A/N: Alright here is the beginning of the A True Love Story sequel. Each chapter is going to be at a time throughout the four years of Shika's college days. There really isn't too much of a plot to it, I don't think, just all of the drama that comes with being separated from the one that you love. Please be patient with me. It may take a little longer than usual for me to get the chapters out.

I'm going to be working on a compilation of one-shots with theGirlwithtoomanyOTPs on archiveofourown . org. I'll see if she will be alright with me posting her prompts on fanfiction but, if not, I will still post my share. They are actually going to continue off of my one-shot Ino's Favorite Flowers. It'll just be a bunch of random scenarios in AUs, Manga-Verse, Anime-Verse, where Shikamaru and/or Ino are confessing their love to one another. The ratings will very most likely due to language and other 'things' *cough cough*. So keep an eye out for them please. I've already got two scenarios that I am just itching to write.

Today on Love Conquers All: A day in the life of the couple apart, missing one another terribly. And maybe a little bit of teasing thrown into the mix.

Year 1 of 4, July 21st

"Morning, Ino, dear," Yamanaka Mai greeted her daughter cheerfully.

The platinum blond teenager was not feeling so jolly that morning. She hadn't been feeling very happy for many mornings. Especially after Shikamaru, her lifelong best friend, lover, and future husband, left for college. It really was a necessary evil, but that didn't make it any easier on her, let alone him. He was working hard over at the University of Konoha and she was sitting at her family run flower shop, feeling utterly depressed. There just had to be something else that she could do to help provide for their future!

But in reality, she really was doing quite a bit. She had worked nearly every day, saving every ryo she earned to help them in the future purchase of a house. Even so, Ino felt as if she could be doing so much more!

"What's so good about it?" she pouted rudely, her head resting on her folded arms atop the counter the register occupied.

Mai just rolled her eyes at her wayward daughter's attitude. She knew the young girl had been missing her boyfriend, but summer break was coming up soon. The two would finally be back together after having been separated for nearly four months and she would most likely not see hide nor hair of her daughter for the six week vacation period.

Ino continued to pout at the register, even as a customer entered into the shop in search of some perennials. They were a little late in the season to be gardening, but Ino wasn't going to inform the would-be do-it-yourself-ers of that and neither was her mother.

'Every ryo counts,' Ino thought with a greedy smirk.

She sighed gratefully when her mother moved to assist the patron. She really wasn't in the mood that morning. Each day away from Shikamaru had just dragged on and on! Summer break was only a week away and it was all she could think about! But in the process of doing nothing but thinking of the vacation, it seemed to make the days go by even slower. All she wanted was to see his face and feel his arms around her! All she wanted was to kiss his lips and hear his alluring voice whispering sweet nothings into her ear all night long. All she wanted was to not have to talk to him through a cell phone and spend every waking moment with him. Was that really so much to ask?!

Apparently it was…

Ino sighed again and leaned away from the counter top, tipping back precariously on the stool she occupied. She really should do something to distract herself. With a resigned frown, she arose from her perch and made to enter into the back office. She could go over the orders and finances of the shop one more time and make certain that everything was in order.

The office itself was quiet small and would cause a more claustrophobic person to be constantly on edge. A single blinded window allowed sunlight to filter through from behind the wooden desk that took up much of the space in the center of the room.

Ino wiggled between one edge of the desk and a set of metal shelves, which stored the flower shop's hard copies and documentations, to take a seat in the swivel chair stationed behind the all-encompassing piece of furniture. Riffling through several drawers, she unearthed the shop's ledger and scanned through several pages.

Ino had embarked on a lot of positive changes for the store that assisted in the increase in finances. She negotiated with their past suppliers to bring down prices in items that they ordered in bulk. After being in business with them for fifteen plus years it was the least they could to do give the Yamanaka family a discount. Because of Ino's efforts, she was even allowed to give herself a substantial pay raise. She would do just about anything to help secure her future with Shikamaru.

She shook her head dejectedly; the paperwork just wasn't keeping her distracted. Returning the files to their original home, she squeezed out from behind the desk and into the main showroom of the shop. The display area itself was where they stored all of the tools, seeds, bulbs and landscaping décor. The real place to be was the greenhouse.

With a happy smile now gracing her features, Ino moved to the glasshouse. It was truly a sight to behold. Vining plants climbed and stretched up the perpendicular brick wall of the store toward the ceiling, bundles of vividly colored decorative flowers hung from nearly every hole in the metal work holding up the ceiling of the greenhouse. Vegetables were stationed around the periphery while vibrant, colorful flowers and saplings occupied the center floor. The smell was rich, earthy and comforting; the temperature warm and moist, especially during that particular month in summer.

