Itami Nara?
At the Nara home, Itami made herself comfy. She explained last night's fiasco with Ino, Sakura and the maggots to Shikamaru.
"Damn, Ino!" Shikamaru growled. Itami giggled. She didn't know why but Shikamaru always made her feel better. Shikamaru's mum came in and placed a tray of cookies on the shoji table they were playing at.
"Hey mum, can Itami stay the night?" Shikamaru asked his mum.
"Shika, I-" Itami was cut off by Shikamaru putting his hand up to silence her, without looking away from his mum.
"Well, I don't know why you're asking but, alright. She's stayed over so many times, she feels like family to me," she turned and started to leave, "I don't even see why you ask anymore."
When Yoshino left the room, Itami spoke, "you didn't have to do that."
"Yeah but then you'd be sleeping on the floor again and I can't have that. I don't get why you didn't come here last night."
"Eh, I was fine on the floor and what about Koinu?"
"What about him?" she glared at the lazy nin.
"He can't spend the night at home by himself, so what about Koinu?" Itami explained.
"*sigh* he can come too. We need to go back and get your things anyway," Shikamaru sighed. Itami stood. She looked over to Shikamaru, who was still seated.
"Well, get up! We're going, now!" Itami growled impatiently. He sighed and stood.
"Mum, we're going to get Itami's things," Shikamaru yelled to his mum.
"Ok, be safe," she yelled back. They both left and headed to Itami's apartment.
"Alright! What am I gonna need?" Itami asked. They were in her apartment and Shikamaru was playing with Koinu.
"Maybe clothes and things for Koinu," Shikamaru replied.
"Well clothes," Itami looked herself over, "check. Koinu doesn't own anything and I feed him my food so, check. I'm ready." Shikamaru looked up to notice that she didn't have anything.
"You're not even gonna change to go to bed?" he questioned.
"Hm, yeah I guess you're right," she complied, getting her pyjamas and a plastic bag.
"Mum won't let you wear those clothes tomorrow, so you may wanna get some other clothes," Shikamaru suggested. She groaned and went to her closet. She pulled out the first thing she saw and put it in her bag.
"Alright, now I'm ready," she spoke with emphasize on the 'now'. This time Shikamaru was pleased by the amount of things she was bringing.
"Alright, then let's go." Shikamaru grabbed Koinu and they left back for Shikamaru's home.
"Mum, we're back!" Shikamaru called to his mum. Koinu barked and jumped out of Shikamaru's arms. They followed the puppy into the kitchen where they found him jumping up at Yoshino. Itami went over and picked him up, apologizing for her dog's behaviour. Shikamaru, her and Koinu ran off to Shikamaru's room. Once there, Itami put her stuff down and flopped onto Shikamaru's bed.
"Uh, I hate Ino and Sakura," Itami exclaimed.
"Yeah, I know, but what ya gonna do. No, I'm not going to let you sink to their level," Shikamaru responded.
She sighed, "hey, Shika?"
"Hm, yeah?" he got on the bed next to her and stared at the ceiling.
"Do- do you think my parents are alive? Or that they even care about me?"
"Hm, I don't really know. Aren't you the one who believes in bonds?" Shikamaru asked smugly.
"Yeah, so? I don't see your point."
"Well, you should have a bond with your parents and didn't you make a jutsu where you could pull at the strings of a bond?" Itami was starting to understand Shikamaru now.
"Yeah, I did and I suppose I would have a bond with my parents but the bind is weak so pulling on the string could break it. Remember pulling on strings of a bond is very dangerous when it's not a strong bond." She rolled onto her side and hugged Shikamaru's side.
"I doubt you would break the bond." She lifted her head and stared at him with hope.
"Are you saying I should risk it to find them?" He stared back with confidence.
"Sure, I'd help but I would only be following you, so there's no point in me coming." She thought about it.
I have always wanted to find my parents but didn't know how, now Shikamaru has shown me the way and the path is clear, but what happens once I find them? Will they take me in? Will they love me? Are they actually good? Oh the questions.
She sighed and sat up.
"I've always had this feeling, like, I'm not meant for the good side. Shikamaru, what if I'm the bad guy?" She put her face in her hands. Shikamaru snapped into a sitting position, slightly behind her, and hugged her.
"You're not bad. I don't care what you say or think you aren't bad, damn it!" Shikamaru comforted her.
"Thank you, Shikamaru. You always help me through everything but I never do things for you." Itami felt bad. It was true Shikamaru always helped her but she never repaid for his help.
"You don't need to do or give me anything. Just having you as my friend is thanks enough." He let go of her.
"If you say so, Shika. You know, sometimes you feel like a brother to me."
"And you feel like a sister to me." Itami smiled.
Maybe I was wrong. Maybe I am home. Itami Nara? Hm... nah.
