Don't Ever Let Me Go

Chapter 10: Dilemma After Another

Author's Note: Oh man oh man. it has seriously been a long time for my liking. I am so sorry for posting on here so late. I should have done this long ago, but I got caught up with stuff, and yeah, I am freaking sorry!

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or the Titanic!

Once the party was over, Shikamaru walked out to the cool air in the dead of night. It was way past midnight. He let out a rough sound of air out of his lips and sat down on the first bench he saw and just let himself spiral on it in defeat. He was in the front of the ship. The loud sound of the waves splitting from below could be heard. There were only a few lights on outside, enough to light up half of his face, but he didn't really mind, rather his mind was too focused elsewhere to even pay attention to the lighting in the area.

"How could I be so stupid?!" He smacked himself in the face, like some loon. He couldn't get Ino's face out of his mind. She looked so shocked... She couldn't even respond like everyone else! It was way too much for her to take in! And it made Shikamaru feel even worse, as he covered his face with his palm.

He glanced up and closed his eyes, breathing out once more.

And the worst part was I didn't even want to say it there—not like that. I was planning on telling her alone, so that she could understand my part in all this better. But those imbeciles just didn't let me! They wanted everyone to hear it at once. They didn't even give me time to breath! And now, I bet Ino probably hates my guts... She probably doesn't want anything to do with me anymore...

"God, this is so troublesome!" He racked a hand through his hair. He threw himself back on the seat until his head hit the top part of the bench. It didn't hurt when he banged his head; however, if it would have, then he'd welcome it. He deserved it anyway for making the girl he loves cry.

Yeah, he knew she was crying from the moment she ran away from the party. Ino never really liked crying in front of people, she preferred to do that on her own...or with him. But that was out of the question now. And in times like those, Shikamaru would usually go running after her and comfort her, while holding her in his arms until she calmed. But that too was definitely out of the question now.

Shikamaru couldn't do any of those things anymore. He couldn't hold her, he couldn't comfort her, and he couldn't show her his affection anymore. He could only love her from afar now, but even that was becoming too much at the present. And it sucked. He could already feel how cruel this life was being to him.

He sighed out once more, removing his tie. He glanced up at the bright stars. Oh how he wished Ino were here now, whispering sweet nothings in his ear as they both held each other, becoming each other's only source of warmth. He already missed her so much, and it was barely the first day of many.

Shikamaru was beginning to wonder if he would survive this relationship with this other woman. What was her name—Temari? He couldn't even remember her name! It was beginning to frustrate Shikamaru.

He rubbed his temples, wondering how long would he survive now with all this added stress.

"Rough day, huhh?" Suddenly spoke a voice from behind him, startling him from what he was doing. The bench creaked as someone on another bench moved.

There's someone else here? I thought I was all alone this whole time...!

The smell of food hit Shikamaru's senses. He quickly glanced behind him at the unexpected intruder. It was a big man with long spiky brown hair held back with a red bandana. Shikamaru noted that it kind of looked like Jiraiya's wild hair. The large man had two distinct red swirls on his cheeks, and he had piles and piles of food on his large plate. To his astonishment, Shikamaru also discerned that the plate the man was using wasn't a plate at all, but the large tray waiters' used to hold other plates for customers. He had a chef's suit indicating that he was a cook on the ship; his white hat was resting beside him.

His shift must have ended a while ago, Shikamaru supposed, checking his watch to make sure. As I thought, I was right. He smacked his forehead. How could I be so foolish to get caught sulking by a worker on the first day?

"Yeah," continued the man. "I know exactly how you feel." Choji ate from his plate.

Shikamaru frowned at his comment. "Do you?" The tone of his voice stated he didn't believe him.

Choji glanced at him. "Well, maybe not the situation, but I'm sure our low moods are the same."

"I guess," Shikamaru breathed out.

Choji stuck out his hand for the other man to take. "Name's Choji. And yours is?"

