And You Tell Me These Things, Because?
By: Unknownred
A/N: I do Not own Naruto or its Characters! It just came up in my head while I was fixing my bed (Lol_). One-Shot InoXShika! (First fanfic of them!)
It's a bizarre moment for me to take all this information in. I stared, wide eyed, immensely at my doctor; my lips parted. I was…speechless. How can this be? Me, have cancer? Cancer! So, I'm actually going to be bald! That's not the problem! I have cancer— I, INO YAMANAKA, HAVE cancer!
"Gomenasai." The doctor said, retreating out the door, "You'll have checks up three times a month, just to make sure, it hasn't worsened."
Worsened? How can it not? It's cancer! I could die from CANCER! But if I'm lucky…No! Luck can't take away cancer; this isn't luck! It would take a miracle to take this cancer away. A miracle…I like the sound of it…a miracle.
"Ms. Yamanaka, we want you to have a light schedule such as: No more shopping…" Did I hear correctly? No more shopping? Shopping! How can I live without shopping? It's like Naruto with his ramen! "No more eating junk food…" What! I don't eat— I rarely eat junk food! I'm not like Choje! "Nothing that makes you hyperventilate with excitement included boys, gossip, parties, and etc." I think I felt a snap in me, like a latch being open, and tearing all my life activities out of me and somewhere in the sea of nothing. Wait! But— "Oh and yes, I forgot…" He motioned his eyes to the clip board he was holding but I didn't hear him out; I just tuned him out.
Hard for me to take all this information in, it was getting hard for me to even breathe. He patted my shoulder, snapping me out of my thoughts and looking him straight in the eye, tired and well, shocked!
"Some…cancer…live…about…months…nothing…worry…still…time…" He said responsively but I only caught a few words. What? What did he say?
I sat down in the food court of the mall between BK and Wendy's. I stared at nothing personal except the people walking by. It wasn't much of observing them, it was just more of staring at them and they feeling chilled like they're being watched. Oh yeah!
This morning was like a movie being rewind over and over, repeatedly. I couldn't stand it, but once I'm latched onto something, it doesn't leave my mind. I have no idea what to do. I mean, I can't possibly tell everyone I have cancer or they'd all know and pity me. Worst possible scenario. It wouldn't be right anyways, I'd only feel worst.
No shopping…what am I supposed to do in the meantime?
No junk food…do you think I'd eat junk? I mean, come on! Look at me, I'm fit!
No excitement… does that include holidays?
No boys…are they suggesting I should like girls from now on?
No gossip…well…I can live with that.
No parties…hm…that's difficult to decide. I'll try.
Etc…can be anything active… wait! Does that mean, I can't have se—?
"Earth to Ino?" a hand waved in front of my face. My widened eyes, trailed from nothing in front of me and towards the face of my best friend, Sakura Haruno. She has pink hair how unusual (some people would say) that matched with her red outfit, her emerald eyes lit in confusion and concerned. "Are you okay? You seem spaced out?"
"Yeah, why?" I retorted back with a snort, "Besides I'd think you'd be the one to space out with that big forehead of yours."
She glared, "Funny." Then she went back in asking concern questions. "What's wrong?" Yes, but you can't help me. "Is there something in your mind that's troubling you?" Of course, I have freakin' CANCER!
I made a look, "Psh, not me! I don't get troubled over something so low, so belittle, so troublesome." Great, I'm totally turning into Shikamaru.
"Well, if it's nothing, then why aren't you shopping like you always do?" Sakura asked, tilting her head, leaning forward.
I leaned back in my chair and snorted, "I don't feel like it, that's why." I glanced down at my feet, "Don't ask stupid questions, Sakura." I then glanced up to see her face, hurt by my words. I felt a bit guilty but sometimes Sakura can be annoying especially if she's the one asking questions and not me.
"Gomen, I just thought you needed a friend." Sakura spoke, "I guess not." She stood and was ready to leave. I didn't do anything except watch her back turn…but then again, I couldn't stand being alone with my troubles and Sakura is here now…
"Hey," I spoke up after she took 5 steps away from me; she turned to me, "I'm sorry."
She didn't nod or anything special, she just stood there, took me in and then walked away. I didn't gape like I usually do when someone ditches me, I wasn't at all shock, but I felt like I knew she'd walk away anyways. I didn't feel anything, just a simple acknowledgement knowing she forgave me and moved on. And that's what I should be doing…moving on.
