acclimation; 28.) conditions


Ino woke with a groan, arching her aching back and suddenly regretting the decision, her chest screaming out in pain the moment she moved. She collapsed back onto her bed, head spinning as she waited for the pain to abate.

"You need to be more careful," Shikamaru said from the doorway.

Ino growled at him, and gingerly pulled off the bed sheets. "I'm fine."

"No thanks to yourself. What were you thinking, jumping in front of me?!" He stalked to the edge of her bed and glared down at her.

"I saved your life," she hissed back up at him, "and this is the thanks I get?" She had been bedridden for the two weeks since nearly losing her life. Tired of being stuck in her bedroom, she attempted to rise from her bed, throwing her legs over the side.

"You want me to thank you for the most terrifying trip back to Konoha I've ever had, with you bleeding out everywhere and nearly dead?" he said harshly, but she merely pushed him away as her feet hit the floor. He pressed his lips together as she took two hesitant steps, but stumbled on the third, and came crashing into him. He caught her on reflex, hugging her gently as she cried out and took a shuddering breath.

Ino squeezed her eyes in pain, nuzzling her face into his chest as she tried to hold back a wail of pain. After a few moments, she moved away from Shikamaru, unsteady on her feet, but unwilling to be so close to him.

"Well, I'm sorry for being troublesome. You should've just left me there to die," she whispered as she attempted to walk around him, not meeting his eyes. Megumi's bright face flashed through her mind, and she blinked away tears.

Shocked, Shikamaru sputtered and held out an arm to stop her advance. "No, no, that's not what I mean—"

"You are far more precious to Konoha than I am," she interrupted, pushing away his arm, "but you will always be more precious to me than Konoha."

He reached for her again and caught her easily, trapping her in his arms. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to be so harsh, it's just that…because of me, you nearly…"

"Have you told her yet?"

"What?" He glanced down at Ino. She had her fists clenched against his chest, still avoiding his gaze.

"Have you told her yet?"

"This isn't the time to be—"

"If this incident hasn't taught you anything, Shikamaru, I swear I will—"

"Yes, I did," he admitted with a sigh. She finally looked up at him.

"You did? What did she say?"

He shook his head. "Nothing."

"Nothing? What do you mean nothing?" She pounded his chest, and he winced. She was still strong, despite being confined to a bed lately.

"I told her, but she said nothing back."

"When did you tell her?"

"Two weeks ago."

"So she rejected you?"

He released her, tucking his arms into his sides and his hands into his pockets. Ino wavered on her feet, but otherwise kept her steady gaze on him. "I suppose so."

"And you're just going to let her go like that? You've loved her for years! You gave up Emiko for her! You're just going to stand back and let her walk away?"

He sighed again, ducking his head. "It's fine. I don't blame her though."

"For what? She's an idiot if she doesn't see how great you are!"

"Stop it, Ino."

"No! How can she not see how amazing you are? You're a genius, one of the best jounin Konoha has!"

"Ino—"

"Even if you're lazy, you clearly care for your friends and would do anything to keep them out of harm's way—"

"That's enough!"

Ino quieted at his words, taken aback.

"You don't know what you're saying," he continued, turning away and heading for her door.

"But she—"

"She's afraid of life, and I don't blame her. Times are hard, and she says life is short. And she doesn't date shinobi, so it doesn't even matter anyway."

Ino was silent as the door slammed closed behind him.