Naruto was exactly as Shikamaru had described him, and yet different; or perhaps Shikamaru's descriptions lacked those little nuances that seemed like "trivial details" but turned out to be the key to truly understanding something or someone. Either way, Naruto had won her over from the very first moment. He reminded her of a mix between the Weasley twins, Neville, and Hermione: cheerful and playful like the twins, shy and insecure in some things like Neville, but with Hermione's same unshakable determination and willpower.
It was a shame that Shikamaru was somewhat distracted interrogating someone, but at least, thanks to that, she could give Naruto, the first friend she'd met from her brand-new boyfriend, her full attention. She still couldn't help the little excited smile that appeared every time she remembered that Shikamaru was, in fact, her boyfriend. She still couldn't quite believe it. Who would have imagined that her first boyfriend, not just a fling but a real boyfriend, would be a "muggle" with special powers that would make plenty of pure-bloods cry with envy?
She had spent the last few days seriously thinking about it, which is why she'd been able to give Shikamaru an answer during their second meeting. The truth was, she had felt a connection with him from the very first time they met, so when he left during those sad days, the only thing she could do was think. She thought about him, about their connection, about her old world, about this new one… but everything always came back to one question: could she leave the magical world behind to stay with Shikamaru in this ninja world? The answer was yes.
She'd debated the pros and cons with herself, not even knowing if Shikamaru would return to find her, realizing she was jumping ahead of herself because she really liked him, more than she'd ever liked anyone before. The fact that she could see herself, imagine herself, with Shikamaru made her think about everything she'd be leaving behind if she was right and he liked her back.
And what would she leave behind? The magical world, the muggle world, and her family. She would miss the comfort of the magical world with its instant travel and enchanted homes, its mind-blowing magical inventions… and from the muggle world, perhaps she'd miss exploring new cultures. But essentially, there was nothing in the muggle world that captivated her more than magic did. Most importantly, of course, was her family as they were irreplaceable. The real question was: if she could easily travel between dimensions, would she choose to live with Shikamaru? Again, the answer came easily: yes. If she could travel freely, it would be like having her family in England while living in another country. She would miss them every day, but she'd always have the security of being able to visit them whenever she wanted.
But… what if she couldn't return home? Or, on the other hand, what if, after managing to return to her dimension, she couldn't come back to this one, this world where Shikamaru lived? That was the question that kept her up at night. If she couldn't travel between dimensions, that would mean losing something important: either her family or Shikamaru. She didn't want to imagine having to choose, because a large part of her was already questioning her sanity. How could she even think about staying with Shikamaru, a boy she'd known for only a few weeks, instead of choosing her family, the people who had fought by her side for years? And yet, she knew that leaving Shikamaru behind would break something inside her. What, exactly, she didn't know.
Fortunately, something deep down told her there had to be a way, and she knew that with Shikamaru's intellect and her sometimes uncanny luck, they'd eventually find it.
"Do you mind if I make a few clones to get my work done?" asked Naruto, interrupting her deep thoughts.
"Not at all."
Harika watched in fascination as he created five identical clones, all of them greeting her before disappearing in a burst of speed. The original Naruto stayed behind with her so they could keep talking.
"So, you're Shikamaru's girlfriend… You must be a little crazy," Naruto said with a mischievous smile, making her laugh. "No, seriously… Shikamaru's told me a lot about you. Probably because I'm the only one who knows the truth."
"You must be pretty special, Naruto. I'm still getting to know Shikamaru, but I know he's a very private person. I'm sure he wouldn't tell just anyone all of this so easily."
Naruto blushed, scratching the back of his head as if he wasn't used to receiving compliments, then chuckled. Harika noticed Shikamaru nodding from afar, their eyes meeting briefly again before he finally finished his interrogation and came back, leaving the civilian behind.
"And what exactly has Shikamaru told you about me?" she asked.
"He said you're the most beautiful woman he's ever seen," Naruto replied, surprising her and making her blush. Did Shikamaru really say that? "And that you saved his life, and took care of him for days like an invalid."
"I was not an invalid, Naruto!"
