Thanks again to all of you who read my fics. I really appreciate your comments and support. I'd like to thank Fanficfanatic940 for always being an inspiration and the love of my life; Happy New Year, everyone.
I hope you enjoy Cure.
Ino carelessly arranged the photographs framed on her night stand while resting on her purple comforter on her bed. She held up her most precious picture closer, one of Asuma, Kurenai and her friends, Chouji and Shikamaru and her. She paused and placed her thumb softly on Asuma's figure. Her eyes fogged and glistening moisture filmed over her azure eyes.
Abruptly, there were three disciplined knocks on her door and Ino snapped out of her illusion.
"Orders from Tsunade for Yamanaka Ino," three men, all in uniform and around the same age and height were standing resolute on her step. The young man in front handed over a folded piece of parchment and nodded at Ino. A moment later, the men were gone and Ino returned to her bed, door slammed shut.
Ino skimmed her hands over the seal and pried the red resin apart, revealing words she had hoped would never be her responsibility.
"There has been an outbreak of an unknown bacterial infection of the lungs. There is a way to cure the disease. Please visit my office for further instruction. Signed, The Fifth."
Ino groaned and cursed herself for picking a terrible day to stay home from working in the flower shop. She rubbed her tear soaked cheeks and pushed her legs to walk out into the world and face the news.
The young Yamanaka waltzed into the Hokage's office, awaiting her orders. None of which included caring about her fallen master, her friends that loved him just as much, or the woman that meant the world to him, Kurenai. Asuma was gone, Ino had to accept it, move on. Stay the sharp weapon she had worked years to build herself into. The Hokage studied Ino, trying to read her face and body language.
"We're waiting for two more guests," Tsunade spoke, her folded hands supporting the bottom of her chin, "of course we made a team for this mission."
Ino evened her weight on her legs and readied herself for her teammates. Both of which she knew were hurt just as badly as her. Her eyes wandered to Tsunade's desk, searching the room for somewhere to hide her emotions, stow them away.
It was ten minutes later that Shikamaru strolled into Tsunade's office, accompanied by Suna ambassador, Temari.
"Sorry we're late; I just came from the hospital." Shikamaru said dryly. There was urgency to his short words. "I ran into Temari on the way up here. Chouji has fallen ill."
"No…" Ino breathed out, "Why? First Kurenai and now Chouji. What's going on?" she had held her thoughts too long and let them all out. "Tsunade, let me get the cure. What do we need?"
Temari spoke before Tsunade could sigh and explain herself. "Sorry, I must have come at a bad time. I'll be leaving. I just wanted to bring news from the Kazekage that the infection hasn't reached us yet. That's all."
"It's alright, Temari. Thank you for giving me that news. It may help you to know we're working on a cure. Give the Kazekage my regards." The Fifth added a nod in Temari's direction.
"I'll be off now. Nice seeing you, Shikamaru." She said as she passed him by, her perfume still lingering in his senses.
"Bye" He let out at length, stifling a smile.
Ino gawked at the door closing behind the temptress and narrowed her eyes as she glanced towards Shikamaru. He stared back with a questioned expression. Emotion filled his eyes as he wished he could tell Ino about what had happened to Chouji. And like a pendulum, Tsunade's hands sweeped to the top of her desk, releasing her chin, and with a loud pang the duo turned their attention to the Hokage.
"As you know, this epidemic is getting serious. One of the elders has gone into a coma and might die. Others are getting dangerously close. However, if you two can find the herbs we've been looking for, we can finish the medicine before any unnecessary casualties arise," Tsunade pointed at two green leather envelopes on her desk.
"You'll find in these packets a map and illustrations of the herbs. There are four kinds and the farthest will be found on the peak of the mountain ranges to the north, close to Otogakure."
"I've heard tales about those mountains, one that's shrouded in some kind of white, sparkling mist," Shikamaru added.
"Yes, the mist could be dangerous, but it might just be a natural fog. Be on your guard and set out as soon as possible. We need to finish this before time runs out." Tsunade beaconed for them to come closer to her desk, "Take these and come back as quick as you can. We're all counting on you."
As Shikamaru and Ino left Tsunade's office, the two walked in silence through the corridors and finally out to the street.
"Well," Shikamaru started, "I guess we've got a lot more on our hands."