Gathering up a nearby hose, Ino moved to water the perennials. Her smile grew when she took notice of the vivid violet irises, already halfway through their blooming cycle. Irises now reminded her of Shikamaru. They brought back sweet memories of the corsage that he had given her on her seventeenth birthday.

Ino could feel a dull throbbing deep in her chest, symbolizing the ache of her loneliness. She missed Shikamaru so terribly. Summer vacation really couldn't come fast enough…

She shook her head quickly, an attempt to chase away her depression and sad thoughts. It wasn't like they were never going to see each other again! One more week and he would be there with her. One more week and he would be touching her again…

Ino blushed hotly at that thought, the familiar throbbing ache between her thighs eliciting a shiver. Oh, how she missed his touch. She yearned for it like a stranded man longed for water. To just have his hands back on her would be like giving that same deserted man a cool, refreshing drink. Her body ached for him, it throbbed and tingled and craved his touch. She wanted those sure, strong hands playing over her flesh, pressing between her thighs, coaxing out long, drawn-out orgasms from her overly sensitized form. She wanted to hear his voice whispering into her ear, telling her of all the things he wanted to do to her, whispering dirty little orders that she wanted to willingly and eagerly oblige, calling her name out in the throes of passion while they achieved the peak of their satisfaction together with shuddering jerks of loosening muscles.

Ino was practically panting at that point, her mind working in ways that it never had prior to their first time nearly ten months ago. Shikamaru had corrupted her. He had changed her and made her into a sensual vixen that craved heated words and eager touches. If someone had told her this was how things would turn out a year ago she would have laughed at them...

As it stood, Ino could hardly get Shikamaru out of her mind. She constantly thought about him and desired his touch and presence. She had even found herself forced to satisfy herself on a number of occasions… Her overly-sexed mind conjured up scenario after scenario during the day so that it was almost impossible to fall asleep at night until she smothered the fire that burned deep inside of her belly.

"Excuse me, miss."

Ino jerked around quickly, taking note of the earlier customer her mother had been assisting. Her limbs trembled slightly, practically advertising her charged state of physical frustration. She just needed to keep herself under control for a few more days; that was all!

"Yes, what can I help you with?" she responded in a slightly strained voice, moving forward to assist the patron.

The very act of walking was almost too pleasurably painful as her thighs pressed tightly together against her moist sex. Today was just going to be one of those days…


Shikamaru practically rolled his eyes into the very back of his skull. He was frustrated, bored and finding it very difficult to follow the lecture that day. This was a bad thing. He had a first semester test that this mundane, overwhelmingly boring topic was going to be on just before summer vacation and he needed to pass it. He needed to do well for his future with Ino. At that point, she was the only thing keeping him from throwing in the towel.

Shikamaru was never really the studious type; he just happened to comprehend things better than others, which was a fortunate thing. He knew what needed to be done to get the job over with as quickly and precisely as possible. The goal of college was to please the professor. Give them what they want in the assignments and everything else would just fall right into place.

So far his GPA was stellar, the classes were just so monotonous! There were so many other things that he would rather be doing! First of which would be spending time with Ino! He missed her so much it physically hurt! Every day spent without her was agonizing.

Shikamaru glowered darkly. He needed to keep his mind on the task at hand. Thinking about Ino was only going to make his need for her that much worse. He just wanted a break! He was feeling overloaded with all of the newness of everything. Dormitory and camps life were something entirely different to him. Half of his classmates partied all the time while the other clicked up with clubs and whatnot. He himself joined the shogi club in a desperate attempt to socialize and distract himself from his love-sickness.

Shikamaru sighed deeply, leaning back in his chair to pop his spine loudly. The tightness in his shoulders was increasing with each passing day and he needed his sweet Ino's touch to make it all better.

'Ugh, stop thinking about her for two seconds!' he thought angrily, taking in the classroom and its occupants.

Everything was just so stark and plain, adding to the boredom and dullness. Slightly stadium seated, Shikamaru occupied a desk nearest to the exit, somewhere around the middle row. Only half of the actual class had bothered to show up that day and Shikamaru was beginning to resent those that were frequently absent. Most of the time, those that weren't there were sleeping in in preparation for a party that night.