"Shikamaru," was all Shikamaru said. He felt that telling the worker his full name would scare the big man away; although that hardly sounded like a bad plan. He might just use it in case the big man got too talkative.

"Shikamaru, huhh?"

Shikamaru lifted a brow. "Yeah. What of it?"

"Nothing," Choji shrugged. "It's just a really weird name, so I had to test it out to see if I could say it. If not, well... I don't know." Choji chuckled. "I probably wouldn't have called you by your name after." He laughed.

"...I guess I get what you mean. But your name isn't any better. Just saying."

"Yeah...my mom had a real tough time thinking about it actually," Choji confessed, scratching his head, as he lifted his fork to take a bite of some fried shrimp.

Shikamaru didn't know what to say. He just kept thinking why is this man speaking to me? Do I have a sign up saying 'Talk to me; I really need it.' He shook his head and looked away from the man chowing down his food.

But apparently Choji wasn't giving up any time soon. "So, why is it that you're so down? If you don't mind me asking," he nippily added.

Shikamaru glanced back at him.

Choji raised his arms up defensively. "I'm just asking, because I want something else to focus on rather than my thoughts."

Shikamaru didn't know...

But Choji wasn't taking no for an answer. He smiled. "If it helps, I'm a real good listener."

Shikamaru exhaled finally giving in. "I guess it's alright then." He explained to Choji what had happened that day, and how he couldn't be with the girl that he truly loved because his father had made a promise to one of his old friends long ago that he would wed Shikamaru to his daughter if Shikamaru's father had a son.

Choji on the other hand took this all in, steadily. "Damn... you do have it bad," he promptly responded.

Shikamaru almost fell off his seat. He deadpanned. "Yeah, I know."

"And you really made her cry?"

"Yeah." Shikamaru closed his eyes, miserable. There was nothing else he could do for her. It wasn't like he could run after Ino even if he wanted to. He had a duty to his family, and he wasn't about to disgrace his family because they couldn't keep their promises.

Choji shook his head disapprovingly. He sat back in his seat. "I don't get it." His view was at the sky.

Shikamaru looked to him. "What?"

"If you really care about this girl, then why are you going through with this marriage?"

Shikamaru too looked to the sky. "Because. You may not understand, but my family has duties, and one of those duties is going through situations like my own. My father had made a promise, and as a man of his word, he has to go through with it, faithfully. Even if I or he doesn't want to," he supplemented.

"But that's not fair. That has nothing to do with you. You weren't even born when he made that promise, so he can't possibly involve you."

"Oh but he can." Shikamaru looked exhausted. "And it doesn't really matter if it's fair or not. Sometimes people have to realize that life isn't fair."

"Yeah, but sometimes if people really want something real bad, they fight for it till it's finally given to them in the palm of their hand."

Shikamaru chuckled. "But not everything is always handed to someone the way they want it."

"Then make them give it to you the way you want it!" Choji stood up looking unruly.

Shikamaru was dismayed. "You make it sound so easy, when in reality, it's not." He stood up. "Anyway… I think it's time for me to hit the hay." He checked his pocket watch; it read two in the morning. Yes, it was definitely time for him to go. He had plenty of work to do tomorrow, and he didn't want to be any more tired than he usually is throughout the day.

"It was nice meeting you—Choji. Let's meet again sometime."

"Yeah. Same to you, Shikamaru."

Shikamaru waved over his shoulder, disappearing through the ships darkness.

Choji shook his head after, pitying the other man. "He's just making things difficult for himself if he continues down this path. Well, whatever. I'll just let him figure it out on his own."

Sakura opens the door of Ino's cabin and steps out. She was no longer wearing that pretty ivory dress and crown. Her hair was down, and her make-up was gone, wiped off her face. She was back in her boy clothes, and she had her old hat in her hand. Ino is right behind her.