Shikamaru sighed in exasperation, shooting his friend a look that reminded her of Ron arguing with his brothers, before turning his gaze to her. As if his eyes couldn't help but be drawn toward her, his expression softened, and a small smile tugged at the corner of his lips, much to Naruto's obvious surprise.
"Harika."
"Shikamaru," she replied, suppressing a laugh when she saw the hesitation in his eyes, wondering whether to kiss her or not. When she raised an eyebrow, almost challenging him, Shikamaru shoved Naruto aside and pulled her into his arms.
She felt his hand in her hair just before their lips met again. She couldn't help but smile into the kiss, wrapping her arms around his neck and pressing her chest firmly against his. Being in his arms felt like a weight had been lifted from her shoulders. Before they could deepen the moment, a forced cough broke them apart.
Harika stifled a laugh, hiding her face against Shikamaru's neck, but it didn't go unnoticed that, despite being watched by one of his friends, Shikamaru didn't let go of her.
"You two don't have much time before Sakura-chan and Sai show up, so I'll leave you alone while I check in with my clones," Naruto said.
"It was a pleasure meeting you, Naruto," she said, lifting her head just enough to meet his gaze.
"Likewise."
She watched Naruto's back disappear into the crowd, then felt Shikamaru's quiet sigh against the top of her head.
"I missed you."
"I missed you too."
"Come on. I need to quickly catch you up on what's been happening these past few days."
Harika followed Shikamaru until they were shielded from prying eyes. Under the shade of a tree, away from the main path, she listened as he explained what little he'd managed to do since they last said goodbye.
"The first thing I did was move out," he said, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "For several reasons, but mainly to have privacy while I research your… situation. And also, in case you ever moved to Konoha, we'd be able to see each other more easily without my parents' interference. With Naruto's help, I'll gain access to more confidential documents. I'll probably find something there."
"I've been investigating too, following our plan, but… nothing," she sighed. "I've been thinking maybe it's not worth wasting time checking small villages anymore. Maybe it'd be better to try a temple first. If they don't have anything there, I doubt a small village could help us."
"That's a good idea. There aren't many big temples in the Land of Fire. It'll be much easier to rule out whether they have any leads compared to going from village to village. Worst case, if you don't find anything in a temple, you can always go back to the original plan."
They talked for a while, as much as they could, knowing Shikamaru would have to leave soon. He was in the middle of a mission and, from what she'd overheard, he hadn't come alone. When her patience finally ran out, realizing he wasn't catching her hints, she simply sighed with a soft smile and rose onto her toes. Shikamaru froze for only a second, immediately catching on, and met her halfway for a kiss.
She felt her boyfriend's tongue brush against her lips, asking for permission, and she parted them. Shikamaru's hand cupped her cheek gently as they melted into a deep kiss. Her fingers gripped his vest tightly, unable to let go, her mind going blissfully blank like it always did whenever Shikamaru's lips touched hers. It was like losing all sense of time and space. It was incredible… and dangerous. What was this man doing to her?
Until very recently, she had never thought of a man with the same seriousness with which she thought of Shikamaru. She'd never imagined a future with anyone, had never even planned one. Maybe because some part of her hadn't believed she'd survive the war, maybe because no one had ever enchanted her like Shikamaru did. And to think… she'd only had to cross dimensions to find someone who could make her skin tingle and her breath hitch with just a glance.
She felt Shikamaru's nose brush against her cheek as he kissed her like they'd been apart for weeks instead of just five days. They broke apart only a few inches, breathing heavily, gazing into each other's eyes. He kissed her lips softly once more before brushing her cheek with his thumb. Harika closed her eyes as her boyfriend kissed her face with quiet devotion. He hadn't said the words out loud, but she could feel it in his kisses… Shikamaru felt something deep for her. Something she wasn't sure she dared to call love, yet.
She opened her eyes to study him, memorizing his face for the darker days she knew would come. She knew he would have to leave again. And just as she thought it… Naruto appeared, and Shikamaru turned to look at his comrade with a resigned sigh.
"You have to go," she whispered, her throat tightening. He nodded, resting his forehead against hers.
"I don't want to go."
"I know… but you have to."
