Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto; Masashi Kishimoto does. So sue me!

Chapter Twelve: Murasaki and Shikamaru Talk Each Other to Sleep

The same night, the Nara family was preparing to go to sleep. Murasaki volunteered to sleep in her old room, much to Shikamaru's protest. He shrugged it off and went to his room and climbed into bed, immediately drifting off to sleep.

Hours later, Shikamaru awoke to someone crying. It seemed to be coming from Murasaki's room, so he got up and went to the door. He turned the knob. It was unlocked, so he opened it and went to the foot of her bed.

Murasaki was crying in her sleep. It appeared she had been thrashing in her sleep as well. Shikamaru felt sudden sadness for her, but did nothing.

"Don't leave..." Murasaki muttered, fear in her voice. "Come back, Yumi...don't leave me out here by myself. I thought we were on a team! I'm still just a kid! Don't leave me out here in the desert by myself! Come back! I'm scared!" Then she went back to crying after she had said that.

Shikamaru decided to go back to his room. Murasaki will get me up if she needs me, Shikamaru thought. It won't be long before she comes in here. He waited an hour before drifting back into sleep.

A few hours after he fell asleep, Shikamaru awoke to a soft crying by his door. He woke up and saw it was Murasaki, holding tightly to something in her arms. Shikamaru recognized it immediately.

She's holding the teddy bear that I gave her for her fifth birthday! Shikamaru told himself. Does she realize that, though?

Murasaki's voice trembled as she spoke. "Can I sleep in your bed tonight, brother?" she asked. "Can I lay down here for a little while to calm down?"

Shikamaru scooted over and patted the space next to him. Murasaki got up on the bed and snuggled close to Shikamaru. Shikamaru didn't know what to expect at first, but he liked the sudden warmth her body gave off, so he didn't protest.

"Am I weird, Shikamaru?" Murasaki asked suddenly.

Shikamaru sat up and looked at her back. "Why would I think you're weird?" he asked. "You're my sister, and I could never make fun of you!"

Murasaki smiled as she snuggled closer to her brother. "Thanks, little brother," she told him. "I needed that. My teammate left me in the desert when we were seven because she thought I was weird."

Shikamaru then began to stroke her hair softly. "It'll be okay, Murasaki," he told her. "You're safe here."

Murasaki began drifting off to sleep. Before sleep engulfed her, she muttered a soft, "Goodnight, Shikamaru."

Shikamaru smiled. "Goodnight, Murasaki," he answered lovingly.

Shortness yet again, but I'm tired! I have a drama meeting in the morning, so I need to get to bed! In the next chapter, it's first day at the ninja academy for Aiko, Iruka and Murasaki. How will they do in their classes? Find out!

Also, for the classes, I don't know if any of the following classes are actual ones in the academy, but I stuck to a normal school's schedule. Here are the schedules for the three kunoichi:

Umino, Iruka

1) Math

2) Chemistry

3) Shinobi History

4) Physical Education

5) English

6) Music/Choir

7) Homebase

Inuzuka, Aiko

1) Physical Education

2) English

3) Chemistry

4) Shinobi History

5) Math

6) Music/Choir

7) Homebase

Nara, Murasaki

1) Shinobi History

2) Math

3) Chemistry

4) English

5) Physical Education

6) Music/Choir

7) Homebase

There's a reason why the last two hours are the same for all three of the girls. You'll find it out soon enough! Goodnight!