Loving someone may mean sacrifice and pain…

But if the person I am to love is you,

Then I'd rather embrace pain and suffering than not to have loved you at all…

…

Part Eleven:

Unchained Premonitions

…

..::Shikamaru's P.O.V::..

I started my day the normal and usual way.

I wake up and find myself staring at Ino's angelic face for the umpteenth time again. It's more of a daily routine for me. I can't start my day without seeing her first thing in the morning.

If I am to die… I wish that she would be the last one I'd see…

My hand reached reluctantly at hers and held it tight. I feel so contented just by holding her this way.

I couldn't ask for more.

Her crystal blue eyes found its way to greet me as a faint smile crept along her face.

"Ohayou…" she greeted meekly.

I felt my self struggling along to stand up but she stopped me and shook her head. "Stay." She said and guided me back to bed.

Not letting go of her hand, I pulled her gently and locked her in my arms.

I felt no rejection as she rested her head on top of my chest and snuggled on me. I can't help but smile in return.

"Good luck, Shika-kun. I know you can do this." She whispered and clutched my flak jacket tighter.

"I troublesomely hope so, too…" I said and closed my eyes.

I heard her laugh and closed her eyes as well.

Deep down inside, I don't want to go through this thing. I just don't want Ino to feel bad. I want to see her happy and make up for all the mistakes that I did.

For all the tears, burdens and sadness that I brought in her life, I just hope that this would be enough.

Even if I know that in the end, it will do no good.

This would be my last day. I have met the deadline. It's either that I live quite a little longer or die today.

I looked down and stared at her sleeping figure.

"Bye, Ino…"

…

A soft knock disturbed our private time together and came in Naruto and Tsunade-sama.

"I hope we didn't disturb you, smarty-pants." Naruto said with a hint of malice.

"Nice lipstick, lover-boy. Did Ino give that to you?" Tsunade-sama asked obviously pertaining to the kiss mark.

I felt my face turn crimson red in embarrassment. "Damn it, if you two want someone to nag, go get married!"

Ino came out of the bathroom and saw the two. She smiled at them and asked, "Are you going to start already, Tsunade-sama?"

"I think so. Nara is kind of energetic already." Tsunade-sama answered as I started to beat the hell out of Naruto. "Do you wish to accompany him, Ino?"

I saw her shook her head and said, "That's not necessary. I should be going out, then. I still have to buy something." She then looked at me and asked, "Will that be fine, Shika-kun?"

I drew a deep breath and said, "Aa. Don't forget my raspberries…"

…

Don't leave me, Ino…

I don't want to be alone…

Not anymore…

I'm scared. I don't want to die.

I don't want to leave.

I still want to be with you.

But what can help…?

Nothing…

Nothing can help.

I'm dying… soon enough.

I have to go. Just go.

Simply just like that.

But this, I promise you…

I will always be here…

…waiting…

…

"He made it, didn't he?" Naruto asked more sounding like a statement.

Tsunade-sama made no response as loneliness crossed her delicate features.

Walking a few steps towards the unconscious jounin, he glared back at Tsunade-sama's grievous face and said in a low voice, "Don't tell me you're too old that your healing junk busted up…"

Tsunade-sama drew a deep breath and averted his dreadful gaze. "Shut up. This has nothing to do with my age."

A strong blow nearly broke the wall into pieces.

"This is definitely NOT the right time to fool around, old woman." Naruto threatened. "You could have at least remedied something!"

His jaws tightened in despair and shook his head in frustration. "Come on now! I can't afford to lose Shikamaru! He is one of the most promising Jounins that this land needs! Hell! It would REALLY be a waste if that lazy bum would die!"

Tsunade-sama's stoic face remained composed.

"It's suicide if I force my jutsu to its extent. Especially if his own body denies it." He heard Tsunade-sama stated calmly.

"Explain yourself." He ordered—quite unmindful that it IS Tsunade-sama that he was talking to. Well…come on?! If he was aware that it IS Tsunade-sama, he wouldn't be THAT brave to order her around like some dummy.

Tsunade-sama just quirked her eyebrow and brought back her gaze at Shikamaru.

"I did my best, Naruto. But my best was not just enough. He's too weak already and his body is resisting my jutsu for some reason." She said as her eyes narrowed in deep thought.

Silence occurred for a while when the former hokage blurted out, "It was as if he doesn't want to live anymore. He's pathetic, I tell you. Leaving his duty unfinished and all… I hate to say this but he'll be dead any minute by now…"

Naruto could only freeze in shock as they heard a knock on the door.