Shikamaru nodded. They didn't speak, just breathed the same air for a long moment. Finally, gathering strength from somewhere she couldn't name, Harika stepped back. Shikamaru let her go, his fists clenching tightly at his sides. She could almost feel the tension radiating off him, so she lifted her hand and placed it softly against his freshly shaved cheek, nodding once.
"I'll see you soon."
"Promise."
"Go."
Harika watched him leave with Naruto, feeling the same deep sadness she always did whenever she saw her boyfriend walk away, never knowing when she'd see him again. Before she could make her way back into the village to book a room for a couple of days, Naruto appeared again.
"Naruto? I thought you'd already left."
"The original has. I'm a clone," he explained, raising an eyebrow when she tilted her head in curiosity, then smiling. "I just wanted to say we can try to stay in touch through my summons. If you want, that is…"
"Of course!"
Any contact was better than nothing. She was honestly surprised that Naruto was the one offering to keep communication going, considering they'd just met.
"Does Shikamaru know?"
"No. I'm not sure it'll work. Ideally, you'd be able to summon my toads directly, but since that's not possible, I'll have to try sending them somewhere closer to you. If it takes too long to reach you, then there's no point in keeping at it."
"I see," she murmured thoughtfully. Then, suddenly, an idea hit her so fast she almost smacked her forehead against a tree. "I've got it!"
"Got what?"
"A Portkey."
"A… what?"
"It's an enchanted object that lets you travel instantly from one place to another using fixed coordinates. I could give you a Portkey for your toads. Though every time I move locations, I'd have to give you a new one. Ugh, I should have given one to Shikamaru before he left!"
"Actually, better not. Let my toads test it first."
"Sure, sure. I'll be here for a few days and then I'm heading to the nearest temple. I'll give you a couple of Portkeys just in case."
"Perfect!"
Naruto vanished in a flash, too fast for her to even see him properly, carrying the two Portkeys she'd created with different coordinates. Finally, truly alone this time, she walked toward the village centre. As she looked out the window of the inn she'd booked, watching the sun set, she felt lonelier than before but also more hopeful.
…
The first letter from Naruto was long and so genuine that it made her smile.
"Dear Harika,
It's the first time I've ever written a letter! Even though I have some friends far from Konoha, it never occurred to me to write correspondence, but there's always a first time.
I don't know what Shikamaru has told you about me, but I doubt he's told you everything. I've been thinking these last few days about what I could write here, also wondering if it was wise to write certain things, when I realized that you're going to become an integral part of me. Shikamaru is one of my best friends, and you are now a big part of his life, and you will be in the future. Doesn't it make sense for us to get to know each other? Shikamaru trusts you, and I trust Shikamaru, so I'd like us to truly get to know each other. At first, I didn't know what to say to you, but then I understood that I just had to start from the beginning."
Harika read the sincere words of her new friend, sheltered in her small, modest room, taking advantage of the faint lamplight. She could almost hear Naruto's voice in her mind as she read: the unknown identity of his parents, his lonely and dark childhood, the discovery of the Kyubi inside him, his journey as a ninja, the loss of Sasuke to Orochimaru, and his friendships in Konoha, especially with Shikamaru.
The five pages Naruto had written were like a diary to his mind and heart, and her stomach tightened as she realized the pain seeping from the first pages, up until Naruto found Team 7. While reading, she realized how similar they were. She, too, had lost her parents, though fortunately, she knew who they were. She couldn't even imagine what Naruto must have felt, growing up without knowing who his parents were; the parents who, for one reason or another, abandoned him to his fate on the day he was born. She didn't want to imagine what it would have been like if everyone had known she was a Horcrux and had tormented her for something that hadn't been her fault.
She noticed her hand trembling as she held the letter, understanding Naruto's pain all too well because she had felt something similar. And yet, despite the pain and suffering, Naruto was so much stronger than she was. He had taken life by the horns, laughing in the face of everyone, refusing to let his enemies break him. She felt hopeful as she read the last sentences and realized that Shikamaru also seemed to have understood just how lonely Naruto felt and how much he could grow as a friend.
