Author's note: HELLO! SHIKAMARU AND INO'S BIRTHDAY HAS PASSED BUT SHIKAINO MONTH STILL GOES ON SO HERE'S ANOTHER CHAPTER!
Oh... and heads up... there is a phone here... mobile phone... it's quite crucial for the story... I use voicemails but I don't know if it's function here is right... hahahaha cause I saw in a photo (while browsing tumblr) ... a [icture of chibi Shikamaru calling a chibi Ino through phone! Yay! So I used it... I hope it won't cause much ruckus like the car in "The New Me"... hehehehe
Oh and one more thing... onceuponabloodynight means that it is a conversation through phones or letters... :)
Oh.. and here's the story... I hope you'll like this chapter...
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto,... not ever...
It's been a week. Except of a few failed infiltrations of the enemy, nothing really happened thanks to the brave shinobis lead by Naruto and the magnificent strategies Shikamaru had been relying.
Yes. After the night he poured his heart out, Shimamaru pulled his self together as if nothing happened. But of course everyone knows the young Nara was dying inside; it's reflected in his eyes.
"Shikamaru..." Tsunade called. The shadow-user stopped and listened to her. Never in the whole week does anyone hear him complain or mutter his favourite word, "Troublesome" which only makes everyone worried.
"You did not join us again for dinner."
"I'm sorry Tsunade-sama. I was just busy."
"Too busy to eat? You're friends are getting worried."
"I'm really sorry I just can't leave my duties."
Tsunade sighed, "I know what you are doing. Do you think this will help you? Do you think Ino will be happy seeing you slowly work yourself to death?" Shikamaru shrugged but his posture tensed as he heard her name.
"No."
"Then come join us in celebrating another victory from the enemies."
"I'll just get something in my bedroom." Tsunade nodded and left. Truth is, they both know Shikamaru will stay and his self again in his bedroom.
When Shikamaru reached his room, he went to his bed and lied. He was exhausted but unlike his usual self, Shikamaru isn't sleepy at all. He can't sleep; his thoughts are just filled with his memories with her. He always tried to brush her off his mind but it only resulted of him tossing and turning on his bed. Soon, he just decided to accept that Ino will never leave his mind.
Like tonight, he was busy thinking of her, what she could be doing and just about anything. He looked at the picture frame that had been turned down. He knew full well what lies there. Their wedding picture; taken by Choji just after the ceremony was finished.
No, he can't cry. He won't cry. He has decided and he has to stay firm. He stood up and busied his self in searching his bedside cabinet of nothing particular, really. He knew if he stay rooted in his bed and kept thinking of her, he would only want to see her which may make him do something reckless. And hasty isn't a word that can describe Shikamaru Nara.
Surprisingly, Shikamaru found something interesting in his cabinet; his phone. The phone he used to call Ino to. The phone which he kept Ino's stolen images and stare at every night when he was just a young hormonal teenage boy, not that he isn't one anymore. He was so tempted, very tempted.
He stared at it for minutes. Soon, he sighed and picked the phone. He was sure he saved some of their conversation or just a glimpse on one of her pictures. He was again shocked by another surprise.
10 voicemails by Ino. He can't help it, he smiled then his smile turned into a small chuckle. Ino will never change. Ino would always be Ino; nosy and will surely bombard you with her concerned but angry voice. Then there was a knock. It was Choji.
"Hey Shikamaru! Are you okay?" Choji asked, worry evident in his voice. Kiba, Lee and Naruto are behind him. Shikamaru could also see Shino, Sasuke, and Sai along with Yamato, Kakashi, Iruka and Guy.
"Yes. I'm fine." He said. He was smiling and his happiness reflected in his eyes, it surprises the others.
"Well, baa-chan said you'll join the party but you took quite a long time so we decided to fetch you." Naruto explained, confusion etched in his face. Actually confusion etched in their faces.
"Oh... I was getting to bed. Sorry, but yeah... since you're all here to fetch me, might as well go. Why don't you guys come in while I prepare?" He said, widening his door open. His visitors came in and made their selves comfortable while Shikamaru continued to his bathroom to change clothes.
"So... what's funny?" Kiba asked. "I mean, you were chuckling before we came in."
"And you seem quite happy." Lee cautiously added.
Shikamaru chuckled again. He went out of the bathroom clothes in his casual wear before he picked up his phone and showed it to others.
"I thought you lost it?" Choji asked.
"Yeah... I thought so too. But I saw it in my cabinet." Choji snatched the phone away from Shikamaru.
"10 voicemails from Ino? Wow!" Choji exlaimed. Shikamaru tried snatching the phone back but the big guy threw it towards Naruto.
"She must be cursing you like hell!" Naruto said why laughing. This time, Naruto threw the phone to Kiba and Kiba to Lee.
"Give me that!" Shikamaru commanded. He was annoyed. He knew his friends are luring him out of the room. "Alright. I'm going to the stupid party."
