No Need for Love

C h a p t e r 25 - A Risky Rendezvous

The sky that was once a vibrant blue is now a darkening violet as the sun continues to move out of sight. I sit within my apartment practicing different hand signs while waiting for time to pass. These hand signs are for different genjutsu I need to work on. Lately I've been lacking in this, which is why I rarely use it.

Although my clan specializes in genjutsu, some can still be difficult to master knowing they're very powerful. It'll be some time before I can perfectly utilize a few of the S rank genjutsu I know. Though the sooner I get it down the better, I won't know when I'll need it. While all my focus is directed towards practice, I neglect to notice the amount of time that's passed. Checking my clock, I see it's almost thirty minutes past midnight.

'I should get going.'

Getting up, I make sure I'm fully equipped with all my weapons...so pretty much kunai and shuriken. Reaching the door, I put on my shoes and walk out. Being sure to lock it behind me. Now moving away from my building I make sure to stay within the shadows.

'I can't risk anyone seeing me.'

While running behind and through the ally ways of buildings, I check every corner before making a turn. About half way there, I run up the side of a building and continue to silently move across the rooftops.

Finally reaching the training field, I sit within the tree Shikamaru laid underneath earlier today. All the leaves make a perfect form of cover, so no one should be able to see me. But still being slightly paranoid, I decide to conceal my presence. The height of the tree also provides a nice view. I can see the entire surrounding area, and there's not a soul in sight. Shikamaru is not here yet.

'I'll have to wait for him. Hopefully nothing happened. Did he get caught up? No, knowing Shikamaru he probably fell asleep and forgot about me. Argh! What am I thinking! Yeah he's lazy but he'd never forget a friend in need. He'll show up.'

Letting out a small sigh, I begin to immerse myself with the surroundings. The moon is out, leaving a transparent light to cover the entire village. A cool breeze passes through the tree...it's completely quiet. Everything is so peace-

"Psst." The soft sound interrupts my thoughts.

Looking at the ground, I find Shikamaru signaling me to come down. Complying, I jump down swiftly landing on my feet.

"It's about time, I was starting to think you forgot about me." I say jokingly.

"Well, I'm here...so what did you want to tell me?"

"Before I say anything I need you to tell me. Did anyone see you?"

"No, I was very discrete on my way here."

"Ok, so you know how everyone believes that my clan had been wiped out?"

He gives me a confused expression before replying with "Yeah, what are you trying to say?"

I let out a sigh of nervousness before looking back at him and continuing. "What I'm trying to say is the truth, and the truth is that my-"

I'm unable to speak as the air suddenly gets caught in my throat. I immediately jump back as far as I can in order to create distance. Looking up, I stare at the horrifying image of a sharp katana that's been stabbed right through Shikamaru. He falls forward, hitting the ground face first. Crimson red seeps out of him creating a large puddle of fresh blood.

'H-how?!? I made sure no one was around. T-this can't be happening. Not again...Shikamaru, no.'

Tears begin to involuntarily well up in my eyes as I look upon the person who's responsible. I can't tell who they are, their face is completely covered by a mask of some sort. All I know is that their male, based on their physical build.

"Didn't I tell you I'd always be watching."

My eyes widen in response to his words and once again shock fills my entire body.

'T-that voice...it's him!'

Within a split second my whole being becomes filled with a sense of anger and adrenaline, along with a bloody thirst for revenge. With all my emotions taking over, I lose control of my own body. Pulling out a kunai, I lunge myself at him full speed.

"YOU BASTARD!!"

I swing my kunai at his neck, but he narrowly dodges and jumps back. I rush towards him a second time determined to inflict damage. Just before I reach him, I suddenly become immobile. I can't move a muscle. My vision blurs and my sight of the wretched man I once called father, disappears. Once my vision clears I see my out stretched arm pointing a kunai at Shikamaru's face.

"(NAME)!! Stop, what are you doing?!" He shouts at me.

Turns out the reason I became immobile, was because Shikamaru used his shadow possesion to stop my attack. Looking at Shikamaru, I see he's not injured at all. There's not a single scratch on him.

"...Shikamaru" I faintly whisper with wide eyes.

Finally freeing me from his shadow he asks "What's gotten into you?"

'What the hell just happened?! Shikamaru was dead. Was it a genjutsu?...but how could-'

"(Name) are you ok?" He asks again.

I don't respond immediately, instead I just look at him with an expression that holds both shock and confusion.

"(Name)?... Why are you crying?" He calls out again.

"I'm fine Shikamaru...umm, I need to go now." I say wiping my tears while trying to leave, but he blocks my path.

"Wait, what?? Didn't you want to tell me something important? Something about your clan, right?"

"Yes...NO! I mean, I can't right now. I have to go." I blurt out, moving around him in order to leave.

I run out of the training field before he can say anything else. On my way home, my mind is overflowing with thoughts of what just took place.

'How?? How did he know? Is it true...can he actually see me? Is it possible for him to watch my every move and know what I'm thinking? If so, then how will I ever stop him? At this point only one thing is clear, and that's the fact that no place is safe. I'm putting everyone around me at risk. I...I can't stay here anymore. I have to leave.'