Two artists |Araya x Inojin/Shikajin|

3

It was dark outside. The two boys were heading to an art exhibition in a small village. They were walking through the forest, where they could hear the rustle of leaves and the sounds of animals, most likely owls and deers.  To remain unnoticed, they did not exchange a word with each other. It was late, and the night has come.  They were completely bored. After all, who wouldn't be? Perhaps it may be good because they didn't have to engage in any fights. Although both of them were strong enough to face the enemy, none of them was eager to fight.

"Ah... It's so boring. Don't you think?" Inojin asked but Araya remained a silent. He didn't say anything and turned to him. "Say something" he insisted and the other one sighted. "We could use my Super Beast Scroll."

"I don't think it's a good idea" he answered as he kept walking.

"But why?" he asked.

"Because we shouldn't be conspicuous. It will be suspicious if we will be flying on the giant bird above the people."

"Do you see any people over there? If so, you should buy yourself glasses." he teased with a smirk on his face. "We will be alright. Also by traveling in this way, we will save a lot of time and we won't be late for sure. C'mon Shikadai would agree with me."

But he was nothing like Shikadai. Araya was the opposite of him.
He sighted again seeing how determined he is.

"You're not going to give up." Inojin shook his head. "Fine." he said making the blonde smile.

"Okay!" he called cheerfully. "Super Beast Scroll!"

"He is unbelievable" the Sand boy thought but joined to him.

Soon they were flying straight to their mission place. The view was amazing. It was so peaceful and beautiful. They could feel gentle wind in their hair. It was a magical experiance, a dream. Araya felt like he was a bird or a fairy flying among the stars.

"You're not that bad after all. I kinda like you" Inojin admitted and the masked boy nearly choked. It was so sudden.

"T-thanks" he stuttered. He wanted to say that he like him as well but he was already too embarrassed. He never thought he would get along with someone from Konoha, especially his past rival. He thought he hated him because of his loss and his incorect behaviour during his fight. He was coward.

"Are you alright?" blonde asked. He couldn't see his face and emotions, so he had to make sure because he sounded weird.

"Y-yeah..."Araya answered quietly and Inojin smiled.

"But you are not yourself, am I right?"

"W-what do you mean by that?"

"Don't act like you don't know what am I talking about. You hide your face, so noone can't see your emotions. You're often nervous and you're struttering. Sometimes you're cold but I can feel your warmth. You're afraid of being yourself. Why?" He looked at him.

Araya didn't know what to say he just stared in the woods beneath them. Inojin was right. He wasn't himself. He didn't want to be. He wasn't comfortable with others except his sibling. He envied him being outgoing. Although he was a little sarcastic and mean he had many friends. He was himself. That boy was honest unlike him. But he didn't want to change. Maybe he wasn't really happy but he got used to it. Perhaps he was afraid of changes and being honest with everyone.

"You know you would be much happier if you were less nervous and started to be yourself. Think of it." He smiled and focused on their way.

"I'll try" he said shyly making the other boy smiled wider.

"You can go to sleep if you want to. I'll take care of us. You now have headache for sure" he laughted.

He was right. He was all confused. But he didn't want to go to sleep. It wouldn't help him at all.

"I want to talk with you" he said after a moment of silent.

"Oh, really? What is it? I'm listening" he responded immediatelly since he was surprised. It was the first time Araya started a conversation.

"So... First of all, I wanted to thank you for not hating me. It looks like I'm a kind of person that people hate. Although I cheated on you, you still were nice to me. Well, I see you have a really sharp tongue but you can be kind and really caring as well."

"This is how I am. I don't intend hurting anyone... Well, not always. I like myself, so I don't pretend to be someone else. And... I promised myself that I'll kick your ass next time." He smiled.

"Can I ask you a question?" he asked and Inojin nodded, so he was able to continue. "You're smiling all the time. How do you do it?"

"To be honest, I sometimes falsifie a smile because it can get out of trouble.  I also think that a smile is a good option in every situation. It is certainly pleasing to the eye." Araya was shocked. He wouldn't think that this smile isn't real. He really didn't know much about human emotions. "But mostly I smile, when I'm around my friends. I don't have to falsifie it because I'm truly happy. Friends and family are the most important in our lives."

Araya felt sad. He didn't have a real family. His mother was dead and he couldn't do anything about it. His father left them when he was an infant. He didn't have any sibling as well. And friends... What friends? He didn't have one. Shinki and Yodo were his teammates but he wasn't sure if he could call them in that way. He trusted them.
He bowed his head.

Inojin made a soft face. He knew that behind this mask he was really sad. He wanted to do something but he didn't know what. He sometimes was as clueless as his father.

"You don't seem to have any friends."

It hurt him even more.

"But you can make them easily." He reached out and grabbed the others hand. "See? If you stretch out your hand, someone will give you their" he said with a warm smile. Araya could swear it was the real one.

"Do you mean..." He looked at him.

"Yes, we're friends" he answered with light blush on his cheeks. "You can't smile if you're lonely and upset. Even if you do, it won't be nice and people can tell it's fake" he explained. It was ridiculous because noone could see his face though.

"I understand" he responded and laughted quietly.

He was happy.
His rival became his friend. Nothing could surprise him anymore.

He appreciated it.