Naruto © Masashi Kishimoto


The Blurring Lines


11.

"Huh? This Haku dude's alive? How?"

"Remember that technique Asuma taught us? I clouded the area with smoke and the whole place exploded—the medic-nin patched me up quickly, no infection so don't give me that look—every corner was covered in fire. The dope knocked the fake Hunter-nin out because, apparently, he could smell him. At least I learned that Naruto's not completely useless." Sasuke quirked a brow at me. "Why do you sound so surprised?"

I paled slightly. "Well," I spluttered, mind racing as I cope with the changes that had occurred even though I had not actively done anything, "I thought anyone who pissed you off wouldn't live to tell the tale."

Sasuke eyed me dubiously. "If it were so," he said, shifting in his seat and nearly unseating me in the process (I scowled at him for that), "then you wouldn't be here. And get off me, Miyo, you're not light."

I elbowed his abdomen. "Hey! Are you trying to say I'm fat?!"

Sasuke's breath left him in a whoosh even though he'd expected it. I had been notoriously known for my tendency towards violence. "No, I'm just... wondering how you're not uncomfortable."

I quirked a brow. "Why would I be?" I was lying across his lap, not on his knees and this little amount of discomfort shouldn't bother me. After a few more missions that involved sleeping on the cold hard ground of the forest, I was more than use to discomfort.

While Sasuke seemed more comfortable with his team and didn't lambaste them so callously anymore, I didn't make much progress with my teammates.

Ino seemed vexed that she wasn't Asuma's favorite and Choji often acted as if whatever chair I was sitting in was empty. Shikamaru spoke curtly with me and that was only when it was necessary. But they still obeyed when I snapped at them.

Asuma'd chided me softly for my stubbornness, I often refused to accept Shikamaru's plans—it was either my way or the highway—but since we fell back on the old majority wins method, it was their way. Those days might find my teammates going home with bruised kneecaps.

"Miyo?"

"What?"

"Go to bed, it's late."

"I wanna stay here."

"Why?"

"Why not?" I narrowed my eyes at him. Then it struck me. "You're... what, twelve?"

Sasuke sounded agitated as he reached over to turn off the lights. "Put the book down. You're not reading in the dark, it'd ruin your vision."

"Hey," I drawled, "don't change the subject. Are you twelve or not?"

"Turning thirteen," he answered shortly, trying to dislodge me. But I clung on, curling my fingers into the hem of his shirt. "Why?"

"You aren't planning on jerking of—" With every word, I was uncomfortably aware of heat creeping up my cheeks but that was nothing compared to Sasuke's embarrassment.

His cheeks caught fire even in the dark, his face starting to resemble that of his favorite food. "MIYO!"

"What?" I said, trying not to laugh. I had the feeling I'd busted two of my ribs already. "It was a fair question. If not, I see no reason why I can't spend the night with you."

"That's childish," derided Sasuke, somewhat ruffled. "And, we've never done anything like that before."

"We are kids," I pointed out, "Our age is not defined by our ninja rank. Unless of course," I lowered my voice, not bothering to hide my giggle, "you want to participate in adu—"

"You can stay," he said, quickly—too quickly.

"Jeez, I wouldn't want to be that much of a both—"

Sasuke smacked me upside the head before rolling over to make space for me. He kicked me when I kept giggling but eventually, let it stopped bothering him when he realized his reaction was fueling my attitude.

I fell asleep far quicker than usual.

Breakfast the next morning was tense—on Sasuke's part anyway, he looked quite tetchy with me. "Nii-chan, there's no need to be so aerated!" I laughed but quickly fell silent when Sasuke pinned me with a murderous glare. He didn't look so shirty last night.

I snorted into my bowl of cereal and after the look Sasuke gave me, I did not dare to ask for second helpings, instead, I skipped out of the house with a cheerful goodbye. "The house's all yours now!" I called back. "No one will interrupt—"

"MIYO!"

