Zeelee-Vallen: I'm trying to power through this story. There is so much I want to do with it, and want to keep going, but writers block is horrible. My dumb butt also started an extra thing in life, and now I stream video games, and somehow became a twitch affiliate with responsibilities. Why? Because I guess I enjoy having 2000 things going on in my life. Ya' know... It makes sense. Probably why I keep starting hecking more stories. I'm sorry, I love you guys XD

Thank you to my reviews: Sunny Shell and LB Cat. And thank you to the people who continue to read this!

XxxXX

She could hear Shikamaru shift, but she kept still. He would have to see her for what she was now. It was not going to be her shame, she would not allow it to be. A moment later, arms gently wrapped around her. His front hovered above her back; he was being courteous of her wounds. She tried to look at him, but he buried his face into the nook of her neck before she could turn her head. His messy hair tickled her cheek, but his expression was hidden from her.

What was going through his mind?

He was her best friend. They had been raised together, ate together, trained together. His reaction would be the most raw, and the one that would hurt her.

But she was ready.

"I should have protected you." She blinked at the huskiness of his voice. Then she felt the wetness on her skin, and the slightly quiver of his arms.

This was not what she expected.

She could feel the raw dryness behind her eyes, the one where tears wished to gather. But… She had no more tears to shed for herself. That night had changed her. Before she would have cried with him. Before, she would have felt horrified, or embarrassed. But she felt neither. She only felt remorse for his suffering for her sake.

"You are not responsible, Shika." She leaned her head against his, but he continued to quiver. "I will make sure it never happens again." She smiled softly when the dragon placed a paw to her leg. No, she would never be beaten for being a woman again.

"I am a man, I should have been there to make sure nothing happened to you!" His voice rumbled, obviously distraught.

"No." She pulled away, and turned to face him. His eyes were red, and cheeks tear stained. She placed her hands ontop his shoulders. It was a bit awkward, as he was much taller then her. "I am strong, Shikamaru." She was surprised that her speech impediment was absent, but she continued. "I will not let this break me, and you will not feel responsible for this." His dark eyes searched her face, but she remained firm.

He nodded.

"Of course, you would handle this…" His laugh was forced, and his expression strained as he looked behind him. Color drained from his face, and she blinked. What…?

She looked behind her. There stood his father, his jaw dropped and eyes wide.

Oh.

He had seen her back.

More importantly, he had seen that she was bare-chested infront of Shikamaru. She gathered her shirt to her front and turned back to Shikamaru, who was blushing heavily and averting his gaze.

Oh, so he did sneak a peek.

She blushed lightly and slipped her shirt on.

"What happened to your back?!" Mr. Nara demanded. He quickly crossed the space between them. Fury, and pain etched itself so deeply on his face, she wondered if it would be permanent.

She looked to Shikamaru, who was now picking at a book, avoiding looking at her. Then she looked back to Mr. Nara.

If only she had been part of this family. Her life would have been so different.

But, she wouldn't have had her father. Nor would she have had her little sister.

She forced a small smile, trying to ease Mr. Nara. He stood rigid. "Ko-" She started. In an instant, Mr. Nara was at the door. His name was all he needed. She quickly followed after him. " !" She called, but he continued down the hall towards his study. He continued onward, ignoring her call.

She caught the hem of his sleeve, and he finally stopped. Dark eyes turned to her. The fury was shocking, making her fear, although she knew he would never hurt her. "Hinata?" He questioned, as if forcing himself to speak civilly.

"I.." She paused, her voice cracking. She took a breath, then continued. She would handle this. She had to. She would not leave the Nara's to deal with her problems. "I will handle this." She looked down the hall, surprised to see Shikamaru and the dragon close on their tail.

She might as well do it now.

"I will be leaving." Shikamaru froze, eyes wide. Her little dragon continued, and hopped onto her foot. This was Mr. Nara noticed her, his expression shifting from rage to astonishment. Dark eyes shifted between her and her dragon.

"No…" His hand shadowed his face, the grief hard on his throat. "This cant be…"

"Yes." She looked to Shikamaru. "I will be leaving to the place where Dragon masters gather." Shikamaru stared at her long and hard, and she stared back. "I will get stronger. So strong that this will never happen again."

She could see Shikamaru shake his head. Why? "You are making that face again." He offered her a pained smile.

He knew she could not be swayed.

"…. But you are female, Hinata." Mr. Nara had turned to face her. He now looked tired, so tired. "You might not be accepted." His gaze shifted to his son. "I don't want anything else happen to you." She shuffled as his eyes once again turned to her dragon. "But you won't listen, will you? You have always been stubborn." He placed a hand ontop of her head, and he smiled. "I an offer you one other option." She blinked. What could it be..? "You can become part of my family, and you can marry Shikamaru."