Okay, I get a little carried away with the constant posting of new chapters, but since I've put it in standby for so long, well I guess I won't get scolded :p I really like this chapter and the next one because I get deeper into Ino's personnality and I find it really interesting and fun. :D

Disclaimer: You know I don't own anything... _

Chapter 6 : When you're gone

Ino watched angrily through the hospital window. Damn clouds colonised the sky for three days now. The kunoichi looked down at her cup of coffee she had recently filled. The black colour of it looked strangely familiar. Lately she had been nostalgic whenever she met dark shades, without knowing why. She took a sip and burned her tongue. The blonde placed it on the edge of the table, not to delicately, and started cursing. The past days had been a nightmare, everything seemed to go wrong, and her nerves were on the edge whenever something didn't go as she wanted.

"Hey, Ino, what are you doing? Break's finished, get back to work!" Sakura said, passing only her head through the small cafeteria door.

"Stop bossing me around! Keep yourself busy with your own work, forehead!" Ino hissed.

She went to the emergency room, where patients seemed to be flowing in as if it was World War III. The blonde medic went to the closest bed where lay an old man, jabbering to anyone who passed by.

"What seems to be the problem, sir?" the kunoichi prepared already her tools.

"It's my ankle, I was putting on some new decorations and I fell down my latter. Nobody cared to help me even if everyone saw I was having difficulties! Not one strong young man to offer aid! And I come down in this hell hole where I wait for half an hour and nobody comes!"

While the old man was continuing his speech, Ino examined his ankle, which seemed to be fine, and she was concentrating hard on not killing the nagging old brat.

"Your ankle's all right, it isn't even sprained."

"What?.. And just like that, you're letting me leave? You won't give me anything to feel better?"

"Put some ice on it and get some sleep. Surely you can do that on your own without help."

"Hey, no need to be rude, young lady!"

"I wasn't rude, but if you keep pissing me off, I can be damn mean! And sir, this is an emergency room, so unless you're in so much pain you can't move or you have an axe planted in your head, I suggest you stay home and don't waste our time! As you said, this is a hell hole already, so we don't need whining people who just need to call up attention! Good day, sir!"

Ino turned on her heels and went to the next bed, leaving the old guy behind with a shocked expression still on his face. Sakura looked intently at her friend who seemed to be avoiding everyone. The pinkette cleared her throat and decided to break the silence while treating her own patient.

"You know, you're supposed to be kind to your patients, pig!"

"Wrong, I'm supposed to treat patients, no one ever talked about kindness in our contract, so shut up!"

"Want to talk about it?"

"No thanks, I'm treating my patient, as you can see."

The blonde pulled a bit too harshly on her patient's bandages and he winced. She shot him a deadly glare and he continued to suffer in silence, without looking up again at the medic. "What a shitty day, what a shitty week!.." Ino groaned at her thoughts. "And it keeps getting better, we start babysitting that bastard Uchiha tomorrow. And then it will be a shitty couple of months! Oh joy…"

"Ino?"

"What?" she turned around to see Choji standing in the emergency room entry. A sudden wave of regret shot through her as she saw her friend look confused. "Haruka? Can you take over for me?" the blonde asked the nearest nurse who kindly nodded. She headed outside in the waiting room with the Akimichi.

"I'm sorry, Choji. Everything has been so hectic these days…What brings you here? Are you alright?"

"Oh yeah, I'm fine! I've got some good news, you'll be glad!" the chubby boy smiled and handed the girl a written note. "It's Shikamaru. He's made it safely to Suna, he sent a messenger to Konoha just to reassure us!"

Ino's heart pounded so hard she thought it would break through her thoracic cage. The note had only two small lines written by the strategist's lazy hand : "I've made it to Suna easily. I'm fine, don't worry you guys." The blonde felt relieved, but in a strange way. She had avoided thinking about her friend, always finding something to occupy her mind, but unconsciously she had been sickly worrying. The girl looked up at her friend and shot her best smile.

"Thank you, Choji! You've just made my day!"

