My Sunshine

Falling Into The Abyss / Bedfellows - Haru

"How was your time out with Ino and Temari?"

"It was great. I spent most of my time with Temari though; she's not from Konoha, either."

"That's right. She hasn't lived here very long."

"She said that Konoha is a very nice place to end up."

"She's right, and she should know. Right after her wedding to Shikamaru a couple of years ago, he almost died in battle. He was in the hospital for weeks and she stayed with him the entire time. But, she was never alone: there was always someone over there bringing her food and helping to support both of them."

Haru sat beside Iruka at Ichiraku, chatting as they finished their ramen.   Her afternoon was wonderful, and it felt so... normal.  It was just like the girlfriends she had read about in her books.  Chatting and doing girly things and supporting each other.  It was absolutely amazing, and she felt mentally and emotionally at peace... at least, the most she could ever remember.  Now, she was out with her friend, having dinner.  She had friends!  She couldn't help but look down at her newly painted toes sticking out from her soras from time to time; for once seeing something other than her scarred feet.

"Yeah, she mentioned some of that..."

As she spoke, though, she could feel eyes gazing at her a couple of seats away. Glancing up, a shinobi was looking at her, grinning sheepishly. When she looked directly at him, he diverted his gaze. She looked back at her ramen, feeling flustered and a little fearful. Iruka leaned down and spoke gently into her ear.

"Are you okay?"

"That man keeps looking at me."

She continued to watch the broth at the bottom of the bowl as she whispered.

Iruka glanced up at the man before speaking again.

"He's probably just looking at you. You're pretty, Haru-"

"Stop. Stop. I don't want to hear that."

Her voice was barely a weak whisper. She wanted to cry. Why couldn't people just leave her alone? The man got up, addressing her politely before leaving.

"Miss? I haven't seen you around the village and I just wanted to tell you that you're beautiful."

Haru could feel her face burning bright red.

"T-Thank you."

She glanced up at the man who was smiling at her and instantly froze in fear.  The man gave her a concerned look.  Luckily, Iruka stepped in.

"She's new in town."

She watched the man nod at Iruka respectfully.

"I hope you enjoy Konoha.  It's really grown up in the past five years."

"Thanks for coming over; she barely knows anyone in town yet."

Iruka's voice was very kind; this was obviously a former student of his. The man introduced himself.

"I'm Kata."

"H-Haru..."

"It's nice to meet you, Haru. I hope to see you around the village."

She nodded awkwardly and the man left. Iruka reached out for there hand, squeezing it gently.

"C-Can we get out of here?"

"Of course."

Iruka paid as she stood up, her arms crossed in feeble protection of her body. She wandered a bit away from the ramen shop; Iruka quickly caught up with her.  Why did everything have to be like this?  Why couldn't she just be normal?