The Shadow And The Dog (COMPLETE)

Chapter 23

         "You ready imouto?"

My head felt like a bag ton of bricks in it being lift up against my will, I looked straight forward his blue ninja shoes in the way of my eye sight, to travel up his dirtied and tattered up pants and shirt, finally seeing his memorable face that would most time help me on my feet and watch the clouds with.

"Yeah Bro"

The look in his eyes, those onyx eyes; they didn't hold boredom like usual but regret, quickly the floor or roof looked so amazing. Moving my head anywhere but directly at him to not regret ever coming down here in front of everyone.

This feels so wrong, yes we spared against each other in the Nara territory woods but only for practice. I can't think of this as one, even if I wanted to I couldn't. No wonder Dad always took this talk about the exams so seriously, this moment was either us going further or going back in life and everyone wanted that title.

The urge to running all the way back home to my room hiding under the covers where it was safe and sound falling asleep at the end was in me as numerous of unwanted scenarios jumbled through my brain. If one of us goes too far in the fight and accidentally makes a consequence they never thought of baring, it will be the end of our sibling relationship.

"Troublesome girl, look at me!"

I automatically did as Shikamaru instructed on instincts, our eyes gaze at each other. With only one look from his poker face I knew he didn't want to do this, but this is for our clan. Father needed Shikamaru to pass to complete the Ino-Shika-Cho formation with his team like our fathers and their fathers; I wasn't destined to be it and I can't let Shikamaru loose. Everyone thinks he doesn't care about anything but behind him being a pain expression, he's trying to cover the stress it is to be the oldest Nara and to keep our clan in top shape.

"-ikage focus!"

A shout brought me out of my deep thoughts feeling a strong hold against me from not being able to move on command knowing it was his shadow possession jutsu. I saw that he was a couple feet away crouching down on one knee on the floor with a poker face with a hint of determination knowing full well we will fight till one is unable to keep going.

If he fails this Preliminary test than he'll disappoint Mom and Dad and the clan, they need him to pass. But if I win, it'll be pointless, I'm not anything important to the family it's all about Shikamaru. I would've caused our whole clan to be mocked, they don't care and they wouldn't care about me. I'm doing this for my clan, for Shika.

I looked back at my brother seeing him still as a brick. I smiled, which made him look confusedly at me, nevertheless ignored it seeing me stretched out of his shadow grip to raise my small arm in the air.

I could hear my brothers voice "Akaruikage, you better not be doing what I think your doing"

The front of my hair curtained my eyes as I smiled " Proctor, I For-"

Pain swiped my left cheek stopping my sentence. I placed my finger on my bruise and a small dab of red crimson blood painted my finger. I turned my head toward Shikamaru observing his frustrated face.

'Doesn't he realize I'm doing this for him? he should be happy'

"What are you doing Akarui!?" He yelled not being his original laidback-self.

I yelled "I'm helping you baka!"

"By forfeiting? Your supposed to be a shinobi so act like one" He said back

I didn't reply to his comment, my mouth stayed shut. He stayed silent with me for two minutes until he threw his head back and formed a smirk across his face rubbing the back of his neck. I found nothing to smile about guessing he thought of an attack move.