"…I don't know how you did it, but thank you. Now Shikamaru seems to be living the life he wants. He no longer looks exhausted by existence but eager to start living with you. Thank you."
Harika wiped her tears when she saw that, despite everything, Naruto was grateful to her. Damn. She had thought ninjas were mostly mercenaries without a conscience, and here were Shikamaru and Naruto breaking her expectations. Maybe the ninja from Kiri wasn't the rule but the exception.
She had to wait a few hours to calm herself before she could begin writing her own letter. It wasn't the letter she had thought she'd write when Naruto's clone had suggested it, but something about the sincerity of her new friend made her feel safe enough to trust him. Naruto had told her everything, and she would do the same.
She wrote about her parents and their death, about her "family" and her childhood, about discovering Hogwarts and her new friendships, about her adventures year after year, and her escape as a wanted criminal pursued by Voldemort's corrupt government. She told him about her death and Dumbledore's manipulation. She told him about her return to life and the pain she had felt. She told him about her recovery and her journey.
Writing through letters was almost cathartic. She knew Naruto would understand her pain, just as Shikamaru had. Still, she enchanted the pages so no one but him could read them. She trusted Naruto, but she wasn't stupid.
While waiting for Naruto's reply, she left the village, flying toward the nearest temple. In her free moments, she thought about Shikamaru, about her family, and she remembered her pain and Naruto's. She flew until her wings ached, avoiding being seen during the day, and tormented herself thinking about what would happen if-… No. She couldn't lose hope. Just as she'd told Shikamaru, she knew he wouldn't give up. She wasn't going to give up either. She looked at the enchanted coin she used to communicate with him and mentally noted to ask Naruto to deliver a letter to her boyfriend.
The following letters, however, were different. Less traumatic, less intense. Her letter to Shikamaru was delivered, but according to Naruto, he had gone on a mission with a squad, far from Konoha. She didn't know how long it would take him to return, but Naruto was certain it would be a while since, from what he understood, the mission took place in the Land of Wind.
"It's a shame you didn't find anything. I'm surprised. I thought the temple would have some answers," Naruto had written in his third letter. "Are you going to try another temple? I recommend the Fire Temple. It's the largest in the Land of Fire. It even has ninja monks! Maybe they have a lead."
Harika pulled out her map of the Land of Fire, carefully inspecting every detail as she searched for the famous temple. She found it much farther east, in a place called Renzu, relatively close to another large city called Otafuku Gai. It would take days to get there, less if she didn't make too many stops and slept in her enchanted trunk, but she would manage.
When she arrived days later, she observed the temple from her animal form. She watched them from so far away that no one seemed to notice her presence. Still, she didn't dare approach for fear of being discovered. She didn't know if they could detect her human presence even in her animal form, but the fact that Naruto had warned her the monks were also ninjas was a clear warning.
She watched them carry out their tasks with military precision. They trained hard and worked just as hard. Their strict work ethic almost made her feel out of place. One of them, however, clearly needed therapy. He was a grey-haired boy who seemed furious at the world. The monks looked at him with suspicion, some even with hatred glinting in their eyes. If she could see that from so far away… she didn't want to imagine what it must feel like to be him right now.
She studied the guards' routines for a couple of days until she finally decided to sneak into the library she had spotted earlier. She was about to transform back into her human form, using the darkness as her ally so she could use her hands, when she heard the footsteps of two monks walking determinedly down the hallway. She froze, listening as they whispered.
"This is the third grave that's been desecrated," whispered an older-sounding man. "We must do something, Chiriku."
"You're right, Bansai-sama, but we cannot neglect our duties at the temple. Now more than ever, they're essential."
"I know. I'm worried about Sora. His anger grows with each passing day. It's like a cup about to overflow, and soon it will spill onto us all."
"I'll request a mission from Konoha. With a bit of luck, they'll catch the culprits quickly."
"Good thinking, Chiriku."
Harika listened as they walked away, her mind racing at what she had just overheard. If she had to bet her hand, she would swear Sora was the outcast boy she'd seen earlier. But who would desecrate a monk's grave? From what she'd seen, they didn't live in luxury, quite the opposite. She doubted the graves had anything valuable, so why do it? She felt curious to uncover the truth, but finally shook her head and transformed.
