Hello
He sat cross-legged on the ground, feeling the blades of grass gently poke against his pale skin. He fiddled with a piece of grass as he focused his pale eyes on a ladybug that was walking on a blade of grass not far from him. Neji could feel the tension of the others radiate off of them, clouding the air. He knew the cause of the tension:
Shikamaru.
It had been a few days since Shikamaru's attack on Ino and the blonde was bouncing her legs lightly because of nerves as she thought about her friend and teammate. An image of his face floated into her mind and she felt fear and confusion well in her.
Why would he have done that to me? I know I was shouting at him, but that was to spark some kind of motivation…nothing more. Did I really go too far? I don't hate him. I just want an understanding.
"Where the hell is he? I'm going to beat him into a bloody pulp for what he did to you, Ino!" Naruto growled, Kakashi trying to keep him sitting down. Sakura wrapped an arm around Ino's shoulders.
"Don't worry, Ino. We won't let him get near you." She said, reassuringly. Neji's eyes narrowed slightly, feeling his anger rise as he firmly pulled a few blades of grass out of the ground.
"We can't shun him though." Asuma said, sticking for his student as he drew everyone's attention to him.
"Are you kidding? Look what he did to Ino!" Kiba shouted, pointing at the blonde for emphasis.
"He almost killed her and you're defending him?" Naruto roared, finally able to stand up. Neji bit the inside of his cheek as he concentrated on his breathing, wanting to keep his usual cool-head.
"We need to make him pay for what he did!" Kiba added. Neji couldn't resist; he needed to blow off a little bit of steam.
"Shikamaru would be able to hurt you more than you can hurt him." Neji said quietly, glaring at Kiba.
"What are you saying, Hyuuga?" Kiba growled, teeth bared. Neji, as well as everyone, knew the size of Kiba and Naruto's egos.
"Must I dumb everything down for you?"
"Shut up, Neji!" Naruto and Kiba shouted simultaneously.
"Alright, Guys. Let's cool it." Kakashi said, knowing that a fight was about to break out.
"Is he even coming?" Sakura asked, looking in the direction where they usually come from.
"He better not." Naruto muttered, still fuming.
xXxXx
Shikamaru sat in the trees next to the training grounds, debating whether or not he should join them or not. By the sounds of it, Naruto and Kiba really didn't want him there and he understood why, but he was still upset.
You have every right to be upset, Child.
They have every right to be upset as well.
No they do not, Child.
Why?
I attacked the girl, yes; however, the girl brought it upon herself.
She shouted at me, so what?
Did the things she said sound somewhat familiar? Or at least the tone of her voice sound familiar?
Shikamaru thought for a moment, trying to figure out what Alecto meant. He remembered Alecto telling him that he attacked Ino because he thought she was irritating and disrespectful, but Alecto gave the impression that he was talking about someone specific.
The Stepfather.
Shikamaru felt his body freeze and blood run cold.
What about him?
He heard a small dark chuckle.
Child, the girl sounded a bit like The Stepfather, did she not? All the shouting…the hitting…
Alecto, stop it.
But I am right, yes? The girl was very much like The Stepfather on the day I attacked her.
Stop.
Remember what I said? You need to fight for the chance to be lied to again.
But Ino wasn't lying to me.
The Stepfather did.
She isn't him, Alecto.
Granted, but she was very similar, yes?
Shikamaru felt bile rise in his throat and it started to become harder to breathe.
Child, you must understand that you have the right to be upset. You must understand that those people cannot walk over you and only use you for your intelligence. That is what they are doing, Child: using you.
Shikamaru's heart stopped. Were they, the people he was around the most, just using him? Even Choji, Ino, and Asuma? Could Alecto be right?
That man, Asuma, yes?
What about him?
He may have been your teacher for these past few years, but how much does he truly know about you?
Well—
That big boy, Choji…how much does he know about you? He is considered your "best friend," yes?
People don't know a lot about me because I don't like talking about myself.
Except that you are extremely intelligent.
Everyone knows that.
But what else?
Nothing because I don't want others to know more than that.
Why is that?
Because I don't! Why are you being abnormally annoying today?
Although I do not like to see it often, I want you to be more than "a little upset."
Why?
Because it is justified and you never truly allow yourself to be upset. You make excuses for others to be upset at you.
I don't get how this ties in with what you were saying earlier.
What part in particular?
Them using me.
Alecto was silent for a few moments and Shikamaru sighed quietly, thinking that he wouldn't answer.
Who has fought for you?
Shikamaru was thrown off.
What?
Who has fought for you?
Um…what do you mean by that?
