A time before chaos plagued the Village Hidden in the Leaves, there was a brief moment of peace that travelled through the land. I was thirteen at the time, a fresh graduate from the academy, training under the guidance of my sensei Asuma, along with my teammates Chojii and Ino. Though most of my time was monopolized between training and missions, whenever I had a moment to breathe it would be spent at home with my neighbor Akane Shibamoto.
She was a sweet girl, a natural beauty. Strong and independent she stood tall and proud, with her long dark brunette hair and pale grey blue eyes. Skin as pale as snow that would slightly tan in the summer sun. Not really my type of girl. Too pretty.. Too perfect. So perfect that her existence was almost taken from a fairytale, living a perfect life with her Anbu father, well mannered mother, and new born brother.
They lived on my family's land, not too far from the main estate. Our fathers friends since childhood, our families shared this land for the past two generations. So it became second nature that Akane and I would become friends, just like our dads; almost expected.
My father told me when I was younger that her family was not like most. That they were 'special'. I suppose that's why they were so different from the regular clans that lived in the village. Not that they were a clan, but both Katsuya and his daughter were seen just as strong as those like the Uchiha's were, Inuzukas, or the Nyugas.
It's probably because of their ruthless training, at least eight hours. At times, during our academy days, Akane's father would keep her from class for a more intensive, hands on, approach.
Her training had went so far that at times they would leave for weeks, to months, venturing off to some far off land. And with every trip her power became relentlessly stronger, attracting more attention and more praise.
Though whenever I'd ask what she was training at exactly, her father would always answer that it was for the chuunin exams. But as far as I'm concerned she doesn't need any more practice, she could probably beat up her old man if she wanted to. Such unfathomable strength at such a young age; it could almost compare to that of Anbu level.
But Akane never cared to show off her power, much…Maybe a little. Especially with someone as troublesome as Naruto, who'd take any chance he could to be come stronger, along with Sasuke, they'd monopolize much of her free time so they could learn any technique she could offer. But not only them but people like Kiba and Neji also were drawn to her. But it wasn't only for her power, but also her personality; very easy to get along with. Yet her very being was something of an enigma, plenty of people fell under that spell of hers. Troublesome… Normally I wouldn't have any part with such a person if I could avoid it, but due to the circumstances even I was falling for that spell she seemed to have everyone under.
Even so, with so much attention as the social butterfly she was, something urged by her parents The more connections you have the better. The safer you'll be Akane… Akane sought my attention the most, any chance she could. Weird girl…But secretly I was happy she found my company best to her liking.
Like any other days, where I could escape the annoyances of the village, I would lie in the tall grass lost, becoming one with the earth. Gazing out at the clouds lost in my own thoughts, a distant chime rung in my ears, "Shikamaru!" and it was her, seeking my accompaniment. She held a large wooden box in her hands, small game pieces clinking inside as she ran toward me. It was a shogi board, something to brighten up my rather dull day. "Wanna play?" A smirk sneaking it's way onto her lips,it was contagious; a large grin plastered across my face "Yeah".
For hours we'd play in the field, until the sun would begin to set. Each game ending in a draw. And no matter how much time had passed, whether we took breaks just to loaf about, or let silence fill the space between us, Akane would never complain. Almost like she took solace in moments like this; seldom could she laze around as much as I could, training took up most of her time. So I would be lying if I didn't say I was happy that she rather had spend any free moment with me, rather than someone like Naruto or Sasuke…
Missions are a daily part of a shinobi's life, anything to protect and further the village. And her father, one of the most skilled, was called on quite often to assist in plenty of A rank missions.
As always, she and her family sent him off with a smile, expecting their invincible knight to return home when he could, and the fairytale life would resume; everyone happy. But this time would be different.
Weeks had passed since Katsuya's leaving. Akane spent her days training with the others in our class, whilst her mother took care of the home as they awaited for their knight to return. The third week had passed, and still no sign of her father, until three Anbu brought back a corpse to the Hokage.
An occupation as dangerous as being a ninja is one must except death with no regrets, they died in defending their village. This was something to be proud of. In this case, there was no exception. But Akane as young and unexposed to such turmoil in her fairytale life, losing the most important person in her life was more than she could handle at such a young age..
