A/N: I'm so sorry, everyone. I kow, this story should be finished by now- however, due to some unexpected circumstances, it got a bit delyed. I'm really sorry. It should be finished soon, though. In the next week or so.
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.
Fate leads the willing, and drags along who resist
Ino glanced at the clock for what seemed a thousandth time for the past hour. It was already over forty minutes past the time she usually finished her work and yet, she was still stuck behind the counter, being forced to work an extra hour or maybe even two to be able to have a week off, for the last week this year.
Business was always slow at this time of the year- with her mother being a florist, Ino knew it perfectly well. The only plants people bought at winter were Christmas trees, poinsettias and mistletoes. Flower shops don't specialize in such kinds and even though there were some plants that served as Christmas decorations, they weren't very popular.
In fact, it was almost illogical for Ino to keep the flower shops open at winter, much less force a young, beautiful girl to spend half a day, waiting for few customers to step in and then out, rarely buying anything.
The heroine in the thick book in her hands was about to kick her cheating boyfriend once and for all from her home and life (the bastard deserved much more than that!) and the tension and action in the storyline started to rise when the same bastard grabbed her hand, immobilizing the heroine and pushing her onto the bed. He began to confess his every single sin, just to torment the poor woman more, the storyline became clearer and...And...
And Ino couldn't concentrate at all, reading the same sentence over and over again, trying her best to understand the sense ('Stop thinking about him already and pay attention!') but she just couldn't.
The scene kept playing inside her mind continuously- how she woke up today's morning, feeling pleasantly warm and secure and how she discovered the source of this feeling, tightly pressed against her own body.
The book was firmly closed and Ino's mind wandered off, trying to regain the wonderful feeling she got after waking up- and gave up immediately. Without Shikamaru, it was just no use.
'Idiot.' Something inside her head chimed. 'Don't let one, short moment get to you. He was probably sleepwalking or something like that. Sakura told you already-'.
The bell above the wooden door ringed and two young, good-looking men entered, heading straight for the counter, not bothering to even look around a bit. The reason for their visit was rather...Obvious.
Inwardly, Ino sighed and quickly glanced at the clock. Fifteen minutes to kill.
She put on her best, professional and friendly smile. "Hello. Can I help you?"
The younger, somewhat sweeter looking stepped before his brother, his coat touching the counter. "Actually, we wanted to help you. You looked pretty bored just now and we thought you might use some entertainment."
Pretty cheap. Ino judged critically, not letting her expression change, even for a second. "Thanks a lot, but I'm almost done for today. And just so you know, I wasn't bored until you came." The arrogance was barely audible in her voice but it was there, with no doubt. As well as impatience, caused by another glance to the clock.
"You're finishing soon? That's even better. Now, don't be so stubborn, we can have some fun. Make you relax after a day of hard work and-"
"Excuse me, sir but in case you didn't notice, this is a flower shop. We sell flowers here, not dates. So, if you have no intention of purchasing a plant, leave." For bigger effect, her both hands slammed onto the counter and she leaned a bit towards them, narrowing her eyes.
The older, taller guy, leaned to her as well, successfully hiding her face behind his head for anyone outside the flower shop to see.
And that's what Shikamaru saw, standing on the sidewalk just outside the shop, with snow gently falling on him.
His brows immediately furrowed slightly at the scene before him and he stared for a bit disapprovingly, before turning around and walking back to his apartment.
Ino was late almost an hour and he decided to go and look for her in the nearby area. He could clearly remember her saying that the shop she worked in, was just few steps away from his apartment. Apparently, it was true.
Too bad she didn't bother to inform him why she would be late today; it would surely spare him a lot of worries and walking in a chilly, winter air.
Then again, he learned two new things about Ino: She had a boyfriend.
Her boyfriend was handsome and tall.
'Of course. It's to be expected, idiot.' A more sarcastic and grumpy side of him commented lightly. 'Such an attractive woman wouldn't be single, not even for a second in her life.'
It was logical and sensible. Everything made perfect sense; just the way he liked it.
So, why the hell, was he so damn annoyed?
"What are you doing?" The calm question was directed to Shikamaru, who was currently sprawled comfortably on his bed, with pillows probing him so that he could look onto the chessboard, without straining his neck.
"Playing chess." Came the immediate and blunt reply and Ino almost rolled her eyes in irritation. Really, what was with men today that made her feel so...so...annoyed?
"If you're feeling that well, why won't you help me with dinner?"
"I'm not feeling well at all." He replied, not taking his eyes off the board for even a second. "My brain's still sharp but my body is weak."
"Cutting carrots isn't very exhausting, you know. It's almost like moving those pieces, only you move a knife. Come, it'll be good for you."
"I want to finish this game." Shikamaru insisted, moving the black pawn forward.
"You have time until I'm out of the bathroom."
Bad move, he frowned, looking at the board. The black pawn was blocking the king and now, the king was almost fully exposed. He should've gone with the bishop instead...
