[Chapter 35: Change of Pace!]

Shape the chakra in a circular motion, like a ball. Contain it— do it right! But let it go free, let it move around.

I— oh god this is difficult. No— don't think about it! Think about how it'll feel, how lively it'll be. Think about—

"Khissssss...!" I hissed out in pain, the warmth in my hands too hot to bear. Reeling my arms back against the force, I stumbled on my footing. "Ah!" I exclaimed, waving my arms out so I wouldn't plummet to my death. When I have finally balanced again, my back slouched as I released a sigh. It's been like, a month or so? So why aren't I getting this???

"No need to get so worked up on this," Shiori signed beside me, grabbing my slightly burnt hands with his free hand to inspect them. "These things take patience after all."

"I know that!" I whined out childishly, wincing when the older individual squeezed on my hands. "Ow! Shi-Shi~!" The said person only sighed, dropping them when he concluded that they were ok.

Placing my hands behind my back, I puffed my cheeks out. "The thing is, I know what I'm doing wrong! And yet I still do it!" I grumbled out, plopping my ass down against the grass, sitting against the familiar tree.

"Of course you would, you haven't done something this advanced in a while," Shiori commented, standing next to me with his red, narrowed eyes staring down at me. "I am still surprised you wished to do this, despite being only a genin."

"Look— it sounded cool okay?" I tried to reason, only to blink when I registered what they had said. "Holy— I forgot I was only a genin." Straightening my back, I looked up to my teacher. "When was the last chunin exams?"

"Approximately 52 days ago."

"Eeeeh?" I let out. They already had one after the invasion? "I feel like I would've been qualified for that one!"

"If you didn't, I would have been disappointed." I narrowed my eyes with a slight frown. Of course, prodigy. "But, not all of your peers are on the same level and I doubt you'd like cooperating with unfamiliar faces." I hummed in agreement, ok, now that makes sense.

I raised a brow, "Wait— if my mates weren't ready for the chunin exams then why did we take one so early?"

"Is it not obvious?" The pink-haired individual narrowed his eyes. "You already know the layout and traditions of this village, making it easier for you to pass. Which means it's safer."

Ohhhh... I thought to my head. "Does that mean I can go to the next one?"

"No," Huh? My friends aren't that weak. "If you didn't know, the next Chunin exams will be held at Kirigakure." I blinked at the familiar name, only for the realization to hit me in the face. Oh that's terrible for an Uchiha. I internally shuddered at the memories of knowing that the village was known for its bloodshed and hatred against kekkei genkais. "However, I believe that you will pass at the next one."

I giggled, standing back up and stretched my arms out. "Yay!" Holding my hands out, I smiled as I then close my eyes, "Better master this jutsu now then!"

But just as I started to push my chakra to my hands, I felt something grab them. I snapped my eyes open, looking down to see another hand, older and longer, on them. My head tilted up, only to meet the eyes of Shiori. His eyes were more narrow than usual as there was a slight tug of his mouth as if he was scowling at me. Pushing my hands down, he lifted up his other hand. "You're done for the week."

I blinked in surprise. "Huh?" I couldn't help but let out. Letting go of me, the taller pink-haired male just turned away. "Hey, what's that supposed to mean?!" Did— did I actually get a break? And wait— for the whole

"Are you blind?" They signed, turning their head at me as they did so. As an Uchiha, I am offe— actually, no, it's accurate. "Yes. You've overworked yourself."

My brows furrowed together slightly, what do you mean by that? I've been taking well of myself!

I wanted to say but before I could open my mouth, he disappeared right before my eyes.

Standing alone under the shade, I tried to process what was placed upon me. "Wait..." I asked to myself quietly. "What the fuck am I supposed to do now?"

≼≽⋌⋚⋛⋋≽

"You're supposed to be on break right?"

"Yup!"

"And what are you doing?"

"Enjoying my break!"

"No, you're not!" Hiro pointed out in an exasperated tone. Opening my eyes, I find myself staring at a bandaged yet accusing finger darted towards me. The boy in front of me held a brow raised with his other hand clenched on the table. He then sighed, staring at me with annoyed eyes. "I sense see you circulating chakra."

