Chapter Three: Some Getting Use To
A few months passed since that horrible first day. Although I still get picked on a lot, everyone still had to admit I was pretty good. I scored full marks in tests like Sakura and was pretty good at practical stuff like kunai throwing and shuriken throwing like that Uchiha guy. I guess, because of that, some of the kids hated me more while others had a new perspective of me.
Still, because I was always on par with the Uchiha, I'm almost like a rival to him. Though he doesn't show it, the Uchiha was low-key trying to beat me instead of getting the same results every time. But on the other hand, Haruno Sakura, despite her grades being the same as mine and we being kind of friends, we are such different kinds of people. All she does is whine about Sasuke, Sasuke, Sasuke. Ino, her best friend, and a whole lot of other girls in the Academy are like that too.
It's soooo annoying.
The only girls that don't talk about him 24/7 would probably be me and Hinata, another friend I got to know. A sweet girl but man, I need her to speak faster and clearer more often. I am patient with her sometimes but she really needs to speak up.
Kiba, on the other hand, was glad at his decision to be my friend. Like he said, friends always got each other's back. Whenever I was bullied, Kiba stood up for me and when he had difficulties in schoolwork or he had something that bothered him, I was always there to help.
Funny enough, I even got to know the Naruto kid. Even though the other kids avoid him and their parents gossip about him a lot, he always have a brave face. That was what made me become friends with him, I suppose. We're always getting called out at although we have our different ways of getting over it. He's always pulling pranks and getting into trouble. He even got me, Kiba, Nara and Chouji in trouble with Iruka-sensei a few times.
Like now.
I bit back a laugh as I watched the Nara strain under the water bucket, "Man, this is so troublesome." All five of us were punished to hold half full water buckets over our heads for fifteen minutes for putting pins under Iruka-sensei's chair.
Some kid ratted about us and so here we are.
Then, he turn to glare at Naruto, "It's all your fault, Naruto." The blond kid grinned at him, "Hey, even you admit that it was fun!" Chouji smiled lopsidedly, "Well, you did plan most of it too, Shikamaru." Turns out after knowing the Nara, he was actually quite smart because he planned a lot of things for our pranks. He did the thinking and the rest of us execute it.
"I guess even Shikamaru slips up once or twice." Kiba sniggered and the Nara boy gave him an annoyed look, his cheeks with a slight tint of pink, "You're all being a drag."
"I can hear you!" Iruka called from the empty classroom. I giggled a little when the boys fell silent at the scolding.
An idea began to form in my head and I hid a grin. I turned to the pineapple head, "Hey, Nara."
He glanced at the mention of his name.
"You've got a plan to get us out, don't you?" I said in a hushed voice. He rolled his eyes, "Of course, I do."
All eyes were on him now. I snickered. I knew he didn't have a plan but it's because he's a guy, so to keep his ego, as Kakashi had told me before, he would probably say he has one just to seem superior.
We have him cornered.
He glared at me for putting him in such a troublesome position but I just smiled. Lazy people always have the easiest way to do things.
But I could see in his eyes, a plan was forming. Slowly, an idea is coming into shape. I watched silently in awe at how fast his brain work. Not like I was going to admit out loud but he is a little like a genius.
"Fine. I got it. So here's what we're going to do."
We leaned in close in anticipation.
"There's only three minutes left anyway. Might as well wait." Was all he could reply. All of us groaned and edge away.
I take it back. This guy is an idiot.
I snorted in frustration.
True enough, three minutes passed quickly and Iruka sensei came out of the classroom, "Okay, you guys, now did you-" He stopped when he saw a rock sitting in place of where Naruto was seconds ago. We sighed in unison. Here we go.
"NARRUUTOOOOOO!"
XxXxXx
I pushed opened the door with aching arms. Even though me and Nara were top students doesn't mean we don't get into trouble. What's life without a little fun? Although he complains, he's got to admit he's having fun when we get away with it.
"I suppose you got into trouble again?" I heard a voice inquired and a wide smile broke my face as I saw the intruder.
"Kakashi! You're back!" I jumped into his arms as he hugged me, "Only for a few days, kiddo. Then, I'm going off again." Setting me down, I questioned, "How many days?"
He hummed for a moment, "Maybe three, if I'm lucky. I'll leave tomorrow night if I'm not."
I nodded in understanding.
Kakashi's always going out to missions these days after I got into the academy. I guess being Sharingan No Kakashi is a big deal. We don't spend much time together anymore. At least he still smuggle me along on his less dangerous missions. But that's also kind of rare.
Noticing my face, Kakashi patted my head, "I heard you're doing really well at school. Although Iruka said that the boys are a bad influence to you." Snickering, I began to tell him about the four of the boys that I got close to and everything that happened when he wasn't around.
xXxXxXx
The next morning, after the both of us finished our morning routines, Kakashi offered to take me to school. I mean, he's the boss, whatever he says goes. He laughed when I told him that. But halfway on the road, a hawk flew above us. I noticed it a second after Kakashi did.
"Kakashi, is that..?" I asked, my heart dreading.