"Yay!" Lee cheered, Kiba and Naruto high fived. Shikamaru tried snatching the phone again from Lee but Choji beat him to it.
"Not until you come with us." He said.
Shikamaru grumbled. "Troublesome." Everyone was ecstatic. Now, they know Shikamaru is really okay.
They all went to the party but Shikamaru wanted to just go home. Unfortunately for him, his friends have a different idea.
"Baa-chan! Shikamaru is here!" Naruto called.
"And we found something too!" Lee shouted.
"What?" Tsunade asked. Choji gave the phone to the Hokage.
"Oi!" Shikamaru tried to stop his best friend but he was too late.
"10 voicemails from Ino." Tsunade smiled, "Hmmm... interesting. We should all listen to it." She said as the people quieted down. They were all curious though half of them are betting the strategist's wife must be cursing her husband to hell. Tsunade opened the first message and almost everyone went deaf.
"YOU BAKA! YOU BAKA! I HATE YOU SHIKAMARU! WHY DID YOU NOT TELL ME THAT THERE WOULD BE ATTACKS?! STUPID LAZY ASS! ARE YOU TOO LAZY TO NOTIFY ME?! BAKA! I SWEAR, I SWEAR YOU'LL PAY FOR THIS! MAKE SURE YOU'LL SURVIVE SO I CAN KILL YOU MYSELF." Almost everyone was laughing. As expected of Yamanaka Ino. No, Nara Ino. Tsunade opened other messages with different dates and 3 more messages are similar to the first one. Then they opened another one.
"Hey Shikamaru! Did you lose your phone again? Why aren't you answering my messages? Are you too lazy to even answer? Hey!" Ino must have calmed down after 2 days. They heard her sigh, "You must have lost it. Stupid Nara! A genius but could never recall where he puts his phone."
"Hey... Shika... I... I miss you... I'm still angry about you lying to me and then letting me leave your side. But I understand why you did it. I know you know that I'd be stubborn and would insist on never leaving your side. I know you don't want to see me hurt, you love me that much." Shikamaru can see her smiling, "I love you Shikamaru and I'd be waiting to see you again soon."
The listening crowd was in awe. Tsunade opened another message again.
"Hey Shika-kun! Guess who's here?" There was shuffling, "Tada!"
"Oi Shikamaru! You bastard! Ino was crying for the first two nights, you baka!" It was Temari. "I didn't give up on you for you to leave Ino just after your wedding! Stupid jackass! I am glad I gave up on you. Or be glad I did cause if I'm in Ino's position, I'll break every limb and crush every bone you have." The crowd listening roared again in laughter. Ino was giggling too.
"Stop that Temari!" She giggled again. "Temari has been with us. We met them and we decided to join are forces together. We're fine here and I hope you guys are fine there too! I miss you all! Especially you Shika! I love you! Stay alive! I got to go, Temari is an impatient woman."
Tsunade opened another one when the crowd's laughter subsided.
"Hey Shika! How are you? I'm fine." They heard some shouting from the background. "Shut up Sakura!" Then there was a giggle.
"Anyway, we have a new friend aboard. He's a male. His name is Orpheus. Everyone has the hots for him."
"That is because he is really hot!" Sakura exclaimed, and then the others giggle.
"Oh! And Sasuke isn't?" Ino asked. There was a sound of something hitting the holder of the phone. Sasuke stiffened in his position.
"And Orpheus is nice too." Hinata added.
"Awww... but I am sure Naruto wouldn't like it if he hears you praise other men than him." Tenten said then there was laughter. Kiba laughed but Naruto went red.
"Hey Hinata proclaim your love for Naruto again! I didn't get to see it in both Pain and Obito's battle." Temari commanded. Then there were gasped and something hitting a cold and hard thing.
"Uh-oh! Hinata passed out. But I am sure she loves you Naruto. Don't worry. And Sasuke... Sakura still likes you though she acts like ahe don't give a damn on you. Ouch! That hurts Sakura! You know Shikamaru lost his phone and I'm just doing this for my own sanity so there should be no reason for you to smack me in the head because Sasuke would most likely not hear this."
"Okay, Shikamaru... this troublesome woman..." Shikamaru chuckled when he heard Ino use his famous phrase. "Ouch! I mean Sakura is dragging me away. I got to go... bye... I love you... see you soon."
'Wait... Ino said there was a man aboard but I thought...' Shikamaru thought. Tsunade opened again another message.
"I don't trust that man." Everyone got curious. "Remember the dude we told you about yesterday? Yep. I don't trust him. I thought you said kunoichis and genins are the only ones staying with the villagers but that man is too strong for a genin. I know there are some genins who are really strong like Naruto and Sasuke but isn't he supposed to be quarantined in his village too. Besides, he continued to flirt with me even when I told him I'm married already. To top it all off, he said he is from Suna but Temari and Matsuri are sure they haven't seen him. I have a bad feeling about this Shikamaru... what do you think?" Shikamaru tensed. Everyone grew interested.
