Chapter 2: Building a Family
The Uchiha's
Saskue groans once again, Yuri was caught by his mother after school. She didn't have enough time to warn Naruto. Yuri was sitting in a chair while Saskue's mother, Mikoto, cooked a snack for them. They had been dragged here right after school let out. Yuri begins to play with her hair as Saskue barely even speaks to her. She felt he didn't like her much and she was mostly okay with it.
"Saskue, speak to our guest. No need to be rude to her. She lives close by!" Mikoto states.
After dinner with the Nara's, the word seemed to have spread. Now Mikoto was trying to one up Yoshino. So much so that she invited Naruto before he blew her off.
Naruto complained that Mikoto was trying to make him and Saskue friends. But he disliked Saskue due to the ideals that Saksue thought he was better than everyone else. Which… Yuri agreed, in class Saskue was the… best in class. But he always seemed to look down on them.
Saskue groans and turns towards the girl. "Yuri. Hi."
It took everything in Yuri not to laugh, but in the end she ended up laughing anyway at Saskue. Just… she thought her social skills were poor! Some people in her class thought she was weird but this was funny to her. For whatever reason all the girls in her class seemed to like Saskue.
Yuri couldn't see why.
"Saskue… hi." Yuri giggles as he just stares daggers at her. Something she was fine with seeing as he was the one who couldn't hold a conversation.
"Why are you laughing?"
Yuri looks at Saskue, a smile on her face. "Because, out of everything you could have said, you choose hi. What makes it funnier is that fan club of yours. Always fawning over you and telling everyone you looked at them. But the best you can say is a hi."
Mikoto turned around and looked at her son. "A fan club?"
Saskue's face goes red and buries his face on the table. Something she didn't think he was capable of. Embarrassment. It was probably good for him though. Only, Yuri looks away again and giggles some more.
"I do not have a fan club." The boy mumbles.
Yuri looks to him then to his mother in the doorway. "I call them that. Some girls have a crush on him."
"Oh? Saskue why didn't you mention this?"
Saskue looks up and glares at his mother, but she doesn't seem phased by it. Instead she laughs, but the baby begins to cry. Mitoko sets out the snacks and winks at Yuri.
A Random Spot in the Leaf
Yuri looks up to the cloud... Though, Shikamaru looked more annoyed than normal and explained that his mother talked his ear off. Stating that she was nagging him and being a troublesome woman in the process. Yuri realized that Shikamaru didn't ask for her and Naruto to come over that night. But to plan better. She was in the middle of her loss with Shikamaru. Cloud watching. She would rather take this than taking notes for him. How Naruto was still in class was a miracle to her. And she realized that Shikamaru did that to Naruto on purpose.
In the last three days, Naruto had asked a million questions. While she sat back and watched, she realized all the questions he had were ones she had as well. Making her look at the sleeping figure of Shikamaru in class. She and Hinata still didn't talk much, but she heard the girl mumbling about something. But she also noticed Saskue watching her closer as well. His mother got her to come over for a snack daily and somehow always made sure her son was there. While Saskue and Yuri began talking, she left it at a surface level. Until yesterday when Saskue was making fun of Naruto for all the questions.
"Why?" Is all she says. Glancing over to Shikamaru she sees his eyes are closed.
Maybe he fell asleep? Seems to be common with him, even though he is a kid, she thought all kids had endless energy… like cotton candy. A name she liked calling Naruto.
"Why what?"
Seeing Shikamaru's eyes open she takes it she might have woken him up. "Why make Naruto take notes for you?"
Shikamaru rolls onto his side to look at her. "To benefit everyone. Naruto is an idiot, and he doesn't pay attention. No one takes him seriously, unless you count his pranks, but he won't get anywhere without the thoughts of what it means to be a ninja. Mostly to help you. Two birds and one stone. Get some information in Naruto and educate you on things we covered earlier that you missed."
Yuri stares at Shikamaru who stares right back. Since the hide and seek night she never touched him again. But the taste still bothers her. She didn't want to open the scrolls she received yesterday. Not yet.
