Chapter 20- King

Alexa's POV

Getting woken up by a bucket of water is surely not the most nor the least amazing thing when you were just tortured. I hissed painfully when I was dragged to somewhere I don't know. My vision was hazy and my mind could not process what was happening, but I know one thing, they were taking me somewhere.

Then we stopped and I was held with both my shoulders. "Miss? Are you alright?", I blinked my eyes and fwipped my head from side to side trying to shake the dizziness away.

"Do I look like I'm fine?", I asked annoyed.

I'm literally bleeding buckets here, who in their right mind would ask if I was okay?

"No...", he trailed off.

'Tch. Where am I anyways? I think I forgot to do something...very important...what was it again?'

I scoffed and crossed my arms then I finally realized I was acting out of character.

'What's wrong with me? I should always be calm and composed. That Ibiki bastard really outdone his job, I almost lost my mind.'

I squinted my eyes and found myself in an exquisite room, clearly this place is no longer a cell or an interrogation room. Something buzz in my ear and my head pounded in pain before it disappeared. I clutched my head with both of my hands, it felt like someone forced themselves inside my mind.

"Wait a damn fucking minute..."

It finally sunk to me.

'Did Inoichi run through my memories? If he did, then he must have already found out, but if the people around me are acting like this, it means, they don't know yet. Didn't he run through my memories? There's no way he could have skipped over the massacre. Inoichi is a Yamanaka, which means he's a sensor one of the greatest, then why have he still not figured out about the chakra sealed inside me? This is troubling...'

Hearing slight shifts to my right, I turned around and saw someone with an average look nothing really catchy to the eyes. He's wearing something not befitting for a normal civiliam rather a servant of some sort.

"Where are we?", I ask and he smiled.

"I'm glad you have finally come to your senses. Well we're just inside another building in Konoha."

'This is clearly not just an ordinary building, with all the expensive objects around.'

"Are we waiting for someone?"

He nodded. "The fire daimyo wants to meet you.", my eyes slightly widened.

What kind of business would he possible talk with me, when I'm just another shinobi. I sighed, I'm calling myself a shinobi now huh? I already accepted that fact? The door bursted open a figured walked inside with a bunch of guards surrounding him.

"There his grace is.", I was slightly overwhelmed with the number of the people in this room.

I locked eyes with the fire daimyo and I immediately bowed my head in respect. "Raise your head.", he ordered and I complied.

I saw a look of disgust on his face before he covered his face with his fan. "This was not what I was expecting. You look quite different from how my beloved daughter described you."

'Beloved? This bastard, if she was your beloved daughter, you won't be throwing her in a political marriage just for your own benefits.'

"I apologized for my filthy appearance, something unavoidable came up.", I watch him walk towards somewhere in the room.

"I can see that.", he sat on his chair.

I stood up straight trying my best not to leak away my growing bloodlust. He rested his chin on the back of his palm as he eye me boredly.

He scowled. "If you were truly a threat, I would have beheaded you. You should be thankful, you were guranteed innocent before that happened.", I mentally sighed in relief.

"I'm grateful.", he fwipped his fan close.

"Now that we have met, let me say this to you loud and clear.", I was stiff. "From now on, never make contact with my daughter."

'This guy wanted to meet me just to say that?'

Clenching my hands a little, I nodded.

"Because of you, she have been rebelling against me nowadays. "

'Because of you, Kenma died.'

He continued, "Keep yourself away from her, this an order."

"I understand.", I bowed again as he stood up and left the room, silently glaring at his back.

"Then I will leave now.", I ignored the servant as he followed the daimyo.

As soon as the door closed and I was left alone, a stinging sensation crawled up to my skin. I look down at my bloody hands with remaining four nails. I traced my fingers to my face that had deep cuts and bumps. I must have looked like an ugly freak.

My knees buckled to the ground when I tried to walk, I noticed the bloody footprints staining the floor. Smiling weakly at the scene I slowly started to lose my consciousness. I shook my head trying to fight back the tiredness.

'Not here, I must go back.'

