Chapter 10: Free of Bonds

I woke up next morning to a tugging feeling at my stomach, hunger. I was hungry. For the first time in so long, I was hungry. I jumped out of bed excitedly and walked to the kitchen. To my disappointment, it was completely empty but that wasn't going to stop me from eating. I rushed over to the bathroom to get ready for the day. I was back out and ready in no more than 10 minutes. I put my sandals on and walked out. I had a spring to my step and was smiling genuinely. The streets that always seemed too crowded for me felt welcoming and upbeat. I joined the crowd of people walking and rushed to Ichiraku's. I walked in to see a blonde boy sitting in one of the seats talking to the old man. I sat two seats down from Naruto and waited for the old man to notice me. Naruto seemed to finally order his food and that's when the old man noticed me. "oh welcome! What can I get you?" Naruto turned his head to see who the old man was talking to. "Miso ramen." I said smiling excitedly. I'll finally be able to enjoy Ichiraku's ramen! I never thought being hungry could make me so happy! "Hey, what's up Elle?" Naruto said smiling at me. I smiled back a bright smile but kept quiet. "Is this your first time eating here? this place has the best ramen! Believe it!" I giggled at his enthusiasm. He started talking on and on about all the different types of ramen and his favorites. I smiled at the scene in front of me. I love watching people talk about what they love. Their eyes just light up. "Food's ready!" the old man came out with two bowls of ramen, interrupting Naruto's rant. We both thanked him and started eating. In the beginning I was eating slowly, one bite at a time. I didn't want to throw up again, but by the end, I was slurping down ramen like my life depended on it. it was so good! I finished a whole bowl but I was still hungry. I can't spend all my money on ramen. I still need to fill up my kitchen. I sighed with a smile on my face and left after paying for my food and thanking the old man.

After breakfast I headed to my appointment to the nutritionist. It was pretty useful since she helped give me advice on what I needed to eat to gain muscle faster. Once I was done with that, I visited multiple grocery stores to get the food my nutritionist told me about. I bought different vegetables, rice and some beef. You know, just the basics. I had to rush back to my apartment to drop the food and then rush to the academy before I was late again. I entered the building in a hurry and headed to class. Thankfully, I was just on time. I walked over to my seat, dropped my bag, which I almost forgot at home, and sat down with a huff. Naruto smiled at me in greeting and Sasuke, much like every day, ignored my existence. He hasn't talked to me at all since I poked his forehead. Every now and then I'd catch him staring/glaring at me but would pretend I don't notice. In the beginning it was nerve wrecking, but I pretty much got used to it. Iruka walked in and started explaining how important today was for all of us. Of course, that led to a whole speech about ninja and their duties and blablabla. I zoned him out completely after 5 minutes of him talking non-stop. Just let us do the exam! Ufff, he talks a lot. Thankfully, after 30 dreadful minutes, Iruka started calling out names and leading them to the exam room. I could see Naruto freaking out next to me. Ok, right now I have to make my first important choice. Do I let Naruto fail or Do I help him pass? Why does he fail in the original series? He fails so that he learns about the nine tails and get closer to Iruka. This is also when he learns his signature jutsu. If I change any of those things, I will completely mess up the story line. I looked at my desk sadly, I have to let Naruto fail. I can't help him this time. I looked at the boy next to me with sad eyes, "I'm sorry Naruto. I can't help you this time." He looked at me at the mention of his name but seemed confused at what I was saying since I was talking in English. "What was that?" he asked still looking nervous. I just put on a smile and shook my head. I felt someone's gaze on me so I looked around only to see Shikamaru giving me a questioning look. Shit! I forgot he's learning English. I need to be more careful. I shrugged and smiled at him. Thankfully that made him go back to his conversation with Choji.

A couple of minutes passed before Iruka called me in. I wasn't nervous since I knew I already perfected this jutsu. I could make up to 20 clones right now. Too bad they weren't shadow clones. Any ways, they asked me for 3 clones and I gladly delivered, not wanting to give anyone any idea about how strong I actually am. Don't get me wrong, I'm pretty weak compared to the rest of the students but the less people know, the better. I picked out a black headband and walked out. I made sure on my way out not to look at the swing, not wanting to see Naruto in his depressed state. It will just rip my heart up to shreds and I can't handle that.

