ShikaIno: Lifeline

By kiwi4me

Summary: He was supposed to be the one to help her, but she soon realized that he was her death. She was drowning and she couldn't breathe anymore. How long until it was over?

He returned with the liaison of Suna. Her name is Temari Sabaku.

Ino could tell she likes him. It was obvious to everyone else beside him. He obviously didn't care or didn't know. Ino would put money on not knowing. She had joined them for lunch with Chouji who went willingly. She was quiet offering a smile or two depending on the conversation. The only time she was more talkative would be on portion control or missions.

"How long are you staying?" Chouji questioned.

"For a week," Temari shrugged pulling the beef off the griddle.

"Where will you be staying?" Chouji sounded like he was interrogating which caused Ino to stare at him confused.

"Well, at a hotel, inn, motel, whatever," the dirty blonde continued to pull the beef.

"Hm," Chouji sounded approving as he picked some more meat for himself.

"Many of the places are renovating," Ino informed looking at the older female.

"Is that so," Temari sighed, "… well, I suppose I will talk to the Hokage then."

The talk led to her staying with him. Ino frowned deeper. Well, it was meant to be then. Maybe now he will see how she feels about him or at least his parents. Whatever it was, she just hoped for the best. Her thoughts went back to why their kind friend acted like an interrogator during their meal. Maybe he has grown up and notice life isn't full of inspiring ideas?

She sighed. She needed to sleep, but sleep was not taking her. She looked over to the wall and frowned again.

Well, what should she do?

-o-o-

"Oi," he called out reaching her, "… hold on."

"Hey," she nodded with a smile, "… Temari headed back?"

"Yeah," he nodded tugging his hands in his pocket.

"How was sleeping with her?" Ino joked with a grin causing him to look at her in shock.

"You know we have a guest bedroom," he reminded her from those times she stayed over.

"Yet my question remains," Ino added reminding him that they would sleep in the same bed when they were younger.

"I didn't sleep with her," he said seriously staring intently at her.

"You mean in…" Ino tried jokingly, but the hand that squeezed her arm stopped her midsentence.

"I didn't sleep with her," he repeated before dropping his hand and walking forward.

Ino looked at him confused before looking at her arm to see the redness of where he held her.

What was wrong with him? Why did she actually feel scared just then?

-o-o-

"I'm sorry," he apologized staring at her arm.

"That's alright," she waved him off, "… it'll heal."

"I know," he looked up to her face, "… I shouldn't have done that."

He touched the place where his hand wrapped around her arm and he leaned to it. Ino watched as he lowered his head and placed a soft kiss to her wound. He lifted his head once again and looked at her.

Their faces were mere centimeters from the other.

She remembered when they were mere children, so young. He was the one who had his emotions on his sleeves. He was the one who cried over nothing very important. She was the comforter. She was the one who made him stop crying. How did it become the other way around? How did his emotions come to check while hers break at the seams revealing her heart to everyone?

"I wear my heart on my sleeves," Ino said softly not wanting to close her eyes.

"Then you wear mine as well," he said softly as she felt his warm breath against her lips.

"That's a lie," she mumbled wanting to lean back, but his lips already caught hers.

This wasn't the first.

They had kissed before. They kissed during missions and drunken nights. Some accidental, others not. She remembered the first time it happened. She was still young, her heart not as fragile. The kiss was soft and quick. There were no flutters, nothing more than the feeling of relief. The second time was on a mission. It was longer with tingling sensation. It was strange really. The more they kissed, the more she drowned. Maybe if she avoided his lips, she wouldn't feel like death was near.

"I have a mission," Ino closed her eyes when he kissed her cheek placing his head against her shoulder.

"When?" he asked softly against the curve of her neck.

"Tomorrow," she replied looking at the clock on the wall just wishing time would stand still for a few minutes longer.

-o-o-

He ran as fast as he could to the gates. His heart was beating as fast as the adrenaline rushing through his body. He could see her. She wasn't walking. Her current partner had her on his back as he ran toward their home. He quickly glanced at him before heading straight to the hospital. All Shikamaru could do was watch him go by. He saw them: the bruises, scrapes, scars. There was always blood. He swallowed hard and headed to the hospital as well.

He waited outside with his hands clasp and his head against them. He saw the herd of nurses enter and exit. The pink stood out in the rest as she barked orders. She never left the room where the blonde was located since he was there. That unnerved him. It must be bad. After the afternoon turned night, he stayed waiting. Chouji had come by, but he was called out on a mission. So here he was alone, waiting. He couldn't sleep, he couldn't move. What had happen to her?

He should find her mission partner, but what if she wakes up? What if she thinks he didn't care enough to come? He shook his head to clear his thoughts and sighed.

"Shikamaru," a voice called out to him and his head snapped up to meet a pair of emerald eyes.

"How is she?" he questioned worried written all over his face.

"She is really hurt this time," he could see her tearing up, "… but she should be healing now."

Healing now? He thought.

"You can stay inside, if you want?" Sakura offered.

He nodded and went in. The beeping had never felt so calming before. He saw her blonde locks and her cream face. There was a large scar at the back of her left ear down her neck and stopped at the start of her shoulder. He felt his hands fisted. He let out a deep breath and lifts his shaky hand to touch her forehead. He sighed in relief feeling her warmth surrounding his fingers. He slowly touched her face, remembering every curve and scar.

"If you love me," he whispered softly, "… don't die."