The sound of flushed water filled the room and soon, the bathroom door opened. "Have I told you, you have a nice bathroom? I expected it to be much more filthy, like the rest of your house."
"I told you I barely have strength to go to the bathroom." Shikamaru muttered absentmindedly, staring at the board hopelessly. Not far from the checkmate.
Ino froze, granting him a look where fear was mixed with suspense. "You mean...all that time, when you were sweating in you fever, you weren't even washing yourself?!"
"N-Of course I was!" It was partially true, anyway. He did wash the...essential parts of his body, leaving less important (like hair) unattended for the time being.
Something tugged at his arm. "Change of the plans. You're going to shower, take a bath, anything, first. Then we'll cook dinner."
Grumpily, Shikamaru left, casting one, last look at the board left behind. He hated leaving his game unfinished.
Oh, well. The black had almost no chance of winning. It was just a matter of time when they'd lose.
"Well, about time." Ino eyed him approvingly, when he stepped out, drying his hair in a fresh, white towel. "I was sick of watching you only lie around, not doing anything productive. You're not even that ill anymore."
"Don't judge a book by its' cover." He mumbled, letting the towel fall freely on his shoulders. "I was much worse that you could imagine." That was true; he was feeling worse whenever he stared at her cheerful face and bright, blue eyes.
He didn't want to be healthy yet.
"So, what should I do?" He asked tiredly, carefully avoiding her eyes and looking around the kitchen. A pot was already boiling on the stove.
"You're too late, I did everything already."
"Then I'm going to sleep." Shikamaru announced tiredly, before heading to his bed. The warm shower made him really drowsy.
Ino watched his slouching form with concern for a while, before the bell rang and she went to answer it. The noise that greeted her, was certainly something unexpected.
Shikamaru's eyes snapped open. "I'm dreaming." He whispered to the empty room, when the same noise reached him, created by a choir of awfully familiar voices. "I'm dreaming and this is a nightmare." The statement was followed by a doubtful sigh.
The door burst open in the next second, with Naruto proudly showing off his broken arm to the world, followed closely by Sakura, Ino and Chouji.
"Hey there, lazy! Enjoyed your few days of freedom?" Naruto cheerfully inquired, plopping on his bed and grinning at the sour look that spread all over the spiky-haired man.
"The trip was certainly exciting, am I right?" The Nara answered with a question of his own, eyeing Naruto's bandage.
Naruto's grin grew wider and even Sakura and Ino shared a small smile. "You bet it was! I skied from the highest mountain because Sakura-chan was too scared and I wanted to show her it's safe..."
A light slap on the arm prevented him from saying more. "I wasn't scared, idiot, how many times do I need to repeat that? I knew it was simply dangerous."
"It was fun, though..."
Everyone laughed at the whining tone and Shikamaru's lips quirked in a small smile, watching the happy couple tease each other, among Ino's and Chouji's laughter.
His eyes lingered on the female blonde longer, briefly wondering if she was just as happy as now, when being with her boyfriend.
Naruto's laughter died and he looked at Shikamaru, smirking. He exchanged quick, almost unnoticeable looks with Chouji.
"Sakura-chaaan...I'm thirsty. Bring me a glass of water, please?"
"Sure, Naruto. Ano...Shikamaru, where do you keep glasses?"
"I'll show you!" Ino exclaimed suddenly. "I know his house better than him already!" Both woman left, Ino reporting cheerfully in what state his apartment was and how incredibly lazy the owner of it had to be to create such state.
Chouji carefully closed the door after them, his lips stretching in a smirk, matching Naruto's. This time, the two of them (a fact Shikamaru hated to admit as it was giving him a very baaad feeling somewhere inside his gut) exchanged sly glances.
"What are you two planning?" He asked suspiciously, hands raising instinctively when Chouji neared him.
The plump man winked at his lazy friend. "You'll need it, trust us."
"What exactly will I need-...Oh no. No, Chouji. Take it off!"
There was a mistletoe hanging above his head, securely tied in a tight knot.
"Don't tell me you came here just to..."
"Yep." Naruto nodded energetically. "We'll see each other in three days, me and Sakura are hosting a party on Christmas Eve, remember?"
He did remember. "Damn you, Naruto-"
The door to his bedroom opened, revealing a blonde and her pink-haired friend.
"I changed my mind about the water, Sakura-chan." The blonde grinned sheepishly, pushing the females out of the room gently. "I think I'd rather have a nice, warm tea and dinner in our house."
"Naruto, you idiot. You could've told me before!" Sakura sighed, handing Ino the glass filled with liquid. "You're lucky you're injured."
"We'll be off then. Bye, Shikamaru! Take care!"
"Good luck!" – The only answer Chouji got for that statement, was a firm glare.
"I'll see you off." Ino offered, following them to the hall and towards the door.
