HELLO SWEET CHILDREN! I realized I had made Mononoke a little matured for a seven year old kid. OKAY, A BIT TOO MATURE. SORRY. SO. I decided that I might be tweaking the last chapter a little. Just to fit the bill. Or I could just be well aware of it in the coming chapters... But then again, I'll just do the latter. Author-san is lazy af. AHAHA. But I wish to add a little something something about Mononoke as a kid. Untrusting as she may be, she's a very curious kid so you could say she's a walking irony of a kid. Or we could say Kakashi brought her up well. LEL. ANYWAYS. ONWARDS.
Chapter Five: Getting Help
After we finished our early morning routines, Shikaku-san took us both to school this morning. I walked close to Shikamaru the entire time, the nightmares from the night before haunting me slightly. I could remember fragments of the dream and winced when the memories resurfaced.
I could hear a smooth, hypnotic voice echo in my mind.
I know who you are... I know what you want... You're mine, child... Your power... Your blood... I need you... I WANT YOU. Come to me... And we'll rule the world together...
It always say things like that. I can feel the voice slithering into my soul, like it was looking for something. It scares me.
I knew Shikamaru could sense my distress but he didn't say anything about it. Instead, he kept quiet when I held his shirt slightly, gripping it in fear of the night before and what's going to happen later. When we reached the Academy, I felt my heart dropped to my feet in fear as I spotted a few parent's were standing there, arguing with Iruka-sensei.
"...A monster! Look... she did...children!" I heard their voices drifted towards us and flinched. I didn't want to go to school anymore. Before I could run away, I felt a hand held mine. Surprised, I turned to look at Shikamaru but he wouldn't look back. Instead, he continued walking beside his dad, pulling me along.
"I'm sure it's just a mistake..." I could hear Iruka-sensei's voice said worriedly. Oh no, what is Iruka-sensei's going to think? I felt fear blossomed inside my heart, eating at me.
What is Kiba going to think?
One of the kids spotted me and he tugged his mother's dress then pointed at me, "Mom, it's here!" The woman turned around and spotted me as I tensed. Her eyes were filled with pure hatred.
"You...!" She started over to me and I froze like a statue, not even daring to breathe.
"Madam, is something the matter?" Shikaku-san stood in front of us, creating a barrier between the storming hurricane of a woman and us, his hand raised to stop woman pointed at me and snarled, "She scratched my child bloody! He said her eyes turned gold like a demon! She even threaten to eat him!"
"Are you sure he isn't fibbing tales? She's just a little one. I doubt she can even eat him if that's the case." Shikaku raised an eyebrow when she protested, "My boy isn't one to tell lies!" She gestured to the large kid, the one who was in charge of the group, who acted as if he was in desperate pain, "Look at my baby son! Look at what she did to him!"
"Tch, big deal," I heard Shikamaru muttered, "They only have a few plasters."
Shikaku shook his head and waved a hand at us, "And look at what your son and his friends did to these two."
She didn't even glance at us, but instead shouted even louder at Shikaku, "I don't care what happened to those brats! They hurt the boys first! The kids are just defending themselves from the devil!"
That's when I saw Shikaku-san lose a little of his patience, "Listen here, lady." She was about to retort but the look in his eyes made her shut her trap, "How about we let the teacher be the judge of that? Five big boys fighting with one little girl. I barely see how that's fair. If my son wasn't there, what do you think would happen to her? If she got hurt badly, what would you do?"
Although he didn't move, the woman took two steps back, "When I inspected her, she had internal wounds. Your boys had kicked her hard enough that one of her ribs broke." She stammered something gullible, and I saw Shikaku-san's face darken. He looked so scary when he's mad. I was almost used to see his lazy, calm face during the short time I spent with him.
"W-well, parents, I suggest we discuss this in the meeting room above. The Hokage is alerted of this issue and says he wants to see us." I heard Iruka-sensei said, stepping slightly in between the two adults. Shikaku relaxed a little at his words, "Very well."
Iruka sighed in relief and beckoned for everyone to follow him.
