This takes place in the four days Naruto was 'angsting' (as much as he can, lol) over not seeing Koko.
So maybe this is drawn out... But I couldn't help myself! Shika's in it and he wanted screen time! Oh, and it is my belief that Ino has a lot of wasted potential. So yeah.
KOKORO: SOUL, HEART
A thoroughly confused Kokoro lay unmoving in the same field she had been in when that Nara- Shikamaru, wasn't it?- had stumbled upon her. If she was being honest with herself, and she wasn't entirely sure she was, Kokoro was half hoping he would show up again. If nothing else he would be a distraction and it would save her the trouble of sucking up her pride and going to him of her own accord. Her own deadline was approaching quickly; in twenty minutes she would go to the Nara compound if he didn't show.
Absently twirling a blue wildflower against the sky, Kokoro closed her eyes and asked herself for the hundredth time if this was exactly and irrevocably what she wanted.
And again, while feeling the soft breeze play with her hair, she came up with the same answer.
No. This wasn't what she particularly wanted.
Gritting her teeth in frustration, Kokoro opened her eyes to glare dejectedly at the heavens.
She knew, even though it pained her greatly to admit it, that it was what she needed.
The same pattern repeated for nineteen and three-quarters minutes, the only variation occurring when the blue flower was replaced with a pink one after it had blown out of her hand. Sighing, Kokoro forced herself to get up and turn towards the direction of the Nara's.
It was time to start the long process of making amends.
OOooOOooOO
Knocking on the head of the Nara clan's door was probably the hardest non-mission related thing she had ever done. In fact, the task took almost a whole minute to complete. When she finally did manage it, however, silence greeted her. For a second- one blessed second- Kokoro thought they might be out.
"One second!" a harried voice shouted, and various thumping noises followed. "Dammit, Shukaku! Are you so damned lazy that you can't move your goddamned shoes?"
Instants later the door flew open, revealing a woman with long, brown hair kept in a low ponytail with three strands framing her face. She was wearing a pink blouse and dark-coloured skirt along with an apron over it; simple hoop earrings adorned her ears.
"Can I help you?" she asked, her tone softening a bit. "Name please?"
"Yes, please. My name is Kokoro Haratsuchi and I was wondering if I could talk to Shikamaru,"
Yoshino Nara knew that she wasn't anywhere near as smart as her husband or son, not to mention that she was only a simple housewife and they ninjas. Despite that, she was under no delusions that she was stupid. While she may not have a photographic memory, she prided herself on her ability to remember names and the faces that went with them, so when the strange young woman stated her name Yoshino was not surprised at the small well of information that trickled into her brain.
She was, however, surprised at the information itself.
This girl- for really, that was all she was- had gone through such horrible things at the hands of a Nara, and yet here she was asking to see one. Yoshino had heard Shukaku order their son to apologize on behalf of the clan to help him get used to formalities like that, but had never heard the details of what her response was, only that it was negative.
Yoshino's motherly instincts were practically howling at her to embrace the unfortunate child and offer her any support she might need.
"I don't suppose you want condolences, my dear," she said gently, sensing that the girl was like a deer and liable to frighten easily. "Well then, why don't you come and have a seat while I go fetch him for you,"
"Th-thank you, Mrs. Nara," Kokoro stammered, slightly taken aback by the abrupt change in the woman's demeanor.
"Please, just call me Yoshino," the woman instructed, leading her into the house.
The house was...normal. Kokoro knew that the Naras were more laid back than most clans, but after visiting the Hyuuga household she expected grand furniture at the very least. It was actually quite the opposite- most of the tables and bookcases she saw were well-worn at best and there was a hole in the living room rug.
"Here, this should do well. After I get Shikamaru down here I'll bring in some tea, is that okay?"
"Yes, thank you,"
While she waited for the warm woman to return, Kokoro looked around the small room she had been led to. There wasn't much in it besides a table in the middle and a chess set in the corner, but she got the feeling a lot of time was spent in it.
"Shikamaru, you lazy ass! There's a pretty young lady here to speak to you! I'm sure every other male in your age group would be drooling to have her in their house!"
Kokoro's face colored slightly.
"Troublesome? Troublesome? How do you expect to get married if you won't even walk across the house to see a girl?"
Faintly, Kokoro wondered if it wouldn't work better to just explain who she was and why she was here.
