He exhaled heavily looking up at the clouds. He head was cradled in his hands, elbows extending outward. His knees bent pointed toward the sky as his feet were planted in the ground. He was content and relaxed.

The clouds were puffy and stark white against a cerulean sky. They floated peacefully along the expanse before disappearing from his view hidden by the outstretched canopy of the Nara forest. A new grouping of clouds made their way across the sky.

Shikamaru rolled his shoulder and back to stretch a bit. He could not remember when he had last felt so much contentment. There was just this sense of tranquility. Nothing loomed over him. His face slipped into a soft smile.

He was relatively certain his mood was atypical for his situation. It did, however, completely align with his self assessment. He was comfortable with himself just as he was. He did not miss Ino. His anger with her faded quite quickly. He could not be bothered with it. He realized she really cramped his style. Of course, by style he meant his laziness.

Settling even more into the grass continuing to watch the clouds go by his musings continued along as they often did. His obligations now only consisted of his service to the village. In his off hours for the past few months he had also been obligated to Ino and all of her whims, all of her definitions and expectations of a boyfriend. The going out and the being seen, he did not necessarily mind. She always made it somewhat worth his while. Still, Shikamaru felted burdened by the expectation. He preferred to stay in and enjoy the quite.

He rationalized his acquiescence to Ino's advances toward him and eventually the relationship was more aligned to his nature. She made herself available showing interest. He also knew resisting her would increase her advances. He was not opposed to her. He had determined she was attractive and interesting. He had thought it was an easy pairing.

At the onset, he assumed Ino would eventually tire of him or he her. She was not the type to settle into routine and enjoy the little things. Her extreme extroversion contrasted greatly with everything he was. Actually he was certain he had only attracted Ino because she saw him as a puzzle to unlock. When she realized he was nothing more than the straightforward picture he had always presented himself to be she became bored and unimpressed.

He chuckled quietly. If she wanted a puzzle, Sasuke should have been her first choice. Well he supposed Sasuke was her first choice. Though he surmised the man was missing a few pieces. Namely any ability to appreciate bonds of humanity. He supposed having all one's kin slaughtered by a trusted and loving sibling would cause that sort of relationship void.

Shikamaru spied a cloud that was unrolling toward him like a scroll. A blank page, a clear agenda. He had a couple days free from the tower. He was expected to do some maintenance in the forest and check on the deer. His father would probably join him if he could spare the time. It would be a quiet respite that he was extremely looking forward to.

"Aaaachhooooo." Shikamaru cringed. "Man what a drag."

He wiped his nose harshly and emerged from the cocoon of blankets he had created on his couch. He opened his door with a scowl that could wound whoever decided to disturb him. His respite turned into a sickbed. Though he was still free of obligations he could no longer fully enjoy it.

The scowl morphed into blankness when his vision was flooded with the red of her typical attire. "I came to check on you. Choji said you weren't feeling well," she explained as he moved aside that she might enter. She followed him back to his small sitting room.

Returning to cocoon himself in blankets he said, "It's nothing, just some fever and aches. It's a real drag to be sick on a day off."

"Fever?" she lifted and began extending her hand. It was already softly glowing with chakra. He tried to evade her intrusion to his personal space.

"I'm fine, Sakura," he insisted.

She smiled and brought her hand to his temple anyway, "I think I'm better suited to make that conclusion."

He studied her as she went about her assessment. He noted not only had she returned to her normal wardrobe but also her hair was again well kempt. Her aura was vibrant and pulsing with life again. Her eyes shone with concern. He was glad that she chose to return to herself instead of wallowing in dismay over Sasuke and Ino.

Then his thoughts were drawn to what she was doing. Her eyes closed but moving underneath their lids with her concentration. She was focusing on the chakra she was beaming through him. While she continued to assess him he began further assessment of her. He typically found any medic's minstations intrusive. He could feel her chakra in waves as it passed through his tissues. He realized she had learn to control her chakra and release it to ebb and flow as soothing waves as if they were lapping a beach. The waves were far more soothing than a constant barrage of another's chakra invading his. Hers was more comforting than intrusive. She had truly found her calling as a ninja.

He could feel the chill of his fever alleviating slightly. Shikamaru felt her chakra waves receding from him and watched her eyes open. Then, he witnessed her brow knit with concern.

"Shika, I'm so sorry," she murmured. "You're going to have to lay low for awhile."

"And why's that?" He sighed laboriously.

"Viral influenza I'm afraid. It's a rare strand that we don't immunize due to its rarity. I'm not sure where you would have picked it up in the village. No other diagnosis has been reported recently. You'll need to remain isolated for 7 days, until your fever free for 24 hours."

"Man, what a drag." He quipped crossing his arms in front making his cocoon lumpy. "I probably picked it up in Snow. Tsunade sent me to deliver message scrolls a few days ago. I was feeling fine until a couple hours go."

"That's common. You're coming out of the incubation phase. Now, your body is succumbing to the virus and trying to combat it," she easily explained.

"Ugh," he cringed. He knew she was right. Aside from her skill and knowledge, he could already feel his fever coming back with vengeance.

"Look, I'll inform the Hokage and get you off the roster for medical leave. I'll come back with some antivirals and anti-nausea medication. You'll have to quarantine yourself here to avoid an outbreak. Do you need anything else, supplies?"

"I'll manage."

"Well, okay. I'll be back soon. Then, I'll do a more in depth session with chakra. Hopefully, we can try decrease your downtime to 3 or 4 days if you'll let me treat you everyday. I highly suggest you increase your fluid intake." A huge smile spread across her face. "You'll also need to relax and rest as much as possible."

His lip upturned in a half smile. "You don't say."

"Let me get you a glass of water, okay?"

He nodded and began to feel the weariness of his body. She returned to him with a full glass setting it beside him gently on the end table. His eyes were drooping closed as he watched he see herself out.

"Troublesome," he whispered to himself falling asleep.