Authoress' Note: Hey guys! Sorry for the cliffy but…(cackles evilly) it's going to stay a cliffy! At least for this chapter anyway. I forgot to mention that it took Ino a couple days to get to the village. I wanted to put that in so you guys wouldn't be confused at the start of this chapter.

Again, special thanks to my awesome reviewers! I love you all! Hope you enjoy this next installment!

Quote of the Chapter: It's funny how you don't realize something is important to you until it's gone…

Disclaimer: It is not true that Lindsay does not know that Naruto does definitely not belong to her…wait, is that right?


Chapter 3

"Ugh…"

An exhausted groan could be heard near Konoha's gates at nine in the morning. And accompanying the groan was the person who released it, none other than that lazy boy genius, Nara Shikamaru.

He, of course, had better mornings. Mornings that didn't include a week long mission from the Grass village that didn't go as smoothly as the head tactician had planned.

It seemed simple enough: get in, impersonate a soldier, look around, interrogate someone, get out, done. He just had to support the details. But as troublesome as his life was, something inevitably had to go wrong.

It was an awkward situation when one of the Grass shinobi opened the cafeteria door to find a Leaf nin interrogating one of their own…using a fork as an interrogation tool. And so, the Nara had accumulated a few cuts and scrapes from getting out of that predicament.

Shikamaru gave a heavy sigh as he trudged towards the Hokage Tower to give his mission report. It was troublesome, yes, but the sooner it was done with, the quicker he could take a shower and hit the bed sheets.

He entered the tower and sat himself down in the waiting room, stretching his arms and legs out lazily after doing so. His eyes slid shut as he listened to the low buzz of chatter that extended throughout the room. He was nearly off to dreamland when one word drifted into earshot: Yamanaka.

Upon hearing the word, Shikamaru slowly opened one eye and glanced around the room. He couldn't detect whoever was talking about his blonde teammate…if in fact, it was that particular Yamanaka that they were talking about.

Shikamaru closed his eye again, but his brow furrowed in thought. Why did he immediately conclude that they were talking about Ino? It was more plausible that they were talking about her father, who was more involved in shinobi matters anyway.

The Nara's expression relaxed, but tensed just a moment later when another deduction came to mind. The Hokage tower was a general spot for gossip…and Ino could've done something worth talking about…it certainly wouldn't have been the first time.

Shikamaru grunted. 'What have you gotten yourself into this time, Ino?' He highly doubted that it was something good. Gossip usually wasn't very pleasant, was it?

"Nara, Shikamaru!"

Said shinobi lethargically got up and slouched to the office door when his name was called. Whatever it was Ino was up to, he would find out in a little while.


The lazy genius rolled over and gave a small groan, nearly tugging out his hair in exasperation.

After giving his mission report, Shikamaru went home, showered, and had fallen into bed. However, for some reason, his conscience wouldn't allow him to drift off to peaceful dreamland. It was like his mother, nagging and nagging until he would get up and do whatever she wanted. And he was partly confused as to what his conscience was nagging about: Ino.

The Nara wasn't sure why he was so concerned about her. She had done many things that would've deemed 'gossip-worthy'. It was probably something irrelevant. But his super-powered brain kept insisting on shoving thoughts of her into his mind, making it impossible for him to achieve his long-awaited nap. Finally, he growled in frustration and pushed himself up off his bed. He muttered incoherent curses while getting dressed; he was going to find Ino and find out exactly what it was she did.

'If in fact, she did anything,' his mind interjected, causing him to pause while tying his hair up in it's signature ponytail/pineapple/thing. Why was he assuming that the culprit was Ino? All he heard was her last name after all…it didn't exactly insinuate her.

Shikamaru reasoned with himself that it was the fact that she was his teammate and he was looking out for her. And besides, the sooner he sought her out and let her rant to him about whatever was on her mind, the sooner he could get back to that nap. Furthermore, it was most likely that if he didn't seek her out, then she would find him instead and still bleed his ears dry. He was just saving himself the trouble of being rudely awakened from his lazy slumber; which probably would've been more troublesome then initiating the pursuit himself.

Shikamaru muttered an excuse to his mother and left the house, his hands shoved into his pockets and his eyes partly on the sky above. He decided that he would check the Yamanaka's Flower Shop first. It was where Ino was most likely to be nowadays.