"Ah, you're welcome! I thought that you must be worrying and biting off everyone's head, so I took the afternoon off so I could bring you the message in person!" he was chuckling. Ino looked at him with disbelief, then she laughed too. Damn, he knew her well!

"So, want to grab a bite after you're finished with work?"

"I'm sorry Choji, I've got the late night shift. Another time why not, I'm free tomorrow morning!"

"Works for me, we'll have breakfast then!"

"Okay, I'll come and get you at the apartment, because the other way around, I might be waiting for a long time!" she laughed at the chubby boy's innocent expression, but he gave in.

"Yeah, you'll probably have to wake me. See ya!"

"Bye, Choji."

Ino headed back to the emergency room, feeling a bit more light, as if a weight was off of her shoulders.

That night, the Yamanaka heir was sitting in an examination room, finishing up some paperwork. The hospital was almost empty, only a few medics stayed just in case of an emergency. The late night shift was one of Ino's favourite ones, she could take the time to think things through and because of all the caffeine her brain seemed to be working so much faster. And the quiet, it was just delicious.

She was interrupted in her thoughts as someone knocked on the door. Ino frowned, wondering who would come bother her in an empty examination room.

"Come in."

The door opened slowly and she was on her guard, not knowing who to expect. Inuzuka Kiba entered the room, with a nasty smirk on his face.

"They told me you would be hiding in here."

"Kiba, what are you doing here? You need something?"

"Hm, you could say that.." he said looking at her strangely. Ino stood up as he entered the room and he walked towards her.

"What…Akamaru isn't with you?"

"You can't let animals in the hospital apparently." he shrugged.

"Well, they let you in.."

"Huh, funny." The Inuzuka approached her, his face stopping just a few inches from hers. He flashed her a dazzling smile, showing off his sexy canines he knew turned every girl on. Ino just stood there blinking, not knowing what to do.

"You're hot in that medic's coat…" he said in a low voice, slightly growling at the end of his phrase.

"I'm always hot." The blonde simply stated.

"True."

"Kiba, what do you want?"

"You, of course!"

The young man pushed a blonde lock out of her eyes and kissed her hot cheek and continued to the tip of her nose and down to her mouth. He kissed her harshly, without asking for permission. Ino didn't react and, not knowing what to do else, she let her lips move with his. Kiba gently bit her lower lip and his hands went under the girl's white coat, taking in every curve of her body. Ino's hands worked of their own accord and went up his strong neck, grabbing a fistful of his spiky brown hair. He used his hips to push her back to the hospital bed behind her and forcing her to lie down. The blonde broke free of the violent kiss and gasped for air while the boy went down on to her neck, slightly biting the tender flesh there. Ino kept her eyes closed, and her brain was working at lightning speed. There was something wrong. She finally opened her eyes and looked at the man on top of her, who smiling down at her, about to take his leather coat off.

"Ever fancied doing it in a hospital?" he asked revealing his perfectly sculpted and tanned chest. Ino just looked at him with disbelief.

"No, Kiba stop!"

"What? We're just getting started! What's wrong, babe?"

"You're incredibly sexy." Ino stated, almost amused at the course of her thoughts.

"Yeah. So?" Kiba smiled, a little embarrassed.

"I don't want you." and she pushed the poor young man off her and started gathering her things.

"Wha-? You've got to be kidding me!" Kiba yelled at her.

"No, I'm actually serious!" the girl started laughing as she shook the white coat off and went out of the room with her regular cloths, leaving a petrified, half naked Kiba behind.

Ino started running in the empty halls of the hospital. She felt so new, so light, and so happy with herself for the first time in so long. The blonde started laughing while running. She pushed the door of the girl's locker room and found Sakura grabbing her bag, about to leave.

" Sakura!" Ino said, a bit out of breath. "I've changed!"

"Yeah I can see that.." the pinkette eyed her clothing.

"No, I mean I've mentally changed! Kiba wanted to sleep with me and I said no!"

