A/N: Congratulations to MayumiNorika for being my 1000th reviewer! So you know what you should do right? Send me a PM of your fanfic request! (refer Chap 21)

Chapter 25: Fallen Enemy

Yet there was Shinkai Hajime, insanely real in front of his eyes. He was as handsome as ever, perhaps a few times more handsome than his picture Shikamaru had long dumped in the trash. His hair was slightly windswept, his eyes were brilliantly green. If Shikamaru was a girl, there was no doubt he could have fallen in love with him in no time.

But Shikamaru wasn't a girl and he loathed that guy so much.

"Hi," Hajime said cheerily, drawing closer and noticing Shikamaru's condition. "Sorry for holding you up but I want to ask something."

Shikamaru hesitated. Hajime seemed he knew well his purpose coming to the Hospital. Was he there for Ino?

"Go ahead."

"Can you tell – or perhaps show – me the direction to the lab?"

Then Hajime picked the wrong guy. Though he sounded innocent but Shikamaru felt temper was rising in his head. His suspicion confirmed: Shinkai Hajime was there to see Ino.

But his protectiveness came out of nowhere. Like hell he was going to let that happen.

"Which lab?" With great effort, Shikamaru restrained himself from making a comparison between him and Hajime. There he was covered with dirt while Hajime was at the height of coolness.

"Um," Hajime raked his fingers through his fine hair; some fell into his eyes, making him even more handsome. Shikamaru felt tiny. Carefully, he brushed the twigs and leaves off of his body, trying hard not appear doing so. Then he straightened his posture but still, he felt like Hajime was towering him although they were level in height (and Shikamaru was still growing). "I dunno. The one that people run experiments in?" Hajime guessed hopefully.

"There are lots," Shikamaru felt a tug at the corner of his mouth. Suddenly he felt triumph. His temper vanished. His spirit soared. Hajime didn't know Ino's whereabouts.

"Oh," he frowned. "Well, I guess I had to find it myself…" He eyed Shikamaru's bruises, concernedly. "I'm really sorry for holding you up. Those wounds look nasty. You better have them check. Thank you for your time."

He had taken several steps forward when Shikamaru hastily spoke, stopping him. "Wait."

And the chuunin solemnly walked towards Hajime, tucking his hands inside his pockets. His smudgy face was blank though there was something cunning glimmering beneath the dark pools of his eyes. "You should state your subject much clearer, you know."

Hajime's eyebrows met, looking slightly puzzled. "What do you mean?"

Shikamaru shrugged and in a matter-of-fact tone, said, "You're not looking for a lab, but a person. Aren't you?"

"How – what are you talking about?"

"I know who you are. I've seen you before," Shikamaru wasn't sure why he was doing this. He was never harsh to people on the first meeting except enemies, of course. But it just felt like a right thing to do at the right time. He could not permit Hajime meeting Ino or the other way around. "And I know the reason why you're here. Or the person you're seeking."

Hajime shook his magnificent head slowly. "I don't remember knowing you. But that's not the point now. How did you know me? And…how did you know that I was…that I actually was looking for a person?"

"That's simple. Like I said, I know you."

"But…how?"

Shikamaru was silent for a moment, thinking. Was this a right thing to do? The more he interacted with Hajime, the more Hajime less appear to be…an opponent. In fact, he seemed like a very nice guy. Shikamaru instantly found it hard to bore more hatred towards him. Perhaps there was something magical in his beautiful eyes or (damn) dazzling smile. Or maybe it was just his decent behavior. If there wasn't a case spelled I-N-O between them, Shikamaru was sure the two of them could get along very well.

But he went on nonetheless. "I've seen your picture. You know; the one with Mrs. Yamanaka." Hajime's jaws immediately tightened. "And I know the whole story. Everything."

"Auntie told you?" He asked breathlessly. His expression was grim.

"No," Shikamaru lied, starting to feel sorry. He knew it was humiliating for Hajime to discuss the matter with a person whom he just met for five minutes. "Um, Ino."

"She showed you my picture?!" Hajime looked furious. "But she wasn't supposed to show it to anybody!"

"We're good friends," Shikamaru said calmly. "We're very close. We always share our secret."

Hajime turned silent, observing Shikamaru. His face was burning with embarrassment. Then he slowly spoke in a quiet, "So you're Shikamaru."

It was Shikamaru's turn to be surprised. "I thought you said you didn't remember knowing me."

"Well, that's true. I didn't know you. And I never seen you before," said Hajime. "But I heard about you. Auntie told me."

"Auntie – you mean Ino's mom?" Hajime nodded. Shikamaru wondered how close Hajime with Ino's mother for he being able to call her "Auntie". "She talked about me?"

"Yeah, about you and Miss Sun…– Ino being genin teammates and all." The sparkling green eyes turned quite cheerless. "She said you are good friends, really close. Miss – uh, Ino always depend on you."

