I had always been of the opinion that some problems you shouldn't look too much into or they just became bigger, like how you shouldn't scratch a mosquito bite because even if it felt GOOD it only made it more itchy. However in some cases I had to concede that problems were a lot like weeds, they just kept multiplying and spreading.
I thought it would storm, and boy had I been right. Like most land of fire non sunny weather it had been over quickly, however it certainly hadn't been moderate. No it has been a real STORM alright. I barely slept at all. The rain wasn't much to be honest but the lighting? The thunder?
I had the deep calm flowing through me just to keep from collapsing under the weight of my own fear. Each strike, each deep rumble seemed to vibrate through our apartment, shaking me to my bones. It gave me a new experience of unfortunately dealing with traumatic flashbacks. I blame all my meditating keeping the deep, numbing calm away because… I had never had to deal with the fears of the moment I died. A little here or there but not to THIS extent, not since my parents in this life died…. Which was another unfortunate flashback. I felt myself trembling and tears reluctantly flowing down my cheeks. The sky was dark then too, when the plane fell from the sky. The world was shaking too when I was knocked unconscious by the blast.
I am not as afraid of the lightning even if it reminded me of the blast that killed my parents… I am far, far more terrified of the thunder.
It was my turn to receive comfort as Ami cuddled up next to me in my bed. Her arms around my body pinning me down every time my body shot up in alarm without my consent. I could tell Ami is scared too. Her grip on me tightening from time to time not in response to any action of my own gave her away. I want to comfort her, not just being a good friend and person but because if I am comforting her I am not thinking about my own fears right? However Ami's grip is iron and my voice feels shaky so I subtle for squeezing her hand when I have a feeling she is getting scared.
Finally after what feels like a very long storm, and a longer night the cloud though not cleared have become a more faded grey and the rain has mostly stopped.
I peer outside the window, the streets are in disarray. The usually protective trees that blanket the village have taken a beating. Branches of varying sizes lay scattered in the streets or hanging just barely, snapped from their trees. It will take time to clean it all up I'm sure.
"I don't think the academy will be open today." I mumble truthfully because I seriously do doubt it. I mean the academy yard is probably trashed and just getting there will be a challenge. I move to turn on my lamp but nothing happens. Growling I try again… and again… until it hits me. Ninja world and chakra, however the village still uses power lines to get electricity around. Which means that the fridge, stove, lights, and even heaters are all NOT going to work. I begin to grumble small curses under my breath. This sucks…
"Do you think Yota's ok?!" Ami then blurts out and my head snaps towards her. Oh… shoot. He was alone… with only a rickety little tree house for shelter ALL night.
"I… I… don't…" I begin to stumble for what exactly to say to that because seriously what am I supposed to say?
"Let's go!" Ami says frantically and I snap out of it quickly getting dressed as we head out. I knew that technically Yota can't die… but… it doesn't help put my mind at ease. I move quickly through the streets avoiding the fallen obstacles with some effort but have to pause waiting for Ami to catch up. I ignore almost everything honing in on Yota's signature near his tree house. It's tricky though because there's a rather thick mist around the area practically dripping with Yota's chakra messing with my sensing.
As I look around my vision highly impeded I can't help but note that the woods seem to have taken a worse hit then the village did. That certainly doesn't help ease the worry gripping my heart as though trying to strangle it. "Yota?!" I call out as Ami huffs by my side. This was a new one the fog, which emotion causes it? I look back at Ami who is shivering… but it's not cold, no she looks terrified, on the verge of tears. I grab her hand trying to give it a reassuring squeeze like I had throughout the storm but it seems to do little. The question is… why aren't I affected?
"Sa-ori! Ami!" A voice calls out becoming happier and the fog begins to clear and I see Yota running forward. I sigh in relief as the sun begins to peer through the fog as a result of Yota's joy calming Ami.
"W-we're g-glad you- you're ok… Yota." Ami squeaks out her jitteriness slowly leaking from her form.
"You must have been pretty scared last night huh?" I say to Yota who stands in front of me. His smile dims a little as he nods.
"I ok, friends here!" Yota exclaimed spreading his arms out widely, slowly my sensory skill comes back to me from its clouded state and I freeze. Why?!
Sensing Proficiency level has risen X2
"Yota?…" Another voice calls and I head a sharp intake of breath as I am practically cutting off the circulation of blood to Ami's hand. I force myself to let go before my finger nails can draw blood. I could run but Ami? She's tired from sprinting here and leaving her alone isn't an option… again… why?!
"Who's that?" Ami asks her face scrunching up, she recognizes the voice no doubt.
Then some small figures come into viewing range, light blond, black, soft brown, and eye grabbing PINK. I can practically feel the scowl on Ami's face without having to look at all.
"What are you doing here?!" Ino roars marching over her fists clenched as though she were going to clobber Ami and I .
"Us?! We were going to ask the same about you!" Ami thunders back and I close my eyes sighing.
"Sayori-chan?…" Choji says and as I open my eyes I can see that Choji's own eyes are filled with confusion, confusion and maybe even some guilt. Does he feel guilty for not telling me about Yota? Shikamaru's eyes are sharp scanning us over as though we were enemy ninja while Sakura flanks Ino in support. Yota looks hopelessly lost.
"Hey Choji-chan…" I say with a small wave and look back towards Ami who is waving her arms around as Ino and her go back and forth between insults.
"What's are you two doing here?" Shikamaru asks his hands casually in his pockets as he walks towards me clearly seeing I am the better choice to get information from.
"We came to check on…" I say and fake some extra insecurity as I let my eyes wander to the small green eyes child, hoping my acting is as good as I think it is.
"You… know about Yota?" Choji asks his eyes widening further.
"Yes, Ami and I have been visiting him." I state with a nod which causes Shikamaru's eyebrows to raise.
"Really?! Us too!" Choji says animatedly I open my mouth to speak as the demeanour of the two boys change. All of Shikamaru's carefree attitude sinks like stone in the ocean. Tears gather in Choji's eyes and I can see that Shikamaru isn't far behind. I feel a tug on my own senses… a deep sorrow filling the world around me but I am certainly not as far gone as them.
"Why… why you fight?! Please no fight…" Yota balls in a whine of a voice muffled by sobs as rain begins to pour down despite the complete lack of a cloud source. I turn to face the other girls of this… unexpected get together… finding them now sobbing. Yota had stopped there fighting at least. "All my friends… n-no fight…" Yota chokes out again and if it weren't for the tears in Ino's eyes there would be shock.
"W-we're sorry Yota…" Choji makes out ever the first to make a move towards peace. "They won't fight anymore…"
"W-what?!" Ino says but I comes out a sob, her rejection making the rain increase and so the tears increase. "Fine… we won't fight…" Ino concedes and Ami looks hesitant despite her… state… Sakura nods though her eyes lack the genuine conviction behind them that they should. All eyes turn to Ami.
"Alright…" Ami grits out and puts her hand out for Ino to shake in the (multi) universal symbol for peace. The tears on Yota's face calm, and with it so does the rain. The deep sad feeling grating on my senses lessens until it disappears as Yota smiles and the sun returns. Everyone pulls themselves together and sharp Naara eyes pin me.
"Why… why weren't you crying?" He asks confusion clear but also some accusation. As though it were some crime that I was not.
"Sa-ori like me!" Yota declares and eyes snap towards me and if it were an anime instead of real life I would have sweat dropped.
"No crazy weather powers… promise…" I say with an awkward half laugh. Like I said problems can sometimes just keep multiplying.