Fading Light

Chapter 7: Defending Your Clan

Several days had passed since I spoke to my squad about the Sharingan Ruby being inside me, they all seemed to be on edge by every little sound in the forest whenever we trained. I knew when Itachi was around so this was getting old really quick.

Again a tree branch snapped in the bushes nearby, Shikamaru, Choji and Asuma abruptly turned.

"Enough!" I yelled. They all looked at me shocked. "I know when he's around, you don't have to walk on eggshells every time we come out here to train. I know you're all worried about me, but I'll be okay." I placed a hand over where the ruby was. "My father raised me to be strong, he raised me to be the best I could be. I won't let him down." I smiled at them.

"Amaya, I know you want to prove to us that you're okay...but we want to keep you safe as well." Asuma started.

"But that's just it, you can't keep me safe by doing this. You have to let me grow, just like Shikamaru and Choji, we're a squad if I fall behind in my training then it effects the entire team. Besides Itachi won't show his face around here for some time, he's smart, he knows that trying to come again after such a short period of time will only result in another failed attempt." I explained. Shikamaru smirked. "What?" I demanded, my arms crossed in front of my chest.

"You're as stubborn as you look. Nothing wrong with that, but you definitely know when to speak your mind." I looked away with a puff of my cheeks.

"No one asked for your opinion." They all chuckled.

"You're right, Amaya.

~

*several hours later*

After spending the rest of the day, no more interruptions, training we headed off to get dinner before heading off into our separate directions. Shikamaru and I walked in silence the rest of the way to the Nara household.

"I'm home." He calls into the house as we both take our shoes off. We walked into the kitchen to see Mrs. Nara cooking and Mr. Nara sitting at the table, catching some sleep before she turns around and notices. Mrs. Nara turned when she heard us come in, when she saw Mr. Nara sleeping she threw her oven mitten at him. He jolted awake and looked at her annoyed.

"Do you have to do that?"

"Do you have to be a bum and fall asleep at the table!?" She countered. He sighed, but didn't argue anymore. Shikamaru took a seat at the table as if this didn't bother him. I felt uncomfortable seeing the family dynamic, knowing I was an outsider looking in. I put my hand over the ruby and felt my stomach twist.

"What's the matter, Amaya?" He asked when he noticed I wasn't coming to sit down as his mother put down dinner.

"I...I'm not really hungry, I think I'm going to go for a walk." Nr. Nara and Shikamaru looked at me intensely. "Don't worry I won't stray too far. Just need some fresh air." I added before backtracking out into the night. There was a pond right by the house so I walked over to it and sat down. My outline shimmered against the surface as the full moon lit up the night.

Shikamaru...your family, it's so different from mine...I wish you could have met mine, they were amazing people or at least my father was. I didn't know my mother...but everyone said she was beautiful and a very gifted Shinobi...Will I be like her? I wonder...

"Hey?" I jolted myself from my thoughts as I heard Shikamaru's voice behind me. I looked back and saw he was holding a small plate of food.

"I told you I wasn't hungry..." He came and sat down next to me.

"You didn't eat after training, somethings bothering you. What is it?" I looked back at the water.

"It's nothing. I just was thinking about my parents. It's strange being around parents again. I've lived so long without them." I saw my reflection ripple away as a leaf hit the water. "I'm sorry to make you come out here. I know being around me 24/7 must be a real drag..." I saw my Sharingan appear, the blood red piercing through the waves to stare back at me. Shikamaru was now looking at the water as well.

"You don't have to apologize. I don't mind, Amaya." I felt my chest ache, like there was someone pressing down on my heart.

"Shikamaru...are you afraid of me...?" I looked at him finally and saw my Sharingan reflected back at me through his eyes.

"Amaya..."

"I've always had to defend my clan when people have spoken against it. Saying that the Uchiha got what they deserved, but...I can tell people fear me as well. They don't like how much like Itachi I am. I'm just as smart, just as skilled as he was when he was here. I...just have to know if you're afraid of me too?" I hadn't even realized I was crying until he lifted his hand and swiped away the tears.

"Amaya, I've never been afraid of you and that isn't going to change. You're my friend, comrade and someone very important to me. Stop thinking you're a burden cause you're not."

"Shikamaru..." I sniffled.

"You shouldn't cry, it really doesn't suit you." He chuckled. I swiped the rest of the tears out of my eyes.

"Thank you..."

"You don't have to thank me." He handed me to plate and I ate silently as the sounds of the night surrounded us. "You've always liked to sit by the water, why?" I looked at him after I finished eating.

"I'm not really sure myself, but I always have felt more comfortable by the water. My father used to tell me that my mother loved coming to the water when she was pregnant with me. Maybe I got it from her." He smiled a little.

"Sounds like your mom knew how to relax." I chuckled.

"I guess so."

"You two should come inside, it's getting late." We both jumped when we heard Shikamaru's father.

"Dad, do you have to do that?" Shikamaru groaned.

"Anything to get your mother off my back. She wants to make sure we're all in bed by a reasonable time. Now come on." I pushed myself to my feet with Shikamaru and we followed his father back inside the house.

"Good, you ate." Mrs. Nara stated when she saw the empty plate in my hands. I handed it to her lightly.

"Thank you, Mrs. Nara. I appreciate it." She smiled at me.

"As long as you're in my house, you will never go hungry." I smiled as Shikamaru led me back to my room.

"Asuma says we have a day off tomorrow, so why don't you rest." Shikamaru stated. I knew it was more for him than me, he didn't want to get up early when he didn't have to.

"We'll see." I chuckled and went into my room, laying down on the bed.

Goodnight Shikamaru and thank you...