Kuroko was thrilled. He couldn't contain his excitement while he was at work, so he was running around doing deliveries with a skip in his step and humming. The reason he was so excited was because Shikamaru invited him over to his house for dinner! It was the first time he would meet Shika's family and he was nervous that they would not accept him as Shika's friend. He had to finish work first though, so he was all jittery, both nervous and excited as he quickly ran around Konoha for training purposes.
"Thank you for your hard work today Kuro-kun, you were extra quick," his boss Touji handed him his weekly pay. He noticed a package in his hand, "You haven't delivered that one yet?" He was also wondering why he was so out of breath.
Kuroko shook his head, "S-sorry… I-I was invited over to their household so I'll bring it there at the same time."
"Hmm, I see, I see. Good thinking. Now go have fun at your friends!" Touji smiled at him and patted his shoulder, not noticing Kuroko flinching at the contact. Kuroko left with a wave.
"Man, how does that kid run deliveries so quickly? He's a mystery I tell ya," Touji's wife called from behind a counter. She was busy making food for her regular customers.
"Haha," Touji laughed heartily, "A cute mystery." He was glad that they hired him—Kuroko was their best delivery boy.
"Hey, the foods not going to cook itself, Touji! You can't let your wife do everything for ya!"
"Don't get cocky Shinji!" Touji hit him lightly on the head. "I'm cutting you off, you've had too many drinks."
"Awww, come on!"
• • • • • •
Kuroko smiled and ran off into the ally, he overheard the whole thing and thought it was funny. He transformed into a cat and made his way to the Nara compound at the other end of Konoha. On the way there he stopped by his house and made sure that his mother wasn't home. If she wasn't home around this time it meant that she was out for the night. He opened the door a crack and checked. No. She wasn't home. He let out a breath he didn't know he was holding. Quickly, he made way to the upstairs bathroom and had a shower. He had gotten dirty while doing the deliveries and didn't want to look like a homeless kid when he went over. Using lukewarm water, he bathed himself. When he looked down, he saw the water turning a faint pink.
"Did I reopen it when I fell earlier?" He mumbled to himself and cleaned the gash on his side.
Usually, he would just clean it with soap and water, but that wasn't going to cut it today. Since he was going to Shikamaru's house he couldn't risk his wounds opening and bleeding out. That would put him at serious risk to show them his body and cause unneeded worry. So Kuroko rummaged through the medicine cabinet and took the rubbing alcohol and dabbed it onto some gauze to clean his deeper cuts and wounds. He bared his teeth in a silent hiss at the stinging pain of the alcohol, the bleeding stopped though—it was the only good result from the pain that he has experienced lately. He bandaged his wounds more securely than he usually would and he made sure to be as clean as he could.
Kuroko had a feeling that he wouldn't be able to use a shower for a while afterwards.
Looking at himself in the mirror, he noticed that his mask was dirty. A long streak of smudged dirt was across it from when he faceplanted after he tripped over a box, he took it off to clean in the sink and when he looked up had the first real look at himself in a while.
He never really knew how he got his vivid cyan eyes because both his father and mother had green eyes, so he wondered why he had the odd eye colour. His black hair could be from either parent, but his curls, medium-light skin tone, and face were all his father.
"Okaa-san has a stronger jawline… and Otou-san has a narrow, softer one," he smiled a little, missing his father. The flutter of happiness died out when he was brought to the scars on his face and neck. He sighed and traced the one going from the left side of his chin that went straight up and ended just below the corner of his mouth. It was an angry dulled out red and still felt tender even though it healed as much as it could. It was the same as the one on his neck—the one which marked the day he chose to stay out of the house, the one he almost died from. It was on the left side of his neck, going horizontally from an inch under his ear and ended in line with his eye.
Biting his lip, he tore his eyes from the mirror and went through his hair with a wide-toothed comb and brushed his tail. Put his mask back on, he felt some of his worries go away. It helped him feel normal, even if in society it was the opposite—they would ridicule me regardless. Glancing to his pile of dirty clothing on the floor, he changed into newer, cleaner clothes that weren't tattered. They were mostly his father's old clothes.
Kuroko found a long-sleeved black turtleneck that was big on him, but it was still nicer than his current tattered clothes—it would also cover the scar on his neck too which was a bonus—and rolled up the sleeves. He made thumb holes so they wouldn't roll down all the time and changed his pants to a nicer pair. Since he didn't feel comfortable without another layer, he put on a dark blue cloak with a hood, it was large on him and went down to his calves. He put his scarf on around the hood and saw that his ears were making the hood stick up at two points. He flattened them down and it looked like nothing was there. Even with his mask it didn't make his appendages physically disappear, only visually.