"Yeah, you're right. What about Chouji? Is he going to be alright?"
"I'm not sure. He looked really pale and his eyes were distant. I couldn't tell you if he'll be okay or not."
Ino was shocked to hear Shikamaru so pessimistic about their best friend. "I'm going to see him."
"Ino, don't be ridiculous. It's really late and we've got to set out tomorrow morning before the sun rises."
"Oh, right. Of course. I'm a shinobi and my whole purpose is to not care if anyone I love gets hurt!" She spat out the last two words to add more spite.
"You know I don't feel that way. We've just got to focus on our orders and get this done. If we can help Chouji, it might be better to just see him when he's well."
"Have you even visited Kurenai at the hospital at all, Shikamaru? Do you realize what this might do to the," She stopped, her voice growing weaker, "baby…"
Shikamaru staggered and hushed his tone. "Ino," he walked closer to her as her body trembled, full of hurt for everyone else. "I know. We can fix this. We've got to give it a try. Chouji will be fine as long as they keep him fed, and Kurenai will pull through. She's more head strong than any woman I've had to put up with. They will be okay, Ino." He placed one hand on her shoulder and leaned closer to her, bending his arm around her neck to offer some comfort, "We'll all be okay."
Ino gave into emotions and let her tears fall onto Shikamaru's shirt. He closed his arms around her and felt how much pain she'd kept in for these past weeks. It was hard for him to watch, as he couldn't do anything to help her, but he was thankful to comfort her while she was finally letting her tears go.
"I'm sorry, Sh.. ka.." Ino tried to speak between her tears and coughed out another, "I'm sorry."
"Don't be sorry, Ino. You care about everyone so much and let worry get the best of you."
The winter cold whipped across them, and rain pooled around them. Ino's sore eyes ached on Shikamaru, and he let out his own sadness. The two held each other in the rain, ignoring the cold and quiet rumble of thunder far away.
After a while of exposure, Ino quickly withdrew her arms from Shikamaru's side. "Sorry, Shikamaru. I've just kept everything inside for so long, I can't let it get me down tomorrow."
"I understand." Shikamaru said, letting her out of his arms. "You know, I think we should visit Chouji. He would like that."
Ino smiled and Shikamaru beamed inside, silently, thankful again that he had made her day a little better.
The two walked to the hospital and into Chouji's room. He was lying down, peacefully watching the sunset behind his heavy eyelids. His hair was lax, brushed out onto the cushioning pillows behind his pale face. His smile was vacant as they entered his room; his eyes full of concern.
"Shikamaru, Ino," His voice was exhausted and raspy. "Thanks for coming. How are you?"
"We're fine, Chouji. How are you feeling?" Ino spoke softly into the stringent hospital air.
"I'll be okay soon enough. You're going on a mission?"
"Yeah, we're setting out tomorrow," Shikamaru considered the mortality of the situation. After Asuma had left this world, life seemed shorter than the wick of a cheap candle; something that could easily be blown away into the wind. "Take care while we're gone."
Chouji laughed, and coughed, "Ahaha, yeah man. You got it. Take care of Ino while you're out there! She looks like a mess."
Ino would have defended herself if it was any other time, but she reserved. "Oh, Chouji. You can laugh at me all you want. I'm just really tired."
"Right, we all need our rest tonight. Tomorrow's going to be a big day for us." Shikamaru added.
"I'll be seeing you in a few days, Ino, Shikamaru. Don't run so fast that I can't catch up." He smiled, that signature smile that his best friends always found incouraging.
"Yeah!" Ino returned his smile.
"Get well soon, old friend." Shikamaru smiled back, patting Chouji on the hand and walking out of the room.
"Take care, Chouji. We'll miss you." Ino smiled through her pain and followed after Shikamaru to the lobby where he was staring out a picture window.
"Are you ready to go? Tomorrow's going to be rough. Get as much sleep as you can." He said coldly, covering up his pain.
"Thank you, again, Shikamaru. This meant a lot to me."
"Not a problem. It really is late though."
"Right, we should head home now. What time will you be awake?"
"Four thirty."
"Alright, I'll set my alarm"
"Set five."
Out the doors, they headed into the night. "What is that supposed to mean?" Ino squawked back playfully.
"You can't wake up, woman!" Shikamaru laughed lighthearted. "Seriously, you could sleep next to a waterfall if you had to."