Who has truly gone out of their way to protect you..to be there for you. Who has truly tried to get to know you more?
It was Shikamaru's turn to be quiet for a few moments. He's honestly never thought of that. He considered Choji his best friend, but he's not exactly sure what Choji knows about him. He kept Ino at a safe distance from him. Asuma was his mentor and there have been a few instances where Asuma protected him…but he didn't think that that was what Alecto meant.
No one has, Child.
Shikamaru's heart sank and he looked down at his swinging feet.
No one has been there for you, Child.
It's just been you and me, huh?
Exactly, it has only been you and me for basically your entire life.
I still don't understand how you see the others as using me.
No one has truly tried to get to know you better because you keep everyone at a safe distance, so they gave up. However, they saw that you have a very unique quality: an abnormally high IQ…so they prey off of that. Since people have given up in trying to get to know you, they only turn to you because of your intelligence.
So people only want to be with me because I'm smart?
More or less, and you know why they walk over you?
No, why?
Because you do not fight back against it.
Shikamaru felt like he just had the air knocked out of him. He began to shake as he gripped the branch on either side of him. The Stepfather's words rang in his head.
But…but I'm not sup—
Do not say that you are not supposed to, Child.
Alecto's response had come out in an angry hiss, sending chills down Shikamaru's spine. He knew that Alecto's already fierce anger was creeping past the sizzling point.
Get over there, Child.
Where? To them?
Yes, Child. Go. Now.
Not if you're this fired up.
Go! Now!
Shikamaru flinched slightly as Alecto's dark angry voice reverberated in his ears; his body had become warmer as Alecto's anger began to seep through his skin.
At least calm down a little bit. If you do, then I'll go.
Child…get your fucking ass over there. NOW!
Shikamaru flinched more violently, Alecto's shout causing his ears to ring. He felt heavy pressure start to press against his skull as his body temperature continued to rise. He knew Alecto was trying to break out.
Fine, you fucking asshole.
Good. Hurry up.
xXxXx
"It's about damn time!" Naruto hollered as Shikamaru came into view, trying to hide emotion from his face, despite the building pressure in his head. Ino felt her heart stop in fear at the sight of her teammate. Shikamaru shook his head and sighed, looking dully at the fuming blonde.
"Shut up, Naruto, and stop being so loud." He placed his hands on his slender hips, slipping his fingers underneath his shirt. He jutted his right hip out, glaring at the blonde. Neji couldn't help but notice the small amount of Shikamaru's midriff was showing.
Shikamaru blinked his eyes slowly, feeling Alecto's fight against him heighten. His rising body temperature was making him sweat more than he would've liked as Alecto's anger radiated through his skin. His head continued to throb painfully, knowing that Alecto was getting close to slipping through.
"I can be loud if I want to! You never explained why you attacked Ino the way you did!" Naruto began to make his way towards him.
"Don't." Shikamaru growled quietly, sending chills through them. He felt Alecto banging against the side of his skull.
Naruto stopped dead in his tracks, staring transfixed at Shikamaru's dark flashing eyes that seemed to burn straight through him. Out of everyone who could've spoken in the tone of voice, Shikamaru would be at the bottom of the list. He, as well as everyone else, didn't think that such a strong dark emotion existed in the lazy genius. He never thought that he would ever see Shikamaru being truly angry, much less to this intensity. Everyone shared Naruto's thoughts as they continued to stare, stunned, at Shikamaru who was still glaring darkly at Naruto. Asuma felt his heart hammer in his chest.
Where did this come from? Shikamaru never lets his emotions cloud his mind.
Choji had placed a hand on Ino's shoulder and gripped in lightly, knowing that she was as scared as he was at the amount of anger that their friend was showing.
I've known Shikamaru for years and I've never seen him this upset. What the hell brought this on? Ino shouting at him couldn't be the only reason, same with Naruto shouting at him. There has to be something else.
Shikamaru blinked and kept his eyes closed for a few moments, trying harder to push Alecto away to a safe distance. He began to breathe lightly through his mouth as his body temperature had reached an uncomfortable level. He clenched his eyes slightly, trying to steady himself as Alecto was now pounding against his skull, making his head feel like it was about to explode. He felt warm air brush against his ear again as Alecto spoke to him.
Child, move aside.
No. You're going to get too violent. While there may be conflict right now, some of them are still my friends.
No I will not.
Look at how hard you're fighting against me! If you're fighting this hard against me, then you'll kill everyone else!
Now.
You say that I don't fight back, and he says that I'm not supposed too. Well I am fighting back!
Not against me, you idiot! I'm here to protect you because no one else will!
