On the Doorstep
She sat on steps up to her door, huddled over in her light jacket, shivering. It was cold outside, but she really didn't feel like
going inside. She didn't want to deal with her parents right now. Asking what was wrong, asking if they could help, all that
meaningless parental crap that nobody ever really followed through with, nobody ever actually considered. "How can I help"
might as well have been officially deemed a rhetorical question. Through the misty hues of sullen grey she could see a figure
approaching. At first her eyes strained to make him out, but as he drew closer she recognized the tall, lanky form with it's lazy
gait. Smiling a small, half-hearted smile, she shook her head. He insisted the only reason he showed up at her door every day
was because it was on the way to the training field, nothing more.
'Odd.' He thought, noting her miserable demeanor as he approached her huddled form. Normally she was not a morning
person, generally grouchy and ready to go back to bed, but today wasdifferent. She seemed smaller, somehow. Weak,
vulnerable. He couldn't help thinking she looked as if she needed a hug.
Nodding his usually non-complacent greeting, he continued to trudge past her, fully expecting her to leap up and join him. She
didn't. Ever so slowly, as if fearing what he might see, he peaked over his shoulder at her, raising a quizzical eyebrow. Now
that he was close in, he noticed the wetness of her cheeks.
"…Ah crap…"
Awkwardly, he takes a seat a short distance from her on her doorstep. She sneaks a hesitant glance in his direction, and
though their eyes never meet, he sees the silent plea in them. She just needs a friend, someone to talk to. Everyone has their
problems. Some are greater than others, but no problem is unimportant. They are about a foot apart now, and she takes
another cautious inch in his direction. Then another. His heart can't help but give a little grin. The rustling of her clothing is the
only sound in the early morning as she nudges her way towards him.
With an exasperated sigh he throws his arms up in surrender. "Well, come on then." He mumbles. She sniffles a little and leans
up against him, pressing in for warmth and reassurance. He feels her shiver and feels pity for this fragile creature well within
him.
Everybody needs a shoulder every now and then.
Life's greatest tragedy is to live it alone.
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I hope you all like this, it's my little Shikamaru-is-really-a-nice-guy-inside drabble :)
Oh, and just to ruin your fun, the SHE is Ino. bwarhar.
Reviews are both welcome and greatly appreciated :D