CHAPTER ONE

"Move it a little to the left," Ino Yamanaka directed aloud as she stood on the sidewalk just outside her floral shop. She cupped one hand around the side of her mouth to magnify her voice as it carried up to the workers balancing on elongated step ladders. She watched as they carefully shifted the new storefront sign over the doorway of the shop. "No, my left," she corrected with an impatient sigh and waved her hand to indicate the opposite direction. She waited until the sign was finally centered over the entrance to her liking. "Perfect," she called, and quickly flashed a thumbs up to signal that they shouldn't shift it another inch. She sighed as her arms dropped to her sides. Finally, she thought with no small amount of relief. They'd only been at it for thirty minutes, and that was after the custom made sign she ordered had managed to arrive an hour later than the scheduled appointment of delivery! She hated to sound cliché, but good service really was becoming hard to find in Konoha.

She made sure to rein her frustration as she waited until the workers carefully descended, reassembled, and packed their ladders into the back of their van before she courteously thanked them. After they left, she lowered her head and reached a hand to massage a muscle in the back of her neck that had started to ache from all the upward craning she'd subjected it to.

"A shop upgrade?"

Ino's head swiveled in the direction of her father as he approached. "Daddy," she happily exclaimed in greeting. She rose on the tips of her toes to peck a kiss on his cheek as he lovingly scooped her into his wide embrace. She retreated a couple steps to fully access his face at his impressive height. She absently massaged her pregnant belly with one hand as she propped the other on her hip. "What brings you by?" She asked.

Inoichi's thick blond brows furrowed with mock annoyance. "Since when do I need a reason to see how my little girl is doing?"

"Hmmm," Ino moaned as she twisted her face in pretend thoughtfulness. "I guess never," she joked. But considering her size, she silently objected to his term of endearment, 'little girl'. She was as big as a whale! She ducked her head as her father lifted and draped an arm around her shoulders, and the two of them stood and gazed at the sign together. "So, what do you think of the new sign?" She asked in carefree tone that belied the anxious pounding of her heart in her chest as she awaited his response. Though she assumed ownership of the shop and was therefore granted complete and creative control, her father's approval was still very important to her.

Inoichi Yamanaka had been the initial owner of Yamanaka Flower Shop, having started the business after his favorite pastime which was the cultivation of flowers. During her childhood, Ino had been afforded the opportunity to learn all there was to know about both flowers and the floristry business in general at her father's tutelage. By the time she was due to graduate the Academy, she'd already known the direction her life would take in assuming ownership of her family's flower shop. Her father had been pleased at her decision, for not only had it ensured the legacy of the business, but it also afforded him the opportunity to focus solely on his work as an interrogator for the Konoha Intelligence Division. That wasn't to say he relinquished his passion for flowers, but was content to once again relegate his interest to a pastime.

Ino had wanted to enhance the shop's appearance for some time so as to reflect its continued success and had decided to stop procrastinating. The storefront sign had just been the first in what she hoped would be many more improvements to come.

Inoichi's eyes narrowed as he scrutinized the new sign that now hung above; the painting of a large wooden flower basket overflowing with an assortment of flowers, and with the words Yamanaka Flower Shop painted in a fancy manuscript. It was beautiful, he decided, much like his daughter. His eyes beamed his approval as he gazed down at her next to him. Ino's heart practically skipped with glee.

They proceeded inside, and Inoichi paused as Ino disengaged herself from beneath his arm long enough to lock the door and switch the sign in the window to CLOSED. He stepped aside as she passed him, and he followed her into the office at the back of the shop. He waited until Ino was seated in the office chair behind the desk before taking his seat in a comfortable arm chair on the opposite side.

"You have plans this evening?" Inoichi asked.

Ino shuffled a stack of receipts. "Yeah, tonight's the grand opening for Choji's new restaurant, remember?"

Choji had finally realized his dream in opening his own barbecue restaurant and had invited his friends to dine for free this evening to commemorate. Ino had already sent her assistant manager, Hinata Hyuuga, home early so as to afford her enough time to prepare.

"Ah, that's right," Inoichi nodded in remembrance. He would have to remember to congratulate his parents on their son's success. "His family must be very proud of him," he stated.

Ino was unsure why, but her father's words pricked her with a feeling of jealousy, and that in turn made her feel childish. Though she knew her father wasn't one to pit her against anyone else in comparison – her childhood friend, Choji, included - she couldn't help but wonder if he felt disappointed in her. After all, she was having a child out of wedlock, wasn't she? And no father was ever proud of that. And since when was it a contest anyway? Ino thought and shook her head as if to clear it of the offending thoughts.

