Healing Sakura

6. It was my first time

"Sakura?" I spoke as I watched her eat slowly, her eyes moved and looked into mine, I smiled "Would you like to visit the Deer's, after eating?"  I could tell she was thinking about it, her facial expressions have become very expressional since the incident.

"Yes, I would like that" she paused "uh, could - we go now? I'm finished" she asked timidly, I smiled

"Of course," I stood up and offered her my hand, she took it. We stood very close, I paused before moving back, I'm sure my cheeks flushed at this moment "Uhh, lets go" I said as I lead her to the front door, grabbing our shoes along the way. I took her around the back way, thankfully the weather is still shining. Sakura loved the deer on the Nara land, and they have taken a liking to her, this is one of the many things that attracts me to her.

Once we found a small group, they turned, sniffing the air and walked towards us, I could see the smile on her face as the deer circled, one nudged her back as another sniffed her hair, I couldn't help but laugh when I then jumped out of my skin when a Doe sniffed my neck. Resulting in Sakura also laughing.

My eyes fixed on her, afraid this will be the last time I'll see her smile, laugh, so freely.

"Shika'" her voice brought me back "do you have treats?" She asked sweetly, I pulled out a small pouch from the inside of my jacket, the same doe that sniffed my neck, nudged my back resulting into falling into Sakura, I steadied myself as I held onto her arms

"I'm so sorry!" I panicked, grabbing a hold of my jacket, she calmed me down

"It's ok, I'm not afraid of you Shika'" looking in her Emerald eyes, I didn't see any fear, with a sigh of relief. "I may flinch now and then when I'm not paying attention, but you of all people, I'm not afraid of, I feel comfortable with" her right hand raised to my cheek in comfort and I lean in and placed my hand over hers, bringing her palm to my lips I kissed it, opening my one eye I could see her blush resulting a smirk on my lips, I placed the small pouch in her hand and she retreated, focusing her attention on the deer's.

Later that evening, Ino showed up for a healing session, I wasn't privy to staying in the room, luckily my dad was home, so we played a round of shogi.

"How is our blossom doing?" My farthers voice chimed as he placed his move

" We went into the Nara Forrest, being placed with us may have been the best outcome, it was like for a moment, nothing happened, she laughed“ I rambled, he noticed by the smirk on his face. I rolled my eyes and placed my move, I could hear sobs coming from the hall, it took all I had to stay still, using my jutsu I kept my mother in place

"I know you're worried mother, but this needs to happen, Ino hasn't asked for help, I trust her" glancing her way I saw her nod in understanding, I released her.

"That's brave of you, son" I smiled at my father's praise, when I heard a shrill forming the words 'stop'

'Shikamaru!' Ino's voice rang through my mind

"That's my que" I stood and rushed to Sakura's room, opening the door I see Ino practically tacking Sakura to calm down

"I got it," I took over Ino's position and held her in my arms, I could hear her whisper 'i can't ' over and over

"You can, Sakura, I promise you can" but she wasn't having it

"I'm proud of you blossom," I whispered in her ear "you've done your best, you've got this far" I could feel her calm down, taking in deep breaths, I turned to Ino

"Would it be best to pause here?" The blonde nodded

'He was brutal to her, I don't know if you knew, but that was her first time ' Ino's voice echoed through his mind, if the Nara's eyes could change colour, they'd be red. Taking her hand he squeezed it

"Thank you, Ino, when will you be back?"

"Tomorrow morning, 8.30, then again in the evening, it'll be less frequent when she's not reacting so badly to the memory" I can hear the heart break in her voice

"Thank you Ino, for all that you're doing" she shook her head and squeezed my hand in return

"She never deserved this, Ill see you tomorrow morning" standing slowly she left the room, leaving Sakura in my arms

"I am so proud of you" I whispered, placing my hand back on her head, caressing her long hair. I heard a quiet sob "let it out, it's perfectly ok to cry" it was almost like she needed permission before she could release all that emotion, I just held her, no questions.

She had calmed down after a while, I had turned her side lamp on so I could see her face, stroking her hair from her face

" Would you like a bath?" I asked, "maybe a soak would help?" She nodded, with a smile I slowly stood and made my way to the bathroom

*Sakura*

The memory of that night plagued my consciousness, I felt so broken. I gathered a change of clothes as Shikamaru returned, he smiled as he grabbed my hand, leading me to the bathroom door.

"I hope you can relax, if you need anything, please call me" I could see the care in his eyes, as he opened the door and ushered me in.

It was dark, almost, there were candles lit around the room, towels on the side and bubbles in the bath, I gasped as I placed my change of clothes on the side also, slowly stripping off my clothes I dip my toes into the water, only to just melt in, it was perfect