I can't stand this.

Shikimaru can't tell what it is, but he feels uneasy. Like something bad happened.

I don't like this.

He feels like he needs to get out of his room. He wants to go to Akemi. He just doesn't know why.

I'm sure it's fine if I'm back in time. After all, I'm eight. Eights a normal age to be out of the house, at least here it is. I'll just visit Akemi real quick. It won't take long.

And so, Shikimaru stood.

And left through the window.

Shikimaru was never in his life a rebellious kid. He didn't do much any way. He never caused trouble, did what he was told, and just did whatever. He was never problematic. And since he was 7, he was even more well behaved than before.

Though it did scare his parents when he came home with bandages wrapped around his head.

I wonder how that happened.

This was his first time straight up disobeying his parents. And yet, he didn't give that a second thought.

He had an urge. He didn't know how to describe it, but it was an urge. Like he needed something. He needed to see Akemi.

He zoomed through the forest, and for one reason.

He smelt smoke.

He was hopping between trees, being careful not to stumble. They had only learned this about a month ago in the academy, he still wasn't amazing at it. (Keep in mind that Shikimaru is a little older than eight, so he's still new to the tree jumping thing.)

He finally arrived, and what he saw shocked him severely.

The walls were torn down, and smoke billowed in swirled and tumbled in the air.

Was Akemi attacked? What happened? Is she safe?

Shikimaru rushes in, and searched the place. And finally, he spotted that beautiful bright green hair. Her hands seemed to pull at it desperately.

He stopped dead in his tracks.
"Ake-"

It happened so fast he barely saw it. Shikimaru was tackled to the ground in a tight bare hug. Akemi's tiny body seemed to sink into his.

He never noticed how skinny she was. He coat had been torn, and fell pitifully on her shoulders. She was so small. She looked anorexic. It made him sad.

"You're here! *hic* i- I knew it! You- *hic* you're good! You said you would keep your promise! You said you would be here! Why weren't *hic, sniff* you here?!" She basically melted to his body.

Her face was buried in Shikimaru's chest. He could feel the dampness on his shirt, and the heat her muffled words caused.

It was a pittiful sight. She was bawling her eyes out. She looked so small. Her hair wasn't nearly as bright as it first appeared, as it was knotted and covered in soot. She had multiple burns, bruises, and a few scratch marks.

This was new to him, but Shikimaru did what felt right. He wrapped his arms around the tiny girl, caressed her hair soothingly, and set his chin atop her head. It just felt right.

"Shh... uh, I'm here I guess. It's fine now, I'm right here..."

This was extremely awkward for him, yet felt so natural.

"D-*hic* don't leave me...! I thought you wouldn't come.. I thought *sniff* t-th-that you had left me... you won't leave me, will you? You told me you wouldn't leave me! You said you would come back!"

"Shhh... I did say that, and I did come back. I'm right here."

"You're real?"

"I'm real, Akemi. And I'm not leaving. I promise. I was just... held back. I wasn't allowed to leave, but I still made it, didn't I?"

She gave a pitiful nod.

"Shikimaru is good... Shikimaru will stay here... right?"

He squeezed her tighter. "Yeah. I'm gonna stay here, ok? You're perfectly fine, I'm perfectly fine, everything will be okay." He continued to stroke her hair.

"All okay?"

She was like a baby, or a puppy kicked by its owner.

"It's all ok."

.
.
.
.

"Akemi?" Peaceful snores came off the girl on Shikimaru's arms.

He only chuckled, and fell asleep as well. Looking at the clouds that the moon showed in the night.

It was out there, 2.5 miles away from Konaha, that everything was okay.