50 Shades of Sand

Chapter 20 - Reunited

I bursted through the hospital doors. I heard a brief hello from the nurse but I was too occupied to respond. I ran through the familiar hallways until I made my way into the room.

"Shikamaru! Choji!" I exclaimed as I stood in between the two beds. Silence greeted me. I looked over to see the two were still unconscious. I dropped to my knees and tears threatened me. How? We killed him... they should be awake now. Asuma and Zuko woke up.

"Why?" I whispered and I clutched my face with my hands. I fought back a sob and choked on it. I made some weird sound in my throat and I wiped my tears.

"Why are you crying?" I heard an irritated voice and I looked up slowly. I took in the sight of Shikamaru sitting up and rubbing the back of his neck. He yawned and stretched. I jumped up and wrapped my arms around him.

"Shikamaru!" I exclaimed through a sob and I buried my face in his neck.

"Tsk. Troublesome girl." He mumbled but he didn't push me away.

"Whatever, idiot." I mumbled at him but a smile was still on my lips.

"W-what's going on?" I heard Choji mumble lazily through a yawn. I looked up and he was rubbing his eyes. Then I heard his stomach growl. "I'm hungry. Ino, do you have any food?"

"Choji!" I exclaimed and I rushed over and hugged him as well. He hugged me back and I pulled back to look at him.

"So... about the food?" He asked and I began to laugh.

"I don't have any on me, but when Asuma gets here we can go eat."

"Ino, why are you covered in blood?" Shikamaru asked me and he looked worried. I looked at him then down at my clothing. The horrible blood stains smelled and I could see it on my legs. I almost wanted to faint looking at myself. "You look terrible." He added and I frowned at him. I punched the side of his arm and he rubbed it.

"What happened, Ino?" Choji looked at me with worry and I smiled at him.

"It's all over now, you two slept through all of it." I muttered at them while shaking my head.

"Good, now I can go back to sleep." Shikamaru yawned and laid back down on his bed.

"Oh no you don't!" I shouted as I punched him again. "You slept for a week. You've had enough." I mumbled while Shikamaru rubbed his head.

"What a drag." He mumbled and I smiled. I missed hearing his laziness. Choji's stomach disturbed the silence.

"Someone sounds hungry!" Asuma shouted as he entered the room. In his hands he had a basket of food and some chips.

"Sensei!" Choji shouted happily as he took the basket and chips. He tore open a bag and began to munch on them.

"Save some for Shikamaru!" He shouted and I laughed. I took two apples from the basket and tossed one to Shikamaru while I walked towards him. I sat at the edge of his bed and we both took bites of our apples. I smiled at him and surprisingly he was smiling back. I couldn't even describe how happy I felt. I felt at home for once.

"Well, well. Surprised you didn't fall back asleep." I looked over to hear Temari's voice as she stood at the doorway with her siblings. Kankuro looked content. Temari was her usual self. Gaara, on the other hand looked deep in thought. He seemed content but then again he seemed like something else was bugging him. Temari walked in and Shikamaru had a blush on his face.