Walking under the rain feels so empty and cold...
But if you were there beside me and make me feel the warmth of your love...
Then I'd rather stay under the rain for the rest of my life...
...and even after that...
Part Ten:
Breaking Out
I love her. Definitely.
It's not everyday that I really hate her. I NEVER hated her, mind you. Not even for once.
Not even when she bosses me around during our genin days, not even when she crumples my shirt or stabs me because of too much thrill to Uchiha.
I just... I just love her.
Just like that.
I need no such foolish reasons to love her. I never wanted to lock myself up inside my own cage of fear.
If I want to show her how much I love her, I'd do it.
This is something that I learned from Ino. Fear is a part of loving someone. Fear of getting dumped, fear of being rejected and fear of getting hurt. Still, pain, fear and rejection are not excuses to give up because that's okay.
At least, you've felt that you had existed...
"Shika-kun? Are you daydreaming again?" Ino asked innocently as she tugged my flak jacket. "You weren't listening to me again, were you?"
Uh-oh... I know THAT kind of tone.
"Ramen. Beef. Ice Cream. Blueberries. Yeah. I was listening. No need to get furious." I said—no, changed that—I lied.
"Shika, I AM talking about 'Konoha'...." She retorted almost sounding like a threat. Again, her bossy attitude filled the atmosphere as she folded her arms. "I NEVER mentioned anything about ramen, beef, ice cream or raspberries--"
"That's BLUEberries, dear." I corrected.
"Whatever! I was just testing if you're listening right now!" she exclaimed obviously annoyed. Oh god... if only her cuteness charade could heal this 'shit'.
I can't help but laugh. Winning over her temper had probably become a hobby of mine. She looks gorgeous with that scowl on her face and that...woah...look at that pout.
Makes me want to kiss her—even just for a stolen moment.
Shut it up, Shikamaru. Don't you even dare think about that again.
"I was talking about getting back to Konoha..." she said and leaned on me as we stand by man-made pond.
I immediately looked down at her with eyes wide open as I asked cautiously, "You're not leaving again now, are you?"
After admitting my true feelings face-to-face with her, I never hesitated to what I feel. If I feel like telling her I love her so much, then I do. No more Mr. cover-it-all-up so don't think of me as a weird guy because people change, mind you.
"No, silly! Why would I do that?!" she chuckled and snuggled closer. "It's not just me who's going back to Konoha, dimwit. WE'RE going back."
"Why the sudden idea? You missed Uchiha already?" I said faking a jealous statement. "And what about me? Are you trying to find out my height in order to prepare for my casket? Dear Ino... just let me give you a shorter formula to compute. First you add...blah..blah...blah..and then you multiply it with the power of two and divide it by a quadratic equation...blah...blah..blah..."
"Shut up!" she whimpered and shot me back a deadly glare. "How can you say that?! I've been pissing off Hokage-sama to convince the hell out of Tsunade-sama just to heal your goddamned shit and here you were being jealous and--"
Too much noise, I hate that.
A hard-headed, troublesome kunoichi's lips, I definitely love that.
I pulled back my mouth that had silenced her earlier and expected a spank on the face. I'm prepared for it—even before I was tempted of doing that.
But everything was turned upside-down as a sweet smile crept along the contours of her face. "Did you just kiss me, Nara Shikamaru? Because if you did, let me tell you that it's worse than donkey piss!"
I was about to contradict when she plunged herself on mine definitely longing for a deeper kiss. Need to tell you something? I wish heaven would be this great.
But I know that nothing would be good if Ino's absence would be there...
"Ino... there's something that I want to tell you." I said and it caught her attention.
I know that I can't say it to her face-to-face so I decided to walk ahead and she eventually followed behind. It would be less painful that way.
"I know how much you liked me to live, Ino. But you see, there are times when you just have to... let go. There's no way that my heart would be strong again. I just... have 5 more days to go. T-There's nothing we can do about it..." I said with my fist clenched inside my pocket as we continue to walk along.
She stopped from her tracks—frozen to be exact and it made me stop to.
"Ino...? Have I hurt you...?" I asked worriedly and thought that it was a stupid question to ask.
"What if you have? What if you did hurt me, Shika? Would you do something about it?" she asked coldly and turned her back on me. "Or would you just leave me alone to rot with my own stupidity?"
I could see her point. She wants to prolong my life with the use of Tsunade-sama's healing ability. She cares about me that's why she's doing all these.
"Probably I'll take the second option." I answered simply.
She looked back at me accusingly and said, "You're just going to let me go. And can you explain for yourself why would you do that?!"
"Because you're strong, Ino. I don't want to struggle with death itself. I don't want to be selfish enough to take hold of you and your fate because of my overwhelming love! You still have to...live, Ino." I said and walked a few paces closer to her. Setting aside some blonde locks, I stared at her as if trying to etch it inside my dying heart.
"B-But you're my life, Shika..." she managed to say and broke off. "I don't want to live without you! I'd hate it if I would stand before your grave, holding flowers and telling everyone about how stubborn you were! Shika was like this, Shika was like that... I don't want to talk about you using the past tense! I want you to live, be your wife and serve you with all my life! Do you see that?! Do you see what I mean?!"