Shikamaru's head twitched very slightly to the right, but this didn't go unnoticed to Neji, whose sharp eyes have been watching his every movement.
I know I said that you need to be upset and get angry when it is justified, but right now, I'm going to do it for you. I promise I won't kill anyone, now move aside!
Shikamaru release a small sound of pain as Alecto's scream pierced his ears and made his head feel like it was just bludgeoned. Neji's heart briefly stopped at Shikamaru's moment of pain, wondering what was happening with the Nara. Everyone else was wondering the same thing as Shikamaru looked down at the ground, finally moving aside for Alecto. He felt his body become light and hot as he felt his mind drown, glad for the feeling of peace seeping through him. Alecto roughly pushed passed him, shoving him quickly through the cold water-like barrier that separated reality from his inner world. Blissfully, he closed his weary eyes as he felt himself land softly on fluffy bright white snow.
xXxXx
They all stared transfixed at the Nara as a black aura receded into his forehead. They didn't know how to react to the feelings of confusion and unusual spike in temperature as he looked back up at them, a deep glare settled in his face. Neji's heart thundered in his chest as he stared at the person in front of him.
What the hell is going on?
Shikamaru's hair was now hung in a loose ponytail whose tip barely graced his shoulders and when he looked up, they felt themselves freeze as black, dilated eyes glared dangerously at them. The black cursive 'A' on his forehead caused their curiosity to spike.
"You," Alecto hissed darkly, glaring directly at Naruto, who was still frozen in place. Something in Neji's mind clicked.
"Y-yeah?" Naruto said hesitantly, hating the fact that he stuttered. Alecto took a slow step towards him. Alecto's dark eyes turned towards Ino.
"You," He hissed again, causing Ino to start shaking.
"What are you doing?" Asuma asked as he stood. Alecto turned towards him, his bangs falling into his eyes.
"Defending my Child." His response raised their confusion.
Child?
"'Child'? Shikamaru, what are you talking about?" Asuma kept any kind of emotion that could trigger something. Alecto's glare deepened.
"Be quiet." Asuma suppressed his sigh. Neji's pale eyes widened slightly.
"You're the one who said to not touch you." Neji said calmly, catching Alecto's attention; he slowly turned towards him and his dark eyes sent chills through Neji's body.
Alecto stared at him for a few moments, his glare seeming to lighten oh-so-slightly. Neji kept eye contact and his usual calmness in check. Minutes passed as Alecto continued to stare at Neji, silently analyzing him. Neji felt his heart continue thundering in his chest as Alecto's dark eyes stared through him, but now with a hint of curiosity. Alecto turned fully towards him and carefully took a few steps towards him, then slowly crouching in front of him as he continued to stare deeply into Neji's pale eyes. Neji felt his front heat up when Alecto knelt in front of him.
"Neji! Move away from him!" Naruto shouted, not understanding why the Hyuuga hasn't moved. Neji ignored him, but Alecto directed his eyes towards the blonde. He clenched his jaw and turned back to Neji, his eyes holding something that Neji couldn't name.
"That is correct, Boy." Alecto said softly, his dark demonic voice officially sounding familiar to Neji. The Hyuuga nodded slightly.
"I knew something wasn't right, but I didn't think that it was…something like this." Alecto smirked, lighting a spark in his eyes.
"You are very sharp, Boy. I shall give you much credit for that. Your name is Neji, yes?" Neji was surprised that Alecto knew his name, but figured that it was best to not question how. He treaded carefully.
"Yes, and your name is?" Alecto was quiet for a few moments, analyzing the situation and making Neji think that he wouldn't answer. The others continued to stare at them with a mix of confusion and curiosity.
Why is Neji talking to him like that?
"My name is Alecto."
"And 'Child' is Shikamaru?" Alecto's smirk widened.
"Very good, Boy." He paused. "I don't usually call a person by their name. My name for him is 'Child' and my new name for you is 'Boy'." Alecto continued to stare evenly at him and Neji knew he was being analyzed, so he continued to tread carefully.
"And you're why Shikamaru attacked Ino?" Alecto smirked slightly as Ino paled.
"In a sense, you are correct."
"'In a sense'?" Alecto released a soft dark chuckle.
"I attacked her." Neji knew Alecto wouldn't say anything more than that. Silence fell around them.
Child,
Shikamaru remained quiet.
Child,
Alecto sighed quietly at the silence that greeted him again. He figured that Shikamaru wouldn't want to talk to him.
What do you want?
Alecto briefly raised his eyebrows at Shikamaru's voice, but this didn't go unnoticed by Neji. Although the Hyuuga had just met Alecto, he knew that any sudden movements could be potentially fatal. But a thought was nagging in his mind that it's possible that Alecto's very subtle flash of surprise was somehow caused by Shikamaru.