I ran, cackling, when he launched a barrage of kunai at me, forcing me out of the Compound far earlier than usual. Normally, I would be about ten to fifteen minutes late. I see no point in arriving so early so, on a whim, I decided to take the longer and scenic route.

And—call it the workings of fate—I stumbled upon someone whom I had not seen in years. Well, not literally. I did stumble when I saw her but she did not notice me, most likely because I scrambled quickly for hiding.

For reasons beyond me, my heart was halfway in my throat. My cheeks were hot as I stole another look at her. There was a woman who vaguely resembled her beside her, hand on her shoulder and speaking to her in a soft tone. It was Nara Shikari; no doubt about it, even though I had not seen her in years.

Abruptly, I was uncomfortably aware of my clammy palms and flaming cheeks.

I didn't know how long I stood there for, only until the woman turned her head in my general direction did I remember that I had a team meeting and I fled.

I wondered, in mild amazement, how I was still alive when my heart had skipped so many beats.

"What's wrong with you?"

The only other person on my team who would speak to me was Ino. As a rule, I wouldn't allow her to use that supercilious tone with me but I was too busy wondering if I was suffering from sunburn—my cheeks weren't cooling even though I was abusing my wind-natured chakra to work its magic—to care about her.

"Miyo, you're not paying attention. Are you OK?"

I glared at Asuma for the fifth time today; that was the seventh time he asked me this question in under three hours. We had to complete menial D-rank missions and while I had been able to pass it off as crankiness, now that we were training, Asuma was starting to notice my lack of concentration.

"I know!" I snapped, which took him by surprise. "It's all her fault! I can't stop thinking about her—"

Asuma's guard dropped and I zipped in, not wasting the chance; Asuma just barely blocked the blow but he was whistling lowly. "Oh, dear, Miyo seemed to be having heart-problems!"

I faltered, nearly getting a nasty punch into the head by Asuma's uppercut. "What? I need to see the doctor—" I twisted away when he tried to kick me.

Asuma leaped in front of me and delivered a roundhouse kick before I could dash off, effectively cutting off any routes. "That's not what I meant," he said as we traded blows, back and forth, "So, which girl?"

I frowned. "None of your business," I grounded out. "What was that anyway? The sunburn thing when she's ar—"

"Ahem, Miyo, you have a crush. Why do I need to spell that out for you?" Asuma looked at me funny. "You're not this dense, are you?"

"What?" I yelled so loudly that the others turned to look at me. My Shadow Clone arched a brow at me; it had been ordered to spar with Shikamaru while Ino was paired with Choji. I waved them off. "You can't be serious," I grumbled to Asuma, feeling a sense of foreboding.

Asuma snickered. "Whatever you say."

I rolled my eyes, thoroughly relieved than before.

If I was supposed to have a crush on Shikari, those were totally Miyo's feelings that still lingered in this body. Inwardly, I still grimaced; being in a guy's body could really put a spin on a girl's perspective. I didn't want to have feelings for girls! Or boys, for the matter. It would look weird from everyone's perspective.

Mood considerably better than before, I stretched my arms behind my back as Asuma called for a meeting. "Right, team, I have important news, some of you might already know what I'm going to say though."

Ino piped up, "The Chunin Exams!" she practically squealed in my ear.

I blinked, grinning. "Yay!"

Asuma laughed nervously, shooting me nervous looks. "Uh, well... you see, a team can only consist of three people."

I bristled, smile faltering. "So? It's obvious you're giving me one, right? Choji's useless."

The Akimichi flinched, I ignored the reproving looks I got, too used to it already. Asuma sighed, "Miyo, you're the youngest among the three of them—"

"But I'm used to harsh conditions!" I argued vehemently, "I already killed! Had Choji done that yet? I have experience!" I whirled on the fat boy. "Oi, you'd give me your pass, right?"

Choji shrunk into himself, looking at his feet. "Um, su—"

"No."

My eyes zeroed in on Shikamaru, trying to glare holes into him. "What?" I demanded. Dimly, I heard Asuma sighing as he scratched the back of his head.

