The Guardian Angel (Naruto Fan fiction)

38.

I haven't updated in forever! I'm so sorry!! But with the holidays I've been so busy. I'm literally in Mexico rn. Not home. So yea, I'm sorry, but I'm updating today so enjoy!! Hopefully I don't disappear like that again...yeah...Merry Christmas everybody!

Shikamaru's POV

What a drag. I can't believe she did that. Why wouldn't she had just asked for our help? We've been training on trust for a reason and she does this?

I can't stand seeing her like this. In a hospital bed, hooked to a machine, and her breathing being supported by a mask. It kills me to see her so... Close to death.

I was currently sitting by her bed holding her hand as if, should I ever let go, she'd disappear. Maybe I'm over thinking this and my worries are redundant but, I can't help it.

"You troublesome woman, how dare you put me through this again? I told you last time. I told you how worried you had me. And here you are, again. What a drag." I started, suddenly becoming verbose.

"Remember when I took you on that date to the waterfall? When you were trying to get my attention? I was actually thinking about how I feel about you. And I've come to a conclusion but I won't say until you wake up. So, wake up soon ok?" I finished.

I waited for a couple minutes but nothing. I sighed and walked out to get food. On the way, I ran into Shino who was talking with Kiba.

Shino noticed me first. "How is she? Is she awake? Can we go see her?" He asked. Kiba looked bewildered by Shino's apparently sudden chatty ways.

"She's alive. She hasn't woken up yet but you can go see her anyway. I need to take a break and eat or else I'll end up in the hospital myself." I told them.

Kiba nodded understandingly and followed Shino to Manami's room. I sighed and walked to the cafeteria thinking about how bad everything is turning out to be. Manami is in the hospital, Konoha was destroyed somewhat, and worst it of all? The Hokage is dead.

Shino's POV

I walked in to Manami's room with Kiba following behind. What I saw broke my heart. She shouldn't have to be in this situation. I took a deep breath and walked up to her bed, sitting next to it. I took her dainty hand with both of mine and brought it up to my mouth kissing it lightly.

It was silent for a solid minute. That is until I broke it. "Kiba, may I please have a couple minutes? Why? Because... I need... just please."

Kiba stared for a couple second and said, "You really like her don't you? Why did you give up?"

"She's better off with Shikamaru. He's smart, and obviously likes her as much as I do. He's better for her." I told him not even bothering with putting up a fight with Kiba.

Kiba scoffed. "And who are you to decide who's better for her? That's up to her to decide. Not you. I'll go, but only because Hana's waiting for me to pick up Akamaru any way. See ya."

He closed the door behind him and left me. I considered his words. He's right. It's not my place to decide who's better for her but I don't want to interfere with 'ShikaNami' as Sakura and Ino put it.

I just want her to be happy, and if Shikamaru is what she needs, then I'll more than gladly step aside for her. I've known her for almost 6 months. And in those 6 months she's captured my attention and heart.

"What have you done to me? 6 months Manami. 6 months, and in those 6 months, I fell head over heels for you, and yet, you probably don't even like me. Do you?" I said.