Chapter 40
An Old Promise to Keep: The Hospital Besieged!
The Finals were four days away.
All around Konoha people buzzed. Their excitement for the highly anticipated event already had them on the edge of their seats, talking enthusiastically with friends and family over who they wanted to see win the tournament, and who had the greatest chances.
The names of the participants were thrown around by everyone, from the average civilian and shinobi all the way up to the Lords and Ladies of neighboring Lands who had come to see the final rounds.
Naruto Uzumaki, Neji Hyūga, Sasuke Uchiha, Gaara of the Sand, Shino Aburame, Kankurō, Shikamaru Nara, Dosu Kinuta of the Sound, Amaririsu Yūhi, Mimi Inuzuka and Aoko, and Temari; these names, previously unknown to anyone outside of peers or their own Village now came off the tongues of influential individuals.
Some names were spoken more frequently than others. Not every single participant was seen as equal. Their matches in the preliminaries or the prestige of their Clan swayed popularity, bets and opinions.
Of all the matches in the tournament, the two most anticipated were the battle between the last Uchiha and the undefeated, merciless Sand shinobi and the two Leaf top kunoichis. Destined show-stealers, in the words of many.
Yet the four days did not only countdown to the Exams, it counted down to the clashes of wills, of purposes and towards the fundamental truth of the world: time always pressed on, and as the arms of the clock ticked towards the future, changes became inevitable. Nothing could remain the same forever.
As the seasons pass, leaves change color and fall from the trees, and after a bitter winter is survived, new life sprouted and grew once more—brighter and stronger than before. Life renewed in the glorious spring before becoming an unending summer. However, this inevitability was still four days away.
The Finals had not yet come.
The sun lingered acutely above the horizon, the rays of light bursting through the canopies of trees, forming new shadows that danced on the breeze along the blades of green grass below. Much of the population of Konoha—now on the verge of burgeoning beyond its limits via foreigners—began to shake sleep from their minds, bodies operating in routine as they dealt with their first customers of the day, or hammered their first nail on some new house or business, or made their first delivery or took on their second mission of the day.
Some, without a doubt a throng of Nara's, hadn't bothered to wake up yet. Too much of a drag.
All in all, Konoha was waking up for the day, the lasting peace it had enjoyed since the end of the last war savored by those who survived it. Few children roamed the streets, but soon they would emerge, bringing their unburdened joy and laughter, ranging from giggles to rowdy laughter, to the peaceful Village.
One particular child, and Nara at that, neither waited in bed for noon to roll around nor roamed the streets playing ninja. Amaririsu Yūhi, ever the workaholic, was already nearing the end of her early morning training. The training field sat undisturbed, save for the sound of a blade whistling through the air, slashing cuts into an invisible enemy that surrounded her.
Wielding her cousin's tantō, Amari mentally visualized the techniques Kakashi taught her the morning after her trip into the Uchiha District—into her past. The red eye of her Sharingan glowed earlier in the darkness, now it gazed intensely in concentration at her invisible enemy, a fire behind it as her body mimicked the movements.
"Ha!"
A bead of warm sweat slid down the bridge of her nose, trickling off and down her cheek to her lips. The salty taste barely registered in her mind. Her nostrils flared as her chest heaved in and out after what would have been a finishing blow, her normally pale cheeks flushed. She gripped the hilt of the short sword tightly, holding it in place despite the protests of her weighted down limbs. Sweat rained off her from every pore, through her mesh sleeve and tank top, soaking her blue hair to almost dry noodle straightness and slickness of a freshly cooked noodle. Her body was too warm to feel the cool breeze caressing her skin.
Amari took two measured steps back, returning her blade to a ready position and shifting her feet back into place. Then she restarted again, her body and eidetic memory working in synchronization to perfect the movements, to memorize the weight of the new blade, how it felt in her hand and make it an extension of her arm. This was her precious cousin's blade. Her inheritance from him. He left it for her so it could protect her, just as he would have. To fight by her side even when he wasn't here.
She wouldn't wait to learn. She would make him proud and wield his tantō as masterfully as Hisashi had wielded his sword against her.
"To me, this bandana is the physical symbolism for our bond. As long as I have it, you're always at my side, protecting me and giving me strength when I need you most."
Those words went double for his tantō. When the day came for her to wield this blade in real combat, her enemies would forever be fighting a two on one battle against two Uchiha's: Amaririsu Yūhi and the spirit of her precious cousin.
In the aftermath of her fatigue from Shadow Clone training and the genjutsu, Amari heeded her mother's and Genma's advice to use only two clones instead of four. Her aching body appreciated the break. There were only a handful of days where she went extreme again, but the closer to the Finals they got, the more she slowed down. As Genma said, she didn't want to be dead on her feet the day of the exam. That'd be a drag.
Alongside her new tantō training, Amari signed the Summoning Contract and tried summoning one of the Crows of the Leaf. Try being the operative word. She did everything as she was supposed to. She even tried to increase her chakra output. But no crow appeared.
Bird eggs. She summoned bird eggs. Amari thanked Kami she only tried to summon them when alone. Had Sakura, Ino or Genma seen it they would have laughed the blue right out of her hair.
It was so embarrassing!
Weren't the Crows watching her? Couldn't they sense her attempts to summon or even notice her trying? They could save her the embarrassment if they just came out of the shadows. Or maybe they didn't know yet. Maybe they hadn't seen her mortifying failures. That would be better! They wouldn't think her a terrible master then.
I'm going to summon them without help! I'll prove I'm worthy of them choosing me! Amari's feet danced across the grass, blade slicing quick, definitive strikes to her invisible opponent.
Today she was on her own for training. Genma was called away for something to do with the Exams. Amari didn't prod; it wasn't her business. Training had to remain her main priority. She still hadn't learned the name of the technique Kakashi wanted him to teach her, as expected. A lot of foundational and fundamental work laid ahead of her, but for the safety of her team she would keep working hard until she could perform it.
As for Sakura and Ino, the last few days of tough training called for a break. Ino showed improvement, and it seemed she did speak to her dad and Shikamaru, though what she gleaned from those talks would take more than a few weeks to show the results of. So far she stuck to the meal plan Amari gave her, albeit not without questions or complaints. It could be a real drag, but Amari strove to be as patient as an old monk and twice as calm.
It didn't stop her from wanting to beat her head against the trunk of a tree, though.
Due to these being the final four days before the finals, this current stint of training was the last physical exercise Amari chose to partake in. These next four days were to be about rest and recovery before her fated match against Mimi, that way she could give it her all and go in this time without the burden of an injury.
"Ha!"
The final strike for today cut horizontally through the air. Amari panted heavily; the addition of weights worked her better than she expected. Lowering her blade, the Nara deactivated her dōjutsus, squatted down then collapsed onto her butt in a heap of sweat and sore muscles. For a while she just sat there breathing in precious oxygen, head tilted back to face the sky. Eventually she set her blade down next to her and disengaged the weighted seals one at a time, folding them up and placing them into her ninja pouch.
