A/N: Thank you so much for the warm reviews! So here goes!
CHAPTER TWO
He appeared to be sleeping when Ino was close enough. He seemed to not hear her for he continued closing his eyes. Both his arms were spread wide at his sides, his face taunted up at the dark sky, his breathing shallow. Even in sleep, he was still wearing his scowl, which Ino found oddly amusing.
He suddenly stirred and Ino started from gazing. She waited for a moment but he didn't wake up so she asked, "Are you awake?" Her question unanswered. Maybe she could at last make a new friend tonight. "Hello?"
He woke up. Grunting, the boy opened his eyes and to Ino's surprise, he was glaring at her. He must be mad, Ino thought. Well, who wouldn't?
"What do you want?" He snapped.
Ino blinked. "You don't have to be so harsh."
"I can 'cause you woke me from my sleep. What do you want?"
"I was just wondering what you're doing here."
"I was sleeping, obviously." He scowled again. "And why do you have to wake me up? Just when I thought I can have some sleep here. Why can't people stop bugging me?"
"Hey, don't take your anger on me." Ino began to feel annoyed. "Look, I'm sorry I wake you okay? I just thought—well, I just feel weird seeing you here. Nobody has ever come to the beach to sleep, especially at night. You're the first."
"Oh, I was honored. Thank you very much. Now can you leave me alone?"
"This isn't your beach and you have no right to order me around. I'll come and go as I please." Ino couldn't help but raised her voice.
"Oh, yeah?" The boy got up and Ino's head shot upwards. He was tall, at least a head taller (or more) than her. "Then I supposed I should be the one to leave this place, huh? Fine! As you wish. Women are so troublesome." He stormed from her view, sulking all the way.
Ino gaped at his fading back. She had never met someone so rude!
Ino hoped against hope that she'd never have to see that boy again but to her disappointment, he was already there the moment she arrived at her rock on the following night.
He was lying on the sand as usual, appeared to be sleeping. Ino didn't give a damn. She won't disturb him anymore no matter how (strangely) annoying his presence made her. Wasting no time, she took her guitar out and played a couple of her favorite songs until suddenly she was disturbed by someone standing behind her back.
"Can I request a song?" Ino whirled and saw his trademark scowl. "Shut Up? Thank you."
He walked away before Ino could even protest. What was his issue anyway? Ino thought angrily as she put down her guitar.
But when Ino stepped down from her rock to confront him, he had disappeared.
The next day, Ino didn't go to the beach. One: she was so pissed at the boy for being so rude to her and stole her spot. Two: she had an appointment with her doctor that day.
As usual, Ino made her therapy routine. She held her hands out for Tsunade to see, stretching and flexing her fingers imitating Tsunade's movements. At the end of her therapy, Tsunade seemed satisfied with her progress.
"Okay, everything seems fine. Your nerves are all working in order," she scribbled something on her chart. "I'll see you on the next visit. Don't forget to tell your parents, okay?"
"Thank you doctor," said Ino as she stood up. "My birthday this September… You're coming right?"
Tsunade smiled warmly. "Of course."
"I wonder what will I have for this year," Ino stared at the ceiling dreamily. "My birthday presents seems bigger and bigger each time. Last time I got a plasma TV."
"Well, isn't that great? Maybe they'll buy you a car this time."
"Nah, I don't have a license."
"Okay, maybe an electric guitar?"
"That'll be nice." Her expression dropped. "My parents are afraid that it would be my last birthday."
"How can you think of something like that?"
"I know I'm not going to live long, doctor. And they knew, too."
"Ino, you listen to me. Don't ever think of dying. You don't have to worry about that. Just live your life the way you wanted to. Savor each and every second. Live happy."
"I always do that. I'm living my life at the fullest."
Tsunade kindly escorted her out. "Doctor," Ino murmured softly. "I know I won't live for another full year, maybe even half a year but I always hope I could live a day after another day. I don't think I want to die just yet before I could be a real singer."
Tsunade made no comment but her expression meant that she was hoping the same thing too.
"What do you think about my dress?" Sakura danced in front of her. She was wearing a bright red knee-length summer dress, her hair was styled and she wore a generous amount of makeup on her face. It was the fifth summer night, the night where Ino supposed to go double-date with Sakura and Naruto and his anonymous friend (perhaps that handsome boy Sasuke?)
"It's pretty and you look gorgeous." Ino commented, smiling at her friend. She, herself was wearing a short lavender cotton dress and paired it with ballet flats. Her hair was down and she too was wearing makeup like Sakura, but in very minimum amount. "Naruto's gonna love you."