"Are you sure you're up for it?" His face was etched with concern as he beheld his daughter, who looked positively tired.

And Ino was tired, but she knew she'd never forgive herself if she missed Choji's grand opening. It was a one-time event, and she wanted to help celebrate the success of one of her dearest friends. Besides, she had already confirmed her attendance on the RSVP and thought better than to renege, which would prove tacky.

"Well, pay a visit to your mother when you can," Inoichi reminded. He was silent for a moment before he spoke again. "She's worried about you," he said.

Ino didn't doubt her mother's concern for her, but found that when she often spoke with her father, it was what he didn't verbalize that she heard. In this case, it was his concern for her as well. Though Inoichi was accustomed to paying unexpected visits by the shop, Ino couldn't help but notice his visits had become more frequent lately, and she had known why. Ever since her relationship with Shikamaru had ended, her father had made a point to check up on his daughter more often. His unwed and pregnant daughter, Ino thought miserably, and her heart was pierced with guilt that she should ever cause her parents to worry unnecessarily.

She assembled a thin stack of applications. She secured them with a paper clip and set them aside with a sigh. "Dad, I'm fine." How many times was she going to have to say it until he believed her? Because his need to check up on her was proof he didn't. "But you're right," she conceded with a sigh. "I do need to visit more often. It's just that I've been so busy lately…" Her voice trailed away as her attention was commanded by her desktop planner.

A smile spread across Inoichi's handsome, chiseled face as he gazed lovingly at his daughter where she sat behind the desk. It had seemed like yesterday when she had been but a little girl, perched on his knee as he identified various flowers for her. Her young mind was like a sponge, soaking all that he taught her, and it was their shared interest in gardening that had solidified their relationship into the strong and loving bond they had now. Where had the time gone? He watched as she sat back in the chair and absently massaged her belly again. She chewed on her lower lip as she scrutinized her itinerary on a large desktop calendar spread across her desk.

Ino had finally come into her own as a beautiful, accomplished young businesswoman. And though he couldn't possibly be any more proud of her than he already was, he was concerned for her. He was a father, after all, and it hurt him deeply to see her in the predicament she was in as she endured her pregnancy on her own. Ino had been tight-lipped regarding what had transpired between her and Shikamaru, and he stopped pressing for clues out of respect for her privacy. Besides, he knew she was an adult and could handle herself, but supposed it was every father's desire to protect his daughter from harm, to shelter her from all the pain and perils that life presented, to shoulder them all on her behalf if he could. Ino's current dilemma wasn't his battle to fight, but even that realization hadn't managed to lessen the pain he felt at having to helplessly watch from the sidelines as his only child suffered.

Inoichi sighed. "Well, I won't keep you," he said as he rose to leave. It was getting late, and he didn't want to keep Ino from her plans. He came around the desk and offered his hand to her as she tried to rise from the chair with some difficulty. He chuckled good-naturedly when she fixed him with a pointed gaze. "Which reminds me, when are you taking off for maternity leave?" She was already full term, which he was certain was past the time she should have stopped. The further along she was in her pregnancy, the more of a liability she presented as her risks for injury were considerably higher.

Ino gathered her belongings as she gestured to the stack of applications with a nod of her head. "Hinata's been helping me conduct a few interviews for temporary help," she said.

"Anyone promising?"

Ino shrugged. "A couple, but we really want to make sure we select the right person for the position." After all, though she would still be running the business, it would be less hands-on as she would have her hands full with the baby after giving birth. Hinata would be the one physically present in the shop, so Ino wanted to be sure she collaborated with Hinata in making the right decision. She was only grateful she had an assistant as competent as the Hyuuga heiress, who had worked for Ino long enough now to understand the essentials of the floristry business, and who Ino felt more than confident could handle the running of shop in her absence, else she would really up shit creek without a paddle.

Outside the shop, Inoichi escorted Ino back to her car where they embraced once again. He waited until she was locked in and secured with a seatbelt before bidding her a good night and promising to check on her again. But of course he'll check on me again, Ino smilingly thought with a roll of her eyes. She watched her father advance toward his vehicle before she revved her engine and proceeded home alone.

