2. Last Love
When Ino woke up she found herself lying in Shikamaru's arms. She didn't want him to go. Somewhere deep inside her she knew he wouldn't return. Without waking him she stood up and walked to the kitchen to make a nice breakfast.
With the breakfast on a big shelf she walked back to the bedroom to surprise Shikamaru.
"Shika, wake up." she said soft in his ear.
He opened his eyes and smiled when he saw the luxurious breakfast waiting for him.
"Thank you Ino."
"No problem, by the way this is the last resonable meal you're going to get in a while so you'd better enjoy it."
He smiled again and started eating.
He ate slow so he could enjoy every second he was with her. Nara Shikamaru wasn't someone who easily loved other people but when he loved, he loved hard. From all the people who where in his love list he loved Ino the most. In his eyes she was perfect.
"So have you any idea what kind of mission you're gonna get?"
"There was a rumor there were some Shinobi from the hidden village of Clouds so we're going to check if everything is alright."
"Be careful."
"I promised you not to die and I will keep myself to that promise."
Ino sat down beside him and lay her head on his shoulder. "Please don't go."
"I have to, you know that."
"But what if you die, what do I have to than?"
"Ino promise me something."
"Yes Shikamaru?"
"If I die, please go on with your life, find another boyfriend, get kids and be happy."
"Please don't say that Shika, you make me sad when you say that."
"Promise me Ino."
"I promise."
---
Ino looked at the clock, it was three weeks ago when Shikamaru left and he could return any moment.
She sighted, seconds seemed to last hours.
The doorbell rang, Ino ran towards the door and opened it.
"Hi Ino, I heard that the boys are back so would you like to visit Tsunade's office with me?" asked Sakura.
"Of course!" said Ino happily.
She closed the door behind her and walked beside Sakura.
"So how are thing between you and Naruto?" asked Ino.
"Great! He's so sweet and cute. So how about you and Shika?"
"The same." Ino said with a smile.
"Sakura!"
"Naruto!" Naruto hugged Sakura tight.
"Where's Shikamaru?" I asked him.
"Sakura would you like some ramen, I'll pay."
"Naruto!" I yelled.
"Yes Ino?" there was a strange tone in his voice.
"Where's Shikamaru?"
He didn't reply.
"Answer me!"
"Ino!" I heard Tsunade yelling behind me.
I turned around to face her. Her eyes were very serious.
"Follow me please."
I followed her into her office. She pointed at a big chair and I sat down in it.
"Something happened to Shikamaru right?" I asked.
"Yes."
"Is he dead?"
"We don't know but we think so, Naruto told me he went off to scout the area and didn't return. They were attacked by some Clouds a few hours later and one of them had Shimamaru's head protector so we assume he's dead."
"Ino, I'm so-"
"Shikamaru you asshole, you promised me!" I cried, "You promised me not to die!"
I didn't hear Tsunade's words, all I could think of was Shikamaru. What was my life without him? A black darkness spread across my heart and suddenly everything turned black.
---
When I wake up everything was white.
"Am I in heaven?" I asked myself.
"No you're in the hospital." said Tsunade who was sitting beside my bed.
"Why didn't you let me die?" I asked.
"You're much too young for that." she replied.
"I don't know why I should continue living when Shikamaru is dead."
"Don't say things like that."
"What do you know of it?" I replied irritated.
"As much as you!" she yelled back, "You're not the only one who has lost an important person."
"Sorry for that." Tsunade said soft. "But you have to continue with your life, I know Shikamaru wanted that."
"Ino promise me something."
"Yes Shikamaru?"
"If I die, please go on with your life, find another boyfriend, get kids and be happy."
"Please don't say that Shika, you make me sad when you say that."
"Promise me Ino."
"I promise."
She remembered the promise she had made to him three weeks ago.
"I'll try." she replied soft.
"Good to hear that."
"But I don't know how."
"I'll help you."
"You have to find another person you love."
"I don't think I can love someone else on this worlds with the amount of love I loved Shikamaru."
"With finding another person I don't mean a boyfriend."
"What do you mean?"
"Ino you're a good Shinobi, you're Jounin why don't you become a teacher?"
"Someone like Kurenai and Asuma?"
"Yes."
"Do you mind that I stay home for a few weeks first?"
"No," said Tsunade, "Take the time to recover."
Ino lay down, maybe there was a way to continue after his death after all.