I stayed like that for ten minutes before lazily getting up and readied to go. I walked away from the food court and as I did so, I bumped into no other than Naruto Uzamaki and Uchiha Sasuke.
"Oh hey, Ino!" Naruto shouted into my ear. I winced and glared at him. No use glaring, he's simply oblivious to his surroundings even if it means in front of him too. He didn't seem to mind and just kept smiling at me.
"Naruto." I greeted, with a nod and turning to Sasuke, "Sasuke."
He nodded curtly. I didn't notice him carrying a cup of something in it. Looked like red. I stared at it. He noticed.
"For you." He offered the cup to me. I raised a brow and looked in the cup instead of his face.
"What is it?" I asked. Could be blood…nah, he wouldn't offer someone blood…unless it's his blood…nah…would he? "It's…not what I think it is…?"
"What do you think it is?" He asked, boredly.
I shrugged. The question is, why is thee Uchiha Sasuke offering me a drink? I mean, he has never done or probably did that to me before. What is he up to? Maybe he poisoned it or something! I mean, Sakura and I used to tease him about having fan girls…sick to think of it, we used to be one of them when we were young. I don't know why…
"It's from Sakura!" Naruto beamed, "She said you weren't feeling well…" Behind his words, Sakura must have been thinking I wasn't being myself around her. "And that she made a recipe of tomato juice to help. She had asked me and teme here, to bring it to you!"
"Asked?" I asked, quirking a brow, "Why would she ask thee Sasuke Uchiha to give me this? …Unless, you and her have something we don't know about?" I smirked.
"Yeah! Why is that I wonder!" Naruto shouted at no one particular and then went back to what he was doing. Whatever he was doing.
Sasuke didn't twitch, but knowingly, I knew there was a tint of blush in his cheeks. He was really good in hiding his emotions anyways.
"Diet." He said, pushing the drink into my hands.
What? "Excuse me?"
"Said she was thinking you were on a diet or something like that…" he said, turning around to leave.
Well that could be my excuse if I was ever to be offered any junk food. I looked down at the drink, and brought it to my nose. Ugh, nasty…tomato juice…"Er, thanks, I guess."
"Don't waste it." He said, he noted in a serious tone. Sasuke is soo serious in his stupid vegetable…or was it a fruit? I thought it was…oh never mind!
I refuse to even drink this stuff. After I left, I went to my hangout spot where my team usually meets at. When I got there, I saw Choje, Shikamaru and my sensai all gathered into a lil circle discussing whatever.
"Hey." I spoke up, breaking their conversations and turning their attention to me, "What are you guys talking about?"
"Um… our mission." Choje spat while eating his food. Choje angry? He only gets angry if someone ate his food. I quirk a brow in suspicion.
"Sure." I said, with fake belief in my tone. "So, what's the mission?"
"We have to protect someone." Choje spoke up. I turned my attention to sensai.
"Who do we have to protect?" I asked him. He seemed preoccupied that I had to repeat my question.
"Oh, sorry." Sensai sweat dropped then he became serious, "She's spoiled."
A girl! "Oh, sounds fun!" I put up a fake smile.
"Not just any spoil girl, a girl who likes the same things you do, shopping, eating junk food, boys, gossip, etc, etc…" Shikamaru announced.
"Okay, let me get one thing straight! I do not eat junk food, that's Choje's job. I might have eaten some but I'm fit and healthy!" I snapped at Shikamaru with a glare.
I turned my attention to Choje and sensai, "What's the reason of protecting this spoiled brat?" So annoyed!
I didn't go unnoticed as each of my team mate's eyes met each other's eyes like they were talking in code with their eyes!
"She might get hurt and die! She's fragile! So we were assigned to keep an eye on her at all times starting today. Make sure she doesn't do anything wild." Her sensai lectured.
Great, I have to baby-sit yet spy on this spoil girl who's fragile! Joy. I rolled my eyes, "Is that all?"
"No, let me give you the details to her personality. She loves to talk a lot (sounds like me), enjoys sketching flowers (Hm, it must be a small world, I might even have a twin sister!), dressing up (Well…we must have something in common then) and screaming her head off like a fan girl (Okay, never mind!)."
I shook my head in disappointment, "What does she look like?"
Sensai and Choje looked at each other than at Shikamaru. I felt an intense suspicion that they were hiding something from me.
