Menma was doing her best not to draw attention to herself as objects around her started floating an inch above the ground. She was terrified because it was happening again. The teacher continued talking about the biology of cells without pause, while the rest of her classmates appeared bored.

"Please don't look at me!" she wished silently, trying to calm herself down. From the back row of the class, she could only imagine how strange it must look to others. Her red hair already attracted unwanted attention, and if people found out about her unnatural powers... she didn't even want to think about it.

"My Chakra is out of control again. When will I be able to manage it properly?" she cried inwardly.

Taking a deep breath, Menma clasped her hands together under her desk and exhaled slowly. The objects around her wavered and then settled down.

"Phewww!" she inadvertently exclaimed.

"Excuse me?" the teacher looked bewildered.

Menma realized she had spoken aloud, and now everyone was glancing at her. "I'm glad you didn't see me making things float around me," she said, trying to appear sincere.

The children burst into laughter. They would laugh at anything if it meant interrupting the class. Meanwhile, the teacher fumed.

"Please see me after school," the teacher told Menma as the bell rang, signaling the end of the class.

The students poured out of the classroom like soda from a broken can. Menma clicked her tongue in irritation and joined them, making her way towards the lockers where Tisha, her best friend, was already waiting.

"I heard you got on your teacher's nerves again," Tisha said as Menma approached her slowly, looking dejected.

"I don't know why she has to target a student over small things," the red head complained, retrieving her laptop from the locker.

Tisha eyed her with suspicion. "You're not going to skip class and watch Naruto again, are you?" she asked, closing her own locker.

Menma just shrugged. What else could she do? She was one hundred percent sure she was a ninja, just like Naruto. And that show was her only way to learn how to control her powers.

"I don't want to face the teacher later, so yeah, I'm totally bunking," she replied, twirling around with her crimson hair swaying. "Can you tell Shun to handle things for me here?"

"Uh-uh," Tisha shook her head disapprovingly. "No way I'm talking to your brother alone. I can't even look him straight in the eye!"

Menma observed her raven-haired friend intently. Tisha was not just pretty; she was beautiful. Her onyx-colored eyes matched her shoulder-length hair. So, Menma didn't understand why her best friend fell for Shun. Undoubtedly, he was eye candy for others, but his personality was as terrible and intimidating as Sasuke's.

"Well, if not Shun, maybe you can call Sia?" Menma pleaded.

"What is it that needs Sia's help and not mine?" a deep, husky voice sent chills down Menma's spine, while Tisha blushed with embarrassment.

Menma turned around to face Shun, who towered over her like a telecom tower. Her blue eyes locked with his black eyes, and she mumbled something.

"What was that?" he asked, eyeing her suspiciously and then turning to Tisha for any response.

"She needs you to cover for her later, after school. She got in trouble with the biology teacher," Tisha babbled.

So much for not being able to look him straight in the eye.

"Why don't you two just date?" the red head groaned and walked past them. She could see Tisha's mouth hanging open while Shun stared at her disapprovingly.

She had taken just a few steps when Blaze, one of her classmates, brushed past her and enveloped Shun in a hug. Tisha's face fell as she excused herself and followed Menma.

"I don't like her," Tisha said.

"Me neither," Menma replied as they walked out towards the girls' restroom. "She always gives me a look that says she thinks she's superior."

"Maybe she's jealous?"

"Of what?"

"Both of you were adopted, but she didn't get a family like you did."

"A family?" Menma exclaimed. "Those rich people adopted us for show. Something to boast about in society. I haven't seen them in years!"

"But you have Sia! Blaze doesn't have such a motherly caretaker."

Menma contemplated what Tisha had said while prying open the window, allowing them to access the outside of the school grounds without being seen.

"Where are we going?" her best friend questioned as she lowered herself down after her.

"Just follow me," Menma whispered and took the lead.

They entered a forest and walked for about fifteen minutes before reaching a lake. The whole area was enveloped in dense fog, providing ample hiding spots.

"It's so chilly here. What is this place?" Tisha whispered under her breath.

Menma didn't answer her but guided her around the lake and deeper into the forest until they arrived at a small hut.

"Welcome to my secret hideout," Menma announced in a flat tone.

"No kidding! So, this is where you disappear to from time to time!" Tisha exclaimed, rushing inside, curiosity piqued.

The small, cozy house had two bedrooms, a kitchen, and a living room. Menma had discovered this place while following Sia one day. Sia had told her it was her secret place but that she didn't need it anymore. From that day forward, it belonged to Menma.

They seated themselves in front of the TV, and silence filled the room for a few moments.

"Bitch," Tisha said, "I'm offended that you didn't tell me about this place sooner," she laughed.

Menma grinned, knowing that Tisha didn't mean any harm. "Now you know."

"Then when were you planning to tell me about your tattoo?" Tisha asked abruptly.

"What tattoo?" Menma nearly jumped at the remark.

No one from the outside knew about it. How could she?

"Don't lie to me! I saw it when you were changing during gym class. I said nothing because I thought you would tell me yourself!"

"Oh, it's not a tattoo! It's more like... well, kind of a birthmark! I've always had it."

"A birthmark like that?" Tisha questioned but quickly changed the subject. "Anyway, will you show it to me now?" she raised an eyebrow inquisitively.

"Uh... okay..." the red head stuttered and slid off her shrug, revealing her backless top.

It wouldn't do any harm to show it to her, Menma thought to herself. If only she doesn't shriek after realizing what it is.

But all Tisha did was gasp in awe.

Of course, she didn't watch Naruto, so how could she recognize it? Menma mentally slapped herself and smiled.

"This is totally hot! But I thought it was black!" Tisha examined it.

"Uh...? Yes... it is black!"

"No..."

"But it was..."

"Then why is it glowing red now?"

∘₊✧──────✧₊∘    

A/N

Hello Kawaiis!

Hope you enjoyed this chapter. 

Can you guess the tattoo? Let me know in the comments!

Vote and Share if you are enjoying!

Love,
Aeon