It had been a while since Chouji was gone, and Shikamaru was starting to worry.
Not Ino. Oh, no. Of-course not, she was in the ladie's rooms fixing herself up for reasons only a woman knows. And when women fix themselves up in the bathroom, especially Ino, Shikamaru had learned that they think about nothing else.
So he was jolted unexpectedly from his inner monolouge when Ino's voice shrieked at maximum volume.
Which was very, very loud.
How did this happen?
We're sorry... we did everything we could.
Some other ninjas where roping off the area now, faces set in a grim expression. Some paramedics had gone rushing in, checking for pulse, breathing, anything.
We're sorry... we did everything we could.
The words echoed in varying volumes in Shikamaru and Ino's heads as they watched, horrified and unbelieving, the shinobi lift Chouji off the wet tiles and transferred him to a coffin they already had layed out.
We're sorry... we did everything we could.
Shikamaru clenched his teeth as he felt Ino wrap her arms around him and bury her face in his shoulder, crying.
We're sorry... we did everything we could.
No, you could've tried sending chakra into him. Shock his chakra and blood system into working again. You could've. You really could've, bastards.
We're sorry... we did everything we could.
You could've, and you didn't. Bastards. Now he's dead.
We're sorry... we did everything we could.
Shikamaru sank to his knees, bringing Ino with him.
We're sorry... we did everything we could.
Yeah right, bastards. You didn't do a thing. You checked for the pulse and vital signs. You made no attempt to revive him. At all. He was at death's door and he could've come back. But you didn't help him wrench away from that door. The door that disguises itself as a beautiful one that leads to a majestic room.
We're sorry... we did everything we could.
Alas, beauty is only skin deep, no?
We're sorry... we did everything we could.
Shikamaru bit his lip as tears overflowed onto his face. The salty liquid plopped into his lap and poured into his mouth.
We're sorry... we did everything we could.
Yes, Chouji. You were a beautiful person. Most people couldn't see past your appearance. But the ones who could, they were blinded by the innocence and purity within. If we could all be as pure and good as you, Chouji...
We're sorry... we did everything we could.
A butterfly come in through the window just as Chouji was hoisted away.
We're sorry... we did everything we could.
It landed on Shikamaru's cheek.
We're sorry... we did everything we could.
Innocent.
We're sorry... we did everything we could.
Beautiful.
We're sorry... we did everything we could.
Pure.