His only saving grace was the Sensei. Jiraiya was an older, animated man that enjoyed talking about English literatures and was fascinated and excited by the subject. His love for the topic translated well into the lectures and helped to keep Shikamaru awake, most of the time.

Finally, the bell dismissing the class rang and Shikamaru stretched grandly, popping his back and shoulders audibly. The day was at last over! Seven more to go and he would be heading home to see his beautiful Ino!

'There you go again thinking about her,' he thought irritably.

With another roll of his eyes, he made his way down the small set of stairs and out the door. There really wouldn't be that much studying for him that night. He needed a little bit of time to decompress. What he really needed was to hear her voice for a little while that night and then he could relax and take it easy for the rest of the week.

He and Ino had made it a habit to call one another once every week. It had become a little tedious sitting on the phone on a nightly basis trying to think up what to say. They texted one another throughout the week, but Fridays were their days to talk to one another and Shikamaru waited for them anxiously each week.

Upon exiting the building, the sweltering summer heat consumed his form and caused him to break out into an immediate sweat. He hated the heat and being sticky all day long until he could get back to his dorm and shower. With a disappointed shake of his head, Shikamaru made his way through the University Park on his way to the east gate. His dormitories were just on the other side, but it was still a fifteen minute walk. He passed by several familiar faces and found himself accosted by some classmates.

"Hey, Nara! What are you doing tonight?!" an upperclassman by the name of Kankuro asked with an excited grin.

"Studying," he answered flatly, not really feeling like going to a party that night, which was what he assumed was going to be Kankuro's next question.

"Aw, man! That's boring! You should come out and party with me and some of the guys!" he encouraged, his grin growing wider.

"Nah, I'm good man. Maybe next time," Shikamaru shrugged, continuing on his way.

Kankuro just shook his head, his grin wavering, and walked in the opposite direction of the underclassman. Shikamaru continued on his way back to the dorms. The local flora and vegetation were in full bloom and even that happened to remind him of Ino.

'I really just need to get back and call her,' he thought crossly.

"I'm home!" he called out in an attempt to be polite and alert his roommate.

Unfortunately, the roommate was home as well and Shikamaru scowled at him unpleasantly. Of all the people that could have been his roommate, it just had to be Hyuga Neji. The lavender eyed upperclassman glowered right back, not even attempting to be polite as he continued to read on the couch in the common room.

Surly it was a stupid rule to room underclassman with a sempai just so the upperclassman could keep an eye on the kohai. It really was an idiotic rule. Nevertheless, it was still enforced and Shikamaru was stuck with his mortal enemy; the one that hurt Ino, twice.

The only positive thing about having Neji as a roommate was that he was quiet and clean. He never had to worry about the Hyuga bothering him and getting in his way either.

With little more greeting, Shikamaru continued back into his room. The space was really no more than a glorified closet, cramped and plain, with a full size bed and desk the only furniture able to fit into the small space. That was another thing that irritated him about college life: being that Neji was the sempai he got the better accommodations until he went up to the next year. Oh well, it was a space that Shikamaru could call his own, even though Neji's room was right next to his and the walls were paper thin.

Shikamaru flopped back down onto his bed limply, retrieving his phone from its hiding place underneath his pillow. By now it was six o'clock and Ino would have gotten out of work maybe thirty minutes ago. Pressing the lock button, a goofy grin played across his features at the sight of the waiting screensaver. It wasn't anything too extreme, just a picture of Ino giving him bedroom eyes. He practically had to blackmail her to get her to take it and then threaten her before she actually sent it. She was far too coy sometimes and Shikamaru smirked at the prospect of breaking her of that after marriage. As it stood, he really didn't get to spend enough time with her to do it before then.

Being away from her had been very difficult, but he maintained his strength. He knew that he needed to be strong for the both of them, even if it made him seem unfeeling at times. It wasn't in his nature to cry over something he couldn't really do anything about. It suited him far more to hold Ino as she cried and be brave and courageous for the both of them. It would take time but, in the end, they would be happy together. It was a small sacrifice to pay to help secure their future together. With his upcoming degree he would be able to get a good paying job as a company executive. With that, he could be the stereotypical bread winner, making a living to support his loved ones.

With little hesitance and patience, he dialed Ino's number, waiting impatiently for the answering voice that would instantaneously sooth his tired soul.

It didn't take more than two rings for her to pick up, "Shika!" Ino's voice cheered on the other end of the line.

His heart immediately felt lighter and his limbs sagged into the comfort of his bed, "Hey, Ino," he murmured, his voice soft and endearing.

