The help from Naruto arrived quickly. She didn't know whether he had anticipated her request or if it had simply been easy for him to gather everything she would need. He provided her with stolen identities to forge, along with the documents required for the village registry. The last thing she did before heading toward Konoha was exchange a large handful of gold coins. With the gold converted into ordinary currency, she could always claim to be a wealthy heiress who had inherited her fortune after the death of her last relative.
The entrance to Konoha appeared sooner than expected. She felt nervous as she walked among the crowd toward the great green gates, clutching the folder of prepared documents. When her turn came, the chunin guards at the gate stopped her.
"Next," said the uniformed man, who looked a bit like Shikamaru, with a tilt of his head. "Reason for entering Konoha?"
"I want to apply for residency."
"Do you have your documentation ready?"
Harika handed over the folder, letting them inspect it even though, according to Naruto, they weren't the actual registry office, and waited patiently. They gave her a careful once-over, but she detected no suspicion in their eyes. Which made sense. What would they suspect?
"Everything seems in order. Sign the census and you may enter. Then head to the registry office as soon as possible."
"Great."
Harika took the offered pen and wrote her name as neatly as she could. The language charms let her write Japanese, but she clearly lacked a native's ease. Ever since Naruto had mentioned she'd have to register by hand, she'd been practicing, but even she, far from a Japanese native, could see her strokes weren't the neatest. She'd have to practice in her spare time so no one realized Japanese wasn't her mother tongue, which would be unusual for a ninja, considering it was the only language in this dimension.
She entered the village and followed the directions to the registry office. The building stood out with identifying symbols and a small flag bearing the emblem of the Land of Fire. The process was fairly quick, though the line took nearly half an hour.
"Reason for residence?"
"I wanted a change of scenery. My last relative recently passed away," she said, thinking of Sirius.
"Most recent occupation?"
"Photographer." The clerk looked up at her with curiosity. "Landscapes and animals."
"That must be fascinating, traveling the country to capture its wonders."
"It is, but it's also dangerous considering what's been happening lately…"
"Mhmm… Quite true. I suppose that's another reason to settle in Konoha."
"Exactly."
"Will you stay in a hotel while you look for a permanent home?"
"Yes. I'll also need to open a bank account to transfer my funds."
"I'll give you one of our guide pamphlets. You can look it over in the waiting room before heading out," the man said with a smile, handing her the pamphlet and some official papers, which he stamped in front of her. "Sign here and place your fingerprints on the next page. Perfect. This is your residency card."
"That's everything?"
"Yes. Here you go."
As she left the small office, she glimpsed what looked like two ninjas—one blond with aqua-blue eyes, the other dark-haired with white eyes. The description matched what Shikamaru had said about his friend Ino and about Hinata's family, so she guessed they had to be relatives. She wondered why they were working at the civil registry and concluded they were probably protecting the staff and monitoring newcomers. From what she knew via Shikamaru and Naruto, the Yamanaka were skilled at sensing chakra, while the Hyuga—she thought that was the name of Hinata and Neji's clan—could literally see it. No doubt they were screening for intruders. Luckily for her, her chakra network was still in its infancy. She hadn't had much time to practice, so she shouldn't register as a threat.
She left the office and tucked the papers into her conjured folder. It would have been absurd to put something that large into her small backpack in front of so many strangers, many of them ninjas, so she simply followed the small map to the bank. Opening an account and depositing her money took far less time. When the bank clerk saw all those zeros, he nearly drooled while trying to impress her. With that kind of money, she could easily buy property, but given her situation, she thought it wiser to rent for now.
"Harika!" a male voice called. She turned to see Naruto, who closed the distance quickly. "Finally! I've been waiting since yesterday."
"Hi, Naruto."
"Come on. I need to show you an apartment for rent."
The place Naruto showed her was on the third floor of a rectangular building with rounded edges, wood-trimmed walls, and a red roof. The ground floor was considerably larger than the top and housed at least six tenants. The second floor was slightly smaller, with only four. The "attic" level contained just two doors. Naruto pointed to the one on the right.
"But wait, can we just walk in like that?" she asked when she saw him unlock the door.