I stood up messily and leaned on the wall for support. Stumbling forward, I held my ground and dug my fingers on the cemented wall. Even though I could not see myself clearly, I knew that I was pale due to blood loss from all my cuts. A number of my limbs were broken, including my right wrist.

Suddenly, I just could no more control my body and I fell backwards. Bracing myself for the impact, I closed my eyes tiredly barely missing a green minted hair. The ground was hard and rigid but, it was warm. Because I didn't fell on the floor rather on a person.

'Wow. This guy have chiseled abs. If I were to guess, he probably have eight packs. Now that's hot.'

I was about to open my eyes, but I just don't have the energy to do it.

"...jeez...why do you always get hurt...?", behind the low voice was words laced with worry.

'Who...?', that was the last think I thought before I drifted off to sleep.

..........

*click*

*click*

*click*

*click*

I moved up my pawn. Shikamaru picked up his knight to check my silver general together with my lance and I smirked internally.

'My win.'

"Hey Lhexi."

I claimed his lance. "Hm?"

"Who do you think is the king?", he asked as he moved his bishop.

I smiled. "Don't know. Probably the hokage or the daimyo?"

"I had the same answer.", I looked at him who was focused on the game.

"Was it wrong?"

*click*

He claimed my pawn. "Yeah."

"Do you have any person in mind?"

"Not really..."

'King, huh?', I look down at the shogi piece with the kanji king, I was protecting.

"Maybe its not a person.", I said.

"Why?"

I was silent and I could feel his eyes gazing at me.

"Or maybe it is...", I trailed off in a whisper.

"Huh?"

'It's something I might not have...', I bitterly smiled.

I looked at him. "Why do you think are shinobis risking their lives or killing others?"

"To protect something. Be it information, client, a loved one, or the whole village.", he answered with no hesitancy. "So, could they be the king?"

I brought my feet closer to me.

"Is it wrong?", he asked.

"No one can affirm that.", he raised an eyebrow.

"Personally what do you think?"

"Well, you're not wrong.", he blinked his eyes and looked on the game. "But you're not right either."

"I don't understand."

*click*

"Your answer is like the line separating black from white. It's neither white nor black. Neither right nor wrong. Its just a matter of choice where you would put the piece. But the safety of your king could mean the end of another king."

*click*

"That's too troublesome.", says the one who easily understood it.

"I know. We have different kings. But in the end they're all the same...", he checked my king with his lance. "...since we chose to protect them. To protect the future..."

He raised his head a little bit before looking back on the ongoing game.

I moved back my king to prevent from getting captured. His knight checked both my silver general and gold general. I sweatdropped.

"If this was a real battle, what would you do?"

"Sacrifice.", I pulled away my gold general then he captured my silver general and I captured his knight. "Shika."

"What?"

"What do you think is the best defense?"

"The best strategy with a succes rate of a hundred percent."

I grinned. "All plans have loopholes."

*click*

"That's why you must have countless back up plans to patch them up.", he said. "Why ask?"

"Well, I think the best defense...", He checked my king and I defended as I counter attacked. "Is a good offense."

A few more minutes passed and the game was coming to an end. I tried to think for more ways to win when he cornered my king and I lost.

'The enemy I don't ever wanna face would be Shikamaru. This boy is literally a monster! I was a ninth dan shogi player, the highest one can attain and he defeated me. Hell, if his father can defeat him easily, I would not even probably put up a good fight against that man.'

I sighed in defeat before stretching my arms out.

"You're quite good.", he stated and I look up.

I shaked my hands in denial. "Not really..."

"Kids our age doesn't even know how to play, you can say I'm surprised. It even took me hours to beat you, winning against you is much harder than Asuma-sensei but, easier than my old man.", I blinked my eyes and tilted my head slightly.

"Don't Choji know how to play?"

He gave a tired answer. "Not really..."

"Then you must be bored."

His eyes drooped lazily. "Boredom is not really how I feel."

"You're just lazy, Shika."

He gave a sigh as his lips twitch upwards. "Well, it runs in the family."

