Valeria- (running) HI!

Ino- (blind rage)

Valeria- (sits in tree) Hee-Hee. She's blind.

Shikamaru- No she's not.

Valeria- Yes she is! It says blind rage.

Shikamaru- that just means she's locked all her sights on hurting and or killing you.

Valeria- ... oh...

Ino- (sitting next to her) yeah.

Valeria- ... (screams, jumps out of tree and runs) this chapter I'm gonna try to focus on a few couples at a time instead of just one. It's still gonna be mostly Shikaino so don't worry. Here's the recap!

RECAP

He had retreated into his head and came face-to-face with his little devil.

'Yo.' The devil had waved sheepishly, as if not expecting him to have been there.

Shikamaru though had always despised his two little shoulder people, 'What are you doing here?' he had replied to his devil coldly

Devil Shika shifted uncomfortably, 'Uh...I lost a bet to Angel Shika... and now I have to give you advice and reveal my true station.'

Even the great genius Shikamaru did not know what the hell he meant, 'what the hell are you talking about?! Aren't you, like, evil?'

Devil Shika laughed, 'Idiot. Shows all you know. Okay –deep breath- I'm balance.'

Shikamaru was confused, but the more he thought about it the more it made sense. 'Yin and Yang (1)?' he thought incredulously.

Devil Shika nodded, 'Yep, now your damn good advice. KISS THE FUCKING GIRL!' With that Shikamaru's devil walked away cursing at everything he could see.

Shikamaru snapped back to reality for split second to see where Ino was. Then he delved deep into his mind. He could undoubtedly fathom mission plans, he could go through mental torture most people would want to commit suicide after and look back on it as a small workout. He could make plans to break into the Hokage Tower, cover it with graffiti, and come out unnoticed by even the smartest ANBU. Yet, he couldn't help but doubt himself in such a small thing as a kiss.

He mentally sighed, 'Fine I'll do it... how troublesome.'

He leaned forward...

Chapter starts here.

... Too bad Ino had shifted a bit. And his face landed right between her breasts.

'Oh, shit.' Shikamaru froze. Not his best idea I'll tell you that. He felt her move away from him. Then a huge blow hit his left cheek. Ino had smacked him. Hard.

'THAT JERK!!' she shivered, 'wh-what if h-he only brought me up here to...'

Disgusted she stood up quickly. Shikamaru though was still processing what the hell just happened. Angel Shika chose this moment to walk into his mind.

He sighed looking down, 'Okay. One... two... three...' he took a deep breath, '... APOLIGIZE BEFORE SHE LEAVES YOU IDIOT!! DO YOU WANT HER TO HATE YOU?!?!!!!'

Ino was half way across the room when Shikamaru jumped up. As she was about to get to the door she felt strong arms wrap around her waist she was pulled back into a bare, well sculpted chest. Then her emotions mixed. Surprise was evident at first. That melted away to timidity being so close to Shikamaru. She didn't want to let that show so she used the anger she held for what had just happened as a front.

"Let go," she commanded bluntly. She wanted to be far, far away from here and away from Shikamaru.

"How troublesome," he muttered as he turned her around. Ino let a look of confusion pass through her features as she was held tighter by him. She looked up at him in an attempt to see what he would do next. He looked very uncomfortable then he sighed.

"Ino I..." Shikamaru started. Ino's look of confusion turned into one of curiosity and acute hope.

Even Angel and Devil Shika came out to hear what he was about to say.

'Come on...' they both whispered in his head.

Shikamaru looked so uncomfortable he could have had a stick up his ass and still felt more comfortable than at this moment.

"I-I... I'm sorry for what happened earlier..."

Angel and Devil Shika simultaneously yelled in his head, 'YOU LOSER!!'

Ino smiled even though this was not what she expected him to say. Shikamaru flashed his lopsided grin at her which within a few seconds dissolved into his regular bored face. Ino pouted.

'Hmm... How can I make his stupid idiotic bored expression go away... hmm... uhh...? I got it!' She grinned evilly.

'Huh?' Shikamaru was very confused. For Ino, over the next few seconds, had changed her facial multiple times. It went from pouting to deep in thought, to happy... scary happy...

"Ino what's wr- mmph!" His eyes widened as she planted a sweet, but fleeting kiss on his lips. After a few seconds she pulled away blushing furiously. Shikamaru's bored exterior was not broken, no. It was shattered. He was now looked bashful and as if he wanted to hide under a rock. This was replaced with something else though. A sensation new to Shikamaru, hunger. Hunger for the lips he just faintly tasted. He felt it burn as if he needed it.