A few minutes later, after an unnerving period of silence in which she assumed Yoshino did just that, a grim Shikamaru opened the sliding door and sat across from her with a sigh.
"I swear that woman gets more troublesome every day,"
"I don't know, she seemed pretty nice to me,"
"Wait a minute, didn't you say you didn't want anything to do with-"
"About that," she interrupted, ignoring his raised eyebrow. "This time I'm the one who wants to apologize. I reacted with malice towards you and your clan with no provocation. That missing ninja was no longer a part of your clan the second he stepped foot out of Konoha. Any grudge I may hold is not aimed towards you. I apologize for my irrational actions," she said, bowing her head.
Shikamaru was at a loss. Just weeks previously this kunoichi had been filled with anger and spite; she had scorned every attempt at communication. Now she had come in person to apologize and almost beg for forgiveness. There were very few people who had that kind of change in heart over many years, let alone a few weeks. In fact, there was only one logical explanation-
"Here you go," Yoshino broke in, only staying long enough to hand off the tea.
"Tell me, Kokoro, have you been on any missions since we last... talked?"
"Just one,"
"So the hyperactive idiot did it again," he muttered.
"How did you-"
"Only Naruto could change someone this much,"
"...You know him well, then?"
"Mmm... not particularly. We were in the same class and I've gone on a couple of missions with him but that's it,"
"Shikamaru?" she asked hesitantly, unsure if she wanted to drag the topic up again.
"Maa?"
"You never answered... do you accept my-"
"Clan affairs are a drag. I don't really care either way,"
OOooOOooOO
Two hours later and Kokoro was still at a loss to explain how it had happened. She had meant to apologize then leave, but had instead stayed and played two games of chess. Which she lost horribly. Afterwards, she had tried to escape but was instead captured by Yoshino who insisted on her staying for dinner.
It was an odd meal, to say the least.
The second Shukaku slouched into his house and saw an extra female, he grumbled something about troublesome women. This incensed Yoshino who screeched at him for being a sexist pig and for passing it down to his son. Once introductions were made, though Kokoro and Shukaku already knew each other from a few odd missions neither had the heart (or motivation) to tell the woman, everyone made their way to the table.
After she had set the food-a big bowl of Zani and a side of rice- on the table, Yoshino sat next to her to face the two men. [Zani-soup containing mochi rice cakes along with various vegetables and often chicken]
~~FLASHBACK BECAUSE I'M TIRED OF NO DIALOGUE~~
"So, Kokoro, you're eighteen, right?" she asked, filling a bowl with a generous helping and placing it in front of her.
"Yes,"
"Hmm... oh! Do you know Ami ? I'm pretty sure she was in your class. Her family-"
"I never socialized back in the academy and never kept in touch with anyone in my class. I'm sorry, but I don't know anyone,"
"It's okay, dear. Not everyone-wait, do you mean you don't have any friends?" Yoshino asked somewhat worriedly, finishing serving everyone else and herself.
"Yoshino, leave the poor girl be. Plenty of ninjas become antisocial. If that's how she copes, don't judge her," Shukaku droned, tilting his head slightly at Kokoro's grateful look.
"What about Naruto? You spent three and a half weeks with the guy; I've known him to make friends after after a few days,"
"Well... I guess. I don't really know. I'd like to think of him as a friend, but at the same time..."
"You're afraid you'll end up hurt, aren't you, dear?"
"I'm sorry, I shouldn't be bringing heavy things like this up at dinner. Yoshino, you're certainly an amazing cook,"
"Why thank you, dear. I was hoping-"
"Where are you, you lazy asshole?" someone shrieked and Kokoro heard the front door slam open. "I swear, I'm going to maim you!"
"Oh man,"
"Does she have to be so loud?"
"You probably deserve it,"
Completley confused, Kokoro looked between the muttering family until stomping footsteps entered the dining room.
"Shikamaru Nara, your death will be- oh," the purple-clad girl yelled before catching sight of Kokoro and squealing,"Shika! You got a girlfriend!"
"What? No, we're not-"
"Of course all your transgressions are forgiven,"
"Ino, you troublesome woman-"
"And you're practically gorgeous,"
"Um,thanks? Anyway, we're not-"
"This is so exciting! I never imagined Shika could impress a girl of your caliber. How'd he do it? A romantic stroll through the park? Though cliche, it seems something he would do. Ooooh, how long have youbeen going out?"
