Chapter 10: Long lost

Sorry for not updating in a while, in all honesty I had trouble figuring out the ending of this story. But here it is, chapter 10! Enjoy and R&R :)

Also, I advice sensitive Sasuke-lovers to be careful reading this.

The light breaking through the half-open curtains was annoying him. As well as the monitor beeping right next to his bed, and all of the tangled wires laying on him connecting him to it and various other objects close to the hospital bed. He felt trapped, and this particularly annoyed him. As he finally opened his eyes fully he gazed over the room. It was a plain, boring room with nothing fun to watch. Someone had tried to enhance it by hanging up an extremely ugly painting, and the small window was decorated with a small, good for nothing lamp. Next to him was a small table and a chair, and on that he finally found something appealing.

The little table was cluttered with framed pictures and vases full of fresh flowers. There were lilies, tulips, jasmines and a few others he did not remember the names of, in all different colours. The photos were of himself, Ino, Choji and even Asuma. The first one was their old team 10 photo, another one was of the three of them when they were little. Another was just him and Asuma, and the last one was himself and Ino. The last one wasn't old, he recognized it as a picture he had taken himself last week when they were out on a date. He had loved that day, it was a beautiful memory and he smiled thinking back to it.

Something came to his mind along with his last thoughts. Last week… how long ago as that? Had it really been last week? For how long had he been down? He could not tell.

He sat up and looked around the room for any form of communication with the outer world. He found a red button next to his bed which he pressed. He didn't give much thought that there was a sign that read "emergency" above it, he just wanted to see someone.

In short moments a nurse arrived, looking a bit stressed. When she saw he was alright she lit up slightly, giving him a warm smile and greeted him a welcome back. A tiny sign on her shirt informed him that she went under the name Rozu.

"Hello Mr Nara, how are you feeling?"

"Good, just fine uhm… how long have I been… gone?"

"Just a day. Do you feel well enough to greet some visitors?"

"Depends on the visitors." He groaned slightly, if it was anyone… jumpy, like Naruto, he would definitely not want to meet them.

"There's a Yamanaka, Ino; Haruno, Sakura and Uzumaki, Naruto just out the door."

"Just… Ino, please."

"As you wish." She scribbled something down in her writing pad before leaving the room. Shikamaru closed his eyes while waiting, it was too much of a drag not to. Just before he started dozing off, light footsteps urged him to open his eyelids. He was faced with a gorgeous sight.

There she was standing, Ino his girlfriend. Her long blonde hair was let out and glowed like gold in the sunlight. She was wearing a simple purple tank top with shorts, exposing much of her beautiful, fair skin. She smiled when she saw he had opened his eyes, and without warning she threw herself right at him. Even for a man known to always lie three steps ahead, this surprised him. He laughed into her warm embrace an immediately regretted it due to the mouthful of blonde hair he received.

"Oh, Shika you're awake! I was so worried that you'd never… never…" she sniffled and looked away, but he turned her face back.

"I love you Ino." He simply said, feeling relieved of finally getting to say it. She smiled and blushed, making her even more adorable.

"I love you too Shika." She whispered and he gave her a kiss. It was a long lost one, for at the touch of her lips against his he realised how much he had missed this. The last days had been a hassle, as well as the fact that he'd been passed out for some time.

He held her close, feeling perfectly fine for the first time in years. Sure, he felt great being together with Ino in the first place, but this was something special. The past few weeks had been rather stressed, but in this moment he felt at ease. He sighed peacefully, closing his eyes and just enjoying her closeness.

"How is everyone, by the way?" He asked suddenly, only opening his eyes to his next question. "How are you, Ino?"

She sat up slightly next to him on the bed, and he watched her carefully. He noticed the bandage on her left arm and gestured to it. But she smiled and shrugged it off.

"Oh, this?" she held out the arm. "It's nothing really, it was just a scratch except I bled lots"

She made a grossed out face before she continued. Shikamaru knew she had a hard time standing large amounts of blood, especially her own. "And considering the others, they're just fine. Tired, I would guess, but fine."

Shikamaru took a deep breath before asking what he had dreaded to do. "And what about Sasuke?"

"He's in jail, practically. He's having a trial tomorrow morning, and we should all come and witness."

Shikamaru nodded in agreement. He wasn't too keen on once again meeting the man who almost got him killed, but on the other hand his testimony could mean much to the investigation. He took hold of Ino's hands and smiled encouraging to her. She didn't look very keen on it either.

"It'll be fine, you see." Was his words of comfort before hugging her again, already missing her warmth. He felt like he could stay that way forever. Unfortunately, a nurse announced too soon that the visitors' hour was over. They both protested, nevertheless without success.

Ino collected her things and gave Shikamaru a last kiss and a whispered promise to sneak back in later and keep him company in the night. He kept smiling, even after she left. She sure was his troublesome little sunshine.