Two clones popped nearby. She absorbed their individual experiences of training with their cloned tantō's like a dry sponge absorbing water then exhaled a tired breath.
I'm still not ready to wield this blade in my fight against Mimi, but I'm getting there. A real opponent wouldn't let her work meticulously through the technique Kakashi taught her; an opponent of Mimi's caliber wouldn't let the openings in her defense pass her by.
She pulled out her storage scroll and unsealed the scabbard, sheathing the blade back within it before resealing the weapon away. Soon we'll be able to fight together, Cousin. Just not yet.
Now she could perform her final act of training today: the Summoning Jutsu. She put her scroll away, pulled out a kunai and pricked her thumb with the point of it. A tiny bead of crimson blood glided warmly down her thumb and to her wrist. She wiped the blood across the palm of her right hand, weaved the necessary handseals and prepared her chakra.
"Summoning Jutsu!" she yelled and slammed her palm into the ground.
The summoning seal appeared on the grass followed by a poof of smoke. Did it work this time? Amari contained her need to reactivate her dōjutsu to see through the smoke cloud. Please don't be another egg. Please don't be another egg. It's super embarrassing. And a drag.
The smoke cleared to reveal an itty bitty black crow. A fledgling. Amari's head fell in massive depression. "Well…at least that's some progress. Better than an egg I suppose," she mumbled.
A not so great victory for Amaririsu Yūhi…
"Hmhmhm!" The Crow's soothing and feminine laughter snapped her head up. "Forgive me, Young Haya, for I could not resist sending you eggs. But had you witnessed your father's, your cousin's and now your reactions to my little joke, you too would know the great joy I feel in performing it. Ah, let me return to my natural form and then we shall speak."
Smoke enveloped the tiny crow as the transformation dispelled. Upon clearing she saw the Crow in her regal glory. Her black as night feathers were streaked by greyish-silver; age, no doubt, but the greyish-silver did not diminish her regality. Truly, it only added to it. Friendly dark eyes looked upon her with affection and comfort; the look of an old friend who had spent many long years away and rejoiced in their reunion. She stood as tall as Amari's knee and wore a blue Leaf Village headband wrapped around her neck.
This was the legend. One of the Crows of the Leaf. She appeared as majestic and enigmatic as Amari expected a legendary bird to be. Maybe even more. Her very presence commanded respect and reverence, the aura around her befitting the gravitas of a monarch whose kingdom survived the greatest of wars and strongest of enemies—from beyond her borders and from within them.
She was a legend; a legend who pranked her, her father and her cousin. Amari wasn't sure if she should feel honored or severely perturbed by her prank—because seriously? Eggs? Did she not realize how utterly embarrassing that was? Of course she did, that's why this troublesome bird found it so amusing.
Regardless, Amari couldn't deny her heart skipping curiosity. This crow knew her father, her cousin and called her by Haya. Young Haya, to be exact, just like the clouded memory when the Crows saved her from Orochimaru. And her voice, she remembered it coming from the trees after taking down Zaku.
"Very wise, Sound shinobi. Should you attack again, you will feel the wrath of the crows. And I assure you none have survived it."
"It was you. You were the one from the Forest of Death," she stated.
The Crow nodded. "I am, but let's not stand on ceremony. You have correctly concluded I am a shadow of your past, so allow me to reintroduce myself properly: I am Atsuko, the current Head of the Crows, an ally to the Leaf and friend of your family. We Crows have protected the borders of the Leaf since its founding, guiding Uchiha Clan members we deemed worthy and pure of heart to become exceptional shinobi and wise guardians of the Leaf—such as your father and cousin.
"We are not bound to your family solely, however. For instance, your grandfather and his grandfather were not chosen; far too much darkness festered in their hearts. Our wisdom and strength are not given freely—it is a privilege. A privilege you earned."
"Oh, um, thank you," she replied clumsily.
Atsuko hummed a laugh. "You do not need to thank me, Young Haya. You earned it." The Crow stared at her inquisitively for a few beats of silence before speaking again. "These last five years have been long and arduous for us both, but it pleases me to see the spirit of your family thriving within you after all this time. You've grown so much in five years. But the scar on your eye, and those on your arm, I fear I am to blame. I apologize for failing to protect you at the orphanage and in the Land of Waves," Atsuko bowed her head.
Amari's eye widened. "Wait, you've been watching me since the Uchiha Massacre happened? Why didn't you ever reveal yourself?" Why was she left alone? Why had she only watched when… "Why weren't you there to stop Kasai when he killed Ryu and left me for dead?"
"Your cousin left behind a plan I have endeavored to follow to the letter," Atsuko spoke softly, anguish knitting into her smooth cadence. "However, there are enemies who have sought to disrupt it and influence you towards darkness since his passing. I have spent these last five years seeking out any Intel I could to protect you while you are weak and prepare you to face it when you become strong.
"I strictly forbade my agents from interfering with your life, hoping that you would not come to know the pain of loss or be swept into the whirlwind of shinobi life before you were ready to embark on the path your family left behind for us. It was one of their last wishes."
Any argument Amari had died in her throat. How could she argue if this Crow only sought to follow her family's last wish for her?
"My agents were only to intervene if your life was threatened," Atsuko continued. "Had it been, they were to Reverse Summon you to our home for your safety. I would have then returned you to Konoha after having you sign our contract. But…"
Atsuko lowered her eyes. "The day you lost your eye and experienced the loss of your dear friend Ryu, my agents were killed in a fierce battle. When I learned of their demise, I rushed across the Land of Fire to your aid, only to find you already safely in the walls of the Leaf and an entire platoon of my agents monitoring you."
"Your agents…were killed?" Amari asked in shock.
Atsuko nodded gravely. "Yes. They did not die without a fight, nor without honor. It is their last moments that allowed the Leaf shinobi to retrieve you first."
"You must take my eye now before someone with bad intentions gets here. I'll use what remaining chakra I have left to perform the procedure."
Amari's head was spinning. Had Ryu sensed the person who fought Atsuko's agents? A battle they fought without her ever knowing? And their last moments, it's because of their sacrifice her mother, Kakashi, Asuma and Guy were able to retrieve her first.
"That means…"
One conclusion. One single possibility she never considered.
"Kasai was working together with someone, wasn't he?" she asked despite already realizing the answer.
Another nod. "Yes, he was."
Amari grit her teeth together and curled her fingers into tight fists. Someone killed Atsuko's agents; agents who could have saved Ryu from death. More than that, the person responsible turned Kasai against her and Ryu; they filled his head with nonsense about becoming greater than Hashirama Senju, and that a stupid eye could help him achieve that goal.
A person intent on kidnapping her to sway her towards darkness.
"Who? Who the hell is he working with or for? Who killed your agents and tried to kidnap me?" Amari demanded.
Who convinced Kasai to kill Ryu for his eye? Who was responsible for destroying the only family she knew at that time? Who else did she have to turn into ash?