"Oh, yeah." That, Shikamaru pointed out, wasn't a lie. "So you can't blame her about me knowing you that way, you know."

"I guess…though I prefer her keeping the proposal to herself rather than sharing the news with you." Hajime smiled wanly. "It is damned embarrassing we get to – er – know each other this way. Certainly you'd already know by now she rejected me?"

He turned pink even more. Shikamaru wished he did not because he felt more and more sorry. If he was in Hajime's shoes…

"It must be hard for you."

"Yeah… I really, really like her, you know." Hajime avoided from looking into Shikamaru's eyes. "Ever since I was little I always hoped – well – dreamed that she will be my – uh, you know – one day. But his father never liked me – I think, I don't know why – and said Mi… – Ino is too young to marry. I thought I came to talk to her father just before I go back to Otafuku later this evening…trying my luck but unfortunately he's on a mission. And I thought I better see the girl in question myself but…"

His voice trailed away as he heaved a big sigh, obviously losing his confidence. Sympathetic at the heavy sigh, however, Shikamaru didn't let his guard down. Though rejected, this guy here still could give him greatest competition because it was Ino's father who rejected the guy, not Ino herself.

"Listen," Shikamaru drew Hajime's attention, sounding a little business-like. "Ino confides in me almost everything and she told me she was sorry for – uh - rejecting you. She likes you a lot, but you're just…not the guy for her."

"She really said that?" Hajime asked, looking crestfallen.

"It was hard for her making that decision…I mean, she said you and her are good friends and all…but she had to listen to her father, you know how her father is…" That, Shikamaru thought, was an outright lie. "Besides, like I said before, you are not really…the right guy for her."

Hajime opened his mouth to say something but Shikamaru continued, "Ino is seeing someone at the moment."

"Oh." The handsome guy paled. "I didn't know…"

"I know how you feel," Shikamaru nodded knowingly. "It's terrible. But the guy she's seeing, you don't wanna mess with him. He's," Shikamaru searched for some strong words, "very protective and hot-tempered, easily angered, that guy. Strong and smart and…really good-looking."

That, he asked himself, where did all come from?

Hajime gasped, looking horrorstruck. "Oh, yeah… I heard about that Uchiha Sasuke."

Shikamaru blinked then cursed silently. The one he was describing wasn't Sasuke! He didn't realize he just revealed a part of proud self that he securely shadowed all these years.

But whatever, Hajime seemed to fall for it. "I see what you mean," he said. "No guy in his right mind bother to mess up with M… – Ino when Uchiha Sasuke was involved. No competition, that one."

Wordlessly, Shikamaru nodded. His annoyance resurfaced but the same time relieved. Seriously this guy just believed what he said without inspecting anything?

And he…

"Well, I guess I go back with empty hands," Hajime concluded, trying to sound cheery. "After the clan tragedy, I'm sure nobody will ever want to take whatever belongs to him anymore. He won't like it."

Back off just like that?!

"Yeah," Shikamaru agreed sarcastically. "Glad you see that."

Hajime held out his right hand, seeming to have all his confidence back and feeling OK with the whole thing. Just because he thought Uchiha Sasuke was involved with Ino. Smart and brave he might've looked, but in heart he was just a coward. He didn't dare to stand up for a girl he liked and blindly accepted his defeat with open heart. "Well, I guess we never properly introduced. My name is Shinkai Hajime. It's really nice to meet you."

Hesitantly, Shikamaru shook the hand and flashed a handsome smile the best he could. "Nara Shikamaru." And I hope I'll never see you again.

"Let's have some drink together next time we meet," Hajime suggested, looking happy for making a new contact in Konoha. Ino seemed forgotten.

Shikamaru instantly gaped. "You mean you're going to be in Konoha again?!" Maybe he sounded a little bit rude but funnily, Hajime didn't notice.

"Yeah," Hajime nodded briefly, pleased with himself. "Hokage-sama just offered me a post at the Academy – most of the teachers are busy with the upcoming Chuunin Exam, so she wanted me to take over the Taijutsu class. Oh, just for your information," Hajime pointed at his chest, "I'm a Karate master."

If Shikamaru didn't know better, he seriously doubted him. But, "Yeah, I heard you owned a dojo," he mumbled, thinking furiously. How was he going to keep Ino out of this guy next time? If the two meet at last, then the truth will surface and Hajime will know he had been fooled. "Mrs. Yamanaka told me, said it's one of the best in Fire Country."

"Ah…auntie always making up flattering stories about me," Hajime laughed. "But what she said is true though."

"Great," Shikamaru said, frowning. This Hajime guy certainly had a weird personality. Handsome and charming, nice and decent yet kind of a bragging type but at the same time somewhat down-to-earth. Complicated.

"Can you do me a favor – um – can I call you Shikamaru?"

"What is it?"