"So… in making Naruto pay attention, you were getting out of tutoring me?"
The boy rolls back to his original position. Looking at the clouds for a moment. "Not get out. To cover the basics. You seem way smarter than Naruto, and Iruka sensi explains things better than I could."
The silvery purple haired girl stares at Shikamaru. He doesn't look at her as he continues to look at the clouds, she takes this in for a moment.
"So… you are getting me caught up and then going to work with what I know through class?"
Yuri can't help but stare at him. He thought that far ahead? "Yep. Easier to work with when you know the basics and I can just explain a few things."
"Smarty pants." Yuri turns to look up to the clouds. She doesn't get why he likes this.
The Following Week, The Academy
Sitting with Shikamaru during break, Choji is out and Naruto is still in class somehow. Yuri didn't know why he was in class, but he made class more entertaining. Saskue was starting to hang out with Yuri, only when she was with Shikamaru though. He didn't like Naruto though, something Yuri can't figure out why though. Doesn't matter to her though.
Saskue was talking to Shikamaru, and Yuri was half paying attention. She was watching Hinata. Seeing her eyes on Saskue but not the… puppy dog eyes that Sakura and Ino give him. So Yuri watches her. She was curious about it, she didn't think she gave Saskue the puppy dog eyes but it seems that Ino and Sakura didn't like her for some reason.
"No, I don't want to train. I'm napping after school before training with my dad." Yuri shakes her head. Shikamaru rarely trained outside of his father and school.
It's what Saskue says next piques Hinata's interest. "My mom says I need someone else to train with. And it can't be Yuri since mom wants me to expand my friend group."
Hinata looks down and away. Causing Yuri to look at Saskue. "What kind of training?"
This causes both the boys to look at Yuri. Neither seemed to remember or think that Yuri was listening to them.
"Taijustu."
Yuri nods and looks at the desk. Sneaking a glance at Hinata, Yuri notices Hinata having a strange look on her face. Yuri wonders if Hinata and Saskue could practice together. Hinata could use someone to help her and Saskue to learn some compassion. Yuri knows Saskue needs to have someone who isn't strong headed and he needs to help out a little more. Maybe she can get them to hang out.
"Ugh… that's the worst." Shikamaru exclaims.
Yuri looks at Shikamaru, a smirk on her face. She opens her mouth to retort to Shikamaru, until Naruto comes barging up to Shikamaru and Yuri. Causing Saskue to get a look of disgust. But Yuri's attention is on Naruto, it had been quiet for a few weeks… now it was going to get loud.
"ALRIGHT NARA!" Naruto points his finger right in Shikamaru's face, earning an annoyed look. "You bested me last time! But this time we will play Ninja and not at your house!"
It takes a moment but Shikamaru gets a smile across his face. While Shikamaru had been helping Yuri a little, last week with Naruto's questions helped her a lot. Of course the Nara's invited Yuri and Naruto over a few times. But he refused to play games at Shikamaru's, which means the trio lazed around.
"Fine, what's the wager?"
With a goofy grin that only Naruto could do he looks at Yuri and Shikamaru. "I win, Shikamaru has to train with me! Yuri you have to pull a prank with me!"
Yuri's attention is grabbed by a snort. Seeing Saskue walking over. "What are you yelling about loser?"
"Like I-"
"We like to make bets. Want to join?" Yuri jumps in.
Yuri has an idea, a lot of times Mikoto voiced how she wished Saskue would have friends. Not to mention Saskue needing a sparring partner. Yuri had an idea, not to get Saskue and Naruto to hang out, but someone else. She didn't know who yet… but she would think of something. With a smirk Saskue nods.
"Sure, I can beat all of you."
"When I win you have to take notes for me for a whole week!" Naruto yells, his attention turning towards Saskue.
"What a lame bet. Fine when I win Naruto you have to be silent for a week, Shikamaru… not allowed to sleep in class. Yuri, I go over to your place and you make snacks."