She spent part of the night tirelessly copying files. There was no point reading them in the middle of the night. The last thing she wanted was to create light and get caught distracted. No. It was better to copy the material and review it safely inside her trunk.
The next letter to Naruto included what she had overheard at the temple. She didn't want to interfere, but maybe it could help him somehow.
"Naruto!?" she exclaimed a couple of days later when she saw him appear with his Portkey instead of the toad. "What are you doing here?"
"I'm a clone. I just wanted to check on you. I got your letter just now, and when I read it, I knew you were in danger."
"And how do you know that?"
"My team has been assigned to this mission," Naruto said with a mischievous grin. "Luckily, I didn't have to do anything to convince the Old Lady. It must be fate! I know a bit more than you do, so I know Shikamaru wouldn't like you being around here right now."
Harika raised an eyebrow but avoided getting offended. Shikamaru and Naruto didn't want her getting hurt. If she had been in their place, she would have thought and said the same. That's why she calmed herself and thought rationally. Clearly, if they were sending a ninja team so quickly, the matter had to be more serious than she had assumed. She didn't want to get involved and risk being kidnapped again, so she reluctantly nodded and assured him she would stay away for as long as necessary.
"Besides, I have enough material to keep me busy reading for days…"
"I'm glad to hear that, though I'd be even more relieved if you were in Konoha. Safe. Away from danger."
"I could fall down my own stairs and break my neck!" she said, exasperated, rolling her eyes.
"Yeah, and I could get struck by lightning right now and drop dead, but it's obvious that if you were in Konoha, dying from a 'ninja attack' would be a lot less likely," Naruto scoffed, rolling his eyes too.
"How's Shikamaru? Have you given him the letter yet?"
"He hasn't returned yet, but I've heard he should be back soon. See, if you were in Konoha, you'd be the first to know your boyfriend made it back safe and sound."
"Such shameless manipulation won't work on me, Naruto!"
Naruto's laughter was the last thing she heard before the clone vanished in a puff of smoke. The thing was, Naruto wasn't lying, but she was. Naruto's manipulation was more powerful than she wanted to admit.
…
Despite having promised she'd stay out of it, her curiosity got the better of her. She spent days watching Naruto's team fight criminals and deal with Sora. Anyone who had seen her in her eagle form, beak and eyes wide in astonishment, would've burst out laughing. What kind of power was that? It was malicious and… could the Kyubi really be a demon? She couldn't imagine that creature living inside Naruto.
She was so engrossed in what was happening that she didn't even open a single scroll she'd copied. However, the enchanted coin let her know that Shikamaru was safe.
"Rtrnng-hm. Mss-u-," she read, smiling at the words.
"M-2. B-sfe," she replied.
Harika glanced at Naruto, who was joking around with his team as they prepared to return to Konoha, then turned her gaze back to the temple. She had the coordinates, so she could return whenever she wanted with a Portkey, but… how was she supposed to get into Konoha? She didn't even know what she had to do. The more she thought about it, the more convinced she was that moving, even temporarily, to Konoha was the best option. She could leave the village unnoticed as long as she had the coordinates of the places she wanted to visit, and Naruto was right to remind her that the village was much safer for anyone, civilian or ninja, than the forests of the Land of Fire. And besides… Shikamaru would be there.
The more she thought about it, the more she realized there was no point in wandering around the country anymore. What had it gotten her? Nothing. She was worried about her powers being discovered in Konoha, but if she didn't do anything to reveal herself, who would know? She could act like a civilian "muggle" if necessary and sneak away when she needed to continue her research. Yes. She had decided. She was going to move to Konoha.
"Dear Naruto,You've convinced me. I've decided the best thing is to move to Konoha. Moving to the village doesn't mean I'm going to abandon my research, but if I can continue it in the safest way possible… It would be foolish to keep living out in the open.
I need your help to move to Konoha. I need papers and a place to rent. I'd ask Shikamaru, but I'd like to surprise him. Can I count on you?
Your friend,
Harika."