Third person pov
She was in their pool again, being held down by several strong arms as she struggled for air. She clawed for the surface, black seeping into her vision like spilled coffee seeped into a napkin. Her brain was becoming fuzzy. Sounds around her were warped. The deafening sound of her warbled screams and splashing. The laughter of the three, drunk men. The ghost of a sob, stuck in the back of her throat. Was she crying? She couldn't tell.
And then suddenly, she wasn't being held down anymore. No, now she was drifting. Sinking deeper and deeper into an ocean of blue. Her heart raced, and her body trembled as salty water filled her lungs. Oddly enough, she didn't struggle for air like she had when she was being held under. She felt as though she didn't need to breathe at all.
A few feet away from her, something crashed into the water with a loud splash that soon faded into the deepness of the ocean they were in. A woman Arron recognized only vaguely. She watched numbly as the woman's red dress billowed in the shifting water, matching the blood seeping from her slit throat. Her eyes were wide open, frozen in permanent terror. Arron watched numbly as the woman sank, her heart slowing down. She felt like she was crying, but being submerged in the water, she really couldn't tell. She could only watch the woman, another slave she'd known when she was first sold, sink.
Fear gripped her when shadows began to rise from the ground. They snaked up like hungry eels, beginning to wrap around her like chains. "Arron." A familiar voice purred, a pair of eyes she'd hoped never to see again appearing before her in the inky blackness. Terror gripped her tighter as she jerked towards them. She was being dragged down. "Don't cry. You know you enjoy it, you little slu-"
Arron awoke with a gasp, lips parted in a silent scream. Trexx loomed over her bed worriedly as tears poured from her eyes. Arron, almost unconsciously, looked around for Shikamaru. Her head swiveled back and forth like a fan on rotate, her breathing labored and her mind frazzled by the nightmare. The realization that Shikamaru wasn't there, and instead stuck in some deadly forest, prompted her panic to grow.
"No cry." Trexx turned on the lamp by Shikamaru's bed. He didn't even think about eating it, which is saying something. It showed how concerned the creature was. "Arron safe. Shikamaru proud."
Arron's breath halted in its rapid increase of pace, and she stared at her shaking hands. That was right. She was meant to make Shikamaru proud. That was the point of this all, wasn't it? It make him proud? She took a deep breath, clenching her fists in an attempt to get her trembling under control. She was safe. She was fine. She would be an independent person. She would get better, not just for Shikamaru, but for herself too.
The clock read six AM. Shikaku was probably already up, getting ready for work. She knew she wouldn't be getting back to bed, so she thought. She could do this, right? She had this in the bag. She wiped at her eyes, raking a hand harshly through her hair. She grit her teeth. There was nothing to be scared of, she reminded herself. It was over. She'd been saved. Shikaku'd been the one to carry her here, in fact.
She got up, rushing out the door. She stopped herself from checking for enemies. There were no enemies. She was determined to teach her brain that it didn't need to be on high alert always. That things could be fine sometimes. As in right now. Trexx could sense danger. It was in his nature. It was why he was here. To protect.
She made it to the kitchen, which was empty and silent. She flicked on the lights and got started. She racked her brain for the many recipes she'd learned, deciding omelets were best. She'd always been better with stove-top meals. She'd... never been a fan of ovens. They were metal boxes that got hot on all sides. She didn't like sticking her hand inside to get what was cooking out. She was afraid the door would slam shut on her. The burns on her forearm told the story as to why.
She started, working quickly. She wanted to give Shikaku food. It wasn't much, but it was something she could do. She needed to be better for Shikamaru. She had to be! All she did was get in his way. She'd grabbed onto him without his consent months ago, and hadn't let go even for a single moment since. She hated herself for clinging to him so annoyingly, but she felt safe. She hadn't trusted someone so much for a very, very long time.
Shikaku heard clattering in the kitchen, but the erratic and on-edge chakra told him it was only Arron. What she was doing at this hour escaped him. Most kids would want to sleep in, he'd think, but then again, she wasn't most kids. And Shikaku was using Shikamaru as reference. The boy slept more than most...
He didn't enter the kitchen. "Hey, Arron." He greeted, not expecting a response, but not wanting to startle her by having her look over to see he'd magically appeared. She jumped nearly a foot in the air out of surprise. "What're you doing up at this hour?"
She glanced at him, and then back at the plate of food, and then back at him again. He watched curiously as she took a few deep breaths, muttering something to herself in a language he didn't understand. He didn't move. He was too afraid she'd scream and scramble away in panic. That she'd cry as she did when they'd suddenly met in the past.
She didn't say anything, but she did walk up to him. He stiffened, watching her carefully as she shoved a plate at him. it was a pair of omelettes that looked oddly delicious. He took it cautiously, his hand accidentally brushing hers. She flinched, but didn't pull away until he had to plate secure. Her eyes met his for a split second. He was the one who flinched.
"What's that smell?" Yoshino's appearance startled them both. "Arron's cooking again?"