"Oh, I hope he will!" Sakura linked an arm around Ino's and dragged her out of the house. "Sasuke's gonna love you too. Come on! I'd promised we'll meet them at the bar!"
They made their way and soon arrived at the promised place. A blonde was already seated far at the corner with someone accompanying him. Someone with black hair. Suddenly filled with excitement, Ino and Sakura hurriedly went to them. Once near enough, Ino's stomach gave a funny jolt. It wasn't Sasuke.
It was the boy she met at the beach.
Ino's hope for an enjoyable night crushed. "Sakura," she whispered. "That's not Sasuke!"
"Yeah," Sakura whispered back. "I wonder why Naruto didn't bring him along. Said Sasuke's his best friend!"
"Sakura-chan!" Naruto jumped from his seat and greeted them whilst the other boy didn't bother at all. He remained sitting and continued staring at the wall. "Whoa! You look great!"
"You too!" Sakura giggled and seized Ino's elbow, dragging her forward. "This is my best friend, Yamanaka Ino! And this is—?"
Naruto hurled the boy to stand and faced them. "Nara Shikamaru!" The boy scowled when his brown eyes met the blue. "Actually I want to bring Sasuke but he couldn't come! Said urgent family matters! Kiba's unavailable too – his dog's sick! – Nice to meet you by the way! Sakura's right, you're so kawaii! And Shikamaru this is—"
"Beach artist." Shikamaru mumbled before Naruto could proceed to introduce Ino to him. Ino huffed; she knew he meant 'beach' but the way he said the word as if 'bitch'. Naruto and Sakura gaped.
"You two have met before?" They spoke in unison.
"Twice." Ino explained to Sakura. "At the beach."
"Oh, that's great!" Sakura exclaimed. "Why don't you tell me?"
"There's nothing great about it really," Ino glared at Shikamaru.
"That solves it!" Naruto beamed. "Since you two know each other then I suppose we go different ways!" Sakura jumped and linked her arm around Naruto's. She looked really cheerful.
"WHAT?" Ino and Shikamaru bellowed.
"Let's separate!" Naruto proceeded to the exit. "See you guys later!"
"Ino, wait for me okay! We'll go home together!" Sakura shouted and the couple vanished from their sight.
Ino stood motionless at Sakura's fading back, her mouth hanging open. How could Sakura left her with him?! Then she started when the boy followed the couple's cue. Not wanting to be left behind, Ino trailed after him.
"Where are you going?"
"Home." Was his simple answer. "If I knew it'll turn out this way then I wouldn't come. How troublesome."
"Oh really?" Ino retorted, feeling the anger risen up within her. "Then why bother?"
"Because Naruto keep insisting and won't shut up and leave me alone, said he's gonna introduce me to such a kawaii girl. I didn't know it was you." Shikamaru turned when he heard Ino's footsteps faded from his ears. The girl had stopped walking and now was sitting on a bench outside the bar. "Hey, aren't you leaving?"
"Just because you want to go home doesn't mean I want to do the same thing too," Ino flipped her hair. "I'm going to wait for Sakura."
Shikamaru narrowed his eyes. "Alone? I bet she and Naruto are going to take the whole night. You'll be bored to death."
"Oh, I know ways to entertain myself. Couldn't be that hard." Ino spared a glance at the boy who continued standing at the end of the road. "Don't bother me. Just go home, will you? That's what you want, isn't it?"
A second thought passed Shikamaru's mind. "You have no right to order me around. I'll come and go as I please," he quoted her, acquiring himself another glare from the girl. Then he neared her.
"Suit yourself," Ino mumbled as Shikamaru took a seat two feet away from her. She didn't understand why the boy cancelled his intention to go home and chose to sit with her instead. He couldn't be waiting for Naruto too, could he?
"I'm fine waiting by myself." Ino voiced her heart out. "You don't have to keep me company."
"Who says I'm gonna keep you company?" Shikamaru replied with a smug tone. "I just feel like hanging around here, that's all."
His careless remarks made Ino blushed.
After sitting a few minutes in stony silence, Shikamaru stood up. Finally, Ino thought. She didn't mind him leaving her. She was fine waiting for Sakura alone. It wasn't like his company was any more enjoyable. Three meetings but they were still neck and neck. If only he was Sasuke. Surely Sasuke was much more interesting and fun.