The five other children kept their distance from me and Shikamaru as all of us entered the building. I began to feel uncomfortable as the other kids in school begin to stare at us. Immediately, I slipped my hand out of Shikamaru's. The other kids might make fun of us even more that they already do. I didn't want him to get the same treatment I had.
My head was spinning with so many thoughts at the same time, I didn't realize when Shikamaru held my hand again. When I did, which was a few heartbeats later, I turned to him but his eyes were trained forward.
"We'll be okay." He merely stated when I stared at him. Nodding, I turned to look at the tall backs in front of us as I gripped his hand a little tighter.
XXxxXX
Hokage took in a deep breath as he smoked his pipe. He waited for the parents to settle down and when he saw me, a ghost of a smile was on his lips. He dipped his head once in understanding before he leaned forward, letting out a puff of smoke. The other parents leaned closer in anticipation.
"Well, to start off, we need to know both sides of the story." He closed his eyes and when he opened them, they were on me, "Mononoke, you'll start first."
Before I could begin, he turned to the parents. "I will listen to her in private."
The parents obliged and left, a few shooting daggers at me from their eyes, especially the woman from before. She was literally spewing poison from her eyes.
Shikaku-san and Shikamaru however, remained but one look from the Hokage and Shikaku-san nudged his son before both of them left me and the old man remaining inside the room.
"So, do you want to tell me what really happened?" Sarutobi-sama puffed another billow of smoke. I nodded and began, from the part I was going home and wanted to go to Kiba's up till going to the Nara's household. When I was done, Sandaime nodded and waved at me, "I see. Well, to be fair, I will listen to every one of you at the scene. Call the Nara child in."
I bowed slightly and he chuckled, "At ease, child. Iruka had told me about those boys. He knew they picked on other children as well. As for your wounds..." He looked me over with slight concern.
I smiled at him, "I'm fine, Gramps." He nodded, smiling, "Good."
I left the room, beckoning Shikamaru to enter.
After he went in, I sat next to Shikaku, placing more distance between me from the other families. He opened his mouth a few times, taking a short breath, like he wanted to say something but then he closes his mouth.
I pretended I didn't see it the first few times but until the six time, I looked up at him and smiled, "Yes, Mr Nara?"
He smiled a little at me, "Call me Shikaku, will you?" Then sighed as he continued, "My offer still stands. The doors of the Nara clan will always be open to you."
I looked away and watched my legs as they swing back and forth. "But why would you want to help me?" I asked softly and he leaned back as if he was thinking over his reply.
"Because there's something inside you thats very familiar." He admitted finally his voice a little tired, "The first time I saw you, I felt as if I have seen you somewhere a long time ago." He looked at me sideways and smiled at me.
"Is that enough of an explanation?" He asked and I nodded, turning back to my legs, "I'll think about it."
He chuckled and I heard him mutter something inaudible. Then we were quiet again as we waited for Shikamaru.
Slowly, my mind drifted to last night when I was at the Nara household.
Yesterday night, during dinner, I had the most nerve wracking meal ever. When I sat with the Nara family, it was so weird. I don't have parents and I never had the experience of having a family, even though Kakashi raised me for a few years and he's the only kind of family I have.
But this. This is so different.
When Yoshino nagged at Shikaku and Shikamaru for not eating their vegetables, I had a sudden realization that I never had the feeling of a mom nagging at me, or a dad that smirks playfully at me when he slips his food into a napkin then pretends to throw it away.
When I turned back to my food, I realized that I had never ate a well home-cooked meal before. All I usually eat with Kakashi is instant food or we eat out. Even when Kakashi's not home, our neighbour will make sure I'm well and send food over. But the food from the sweet old woman were quite bland though its yummy.
I never felt the difference until last night.
The whole mealtime, I was quiet as I ate. I didn't dare to talk much, even though Yoshino-san kept asking me questions, which I answered in a few words.
To be honest, I was rather jealous of Shikamaru for having a family.
I balled my fists against my legs, cringing.
XXxxXXXxxxXXXXxx
When Shikamaru returned, he said that the Hokage wants the both of us to get back to class while the other kids talk to him. After his son delivered the message, Shikaku waved us off and tell us to have fun in school. We obeyed and begin to walk back.