"I want to be on a team with Ino and Choji, not you," I flinched slightly at the blatant rejection but tried to ignore the hurt, "If you kick Choji out, I'm not joining. Right, Ino?" He glanced at his female teammate.

"R-right," Ino sounded startled but after exchanging glances with Shikamaru, she nodded more firmly; shooting me a smug look. "Definitely. We're originally a team, Miyo's not apart of it."

Asuma frowned. "Guys—Miyo—"

"Fine!" I snapped as I shoved past him, taking off at a run, teeth grinding in anger.

"Miyo!" Asuma called after me, despair in his voice, but I ignored him.

Shikamaru would regret crossing me.

I knew, better than all, where his weakness laid. We'd see with that attitude of his when Shikari's gone. He'd learn that Miyo wasn't the only one capable of underhanded techniques.

:: :: ::

I performed a simple Henge to hide my real features, opting for the appearance of a blonde-haired pink-eyed pretty-boy. I waited atop the roof opposite of the Civilian Academy. It was about two in the afternoon already and yet, I had not seen hide nor hair of her.

My frowned deepened; how long was she going to make me wait?

I sent out thrums of my chakra to check whether she was in the building or not. She was, but she had been in the same spot for about one hour or so. I sprang to my feet, deciding to just stroll in and nab her; I had enough of this waiting and luring shit.

I made sure no one was looking before I darted into the building, relatively relieved that my job would be easier since the teachers were all civvies and retired shinobi who'd grown lax in the absence of active duty.

She was three floors above. She didn't seem to be alarmed or— or— I faltered, frowning deeply, when I sense the mild distress emanating from her chakra. What? She could sense me after all. Snorting, I decided to end this quickly. I was about to step into the class when I heard a voice cry out:

"Give it back!"

"I think not, Nara."

In spite of myself, I felt mild pity for Shikari. Honestly, that girl was a magnet for bullies, ain't she? No thanks to Miyo, I suppose. I poked my head through the door, curious.

Shikari was smaller than I'd originally assumed her to be, being half a head shorter than me. But her hair was still done up in the same pigtails I—no, Miyo—remembered. And I couldn't help but take notice, as malicious my intent was, that she was extremely pretty.

"What're you doing here, anyway?" she said angrily. "This is the Civilian Academy, go back to your Shinobi Academy." I shifted my gaze to the boys. Shinobi-in-training, eh? Somewhat intrigued, I stayed where I was, content to observe for now.

"Aw, Kari-chan, you wound me."

"I said leave!" she shrilled, she sounded ready to cry.

"You heard the girl," I drawled, surprising myself. "It's time to leave." They didn't even have the chance to turn to me; being the show-off that I was, I dealt with them quickly but stopped short of tossing them out the window and I remembered Shikari was watching.

Shikari was watching me with wide eyes; I didn't recall her brown eyes being this bright, they weren't ordinary or plain at all!

Shut up, Miyo, I snapped mentally.

"T-thanks," she murmured, crouching and moving to gather the books she'd dropped. She didn't seem to want to meet my eyes.

I dropped into a crouch beside her, deciding to help just to pose a good impression. I wonder why myself, wasn't I about to whisk her away and throw her into a storeroom until the Chunin Exams were over? I picked a book up and studied the title, brow arched. "What the... isn't this, I dunno, a little advanced for someone your age?" My tone carried a heavy undertone of 'I don't believe you can do this, quit while you're ahead, lady'.

She huffed. "I'm in the advanced class."

"Do they bother you often?" I asked sympathetically.

Shikari eyed me warily before nodding. "But I'm pretty thick-skinned. You got to be if you're learning with students twice your age."

"You must be pretty smart," My words had the intended effect because she blushed prettily.

Ugh, I disgust myself. Prettily? Don't make me gag.

"What about you? I've never seen you before," she said, studying me in a way that made me feel very exposed. I couldn't look directly in her eyes for too long. In fact, I couldn't bring myself to stare into her face for too long.