"Um, can you please keep my visit out of earshot from M—Ino? It would be pathetic if she come and find me, you know, don't want that Uchiha Sasuke to know that I'm trying to steal his girl." This time, Hajime was bending low, whispering to Shikamaru.

Don't worry. I'm not stupid enough to let her know, Shikamaru growled silently but nodded nonetheless. And the problem solved itself. Hajime exhaled breaths of relief.

"Thanks! You're my life saver! I better get going – want to be home before dark. We'll meet again, alright?"

In your dreams, Shikamaru thought but returned Hajime's wave as he dashed hurriedly out of his sight.

He might be the handsome and all, but he was still an idiot.

And Shikamaru wasn't a genius for nothing.

x

Ino blinked furiously, catching her breath. Her mind seemed fail to register that the person standing in front of her was indeed the same person she was thinking short moments before. Naruto… What influence…

"Gaara…-sama."

Hooded yet it didn't stop his piercingly green eyes from going right through her. The redheaded Kazekage studied her profile with mildest interest, taking in her whole changed attire. Ino knew: she was no longer the kunoichi wearing a skimpy outfit, flaunting her thumbs-up body.

"You've changed," he commented quietly. "Yamanaka."

Ino was surprised he even remembered her name. "Ah," she agreed nervously. "Life has been…great."

She wondered how on Earth she'd be the one he greeted. Then she realized her current location. The ice cream stall stood right at the end of the street where it faced the main Konoha gates. She must've been the first person he saw, and undoubtedly recognized.

Gaara was still standing there silently, still observing her. Ino clutched her ice cream tight, which was beginning to melt.

"Once you're finished," he turned sideways. "Take me to a place where I can rest. Then after that…"

There, Ino saw, the Kazekage had the faintest joy on his face. Maybe the thought of seeing one Konoha greatest troublemaker melted his ice mask.

"…I shall see him."

They walked in silence. People around didn't seem to pay attention to the two, for most of them were civilians. But Ino noticed some of the ninjas went past them took a double take at her companion. Curiosity and (perhaps) fear gleamed in their eyes. "Um, Gaara-sama," Ino began slowly. "Do you want me to inform Tsunade-sama about your arrival? I'm sure she could arrange your stay at the Hokage Tower."

"Don't bother," he answered shortly, eyeing every inn they passed, maybe seeking for a place that was private and comfortable. Gaara loved peacefulness and silence. "I'm not on formal visit. Temari's should do."

"Temari – Oh! But I didn't know where she was staying…" Ino tried to remember if Shikamaru ever mention where the ambassadors (or specifically Temari) usually stayed whenever they were at Konoha, but her mind was blank. She didn't have that information.

Help came moments later. Luckily, they bumped into that particular kunoichi as they round a corner.

The blonde was surprised as well seeing her little brother was there. "Gaara!" She frowned at him. "What are you – you're not supposed to be here!"

Gaara stared coldly at her. "It's not your place to decide whether or not I should be here, Temari." And perhaps for the first time, Ino saw Temari's cheeks turned pink. Gaara glanced at the other kunoichi before turning his gaze back to his sister. "I came here to see Uzumaki Naruto. He invites me for his training."

"But – I'm sorry," she almost stuttered. Though Gaara had changed slightly over the years, ever since he fought Naruto, the habit of fearing him seemed hadn't subsided. Or maybe, Ino thought deeply, it was merely respect.

"What happened to you, Temari-san?" Ino asked, examining the cuts and scratches on her arms and a bit of her face. "Did you just come out of the Forest?"

Finally acknowledging her presence, Temari gave a brief nod. "We've finished our work there."

"And that means…"

"Shikamaru's out as well, yeah."

Ino felt excitement burst within her at the thought of seeing Shikamaru again. However, she had matters to discuss with Temari first. So she pushed the thought aside. She gave the older kunoichi a knowing look. "Um, do you want me to heal your wounds for you?"

Understood, Temari shook her head. "It's alright. I can tend it myself."

"But Temari-san –"

"Later, Yamanaka." She glanced at her brother who seemed making no interest in their conversation but all in all watching and listening, perhaps sensing something odd with the way they talked and looked at each other. "I'll see you later. Come, Gaara. I show you where I was staying. You must be tired from the long journey."

"We stop by at someplace to eat, Temari. I'm hungry."

"No problem," Temari turned to Ino and out of her expectations, she smiled warmly.

"Don't worry, Yamanaka. You'll see me soon enough." Ino glanced at Gaara. Now he had a curious look on his face. His green eyes narrowed, shamelessly staring at her face. "I've been thinking about it. It's alright. "

It wasn't exactly a "Yes" or "Okay" but Ino took it as the assurance she wanted to hear for so long. She assumed Temari just given her the green light to carry on whatever her plan will be.

So it was time to begin Phase Two.

…to be continued.

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