Fall For You
Chapter 10 – I Hate You
A/N – I don't own Naruto and it's characters T-T
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"I'm so sorry to bother you at this time Yoshino, but we really can't find anyone else to take care of our little girl," the blonde haired kunoichi said in distress.
Shikamaru's mother shook her head and smiled kindly to her blonde best friend, "It's no problem Kaoru. I know how much this mission is important to you and Inoichi. Please take care. If you need anything else just please let me know."
"Thank you so much," Kaoru said handing her sleeping little girl to Yoshino. Her eyes shifted behind Yoshino. She grinned, "Please help your mother to take care of Ino okay? Protect her alright?"
Behind Yoshino a little Shikamaru nodded with a thumb placed in his mouth.
With that all set and done, Kaoru kissed Ino's forehead before exiting the Nara family's home with Inoichi. Ino stirred a bit but resumed sleeping dreaming of being a princess in a magical land eating all the sweets she could ever get her hands on. Yoshino carried Ino into Shikamaru's room and placed her on his bed.
"Shika-chan," she whispered.
"Mom?" he asked.
"Do you mind sleeping on the floor tonight? I will help you make your bed."
"Ok…how twoblesome…..Mommy?"
"Yes dear?"
"Why is Ino staying in my room?" he asked staring straight at his mother with wide childlike eyes.
"Ino's mommy and daddy have to go on a mission and they both have to go together. So, Auntie Kaoru asked us if we can take care of Ino for her. That's why Shika-chan, you have to be a strong shinobi and protect Ino-chan so that nothing bad happens to her. Can you do it my brave little ninja?"
Shikamaru crept onto the floor where his bed is and pulled the blanket over his body, "I will protect Ino with my life. Just you see," he said yawning. His eyes slowly closes and he drifts off in a peaceful dream. Yoshino smiled and kissed her son's forehead before heading off to bed.
The next morning Yoshino went to Shikamaru's room to her surprise she found that the bed on the floor was empty. Slowly she slid the door wider and saw two lumps on the bed. Yoshino tip toed silently to the bed to find Ino snuggling up to Shikamaru while Shikamaru held onto her as if shielding her from danger. A wide grin placed itself on her lips. Usually she would have waken her son and tell him to go eat breakfast however, she thought she would let the young children enjoy their sleep and silently walked away from his room, shutting the door quietly.
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Although it was a distant memory, Shikamaru recalled the very moment he ever decided that he would be the one to protect the beautiful blonde haired kunoichi however, much to his dismay he had broken that one rule. She may not be hurt at this precise moment but in time her heart will be crushed. He realized that the longer he waited before telling her the truth, the deeper he delves into the pain that will shatter her heart.
Shikamaru knew he had to tell her but the problem was how was he going to tell her? As he lay bare chested on his futon trying to create possibilities that would avert Ino's attention to the unexpecting truth of Sasuke, the sound of heavy stomps can be heard coming to his room. He suspected that it was his mother angry that he hasn't gotten out of bed to eat breakfast and head on out to feed the deer.
"Mother, I will get up so relax –
He paused realizing that the person that had entered his room was sobbing silently. Shikamaru sat up and stared at a now weeping Ino before him.
Ino wiped the tears from her eyes and clang onto Shikamaru. Shikamaru's dark eyes widen feeling the light weight of his best friend cling for her dear life onto him. His rough hand laid itself on Ino's small back and began to rub her calming her down.
"I'm sorry Shika," Ino said sniffling and rubbing her eyes.
"Ino, what's wrong?" he asked concerned for his best friend.
"It's nothing."
"It doesn't seem like nothing. C'mon Ino, I know you better than that. What happened?"
Ino took a deep breath preparing to tell Shikamaru her story. She put her head down on his lap avoiding his eyes, "Can I stay like this?" she asked in a soft voice. Shikamaru nodded and pulled a blanket over them before letting her begin. Ino embraced Shikamaru as he brushed a few strands of her hair to the side and began stroking her ponytail.
As Ino spoke of her morning and Sakura's revelation, Shikamaru began to feel more and more fearful for when Ino discovers that he is hiding something from her. The tears became heavier with each word that escaped her lips. With each word Shikamaru found it harder and harder for him to conceal his side of the story to everything that has happened between him, Ino, Sakura, and Sasuke.
Finally Shikamaru pulled her into him in a tight embrace that surprised Ino, "Shikamaru?" she gasped quietly.
"Ino, there's something I have to tell you," he said solemnly.
"Please, promise me that you won't hate me for this –
"Shikamaru, I could never hate you –
"You don't understand Ino, promise me that you won't hate me for what I'm about to tell you," he exclaimed.
Ino nodded waiting for him to continue.
"Ino, Ss ssakura was not lying when she said that Sasuke and she had confessed to each other last night. While I was strolling around Konoha last night I happened to spot Sasuke and Sakura at the entrance of the village. It struck me strange that these two were up so late at night. So I hid in a tree and I watched them. That night, Sakura tried to stop Sasuke from leaving the village however she failed to keep him here. But, Sasuke and Sakura had confessed to each other and Sasuke promised Sakura that once he returns he would return to her and no one else. I'm sorry Ino. I was going to tell you but I –
Slap!
Shikamaru held the side of his cheek. He felt the stinging pain sear across his right cheek. He lifted his pineapple head to look at Ino's tearful face filled with anger.
"You what Shikamaru?" she spat.
He was silent.
"How long were you planning to hide this from me? I know I'm blonde Shikamaru but I'm not stupid! Why didn't you tell me? How could you hide something like this from me? You know that I love Sasuke."
"I know Ino but-
"But what Shika?" anger began to emerge from this young kunoichi.
"What stopped you Shika please tell me what stopped you from telling me this?"
"I…I don't know," he whispered.
"You don't know or you don't want to say?"
Shikamaru remained silent trying to figure out how to answer her question.
"I hate you Shikamaru," she said getting up and leaving him there without ever looking back.