I chuckled. He laid down on the wooden floor and I just watched the garden infront of us.

"Did something happen?", he suddenly asked out of the blue.

He is clearly perceptive. He could easily tell something was wrong with a single glance.

I stared ahead. "Not really..."

"Liar.", I chuckled.

'I can't possibly tell him I was tortured by his father's subordinates.'

How many days had it been anyways? Five or something? After meeting with the daimyo, I woked up inside the hospital and was greeted with a person I hated. The third hokage. Why him out of all people? I don't know. He apologized for the misunderstanding and wrongdoings of Konoha ninjas against me. And I just accepted his apology but, I never forgave him nor them.

I look up to see the clear blue sky. It reminded me of someone. Finally understanding what was I missing these days, it must have been that boy. I should visit him, I can't let our friendship loosen up. I need him in the future and his crazy obsession with bonds. That way, if the day comes when we will face each other on the battlefield, he won't be able to decide whether to kill me or not.

My plan is perfect yet why does it feels so wrong. What is this clenching feeling in my heart? I had to do it but why can't I? It's not that I can't...its just that, I don't want to.

What am I thinking? This is all for the sake of revenge. But why does it seems like, I'm slowly turning into a heartless monster.

I was disrupted of my thoughts when Shikamaru spoke again. He's a lot more talkative this day.

"Did you attended?"

"Attended what?", I was slightly confused.

"The therapy sessions, I mean..."

I heard a flip of a paper and I turned around to see him reading a book. Yes a book. This lazy ass asshole is reading a book. What happened? Wasn't he suppose to be lazy about everything? Don't tell me, my existence here disrupted the storyline and their characters?!

"Lhexi?"

I snapped back thinking of his question, "Not yet. But how did you know?"

"I actually requested my dad.", he flipped another page. "He knows a psychiatrist."

'He's fast. Wait. He was the one who requested Shikaku to appoint a schedule with Inoichi?'

"What do you mean?"

He lowered his book a little and look at me. "I thought you needed help...mentally.", he sighed. "Sorry. I did it without thinking. I should have asked for your consent first."

"Liar. Since its you, you must have given it a hundred thoughts.", he chuckled before burying his nose on the book.

'This kid...he was worried about me?'

"What's that book?", I asked.

"You don't know? Its quite popular these days.", I tilted my head slightly to get a better look at it.

"I'm not sure, seems familiar though."

"Its quite shocking you don't know when you always spend your days reading books."

'He was right, a good novel should not be able to pass me unnoticed.'

"The more shocking part is that you are reading a book."

He chuckled. "I read it for the plot."

"Is it that good that the great lazy Nara is actually reading it?"

"Hm. Was forced to try it. It's pretty decent. Best I've read."

"You mean the only book you've read."

He had a small smile gracing his lips.

"Hm...I read the other volumes..."

I watched his expressions turning shock and he suddenly sat up. His eyes were literally glued on the book and I just stared in surprise.

'Is it really that good?'

I narrowed my eyes on the title of the book.

'Tales of a Broken Hero...'

The title sounds sad.

'Seems familiar. Although it already says a lot just from the title. It attracts curiosity which makes it more interesting...holy cow! Isn't that my...!'

Something sinked in inside my dumb brain that needs medication when I realized it was my book.

'Yes you big oaf. That's your book. You wrote it a few months ago. How could you forget something just recently?'

Depression lines covered me. Just when I just set myself on reading something, why did it have to be like this? Don't this world possess any talent associated with writing? Maybe they're still buds. Oh, how about Jiraiya's books?

I'll try and read Icha Icha next time, when I can slip inside the erotic section of the book store here in Konoha. The only problem is that, the cashier is a former ninja, it would be hard to fool him with transformation jutsu. It would have been easier if this body was an adult. It annoys me when I'm only past 18 mentally.

Standing up, I patted the dust off my pants. "I'll go now, Shika."

"Hm.", he gave me a nod and a hum in return.