I giggled, tilting my head slightly with my hands up in surrender, "Oops! You caught me!" Not that I was trying to hide it.

Once again, it was a cafe date. It was in near noon. I was just walking around with boredom in my mind when I stumbled across Hiro, who was apparently on a break from hospital shifts. And with the power of friendship and memes, we ended up back here: our little cozy place to just chat.

But it seems that wasn't gonna be the case now. "But what does it matter?" I injured. "I wasn't planning to use any here."

"Well, I don't wanna get kicked out." Came the dark-haired male's response, turning his head away from me. I only giggled, planting my hands on my cheeks and my elbows against the table.

"Don't worry~ they know us enough to not do that."

"Which means they know how crazy you can get."

"Awww, Hiro, don't be like that," I told the dark-haired boy. He just let out a hmph before crossing his arms at me. I slid my arms over the table, laying on it basically.

"Why do you need to work that much?" He asked with only the smallest drop of curiosity lacing his voice. "You used to do the bare minimum in the academy."

"Well," Dragging that word out with a light tone, I laid my cheek down, playing with my fingers in boredom. "I realized when doing all that training and spending time with the others that," I sighed through my nose. "I really do wanna protect them and make them happy."

Straightening my back up, I giggled nervously at my confession. Ah, that slipped out. I couldn't help but think, averting my sight away from my friend. But, it was true. Maybe I realized that when I was 'tested' by Shiori but, after living this life, I've... grown to care for them.

I don't even know if that's a bad thing.

"So," My head perked up at the sound of Hiro's voice, turning my eyes back at him. The male seemed to be in thought, an expression that wasn't typically worn by him around me. I couldn't help but tilt my head in curiosity, my brain moving gears to predict what he was going to say next. "That's your reason, huh."

"Uh, yeah?" Eyeing him with questions in my mind, the genin stood up, his chair underneath him skidding against the floor. For some reason, there was a certain look in his eyes, one that I only saw when was protecting Hinata from bullies.

Why is he suddenly so... determined? Over-protective?

With heavy steps, the boy walked towards my side, leaning down so his face was close to mine. Huh? My chest tightened, this is... the first time he's ever been so close. "Then you should know," Slowly yet steadily, he raised an arm up. "That you should cherish yourself too."

"Wait, what are you—?!" I already knew what he was going to do. And yet, I was too slow to stop him. As his hand slammed against my neck, I flopped against the table. "Hi..." The force wavered my vision, making to blurry as I saw his face contort.

I think he was remorseful, judging by the furrows of his brows and the tightness of his mouth. But I couldn't know for sure: I was seeing dark spots inking my sight.

The last thing I heard was a quiet apology before I blacked out.

I couldn't help but sigh, the fact that she usually would have avoided that pissed me off. With swift hands, I moved some of her bangs out of the way, revealing more of her face. Did she even notice the eye bags under her eyes? My brows furrowed when I felt the soft breathing coming out of her. She really...

I reeled my touch away from her before turning around. With a grip on the sealed-curtain, I slid it out of the way to prop my head out. "Oi— Chiaddo!"

A few feet away from me, the all-familiar waiter twisted his back in my direction, trays filled with drinks and pastries in hand. He smiled, "One moment!" Was his response as he, at lightning speed, placed all of his tasks down gracefully. Not minding the amazes gasps from the customers, the guy only winked at them before waltzing towards our direction.

I frowned, my eye twitching slightly at the man. I can't believe it... I dismissed the thought with a shake of my head. Don't wanna think about that.

"What's up?" Chiaddo asked with a smile, peering into our booth. It only took a moment for him to notice an unconscious Megumi, rumbling a low hum before glancing back at me.

"She's only asleep," I commented before he could ask, hands shoved into my pockets. I averted my eyes to glance at the clock that was above the entrance. I have time... Looking back at Chiaddo, I huffed. "But can you take her inside? I don't think she's gonna wake up soon."

He only chuckled, complying as he lifted Megumi off of her seat and into his arms. "Oomph!" The young adult exclaimed as he shifted his weight, balancing the princess as he did. "There we go." He turned his attention back at me. "Are you sure you don't wanna stay? I can make room for both you and sleeping beauty."

