NYX EROS: Heart Strings

Chapter Three: Where the Shadows Fall


There has to be an easier way to do this.

Trying to fight my way through gothic lolitas and ganguros isn't how I pictured my night to end. Then again, I don't think anyone pictures their nights to end like I do, unless they live here in Shibuya. And to think I just had an awesome time with the boys.

I get off at Shibuya station, which is already half of tonight's battle. The station is famous for its convoluted passageways and is a trap for any first-time tourist. It's an eye opener too. To my left is a girl (I think) whose outfit just screams 'punk.' She's dressed in a black and red plaid suit and a top hat that's taller than her head. Up ahead is a group of ninja cosplayers, from what anime I don't really know, but they sure are colourful. Come to think of it, my pink hair probably fits right in.

Where secrecy and blending in is the name of the game, you'd think there'd be a better place than here. But, if you're in a place with as loud a personality as this, what better place to hide in than in plain sight?

It isn't raining anymore when I get outside, just a slight drizzle. But for vanity's sake I take out my yellow umbrella anyway. I pass by Hachiko's statue and laugh because for some reason, the dog reminds me of Naruto… He and Sasuke-kun would probably freak if they knew where I am!

Shibuya really comes to life at night. I don't even remember how many izakayas (Japanese pubs) and nightclubs I've passed already. I can hear the beat of the music waft out as people come in and out of the clubs, and I try to avoid the girls in the skimpy bunny outfits, distributing flyers with fake and tired smiles. It doesn't entice me to go in. All it does is make me more aware of how cold I am— so I hug my coat closer, and the fact that I haven't had dinner yet. Damn, hot takoyaki would taste really good right now.

My stomach growls for the umpteenth time and I swear, someone better be dying.

"Oi Haruno, you there?" I could hear the lazy drawl clear as day; it can only be Nara Shikamaru.

"Hey, wazzup my main man?"

I hear nothing but silence from the other line. Just withering silence. The laughter escapes me before I can catch it. This is fun; I rarely get Shikamaru off-guard.

"… Don't ever do that again. Ever."

"Yes boss." I fiddle with the telephone line, and suddenly I'm on edge. Shikamaru never calls just to say hi. And this late too... Has something happened to Sarutobi-sama? "So I know you didn't call just to dash my dreams of becoming a rapper Nara. Am I needed?"

"Nah. Not tonight anyway." I hear him sigh those sighs of his, really deep like he has a heavy weight in his chest, "But you have a mission. Sarutobi-sama suggests you come early tomorrow or—"

I stop him, because I am way too curious not to go tonight. Then maybe the turmoil brewing in the pit of my stomach will disappear. "No, I'll go there now. Get the port I normally use ready." Before Shikamaru can protest, I tell him that I'm not busy anyway. The last thing I need is for him to worry about me when God knows he's got too much to handle already.

And that's how a person ends up walking Shibuya's alleyways at night. Secrets, more and more of them. Just when I thought I'd be walking all night, I reach the abandoned department store. Thank God, because my legs are so tired, I just know they'll be sore in the morning.

I walk right in, careful that no one sees me. But even if they do, it wouldn't be too suspicious to see young girls lurking in dark places. There are names for such… services.

It's dark and dusty inside the arcade, but I'm not afraid. I know this place well, every wall and column, every place where the shadow falls and don't fall. It's so familiar, like the back of my hand that I just reach to my left where I know the lever is. A faint humming resounds from the walls, and now, all I can do is wait.

Mentally, I go through all the possibilities. Reconnaissance? Research? I never get called or alerted so early for these. Not unless they're going to take up a lot of my time. Goodbye social life I guess.

When the humming changes into vibrations, ones that my boot-clad feet can feel from the floor, I know I don't have much time to overthink. I open the large wooden door in front of me, just in time to see the old elevator rise up. The thing looks like one of those steampunk affairs, all steels, all cables, and a lot of flourish. Kind of fits with this crazy place I suppose. As I get on, I make a mental note to have the flickering lights changed.

From the outside, I guess I look like any other sixteen year old whose only worries are boys, exams, and graduating. This isn't how my classmates are going about their nights though, that's for sure. But things aren't always what they seem.

Not only inside these walls… inside my heart and mind, I know that I am burden vowed to serve in ANBU, Regiment Nyx.


Tobacco. It's the first thing I smell when I enter the Sandaime's office. Oh, I mean Sarutobi-sama's office. He dislikes us being so formal as to call him by his title— he'd have us call him oji-san or jiji (grandpa)if it were possible but it always feels too disrespectful to me.

The office lights are turned off, still, with just the lights coming from outside the window illuminating the man sitting on the leather chair, his favourite pipe in between his lips. "Sarutobi-sama, haven't I told you not to dwell in the dark for too long? It's bad for the health." I don't open the lights though, because I know our eyes are sure to sting because of the sudden change.