However, the lazy genius frowned upon coming into view of the shop, for he could clearly see the large 'Closed' sign in the window.

'Alright…' he sighed, turning on his heel and heading in a different direction. 'Plan B. Search at all her favorite places.'

But it appeared as thought Plan B was a bust as well. Ino wasn't at the jewelry store, the clothing shop, or the perfume stand. He even checked their favorite BBQ place, but no…she was nowhere to be found.

Frustrated and now slightly worried, Shikamaru quickened his pace as he strode down the village's main road. She had to be somewhere…

A flash of pink caught his attention. Immediately Shikamaru was at Sakura's side, looking around the leaning tower of books that were piled high in her arms in order to glance at her face. Sakura nearly dropped her studies in surprise at the Nara's abrupt confrontation, but she quickly recovered and sent him a warning glare. Shikamaru ignored it.

"Sakura, do you know where Ino is?"

The young Haruno shifted her books in her arms, a sudden look of contemplation crossing her features.

"You know, now that you mention it Shikamaru, I have no idea. In fact, I haven't seen her for a few days…"

Shikamaru just stared at her, confusion written on his face. "A few days?"

"Yeah" Sakura shrugged her shoulders and continued walking to her destination. "I've been really busy lately, so I haven't been able to see much of anyone…try asking Hinata. She might know."

Sakura was hardly finished relaying her thoughts before Shikamaru was close to out of her sight, a hurried thanks called out over his shoulder.

'Damn it' Shikamaru thought. 'Ino is one of the most social people I know. She's almost guaranteed to be around the public…so why can't I find her?'

Nearing the Hyuga estate, Shikamaru could spot Neji and Tenten just outside the main entrance. He hastened his pace until he was facing them, slightly out of breath, but with a determined look set upon his features.

Tenten was the first to acknowledge his presence. "Hey" she nodded as greeting. Shikamaru nodded in return and faced Neji, who turned to look at the new arrival.

"Yes?"

"Do you know where I can find Hinata?"

The genius prodigy of the Hyuga clan eyed Shikamaru for a moment before replying in a calm, somewhat cold manner.

"Wherever Miss Hinata is, is not of my concern at this current moment."

After a moment of silence, Neji sighed and rephrased his reply.

"I have no idea."

"I knew what you meant"

"Then what are you still doing here? We're about to train." Neji said, as Tenten started taking a few weapons out of a bag, most of which were new that she had gotten during her trip.

Shikamaru sighed. It was a long shot, but…

"Do you possibly know where Ino is?"

"Ino?" Tenten looked up from sorting her kunai, a thoughtful expression on her face. Neji pondered for a moment.

"…isn't she blonde? With blue eyes, purple outfit, and a voice that screeches like a banshee?"

"Yup"

"Last time I saw her she was working outside the flower shop…that must've been close to a week ago…"

"Yeah" Tenten spoke up. "I haven't seen her for a few days either…"

Shikamaru's stomach seemed to plummet. 'A few days?'

Now anxiety openly gnawed at his mind. Granted, Neji and Tenten weren't exactly close to Ino, but they would see her around town often enough, right? Muttering a quick thanks, the lazy Nara strode off towards the main part of town again, hoping to find a friend of Ino's…or heck, anyone who knew Ino.

After searching for close to twenty minutes, he finally found Hinata near the park with Kiba. Akamaru leapt to his feet and started barking in his direction. The couple turned to see Shikamaru half walking, half trotting to where they stood.

"Have either of you seen Ino?" he said rather breathlessly. The two looked at one another before glancing at Shikamaru once more.

"Um, I'm sorry Shikamaru…I haven't seen Ino-chan for a few days…" Hinata mentioned quietly, her nervous hands tugging on her sleeves. Kiba shook his head as well, closing his sharp eyes in thought. "I haven't seen her either…usually I'd smell some sort of blossom scent in her presence, right Akamaru?"

The white dog, who was clearly growing in size around this time, agreed with a yip.

Shikamaru was now passed concerned. He'd openly admit to anyone that now he was worried. Without pausing to say thanks, he had darted away to find someone else.

He ran into Shino, who told him he hadn't seen her for at least a week.

Asuma had been on a mission; he had no idea.

Choji had been deeply immersed within his cooking education and had no clue as to Ino's whereabouts.

