The shadow princess

Chapter 35

[Nara Shikamaru P.O.V.]

Our house doesn't feel like home anymore, ever since Shizuka moved out. It's awfully silent, and I miss my shogi partner. This all got worse when she avoided us. It was like my heart was bleeding constantly. Even at work she made sure she didn't have to see us. The punch in the face from Kiba I could handle, but her ignoring me not. The guy got her to talk to us again, but it's not the same. Besides, every time I see her again there's another mark, another bruise, another scratch and another cut. I slowly walk through the halls of our house. I find both my parents in the kitchen. Mom is cooking and dad is reading a newspaper. Both having the same sad expression on their face. They miss her terribly too. "Tadaima" I say softly walking in. "Okaeri" mom says. She tries to smile but it doesn't really work. I sit down across my dad and after a minute or so watching them I sigh. "I'm just gonna say it" I say. Both mom and dad look at me. "I miss her. I want her back home" I say. Mom sighs deeply and turns back to the food. "She's not coming back" dad says. "Why not? He's obviously not good to her, every day she has another bruise or another cut!" I say. I look up when I hear something clatter on the floor. Mom leans with both her hands on the kitchen counter, looking down on her hands. "Enough of this Shikamaru" dad says. "But why? Isn't it our job to make sure she's safe?" I ask. "It isn't. She's a shinobi so it's in her hands. And it's out of my hands. This whole decision wasn't made by me. You're not the only one hurting by this" Dad snaps. "Stop fighting. Dinner is ready go wash up" mom says softly.

With my hands in my pockets I walk down the streets of Konoha. I'm actually on my way to meet Choji, but Shizuka lives on this side of town, and I'm hoping I run into her. When I turn the corner I see her and her husband in front of their house. He takes a cigarette from between his lips and looks up as he blows out the smoke. Then he hands Shizuka the cigarette, press a kiss on her cheek before putting on his ANBU mask and disappears. Shizuka puts the cigarette between her teeth and turns away from me. I quickly walk over. "So what's he like?" I ask. "What's who like?" Shizuka asks as she glances over to me and takes the cigarette from between her lips. "Naoki" I answer. "Kinder than I first expected. Why?"'she answers blowing out the smoke. "Cause every time I see you, you have another mark, cut or bruise" I say. "Oh. It's fine" she puts the cigarette between her lips again. "He just" Shizuka stops for a moment. "Likes it rough" she looks away and I can't help but blush. She's lying. I know she is, I can see it on her face. "You shouldn't smoke." I say. "I know" she throws the cigarette away. "He shouldn't let you" I add, folding my hands behind my head. "He doesn't. He just couldn't finish it because of his mask." I lay my hand on Shizuka's arm. She stops walking and looks at me. "I miss you, I want you to come home" I say. Shizuka sighs. "It's not up to you Shikamaru" Shizuka says though I see a little sadness in her face. I lay my arm around her shoulder and pull her toward me for a hug.

I look up at the sky and touch my lips with my fingers tips. You're mostly a troublesome woman, but now I wish you were here. You would tell me what to do. I don't know why I wish Temari was here. But I do. "You seem to be in deep thought" I look up to see Choji in front of me. "I kind of am. I'm sorry, I didn't realized you arrived" I say. "It's no problem. What's on your mind?" Choji asks. I sigh. "Shizuka. I told you she was married off right?" I ask. Choji nods. "I'm worried for her. She was afraid to marry him, saying it would be her death. Now every time I see her she's more banged up" I say. "She brushes it off, saying he just likes it rough, but she's lying. It's all over her face" I say. "Have you talked to your parents about this?" Choji asks. "Yeah.  They won't do anything" I look at Choji and he frowns. "Come with me" I jump off the fence. With my hands in my pockets I walk  with him. I find Shizuka with Ino. "What do you see?" I ask as we stay a few feet away. "She seems more timid. Calm" Choji says. I look at him. "What else?" Choji looks again. "She keeps looking around" Choji says. "She has a bruise on her cheek, and bruises on her arms" he adds. "What would you think if you saw that without talking to me first" I say. "I wouldn't think that would happen if he'd like it rough" Choji says. "See, it's totally not consistent with her story" I say. "I think you should try to be there for her. Make sure she'll open up to you again." Choji walks over and I sigh deeply before following him. "Hi there Shizuka. It's been a while" Choji says. "I just told her that, she better not be avoiding us again" Ino says, and as she does she looks at Shizuka again. Shizuka chuckles as she brushes her hair behind her ear. Her eyes widen slightly and she immediately brushes it back. Choji and I look at each other for a second. "They're keeping us busy. She's not avoiding anyone" I say. She is though. Or he's keeping her from everyone. Shizuka smiles thankfully, but I look away.