Lost (Updated)

36

It was a new day and Senshi and Aisura had dragged Sora out to have lunch with them again Amira was also there as they ate at the tea house they always went to. Sora sat quietly listening to their chatter not having much to say. Her teammates were just happy she came alone. 

"So your team is entering the chunin exams too?" Senshi asked Amira. 

"Yeah, I'm a bit nervous about it all but I think we could have a good chance," Amira said a little excited about it. 

"Well of course you stand a chance, Amira. You don't act like it but you are quite skilled," Aisura said. 

Amira just nervously laughed not used to the attention and praise. But Sora knew they were right. She was a part of the Genko clan said to possess a kekkei genkai, it was crystal release. Very few in the clan possessed this kekkei genaki it being rare to have but Amira was a member of the main family leading Sora to believe that if anyone had it Amira would. Amira showed no signs of possessing it though. Even if she didn't possess it her clan produced excellent shinobi who didn't need the kekkei genkai to be strong. Meaning Amira was a force to be reckoned with, but you wouldn't guess that by her attitude. 

The group continued to chat happily at one point Sora noticed Sakura chasing Naruto and Konahamaru being pissed off about something but Sora ignored it. They stayed there for a few more hours Sora being the first to leave wanting to continue reading her books. She began walking home turning down a quiet alleyway that she always took when she stopped in her tracks and saw a familiar person standing in front of her. 

She felt her stomach sink as her heart rate picked up. The hair on the back of her neck stood up as he blue eyes met dark black ones that were farmed by glasses. The man also has ash-grey hair in a ponytail. He was someone Sora could never forget. He began walking towards her. She was frozen in place despite the fact she pleaded with herself to run, but she couldn't. Her throat tightened and her mouth became dry. Why here? Why now?

"It's been a while Sora. Have you been enjoying your time in the leaf?" He asked.

Sora didn't say anything unable to make a sound completely terrified.

"Don't tell me you have forgotten me?" He said. 

"Kabuto," Sora forced out. 

He smiled as he was finally right in front of her. She could feel her skin crawling just being near him. 

"I'm here to tell you to keep your mouth shut about my presence here as well as Orochimaru. You know better than anyone if I'm here he's involved. Also, don't try and run away, stay here and act like everything is normal," Kabuto said. 

"And why would I do that," Sora said trying to find her courage. 

"Oh, you sure have become cocky. You will stay quiet because if you say a word you can say goodbye to your teammates. We'll put their families in there too. If you utter a word we will make you watch as we force your teammates to watch their families die. I wonder how much they will despise you knowing you are the reason their families are dead. The people they care about most," Kabuo threatened. 

Sora felt her heart sink. This is why she didn't want to make connections here. She knew it would be used against her like this. She wanted nothing more than to refuse him to tell him she didn't care. But she did care about them. She didn't want them to experience that pain. 

"You know the fact that you care about them has made this so much easier," Kabuto said as he walked off. 

Sora stood there in a daze a million thoughts running through her head. The main ones were why were they here, and when would they take her away? This was so stupid she was stupid. She told herself she would keep her freedom no matter what it took. But she wasn't willing to sacrifice her teammates or their families. 

Something in Sora finally snapped as she fell to her knees covering her mouth in an attempt to muffle her cries. She felt nauseous and like her heart was being crushed. Like if she stopped breathing for a second she couldn't start breathing again. She felt suffocated.  She wanted to scream out but she stopped herself letting the tears run down her face as she sobbed quietly to herself.                       

She didn't know how long she sat like that or how long she would have stayed like that if a familiar voice didn't call out to her. 

"Sora is that you?" A familiar voice said. 

She knew who that was, and she didn't want to look at them. She didn't want anyone to see her like this. So she stayed quiet hoping they would leave. But she knew they wouldn't as she heard them walking towards her. She soon saw the face of Shikamaru as he kneeled to her level peering at her with a look of worry on his face. 

He was just passing by when he spotted her in the corner of his eye and he couldn't just leave her like this. He second guessed it being Sora not being able to imagine her in a state like this, but it was her. Sora tried to desperately wipe her tears and stop her sobbing but it didn't work. She was beyond mortified and didn't know what to do. 

Shikamaru sighed as he closed his eyes and covered his ears as he continued to stay by her side. 

"What a drag. I haven't seen anything at all or heard anything. Nothing out of the ordinary, I'm just hanging out is all," He said wanting to ease her worry.

Sora looked up at him as he sat there looking silly. He continued to sit with her as she calmed down regaining her composure, not wanting her to be alone. Once she had settled he opened his eyes and moved his hand away from his ears. 

"I'm assuming you don't want to talk?" Shikamaru said. 

Sora shook her head not wanting to talk in fear her voice would fail her. 

"Would you like some company for a while?" He offered. 

Sora thought about it, the thought of being alone scared her, not knowing when Orochimaru would show up, but having someone around scared her more not wanting them to get caught up with it all. She shook her head, making Shikamaru sigh.

"Troublesome girl. Would you at least like me to walk you home?" He offered. 

She gave a small nod thinking that would be fine. He stood up holding his hand out to her. She looked at it for a moment taking it as he pulled her up. The two walked in silence Shikakamru not asking any more questions. He had no idea why she was like that, nor did he know why he cared so much. But he wanted to make sure she was going to be okay. They soon arrived at her apartment and they stood by her door. Sora went to open it but hesitated scared to be in there all alone, just waiting for Orochimaru to show up. She looked at Shikakamru who stood there waiting for her to go inside and as she did more fear filled her heart. Would they threaten Shikamaru as well?

She quickly went inside closing the door behind her as she heard him slowly walk away. Her stomach churned. She could save them she just had to do what she was told. Maybe if she pushed them away they wouldn't be used as leverage anymore, maybe that would guarantee their safety. 

Was that the best option, to force them away and act like she didn't care?