I'll Show You Insanity

Chapter 51

"Ooh, it's starting!" Yuma chimed excitedly, rushing to the railing to watch her friend and teammate's match.

"Miss Yuma, please stay still," the medic shinobi around her said, moving with her to continue her treatment. They, however, went ignored, much to their dismay.

"Kakashi-saaaaan!" The group whined at the silver haired jounin, who watched the scene with an air of amusement. "Can't you do something?"

"Afraid not," he replied with a slightly playful tone, scratching the side of his masked jaw. "There's virtually no way to get Yuma to obey any order..."

"Kakashi," the Third chuckled, ending the sensei's fun.

"Alright, Alright," Kakashi chuckled. "Yuma, let's go find a seat in the stands, hm?"

The charcoal haired girl looked hesitantly over her shoulder at the Homage as her late opponents words echoed sitting the frontlines of her memories.

"You and this village will burn to the ground, bitch."

Her gaze locked onto Raido. "Keep him safe."

The gaurd nodded in assurance, slightly curious of the serious gleam shining brightly in her rust colored orbs, but somewhat used to the protective nature she held over him, as well as many in the immediate area.

Yuma nodded, satisfied with the quick answer, before rushing forward and leaping at the elder man she worried over.

"Why so grim, dear?" The Hokage asked softly, catching and embracing the girl.

"I have a feeling something's gonna happen," she replied quietly, so only he could hear.

So she felt it too, the tensions rising in the atmosphere...

"All will be fine," he assured, pulling back and planting a kiss in the girl's forehead. "Now go with your friends, and try to enjoy the rest of the exams."

She nodded, looking worriedly at him, before returning to the group awaiting her, made up of friends and impatient medics.

Kakashi led the group to a row of seats long enough for all of them, near the other teams made up of Konaha 13.

While the others chose their seats, the last two seats were made up of Shikamaru and Yuma, who sat at the end so the medics could reach her.

"I'll check in later," Kakashi promised, still standing. "I'm going to go catch up with some friends."

"Kay," Yuma chirped, though her stomach twisted with nerves as she realized she wouldn't be able to protect him either if he wandered too far.

"Are you alright, Yuma?" Shikamaru asked softly, observant as ever as Kakashi disappeared in a gentle poof of smoke.

"I'm fine," Yuma assured unconvincingly, smiling weakly at the boy beside her.

"Yuma," he sighed, leaning over to press his lips to her temple. "What's wrong?"

She looked down as the medic nin left, task complete. "Just promise me, promise me that if something happens, you'll focus on keeping yourself and our friends safe..."

Shikamaru frowned at the odd request, taking more of the lacking mention of herself included.

"Why does it feel like you're saying goodbye?" He asked, fear rising in his chest, obstructing his throat.

"It may have to be," she whispered, causing his blood to run cold and his heart to pound in his ears.

"Yuma... what-"

"Something's coming, Shika. And I don't want whatever it is to take you or anyone else I love."

"Wait a min-"

Her lips against his silenced him, leaving him to stared at her eyes, shut tight with thin red rivulets escaping. She was really scared.

Releasing a soft sigh through his nose, Shikamaru brought his hands to her cheeks, kissing back briefly before retreating and pulling her into a hug instead, hiding her from the world as her rare tears commenced to stain his chest and fishnet shirt.

"It'll be alright," he soothed as her shaky arms wrapped tightly around his waist, as if she were afraid he'd disappear if her grip were any looser.

"Yuma, what's wrong?" Choji asked, concerned as he looked over to see his friend hiding her face in his best friend's chest.

"She's just a bit tired," Shikamaru covered gently, streaming his fingers affectionately through her soft grey hair.

"Makes sense," Choji smiled worriedly, leaning forward and reaching around to pat the small girl's back comfortingly.

Gaining control of her emotions, she turned her head to smile wearily at her swirly cheeked friend, the side of her head pressed against Shikamaru's chest as his steady heartbeat calmed her significantly.

"You want a chip, Yuma?" Choji offered softly, holding one out to her. "They're sweet potato flavored."

"Sure, Choji," she said quietly, taking it from him with a grateful smile. "Thanks a bunch."

Her lack of energy and volume worried the Akimichi boy, but he didn't let his concern show, worried that it would only affect his friend in a way that would prove counterproductive in cheering her up.

"No problem," he said instead, ruffling her hair.

The others didn't knotice the exchange, as they were too engrossed in cheering on the fighting Uchiha.

"Alright! Go Sasuke-kun!" Sakura and Ino shouted in unison, and Yuma turned her attention to the battle ensuing below, smiling at how strong her friend had become since she'd last seen him.

All of them, they were growing, stronger, smarter- some more than others in certain departments, but the point was they were growing. Yuma loved everything about her team, the good, the bad, and the aggravating.

Her heart ached to think about what life would be like if her worst fear came to light, and they were torn apart. They were a family, they couldn't just be separated. That's what she hoped, anyway.