Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.

Thanks to my lovely reviewers (JustAnOrdinaryReader, Shikainoisthebest, Guest, zielavienaz96, shikaino and The Clawed Butterfly). As well to the follows and favorites.

Sorry for not updating faster, this story is always my least priority to update since I have a lot, but that doesn't mean that I won't update it. I really am enjoying writing this and I think this is one of my favorite to write.

Also, for the people that are worried for this story, don't worry I am a sucker for happy endings.

Song inspiration: Come back down by Lifehouse

…

Shikamaru, for the second time that night, parked his black motorcycle on the side of an empty street. The moon had been already higher up the sky and the sky was littered of stars. He doesn't even need to glance at his watch to know that it was past midnight. The street that he was on was quiet as most people retired for the night and were already deep in sleep.

He suddenly wished he too can be one of them, enjoying a peaceful slumber. He just can't seem to erase the memory of that night no matter how he tried. Remembering what transpired just hours ago, he knew he can never again feel calm enough to sleep.

Walking towards the direction of the last yellow house in the street, his steps were heavy and slow the steps of a defeated man. Few lighted posts were illuminating him and he sauntered over the house not caring about the disturbance he made. He travelled to the only place where he knew he can think. His mind was already spinning with so many emotions, he felt himself go numb.

Damn, troublesome woman.

He was coming back down from a high, with all that happened earlier that evening.

He stopped right at the door step of the house. He sat down, or better yet, he sank deep down the step, entirely drained and tired. Tilting his head back, he looked up at the sky that was full of stars. The night sky was clear enough that they fill almost all the empty spaces in between, shining and twinkling back at him. She had always loved star gazing just as much as he enjoyed watching the clouds. Those blinking lights clearly reminded him of her.

He reached deep down his jacket for his cigarette pack. Lighting one of the stick, he inhaled deeply, letting the nicotine linger on to dull his senses.

Recalling what happened with the troublesome blonde earlier the night, he cursed. This time it came out almost as a scream to let out all of his frustrations. He should have minded the people living inside the house, but he doesn't care. They will eventually understand him if they knew anyway.

He had already realized his mistake, the moment he left her in the cafe. But then again, he was also half hoping that what she told him about her was all part of big joke that she made. That she was going to come after him and laugh, tease and inform him that it was all a big joke. And he would smirk and be mad and angry for making him consider it.

Only she didn't come, and he was half insane driving anywhere, where he couldn't think back. The stake that impaled his heart, once she revealed to him her ailment never left. It stuck deep down within his core, it stung and hurt and he knew it will be always be there forever. He never can breathe properly again if she left.

Her words echoed again in his head...

"Well... I have..." She closed her eyes and clamped her hands together. "... Am not well." She opened her eyes and continued, her eyes darting anywhere but with him. "It's been going on for more than a year now. So, I had been going to a special doctor for treatment."

"It was not going on well and…" She paused, taking a deep breath once again.

"I haven't told anyone yet, but I had the latest result yesterday and... I just figured that I will need a list, right... So just in case..." She tried to fight the tears that threatened to flow from her eyes. "I know it's childish, but I read about it and saw it in a movie once...

He threw his cigarette on the floor and lighted another one.

He cursed her again and he cursed and cursed her because she was asking him to assist her with her troublesome list when she should have been fighting for her life. It was already going on for more than a year and she did not told him. She vanished from him never letting him in on her life. Not even informing him on the happenings in her life.

Doesn't she know that he will be there for her?

They were friends, best friends even, scratched that there were deeper emotions running between them that they haven't even touched.

She is so troublesome.

She is too selfish... She is self-absorbed! She is excruciating!

What was he to her anyway? She is an important enough person in his life that he knew she is supposed to tell him everything. Wasn't he important enough to her?

Doesn't she even care?

Was she that willing to die?

"Fuck!"

He hollered out loud, putting both his hands on his head, shutting his eyes and squeezing his head tighter and tighter, to make him somehow wake up from this nightmare that he was in.

The front door of the house suddenly opened and he felt the person sit down beside him in the steps.

"Here."

Shikamaru looked up and he saw his other best friend, good old Chouji, who offered him a bottle of beer.

He should at least straighten himself but none the less he accepted. His back still slouched down; he glanced at the large man beside him and observed him quietly as he drink from his own bottle of beer.

"Thanks." He mumbled and drank from the bottle, almost emptying all of its content.

Chouji gave him a warm smile, his eyes were forever kind and Shikamaru now knew why he went there and not somewhere else. His best friend was someone that can understand and mute his muddled emotions.

"There are just two people that can make you feel that agitated. So who was it this time? Temari or your mom?"

He looked at his friend, baffled.

"Scratch that, there is only one person that can make you feel that frustrated." Chouji continued his eyes twinkling with hidden laughter.

"Who?"

Shikamaru simply had to ask when he knew they both knew the answer to that question.

"Ino."

Shikamaru gave his friend a small smile, he cannot deny that.

Deeply inhaling the dark cigarette smoke until the long stick became just a small bud, they remained silent for a while. He then threw the bud on the floor.

"I saw her, tonight." He quietly informed Chouji and he looked up at the stars, again.

"Did you, really?" Chouji asked his voice doesn't even need to conceal the excitement the man felt. Shikamaru knew that he wasn't the sole one that missed the troublesome woman. "How is she?"

She's dying... he replied bitterly. From time to time that evening he wished he was also blinded.

Then again, he believed her when she told him that it was hers alone to tell, so he only shrugged and remained silent.

"Why did you meet her?" Chouji asked him curiously. Shikamaru recognized that he was also eager to receive news about their friend.