Shikamaru desperately started seeking out citizens and familiar merchants, other shinobi and shop-keepers…and it was all the same.

'Not for a few days…at least a week…nope, haven't seen her…I don't recall…a few days…'

Now in a near state of panic, Shikamaru's brain had finally come to the conclusion that it was possible that she was on a mission. Feeling slightly relieved, the Nara nearly slapped himself for his stupidity. He was about to run towards the Hokage tower when he realized that he was near Ino's house.

Quickly changing his direction, Shikamaru bounded up her front steps and rang the doorbell. He would just ask Inoichi and save himself the trip. After a few minutes or so, Ino's mother had come to the door.

"Shikamaru dear, you've returned from your mission?" she greeted kindly, however, the lazy genius could detect a faint hint of sadness within her tone. His worry immediately rushed back full force.

"Yes ma'am. I was wondering if you could tell me…did Ino leave on a mission or something?" he asked, his tone hopeful. He was praying to Kami that she would say yes.

The corners of Mrs. Yamanaka's lips turned down. Her eyes soon clouded with uncertainty. "She didn't tell you?"

"Didn't tell me what?" Shikamaru could've sworn that his voice had raised a few octaves.

The women stared at the Nara, contemplating what he said. She stepped aside to show him into the house, murmuring slightly as he hesitantly entered.

"I'm sorry dear…I just assumed…seeing as you're one of her closest friends and all…"

Shikamaru unconsciously gripped the edges of the couch as he sat down. Inoichi walked into the room and nodded his head in greeting. He stood next to his wife, who was seated across from Shikamaru. Mrs. Yamanaka looked up towards her husband. "She didn't tell him either."

Inoichi frowned. "I'm not surprised…it was sudden…I'm sure she didn't tell anybody."

"Tell anybody what?!?!" Shikamaru demanded, nearly shouting. Inoichi pinned the Nara's eyes with his own.

"Ino is gone"

The room turned silent. Shikamaru heard what Inoichi had said, but his over 200 IQ brain couldn't quite comprehend it.

"Wha-what do you mean, gone?"

Inoichi sighed and sat down next to his wife, and gently rubbed his temple.

"What I mean is, Ino left on a trip."

Shikamaru's brain was finally in the processing stage. "What like a shopping trip or something? So she'll be back soon?"

Mrs. Yamanaka's eyes began to cloud over. Inoichi put a comforting arm around his wife and continued with his explanation.

"No…more like a training trip. She left a few days ago, close to a week."

Shikamaru's mind was going into overdrive with questions and assumptions with why she would do this, but he ignored his musings. He would think about it later.

"Training? Who went with her?"

"No one"

Shikamaru sat there, now completely stunned. She went alone? That was totally unlike her. He was certain that she'd drag someone along…why...

The lazy genius straightened up. "How long will she be gone?"

The older couple stared at him solemnly.

"We don't know…it could be days, or weeks…possible even years…"

Shikamaru's brain seemed to be short-circuiting. "And she's alone…so if something happens…"

Inoichi nodded, holding his now sobbing wife. "We will never know."

Shikamaru was speechless, which might've been ok, for he had nothing else to ask. It was as if his mind and his entire body had gone numb. He stood and tried to say thank-you, but the words were caught in his throat. He motioned helplessly with his hands. Inoichi nodded to show that he understood. He watched as Shikamaru slowly meandered towards the door.

Outside Shikamaru just stood immobile on the front porch. His brain finally kicked into overdrive as his feet started taking him to who-knows-where.

'Ino…' Geez, he leaves on a mission for one week and she manages to get herself into…well…something. This 'predicament' as he'll call it, was probably just a random, desperate act for attention. And it was foolish of her to just go off on her own. What was she thinking? If something happened to her, or if she got hurt, then she had no way of informing the village, and no one would ever know.

Shikamaru's heart rate seemed to increase. In fact, she could be hurt right now, or kidnapped, or raped, or even killed!

The usually lazy Nara unconsciously moved faster.

And what's with this training excuse? Ino hated laboring exercise, and usually wormed her way out of team practices. She hated getting all sweaty and dirty…so why did she go off on her own to do so?