While Kokoro tried desperately to head off Ino's blabbering, Shikamaru and Shukaku just continued to eat. Yoshino was at a loss. Should she help Kokoro or just enjoy the show?
"How'd you first meet? Was it on a mission?"
"No, it was in a field,"
"C'mon, give me the details!" Ino said eagerly, pulling an extra chair from out of what seemed thin air.
"He was trying to apologize on behalf of his clan for one of their members who took control of my body and forced me to kill my team," she said bluntly.
"Oh, let me guess! You were furious- your past lover was on that team- and do you gave him a piece of your mind. After that-"
"We are not dating!" Kokoro hissed, finally grabbing the Yamanaka's attention.
"Ri-ight," she drew out the word, smiling knowingly. "Of course you aren't,"
And she refused to leave the rest of dinner.
OOooOOooOO
The following morning, or afternoon since it was noon, Kokoro awoke feeling odd. It wasn't like she was sick-heaven knows she knew what that felt like- and nothing was out of place in her room, not that there was much to be tampered with in the first place.
In her whole, admittedly small (one bedroom, a tiny living room of sorts that led into a very compressed kitchen, and a bathroom), apartment there were only three decorations- a picture of her family, including her father as Kokoro held no real grudge; the man had gone insane, a picture of her late team, and a picture of she and Takara back when they were only fifteen. Her bed was just a mattress with a blanket thrown over it and her nightstand had only a lamp and glass of water on it. The walls were a boring beige color and the floors a dull pine wood.
No, nothing in her room was out of place.
But ninjas, even and especially newly woken up ones, trusted their senses without hesitation.
So, though she wasn't entirely sure of the reason, Kokoro didn't didn't question her muscles as they grabbed a kunai hurled it into the small living room.
"Well, aren't you happy when you wake up?"
"Why are you in my house, Ino?"
"You have two options- come quietly or I will take drastic measures,"
"...I'm not sure I want to know, but what the hell are you talking about?"
"The target is resisting!" Ino called out to no one, jumping up from her relaxed position on the slightly scuffed brown couch.
"No, I'm just wondering why- wait, target?" Kokoro asked, becoming slightly apprehensive.
"You know, those pajamas are really cute on you,"
Instantly she retreated to her room for a fifteen-second change of clothes, ignoring Ino's smirk when she returned.
The blonde was up to something she wanted no part in, Kokoro could just feel it. Unfortunately, as she was pretty sure she'd be dragged along against her will, it required clothes.
"Hold on- how do you know where I live?"
"I may or may not have followed you home last night,"
Yeah, she was screwed.
OOooOOooOO
Ino, it turned out, had scheduled a big gathering of all her peers and thought it best to invite her teammates not-girlfriend.
"Sadly, through various missions some aren't able to come. The people who are, though, should be great for your intergration in society," she chirped, ignoring Kokoro's befuddlement.
The gathering was in a small field-not the one she'd spent so much time in- surrounding a pond/lake thing. The grass was an almost an unnatural green sprinkled with yellow flowers all around and Cattalillies by the edge of the water. There were two tables set up about twenty feet from the lake and Kokoro could make out people milling around them. A banner streamed in the light breeze, bearing a message Kokoro didn't bother to read- it probably said 'Pointless gathering in progress!' or something.
Once she and Ino were close enough, Ino called out,"Hey! Everyone shut up and get in a line!"
To her surprise, everyone did except a... large... boy who lingered at the tables. The poor teen was subjected to Ino's surprisingly scary glare until he moved to the end of the line. The whole thing seemed practiced.
"Alright, this here is Kokoro. She's eighteen, currently in reform courtesy of Naruto-"
She received many knowing looks.
"-and has no social life,"
"That was a bit harsh, don't you-"
"Don't speak, Kiba," she snapped to a mildly affronted boy with red triangles on his face. He looked as if he wanted to retaliate, but the Hyuuga girl next to him stopped him with a hand on his arm.
"You are going to say your name and favorite color when it's your turn. Go!"
"TenTen, nice to meet you! My favorite color is red,"
"Kiba Inuzuka, and this is Akamaru! We like red as well,"
"Woof!"
"Aren't dogs colorblind?" Kokoro asked.
"Actually-"
"Next!" Ino roared.