Alecto, what do you want?
Child, this boy is kind of different face-to-face than what I expected.
Okay? What's your point?
I have known him as long as you have and so I have observed him very thoroughly.
We've talked about this multiple times.
Alecto hesitated.
Alecto?
He is safe, Child.
Silence.
Neji continued to eye Alecto, now seeing the slightly unfocused look in his dark eyes. He started to put the pieces together and realized that for the past few minutes of silence, Alecto has been talking with Shikamaru.
So I think I can safely say that Shikamaru and Alecto are separate from each other…that's interesting…no idea how that works, but it's interesting.
He was slightly taken aback by Alecto's smirk.
Child, I can see the Boy thinking and I am sure that he just put something together.
Neji is the smartest person I know, so it's not surprising that he can piece difficult things together.
He is safe, Child…it is safe to let him in.
Silence.
To here?
For now, yes.
Silence.
"Alecto?" Neji asked carefully, bringing Alecto out of his conversation with Shikamaru. Alecto blinked his dark eyes, bringing them back into focus. He smirked again.
"Yes, Boy?" Neji hesitated slightly.
"How's Shikamaru?" Alecto chuckled lightly, causing everyone else feeling their confusion mount. Gai eyed his calm student carefully.
Neji's on to something. Whatever is going on, Neji seems to be figuring it out better than we are.
"He is fine, Boy. Slightly upset because we had a disagreement earlier, but he seems to have calmed down a bit." Neji nodded lightly.
So they definitely are separate…there is no connection between them…completely separate.
Child, by the look in his eyes…he just figured out that we are completely separate.
Shikamaru was quiet for a few moments.
Does it seem like he's putting other stuff together?
Yes, whether or not he actually is piecing things together at the moment is irrelevant.
How so?
He is a smart boy, he can piece things together in time.
Shikamaru was quiet again.
Only for a few moments, Alecto.
You control getting him out, Child.
I know.
Are you sure?
Sure.
Alecto smirked and a new gleam light sparked in his dark eyes as he blinked slowly at Neji; he chuckled darkly, making Neji curious about what Alecto and Shikamaru talked about that would cause Alecto's reaction.
"You asked how my Child is, Boy?" Neji quirked an eyebrow and nodded lightly.
"Yes, you said he's fine." Alecto's smirk widened.
"How about you ask him yourself?"
Neji suddenly felt himself become light-headed as Alecto placed the tip of his index finger in between Neji's eyes. He began to feel slightly panicked as he felt a drowning sensation fill his body, making it hard to breathe. The world began to spin as a new prickling feeling erupted across his skin.
What…is this?
A dark chuckle filled his ears as the world began to fade.
Welcome to our world, Boy.
xXxXx
He blinked his lilac eyes open and was surprised to find himself looking up at a light purple sky with pink clouds. He sat up and was even more surprised to find himself surrounded by snow, yet it wasn't really cold. Gingerly, he stood and looked around at his surroundings. He stared at the forest of black trees and redirected his eyes back up at the light purple sky as pink clouds lazily drifted by. He began to feel a sense of fear swell in him.
Where the hell am I? What happened with Alecto?
It was quiet and a small breath of wind blew, brushing some strands of brown hair into his eyes. He was confused by the smell of lavender and the strange sense of purity and tranquility that his surroundings emitted. A large, dark blue lake was not far from him, and he was surprised that the water was completely still, looking like a layer of glass lay on top.
Damnit, where the hell am I? What the fuck did Alecto do?
He looked away from the lake and turned to look at the black trees to his right. He sighed. He may not know what's happening, but it's better than staying in one spot. Sighing again, heavily, he walked towards the black forest, the bright white snow crunching underneath his feet. But as he stood at the edge of the forest, he felt uneasy as he realized that he could barely see into the black depth. Carefully, he placed his hand on a nearby tree, figuring that he could try to feel his way through the woods.
Feeling his way through the dark woods, he was glad to now have a little bit of light breaking through the thick branches to help light his way. As a breeze blew through the woods, he stopped dead in his tracks as he saw a slight movement on a branch near him. Even with his sensitive eyes, he couldn't quite make out what it was and a bizarre feeling had made him rule against using his Byakugan.
Neji carefully took a few more steps forward, his eyes glued to the movement on the branch just above him. He felt his heart stop as he saw a thin arm drop and dangle from the branch as longish hair spilled over the branch. Neji felt a feeling of relief fill him.
It was Shikamaru laying on a branch.
"Shikamaru? Neji asked tentatively, not wanting to scare him.
