Las Vegas
Kate: Okay, I know it's been awhile…BUT MY PROM'S THIS SATURDAY! MAY 2nd PEOPLE! Yes…I am going a bit loopy in trying to make sure that I will have everything I need and want…So, anyhow, I would like to give my thanks to all of the following people for showing a support for my story in one way or another: Grazie! Grazie!
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Kate: Alright, I Don't own Naruto…Blah, blah, blah…
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Chapter 5: I'll Try
Tears were continually falling on the alabaster counter in their hotel bathroom. Strands of pink hair cascading onto the sink as the pinkette laid her forehead on the countertop. The door to the bathroom was locked so that her 'husband' couldn't disturb her as she tried to get a grip on her emotions.
"What am I going to do?!" Her voice came out pleading for an answer, begging for escape. "I can't be married. I just can't be!"
Unbeknown to her, the raven haired male was leaning just outside the bathroom door, listening to her hysterics. He was frowning at her actions and was continually tightening his clenched fists as he heard her cry some more.
'I swear I'll make her love me.'
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Beautiful raven strands were spread out on a fluffy white pillow, pearly eyes overflowing with love and devotion, while said raven's vanilla smooth skin brushed away the blonde strands of hair that fell annoyingly into her husbands face, hiding his innocent expression as he slept in a light slumber next to her. She watched how content he looked and let her mind stray as to what the next ten to fifteen years would be like married to her prince.
"I love you Naruto…" Were her gentle words whispered as she didn't expect his sleeping form to reply.
"Love you…too…Hinata…" It came out groggily and the young blonde was still sleeping but the words still meant the world to her. "You're my life now Naruto…my everything…"
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Pacing was all that could be heard in room 511 as the blonde continued to pace with her cell phone in her hand. She incessantly continued to call her friend in hopes that she could calm her down. There was no answer as of yet.
"Ino, just give it up. She obviously doesn't want to talk right now."
Blue eyes met black ones as fury and rage burned within them. She was not in the mood to hear what he had to say on this matter. She knew what her friend needed… and that was to talk to HER!
"This is none of your business, so butt out!"
Shikamaru sighed in annoyance, he couldn't understand this woman. One moment she was happy, then worried, and in the next she was angry.
'What a drag…I married the bi-polar one.'
"Don't you sigh at me! Get your ass up and do something! Go knock on their door or something!"
Shikamaru unhappily got up and walked out of their hotel room and down the hall to where he knew Sasuke's room to be. A grumble of "How troublesome…" came out before he knocked on the door.
The sound of slight movement could be heard inside as the door opened a few minutes later to reveal a frustrated Uchiha.
"What?" Sasuke's voice came out hardened and icy as he glared at his lazy friend. Shikamaru didn't really care and continued to look at him idly as he leaned against the door frame.
"Ino kicked me out in order to check up on Sakura. Apparently when Sakura doesn't answer her cell, it means the world is ending. So I'm not to return without having talked to said girl."
"Good luck." Was the only reply he received as he was given entrance into the room. It looked exactly like the room that he and Ino were sharing; two queen sized beds, a large flat screen television, a small table with two burgundy chairs, and a bedside table that stood between both beds.
"I'll be downstairs in the lobby. Call me when you're done here."
Shikamaru nodded his head in understanding as he walked over and leaned up next to the locked bathroom door. He heard the door click shut as Sasuke left the room. He knew that Sasuke wanted to give them some privacy, and, maybe he even hoped that he could help Sakura in some way.
There were light sobs heard coming form inside the bathroom as he stayed quietly beside the door. He was still unsure of what to say but knew that he had to do something soon before Ino stormed over. He had to admit, the woman scared him…just like his mother.
'Women are just too damn troublesome…'
A light knock on the door and then he waited for a reply. Unfortunately, there was none, so he tried again.
"Go away! I don't want to talk to you!"
She was angry and he was about to throw himself into the fire.
"Sakura, it's not Sasuke, he's not here."
There was a pause where the sobbing at stopped altogether. A few moments later he heard the click of the bathroom's lock. Slowly, the door was opened and a disheveled pink haired girl warily looked outside the confines of the small room in which she was previously inhabiting.
"Shikamaru?" Her tone was questioning as she stared at him. Why would he have come? Why not Ino?
"Ino sent me over." Was his reply as he assumed her unasked question. "She's worried about you."
"And she sent you?" Her voice had now become surprised as she tried to figure out why her blonde friend had sent her 'husband' over instead of coming herself.