"That is the question I have sought the answer to for the last two years. I fear I have no answer as of yet," Atsuko answered, regret laced in her smooth voice. "I'm sorry, Young Haya. Truly. We—your family and I—never meant for you to go through such pain. Then, or in the Land of Waves. Unfortunately, despite our legend, we Crows are not all seeing. I believed your mission to the Land of Waves to be a C-rank mission, as did my agents. With your skill, as well as Kakashi to protect your team, I trusted no harm would come to you, so we began an investigation of the Sound Village instead.
"After you returned critically injured, I decided then and there to watch over you myself and trust in my agents to act accordingly elsewhere. However this does not excuse my failure to protect you when I swore to your family to keep you safe. It is my failure and mine alone."
Amari shook her head firmly, as if the action alone could shake off the clear guilt Atsuko carried. "No, it's not. You didn't fail me. It's true that I lost Ryu and Kasai, and that I gained new scars and experienced a lot of pain, but it's because of your agents I was able to return to the Leaf. Because of the sacrifices you all made for me I had the opportunity to meet my mom, to become stronger, to learn from the pain and now reunite with you.
"These scars from the Land of Waves, they're all me. No one else. I jumped in front of Kakashi-sensei's attack to save Haku, and I would do it again regardless of how many of your agents tried to stop me or interfere."
Amari lifted her left hand up and looked at the edges of scars peeking out from her mesh sleeve. "Kakashi-sensei told me that same day that I may have made a mistake or two, but what mattered most was learning from them to better myself as a shinobi and as a person. I learned a lot from these scars; without them I never would have reevaluated my path in life, or found a strong nindo to hold to. These scars taught me so much about myself, and the pain has helped me grow more. That's what I believe, at least."
Amari lowered her hand and looked back at Atsuko, who watched her with pride. "Kasai already had a lot to answer for. What his master or cohort did only adds to the list. We'll make it right, Atsuko. Together. Right?" she asked, the confidence in her voice faltering.
"Yes," Atsuko nodded, praise and pride shining in her black eyes. "You are right, Young Haya. We will make it right. Together. Those who have crossed us will know the full wrath of the Crows and that of an Uchiha."
The Crow sighed contentedly. "I have waited patiently to emerge from the shadows and, as you humans say, take you under my wing." The Crow lifted out a wing for emphasis, black eyes full of mirth.
Amari giggled. They were going to get along great.
"I must admit, even though I may not look the part, I am overwhelmed by joy to be speaking to you. I'm almost shivering with excitement," Atsuko said. "For this day to finally arrive, it means the future I worked towards is now the present. There is much work to be done, of course, but I wish to savor this moment longer and indulge in my weakness for human speech with you."
"Okay," Amari giggled lightly. "What would you like to talk about?"
"I'm unsure. Perhaps you would like to ask me some questions?" Atsuko offered. "I must warn you, there are some questions I cannot answer for you yet. You are not yet ready to fully embark on the path left behind by your family, and with the genjutsu on your mind I must be sparing with any information regarding your family. We do not want to trigger it too soon, as you learned."
"Yeah, that wasn't fun," Amari agreed.
She leaned back onto her hands and spread her legs out in a V shape, pursing her lips in thought over what to ask. There were so many questions she had, but it left her mind in a state of chaos as she tried to pick them out of the roaring shouts of her brain. Finally, she picked one.
"You said my family left behind a path for us to walk, and that I'm not ready yet for it. Does it have anything to do with the massacre?"
"Ah, yes," Atsuko answered, albeit hesitantly. She paused, beak lowered in a thoughtful expression to consider the next words carefully.
"The Uchiha Clan lost their way many years ago, though not without reason," she began. "Reasons, however, do not excuse the darkness many of them embraced wholeheartedly. We can all paint ourselves as gallant knights of our own stories, and how easy it is to paint outsiders as atrocious villains who mean to sabotage you, but it takes greater courage to accept your failings and admit to the wrongs you have committed. Remember that, Young Haya."
"I will," she said.
"By the time of the massacre, few Uchiha's were equally loyal to the Village as they were to the Clan. Among those who cherished Konoha and the Uchiha were your family, Itachi and Aimi Uchiha—to name only those you know. There were others, but we were the minority by the end. You remember the quiet conversations now, do you not? Your journal, you read the final pages as asked?"
"Yes."
"The purpose of those quiet conversations was to seek out a peaceful solution to prevent the Uchiha Clan from self-destruction. I believe they would have succeeded, however the interference of enemies we did not predict has left the Uchiha down to you final children."
"Plus Itachi," Amari added.
"You final children, as I said."
Ouch. Itachi probably had a massive burn to apply ointment to now. Then again, compared to Atsuko, anyone younger than her uncle were easy to consider children.
"…Itachi," Amari started slowly, onyx eye falling to the grass in hesitancy. Should she even bother asking? Was the confirmation worth it? Amari sighed then asked, "Is he someone I should trust?"
"You are worried you are being influenced by him," Atsuko stated instead of questioned.
She nodded. Even with Inoichi's reassurance, the genjutsu on her mind remained a valid concern to the kunoichi, especially after her experience in the Uchiha District. The experience of seeing those ghostly memories, it hadn't left her. She doubted it ever would.
"Don't be," Atsuko reassured confidently. "The Itachi who you saw that night sought your safety and protection. However, be warned, I cannot say the same for the Itachi of the present. The crows under his command no longer answer to me or return to our home—they have gone rogue. I personally have not spoken or seen him since the massacre."
Atsuko's eyes stared earnestly into her onyx eye. "Should you ever run into him, do not lower your guard, but endeavor to avoid him at all costs. Neither you nor Sasuke are ready to face him in combat."
Amari nodded, pursing her lips in disappointment. She hadn't gotten her hopes high enough to believe he wasn't an enemy anymore, but Atsuko's confirmation cemented how different their paths had become.
"…I wish things were different," she admitted quietly. "He helped me see past the degrading insults the rest of the Clan hurled my way. I believed in him, because he believed in me."
That was the Leaf shinobi way.
"I too believed in him, as a friend and a comrade," Atsuko nodded in agreement. "But now it is you I believe in, Haya Uchiha. The qualities of the true hearted Uchiha are carried within you, even if you yourself do not see them yet, as are the wills of your father, your cousin and your mother. It will be your will that will reshape and renew the Uchiha Clan to greatness, of that I am certain."
"No pressure," Amari mumbled.
Atsuko hummed humorously. "Do not worry, Young Haya. That is far into the future yet. You will be ready when the time comes, I promise."
The reassurance eased her nerves.
"Now allow me to ask you a question in return. With all the work you've put into training this month, do you feel prepared for your fight against Mimi Inuzuka?"
Amari sighed deeply and crossed her legs under her. "It's hard to say. I've worked myself to exhaustion this past month, but my fight against Mimi will be really tough. There's no way around that. She has more experience than me by a year; she's already physically stronger and has superior chakra control to mine. Plus her ninjutsu affinity is Water; my affinity's weakness. No matter how I look at it, I'm going in as the underdog."