"I told the girls about my hunch and they seem to agree with me. But the higher ranks except Shizune, Kurenai-sensei, Anko do not believe in us. We told the town too, except for the owners of the ramen and barbeque shop, no one agreed with us. Shikamaru... I... I wish you to figure this out. I wish you are here to comfort me. I miss you so much! Please... please try to survive... for me... for us... for our future. I love you Shikamaru!"
"This is bad... we need to contact the Kazekage." Tsunade commanded. Several shinobis followed. Tsunade sat down and massaged her temple. Shikamaru snatched the phone from her. There was a horrible and nagging feeling in his gut.
"Shikamaru..." Choji called his face solemn. Shikamaru opened another message. And he instantly wanted to be with Ino or kill whoever made her cry.
Ino was sobbing,"Shikamaru... Shikamaru... I really wish you're here with me. I don't know what to do. I heard Orpheus talking to someone." She said in between her sobs. "And they... they're planning to take us down. He mentioned that he is doing his job infiltrating the ship and was successful. He also said that the distractions the man he is talking to made were successful. I think they have planned it from the start. They must have known we'll separate the civilians and Shinobis. Shikamaru... whatever attack it is they're doing in the village must be a part of a much bigger plan... a distraction in order to capture this ship. Shikamaru..." Ino sobbed again. Everyone in the room who were listening tensed. This was unexpected.
"I told Sakura about this... and we told everyone but as expected, only a few people believed us. Shikamaru... what should I do? I wish you can tell me what to do. I told you I can't survive without you. Shika..." then there was a sound of opening door and they heard Sakura's voice.
"You need to get out of here Ino... we need to tell the shinobis what is happening here. Konoha's the nearest place we could go to. And the Nara farm is the nearest dock. No one knows that farm better than you. You've roamed it with Shikamaru before. You're the only kunoichi wife... the other Nara wives are civilians. Ino... just go..."
"I can't leave you here. I'm needed here too... Shikamaru said this is my duty; to protect the village's inhabitants." Ino said in her stubborn voice.
"Ino... please don't be stubborn... I don't... I don't want you hurt. I heard them." Sakura was crying now, "I heard Orpheus really lusts you. I'm sure once we're captured, he'll do something on you."
"I... I... oh shit! My phone is still on... You didn't hear anything Shikamaru..." Ino must have intended to erase the message but accidentally sent it instead.
"What the hell is going on?!" Naruto asked, fury overpowering him.
"So all these attacks we've been fighting are just a distraction? Bullshit!" Kiba exclaimed.
"And the villagers are in trouble." Lee added.
"When was that sent message sent Shikamaru?" Sai asked.
"Yesterday." Shikamaru said his voice steady. He is trying to keep his self together.
"Tsunade-sama..."Genma called."We found someone." Then Kurenai and her son came into view.
"Tsunade-sama..." Kurenai seemed to have been crying and was bruised and very tired looking. Kusuma is still crying in her arms. Choji quickly went to the child and offer his own arms to him. The child went to him and they walked off.
"Kurenai... what... what happened?"
"There was an attack. The ship was attacked. A man who boarded the ship..."
"Orpheus..." Tsunade guessed.
"How did you know?"
"We heard from Ino." Tsunade showed Shikamaru's phone.
"Oh my God! You heard it? Everything? I thought Ino was just joking when she said she could feel Shikamaru can hear her."
"No... Not yet... the last message was yet opened." Shikamaru interjected, "Kurenai-sensei... where's Ino?"
"I suggest you not to open the last message." Kurenai said bitterly.
"Where is she, sensei?"
"She was left there with the others. She is one amazing and brave woman." Kurenai started, "The original plan was for her to be in my position, this position of talking face to face with you. But... your wife is so... troublesome I might say. She said I needed to go more than she does. I had a son I needed to save."
The crowd were caught up in listening with Kurenai, they didn't even notice the Kazekage, his brother and some of his advisers arrived.
"She threw him when I disagreed. She threw Kusuma to the waters. I had no choice but to go after my son. What a clever girl. I watched as some of some of the kunoichis pushed the villagers to the sea. Some of the genins leading them out of the sea and the comfort of land, I think they got lost in your farm."
"I saw another ship bumped the Konoha and Suna's joint ship. Then men started to fill it. They captured every person aboard. I haven't seen Ino or Orpheus. I heard Orpheus lusts your wife so I guessed that he goes to capture her, himself. The last thing I saw was that Moegi pushed Udon and Konohamaru out of the ship. The two saw me and lead me away. They're both outside."
"Tsunade-sama." Gaara called. Naruto quickly went to him.
"Gaara... the ships..." he started.
"So I heard..." Gaara said solemnly. "What does this mean?"
But Shikamaru tuned everything out. He was thinking of Ino and her last message. He opened it and right then and there, he wished he never did.
A/N: THANK YOU FOR READING! :)