"She's been calling your cell nonstop. I guess you didn't have it with you in the bathroom."
"Why didn't she just come over here herself then?"
It was obvious that she was annoyed as she crossed her arms and narrowed her jade orbs at the brunette man in front of her.
"She kicked me out because I told her to leave you alone and then as punishment, sent me here to check on you."
"Oh, so it's a punishment to come see me?!"
Shikamaru sighed his lazy sigh as the thoughts of just leaving crossed his mind.
"Troublesome…"
Green eyes narrowed even further as a frown became quite evident on her face.
"Look, in some weird, totally unexpected way, you became like a cousin-in-law or something and that makes you family. As family, it's my responsibility to make sure you're alright. That's all I'm really getting at."
"Well, you checked up on me, now you can run back to Ino and give her the news."
This was becoming quite bothersome…
He had no other choice. He grabbed her arm and pulled her into a nearby chair. He kneeled down in front of her as he held both her delicate hands within one of his own and had his left hand on her right arm in a comforting manner.
"Look Sakura, I know that this is hard for you and it's going to become harder, but, life goes on. I may not have consciously chosen to marry Ino but I did and I'm willing to live with my life married to Ino for as long as she wants me. I'm not sure what the future will hold but what I do know is that when this vacation is over, you will still be married to Sasuke and you will still have to deal with that fact. The more that you accept it now; the easier it will be to decide what to do next. Crying in a hotel bathroom isn't going to get you anywhere; you're only worsening the situation. My advice to you is that as long as Sasuke is being stubborn about this situation and willing to try, you should try too. Constantly opposing him won't do you any good; he won't sign any annulment or divorce papers. He's an Uchiha and there hasn't been a single divorce in his family yet. I'm sure that he's not willing to break the chain."
Sakura just nodded her head as she thought his words over for a long while. Finally, she came to her decision as she embraced Shikamaru in a hug.
"I guess it won't hurt to try a little." Shikamaru smiled at her words; maybe she wasn't as troublesome of a woman as he thought she was. "But that doesn't mean that he's going to convince me to fall in love with him with only a few sweet words and a couple cute gifts!"
Or not…
"Troublesome sister…"
She cocked her head to the side in a cute way as she became puzzled at his words.
"I thought we were like cousin-in-laws?"
He gave her a lazy smile.
"Hn, by the relationship you have with Ino, I think you're more of a sister than a cousin."
Her tears were gone, albeit her eyes were slightly red and puffy and her hair was a little tangled, she was all better again. Shikamaru, the lazy genius, had won her over with his caring words of wisdom. A bright smile was plastered across her face.
"I think Ino's quite the lucky girl."
He gave her his own attempt at a smile which looked gentle and kind as he replied with his own honest statement.
"And Sasuke's quite the lucky guy."
Outside the hotel door, in the hallway, stood Sasuke Uchiha with a large smirk, almost smile, on his face, with an overjoyed Ino beside him. Neither one could wait patiently in the hallway anymore as they opened the door and walked in.
"You better not be hitting on my husband forehead!"
Sakura and Shikamaru turned to the blonde and raven standing behind them with a bored expression. They knew the moment of peace was too good to last.
"I'd say the same thing but I know you're too lazy to hit on my wife." Cane Sasuke's deep voice as he directed the statement at Shikamaru who held a lazy smirk.
"Yeah, whatever Uchiha, you should be on your knees thanking me for doing your job for you. It should've been you sitting here with the weepy woman; I've already got one of my own to take care of, I don't need another."
At the same time, both Sakura and Ino wacked the poor genius over the head amidst their fury at his proclamation.
"See what I mean? Women are all just too troublesome…"
Another loud wack to the head was heard as both Ino and Sakura once again popped him one.
"Damn women…"
Before the girls could go for a third hit, the door opened, revealing a grinning Tenten and stoic Neji.
"What'd we miss?" Inquired Tenten with large brown eyes as she gazed at the scene before her: Shikamaru in between two women with two large lumps on his head and a smirking Sasuke.
"Where have you been all day?" Ino was curious; she had no clue where they went after leaving the hotel room.
"Nowhere special." She was grinning…what did they not know?!?!?!
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Kate: Alright, hope you enjoyed the brief chapter! I know…I didn't put much NejiXTen in there... I was in a hurry! It's a busy week for me! Love ya alls! R&R if you want the next update!