"O-okay... I think I look decent?" He did a once over himself in a sliding door mirror, "Is this really decent?" He wasn't quite sure—his wardrobe was very limited and most of it looked like rags, but he couldn't do much better.
When he was done for sure, he looked at the clock. It was just about four o'clock, he should leave now just in case he missed dinner at Shikamaru's. He forgot the time he was supposed to go over at. Grabbing his bag, he slung it over his shoulder under the cloak and hopped out the window.
• • • • • •
Knocking at the gates of the Nara compound, he popped his head in and looked around to notice two guards on the inside. One of them gave him a suspicious look and walked towards him. The clan head was having a meeting with someone important, so security was tighter than it would usually be.
"Um, h-hello. I-I was invited over for dinner by Nara Shikamaru and I-I don't know where his home is…"
"Really?" The guard was unimpressed, "You don't look like an academy student, take off that mask."
Kuroko shook his head, "I can't."
"Just do it, kid. We won't let you in unless you do it."
"I-I can't... It's personal... p-please, just get Shikamaru."
One of the guards went to reach for his mask, Kuro crossed his arms over his face and raised his voice, it cracked as it went up in volume, "I-I said I can't!" That's when a throat cleared and someone walked towards them.
"What's going on out here," a tan man with spiky tied back hair spoke. The man had two scars running across the side of his face, serving for a good intimidation factor, and he had an air of authority around him. He scratched his goatee in a lax manner even though his black beady eyes were strong like steel.
The guards immediately straightened to attention, "S-Shi-Shikaku-sama! This kid says that he was invited, but he seems suspicious and we don't believe him."
Shikaku gave Kuroko a quick once over, "He's clear, let him in." The description he had gotten from his son before was spot on—a black curly haired kid with a white mask wearing a ridiculous amount of layers. He has more layers than that cake Yoshino made for Shikamaru's birthday, she really went overboard with it too.
Kuroko cautiously looked to the guards before following him in, completely unaware of Shikaku's humorous thoughts. Shikaku took note of his body language and guided him to his house. It was all the way at the back of the clan district and brought him inside to where Shikamaru was lazing around.
Shikamaru rolled over so he could see who was walking to him, "Kuro, you're early."
"Mm, I-I forgot the time you told me... Uhm, Is your father or mother around?" Shikamaru pointedly looked up to the man who guided Kuro in, and Kuroko blinked before tensing up, "Ah! U-um... Shi-Shikaku-sama?" His voice cracked and he felt embarrassed, he tilted his head in question.
The man chuckled with a crooked smile, "Yes, it's nice to meet you."
"H-Hai! T-thank you for having me!" Kuroko nervously bowed, though he was too close to Shikaku and head-butted him in the stomach by accident. "I-I-I'm so sorry!" Kuroko squeaked in fear and quickly fixed his mask which moved.
Shikamaru sighed but smirked in good nature, he's ridiculous, "Kuro... calm down." He could see his father holding in his laughter.
Kuroko fumbled his words around, "I... uh h-have something for you," he reached into his bag and pulled out a sealing scroll, almost dropping it. He channelled some chakra into it and an item poofed out with a small amount of smoke. "I-I have a package, a-and I'll need you to sign here," he summoned an accompanying clipboard with a document on it.
"..." Shikaku was intrigued, the kid was interesting. No skin was visible at all, any trace of it covered with clothes and bandages, the mask covered his face and the band to keep it on covered his ears. The scarf he wore kept his neck from being viewed. Even though you couldn't read emotion from the lack of facial expression unseen by the mask, his body language and voice conveyed it all. He reminded him of an extreme version of a certain shinobi.
From his deduction, the child was about thirteen years old, he was shy and soft-spoken and flinched minutely to any unexpected movement. He also seemed to be getting uncomfortable due to the lack of response and from his analyzing gaze that hasn't wavered since he met him.
"S-sir?"
"Ah, yes," Shikaku signed it and took the package. The book he ordered finally came in. It had been out of stock for a while. Shikaku tucked the package under his arm and chuckled to himself. It was time to read. "Don't eat anything before dinner Shikamaru."
"Yes, Tou-san," he drawled. There was a pause until Shikaku left their view, "...What was that about?" Shikamaru questioned, taken aback from the events that unfolded.
"Uh, I work?"