Mimi hadn't shown her true power in the prelims; it was highly possible she wouldn't even show it against Amari herself. Her blue eyes weren't focused on the Nara. They zeroed in on Temari, who hung over their fight like a piece of meat in a gator pit at feeding time.
"I'll finish what he started!"
That promise only made her fight even harder.
"The other problem I have is what the Sand shinobis did to her teammates. There's no guarantee Mimi will fight me kunoichi to kunoichi. She may do everything she can to knock me out while expending the least amount of energy possible." Amari shrugged, running her hands along the blades of grass, twirling them between her fingers. "It's going to be a huge drag, but I'll give her my all and force her to see the opponent in front of her instead of the ones on the horizon. It's the only way I'll be satisfied."
"Hm. It seems to me your goal isn't to win the tournament, but to fight Mimi at full power."
Amari chuckled bashfully and rubbed the back of her sweaty neck. "Yeah," she admitted out loud for the first time. Everyone else wanted to showcase their talents many times to the spectators, and the only way to do that was to reach the very final round. Amari's sole goal was to fight Mimi, nothing more, nothing less.
"Me and Mimi," she continued, "ever since our first battle I've felt a strange connection to her; I've never wanted to fight anyone like I want to fight her. Every second of training I've done this month has been for my fight against her. I honestly haven't even thought about Temari or the others I could fight. My goal is for us to fight at our highest level possible, to test my full power and will against hers when we hold nothing back and see who the number one kunoichi is."
She lifted her right hand up and clenched it into a fist. "And as we trade blows and jutsu we'll finally be able to define our connection and understand one another even better. Or, that's my hope anyways. Win or lose, I want to leave that battle without a single drop of energy left in my body, knowing we gave one another everything we have, and then we pushed even further beyond."
Not that she didn't want to win. She did. Amari wanted to make it to the final rounds and face whoever else made it there, because whoever made it to the finals could be considered the strongest of the entire group, but her primary focus was an all-out fight with Mimi—her friend, her rival and her equal. This was her chance to finally face her one on one; she couldn't let it go to waste.
"I have no doubt you will show Mimi and those watching how capable you truly are," Atsuko encouraged. "You've shown incredible work ethic this last month, and though you may harbor doubts, I believe in your ability to defeat her. And I am proud of you, Young Haya. For your hard work, your dedication to your comrades and the great strength you have shown in the years since the massacre."
"Thank you, Atsuko," Amari thanked.
"You are most welcome. Shall we return to your home? I would like to reintroduce myself to Lady Kurenai, for I believe she has been waiting quite patiently to meet me after our last encounter."
Amari tilted her head in confusion. "Reintroduce? You've met my mom?"
"We had an encounter, yes. Fear not, I approve of her."
"Oh. I'm glad. She's been amazing to me since I came back." Amari's head tilted to the opposite side, still confused. "How did you encounter her? Or what was the encounter like?"
"Hmhm!" An ominous laugh worthy of chills for any enemy who heard it. "Let's just say we dispatched a threat together."
Even more ominous than before, but obviously not her business.
Amari reached out her left forearm as a perch for Atsuko to claim. "All right, let's head home. It's still early so she shouldn't be out training Shino yet, and I really need a shower."
Atsuko hopped onto her forearm and then up to her left shoulder without delay. Amari stood up and started back towards her home. As she walked through the Village, noticing the slight increase of people awake and active as morning officially kicked in, a familiar voice called out to her. "Ah, Amari, and do my old eyes deceive me? Have you reunited with Atsuko at last?"
Amari turned to face the Hokage. He stood in full Hokage garb, pipe in hand and a kind smile on his weathered features. The Nara bowed respectfully. "Greetings, Lord Third."
"A pleasure to see you, Lord Hokage," Atsuko bowed her head.
"It is good to see you both, and together at that. I cannot say I expected to see such a rare sight on my walk today, but what a treat this is to see you two reunited after many long years. Ah, it warms my heart to see the bond between the Crows and their chosen companion rekindled. May this bond never be severed." His smile grew as he looked at Amari. "Heed her lessons well, Amari. Atsuko carries with her many long years of wisdom, perhaps even more than I," he chuckled.
"Perhaps not. I dare say you have more crow's feet and grey hair than I, Lord Hokage," Atsuko hummed humorously.
"At- Atsuko!" Amari sputtered, flushing in embarrassment. "Yo- you can't just insinuate the Hokage is old!"
Why were all the birds she knew troublesome?!
The Hokage laughed heartily at the pair and waved off the child. "It's quite all right, Amari. I know I am old, and I am content with it. I have lived a long and good life."
"You still have many years left, Lord Third," Amari reassured, mostly for her own comfort.
"Indeed. There's still plenty of life in these old bones of mine," he agreed. He inhaled from his pipe and exhaled the smoke away from her, smiling. "But it heartens me to see the new generation blossoming. All of you are so spirited and young, unlike me, and you carry the Will of Fire close to your hearts. It is your fires that will one day illuminate the Village. Who knows, perhaps it will be you who will become Hokage one day, Amari."
"I, uh, I don't think I'd be qualified to be Hokage," Amari admitted nervously. "That's a huge responsibility, and it's Naruto's dream to become Hokage. My dream is to guide the next generation and teach them of the Will of Fire as a Jōnin Sensei. I could help nurture their growth like you, Mom, Kakashi-sensei and the others helped nurture mine. Maybe I'll even follow in the footsteps of Genma-sensei and Mama by becoming a Hokage Guard for Naruto. Troublesome boy will probably need me, at least for a little while. And then…" she trailed off, realizing she started to ramble.
"And then?" Lord Third pressed, intrigued.
Amari blushed and averted her gaze to the road. "I'd…like to settle down. Retire. Maybe. I'm still not sure I'd like retired life. But I'd like to…to fall in love, start a family, have at least two kids. Maybe more. I want…to find my peace." She grabbed her left arm and stared at her toes, cheeks pink. "It probably sounds stupid, but that's what my dreams are."
"On the contrary, I think that is a wonderful dream you have," Lord Third said.
"I concur. I will do what is within my power to make this dream of yours a reality," Atsuko said.
The Hokage rested his hand on her shoulder, lifting her gaze from her toes to meet his warm eyes. "Hold your dream close, Amari. It is dreams such as yours that keep the Will of Fire enduring through even the toughest of times. I have no doubt you will one day become a wonderful guardian of the Leaf, lighting the way for a future even one as old as I cannot predict."
"I- I'll do my best, Lord Third!" Amari bowed.
He chuckled and patted her on the head. "I know you will. Good luck in your fight against Mimi Inuzuka. I'm looking forward to seeing how much you two have grown."
"Thank you, Lord Third."
"Fair winds guide you, Lord Hokage."
"And you as well, Atsuko."
The Hokage departed, leaving the pair to continue on their original journey.
I'll do my best to make you proud, Lord Third.
Days Later
Mimi shuffled mutely towards her parents' gravestones; Aoko nestled into her mess of long, untamed brown hair. The Inuzuka carried with her an assortment of white chrysanthemums and yellow daffodils alongside a downtrodden bouquet of dull grief and old hurt.