Rolling my eyes, I just looked back at him with a scowl. "I can't. Team missions, you remember? Besides," I glanced down at her before looking away. "I doubt Megumi wants to see me when she wakes ups." I felt my brows knit together. But If I didn't do it, how else would she actually rest?

"Alright then," Chiaddo stated, stepping out for eh booth with my friend. Twisting his neck to stare back at me, the physically older male smirked and winked at me. "But even you two are my favorite customers, you owe me this one!"

A small laugh broke out of me. "Yeah, sure."

"Team 8, are you all in your places?"

"Yes!"

"Of course!"

"Yeah!"

"Arf!"

"Alright— steady..." My eyes narrowed our target in sight, and in position. I flexed my wrists, why did we get this... "Go!"

Jumping off of my branch, I dove down at it, arms out, and ready to grab. It screeched— a loud and high-pitched scream emitting out as it went on its feet and sprinted away. A smirk formed on my mouth. All according to plan.

I placed a finger on my earpiece as my feet landed on the dirt. "It's heading your way, Shino, Hinata."

"Roger!"

And with that, my finger slipped off and into my pocket while my other hand juggled a kunai. Breaking into a walk, my Byakugan activated to make sure that everything was going well. Seriously, why does this cat exist? A sigh left me as I decided to just. Not care about that.

It was only five minutes later that I found my destination.

"Grrrrrr...!" Akamaru barked at Tora, who was in turn hissing from its trapped position from Kurenai-sensei's arms.

"A-Akamaru-kun, please don't fight!" My older sister ushered with frantic arms, concern written over her face.

Kiba beside her scoffed, scratches littering his body. I snorted at the sight, good for him. "It's the cat's fault for being so goddamn difficult!" Noticing me, the dog-guy pointed at me with bared fangs. "Stop laughing at me!"

"What's wrong with laughing? It is your fault that you got attacked." Shino commented, stepping aside so I could enter the circle they had made.

"Nice one," I said, shifting my weight onto one foot with a hand in my hip.

The Inuzuka darted his annoying attention at our other teammate, a look of betrayal on him. "Oi! Shino, you're supposed to be on my side!"

"Why? I don't ever recall doing so."

"Hey!"

Seeing my twin fidget in nervousness, I only patted her shoulder. Hinata looked at me as if I was going to bestow her the greatest advice. And so I did. "That." I pointed at Kiba. "Don't be like that."

She blinked with a sharp intake, before furrowing her brows. "Hiro, that's terrible!" The girl exclaimed, her fists up to her chest.

A chucked broke out of me as I turned away. "Just saying what's best."

"It's confirmed, this is Tora," Kurenai-sensei spoke up, stopping the noise as she adjusted her hold on the cat, who was now snuggling comfortably in her arms. My eyes narrowed, damn cat.

"But really, why does this thing—"

"Kiba-kun, stop calling all cats 'things'."

"Have to run away all the time? And they make us do it!" His companion barked in what I think was agreement.

"Have you seen their owner?" I questioned the hairy boy.

"I agree," Shino piped up. "If I were to treat my bugs like that, they would have turned against this nest."

I hummed, turning away before I could think of the horrible imagery. Oh god no. Well, at least I'm not Megumi who practically has PTSD from bugs.

"Well, despite it, being ninjas is a job and we need any kind of money to function. So there's no reason to complain." Our teacher explained. "Anyways, that was the last of our missions— any questions?"

"Yeah— I have one: what the fuck—"

"Any other questions?"

We didn't have any.

Click! Snap— click!

"There's something bothering you, isn't it?"

I paused, lowering my camera as I twisted my back to look at him. "I didn't think you were the type of person to care about that."

The Nara groaned, sitting up from the grass to glare at me. "Don't make this into a drag, I know something's wrong with you." I sighed, turning away.

On some days, I would go to this one area where the view of the village was, what one would call, stunning. The air was lighter that just made the breeze nice and the plants and scenery always made me come back to shoot more pictures. It was only after a few times that I found out this was one of the few places that Shikamaru would come along and look at the clouds and away from everyone.