"No kidding," Shikamaru scoffed, though he was referring to his father. He was acting weirdly, he shrugged it off and the two of them relaxed in relative silence until dinner.
"Boys!" There was a shout, a female voice. Kuroko flinched awake on reflex to the tone and volume of the woman's voice. Shikamaru looked at him with a questioning gaze, though Kuroko didn't notice it. "Dinner is ready."
"Oh man, Kaa-san calling, we better go before she gets angry," Shikamaru got up and dusted the dirt and blades of grass off his pants. Kuroko stretched and yawned he had fallen asleep while cloud watching. He pulled on his mask and slipped his hands under to rub his eyes.
When they got in the house they went straight to the kitchen. "W-would you like some help setting the table?" Kuroko asked, "Miss... Ummm..."
"Yoshino—and yes, that would be great dear," she turned to get things ready. Yoshino had long, dark brown hair kept in a low ponytail with three strands framing her face, fair skin and dark eyes. He could see the resemblance in Shikamaru. He had gotten the hair, eyes, jawline and skin tone from his father, but he had his mother's, nose and mouth.
After the setup, the family and Kuroko sat down at the table. Kuroko took off his gloves and rolled up his sleeves.
"Itadakimasu," they started eating, though Kuroko just sat there, looking down.
Kuroko fidgeted under their gazes. It seemed as if Shikamaru's parents expected him to take off some articles of clothing, including his mask. He knew it was impolite... but he just couldn't find the courage to show them his true self. He went to take off his scarf—he pressured himself into doing so. I'm being disrespectful.
Shikaku observed his son's friend. He looked uncomfortable, nervous—scared even. "You don't have to take anything off. We respect your privacy."
With those simple words, Kuroko felt a wave of relief wash over him, "Thank you." His voice—barely above a whisper—was all Shikamaru needed to hear to know he was smiling.
"You going to eat now?"
Kuroko nodded, "Yeah." He found the courage to take his scarf off and turned his mask to the side, now only the lower half of his face visible. His eyes were still covered by the large band holding it on his head, but fabric could also be seen through from the inside because of the seal.
Shikamaru could finally see his friends smile.
So that's what his skin tone is. Shikamaru mused. His skin was a sickly pale with light splotches of discolouration from bruises. He had a feeling that his skin should be darker, the colour didn't look natural on him. Though he had to wonder how he got that scar at the corner of his mouth, but it wasn't his place to ask.
"T-thank you f-for the food."
Shikamaru's mother couldn't help but smile when she saw how happy Kuroko was, "So how was school?"
"We were tested on Taijutsu today," Shikamaru sighed, "It was such a drag."
"T-there was an obstacle course too," Kuroko added, though he felt that they were going to talk about their spars. It was always the spars that were more popular than anything else.
"How did you two do?"
"I managed to last a few minutes," Shikamaru sighed. Shikaku glanced to Kuroko, curious to know how he fought. Shikamaru caught the look on his father's face and said, "Kuro was against Sasuke."
"Oh? Who won?" From his knowledge, Sasuke Uchiha was at the top of the class.
"Kuro did," Shika yawned, "it was quite the fight."
At that Kuroko blushed, "It—it wasn't that good Shika."
"You played him like a fiddle," as Shikamaru talked he waved his chopsticks around—when they were empty as to not throw food everywhere—and pointed to him with them, ignoring the sharp look he got from his mother. "You pushed his buttons until he got sloppy and you took him out when you had your chance. Though I think you didn't need to do that, you could have just knocked him out instead. It was like you were toying with him. You could have caught him off guard with your agility and done a neck chop or something," he clicked his chopsticks together for effect before eating a mouthful of rice.
Shikaku was intrigued. He continued eating whilst listening to their conversation with a clinical eye... or ear.
"Y-you did well too! You held out against your opponent, b-but he overwhelmed you and in the end, you lost," he ate some more food and had a drink of water since he almost choked and was coughing. The Nara's noticed his elongated canines but paid no mind to them, the Inuzuka had them too. "You d-definitely need to get more stamina and work on your Taijutsu. Even i-if you can barely hang on to wait for an opening, sometimes you can't find one unless you can make an opening yourself. If anything… evasion since you can't really take a hit." Kuroko realized what he said and started to stutter, "N-n-n-not t-that I'm calling you w-weak or a-anything!"
"Geeze, I know. I know what you meant," Shikamaru smiled and sighed. He nodded his head inwardly, his stamina would be a problem, and Kuro was right with the Taijutsu part.
