Ino took a walk around the village. She eventually stopped at the front of her family's flower shop. After thinking about it for a few minutes, she eventually walked in through the back door. The store was closed today because it was Sunday, and there is usually no business on this day. Ino walked up the stairs and opened the door to her parent's bedroom. She was surprised to see her mother was standing up by herself and making her way to the bathroom. "Mom! What are you doing? You're supposed to be in bed, resting. What are you doing up?" Mrs. Yamanaka was startled at the sudden outburst behind her, and when she saw that it was her daughter, she let out a loud sigh. "What is wrong with you, child? You scared me half to death. The doctor says it's okay for me to walk short distances like the bathroom. I'm going back to the bed as soon as I'm done, okay? Geez." She made her way to the bathroom, and closed the door.

Ino sat down on her mother's bed waiting for her to come out. Why did I come here? To see your mother, idiot. I know that, but I always see her when I come in to work. Maybe I just need to be around my family right now. I need some advice.

Ino heard the toilet flush. As she looked up, the door opened and her mother was slowly making her way back her bed. Ino got up and carefully helped her make her way across the room.

"What brings you here today, anyway? I'd think you'd be out with Shikamaru or Sakura, maybe even shopping or something." Mrs. Yamanaka pulled the covers up and took out her magazine and started to flip through the pages. When she looked up, she saw that her daughter had tears in her eyes. "What's wrong, honey? Are you okay?"

"Shikamaru went on another mission. He says he may not come back. He went with Kiba and Naruto and some other people. I'm scared. I don't know what to do." Ino hugged her mother as she cried into her shoulder.

"Calm down, sweetheart. It's okay."

"It's not okay. It's all because of S…" Ino stopped herself. She wasn't supposed to tell anyone the details of the missions. Sakura wasn't even to suppose to tell her or Hinata, because she wasn't even supposed to know. Their job was to keep things low key and not cause any alarm within the village.

"Stupid Hokages gave them a dangerous mission." Whew. Just a little bit too close there.

"What's the mission?" Ino's mother asked, patting her on the back and smoothing her hair on her back.

"I don't know the details. All I know is that it's dangerous, small chance of coming back, and I have a bad feeling about it. How did you deal with it when Dad left on his missions, Mom?"

"Honey. I know it's hard. I can understand better than anyone. I've spent my nights crying and praying, hoping he'd come back safe. You and I both know the risks in being a ninja. All we can do know for our loved ones and friends is pray. They're going to come back. And if I'm right about that man of yours, he's coming back to you in no time."

"Thanks, Mom. That's what I needed to hear. I just got really worried."

"It's understandable. I know how you feel. Go out, go do something. You should go train. You are a ninja after all. One of these days, I pray not soon, you might have one of those missions, so you need to be prepared."

She's right. I'm a ninja, too. It's doing me no good if I walk around and cry about Shikamaru being gone. He wouldn't cry if I had a dangerous mission. At least I don't think he would. I have to be the strong ninja I train myself to be, and be strong for him, too.

Ino stayed with her mother a while longer, looking through different magazines and looking around the shop. After she fixed her mother something to eat, she had calmed down and collected herself. She walked out of the store and made her way to her training spot.

When Ino got the area, she noticed that someone had been there. There had been markings on the trees and weapons thrown around. She heard rustling coming from behind her. Ino got into her stance and brought her guard up, ready to take on whoever was coming out.

Just then Hinata came out with Sakura. They both looked worn out from extensive training. Hinata had her jacket off and slung over her shoulder. Sakura's hair was out of place and she looked as if she'd been running and jumping around. They both had scrapes and bruises forming on their legs and theirs arms.

"What are you two doing here?"

"Training." Hinata told her as she picked up her kunai embedded into the tree.

Sakura started picking up her shurikens and smiled at Ino. "Figured since the boys are gone, we can still train without them."

"If something were to happen, at least we'd be ready." The three girls walked toward each other. "We are Chuunin ninjas, after all. We aren't supposed to be weak."

In silent agreement, the girls started training together, throwing their kunais and their shurikens at targets. Each practicing and trying to master their new techniques they've learned throughout the years. Little did they know that someone was watching them from a distance.

This was short, I apologize. I'm adding the next chapter to it, too. Just couldn't add it to this one, it would throw it off.