Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Well Hidden ❯ The Cold Side of Determination ( Chapter 1 )

Story Title: Well Hidden

 

Chapter 1

 

The Cold Side of Determination

 

It was cold. Thunder could be heard from a distance to where the citizens of Konoha gathered. With a flower in hand everyone walked towards the tombstone to show their respect for another village hero. When it was the eighteen year old Nara Shikamaru's turn, the young Jonin placed a flower by the others. He read the name Yamanka Inoishi on the tombstone and silently promised that he will look out for his daughter and widowed wife. He must have been standing there to long because the person behind him nudged him in the back.

 

“Keep going Shikamaru.” His father said. Shikamaru continued to walk but not before he turned around and caught a glance of his father's face. A shinobi must never show his emotions. His father was very good at this yet his impassive face wasn't fooling Shikamaru. His father was sad. A piece of his heart was missing and that piece was one of his best friends.

 

Shikamaru spotted Choji standing next to his father (insert name here). He had the same expression as his father. He nodded at him as he stopped to stand next to him. Choji spoke, “She hasn't showed up yet.”

 

“Yet.” Shikamaru replied. He looked around and spotted Ino's mother. Unlike the impassive face of his father's, tears were streaming down her cheeks as Sakura's mother kept an arm around her shoulders. He looked passed the crowd for any sign of his blond friend and sure enough he spotted her entering the cemetery. Thunder sounded once again.

 

“Here she comes.” Shikamaru said. He and Choji watched their friend walk toward her father's grave looking straight ahead. She was wearing her usual purple top and skirt that made her stand out against all the people wearing black including himself. Reaching the grave Ino placed a bundle of red and light pink roses on the tombstone with a picture of her and her father. Saying unheard words she kissed the picture. After a few moments she stood up and went over to her mother. Unlike her mother's, Ino's face showed no tears. Shikamaru noticed she had that determine look. The look she always wore when they were out on missions. Her brows were furrowed and her eyes looked like blue fire balls. Shikamaru knew from experience not to mess with her when she had that look.

 

Shikamaru continued to watch Ino as she went to her mother who collapsed in her arms. The awful sound of mourning could be heard throughout the crowd. Shikamaru hated when people cried, especially women and was pleased ten minutes later when the crowd started to disperse which meant it was time to leave. But….

 

“Shikamaru don't leave yet. We need to talk to Ino. You know what she wants to do.” Choji said suddenly.

 

“I know, but this isn't the same.” Shikamaru responded.

 

“That's not going to stop her.”

 

Shikamaru sighed. “Yeah, I know.”

 

They both walked to where Ino and her mother stood. Her mother had stopped crying. “Mom I'll be home soon okay. I need to tell my friends something.” Ino said. Her mother nodded and left with Sakura's mother.

 

Shikamaru thought it was rude of Ino to not walk her mother home but he didn't say anything. It would cause a pointless argument. Instead he said. “Hey.”

 

“Hey.” Ino replied. She looked at both of them. There were a few moments of silence before Ino reached out and grabbed one of Choji and Shikamaru's hands. “I know that you know what I am going to do.” She started.

 

“Ino-”

 

“Let me finish Choji. I am not ready yet though. I don't have enough information and I need to do some training. When I am ready I want you two to come with me but let me do the kill.” For some reason she looked straight at Shikamaru when she said the next sentence. “Don't interfere.”

 

Choji galanced at Shikamaru and then the both of them nodded showing that they understood. Ino dropped both of their hands and before leaving she gave them both a hug and left.

 

“Choji you understood her right?” Shikamaru asked as he watched Ino's form walk away.

 

“Yes and if she transfers her soul into the killer and stabs herself she could die.” Choji said.

 

“I know but I won't let that happen. Even if it is troublesome and will cause her to hate me.”

 

“We won't.” Choji corrected.

 

“There is only a small chance that will happen. Most likely we won't have to interfere.” Shikamaru stated as he formed possible outcomes in his mind.

 

“Yeah.” Choji said. There was silence for a few moments then.. “I'm going home. My parents left with yours and I am hungry.” He patted his stomach. “Later.”

 

“Bye.” Shikamaru responded. He knew the real reason Choji left wasn't because of food.

 

Shikamaru stood lost in thought and looked at the sky. The sun wasn't out. The grey clouds covered it. “Stupid clouds.” He muttered. “You don't help anyone's mood.” Thunder responded and Shikamaru sighed. “At least let me get home before you cry.”

 

 

“It has been a week.” Choji stated while munching on a bag of chips. “She's hiding it.”

 

“Yeah and she is driving me crazy.” Answered Shikamaru looking at Ino. The three of them were at the training grounds. It was five in the afternoon and Choji and Shikamaru decided to call it a day. They were tired after training non stop for the pass four hours but

Ino just kept on going. Shikamaru notice that she still had that determine look on her face

yet her eyes were different. There were huge bags underneath them and he could tell that she didn't have much charkra left. “Ino stop!” he yelled at the young kunoichi.

 

In response she threw a kunai that missed his head by an inch. “No.” she said simply.

 

Shikamaru just stared at her in shock. Did she just- “Ino, you almost killed me. Stop!” He stated.

 

“Almost.” Was her reply as she continued jumping from tree to tree and throwing kunais along with shrunkens at the painted targets.

