It's Too Late
DISCLAIMER: I do not own the Naruto series, Konoha, Shikamaru, Ino, or anyone else involved or relating to Naruto.
I'll just mention here that I have a multi chapter story called Forgive Me, focussing on Shikamaru cheating on Ino, and trying to earn her forgiveness, it's based on the song Whatcha Say by Jason DeRulo actually, it inspired it anyways! Hope you guys will give it a read~
Summary:
Ino Yamanaka is loud and annoying member of Team 10; which annoyed a certain lazy chunin to no end. But when the death of the Yamanaka's parents forces her to live with the Naras, and changes Ino's personality. There is no one he wanted more than that exact loud and annoying member.
Chapter 10: Did you mean it?
True to her word, Ino returned with Tenten to the hospital, arriving fifteen minutes early, waiting for her chance to see Shikamaru.
Tenten glanced over noticing a Hyuga at the office desk. "Neji!"
The Hyuga walked over after finishing business at the office desk to Tenten and Ino.
"Ino, Tenten? What are you doing here?" Neji questioned.
"Shikamaru was hurt on a mission and hospitalized… I came here with Ino…" Tenten explained.
Neji nodded. "Was it severe?"
Tenten glanced at Ino who was biting her lip. "…It was pretty bad." The blonde replied looking at Neji.
Neji nodded. "What's his current status?"
"He was stable yesterday, they're allowing me to visit today in ten minutes." Ino said forcing a smile.
Neji noticed the pain in Ino's smile, he didn't even need to use Byakugan to notice it, Tenten glancing at Neji with a worried look.
"Listen… You guys can go. I'm sure you have better things to do, and you've already done so much for me too, Tenten. Seriously… just enjoy the day!" Ino said almost cheerily.
Neji frowned, before Tenten nodded. "Alright, if that's what you want."
Ino smiled. "Thank you Tenten. I'll be sure to get in touch with you with Shikamaru's status, both of you."
Neji nodded. "Very well, Let's go Tenten."
Tenten stood up, Neji also standing the two leaving. "See ya Ino!" The girl called out, Neji nodding at Ino before the two left the hospital.
The Yamanaka sat in silence for a couple of minutes, Shizune walking out of the emergency room. "Here for Shikamaru?"
Ino nodded standing up.
Shizune nodded smiling. "Come on in then."
Shizune lead Ino to Emergency Room 4 where Shikamaru lay on the bed, his eyes open, his skin his normal tanned colour again as opposed to the pale, and blood stained colour it was last time she saw him.
"I'll leave you, call me if there's any issue." Shizune said with a smile, leaving the room.
Ino walked over to the seat next to Shikamaru's bed slowly sitting next to him, a painful smile on her face. "Hey… Shikamaru…"
Shikamaru smiled. "Hey Ino…"
"Your alright now?"
Shikamaru nodded, before wincing in pain. "Arghhh…"
Ino's eyebrows arched up, biting her lip. "Shikamaru!..."
Shikamaru relaxed again, smiling again. "It's nothing, just still healing. They reckon I'll be fine… Thanks to you Ino."
Ino whimpered slightly. "It's thanks to me your like this…. If I wasn't… so … so stupid… and crazy… I tried to chase her down, then my stupidity distracting you, she took advantage of that."
"Imagine if she got us when we were leaving. She could of hit both of us…" Shikamaru replied.
Ino shook her head. "We would of sensed it, the only reason you were taken down is because you were so shocked… by how I was acting."
Shikamaru frowned remembering the psychotic Ino he witnessed; it really did hurt him to see her like that. "You're not gonna act like that again, right?"
"N-No… I promise you, Shikamaru. I won't let this happen again… I'm so sorry…"
"You know, Ino. I explained to Shizune what happened earlier today… and she said the only reason I made it to Konoha was because you healed my main heart artery. Otherwise, I'd be a goner. You saved me too." Shikamaru replied, trying to gain eye contact with Ino.
The blonde avoided eye contact, constantly looking at her lap, or her hands, or around the room.
"It didn't have to happen…"
"It did, and you saved me due to it, week and I'll be fine." Shikamaru replied. "No problem."
Ino sat in silence. "I… haven't told your parents."
"Shizune already did."
"Have they seen you?"
Shikamaru smiled. "They're visiting at 2…"
"I see."
