Into the Shadows (Naruto fanfiction)

Chapter 8 ✅

Months have passed after talking with Shika. Nothing has really changed except I spend more time with him and even Choji. I have also been helping Akemi with her studies.

Now school starts up again in about a week and I'm dreading it. I'll be starting in 10th grade, with people who are about 10 years older then me.

Really that's not what I'm worried about. I'm really worried about Akemi, she's even shyer then me when it comes to other people. I'm worried she won't be able to make anymore friends other than me.

I feel like I'm underestimating her in a way, and I hate it, but I can't help it. She's the only female friend I have and may be the only one I will ever have.

Right now Shika, Choji and I are in the forest that surrounds the Nara compound. Choji saw a butterfly and had to chase it, and Shika and I just followed because we had nothing better to do.

Finding nothing else to do, while Shika and I follow Choji, I jump up onto Shika's back. He stumbled a bit but regained his balance quickly, he tucked his hands under my knees and leaned forward slightly. Shika just grumbles under his breath and doesn't say anything, while I just giggle and wrapping my arms around his neck loosely so I don't choke him.

I put my head on his shoulder and see Choji glance at us quickly, probably wondering what just happened, but just smiled when he saw Shika with an impassive face and me with an innocent face.

Getting slightly bored, I start to whistle. It's involuntary really, but I start whistling a song from my old life. I can't remember the name, but it's one of those songs that if you even remember a few notes, it's stuck in your head.

As I was whistling, Shika glanced over his shoulder at me and you could tell he was interested. He's never heard me do this before and I don't think I've actually done this in this world.

Anyways, so a week passes by quicker then expected.

I played with Shika, Choji, and Akemi during that week, but sadly everything has to come to an end at some point.

Schools starting up. I meet Akemi just after dropping off Shika at the academy. We walk in silence while our Moms talk none stop to each other.

Once at the school, Akemi and I stop and just started staring at each other. We knew we wouldn't see each other as much anymore, and so since neither of us likes goodbyes, we high-fived and linter locked our fingers with big grins on our faces.

Once we let go we walked side by side until we had to separate and go our own way.

Neither of us said a word throughout the whole exchange.

Weeks have passed since Akemi and I last saw each other. So since I knew I was always out of the school earlier then Akemi, I decided to wait for her outside.

When I saw the mass of blond hair and bright green scarf, I grinned. I ran, dogging people left and right until I reached Akemi and threw my arms around her. She squeaked in surprise, but quickly realized it was me and hugged me back. Breaking the hug, I grabbed Akemi by the shoulders and asked her, "So? How's class been without me?" I had the stupidest grin on my face, but I could care less right now, I was too happy.

She had a small smile on her face, and started rising her scarf up on her face, looking around at all the kids, a nervous habit. Then she said, "I haven't really talked to anyone in the class except this one boy. He's extremely loud and talks to everyone, even me, like he's known them forever. I think he said his name was Masaru Suzu."

As she was talking I raised an eyebrow, 'I think this might be the first time Akemi has ever talked without stuttering in a crowd of people.' I didn't voice my thoughts in case she went back to stuttering. "Masaru Suzu," I said, "Huh, never knew you'd talk to someone with the opposite personally as you. Though I'm starting to become more ... open, I guess that's the word I'd use. Yeah, open." I started to look around at the other kids as I talked. There isn't as many now as there was before, but that doesn't make anything any better.

Even though I said I'm getting better with my shyness, I'm still shy and will not, under any circumstances, look someone in the eye. It's like I'm admitting I'm, I guess, weaker than everyone, but I can't help it, it's intimidating.

I hear Akemi trying to hold in a giggle. I just role my eyes and start dragging her to our Moms so we can ask to go and play together.

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A/N

So the song I attached was called Lost Boy by Ruth B. I just felt like I needed to add it in somewhere. I've had an obsession with the song lately and it's kinda driving me crazy.

Anyways I kinda want feedback from all my readers. Is the story good? Bad? I'd actually liked to know how people feel about this story. I have no confidence in my ability to write, so I'd like to know people's opinions.

I'd also like suggestions on what to write. Like should I continue on with Tomoko's childhood or just a big time skip. I don't know how well that'll work out but whatever people find more interesting I'll try my best to do.

Ah, enough talking. Typing? Anyways...

Ja'ne

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Edit✅

Some grammatical mistakes fixed.