𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐒𝐂𝐀𝐑𝐒 ― n. shikamaru ✗

Chapter 12

Drained Colours.

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Akahana kept her head low as Tsunade scolded her. The Rookie Nine along with Gai's team were baffled to see Akahana. It was shocking, but not shocking at the same time. Everyone knew Akahana was strong, and none of them really knew her extent. The Jonin captains in the room didn't let their guard down, old comrade or not, it was more than likely she was a threat.

"You were told to stay with Shikamaru!" Tsunade exclaimed as she paced around. The victim's lip quivered as she felt an immense rush of embarrassment and guilt. I hate this, I hate this, I hate this. What is wrong with you?! You're so stupid! 

"I think she understands now, Tsunade," Shikamaru intervened, but before he could get his point across, Kiba stood up and pointed at her. "It was the Akatsuki that wiped out the village! She was in the Akatsuki!" Kiba's words were harsh, but true. "Did you not hear what happened? Akahana was under someone's control," Shikamaru retorted, his fists clenching. 

Everyone stayed quiet and Shikamaru slowly grew furious. "He's right, Shikamaru," Choji muttered, "I don't wanna admit it either, but-" 

"Shut up, Choji," Shikamaru muttered. Deep down the wounds Akahana made were still fresh and open, he didn't want to admit, nor will he ever. He wanted her, he needed her. Those sweet moments that he should've handled more carefully. 

After all this bickering, Akahana's eyes turned cold, she looked at the faces, most she couldn't recognize, even the face's she was so familiar with seemed to be blurring from her memory. 

I need to accept it, I'm a monster, aren't I? A monster with fading memories, that's new. You're really fucked up, aren't you, Akahana? 

"She's different, can't you see?" Choji reasoned, it pained him to see Shikamaru holding on to something prying from his grasp. Akahana was no longer the same, everyone, even herself accepted the fact she would never be the same, except for Shikamaru. "No, she's not," he muttered. 

"Yes, I am," Akahana spoke up, Shikamaru and everyone else turned to the blonde. Her red eyes were dull as she spoke. "You can see it, but you won't admit it. Why?" Akahana questioned, she was drained from holding on to useless hope. "I don't even know most the people here, I don't know who they are," Shikamaru tried to speak, but Akahana beat him. Everyone else wanted to hear what she was saying, so she spoke.

"People claim me to be dead. If I was ever dead, why can't I recall it? It was called Heaven, and it was supposed to be peaceful and happy, if I died, why can't I remember such a place?!" Her voice raised as her fists clenched and she bit on her lip. "I have so many questions about myself, but they're all concluded with one answer. I never wanted to admit it, but all of this crap is useless!" Sakura drew her gaze to her feet, remembering the words she said to Akahana.

Shikamaru was frozen and Tsunade averted her eyes from her niece, not able to stop the words pouring from her mouth.

"I'm cursed! I'm a monster, sooner or later, you're going to have accepted it too, you're going to say it out loud and wonder why you tried to help me. There's nothing to help. I'm just going to be thrown out of this world anyway. Why give me the useless hope?" Akahana stood up and walked over to Shikamaru, staring him straight in the eye. 

"You're so stupid," they were just words, but they cut Shikamaru. His eyes widened as he didn't know what to say. 

"He's trying to help you and this is how you repay him?!" Ino screeched. Akahana turned to Ino, her gaze was expressionless. "I'm trying to wake him up and if you are such a good friend, you'll tell him as well instead of watching on the sidelines."

She turned on her heel, the soft thump of her footsteps echoing in the extremely quiet room. Everyone had no words, just a small pain in each of their chests. "This is your fault, Kiba!" Ino cried. 

"How is it my fault!?" Kiba snapped, Akamaru stayed quiet, whimpering slightly. "If you didn't open your mouth none of this would've happened!" Ino's voice was piercing and it gave Shikamaru a headache. Naruto stood up, "Akahana!"

The sound of her name disgusted her, turning around she locked eyes with Naruto. "Just give it a chance, will ya? Shikamaru and Old Lady Tsunade are trying to help you. I'll help you, too! Stop pushing the people who want to help away!"

There was no response from the red-eyed female. She sighed and turned back around, it felt so useless to her now. She didn't even try to think why she changed so quickly, mainly because she already knew. She was decaying inside, her mind finally giving into the darkness. Two people played in Akahana's mind. 

"Do you know Deidara, Itachi Uchiha and Kisame Hoshigaki's status?" 

Tsunade spoke up before anyone else could, "Deidara and Itachi were killed, Kisame is known as alive." Akahana nodded, "thanks." How did you manage to die, Itachi, Dei? Did you kill yourselves fighting each other? Whatever. You left me too, everyone does.

Akahana closed her eyes, then opened them. Everything and everyone looked so dull to her. The bright colours no longer available for her to see. It was so monotoned. It was there Akahana gave up trying to remember. Where she gave up and let her mind stop fighting the darkness.

"Look at her, Shikamaru, she still wonders how her buddies are doing."

I can't believe I thought I could be fixed.

 | AN

I don't know what to say. I'm sorry for the late (and bad) update. Next one might take a while too, though. This book might end around twenty chapters and I'm trying to figure what's the best ending, you know?

Anways, until next time!