"You didn't sleep at my house last night?" Shikamaru questioned.
"I couldn't face your parents. I stayed at Tenten's."
"They don't blame you. No one does, stop blaming yourself, troublesome woman." Shikamaru teased. "Comforting people is a drag… so cheer up for me, right?"
Ino nodded. "Yea…"
Shikamaru moved his hand, grabbing Ino's. "Hey"
Ino looked up shocked at Shikamaru, who was intently watching her. "Come on, I'm fine."
Ino began to tremble, holding back her crying as she put her other hand to her mouth, her blue eyes being filled with tears. "I'm so sorry…"
She lowered her head to his hand, crying silently.
Shikamaru frowned, he didn't know what to do, what to say. He was never good at saying the right thing to any female, especially Ino. And right now she was the most important girl to him, which reminded him of something she had said during the mission…It bothered him all night. But he couldn't bring it up now, could he…?
Shikamaru slowly sat up, wincing in pain, causing Ino to look up worried, tears streaming down her face as Shikamaru wrapped his arms around her, her eyes wide with shock, then closing and crying into his neck.
"I really thought you were gone. Just like my parents… I nearly lost you too… I was so worried…"
"Well I'm here. Alright. Forever, okay?" Shikamaru replied.
"Mhm…"
Ino pulled back, looking over Shikamaru smiling. "So glad."
Shizune poked her head into the room. "Ino… it's probably best you leave now, his family will be coming soon, don't want to overwork him, he'll be needing rest."
Ino nodded. "Alright"
She began to leave the room, as Shizune left again, she turned to Shikamaru. "I'll be back a little later if they let me, otherwise I'll be here tomorrow. I promise."
Shikamaru nodded. "It's alright… you'll stay at my house tonight right?"
Ino frowned. "I don't know…"
Shikamaru frowned. "It's your home too right now… so… you should."
Ino nodded. "Well… after hearing that, I will."
"Oh and Ino…"
"Yes?"
"Did you mean what you said on the mission?"
Ino frowned, turning to Shikamaru. "W…What was that?"
"About you didn't want to let that woman take away everyone… that you love…"
Ino stared blankly, before smiling. "Oh… that. I meant… every word."
Shikamaru stared at Ino for a moment, silence filling the room.
"Well. I have to go… I'll visit again, alright."
Shikamaru nodded. "Alright."
Ino left the room, feeling a lot better then when she entered, Shikamaru had really learnt to say the right thing to her? It amazed Ino herself! He probably didn't realize how much the words he spoke meant to her, and she was so thankful that he was alright.
Ino walked out of the hospital, placing her hand on her heart. "My… hearts beating so fast… because of what he asked…I told him…I love him."
Ino headed for the next logical destination, her heart fluttering like this, there was only one person she would talk to about this, and with that, she headed towards Sakura Haruno's apartment.
Ino knocked on the door, within a moment Sakura answering the door, with a smile.
"Ino, your looking better."
Ino nodded, entering the room. "I've just seen Shikamaru."
Sakura smiled closing the door. "Lady Tsunade, Shizune and I worked really hard on ensuring he was alright, what did you do… Shikamaru mentioned you healed his heart or something?"
Ino nodded. "I… I used chakra scalpel to cut the damaged section of his main heart artery and used chakra to pull the remaining artery together and healed it back together…"
Sakura's eyes widened. "I-Ino. That's amazing… I don't think even I would of considered that!"
Ino smiled. Liar. She knew Sakura was the superior medic-nin, but it really was a big step in Ino's medical ninjutsu level.
"How did you stop the blood flow?" Sakura questioned.
"I used my chakra to stop it, blocking each side." Ino replied.
Sakura nodded, still amazed. Maybe she wasn't lying. "I'm in awe, Ino! You really saved Shikamaru."
Ino bit her lip, for the first time it wasn't in guilt, but happiness, and excitement, hearing those words, she saved Shikamaru… made her feel, amazing.
"So… did Shikamaru say much?" Sakura questioned, walking into the kitchen and pouring Ino and herself a tea, then walking to the table, where Ino sat down, Sakura sitting also, handing the tea in a cup to Ino.
"Well… Yea, he made me feel better… and I told him… something… well I said it on the mission, and he asked… if I meant it." Ino said, a rush of warmth flowing through her cheeks.
