Anatomy (of a Butterfly) - part 6
Fandom: Naruto
Pairing: Chouji/Ino
Prompt: Thorax (Love Vs. Fear)
Word Count: 411
Rating: K+
Warnings: dark themes
Summary: Circumstance chose to test his heart.
3- Thorax (411 words)
Combat held no fear over Chouji. He had already seen death's door, knelt at its very threshold, and that experience had shown the man that there was no shame in entering that place for those that laid down their lives for the sake of others; indeed, their sacrifice would be rewarded. Free from that natural anxiety, Chouji was fierce in battle and, while not reckless, he took numerous risks that many were not so willing to.
While Chouji's own mortality did not sway his actions, there was most certainly a terror tattooed upon his heart. At times, it would grieve him with visions and nightmares, twisting around his core in an icy grip of dread. The seeds had been sown at the death of his sensei. It was then he realized those left behind suffer much more than those that move on. His new quasi-relationship with Ino, lost somewhere between friends and not-quite lovers, caused his fears to grow, to take root. When sent on missions with her, Chouji was ever mindful of her position and situation. The shinobi was ever her vigilant protector, not above tearing threats literally limb from limb. If Ino was sent out with another team, the man was a dark cloud of barely-restrained malevolence, hidden behind a tentative smile, until she safely returned home.
Circumstance chose to test his heart. Team 10's mission had gone seriously awry, their marks having greater skill than the reconnaissance had disclosed, before Shikamaru was able to end the encounter in success. The victory was not without its sacrifice. Ino, exhausted of chakra, had taken a kunai slash to her midsection before the enemy had been sewn up in shadow. The wound was deep and flowing, and neither man had the ability to do more than rudimentary first-aid. They returned to the village in a rush, the girl cradled in Chouji's large arms as she bled out, in hopes that all would not be lost. After hours spent waiting, battle-stained and weary of entertaining the nagging what ifs, the reprieve finally came. Relief took Chouji to his knees, his friend's hand on his shoulder for support, and grateful tears streamed freely from his ducts. When the medics finally allowed him an audience with Ino, Chouji held her hand, gently kissing every abrasion and cut, before going to his knees once again.
Chouji realized that he couldn't fear to lose what wasn't his to begin with and so, he made her his.
Pairing: Chouji/Ino
Prompt: Thorax (Love Vs. Fear)
Word Count: 411
Rating: K+
Warnings: dark themes
Summary: Circumstance chose to test his heart.
3- Thorax (411 words)
Combat held no fear over Chouji. He had already seen death's door, knelt at its very threshold, and that experience had shown the man that there was no shame in entering that place for those that laid down their lives for the sake of others; indeed, their sacrifice would be rewarded. Free from that natural anxiety, Chouji was fierce in battle and, while not reckless, he took numerous risks that many were not so willing to.
While Chouji's own mortality did not sway his actions, there was most certainly a terror tattooed upon his heart. At times, it would grieve him with visions and nightmares, twisting around his core in an icy grip of dread. The seeds had been sown at the death of his sensei. It was then he realized those left behind suffer much more than those that move on. His new quasi-relationship with Ino, lost somewhere between friends and not-quite lovers, caused his fears to grow, to take root. When sent on missions with her, Chouji was ever mindful of her position and situation. The shinobi was ever her vigilant protector, not above tearing threats literally limb from limb. If Ino was sent out with another team, the man was a dark cloud of barely-restrained malevolence, hidden behind a tentative smile, until she safely returned home.
Circumstance chose to test his heart. Team 10's mission had gone seriously awry, their marks having greater skill than the reconnaissance had disclosed, before Shikamaru was able to end the encounter in success. The victory was not without its sacrifice. Ino, exhausted of chakra, had taken a kunai slash to her midsection before the enemy had been sewn up in shadow. The wound was deep and flowing, and neither man had the ability to do more than rudimentary first-aid. They returned to the village in a rush, the girl cradled in Chouji's large arms as she bled out, in hopes that all would not be lost. After hours spent waiting, battle-stained and weary of entertaining the nagging what ifs, the reprieve finally came. Relief took Chouji to his knees, his friend's hand on his shoulder for support, and grateful tears streamed freely from his ducts. When the medics finally allowed him an audience with Ino, Chouji held her hand, gently kissing every abrasion and cut, before going to his knees once again.
Chouji realized that he couldn't fear to lose what wasn't his to begin with and so, he made her his.