Lips of an Angel
Ring ring.
"Shikamaru, can you get the phone please?"
'What a drag…' "Yeah, yeah, Temari."
He checks the caller ID before picking up the phone.
"Unknown caller?" He pondered for another second. "Hello? Nara residence here, Shikamaru speaking."
He heard a giggle from the other end. "Well Shika, you sound like you're actually interested in talking," the other person said in a small voice.
"What? Who ar- Ino?" His eyes widen as he recognizes the voice.
"Good job, genius boy."
"Hardy har, princess. Why are you calling so late?"
He hears Ino start to sob on the other line.
"I- Ino, why are you crying? Is everything alright?" He whispered.
"No, not really. Why are you whispering?"
"Well, Temari's in the other room. Not that I really want her there. But please, tell me what's wrong."
"I don't think I should. It might not be good for our relationship.
"Ino, something is wrong with my best friend, and I want to know. Please tell me," he said sternly.
Ino sighs and ponders, "I miss you, okay? Sai's a great guy, but he's just not for me. I miss what we had. You and I."
Shikamaru sits on the bed, his mouth agape. "Ino, I don't know what to say," he chuckles, trying to comprehend the situation.
"I haven't moved on! I miss Shikamaru and Ino! Not Shikamaru and Temari or Sai and Ino!"
"Ino, I miss what we had too," he sighs. "But what can we do?"
"I know. Temari loves you. I can't do anything about that. She'd probably give you hell just for talking to me," she laughs bitterly.
"Ino, that's not fair. She doesn't even know we're talking, besides Sai would probably act the same way."
"I left him."
"W- what?" Even though he was shocked, those words were music to his ears.
"I told him I couldn't do it. I gave him the ring back, and he said he understood completely."
"He took it? Just like that?"
"Well, I was crying all day. I told him what today meant to me, and he understood. Do you remember what today is?" He could hear the mix of hope and desperation in her voice.
"Today?" He thinks, and his voice softens when he realizes.
"Of course I do."
She giggles, "Good. You know, I've dreamt about you. About us."
"I know, so have I. I dreamt about our wedding day. You in your dress and me in a tux. I've dreamt about our children. A girl , brown hair and blue eyes, and a boy, blonde with black eyes."
"Sadly, it doesn't seem like those dreams will happen, will they?"
"No, I don't think so Ino. But you never know what will happen in the future, right?"
"I guess so. Well, I'll let you get back to Temari. I miss you, Shika."
"I miss you too, Ino. I miss your sweet voice saying my name."
"Shika, you flirt," she giggles.
"Words spoken out of the lips of an angel, Ino."
She laughs, "Whatever, you player. Happy Today. Bye." She hangs up.
Shikamaru hangs up the phone and stares at it for a moment.
"I miss you. Happy Anniversary, Ino my angel."