Controlling himself he felt a burst of courage rage through him. With a brave whisper he said what he had longed to say for a long time.

"Ino I love you, don't push me away please. I know I'm not Sasuke but I do know I'm much better than that unbelievable a-"

Ino silenced him with a quick kiss and staying in close she spoke to him.

"Don't worry Shika. I'm over him. And I only love you. Promise."

Shikamaru grinned at these words and quickly closed the gap between them kissing her deeply. As they made out a there was a poof as an ANBU squad member appeared in the room. He coughed to try and get their attention.

"Ahem. Shikamaru?"

Shikamaru and Ino broke apart quickly. Blushing, Shikamaru turned to face the ANBU member.

"Y-Yes?" Shikamaru said trying to control his blushing and his embarrassment.

The ANBU stated almost robotically, "Godiame-sama wants to see you... you may take the Yamanaka girl if you wish, it might make it easier on you."

"What does that mean?" Ino said quizzically.

The ANBU shrugged and he left with a small poof. Shikamaru sighed as he got his shirt and Chunin vest on.

"This is so troublesome."

After getting ready, Shikamaru nonchalantly offered Ino his arm so they could walk to the Hokage Tower. Ino took it happily and clung to his arm the whole way. A few steps ahead they saw Sasuke and Sakura talking about something. They couldn't make out the words but they were both blushing and Sakura put her hand up as if she were swearing some sort of oath. After this something happened that almost made everyone in the street either lose their footing or if you were a fan girl cry out in anger or grief. Sasuke and Sakura had kissed.

Ino's eye twitched and Shikamaru's had too. From their stance it looked like they were eating each others faces. Then the same ANBU that had interrupted their make-out session before had appeared next to them and halted them from 'eating each other's faces'. He said something to Sasuke and left. Sasuke took Sakura's hand and began to walk towards the Hokage Tower as well.

'I guess Sasuke was told to go as well...' Shikamaru thought. Ino tugged on his arm and he looked at her. She pointed over to a poster and seemed to be getting angry. Shikamaru looked where she was pointing and his eyes narrowed as a scowl formed on his face. There was a poster promoting a betting ring. On them! He stormed over to the poster and tore it down and began to read it this is what it had said:

Come on down to the Naruto Uzumaki & Yoshino Nara Betting Roof!

Located: across from the Nara compound.

Betting on: The relationship between Ino Yamanaka & Shikamaru Nara!

Betting begins: 0900 hours

Betting ends: When one side wins!

For extra information contact: Yoshino Nara OR Naruto Uzumaki.

Shikamaru glared at the paper. Ino who had been beside him reading as well was furious.

'Naruto is dead.' They thought simultaneously. After a few seconds of sending off a killer intent he remembered he needed to go. So he offered his arm to Ino again as they continued on towards the Hokage Tower.

At The Tower

When the two entered the waiting room they saw their friends... and blond haired boy who would get his ass kicked if it were not for Hinata Hyuuga being in the room. Just then the doors to the Hokage office opened and there was Tsunade.

"Come in boys," She motioned to them. Everyone started walking towards the room.

"Only boys. This briefing is for them." Tsunade corrected.

The boys walked in and Tsunade shut the door behind them.

--------------

An hour later the boys came out with hard looks on their faces. Ino approached Shikamaru, "What's wrong?"

Shikamaru's face changed considerably into a sad one, "The Sound has declared war and we're being sent out."

"When do we leave?"

Shikamaru corrected her," We," he gestured to the boys, "leave within the hour." He couldn't look her in the eye. It hurt too much.

Ino though cocked her head in confusion, "What do you mean?"

Shikamaru tool a deep breath for strength, "You're staying behind, all the kunoichi's are to take care of the village."

Ino was quiet taking it all in as the other girls shouted protests. Shikamaru just raised his hand.

"It's already been decided. Good bye."

The boys walked solemnly out of the building holding back tears knowing that they might not come back.

End arc 1

Valeria- (locks herself in safe house)

Ino- (slamming on the door) I'M GONNA KILL YOU!!!!

Valeria- (has ear plugs in writing the beginning of next arc) (turns on automated signature ending machine) this is your Hispanic Hottie signing off 'till next time! vally27 ;P