-X-

After spending a night at the hospital, sharing a small hospital bed with Shikamaru, Ino stretched out painfully. But all the back hurt was worth it, every moment she spent with Shika was precious. Even more now, after everything that happened.

It was 9 am, and the trial was in one hour. She yawned and adjusted her skirt before exiting the bedroom. Shikamaru was waiting out in the living room, claiming the sofa fully with his injured leg flung up over the armrest. He was rather fancy, formally clothes as well as she was, wearing a simple suit with a black tie. Ino herself was wearing a tight black skirt with a lavender blouse. Her hair was in her usual ponytail, and she brushed her bangs away while approaching him.

He smiled when noticing her, and was about to by old habit drag her down in the sofa with him but she stopped him just in time with a meaning look at their clothes. It hurt not being able to do that right now, Ino admitted to herself. She couldn't wait to get this trial over with and continue on with their normal lives.

"Later, Shikamaru." She explained and half sat half leaned on the other armrest. "We need to get going, it's just an hour left. And you're not really… fast, right now."

She felt sympathy with her slightly crippled boyfriend who used crutches at the moment to support his wounded leg that were healing slowly. But nonetheless, he kept on fighting to stay up and that made Ino more proud than anything else in this world.

The usual ten minute walk to the courthouse took nearly 20 minutes today, considering Shikamaru's state. Ino glanced at her watch and mentally thanked herself for leaving home as early as they did. The time was 10:50am and the trial was just about to begin.

As leading witnesses they had reserved seats in the front of the grand hall. As they claimed their seats, Ino caught a glimpse of Sasuke in the other end of the hall. She swallowed the lump of discomfort that built up the moment she entered the room, and scooted closer to Shikamaru. At least he wasn't looking at her for the moment, which she was thankful for.

First up of the witnesses was Sakura, who told them about the letters and also mentioned some past history when she was asked to. She looked completely calm, and Ino secretly envied her. Next up was Naruto, whose story was rather short since he had not much to add to the previous one. He mentioned having to fight off Sasuke along with Shikamaru, and then bringing Ino to the hospital. She felt discomfort as some of the audience's gazes were turned on her as he mentioned her full name.

"Next up, Yamanaka, Ino!"

She shook slightly when she rose up, reluctantly letting go of Shikamaru's comforting hand. As she stood up in front of the audience, she felt dizziness rushing to her head from the room's full attention being on her. She shrugged it off, completely ignoring every look and especially the onyx one from the corner.

"I, Ino Yamanaka, am here to day to bring forth my testimony against Sasuke Uchiha." She took a shaky breath before continuing.

She told them about the harassing letters, and how she went out to find him and how she eventually did. How he had told her all of his evil intentions and then attempted to kill her, only to slash her arm and chase her down to the village. Of course, ignoring his hateful gaze.

About an hour later, it was done and final. He had received his judgement and they could finally leave. As Ino accompanied Shikamaru towards the door, there was a sudden scream heard from the door. Along with this came commotion, and people ran everywhere. She was just about to ask someone what was happening when another scream gave her the answer.

"He's on the loose! Uchiha is on the loose!"

"Shit," Shikamaru muttered under his breath, dragging Ino with him towards the door. "We have to get out of here."

They slowly edged through the crowd towards the doors which had flung open. When they spotted a clearing in the mass they sprinted towards it. Ino crashed into Naruto who was blocking the way, and she fell back on the floor. Her head felt strangely dense and her eyes heavy as she looked up to the scene before her.

Sasuke was standing in the middle of the street, holding a gun he had most probably snatched from one of the cops. He was surrounded, but he still had the upper hand by the fact he was holding a horrified Sakura by the arm. Everyone who tried to get closer he threatened to shoot.

"If any of you come any closer, I'll kill her." He said in a low, calm voice.

As the commotion inside the building finally appeased, the place turned dauntingly quiet. Everyone was watching, waiting. Ino was still sitting on the floor, watching the whole scene with two pairs of legs in front of her.

Sasuke had dropped Sakura down on the ground, and was saying something to her. Ino couldn't hear what it was, but she assumed he was answering something she had said. Then suddenly he spoke up loudly, backing away further, leaving Sakura on the ground.

"You'll never get me. And you're not worth my efforts anyway." He raised the gun towards his head, and the situation swiftly turned from bad to worse.

The cops tried to pursue him to drop the gun, but continued walking backwards in a slow pace. Ino, who had finally found the strength to stand up, clenched to Shikamaru's arm not being very sure if she dared to watch anymore.

"This is the last you see of me," he raised the gun further. "You will never…"

He, nor anyone else, saw or heard the truck coming at full speed towards him. Nobody did. Until it was too late. In a matter of seconds, he was gone, nothing. Dead silence embraced them when nobody could really comprehend what they had just watched. The brutal death of Sasuke Uchiha.

-X-

And yes... there will be a few more chapters, it's not gonna end here! Just stay updated dear readers! :)