======Shia's POV=====

When I opened my eyes in the morning I found Shikamaru sleeping next to me. It was sweet that he never broke out of my grip. My hand was still on his arm and I was against the wall. I shook his slightly, but all he did was roll over. Onto me. I let out a little giggle as I attempted to push the muscle heavy ninja off of me. After about 5 minutes I gave up on this idea and decided that I'd just wait for him to open his lazy eyes. After a bit he started to move and soon he opened his eyes.

"Sorry," He mumbled tiredly as he rolled off me. But rolling in the small bed, he ended up on the floor. "Ouch." I laughed a bit before standing up and helping him back to his feet. "You're in a good mood." I just yawned and left the room. His parents were out and I wanted to get back to training soon. "Oi! Shia!" Shikamaru called from his room as I got out of the shower.

"Hm?" I called back.

"Are you going to train today?"

"I plan to." I said as I pull my PJs on and opened the door. I looked at him as he walked into the hall next to the bathroom.

"So, you are talking?" I shrugged and tied my hair up. "Well, your clothes are already in your dresser."

"Ok," I said as we switched places and I walked down the hall. In the dresser I found all my clothes, it was nice of her to go get them. When I was dressed I went downstairs to find Shikamaru. He tossed me some breakfast and we left the house.

"Shia, are you sure your okay to train?" I nodded, "You don't look sure."

"Shikamaru I'm fine." I said as we walked to the training grounds.

"Shia?" I looked up to find my team, "I didn't expect to see you here." Syaoran said. Aki smacked him in the head and I found myself smile.

"You probably didn't expect to hear me talking ether." I said and both boys' mouths fell wide open. Riku walked to us.

"Well, we aren't doing any missions for a while, mostly because I'm leaving on my own, so do whatever." She then left.

"Wow," Syaoran finally said, "You're voice is hot."

"What does that even mean?" I asked him as I smacked him in the head.

"Is that going to become a habit?" I shrugged and walked to a tree and sat down.

"Shia," I looked at Aki, "Are you sure that you're okay to train? I mean…"

"Yes." He frowned, "If I just hang around then nothing will get done and I'll waste away. Trust me Aki, I can train." He looked at Shikamaru.

"Nothing I can do about it." I rolled my eyes and sighed. It was going to be a long day.

I was right about it being a long day. The guys were afraid to train with me and Shikamaru wasn't helping. After trying to train with them I decided to go to chakra control so I wouldn't need them. By the end of the night I was low on chakra and bored out of my mind. Shikamaru and I went home to find that, to no surprise, his parents were gone. They were gone on a mission. So we ate and then went to bed. But as laid in my bed I couldn't help but feel a slight panic creeping back. I started to pace through the room as the panic grew.

"Shia are you asleep?" I heard Shikamaru ask as he opened the door. He saw the look on my face. The panic growing, "Why don't you sleep in my room?" If anyone else asked that I would have smacked them to the land of water, but not Shikamaru. I just nodded and followed him to his room. "Shia," I looked at him as we lay on his bed. "Are you okay? I mean really okay?"

"…No." I said after a moment, "I'm trying to be okay, I really am but…" He shushed me.

"You're not expected to be okay, not yet. That takes time." I leaned into him, "But I'm here for you, and till the day your ready, I'll be here."

"What about after I'm okay?" He chuckled

"I'll be here then too." He said, "The only thing that's going to pull me away is missions, and I'll say no to as many as possible."

"Shikamaru, I don't want you to put your life on hold for Me." One of his arms fell over me, "Take your missions, I'll be fine."

"Sure you will." He mumbled before falling asleep. I snuggled closer to him and fell asleep. And like the last morning, when I awoke he had me locked in place with his arms. I felt really safe in his arms. Strangely safe, as if I knew that he'd never let anyone harm me. He rolled over and one of his arms went with him, leaving me free to get up. I did so after a moment. I went to shower and get dressed. When I came back I found him rubbing his eyes. "Morning."

"More like afternoon." He shrugged, "Get up lazy bones, your team is here."

"Ino and Choji?"

"No, by team I meant Aki and Syaoran." I said sarcastically, "Please hurry, they're driving me crazy."

"It's a short drive." He mumbled as he sat up.

"Haha." I said as I walked back down the stairs. "Ino, Choji, please leave me alone. Don't ask me if I'm okay, because if you have to ask then you know the answer. Also, if I hear one more person say anything about me talking I will throw them threw a wall and a tree and no one will hear your cries ever again." With that I went to the kitchen and got a drink of water.

"Shia, please stop yelling so early in the morning."

"Shikamaru it's almost one." He gave me a 'like it matters' look as he started talking to his team.

"Shikamaru we have a mission in two days." I gripped my glass a little tighter. I didn't think it would be that soon. "Tsunade says it's not up for discussion." I heard Ino say like she knew what he was thinking.

"Fine." He mumbled as he walked to the kitchen. Ino and Choji left, though Choji was reluctant. "Are you going to be okay?" No.

"I'll be fine, it's only for a few days." I whispered, he looked at me. "Shikamaru I'll be fine and I'll see you when you get back." I may be a good actress, but I've never been a great liar, well not to Shikamaru.

"Shia,"

"Shika I'll be fine." He still didn't believe me, but he had no choice.

"Okay," He said after a moment, "My parents should be back by then, so you won't be alone." He was convincing himself. "Shia, why don't we go out tomorrow night?"

"Huh?"

"Well, if I'm leaving in a couple days I want to be with you till then."

"Okay, sure." He smiled and nodded. "Um, dinner?"

"Sure." I nodded and walked to my room. Did I just agree to go on a date with my best friend? I shrugged it off and got changed, back into the clothes I used to wear. Ninja clothes just weren't what I was going for right now. Didn't sound as comfy as a good old pair of jeans.