Daffodils had been her mother's favorite flower, and by extension her father's; she liked to say it was the sign of new beginnings. New life blossomed into the world, bright and cheerful, innocent and pure, encouraging the jaded who survived the harsh winter before to freshen up and smile once more.
In the Land of Fire you could find fields of daffodils; soothing green blades of grass and joyful yellow flowers sprouting for what could seem like miles at times. Mimi hated daffodils for the longest time. Everyone else felt joy and saw new life in them; they cheered for spring and wanted to run through the fields like some sort of fairytale story. All she felt when seeing them was pain and the severing of a bond. The bright life of the flowers incensed her and left her feeling colder than the harshest winters and far more jaded than any child her age.
She got over it. Daffodils became the embodiment of her mother's spirit and positive outlook on life to her; a gentle reminder of the people she cherished in everyday life as she kept moving forward on her path.
Tomorrow was the Finals. The day she finally had the chance to fight Amari in one on one battle, and then destroy the Sand shinobi for the pain they caused her team. Mimi didn't carry any of her usual exuberance, and she certainly didn't have it in her to fake a grin. Her sullen look and downcast eyes couldn't be hidden behind a mask of indifference. Her heart yearned to have her parents at the Finals to see her fight. She wanted them to see how far she had come as a medic-nin and a kunoichi, but they couldn't.
They were dead, had been for eight years after they took on some critical mission they never returned from. She never learned what the purpose of their mission was or how they died; she didn't want to know. Mimi didn't want to hear a courageous story recalling how they fought to the bitter end, or that they were ambushed and died without a fight. No story could soothe her heartache. A story didn't change the outcome of the present: They were dead and she was not.
She missed them. Every day. Her mother's infectious and hearty laugh, her father's training and proud smile, their presence. Mimi had toughened up a lot after her parents died—there hadn't been a choice. Death stole the innocence of youth in the blink of an eye. It forced her to grow up, to mature and handle something even adults struggled with. Mimi didn't want anyone's pity either, not that the Academy had been full of it.
Happiness and warmth eluded her for a long time; it was a mythical unicorn everyone ran around chasing while she trudged forward, eyes glaring into the dirt as a rainstorm poured on her. Her family and Team Guy helped her to raise her eyes again and stop viewing the world from a dark pit of isolation. Because of them she learned how to smile and laugh genuinely again, and the rainstorm that had once darkened her vision dissipated to reveal joyous sunlight, bright daffodils and a damn unicorn with a superiority complex that kept stabbing her with its horn.
That's why she couldn't let the Sand shinobi walk out unscathed. That's why they had to be destroyed. Those heartless bastards stole Lee's bright light and made Tenten cry. They hurt the people she cared for, and in doing so stabbed their blades into her heart.
None of them were walking away as long as she had any say.
"Just don't forget who you are or about the people who care about you, all right? Hatred blinds all. Even people with enhanced senses like us. We have to fight it. If we don't, if we just let it consume us, we'll become the darkness we harbor and do things we wouldn't otherwise. I don't know your dream or your nindo, but stay true to them, Mimi. It's what the people who care about you want most."
Those words created a conflict worthy of a Great Shinobi War within her. Within them was the encouragement to be better. To follow the right path, to keep her eyes from falling back to the dirt again and see the lights around her, reaching out to pull her from brooding darkness. Her words gave Mimi warmth and reminded her of the vow she took to never let down her parents, Hana or friends again by returning to that person full of hatred—the old her that thrived off the darkness.
She had to be better. Better than she was yesterday.
But that festering hatred, that fiery rage didn't want to be quelled. This would be the last time, it promised. This would be the last time it took control then she could move on. For what they stole from Lee and for Tenten's tears she could make this little sacrifice and extract righteous vengeance.
Only it wasn't that simple, was it? She remembered that dark place well. She remembered it every time she looked herself in the mirror. The vehement anger. The exploding hatred that made her hurt others because she was hurting. It took her years to get to this point, to get away and move forward.
This little sacrifice, what if it turned her into that person she hated and she couldn't find her way back? What if she disappointed her parents or the people close to her?
I…I don't know what I should do.
Upon arriving to the cemetery, blue hair and a fuchsia shirt caught her eye. The onyx eye of the individual stared up at the clouds, possibly up into the heavens in hope of seeing the person she lost looking back, as she walked towards the exit—towards Mimi.
Either by sensing her or noticing a new person, Amari's head came down from the clouds and offered a tiny, understanding smile. No happiness or brightness, just the silent understanding and support of someone who knew what loss was like.
Mimi appreciated it, even if she didn't react.
"Hey Mimi, Aoko," Amari greeted.
"Hey," she greeted quietly. She did not see an ounce of pity in Amari's eye. She searched for it, dared it even to show itself, but only found compassion and empathy. It made her feel like crap for thinking the worst. "Who brought you here?"
"Ryu, my friend from the orphanage, was buried here." She looked over her right shoulder in what was likely the direction of his grave. "Last time I visited I didn't bring a flower. I had to make it up to him."
Mimi nodded. "Ino try to give you tips too?"
The Yamanaka knew flowers for certain, but Mimi really didn't need to know not to bring a giant shrub. She wasn't a complete lost cause when it came to flowers.
"No," Amari shook her head. "I knew where to find the amaryllis flowers from my last visit. She insisted it was for a date or something stupid like that, claimed that she learned from her father I've come by before to buy those flowers before so they must be for someone special. I didn't help my case by saying it was for someone special, but apparently that makes us even bigger rivals because she has to get her first kiss before I get mine." She shrugged. "Girls my age are weird."
Mimi couldn't stop the small, breathy chuckle from escaping her lips. "Heh. At least she didn't demand to get you ready for the date."
"Get me ready?" Amari asked, tilting her head to the side in confusion. "What would I need to get ready?"
Mimi managed the smallest of smirks. "You know, do your hair in a special way, get dressed up in nice clothes, knowing Ino probably some make-up too. That sort of stuff."
The scrunched up face Amari made caused Mimi to choke on her laughter. She looked like she just heard the most crude and disgusting phrases in all of existence while at the same time tasting the most repulsive foods and drinks. "That's too troublesome. Why would anyone waste their time dressing up if they don't do it normally anyways?"
"I never understood it either," Aoko mumbled.
"It's to…I don't know, make a good impression or something. To look your very best and all that kind of stuff," Mimi explained awkwardly, cringing as she heard her own words and how stupid the entire concept sounded.
Why did people do it?
"But shouldn't the person you date enjoy who you are on a normal day? No make-up, no fancy dresses, no masks to pretend you're someone else?" Amari asked seriously. "If we're all pretending to be other people, and subsequently falling in love with an idea of a person, then the love isn't real, right? It's like we're using Transformation Jutsus to hide our flaws and idiosyncrasies, which are parts of the whole of who we are as individuals. It'd be like me hiding all of my scars and you hiding Aoko."
"Err…"
"Valid point," Aoko agreed.