Yuri widens her eyes and looks surprised at Saskue. Did he not like her coming over? And she isn't the best at cooking, plus she likes his moms cooking! Ichika was so adorable and Yuri loved playing with her. Being at her place… she wouldn't be able to do that. Before she can think about it more, Shikamaru speaks up.
"I win, Naruto, you need to take calligraphy lessons, your handwriting is awful. Saskue you have to come cloud watching with me. Yuri, you have to write about your clan."
Yuri tilts her head. She doesn't know why she would need to write about her clan? It doesn't make any sense to her. But… she glances at Naruto, she has seen his notes for Shikamaru. It was awful.
All the boy's attention turns to her. "I win… Naruto I agree with Shikamaru, your handwriting sucks. Shikamaru you have to write a paper on a topic of my choice and Saskue, you have to hang out with someone of my choice for 2 weeks."
All the boys look at each other. All nodding in agreement. She is surprised that none of them objected to anything. Though… last time she and Shikamaru didn't protest. Saskue probably believed he was going to win.
"Whoever can find everyone in the shortest amount of time? We can have Hinata time for us." Shikamaru asks.
Yuri looks to Hinata, seeing the girl look down and up again. Yuri gives her a small smile. Nodding her head, Hinata looks at everyone, until Hinata slowly nods. Giving Yuri a better idea. Hinata and Saskue could train together. Yuri just needed to win. As long as Naruto or Saskue didn't win.
After School
The five meet in the middle of the village after class. They were all wanting to win. Yuri wanted to win since she was going to get two things out of it to help people she enjoys being around. They of course have to wait for Naruto to get there, figuring that he is looking for hiding spots.
Finally he shows up and Shikamaru sighs. "Alright, you have to stay within 2 blocks from here. You can hide wherever. Remember the person with the fastest time wins." Shikamaru walks over to Hinata and hands her a watch. "You are our time keeper, write down the times and we can reveal at the end."
The order of finders goes Shikamaru, Saskue, Yuri and Naruto.
Shikamaru is the only one Yuri is okay with winning. But this time she wants to win. Yuri goes to the furthest part of the boundary, crouching down and curling up, she hopes that Naruto hid poorly, and is found. Saskue seemed like a good hidder, so she expects Saskue to drag out the time.
Shikamaru should be finding the others by now. Her thoughts are confirmed when she hears yelling, assuming it's Naruto. A small smile comes to Yuri's face, of course Naruto would be the first one found.
Yuri waits, until she gets bored and begins to draw in the sand. Just drawing lines in the sand until a shadow appears above her. She looks up and sees Shikamaru standing there.
"Found you. You're a lot harder to find than at home." Yuri stands up. "You can go to the spot and wait. I still need to find Saskue."
Yuri makes it back and a few moments after she gets back Shikamaru comes back with Saskue in tow. They begin the next round and Yuri goes to hide in the same area, just a little off from where she hid before. Once again she gets bored and doodles, mindless. She feels like this is a longer round and she manages to doodle the outline of her village.
Finally Saskue finds her and she skips to the place. "By the way, you were the last one I found." Yuri skips some more and hums. Now she just has to be quicker at finding the boys.
Yuri is standing with Hinata and counting. Yuri turns to the timid girl. She has a plan, and luckly the boys were all out of earshot.
"So I want to beat the boys, and you seem to know them better than I do. Where do you think they are hiding?"
Hinata seems a little surprised by this and looks at the timer. "Um… Na-Naruto likes… likes to hide in… in fences… Saskue… um… um… I don't know. Shi-Shikamaru… maybe so-some where he can… can see the… the clouds?"
Yuri nods. "Thanks. And don't tell the boys. I have a plan that could help them all be… well less awkward." Yuri pauses again. "Oh… and if you want and I win, you and Saskue can hang out and train, if he is mean to you though, tell me."
Hinata's eyes widened to the size of a plate. "You… you would do… do that?"
"Your family is hand to hand… correct?"
"Yes…" Hinata nods her head. With a smile from Yuri the timer goes off.
"I'll find them and you can have a training buddy." Yuri winks and goes to find the boys.