XXX

Carefully pulling his SUV up to the curb outside baggage claim, Shikamaru killed his engine and sighed as he reclined his driver's seat back. He draped one arm across his forehead and lifted his other hand to peer at the invitation it held. So pre-occupied he'd been lately with his own troubles that he had almost forgotten about Choji's grand opening that evening. It was only when he searched through his glove compartment for something else that he found the invitation that he had absently shoved in there. He guiltily berated himself that he almost overlooked something so important, and sucked his teeth out loud.

The grand opening had been prepared months ago. He and Ino had still been an item then, and they had planned to attend together. But circumstances had changed. They were no longer seeing one another and weren't really even on speaking terms. The hell if he felt like showing up, especially now since… Damn it!

Shikamaru sighed, because he knew the real reason he hadn't wanted to attend the grand opening now was because he feared seeing Ino face-to-face. And what the hell was that all about? Because if he remembered correctly, she had been the one to prove unfaithful, so it had been her and not him that had been in the wrong. If anyone should feel uncomfortable, it should be her. And besides, he was a grown man. Tonight's grand opening was important to Choji, and he'd be damned if he'd let a bad breakup keep him from being there for his best friend. Shikamaru crumpled the invitation and shoved it deep within the pocket of his vest. His head turned in the direction of a sound of knuckles rapping on his passenger window.

There was no mistaking the tall, leggy, boyish-figured blonde as Shikamaru exited his vehicle and came around to share a chaste hug and kiss with Temari. He turned to pop the hood of his vehicle's load space where he deposited her single, large suitcase as she slid into the passenger seat.

Temari waited until Shikamaru guided his vehicle out into traffic before she spoke. "I almost forgot about how much more cooler Konoha is than Suna," she stated as she rolled down the passenger window and welcomed the breeze. It was most appreciated after the stuffy confines of the plane. She then mimicked Shikamaru's earlier action by leaning her seat back. "Thanks again for picking me up."

"No problem. How long are you planning on staying anyway?" Shikamaru asked as he navigated the roads towards the hotel at which Temari was booked.

"Only a couple weeks," she said.

Shikamaru's brows rose. "That's all?" He knew she was on vacation, but had somehow thought she would be staying longer. Rather, he hoped she would stay longer. Her presence was a much more agreeable option to his constant thoughts of Ino.

"I'm ending my vacation in Iwa where I'll be visiting relatives on my mother's side," she stated with a shrug. It seemed logical to conclude her the last leg of her vacation in Iwagakure as it bordered Sunagakure and she wouldn't have to travel as far to fly back home.

That fact that she had relatives in Iwa was news to Shikamaru as he had never known, and he stated as much.

Temari clucked her tongue aloud at that admission. "I'd bet there was a whole hell of a lot more you never knew about me," she stated wryly.

Shikamaru smiled. "Touché," he conceded, to which they both laughed.

"Son of a bitch," Temari accused with a shake of her head. "By the way, how do you plan on entertaining me?"

"Since when did it become my responsibility?"

"Since you're the one who suggested I even come to Kona to visit, jack ass!"

Shikamaru sighed. She had a point. He had been the one to suggest she come to Konoha to visit after she mentioned over the phone that she had vacation time from her job coming up. In retrospect, he really didn't know why he proposed such a course of action. He could only suspect it had to do with the fact he still reeled from the news of Ino's infidelity. He'd still remembered it, too, like it had just happened last night instead of when it occurred over six months ago. He'd since then avoided her. He'd even taken an alternate route when he drove so as not to have to pass her shop. It was childish, he knew, but felt the need to put as much space between them as possible. But that wasn't to say he avoided his responsibilities, because if it's one thing Shikamaru prided himself on being, it was a man of his word. He'd once promised Ino that he would uphold his financial obligations toward the baby, to "pay what he had to", and he'd made good on his word with consistent allotments he posted to her on a routine basis.

Shikamaru mulled it all over. Perhaps his suggestion to Temari that she should visit had been a knee-jerk reaction to the pain he was feeling, pain that he wanted to forget. He admitted that on some perverse level deep within him, he thought of hurting Ino, of revisiting upon her even an increment of the pain she'd inflicted upon him. He knew it wouldn't solve anything, and that two wrongs never made a right, but damn it if it didn't make it even! But what could he do? What could he use as leverage against her? He suddenly remembered Choji's grand opening, and a thought formed in his mind. He glanced at Temari. He knew what he proposed would be a shitty move on his part, but surely the ends justified the means?

"Well," he sighed, "there is this one thing I've got going on this evening..."