I'll Show You Insanity

Chapter 31

"Mum, dad!you home?!" Shikamaru called as he slid open the door to his home and kicked off his shoes, still gripping Yuma's hand as she followed his lead.

"Shikamaru? What's wrong?" A sweet, motherly voice replied as a very pretty brunette woman peaked through into the hall. "Oh!" She said, eyes widening. "Shikaku!" She yelled over her shoulder, sounding like normal to Shikamaru, but angry to Yuma.

The small, grey haired girl tensed, ready to bolt if they attacked her. Shikamaru noticed and sent a reassuring smile.

"Don't worry. They aren't going to hurt you," he said.

"Hurt her?!" His mother yelled incredulously as her husband, a man who looked much like Shikamaru, appeared at her side, peering curiously at Yuma. "Why in Kami's name would we hurt her Shikamaru?"

"That's what I'm saying," the spiky haired boy sighed. "I'm telling her you aren't going to attack her. She's worried you hate her."

"Oh," the loud woman said in realization, fully remembering the young girl's reputation in the village.

The man chuckled. "Don't worry, Yuma. You're perfectly safe here."

"Of course she is!" The woman grinned, drying her hands with a dish rag as she stepped fully into the hall and began to approach her son and his friend.

Yuma stepped back, one hand on the door behind her as she watched cautiously.

"Calm down, dear," the woman said kindly. "I'm Shikamaru's mother, Yoshino. This," she motioned to her husband as he walked up beside her. "Is my husband, Shikaku. It's a pleasure to finally meet you, Yuma."

Yuma could simply stare at the woman in shock for a moment. When she snapped out of it, she quickly bowed. "I-It's nice to meet you, too! But, um..."

"What is it, dear?" Yoshino asked, kneeling before the girl, who gripped Shikamaru's hand tightly.

"You... Know what I am, right?" The rusty eyes girl asked hesitantly.

"What you are?" Shikaku blinked. "You mean the demon?"

Yuma looked up, shocked, and nodded numbly. "Y-Yeah..."

Yoshino smiled gently and held out a hand. Yuma looked at Shikamaru, who grinned at her and nodded. Yuma slowly, unsurely, put her free hand into Yoshino's as her other hand fell from Shikamaru's and she stepped toward the woman.

"Oh, dear girl," Yoshino said softly, placing her other hand over Yuma's. "You and that demon are two completely different things. Why would we treat you the same as that demon when you are two aren't the same?"

"But... I kill people," Yuma said, confused. "I kill people, and I enjoy it! Doesn't that make me a monster?!" She couldn't understand. "How do you not hate me?!"

Yoshino's smile somehow grew gentler. "Sweetheart, from what Shikamaru has told us, you seem like a nice girl, a girl that would do anything to protect those she cares about, even though you've lived a hard, unfair life. My son, as lazy as he is, never fails to clarify how much faith he has in your love for those around you."

Yuma looked in shock at Shikamaru, who was staring at her, blushing, but smiling slightly as he nodded once. A warm feeling bubbled in her stomach as she smiled gratefully back.

"So..." Began Yuma, looking at the two smiling adults before her. "You don't mind that I'm-"

"Bupbupbup! Not another word!" Interrupted Yoshino. "As far as we're concerned, you're just a regular girl that our son likes!"

"That's right," chuckled Shikaku. "So don't worry. How about we all head into the den for some tea?"

Yuma looked from Yoshino to Shikaku and back, then she beamed. "Yeah!"

"Oh! You are just too cute!" Yoshino exclaimed, picking up the small girl and hugging her.

"Saw that one coming," Shikamaru muttered, looking at his father.

"Oh yeah," the man nodded, smirking slightly as he watched his wife carry the grey haired girl to the den.

Yuma sat on her cushion, smiling as Shikamaru sat himself beside her and his parents across from them.

"Have some tea, dear," Yoshino said sweetly, handing the girl a small clay cup. "I imagine you've had quite a day."

"Thank you very much," Yuma said, sipping the tea.

"So I hear you've been staying with Kakashi Hatake, do you like it there?" Shikaku asked, attempting to start conversation and not noticing Shikamaru's frantic head-shaking until it was too late.

Yuma scowled suddenly, angrily as she looked down, her bangs covering her eyes. "It... Was fine." She muttered.

"What's wrong?" Yoshino asked, concerned. "Yuma, Sweetheart. What happened?"

"I figured something out is all," Yuma said quietly, setting her tea down so that her angry grip wouldn't shatter the delicate dish. "I just never realized that the only reason that Grampa Saru got me out of the Loony Bin, and why Kashi pretended to care, was because of the demon. So that they could keep an eye on me, and make sure I didn't lose my cool.... They never really cared, I get that now..."

"Nonsense," Yoshino said, frowning slightly. "Yuma, I bet you're simply over-thinking the situation."

"You... Think so?" Yuma asked slowly, lifting her head enough so that the thin trails of tears could barely be seen dripping off her chin.

"Absolutely," Shikaku chimed in, smiling, as Shikamaru reached over and placed his larger hand over Yuma's in a comforting gesture. "I bet they were just worried to tell you, because they thought you'd react like this."

"I think you should talk to Kakashi when you get home," Shikamaru said, squeezing Yuma's hand slightly.

"Maybe you're right..." She whispered, looking at him. Slowly, her face split into a smile. "Yeah, I will."

"Great!" Yoshino chirped. "But for now, how about some lunch?!"

"H-Hai!"