's eyes darkening as he took in the state of Naruto, just his feet alone had Shikaku wincing on what Kumo must've done to him otherwise since he apparently wasn't shinobi trained. 

"I'll request a private room, this has now become a private affair," Shikaku went back inside and spoke to the head doctor who looked grim at what he was about to do but nodded anyway. Shikaku motioned for Shikamaru to come forward and the Nara sent a thankful look towards his friends as they handed over Naruto's personal effects before bidding goodbye. 

************

"How bad is it?" Shikaku asked after 2 hours of Naruto being treated, they were now in awe at the male's features. Shikamaru had originally thought that Naruto had dark brown hair but it couldn't be farther from the truth. It was blonde, shocking blonde too, he these weird birthmark whiskers across his face that were well defined. Tanned skin, like the sun, gave him a big hug every day until he looked like the golden person he was now. What really marred the picture was seeing was the number of bandages used to keep Naruto from bleeding out. 

"Laceration to his back and thighs, there is evidence he was once had broken his wrists but they healed the wrong way so I had to set break them and set them back so they could heal. Thankfully he wasn't raped. His feet are the worse of his condition along with his chest. It seemed someone burned his feet to the third degree and healed him before repeating the process.  Then came when he had broken his ankles to get free from the chains at the end of his bed plus the ring of damage around them from all his struggling. His chest has a deep katana wound but that's all. He's going to be one scarred person after he fully recovers," Shikayun passed over the notes he had taken when he went about treating Naruto. 

To see his future Leader's destined mate so broken, appalled him. But he could only thank Kami that Shikamaru didn't find him dead. Broken people could be mended with medicine and happiness but a dead person was always going to be a dead person. 

"How long till he wakes up?" Was the only question Shikamaru could ask after hearing what his soulmate had to endure, he felt livid and what's worse he probably couldn't even find the bastards who had done this to kill them. 

"Best case scenario is 2 days, that's if the knock-out drug runs through his system quickly and worse case a week but that depends if he comes out of the deep state he is in currently. I'll give you time, two guards are bound at the door at all times."

After the doctor had stepped out Shikamaru made his first loving gesture towards Naruto by stroking his whiskered cheek. He was angelic in a sense that had Shikamaru enthralled for a brief moment. Shikaku watched his son's face light up for the first time in a long while. He had a feeling Naruto would be the one to not let his son fall completely into his jaded opinion of the world.