Chapter 1: Initial Call

Little Falcon: I know, I know, late again but I've been under the weather lately and I am trying to whip my ass back in shape but it's not a one-day process so please bear with me…

Standard Disclaimer: I only own the idea that's all. If I did own this series I'll be the happiest person on earth!

"Shikamaru, here's everything I have on that country but I need your feedback asap," her emerald green eyes stared straightly at him as she handed him a thick compiled folder. The luxury of being newly married can only afford a month-long leave after all. Haruno Sakura was the head of the counterterrorism department and with him being the counterintelligence it was inevitable that they would see each other for professional reasons since they work under the same branch. Even from the moment he first arrived in the division, Sakura's genius was well-known and what do you know, she had the beauty to match her brains. I can see why Sasuke fell for her. However, choosing Sakura over her… "Shikamaru?" It was only when she was waving her hand in front of his face did he realize that he was actually caught gawking at her.

"Got it! I'll review this material," snatching the files from her hold too suddenly, it scattered chaotically on the floor. Mentally slapping his head, he picked it up and was bewildered by the sound of her soft chuckle then she helped out arranging the files into their former glory.

Something caught light and sparkled for a quick millisecond. His attention focused on the tear-shaped pink diamond ring on her finger. The plain platinum wedding band was on the same finger but the expensive frosting caught his interest for some unfathomable reason. "Nice ring," as soon as he made the comment, he inwardly berated himself for sounding like an old woman. Silence is something that someone yearns mostly when he's alone but in the presence of another it can be quite awkward.

Sakura jerked her hand away before giving bright smile. "Thanks, Sasuke gave it to me. He said that it was his mom's," concluding business, they went their separate way to earn their pay.

"Oi!" The ever-so-loud Naruto slapped his shoulder lightly as his eyes were fixated on her retreating back. "What the hell did you say to Sakura-chan? She looks like her cat just died… and she doesn't even own one," there are two things he is definitely sure of: one- the earth is round; two- Naruto never gets off your case until you answer ALL of his questions.

Being the logical person that he is, Shikamaru shrugged his shoulders. "I just told her she had a nice ring," He kept his reply short and simple but the reaction he garnered wasn't what he had expected.

Naruto became disturbingly silent… no blaring words or the like… he just stood there like someone pushed his pause button.

"Naruto?" He hated to break this miracle but it was becoming troubling. For a moment, that he would surely regret, he found himself imploring the blonde to speak.

"Wrong move,"

"What?"

Weaving his fingers though his unruly locks, he let out an audible sigh as he led his new friend to a less crowded space, which also happens to conveniently have a soda vending machine. "That engagement ring once belonged to Ino,"

Although the sound of change rattling inside the vendo was loud, he certainly heard him crystal clear. Automatically, his senses were on full alert upon hearing her name. Obviously, something about this woman drew his curiosity but he wouldn't let anyone know or else it would be the death of him. Maintaining his nonchalant veneer, he leaned against the railing, turning his back at his friend just so he wouldn't notice any change in his expression given the subject matter at hand but his ears strained to hear more.

"She gave it back soon after Sasuke broke their engagement. So, you can see why Sakura-chan is not exactly thrilled about wearing something that used to belong to someone else,"

Yeah, wish I could say the same for marrying someone else's boyfriend. This sarcastic remark caught him off guard that he actually froze midway into drinking his coffee, making it end up in his suit. He almost didn't recognize himself from that sole statement. It was something that was so uncharacteristic of him that if that voice didn't come out of his subconscious he would've flat out denied that it was him talking. "WHAT THE HELL?!" His exclamation was more because of this abrupt change in his thinking pattern than… the cold coffee staining his ensemble.

"Woah, you alright dude?" Not even struggling to contain his mirth, the whiskered blond barked in laughter upon seeing his drenched friend's annoyed face as he still held that empty can of coffee in his hand.

This is not my day… His Lamborghini Estoque almost tore the pavement as he drove in a speed that no traffic enforcer can catch up with. He was irritated, annoyed, angry, vexed… and every other word to describe it. Why the hell am I annoyed again? Being the talented tactician, he needed to assess the root of the matter just so he can analyze what to do from there. The thing is… he can't pinpoint where this situation really started… was it when they first met? Or when he saw her in the bus? Or was it when he learned about her past? What is the situation, even?! He planted his foot on the brake just so he can take a breather. His thoughts were suffocating him and the lack of oxygen in his given acceleration didn't help either.

For the second time that day, a small flash of light blinded his eyes and upon closer inspection. He saw a couple of sparkling diamonds catching light like playful glitters. It was only then did he noticed that he actually drove himself down town, more specifically the jewelers block… and every man's, who has a woman, worst nightmare. With a heavy sigh, the confused tactician was about to drive away when something came to mind. His brows furrowed as the crazy but not impossible idea played in his head. Turning off the engine, he got out his ride with his eyes set on a particular item featured on the display window- a tear-shaped pink diamond pendant.

