A/N: This is a story I've posted before, but took down. I actually had someone ask about it, wondering if I would re-post it, and I decided to give it another go. Without further ado, here's the story!

This is dedicated to ShikaIno1.

I don't own Naruto.

True Love Doesn't Always Conquer All

By KawaiPanda

Chapter One

I wanted to cry.

To kick and scream.

To hit something so hard that it was obliterated upon impact. I really thought about that last option too. It seemed so... appealing, though it would probably be someone's face. Namely a certain sand kunoichi... or a lazy genius who shall not be named.

I however, did none of these things.

Rather, I calmly took a deep breath and turned away from the offending sight, heading straight for the hokages office. After all, she had a mission for me, and I was going to accept it. It didn't matter now what Shikamaru thought. All that mattered was the fact that I wanted to escape for a long time, and this mission was perfect for just that. Sai was already okay with my taking the mission or not, because either way, he would be by my side. We hadn't seen eye to eye at first, because he was worried how it might affect me and the baby.

'At least someone cares about me and this child.' I thought bitterly. Though, Shikamaru didn't really know about it. But no matter, Sai already decided to step up to the plate and take care of the both of us.

The room smelled of sweat and sex, tingling my nose, reminding me of what I had just done with my boyfriend. It was the third time this week that I had tried to talk to him, with us both ending up in bed, naked and wrestling for dominance. Today, it had to stop.

I wasn't complaining about the sex. The sex was great, but I felt like we were rushing into this. I mean, hell, we haven't even been using protection since we started the sexual part of our relationship. Stupid of us, I know. I don't know what I would do if I got pregnant... I mean, I know he would help me with a baby, but I didn't want to be a mother yet! Especially not when I'm only seventeen.

I just felt like we were getting in over our head. We have only been together a few months, and already we've been having sex regularly for the past two weeks without a thought about preventing pregnancy.

"Ino, you hungry?" The lazy genius asked as he walked over to the door, pulling on his pants on the way.

I shook my head, no. I was only going to throw it up from nerves... "No thanks sweetie." I sat up, shivering lightly as the cool air of the room hit me, and ran my fingers through my hair, trying to untangle as much of it as I could before pulling it back into a pony tail and getting dressed.

It was kind of appealing to see him, half naked, standing in my kitchen, cooking breakfast. I sat down and contemplated how I was going to put this. I didn't want him to think I didn't want him, that I didn't love him because I did, with all my heart. But this was getting out of control.

"Shika..." I started hesitantly.

"Yeah."

"I... I think we need to talk." He stilled instantly, carefully turning off the burner of the stove before turning and looking at me.

"What about?"

"... Us."

"And what about us?"

"I think we need a break."

"So, it's over then." It was more statement then question.

"No, I just think we need some time apart."

"Uh-huh."

"Shika..."

"It's fine Ino. I understand." But from the angry look on his face, I knew he really didn't. Yet, I said nothing, instead, I watched him hastily put his clothing on and walk out of my apartment, wondering if this was for the best. After all, we would end up back together... wouldn't we?

I found out a week later that he and Temari had started dating. It was devistating to me. I wanted nothing more than to find him and kick his ass for being an idiot and leaving me, but he had made his decision and there was nothing I could do about it. What's sad was, all I really wanted was some space. There wasn't anyone else. In fact, I just wanted my apartment back to myself. I mean, we were together constantly since we started sleeping together. The only times we were apart were due to missions and that was if they were seperate. It was driving me up the wall. But it doesn't matter now.

I now have Sai.

Sobs shook my shoulders, as tears streamed down my cheeks, seeming as if they would never end. I hadn't really thought about my period since it was it came and went as it pleased, but the moment I started vomiting from the smell of coffee, something I drank every morning for the last year, I almost had a panic attack. I didn't even know who I could go to, and found myself at the academy, sitting on the swing, moaping.

