Drabble Three: Sickbed

Chouji stepped into the room, clutching a bag of chips in his hand as usual. His walk stopped at the sight of his best friend curled up in bed. Heavy blankets were all over him and a wet cloth was pressed on his forehead.

"Yo," Chouji stuffed another chip as he headed towards the bed and casually landed at the edge. "How are you feeling?"

"Seriously, do you really have to ask that?" Shikamaru answered. His voice was a bit croaky. "This is such a pain in the ass."

"In the head," Chouji corrected. "Your ass cannot feel anything."

Shikamaru sneezed. "How do you know? It's my ass we're talking about."

"But everybody's ass is the same. My ass can't feel the pain when I was sick, same goes to you."

Shikamaru wiped his runny nose with a flowery handkerchief that obviously wasn't his. "Right."

Chouji winced at the sight of it. "Gosh, Shikamaru… I heard that hanky screams, you know."

"Or its owner, to be exact." Shikamaru tossed it aside. "But don't worry. No danger here."

Chouji looked around, as if looking for something. Or someone.

"What?" Shikamaru queried.

"Ino hasn't come to visit you, has she? I don't see any flowers…"

"Why should she come? It is I who sick, not someone else…" There was a note of annoyance in the hoarse voice.

"Maybe she didn't know you're sick," Chouji walked to the window and peered outside. "That's surprising, seeing it was your mom who spread the word around. I'm sure Ino's got the news by now."

"And what, bursting into my room to check whether or not I was alive?" Shikamaru asked sarcastically. "It is I who sick, Chouji. And in case you'd forget, we had a fight yesterday. She won't bother visiting."

"She visited me when I was sick," Chouji shrugged, still trying to make out a blond head amongst the people bustling outside.

"You were hospitalized," Shikamaru pointed out. "And you guys didn't fight."

"She will come," Chouji said confidently.

"Yeah, once her anger wears down and you know that'll take years. And by that time, my fever has long gone."

"Right. So how come you got sick anyway?"

Shikamaru sneezed again. "Didn't I tell you we had a fight?"

"Yeah," Chouji answered in a matter-of-factly tone. "So?"

"That about to sums it up."

"Oh." Chouji sweat-dropped. He should've guessed. "So," he popped another handful of chips into his mouth. "What were you guys fighting at?"

"The usual. I lazed, she bossed."

"Then?"

"I ignored her, she got pissed." There was almost a trace of smile. "She pushed me down the lake and tried to drown me."

"But she didn't."

"Yeah," Shikamaru shrugged then chuckled. "Maybe she was afraid of losing me. Ha."

"Oh no," Chouji corrected again. "She just didn't want to bother messing around with your corpse."

Shikamaru took the wet cloth off of his forehead and threw it carelessly on his bedside table and lie on his side. "Maybe you're right," he agreed softly, eyes resting at the blue sky outside. "Come to think of it, she never really bothered with cases spelled S-H-I-K-A-M-A-R-U."

Chouji smirked mildly at the sarcastic remark. "She might not look like it, but she really cares about you, Shikamaru." The sick chuunin arched his brows. "Okay, she cares for us both."

When Shikamaru didn't reply, Chouji continued, "You really, really like her, huh? Geez, Shikamaru. Just tell her already."

"Tell her what?"

"Your feelings!"

Shikamaru coughed. "My feelings?"

Chouji rolled his eyes. "Oh, come on. You've liked her for ages. It's time for you to confess and treat her nicely, instead of bickering and arguing, picking a fight every so often just to grab her attention."

"I never had such intention, Chouji."

"You're lousy liar, buddy. Take my advice; claim her before somebody else does."

Shikamaru shifted uncomfortably. "Oh?"

"Yeah. And do it fast. Got it?"

"I don't know what you're talking about."

It was an obvious lie and Chouji had known Shikamaru long enough to see right through him. However he saw his eyes blinked lazily looking at the sky, so he stood. "See you later."

"Yeah…" Shikamaru didn't drift his gaze. "Bye."

"She'll come," Chouji said before he left the room. "She cares about you, too. You'll see."

When Shikamaru opened his eyes moments later, the sky outside was no longer mesmerizing blue but pitch black.

He questioned why he couldn't see the stars clearly though his curtains were open but realized that his gaze was actually blocked by something.

