I'll Show You Insanity

Chapter 41

The first day of exams had arrived.

"Good luck, Shika!" Yuma cheered, hugging the ponytailed boy tightly around his middle. She looked up at him, pouting slightly. "If any buttheads try to kill you, just shank them in the eye, Kay?"

He gazed at her with soft eyes, a small grin tugging lazily at his lips as he pat her head affectionately. "Sure, Yuma." He lowered his head, gingerly pressing his lips to her forehead. She smiled widely at him in response.

Let's recap, shall we?

Immediately after the shock and immense crying following Yuma's reawakening, Shikamaru confessed his feelings for the charcoal haired girl, asking her to be his. She'd happily agreed, and many pictures were taken for the scrapbooks, much to the two pre-teens' displeasure at the fuss.

Anywho, back to the story.

Yuma hugged him a while longer, burying her face in his chest with a sigh as he returned the embrace happily outside the classroom holding the first part of the exams.

He smiled down at her with a chuckle. "Yuma, I've got to go."

She gave a slight whine. "Fine, I guess," she relented, releasing him and backing up to smile up at the taller boy. "You'll do great Shika, I know it."

He kissed her forehead once more. "Thank you, Yuma. I'll see you soon."

The rusty eyed girl nodded happily before skipping off. She intended to go talk to her Grampa Saru- the two had made up nearly the moment she'd awoken.

~•~

Yuma sat with Kakashi, Asuma, and Kurenai, watching as Kakashi and Asuma played their game.

Kurenai glanced curiously at the child sitting beside her. She knew who the small girl was- every one did. She just hadn't gotten to introduce herself to the infamous child, and was pondering how to approach the subject.

"You must be Yuma," she spoke slowly, smiling her warmest smile.

Rust colored orbs locked onto her, and the dark haired woman's smile turned slightly more anxious as Asuma and Kakashi turned to watch the exchange with entertained grins, both already knowing the girl's ability to make anyone squirm, and childishly awaiting that fate for their female friend.

"Who are you?" Yuma asked curiously, tilting her head up at the woman.

"Oh, sorry. I'm Kurenai," the kunoichi offered. "I've heard alot about you from Asuma and Kakashi, and even a bit from my students."

"Students?" Yuma echoed.

Kurenai chuckled. "Yes, you gave Kiba quite the scare from the sounds of it."

"Kiba... Kiba... Hm..." Yuma hummed, tilting her head from side to side as she tried to recall which of the many students she threatened went by the name of Kiba.

"How do you think the team is doing?" Kakashi asked his little cousin curiously, turning back to the game board.

"They'll be fine, as long as they stick together," Yuma replied confidently.

"And Shikamaru?" Asuma grinned, making his move on the board. Kakashi chuckled, moving his piece, and Asuma gave sigh of distress as he noticed his endangered King.

A surprisingly gentle smile touched Yuma's lips. "Shika's strong, and smart. He can do anything."

"That's so cute," Kurenai smiled.

"Well, let's just hope they get through the first part then, eh?" Kakashi smiled, enjoying watching Asuma try to protect his King.

"Hm? Why?" Kurenai asked.

"Because the proctor for the first exam is Ibiki Morino," Asuma replied with a disgruntled huff of annoyance, glaring slightly at his long time friend.

Yuma beamed. "Ooh! Ibi-chan is there?!"

"Who?" Kurenai questioned toward the two men.

"He's the top torturer and interrogator of The Leaf," Kakashi explain as Yuma skipped over to their game.

"Here you go, Asu," the young girl grinned, moving his Queen in such a way that it could protect his King and readily take Kakashi's own.

"H-Hey now," Kakashi protested. "That's cheating. Where'd you learn to play, anyway?"

"Shika taught me," Yuma replied brightly, hugging Asuma's neck. He wrapped his arm around her with a grin before letting her move to hug Kakashi.

Kakashi, used to the affectionate state the young girl's been in since she'd found out she'd nearly died, engulfed the small girl in a hug, chuckling when she tried to out hug him.

"Where're you off to?" Asuma asked with a smile when Yuma released Kakashi,and headed for the door.

"Probably going to say high to Ibiki," Kakashi guessed lightly, trying to undo the damage Yuma had caused to his victory.

"Is that allowed?" Kurenai asked, though Yuma was already gone.

"Not normally," replied Asuma. "But it'd do no good to try and stop her, this is Yuma we're talking about."

"Too right you are," Kakashi chuckled, reclaiming his victory by moving his King to a secure square.

"Shoot," Asuma sighed, scratching his chin in thought. "Shoulda had her stick around a bit longer..."