𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐒𝐂𝐀𝐑𝐒 ― n. shikamaru ✗

Chapter 16

Sadness.

///

Heavy pants resonated in her ears, the weighted steps she took as she ran. Outnumbered she was. Very outnumbered.

But that didn't mean she would lose.

"She's here!"

"Get her!"

Stupid bounty hunters. Kunai were launched her way as she effortlessly dodged, an eerie voice in the back of her head beckoning for her to just let go and slaughter all fifty bounty hunters.

Bloodlust, Akahana. A very beautiful thing it is.

There was no reason to kill them, but she had this temptation to; so, she probably would've killed every single one anyways. Or leave one on the verge of death and give a cool warning to never come after her.

No, that would cause a lot of attention. Might as well just kill them. 

Blonde tresses flew behind her, electric purple eyes stunning some hunters to a halt. Her glare was cold like the Iron weather that was slowly seeping into the area. Trees scattered themselves and it was an advantage yet a disadvantage.

Free me, Akahana.

She growled lowly, "no." Her chest began to ache and burn, she screeched; hunters flinched. Her arms covered her chest, trying to ease the growing pain that swelled in her chest. She screamed and she fell. It looked like an exorcism. 

"Grab her!" A hunter yelled, "she's down!" Before they even touched her, a surge of energy threw them back, taking their lives.  "Dear me," her voice was different. More eerie and cold, "it's about time I have full control." 

Her pupils dilated, her body shook. Her head leaned back as a malicious laugh left her lips. She became mad. Her eyes swirled into a fluorescent blue, strong energy that blasted itself through the world.

Akahana's head began to ache. She felt like someone had taken complete control over her. Anxiety crawled up her throat; everything was black. 

I will be using your body. In the meantime, Akahana, dear, stay put. 

-

"Lady Hokage!" A Konoha shinobi appeared before the female. His breaths uneven and ragged, he managed to blurt out;

"Kawaguchi Akahana's location has been found."

She nodded, the stoic expression never leaving her face. She thought for a moment. Biting her lip, she turned around to look out her window.

"Inform Nara Shikamaru," she leaned back, tucking away the uneasy feeling in her stomach, "he will assemble a team and retrieve Akahana."

-

She felt so cold. Her hands were paler than she remembered. 

She was trapped.

Surrounded in darkness, she hid behind her knees. Her signature blonde locks fanning out behind her and covering her like a blanket. She was caged in her own mind. Her true self stowed away. She felt so lost. 

The trust and warmth that surged her veins were gone. She'd been through so much that she was losing sight of herself quicker than ever. She blinked back tears as she sniffled. 

She shut her eyes tight, trying to recall past memories that she wanted back.

Her body shook as sobs racked her body. 

Calling out helplessly, the name felt so familiar and gave a shock of nostalgia to Akahana.

"Shikamaru!"

He gasped, flinging forward in his bed. Tears ran down his cheeks his chest tightened. He felt so much pain that it was slowly becoming unbearable. 

The brown-haired male lied back down. Strangely, he felt so cold. Like something was missing. 

He closed his eyes.

Red eyes. Soft blonde hair that wasn't as light as Ino's, but wasn't as dark as Temari's. Her thin frame. A voice that lulled him into a sense of serenity. He missed her so dearly. 

"Akahana..." he muttered.

A series of light knocks startled Shikamaru. "Come in."

He was greeted with familiar emerald eyes that brought a small sting in his chest. 

"Temari?" 

Her usual hairstyle wasn't there, rather, they cascaded over her shoulders in a chaotic wave. Maybe that's why she ties her hair up.

"Shikamaru..." her voice cracked. Shikamaru rose an eyebrow as he sat up. 

"What is it?" He asked. A single tear ran down her face. 

"What happened to us?"

"Tem-"

"It was all fine! All of it! But when she came back it's like I wasn't there anymore! Shikamaru..." she looked at him, tears running down her face. 

It hurt him, yes. He'd been so selfish, but he wanted Akahana and he was sure. But seeing Temari in such a vulnerable state had shaken something within him. God knows what would happen if Gaara or Kankuro found out-

"Why can't you forget about her?"

He stood up and walked to Temari. His finger twitched, almost reaching for her. It didn't feel right, something inside him screamed.

"When you've seen every side of someone-" he started, looking at Temari with pained eyes. The female could feel the pain in his words as he spoke.

"-and then they disappear..." he looked away, closing his eyes to stop the tears. "It's too painful."

"But she's alive, and I can get her back," Temari sobbed quietly, knowing she had lost. She nodded solemnly as she wiped away her own tears.

"You're so cruel."

Hi there! I'm back! 

School has been such a PAIN!

Aaaaaaaannnnnndddddd.....

even though I'm so freaking busy... I have another book that is planning to be released soon! So for all you Attack on Titan fans, get ready!