"Speak for yourself, lazy bum!" Ino laughed back, "At least I wake up in the morning! You would stay in bed all day if you had the chance."
"Yeah, you're right." He added, "But waking up takes too much effort some days."
"You are so troublesome." Ino laughed more.
"Me? Hah! You're one to talk."
They laughed, knowing this may be the last time they could laugh freely before their mission and headed towards their homes. Ino's was closest. She stood outside the flower shop, searching in her pocket for her house key.
"Did you remember your keys?" Shikamaru asked sheepishly.
"Yeah, it's around here somewhere. My parents always leave a spare under the mat in the flower shop."
"Your dad's still with your mom at the clinic?" Shikamaru noted the lights weren't even dim in Ino's pitch black house.
"Yeah, but she's just fine. It's got nothing to do with the infection though. She's just got back problems once and while."
"Huh. Is that so?"
"Yeah, so dad is staying with her right now. It's really awful coming home to an empty house."
"How so? I'd love that." Shikamaru snickered again, "I wish MY mom had back problems. She's got a problem with everything else in the world."
Ino was too distracted to respond. Her key had gone missing. "I can't find it."
"What?"
"My key, I can't find it."
"Did you try the mat yet?"
"Dammit. Where is it?" Ino ignored him again, walking towards the mat in front of her porch. She lifted the corners and groped around in the darkness. "Aha!" She grasped the shining metal key from the mat and unlocked her door. "Shikamaru?"
He had fallen asleep standing up, his mouth gaping open, mid-sentence, as he snored silently. Ino shook the shadow-nin until he came to and realized what had happened. "Morning already?"
"No, you fell asleep in front of my house while I was looking for my key."
"I'm really out of it."
"You can stay here if you want to; your house is still a little farther from here."
"Thanks, I'll just sleep on the couch. We have to get going as soon as the sun rises."
"Right." Ino blinked. "Will your parents be okay?"
"Yeah, they probably think I already started the mission."
"That's good. Come on in, make yourself at home."
Ino turned on the hall lights and showed Shikamaru where the bathroom and kitchen was if he needed to use them. She got out some comforters and pillows from a closet and neatly arranged them on the couch.
"Thanks Ino."
"No problem. Can I get you anything else before you sleep?"
"Hmm, I'd like a glass of water. But I'll get that myself. Goodnight."
"Night."
Ino drifted to her room, flipping on the lights so she could change into her pajamas and take down her hair. She stared into her mirror, brushing her neat ponytail into flowing locks of golden hair. She set the brush on the night stand and looked at the photos she arranged before turning off her lamp.
Ino tossed in her sheets and finally got up again; walking out into the living room. Shikamaru was filling a glass with water from the tap when he heard her footsteps creak on the wooden floor.
"Shikamaru..." Ino whispered.
"Yes?" He asked, carrying the glass of water to his makeshift bed and setting it on the coffee table. "What is it Ino? Everything okay?"
"Yes," she said swiftly, "Well, um. No, not exactly."
"What is it? You can tell me."
"Well, it's just . . . I'm really nervous."
"I know, but what about now?"
"I'm nervous about Chouji."
"Ino, he's going to be fine! I'm telling you."
"Yeah, but . . . After we lost," her words trailed off into nothing. "Asuma."
Shikamaru's eyes leaked down, staring at the glass in front of him. He lifted it slightly, setting it down after taking a discrete sip. "It's hard to deal with."
"It's not hard to deal with, it's hard to just forget like everyone wants us to."
"I'm sorry. There's really nothing I can do to help you though."
"What if I was someone else?" She said with venom.
"Someone else?"
"Yeah, you'd help you're little Temari." Her frown burrowed deep into her expression as she spoke nonsense words into the sleepless night.
"Temari? Why do you think that?"
"You're with her all the time."
"Why should you even care?"
Ino was taken back. Why should I care? She shook her head and got up from the couch. "Nevermind. Goodnight, Shikamaru. I won't bother you again. Get some rest."
He took a deep breath and watched Ino return to her room, her shadow dancing in the light shown through the gap under her door. Movement stopped and the light went out, her shadow blending with the shade of the evening.
"Women are so troublesome" Shikamaru sighed and gave into exhaustion.
Thanks for reading! There's more coming soon. Don't forget to review !