Or rather…someone. He recognized that scent.

"Ino?" He croaked. The figure didn't budge. Instead its weight was still on the space beside him. "Ino?" Shikamaru called again, raising his hand.

It fell on something soft and silky. Her hair. It was then he realized that Ino was sitting on a chair, sleeping with her head on his bed. Her face was on top of her crossed hands, facing him.

Shikamaru blinked through the darkness and tried to make out the time. It must be past sunset, he thought. It was still day when Chouji came. I've been sleeping for hours…

He let his hand rested on her hair. Without intention, without realization, he began stroking the golden tresses. Glittery stars reflected in his eyes as he stared at the sky outside, wondering how long had Ino been there, possibly waiting for him to wake up. Odd warmth seeped into his heart.

Damn, Chouji was right. He really liked that girl very much.

Then he felt a movement. She stirred. He quickly withdrew his hand.

"You're awake?" Ino sat up straight slowly, bringing one hand to her eyes and rubbing it groggily.

"That's supposed to be my line," Shikamaru coughed a bit. "How long have you been here?"

"I dunno. It wasn't that dark when I arrived," she shifted. "How are you feeling?"

"Good."

"Liar." He could feel her sharp glare.

"Okay, not so well." He surrendered. "But at least I am much better."

He felt her cool hand rested on his forehead. "Your temperature's still up."

"No big deal," Shikamaru closed his eyes, liking the feeling of it. "It'll down soon enough."

Ino was silent for a moment. "I'm sorry."

"It's not your fault. You didn't know I'll catch a cold."

"I shouldn't have tried to drown you."

"It's better than having you beating the shit out of me. Besides, I got the days off."

"I'm really sorry."

"Stop being troublesome."

Ino didn't retort but she pulled her hand back and made Shikamaru regretted his choice of words. Oh, crap. He shouldn't mention the last word. Ino hated it.

"Do you want me to turn on the lights?" Her tone was cold.

It was better in the dark but he couldn't see her properly. "Please."

Then the room brightened. And for the first time since yesterday, he saw her. She was in her casual outfit, her hair was down and a hard look was on her face. He knew why. She'd had enough.

"You know I never meant it."

She shrugged and masked the hard look with boredom. "Whatever. I'm kinda used to it."

Shikamaru followed her move. Ino was already by his side again but didn't occupy the chair. Instead she bent down a little to mess with something on his bedside table.

"Are you hungry?"

Startled, but, "Yeah."

She opened a container and poured a generous amount of porridge into a bowl. Then she shoved it to him.

Shikamaru smelled and took a spoon. "Not from my mom, I guess? And…not from your mom, either."

He knew but he just wanted her to admit.

"I bought it, happy?" He arched his brows amusedly. She sighed. "Fine, I cooked it myself. It's my first time so be nice."

Shikamaru smiled and tasted. "It's not that bad for a first-timer – Okay, it's a bit salty." But he ate it nonetheless. "I accept your apology."

Ino relaxed and returned to her chair, watching him. And when he finished, she packed her things back and prepared to leave.

"Get well soon," she smiled. "And I hope you've learned your lesson. Next time I tell you to do something, better do it fast. Next time I talk, look at my face and listen." She stood. "Goodbye."

No, he didn't want her to go just yet.

Chouji's voice rang in his ears.

"Ino," he stopped her when she was too close to the door. "Wait. There's…there's something I want to tell you."

And where the hell did that bravery came from?

She turned to face him. "What?"

Shikamaru hesitated for a moment but carry on, "I think…I think I kind of…" He paused a little. Just go ahead and tell her already! "I think I kinda…like you."

Ino was surprised but finally her face broke into amusement. "You know what? Nobody has ever confessed to me in a sickbed before." She neared him. "That was first."

"Should I feel honored?"

Ino smiled mysteriously. "Yeah, maybe you should."

Then she kissed him on the cheek. Shikamaru touched his face, frozen.

"What was that?"

"That," Ino turned and walked back to the door. "Is your reward."

Then she disappeared behind the closed door.

After a while, Shikamaru finally figured out something.

"Heh," he grinned sheepishly, "looks like the troublesome woman really cares about me after all."

Wait till Chouji hears this!