Good Night, Ino

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She was so beautiful.

For once, her hair wasn't captured in its usual ponytail. Golden tresses cascaded down her silken pillows like a waterfall, and Shikamaru marveled at their ethereal gleaming. Her skin was pale and soft and perfect, lips slightly parted in a sigh of sleep. When her blue eyes were open, they were sparkling and rivaled the sun in their intensity; but for now, her eyelids were shut, and the moon outlined the gentle slope of her face. Her high, elegant cheekbones, her cute nose, her pointed chin… Yamanaka Ino was the epitome of unconscious beauty.

Shikamaru allowed his eyes to wander over her face, her stunning features, and upon arriving at her ears, he noticed in smug satisfaction that she still wore the tiny, silver hoop earrings that symbolized their union. Their combination, along with Choji, that created Team 10. And when he pressed his fingertips against her soft cheek, it was only then that he was reminded of just how rough and calloused his hands were. The contrast was stunning.

Ino's full lashes fanned evenly across her rounded cheeks, hiding two sky-blue irises that were unmarred by darkened pits of onyx. Her throat was slender though not flawless, her neck respectably formed for a kunoichi and firmly attached to her elegant collarbones. Slim shoulders, long arms, tiny waist that tapered into shapely hips, rounded thighs, slim ankles, and narrow feet—it was true that she was the ideal picture of a female.

A gorgeous, spunky, but certainly not perfect female. Her scars were many, and her flaws countless, but Shikamaru knew he loved her all the same.

He traced the golden band surrounding the third finger of her left hand.

Beautiful.

Not perfect, but just right for him.

Carefully, the man kissed his not-perfect woman on her forehead. Normally, he wasn't one to be so sentimental, but it was a special occasion.

"Good night, Ino," he murmured, almost half-heartedly, but the ardor was evident in his voice. Apparent. Obvious.

It was obvious he loved this woman. This troublesome, non-perfect woman.

All too soon, he stepped away and watched as the coffin was closed on her. On his Ino. The altar was lit, and within moments, flames licked through the chilled air to reach the moon. Sparks flew into the sky to dance with the stars.

Shikamaru's heart was heavy, but his eyes were clear and melancholy. Accepting.

He threw a lily-of-the-valley into the fire, watching as it too was engulfed by the flames. (You've made my life complete.)

He would simply wait until she opened her eyes to him once again.

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