A/N: Hey well as you should know (if you read the previous Chapters) this is gonna be multiple chapters long, the odd chapters(1,3,5...) are gonna be the story of Shika/Ino and the even chapters(2,4,6...) are gonna be the story of Kanku/Saku! Enjoy and PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE R+R! it would just really make my day if you did!!!

I'll try to write a new chapter every week or so. If i get behind please don't hate me, it probably just means im having some bad days - it actually happens a lot...haha!

I'm adding footnotes to this and upcoming chapters so wherever you see (*) go down to the A/N at the bottom of the page to find out what I'm talking about (or if I just wanna say something but don't wanna interrupt the story.)

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto, as much as i wish i did :(

Chapter 3

Sad Memories

When Shikamaru reached Ino's house, he realized she had, for once, locked the door. That was good and all, but he didn't know where she kept her spare key. Well, no other way. He skillfully reached into her back pocket, pulling out her key, without jostling her in the slightest.

As he unlocked the door, she twisted in his arms a little, but didn't wake up. He inwardly sighed with relief. He didn't want her to wake up now. She desperately needed sleep after these past few days.

Shikamaru carried Ino to her room at the end of the dark hall, past her kitchen and living room. She had moved out of her parents' little home above the flower shop as soon as she had turned eighteen. Using the money she had saved from missions and working at the shop, she was able to afford her own place in the same neighbor that Sakura now lived. She still worked part time at the flower shop, but only when she wasn't on missions or training. And it was a good thing that she had moved, too, because Shikamaru would not like to see Inoichi's face if the latter had seen his Precious Princess being carried home at ten o'clock at night. Shika made a mental note to thank Ino later.

When he walked in to lie Ino on her bed, he stopped dead in his tracks. The room had changed since he had last been there. He wouldn't have noticed it if it hadn't been for the soft glow the lamp on her desk was casting on the walls. (She left that on all day?! The house could have caught on fire! Ugh, troublesome woman!) Two of the previously purple-painted walls were now a rich, forest green. What the hell?! Ino hates green; it has to be her least favorite color! I'll definitely be asking her about that in the morning.

Shikamaru shook himself out of his wonder and made his way over to Ino's purple canopy bed, where he placed her on top of the blanket. He removed her sandals, skirt, and mesh arm and leg bands. Then he carefully started to take off her top, so she would be comfortable in just her ninja bra. The sight that greeted him made him blink and take a couple of steps back. She wasn't wearing her ninja bra; she was, however, wearing a little lacy, black, push-up bra. Shikamaru hastily re-buttoned her top, blushing. He figured after that little incident he should just let the poor girl get some rest.

In one fluid motion, he had picked her up, swept down the covers, and placed her back down on the purple, flowered sheets. After tucking in the blonde kunoichi, he walked back into the living room to get some rest on the couch, figuring he shouldn't leave her alone in her state of fatigue.

Ino blinked slowly; her eyelids felt like lead. But...she was comfortable? She thought she had fallen asleep on the ground, and yet she could feel a plush blanket, and smell…pancakes? Ino pushed herself off her bed and grabbed a robe before she walked out of the room, towards the living room.

Shikamaru was standing in her kitchen, bending over the stove, getting ready to flip a pancake on to the already full plate next to him. Ino blushed slightly and leaned against the wall directly behind him. She giggled.

"Never thought I'd see you cooking, in a kitchen; in my kitchen."

Shikamaru spun around, a pancake hanging from his teeth. He quickly pulled it out and replied, "Troublesome. Well, I can cook pancakes, but that's about it…I just figured you'd be hungry when you woke up."

"How long was I asleep?"

"Not too long; only about ten hours."

"So what time is it?"

"'Bout eight."

"Oh no! I have to get to work! I need to be at the flower shop today!"

"Well, for what ever reason that may be—"

"It's the anniversary of Sakura's parents' deaths."

"Well, I can understand why you want to be at the flower shop today," and he really did. She had told him multiple times of what occurred on this day between the pinkette and her old Sensei, "but you need to eat first."

"But—"

"EAT!"

Before she could even think, he had appeared behind her, pinning her arms to her sides and carrying her over to the table like that, with her legs flailing wildly, trying to get in a good kick. She "harumph"ed when he sat her down and placed a plate in front of her. She had to admit she was hungry and dove into the stack of pancakes before her without Shikamaru even having to use his Shadow Possession jutsu to force feed her.

When she finished, she stood up and brought her plate to the sink. She turned around and looked at Shikamaru. "Delicious!" With that, Ino walked to her bedroom to get dressed for work. She smiled at the green walls. About a month ago, she had painted them. She didn't know why, but the color had just grown on her. They now reminded her of Shika every time she looked at them. Walking over to a wall, she placed a hand on it, tapping her fingernails. They better remind me of him. Now I realize that's why I painted them this color. Although the green really isn't as bad as I used to think it was. (*)

"I was going to ask you about that. Why did you paint them green? I thought you hated green." That wasn't exactly the truth. He knew for a fact that she hated green; probably because her best friend/archrival's eyes were green, but he didn't know for sure that that was the reason.