"Yes, Ino. I see that clearly." I said enclosing her in my arms and let her cry. I couldn't even count how many times she had cried ever since the day I kidnapped her.
It was just... painful to remember.
But meaningful to see...
She kept on murmuring the words 'Don't go' as I hold her stiffly preventing myself not to break, too. I rubbed her back gently trying my best to reassure of my existence. "I understand you, Ino and I hope you also understand mine. My only happiness was to be with you and making me loved by you was something unexpected. You... need not to be spending your life taking care of a sick guy like me that couldn't give all the happiness you want. I can't give you children; I can't give you emotional support the way you wanted it to be...!"
A sad smile crossed my face as I said, "The only thing that I could give are those tears that you're shedding, my dear Ino. Nothing more..."
With that, the pain came inside me again as I felt my chest being stomped on by thousand horses. I cringed and pushed Ino gently away as I fell down the ground. I felt my head hit something hard as I heard Ino's voice beginning to trail off.
So much for explanations... I have to go now...
"Whew... You scared us, smarty-pants! We almost thought on a second that we're gonna have to pay for your burial!" a familiar loud voice annoyed my senses.
"Naruto you damn weasel..." I cursed weakly and tried to stand up. My head immediately hurt like crap and I fell back down the bed again. "W-Why are YOU in here inside my house?!"
"Easy, lover-boy. You're not in your house right now." I heard Tsunade-sama say as she began to check me up.
I'm not in my house? Then where am I? What happened? And for goodness sake, where is Ino?!
"You got a lot of questions in your mind, don't ya? Don't worry, the others would be coming back soon and explain everything to you later. Right now, you have to rest." Naruto ordered and I was partially surprised at hw caring his tone was.
"I'm not resting until you tell me what happened!" I snarled.
"You're as stubborn as your wife, Shikamaru. I couldn't imagine how stubborn your child would be." Tsunade-sama retorted and placed some sort of ointment on my wound at the upper left side of my forehead.
Wincing, I muttered bitterly, "That won't happen. I'll die first before the stubborn bloodline would flow."
Tsunade-sama quirked her eyebrow and brought her attention slightly to the current Hokage-sama. "Naruto? Is this what happens when I leave my trusted men to your authority? They get all too humorous for some reason."
Naruto laughed and gave him a look that says, "Laugh and you'll regret it."
Just then, a knock on the door was heard and three female Chuunins came inside the room—including Ino.
"See, Ino-pig?! I told you he'll be okay!" Sakura chirped.
I focused my attention on Ino that looks like she had been awake in ages. She looks so weary and... tear-stained...?
Hinata walked towards Naruto and whispered something. Naruto nodded and gave Tsunade-sama a meaningful glance. "I... guess we should leave you two for a while." Naruto said and began to head off with the others leaving Ino standing right in front of the door.
I closed my eyes and said, "I have no time for arguments, Ino. Go shave my ass some other day."
Not feeling any response, I cracked one eye open and stared at her questioningly. Still, I got no response. She just stood there, head bowed and hair covering her face.
Looks like she's not going to respond for quite some time.
"You're not going to make me forget your crime if you stand there cutely trying to piss of my attention." I said and shifted into a sitting position. "I'm not mad at you—if that's what you're worried about."
She looked up and asked, "Are you sure you're not mad at me taking your faint as an advantage to drag you back here in Konoha?"
I snorted and shrugged off. "That's such a detailed question, dear. Of course I'm sure. Why would I be mad at you?"
Finally, she smiled and sat on the side of the bed and gave me a big warm hug. "Arrigattou, Shika-kun! Thank you for understanding!"
I smiled happily and tilted my head on hers. If my existence would bring her the happiness she wants, then I think that there's no reason for me not to try. Perhaps Tsunde-sama has the answer to my question. To my question: "Will I still see my Ino after this?"
Author's notes:
Yay! Finally I escaped from my brain mess! Have you guys been waiting? I'm so sorry! My ideas just pass out a bit fast and I often got caught up with this so-called writer's block. Well, I'm still new here after all.
Just to let everyone know, we're coming closer to the end of this story. But before that, I want to post up the true story behind that inspired me to write Autumn in Springtime down. Do you mind if I do? If not, then that's okay. I'll just go on with the sequel to this.
Note: SHIKAINO madness is not just going to end just yet! Hahaha... Thanks to everyone!
Irukapooka:
..:sniff:..:sniff:.. I'm so touched by your ever-so present support! I love you my friend and I'll continue this!!!!! I'm so glad that you're willing to help me out!!! Waaaahhh!!!! ..:sniff:...
Malitia:
Sorry! I updated SO late. Well, I'm ready to recieve your lecherous children's beating. Hope you like this one!
Baby Kakashi:
I'm so sorry I updated late! I'm really glad you still love it! I'm going to do my best! Hope to hear from ya!
HikaruofArrow:
What can I say? My very first reviewer supported me all throughout! Yay! I'm so happy! Kip in touch!
And to the others, narutogirl--another supporter of mine! This is ur soap opera! Haha..., lukeluke, chaotic demon, narutowhenimbored, Magicians of the Yami, kawaii34gurl and Maruku-kenshin a very much huge apology for all of you and the biggest thanks for your supports!
Thanks everyone! Peace out!!!!