[center][i][u]Shikako and Shikashi
Nara Compound courtyard, Land of Fire --> Morning[/u][/i][/center]



The shadows stretched and twisted, expanding and thinning. The sun shined brightly with the morning and into the eyes of the duo that occupied the Nara Compound’s courtyard. Heavy breathing filled the air as they stared intensely at each other, dark eyes clashing.
“You seriously think you can beat me, Shikako?” The barely-a-man huffed, his hands clasped together as he controlled the shadow that clung to his cousin’s.

Shikako felt a surge of envy in her chest, ready to explode into a heat of anger, and she desired most to jab a fist into his face. Alas, she could not move – immobilized. “No, I don’t think I can beat you because you’re the great, [i]amazing[/i] Shikashi.”

“Save your sarcasm for someone else, bitch.” Shikashi hissed, standing up and strolling towards her with his hands in his pockets, forcing her to do the same.

“Wow, you’re such a nice guy. Fit to be a leader, yeah?”

Shikashi nearly hit her.

Shikako grinned.

“And you are?” Shikashi spat from the corner of his mouth.

Shikako didn’t say anything; deep down, she knew she wasn’t fit to be the head of the clan. Nevertheless, she smiled cockily, especially when she knew that his shadow technique had reached its limit. Like clockwork, the shadow that connected the two quivered and began to recede. Now free to move, Shikako stretched her arms over her head and popped her back.

Her smugness dispersed quickly when the presence of the two strongest shinobi in the Nara clan appeared. Shikayo and Shikaro stared down at the duo with unimpressed looks on their faces, a distance between the two making it clear of their anger towards each other.

“Is that all you got, Shikashi?” Shikayo asked rhetorically, bearing his teeth and crossing his arms. Shikashi deflated, hunching his shoulders and glanced at the ground like an admonished puppy. Shikako almost laughed – and then she saw her father’s unimpressed glare, staring over her.

“Let’s go, Shikako. We have things to do.” Shikaro said instead of reprimanding her like Shikayo did. Shikashi felt his heart burn with shame and anger, his hands clenching into fists in his pockets.

“I’ll beat you next time.” Shikako called over her shoulder as she left the courtyard and Shikashi hissed incredulously under his breath.