It was then we decided to just keep this place a secret.

"Fine." Placing my camera down, I huddled my knees close to my chest with my arms crossed. My lips pushed together, didn't think I'd get called out like this. I exhaled through my nose. "...Megumi's such an idiot."

"Of course she is." The guy rolled his eyes at my obvious observation. I narrowed my eyes at him with a small scoff.

But I continued anyway. "She's just... so stupid to not care about herself!" My arms pushed themselves out as I felt that familiar bubbling anger rousing in my throat. "She's such a hypocrite! That dumbass really thinks that she can give advice to others but then not include herself into it!" Once again, I huffed, a memory of her tired and worked-out state flashing through my mind. "Why can't she just take care of herself..."

I heard him hum, flopping his back on the ground. "That sounds like a pain."

"If you don't like it then why did you ask?" I couldn't help but ask with a brow raised.

"I mean," The Nara started to say, turning over to his side to look at me. "It's troublesome to care that much."

My brows creased down before I realized what he actually said. My body seems to freeze in place. "Wha— what's wrong with that?!" I felt the need to defend myself. What's with this dude?!

"I never said it was a bad thing." My mouth clamped down, darting my head away. "But it's true: you do care about her."

"Of course I would," I exasperatedly responded back, my fingers sliding on the outlines of my camera.

Even after all these years, this camera still works perfectly fine. It's weird, having an object so meaningless be so... meaningful.

But then, she was the one who gave it to me, despite being low on money back then. Maybe— maybe what set it apart. "...she was my first friend." My first real one, anyway.

"Oh really now." I didn't want to respond to that. My ears picked up on the shinobi shifting around but decided not to find out exactly. "Well, I don't want to give any advice but just keep on helping her, Megumi will come around." I heard himself sigh once more. "What a drag, I ended up doing it anyway."

Despite my annoyance, I chuckled. What kind of logic is that?

But even then... I just hope that's enough.

ꈨຶꎁꈨຶ

White.

That was the first thing I noticed when I finally came to.

Oh, and also a pain in my neck.

With a grumble rumbling out of my, why is it so throat, I blinked away the blurriness. Did I get in the hospital again?

And then it hit me: Shiori, Hiro, his eyes and hand coming down to

I gasped, sitting up abruptly from where I lead. "Urk—!" Bad idea, a sudden wave of pain went to my back and neck. "Ow, ow, ow...!" Lots of cries escaping me, I placed a hand in my back. Goddamnit Hiro!

"Woah, there's no need to get up!" A familiar voice called out. A body went next to me, making me glance at them. I blinked— it was Chiaddo in the flesh, seeming to be in civilian clothes now with the same old dashing smile.

"What are you—" I cut myself off, actually taking the time to look at my surroundings. There were an oven and many cabinets, with a whole bunch of trays and bowls in stacks too. "Are we— are we in the kitchen?" I couldn't help but ask the dude.

A laugh left him, stepping away as he saw that I was fine now. "Yup, there wasn't any other place to put you." He then gasped, before placing a hand behind his neck sheepishly. "Don't worry, you weren't too much trouble."

"God I hope not." Removing the (when did I have a blanket?) blanket from me, I jumped off of the table, glancing back at the physically older male. "Thanks, but I guess I'll be going now." I thanked him with a smile and hands behind my back.

"Now hold it," The civilian said, holding a hand out. I tilted my head, did Hiro not pay for me? That'll suck. "I wasn't there when it happened but Hiro wouldn't have knocked you out for no reason, right?"

My brows slightly furrowed, remembering the said Hyuuga's last words before I passed out. 'Cherish myself', huh? Rotating my body slightly away, I noted the fact that the sky looked dark in a nearby window, which meant I slept through the whole day. "Yeah, you're right."

With a hand covering my lips, a giggle erupted out of me, though it was not for humorous purposes. "I get where he was going, I really do." A sigh blew out from my nose. "But I'm just not used to taking care of myself. Mentally, I mean."

Before I knew it, a hand fell on my head. Darting my eyes up, I was surprised to see Chiaddo ruffling my head. "It doesn't matter if you're not the best at it, all it matters that you're trying."