Chapter 4

Coming down the stairs and taking their respectable places at the kitchen table, the three dined together in silence. Staying true to herself, Mieke did not say anything because in all honesty, she did have nothing to say. Shikamaru, on the other hand had flights of questions run through his mind. Every time he lifted his face to drink tea, he saw her brilliant pale blue eyes stare slightly away from him. His father's eyes just happened to be bouncing back and forth between the two. He chose to silent his impending thoughts about how oddly they acted today, but thought there was really nothing to worry about since their relationship was slowly evolving.

After the bowls and tea cups were placed in the sink, Mieke excused herself and went upstairs. When she reached her room, she closed the door with a harmless thud, and began pacing. While pacing, Mieke noticed that her hands began to tremble. She was afraid of telling Shikamaru the whole truth; who burned down her house, who told her to flee from the Sound Village, and the snake behind it all. Sitting on the floor while drawing her knees to her chest, Mieke rocked herself back and forth all the while refusing to cry.

"My tears are useless," she whispered to herself staring out into the night sky, "This pain, this hollow feeling is drowning me." Hearing a knock on her door, Mieke sighed. By the sensation of the vibrations coming from the other side, she knew who it was. When Shikamaru walked in, he closed the door again.

"Are you all right?" he asked, showing concern.

"I-I'm not sure," Mieke answered, still on the floor, "You have questions that need answering, Shikamaru. I think it would be best if you should start asking them." Her voice was even, yet somehow full of teacher-like wisdom.

"Tell me what happened after you left the Hidden Leaf Village," he said moving to her bed. For the first time in a long while, Shikamaru truly saw his friend in a menacing way; her hair hung about her face, blackened out because the sun had set, the only things that glinted in the moon light were the features on her face, capturing her beauty.

"Are you sure you want to know?" she asked. He nodded.

"Very well, let us start at the beginning," Mieke said calmly, "Sasuke and I had the highest marks in class. I mastered simple juutsu faster, but if I were to show off in class, I would be put on special watch. Bet you didn't know that, did you? To be fair, the Third Hokage brought our fathers into a meeting one summer afternoon. I remember my father walking into the house later on that night, and I heard my mother beginning to sob. 'We can't move to the Sound Village!' she said. My father said that it would be best if we did, so my mother agreed. My family and I were gone by daybreak the next day. That was why I did not come to class that day, you remember, don't you?"

"Your name was called, but," Shikamaru recalled the incident, "You weren't there."

"Of course I wasn't, because I was already unpacked and heading off to the first day of my new life as a Sound Village ninja. For the next few years, I excelled. My skills became sharper, my reflex time-impecable. I was top of my class time and time again. Before I knew it, I was offered the position of Chunin for my new home. You see the threat with that sort of title, don't you? But naturally, I accepted the title. I was known for granting mercy towards those whom I was told to assassinate, and as they ran-I executed them. They were dead within an hour my catching up to them. It was at the sight of the blood I helped shed, that I developed a taste for it. We Sanjo are insanely brilliant and gifted ninjas from the get-go, but within our society, once we get our first taste of blood, we let instinct guide us through. I became murderous, and before I knew it, I was being called the next 'Itachi Uchiha.' I was just that good, Shikamaru. I can kill you from where you stand right now, but like I said, I show mercy. Oh, and the reason why I shopped wearing shoes, the real reason, was because I discovered that I could catch my targets much faster than with a pair on."

All this Mieke said in a nonchalant manor. When she reached the part of the fire, Mieke swallowed hard. The trembling returned, but this time, it did not subside.

"The day my house caught on fire, I was in a meeting. I was receiving my new orders for the capture of any rogues who could be tied with Lord Orochimaru. I was to get information from them and exquisitely execute them before they had a chance to inform the others. I had my first lead and left right after I was dismissed. When I had returned a few hours later, I heard screams and shouts. Obviously I ran. My house was engulfed with violent flames, and I could not go inside. I heard them scream, Shikamaru. They screamed for me, and I yelled back. I yelled back," Mieke stopped trembling because she could no longer hold it in, she began to cry. Her face, still streaming with tears, she continued, "And then, I saw the roof give way, and the screaming stopped suddenly. That fire destroyed everything I cherished." Mieke stood up and wiped her face; she sat down on her bed next to him.

"Everything will be all right, Mieke," for the time being, those were the only words that seemed to bring about a comforting edge with them.

"Things always get worse before you begin to see the good," Mieke said.

Together, the pair sat in silence, their backs aglow from the light of the moon. For the sake of not leaving his old friend alone, Shikamaru waited until Mieke was asleep before transferring to his room. Once there, he laid on his bed and stared at the ceiling. He did get his answers, but he was able to recall her movements; Mieke seemed statue like, only her mouth and eyes moved. Before he closed his eyes, he made a promise to him to not ask any further questions pertaining to her past again. It was not good to be reminded often of how human all ninjas truly were.