"Beautiful." Shikamaru started, his gaze landing on me. I felt unfazed as our eyes met. "Her eyes is the dark sea in the galaxy, the stars would bow at the sight. Her skin is a fair blend of sand, as she keeps it moisture and soft, making the trees sway. Her cheeks ground up the pink tulips, smothered in them as it reaches her pure, masked lips." Is this poetry? Sounds like it. I didn't know Shikamaru would be the type to be a poet. Wow, it's just so memorizing.
I felt my cheeks hinting that it was going to burn soon. I turned my head away as soon as he finished his little description of this girl. I felt a bit envious that he would speak poetry from this girl he barely knows when he doesn't do it to her. Am I jealous? I never had this feeling before…not even for Shikamaru.
"So this girl… sounds like you know her…?" It wasn't much of a statement but a question. I glanced back at him as he shrugged.
"Seen her around." He admitted. My heart sank just a little.
"Do I know her?" I asked, shooting a failed attempt of interest in my voice.
"Probably. I don't know." He said, before turning towards Choje and sensai.
I sighed and sat on the ground beside them. I feel so tired and useless. I don't even know this girl! I don't even think I want to know this girl! She sounds so alike like me when I was younger! It can't be that—
"Okay team! We're on a mission, so let's start on it!" Sensai announced, shooting a fist in the air with Choje beaming with determination, food in hand and Shikamaru glancing now and then at me (must be thinking I didn't notice), and shrugging, "Troublesome."
I totally agree! I guess, that would be a once in a lifetime that you'll ever find me agreeing with lazy bum here.
After the meeting of our mission, Choje had left with sensai to get some dinner. Shikamaru and I continued to walk, following from behind. It was getting late and the sun was setting behind us.
"Sasu— Shikamaru!" I stammered, embarrassed that I almost called Shikamaru, Sasuke.
He looked at me, "Yeah?"
"I… (What was I going to say?) Um, n-never mind… I-I forgot." I stuttered, glancing at my hands.
I don't want to talk about the girl and how she sounded so alike from me! I didn't want to talk about anything exactly what I used to blurt out so many times! I especially didn't want to talk about Cancer!
"I liked your poetry." I blurted. :Mentally smacks self: Stupid!
"Nani?" He tilted his head towards me, glancing at the sky.
"That was poetry… back there, am I wrong?" I asked him, getting ahead of him and stopped in front of him. He stopped walking.
"What do you mean?" He asked. What do you mean? What do you mean! Come on, it was that OBVIOUS!
"I-I m-mean, when you were describing her to me…you described her in poetry. W-well, it s-sounded that way to m-me anyways." I stuttered non-stop, glancing away, here and there.
I didn't see his eyes, amused at the fact that I was stuttering and looking all flustered.
"I meant it when I said she was beautiful." He said, making me snap out of my clumsiness and stare at him with wide eyes. He smirked at my reaction.
"Oh? Well, have fun watching her then. I'll just simply go on my way then." I spun around on my heel and marched off, furious.
That's it! I can't believe I'm jealous at this girl who he barely knows and seen but— BUT that doesn't mean I like him! He's a jerk! I can't believe I'm falling for a man who has a thing for poetry and likes to pick random girls out of the crowd and tease them with fake, unreal words!
I stomped past the diner where Choje and sensai were at, waving at me and Shikamaru to hurry up. I froze, staring at a couple who were walking by, talking, laughing and being with each other. Look at them, I'll never have that. I have freakin' cancer in my blood! What if I die the next morning without warning and a goodbye to my friends who'll think I'm crazy for saying so! I won't have a chance to date, to give away my first kiss, to get married, have sex (THERE! I SAID IT!), to be a family, to have kids (okay, I don't know about having kids yet), to go on missions with my love and only…to die peacefully, not scarcely with him, alone. And there I stood, outside the diner, gazing at so many couples as they took pictures inside, had a grand laugh at a joke, made small kisses. I won't have that…I will never have that…
It's not fair. I've decided.
I shook my head; tears burned my eyes as it ran down my face, making my face turn red in embarrassment. The tingles that started under my eyes and moved to my cheeks were unbearable.
"Ino?" A voice called out from behind me.
I didn't turn around. I knew who it was but I didn't bother. I just stood there frozen; glaring at the ground with my eyes watering with tears; my hands at my side turned to fists and shook vibrantly.
"Hey," His soft voice cooing as he made a step behind me.
I moved up a step, "It's a first… huh?" I let my voice crack, "It'll be the last." And I wasn't talking about anything in particular like not giving away my first kiss or taking away my V-card. I was talking about how he's the first to see me cry, and he'll be the last to see it! Ever!
