Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Save Your Last Dance For Me ❯ Chapter 7

Chapter 7: Ino's Heart Breaks

 

The next day, Ino and Sasuke decided to meet again to finish their project completely. They were preparing a really good and very creative way of presenting their project and it took them quite a long time to prepare it. They wanted to submit early, like the others do. So they planned to finish everything the next day at the Konoha Central Park. It was sort of not a good place to finish but somehow it cannot be managed and Ino thought it was sort of romantic for the two of them to spend sometime alone in a park such as that. Sasuke came, eventually.

 

“We only have to finish a few things, though. But thanks, Sasuke you came!” Ino said. Sasuke forced a smile, somehow. They started working on their projects. Sasuke was a bit quieter since he worried that some of his fan girls might see him with a girl and think of them as `you-know-what'. Besides, he's had enough of Ino for a week. But he continued, and shook all these thoughts off his mind and concentrated on the project, thinking it was only for the grade.

 

Finally, somehow they managed to finish their project and the output was so of good quality. They both admired their work and Ino kept commenting about how good Sasuke's ideas were. Ino gave him a short hug and Sasuke just forced a smile again.
Good thing, he was kinder this time since if it happened before, he would look disgustingly at her. But the new Sasuke was more considerate.

 

Ino prepared both of them lunch. It was a special recipe of hers, which she was really proud of. They both enjoyed their lunch and Sasuke commented that it was delicious. He was being nice to her. After they ate lunch, they fixed everything and waited for awhile. Then came the question to Ino.

 

“Sasuke-kun, are you going to the Christmas Dance?” Ino asked cheerfully. “I don't know… maybe.” Sasuke mumbled, almost ignoring the question. “Oh… I hope you'd come. But Sasuke? If you'd come, would you ask me to the dance?” Ino asked, without thinking. Ino was being aggressive again. Sasuke glared at her then back to studying his hands on his lap. He did not know what to say.

 

“Ino? I just want to be honest with you.” Sasuke said seriously but not wanting to bring a harmful effect on Ino. “Huh, Sasuke-kun? Of course, you're honest with me. What do you want to say?” Ino asked. Sasuke couldn't look straight at her. How could he answer no without hurting her? It was so hard, with being so nice to Ino all this time yet not liking her more than a friend.

 

“Uh, the truth is… I know it might hurt and well, you might be angry for making you believe that I'd ask you out… But Ino? I'm really sorry. The truth is, I wasn't going to ask you out. Well, I'm sorry. I'm really really sorry. I-i had someone else in mind.” Sasuke muttered, as nicely as possible. Ino was a bit shock and sad at the same time. “Does that mean I'm not the one you've liked all this time? I'm hurt, Sasuke. I really am.” Ino said, with tears in her voice. “I'm sorry, Ino. I'm really really sorry. If my being nice makes you feel that I like you, I do but only just as a friend. I'm really sorry, Ino. I know you've liked me for such a long time and I know it would hurt you. I've always noticed how much you like me and I'd like to say thank you for being so nice to me all this time. You've done a lot of great things to me - most which I do not deserve. But Ino, I hope you understand that my heart cannot change. I just… don't know how to tell you this.” Sasuke explained.

 

Ino was now in tears. “Sasuke-kun… why were you being nice to me?” she asked. Sasuke wiped Ino's tears with his gentle hands. “It's because I want to be your friend and make you feel that I appreciate all the things you've done for me. I don't want to make that mistake again - of ignoring the things this girl have done for me yet it turns out that I… I loved her too.” Sasuke explained. Ino seemed to understand but her tears didn't stop running from her eyes. “Oh, Sasuke-kun…” she mumbled. She can barely contain herself, that she hugged Sasuke tightly. Sasuke understood and hugged her back. Ino had been somewhat important to her too because ever since he came back to Konoha she was one of the persons who made her feel welcome and belonged. “Oh, Sasuke... I love you.” Ino mumbled, under her sobs. When they've recovered, they started talking again.

 

“I already had this feeling that you didn't like me as more than just a friend. And maybe I was just being too imaginative that you'd love me. Haha, that's the way Ino is.” Ino said, managing a smile under her tears. Sasuke put an arm around her and patted her on the shoulder. “I understand, Ino. I do. I'm really sorry and I hope you can still forgive me. I want to be your friend. And well, thanks for being so nice to me all this time…” Sasuke said. They hugged again.

 

“It's all right, Sasuke-kun. I can still forgive you. Besides, it wasn't your fault. Oh well, can you tell me who the girl is? I promise I won't tell anybody. I wouldn't be angry at the girl too. You can trust me, Sasuke-kun.” Ino said, pretending not to be hurt. Sasuke looked at Ino. She can be trusted and well, she deserves to know somehow. “I know it would hurt you because… well, she's your best friend and your rival at the same time. It's… Sakura.” Sasuke mumbled, trying hard not to etch the pain in Ino's heart. Ino took awhile to react. She was shocked and jealous that Sakura got it again. But she was her best friend and she understood. Besides, she always knew that Sakura still loved Sasuke even if she told her that she didn't. Her gestures showed it. “Oh really? I wouldn't be surprised. Sakura would be happy, you know. Well… she got it again.” Ino said, with a smile on her face - partially forced, and partially from the heart. “Don't get angry at her, Ino. I don't want you to be, please. Besides, I'm not going with her to the dance. You can go with me. I-i can't ask her.” Sasuke said.