Completely. Too bad it wasn't a common belief. Mimi shrugged it off. "Won't hear a counter-argument from me. Sounds better your way than what you always hear from the other girls; sounds more real."
The conversation reached its natural end and left them standing silently for a few beats. Amari was the one to break it. "Do you want company?" she asked.
The gesture was nice, but…
"Thank you, but no." Mimi forced a chuckle. "I'm too proud to let someone see me cry. Plus I have Aoko for support."
Her future opponent gave a quiet nod. "All right. I'm going to go check on my knucklehead. He somehow landed himself in the hospital unconscious for the last three days. Troublesome boy."
"Wish him luck for me in his match against Neji in case I don't see him until the finals."
"I will." Amari exhaled a long, troubled sigh. "I hope everything he's done will be enough." She gave the duo a small smile before taking her leave, her hands shoved in her pockets and her head aimed up at the clouds again.
"I hope the boy will be okay. We both know what Neji is capable of," Aoko said.
"Yeah." But that goofball knows having a strong will can beat any strength, no matter how tough the challenge is. It's how he's gotten this far and how he inspired her to do the same.
Still, tomorrow will not be easy for any of us.
Mimi made her way to her parents' gravestones, placing the fresh flowers on them before staying with them in utter silence. She thought of old memories; play wrestling with them, training, simple conversations that she hadn't realized the importance of until they were gone, small gestures of affection she missed dearly.
Eventually she whispered a few words of love before departing the solemn area, hoping to leave her dampened mood behind and brighten up with the day. It was a longshot at this point, especially since she planned to visit Lee.
His sparkling attitude would usually cheer her up, but without having a concrete way to help him it would remind her of why she was going to win against Amari.
There were three Sand Ninjas who needed to pay…and she would make them pay.
Shikamaru had always found Gaara's presence creepy. Unnerving. It was in the way he stared at people; he didn't really see anyone, his cold eyes pierced through them as if they weren't even there. As if they weren't even alive, or worthy of living. His feeling about the kid didn't improve after seeing him try to kill Lee. Shikamaru decided at that point to avoid confrontation with him at all costs.
Yet somehow, despite his best intentions, he ended up holding the kid in place with his Shadow Possession Jutsu, strengthened by his cousin's shadow also latching onto the Sand shinobi. Naruto stood with them in Lee's room, increasing their numbers advantage if this situation spun even further out of control.
This was all so troublesome.
All I planned to do today was visit Chōji and share the fruit basket with him. If I had known he wasn't even allowed to eat I wouldn't have wasted my time buying the fruit.
Still, the food hadn't gone to waste. Not really. It led him into 'Risu, who came to visit her knuckleheaded teammate after he knocked himself out for the last three days. Honestly Shikamaru thought the loud kid croaked. Of course he could see signs of life—breathing, for instance—but he didn't make a sound or move or anything. Naruto always had energy to kill. And he was damn loud too.
His unconsciousness gave Shikamaru and his cousin time to play a game of shogi, and for him to beat her. Again. If he didn't witness her stubborn streak firsthand he'd think she was a glutton for punishment.
Out of nowhere the kid sprang up and started raving about a Pervy Sage, whatever the hell that was. Either way his return to silence shattering brashness grated on Shikamaru's nerves. They were in a hospital, not a playground. Was it too much to ask him to show respect for the obviously more severely injured or sick patients here?
When he finally calmed down the fruit went to him. Or it would have—again with the would'ves and could'ves—but the blond idiot got the grand idea to eat it front of Chōji to drive him crazy. Chōji was and always would be Shikamaru's best friend, and the lazy Nara preferred his company to Naruto's any day of the year. But that idea, cruel as it could be considered, was too good to pass up.
They ran into Ino on the way, and when 'Risu suddenly stopped and dismissed herself to rush through the halls at a Body Flicker, skidding across the tile floor and flying around corners, Shikamaru and Naruto naturally followed after her in concern. Looking at the situation at hand, that stupid fruit basket he wasted his money on became a real life saver—literally.
Had she not sensed this kid, had we not left Naruto's room to go to Chōji's, Lee would be dead. Gaara had his sand wrapped around Lee when they came in, prepared to kill him. His cousin already had him paralyzed by her Shadow Possession, and Shikamaru quickly increased the strength of her hold by adding his own into the mix.
Who knew a fruit basket could lead to this chain of events. Sheesh, why did this crazy stuff always happen when Team Seven were around? Not that he was complaining. Well, not fully anyways. This was all a drag. Killing intent, this kid, this stupid situation, all of it was a real pain in the neck, but he was glad they were here for Lee's sake.
Without 'Risu here, though, he wasn't sure he and Naruto could take Gaara on if push came to shove. Shikamaru spared a glance to his cousin, who stood on his left. 'Risu's as calm as always. Not even bothered by the killing intent coming off this kid or his cold stare.
That was his 'Risu, though. Tough enemies, combat, it didn't frighten her or make her lose focus. If anything the heat of battle was where she had nerves of steel and incredible focus; it was where she thrived, in a weird way. But she didn't see Lee's fight, she hadn't seen what this freak of nature survived; Gaara should either be dead or handicapped permanently from what Lee unleashed on him. He wasn't though. He walked off that arena floor on his own two feet, unlike Lee and 'Risu.
Now he was here to finish the job Guy interrupted in the preliminaries.
Bluffing wasn't going to work. Shikamaru's attempt failed spectacularly. Gaara was too cold and dangerous to be swayed by the threat of a fight or even the numbers game. Naruto, in all his idiocy, kept daring the Sand shinobi to try to fight them, mentioning something about having a real demon inside of him.
Shikamaru didn't really pay much mind to it. He didn't care about anything except making this survivable.
Apparently Gaara had a demon in him too called Shukaku, sealed inside him by his father, thus killing his mother with his birth.
"I was born a monster," were his words.
The sealing of this demon or whatever it was turned him, the pampered offspring of the Kazekage, into the savior of his village. But others saw him as a relic of the past, an unwanted relic they'd rather get rid of than keep around. When his power became too great his father started dispatching assassins to kill him.
Six years later, here they were; him a clear psychopath who believed without a purpose there was no reason to live, and decided for himself that his purpose was to kill others. Loving only himself and not caring for his family—the other two Sand shinobis in the Exams—and believing as long as there were people in the world, he would never fade.
This guy is a whole different level of crazy.
Amari hadn't spoken a word since they let Gaara explain himself. His cousin and Gaara simply stared at one another. Uneasy tension built between them, as if just by the act of looking one another in the eye they were able to read each other's minds.
"Your eye… It reminds me of hers," Gaara spoke finally, his gravelly voice echoing in the otherwise silent room.
"Who?" Amari asked.
"A girl from my Village who was born with destructive abilities. The other villagers hated her for what she symbolized—a mistake they wanted wiped away. Yet when they learned they could twist her into their own weapon, they didn't hesitate to do it, all the while disdaining her very existence. No matter what they said or did…and what I did, she never lost it."
Shikamaru didn't like Gaara singling out his cousin. At this point it was like they weren't even in the room with them right now.
To them, they were the only ones here.
