“INOO!” It was painful scream, only one sound in this silent forest. For him, it was like somebody has punched him in the face.
‘This can’t be … impossible’ he thinks when he saw his last teammate and important friend falling to the ground with terror on her face blood from wound on her hands.

“Never let your guard down. Such a fools. Did you think you have …?”
His words were ended with surprised silence. That was last thing he did before he started to falling to ground.
Shikamaru let him fell. His only one interest was Ino and her wound.
“ Ino, Ino. Hey are you okay? Say something. Come on. It’s not funny.”
Ino slowly opened her eyes. When she saw his worried face her lips curved into weak smile.

“Sorry Shikamaru.”
It was hard to speak.
“Why are you apologizing? I’m the one who have to. I couldn’t protect you. Now please say me what can I do for you?” He said but didn’t wait for answer.
“Village is nearby. Do you think you can bear traveling?” already starting with preparation to carry her home.
“Come on Shikamaru. You know it. You just can’t bear it.”

Her voice was weak and shaky. Easy to tell. It was hard for her to speak. But Shikamaru act like he didn’t hear her.
‘She’s right. Her wound is deep. She can’t …’ but he smiled, trying to calm her down. A curious look appeared on Ino’s face.
“Maybe you’re right, but now I can’t give up. Now when Asuma and Choji are gone. Now, when we finally complete our mission without any wounds I can’t lose you too.”
His soft words were weakening. World before her started darkening. The last thing she saw was his terrified face with moving lips but she didn’t hear anything. Slowly she closed her eyes.

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Flashback
“Your mission is to guard that man alright? I know him well so it’s possible that if I send Naruto he will fight with him and now in his footing he might get a little cocky too. Maybe he’ll refuse this little easy mission.” Tsunade said in cold voice. In front of her were standing Shikamaru Nara and Ino Yamanaka. They were listening closely to her words and hoping that she won’t be angry again. Whenever she thinks about Naruto she gets really moody and its dangerous to be next to her very close. “But for you Ino, I have one warning.” hokages face went more serious. “He is little…hmm…cocky about his appearance.”
‘That’s great.’ Ino thought but only answers were little nods.
“So, any questions?” hokage asked with weird voice.
“No, Godaime-sama.” They answered immediately. Both of them saw how her expression was changing into pissed one.
“Alright. You may leave.” They bowed and quickly left the room. After they reach spot when she can’t hear them, Shikamaru sighed.
“Honestly, this is getting worse and worse. Even in the start Naruto was good in pissing her of but this…Even if he’s her successor if he is going to be like that, Tsunade might explode.” His answer was big noise from her office. Second later, a chair flew next to them and crushes hard into the ground. Both of them has scared face but continued in their way home pick up some things for their mission.
“Alright, I will be at gates in 20 minutes okay?” Ino said already parting their ways.
“Yeah, don’t be late.” Shikamaru shoot after her and leaving his own way.

20 minutes later

‘*sigh* she is late. She’s so troublesome.’ Shikamaru thinks at main gates while looking at clouds.
“Shikamaru!!” someone cried.
“You’re late. How can you be so troubl…” he was interrupted by hard punch in his face.
“Don’t call me that. Actually you are that lazy one. This is the first time in my life that I’m late so calm down okay?” her voice was really annoyed. “So, can we go?”
“Yeah, yeah.” They begin their long journey to even longer mission.

End of flashback

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“OK. Flowers are there. Now let them sleep.” someone whispered.
“Alright, alright. I’m going. Looks like Shikamaru is really sensitive guy. It’s been 3 days from their return from the mission and he’s still sitting next to her. He’s kinda weird.” answered someone else.
‘Hey …these voices I know. It is my dad and Shikaku-san.’ She thought, but she doesn’t answer.
“Then, come on.” said Shikamaru’s dad. She heard door opening and closing. Slowly she opened her eyes. She was tired but okay. It looks like her wounds were healed.
‘So Shikamaru did it.’ she thought looking around. Her eyes lent on someone sitting next to her with his head on her bed holding her hand.