"That's, er, great Ino. You actually said no to a guy, that's cool…"

"Don't you get it? I said no to one of Konoha's hottest ninja! This means something, Sakura!"

"Well, maybe it means you didn't have sex with a guy because you're thinking about another one?.."

"I…That's not impossible, but I'm not sure…"

"Anyway, you're on the good path already, pig!"

"Thanks, billboard-brow! Let me buy you a drink to celebrate!"

"Oh, goodie, you should have epiphanies more often then!" the pinkette snorted and they headed out.

Ino sat in the Hokage's office with Sakura on the chair next to her, Naruto, Choji and Kakashi were standing behind the two girls. Tsunade looked at each one of them slowly, then decided to speak:

"Alright, today's the big day. I have a few things to clarify before we let him in."

All five ninja tensed and nodded once, ready to listen. The busty woman closed her eyes before she continued.

"I want at least one of you to be with him during daylight, at night he will be brought to a special apartment guarded by two anbu. I want you to act as normally possible around him, the point of all this is to blend him back into society. Now, what is "normal" to him, is the way things used to be…" Tsunade looked intently at the group of ninja in front of her. Sakura was the first to get a grip of what she was saying. "Clever girl" the Hokage thought, smirking.

"You mean you want us to act as we used to be at twelve?"

"That's exactly what I'm asking. Well, a bit more mature… Try to remember your characteristics of when you were younger. It shouldn't be too hard on Naruto, anyway.."

"I… Hey!" the blonde boy shouted, but Ino cut him off before he managed to continue.

"With all due respect, Tsunade-sama, Sasuke may be an emotional shrimp, but he's not stupid! He'll notice we're faking it!"

"It's part of being a ninja, Ino. Act well."

Someone knocked on the door, and Shizune entered discreetly and whispered something in the Hokage's ear.

"Let him in." the older woman commanded.

The door slowly opened and all five ninja in the room held their breath. Sasuke Uchiha entered the office, followed closely by an masked anbu. The traitor's eyes were as cold as ever while he looked over each person in front of him, but remained silent.

"Well Sasuke," Tsunade broke the icy silence. "Here's your welcoming committee, I'm sure you recognize every face. They will be looking after you to assure your easy blending into Konoha."

"Huh" the Uchiha smirked cruelly. "Cut the crap, they're my personal babysittors."

"Nice to see you haven't changed a bit, Sasuke!" Kakashi snorted.

"Sasuke" a familiar voice caught the said men's eyes. Naruto was looking at him, with a scarily serious look on his face. Everyone in the room held their breath, waiting for the blonde young man's reaction. He smiled simply, the calm Naruto smile (which was quite unusual).

"Welcome back, Sasuke."

"Nauto." Sasuke nodded once.

"Okay, I'll let you take off then, have a nice day, all of you." Tsunade interrupted.

The now six ninja headed out in the village, walking slowly in silence. Naruto was all over Sasuke already, attacking him with all sort of questions. Choji walked next to Kakashi, both of their minds set on their respective usual occupations: chips for one, porn book for the other.

Sakura stayed slightly back with Ino and they whispered to each other to make sure none of the men heard their dilemma.

"So, basically, we're supposed to go back at being stupid, biased Sasuke fangirls? Ino asked.

"Yep, that's the job. And we're supposed to be fighting over him, you think?"

"I guess… You can win, I don't stand a chance against you, forehead."

"I agree, but I'm in a generous mood: you can have him, pig."

"Nah, thank you, he's got like a broom stuck up you-know-where!"

"Two brooms!"

"At least!"

The two girls started giggling, and just then noticed that every guy in front of them were turned around, watching them with their eyebrows lifted. Including Sasuke. Sakura decided to react fast, she pushed Ino hard on the arm, almost making her fly, and shouted to her:

"Get away from me, you poisonous pighead!"

"What's your problem, billboard-brow?"

The men turned back to their original direction, not interested in a girl fight. Sakura waited for them to be a few meters further and then went to help Ino up from the ground.

"Are you crazy?" Ino hissed.

"Sorry, it comes with the 'role', Sasuke will get suspicious if we're acting like actual friends!"