News of her father's demise left her in such a state of hysteria, she felt so powerless. So like any child, who is scared and confused, she ran away from home. For five days no one could find her. Until the sixth day where I happened upon her when headed to our usual spot, it appeared that she didn't get very far; she filthy, tired and near death. Her pale skin now cold and blue, her eyes glossed over into a fog. Breaths gasping for air as her wounds continued to bleed profusely onto ground, staining the earth red. A mark appeared on her neck, three black swirls tattooed into her skin. "Akane?!" On instinct I grabbed her and brought her home.
A rush of people flooded into her cabin home tending to her wounds, her mother sobbing over the fresh death of her husband whilst her eldest child battled for her own life. Hours behind closed doors things remained quiet, only the occasional agonized screams breaking the deafening silence. Finally after some time the multiple ninja that came to Akane's aid left the room, their faces grim with exhaustion and regret. The slightest of whispers under their breath, "They'll have to leave the village" "We'll have to get her to use the remainder of her chakra and open the portal Katsuya used" Even her mother, Kyoko, managed to speak, "We'll stay with my father at our family shrine across the gate. Of course I'll have to find a way to tell Pinako that Katsuya di-" her hand clasped at her mouth, as she again broke into tears.
I watched from afar as they discussed the future of the Shibamotos life, where fate decided to toss them. With just one death, how could things become so chaotic? Why would they have to leave? Though then I didn't know how much trouble Akane was truly in. "Orochimaru really made his claim on her?" And who's this Orochimaru guy? "It's amazing that the girl survived on her own that long...Beforethe Nara kid found her"
A strong presence soon entered the room, Shikaku, my father. Usually a laid back man, this was the first I had ever seen him so cold and stern. It scared me, so I stood in the corner amongst the shadows as he approached my injured friend, a solemn expression plaguing him. "You will leave by sunrise. Orochimaru musn't-" Akane snapped, her own fate being controlled by the likes of others, it unnerved "I will not leave" she growled. Her eyes now aglow with a crimson hue that I never saw before. "For the safety of your family you must leave this place. You know the severity of the situation." "And even so!" the only woman other than my mother to back talk my father, "We'd be safer here! More comfortable here! My fathers remains are-" Shikaku sighed, growing more annoyed by the second "Troublesome…Just like your father" he gave a sad smile, kneeling down he rested his forehead against hers "Akane, for your mother, please. Katsuyas death, you running away and being found half dead yourself…We don't want you to leave…But it's necessary. At least until the Hokage can assess the situation" He got up and turned to leave , I hid closer into the shadows still watching from the dark, "You leave tomorrow at dawn. Katsuya told me of your training with Alchemy in Amestris..Don't worry about the exchange, we will handle that. You will open the gate and leave here." He then swiftly left, leaving her alone; dropping the strong facade she held for so long, Akane fell to the floor heaving...Crying... A sight I never want to see again.
Quietly I retreat from the shadows and into the tense situation in front of me. Shuffling my feet with my hands in my pockets. What a drag… I was never good with sympathy…Or any emotion for that matter, too troublesome. "I'm sorry" was all that I could mutter, even under hushed breath it caught Akane's attention. "I'm sorry" she choked back, her breath hitching another sob. She gave me a sad smile, her pink lips trembling to keep on a brave face. Wrapping my arms around her, I let her tears soak through my shirt. For now I would be the one to comfort her. "Shikamaru" she whimpered, her hands trailing to my shoulders, her tear-filled eyes staring up at me. Don't do that… "I don't want to leave the village" Please don't "I don't want to leave here" Please don't make this any harder than it needs to be "I don't want to leave my friends...I don't want to leave you". Her words pierced through to my heart Me? Akane I… All the lazy days we had spent together crossed my mind and it was then I realized I cared for her…More then I knew. And now I won't ever see her again.
So for the remainder of time we had left I held her close and stroked her hair as she sobbed into my chest. Troublesome. But it was the least I could do for her.
She had cried so much she had fallen asleep; the sun was now approaching the sky. It was such a beautiful morning. The orange and purple sky highlighting the high tops of the tree. Carrying her to the meeting spot, her mother and brother already waiting with the Hokage, my father and mother…Leaving her in their care I took to my parents side and watched in silence.
"One of my dearest friends" the Hokage held Haruhi, tears staining her cheeks. Akane looked away disdainfully, her eyes casted to the ground. The Hokage moving to her , kneeling to get to her eye level. "No tears…You will always have a home here. And when the time is right you may come back" he smiled, handing her a small silver trinket…A leaf. "We will see each other again" and a bright light erased the forest, taking the Shibamotos with it.