"Excuse me, is it finished already?" came in Ino's voice visibly filled with excitement.

They both exchanged looks with each other. How can they explain it to Ino that her husband wants to die already?

Before they could think of something to say, Ino came in. "Hi, Shika! I brought raspberries for you!" she greeted and walked hurriedly beside the bed.

"Ano… Ino-chan…" Naruto mumbled but didn't get to continue what he wants to say as Ino sat beside Shikamaru with a face that they had never seen so happy before.

They watched as Ino smiled and kissed Shikamaru's forehead.

"You can wake up now, silly! You can never fool me!" Ino said and laughed.

Shikamaru made no response.

"Shika! Stop it! It's NOT funny!" Tension filled the atmosphere as Tsunade-sama walked a few paces towards her. With this, Ino could already sense that something is wrong.

Something is so wrong.

Tsunade-sama placed her hand gently on top of her shoulder as Naruto began to say, "Sorry, Ino. We're really sorry… We did everything we could…"

A reassuring squeeze made tears stream down her face. She watched as Shikamaru finally stopped breathing and lay restless on the bed peacefully like some kid taking his nap.

Naruto and Tsunade-sama bowed their head in sorrow each declaring that Shikamaru is dead.

Yes, Nara Shikamaru ceased his own existence.

…

.::Ino's P.O.V::..

…

I watched in horror as his steady breathing finally stopped. His arms fell on both sides of the bed and I could only stare at his diplomatic face.

He left me.

He left me without saying goodbye.

And so did I…

I left his side and didn't get the chance to tell him I love him. I should've just stayed, hold his hand until he wakes up.

That way, I could still hear him saying, "You're so troublesome, Ino…"

There are a lot of things I want to say. I want to tell him how happy I was whenever I see him smile sarcastically or not. I want to shout at him and yell how stupid he looks whenever he counts his remaining days.

I still want to say… I like him ever since. I've only noticed it just now.

But I can say nothing. Even if I do, he won't hear them anymore.

He's dead. Lifeless. Unresponsive.

If only… I could bring him back.

…once more…

"Nara Shikamaru, you bottom-feeding jerk!" I shouted remorsefully and took hold of his hand.

The warmth was gone as well… together with his soul.

What remains right now is his lifeless body that could never hold me securely again.

Never in my living days.

"Why did you go…? It's…not yet…time… Come back, Shika. Come back to me…" I whispered through endless tears and my heart felt heavy because of regret and lament.

I can't keep this anymore…

I just… have to let it all out…

Just like what he taught me.

I could no longer hear his lessons in life. I could no longer feel his warm arms around me. I could no longer see how silly he looks like whenever he throws tantrums like some 6-year old kid.

How could I face reality without him? How could I live my life back to normal if he's not here? How could I be happy if deep inside I'm hurting like hell?

"Ino… we should be happy for him. Shikamaru wishes it." I heard Tsunade-sama say and rubbed my back gently.

Happy…?

Would I still feel happiness if I know that he would never come back?

If in my everyday life all that would greet me is his absence?

I guess not.

I looked up at his serene face and I can't help but be sad about it. Just thinking that this would be the last time that I would ever see his face makes me want to go with him as well.

No more Shika.

No more lazy-bum.

The 'one-month marriage thing' is over.

The thirty days filled with annoyance, thrill, sadness, revelations and acceptance will all be right here.

Right here inside my heart.

Locked up strongly with chains that would protect them… so that… no one could take it away from me…

Yes, nobody would ever take away these memories we've shared.

But there's one key that would unchain and unlock them all…

One precious key with the name 'Nara Shikamaru' inscribed on it.

So…

Whoever hears me now…

Send my love for him to heaven…

Farewell... Shika-kun….

I kissed him farewell and felt his cold lips against mine. If this is some sort of fairy tale, he could've awakened from his sleep. Sadly, this isn't a fairy tale.

This is reality.

And Nara Shikamaru would never wake up from his sleep. Not later, not tomorrow, not anymore…

…

Author's Notes:

Hi guys! I just want to tell you that I'm sorry. I was busy debating if I'll let Shika live or not. I kind of jumbled up my ideas but I hope you still liked it.

Still, I want to say that I have a sequel ready for this. But before I present it, I want you to read the story behind this fanfic. It's that story of my life that inspired me to write this down. I hope you'll all like it.

This is a Christmas gift for all of you!!!! Have a merry Christmas everyone!!!!

Thanks for the support and patience.