Arron and Trexx

Chapter 53

Third person pov

Tomorrow, tomorrow, tomorrow.

So close, yet so far. She had to do something to up her progress. Shikamaru would be proud of what she'd done already, but not proud enough. There had to be something she could do to boost her progress. She was pretty sure Trexx was actually keeping score, so she was determined to get points if that would help in making Shikamaru proud. It certainly helped her visualize her progress.

So she found herself peeking into the living room. Shikaku was sitting on the couch sipping in coffee and reading a newspaper. In her hands was a book. It was the book Shikamaru had been reading when she got here, and her clan was in the very back of it. The Dusk clan, now nearly extinct save for herself, was a topic that interested her. If anyone could tell her about her deceased clan, it would be Shikaku. It was like killing two birds with one stone! She learned about her clan, and she got more "points."

She quietly circled the couch. Shikaku glanced up at her as she sat on the end farthest from him, tucking her legs underneath her. He lowered his newspaper. She could see the surprise in his eyes, but honestly, that wasn't much of a shock for Arron. Shikaku was very cautious around her, and her around him. She was terrified of the guy. He was tall, with an intimidating face and two rather scary scars on his face. Not to mention his facial hair, which made him all the more severe in appearance.

"Hello, Arron." He put his mug down fully. The rustle of his newspaper closing made the girl flinch, but she took a deep breath. If worse came to worse, Trexx would eat him. "Can I help you?"

Arron opened the book to the page about the Dusk clan and very carefully slid it towards him. He waited with patient stillness, eyeing the girl. She was very clearly trying, and he wanted her to get better. But he was also quite sure she wouldn't appreciate pity or him tip-toeing too much around her.

"The Dusk clan." Shikaku hummed. It was only natural she'd wonder about them. She probably didn't remember much about them. "What do you want to know about, Arron?"

Shikaku watched as her eyebrows furrowed. He blinked at her for a moment, squinting. For a moment he thought he may be seeing things. But no, it seemed that shadows really were generating from Arron, snaking out and consuming the light around her. He was even more surprised when they rose up like snakes, swaying like cobras. Is eyes moved to the book. This was it. Their kekkai genkai.

"You... You've unlocked the Dusk Clan kekkai genkai." Shikaku grinned. Arron flinched a little, but offered a small smile. "It's not too different from the Nara's. Like us, you can control shadows. The difference is that you can produce them as well, and even bring them to life. Create intelligent life forms." Shikaku explained.

Arron's eyes shifted over to Trexx, who was staring at the light fixture hanging above them. She raised eyebrow at him, a show of sass he hadn't expected from her. Shikaku couldn't help but chuckle. "Not too intelligent, I suppose."

Arron's lips quirked up. She was relaxing a little. Shikaku reminded her greatly of Shikamaru. They were a lot alike in a lot of ways. Shikaku was just... scarier, and older, and way, way taller. But like Shikamaru, he was lazy in posture and in his way of talking, and laid back in general. As if proving her point, Shikaku let out a yawn.

"Do you know how to feel for your chakra?" Shikaku asked, picking up the book. Arron shook her head. "Alright, search deep inside yourself. Close your eyes and feel for it. It's an energy that's always been there, but once you become aware of it, you'll never forget what that feeling is."

Arron was hesitant to close her eyes, but she did. Shikaku took this as a sign of trust, and he couldn't help but smile. "Tell me when you find it." He sat back, watching the way her fists clenched, and her brows furrowed. Her nose crinkled next, but not for long. Her eyes popped open.