The Bug Queen

The Invisible Jacket - Ino / The Long Con - Shikamaru

Ino was thrilled to go out tonight, especially since she had such a good day with eating. Even if it was just pudding, it was something.  Her head didn't hurt either, thanks to her home IV.

But Sakura told her that she could unhook for a few hours and go out with Shino, as long as she sipped on some water.

And things would've been perfect except that Shikamaru was there, home early from his trip to Sunagakure with Temari in tow. And he was pestering her tonight. She was aware that she didn't look good still, and she had relapsed, but she was trying to be okay. As she sat with Shikamaru, Shino was talking to Kiba, who was sitting the bar with Naruto.  Ino kept her eyes on him, wishing she was over there instead.

"How are you feeling? Are you settling in okay? Where are you staying?"

She gave her friend short answers.

"I'm fine.  I'm staying with Shino."

"What?  You're staying with Shino? Is he treating you well?  Why don't you come and stay with us?"

"I don't want to.  I want to stay with Shino and Shibi."

Finally, she got up and walked over to the bar, and her boyfriend.   

"Kiba, can I steal him away?  I need a reason to get away from Shikamaru."

Grabbing Shino by the hand, she pulled him to the empty dance floor in the bar, trying to avoid her teammate.  Shino seemed a little shocked by her abruptness.

"Are you okay?  Did he say something to upset you?"

"Yeah. Thanks for letting me steal you away. I hate when the conversation turns to sudden worry about my well-being."

She continued to dance with him as Shikamaru watched, frowning. She wasn't talking about her condition, or her living situation. She was going to stay with her boyfriend on the rough, wooden bar floor.

"Does he know that you're staying with me?"

"He does now. And he's not happy about that, either. But that's also none of his business."

"I'm sure he's just worried about you, but if you don't want to talk to him now, I get it."

After a while, she put her head on his shoulder. His jacket felt wonderful against her face. And he always smelled so good. He held her against himself, even unzipping his jacket and pulling her inside against his warm body. She slid her arms under his jacket and around his waist, burying her face into his chest. His shirt was soft and smelled so good. He smelled so good. She always felt so safe with him.

"Are you feeling okay, Ino?"

"Yeah..."

It was less dancing at this point and more just holding her. It was so nice... so why was her nose burning with tears? Her shoulders began to heave with emotion. Shino gave her a little squeeze.

"What's wrong?"

"I-I don't know... p-please don't let me go?"

He held her closer, rubbing her back and cradling her head, almost hiding her in his open jacket so Shikamaru wouldn't see her crying. She appreciated it.  She finally picked her head up; he spoke to her gently.

"Do you want some water?"

"I'll get some in a minute."

He held her even tighter as she spoke, burying her deeper into his coat.

"I'm sorry you're suffering so much. I wouldn't have brought you out if I'd known Shikamaru was here."

She began to cry again, burying her face into his shirt.