Chapter 1 – She's Out of my Life
"Ino, wait!" Shikamaru yelled as he trailed after Ino. "Let me explain," he said as he grabbed her wrist and slightly pulled her so that she will face him. Ino stopped, withdrew her hands from his grip without looking at him, then angrily faced Shikamaru with her fiery gaze full of different emotions – anger, hurt, resentment, and so much more, that threatens to erupt any time.
"What is there to explain, Shika? Do you have anything left to say? Isn't it clear that you have been unfaithful to me? That you betrayed me with that sand ninja? Aaaarrrggghhh…" she closed her eyes as tears came streaming down her face, one after the other. She tried so hard to keep those tears in. Hell, she even promised herself minutes ago that she wouldn't cry. For a moment, none of them spoke a word. The other bowed her head and kept her eyes closed while tears kept on falling; while the other looked on with sorrowful eyes full of guilt and regret, cursing himself over and over again, tears also starting to form in his eyes that used to look bored and devoid of emotions.
Then suddenly, Ino wiped her tears and stared at him. "For all the years that we've known each other, I never even thought…" she trailed off, hurt is still traced in her voice. She continued, "I never even thought that you would betray me. I thought you were different from other guys. But now, I learned that you are also one of them. Probably worse than them…" Shikamaru closed his eyes, her words stung him and pierced his heart.
"I'm so sorry Ino," he said, his voice broken. "I didn't mean it… I didn't know it would end up like this…" He paused and then fixed his gaze on her again. "I wasn't on the right mind that time. It was after a major fight, and I was scared out of my wits that you will break up with me. I was so miserable. Naruto and the others told me take a night out and have a drink to ease my depression. Then when we arrived, I saw you having an intimate and animated conversation with Sai that jealousy crept into me. I saw Temari, got drunk, and unknowingly hooked up with her…" Pain appeared in Ino's blue eyes. "What happened between us was an accident, I swear. In our drunken state, we didn't really know what was happening… I swear Ino, if I could just turn back time, I would be ten times more careful. I wouldn't have gotten drunk in the first place. I wouldn't do something that will break us apart. You know how I love you Ino. You're the only one I want to be with… I can't live without you Ino, so please--"
Ino's lips curled into a bitter smile. "Please what Shika? You're asking me to stay? But what about her? She's pregnant, for god's sake! And what about me? Do you expect that after this, I would be able to trust you again? What about my feelings Shika? Have you ever thought about me? Or are you too absorbed with your fear of losing me that you don't respect my feelings -- that you don't even ask me what I want?"
Shikamaru's eyes widened. Sure, that's so selfish of him. He didn't even ask Ino about what she wanted. He only cared about his feelings. He only thought of explaining his side of the story. But he's scared of what Ino would say next. It doesn't sound good…
There was a momentary pause. Ino sighed, then started again, "What would you do if I tell you that I'm also pregnant?"
Shikamaru's eyes widened even more. Could it be? Oh god, what kind of mess did he get himself into? "A-a-are you, Ino?"
She burst into a forced laugh. "No. I was just kidding." Shikamaru wasn't sure if he was more relieved or disappointed. Then she turned serious again. "I just wanted to see how you will react; if you would choose me over her, despite the very messy situation. You know how I am Shika. I've been selfish ever since. I've always wanted to win… Losing wasn't in my vocabulary…" She started to turn his back again from him to leave. After a couple of steps away, she looked back to see him stare at her with longing. "But this time it's different. You have to do the right thing… I'm letting you go…"
She walked away as Shikamaru's gaze followed her. He wanted to go after her, but what would he say? Ino seems resolved on letting him go. And he has to face the consequences of his action, even if that would mean that his life will never be happy again.
When Ino turned around the corner and was out of his sight, he knew that he'd lost her forever.
The moment Ino opened her eyes, she looked around and found that she was already in her dark room. It was now evening and she can't see anything. She remembered that after her talk with Shikamaru that morning, she instinctively went home with her mind drifting, her senses numb. She fell asleep, exhausted from all the things that are bothering her. Then pain kept coming back to her and she recalled her dire situation.
She remembered clearly how Tsunade talked to her about it when she got summoned to the woman's office early in the morning. And the worst part is that she was the last to know.
Flashback:
"Hokage-sama, you called for me?" Ino asked as she was led into Tsunade's office.
"Yes. I am about to discuss to you a very serious subject Ino." Tsunade seemed to hesitate on how she's going to tell Ino the news. And by the looks of it, Ino believes what would come out from the hokage's lips wouldn't be good. And she feared it.
