Shikamaru and Ino made their way back to camp quickly. They showed no signs of what had just happened. In fact Shikamaru looked as if he was sleeping. Unfortunatley it wasn't so. Shikamaru was being torn apart by his feelings for Ino and Temari.
'I've tried to get her out of my mind but I can't get over her. Why can't I just move on?'
'Maybe it's because you still love her. Maybe because you're lying to yourself just as you lied to her'
'Leave me alone. No matter what my conscience says I won't get involved with her.'
'Have you ever wondered that maybe it's your heart that's speaking to you Shika-chan. Inside you need her now more than ever.'
'Stop your babbling. Go to hell.'
'Hahahahaha. Don't try so hard to fool me Shika-chan. Truth is you're only fooling yourself.'
'Wait what do you mean?'
'Hahahaha so long Shika! I'm out of your hair!'
"Finally! About time you two showed up!" said Chouji as he put instant ramen took cook over the fire, "Where were you?"
"Ah just out for a walk. Ino found some berries." said Shikamaru.
"Actually Shika I sort of dropped them when…"
"When you fell." finished Shikamaru, obviously uneasy.
"O-kay." said Chouji, "Anyways let's eat I'm starved."
Shikamaru and his team quickly ate the ramen (more like Chouji ate and they watched). After finishing they all went to set up their tents and went to do different tasks. Tenten however decided to question Shikamaru.
"So I see you and Ino have been busy" said Tenten with a smile, "And I thought Neji was rough!"
"What do you mean?"
"I mean I saw the marks all over her stomach and thigh."
"Oh" said Shikamaru as he scratched his head.
"Listen Shikamaru I think it's great that you're seeing Ino but don't you think it's a little too soon. You know Temari…"
At this Shikamaru lifted up his hand. And in an unusually angry voice said.
"Tenten I appreciate your concern but this is a mission the same as any other. Me and Temari have agreed that a relationship between us is not in our best interests. And further more I'm only going to Suna to help the village deal with an imminent threat. I was requested by Gaara himself so obviously I had no choice."
With that said Shikamaru walked back to his tent and without another word went to sleep.
Flashback
"Shikamaru you have orders to attack Eshimo town. Leave none of the inhabitants alive."
"Gaara-sama you must be joking."
"No Shikamaru they are a serious threat to both my village and yours. They are lead by a rebel faction and if they are not destroyed they will cause the deaths of countless innocent people."
"Hai Kazekage-sama it will be done."
On the way out from the meeting Shikamaru bumped into Temari.
"Shika! So what did Gaara say?"
"Nothing Temari nothing at all."
Flashback Ends
The tent entrance was pulled aside as Ino stepped inside.
"Shika it's morning we have to go."
"Alright Ino I'm up I'm up." Shikamaru stretched lazily and started to do his daily work out routine. At this moment Tenten also walked in.
"Jeez Shikamaru put a shirt on before you poke someone's eye out." mocked Tenten in reference to his muscular physique.
"Haha." said Shikamaru sarcastically.
"You know Tenten I bet even Neji doesn't have muscles like Shikamaru you're just admiring the view." smirked Ino.
"As if! Besides since when did you stick up for Shikamaru so much? It wouldn't have anything to do with you two groping each other yesterday would it?"
At this both Ino and Shikamaru turned bright red.
"I'm kidding, only kidding." said Tenten knowing full well she'd hit the mark, "But seriously Shikamaru put a shirt on, your chest is scary!"
"Troublesome women and their dumb jokes" mumbled Shikamaru as he tried to find his shirt. No sooner had Tenten left then Ino started flirting with him.
"You don't have to put your shirt on now Shika. I like you better without it."
Shikamaru decided to play along. After all she did like him and he convinced himself he liked her too. He leaned in closer to her.
"But Ino my bare chest wouldn't go along well with all these other clothes." said Shikamaru smiling, "We would have to fix that problem wouldn't we." By no Shikamaru was a hair's breath away from Ino.
"Shika…" said Ino as her whole face turned red.
"Ino would you do something for me? It would help to quench my enormous thirst."
Ino turned ten shades of scarlet but seeming to get the "idea" moved to remove her shirt.
"Would you hand me that water canteen next to your leg." Ino froze in shock. Shikamaru however innocently pretended he didn't know what happened.
"Oi Ino, you okay?"
"That was dirty Shikamaru!"
"Fine, fine, it was just a joke lighten up Ino!"
"Lighten Up! I'll lighten you up!" And suddenly she tackled him to the ground and straddled his waist.
"Now are you going to be a good boy and behave yourself or do I have to punish you?
Shikamaru smiled and pulled her down with him. In seconds they were kissing and gasping for air. Shikamaru however involuntarily stopped, his mind was racked with memories. One's that no matter what he tried would constantly run through his mind.
Flashback
"Shikamaru it's okay you don't have to have to hate yourself for it. I understand!" Her eyes were filled with tears.
"Temari it's no just that it's…"
"What!?"
"I love my village and because of that this relationship can't go any further. I love you Temari but for the greater good this must end"
"But Shika!"
"Forgive me Temari but we can't run away from our responsibilities. We're shinobi and that comes first. Before us, before our friends, before our emotions. You once told me not to be weak but to be strong. And for that reason goodbye…forever"
Flashback Ends
"Shika is everything okay?"
"Forgive me Ino but I've made a mistake. This is all wrong I can't continue."
"But Shika." Ino moved to touch him but Shikamaru pulled away. "I'm sorry but I can't love you."
At this Ino began to cry.
"You'll learn there's a difference between infatuation and love Ino." said Shikamaru as he pulled out a tissue, "I'm not the right guy for you Ino. But thank you for making me feel needed."
Shikamaru pulled her into an embrace and calmed her down.
"It's Temari isn't it?" said Ino after a while.
"Yes it is"
'Finally you admit the truth Shika-chan!'
'Not you again.'
'Relax Shika-chan I'll be gone for good! But don't be too quick to love Temari after all things have changed in three years.'
'What do you mean?'
'Hahahahaha! Think about genius! Hahahahaha!'
'Damn you son of a …'
"Shika-kun lets turn in for the night. We should get some rest, after all we've got a long journey up ahead."
"Right."
Without another word Ino went to her tent and went to sleep. Shikamaru, however, couldn't sleep. Instead he decided to look at the stars.
'The stars are lovely tonight.' thought Shikamaru as he scanned the sky. He suddenly spotted one star in particular, "her" star.
Turamo Town, Land of the Wind, Last Major Outpost near the Sand Village
"Sir we're approaching the town"
"Excellent. Re, Seiji, have your men hold back until the enemy nin come out. Then feign a retreat and lure them into our trap"
"It will be done sire!"
"Hahahaha! With Turamo town under our control nothing will be able to stop our wrath!"