On the way back, I felt something terrible gnaw in my heart. It made me feel sour and angry. I didn't understand why but when Shikamaru spoke up, I felt my insides crack, "Hey, do you want to come back to my house later after school? I mean, my mom can pretty troublesome but since your guardian isn't around or anything-"
I stopped and he followed, his hands slipped out of his pockets as he watched me in surprise. My bangs fell over my eyes as I glared at the ground. "No thanks, Nara. I think I can fend on my own pretty well.", I spat before stomping off. I could hear him exclaim in surprise, "H-hey, Mononoke!"
But I already left.
Soon, I spotted the girls toilet and rushed in. Quickly, I shut myself inside a cubicle and leaned against the door. Taking a few sharp breaths, images of what happened a few minutes ago came rushing in.
What HAVE I done?
Guilty, I covered my face and began to cry.
XXXxxXXXxx
After the breakdown, I could only stare at my feet. What feels like hours I had been in the stall makes me feel like puking. And it's not because of the smell. Biting my lip as the scene replayed over and over in my head, I never realize how long I was inside here until the recess bell made me jump.
Kami, is that the time?! I glanced at the window above. A lot of girls will definitely come into the bathroom within moments. I couldn't be seen like this! After crying for so long, I probably look red and full of snot. All the other kids are going to laugh if they see me like this! Quickly rubbing away my tears, I rushed out of the cubicle. Good, no one's here yet. I saw myself in the mirror and sighed in relief. I didn't look that bad.
Just really red.
I quickly rinsed my face and sneaked out of the bathroom. The voices of the other kids shouting signals that recess is beginning. Hurrying, I escaped the halls and corridors of the school until I reached the outside world.
I didn't know what I was going to do but I'm not going back to class. Not now.
Fine, I smirked. I'll just skip class today. It's not like anyone is going to miss me. Soon, I began to walk out of the academy's compound and out into the streets of Konoha.
XXxxXXXXx
The feeling of skipping school is great! (Author's warning: Don't follow Mononoke. STAY IN SCHOOL, KIDS.)
I began to feel better as I breathe in the fresh air. The bathroom was so stuffy that I almost felt like throwing up. This is a really nice change!
I felt myself relax as I made my way to the fields. The trees there are large and shady, perfect for a time like this. I watched as the villagers busied themselves with their usual routines. Most of them smiled at me in greeting as I passed and I smiled back. Kakashi said even though it's troublesome, it pays to be polite. I grinned at the thought of him.
Thinking about it now, Kakashi thought me a lot of things. He's almost like a parent to me. Sure, I might not have a mom to nag me to eat my greens, but I have Kakashi to do that, even though I always point out that he himself don't like them much.
Slowly, the more I thought about this, the more guilty I felt for being rude to Shikamaru.
I didn't mean it, it was just that I was so mad that he complains about his mom at that moment that I never thought it might harm him later. I pursed my lips slightly as I thought about it. I doubt Shikamaru is ever going to talk to me again. Kami, he'll probably hate me for that.
He was just being nice when he offered me to stay over and I bit him in the face. Way to go, Mononoke, I scolded myself mentally, You ruined your first friendship.
Sighing, I looked up and realized that I've reached the fields. Well, I can't go back and change what I've done. Guess I'll just have to live with it. I climbed up to a nice large tree and lay back, looking up at the sky.
I hope it rains today.
A big, angry storm would be nice.
OKAY OKAY I KNOW WHAT YOU'RE THINKING. LIKE SHE JUST WENT FROM MAD TO CALM. WHAT EVER THE LIVING FACK RIGHT? Wrong. She's a kid. Children don't dwell too much on the past. I mean, I was like that as a kid, I don't know about you guys. BUT PLEASE DON'T KILL ME...YET. Mono and Shika aren't going to be enemies forever...OR ARE THEY? Heh, I'm kidding. I don't know really. I'm making this up as I go...Please don't hate me...
Are you going to unfollow?...No reviews?...You're going to eat me?
(I did promise a little trivia, didn't I? Heh.
Fact #1: Mononoke loves rainstorms. [obviously, Author-san] And candy. SHE LOVES SWEET THINGS. Much to Kakashi's horror.)