"W-what do you think I have to work on, Shika?" Kuro asked, Shikamaru was observant and could point out the details that he couldn't notice himself.
Shikamaru thought for a moment, "Ninjutsu mostly. You said that your chakra reserves are higher than average but oddly enough have a hard time with jutsu. Why not stick to the low ranked, master those and choose a select few higher levels techniques that could go with your fighting style. You're creative, use it to your advantage."
Kuro nodded, "I-I heard that there are jutsu for surprise attacks, like going underground, or hiding in trees or water."
Covert Ops huh? Shikaku thought absently, on the same track of thought as his son. Well, Kuroko certainly dressed for the field, though if his outfit was made all black then it would fit even more—which his usual outfit was anyways.
Shikaku and Yoshino smiled at the exchange, their son never really talked much, so it was refreshing to have Kuroko over to liven things up. Sure, Chouji and Ino came over occasionally—Chouji more so than Ino—but Chouji was just as lax as Shikamaru and it was nice to see a new face.
"I've read that sand shinobi use puppets and make them move with chakra... W-what was the technique… They could make things float in the air, like senbon or kunai. I'm trying to learn it."
Shikaku raised an eyebrow—no academy student could get that information through normal means. "Those are called chakra strings. They require good chakra control and dexterity," his voice went down a notch, warning evident in the tone, "and how exactly did you get a hold of that information?"
Kuroko stiffened and turned to Shikaku, he started sweating nervously, he was scared, terrified even. "U-Ummmm... I-I may or may not have s-snuck into the Genin levels o-of the library..." Kuroko tapered off into silence. He nervously looked away from Shikaku's discerning gaze. It was as if he knew exactly where his eyes were, his gaze seemed to pierce through the mask and right to his being.
Shikaku wasn't really angry, rather than angry he was surprised—impressed even. To get into the Genin level of the library you must go through identification, there were also Chunin guards to keep the academy overachievers out along with intruders looking for knowledge. He laughed, "Shikamaru, you've got yourself quite the friend!"
Kuroko looked at Shikaku, confused at his reaction. Shikamaru didn't know what was up with his father either.
"Is that all you're going to eat Kuroko-kun?" Yoshino asked. Nearly all their plates were empty, but Kuroko's had about half left.
"O-oh… Sorry. I-I'm not a big eater Yoshino-san... I-I'll try to eat some more." He added on since he didn't like the look coming from her. He tried eating more but his gag reflex kicked in and he covered his mouth. "... S-Sorry, I really can't eat anymore."
He eats less than Shikamaru, just what kind of life does he live? The parents at the table were slightly worried. They were worried for their son since his appetite was bordering unhealthy and were trying to get him to eat more, but Kuroko ate even less than him. They couldn't tell how skinny he was either from his cloak, large shirt, and wrappings. The layers didn't help in their assessment of his health.
After dinner Kuroko insisted on helping clean up, so Shikamaru got to be the dishwasher and he was the dryer. Yoshino's idea. Shikamaru could be doing some more chores in her mind.
"D-do you want to spar after this?" Kuroko asked as he grabbed a cup from Shika.
"Hmmm... only if you play a game of shogi with me."
"You'll have to teach me how to play. I don't know how… sorry…"
"How troublesome," Shika sighed, "but deal." A new shogi partner was always welcome. "I noticed you have new clothes."
"O-oh, yeah," he cleared his throat nervously, "I-I just didn't want to show up looking like I usually do. I didn't want a b-bad impression by looking like a homeless person," Kuroko forced a laugh, hoping that it would cover the unintentional implication with humour. "I don't really know a lot about fashion."
Shikamaru made a noise at the back of his throat. Ino would be enthusiastic about the topic. But what he found funny was her trying to explain everything to Kuroko and to try clothing on. He had been dragged into a shopping spree of hers and it wasn't fun.
Shikaku was about to leave the dining room table to do something when his wife pulled him off to the side. "What is it, Yoshino?"
"It's about Kuroko-kun, we should invite him over for dinner again," Yoshino looked worried, "We could go to the Akimichi's. They could help him."
Shikaku couldn't be surprised that his wife picked up on Kuroko's wellbeing. He couldn't tell how skinny he was, but from how his wrists were he could only guess.
"He needs to feel welcome. Did you see how happy he was?" She looked to where her son and Kuroko were doing the dishes and chatting. She couldn't help but smile when she saw them laugh and move to leave the room. She was no Yamanaka, but she could see some of the signs of either mental or physical abuse. The stuttering was an obvious clue.
