I DO NOT OWN NARUTO! NOR DO I OWN SHIKA!
Chapter 7 – Gaara's Gift
She was staring at her little brother's unconscious form worriedly. "What did he do?"
"He said he's be fine in two hours," I informed the worried 15-year-old. "He'll be ok…"
Kankuro walked up. "If Nara says he'll be fine, Gaara will be fine," he told his older sister strictly. "I know that Nara could easily switch to being a medic-nin if he wanted to. He has the training."
"How?" Temari whispered, taking her little brother from me. "How do you know medical stuff?" She held the 13-year-old in her arms, gently cradling him.
I blushed slightly. "My mom wanted me to know a bit of it just in case. She trained me." I turned to face the puppet-nin. "How did you know?"
"I'm a ninja." Kankuro turned away. "Let's go, Nara."
"'Kay."
We set off to the Hidden Grass Village, leaving Temari to care for her brother. Lord knows he'll need it.
Chapter 8 – Traveling With Kankuro
"So, Shikamaru Nara…" Kankuro drawled. "Gaara boosted your chakra level?" I could tell he already knew the answer to his question. He really has perfected his ninja skills, I guess. He'll be a good ally. "Now why do you suppose he did that? Hmm?"
I frowned, puzzling over the question myself. "Well…he said I'd need it and that he couldn't allow himself to do nothing. But he's already done more than I thought he would be able to manage…" I explained softly. I fingered at my hair slightly. "Do you know why?"
Kankuro wore the grin/smirk I had seen him wear months ago. "Nope! Why would I ask if I knew?" he laughed. "Oh…an don't answer that one, Nara!" He stuck his tongue out as I poorly suppressed a smug smirk.
"Here….we should camp here…" I indicated to the forest around us. "It enables cover for us…" He glanced at the darkening sky before agreeing. "You get some water and I'll set some jutsu traps around. I have some food we could eat in my bag. Is that ok, Kankuro?" I looked up at him, wating for an answer.
"Yep! I got the easy job!" he smirked as I sighed deeply. "Be right back, Nara…don't freak out while I'm gone…" he teased cruelly.
This is going to be a LONG trip. Better make the most of it. "Kankuro…just call me Shikamaru or even Shika! When people call me Nara it makes me think I am like my dad…'kay?"
"Hn…sure…" he muttered, picking up a bucket from his backpack. He started toward the direction I could hear rushing water from. "Whatever you say, Shika…" Personally, I am thankful he chose my nickname. It takes more of the homesickness away to have the name I used to hear all the time said again. I watched him disappear into the dark forest.
When I had first ran off, I would have burst out laughing if you asked me if I'd travel with the puppet master. Now, I am so glad I have a companion with me. I would be fine with Orichimaru! Ok…maybe not! Besides, Kankuro is all right. He's pretty cool once you get past his attitude!
"Yo? Shika?" I jumped to a start, seeing Kankuro wave his black-clothed hand in front of my face. His face broke into a smirk. "If I was a enemy ninja, you would be lieing on the ground by now," he cruelly informed me. "jeez! Pay attention to your surroundings, you dolt!"
I growled under my breathe before telling him where I put the traps. After, we ate something and went to sleep.
In the next few days I warmed up to Kankuro's stinging attitude. I guess it was pretty easy. He seems to have grown accustom to my sarcasm, as well. I found myself talking to him more and more often. We acted like perfect companions! We would switch off the chores and we would take turns keeping guard at night.
"Hey! Duck down!" Kankuro urgently whispered. I dove into the bushes with him just as a flash of orange informed me that someone had just landed on the clearing we were just standing on.
Orange clothing, black Konoha headband, blue eyes, blond hair…NARUTO! They have finally sent my friends on the hunt now!
I watched as Naruto kicked at the ground harshly. "Not here!" he scoffed lightly. His voice was soft and kind of lonely sounding. "I hope you're alive, Shika. Wish you would come back home. Your friends miss you…as do I…" He then leapt up into the trees and disappeared in another flash of orange.
Kankuro looked at me, knowing I would never give up. "It's gonna be ok, Shika. Trust me…" He walked over to me swiftly. You'll be safe…" he murmured as a small, genuine smile graced his usually smirking lips.
"Ya…" I murmured, my head hanging low. I could see pictures of home flash through my mind. My parents, my friends, Iruka and Asuma, hell…even Sasuke! A tear slipped down my tanned face, disappearing into the material of my jacket. "I'll be ok…" I murmured, rubbing at my eyes slightly. "Thanks, K'ro…"
Kankuro smiled again as I uttered my made-up nickname for him. "K'ro…I like that!" he laughed. I smiled up at him as he grasped my hand firmly, pulling my lithe form off the ground. "Let's get going, Shika…"
Sorry for the long wait! I'll try to update more often!