"Hinata, I like lavender, pleased to meet you,"
"Chouji, at your service! Hmm... I don't really have a favorite color..."
"Your turn,"
"Me? But you already-"
"I said it's your turn. Are you contradicting me?"
"I'm Kokoro. I like green. I was stalked last night by Ino and woke up with her in my living room. I wish to go home,"
"Disperse!"
"What are you, a military captain?" Kokoro grumbled as Ino grabbed her arm and dragged her to the other girls before disappearing to god knows where.
"Don't mind her," the girl with the buns said, popping a chip into her mouth. "She's a social person by nature and jumps on the opportunity of getting a new friend. We used to resist more, but it's easier to just do what she wants. TenTen, by the way, in case you forgot,"
"In the beginning these parties were just to catch up and only the girls came, but then we started to see how dangerous being a ninja really was,"
"What do you mean?"
"At any time one of us could die. It helps Ino if she knows she spent as much time as possible with her friends and so everyone in her Genin class- plus my team- gets together once a month for a picnic by the lake. The only person who hasn't made it to a single one is Naruto, but he just got back and Ino didn't want to bother him,"
"Oh..."
"C'mon Hinata, Kokoro, let's go get something to drink,"
OOooOOooOO
Kokoro, despite being dragged against her will, actually enjoyed herself.
She and TenTen got into a water fight against Kiba and Akamaru, she and Chouji had an eating contest, and she and Kiba had a shouting match that had to be broken up by Hinata.
Even though she didn't win anything, she found that she rather enjoyed all of their company. Kiba and TenTen, though dealing with violent tendencies, were cool wince you got to know them a little. Chouji and Hinata were both the sweetest people Kokoro thought she'd ever meet. Ino, though she seemed a little pushy at first, was a bright, hard working girl who loved to make people smile.
Before everyone went their separate ways, Kiba and TenTen got into another small argument.
"I don't see how you rely solely on weapons,"
"You rely on a dog. A dog,"
Bythe time the argument drew towards its last insults, everyone was watching in amusement.
"Yeah? Well this 'stupid weapon scroll' is going to add your name to the Memorial Stone!"
"And once I'm there, you're gonna visit me every day in guilt, sobbing for the poor boy who let you win to shut you up,"
That one sentence made Kokoro come to the realization that the Memorial stone was for remembering and if no one had friends, who would remember them? The stone, made by the Hokage generations ago, was a testament to that. In order to make friends though, one had to be open and actually socialize, something supposedly against the shinobi rules. Maybe emotions were, like Naruto said, only meant to be pushed back if they hindered the person?
In that case... she would try. She would strive to make friends and have fun and be human- and more than that, a person- unless on a mission. On a mission, she would kill all emotions.
Maybe.
If she felt like it.
At the moment, she was content to have a good time with her new... friends. Yes, her friends. And afterwards, she was going to find out where Naruto lived because Ino, in a messed up and perverse way, had lead her to an interesting conclusion only thought about in passing before.
It was fun to screw with people's heads.
Hidden in plain sight, a man felt a smile crawl onto his face at the sight in front of him.
It was a start.
OOooOOooOO
One week after Kokoro moved in next to Naruto, she was called into the Hokage's office.
"You don't have to accept it. There are others capable of doing it,"
That was a lie and they both knew it. If there was someone better qualified for the mission, Tsunade would have called them instead.
Kokoro could accept the A-rank or someone with an even smaller chance of survival would be forced to.
Dammit.
Damn the shortage of capable ninjas.
Damn the Jonin for being away.
Damn her job; she hated sending children on suicide missions.
"I accept," the black haired girl said calmly.
It is 3:50am. Forgive any mistakes. forgive this monstrosity of a chapter. Dx I just want to sleep! DAMN YOU INSOMNIA!
Anywho, while this chappie may seem like a filler, I just felt like everyone deserved a break from the plot. Or maybe... Shit. I'm being infected with the 'anime writer' disease. Noooo! Save yourselves! ShikaNaru, the plot IS important, it is, it is, it is! XD I find everything hysterical this early. Sorry for ranting.
EDIT- It's 5:27am now. T.T The inhumanity. My brother is now freaking AWAKE, and I haven't even gone to bed! And no, it's not because I have access to fanfiction. I am exhausted and wish to go to bed. The only reason I'm here is because I'm now just bored out of my mind.