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Chap. 11: This isn't going to be easy

"In life nothing good comes out of hurrying."-Shikamaru Nara

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"Kiba, is her sent wavering?" Shikamaru called to the dog like boy traveling in front of him. The look of strain on the Inuzuka's face was troubling. They had been earnestly traveling along the winding path that the kidnapper had taken, and their stamina was sure to run out soon.

"No I've got it… it's just not as strong as it was before," Kiba answered, his hands clutching unto Akamaru's fur. "If we don't pick up the pace I could lose her."

"Naruto! Chogi! I know you're both tired but we have to hurry!" Shikamaru called back to his companions, adding just a little more chakra into his legs. He looked back at the two to see Naruto sweating but hurrying on. Chogi on the other hand looked like he'd drop out of the trees at any minute.

Those two really had to lay off the Ramen and Chips.

"You know what happens when I don't eat for long periods of time Shikamaru!" Chogi called out to his best friend. "I lose all of my energy!"

Shikamaru sighed. He just wasn't the scolding type, especially when it came to Chogi. "Kiba, will we be able to stop at all?" Shikamaru asked, increasing his speed just a little so that he could keep pace with the four legged Akamaru.

Kiba, with his nose still in the air, glanced at his current captain. He couldn't remember the last time he'd seen Shikamaru so devoted to something. Usually he was a lager, but today he was serious. "I'm pretty sure we can stop," Kiba answered. "Her scent has stopped moving. It's still faint but it doesn't seem like she'll be budging for a while."

Shikamaru sighed once again and took another glance towards Naruto and Chogi. "As soon as we find a clearing we'll rest!" he announced to them, earning smiles and two nods in return.

"This isn't going to be easy," Shikamaru muttered to the Inuzuka next to him.

Kiba nodded and Akamaru barked in agreement.

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"W-What?"

"I'm curious as to why Konoha is your first choice," the dark eyed boy reiterated. His gaze was halting and empty. "Why not ask to be taken home?"

Midori gulped and hugged herself as if that alone could protect her from the piercing gaze this vacant boy was giving her. "Whatever, I don't even know what I was thinking. You people are never going to let me out of here, are you?"

The boy simply turned and began walking back into the shadows. "Come," he commanded, not even turning to see if Midori was following.

The ropes along her ankles were tired around each one with an extended piece between them so that she could walk. It was uncomfortable, and the rough material still burned against her skin, but it was bearable as she reluctantly followed the seemingly hallow boy before her.

There was only a brief moment of shadows before a faint glow took up the other side of the room. Midori used that moment to look around and noticed a bed-like mat in the corner. There was a chair and coffee table on the opposite wall. Straight ahead, towards where they were walking, was a long wooden table that extended along the full length of the wall.

Straining over the pale boy's neck, Midori noticed bowls filled with liquids of every color. For a room that was so bland, the table held a sense of life to it. "Do you know of your history, Midori?"

This mystery person's sudden question caught Midori off guard and she snapped her eyes away from the bowls to look at the back of his head. "Of course," she finally answered, after a long moment of hesitation that he was sure to notice.

She watched as the boy took a pale hand and reached for a stick with bristles on the end of it. A paint brush. He then dipped it delicately into one of the bowls and began stroking the wall before him. It wasn't until then that Midori noticed the expanding picture before her.

Had he drawn all of the pictures in this room?

"So then you know that your grandmother was of the Hidden Rock then?" the boy's sullen voice spoke up. Midori moved so that she was beside him. She wanted to see the expression on his face because she was sure he was lying.

She found herself staring at a blank expression.

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Shikamaru's eyes were trained on the sky. Sure this wasn't a cloudy night, but the stars were entertaining enough. It beat listening to Naruto's bad scary stories. Of course Kiba and Chogi were rapped up in his poorly articulated tales around the fire, but Shikamaru didn't mind. He was perfectly enjoying this moment to himself.

It was kind of weird though.

As much as he complained about it, he was beginning to somewhat enjoy Midori's company. He found himself actually waking up early in the mornings to go pick her up. He liked it when she sat with him at his favorite spot. He didn't mind when she took his hand.

He didn't mind it at all.

"Oi! Shikamaru?! Hey, are you sleeping?" Kiba's voice suddenly broke through Shikamaru's thoughts and he raised up on his elbows to see what all of the hollering was about.

"What?" he grumbled, glaring at the three goofs who wouldn't quit smiling at him.

"Geez Shikamaru, Kiba had to call you like ten times!" Naruto laughed, scratching beneath his nose. Chogi's smile grew and Kiba gave a toothy grin. Shikamaru wondered why they were looking at him like that.

"So," Kiba started, scratching Akamaru behind the ear. "What were you thinking about?"

Shikamaru raised one eyebrow and immediately saw where this was going. With a huff he laid back down only to her groans coming from the fire. "Awe come on, Shikamaru! You can tell us!" Naruto prompted.

"We're your friends Shikamaru!" Chogi called, his mouth full of chips. He would definitely need his stamina tomorrow.

Shikamaru blocked out their teasing and slowly closed his eyes.

He was too late with Asuma.

He wont make the same mistake with Midori.

Hey guys! Did you enjoy this chap? Have Shikamaru's feelings become transparent?

Keep reading to find out!

I'm going to post two chaps up today! The next will be up in the evening or earlier!

PLEASE REVIEW!