"Is it a mission?" she inquired. "Would I be --"
"No, Ino. It is not a mission. In fact, I've decided not to give you any missions for a couple of months. Actually, I have news for you…" She paused for a moment, and then continued… "I know you're dating Nara Shikamaru for a couple of years --" Shikamaru? This has something to do with Shika? Oh no, this doesn't look good. Did something happen to him?
"Three and a half years." Despite the uneasiness that she's feeling in the pit of her stomach, she still had the nerve to correct the hokage. Ino and Shikamaru have known each other ever since they were just children. Their families are very tight. Her father and Shika's father had been on a team together with the older Akimichi, even before they were born. The offsprings of the older InoShikaChou also became teammates and comrades when they were just 12. But Shikamaru and Ino only realized their feelings for each other and started dating when they were both 18. That was, as what she pointed out just seconds before, 3 ½ years ago.
"Three and a half," Tsunade continued. "And I understand that you are very much attached to him, that you love him. But…" Oh no, this is it… "you can't see each other anymore."
WHAT?? She heard the finality in the older woman's voice. "What? But why?" She's confused and angry at the same time. Although the woman in front of her holds the highest position in the village, she cannot let her seize Shikamaru away from her. He's been the best thing that ever happened to her. Her life will definitely end if they will not end up with each other. At some point, she has already planned out the rest of her life with him.
"Oh god, what would I say? How would I say this to Ino?" thought the hokage. What she will lay down on Ino next would be the hardest part of this. And she's thinking of possible ways to tell her that would minimize the pain she would feel. "I felt how she felt. I've also lost my only love decades ago, although not under the same circumstances," she reflected. Still, the pain is almost the same.
Then Tsunade continued, "You can't see him because…" She cleared her throat. "…because… he's marrying Temari." She could see the shock and hurt flash before Ino's blue eyes and pretty face. A pool of tears raced down her face, dampening her pretty features. Well, so much for minimizing the pain. "Temari's expecting a child… and Nara is the father…" Ino's mouth opened in surprise. Are they really talking about the same guy here?
"Apparently, that's what happened. When the elders in Sunagakure knew about Temari's situation, they stormed all the way here in Konoha to demand the marriage of Nara and Temari. She's the daughter of the previous Kazekage and the sister of the current one, for heaven's sake! The village protected her. And if we don't hold the marriage soon, we'll be dead. The sand village could severe their ties to us…" And it is not something to be ignored. Konohagakure almost got destroyed when, acting upon Orochimaru's order, the Sand tried to invade them in the past, when the Third Hokage was still alive and was still the leader of Konoha. Later on, when Suna found out that it was Orochimaru who was controlling them, they signed a treaty that would ensure peace and alliance between the two powerful villages.
Ino understood. If she fought for her feelings for Shikamaru, their beloved village could be destroyed. But would Shikamaru also fight for her? She cringed at the thought. She understood that she has to stand aside to save Konoha, but that doesn't mean that her anger would just vanish. She hates Shikamaru for screwing Temari. And she also hated herself for not seeing it coming. Did he really cheat on her? Well, there is evidence: the pregnancy. Of course, he cheated! But how long is he sneaking behind her back? He should have told her in her face that he didn't love her anymore – that he has already found another. It would be very much less painful that way. And he should have told her himself, so that she should have saved herself from the humiliation of standing in front of the village's leader, under her pitying looks. "I don't need pity," she thought. "I shouldn't be vulnerable in others' eyes." She wiped her eyes and promised never to cry again. She then lifted her chin up and looked straight in the hokage's eyes.
"Is that all, hokage-sama? If you're scared of me getting in the way, don't worry. I assure you I wouldn't crash the party. And if you're concerned about me, don't be. I'll be just fine. If you have nothing more to say, Tsunade-sama, I'm going." And with that, she turned towards the door and quietly left.
"Ino, dinner's ready!" There was an urgent knock on her door, thus ending her reverie. "You've been there in your room for almost a day already! You haven't eaten a single thing all day! Would you please unlock the door and let us in?" She heard her mother saying with concern in her voice.
"I'm not hungry. Go away," she tried to scream but the words came out as a whisper and even she barely heard herself.
"Baby, please let us in. We're worried about you," Her father said next. "Please open this door."
A moment passed, and still, no door opened. Her parents waited, but after a full five minutes, her father got impatient. He broke her room's door and switched the lights on.
"Ino!" They simultaneously screamed as they saw their pale daughter lying on the floor unconsciously.
Guys, thanks for the reviews! I really appreciated it. I nearly cried when I saw how much you liked my story... You don't know how much your reviews mean a lot to me... It really keeps me going...
I'm still about halfway on Chapter 2. But I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I could post it this weekend. I hope you read it and I hope I won't fall short of your expectations... And please review! Again, thanks a lot! Love you guys!