Runaway

Sorry for the delay. Left my binder with the written work at a friend's house. Just got it back yesterday!

Chapter 2 – A Helpful Stander Review

"You know…you can trust me when I say you are safe here," she murmured, moving to bandage the cuts and wounds on my legs.

I smiled softly at her kindness. "Even still…"I murmured. "I have to leave. I must get away from here. I don't want this village to be attacked!"

"Yes…I know. Your worry is understandable, Shikamaru. You can stay here for a night or two for well-needed rest."

Chapter 3 – Drastic Changes

When I opened my eyes, I was greeted with a burst of light. I quickly used my bandaged hand to shield my dark brown eyes.

"You're awake, Shikamaru!" Kaharu exclaimed. She set her hand on my forehead. "You had a fever in the middle of the night," she explained gently. "It seems to be gone now…"

I stood up swiftly. "I'm going to go to a stream or something. Maybe I can wash off some of the blood on my clothes," I said clearly. Boy…I was changing. I used to think everything was 'too troublesome'.

Kaharu walked over to me, handing me a clean dark blue towel. "There is a stream in the woods behind the hut. I'll have some food cooked in an hour or so. I simply nodded. She was SO babying me. I walked out of the door.

Quickly, I found the stream. Looking at my reflection I winced. I looked horrid. My clothes are all ripped, my face is dirt-covered, and I look like a mummy with all the bandages I have on. Not to mention my hair, which was pulled up in a messy ponytail with a good amount of the dark brown hair falling out of the binding.

I first took out my hair tie, combing my matted hair with my dirty fingers. I raised my kunai knife and neatly trimmed my long brown hair to mid-neck length. I watched the brown locks drift to the dirt-covered ground. Next, I quickly discarded the fishnet-like clothing, leaving only my black/gray t-shirt and dark gray pants.

Washing out the dirt and blood thoroughly in the cold water of the stream, I shivered. I looked at my reflection in the still water. I looked completely different!

When I got back, Kaharu looked impressed. "You took less then an hour and somehow managed to make it so you look completely different!" she mused. "Here…have some…" She handed me a plate of home-cooked food.

"Thank-you…" I bowed stiffly, thinking about what I had just done. Sure…people would have a hell of a time recognizing me, but I was a bit ashamed in abandoning my personality like that. "I think I'll get some more sleep after I eat. After that, I'm back on the run," I informed her. "I really must thank you, though. You kept me safe here, not to mention gave me food and a warm shelter…"

She smiled brightly, yet sadly. "It's just what I thought was right, Shikamaru…I really hope to meet you again sometime…"

I smiled in the same sad way. "I'm not gone yet…" I stayed true to my word and got some sleep after I finished eating.

Again…SORRY FOR THE DELAY!

Shikamaru – Never let her keep an eye on things…how troublesome…

GO WATCH YOUR CLOUDS!

Shikamaru – gladly…

Also...please don't hate me for changin his apperance! T-T