He decided to answer Chouji, but not revealing all what transpired earlier that evening. "She asked me to help her with her troublesome list." He replied, feigning nonchalance in his voice.

"Oh, that's all?" Chouji replied, raising an eye to him.

"Yeah..."

"And?"

"I said no."

Chouji chuckled. "Figures. I bet she is mad."

"I don't know. I left before she said anything." He admitted, suddenly feeling guilty for leaving her alone in the cafe again.

"You know, you'll eventually do it right?" Chouji smirked, he knew his weakness, which he can never say no nor never can deny her.

Somehow, someway he always came back to her.

It took a while for him to reply but thanks to his best friend he was able to be calm again and when he is calm, he can think more clearly.

"...Yeah." He finally replied.

She is still here. There is still time. A plan, he can come up with a plan...

Chouji pointed to his jacket pocket. "Then call her immediately. She won't kill you yet if you call her now."

Finally, after all what happened tonight he was able to find a kinder of fire. It was just a small flame but he will take care of it. His mouth curved upwards in a small smile, taking in stride Chouji's reminder.

Standing up, he brushed his pants and put both his hands in his pockets. It really was a good idea that he came here, he felt a renewed vigor within him and it was something for a lazy man like him.

In his mind, there is still time...

Glancing at the sky, he took notice that the night still hasn't left, the sun was still taking its time to rise.

"Troublesome, but I guess you are right."

Chouji chuckled watching him; rarely had he seen Shikamaru so determined. "Go talk to her, then." Waving his hand and ushering him out of his house. "Tell her, I missed her and to see me soon."

The genius nodded and started walking away with renewed steps of determination.

It was time to move on; he won't be the one letting her go...

He will definitely be there for her.

"Are you sure you are ok, Ino?" The platinum blonde heard her best friend ask her. She turned to her and saw Sakura looking at her with a worried look in her face.

"Yeah…"

She slowly nodded her head at her as she ambled towards the sofa in the living room. After Shikamaru left her at the coffee shop and with the news that she received today, she really doesn't want to be alone. This was the reason that she had called Sakura and asked her if she could stay over for the night at her place. Ino drove towards Sakura's flat she shared with her blond boyfriend right away.

Her best friend opened the door for her.

The memories of the night she can't erase. She started to feel the emptiness of it all.

She glanced at the wall clock it reads exactly 1 am. The night suddenly felt longer. She heaved out a sigh.

Sakura arched her eyebrows as she kept looking at her. If Ino knew better, her best friend was still examining her and if she looked at her expression in a mirror, she had a feeling she will also look at herself the same way. Her eyes were still red from the tears she shed earlier.

She was a mess and she knew it. But then again, it was acceptable for a person to be like this when your life is fading away from you, she thought.

"Ummm... Ino." Sakura walked towards her, biting her lips a sign, Ino knew that she was going to proceed to ask her what occurred tonight.

Ino doesn't want her to know just yet. Not this night.

She breathed in and faked a smile.

"It was nothing, just got into an argument with Shikamaru."

It wasn't a complete lie, after all.

"Oh." Sakura puts her hand on her temple and shook her head. Her forehead puckered as she tried to believe her. "So, what happened to the lazy idiot? Did he finally come to his senses? Was that Temari bitch threatening you again?' She demanded, putting her hands on her slim waist.

It made her smile; there was no way her best friend hasn't figured it out yet that something was off. Sakura is really smart; she was a dainty bud that bloomed into a beautiful flower as they grew. It made her feel warm inside that she was not yet pressuring her to say it.

"As if, that woman can do nothing to me." She rolled her eyes, agreeing with her.

Sakura chuckled. "Don't worry; I know both of you for a long time that I know right now Shikamaru's already looking for you to apologize." She said with conviction on her part. "He may be lazy, but he'll come around."

"Yeah, I know." Ino answered, because she believed her words.

Maybe tonight was her mistake too. She shouldn't have just come out and say it to him. Or forced upon him to help her accomplished the nearly impossible. She knew him well enough that she had wounded him tonight with her revelation.

In some way, he cared for her as much as she cared for him.

"Ino, you can stay in the spare room" Sakura pointed to the room opposite their bedroom. "We'll talk again tom. Take some rest first, Ok?"

"Ok." She watched Sakura leaving the room.

"Um Sakura?" She called stopping her friend from leaving.

"Yeah?"

"I just want to say thanks again." Ino warmly smiled.

The pink haired woman smiled back at her. "No problem. Don't stay up late and rest well."

"Ok." She answered softly; Sakura disappeared in the hallway, leaving her alone in the living room.

She slumped against the couch and watched the ticking hands of the clock in the wall. It got her curious on why Sakura will have a strawberry shaped clock.

Smirking to herself, her brain wasn't ready to take part yet in sleeping. There were so many scenarios running through her mind right now.

Yet, she knew she was tired.

Then again, what are exactly the thoughts of a person fading away? Does she need to be selfish or should she be needy?

She doesn't know anything. She felt numb and unreal. She felt the emptiness surrounds her.

Her bucket list, what a childish thing to do. Shikamaru was right, it was bullshit.

She shut her eyes slowly and took in the silence, when her phone started vibrating. Looking at it, she saw the name of the single person who strayed on her thoughts right now.

A picture frame flashed with all the thoughts she held inside.

She picked up after his second call.

"Shika..."

"Ino... I..."

"I know."

He sighed. "Where are you?"

"At Sakura's..."

"Wait for me, there."

She could hear the sound of his motorcycle running.

"Huh, why?"

"…"

"Shika?"

Another sigh.

"I don't want you to be alone with what you're going through, troublesome woman."