"Yeah. I need to go." He replied, dampening my spirits. Taking a deep breath, I drew a big smile and turned to Kakashi, "Well, hurry up! You got a mission to do!" I watched him as he knelt down and placed a hand on my head, 'Sorry, kiddo.", his single visible eye was a little sad. I shook my head and hugged him, "It's okay. Because you're strong, that's why you're needed." I released him and smiled, "That's why I'm going to be like you too!"
Kakashi looked surprised at my response.
"I want to be strong, then I can help you. Then we can go on missions together!" I said simply and grinned. Kakashi gave a low chuckle, "Alright, Mononoke. I'll be waiting."
He hugged me one last time before using a teleportation jutsu, leaving me behind in the dust.
I smiled at the spot where he was seconds ago. I guess, I have a promise to keep. Then, I turned around and started skipping to school happily.
XxXxXx
It was another uneventful day at school today. Naruto did some pranks but they weren't full scale interesting, there were a few training exercises and all we did in kunoichi class was an easy test and that's it. All in all, it's just plain boring. Maybe, I should go look for Kiba and Akamaru later. We had to go our separate ways today because his mom picked him today. But he said we could meet at his place later in the evening.
Whilst I was in my thoughts, I didn't noticed how strange it was that I took another route home. And I didn't notice that I was at a place without many passer-by's. And I definitely did not realize how highly possible I might be a target of some sort.
Not until the last moment.
"There you are, monster girl!" Someone shouted as they shoved me from behind. I fell from the unexpected action and turned behind quickly, my back on the ground.
There was a group of kids from other classes and I recognized one from our class. There were five of them, to be exact. The largest one stood in front of me and sneered, "So you're the monster Kai was talking about!" He grabbed a fistful of my silver blue hair and pulled me upwards, making me wince. "What a joke. She's no monster! She's just a wimpy brat!" The boy said and threw me down to the ground, hard. I grunted lightly at the pain. "Look at her, she looks like she's gonna cry! Are you gonna cwy, wittle monster? Are you?" The boy mocked then started to laugh like he's crazy.
A surge of energy rushed through me as I gritted my teeth and glared at him, "No. YOU ARE!"
Kicking him in his happy bits (at least that's what Kakashi calls them), I scrambled to run as the boy shrieked in pain. His friends panicked for a moment, but I could hear his angry command, "GET HER, STUPIDS! SHE'S GETTING AWAY!"
I turned a corner and I spotted a small field. There were trees nearby. I could hear them coming closer. Without thinking, I ran across the sidewalk and into the field. Climbing the closest tree I could reach, I shimmied up as quick as a squirrel.
And I hid there.
I saw them as soon as they turned the corner. They turned this way and that, then Kami forbid, they saw me. At least I thought they saw me, because when they called out, it was totally a different name.
"Hey, Nara!"
I froze and looked down. I didn't notice him before because I was too frantic on escaping but there he was, lying his back against the tree beside mine. He looked as if he just woke up.
The group of bullies got closer and I didn't dare to move. He turned to them calmly, his face bored as usual. "You seen that monster girl around?" The boy that I kicked asked. The lazy boy yawned, "Nope. I just woke up."
"He's lying! Cause he's friends with her!" The kid from my class shouted and the big guy turned back to Nara, his face red. He grabbed Nara's collar and he spat out, "Oh yea? Well since the monster girl isn't here, we'll just beat up her friend!"
Nara's eyes grew wide when he saw the fist raised in front of him.
I felt fear overwhelmed me. I can't bring Nara into this! It's not even his fault!
Just as the kid raised his big, chubby fist, it was as if time slowed when I fell from the tree and landed on his shoulder. The kid lets go of Nara in shock and he shrieked as I bit into his hand. I tasted blood and he threw me over his head, causing me to land on the ground with a hard thud. Pain spread through my whole body and I winced.
I felt a hand on me as the Nara asked, "Are you alright?" Still in pain, I ignored him and pushed myself off the ground.
"Don't bring him into this...", I coughed as I managed to stand protectively in front of Nara. I need him to get away before they hurt him. I nudged him with my foot, hoping that he'll get my hint.
"You want me? Come get me." I taunted, trying to distract them. The large kid laughed, "Alright, puny!" Then he punched me but I avoided it and land a kick to his stomach. He coughed and held his gut.
Pointing at me, he ordered the others to avenge him. The kids seem hesitant, since I did hurt their leader badly. And he's big. What of them?
Before they attacked, the idiot Nara stood up and stepped beside me. I noticed but I didn't look at him and scolded, "This isn't your fight. Get out of here!"
He scoffed, "And let a girl protect me? No way." Taking a step forward, he groaned, "Even though it's troublesome, boys protect girls, not the other way around."
The big kid finally got to his senses and stood in front of his minions, "Come on, you guys! Are you seriously afraid of a girl?" His accusation seemed to fuel them and they came rushing in.
Even though what Nara said was pretty brave, I made sure to lash out first.
I punched a boy one head taller than me in the guts before scratching another's arm, causing red, angry claw marks to appear. I couldn't see how Nara was faring because I had my hands full. The boys seemed to be everywhere at once. I felt their kicks and punches when finally I had enough.
