Memory never fades

It’s said that smell is one of the biggest triggers of
memory. For Chouji the scent of fresh grass and
cigarette smoke triggers a host of welcome memories so it must have some truth
to it. Every morning for as long as he can remember, Shikamaru would come in
the door smelling of smoke and grass. It was something constant in the ninja’s
world of unpredictable inconsistencies. He loved it. Whenever he was on a
mission that took an unexpected turn, he could count on that scent to bring him
back to a place of peace and calm. Smiling became easy and the mission, even if
it failed, wasn’t crushing.

When Shikamaru died, Chouji
thought his heart would die too. He took up smoking; trying desperately to get
that sense of peace back as his world crumbled around him. Ino
stretched herself thin taking every mission she could to escape the pain her
own memory triggers brought her. All this did was make
it so that she got to see him again before Chouji. He
hated that a part of his big heart always resented her for that.

It was Naruto that found him alone on a grassy hill, staring
at a pack of cigarettes and a black ribbon. As his broad palmed hand landed
warmly on Chouji’s shoulders, he spouted words of comfort and inspiration. class=SpellE>Chouji wasn’t hearing them. The objects in his hands
captured his attention in a grip he didn’t even bother to shake off.

Such is a ninja’s life.

That was the sentiment he found wherever he went.

 Don’t dwell on the
past.

 Time will heal all
wounds.

So far…they were all lies.

-*-*-*-*-*-*-*

I wrote this a while ago. Trying something new…..not sure
if it worked but figured what the hell and posted it for you.