She spun around. Shikamaru was standing in her doorway, smirking at the way she caressed the wall. "Oh, I guess the color's just grown on me." She smiled sweetly.

"Hn…" Shikamaru didn't really believe this. No way. Something was up with Ino, and he was going to find out what. "Hey, Ino?"

"Hm?"

"What's up with you?"

"What are you talking about? Nothing's up. I just like the color green now."

"No, that's not what I mean. You've been acting strangely these past few days. Why?"

"I don't know what you're talking about. I have not been acting strangely. Nothing is wrong! Gosh, what is it with you and all of your stupid questions?!" Her voice steadily rose higher and louder so that by the time she was finished, she was practically screaming at him.

"See, just then! What the hell was that all about?!"

"Ugh! Whatever; I don't have time for this! Thanks for bringing me home last night and making me breakfast and all, but I have to get to work. So, you need to leave."

And with that, Ino grabbed the key off her dresser, pushed Shika to and out the front door, and lead him down the path from her door to the street, completely forgetting to lock the door…again. She left Shikamaru standing in the street looking absurdly after her as she headed quickly to the flower shop to await Kakashi.

Damn women and their troublesome moods. Shika thought to himself as he headed home, in the opposite direction Ino had just taken.

Ino smiled sadly as she watched Kakashi head out of her mother's shop. A single tear escaped her cerulean eye. She reached up a hand to wipe it away, but someone else's hand got there first. She looked to her left to see Shikamaru with a glum expression on his face. She hadn't seen or heard him come in, but she was glad he did. Ino turned and buried her face in Shika's chest as he wrapped his arms around her waist. It was always the same, every time. She would sob and he would hold her close, whispering words of comfort in her ear. "Im sure he appreciates it," Shika would say of the red Tulip. "Even if he doesn't quite know what it means. It's a sign that you still care and think about him often."

The red Tulip had joined Kakashi's annual trip to the memorial grounds two years ago; although, Ino brought some herself: on the holidays, on his birthday, or just on any days she was thinking about him. (**) And Shikamaru saw all of these signs of remembrance. He saw the pain in her eyes and in her heart. And he was always there to comfort her, even if she didn't want it.

Ino sobbed still harder into Shika's increasingly dampening black, long-sleeved shirt. (***) After a couple minutes, she calmed down and her sobs turned into quiet sniffles as she breathed deeply in her best friend's musky, 'burning-firewood' scent. Oh, how she loved the way he smelled. His scent and his strong embrace were what consoled her raging, hysterical emotions whenever she was upset and crying over their loss.

"Come on Ino; Kakashi's gone, let's go out. Your mother can handle the shop." Ino just nodded as she clung to Shikamaru, tears glistening on her exposed cheek.

Shikamaru led Ino out of the flower shop, calling to Yamanaka-san as they left that he was taking her out. As they walked down the street, Ino put so much weight on Shikamaru that had he not been supporting her, she would have collapsed.

Shika picked his best friend up bridal style and took off into the trees. He brought her to their cloud-watching field and laid her down by the river. He lay down next to her and pulled her close, laying her head on his chest, like he did when they were little. They both fell into a deep slumber, drifting into dreams of a happier time.

Ino's mother looked out the window at the dark, night sky, then at the clock; it was after ten. Ino had never returned to work, but she wasn't too worried. Mrs. Yamanaka's strong-willed, hot-tempered daughter could protect herself, and with Shikamaru accompanying her out earlier that day, she figured the young Jonin had fallen asleep in a field somewhere.

Ino woke up slowly and almost immediately turned bright red. Why am I always waking up this close to him whenever we're in this field? During the night she had worked her way up onto Shikamaru's body, his arms still wrapped around her slight form from when he had held her while she was crying.

The sky above them was still a deep, royal blue, but as she looked out over the horizon, Ino saw gray and pink intertwined with wispy, white clouds. She gently pulled herself from his grip and rolled off him.

The blonde kunoichi watched the sun rise in the distance. She hadn't noticed the shadow manipulator stir next to her, for she was engulfed in delicious (****) thoughts about the man lying next to her.

When she finally realized Shikamaru was awake, Ino had already spent many minutes after the sun had risen thinking about him. She looked over at her best friend, sun shining on her glossy locks, and smiled sweetly…but it didn't quite reach her eyes.

A/N:

(*)- So the color grew on her before she realized she liked him, and she decided to paint her walls, but didn't realize at the time that it was because of Shika

(**)- Haha i still haven't let slip what this tulip is really all about. But don't fret too much. I'll definately spill in the next chapter! Just be patient :)

(***)- you know, like the shirt is getting wetter. Sorry for the funny wording.

(****)- Heh, sorry, i just love the word 'delicious' when talking/writing/thinking about boys. Is that weird...?

So i hope you liked. Sorry it took me more than a week to get it posted. Next chappie hopefully to come soon: KankuSaku part II