I roared and pounced on the leader before grabbing him by his collar. Heaving, I threw him on the ground with a strength I never knew I had. I stood over him and began clawing at him with blind fury.
He tried to fight back at first but when he began to scream for mercy did I snap out of my trance and froze. I was on top of the leader with my hand raised, fingers curled like claws. The leader had some scratch marks, two were bleeding. He looked up pitifully at me and I snarled at him, making him squeak in fear. Finally, I let my hand fall, and moved away from him. He lay there, fear making his eye well up in tears.
"Do not ever touch me, or any of my friends, again. Do you understand?" I told him, glaring him down, and he nodded profusely. The other kids went to help pull him up, some of them limping from the bruises as they quickly made their escape.
After they were gone, I sighed and closed my eyes to stop the headache banging in my brain. It was like someone hammered nails into my head and now they're trying to pull them out. I drooped to the ground and covered my face.
Why did this happen to me? What if they tell everyone? Will everyone hate me now? Will my friends hate me?
I felt a sob coming from my throat and I coughed, before all my tears began pouring out. I bawled like a baby as I sat there. I heard a scuffle close by and a sigh. Then nothing. I guess Nara left too. I wouldn't blame him. I dragged him into this. He probably hates me now too.
After I finished crying, I let my hands fall and looked up. I shivered in surprised to see the Nara blankly looking at the sky in front of me.
Quickly, I rubbed away the snot and tears and turned back to him, sulking a little, "Why didn't you leave too?"
He snorted, as if it was obvious, "Well, it would be troublesome if they came back to finish beating you up." Scratching the back of his head, Nara look away, his face a little pink, "Besides, you got beaten up really bad. I couldn't leave you like this."
I giggled at his reply and he looked at me as if I've gone mad.
Grinning at him, I mused, "You're not so bad, after all, huh, Nara?" He leaned back on his hands, groaning, "Ugh, you're such a drag."
I tried to get up, but couldn't really move. When I did, I sort of opened the wound on my leg, making it bleed more. I winced then plopped back down.
"Is anyone waiting for you at home?" He asked me, to my surprise, because I thought he was too lazy to care.
I shook my head and frowned, "No. My guardian left for a mission. No one's home." I glared at the bleeding wound, hoping that it would just close and stop bleeding.
He sighed wearily, "If that's the case, I guess I'll take you to my house. To get you cleaned up and all."
I looked up at him, my eyes widening. What did he say? I quickly register his offer before he took it back. I didn't know how to bandage myself. I've seen Kakashi do it before but what if I did something wrong and make it worse?
"Is that okay with your parents?" I asked and he shrugged, "Yeah sure. You're wounded anyway. I don't think grown ups can push away a beaten up kid."
Grateful, I smiled and cocked my head, "Thanks, Nara."
A small smile grew on his face.
This is, after all, the most normal conversation we have ever had.
Usually I would try to insult him to make him show some emotion and he'd ignore me, or we would squabble over nothing. When Kiba introduced me to them, Nara never talked much when I was around and he tries his best not to get mixed up with me so much, although I get along with Naruto and Chouji really well. I do all sorts of pranks with Naruto and I share food with Chouji.
Not wanting to drag him any further, I tried to get up but no matter how I moved, it hurts like crazy.
Finally, I heard Nara sighed wearily then he squatted down, his back facing me, and glance at me sideways, "Come on, I'll carry you home." I looked up and frowned, worried and embarrassed at the same time, "Uh, it's okay. You can just pull me up. I can walk.."
He sighed again, as if he couldn't believe what he's doing, "You're so troublesome. You obviously can't walk with that leg of yours. So hurry up."
I hesitated for a moment, before getting on his back. He grunted when I got on and I tried to slip back down, flustered, "Am I too heavy?"
He groaned, "You might want to stop sharing chips with Chouji, if that's what you mean."
"Sorry." I said quickly, my face heating up. I didn't want him to get hurt like this because I was too fat.
He shrugged, "It's okay. Just climb on, will ya? My legs might fall asleep then we wouldn't be able to get back." With that affirmation, I quickly got on and Nara stood up before walking home.
Well I guess this is just the third chapter and I wrote a lot. LOL i spoil you guys.. Just kidding. ANYWAYS, because of my limited knowledge of what happen later (sorry for being poor. I don't have the time or resources to continue the series. *cries*), my knowledge for Naruto only stops at ep 300++ during shippuden. So like whatever happens later is all very confusing for me. HEH. sooo I might do a time skip then but hey, plenty of time before that happens. If we're lucky, I might even get to the Akatsuki Arc. IF.
Oh and a little bit of a spoiler *leans closer* even though I say this is a ShikamaruxOC story, I'm kind of open to other love interest, so maybe I might accidentally slip into a GaaraOC or a KibaOC(ooh, that one's possible) or even a SasuOC *gasps* (idk i'm just throwing ideas around, I'm crazy, I know).
I am literally that open. Shows how flexible I am. And how fickle. I kill myself sometimes.
BUT ANYWAY I HOPE YOU GUYS WILL SUPPORT ME. HEH. TELL ME WHAT YOU THINK :3