Not for the first time I had the shogi dream. The shogi dream was a reoccurring nightmare I had at least once a week. Usually it happened when I fell asleep in the middle of a shogi game. Pondering moves ended up becoming resting my mind. Then my subconscious would take over and instead of people they were all shogi pieces. I also had to move them all and everyone was so much larger than me and it was so hard. No one appreciated how long it took me to get them in place and sometimes I couldn't figure out where they wanted to go.

In some ways it was the better of my other reoccurring nightmares but it still meant I got no rest. So when morning came I really didn't want to leave my bed. I wanted to actually get some sleep before I faced the day.

Of course I couldn't get away with that.

I would've been dead on my feet had it not been for chakra. I relied on it so heavily, probably more than any child my age. Or maybe the small concentration I had to hold was something others did naturally?

Speaking of chakra and reoccurring nightmares… well it was more of a fear I had whether awake or asleep. I feared that my chakra would drift away. So I held onto it, a light grasp was enough to abate the fear. Lately it was becoming a second nature to me, like breathing… there were still nights when I startled awake because it was going to slip and I had almost let go.

So forgive me if I am moody.

"Hey you have time, go clean your dishes," Mom ordered as I set my plate and cup in the sink. I knew better to complain, just like I knew better than trying to skip out on the task. I still let out a small groan of complaint as I flipped the water on.

"If you don't hurry we won't have time to practice," Dad chided lightly from behind. He was taking his time with breakfast, probably savoring the time spent with his family. More likely he was trying to get away with washing his own dishes.

As much as I wanted to get better… it was another thing I didn't want to do today. Still another thing I couldn't get away with. So as I washed my dishes, taking as slowly as dad was eating, I went through a few mental exercises. Visual exercises that helped one focus.

A waterfall. How would I draw a waterfall feeding into a river? Careful shading, blurred reflections mirroring the tree where the river calmed. Tall pine trees instead of the Hashirama trees that surrounded Konoha. Bramble bushes at the base of a few trees. Perhaps there would be a few signs of wildlife hiding in the edges.

"I think your cup has been thoroughly washed," A smile tugged at the corner of dad's smile. He had put his dishes in the sink and had watched me wash them for him. I rinsed his mug and then set it on the drying rack. His hand went over my head, "Come on lets play a game instead."

"I'd rather practice," I muttered slowly trailing after my father.

"Yet unwise when you seem so distracted."

"I wasn't-" I cut myself off, I would rather not have curious parents wanting to see my drawings. Sure I had burned anything related to another world, but it still was distinctly something I'd rather keep to myself. At least from what I knew Kofuku-oba hadn't blabbed about it.

Shikaku's eyebrow started to rise as he stared at me.

I shook my head, "Maybe I'm a little distracted."

The headache came on much faster, I wanted to rub at my temples. Not that would actually do anything. I opted out to glare at the pieces on the board. I was going to lose, that was nothing new, but dad had said that I could get out of this mess he'd trapped me in.

"Think about it, I want an answer when I get home tonight," Shikaku said as he pushed himself up to his feet. It was long past time for him to head to work, yet the only one who could reprimand him was the Hokage.

At least I had until dinner, possibly after, to figure it out. That meant that if I got home from school I could take a few hours. For now I just continued to go over the waterfall. It had become less of an exercise and more of a project I was interested in.

Anything that kept my mind off the chunin exams.

It was day three. Orochimaru would've made a move well before now.

Don't think about that. Think about the fish that would be in the water.

"Good morning Shikamasa," Iruka greeted with a prideful smile. I glanced around the hallway trying to figure out what would cause such an expression on the man.

"Good morning Sensei," I replied noticing that no one was doing anything special other than walking. "Did something happen?"

"Eh? Ah…" Iruka suddenly looked thoughtful, "Yes well… I shouldn't be telling you this."

He leaned down slightly and my attention perked. He was going to tell a secret? Of course I would be interested.

"Both Shikako and Shikamaru have passed the second exam," Iruka whispered and let out a small laugh, "They actually came together as one big group."

They both were alive.

My vision blurred and I hadn't managed to get a hold of my emotions before tears started rolling down my cheeks. Iruka choked down his laugh and his dark eyes went ride. Panic. I quickly became horrified as I realized that I was crying. Now I was going to have the reputation as a blubbering baby.

My shoulders shook with the emotion and it was like the floodgates had opened because I couldn't stop the sobbing. Iruka crouched down and then decided it was best to reassure and comfort me. He pulled me into a hug, one hand rubbing my back.

"Its alright, they're alright." He whispered in a gentle voice. Iruka was very considerate, he lifted me up still rubbing my back. A part of my brain marveled that I was really still so small to be easily carried.

Well I knew I wasn't very big. I was one of the shortest in the class, there were girls taller. There were academy students in a younger class that were taller than me. Genetics seemed not to be in my favor. Not that being short bothered me, well it did but more the fact that I was still a child. I'd grow up, when I went through puberty I would probably catch up to Shikamaru.

"Shika and Kako are fine?" I squeaked out trying to dry tears on my sleeve. My body still trembled a little, but I felt better, calmer.

Iruka nodded his head and had a tissue to help. "They're fine, both of them."

I let out a shaky breath. "None of them are hurt?"

Iruka grimaced, "Light wounds, but your sister knows medical jutsu right?"

"Yeah…" I nodded my head alright so maybe it would've been unrealistic to believe they would be uninjured. Especially with a sennin looking to make Sasuke his next body. Yet maybe things had turned out better than canon. After all Sakura had nearly died hadn't she?

They were alright. My brother and sister were alive.

AN: I actually changed the chapter like five times. The first one was super depression and didn't fit at all... then this happened with some help. I like it much better. Also i realize that my chapters are on the short side. I'll actually work on that. So the next chapter update will be much longer. Lately i've been doing roughly chapters that ate 1,200-400 words and i think i'll double that word count.

Again thank you all so much for the follows, favorites and reviews! It all means so much.

(edit: does anyone know why it says that there are more reviews yet not showing them? pm me or something?)