“Shikamaru …?”
On this sound he moved but was still sleeping. Ino can’t help it. She must smile. Slowly sitting, letting Shikamaru sleep, she quietly dressed and tied her hair.
“Ts. This is so stupid.” she whispered as she can’t zip her shirt on beck. Suddenly she felt that someone’s hand helped her.

“Thanks.”
“Nothing, but … I don’t think it’s good for you to go somewhere. You should rest.” Shikamaru said while doing that zip. His voice was weird and little tired. Done. Ino turn around and look into his eyes.
“Shikamaru … I … I just want to thank you for … for all these things you did for me. I don’t know how to repay it for you. Just say and I will do anything for you.” Shikamaru was still looking at Ino and then…
“There’s one thing. Its simple.” he said with strange look on his face but suddenly he smiled.
“Just keep smiling.”
“…?” his answer was unpredictable. Ino felt that she was blushing. After a second of surprised silence she put a warm smile on her face and said.
“Ok.”

She doesn’t know how and when it happened but she hugged him. Silence approaches them for while but Ino cut it with her tears and sobs.
“Hey. Why are you crying? Oh come on. You were smiling and now look at you. You are crying like a little girl. You’re so troublesome.” his usual annoyed tone make her annoyed but tears was still falling. She can’t stop them.
“And I was just above to thank you again but…” she said with sad smile on her face. Shikamaru was confused. He hugged her back and lent his chin on top of her head. Her tears slowly stopped. When she completely wiped them away she looked up to his face. They stared at each other, speechless, motionless still in hug when door suddenly opened and they broke apart blushing.

“Oh sorry, looks like you’re all better now right?” Sakura said with small grin on her face. When she properly examined Ino all of them leave room and then hospital too talking about things what had happened when she was asleep.
“Hey, wait a minute. Tell me. Are you two together or what?” Sakura suddenly asked. Both of them blush and answered – No – but her face was still suspicious. After a while she walk another way. Shikamaru and Ino were heading towards their houses.

“Do you know? You’re father is worried about you.” Ino said after a small awkward silence.
“Hmm. How do you know?” he curiously asked.
“Because our fathers were in hospital and I heard something like you were sitting next to me for 3 days. “He’s kinda weird.” Ino repeated words of his father in naive tone but she was closely watching him for reactions. He went slide red on his cheek but said.
“I was worried about you so what? You are my friend and last of my old team. If you don’t like it then sorry.” his voice was little insulted.
“Oh no. I’m glad and thankful.” Ino said hugging him from one side with small blush on her cheeks. “I’m only happy.” she continued with grin on her face. Few minutes later they saw their fathers talking. Ino ran towards them jumping on her father. They were surprised.

“Ino! I’m really happy that you are alright.” Her father said when he realized who was hugging him.
“Right. Great that you’re alright.” Added Shikamaru’s father and when he realized Shikamaru he continued with small grin on his face. “Looks like you’re finally home. That’s really nice of you.” Boy didn’t answered but went little pink in his face. Ino giggled. ‘He’s little genius who doesn’t know what to do.’
“What are you smiling at?” ‘Genius’ asked.
“Nothing, nothing.” When she giggled more and a grin on his fathers face widened he went totally red in his face.
“Yeah, yeah, how funny. Making fun of me must be really entertaining” he was really annoyed when he started to walk away. “I’m going for a little walk. See ya.”
“Hey, hey, wait for me I’m going with you.” Ino cry out already running after him. “Where are we going?” she asked looking at him.
“Don’t know… how about some food. I’m starving.”
“Speaking about food I haven’t eat in quite long time. Are you going to treat me?” she asked in her innocent voice. Shikamaru was about to refuse, but when he saw her eyes; he can’t bring himself to do it. He just sighed and began to walk towards barbeque.