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?

Three week. Time had gone by so quickly.

She hadn't seen him since she woken up from the hospital bed. He looked terrible, yet unimaginably beautiful. Eyes surrounded by the dark circles of sleepless nights.

She saw him move and her eyes watched him lean toward her.

"You scared me," he whispered softly.

"Good," she remarked just as soft not breaking her eyes from his.

"You want me to be scared?" his voice went low with a hint of anger.

"Yes," Ino offered a small smile, "… now you know how I feel."

She could see the confusion written in his eyes before he sighed closing those dark orbs. When he opened them, she could see sadness. Was it sadness for what she said? What he didn't feel?

"Don't do this again," he reprimanded placing his forehead against hers.

She felt her eyes closed taking in his warmth. What she wanted won't be. She sighed softly opening her eyes only to find him staring deeply at her.

"You look terrible," Ino tried to change the subject, but he didn't let her.

"Ino," he frowned slightly, "… don't get hurt like this again."

"That's a hard promise to keep," she said with a snort, but quickly stopped herself from continuing when she felt his lips on hers. She felt the force. Why did he kiss her in the hospital room? Were his emotions open and vulnerable like when they were children? Was it because he thought she was dead?

"I don't know what I would do without you," that was the last confession she received from him.

Three week later, he was nowhere to be found.

He probably went to Suna once again or off helping Tsunade-sama. She sighed and placed a delicate rose in the bouquet she was working on. She took off her apron once she placed the bouquet away. She headed to the back to lock up only to hear the ringing of the bell. She quickly walked over to see who it was.

"Well," Ino smiled, "… what can I do for you?"

"Hey Ino," the voice smiled as he looked around, "… Hana's birthday is tomorrow and I haven't gotten her anything."

"Kiba," Ino place a hand on her hip and sighed, "… you know, you are lucky I haven't closed yet."

"Come on Ino," Kiba pleaded with a grin, "… I owe you big time."

"Fine," Ino rolled her eye with a smirk, "… here," she said walking over to the bouquets inside the glass fridge.

She opened it and looked over to him. His eyes were roaming every bunched flower before he pointed to one with lilies and dandelions.

"Alright then," Ino took it off the shelf and handed it to him.

"Thanks Ino," he chirped reaching for his pocket.

"It's alright," Ino waved him off, "… go home. You can pay me back later."

"You sure?" he questioned.

"Hai," Ino smiled reassuringly, "… beside," she headed to the front door flipping the sign closed, "… I need to sleep."

"Yeah, I knew you looked terrible," he chuckled seeing the blonde fuming with a pout.

"Do you want to pay me double?" Ino had a glint in her eyes.

"I was joking!" he cried opening the front door, "… later Ino and thanks!"

With that he took off leaving Ino crossing her arms on her chest.

Stupid mutt…

"That was nice of you," a voice said from behind.

"How'd you get in?" Ino questioned as she turned to him.

"You forgot to lock the back door," he thumbed behind him.

She sighed and locked the front so no uninvited guests walk in before heading to the back. She quickly pulled down the door and locked it. She turned to see him watching her. She walked to him, eyeing him for a moment before turning off the lights.

"You staying here?" Ino questioned rhetorical.

He walked out of the shop once Ino unlocked it. She locked the door once she was outside. The air was chilly. She continued down the street as he followed a couple steps behind her. Her eyes narrowed.

What does he want?

She opened the door to her place and walked in not looking behind her. She already knew and so did he.

He was always invited.

She headed to the couch but stopped when she felt his body pressed against her from behind. Strong arms wrapped around her and she didn't say anything. It was quiet beside the sound of their breathing.

"I'm sorry," he broke the silence.

His voice sounded regretful, guilty, self-hating. That apology brought to light where he was: Suna. She sighed feeling his head fall against the crook of her neck. There was no need for him to apologize. There was no reason to.

"You don't have to apologize," she said not moving, "… you can do whatever you want."

"I want to," his voice was muffled against her long hair.

She should walk away before she falls deeper into the ocean. She should just push him away and go to bed. She should not feel so broken, but she does.

"I know," he whispered softly.

There wasn't any need for him to explain. She already knew. Were her feelings that obvious that even he could see it? He knew how she felt, but why is she still feeling so much despair? She wasn't sure if she should be angry. He knew and yet, here they are. He did what he did and what was she supposed to do? Accept his apology and pretend once again that they would continue to be good friends? Fall deeper into the spell of loneliness?

She didn't know how much longer till she completely drowns.

"What now?" she questioned gently closing her eyes.

"It was nothing," he clarified and Ino felt the need to sigh once again.

She couldn't remember sighing so much before. No matter if it was nothing or something; there was no point in telling her. She didn't own him. He wasn't hers. She took a step forward breaking his arms around her. She turned to him and offered a saddening smile.

"That sucks," she tilted her head slightly.

"I'm serious," he sounded frustrated as he reached out to touch her once more.

"And so am I," Ino added stopping his fingers from touching her.

He frowned. She smiled. It was terrible, wasn't it? Here he was telling her what had occurred and she was acting as if it didn't matter. It didn't bother her. Maybe if she keeps this up, she could see the surface and breathed again?

"Ino," he walked closer to her touching her hand entangling his fingers with hers.

"Shika," she continued holding that same smile, "… it's fine."

"No," he shook his head squeezing their hand gently, "… I love you."

She felt her heart beat faster again. Wasn't she done with this? Why must her heart beat uncontrollably again? Just those three words could cause such a fuss with her heart. She frowned.

"You're lying," she said softly.

"You have my heart," he admitted touching her face with his free hand.

"Only momentarily," she reminded him feeling his lips close in.

"Now you are lying," he pressed his lips against hers and all she could think of was the taste of water in her throat.