𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐒𝐂𝐀𝐑𝐒 ― n. shikamaru ✗

Chapter 2

Unknown Feelings.

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As soon as word went around that Kawaguchi Akahana was found alive, a certain trio raced to find her. It didn't take too long since Ino's loud voice could be heard anywhere.

Tsunade found them and brought them to her, warning them about her recent activities with the Akatsuki and Uchiha Sasuke... which was far from love. She almost killed him. But they didn't know that.

She also warned them about her physical appearance.

Interrogation didn't go too well for her.

Shikamaru's head spun at the sight of Akahana. Ino's eyes widened, and Choji dropped the bag of chips he was gobbling down.

She looked terrible.

Blood trickled down her forehead, blood was everywhere.

"Is she dead!?" Ino cried, "Again!!?" Surely, she knew that how much blood was scattered everywhere it meant she was dead.

Shikamaru whipped his head around to face Tsunade, 'No way!'

Luckily, Tsunade shook her head, "She isn't dead. I've done a check on her, she's been experimented on."

It still hurt her to say that. Akahana was her niece after all, the only thing left of her sister... But, the village came first.

"I took out most of whatever's inside of her, but we need to keep her in this weakened state. It took 2 and a half days until she passed out." She explained sternly, but quietly. "She's very powerful, maybe even too powerful."

The trio of friends looked at Akahana through the glass. It felt weird for Shikamaru though, a different kind of weird.

His heart did acrobatics in his chest, he maintained to keep a cool demeanor on the outside, but on this inside it killed him.

He wanted to run inside, unchain her wrists and legs, thank her for being alive.

But he hated her.

She left him, he locked himself in his room for days, he couldn't sleep without being plagued by her in his dreams.

Her smile, and her soft gestures were enough to weaken him once again.

Though, there's another kunoichi in the picture too.

Sabaku no Temari.

Yes, although she was extremely blunt and was rarely ever afraid to speak her mind, something about her attracted Shikamaru.

He felt like she's different around him, they've gotten to know each other over the countless amount of times Shikamaru was assigned as her escort.

They may have been rivals, but almost everyone could see the sparks that came to life when they were together.

He could deny it, she could deny it, but everyone knew something was going on between the two.

Was. Something that was going on between the duo.

Shikamaru couldn't deny the fact he may had grown accustomed to Temari, sometimes they would even write to each other.

His heart spoke otherwise though, he still felt something for Akahana.

"Shikamaru!!" He was startled back to reality by his teammate's loud voice.

"What is it, Ino?" His voice sounded tired and bored, but on the inside, he felt awful. His blonde teammate looked angry but soon broke again, choking on her sobs. 
He sighed and put a hand on Ino's shoulder, "It's troublesome now, but soon it'll all turn out okay."

She nodded, and turned to Choji. "We should go, Choji." Choji nodded, and as Shikamaru was about to follow them out, he was stopped by Tsunade.

"Shikamaru." He turned to her, "Hai."

Tsunade turned to look at Akahana, sighing. "Kakashi reported that Akahana's eyes are a different color, they're purple now, apparently."

Akahana flashed before his eyes, her real red hues startling him slightly.

"Her eyes are red though..." He murmured, the thought about her being an Edo Tensei, but their eyes are usually black.

He looked at the battered girl, her blonde bangs messy and her pale arms that were aligned with bruises.

A wave of emotions ran over him. Tsunade's eyes widened.

The young girl stirred, her eyes opened. When his eyes met hers, he felt sick. 'It isn't her, it isn't her...' He repeated over and over again in his head.

"You're interrogation systems are kinda weak, yeah?" Her voice cracked slightly, but her purple hues are what caught his eyes.

'She's not Akahana."

/// AN ///

It's short, but I wanted to get something out. Sorry, I'll have something better for next time :)