Shikamaru exhaled and raised himself, fingers busily untying the knot. That was just too awkward for his tastes.
"It's already so late..." Ino's voice trailed from the hallway. "I think I'll be leaving soon too. You have dinner in the kitchen, warm it up if you feel hungry."
"Sure." He muttered, his hands still rapidly working on the tie. Almost...
"What are you doing?"
The Nara hid his hands under the bed sheet. "Nothing."
Ino's feet made a soft sound as she moved gracefully towards him. "You're kinda flushed. Do you have a slight fever, perhaps?"
Before Shikamaru could form an answer or do anything else, cold fingers made contact with his skin again. He froze, one thought ringing in his mind:
Mistletoe, mistletoe, mistletoe, mistletoe...
"Doesn't seem like it." She murmured softly, staring into his eyes. Shikamaru blinked at her, eyes wide and innocent.
Surprisingly, Ino didn't retreat her hand after assuring herself that the flush on his face wasn't cause by the illness. Instead, she moved it a bit higher, gently running fingers though loose and still wet strands. She was closer than ever before. He could clearly see the way her orbs glittered.
"Look..." she whispered, her breath fanning his suddenly dry mouth. "A mistletoe...Guess it's a must, huh?"
Hesitatingly, she cocked her head and leaned towards him, eyes slowly closing. Acting on pure instinct, Shikamaru did precisely the same, their lips touching in what seemed a perfect kiss.
Few seconds later, the position of their bodies changed, when Ino brought one her knee onto his bed, to steady herself and her arms went around his neck, shifting a part of her body weight on him.
His arms sneaked behind her, both resting on her shoulders and gently pushing her closer to him, as Shikamaru savored the taste of her mouth.
Sweet and enchanting.
His arms started to slowly move downwards, softly caressing her both sides, until they were firmly resting on her hips.
And that's the moment Ino chose to hastily break the kiss and take few stumbling steps backwards, one hand touching pink lips delicately, while blue eyes stared at him, wide with fear and confusion.
"I-I...I..." She took more unsure step before turning around and fleeing out of his apartment. Soon, only her shoes echoed as the blonde was running downstairs.
Maybe at that time he should run after her, just like it would happen in an ordinary chick flick or cheesy romance. However, his reasonable brain told him there's no need to rush things; they'd see each other soon. If not on that party, then he'd visit her in the flower shop.
Either way, for one night it was enough.
Shikamaru huffed, startled and with his heart beating wildly inside his ribs. He fell on his pillows, exhausted and still feeling the adrenaline rush in his veins.
His eyes closed and a small smile stretched his lips. Whatever happened just now, it was surely enjoyable and pleasant...
It was only a mistletoe...
...And he went to sleep happy as hell.
The state of happiness still lasted inside his unconscious body, when a shrill doorbell disturbed the night silence hours later, efficiently waking up Shikamaru from his dream. With a sleepy smile, he opened the door, revealing a young policeman officer outside.
The smile faded and his gaze sharpened.
"Excuse me, sir...do you happen to know someone named Ino Yamanaka?" The officer politely asked.
"Yes..." Shikamaru answered, dread slowly seeping into him and increasing the neat of his heart. "Did something happen?"
"She had an accident, not so far from your house. Got hit by a car and she's currently in the hospital. I'm not sure how serious it is...Her condition was critical in the ambulance."
He swallowed, his mind already working fast. " But...Why would you think she's...connected to me? We only met just few days ago...Why did you come to me?"
The men before him hesitated. "Well...We found your photo with name and address inside her wallet." He handed him a small piece of paper to examine.
He was sleeping there, his mouth slightly open. It was taken about two-three days ago- when his illness was fully developed. There was an unhealthy flush on his face, his shirt was all ruffled and droplets of sweat shone on his forehead and neck.
Behind the photo, just above his name, was a small, red heart drawn.
"Sir? Are you saying she's not close to you in any way?" The small question brought him out of the stunned daze.
Shikamaru looked up at the policeman, eyes widening rapidly when the full impact of how serious the situation is, hit him. He looked behind him, all around his house.
Her presence could be felt all over it, from the neatly mopped floor to the new bed sheets on the couch. Her scent- and the scent of cooked meals- still could be detected all over the house. The memories they made and so many more they could still make...
Shikamaru didn't want to lose any of it.
"She is." He whispered in a strained voice, bowing his head down so that the officer couldn't read the emotions that (he was sure of it) could be clearly seen in his face. "She's as close to me as it's ever possible."
What fanfic would it be with no drama and cliffhanger? Not a good one, I guess.
I read recently that when we're in love it's almost the same as if we were on drugs. And when we are rejected by someone we love- or can't see it- it's as if we were addicted and without a drug. Get what I'm saying? Love sure is powerful.
Homemade cookies for everyone who reviewed. I love you all.
Wee, one more chapter and a damn, short epilogue to go. Bear with this story a bit longer, please.