Chapter 2: What Your Soul Hungers For
Choji was having a better than most days, waking up to the sound of his water boiling in the kitchen below, and thus effectively giving him an alarm clock and a convenient pot of hot water, which he dropped his instant ramen in and cheerfully ate. Then, with his breakfast done, he went about preparing the Ichariku for it's intended customers. He wiped the counter clean, and raised the sliding doors leading into the restaurant.
And waited.
What made it an especially a good day, was that people rarely came, and not because it was bad food, but because they couldn't afford, even at Choji's super low prices. That meant he would be bothered less by ruffians and beggars that, well, beg.
It wasn't particularly because Choji was a mean person, in fact, he was probably the nicest one in town. That must mean why everyone flocked to him for handouts, but unfortunately for them, Choji's patience was wearing thin, as well as his sympathy.
All of them the same... Choji thought darkly. Always lazy, never getting off their duff and find work...
He was being unfair, and he knew it, but he couldn't help but feel certain animosity towards those less fortunate.
Huh? Oh welcome to- Hey Ino! he said cheerfully, his dark expression quickly evaporating, as Ino came past the hanging tapestries.
Fancy a cup of ramen? Choji asked, as he hurried into the kitchen without waiting for an answer, rustling pots and and pans, and coming back with a steaming cup of homemade ramen.
Ino paused, then smiled and accepted Choji's gift. Thank you, Choji, and ate for a moment. She reached into her pouch, and laid the two scrolls Shino gave them on the table. Choji, who was wiping the counter, raised the towel. When it came down again, the scrolls disappeared, and a knowing look between them told Choji what to do with them. The scrolls would be shipped out that night, with the empty supply caravan heading towards the supply depot far away.
You're here early, Choji noticed, as Ino gulped down the rest of the hot food.
Yeah, I needed to talk to you about something... she set down the cup on the counter, which Choji took, and put it in the dirty dishes basket.
Choji asked, and leaned slightly forward. It was to show that Choji was paying attention, but not so much as someone, and it did happen at the worst times, would come in and become suspicious.
Sakura seems to be intent on leaving... Ino said quietly, And soon. Problem is, that I agree with her...
Choji murmured. He heard of Sakura's grumbling of abandoning Konoha, and couldn't quite blame her. It just wasn't home anymore, not for him, not for Ino, and not for Shino. So... you want to go along with it? he asked solemnly. Ino, and Sakura were proposing full blown betrayal, and that was no laughing matter.
... That depends on your thoughts, Ino replied, brushing back her hair, and looking Choji in the eyes.
My thoughts? Choji asked, a bit surprised. Why do you want my thoughts?
Ino paused, and looked genuinely sad. Shikamaru once told me that he trusted you because of your intelligence in other people's trust... Something he lacked in...
Choji bowed his head, pained by the memory of his comrade.
Is that so... Choji said softly. He stopped his hand from cleaning for a brief moment. Honestly, Ino... he said, raising his head. What you are proposing is assisted suicide...
Sakura thinks otherwise, Ino said, leaning back. She says with Shino on our side, we will stand a decent chance. And she is right, the current ANBU's are nothing compared even to you.
Hmm... that does increase our chances by quite a bit. He is the last of the true ANBU's, correct?
True ANBU's?
Choji said. The last ANBU from that... incident. Choji struggled at the end of the sentence, Because, most of the current ones are just mercenaries...
Exactly. So, your thoughts?
Choji mulled it over. This meant less eating time, but... he'd rather eat at a place where he didn't live in fear of someone breaking in, or being evicted. Of course, food always had a calming effect on him, so that didn't much matter, but...
He looked at Ino, who was gazing at him intently. Choji became uncomfortably aware of Ino's sudden reliance on him through tough times, and since the incident, she came to the Ichariku regularly, accepting Choji's limitless handouts, and they talked together, always avoiding that incident as topic. I'm the last one she knows now, Choji realized suddenly, as if kicked in the stomach after a big meal. She's scared. And how could Choji refuse? Ino was all alone, with only the three remaining graduating students in the same class alive as her support. He was effectively trapped, and he slowly nodded his head.
He saw Ino's eyes light up. But I need to get in shape, you know... Choji clutched his stomach and smiled, embarrassed.
Ino shrugged, and gave a rare smile. Ask Shino, he'll whip you into shape in no time. So, any customers today?
And they talked, as if they had nothing else to do that day.
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The forest was murky, and nothing was audible, at least to Sakura. She was positive Shino came this way, but there was nothing to show for it: no broken twigs, footprints, not even Akamaru's scent was anywhere. She shivered. It was almost night, and the smoky, foggy air was not doing anything to keep her warmth. She began to wonder if Ino was the smarter one, going to Choji's and eating his wonderful food. Hot food at that.
She wandered a bit down where she finally determined Shino to have gone, doing a rather decent job of being silent, despite some odd cracks of twigs and brushing by bushes. She went that way for a while, before realizing she only made herself lost.
she muttered to herself. Great job. I'm such a failure...