"Are you sure you're going to be okay?" She turned around, distraught for her friend, to face Ino, who was standing by the doorway holding the door in a tight vice that she hoped Sakura didn't notice.

Ino had told Sakura everything, up to the point where Ino and Shikamaru were best friends, fundamentally lovers, and then up to where he confessed the news about his engagement in front of the whole multitude of well-heeled people in the restaurant.

Sakura felt sorry for her. She wished she could help her more by telling her some more consoling words. But really what could she say? That everything would be alright? Yeah. She could say that all day, but the reality was it wasn't okay. Nothing was okay for Ino. She wasn't going to get the man that she desperately loved back. Ino was still going to feel as wretched as she felt, and she still had all that love for him bottled up inside her, killing her internally. If anything, all Sakura could say is that time would heal her wounds, and with other company by her side, to take her mind off of him, Ino would not feel so alone.

"Yes. I'll live." She gave Sakura a reassuring smile that didn't help settle Sakura's qualms at all. But she didn't question Ino any further. She had stayed with Ino for hours, comforting her until her tears were dried.

"...Okay then. If you say so, Ino." Sakura was also hesitating in leaving. She also didn't want to leave her friend all alone, particularly in her state at the moment. Sakura could see that Ino wasn't well, she was more than heartbroken. She was crushed. And in times like these, it was always good to have a friend by your side to comfort you. However, she couldn't do that. She still hadn't seen or spoken to her siblings since that fight that had broken out in front of the grand staircase. She had to see them again. She had to tell them she was okay, because she was sure they were strung up about her wellbeing.

"Please take care of yourself," Sakura said.

"I will," Ino told her in a tiny voice. She looked like at any second she would breakout in tears again, it was heard to watch. Sakura really didn't want to leave her like this.

"Sakura," Ino spoke, halting her from leaving just yet. "May I see you again tomorrow?" she finally popped the question; she shifted on her feet nervously. "I don't want to be alone; for fear that I might see him again. I'm not prepared. And I could really use a friend: one that won't use my words against me because of our statuses."

This time Sakura gave her a wide smile of her own. "Why not," she said. At first she wasn't so sure, because then that would mean she would have to keep using this fake identity behind her siblings backs, but by seeing Ino's sad face, all those negative thoughts were suddenly erased from her mind.

Ino's expression warmed. "Thank you, Sakura."

"No worries." Sakura waved goodbye.

She turned on her heels after, leaving the premises, and going back to her room. While on her way there, she placed her hat on, making sure she tucked in all of her pink hair just right. She wouldn't want someone to unexpectedly catch her by mistake. Principally right now that she vowed to continue this play of fake identities.

She made her way to the elevators, passing by many fabulous rooms that she could never afford. She could only watch in not so much as envy, but curiosity.

When, suddenly, she was stopped by a ship officer. He held her arm in his skintight grip, lifting her off the air just a bit, stupefying her by the deed. Her head whirled to look at him.

"I believe you're in the wrong side of the ship, boy!" His looming stare was on her face as he shook her. Fear covered her profile.

His hold on her hurt. Sakura winced, and wriggled in his hold. "Stop it! No I'm not! Let go! You're hurting me!"

And as if things couldn't get any worse, the bell for the elevator rung, signaling its arrival. The worker on the machine opened its doors. "This is your stop Mr. Uchiha." Rowdy laughter interrupted him.

"Ah, think you, good sir, for a job well done!" It was a woman's voice, and she sounded quite drunk.

Sakura turned to see Sasuke and his fiancée Karin coming out. The woman was leaning on Sasuke as he helped her out of the elevator. He had an irritated look on his face as he helped her. What was it with these Uzumaki's and getting this way? Sasuke was at that breaking point. He had to use all his willpower to not tell her to shut up and calm down. He couldn't wait to dump her in her room and leave her to fend for herself then.

Sakura looked surprise, like she could just die. Oh no... This is bad! This is so freaking bad!