"Lost what?" his cousin questioned.
"Her foolish dream to love and protect anyone she deemed worthy." Amari snarled at her dream being called foolish. "Even after I destroyed her knee and her dreams of being a shinobi, she never stopped. Her will to live, to never let go of the ridiculous purpose she latched onto was…admirable. I'd bet you would risk your life for these pathetic people too." Gaara's eyes left hers to stare straight through Naruto and Shikamaru then back to her.
Amari didn't answer. She didn't have to for Shikamaru to understand her feelings; he could feel through their conjoined Shadow Possession her hands clenching into fists.
"Why would you live for anyone besides yourself? It will only cause you pain. You know I'm right; you have been betrayed before."
What? How would he know that? Shikamaru glanced at his cousin to see her eye widen.
"You don't need to admit it. I can see the pain in your eye; I can see it's what has driven you to become as powerful as you are. You intend to destroy the person who turned their backs on the love and trust you gave them."
"Is that what you did to her? Turn your back on her even though she offered friendship? Even though she reached her hand out to you to save you from your loneliness?" Amari hissed.
Gaara glared at her but his cousin didn't flinch. "She is of no concern now."
"You heartless wretch, you killed her, didn't you?" Gaara did not answer. Shikamaru could feel her limbs beginning to tremble; rage, no doubt about it. "You were unworthy of knowing her," she spat.
Killing intent swarmed the room, though Shikamaru couldn't pinpoint who it was coming from anymore. A chill lingered in the air that hadn't been there before; the air felt thicker, weighted by some invisible force.
"And what of your strength? Of your impressive talents? Do you think you can continue to become stronger without consequences?" Gaara questioned, eyes looking straight through her. "What will you do when the people closest to you deem you a threat? When you become a danger to the very village you were meant to protect, do you believe these people won't conspire behind your back? That they won't try to end your life before you become too much for them to handle?"
Gaara closed his eyes, his tone remaining completely flat yet sounding as if he knew the truth. "Don't be foolish. Following this path will leave you with nothing. Emptiness. The same isolation you've tried to escape will be all that's left. People are fickle. Your Leaf elders are no different than the Sand. They may actually smile to your face, but it's a façade to lower your guard as they make preparations to eliminate you. And when that day comes you will be alone.
"Your dream, your purpose to live for others instead of yourself…" He opened his eyes and glared right at her. "It's ridiculous."
Shikamaru growled. "You were already on my nerves, but now you're really starting to piss me off."
"Let it go, Shika."
The Nara hummed in confusion as he turned his head to face his cousin. She wasn't trembling anymore. Her body and eye were calm again. Something was up; his cousin found an opening.
"Part of me understands where you're coming from, Gaara," she said. "When my friend betrayed me and left me for dead, I didn't want to get attached to anyone again. I was frightened it would only leave me heartbroken again, that I'd only open the door for more people to betray me for…the gift he left in my care. But then…I met this really nice old man who gave me a chance to live in this Village. And he introduced me to an incredible woman, a woman I owe my life to."
Her lips curled into a small smile, an unconscious reaction to the love she had for Kurenai. "She gave me a home, a family. Her light shone through to me, guiding me away from the cold, isolating darkness I believed myself condemned to."
The smile fell, replaced by a hardened stare full of resolve and strength the little, malnourished girl he met years ago lacked. "It's because it was so dark I was able to see her light, because I kept my eyes open for any sign of hope someone might care about my existence to reach a hand out to me. If you had opened your eyes, maybe you too could have seen that girl's hand.
"Whoever she was, she tried her hardest to reach you, I'm sure of it. You don't have to say you did, you can even deny it if you want, but I know the truth. I can see it in your eyes that I'm right. That's why you can't stand the sight of me, isn't it?" she questioned rhetorically.
Gaara growled threateningly, eyes sharpening into blades.
"It's not just my strength that intrigues you or this bloodthirsty purpose you've latched onto that's made me your target. It's because I have her eyes. Eyes that have burned themselves into your soul and haunt you to this day."
Gaara began to growl like a feral dog. Anger, hatred and bloodlust consumed him, and that's when his sand came alive on its own.
What? He shouldn't be able to do that! Not while we have him in our Shadow Possession Jutsu!
This was bad. This was really bad.
"You regret it. You regret turning your back on her. You regret shattering her dream and her knee. And most of all, you regret stealing her life, because despite so many people hating your existence for a decision made without your consent, she never did. She never saw you as a monster or as anything less than a friend. You were her precious person, and she was yours," Amari stated.
"Shut up! I'm going to kill you!" Gaara shouted, furious.
Amari's shadow receded back to her. Her hand immediately grabbed Shikamaru by his collar and dragged him backwards out of her way. "Shika, Naruto, get behind me!"
"Oh man, what a drag!" he groaned, letting his Shadow recede as well.
If Shadow Possession wasn't going to work, he couldn't do much else to help here. And Naruto wasn't going to be of any help either, paralyzed by fear of the cold shinobi irradiating with death.
It was in 'Risu's hands to save their skin because she struck the nail right on the head: This kid regretted what he did to that girl.
She shoved her hands out in front of her, Sharingan activating as green chakra enveloped her body. "Ultimate Defense—"
"All right, that's enough!" a voice boomed. The attacks halted as everyone turned their attention to the source. Might Guy stood in the doorway, not a single ounce of his usual hot-blooded attitude in him. This was the shinobi, not the man.
Behind him was Mimi, snarling with Aoko at Gaara's clear purpose for being here. "You bastard, I'll kill you here and now!"
She tried to shove her way in, but Guy blocked her and sent a severe stare at all of them. "Save it for tomorrow! That's when the final competition begins. You're just wasting it right now. Is that what you want?"
Something shifted with Gaara. His killing intent disappeared as he grabbed at his head, eyes wide as if he was in agony from some invisible attack. His sand retracted quickly into his gourd until it was all gone, and then the average levels of killing intent he exerted naturally returned. Steel reinforced his eyes and he began shuffling towards the door, one hand resting on his head. His breaths were heavy, labored with every shuffled step.
He stopped only once to shoot a glare at them over his shoulder. "All the same, I will kill you. Just you wait. I'll kill you all."
And then he shuffled his way out of the room and out of the hospital.
The green shroud around Amari disappeared as she let out another sigh of relief, which Shikamaru followed suit with. That was too close. If Guy hadn't showed up…I don't know if Amari's Dragon Shield would be enough against that kid.
He glanced to her, seeing his cousin looking at her hands with a troubled frown.
Or what kind of damage it would have done to her.
"That bastard was trying to kill Lee," Mimi seethed. "He better hope Sasuke kicks his ass tomorrow, because if I get him in the tournament I'll make him wish he was never born!"
"I think he already wishes that," Amari mumbled under her breath, quietly enough Shikamaru almost didn't catch it. "I know it is not my place to say, but until Lee is up and moving and these Sand shinobi are out of the Village, I'd place guards to watch Lee at all times," Amari said analytically, lowering her hands and looking to Guy.