"And what was that?" Sakura questioned.
"I said I wouldn't let that woman take away everyone I love." Ino explained.
Sakura frowned. "What do you mean…"
Ino frowned. "Oh… she… was the one responsible for killing my parents… simply… to rob them."
Sakura's eyes widened. "N…No…"
Ino nodded solemnly. "I… killed them all. I … went so crazy. That's why Shikamaru got hurt, he was so shocked by my actions, the woman attacked him with the last of her strength… I tried to heal him but it wasn't working. Then I said that…"
"And he asked if you meant it?" Sakura asked.
Ino nodded.
"And what did you say?"
"I… said I meant every word of it."
Sakura smiled. "Is that true?"
Ino nodded. "I… really really care for Shikamaru. I feel stronger for him then I ever did for Sasuke."
Sakura smiled. "That's truly… amazing, Ino. I'm really glad."
"He's supported me so much with mum and dad… passing on. And… I really want to spend every day with him, the rest of my life, I… would truly be happy."
Sakura nodded. "In love?"
Ino nodded. "I… think so." She stood up with a big smile on her face. "I've got to go, I just had to tell you that. And thank you so much for the effort you put into saving Shikamaru."
"No problem, it's my job. And Shikamaru is my friend too. Where are you off to anyways?"
"I'm going past the Hyuga house, and then past Tenten's house." Ino replied with a grin.
"Why's that?"
"I said I would, don't worry Sakura! I'll see ya later!"
Sakura nodding, waving Ino off as the blonde sprinted out the door.
The pink haired medic smiled. Seeing her friend back to herself again, even after her parents death and a close death of Shikamaru, it was really encouraging. Even before their mission she wasn't 100% herself, she was on her way back to being the Ino that Sakura valued and was inspired by but wasn't all the way there, this mission really seemed to be a step that brought Ino back to herself, if not all the way but very close to being the Ino she once was. With her parents' avenged, and Shikamaru safe in hospital in a stable condition, and definitely going to survive, everything was looking up for Ino after so many downs. She really deserved it.
"Neji?" Ino called out, wandering into the Hyuga sector of Konoha, the Hyuga prodigy sitting on the wooden floor of the house, drinking tea with Hiashi.
"Neji!" The blonde yelled rushing over to the Hyugas.
"Yamanaka Ino?" Hiashi questioned.
"Hello, um… I just wished to speak to Neji?"
Hiashi nodded, as Neji and Ino walked away from Hiashi. "I-I've seen Shikamaru. He's looking a lot better, and will be fine! I just wanted to tell you that…"
Neji nodded. "That's great. Tenten was especially worried about him and you too. Have you spoken to her?"
Ino shook her head. "Nope, was heading there next. I better hurry then shouldn't I!"
Neji nodded, as Ino waved off and rushed out of the Hyuga sector, heading towards Tenten's house.
She arrived at Tenten's house, explaining Shikamaru's status, Tenten looking excited and clapping with cheer, Ino embracing Tenten excitedly.
"I'm really glad your back to yourself, seeing you like that is really crap, don't look so down again, alright!" Tenten teased.
Ino smiled. "I can't promise, but I'll try. Anyway, I'm gonna head home then call the hospital to find out when I can visit next."
Tenten nodded. "Ah… Home? Yamanaka Flowers?"
"Well… The Nara house is my home for a bit. Until I organize my parents' funeral, and everything is set."
Tenten frowned. "I see… and then back home by yourself?"
"I can't leave my parents' legacy … the flower shop, and house… its my home at heart. So. I feel I have to, I want to… return home."
Tenten nodded. "Makes… sense… Well, I'll drop in sometime."
"That'd be nice." Ino replied, before waving off then leaving to head back to her temporary home at the Naras.
Thanks alot Ara and Ellieorchid for the review 3~~~
So I can finally confirm how many chapters, the story will run for 14 chapters. Infact it's all written out, I just pace the chapters out cause it makes me look uber active I reckon. And it'd be weird to pump them all out, might aswell be one big chapter XD. But yea I started writing more and more, getting ahead getting ahead, now finished! Lol! Now I can focus on my new story, I really enjoyed writing this, and hope you enjoy the last 4 chapters after this, and the whole story ! Infact! lol