After they were done putting the dishes away, Kuroko and Shikamaru made way to the backyard, Shika stood there all lax watching as Kuro got comfy on the grass and stretch.
His father came down the outside corridor of the traditional mansion with some saké in hand. "Oh? Are you two going to spar? What's the occasion Shikamaru?" he poured an ochoko glass full of sake, the small cup tipping into his lips and sighed at the pleasant buzz he was getting, a light blush dusting his cheeks. Shikamaru sighed at his father's drinking habits. He was bordering on alcoholic.
"He wants to spar–" Shika jabbed a thumb at Kuro.
"A-and he wants to play shogi–" Kuro did the same while stretching.
"So we're doing an equivalent exchange," they said.
Shikaku blinked at their synchronization before chuckling. "Then it seems that you two will need a judge," he plopped down on the porch, sitting with crossed legs.
"E-eh? You will?"
"Yeah, why not?"
"N-no reason."
"So?" Shikamaru said, getting the attention back on him, "how are we going to be doing this?"
Kuro grinned, "Free for all."
The two Nara's sweat-dropped. Does he seriously want that?
Reading their faces, Kuroko nodded. He was excited, he's never spared with Shika before—besides strictly Taijutsu at the academy—with him actually willing to participate. Kuroko knew to watch out for the shadows otherwise he would be done for.
Shika sighed, "You sure?" he looked up at the sky, the sun was going down and the shadows were growing longer. Kuroko was at a severe disadvantage and he knew that he knew it.
"Mmmhmm, I-I'm sure," Kuroko pulled out a scroll and summoned some kunai. "You need some right? A-and don't worry, they're practice kunai, not very sharp." He tossed Shika a bunch. A smirk grew into a grin, he was excited. Kuroko could feel his tail wafting back and forth in anticipation. He moved his mask back into place because who knows, a stay kunai could hit his face.
They stared each other down before Shikamaru made the first move. A kunai was thrown to his head, Kuroko caught it and tossed it back with another close behind and ran in after them. Shikamaru fought back and Kuro avoided most of the hits at the last second, it was intentional and was getting on Shikamaru's nerves—yes, I know that I'm slow!
Kuroko cartwheeled back after he accidentally stepped on Shika's shadow, he was being cautious, if a little over cautious. Shika started running through hand signs and a tendril of shadow went for Kuroko's own. Kuroko also went through the hand signs for Kawamiri, and at the last second, he switched out with a log which was suspended in the air, frozen in his technique. He made a few illusionary clones and surrounded Shikamaru, while they distracted him, Kuroko went and did another group of hand signs, adding a Genjutsu to one of his clones so it would have a shadow, and another on himself to not have a shadow.
"Tch," a click of the tongue showed that Shika was in a pinch. Then Kuro threw a kunai and was already going through hand signs under his cloak. Shikamaru dodged, and Kuroko just finished as the Kunai passed Shikamaru's head and used Kawamiri to swap places with the kunai placing Kuroko just behind him. Shika went for another shadow possession, but before he could Kuro grabbed his hands and put a kunai to his throat.
"I… I think I won this one Shika," Kuroko panted, his stamina was seriously an issue he that needed to deal with.
"I concur," Shikaku spoke up from his lounging spot on the porch. Shikamaru gave him a look that conveyed his thought of 'shut up dad' before a little frown came across his mouth.
Kuroko moved his mask to the side again—he was comfortable with it around the Nara's now, plus it made it easier to breathe. "Are... are you pouting?" a smile played onto Kuroko's lips as he teased the Nara.
"No. Now shogi," Shikamaru dragged Kuroko by the wrist to another room that connected to the porch. The doors were open so the cool air came in light breezes and they could see the sky change colours as it changed throughout the sunset.
After a few explanations and trial games, Shika made sure and tested that Kuroko actually knew what he taught him.
"Okay, you got the gist of it."
"It's getting late though..."
Shikamaru sighed, "Then you'll just have to come over to play another time."
Kuroko perked up, "Really? I can come over again?"
"Y-yeah, if it's okay with my parents," Shikamaru scratched his cheek with a small blush. In his excitement, Kuroko leaned over the shogi board a bit too far, but Kuro didn't take notice of the spacing.
Shikamaru's mother Yoshino came into the room, "You are welcome to come over at any time Kuroko-kun."
"I-I can? Really?" he brightened.
"Yes," Yoshino smiled at how happy Kuroko was. He was so happy that his tail was wafting back and forth. Shikamaru took notice of his cloak moving strangely and couldn't think of how—for the life of him and irritating him to no end—it was happening. The seals on his mask shrouded his appendages from sight, but not from physical contact. If people touched him, they could feel his ears and tail, so he was always cautious of physical contact.
