Ever since the mission with himself, Anko, Naruto, and her he made it his job to make sure she'd be okay, even if he wouldn't be physically there to catch her. After all, why would Ino, one of the most beautiful kuniochi in Konoha, want Shino, one of the most avoided shinobi, to catch her?
Their group mission together started a flood gate of thoughts and feelings. Shino had even started to notice little things about her, that's how he noticed the coming problem. At first it was just Ino hanging around other teen girls to try and hide the loss of Sakura. The pink haired kuniochi turned at the last second to be with Sasuke, ready to kill Naruto for the Uchiha's love, but she forgot about the over protective Hinata. Sadly, the battle ended with the death of Sasuke and Sakura, but Ino didn't hold it against Hinata or Naruto, but even so Sakura was Ino's best friend.
Shortly after Ino started to hang out with this new group she lost her smile and bubbly charm. Then, to Shino's horror, she started to rapidly lose weight and her once golden skin faded to a ghostly grey, her pale blond hair lost its lustrous shine, and the Aburame started notice that Ino covered up her skin a lot more, but her face showed why; her bones were starting to show through her skin. The only thing she consumed was water, everything else coming back up. The Yamanaka also had no energy to train, or work and she easily passed out in the smallest of task. Worse yet was that when she got hurt she would also bleed, and bleed until she got serious medical aid.
This was what led him, emotionless Shino Aburame, to the Yamanaka Flower Shop. He opened the door, getting bombarded with sweet smells and the gentle hum of insects. The bell sang out above him as his eyes scanned the store behind dark sunglasses.
"Shino?" The voice was raspy but it was her voice. Eerily, almost like she was half in the grave, Ino appeared on shaky legs holding a light weight watering can with a death grip. Even her father wasn't blind to his daughter's health. He made sure she didn't leave the house too often and only did light weight chores for a short period of time.
"Ino," He greeted then looked around. "Need any help?" The blond held a look of surprised then nodded with a soft smiled on her now almost pure white lips. Shino remembered when her lips were once dark red as he gently took the can from Ino's shaking boney hands. Ino sat down on the stood behind the register and counter. She watched as Shino slowly and calmly water each plant, ever once over or under water one of them. Slowly her pale eyelids slid over her dark blue eyes, she was so tired from simply walking to the back and filling the water can.
Shino glanced over at the slumber Yamanaka. She looked so broken and vulnerable. The flowers were all watered but he couldn't just leave her. The young shinobi walked towards the shop's door and flipped the open sign to close. At the very least he could do was make sure she wouldn't get hurt and do any chores the weak woman couldn't do.
Hours passed without notice. Shino found himself checking on Ino every half hour, to assure himself that she was still with the living. The bell chimed over the door causing Ino to stir lightly. Her glazed eyes opened and a smile formed on her nearly white lips.
"Evening Daddy." She said as she shaking rose to her feet. Shino felt his body tense up as she walked towards Inoichi. The older Yamanaka quickly met his daughter just as she fell. Shino's entire body jerked towards her, but seeing her in the embrace of her father he allowed himself to relax slightly. "I'm so clumsy. Hard to believe I'm a kuniochi." Ino laughed as she righted herself. Inoichi's eyes sadden at seeing the state his only child was in. The older shinobi glanced up, surprised to see Shino standing by the counter.
"Ino, go upstairs I'll clean up." Inoichi said while placing a tender kiss on the top of Ino's head. The young kuniochi smiled then started her slow walk to the stairs. Both males watched her closely as she stopped at the bottom of the stairs.
"Thanks for helping Shino. I'll see you tomorrow." Ino said with a weak smile.
"Night." Shino's voice was quiet and it was unsure if the Yamanaka heard him as she walked up the stairs, heavily using the railing. Inoichi let out an exhausted sigh as he ran a hand through his hair, suddenly looking much older than he was.
"I'm glad you're here Shino. Not only to help Ino but I need to talk to you." The older man said, confusing Shino slightly. "I've spoke with Tsunade about Ino. She's allowing her a year off to recover, along with someone to help her in this healing process." Inoichi let out another sigh at this. "I want her to recover away from Konoha and those girls she's been hanging out with. What I'm asking is...Shino would you be the one to watch over her and to help her. I know I can trust you." Before the Aburame could answer a large shattering sound echoed from upstairs.
Ino stared vacantly at her bleeding arms. At seeing her reflection in the mirror she had slammed her fist into the vanity mirror, not being able to stomach her sunken in face and hallowed eye sockets. Glass reflected her ghostly face as blood continued to flow up from the wounds. It was as if her mind was disconnected from her body. Ino gasped sharply as two hands gently grabbed her forearm. She watched as Shino slowly and softly removed the glass. Ino didn't even feel them being removed but his touch was like fire on her skin. Why was he helping her?
"Ino?" Her mind reconnected with her body as his deep voice called out to her, and with the reconnection she also felt the pain in her arms. "We're going to be leaving Konoha for a while." Shino said, slowly tracing the wounds that were still bleeding before holding on to them, applying pressure to stop the flow of blood. Ino's eyebrows furrowed and her mouth parted in confusion. She bowed her head, watching Shino's hands vacantly. Why were they leaving? Ino only nodded mutely, not fully understanding what was going on.