Maladaptive

V. Suicide King

[ Before I begin this chapter. I would just like to thanks someone. An old friend of mine, who I no longer talk to. She is the reason I began writing this story and honestly why I ship this couple haha. Thank you for the inspiration and encouragement to begin writing this. She should know that i am still think about her from time to time. Probably always will. You played a big role in my life. All i can do is thank you. If you're reading this, you know who you are. I still haven't forgotten you, as i hope you haven't forgotten me. ~ Koala ]

His hand latched onto Shikamaru's dirtied hoodie and gave him an intimidating smile. In an instant, he threw him against the loosened far wall of the shack. His body went crashing through the lose boards holding up the wall causing the walls of the entire shack to collapse onto the both of them. The hardened male quickly bounced up from the wreckage and began to search through the metal for the boy. Shikamaru was well hidden within the wreckage and had a good view of the man who was searching for him. He was walking in the other direction and he thought he was safe. Until, a light metal beam fell near Shikamaru, quickly giving away his hiding area. The mans head snapped into that direction and Shikamaru jumped to his feet. He began to push his way through the metal and ran in the opposite direction while the soldier took chase. This did not work out as planned since the soldier was much better conditioned and faster than the boy and easily began to catch up to him. He was now inches away with his hand extended toward Shikamaru's collar until he heard the man emit a loud wail. This caused Shika to slow down and soon stop in his tracks. His head snapped back to find his neighbors dog, who he assumed to be dead, was latched onto the soldiers calf. The man had fallen in pain and was kicking at the canine and striking it with his fist. Blood began to stain the pup's snow colored face and before long its grip on his leg began to strengthen as it tasted blood. Shikamaru still held the blade he previously found and did not know what he should do. Everything was happening to fast for his mind to fully comprehend. There was only room for instincts to kick in and before he knew it, Shikamaru found himself on the mans backside. The rusted metal blade he previously had was lodged into his neck and shown bloodied through his adam's apple. It separated the Hyoid bone from his throat and left the man uttering inaudible sounds under his chest that quickly filled with his own blood. Before long, he fell motionless and Shikamaru fell beside him.

'D-Did I actually just.. - "

The pup came to Shikamaru's side and nudged its head into his neck. This forced a smile onto his lips and reassured the dog,

"Thank you."

However he knew he could not allow this to leave him venerable from the danger lingering a few hundred years away. The quiet and peaceful countryside he used to live on was now a full blown war zone. Yet all he could do was run. As he disappeared into the forest that surrounded the prairie their homes sat upon, something in the back of his neck itched for him to fight. Despite this feeling, he could never go back. At his age, his instinct to take flight was much stronger than to fight and he knew this all too well. Since he was always more of a passive person and did not enjoy things of physical activity. Especially not conflict.

~

Temari's first day on the job was as she remembered. She would often work the front desk but, if absolutely needed, she would be present in the ER which rarely happened. When she clocked in, she greeted most of her old co-workers along with Mr. Hatake, who was rather not "Overjoyed" to have her here since he had not had his way with the bargain. She took her seat behind the counter that sat behind a large glass window. It had two smaller windows for her to slide open for her to speak to patience or to exchange papers. Behind her were most of her coworkers at desks or chatting with one another in a large well lit room, with a large television on the side wall which they usually had on basic channels for workers who were not busy and needed something to keep them entertained. If there were an emergency, it would instantly switch to the local news station. This would usually cause them to dispatch ambulances and have ER workers ready for incoming patience. A vending machine, coffee dispenser, and shelf with an assortment of books also lined the opposite wall for workers convenience awhile they came in during the morning or were on break. The day started slow with a few people occasionally coming in for sicknesses or a child with an aching stomach. Temari had this unsettled feeling in her stomach which only began stirring up whenever she felt like something bad were to happen. She was usually right but, mostly it would be about something small. Like Gaara dropping a bowl full of ingredients or Kankuro getting into a bar fight. However, this time it felt stronger. Something that pushed her to nausea. She constantly left the counter to get water or just to stretch her legs. A little after noon, the television switched to the news station. The volume on the television also raised and what was displayed silenced the entire room. Clouds of smoke, disfigured bodies, pools of blood, clatter of gunfire. Members of the hospital stood in shock with subtle swears to God's name or gasps to the very explicit footage. Temari's cup slipped out of her fingertips and fell to the hardwood floor as the reporter said the location of where this was happening.