"I asked my landlord for the key so I could show you. Almost nobody wants to rent this apartment. For one thing, it's small, just one bedroom, and there's no elevator. It's also unfurnished; the landlord removed the furniture over the years. What was the point of replacing it if nobody wanted to rent? I live next door. We'd be neighbours!"
Harika noticed Naruto scratching his head with a slightly sad look. The moment he said he lived in the adjacent unit, she understood why the apartment remained empty. She felt a flash of anger realizing that Naruto's presence had probably scared off potential tenants. No wonder some of the other doors looked long closed. She gave the dusty, slightly musty place a new glance. At first it had seemed a bit rundown, especially compared to her house in Scotland, but hearing that Naruto would be her neighbour…
There was a small entryway leading to a combined living-dining area with an open kitchen, at least fully equipped. A narrow hallway led to a bathroom and a bedroom large enough for a double bed. The most appealing feature was the terrace door in the living room that opened onto a balcony like a ship's mast.
"My apartment is identical, but faces the other side," Naruto explained. "What do you think? If you don't like it, we can look elsewhere, no problem."
"It's fine. I'll take it. How much is the rent?"
Harika didn't hesitate. Naruto had secured her paperwork and found her a place near him because they were friends now. She wasn't going to turn it down just because it needed cleaning, lacked furniture, or had no elevator. She'd spent years under the Dursleys' stairs, she'd slept in far worse places. And, looking again, it actually had a certain charm. She could already picture it clean, furnished to her taste… Yes. Not bad at all.
…
With Shikamaru returning in less than a day, she set about readying the apartment with Naruto and his shadow clones. While the clones cleaned, she went out into the village with Naruto in disguise. She wasn't ready to explain herself to her boyfriend's friends just yet, not while trying to surprise him in Konoha.
"Look. There's a furniture shop," Naruto interrupted her thoughts, pointing to an old-style carpentry store, rare in her former world. "You can probably get everything you need there."
"And how will we carry it?"
"We can seal the furniture in a scroll. Don't worry about that."
Harika blinked in surprise. Unable to use her own magic or her enchanted bag, she'd been wondering how to move the furniture with minimal effort, but she'd forgotten about her new friend's ninja skills. It made perfect sense: with one of those scrolls, no one would question how she'd furnished her apartment in a single trip.
Barely an hour and a half later, her place was transformed. Thanks to Naruto's clones and both ninja and magical skills, not to mention her abundant funds, the apartment was fully set up. While Naruto handled the final touches, restarting the heating and so on, she headed out again in search of something essential: food.
"I'm thinking of cooking a meal for Shikamaru," she admitted to Naruto. "I'm going to look for some recipe books. I'd like to try something new, maybe blend it with dishes from my homeland."
"Shikamaru's a lucky guy. Nothing beats having someone cook for you," Naruto said, practically drooling at the thought. His stomach growled, making him blush and making her laugh.
"I'll bring you some to taste, too."
"I'll hold you to that!"
She didn't know exactly when Shikamaru would return, but that wasn't a problem. With magic she could keep the food fresh and have everything ready for whenever he arrived in the village. So, she got to work. She went back out into the village for ingredients, cookbooks, and utensils.
Time flew while she cooked with the help of her magic, experimenting with dishes completely different from the ones she knew. Some flavours tasted strange to her, others were a pleasant surprise. She glanced out the window while her vegetable soup simmered, the spoon stirring itself without her even looking. Clouds floated across the sky like cotton, making her drowsy and pulling a yawn or two from her lips.
The coin in her pocket warmed, alerting her to Shikamaru's message.
"In KNH," her boyfriend wrote, making her smile. "Miss u."
"And I you."
Excited, she jumped to her feet, waved her hand to set the table for two right by the glass doors that opened onto the balcony. She had hung a pair of white embroidered curtains for privacy, but she could still see the Konoha skyline clearly from her round table. She gathered her things and stood before the mirror. She didn't want to overdress, this was meant to be a surprise and Shikamaru wouldn't be dressed up, but a quick brush through her hair and a dab of perfume never hurt.
She hurried out of her new apartment, determined to find Shikamaru without using magic, just in case. Naruto had told her where he might be, so she hoped it wouldn't take long.
"Easier said than done," she muttered to herself while searching another street.