I made my way home and started feeling hungry again. A smile made its way to my face at the thought of eating. I was starting to really love food. I unlocked the door and walked in, making sure to lock it back up. I made my way to my newly filled kitchen and pulled out some vegetables and rice. I prepared both with little trouble and sat down to eat. Eating made me feel more energetic than usual but the fact that I was eating alone was really sad. Nope! No time to feel sad right now. Just hungry. I dug into my food, enjoying every bite, till I was finally done. I washed the dishes, put them away and headed to the flower shop for my last shift before I quit the job.

I walked in to greet Mrs. Yamanaka, only to see Ino running the shop. I walked up to her and smiled, "Hi, I'm here for my shift" She looked at me for a second before her look turned into a glare. "You're that girl that sits next to Sasuke! What are you doing here?" Is that girl deaf? I just told her why I'm here. "Remember, I work part time here. It's time for my shift." She scoffed and raised an eyebrow at me. "Do you really think I'll let you work here after you tried to steal away my Sasuke? No way, forget it." I looked at her with a raised eyebrow. I'll either fight her or I quit. This was my last shift anyways, may as well get her in trouble with her mom and make it seem like she fired me. A smirk made its way to my face before I shrugged and walked out of the shop. Time to get some training done.

-time skip-

I walked into the training grounds to see Shikamaru laying on the grass. I have been limiting my contact with him since that day. If I don't, I know I'll get too attached. He sat up and looked at me. I looked back at him no expression on my face. "Fight me." my eyes widened in surprise. "what?" he stood up and started walking towards me. "I said fight me." he stood a couple of steps away from me. I just shook my head. I don't want to fight him. 1- I'm too weak to win and 2- winning would involve hurting him and I don't want to do that. I shook my head and turned around. I heard rustling behind me and I stopped. He is pulling out a kunai. "I'm not going to fight you." I refuse to. I won't. "then I'll fight you." If he wants to fight me let him. I won't fight back.

Shikamaru's POV

I saw Elle walking into the training grounds. She still had that reserved feeling around her. she was still avoiding me. she was probably mad at herself for telling me. what a drag. If she won't talk to me, I'll let her get her anger out on me. "Fight me." I said getting up. I saw her train, she might be strong enough to beat me even without me letting her. she refused my proposal and turned around. She's cool minded so provoking her into fighting me wouldn't work. I'll have to attack her first. "then I'll fight you." I pulled out a kunai and threw it at her. I watched in fear as the kunai kept getting closer to her but she wasn't moving. At that rate, it'll stab her right in the back. "Elle, defend yourself!" I screamed out but it was too late. She had just stood there and let the kunai stab her. I'm sure she sensed it but she didn't even flinch. "Are you insane? Why didn't you deflect it?" She laughed a bit. "I told you I will not fight you." There was no hint of pain in her voice. I was standing there, staring at her in awe, as she walked away with the kunai still stuck in her back.

Elle's POV

I could feel the blood leaking out of my wound. I deserve it. that's what I get for acting like I'm his friend and then avoiding him. At least now I let him vent out his anger at me. I walked down the streets, surrounded by concerned looks and whispers from the villagers. Ignoring them wasn't too hard since the sharp pain in my back was distracting me. It's at a place where I can't reach so I'm going to have to go to the hospital. First Ino and now Shikamaru. Is Choji next?

I walked into the hospital and walked over to the nurse in the reception. "Welcome back Elle. What brings you in again?" I laughed sheepishly, "well, it seems like I have a kunai stuck in my back." the nurse's eyes widened as she rushed over to me. she turned me around to face the other side. I was met by multiple disturbed looks from the people there. " Stay still, this might hurt quite a bit." The nurse said as I felt her holding the kunai. Before I knew it, I could feel my flesh being cut up all over again. I struggled to keep my face impassive but I did it non the less. The nurse's familiar chakra could be felt strongly in the air, before it rushed into my body to heal it. the pain immediately stopped and was replaced by a feeling of calm. All my thoughts started to quiet down as the calm washed over me. Medical ninjutsu is the best. It's so relaxing. Sadly, the feeling stopped before I wanted it to. The nurse turned me back around, "You lost a lot of blood. You need to take it easy for the next couple of days. How do you even get a kunai stuck in your back like that?" I just laughed and shrugged. Thankfully, the nurse didn't force me to stay so I was able to make my way back home. The sun was setting beautifully as I walked down the streets. Finally, I am free with no bonds holding back. The stress of friendship had left my mind and was replaced by the weight of loneliness, just like I'm used to.