Lost (Updated)

55

The battle had ended, and the village stood together, all dressed in black; Senshi and Aisura stood behind Sora, crying while Sora looked at the photo of the Hokage, her face void of emotion. She felt her fist clench, anger bubbling up in her chest. She did everything he said, and yet someone she cared about had still died. She turned away from the funeral, walking away and shocking her teammates, who went to stop her but stopped as Tatsuo shook his head. She had already lost so much; if this is what she had to do to survive, they should let her do so. 

Shikamaru noticed Sora leaving and followed her quietly, not wanting her to know. She wandered, struggling to push down the turmoil in her heart. She had found herself in a secluded area in the forest when her feet finally stopped moving. 

She looked up at the clouds, her body shaking, having to feel this pain again. It was her brother all over again. The pain was unbearable. She could barely breathe, her chest so tight it felt like her heart would be crushed. Her throat burned as a scream ripped through the air. Her eyes began glowing a blue as she fell to her knees, finally snapping. The area around her began to freeze rapidly as she was blinded by the pain, having no way to handle it. 

Shikamaru stood behind the trees, his eyes widened, feeling the pain from there. The ice soon reached his feet, but instead of running, he began walking towards Sora, who was curled into herself, shivering. 

"Sora," Shikamaru said as he stood behind her, struggling not to shiver. 

Her head slowly turned around, her glowing blue eyes meeting his. 

"You can cry," Shikamaru said. 

"No, no, I can't. That is a weakness that will be used against me. I can't let anyone see that. I can't cry, or I'll be admitting I cared," Sora said, her voice cracking and shaking as she struggled to hold her tears back. 

"Troublesome girl, It's fine to care. And I will hide your tears so no one can see them—not even me. So, please don't go through this alone," he said, holding his hand out to her. 

Sora looked at it and slowly took it. He pulled her up, hugging her. Her face buried into his shoulder, feeling a comfortable warmth as the tears finally spilled, and she began sobbing into his shoulder. He rubbed her back, not saying a word. Her eyes began returning to normal, and the ice slowly thawed. Shikamaru stayed with her as long as it took for her to get it all out finally accepting what his teammates were telling him, he had feelings for Sora. He wanted to be there for her no matter the situation, to walk her through the good and bad. But he couldn't tell her, and she wasn't ready for that, but he could wait. 

Sora didn't know how much time had passed standing there crying, but she had calmed down. Shikamaru took her hand, confusing her, but she let him lead her. After some walking, they stood in front of the Hokage's photo, where the funeral was being held. No one was around anymore. 

"Why?" Sora questioned. 

"You didn't get to say anything, so now is your chance with no one around," Shikamaru said as he walked out of earshot, leaving Sora alone, though she could still see him. 

She looked at the photo quietly, struggling to find the words. 

"I'm sorry, no... Thank you, Sarutobi Sensei. I promise to make you proud," Sora mumbled, holding out her hand, an ice flower forming in it. She placed it next to his photo and walked away. 

Shikamaru walked up to her as she walked away. But the peace was short-lived when Senshi and Aisura ran up to Sora and Shikamaru panting. 

"Have you seen my little brother, Kenji," Senshi asked, panting.  

"what do you mean?" Sora asked. 

"He went missing during the funeral," Senshi explained.

Sora went to say no but froze, and it dawned on her what had happened. Sora went to leave but stopped as Senshi grabbed her wrist. 

"You know something, don't you? Tell me," Senshi said, desperation in her voice. 

"Senshi, I can't. Just trust me when I tell you I will get him back no matter what," Sora said, strangely calm. 

Senshi let go of Sora as she ran off.

"Are you just going to let her go?" Aisura asked, panicking.

"Of course not. Get our Sensei's and catch up. I'm going after her," Senshi said, following Sora as the other two sought help. 

Sora walked through the village, her eyes cold; he couldn't even wait for the funeral to finish before taking action again, not letting Sora process it properly. Sora's fist clenched, knowing with Senshi's brother on the line, she would have to do whatever he asked. As she walked, a kunai was thrown next to her head, digging into a building next to her. She pulled it out to see a location on it and told her to come alone, which was her plan in the first place. She wasn't going to let another person die. 

She began running, her eyes holding determination as she ran to the area, anger filling her chest. He was genuinely despicable. She wanted nothing more than to kill him. It took a bit, but she made it outside the village walls, coming to a clearing. However, the second she faced Orochimaru, her hatred vanished, and fear took its place. Sora froze, seeing his face smiling at her. She looked down at his arms, which were now purple. She then looked at Kabuto, who held Senshi's little brother, a kunai to his throat. Sora felt her throat tighten, realising she wasn't even close to getting over her fear despite her anger. Her fear still won. 

"It's good to see you, Sora. I think it's about time you come back to where you belong. Don't you think so, too," Orochimaru said. 

Sora looked down at a terrified Kenji, knowing that if she did one thing wrong, he would be punished for it. 

"Yes," Sora struggled to force out.