No one paid her any mind, aside from a few curious glances. It was thrilling to walk outside without anyone recognizing her and to know she could use her powers without being branded a witch. Konoha, just as Shikamaru and then Naruto had described, bustled with every kind of person. People went about their lives in the heart of a military village. Ninjas strode through the streets with teams of small children or leapt across rooftops in every direction without anyone batting an eye. It was… incredible.
Finally, just as she was about to cheat and use a bit of magic to locate Shikamaru, she saw him. His head rose above the crowd near the entrance of a small hotel. She was surprised to find him there, but started toward him.
"Shi-"
His name caught in her throat when she saw the blonde girl behind him with dark blue, or maybe green, eyes. What stunned her most was watching that woman place a hand on Shikamaru's shoulder, boldly stepping closer, and how he did nothing at first. Only when it seemed the woman might kiss him did he subtly shift away, looking aside instead of at the woman clearly wanting him.
Harika didn't know what to think or feel. It looked intimate, but the fact that he had moved so discreetly, without anyone noticing a sharp rejection, told her he didn't want to be touched. But… was it that he didn't want to be touched at all, or just not in public? Her heart ached at not knowing. She needed time alone, needed to ask Naruto who that woman was… and whether it really was Temari, Shikamaru's ex.
Just as she decided to slip away unnoticed and return home, he seemed to spot her. He froze for a second and then turned immediately. Their eyes met like magnets. Hers full of pain and confusion, his clearly shocked. The woman behind him called his name, but Shikamaru ignored her completely, leaving her standing there.
Harika shook her head, turned, and walked off. Her appetite vanished.
"Harika! Wait!" Shikamaru called, not too loudly.
"Where are you going!? Shikamaru!"
Harika didn't run, but she ignored their voices. Even so, her boyfriend caught up within a few steps, rounding the corner ahead of her. People glanced their way, clearly sensing an argument, but she said nothing.
"It's not what you think," he said the moment he faced her, holding her gaze as he explained.
"Is it her?"
"…Yes. I ran into her at the door when I came back from the mission. Nothing happened. I promise."
"It didn't look that way," she replied coldly, remembering how he'd allowed the woman to touch him and lean in.
Shikamaru sighed, looked past her with unfocused eyes, and pressed a hand to his forehead as if suddenly in pain.
"I didn't want to cause a scene in the middle of the street, in front of Suna's diplomatic team, but as always she doesn't fucking listen. I should have moved away before she touched me. I'm sorry."
"…I don't know what to say right now. I need to be alone."
His face tightened at her words. It hurt to see pain on Shikamaru's face, but she was hurting too. She didn't want to give him the silent treatment, yet she needed space before saying something she'd regret. Shikamaru nodded, stepping aside, watching her leave.
Harika returned home with a heavy heart. As soon as her key turned in the door, Naruto's head poked out with a big grin. The moment he saw her alone, her expression shaken, he darted from his apartment.
"What happened?"
"…I found Shikamaru with… Temari."
"What!?" Naruto shouted. His yell echoed through the hallway. "How could he be with Temari!?"
She explained what she'd seen before he could imagine something worse. Naruto calmed as he listened, but the frown on his face remained.
"For someone so smart, Shikamaru can be an idiot sometimes," Naruto muttered, earning a surprised laugh from her.
"Want some dinner, Naruto? I already have food prepared."
"…Are you sure?"
"Yes. I don't think being alone is best right now."
If she were back in her own world, she'd be sharing a drink with Hermione, Ginny, and Luna. Since her friends were worlds away, the closest thing she had to a best friend here was Naruto. Not a bad trade. Naruto sat where she had imagined Shikamaru would, eating the meal she'd cooked for hours for her boyfriend. Harika ate as well, though without appetite, a small smile on her lips.
"Amazing! What's this dish called?" Naruto asked with his mouth full. His bright eyes and exuberance made her forget her problems for a moment. "Have you thought about opening a restaurant? I'd be your first customer!"
Harika let out a small laugh. She stirred the rice with her chopsticks, looking at the sauce she'd been eager to try and now tasted like ashes, and shook her head. After her years with the Dursleys, where she'd lived like a servant and cooked constantly, the last thing she wanted was to take orders from more idiots.
