Chapter 1~ The Promotion

At 21 years old, Ino Yamanaka hated the choices she had made this past year. There was so much she still had to do! "I still have to visit my father back in Konaha, and get a boyfriend! Hell I was supposed to have kids some day!" But now that was all taken away from Ino Yamanaka, Because she feared she was about to die...

*One year earlier*

"SHIT I overslept again! Shikamaru get up we're late for work!" Shikamaru groaned and got up. He noticed that Ino had already gotten dressed and had bolted down the stairs into the kitchen. By the time he had gotten dressed and walked down the stairs, Ino was already eating breakfast. "Good morning lazy-ass! Its about time you got up, It's already 10 o'clock", Ino said cheerfully. " 10 O'CLOCK! "What are you eating breakfast for when we have to get going before the boss fires us!" Ino giggled at her roomate. "Sorry Shikamaru I lied, its Sunday today." "I wanted you awake because Sakura's coming over in an hour and a half." Shikamaru blushed slighty. Ino started to walk over to their large living room and then turned around. "Oh and Shikamaru, try not to be shy again like last time. it'll be okay I promise." She winked at him then left to the other room out of sight. Shikamaru wanted to believe Ino but it was hard because he kept remembering the last time Sakura came over: While trying to impress Sakura with his cooking skills he accidentally droped dinner all over her! Since then he was a little embarrassed to see Sakura again.

Right then and there, the doorbell rang. Ino made her way to the door and answered it. In their doorway was a man with a suit and fresh shaven face. "Are you Ino Yamanaka?" The business man asked casually. "Yes , why who's asking?" Ino felt nervous around the man. " Oh please, forgive me, my name is Sai. I'm here to inform you that you and Shikamaru Nara have been promoted to flight attandant, you no longer have to work as airport security."

Ino's mouth dropped. " ARE YOU KIDDING? I have dreamed about getting this job and now its coming true!" Ino shrieked in excitment. "So do you accept this promotion offer?" The business man said with some annoyance.

Ino was still in shock from the news so it took her a moment to figure out what to say next. Finally she managed to spit out: "Are you crazy? Of coarse I do!" The man smiled wickedly "Well then you and Shikamaru start Tuesday, your uniforms will be sent to your house some time Monday afternoon." He gave one more wicked smile and walked to his car on the side of the road. As the man drove away ,Sakura walked up the driveway. She was early.

"Who was that Ino? I've never seen him before." Sakura said with a little surprise in voice. Ino shot back with excitement, " Oh Ssssakura something wwwonderful came up!" Ino said to excited to answer Sakura's question. "I got a promotion!" Ino was so excited to tell someone about her good fortune that she stumbled on her words. "Ino thats awsome! When do you start? Sakura said with happiness and a little jealousy.

"Sai,the man who came to my house, he says I start Tuesday! Oh I'm soo excited! I wonder what my paycheck will be?" Ino started to wonder if she should have read some sort of paper work before accepting the promotion, what if the pay wasnt very good? And heaven forbid that the uniform was ugly! But she put the thought aside because after all she had a guest to tend to. "Any way, Sakura why dont you come inside, Shikamaru cant wait to see you!"

Ino said this quite loud as if it was intended for Shikamaru to hear. Sakura walked in the door and complimented on how Ino had kept her place. Then the blonde and pink haired women walked casually up the stairs into Ino's bedroom.

"What do you want to do Ino?" Sakura said with a deep hidden tone as if Sakura was hidding something. Ino was surprised by the tone of Sakura's voice it sounded different than her usual sweet tone, more dark. But of coarse Ino let it go."After all she is my best friend.. Why would she hide something from me? Maybe this new promotion has me too worried and excited..." Ino thought to herself. "Do you wanna see a movie? I heard that scary movie is out, whats it called... Oh ya! Insidious I hear its really good."

"Ya that would be great! Oh and can we bring Shikamaru along?" Ino smiled and Shikamaru poked his head out of the door from the kitchen because his name was mentioned. Shikamaru walked into the living room to ask why his name was being said. "Ino what are we doing this evening?" He looked over to Sakura pretending to just notice her presence. "Oh hello Sakura." he blushed fire truck red while speaking to his one love.

"We were going to see a movie, Sakura and I, She wants you to come to, do you wanna come?" Ino winked at him, to say it will be all right. "ssuure, I'd love to go whhhat movie are we seeing?" Shikamaru stuttered. "We're going to see Insidious, if your okay with scary movies?" Ino wondered. "I'm sure I'll be fine." Shikamaru reasurred him self. The three best friends walked to the door and piled into shikamaru's Mercedes. They finally arrived at one of Konoha's many movie theatres after a 25 minute drive. They bought their tickets and popcorn, and rushed into theatre 5 to get good seats. 30 minutes through the movie shikamaru felt sick it was so dark and humid in the theatre that he needed some air. He told Ino and Sakura he would be back in 5 minutes, he just had to go to the bath room. " Of coarse Shikamaru, just make sure your quick its getting to a good part!" Ino wispered. " I will Ino." Shikamaru chuckled and walked toward the double doors. In the main hallway it smelled of popcorn, he seen an usher and asked where the mens room was. "Around the corner to the left." The usher said annoyed with Shikamaru for disturbing him. So Shikamaru bolted to the mens room eager to get fresh air. He walked through the door casually just in case he wasnt alone, as soon as he noticed he was alone he rushed to the alley way door across from the sinks and opened it.

He was greatful for the cold fresh air from the alley, only after the door closed behind him did he notice how the only light in the alley was coming from the mens room. Now that it was closed he was in complete darkness. He became nervous as the door would not open. "Damn locked out." He decided that it would be smart to walk around to the front and just walk through the front doors. But as he started towards the end of the alley he saw large bulky shadows wash over him...