I couldn't tell Sakura because I was too scared of how she'd think of me. After all, of all of us girls, I should know better that to forget to use a simple jutsu to prevent conception.

If I told Tsunade she'd take me off missions until after the baby was born and even then I wouldn't get above a C-rank mission. And I'd have to tell her who the father was...

Couldn't tell Choji cause he'd tell Shikamaru.

Shikamaru himself... fuck no.

My parents would kill me if I even brought up the subject of sex... if I told them I was pregnant... let's not even go there...

When Sai had come across me, he tried, in his own awkward way, to cheer me up. It worked, but only a little. I ended up telling him the entire story and he was quiet for a few moments. When he said he'd stick by me and help me, my heart leapt with joy. I had someone.

He even asked me out, his exact words, "If you want, I'll be there for you...I mean...as more than just a friend...if you want..."

And though that someone had some emotional and social issues, he was going to be there for me. I guess Sakura's attempts at making him seem more emotional and human worked, though he still had a ways to go.

I said yes of course.

And though I still care for the genius who stole my heart, Sai accepts it. In his own little ways, he is a saint. In my eyes at least.

I hadn't known how serious they were until today when I stumbled upon them making out in his favorite cloud watching spot while searching for Shikamaru. It's hurt, like my heart had been ripped out of my chest and squeezed into mush.

Maybe I was going to go on the mission to get back at him. Maybe I wasn't... but all I really knew was that I needed to get away from him and this situation.

The mission was a long one too, from at least six months long to two years, and should we need it, even more time. We being Kakashi, Sakura, Sai and myself. Our mission was to gather information of course. We would blend in with the normal villagers and learn more about the ninja that resided in the village. Not too hard in my opinion, but should we get caught, we could be put to death.

Sai and I were posing as a newly married couple; I would be posing as a normal stay at home wife and Sai an artist. Sakura had been hired on as a doctor at their hospital while Kakashi, Sakura's 'husband' of five years worked as a carpenter. They would be staying in a house a few streets away from ours, the houses had already been purchased by the Hokage, the money coming from the mission founds, meaning we would be given enough to survive there, and live nicely. Though, we weren't getting paid as much once the mission was complete because of how much it had already costed the Hokage.

And since some of us, namely Sakura, Sai, and Kakashi, stood out a bit, they had to have genjutsu placed on them at all times, except when they were in the privacy of the homes.

Tsunade chose us because we we're the only ones who'd fit in the best, as normal people. We had abilities that would help us live there in peace and without suspicion. Neither Hinata or Neji could because they had easily recognizable eyes. Naruto, Kiba and Lee were too energetic. Shino, Choji, and Tenten might be able to pull it off, but they all declined. After all, it wasn't an over as soon as possible mission. It would take days for us to get used to our secret identities, weeks before we made friends, and months before we were really truly trusted. As I said, a long mission.

I wasn't sure I wanted to take this mission because I didn't want to be too far from Shikamaru, but as of now, I couldn't wait to get away from him.

Shikamaru may be a genius but he sure is stupid.

Another reason why I was so eager to accept this mission was because I wasn't ready to face anyone about the baby, because in mere months, they would have found out from obvious reasons. And I needed the time away, so I could get my life into order, without everyone in my ear about Shikamaru and raising my child. I wanted to have some control over this process without the influence of everyone else.

When I reach the tower, Shizune waved at me from the desk.

"She's in her office." She knew I was here for the mission, seeing as how she was kind of like a secretary to Tsunade.

"Thanks!" I headed down the hall, and upon arriving at my destination, briefly knocked on the door.

When there was no answer, I sighed and opened up the door. She had been napping, even drooling onto several important documents when I burst in, startling her awake.

"Ino? Ah, have you decided whether or not you will take the mission?"

"Yes Tsunade-sama. I accept the mission." She nodded, a grin on her face as she leaned back.

"You leave in the morning."

"Yes ma'am."

A/N: Please review and let me know what you thought of it. I hope you like it. Sorry if anyone seems out of character.