Jumping away she keeps her eyes open. She goes to the fences first and finds Naruto. She goes to open areas, finding Shikamaru. But he pulls her before she moves."Check in alleys, he was hiding there last time. I doubt he would change."
Yuri smiles and moves to the alleys. Finding Saskue in the shadows, she taps his shoulder.
"Danmit! How did you find me?" Saskue asks as they move back. Yuri moves faster than Saskue.
"Luck? And I know you better than you think." Yuri makes it back with Saskue in tow.
Once it's Naruto's turn though, Yuri decides to hide close by. Hiding mere feet from Naruto as she watches him. He finds Shikamaru and Saskue after some struggle. But cannot find Yuri. Naruto and Saskue struggled to find her. Which is good for her time. She is trying to hold back her laughter, until Shikamaru is looking around and spots Yuri peeking out.
She flashes him a smile as he chuckles.
"What are you laughing about?" Saskue turns to follow Shikamaru's gaze. He even smirked at Yuri and her hiding spot.
Hinata glances over and looks down. Unable to look to where Yuri is without giving her away should Naruto come back.
Right as Naruto comes back, all their attention turns to him. "Where the hell is she?!"
Yuri smiles as she looks at Hinata. Hinata shakes her head and gets really red. Yuri wonders what it was about. She never saw Hinata get that red, but she somehow managed to stumble over her words a little more when Naruto was around Yuri.
Thankfully Shikamaru steps in. "I think you might have lost." A small nod from Hinata confirms this. "Do you want Yuri to just come out of her hiding spot?"
Naruto crosses his arms and turns his nose up. But slowly nods his head. Yuri just comes out from her spot, and seeing Naturo's jaw drop to the ground is good enough for her. This gets a laugh from everyone else. Yuri has a large smile across her face, pretty proud of herself for hiding so well, though against Naruto she doesn't think it's that much of a good thing.
"WHAT THE HELL? YOU WERE THERE?" Yuri laughs as Naruto continues to yell and throw a fit over losing.
All of them gathered around Hinata, after they finally get Naruto to calm down. "Well… umm… Na-Naruto was 9 minutes 43 seconds…. And Saskue… he was um… he was 5 minutes 28 sec-seconds-"
"DANMIT! How could I lose to that guy?"
Yuri rolls her eyes at Naruto's outburst. As she looks over to Shikamaru he looks at Naruto. "Will you stop? Let Hinata finish dimwit."
Yuri looks back over to Hinata and nods her head. Seeing how Saskue was remaining quiet, Yuri worries that Saskue won their bet. It wasn't the end of the world though, she would rather Saskue or Shikamaru win than Naruto. She didn't want to pull a prank with him just yet. She didn't know enough people and it sounds like Naruto gets in a lot of trouble for doing the pranks.
"Umm… Shikamaru… 5 minutes and 29 seconds…" Shikamaru shakes his head and looks at Yuri. "And… and Yuri… Um… um… 5… 5 min-minutes and 18 sec… seconds."
The young girl can't help herself but she begins to cheer. Jumping up and down. She never won against her cousins, but she finally won something. And her ideas are going to go well! Naruto learns to write better, Shikamaru… She needs to think of a topic. And Saskue can spar with Hinata for at least two weeks.
She hears Naruto groan as Saskue comes up to her. "Fine, who is it I have to hang out with?"
With a smirk Yuri crosses her arms. "Hinata. You get to hang out with Hinata for 2 weeks."
Saskue's eye's widen a little as she said Hinata's name. She even sees Shikamaru's eyes widen. Yuri smiles as the words settle in. Glad she had cleared it with Hinata before, and Yuri can only hope that it goes well for them.
"Why?" Is all Saskue asks.
Yuri turns to Saskue. "You need someone to practice with and I think Hinata would be a good fit honestly."
Training Yard - A Day Later
Yuri was in the training yard by herself. She was waiting for Naruto to come around so they could practice, though she is sure Naruto is off playing a prank or eating. Or was at his lessons… which could be where he is now… and Yuri forgot about it. But they had been meeting after classes normally. Which Yuri had been enjoying since Naruto was so energetic, it cheered her up. Somedays Yuri just wanted to hide away and cry all day.
