Authors note:
This is the second chapter in this story. I applogise that this chapter is a little filler but I promise the story will get better soon. No one has yet reviewed this story so I've no idea if anyone is even reading it besides me! haha
Well enjoy if you are and review please!
x
I watch her thin delicate fingers trace the cups handle. The white scar on her pinky she got from kunai training out her back garden when we were eight. It's more faded now that time has passed. Her fingers tremble, barely notice, but they shake as she taps them against the cup.
"Sakura I'm fine really, you don't need to babysit me just because Shikamaru asked you too," she hums, looking down her nose at me.
"What? Thought I didn't know?" Ino laughs.
"I'm not stupid Sakura," she smirks, bringing the cup close to her lips. I blush a little, trying not to make eye contact with her.
"I'm sorry," I smile abashed.
"It's okay I assumed Shikamaru would do something like this to occupy me on the last day." She says, voice apprehensive.
"Where is he now?" I inquire, testing the waters on the subject.
"He's with his family. His father is ever so proud," Ino laughs sarcastically. Her face contorts a little before she masks it again. I slid my hand across the table and take her fumbling one in mine.
"It's okay yano, you can talk to me Ino. I know I don't really understand it because I mean there's only ever been me. But just because I don't fully understand doesn't mean I don't know empathy." I smile giving her cold palm a gentle squeeze for reassurance. She smiles.
"Thank you Sakura. I mean it. He told me what hes asked of you and I know it's a lot to ask," Ino says.
I lean back in the chair a little remembering.
"Yeah Ino I'm not really sure about th-
"Sakura I haven't asked a lot of you in the past and I know we always fight but I mean I gave you sasuke so you owe me," Ino smirks.
"YOU didn't give me Sasuke! He didn't want either of us," I laugh as Ino tucks a loose hair behind her ear and joins me.
But the laughter; so light and care free, gathers weight in the air and starts to sink until it's gone. Then she looks at me different. My chest falls.
"Please just try-
"Ino the Medic Nin who go to the wall-
"Sakura please," she squeezes my hand, her eyes boring into mine.
"I can't lose him. I just can't," she says releasing her hand from mine. She folds her legs and turns towards the window as a clear tear rolls over her creamy skin.
"What time?" I question. She looks away from the window. She cries, with tears pouring down her face, and blood shot, glassy eyes.
"He has to meet them at the gates at noon."
"Noon, I'll be there I promise. I just got to sort some things out first." I say, pushing my chair in as I disappear, a single coin spins in my shadows absence on the table. When it stops, Ino smirks brushing the tears out of her eyes.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
"Sakura she's in a meeting!" Shizune argues for the third time.
"I know Shizune but this is really important. Can't I just go in?" I say, pacing outside the door. I go to make a dash for the door but Shizune grabs my collar.
"Will you stop it she will kill me If I let you in!" Shizune tries to stifle her shouting against my back and she rips me back away from the door.
"Come on Shizune do me a favour here," I beg. We have a standoff outside Tsunade's office.
"Can you wait like 10 minutes? I'm sure she'll be done then and you can talk to her," Shizune sighs moving back to her desk.
"10 minutes? I don't know if I have 10 minutes Shizune. I've to go to the Gate in 20 minutes to say goodbye to Shikamaru before he leaves for the wall." I say.
Shizune stops writing and stares up at me. She laments.
"I'm sorry Sakura. I know how hard this must be on you. I'm sure Tsunade sama will be done momentarily," she smiles.
We stand quietly outside the Hokages office. I kick my heel against the back wall impatiently as I try to hear their movements inside the room. I jump back against Shizune when the office door creaks open.
"Ouch!" Shizune moans. Three sand ninja emerge and bow to us before taking off.
"You could have jumped over there! Or maybe not be eavesdropping in the first place!" Shizune comments.
"Hey its not my fault-
"Sakura!" Tsunade shouts from inside vehemently.
"Suddenly I don't feel like I need to see Tsunade today," I push as Shizune drags me to the office door. I kick my heels into the ground trying to stop the unrelenting force that is Shizune.
"Get in!" Shizune grunts as she forces me through the office door, slamming it behind me.
"Must you always fight with Shizune, Sakura?" Tsunade protests from behind her desk.
"It's just a ritual at this stage I think," I say trying to laugh away the tension. It builds back up again when I notice the bottle of sake open on her desk.