Sure, he had faith in Ino. But there was a reason that all the Genin were put into three-man squads. It was to put faith and trust into your companions, because even though a shinobi shouldn't have any emotional attachments, it was impossible for a ninja to work alone. They needed partners. And Shikamaru was concerned of Ino's safety.

Who was going to watch her back?

Shikamaru finally diverted his attention away from his musings to find himself standing in front of the Hokage Tower. The Nara set his mouth into a grim, determined line. He was going to bring Ino back, whether she wanted to or not. She didn't belong out there where she could be killed. No, he was going to bring her right back home.

Shikamaru marched through the front doors and ignored the secretary at the front desk. He traipsed his way through the twisting hallways until he was in front of the Hokage's office door. He raised a fist and pounded.

"Lady Tsunade! Lady Tsunade, open up! This is important!"

He continued beating his fist upon the doorway until a very timid Shizune opened the door with a squeak. Shikamaru brushed passed her as if she was invisible and confronted the Hokage. Lady Tsunade glanced up at him with a very perplexed, but annoyed look upon her face.

"Nara, I saw you this morning. Surely you don't want another mission so soon? Then again, when ever have you-"

"Lady Tsunade, with all due respect, I didn't come here to listen to your wisecracked rambling. Were you aware that Ino Yamanaka left the village about a week ago?"

Now the powerful Sennin wasn't used to such rash and rather rude behavior by one of her most valued shinobi…nonetheless her favorite mission tactician. She was too shocked to reprimand him.

"…Well, yes. It was an abrupt decision, but I gave her leave all the same."

Shikamaru clenched his fists.

"And why in the seven hells would you do that?" he growled sharply.

Tsunade's senses returned to her and she was getting quite annoyed with his recent attitude.

"Because she wanted to. She wanted to go out in the world and train herself to be a better shinobi. In fact, I highly approve of the idea. Getting her out of her comfort zone of home will put her in a real-world situation that will give her experience that our basic training scenarios can't. She will come back a stronger woman because of this."

Shikamaru unclenched his jaw so that he could give a stiff reply.

"I want you to grant me permission to go and retrieve her."

"And why would I do that?"

"Because she's clueless about how the real world works! She's been surrounded by comfort and sugar-coated ideas that will most definitely cost her life out there. She thinks that she can just waltz out there and the world will serve her whatever she wants on a silver platter! She will surely die!"

"Ino is certainly more intelligent than that, and I'd expect you to know that Nara, seeing as you're on the same team as she. And no, I will not give you my permission to leave."

"Why not?"

"Because whether you believe it or not, Yamanaka Ino is a strong-willed kunoichi who believes that she can do anything that she sets her mind to. She's aware of the danger, she knows what she's getting herself into. And she will learn from her mistakes and come back a stronger woman, stronger than if she had stayed here."

Tsunade frowned, and it dawned on her why Shikamaru was so upset about her absence. However, she decided to keep her opinions to herself and continued with her lecture.

"Besides, you can't go. You have a mission tomorrow at 1600 hours, sharp."

"Then send somebody else to find her and drag her back."

"Even if I could Shikamaru, I wouldn't. I have no idea as to where Ino went."

Silence gathered between the two. Tsunade suddenly felt a dark aura bloom within her office.

Shikamaru then spoke softly and calmly, a look of fury within his eyes.

"You don't know where she went?"

Tsunade was slightly afraid of the slow, deliberate tone that Shikamaru issued. She shook her head.

Shikamaru glared at her for a moment.

"If something ever happens to her…"

Tsunade put her hands up as a peace sign, stuttering that she understood.

Shikamaru let her suffer his cold glare for a few minutes before he finally turned around and left. Tsunade visible relaxed as Shizune came trembling out of the corner. Tsunade wiped her brow. Her mission tactician had a side to him she never knew about…and that she never wanted to meet again.


Lying on his bed, Shikamaru stared up at the tiny cracks in his ceiling. He now felt no need for sleep. All he felt was loneliness and a constant, worrying depression for Ino.


Authoress' Note: Wow, I was trying my hardest to get this in for you guys on time, cuz I'm leaving for my dad's house and will be away for about 2 weeks. So I'm sorry to say, I won't be updating for a while. And because this was written so quickly, I had no time to reread for any grammatical mistakes that my spell check had missed, so I'm sorry for that.

I hope you enjoyed this chapter. In the next one we'll be back with Ino. Until then…

R.M.