She turned to go back to where she came from, when she ran into something hard, and shrieked loudly.
You finished...?
Sakura stopped yelling, and glared at the intruding figure.
Do you like scaring people?
Shino shrugged. You were breathing so loud I could have shot you in the dark. This type of terrain is not suited for you, I can see.
Shut up. Sakura growled. I was looking for you.
I had a feeling you were, either that or looking for an early death from the Grass ninjas, Shino shrugged. Come with me, I already have dinner cooking...
Shino turned on his heel and walked into the murky waste behind him, and Sakura followed quickly as possible, not wanting to lose the stoic ninja from her sight, and was rewarded with Shino's campsite, a spit in a clearing and Akamaru sitting attentively, guarding the spot. He noticed Shino and Sakura walk in, and gave a small yip as a greeting.
Hello, Akamaru, Sakura said happily, and the dog-nin, happy for the attention, licked Sakura's face as she bent over to pet him.
Sakura looked up and took a large piece of meat from Shino's hands, and took a bite. She nearly cried out, it was very hot.
I must warn you it's quite warm, Shino said, a little late. It came fresh from the spit,
You could have told me sooner, Sakura said, eyes watering slightly.
Shino just shrugged, and sat down against a tree, and Sakura sat down next to Akamaru, who put his head on her lap and received a continual petting of his head.
So, why did you come? Shino asked. I'm sure it wasn't for my company.
I want to leave Konoha.
Shino blinked at Sakura's bluntness, and his opinion of her rose higher.
I see... And you want my help.
It wasn't a question. To be honest, Shino was pleased for this opportunity to actually leave Leaf Village.
Sakura nodded. Yeah. So I want you to come back tonight, I don't want you killed by a squad of Grass ninjas before we leave.
Shino merely lowered his head into his jacket. Bit late for that, isn't it?
Then Sakura saw around her, it was past twilight, and the sun was quickly fading, leaving a star less sky and trees that seemed to stretch for eons.
Oh man...
You'd better stay here, Shino said softly, It's pretty safe in this area, I already laid traps around here, so they won't be getting to us. Though I worry if you do step out of here, the Grass ninjas would be on you.
Sakura sighed.
An uncomfortable silence settled between the two, and Shino couldn't keep his eyes off her. He was thankful his glasses did not show his eyes, for several reasons, and this was one of them. He gazed upon her, as she looked up towards the sea of nothingness above them, her hardened, yet soft face, her legs, toughened by years of use, yet still beautiful to look at.
And that was only a couple of things he found infuriating about her, because he knew he shouldn't be taking such delight in taking in her appearance, her voice, her hair, her.... he stopped himself, and was momentarily incensed in such rage that he actually thought of her private areas, he failed to see Sakura returning his gaze.
Hey Shino?
He shut out the conflicting, psychological war being waged inside his mind and focused on Sakura.
Where did you got those scars on your eyes?
None of your business.
Shino's voice was sharp, and Sakura looked taken aback. Shino looked at her, his eyebrows narrowing, then expanded in a weary sigh.
My apologies, Sakura, it's just... a personal deal. Shino said, involuntarily checking to see if his glasses were still on.
No, I should be sorry, I should have known... she trailed off, and shivered. Akamaru by then, was sleeping, curled into a ball.
More time passed, and Sakura eventually passed away into slumber as well, and after searching her battle-worn face a few times, Shino went to sleep as well.
He was awakened, however, a few hours later, he was consciously aware of a weight being pressed against him. His immediate reaction was to grab a kunai and stab the offending object, but he didn't hear Akamaru barking, if there had been a breach, Akamaru would have been raising unholy hell, so Shino glanced down, and stiffened.
Sakura, her unconscious body obviously searching for warmth, had found her way towards Shino, where she was shivering from the cold. Shino paused, then opened his coat, and wrapped one side of the jacket around Sakura to keep in the warmth. Her weight was comforting, Shino discovered, and he brought his arm and wrapped it around her.
Sasuke-kun... Naruto-kun... Sakura mumbled softly, reacting to the embrace and snuggled in tighter to him.
She's lost... An unknown voice in his head stated. She's lost, your lost, Choji's lost, Ino's lost... You are attached to her the same way she is attached to you, the last pillar of your sanity, your life, and your will... You are all that is left of the golden times of old Konoha...
Shino, surprised and frightened at this unknown intruder in his mind, froze.
I am dead, yet I still live, the gallows of a young boy who kept me caged, who died when I was released, and killed by a man who gave his life in vain for Konoha. I doubt we will talk again, but I still maintain a fascination... with creatures like you...
Shino blinked. When the voice did not return, he shrugged and chalked it up to hallucinations due to exhaustion.
Although, Shino thought, it was pretty spot-on with the reason why he was attracted to Sakura...
He lowered his head onto Sakura's, and briefly smelled her hair, the wonderful aroma of pollen from the plants in her shop. For an instant, the insects inside him stirred, briefly excited about the pollen, but were quiet again.
He hoped, that he was doing the right thing. For his and Sakura's sake.