"Gomenasai." He spoke softly.
"What for? Why bother!" I snapped at him, turning around to give him my tear stained face.
He didn't look the least surprised but yet he did. His eyes widen a half of an inch as he took me in. I couldn't help but smirk at him.
"Hey guys! Are you coming or what?" Choje yelled at last, breaking the moment of awkwardness between us.
Shikamaru waved a hand signaling, to go away, we're talking. Choje didn't mind as he gobbled his food down.
"What do you care if I noted her beautiful? You never mentioned that you didn't like it." He spoke, with a bit of anger in his voice, "You never once made a hint for me to stop."
"I didn't know you like her!" I spat. After realizing what I said, half of me wished I took it back, and the other half meant it.
"Yeah? Maybe, I do." He said, admitting, "Again, what's it to you?"
"Nothing, it's just—" I yelled halfway, just stopping before I messed everything up. I can't ruin our friendship even if he is a jerk, a no good face, a troublesome daydreamer…But that's what I like about him, he doesn't really take things seriously but he does, he knows when to make sarcastic remarks that make me chuckle but makes me boil too. He knows how to comfort someone when they really need it but no one knows how caring he is than I do!
"I-I—" I started, and sniffed. I want to get this over with; I don't want our friendship to end! Just tell him what he wants to know! I swallowed, and wiped away my teary face, making a weak smile.
"You know, I had a feeling something was up." I said, making him quirk a brow up in interest, "You know how you, Choje and sensai all gave that eye code thing? It made me want to ask questions, but that's what I do. I ask questions, and I know it's so annoying and in your case, troublesome."
It hurts to tell him but I have to do it. Just say it simple, I. Have. Cancer. "I feel like that girl is me in some way. We have the same common things, all our latest interest and active activities and somehow I feel that we are similar in many ways. But there are some differences in us too, like she's fragile and spoiled and I'm not." I smiled sadly, looking down at our feet. "Your poetry fits her so well. Even I couldn't guess why until my big mouth blurted that you liked her."
He didn't say anything. I'd wouldn't too if I was him.
"—ex." I said, whispered.
"What?" He answered, "Did you just say sex?"
I chuckled, "Yes, yes I did."
I looked at him, "Surprised at the term, ha!"
His face turned bright red in the dim night. I snickered.
"No matter, Shika-kun, I will never… (Wait, did I just call him Shika-KUN?)" I stopped talking as he interrupted.
"Did you just call me Shika-kun?" He asked, amused. He took the extra spaces between up and stop when there was not even a space left.
I didn't answer him. I was surprised myself. I blushed, "N-no."
I could feel his breath swerve down my neck. I made a slight shiver, backing away but he didn't let that happened. His hand held my shoulders.
"I-I…I…" I felt more shivers down my back creep up to my arms as I felt a burning sensation fill my cheeks. And then I whispered, "I have cancer."
"Hm?" He made a sound; clearly he couldn't hear me say it.
I stood there silently and then I looked up at him, straight in the eye and spoke a little louder, "I have cancer."
I didn't see the shock in his eyes but I knew he was quite speechless that I have admitted my weakness to him.
There was mostly silence from him. He didn't move and it felt like we were drowning under water, not able to breathe. It felt like forever until I felt feverish and answered, "Say something."
"And you tell me these things, because?" He asked, clearly devastated.
I didn't know what to say. I thought it was instinct, the right to say what I just said. I mean, wouldn't it? I didn't want to bottle it all up and die with it lidded. It wouldn't be right, it would be tortured.
And it looked like he really wanted to know what's up. And I gave it to him. I told him I had cancer. No concern, no pity, nothing. What the heck? But he didn't drop his mouth in shock, he didn't scream what, he didn't run into the diner tell the team or anything. If he did, I'd take matter into my own hands. But, so would he. Cuz its Shikamaru Nara, the guy thinks every little thing is troublesome and yet he takes most of it into his hands and makes it right. He makes me right.
"Because…" I gently grabbed onto his shirt, and tip toed up to his ear and whispered, "I… like you."
A/N: Hey, I hope you like the story. If you do, I'm thinking of making a sequel just for the heck of it, cuz I really do think there should be one. Anyways, you guys must be confused on some what and what not. But like I said, if there's a sequel then there will be information, answers included. And plots and yeah, w/e. Plz gimme feedback! :D