The Crystal Serpent [Naruto X Oc] |Book 1

Chapter 98: A Serpent's Reflection

Kei took a deep breath, inhaling the fresh, calming scent of cherry blossoms and flowing water as she arrived at the outskirts of the Hidden Leaf Village. A winding stream danced around smooth rocks, and vibrant Sakura trees swayed in the breeze, painting the landscape in hues of pink and green. This small slice of nature brought her a rare sense of peace, something she had longed for after her recent mission.

Her thoughts drifted to her teammates, Kaito and Akira, who were now safe in the hospital, and a part of her was still worried about them. She clenched her fist. The mission had been successful, but it came with a sobering reminder of her responsibilities as a Chunin and the weight of her ambitions. She felt a renewed determination to get stronger.

Reaching her house, a uniquely designed structure with black walls and a purple roof, Kei stopped and took a moment to appreciate the white snake statue guarding the entrance. It reminder that this used to be her father Orochimaru's old home before he left the Hidden Leaf Village.

As she unlocked the door, she stepped inside and slipped off her ninja sandals, leaving them near the door. Her gaze then landed on a framed picture hanging on the wall. It was of her, Akira, Kaito, and Mizuko-sensei back when Akira and Kaito graduated from the Academy and became a team. The sight brought a smile to her face.

"I could use a refreshing shower," She murmured as she headed to her bathroom to wash up quickly before laying down a bit in her bed to relax before preparing for dinner with Naruto.

****

After a nice fifteen-minute shower, Kei walked out of her bathroom wearing a dark purple robe with black pants. She made her way over to her bed eager to relax before preparing for dinner with Naruto. She flopped down onto her pants, savoring the softness of her mattress and pillows. She finally home once again, surrounded by the memories of her father and clenched slightly on the familiar snake necklace around her neck that was a gift from her father. Though meeting her father didn't go the way she hoped, she still cherished the moment she finally met him.

Lying there, her mind wandered tracing back to how she ended up on this path. She grew up in the Hidden Sand, hearing only whispers of her father from her mother, and wondered what kind of man he was and if she would ever meet him, but with the death of her mother she finally learned her father's name and set off for the Hidden Leaf Village, where she found her new friends, and discovered her dream to surpass the Sannin. Her eyes drifted shut as she recalled the memory of the day she encountered her father in the Chunin Exams and the pain she felt finding out that people lied to her about not knowing her father.

A knocked at her front door, pulling her out of her thoughts, and heard a familiar voice call out to her.

"Kei, you home?" Shikamaru called up.

Kei sat up and rose from her bed, she walked towards the bedroom door after tying up her robe securely and made her way downstairs to answer the front door where Shikamaru was to see what had brought him here to her house. As she reached the door she opened the door to see Shikamaru standing there, hands casually tucked into his pockets, his usual lazy expression replaced by a faint smirk.

"Shikamaru, what brings you here?" Kei asked, raising an eyebrow.

Shikamaru shrugged."Just checking in since I didn't visit as soon as you woke up in the hospital, back when you and Naruto brought back Lady Tsunade to be Hokage. Heard you were back from Kakashi so I figured I pay a visit."

Kei ran a hand through her damp hair which was pulled back into a ponytail."I see why don't you come in I have some time before dinner with Naruto."

Kei moved away allowing Shikamaru to come on inside the house.

"Yeah I heard him talking about it," Shikamaru said as he stepped inside the house."It surprised he didn't ask Sakura, but knowing her she probably said no or he finally moved on from her," He stated.

Kei shrugged as she led him to the living room."It could be both, but he is persistent though so doubt he gave up on Sakura that easily," She said as she sat on the couch with Shikamaru.'Are you secretly hoping he hasn't moved on Akira believes you and Sasuke have feelings for me and even Kakashi says so saying how worried you both were when I wasn't waking up when we returned to the village with Tsunade."

Shikamaru shrugged lazily, "It's a drag, but when it comes to you for once I rather put in effort ensuring someone as beautiful as you are safe, but it is clear you like Naruto, and it would be a real drag trying to get you to change how you feel about him."

"I see so it's true personally I thought you were too lazy to feel that way, but seems I was wrong," Kei commented.

Shikamaru scratched the back of his head."Yeah, well is a drag, but even I can't ignore when someone is important to me. All that matters is your safety and happiness."

A comfortable silence settled between them, both lost in their thoughts. Kei looked around the room, thinking of her father's influence in her life. She was grateful for her friends, but her ambition was clear, she wanted to become someone her father Orochimaru was proud of and respected, but more importantly, save him from the dark as her mother wanted her to.

After a moment, Shikamaru spoke, his voice soft."You know Kei if you ever need someone to talk to about anything on your mind. I will always be ready to listen."

She smiled reaching out and squeezing his hand."Thanks, Shikamaru. I'm glad to have you as a friend."

"Anyway I leave you to relax before your dinner with Naruto," Shikamaru said standing up."Now don't let him talk your ear off," He added with a chuckle as he made his way to the door.

As Shikamaru left, Kei returned to her bedroom. She felt a renewed sense of peace and focus, ready to face the evening with dinner with Naruto and see where it takes her in her relationship with him.

Hey, lovely reader here we have chapter 98 of The Crystal Serpent. In this chapter, we saw a more introspective side of Kei as she returned home from her mission, took a well-deserved moment to unwind, and reflected on her relationships and ambitions. Kei's resolve to surpass the Sannin and her quiet devotion to her father's legacy were key themes, deepening our understanding of her character. We also saw Shikamaru's intreast in Kei subtly come to light. Though he expresses it in his usual laid-back style. I hope you enjoy this chapter next chapter we will see Kei dinner with Naruto.

Thanks for reading!

Question of the chapter: Who is ready for Kei's dinner with Naruto?

word count: 1,179