"Sumimasen (Excuse me)," Shikamaru immediately turned on his professional mode as soon as he entered the shop. The old lady behind the counter gave a warm smile before reciting the usual shop courtesy greeting. As soon as the door behind him shut, he wanted to double-back thinking what the heck am I doing here again?! But since he was inside already, might as well make the best out of it. In a cool, collected manner, he steered himself towards the small corner dedicated for men. His lazy eyes scanned through the expensive accessories until his attention was caught by a simple piecing. The price had a few zeros at the end but it was justifiable given that the thing IS platinum.

"Ah, nice choice," the wrinkles on her face grew more prominent as she smiled genuinely before retrieving the earring from its cozy perch. No need to try it on since he was only doing it to cover-up his misjudgment. Destiny, however, proved him wrong. As he pulled out his wallet to pay, a picture slipped from his pocket and landed face up on the floor.

Mendoukusai… after picking it up, he was surprised to see the old lady eyeing him like he was some sort of prime suspect. "Something wrong?" He innocently asked as he handed over his card.

"Is she your girlfriend?" she asked without hesitation as she processed the transaction. "Tell her I can give her a discount if she wants to do another custom job again," the ancient chatterbox revealed while swiping his card through the machine.

His eyebrow rose slightly but he didn't reveal any other cues of amazement other than that. "Yeah, she always wants something no one else owns," trained at manipulating the mood, lying was almost second nature to him.

"Really? But what she ordered the last time was an exact replica of a pink diamond ring," tilting her head in deep thought, the involuntary informant sternly stood by her initial statement.

Suddenly, the trip down this part of the town became worth it. Tossing the paper bag on the front seat, the challenged investigator drove at top speed back to his place while all the while replaying encounters he had with the mysterious blonde. His onyx eyes keeps skirting towards the thick folder file lying on the back seat of his car. I didn't realize anyone would go THAT far… apparently, I was wrong. As the traffic grew thinner and roads grew wider and longer, his gaze kept bouncing from the road to the file until finally his patience snapped. His wheels scrapped against the pavement as he put the car into a complete stop… women are always troublesome. Honestly, he never knew that the things he read that moment was gonna a crucial factor in the events that would come next.

After a few hours…

Heavy rain fell upon them, making visibility almost impossible. The blaring of the siren melded with the raindrops. But even the rain wasn't enough to wash the blood away. There was so much that when it mixed with the water, it seemed as if the ground was covered with it. Slowly, the thinned crimson crept its way towards the sole of his shoes as his onyx eyes remained unblinking, watching as the medics carefully carried an occupied gurney into the ambulance. "Do you know the patient? Are you coming with?" The questions were received but never answered verbally. Instead, his body moved automatically and immediately jumped into the vehicle, his eyes fixated on the blonde whose hair was soaked in blood as she breathed through a mask.

"What's her name…" he was shaking, literally trembling as the event finally sank in. "Sir, I need you to stay calm," Shikamaru almost jumped out of his skin as he felt a light tap on his shoulder.

Calm? Was there even a time he panicked? Never, only today, only at this moment. "Yamanaka Ino, she's 26… blood type A+," suddenly the control freak in him took over, more than anything, he did what he can to fix the situation. Standing only at the sidelines, while letting the medics render their first aid was like standing in line for execution. His stomach churned, his heart rammed against his chest all the while the worst case scenarios kept playing in his head. He only took a breath when he saw her take hers. ECG attached to her started beeping noisily as he saw a frantic line on the screen before it became flat. "INO!" It's strange to think that this was the first time he called her name and it might actually be the last.

The twenty five minutes inside that ambulance was the longest one he ever spent. At every second, he wanted to get out but at the same time he wanted to stay. When the paramedics finally stabilized her condition, he felt twenty years older. It was only then did he realize that he was holding her hand and that she was, in her own unconscious state, holding his as well.

The hospital had never looked so welcoming as it does now. His onyx eyes never let go of her until the moment she was wheeled into the operating room. The white washed walls of the institution together with the spotless marble floor were so in contrast to his bloody suit as he remained rooted on his spot while waiting for someone's update from the inside. Every movement made him jumpy and every time someone exited the room, he demanded answers until the surgeon finally came out, still wearing his scrubs.

The sigh of relief he released was the longest one he ever had. He had never left so light in his life. "She's gonna be fine…" those were the only words that registered but it was enough to click his logic back on. Finally, he was able to take a seat. Finally, he was able to breath. Finally, he was able to think.

Soon after getting in touch with her folks and letting them know about the accident. He was filling out forms when a nurse approached him. "These are hers," she handed him a package of the things Ino had. Obviously, they had to take everything off as the protocol states. As he stretched out his arms to receive it, something fell on the floor with a distinct "tink".

The nurse was the one to pick it up and hand it back to him. "Nice ring," she commented before leaving him with the tear-shaped pink diamond ring staring mockingly at him.

Little Falcon: Confusing, I know. But things will get clearer with every update. Read and review onegai.