These Memories:
A Series About Friendship and Forgetfulness
: Before all things / I had a name / I think it left me long ago / Why can't I remember / Today I have another chance / to step out / I will not rest / until I know / what it all means / I will not give in / until I have you back / where you belong / I will not stop / because this is who I am / Maybe in time / these memories will fade away :
Until I Have You Back
The only thing worse than worrying is waiting.
These Memories; Part XI
The days passed. There was still no sign of the ANBU squad. Chouji gave up waiting by the gate every morning from dawn till dusk; there was never any news. Instead he retreated to his room and tried to keep himself busy until Shikamaru came back. First it was cleaning. Then it was eating everything he could get his hands on in a nervous frenzy. After that it was learning to knit and knitting Shikamaru a scarf.
…yes, he knew it was random. But his mother had made his scarf, and Chouji loved it almost more than anything. It kept him warm on cold and rainy and snowy nights, and it was as much a part of who he was as anything. It symbolized that he had something to stand for and protect—and it also symbolized that he was loved and protected in return.
That was why he was making one for Shikamaru. Because Shikamaru had certainly "died" protecting those he loved.
The needles gave a final clack as they halted, falling a little to rest in his lap as he remembered.
…the mission was long since over. The weary team trudged back to Konoha, tired, wet, and more than ready to report and get home.
Lightning struck overhead; Chouji had a second to glance up before the tree branch split off and fell, knocking him into the river. The world went silent and dark as he blacked out.
When he woke up, he was in a hospital bed, back in Konoha. Ino was sitting by his bed, and gave him a smile that looked oddly forced.
"Glad to see you're awake."
"Huh," said Chouji, "What happened?"
Her eyes clouded for a moment. "Shikamaru dove in to bring you back."
Chouji's eyes widened in half-panic as he sat bolt upright. "Is he alright? Where is he?"
Ino looked away.
Well, now that Shikamaru was alive, he deserved to have someone protect him for a change.
Chouji resumed knitting with a passion.