"Oh, my, god! I miss you so much! Just come home now!" she pleaded, only half serious because she knew that he couldn't.

"I miss you too," Shikamaru responded, her sweet words making his heart soar.

"How was your day?" she asked, her voice sounding excited.

"Eh, it was alright I guess," Shikamaru answered in his usual blasé way.

"You had English Lit today didn't you?" she continued, not put off in the least by his lack of conversation skills. He had always been like that after all.

"Yeah," Shikamaru answered back, yawning a moment later and cracking his jaw.

"How's Jiraiya-Sensei doing?" she asked sweetly, her tone becoming something akin to the sound of an angel's song.

"He's doing good," he responded, deciding to throw her a bone and give her a little more, "We went over Oliver Twist today."

"Oh, I like that book!" Ino commented enthusiastically, her interest peaked.

"Yeah it's not bad," Shikamaru concurred, nodding even though she couldn't see, "How 'bout your day?"

"I couldn't stop thinking about you."

Her tone was decidedly different; there was a ting of hunger in the lilt of her voice and it just did something to him. Shikamaru could feel his stomach muscles clench with desire along with the stirring of his lower anatomy.

His answer came after a too long pause and an audible gulp, "Yeah?"

'Oh, god. What is she going to do to me?' he thought excitedly.

"Mmm-hmm," she practically purred into his ear and Shikamaru wondered what she was doing on the other end of the line.

He could hear her lick her lips and breathe out a heated sigh. If he closed his eyes, he could almost imagine her there with him.

"What exactly were you thinking about?" he goaded, wanting to hear her talk dirty to him.

"Shika," she chastised softly, a soft moan of a sound that rang soundly through his ears.

Shikamaru practically groaned, his mind working in perverse ways by supplying a tempting visual of his beautiful, blond lover. Oh, how he missed her. He missed being near her, with her, inside her. On more than one occasion he had to take care of his craving, unable to find any solace until he released his pent up needs. One more week and he could thrust deep into her soft, yielding flesh and make her quiver around his hard flesh.

"Ino, don't tease me," he growled lowly, hearing her gasp at his rough tone.

'Fuck!' he thought desperately, his dick now completely hard and wanting.

"I'm not trying to," she murmured, her voice sultry and sensual.

Shikamaru groaned out quietly. Fuck; if only the walls weren't so thin he would be seducing her with his words instead!

"Shika," she purred again, a soft gasp at the end of his name.

She had to be touching herself, there was just no way she wasn't when she was making noises like that.

"Shit, Ino!" he groaned dejectedly, "I'm sorry, but not now! My fucking roommate is here and I can't do anything," he knew he sounded like he was pouting because he was.

She just chuckled lightly on the other end of the phone, "Sorry, Shika," she assuaged, "I just miss you so much."

"I know," he grumbled dejectedly, trying to calm down his heated body.

It was amazing how just the tone of her voice and a few little sounds could make him go from zero to one hundred in no time flat. He knew that his hunger for her would never be satiated. He would always crave Ino until the day he died.

"Hey, listen," she said, her tone back to normal, "I'm gonna go make dinner for the family. Keep texting me?"

"Yeah," Shikamaru sighed out, his erection waning slightly.

"Ok, I love you," she murmured sweetly, already knowing his response.

"Love you too," he murmured back, ending the call after that.

Shikamaru rolled over onto his belly and closed his eyes, trying to wipe his mind clean of all thoughts and maybe doze off for a nap until his grumbling stomach woke him up for dinner. Several moments passed before he was alerted to a message by the vibration of his phone. With a slightly irritated grumble, he unlocked his phone and read the message with a lazy expression.

I can't wait to feel you inside me. ;*

All Shikamaru could do was grit his teeth against his expletive and press his reawakened cock into the cushion of his mattress for a little relief. She was really going to get it when he got home...

A/N: I hope everyone enjoyed that. I did some research on Japanese colleges to help compensate for my lack of knowledge. I don't believe it's common at all for them to have roommates, but I wanted to have Neji in there for a little bit of friction and tension. Fair warning, a lot of this story is probably going to be smut…I enjoy writing it after all… If you like that chapter, please leave me a review!

Next Time on Love Conquers All: It's finally summer break. Shikamaru has made his way home and Ino couldn't possibly be happier. Well, she could if Shikamaru's parents weren't cock blocking them… Oh well, it was their house after all… Where could they possibly go to be alone?