"Yes, that would be a wise course of action," Guy agreed before turning to his female student. "I'll watch after Lee. I don't know if I will be able to see yours or Neji's fight, but do your best. Don't let your anger cloud your judgment."
Mimi looked like she was about to argue but sighed and nodded in defeat. "Yes Sensei."
Shikamaru turned his gaze to Naruto and Amari and dipped his head towards the door. They both nodded and began to leave after giving a farewell to the duo. As they were exiting the door, Guy spoke up again. "And thank you all for stopping him from hurting Lee more. I appreciate it."
"He's a comrade and would have done the same for any of us," Shikamaru stated.
"He's my rival. Of course I came to help," Amari said with a smile.
Guy nodded to them in thanks and they departed.
The trio returned to Naruto's room to let him get fully dressed. All he had on was a dark green shirt, boxers and socks; there hadn't really been enough time for him to change before everything happened. As he got dressed, Shikamaru and Amari waited outside of his room, the boy of the pair thinking deeply about the quick change of attitude his cousin went through.
First she had been losing her temper about Gaara's words. Then suddenly she was fine? 'Risu didn't switch moods so quickly for no reason. She wasn't like the other women in his life. And she figured out his regret.
How? Shikamaru tried to think of an answer but struggled to come to an accurate conclusion. How did she know? What did he miss?
Shikamaru closed his eyes and brought his hands into his usual thinking seal, creating a circle with his hands, the tip of his thumbs touching at the top and the rest of his fingertips touching to form the bottom.
What signs had she seen? His cold eyes were blank, his stance and body firmer than any statue. 'Risu had seen something, but what?
"Want me to save you the trouble of thinking?" she asked.
He gave a negative grunt. No, he wanted to figure this out on his own. She found a weak point in his armor, a weak point he missed because of how creeped out he had been. Prodding at it caused him to lash out, possibly hinting at an advantage they could exploit if he ever tried to attack them one on one or as a group.
In terms of raw strength, Gaara's sand was one of the strongest and strangest things Shikamaru had ever witnessed. It would be a drag to fight him, maybe even impossible for someone like the Nara boy since he could still use his sand despite being caught in Shadow Possession.
That's it. Shikamaru opened his eyes and looked to 'Risu, who wore a small smirk. "You felt him wanting to clench his hands into fists and his muscles trying to tense as he spoke to you about her. I was too focused on feeling your movements and my own colliding in the Shadow Possession to feel it."
She gave a nod. Now it was all falling into place. Because of their Shadow Possession being conjoined he could feel her movements trying to move his body. While I was worrying about her, she never stopped paying attention to any kind of movement he was trying to do within it.
"That's why you stopped getting angry at him, because you had found a weakness in his cold attitude." Another nod. "Leaving you to deduce she had been of importance to him when he called her admirable." A nod. "Giving you the opening you needed to turn his mind games against him."
A final nod and full smirk. "You would have noticed it too had you not been so focused on me."
"Maybe," he shrugged lazily. "You look further into people's eyes than I can."
She rolled her eye. "You see a lot more than you let people believe, Shika. Even I know that," his cousin dismissed his nonchalance.
Maybe.
Naruto exited his room fully dressed in his usual orange jacket and pants. At his request they went to visit Chōji, finally finding his friend alongside Ino. His teammate had a bad case of indigestion but was otherwise fine, save for being a bit overwhelmed by the amount of unexpected company.
It had been since their Academy days that he and Naruto had been together with the Akimichi, let alone Amari who had come in during the last two years. Having separate teams and missions was mostly the cause of that, plus the last month of training Asuma had Chōji helping him with.
Amari had never been one to skip out with them in the Academy, always more focused on learning and training as much as she could. Shikamaru was surprised she hadn't worked herself to death yet. But despite that she had become Naruto's and his own shadow during lunch breaks or after school activities when she wasn't busy training.
Back then she had been a lot shyer than she was now. She still had some of the same old quiet tendencies and quirks, like letting everyone converse as she watched silently or traveled in her own thoughts. His cousin had changed though, gaining confidence in her abilities and in herself.
It suited her.
After a while the group left to go their separate ways. Later that same day, as evening rolled around, Konoha came alive for a festival meant to celebrate the final rounds. The whole thing was a real drag without much "festivities" for kids their age. In Shikamaru's eyes it was an excuse for adults to go out and drink with their adult friends, like his father was doing with Chōji's and Ino's dads.
Probably also an escape from mom's eyes so he can drink in peace. Now I have to babysit him, what a drag.
He failed at getting his dad to head home even after reminding him that both he and Amari were in the final rounds. It was clear his father was inebriated to a troublesome degree when he asked if he was serious about them being in the tournament. Shikamaru started to remind him about training Amari, but let it fall for a defeated sigh and groan.
This was all too troublesome and he needed to be ready for tomorrow. The night was young, though, so he roamed in the direction of his cousin's house. He found her on the roof stargazing. Apparently Asuma and her mother went out for the night of festivities as well.
The boy of the two laid down next to her with his hands behind his head, mirroring her position. The sky was more or less clear, allowing the stars to twinkle brightly all across the dark canvas.
"Tomorrow, huh?" he wondered aloud.
"Yeah. It's going to be troublesome."
Shikamaru grunted in agreement. And I have Dosu in the first round. Someone who knew how his jutsus worked. Someone who had a grudge against his cousin.
"You ready for it?" she asked.
"As ready as I can be. You?"
"I think so. We all have our work cut out for us."
On that they could agree, but that was tomorrow. For now the Nara didn't mind forgetting about it all to enjoy the comfortable company a little longer before calling it a night. Amari sat up then turned her body ninety degrees, lying back down so her head was on his chest. He let out a small sigh, getting a giggle out of his cousin before she resumed watching the stars while using his chest as a pillow.
With her in such close proximity Shikamaru finally took note that her bandana was not covering her eye. A frown formed on his lips due to the scar he hadn't ever seen so close. It and the lavender eye was a reminder that she had witnessed more of the realness of the ninja world than he had. That beyond her smile and usual calm exterior was a girl who had been betrayed and would not let the person get away with it.
It's why he silently vowed to be with her when she went to find that person. Someone had hurt his cousin and left a permanent mark on her emotionally and physically.
Shikamaru wasn't the retribution kind of guy. That was a line of thinking that needed a lot of energy to be pushed towards it, energy he didn't have any desire to expend for something that was too troublesome to deal with. But there was a saying about revenge, where if you tried you should dig two graves—one for who you're seeking and the other for yourself.
If there was any truth to that statement then he planned to ensure only one grave was filled—the one meant for the person who hurt his 'Risu.
Troublesome or not, there was no way the boy who betrayed her would ever take her from him.
"'Risu?"
"Hmm?"
"…Forget it," he sighed. Saying words she already knew were true was such a drag.
His blue-haired cousin gave a small giggle before reaching her hand up and planting two fingers against his forehead. Shikamaru rolled his eyes and snorted humorously at the action.
"I love you too, Shika."
Shikamaru almost forgot she knew him.