Nara [x]-The Shadows of my Heart-[x] Shikamaru 004

Steam wafted up from the silver pot as I put away the tea leaves. Glancing at it, I retrieved the sugars and creames that would be needed; after all my grandmother had quite the sweet tooth. A yawn escaped past my pale lips as I set the chinary onto a tray and made my way back through the training room. My brother and father now were practicing some technique that I didn't know of. You see, even if my brother was a year younger then I was, he was already a Jounin. Sad, I know, but the males of the Kousyabi Clan often grew up much faster then the females. But that didn't make us girls weak. I think...I didn't know what was different for us girls, except that they usually always had a special kekkei genkai the men didn't inherit.

It was all good. I was happy as I was now. Nodding to them as they slightly waved, I headed around the corner and passed the paper doors that marked my Grnadmother's room. As I shut them behind me, the lovely scent of her plumeria fragranced incents wafted past my nose and the familiar lavander colors swirled across the walls. Scrolls lay here and there, most spread across the floor, causing it to look a lot like my own in a way. My grandmother was the jutsu master of our Clan right now. She re-wrote our old scrolls, and deciphered the ancient jutsu that our clan had. She was really important.

I stood quietly and respectivly tall for her, smiling at her own soft grin against her delicate face as she looked up from her easel where she sat painting the kanji of shadow. Her slender fingers pulled her glasses off her face as she moved the work away and scooted to the low table in the corner by the window. I walked over, placing the tray down and bowing respectivly just to get wapped in the head.

"Girl! You know you don't have to show me that crap. That's just for yer mom." She chuckled as did I, loving her harmonious voice. Kousyabi Izumi, my grandmother used to be the melodious storyteller of our house. But that job was given to my mother, then in turn me as I trained for it still. Her red hair flickered past her vivid green eyes as she sipped her tea(after putting in a lot of sugar...), and smiled at me. She looked quite young for her age.

"So, how was it? I see you passed." I nodded and sipped my own tea plain before rubbing my scalded tongue against the roof of my mouth and leaning against the table slightly.

"Yep, barely. But now I'm on Kiba's team-" "The troublemaker you hang out with? He's cute." I was about to nod when I caught what she said. A smirk was on her face as I reached over and nudged her, laughing heartily before responding, "Yea, him. But he's to young for you Nana." We laughed and continued on, talking about random things, and my ANBU mission for the night.

I coughed, blood still seeping from my mouth as I limped to my room. The mission hadn't gone well. Not well at all. I ended up returning, beaten to all hell since our squad had ben ambushed. It wasn't good. Wiping the corner of my lips for the thousandth time, I silently climbed through my window and dragged myself to the bathroom. My parents were still on the mission...I was sent home...

I stared at my reflection, cringing at the crimson staining my face and the dirt streaks down my arms. My snake mask was on my hip again, crooked, as my katana and such had been dropped at the foot of my bed. This wasn't the worst I had returned from a mission, but it still hurt like hell. Turning on the water, I washed my hands before splashing the water scross my face and furrowing my brow at the stinging sensation spreading from the cuts. They had dirt in them...

"It'd be better if you just took a shower." I jerked my head to the right, noticing my brother standing there, leaning against the doorframe at his height that was inches above me even if he was younger. His blue eyes showed compassion as he pushed from his position and helped me to the shower. I noticed he was in ANBU gear, sighing as it was obvious they must have already contacted him as backup. I screwed up bad. The water turned on as he turned to leave, smiling at my weak thanks and jumping out my already open window.

With the bathroom door shut tight, I slipped my torn uniform off and stood weakly against the wall of my shower, warm water dripping off of the front of me. My eyes fluttered closed as I began to wash up and bathe in the steaming liquid. Once finished, I turned the water off quietly and grabbed my towel, slipping it around me as I made my way to my window, shutting it and laying down lightly in my bed, not even changing.

-You think we should tell her?-

-Shouldn't we wait...?-

-Atleast wait until they switch her off that team.-

-I feel so bad fo-- -

-Don't. She's a grown girl, she'll be able to handle it.-

My eyes drifted open, noticing my family in my room hanging over my bed with worried looks. I blinked a moment before attempting to sit up as a pain resonated through my chest. My mother left the room sharply to make some syrum as my father gave me an apologetic smile. He sat on my bed, wrapping his arms tightly around my shoulders, yet careful of my pain. With that, the other left, my door being shut quietly. My eyes widened as I realized that Yuji, my brother, hadn't been in that group. I opened my mouth to speak before my father cut me off.

"Yuji is fine, don't worry..." He trailed off. He wasn't saying everything. Something had happened that night, and I was determined to find out.

"What happened to him though?" My voice was hoarse due to the yelling I had been doing the night before, but was slowly returning as the older man I called dad explained the situation. His obsidian orbs flickered with pain as he looked me square in the eye and told me--

"Yuji is blind. He was hit with poison last night...Naikiki...he can't see anything anymore..." I covered my mouth, tears raising to my eyes as the tough girl everyone knew me to be broke down in tears. I wasn't overreacting...Hell no... It's just that, Yuji... Was supposed to be the next Head of the Clan. And he was my Little Brother for god's sake! A lump formed in my throat as my dad rubbed my arm, holding me closer as all other pain was washed away, and I cried my sorrow out.

In some ways, I was like my mother, having given all my sorrow, I was now back to normal, if not more solem. My expression was blank as I stayed silent. Pulling myself from the bed and grabbing my usual outfit. I walked past my sighing father and into the bathroom where my brother had gazed at me with those caring aquamarine orbs just the night before...
Well, here it is FINALLY~! I hope ya like, and I need ten votes for the next one to come out! Have fun! ~Naikiki -V
Hope you liked it, Sorry it's so short, and remember, gimme ten votes and you've got a new one coming~! Later and out~~~