"Eh, I'm just visiting. Not sure if I actually want to settle down and study in Konoha or not..." I'm digging a deeper grave for myself, aren't I?

"You should," said Shikari, "Konoha's one of the best places for civvies to make it as merchants or businessperson."

"I'll think about it. But if Konoha have more girls like you, I—I don't think I'd mind, uh, staying even if the education isn't top-notch..." Maybe I was laying it on too thick because the both of us were blushing pretty hard to put the setting sun outside to shame; I glanced away. "A-anyway, I've got to go, it's getting late and my... mom would be worried."

Actually, I've got to go before my pride disappears into the setting sun. Horrors of horrors—I was turning into a lovesick goose. Or whatever animal that's all lovey-dovey with its mate.

Goosebumps were rising on my skin and I felt my skin stretched taut—metaphorically speaking. I was as straight as a... as a... freaking wall. Not a ramen noodle.

"Ah, wait!" I turned, arching a brow. "You haven't told me your name."

Oh. I hadn't thought about that. Slightly flustered, I blurted out, "Misao." Which was a stupidly girlish name. I wanted to bash my head into the nearest wall and pass out to save myself this humiliation. Can't I ever do anything right?

She blinked. "That's nice. I'm Shikari." And she smiled.

Somehow, I must've made it back home because the next thing I know, Sasuke was shaking me violently. I jerked, slapping his hand away. "What?" I asked, bewildered.

"Miyo, are you feeling okay?" His earlier anger seemed to have dissipated in the face of my unusual reaction.

"Yes, I'm feeling terrific, actually. Why do you ask?"

"Today's supposed to be your turn to make dinner. Did you forget?"

I blanched, eyes darting wildly for a reason. "I— I thought we could eat out today. I'm... missing that... grilled steak from one of the Akimichi clan's restaurant?"

Sasuke's frown deepened when he heard my dazed tone. "Miyo, if you're sick, you can stay while I—"

"No, no, I'm fine," I stood so quickly I knocked down the chair. Sasuke looked downright shocked. Deciding to change the subject before I make a fool of myself any further, I asked, "So how did your day go?"

Sasuke's scowl lessened slightly. "Kakashi nominated us for the Chunin Exams—and I see you're feeling better. Are you taking part in the Chunin Exams?"

I scowled—an expression that assured my brother I was Uchiha Miyo. He seemed a little relieved when I started cussing my team to hell and back.

:: :: ::

"So, what did your mother say?"

I looked at Shikari, startled. "Huh?"

She rolled her eyes impatiently. "Didn't you tell me yesterday that you'll ask your mother about enrolling you here? If she still feels uncertain, I can help—"

"Eh, she's still thinking about it," I cut in smoothly, "We come from Amegakure so it's going to be quite hard for her to visit me frequently if I choose to study here. So, how did your day go? Having trouble with History?"

I learned that History was Shikari's worst subject; she didn't have a very good memory.

"Yeah," she admitted sheepishly. "I was wondering when the merchant clan Nohara invented this It was, uh—"

I wasn't so sure myself. Pressing my tongue to the side of my cheek, I contemplated my answer before confidently stating, "It was in the middle of the Warring States Period—W.S.P 625." She stared at me. I blinked. "What? I didn't get it wrong, did I?" Her eyes were as wide as saucers. I was starting to think she was going into a seizure. I was leaning down to look at her textbook when I realized we were mere inches apart.

I jumped back as if I'd been burned. "Were you bothered by the distance? Sorry, sorry, I'd—uh—sit here."

She jumped slightly. "No... it's okay... Misao." She sounded a tad odd but I decided to ignore that. Tipping back the chair, I gazed at the ceiling as Shikari worked on her notes. I wondered what the heck I was doing. I was supposed to be kidnapping her and start blackmailing Shikamaru but instead, I was playing the smart-aleck tutor.

And my resolution was wavering.

I sighed; I was a horrid villain. I didn't think being a villain needed practice. I could laugh like an evil bastard though; maybe I just wasn't cut out for the job.