I left their compound and headed towards the Yamanaka's flower shop. I know that it's crazy to step into a bomb, but Inoichi can't sense the chakra hidden inside me. I was still wondering why, the seal I placed was not of a sannin nor a kage tier. It's just a normal one, an average to be exact.

I felt a pair of eyes on me for a split second and I turned around trying to find that person to sense no one. I shrugg the feeling away before stepping infront of the shop. Opening the door I saw Ino and Sakura together glaring at each other as Sakura buy a rose. Now that I see the pinkette, I was wondering if the Wave arc already happened.

"Welcome! What could I...", I smiled at Ino as Sakura turned around.

"Koninchiwa, Ino-san, Sakura-san.", I smiled at the two and Ino grinned brightly. Sakura had her mouth slightly agape with a surprise face.

"The usual?", Ino asked and I nodded. "Lhexi, how many times have I told you to just casually call me by my name?"

"I'm pretty sure its already the thirteenth.", she sighed.

"Sarcastic as ever."

"I know, Ino-s--", she glared at me. "I mean Ino..."

She smiled as she pick up flowers. "That's better."

Eversince Kenma's funeral, I usually go here to buy flowers for his grave. She understands my situation and we both have forgotten of our little fights back in the academy. We got close, then we became friends.

He wrapped the bouquet of white flowers with a pink japanese paper. "I actually have an appointment with Inoichi-san, is he here?", I handed her the payment.

"Tou-chan? I'm sure he'll be here in a few minutes."

"I'll wait then."

"Wait a second, appointment?", nodding at her question, her smile faltered. "...you can wait in his office, just past that door."

She pointed at the wooden door. "Then I'll get these later.", I left the flowers on the counter and she agreed.

I walked towards the door before turning around. "And Sakura-san, you should probably replace that with tomatoes."

A question mark popped on her head. "Huh?"

I just smiled and left them as I went inside his office. I didn't know where to sit so I just sat on one of the couches. As if on cue the door open and I immediately stood up in anxiety.

Smiling at Inoichi-san who did the same in act of courtesy and respect. "Sorry, was I late?"

I waved my hands. "No, I just arrived this minute."

He sighed, relieved before closing the door and sat on the couch perpendicular to mine.

He shifted on his seat and bent sidewards to get something from the floor. "Do you like painting?", he placed paintbrushes and sorts of colors infront of me before giving me a clean sketching pad.

"Not really...", he smiled.

But Kath loved to.

"You should try.", I contemplated whether to do it or not before coming to an answer that I should since I don't have anything to do anyways. I began painting with a picture on mind.

"Did you slept well?"

"No. Nightmares.", I answered with a bleak tone. It's keeping me up all night, I could only sleep minutes in between.

I painted the paper black. Twirling the handbrush around, trying to get the exact figure right. "Do you remember them?"

I stopped for a minute before continuing. "Yes...", I used the red color as I comfortably shifted on my seat.

"From your childhood?", not really mine but someone else's though. "Yeah."

"Care to share it with me?", I changed the paint to white.

"As long as you keep it a secret.", he gave a reassuring smile. I heaved a deep breath and I shut my eyes close before opening them again. I was still scared of telling others my secrets but, I can't hide them forever. And it's not like I'll tell him all the details. If I can get rid of insomnia and my fears with the help of my future victims I'll gladly accept their assitance.

"My whole family was killed.", he already knew this, since Ibiki might have told him. He waited patiently for me to continue. "That man also tried to kill me but, I managed to stay alive. Sometimes, I dream of that person killing my family again and again, it's like a never ending film. Other nights, I dream of getting killed by my own dead family yanking me down to their graves."

He listed something on his checkboard. "Can you tell me when the massacre happened?"

I gripped the brush slightly forceful before answering. "Around 4 years ago."

Why does it feel more like an interrogation rather than a counseling? They should not be still watching my movements right?

"I have a rough idea of the cause of your symptoms."

I looked up at him in awe, he already diagnosed me with only a few questions?

"What is it, Inoichi-san?"

"You have a severe Thanatophobia.", I stopped painting. "It's commonly known as fear of death."