Shikamaru stared long and hard at the boy sitting next to Ayame before the boys eyes drifted over to the blonde standing by the window. It was obvious that he didn't care for the girl and wished she would simply disappear. 

Kiyomi seemed to feel Shikamaru staring at her, the girl turning around and letting a small, simple smile make it's way onto her face. The blonde's face turned towards the unconscious Ayame, a frown appearing as if looking at Ayame with pity. 

"Shame that she's gotten so sick that this happened." Once more with the mock of pity, Kiyomi walked over to Kiba, the girl placing her hands on Kiba's shoulders. The Inuzuka stiffened for a split second before he turned towards the blonde with a loving smile. 

"It's so sweet of you to worry about her, Kiyomi," Kiba stated before his eyes moved back to Ayame. Akamaru stood up, the giant dog resting it's head on the edge of the bed as it looked at the redhead sleeping peacefully like there was nothing wrong. 

Shikamaru sighed, rubbing his face at the two before moving over to the wall, leaning against it as his eyes studied Ayame. Although Ayame seemed healthier, Shikamaru could see the bags under the girls eyes as well as her skeleton looking face that seemed to be getting worse. 

"I think it's a miracle she's still alive, actually. She's literally a bag of bones, how hasn't she been killed in a fight yet?" Kiyomi asked, resting her chin on top of Kiba's head. 

Kiba went to speak, the boys face turning into a frown but seemed to stop after he thought about it - instead deciding to stay silent. Kiba clasped his hands together as he went back to watching Ayame as Shikamaru was. 

About an hour later, Shikamaru was now sitting on the floor, however, his eyes never left the sleeping girls face. Kiyomi let out a dramatic groan, the girl tugging on Kiba's arm, forcing the Inuzuka to stand. 

"Kibaaa! I'm hungry! Let's go on a date!" Kiba frowned for a split second before an awkward smile was placed on the boys lips as he nodded, being dragged out of the room. Akamaru stopped next to Shikamaru, the boy petting the dog's head with a soft smile before the dog ran out of the room to catch up with his owner. 

Shikamaru stayed sitting for a few more minutes before the boy stood up, walking over to the side of the bed. He stared down at Ayame's face, wishing he could just make everything okay for her -- she didn't deserve to suffer like this. Shikamaru slowly moved his hand, gripping tightly on Ayame's own hand. He let a small smile come onto his face as he felt the warmth of Ayame's hand flow into his. 

Shikamaru stared at Ayame's face for a few more seconds before the girl's eyelids fluttered open, the vibrant green seeming to shock Shikamaru. The boy slowly took his hand away from Ayame's before he gave a small smirk down at her. 

"Nice to see you back home, Ayame," Shikamaru said, smiling once more as he helped the frail girl sit up. He felt the girl wince and go to touch the area by her ribcage. She was used to injuries but she wouldn't deny the pain she felt always hurt. 

Ayame once more looked at Shikamaru, her head tilting as her hair fell from her shoulders. 

"...Shikamaru?" She asked, her voice quiet and hoarse. She felt as if she hadn't spoken in weeks, even if it had truly been about a three days. Ayame felt a small smile forming on her face as she looked at the boy, seeing as she hadn't seen him in about three years. 

"I've missed you." 

Those words echoed throughout Shikamaru's head, the boy turning his head away as he was afraid his cheeks might turn pink. 

"I've missed you too.. Ayame.."

-----

Miyu stood next to her sister, placing Ayame's arm around her shoulder. Ayame let out a small groan from having to move but she knew that she was needed. She was no longer in the hospital but in a small apartment with her sister and cousin. She had still yet to even see Kurenai - the woman she considered her mother. 

"Ayame-nee, are you okay?" 

Ayame jumped slightly, her head turning towards Miyu's as they walked together toward's the Hokage's building. 

Ayame hesitated on answering, "I'm -- fine. Don't worry about me, Miyu! I'm taking my medicine so everything should be okay," Ayame said, putting a smile onto her face as her younger sister looked at her with a frown. 

"..If you say so.." Miyu mumbled before she stopped in front of Tsunade's door. The girl opened the door after she knocked, removing Ayame's arm from her shoulder. 

Ayame stared into the room, seeing the familiar black, wavy hair. Instantly the redhead could feel the tears forming in her eyes. She hadn't seen her in three years -- she had missed her so much. She waited until the woman turned around and Ayame looked straight into the swirling red eyes of the woman she called her mother. 

"Mom..." Ayame whispered, causing Miyu to look at her sister from the corner of her eyes. For some reason the younger girl's pupils seemed to shrink in fear, the girl's tan skin seeming to grow pale. 

The woman could only stare at Ayame, tears forming in her own eyes as well as the man standing next to her removed his arm from her shoulder. He seemed to nod at the woman when she glanced at him, as if giving her encouragement to make the first move. 

The woman just buried her face into her hands, wiping a few of her tears before she walked over to Ayame, grabbing the teenager and pulling her into a hug. 

"Ayame -- I've missed you so much.." She whispered, her voice cracking as the tears started to freely flow down her face. 

"Mom... I'm home." 

----

ya'll have no clue... how hard this was to write... 

I've seriously lost almost all inspo for my novels, which is why I haven't updated this since April... 

Then today it just... inspo finally came to me... 

I've just.. I'm in a rough patch in my life and writing this just seemed.. to help me... 

I'm really sorry about updating sooner and giving a super short update but.. 

you guys deserve something... 

- Nik xx