"What's wrong?" Shikari asked.

"No... I'm just going to miss out on a big opportunity to... um, participate in something big. I was wondering if I should just wait for next time."

Shikari eyed me curiously. "Do you want to wait?"

"No. I've never been the most patient person."

"Why can't you join?"

"Uh, I need a team but the people available don't like... me and my attitude so... tough luck."

Shikari tilted her head to the side, inspecting me, making me squirm inwardly. "Why? You seem nice enough."

I chuckled appreciatively. "You don't know all of me."

"Well, you've changed."

"What?"

Shikari smiled softly. "It's nothing. I was just... being nostalgic." I blinked. "Misao, do you believe that everyone should be forgiven?"

"Sure. If they've repented." And after I get a few punches and kicks in. Or maybe dismemberment...

"Do you ever feel sorry for something you've done?" Depends on what I did, Shikari, depends on what I did. Unwillingly, my mind flashed to my first kill and my scowl returned with a vengence. I seriously wanted to throttle her for bringing that jerk up, And I still want to kill him again for making me feel like this: guilt like an elephant trampling on my chest.

"Um, for things I remember, sure. But that's an odd question, Shikari. Uh, hey, are you OK?" She buried her face in her arms. "Shikari?"

"'S nothing," she mumbled, sob evident in her voice. "Can you—please—"

Understanding what she wanted, I stood and left. I didn't look back.

:: :: ::

"Miyo."

I turned, sneering when I saw Shikamaru. Ino, Choji and Asuma threw us dubious looks as if to ask, you sure you're not going to blow this place apart by talking? but we ignored them. "What?" I asked to cover up my surprise. I had demanded to spar with the three would-be Chunin participants daily since Asuma gave the trio their pass but not to me (even after I screamed at him) and had repeatedly beaten them into the ground so they always limped home with bruises and broken bones.

Choji was admitted to the hospital and Ino needed stitches (so what if Asuma told me I went too far?) but those injuries seemed excessive in comparison to Shikamaru who was unconscious in the hospital for a whole day.

Too bad, so sad; I had been hoping to leave him in a coma so that I'd be able to take his place in the Chunin Exams. Ah, life, it just didn't work that way.

"We've got to talk." He was frowning as deeply as I was grinning.

"We are talking, dipshit."

Shikamaru ignored the less-than-polite nickname. "Can we move away from them?" He jerked his head to the rest of our team that did not even looked abashed at being caught blatantly eavesdropping.

"Fine," I snapped, stomping flat-footed deeper into the forest that surrounded this training ground before whirling onto him. "What the fuck do you want?" I usually wasn't so vulgar but my teammates had earned my ire so that meant they had to deal with both my verbal and physical abuse almost daily now—they had better get used to it.

"It's about Shikari."

I arched a brow. "What about her?" I asked, trying to play casual.

Shikamaru's lazy eyes were sharper than the norm. I tried not to sweat but resisted from punching him either. I wasn't trying to act like a degenerate being here. "I know you've been visiting her. What are you trying to pull?"

I examined my fingernails, pretending to be disinterested. "Go ahead, keep her safe at home. She's going to miss her exams and will that make her heartbroken or what, I dunno."

"Is this about the Chunin Exams?"

"How's the scar fading?" I sneered in response, eyes flickering to the newly acquired scar at the side of his forehead, courtesy of yours truly. "There's more where that came from."

"Yes, then."

"Whatever." I snorted, crossing my arms.

"Here."

My eyebrows shot past my hairline when he handed me his Chunin Exams pass. My surprise must've shown because he scoffed softly. He didn't drop his offer. "What's gotten into you?" I demanded, wondering what sort of trick this was. I eyed him critically. "Is this thanks for not hurting Shikari?"

"...Partly," he answered tartly, "but mostly because you made amends with her, she looks much happier now. You chased off those bullies who envied her genius even if you were one of them once."

"Made amends?" I repeated, brows furrowed. "I befriended her as Misao—"

"She knew it was you."