"What is it that you need Sakura I'm quite busy today," Tsunade says, shuffling through the scrolls on her desk. She works in low light, the blinds at an angle to deflect the sun. Scrolls line the floor around her desk, books opened beside the bookcase. She looks at me through half lidded eyes.
"I'm sorry, Tsunade sama, maybe I shouldn't have bothered you today." I apologise.
"Sakura, please cut to the chase," Tsunade hurries.
"Yes, well, I was just wondering if there was any available room on the medic team that assists the wall," I ask.
Tsunade looks up at me from her half-moon glasses. She rubs at the bridge of her nose.
"Is this about Shikamaru leaving," She sighs, removing her glasses.
"No, no," I assure her, fidgeting with the hem on my shorts.
"I just thought maybe I'd branch out my work a little and try some new things before I settle down in a permanent position at the hospital." I suggest.
"Sakura, you've always been a terrible liar. Do you have feelings for him or something?" Tsunade asks.
I jump back, abashed.
"No it's nothing like that at all Tsunade sama. Really! I just wanted a change of scenery is all?" I say hopefully, fretting.
She huffs, twirling her glasses between her thumb and index finger. She takes a swing of Sake and smiles.
"Why the wall?" she counters.
"Just a change of scenery," I lie.
"Yes, a change of scenery, to a brick wall sakura?" she laughs. I laugh uneasily with her trying to calm the rigidity.
"I'm afraid that medic team is full, regardless of your reasons," she smirks.
"Oh," I sigh. Panic begins to manifest in my chest. I imagine Shikamaru's face when I tell him. Ino trying to hide her tears.
"Well let me know if anything opens up Tsunade sama. Thank you," I say, leaving the room. I hang my head, not bothering to argue with Shizune as I leave.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
When I get to the gate Ino, choji and Shikamaru are already there. Ino notices me first, standing hopeful behind Choji. I stare at her perfect blond hair hanging uncharacteristically loose down her shoulders. I watch the gleam leek out of her eyes as I shake my head at her. She turns, pushing past Choji and clings to Shikamaru.
"Please, don't go. Stay here," she cries. I reach Choji as he looks painfully at them. I mirror his emotions, kicking a loose stone on the ground.
"Don't worry Ino, everything will be okay. I promise you, okay? I promise," Shikamaru smiles holding Ino close to his chest. He strokes her hair as she weeps into his chest. I look away, out towards the wall where a two tiny silhouettes are making there way towards us.
"Shikamaru, they're coming," Choji mentions. Ino weeps louder at his observation. I tried to imagine it then as she clings to him. The feeling she is experiencing. A time ago I had been weighted down with the extremity and urgency I felt for Sasuke. A deep yearning and insatiable, impatient longing I felt. But when I grew and he, himself did the same I learned the difference between infatuation and love.
"Its okay Ino," Shikamaru repeats as the men get closer. Eventually she releases Shikamaru and she and Choji make their way back towards the town.
I run towards Shikamaru and throw my arms around him, embracing him as tightly as I can. Up until this point I hadn't expected how much it would hurt to say goodbye to him.
"It's not too late to change your mind. You can still walk away from this," I plea, burying my face into his chest.
"Your worse than Ino now Sakura," he laughs, pulling me back from him.
"I'll be seeing you soon though, so don't worry Sakura. Everything is going to be okay." He says, winking before turning around on his heel.
"Gentlemen, shall we?" Shikamaru greets the two men who appear at the gate. I scan them over once. They stand determined; exact. Unrelenting and uncompromisingly steady. One of them speak quietly to Shikamaru. I lean forward a little, pushing my weight to the balls of my feet.
"That's enough Haruno san. You may go," a man's voice shocks me. I stare up at him. He stands tall and domineering, glowering down at me. The man glared at me through onyx eyes. Under laid long, pronounced tear-troughs. How did this man know my name?
"Sakura, it's okay honestly," Shikamaru smiles bringing my attention back to him. I walk up to him and plant a gentle kiss on his cheek.
"I'll see you soon," he whispers. The man scowls at me before pulling up his hood and turning away.
"Take care of yourself okay." I force, squeezing his hand tightly.
"You take care of Ino for me okay!" He smiles, turning around, waving as he takes off.
I watch as they run away, turning into silhouettes, darker and darker the closer they get to the wall.
Don't forget to review :)
x