"What do you want to drink?" Ino started when he asked. "My treat."
Ino stared unbelievably at him. One second he was annoyed at her and one second after he seemed like offering peace. Ino was torn to accept, but his expression had softened and he seemed sincere. Maybe he felt making enemies with her ruining his summer.
"Beer," Ino uttered at last.
He came back with two Cokes in hand and handed one to her.
"I said I want beer."
"The vending machines haven't got any," he thrust the can into her hands. "Besides, you aren't old enough to drink beer. You have to be at least twenty."
"How did you know?"
"I can tell." Shikamaru opened the can and sipped his drink, Ino copied him.
"Oh. Then how old are you?"
"I will turn nineteen this September," he answered unenthusiastically. Ino turned in surprise.
"Oh yeah? Me too."
"You were born in September?"
"Yeah, my birthday is on the 23rd."
"Mine's on the 22nd."
"Really?" A jolt of happiness suddenly soared inside Ino, for the first time in her life she had found someone whose birthday so close to hers. "We could celebrate together."
Shikamaru looked at her strangely and Ino quickly clamped her mouth shut. Her remark was merely a statement, not a suggestion and she didn't want to look like she was raising a white flag. Even though Shikamaru treated a drink, but that didn't mean he actually was offering her peace. Maybe it was just a right thing to do at the right time.
"I can't." Shikamaru finally responded after a long pregnant silence. "I'm starting my freshmen year in a medical college this September – gonna be busy. How 'bout you? Which college will you go to?"
"I…didn't go to college." Ino answered softly, her face reddened.
Shikamaru looked surprised but didn't question further.
"If you're going to a medical college, then do you know what XP is?"
"How would I know? I haven't started my lessons yet." Shikamaru took another sipped of his Coke then weighed the can, shaking it lightly. "I wish I could speed time. I cannot wait to turn twenty."
Naturally they were proceeding into a conversation, Ino noted. Previous arguments forgotten. "Why?"
"Legal. I can buy beer, cigarettes and stuff."
Ino stared at him with a dreamy expression on her face. "And then what?"
Shikamaru shifted uncomfortably. "What?"
"And then what will you do?"
He shrugged. "Dunno. I haven't thought of it yet – other than becoming a doctor, which I don't want to be one actually."
"You…don't have a dream?"
"Nah, I don't believe in dreams. It's rubbish."
The music died down. Ino was silently grateful that they weren't yet on friendship terms because the anger that had calmed down within her flared once again. It was easy for her to blow up on him then. Shikamaru was unaware of the girl's red face. "Why would people dream anyway? It's a waste of time. Life is troublesome. I wish I could just disappear."
"How could you say something like that?"
Shikamaru shrugged, meeting her eyes. Now he noticed her face was hard and her breathing harsher. "Why couldn't I?"
Ino stood up. "You," she hissed angrily, stabbing a finger on his chest. "You don't know what you're talking about, do you? Dream is rubbish? Life is troublesome?"
"It's true, isn't it?" Shikamaru knew he was gaining himself another stab but didn't care nonetheless to fix his point of view. Why was she so angry anyway?
"And you wish you could just disappear?"
"What's wrong with that?"
"You only live once in a lifetime! How could you wished of dying sooner?" Ino looked like she was going to bite the boy's head off. And she looked like she was going to cry. "Instead of complaining life is troublesome, why don't you cherish it? Enjoy it? Live it to the fullest? Life is so short! You could die anytime! Why don't you look forward and start searching for something worth living? And as for someone who doesn't have a dream you have no right to insult! Dream is not rubbish! It is valuable! It keeps dying people survive!"
Ino thought her tears might flow but surprisingly none came out. With face as red as Shikamaru's shirt, she continued glaring at him. He seemed to pay no attention. His face was as blank as ever.
"Geez, you don't have to be so serious," he scowled. "Besides, for someone who cherished dream so much, why don't you start singing your own songs instead of singing other's Why did you keep on singing at the beach not at some stage? By the looks of it, you really wanted to be a singer, don't you? Why don't chase your dream and make it come true?"
Ino flinched as though Shikamaru just poked a sore flesh. "You—you don't understand!"
"Ah…that's why women are so troublesome. I will never understand how woman's mind works. They think this but they say that."
He didn't know. He didn't know how much effort Ino had put to get a record deal and Ino knew that he didn't know but she couldn't hold her anger anymore. She was too pissed by his careless attitude.
She took her Coke and poured it down on him, then stormed back home. Good riddance!