I was shocked beyond words. "What? But she said nothing!"

"She came to me last night, she told me she was glad she never stopped waiting for that apology." My heart thudded uncomfortably loud in my chest. "You don't remember but she was your best friend, she'd always liked you even if you were standoffish at first and that you could be cruel."

"Say what?" Miyo's memories had always given me the impression it was either a) one-sided love on Miyo's part or b) envy of her superior intelligence or c) best friends without the friends part and there had been no hint that they were somewhat friends. Anyway, even if they were friends, what sort of best friends would bury one another?

Wait. We were talking about Miyo. Oh, oh. This makes so much more sense.

"She knew your habits: you poke your tongue to the side when you're thinking, you arch a brow whenever you ask questions, you always tip your head back when you laugh, you kick something when you're angry or impatient. And—I couldn't believe it either—she said you were always kind despite your rash behavior."

It was the longest Shikamaru had ever spoken to me.

Well, it was weird. I knew more about Miyo from Shikamaru than I did from Sasuke (then again, Sasuke only had a bunch of bad memories he would rather keep buried about Miyo).

"This... is still weird," I murmured breathlessly. "Just because she's happy and I somewhat made up for what I did years ago and you're giving me a chance to participate?"

Shikamaru's shoulders slouched as he frowned. "Well, I didn't really want to participate in the first place. It's bloody troublesome. And, Shikari is—is—the person I care about the most."

"Hah?" I cocked a brow. "How so? I totally pegged you as a daddy's boy—or a guy who'd take a kunai to the chest for a best friend."

"She's my sister."

"I see," No surprise there. Ninja tend to go cuckoo—poor sods—when they had their first kill or they witnessed something that deeply impacted them.

Shikamaru sighed. "'S drag to explain to you but—"

"Then don't," I said empathetically, I didn't want to listen to the ravings of a mad boy. I feared insanity would be dangerous and if my sanity slipped anymore, it would end up as pieces on the ground or it would be flowing into the gutter. "And, go see a psychiatrist. Konoha has the best ninja counselors." I patted his shoulder, about to leave.

Shikamaru snorted. "No, you listen to me," he snagged my wrist when I made to move away. I glared at his offending hand—the nerve of this lowly bastard—but he did not relent. "I need you to understand—troublesome as it is—why I hated you for years. My aunt gave birth to a stillborn for the sixth time, and her husband just died on a mission that went wrong."

"Oh-kay..." I did not see where this was going. Were we even on the same page?

Shikamaru shot me a quelling look. "Mom wants to give her a reason to live again so she gave Shikari to her. I had a baby sister then I lost her in the span of a second."

"I do not for a second believe you." I scoffed as I snatched my hand back, huffing. "But I get the gist of it. You love Shikari as much as I love Sasuke. End of story."

"I listened to your advice," added Shikamaru softly and I glanced back, lips quirked. "After we got back, I still had nightmares about the guy I killed but... if it's for Shikari, I can shoulder it." As if to prove his point, he straightened, his shoulders tensing as if to support the burden we could not see.

"Cool," I said, and surprised both of us when I did not sound the least bit mocking. Our eyes locked—the seconds stretching into minutes. I broke eye contact first, feeling awkward. I didn't want to believe we were actually having a moment; as much as each cared for Shikari. "I can't believe we're having a moment. This is disgusting, I'm leaving."

"The pass—"

"I'd take it from Choji."

Shikamaru's frown was back full-force. "I do not think you should force his hand—"

"Then I will ask him nicely. I can't afford to have you replaced, you're vital to the team."

"And you think Choji isn't?"

"He's useless," I maintained, "get angry all you want, but I can kill him with my pinkie finger. Hah!"

"Some things," muttered Shikamaru under his breath but I still heard him anyway, "never change." I laughed, tossing him an impish grin.

Rolling his eyes, he followed me and we made our way back to the rest of Team 10, a not so hateful silence in our wake.

I found that I actually liked it.

:: :: ::


Edited on 7 January 2015