A Kind Smile
He felt hot and uncomfortable. Groggily, he sought to move the covers off of his over-heated body but found that he could not move his left hand. Unwillingly opening his eyes, he blinked a few times to adjust to the well-lit room. After clearing the fog from his sleep-ridden mind he came to a conclusion: He wasn't at home. Apparently, he was in one of the many rooms located in Konohagakure's hospital.
Thinking back, he recalled the mission that had led him here. Shikamaru frowned and looked down at the hand he had previously been unable to move. Eyes widening in surprise, he recognized the form of Ino. She sat in a chair next to his bed, both her hands holding his and she appeared to be asleep-resting her head on their clasped hands.
It was one of those rare silent moments where he could study Ino without her screaming at him. Her face was dirty and smudged; she probably hadn't even gone home yet. It was a rare treat for him to see her pale blonde hair loose and spread out over the bedding. Ino was one of those girls who had always been pretty. Yet, he had never himself, really acknowledged it. If he ever told her she would probably never shut up about it.
As if sensing his gaze the sleeping girl began to stir. He watched quietly as her long fluttering lashes opened, revealing sleepy blue eyes. For a moment they just stared before Ino gathered her wits and sat up, a slight blush staining her fair skin.
"How are you feeling?" she asked, one of her hands moved to tuck some of her hair behind her ear. The other still held Shikamaru's hand.
"Fine," he answered blandly. Ino had never been so happy to hear his unconcerned voice before.
"I'm… glad," she admitted and silence settled upon them for a moment more before she blurted the first thing that came to her mind, "I was worried."
Ino instantly regretted it and looked away from him. It just wouldn't bode well for her if her teammates knew how much she cared about them despite her constant complaining. She expected Shikamaru to say something sarcastic or tell her she was being troublesome. Therefore, she was surprised when he lightly squeezed her hand.
"You should go home and get some rest," he told her, "you look exhausted. I'll be fine now-you got me here safely."
It suddenly occurred to Ino that Shikamaru wasn't just a lazy boy anymore. Despite his less-than-enthusiastic attitude towards everything, there were things he cared enough about to protect. She had been pretty amazed to discover she was one of those things. Comforted by his words, she nodded and unthinkingly leaned forward to press her lips lightly to his cheek.
Stunned by the innocent kiss Ino had given him, Shikamaru didn't notice her leaving until she spoke to him from the doorway.
"Thank you for protecting me, Shikamaru."
Feeling disconcerted from her affectionate actions, he said the first thing that came to mind.
"You're so troublesome…" but being the genius he is, he smirked and appended his reply before she could lecture him, "but, it was worth it."
Perhaps they were both maturing, or maybe she was feeling a little guilty about the fact he had been injured while protecting her. Either way, it didn't matter when she giggled lightly and smiled at him. It was a genuine smile that made his breath catch. In that moment she had such kind eyes and despite her smudged face and messy hair she was truly beautiful to him.
Now, he could somewhat understand the reason his father had given him for marrying the strict woman who was his mother, 'She may be like that,' he had said, 'but she has days when she has a kind smile on her face.'
Seeing that kind of smile on Ino made him realize… A man could be content dedicating his life to earning such a smile, even if the woman behind it was troublesome more often than not.
-Owari-
Disclaimer: I in no way lay claim to Naruto or any of its characters.