Healing Sakura

5. Desensitizing

Sakura was back in Shikamaru's lap in bed, he was explaining the different options.

"- Then there's the option of you being under the Nara family care, my care, where I can help you desensitize to the outside world, build confidence, how to tell people to mind their business, and when you have the hang of it, we can do small missions, like in village tasks, deliveries, finding lost pets, small steps" so far Sakura hasn't said no, seemingly thinking about it, anticipation gripped tight, when he felt her nod.

She said yes

Sakura feels the most safe, the most comfortable when next to him, to help her back into the outside world. Shikamaru embraced her

"I am proud of you, Blossom" Shikamaru whispered, if he could see her face, he would see a blush line across the bridge of her nose.

Over the next few days, Tsunade has been checking the progress of her body and gage where her mental state is. Shikamaru will be pulled from active duty, though his mission is to aid in the progress of Sakura's mental health and report each week of her progress.

Kakashi hasn't forgotten about her, with the odd brief visit while she slept, he has been overseeing Sasuke's torture with Ibiki.

Belongings already transported to the Nara home, Sakura stood nervously in her room, discharge papers in Shikamaru's hand.

"The only difference is the scenery, we will leave when you are ready" he assured her, taking a deep breath, Shikamaru walked closer, placing a hand on her cheek, "I know, it's fear, I know" he whispered with his forehead against hers.

"Get me there quickly" her voice timid "Speak to no one, get me there quickly" taking a deep breath

"As you wish" he whispered as he scooped her up, leaving via the window and travelling via rooftop and trees, as she requested, he got her there quickly.

His mother was home, though she knew of the mission arrangement and made herself busy in the kitchen, her heart ached for the young woman she came to love as if she were her own, but knew staying out the way for now would be better for her mental state. Shikamaru will be the only one in contact with her while she settles, before his mother and father made an appearance.

Sakura's room is right next to Shikamaru's and that is where they entered, through the window of his room. Bed, wardrobe, chests and desk was all that filled the room, though still quite spacious. And it all smelt of him, he had noticed the calming deep breath she took as she stood close to him.

"Your room is just next door, with your clothes, uniforms and belongings Ino knew you would like with you, I hope you don't mind, mother took the chance to wash everything, just in case a scent triggers you, it all smells of here." Sakura nodded, understanding the reason, after a while of standing, she could feel her legs give way

"Okay, I have you" Shikamaru said as he picked her up once more and left the room, into hers and laying her on her bed, moving away an inch "I'm going to check on mother, she is currently in the kitchen, you don't have to worry about anyone coming in until you are ready," he paused to check a change in her reaction "Is there anything you would like? Are you hungry" but as if on que her stomach rumbled, she bit her lip and darted her eyes away, this made Shikamaru laugh, "Okay, I wont be long" he said while kissing the back of her hand, it was endearing, but he froze he should have asked, but seeing as she seemed still relaxed, he just moved away slowly, leaving for the door and to the kitchen.

Sakura could remember the days she spent in this room growing up, her parent's were civilian merchants and travelled a lot, when Sakura entered the academy at age 5, her neighbour would look after her when her parents were on long trade routs each season. Although when she was 6, her neighbour passed away, that's when she met Shikamaru, when his parent's found out, they took her under their wing when her parent's worked.

Now and then she did sleep next to Shikamaru when they had games of shogi, teaching her how to play.

Getting up slowly, Sakura took a look around, since being in the hospital, Shikamaru hasn't been away from her, and if it was just outside the door, it made her nervous and it infuriated her. Anger, fear, frustration, pity all ran through her, hands balled in a fist eyes tightly closed as her breathing started to get out of hand, luckily Shikamaru was back, announcing it was him before entering, instantly putting a tray with food and drink down, taking her hand in his and coached her through breathing.

"Just copy me, you're safe, your body is simply in fight, thinking you're in danger, listen to my breathing and copy" his tone was gentle as he made his breathing clear for her to hear, it took a while but her breathing soon followed his and her body eased.

Feeling weak, Sakura leant on Shikamaru's shoulder, his right arm let go and wrapped around her waist to steady her. This had to be exhausting. Sitting her down at her Otatsu (heated blanket table) he brought the food over.

"Thank you... Shikamaru" her voice broken, taken aback he looked at her,

"Sakura, even if this wasn't asked of me, I would still have done it, you've been important to me for a long time now" Shikamaru wanted to hold her hand, in comfort, he didn't know how, but she saw, taking a deep breath, her shaking right hand found his, there was no pain, but the shaking AH! It was starting to wind her up.

Shikamaru placed his right hand on hers, smiling just a little as she then picked and ate in silence