"I better go Shika, it's getting dark out already," and he really needed to find a good spot to sleep before it got too late.
As if on cue, Shikamaru yawned, "Let me walk you home."
"N-no, it's okay–"
"Nonsense mister, you have to go to bed," Shikaku got a drawl in reply as he shooed his son away. "I'll walk you back."
Kuroko brought his hands up in protest, "I-it's fine Shikaku-sama." Please, no.
"I'll walk you," he said firmly. If I don't I'll be neck deep in deer shit. He glanced over to his wife who simply smiled dearly at him. That smile had a hidden meaning much darker than how it looked, it was a smile that threatened his manhood.
Shikamaru, who was just leaving, noticed the look that his mother was giving his father. He smirked and muttered under his breath, "Heh, he's so whipped."
"Shikamaru. Bed."
"Yes, Tou-san," he drawled with another yawn. There has been too much activity in his day and it sapped all of his non-existent energy. Kuroko stifled a laugh at their exchange.
"Are you ready?"
Kuroko nodded and sighed in defeat. While they walked, he didn't notice Shikaku observing him as he walked a step behind.
Shikaku's mind went back to the conversation beforehand. Kuroko was rather panicked at him walking him home. Even now he was tense. Was there something he was hiding? He scoffed—of course he was hiding something with that full body cover-up. But the real question was if it related to his home life. When Kuroko was eating he noticed a bruise at his temple when his hair moved a bit, furthermore that scar at the corner of his mouth looked like it was inflicted a long time ago—a few years, it looked like. Did his bandages mean that there were more hidden? Or was it that—
"W-we're here, Shikaku-sama," Kuroko's quiet voice broke him from his thoughts.
So he gets shy now...
"T-thank you for escorting me," he bowed lowly.
Shikaku chuckled, "It's no trouble for my son's friend." He went to tousle Kuroko's hair, but once his hand made contact Kuroko recoiled and shrunk away from him. Shikaku had felt something soft as that happened—he was confused to what it was.
"S-sorry…" he opened the door a crack to see if her shoes were there, he sighed in relief when they weren't. "T-thank you Sh-Shikaku-sama," and as he entered he inclined his head to Shikaku once again in thanks and closed the door.
Shikaku started walking away but paused in thought. Why did he seem relieved when he entered... He nodded to a woman who waved to him. He didn't know her, and the woman was obviously drunk, but he knew not to get on a drunken womans bad side, from experience. He continued walking, not bothering to use shunshin. It was a nice night.
• • • • • •
Kuroko panicked when the door open, he was just heading to one of the windows he usually left from when he heard the lock turn and was immediately assaulted with the stench of alcohol. Hearing rustling by the entrance, he gulped. Kuroko was unable to move as he heard the clicks from her heels getting closer, frozen in place. He could hear her turning the corner into the kitchen
"How long has it been since I've seen you, honey?"
His breath hitched when she stopped walking. He bit the inside of his lip, drawing blood. Here it comes…
"You... You're not my husband! He's dead, he died years ago!" She swung her purse at Kuroko and his mask tumbled off.
"O-okaa-sama..." Kuroko whispered. If only he came back soon, then she wouldn't picture him as his father. A hurt expression crossed his face as she brought out a small knife from her pocket. He couldn't stop her. Kuroko couldn't hurt his mother, not physically at least. He's already hurt her enough with the mental trauma of reminding her of the man that left her.
A new cut was added to his collection, he could barely register the familiar type of pain at this point. He came to think that he deserved it. He's had the best day of his life, but it had to be evened out somehow, what goes around, comes around after all. His eyes shrouded in darkness, a cold solemn expression hiding his emotion. He was just glad that she usually took caution to not leave scars. Though sometimes she would go too far and add one. Though when she was drunk she didn't pay any heed to that. Most of the time she would go with blunt force trauma to inflict damage, either that or scratching and gouging with her nails.
He accepted his mother's harassment until she was finished.
He felt nothing.
• • • • • •
Okie welp... this chapter had it's up and downs—mainly its change from cute happy stuff to that dark ending... :D So how was it? It's not as comedic as some of my other fics. (It's actually similar to my other Naruto fic in mood. I'm so original.) xD
Please review, it really gets my creative juices flowing… Okay, that just sounds wrong. I'd really appreciate it if you guys did though! ^-^
Hope you liked it!