"Yeah..." Shikaku trailed off as Arron returned to the counter, getting another plate with another two omelettes. Yoshino lit up as it was handed to her, all but bouncing. Arron couldn't help but feel pride in herself, and almost smiled.
"Thank you, Arron!" Yoshino wished Arron were her daughter. She was stuck with Shikamaru, who was lazy and too disrespectful for her taste. Maybe if they married...
They both sat down carefully, keeping their hands visible and their movements smooth and minimal. Arron noticed and appreciated it. She made herself a plate and took the seat in front of Yoshino, much to their surprise. She stared at her plate as she cut a piece of her omelette off. She imagined Shikamaru was right next to her, and that things were okay. This was normal. She took another deep breath. This was all normal, and fine.
"This is so good." Yoshino didn't fear talking in front of Arron like Shikaku did. "How do you do it?"
Arron wanted to respond, but couldn't. She silently cursed herself, beating against the wall inside of herself. The one she felt stuck behind. It didn't budge, but she didn't care. She banged against it anyway, fighting the binds that had been placed upon her. The Nara couple wouldn't have known just looking at her the battle waging inside of her. Nobody would.
Shikaku finished, and Yoshino did too. Arron took their plates. Both were floored by her behavior. By how hard she was trying. Both had assumed that she'd hide away in Shikamaru's room and not eat for five days. It had been a fear they'd both shared with one another, but she was putting in more effort than they'd ever imagined the girl could! They weren't sure what was motivating her, but they were glad, whatever it was.
Shikaku and Yoshino stood awkwardly side by side. Arron stood before them, staring at her bare feet. She was still in her pajamas, as was Yoshino. Shikaku was in his work clothes, but looked just as tired as his wife. Trexx sat behind Arron, squirting soap in his face and then shoving some dishes in. Then, he'd vibrate a little, and pull the plates out again. They'd be sparkling clean every time. Yoshino wasn't sure whether or not to be impressed or disturbed.
"I-" Arron suddenly bit out, but her teeth clenched soon after, grinding. Yoshino and Shikaku her their full attention. Arron clenched her fists, her head snapping up. They could tell how hard this was for her. Yoshino had never felt so proud. "Thank 'ou."
"Arron, you don't need to thank us." Shikaku said softly, not wanting his voice to startle her. Arron shook her head, her eyes aflame. Right before their eyes, she seemed to shift completely. She took a deep breath, seeming so composed all of a sudden. Scared, shaking a little, but composed nonetheless. Arron didn't like talking much, but she had to today. Right now.
She had to do this. For herself, for Shikamaru, and most of all, for the Nara's. She'd been difficult. They'd given her a home, clothed her, fed her, and she couldn't say a word of thanks? She couldn't shake their hand like a normal human being, or offer them even a ghost of a smile? It was absolutely pathetic. She felt nothing but fear towards them, when they'd been nothing but kind and understanding.
"Yes, I do." She said, her voice quiet but firm. "'ou've... taken m-me into your home. 'ou let me stay here when you didn't 'ave to. Y-You..." She was shaking, tears in her eyes. She was scared of them. She didn't want to do this, but she made herself. She was afraid to talk and open up, but she did anyway. "'ou've been so kind to me. I... 'aven't had anything close to a f...family before." A few tears slipped out. It was true. It'd been so long since she'd seen any form of loving family, and yet here she was...
Shikaku felt his heart soften, and Yoshino had tears in her eyes.
"You saved me." Arron whispered, her voice a squeak as she struggled to hold back her tears. Trexx put a hand on her shoulder. "I am afraid. I do not want to be afraid, but I am. Egwan. Weak." She sputtered out the words as fast as she could. "B-But this is my home now, and 'ou've been s-so... I'm so scared, and-"
"It's okay, dear. It's okay." Yoshino was crying, but smiling too. Arron was getting better, and she'd come to them on her own. Even Shikaku couldn't help but smile, a warm feeling swirling to life in his chest as he watched the young woman before him. She was strong now, and nothing like the bloodied and beaten girl he'd carried out of the woods. The one on the verge of death, and scared of everything. Sure, Arron was still scared. But there was a difference. Now, she wasn't running. She was standing her ground. When had she gotten so much... so much better?
"M-Mrs. Nara." Arron sobbed out. "I'm so sorry."
"Don't apologize! No, no, no!" Yoshino wiped at her eyes furiously. "I don't know what you went through, but I understand. I'm sure anyone would be the same way, dear. You aren't weak. You're trying so hard, and you've been such a deli-"
Shikaku took a step back, and Yoshino froze as Arron threw her arms around the woman. She forced herself to do it, shivering at the contact. But she... she wanted to. It felt right. It wasn't much, but it's one of the few things she could offer. It wasn't just a hug. It was trust. "Thank you." Arron whispered. "Diolch."
Yoshino returned the hug hesitantly, nodding to Shikaku to signal that they'd be okay if he went. He gave them once last glance before silently going to the door, his own eyes stinging with tears as his crying wife held a sobbing girl who couldn't even look them in the eye, let alone touch or talk to them, mere weeks ago.
He couldn't stop himself from smiling.