fire drill | naruto

0. The Power in Numbers

content/trigger warning: none

The hot, blinding glare of the sun reflected off the black metal of the kunai, and Shōnetsu found it inconveniently shining. Like, straight into her eyes. She dropped the metal with a shriek and placed both hands over her eyes, wincing and leaning forwards from her seated position on the stairs.

Kiba, who just so happened to be strolling out to the roof at this moment, couldn't help but bark (haha, get it? furry ahh Kiba) out a laugh. Shōnetsu let out a quiet whine as she rubbed her eyes, which were oh so conveniently watering now.

Akamaru narrowed his eyes, or what you could see of them at least, woofing a couple times at Kiba, who still couldn't help but wipe a comical tear from his eyes as Shōnetsu eyed the kunai with distrust.

"You're really not used to the shinobi life, huh, Jigoku-chan," Kiba's laughter had died down into a couple of chuckles, and he sauntered over, plopping down next to her as she stared down at the blade.

"Yeah," she murmured. "I just.. I don't think I can really fight. I don't think I'm ready to fight life or death, or have to worry about saving everyone, and teamwork n shit." She huffed, kicking the kunai away from her and leaning back until she was lying with her back on the cement with a loud, heavy sigh.

Kiba hummed in what she assumed was understanding, lying down with her and staring at the sky. "Well, I'm sure you'll be a fine kunoichi, Jigoku-chan."

Shōnetsu felt a smile spread across her face. "Just call me Shōnetsu."

––

"Yo, Kiba," Shōnetsu drawled, slinging an arm over the dog boy's shoulder and grinning. "Who ya got here with you?"

"This here?" Kiba gave a similar grin. It was strange how the two's mannerisms were so similar. "My good pals, Shikamaru, Choji and Naruto."

Shōnetsu didn't even bother scanning the three, only holding out a hand for each other them to shake after proclaiming-- "Sup! I'm Shōnetsu Jigoku. Nice to meetcha." Each kid shook her hand.

Kiba barked out a laugh at Shōnetsu's face the minute she saw Choji's chips, laughed along as she fucked around with Shikamaru, who seemed to have a permanent sigh on his lips every two seconds Shōnetsu talked, and listening curiously as Shōnetsu eagerly explained the details of pyrotechnics to Naruto. Which was probably going to be her biggest regret in life, but who cares?

She felt like she was having fun.

Like, real, genuine fun.

Shit. She was totally enjoying this. And yes, she enjoyed it when Sakura and Ino came up to her, gushing about boys. It reminded her of the classic school drama of civilian school. God, how she missed her life of having to do nothing but learn about kinetic energy and adverbs.

Yet still, nightmares plagued her otherwise happy life as a kunoichi in training.

She found the flames consuming her as she slept. In the walls, tearing her apartment down and leaving nothing behind but the ashes of everything she ever had in her possession.

Fuck.

Fuck everything.

'Aw, everything but me, right, Shō-chan?'

Now, who the fuck was this?!