 

“That's it you-” but Ino cut him off.

 

“Leave or be my sparring partner.” She challenged and jumped down from a tree. She walked straight up to Shikamaru and looked him straight in the eyes. He felt her killing intent which shocked him. “Choji get the first aid. Your going to need it for shadow boy here in a few seconds.”

 

“We didn't bring one.” Was Choji's response. “Ino-

 

“Choji leave.”

 

“What- ” Choji just looked at her bewildered.

 

“Choji don't listen to her.” Shikamaru stated while looking straight back in her eyes. He rose his charka purposefully to show that he accepted the challenge. “Lets get this over with.”

 

In response Ino sent a punch straight for Shikamaru's head. He dodged it easily, jumping back toward the nearest tree. Ino has gotten real good at close combat. Thought Shikamaru I need to put distance between us. She doesn't have much charkra left to do her mind body switch jutsu. Her challenge is pointless and very dangerous in her current state.

 

“Are you sure this isn't too troublesome for you?” Ino said as she threw three kunais at him.

 

Ignoring her taunts Shikamaru jumped up into a tree and sent a few kunai of his own after her to distract her. It worked. She took her eyes off of him to dodge the kunai. He jumped down.

 

“-Kagemane no Ju-”

 

“No you don't.” Ino jumped in the air and tackled Shikamaru to the ground. Of course Shikamaru wouldn't just let her do that to him but this is what he wanted to happen.

 

 

Pop! The tackled Shikamaru disappeard and the real Shiakmaru jumped down from another tree behind Ino. “Kagemane no jutsu!” His shadow had gotten her. This was too easy. Thought Shikamaru.

 

“Damit!” Ino yelled and banged her fist on the ground.

 

Shikamaru forced her to get up and walk to him. “That was way to easy Ino. You are much better than that. Usually I can barely keep up with you. Your tired. Let's go home and call it a day.” He said looking at her. Her eyes still showed killer intent towards him. What did I do? He thought.

 

“Fine.” She said. With those words he let her go. “Lets go.”

 

Choji and Shikamaru glanced at each other before following Ino's retreating form. When the three of them pass Ichiraku Ramen Choji spotted Naruto and decided to stay and eat with him. Shikamaru and Ino were now alone.

 

“Shikamaru your house is the other way.” Ino pointed out as they pass the street where his house was.

 

“I know but I'm not ready to go home yet.” He replied.

 

“I don't need you to walk me home. I am perfectly capable-

 

“Ino shut up. Who said I was walking you home? What ever your problem is, stop taking it out on me and Choji. We are your friends not trash.” Shikamaru said exasperated. There was silence for a few moments. Shit! “Ino I'm-

 

“I'm sorry Shikamaru. I have been a bitch lately. I just-

 

They stopped walking and to Shikamaru's surprise Ino took his hand into hers and forced him to face her. “It hurts.” She whispered and for the first time the determination in her face was gone. She looked tired. Like she hasn't slept for days. She looked him in the eyes.

 

Shikamaru didn't know what to say in this kind of situation so he didn't and just hoped he wasn't suppose to. He just listened as she continued.

 

“I'm so tired…” She sighed. “Every time I sleep I see….and I….I can't cry, I refuse…A shinobi…” She put her hands on his shoulders as if she was trying to keep her self from falling. “I need to get stronger. Could you help me do that?” she finished.

 

“Yeah…of course.” Shikamaru said softly.

 

Now with red eyes Ino quickly looked away. “Thank you.” She said softly and then smiled. “I know I said I don't need you to walk me home but I want you to.”

 

“Do I really have to? I mean I would have to walk all the way to your house and then turn back around.” Shikamaru whined.

 

Ino glared at him and socked him in the arm.

 

“I'm just kidding women…Geez.” He said as he rubbed his sore arm. “Come on lets go.”

 

As they walked Shikamaru looked at the sky. Today it was blue and he wanted to go to his spot and watch the clouds before it got dark. Ino noticed him look up and said, “Shikamaru… where do you go?”

 

“What?” he answered.

 

“I mean…. where do you go when no one knows where you are. Choji says you are spending time alone to watch the clouds.” Ino said.

 

“Well if I told you someone will know where I go.” He smiled.

 

“You don't want to tell me.” She said while yawning. They had reached her house.

 

Shikamaru scratched behind his head. “It's not that. I go there to be alone and think about…stuff.”

 

“It's okay…you don't have to tell me. I'm just curios.” She yawned again and opened the front door. “Thank you Shikamaru.” She went up to him and was about to give him a hug when…

 

“I never said you couldn't figure out where I go.” Shikamaru stated. She stopped herself from hugging him and said. “Really? Is that a challenge?”

 

“It's whatever you want it to be Ino.” He pulled her to him and hugged her. “Eat and sleep women. You look like an old-

 

Ino socked him in the arm again. “I understand. Good night then.” She pulled away from Shikamaru and smiled.

 

“Good night.” Even though it is barely six o'clock. He thought. Women…

 

Shikamaru watched her close the door worried. He hoped she will at least try to eat and sleep and cry a little. He knew she was trying to be strong and to him she didn't even need to try, but he knew from experience that it wasn't good for her to bottle up her feelings like that.

 

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