Chapitre Sept

Narrateur: Monsieur Shikamaru

I sat there with my arms crossed tightly, then I took a breath. "...You've saved my life for the second time, Shino, and I haven't given you anything at all." I stated, mildly upset. The sun had just begun to set, and the two of us were sitting against the stone-made stoop of the apartment building again. "I don't really deserve this kind of treatment." I yawned.

"All I've done for you is to keep two creepy guys away. I just don't want to see you hurt." he said thoughtfully, appearing to be looking straight ahead. "Also, I don't know where you ever got the idea that anything is too good for you." Adding that bit to the statement made it all the more heart-warming. I couldn't keep myself from smiling sheepishly. I think my ears pinked, too.

"Shino, listen... I promise to avoid situations where I might get hurt, just for you. Is that OK?"

"C'mon, we agreed to that last time. Look where that got us." he retorted playfully. I laughed quietly, remembering back to how I thought Paris was going to suck. I could slap myself for being so wrong.

Something seemed to suddenly dawn upon him. An idea, maybe?

He rose to his feet abruptly. "I have something to show you." he said, and nodded his head in a certain direction. I blinked curiously. A glint of impatience sparked over him. "Before the sunset, if that's alright with you." he teased. I stood to follow him.

LVSTRYNPRS

"Where exactly are you taking me?" I asked. I didn't know where I was going, but Shino told me that we were almost there, and I had no choice but to trust him. He brought me to a ladder, and he made it apparent that he wanted me to start climbing. I obeyed, and before I knew it, I was standing atop a great brick building alongside Shino.

"...What are we here for?" He held a finger to his lips, and pointed at the horizon. I was awed by the beautiful scape filling my vision. It was the sunset, and it felt like I was viewing it better than anyone had ever before. A few fluffy clouds dotted the sky as all shades of orange, red, yellow, pink, and purple rippled against each other in a beautiful blend. The image made tears form behind my eyes, but I knew I couldn't cry. I turned to Shino who seemed to be smirking in triumph.

"Pretty?" he inquired. I nodded and turned back. I guess I wanted to thank him, but I wasn't really thinking straight at that moment in time. Then something hit me.

"Shino, how did you get into detention?!"

He chuckled deeply and turned his head to face me. "I got 'caught in the act of graffiti.' It's nothing to worry about." He turned back to the sunset. I was struck dumb for a second. Shino did something bad intentionally just so that he would be punished for it, because he knew he needed to be there to defend me... If that wasn't the sweetest sentiment, I didn't know what was.

LVSTRYNPRS

It was Thursday. Noon. Lunch Break. Shino took me out as usual. Insert "yay" here. Ever since I first laid eyes on him, a great amount of curiosity and suspicion has been growing upon what lie under those stylish sunglasses of his. I tried not to think too much about it, as I wanted to savor every bit of the few moments we had left with each other. (Yes, an entire schoolyear is only a few moments when you're with someone you love.)

Dear readers (PLEASE READ!!): Nyah, what a short, unimportant, and non-special chappie this is/was. Um... OK. So, I know this sucked, and it was a major disappointment to all of you. All of my attention is focused on the next "bonus" chapter. I hope you're ready. It will certainly make up for this steaming lump-o-crap. Yes, the next little segment is a rib-tickling phenomenon. Part of the story you wont want to miss. An event you are about to see that you may or may not be prepared for. A semi-romantic, semi-original, super-funny, extra-hilarious, mega-humorous, deadly-significant, ultra-stolen-from-a-magnificent-episode-of-a-copyrighted-popular-series, SPECTACLE. OH YEAH!#$&()+ Oh, yeah! I forgot that I never-ever-ever added a disclaimer. So here it is for all of YOU.

Disclaimer: I never did, currently do not, nor will I ever own the anime, manga, games, or any other form of merchandise of the amazing franchise which is Naruto! Only the fan fiction its self, the original characters, the dialogue and all of the events belong to me in any way, shape, or form. Please remember. Copyright Nayagi Ai 2007-2008. (Some rights reserved.) ;D