Shikamaru walked over to the Yamanaka flower shop. He sighed.

What a drag…

He braced himself and walked into the store.

"Welcome! Oh Shikamaru… you look horrible."

Shikamaru groaned.

"She's worth it," he muttered under his breath. (AN: I hope you know who she is. Hint: it's not Ino. :P)

Ino walked over to him not hearing what he muttered.

"You have circles on the circles around your eyes! Haven't you been getting any sleep?"

"Look Ino. I need a favor."

Ino frowned. Something was up and she was gonna find out what.

"Mom! I'm taking a break!" yelled Ino before dragging Shikamaru to her house.

"Why aren't you sleeping?"

"Nightmare."

Ino snorted. "Nightmares?"

"Not nightmares troublesome woman, just one I've had for a week."

Shikamaru sighed and rubbed his head. Ino sobered up.

"What's wrong Shikamaru? This isn't like you."

"Will you be Temari's guide when she gets here?"

"What? But you're always her guide! And what does this have anything to do with a nightmare?"

"Can't you just do it?" he pleaded.

Ino frowned.

Something is REALLY wrong. He never persists like this.

"Not until you tell me why," demanded Ino.

Shikamaru groaned.

"I… I've been dreaming that Temari's dying in front of me but when I go to help her I can't move. When I ask who killed her I'm told I did," he muttered.

"So why do I have to be her guide?"

"Because everyone else is busy."

"Why. Do I. Have to be her guide?"

"I'm sick."

"Bullshit."

"Because I can't watch her die in real life! It's bad enough seeing it every night!!" exploded Shikamaru.

Ino was taken aback. She couldn't recall the last time Shikamaru raised his voice.

"You're that scared?"

Shikamaru nodded.

"…She's gonna ask questions."

"Just tell her I'm sick."

Ino sighed. "I think you're overreacting but… I'll do it."

Shikamaru sighed in relief.

"Thank you. Please. Don't tell her the real reason."

Ino shook her head as she watched him walk home.

"You're gonna have to tell her sooner or later."


Ino knocked on the Hokage's door.

"Come in."

Ino walked in. Tsunade looked up.

"Is something the matter?"

"Hokage-sama, I'm here to tell you Shikamaru can't be Temari's guide so I'm gonna do it."

Tsunade groaned.

"Is he being lazy again?"

"I wouldn't be covering for him if he was."

"What's wrong with him?"

"He's… sick."

Tsunade's eyes narrowed. Ino fidgeted under her gaze.

"Get your story straight before Temari shows up. She won't let things go as easily as I do. I've known Shikamaru long enough that if he's asked you for a favor it must be serious."

Ino bowed. "Thank you Hokage-sama."

As she was walking out of the tower she ran into Chouji.

"Oh. Hey Chouji. Have you heard?"

"Heard what?" he asked around the chips in his mouth.

"Shikamaru's scared because of a dream and won't be Temari's guide."

Chouji choked on his chips.

"But… he's always with her," he spluttered.

"I know. He came and BEGGED me to replace him. He even lost it and yelled," said Ino as they walked through Konoha.

"At you?" asked Chouji defensively.

"Sort of, not really. He's really stressed."

"Dream that bad?"

"He dreams he kills her and he's scared to watch her die."

They had reached a park and had sat on the grass. Ino looked sad.

"Are you ok?" asked Chouji concerned. She shook her head.

"I just… have a feeling something bad is going to happen," she replied leaning against his shoulder.

Chouji blushed and wrapped an arm around her shoulders.

"Will you feel better if I tell him? And you'll feel better because…"

"He'll be with her and it won't happen," finished Ino. "Guess you must think I'm stupid huh?"

Chouji shook his head. "I'll tell him."

Ino smiled. "Thanks Chouji."


Shikamaru walked back into his house.

"Oh. You're just in time for lunch," called Yoshino, his mom.

"I'm not hungry," he mumbled. She came over to him.

"You haven't been acting yourself lately. Is something wrong?"

"Mom. It's troublesome but if Temari comes over when she's here will you tell her I'm sick and can't see anyone?"

Yoshino frowned and put a hand to his forehead.

"You're not sick. Probably just a little tired. If you get enough sleep I'm sure-"

"Mom, please. Just do it."

Now Yoshino was worried.

"Sure honey."

As she watched him walk up to his room she felt Shikaku come up behind her.

"Did you hear that?" she asked.

He nodded. She hugged him.

"What's wrong?"

He sighed.

"If I know our son we won't find out until after everything's resolved. But… I think it's pretty big this time. Let's just do what he asked and wait until he's ready to tell us."

"For once I agree with you. Something is really bothering him."

Shikamaru leaned against his door letting out a breath he'd been holding. He argued with himself.

You're overreacting. Who knows when you'll see her again if you don't see her this time?

What if I'm not? Could you watch her die?

But

Everything's already arranged. It's better this way.

Try and keep telling yourself that when she's knocking on the door asking for you.

Shikamaru shook his head and ran out of his house towards the training grounds.


AN: Here is chapter 2!!! The rest of the chapters should be this length. This story will NOT be as long as Hinata's Bravery. Just so you know, this will be the last update for probably a week and a half. I am in the last week of school and finals are next week. Needless to say this story does not top my priority list. :P I know Yoshino is a little less annoying than what most people think but this is what I need her to be. Enjoy!!