Coming of age: The beginning

Code name: Speed runner!

That night after a delicious dinner with Fuyumi, Shika took a long, hot bath and headed to bed. The next morning she awoke super early.

There was just something about sleeping in a new bed in an unfamiliar house that kept her from sleeping too soundly. It was sort of unsettling, something she'd have to get used to.

After getting dress, doing her hair, washing her face and brushing her teeth, there really wasn't much else to do. So Shika decided to start unpacking her things.

Since she'd caught the train to Musutafu, there really wasn't much that she could bring with her. The rest would have to be shipped.

She hung her clothes in her closet and placed a few knick-knacks here and there. Her mom had put together a care package filled with everything from school supplies and hygiene products to her favorite stuffed bunny.

She didn't know what she'd do without her mom, honestly. The woman thought of everything.

To fill up her empty nightstand, Shika placed some photos that reminded her of home.

There were a couple of pictures of some friends from Konoha, various pictures of her and her mom together and... one of Shikamaru.

Yeah, she knew it wasn't healthy to still be holding on to it, but it was her favorite picture of him and she just didn't have it in her to let it go.

Not yet at least.

Honestly, she doubted if she'd ever actually throw it away. When she was ready, she'd probably just toss it in a box or something. But getting rid of it all together? Out of the question.

By the time she was done putting her things away, Shika could hear dishes being moved about in the kitchen downstairs. The smell of grilled fish wafted through the air and she smiled as she made her way towards the wonderful aroma.

It had been ages since she'd had breakfast made for her that she didn't have to reheat in the microwave before going to school. Her mom had to leave super early in order to have the market up and running by open time. Which meant that Shika was alone most mornings.

"Yum! Fuyu-nee, breakfast smells so good! I can't wait to eat with you," Shika sang as she took the last step down, but the person she saw in the kitchen wasn't Fuyumi.

"Aw, that's sweet. I'm looking forward to eating with you too. Though, obviously I'm not Fuyumi. Sorry," The tall, white-haired man standing in the kitchen said as he turned around and smiled down at her.

"Uh...who...?" she asked and he gave her a puzzled look.

"Hm?...Oh! Sorry, sorry," he said with embarrassment, apologizing before turning off the fish, walking over to Shika and holding out his hand.

"I'm Todoroki Natsuo, Fuyumi's younger brother. You must be Ms. Kazami?"

Shika looked from Natsuo's gray eyes down to his outstretched hand and back up before hesitantly taking it.

"Uh, yes, but you can call me Shika."

"Cool. Shika it is," he said before shaking her hand.

Shika blushed, flustered that he didn't use an honorific. She pulled her hand away and turned so he wouldn't see her face.

"Um, so where is Fuyumi-onee?"

"Oh, she leaves pretty early in the morning during the week to get her class ready before the day starts. That's why I'm here. She asked me to come over and make sure you get something to eat before meeting with your teacher," he said this as he began placing dishes on the table in the room across from the kitchen, "Oh, and to let you know that a student will be here to escort you to the school and back."