"Hmm?" Shikamaru wasn't surprised to hear Neji's voice and he turned his head to look down at him. "Come on up." Neji effortlessly made his way up to the branch slightly below Shikamaru and sat.
"Shikamaru, what's going on?" Neji asked, causing the Nara to lock eyes with him as dark brown hair fell in front of his eyes.
"It's kind of hard to explain and I don't really want to go into it right now."
"What about Alecto?"
"What about him?" Neji was thrown off by Shikamaru's quick retort. He hesitated.
"What's his story?" It was Shikamaru's turn to hesitate, choosing his words carefully.
"It's complicated." Neji hid his sigh at his frustration with Shikamaru's refusal to directly answer his questions.
"But you two are completely separate? You're basically two people in one body?" Shikamaru nodded.
"More or less, I thought Alecto's birth occurred about 7 years old; but from he tells me, he was actually born much earlier than that…about 14 years ago, I believe he said." Neji's eyebrows rose in surprise. He chose his next words carefully.
"Why was he born? How did that work?" Shikamaru was quiet for a few moments.
"It's a long story."
How are you faring, Child?
I'm kicking him out. He's asking more personal questions too fast.
Are you coming out as well?
No.
Shikamaru sat up slowly and jumping to other branches and made it to the forest floor; Neji landing not far from him. Neji followed Shikamaru as he led them through the black trees in the direct from where Neji had originally come from. He cursed himself as he occasionally stumbled on something that littered the forest floor, not used to this environment. Shikamaru remained silent through their walk.
Neji was relieved when he stepped onto the bright white snow and continued following Shikamaru who led him towards the large dark blue lake. They stopped at its bank and Shikamaru stared down at his reflection as hair blew into his face. Neji eyed him carefully, his eyes wondering over Shikamaru's thin frame and noticed that his thumbs weren't through the handmade holes in his shirt sleeves. He wondered why he did that to his shirt, but later reasoned that he didn't want his sleeves to ride up during training.
"This is going to feel weird." Shikamaru said softly as he walked over and stood behind Neji. The Hyuuga looked at him over his shoulder and was about to ask him a question, but never got the chance when the Nara kicked his feet out from underneath him and shoved him into the lake.
xXxXx
Neji felt like he was being pulled from underwater after staying under there for hours. His head spun as he tried to control his breathing while his chest felt like it was about to explode. His heart raced and his skin felt a bizarre prickling feeling that slowly began to fade. He blinked his eyes rapidly, trying to regain focus. He steadied himself and opened his eyes and found Alecto sitting cross-legged in front of him with a small smirk on his face.
"You alright?"
"W-what happened?" Neji asked, looking around him and seeing familiar surroundings. The others were shocked to see Neji so shaken up and Gai eyed his student carefully.
Neji is probably the most calm and collected person here, so what the hell happened that made him get so shaken up? This Alecto person must've done something to him, but even so, Neji still wouldn't allow himself to show others how shaken up he is…this seems to be fear, which is something he never shows.
"What are you guys talking about? What feels weird?" Sakura asked, looking between them.
"Neji, are you alright?" Gai asked, concerned that his student was so shaken up. Neji turned back to Alecto with a questioning and confused look.
"They don't know what happened, Boy. It looks like we have been having a staring contest." He chuckled light as he stood.
"But...how long..."
"Were you there? Only a couple minutes. My Child did not want you to be there for too long and you were starting to ask questions that made him uncomfortable." Neji's heart sank, now realizing why Shikamaru was being so vague in answering his questions…his questions were making him uncomfortable.
"But how could they not notice? You said that it looked like we've been having a staring contest…but certainly there had to be a sign of what happened." Alecto chuckled darkly again as he looked down at him. Naruto let out a sigh of irritation.
"What the hell are you two talking about? Nothing happened! You two have just been staring at each other." Alecto's jaw clenched again and he darted his dark eyes towards the blonde before looking back at Neji.
"It is a complicated thing, Boy, and I will not speak of word of how it works until my Child feels comfortable with the idea." He shoved his hands into his pockets and took a couple steps back, smirking slightly.
"Alas, I bid you farewell, for now of course." His eyes drifted over the others, and narrowed dangerously, showing anger again.
"As for all of you, especially…certain people," Naruto, Ino and Kiba knew that Alecto was addressing them specifically. "I made a promise with my Child that I would not seriously injure anyone." He paused and his glare deepened.
"I suggest that you tread lightly, otherwise I will make you pay…regardless of whether or not my Child gives permission to do so."
xXxXx
Alright Gang,
Reviews would be appreciated as always.
When-Rabbit-Howls