But she knew that wasn't what her mother wanted. Though Yuri is the leader of her family, she needs to know things, including what's in the scrolls. Maybe she should read them after she finishes here. It could help her understand the taste of Naruto and Shikamaru.
Letting out a sigh, Yuri lays down in the grass. She looks up to the clouds. Yuri feels like Shikamaru, but what else is she supposed to do? While she could train by herself, mother always told her not to. It wouldn't allow her to fully see how she is improving or her training partner. She allows herself to drift in her thoughts, until she hears voices.
"Can't you please just listen to me?" Sitting up, Yuri sees two people with pink hair coming into the clearing.
"Why would I? You're jealous of Saskue!" The girl between the two of them puts her hands on her hips.
Leaving Yuri a little confused. Why are they talking about Saskue? Why would anyone be jealous of Saskue? He was… in her mind the most boring person in the group. Which is impressive since Shikamaru is also someone she hangs out with. Unless… oh… this girl must be part of the fan club Saskue has formed around him.
The boy snorts and shakes his head. "That is not what I am saying. I am saying you and Ino are fighting for a dumb reason. I think you guys shouldn't let Saskue get between you two."
Yuri doesn't move for fear of them turning to her. And she wants to be nosy. She thinks these two are in her class, though she doesn't know them. She was sticking with the group she was making currently. She enjoyed their company. Plus, Hinata wasn't obsessed with Saskue like all the other girls were.
It was why Yuri refused to talk to the other girls in class, not to mention, she was sure they hated her for being friends with Saskue.
"Ino is a pig and makes fun of my forehead. No way in hell am I going to be friends with her. She should know Saskue would never go for someone like her." The girl crosses her arms in front of her and turns away from the boy.
"Cous-"
"Don't you dare! You're about to take her side!"
The boy puts up his hands. "I am not and sorry. I won't be saying anything, but I am worried."
The girl begins to stomp away. "Don't follow me! Or I'll tell your parents you are the reason I can't make friends." With that she stomps away and runs away from the boy.
Causing him to only stand there and stare after the girl. Yuri also stares in disbelief after the girl, the pink haired girl exploded on someone and threatened him. It didn't make sense to Yuri. He seemed like he only wanted to help.
Now Yuri asks the question to herself… Does she help the boy?
She could ask him if he is okay. Maybe offer to train a little if that is what he wanted.
Yuri slowly gets up and the boy's head snaps over to her. Yuri puts her hands up as they are on opposite ends of the field. She wasn't expecting him to notice her right away. Yuri hadn't even decided how she was going to help the boy. Though, that doesn't stop him from walking over to Yuri.
"You're the new girl right?" The boy asks. Slowly Yuri nods her head. "I'm Isamu, sorry about my cousin, she is being… difficult."
"Your cousin?" Yuri stares at him for a moment. "I'm Yuri. And no worry."
"Yes. She and I don't see eye to eye. She is a little older than I am and our clan isn't that well known." He offers a small smile and a nod. "Yuri, that is a nice name."
Yuri can't help the words coming out of her mouth. "Is she part of the annoying club that follows Saskue around? And I don't remember her name."
"Sakura. And unfortunately, yes she is." Isuma lets out a sigh. The boy looks around and nods his head. "Well… I'll leave you to it. I'm supposed to play ninja with some friends."
With a wave, the boy walks away. Leaving Yuri alone in her thoughts once again. Confused by the whole dynamic. Sakura and Isuma are cousins? And Sakura treated him like that? Yuri would have been yelled at if she had treated her own cousins like that… she was expected to be kind and keep connections with the other family members since they were to protect her.
Yuri's head spins as she decides it's better to go home. She can feel herself being upset, and not wanting to be around anyone. Especially with memories of her cousins playing in her mind.
Note: Hello! Take 2 of uploading this chapter! I don't know what happened, but I hope I ficed it fast enough. Enjoy!
