I would like to thank everyone who reveiwed- little do you know how far a word of praise can take you. Thanks!

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Title: Refraction

Summary: Mirrors may tell stories, but the stories that they tell are often warped and cracked to suit the viewer.

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Mirrors are difficult creatures.

They mock, they jeer, and they scorn, but they never lie.

They show you as you see yourself- nothing less, and nothing more.

They show what you expect to see- your mistakes, your disappointments, your flaws- and no matter how you try to hide those things, a mirror will put a crack in that delusion, snatch away that mask, and tear down that façade.

So tell me, when the members of Team Eight look into the mirror, what do they see?

Kiba sees a hopeless runt, the loudest one of the litter, but he's only that way because he's afraid he will fade into the nameless background and never be found again.

Shino sees himself only as a freak- someone who others won't even get close to in fear of his bugs.

Hinata sees no one worth noticing.

But outside of the mirror's cracked web, what do we look like now?

When Kiba grins his dog-like grin and eyes his team, he doesn't see their flaws and faults. He sees trust-worthy companions who balance his often wild nature with their own- friends who will always have his back.

Shino watches and watches, and finally realizes that- in his teammates' eyes- he is not some freak that can't be trusted or liked, but instead a well-spring of courage, and decides that he might stick around after all.

As Hinata looks to her teammates, she smiles. She has finally found friends who don't think she's a failure, and is allowed to try to the best of her ability, knowing that she won't be judged. Companions- brothers- who will help her up each time she falls.

In the end, they decide, it isn't so bad to get a second opinion. Being a part of a team is nice.

When it comes down to it, mirrors really aren't so threatening. Just over-used clichés.

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