Instead, I open the computer on his desk. Underneath the monitor's steady glow, three white folders piled up beside it catch my eyes.

"You didn't have to come so early Sakura-chan." Sarutobi-sama lifted a thin arm to look at his watch and frowned, "Or rather, so late. Really Sakura, how do you expect me to take your health advices when you disregard yours so easily?"

Wow. I actually don't have anything to say to that. When was the last time I slept before ten? Or had a healthy meal on time? Naruto is right, my work ethic is horrendous (not that he actually used that word).

"Hai, hai." I walk around to Sarutobi-sama's leather chair, noting the way his back has stooped with age and the quilted blanket on his lap. Where does this man get the strength to lead a whole organization like ours? "I promise to take better care of myself. But tonight, I just don't feel like I can sleep. Might as well make use of idle time right?"

He chuckles, kind of scratchy and sounding like a cough. It's the same laugh I've been hearing all my life. Contrary to what my two friends know, there is no aunt raising me from afar. No parents either, not for a long time. All I have is the strongest, frail-looking old man who has raised me and all the other kids here in the base who I've grown up with. I'm luckier than most of them actually, because I at least have a life outside of this place.

"You're going to bore a hole through the wall Sakura. What are you thinking of?"

Just that you're probably the only family I have. "Nothing, Sarutobi-sama. Anyway, Shikamaru told me you had a mission for me?"

"Ah yes, back to business for big ol' Sakura-chan?" he hands me the three folders on his desk, and it feels like it weighs a ton. I don't open it yet because… I don't know actually. Would it be crazy if I said I felt scared of knowing?

"Before you open it, I want you to know that I would have asked someone else to do this. But due to the high profile of those involved and your… connections, I must ask you to bear this hardship. I can trust only you Sakura."

I exult in the praises he heaps on me, but I also become very aware of the double-edge in his words. Connections?

But I tell him that I'd still do anything, as I have done countless times before. Because just like the others here, we owe him our lives. And it is exactly that that we are prepared to give.

"The three folders each contain the file of a new recruit. I need you to test them, and I hope that you don't use kid gloves because…"

I don't even hear most of what he says next.

When I open the folders, I see three familiar faces looking up at me.

Uzumaki Naruto.

Uchiha Sasuke.

Yamanaka Ino.


"Hey there Nara!"

"Get out Haruno, I'm busy."

I ignore him and crash on his couch anyway. I'm beat. I'm tired. I just had my gut metaphorically punched out of me. I have to lie down or else I'm going to faint.

To his credit, Shikamaru didn't try to push me out of his room; he just sat on the floor slaving away in front of his computer. From behind, his head sort of looks like a magical pineapple with streams of light coming out on all sides!

I reach for one of Shikamaru's pillows and use it to muffle a groan and a chuckle. I must be really in shock to make jokes like that. And to laugh at it too.

So I look around in Shikamaru's room just so I can think about something else. It's more of a den really. This is where he sleeps, eats, and bathes. He almost never leaves his sanctuary— his limbs may have already atrophied! Everything he needs is only an arm's reach away: this bed, his computer, and all his files in whatever folder, box, or scroll they're placed in. I would organize this place like I do Sarutobi-sama's office, but I know pineapple head here will just throw a hissy fit.

"Hey Sakura," he says, breaking my reverie, surprised that he actually used my first name. "Just sleep here tonight."

"Aww, is Shikamah lonely?"

"Fine. Don't. You troublesome woman."

Even though I tease him, I appreciate what he's trying to do. He must've known of my mission weeks ago and I remember telling him about Naruto and Sasuke.

I laugh, despite myself. Despite the fact that I might be sleep deprived by now and despite the fact that I am having an incredible craving for strawberry ice cream. Despite the fact that even though I've tried all my life to keep this life and my two precious people apart, they're now hurtling towards each other faster than I can catch up.

Brilliant.

Crying won't help, so I don't. Instead, I focus on the things I can do.

"Hey Nara, you need more information on the three new recruits?"


A/N: Okay, just a little lesson.

Ganguro – they're a sub-culture in Japan. The name, you can literally translate into "black-faced." It's a style that symbolizes the average American teenager, apparently. They bleach their hair, tan their skin, and wear colourful make-up. Interesting, because most people here in Asia actually aspire to have lighter skin.

Shibuya, is just next to Harajuku, which is a wonderful, wonderful place. Seriously. It's home to a lot of sub-cultures you normally associate with Japan, like ganguros (of course), cosplayers, lolitas, and visual kei. Truly, it is something you have to experience to understand. This also branches out to Shibuya.

Hachiko, is a dog. He's extremely popular because of his story, which I suggest you research. The dog even has a movie!

So how's this going, for those of you reading. So I know how to make it better. Thanks.