My Trip To... (ShikaIno)

Day 4 - Door Slamming

I'd like to dedicate this chapter to Y2Kween and ShannicoleDawkins for getting me off my butt with their cute little agreement in wanting another chapter and complimenting my story. I've never seen anyone discuss my story before so it really got my gears running! You guys are TOO sweet!

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"What the hell, Shikamaru!?"

He didn't make any move to stop though. He just marched on for his room with her trailing after him. "Shikamaru!" He continued to ignore her. She had only been able to catch up when he finally walked in through his door and followed swiftly in after him before he could shut the damn door in her face.

"What's wrong with you?" She spat out now that she had him cornered in his own room. She couldn't remember a time where she had ever been so livid with him. It had been nothing short of embarrassing to be seen chasing after him through the resort walkways. She had never been one to be quiet and her loud commotion had attracted a few prying eyes. A few giggles could even be heard from one group of old ladies who had dared to mutter, "lovers quarrel."

"Get lost, Ino..." he grumbled down to the floor. He wouldn't even face her as he held a hand to the door, almost looking ready to force her out. 

But there was no way she was just going to leave now!

He was obviously in no shape to be left alone and she meant every word when she said her friends took care of each other when they had been drinking. And Shikamaru needed a watchful eye for sure. She had never seen him act so irrational. 

It was too much unlike him. "No..." she said softly, feeling like she was finally starting to truly see her friend for the first time all night. She stared at him, letting it all sink in with pure dread and fear quivering over her skin. She didn't know how she could be so blind. She had never felt like more like a moron in her life and the fight evaporated from her like the morning mist in Florida. "Shikamaru... "

He only grunted, ignoring the situation as best as he could. The drinks were still doing their job. 

Ino swallowed the lump in her throat and took a step towards him. Somehow knowing he felt like this just made her feel wretched and before she could stop it tears began to form in the corners of her eyes. Usually she thought she could be in better control of her emotions when a friend was in need, but the drinks were affecting her mood more than she expected as the first few tears slipped away.

She disregarded them and placed a hand on his arm. "Shikamaru, what's wrong?" She was a fool for not noticing him in pain sooner. There was obviously something desperately wrong if he was acting so rashly and acting out. Shikamaru wasn't one to become so overwhelmed and turn to drinking for no reason. 

The change in her voice must have caught his attention because finally he looked up at her with his dark, drunken eyes. His pupil sunk even further into his irises at the sight of her tears. Ino felt her stomach drop when he looked even worse after looking at her. She was supposed to be helping but it seemed she was having the exact opposite effect on him. She didn't want to cause him additional pain. 

Her ocean like eyes must have washed over him because after a moment, it seemed like he snapped back into his more normal self though. "It's..." He grappled for words, his voice sounding dusty and dry before he shook it off. "It's nothing. Nothing, Ino." He brushed off her hand and straightened back up as he passed by her. 

She wasn't sure if she felt better that he was acting more himself. If anything, she felt colder as he closed himself off farther from her. He may as well have absorbed all the heat from the room as she turned to watch him take off from her once again. She stood there, hurting for him and not knowing why. 

Why he was hurting or why his suffering wounded her so grievously. 

"If it's bad, you can tell me..."

His shoulders stiffen at her words. He's deathly still with his back turned to her. She starts to think he was cutting her out again by just ignoring her entirely now when she sees his shoulders start to jump and she begins to wonder if she upset him enough to start crying. 

But then she hears it. Laughter devoid of all happiness. Instead it sounds sarcastic and harsh to her ears. "You don't get it. You're the only one I can't tell."

"Why?-"

There's a knock at the door that has Ino yelp in surprise. Even Shikamaru shutters at the noise but his shoulders finally relax. He feels saved by the interruption because he had almost told her. He had almost been the biggest moron he ever knew and he knew Naruto. 

"Who's there?" Ino calls out in surprise, rather than checking the window. 

"It's us!" is Sakura's giggling reply. "And we got pizza!" 

"And more booze!" Naruto chirps in. 

Ino only has a moment to glance at Shikamaru as he goes for the door after the mention of alcohol. Ino just manages to wipe her face free of any tears as she attempts a smile at her friends. "Hey guys."

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Author's Note: I hope this is okay! I really did want to get you guys another chapter out by the end of this week. And a promise is a promise.^^ Plus Y2Kween and ShannicoleDawkins both discussing it, totally lit a fire under my ass to finally get this chapter out!

I know it's probably not all that you hoped for! But I have a PLAN! And I'm trying trying to follow it to give the most FEELS! Even though all I really want them to do is kiss and do the dirty. Haha. But I can't. The call for angst in me is too STRONG. 

And man, has that calling been strong! This was seriously supposed to be just a cute little story I would write on the side for fun before I went to Disney World! I even looked over my old chapters for inspiration and those olds chapters have a total different feel from these ones! I'm surprised you guys are sticking with me through it.

I'm guessing because you guys love the angst too?xD Please tell me if you are! I'll keep it up!

Please comment and vote! I love you guys! Seriously! I would not have gotten so far without your love and support!