I hope nobody hates me for forgetting to post this. I was bored so I started sifting through the stories I have written, and well I found this one.
This chapter is kinda rushed, terribly sorry for the extremely late update.
Thank you to everybody who commented and favorited the first chapter; I do plan on finishing this story eventually.
I find it strange to think back to the times when I was younger. For years, stories have been told to me, mainly from my mother and Mrs. Nara. However, all I can remember are my days as a young girl in the academy, meeting Sakura, chasing Sasuke, and constantly ignoring a childhood friend that I can't even remember being friends with. Apparently, Shikamaru and I used to be inseparable, joined at the hip; or so Mrs. Nara told me.
There was this one story that she told Shikamaru and me a couple of years ago when we were first placed on a gennin team together. I had been complaining about being stuck on a team with losers that I never talk to so my dad had forced me to come with him to the Nara home. I vaguely remember visiting as a little girl, and I suppose a few memories come to mind, though I would always deny it adamantly.
Anyways, on this day, our fathers sent us outside. Just out the back door of the Nara home, lies a peaceful hill, with a single tree standing tall upon it. Shikamaru had taken the lead with me following behind grumpily. I soon found myself standing at the top of that hill, staring at a river that ran along the other side. Shikamaru had made himself quite comfortable in the shade of the tree and I recall a slight smile on his lips at he stared up at the clouds traveling slowly across the blue sky.
It was the first time, as Shikamaru would tell you, that I had ever stopped talking long enough for him to relax. To be completely honest, I enjoyed the peace and quiet that the shade offered. I remember, after a few minutes, I laid down next to him on the shade. Out arms had been touching, and thinking about it still makes me blush.
An hour passed without either of us moving. I came to respect him just a little bit after that hour. Of course, Mrs. Nara ruined the peace when she boisterously made her way up the hill to join us. Shikamaru had groaned and whispered troublesome.
It was then that she had gushed about how us just laying there reminded her of this time back when we were three. Apparently, the day before, it had rained causing the ground to be damp up on that very same hill. Our parents were all talking, occasionally glancing towards the two kids under the shade a few feet away. The hill was not necessarily steep, but from a three year olds perspective, it was a mountain.
Neither of us were very good walkers yet; Shikamaru was too lazy to bother moving much, even at that age, and I constantly found myself transferred from one adult's arms to another's. I hate to say it, but I have always been a bit on the clumsy side; humiliating I know. It has caused me many embarrassing situations in the present.
Anyways, at one point, Mrs. Nara sais that the parent's became so enthralled in the conversation, that they completely forgot about the two children. At some point, being the naturally curious person I am, I had drifted away from the inviting shade under the tree. The adults only looked up once they heard my wailing.
My foot must have slipped while I was near the edge of the hill where it begins to slant. Mrs. Nara said that my parents were so shocked by the sight of my small form falling down towards the river below, that neither of them could react in time.
It was at this point that she paused, giving her son a thoughtful glance. It had confused me at the time, especially when I noticed the slight pink across Shikamaru's face. I wrote it off as the heat from the sun, forgetting entirely that we were in the cool shadow cast by the large tree which shielded the two of us.
Before my three year old self could reach the rocks that would surely have left scars on my delicate skin, another body had stopped my plight. Yes, it was Shikamaru. He must have miscalculated, for I am sure he was a genius even at that age, the speed I had picked up on my downward decent. When my body plowed into his waiting arms, he had been thrown backwards.
I recall gasping in surprise when Mrs. Nara suddenly stopped the story and turned back to the house.
"Mrs. Nara! What happened next!" She had turned her head partially so I could see the soft smile which graced her features.
"Tell her Shikamaru." Was the only response she gave me. I had turned inquisitively towards him, desperate to know what happened. For a moment, I hadn't thought that he would reply at all, but he surprised me when he pushed himself into a sitting position. I quickly mimicked his actions, not wanting to miss a single word.
But I was shocked once more when he turned his back to me. Then, with his long, sure fingers, he pushed his shirt up for me to view his back. And what a view that was.
A long scar ran from the lower right up to mid-spine. At that moment I am unsure of what possessed me, but my hand, of its own accord, reached out and traced the raised line marring the tanned skin of his back.
"Thank you." I whispered, so quietly that I am still unsure of whether he even heard me.
We had sat in that position for what seemed an eternity before my dad's booming voice broke the silent reminiscence. I rose from the ground as he lowered his shirt. It wasn't even a week later when we devised our first strategy as the Ino-Shika-Cho.
After the story and the scar, I knew, even then, that I would never trust anybody other than Shikamaru to catch me before my body crashed to the earth.
I understand that this can be confusing.
This is supposed to be Ino having a flashback with commentary from her present perspective.
Next chapter I am going to have more present than flashback, because I think I need to explain Shikamaru and Ino's current relationship more.
Thanx for any continued support for this story!
Good news is that holidays and tests are over so nothing should distract me anymore!
And just as a side note, for all of you who live in cold areas, I must ask how you can handle the weather! It has been 40-50 degrees Farenheit for the past week here in the heart of Texas and I am surprised that I have managed to not become a popsicle yet! (I heard that wearing a jacket helps a bit, I'll have to give it a try! ;p)