Mine- A Shikamaru X OC Fanfiction

Mine

The snow fell heavily, covering the village with a thick layer of white. The fresh snow coated the rooftops, along with the paper-lanterns lining the street; the remnants of the festival last night. Now, it was void of all signs of life, even the normally noisy school was silent, the cold had sent everyone home. The trees were leafless and burdened with the winter flurry. These conditions were unfavorable for even the hardiest animal, much less a sick human. It was in these conditions that Reika staggered into the village.

Bruised and scraped, she was returning from a mission in Sunagakure that was supposed to be “minor”. It had turned out to be a full blown war against Suna’s most elite ninja. She went alone for stealth purposes and the fact that she was an A-rank jonin, though Shikamaru had objected for the sake of her safety. Maybe he was right. If it hadn’t been for her prowess in the Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique, she probably would’ve been killed.

The chill bit at her skin, the flimsy coat she was wearing wasn’t for this weather. It had been ripped and torn in the fight. Hastily, she searched for shelter from the escalating blizzard, but everywhere was closed. What a day to be in need of help! After a few more feet of limping, her body couldn’t tolerate the falling temperatures, and slowly it shut down.

First, her feet gave way and she collapsed into the freezing slurry. She tried to scream for help, but the cold gripped her throat. Slowly, her limbs grew numb, and lost all feeling. It was then she realized that probably where she lay would be her final resting place.

Next, her breathing became heavy and very strenuous, as her heart struggled to pump live-giving blood to her freezing organs. The warmth in her body dispersed, and soon even her tongue and saliva felt cold.  Hopelessly, she closed her eyes, preparing to die, as the snow covered her, burying her deep.

Anxiously, Shikamaru paced around his apartment. Where was Reika? It was early evening and she still hadn’t returned. Worriedly, he walked to the window overlooking the village. It was bathed in immaculate, a clean, crisp white. Still it looked harsh, austere, unforgiving, and cruel. Loosely, the thought of something happening to Reika was enough to send him outside looking for her.

He rushed to the main gates first, searching for the slightest hint of her.

“Reika?” He shouted in no particular direction, it was then he realized he could pick up her chakra signature.

He scanned the area for her delicate, flower-like chakra, and he found it, buried under at most, a foot of snow. Her chakra was weak and seemed to be near-extinction.

Vigorously, he dug up the spot; first her face came into view, her lips blue and the radiance gone from her complexion. Then, he excavated the rest of her small frame.

After wrapping her in his scarf and his thick coat, he picked her up and carried her off to his apartment.

Reika awoke, in what she thought at least for a moment, was shinobi heaven. She sat in a warm, fuzzy chair, shrouded in a bustle of thick blankets and sheets, near a raging fireplace. She glanced around realizing that the place looked familiar somehow. Craning her neck, she saw a familiar figure busy in the kitchen. Shikamaru. She smiled at the thought of him; they’d been friends since ninja academy. They only got serious when they were assigned on a jonin mission together. She loved him with all of her heart, though he was a year younger than her. She was eighteen, he was seventeen. Though, he far outmatched her body stature; he was taller than her by a good amount.

Shikamaru approached her with a steaming cup of cocoa. His face set in his usual bored look. She’d gotten to know that whatever Shikamaru did, his expression was the same.  He sat across from her, leaning forward, his elbows on his knees and chin on the back of his hands. He was peering at her from behind intent coal black eyes. Scanning, her every movement. A smile escaped his mouth when she tried to speak but couldn’t.

“Just drink, love” He said, a fond smile on his face. “Speech will come in time”. She nodded and obeyed, sipping the cocoa as it warmed her cold insides.

Damn! Reika was pretty, even when she’d freezing cold. Troublesome woman, he thought. Putting him through so much distress. He smiled thinking about it, it only made him love her more. He sat there, staring at her. He like liked to look at her. The way her brown hair framed her cherubic face, the dimple in her cheek when she smiled, the way her eyes flashed when she was excited, even the way she drank her tea turned him on. It was electrifying to know that she was all his. Granted, half of all the boys in Konoha wanted her, but he had her and she only wanted him. It was quite heartening really.

He reached out and stroked the side of her face, her skin smooth, but cold to the touch. He’d told Tsunade to let him go with her, but she refused. Such a bothersome woman she was, if he’d went all of this would’ve been avoided. Still, he smiled at her, happy that she was okay.

“W-why are you s-smiling S-Shika-kun?” Reika asked, her voice a raspy whisper. She’d finally spoken. Her sweet voice alone was enough cause for him to rejoice.

“I’m glad you’re okay” He said, moving closer to her. She sank deeper under the sheets, only her chin up being visible.

“I-I, don’t know w-what I w-would do without y-you” Reika whispered, her dry lips creased into a lack-lustre smile.

“You make my life happier, sweetheart” He kissed her on the forehead “You should get some rest”. She nodded a response and gave him the cup.

He got up and walked out of the room, and after setting the cup down in the kitchen, walked to the light switch right beside the door leading into the hallway. Turning the dial, he dimmed the lights, and left her in the den, sleeping.

He stood at the doorway, looking at her. Reika was all his. All mine, he thought. Mine.