"Yeah, well I'll remember that alright! At least could you go a bit easy on the monstrous force please?"

"Okay, I'll try and go easy on you.." the pinkette smirked.

"Good. 'Cause next time I'll slap you so hard in the face it'll match your flat forehead!"

"Funny, pig!"

"Don't even get me started!" Ino stuck out her tongue, and they followed the group.

"So Sasuke-kun, you're still as criminally handsome as back when we used to date.." Ino flirted with the cold man as the six ninja sat at a table in the bar.

"I'd say he's even more handsome, and don't lure yourself, pig, you guys never dated!" Sakura interrupted.

Sasuke sat there, between the two girls who were fighting over him. "How pitiful" the Uchiha thought. Naruto was still so excited around him and was telling all about his techniques.

"You know, I have this Sage Mode, which you haven't had the chance to see yet, it was so damn hard to learn and.."

"Don't you ever shut it, dope?" Sasuke's cold voice silenced him. A hard smashing on the table had the traitor alert, as he looked for it's source he only found Sakura with her fist clenched on the table. Her pink hair hid her eyes, her voice almost as cold as Sasuke's when she spoke.

"Don't talk to him that way!"

The Uchiha was slightly startled at the girl's sudden change of behaviour. The said girl looked up at him, smiling sweetly. "Please, Sasuke-kun?"

"Hn.." he nodded once.

Kakashi looked at his students, one by one, before he turned his face, so no one saw him while he took a sip of his cup of sake. Ino's nose was slightly red and she had her head in one hand. She had a depressed look on her face. Choji was already snoring, apparently alcohol knocked him out fast. The copy-ninja looked at Sakura as she was playing with a bottle, using her delicate hands to turn around and then back to its original position. Sasuke looked at all of them too, and he felt disgust. He stood up, and Kakashi quickly grabbed his wrist, cautioning him.

"I'm going to the restroom. Do I need a babysitter for that too?" the Uchiha coldly asked.

"Actually, you do. Naturo, go with him."

Sasuke had to repress the need to roll his eyes as the blonde followed him. The two girls seemed to relax when the Uchiha left.

"Thank God!" Sakura stretched.

"I miss him.." Ino said, out of the blue.

"What? He just left to the restroom, he'll be back, just…"

"No, not that loser!" the blonde hissed. "I'm talking about Shikamaru, you dimbo!"

"Oh… Well how the hell am I supposed to know?"

"I miss him, and I think I'm falling for him, Sakura!"

"You've had too many drinks, Ino…"

"No, I'm sincere, forehead! Why should it be impossible for me to fall in love with someone? And you're one to talk, Virgin Sakura!"

"Why you…"

"Sakura, calm down." Kakashi reached across the table and took hold of her hands, soothing her, but the pinkette continued.

"It's not because I don't go around screwing everything that moves that you have the right to judge me, you fat pig!"

"Who you're calling fat? And don't act like you're such a saint, you're in love with your teacher, for crying out loud!"

Sakura looked at her with her mouth falling open in disbelief. She looked over to the said teacher, whose eye popped open round, still holding her hands.

"What the hell is this?" a cold voice hissed behind them.

The three slightly tipsy ninja looked up at a shocked Sasuke. It was funny to see him wear a human expression. By the traumatised look on Naruto's face, they had been standing there for quite a while, overhearing the whole conversation.

"Kakashi's flirting with Sakura… And what's with the screwing around? I thought…" the Uchiha looked confused, betrayed and almost disappointed.

"Don't flatter yourself, you're not that handsome." Sakura rolled her eyes.

"You didn't seriously think you'd have us both head-over-hills in love with you? We grew out of it, it was kinda ridiculous…" Ino snorted, crooking her neck over to see the traitor's expression.

Sasuke managed to compose his face, and spoke with his usual icy tone.

"You people are way twisted. I'm out of here."

Sakura grabbed his wrist with crushing force, commanding him to stay put.

"This coming from a lunatic psychopath. We're stuck together, so like it or not, you stay. So sit!"