 

Ino threw him a surprised look. “Why can't you ask her? She's the one you love, isn't she? I won't go with you, Sasuke. I'd like to but, I wouldn't be able to stand knowing the truth. Tell Sakura, Sasuke. Ask her to the dance. I want you to be happy. I want my best friend to be happy the way you made me feel. Please, Sasuke? That's the only way you can make up for me. I'd like to help, if you'll need anything.” Ino said. Sasuke shrugged. “I don't know. I'm not that courageous enough. I don't know if she'll even forgive me about what I did before I left Konoha. You know…” Sasuke said. “Don't worry. Trust me. It's worth trying, Sasuke. It is.” Ino assured

 

-after ino's heart was broken…-

 

Ino ran along the roads of Konoha, crying about what just Sasuke told him. It hurted her so much although she know, she had to let go if she really loved him. She wanted to drown all her pain in the rain that was already falling. The sky was crying with her. She was running all along when suddenly she bumped into someone else. She couldn't see clearly because tears were clouding her eyes. She stood up and looked at the person she bumped into.

 

“Oh… uh, Shikamaru? I'm sorry. I didn't see. I'm running.” Ino explained, still crying. She wiped her tears so Shikamaru wouldn't ask. But it did no good. Shikamaru brought her inside a restaurant, ordered a tea for both of them so Ino wouldn't feel cold. “Ino… what happened? You're crying, aren't you?” Shikamaru asked with all concern. Ino used to be a tough girl and seeing her cry happens barely. The tea came in an instant and Ino gulped it down. She was still sobbing.

 

“Oh, uh it's nothing. Y-you won't understand, Shikamaru.” Ino replied. Shikamaru looked at her with all love and concern. “I may not be as genius as Sasuke, but I'll try to understand. I've known you for a long time, Ino. You can tell me. I know you need to talk to someone.” Shikamaru comforted. Ino glanced back at Shikamaru and decided she needed someone to talk about it and for the moment, Shikamaru was the only one available. So she started explaining all that happened.

 

Shikamaru was a bit hurt about the thought of Ino being so in loved with Sasuke and at the same time him, hurting her. Whenever someone hurts Ino, he always came to her rescue especially when it came to ninja battles or even teasing from her playmates when they were still at the Academy. Ever since, he began to love her even more despite her cold attitude towards her. “Is that so?” was Shikamaru's reaction about what Ino had just explained for he was really deep in thought.

 

“I understand, Ino. I know how you feel.” Shikamaru mumbled lowly with an assuring voice. Ino glanced back at Shikamaru. “How would you know how I feel? I think you haven't even heard about the word love.” Ino said. Shikamaru frowned. “I've heard it from you right now, haha. No, just joking. No really, I know how you feel. I also… oh, no never mind.” Shikamaru said. Yeah, I felt it for you, he thought.

 

“Shikamaru, do I have to let him go?” Ino asked, starting to sob again. “I think so, Ino. Remember that saying that if you love someone, let him go? Well, just heard it from Sensei.” Shikamaru said, with a shrug. “It would hurt, Ino. But I think that's just the right thing to do. Be happy for him.” He added. Ino stayed quiet.

 

“Don't tell Sakura that Sasuke likes her.” Shikamaru finally advised. Ino threw him a questioning look. “Why? Isn't it proper for them to be happy?” Ino asked. “No… Let Sasuke tell her himself. Sasuke's bad at that. Just help him and give him advice.” Shikamaru said. Ino nodded, then suddenly she felt happy for the two of them. She couldn't blame Sasuke for being so in loved with Sakura. They have been teammates for a long time and Sakura has cared for him both physically and emotionally. She had always been there before Sasuke left. She was the most hurt when Sasuke left and maybe, it was time to pay back her feelings. The only thing Ino noticed was how Sakura seemed to change her feelings toward Sasuke. However, Sakura never mentioned a problem to Ino regarding Sasuke. She just hopes her feelings never changed. Then suddenly the thought of the dance came back to her. A worried look came across her face.

 

“What's the matter?” Shikamaru asked, who had been staring at her face all this time. Ino realized that he was looking. “I just thought… who would I go with in the dance? It's the one I waited for a long time. Besides, I'm part of the dance committee and I'd have to go. I have to have a partner, Shikamaru. Help me, please.” Ino said worriedly. Shikamaru glanced away and hid a small smile, then glanced back at her. “I'm still here, Ino. I-I can be your partner… that is, if you'd like. I know you'd not like to be seen with a dork at the dance… It's just an ugly suggestion.” Shikamaru suggested unsurely, but finally relieved of somehow letting know how he felt for Ino. He was prepared for her most violent reaction. But it turned out the other way.

 

Ino brightened up. “Really, Shikamaru? You'd want to be with me in the dance? Oh, I'd love to come with you. It's not bad, you know even if I used to be really cold with you.” Ino exclaimed. She suddenly hugged Shikamaru and gave him a light peck on the cheek. Shikamaru turned really really red. He breathed deeply and couldn't believe what just happened. Ino, either couldn't. She didn't know if it's because she was just so desperate to have a partner or secretly, her heart longs for Shikamaru… too.