"Hey. Can I tell you what I think?" Naruto asked, pulling her from her thoughts. Harika studied his serious face and nodded. "I think Shikamaru wasn't lying. From what I know, Temari has always been stubborn, and Shikamaru's still learning how to set boundaries."
"Set boundaries?"
"Shikamaru's always done what others wanted, almost never what he truly wanted. Maybe because it was easier, less… troublesome," Naruto said with a wry smile. "People used to walk all over him, but since meeting you he's been getting better at it."
Harika stared blankly at the table, realizing Shikamaru himself had told her something similar. She'd even thought the same when he spoke about his life. She hadn't understood how much he struggled to set boundaries because he always seemed so decisive. It confused her, and she told Naruto as much. To her surprise, Naruto only smiled as he listened.
"I'm not that smart, but even I know why he seems so decisive with you."
"Why?"
"You really have no idea?" Naruto chuckled, inhaling dessert as if he hadn't eaten in days. She raised an impatient eyebrow. "Okay, okay! It's because of you."
"Because of me?"
"He's decisive with you because he's sure about you. Why would he hesitate when you're the one thing in his life he's completely certain of?"
Harika felt like she could breathe again as she understood what Naruto meant. It was as if a light had appeared at the end of the tunnel. Shikamaru had moved away from Temari, even if his slow reaction had hurt and angered her. He had apologized immediately, acknowledged his mistake, and given her space when she asked. He hadn't really done anything wrong. Temari had been the one out of line, especially when Shikamaru had ended things weeks ago and it was obvious he wasn't interested in her, judging by his body language.
Suddenly, Harika's anger shifted. Who did Temari think she was? Did she believe she could do whatever she wanted, kiss someone without consent? Another thought struck her, one that both infuriated and worried her. Did Temari think Shikamaru wouldn't reject her in public and would simply accept her advances to avoid attention? As soon as she considered it, she knew it was true. Wasn't that exactly what had happened? What had Shikamaru said?
"I didn't want to cause a scene in the middle of the street, but as always she doesn't fucking listen."
Temari had done as she pleased, thinking only of herself and twisting the situation to her advantage, whether she realized it or not. Harika understood at that moment that Temari didn't truly love Shikamaru, she only thought she did. Otherwise, no one would act that way toward someone they cared for.
She pulled out her coin.
"I'm sorry."
"Come out, pls."
Harika rose from her seat, catching Naruto's attention.
"I'm going out for a bit. You can finish the food if you like. I'll clean up later, don't worry."
"Nah. I think it's bedtime anyway," Naruto said with a smile. "Thanks for dinner, Harika."
Naruto left. As soon as the door shut, she opened the glass door to her balcony. Shikamaru dropped down from above almost instantly, standing before her in the same clothes he'd worn on his mission. That alone told her he'd been outside the whole time, maybe even listening to her talk with Naruto. No. She was sure he had heard it all.
"I don't love her, I never have, and I never will," he said before she could even think to speak. "I don't want you to believe for a second that there's anything between us."
Harika nodded, speechless now. So many emotions had drained her that all she could do was throw her arms around him. Shikamaru caught her, pulling her tight as if he hadn't seen her in months. She felt him bury his face in her hair, kissing her head while she melted against his chest.
Shikamaru stepped inside her new apartment, closing the door with his foot while holding her. He set her down, stepping back just enough to look into her eyes. She wished she'd turned on the kitchen light so she could see his expression more clearly, but the glow of the streetlamps was enough to meet his gaze in the darkness. Something in his face was impossible to describe, as though he were memorizing every feature, his fiery eyes caressing her skin.
"In case you haven't noticed…" Shikamaru whispered, brushing her cheek and tucking a lock of hair behind her ear as he leaned in, only inches from her lips. "I'm in love with you."
Harika's heart nearly stopped at his words. She grabbed his neck and pressed her lips to his in a frantic kiss. She forgot Temari, Naruto, her friends, her new apartment…everything faded as Shikamaru kissed her like it was their first time, his hand buried in her hair, the other possessively at her lower back. Harika could only let him consume her as she surrendered completely.
"Shikamaru…" she murmured, pulling back just a breath to look into his eyes.
"Hmm?"
"Make love to me."
Her boyfriend said nothing. He simply scooped her up in his arms and carried her toward the bedroom.