The pinkette kicked the chair next to her and forced the stunned man to sit back between her and Ino who gave him her best yakuza look.

"Welcome home, Sasuke." Kakashi smiled.

Ino Yamanaka was lying in her bed, awake and confused. She thought about what she had said about Shikamaru to Sakura. The young woman wasn't sure if it was love she felt for her teammate, she had never thought all the time about someone like she did since he left Konoha. Her chest felt empty and most of the time she felt like she was losing it. All this was so new to the kunoichi, this feeling of belonging to someone. She took in a deep breath and closed her eyes.

"Shikamaru"

He was with her, she could almost feel his touch, not burning like all the men she had been with before, more like something electrical. Ino imagined his strong arms around her, his face in the crook of her neck, her shoulders against his toned chest. They matched so perfectly together, their bodies fitting in one another in harmony. She could almost smell his particular scent. Ino felt warm and safe in Shikamaru's arms, she never wanted to leave. The young woman searched for her lovers lips, but never finding them, she opened her eyes. He was gone and she felt cold.

Ino shivered as she gathered the sheets around her freezing body. "Just a dream" she tried to sink that sentence in her mind. The blonde looked out the window, at the moon throwing its pale light on the sleeping village. She wondered what he was doing at that precise moment. Could he be thinking of her too? No, it's useless to dream, unless you make your dreams come true. Ino always followed that motto, that was hers, by the way.

The young woman put her head back down on her pillow and closed her eyes. Next time, it wouldn't be just a dream.

Two weeks later, Ino was pacing nervously in Sakura's room. The pinkette was amused as she sat comfortably on her bed, looking at her friend going over the mental preparation again.

"So, when I see him, I just say it like that?" the blonde asked.

"Well, you should go get a drink, get warmed up, talk about old stuff before you hit him with your declaration."

"Oh, it's stupid, I'm like a twelve year old school girl with her first crush!"

"And it's quite amusing! You should see yourself, all lovey-dovey for the past two weeks!"

"You're not helping, Sakura!"

"Oh, sorry. It's not stupid, you're just afraid that if he refuses you, you'll lose your friendship with him. And your ego."

"I don't want it to be all awkward if he blows me off! I prefer us to stay friends!"

"You can't have both, Ino…"

"I know, I know…" the blonde sat on the bed and grabbed her head. "Stupid feelings!"

"Well, think of it this way: if you tell him, there's a chance you two get together and live happily ever after, or maybe he'll blow you off, and then it takes time, but you could still be friends… If you don't tell him, you'll never know if you would have had a chance with him, and you'll watch him go off with another girl but stay friends. Question is: which one would you regret the most?"

Ino took a deep breath. She has changed a lot in the past three weeks, and she was sure that if it had been any other man but Shikamaru, he wouldn't ever had this effect on her. Sakura got up and patted her friend's shoulder, inciting her to get up too. The blonde stood up and they both left (using the door!) to Konoha's gate. Choji was already there, Kakashi was watching over Sasuke, so he was absent. The three ninja stood there, facing the great door, waiting for their friend to finally come home. Ino took both Sakura's and Choji's hand: feeling their comfort warmed her heart.

The gate finally started opening as the guards yelled orders, apparently seeing someone approaching. Ino's grip on her friend's hands tightened as her heart started racing, as if wanting to burst her whole body open. She took a deep breath as the doors made place for the incomers. The first thing they saw, was Shikamaru's smile, warm and full of life. The three friends smiled too. The next thing they saw, was Temari, also smiling. The third thing they saw, was that the two ninja were also holding hands. Ino's heart was shot dead and fell in the depth of the darkness slowly taking her over.

Tadaaaaaa! A catastrophic ending! I hope it wasn't too predictable... :s Anyways, I try not to be too hard on Sasuke...oh well, let's say he deserves it a little bit :p I'm not that much into drama, so the "broken hearted" parts will always have a little humor in them, just wait 'till you read the next chapter ;)

R&R please, kisses

DarkDream93