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Temari and 1cc Chapter 6
It was clear what I had to do. For my mental stability, I needed to find her, to try and make it work. I may be insane, but I'm still a genius! I thought long and hard for two days about how to reach her.
There were a few "minor" problems in my way though:
My residence doesn't really have a option to just leave.
She's all the way in Suna.
Where is she in Suna?
Will she return my feelings?
So, with that in mind, I set out to get over my first obstacle. There were two ways to do this, one involved kicking some serious ass and running. The other (which seemed a lot more sensible) was to just try and get released. The problem though, was convincing 'the Shrink' (i.e. Shizune) that I was fine. Maybe if I was lucky, and with a whole lot of acting, I could make it happen. I walked into Shizune's office for our session, smiling broadly. She was wearing a pair of thick-rimmed glasses, which I thought, framed her face very well. She was looking over some papers, when she heard me close the door behind me. She smiled up at me. "Shikamaru, you're five minutes early today!" 'Okay, she's in a good mood.' " I just wanted to jump right in to our session"
She took off her glasses to look at me. I was sitting straight up, and had a smile plastered on my face. "Okay... well let's hear it."
"It's been what, three months since I came here, right?"
Shizune nodded in the affirmative.
"I feel so much better than I did before. I mean I haven't had a relapse since I got on my meds, and no depression or anything. I feel like a changed man."
"I have noticed how much happier you've been lately."
"So, I was wondering," I began, "Do you think it would be possible to switch to an outpatient program? I mean, it's great here and all, but I haven't actually hung out with my friends or stared at the clouds in a field, or anything since coming here."
She was quiet for what seemed like an eternity. When she finally spoke, I was on the edge of my seat, quite literally.
"Nara Shikamaru, to switch to an outpatient program, there are some strict rules one must follow. Such as, at least one visit with me a week. No skipping your medication. You must have someone with you at all times, excluding the restroom and sleeping. Your family must give consent and understand how to care for you. Someone will have to do random interval checks into your room while you are sleeping. You won't be able to participate in anything higher than a B-ranked mission if you do return to work, for at least one year. Am I understood?"
I felt like jumping for joy. I nodded and decided to ask. "When will I be able to leave?"
She cracked a grin at me. "I knew today would be the day you asked. Your parents are waiting in the lobby."
I hugged her and then we walked out to meet them.
After a very joyous reunion, I was finally back home. My friends had all come over to congratulate me. A few weren't very tactful about it (Naruto and Kiba kept asking me about the 'looney bin'), but I was happy nonetheless. 'Step one complete.' I thought to myself.
After things died down a bit, I motioned to Chouji to follow me outside. I could tell he was glad to have me back. "What's up, Shika"
I crossed my arms and leaned against the outside of the house. Taking a deep breath, I started. "Chou, could I ask you for a favor?" He nodded for me to continue. "If you don't have any missions coming up in the next day or two, do you think you could ask the Hokage for an easy one to Suna? Maybe a delivery or something. B-class or lower."
"Sure Shikamaru. May I ask why though?"
"There's this girl I met in the KMHI, she went back to Suna, and I need to find her"
He was staring at me intensely, arms crossed. "What's her name?"
I rubbed the back of my neck and chuckled nervously. "Temari."
It took me an hour and a half to convince him I wasn't still crazy.
The next day, I packed. I knew there would be some document that needed delivery or something. I smiled to my self as I brushed my teeth in the mirror. My eyes traveled up to the scar above my temple. It was a big, discolored mark that would be there for the rest of my life. Everytime I looked at it, it reminded me of how sick I really was. I popped my pills and studied the labels for a moment. Anxiety, depression, schitzophrenia, you know, the usual. Chouji came over around noon after talking to the Hokage. "She wants to see you first, Shika." 'The Hokage? What the hell? Why?' "Sure thing." He went with me, since I have to have an escort everywhere. "Akimichi Chouji, wait in the hall. I need to speak with Shikamaru in private." I sat down in a chair and watched her walk back to her desk. "So, Chouji tells me you want to accompany him on his mission to Suna?" I nodded as she continued. "Are you sure that you're ready for active duty again? I'm well aware of your restictions and I expect you to uphold those tenants even if you are away from Konoha. Let me know if you think it's too soon and I will have someone else accompany him." I breathed a sigh of relief. "Oh I'm itching to get out and move. I was cooped up for a long time. I am confident that I am ready to go out again"
She wasted no time in asking, "Why did Chouji request a mission to Suna though?" I started sweating. "He told me that there was a barbeque place he wanted to try." I shrugged. Lady Tsunade started laughing. "Sounds like Chouji to me!"
I was just glad she bought it.
Me and Chouji were walking back to my house.
The only thought going through my head was: 'Step Two: Complete.'