We're back in business! Really long time no see. I don't really have an excuse at this point but a lot has happened in the time frame of a year, for good and bad. But! I had rediscovered the joy in writing and the urge to finally finish this story! My plan is to have this finished before my winter break is over. It's still 2014 so I wanted to get one chapter out before the year ends! Thank you to everyone who reads this, the story and is still following it. Excuse my rusting writing but I hope you all enjoy! Happy New Year's Eve!

Disclaimer: I DO NOT own Naruto in any shape or form.

Ino slowly moved back as Shikaku rounded the corner, katana in hand.

"I was hoping that you would just cooperate like a good girl but…" he snapped his fingers and assassins appeared by his side. He nodded his head towards the tentative blonde and the assassins quickly ceased her, carrying her to the courtyard where her fate lied.

Seeing that there was no way out, she silently allowed to be taken away towards the courtyard. Being placed in the middle of the courtyard with every clan member present, Ino was put in a kneeling position then eyes covered with a white blindfold. Her wrist and ankles were bounded by rope so that escape was not a question.

Finally making his way to the spacious courtyard, the clansmen and women bowed in Shikaku's presence. He walked towards Ino with his katana present at his waist.

"Today we are blessed by the presence of a member from the Yamanaka clan…" he started his speech as Ino continued to kneel, just waiting for the time to come. Ino tuned out the talking with her own thoughts. Not once in her life did she think that she would be in this kind of situation. To think that one encounter would eventually lead to her death. Looking back at what happened to her so far, she couldn't complain that her life was boring at least. But, she would have liked to go out a different way. One more…peaceful, you could say.

"...and with this execution, the Yamanaka clan will finally get the message as they should stay where they belong." The crowd was more enthusiastic then before now, bellowing and clapping as the speech came to an end.

"…or we can settle this a different way." Shikaku didn't have to turn around to know that it was his son. Shikamaru's presence didn't surprise Ino at this point since it seemed like he was always there when she screwed up.

"There's nothing that can be changed now. I gave you a chance to fix your mistakes and you failed to correct them. Now punishment must be enforced." Shikaku didn't bother to turn around to face his son as he took out his katana, prepared to deliver the finishing blow.

A kunai was thrown by Shikamaru as an attempt to delay the present execution at hand. It caused no effect though as it was easily dodged by Shikaku. The head Nara turned his head towards his son and guards swiftly rushed towards Shikamaru to capture him. The mere two guards deemed not as a problem for Shikamaru and were taken out effortlessly. The crowd fell into gasps and Ino could only imagine what was happening from what she hears.

Sighing, Shikaku finally turns around to face his son as he stood feet away. "Why stand up for an enemy Shikamaru? This isn't like you. Have you changed because of her?"

"Enemy or not, this all has to change. Going on to hate each other isn't going to get us anywhere. If this relationship between ours and the Yamanaka clan does not see improvement soon, it will only continue to breed more hatred within the upcoming generations." Shikamaru tried reasoning with his father but what he said, he believed. He was tired of this stupid rivalry between the two clans and his job. Was a little peace too much to ask for nowadays?

"It's not like we haven't tried to compromise. Every time we try, it seems like they cannot agree to the conditions we present. Maybe you should be over there begging instead."

Just as Shikamaru was going to say his remark, a loud explosion was heard, followed by smoke near the main gate of the palace. Questions filled the air as people tried to figure out what could of happened until one of the gate guards was seen running towards Shikaku.

"IT'S THE YAMANAKA CLAN!" The guard yelled as loud as he could as he ran towards the head of the clan. Ino's senses were now on high alert after hearing her clan's name.

'This can't be happening now! This defiantly won't end well! ' Ino's heart was starting to beat fast as she calmly panicked. She tried loosening the ropes around her wrist but saw little results.

"THEY ARE INFILTRATING THE—" were the last words of the guard as an arrow penetrated his back, falling down feet away from Shikamaru. Gasps were heard from the crowd as everyone started to become more nervous.

"Those who are capable, prepare for war! The rest and kids seek shelter!" Shikaku yelled the orders towards the crowed.

"YES SIR!" the voices of men and women obediently answered back and scurried towards various locations to retrieve weapons and whatever else needed for this battle.

Turning around once more, "Looks like it's you're lucky day. Instead of going over there, looks like they came to us. I hope you're happy." Steel clashing and yelling from both sides could be heard not too far away.

"WE FOUND HER!" Shikaku looked up only to find an enemy present and Shikamaru turned around to see who it was. "SHE'S IN THE COURTYARD!" an assassin from the Yamanaka clan shouted from on top of the palace walls. When he turned around, his father wasn't there anymore, leaving only him and Ino still blindfolded and bounded.

"You can probably tell what's happening right now." Shikamaru hastily told her as he took off the blindfold and cut off the ropes bounding her wrists and ankles. As soon they were off and she could see and walk again, Ino quickly turned around to hug him.

"Thank you so much for everything." She whispered near his ear. Before Shikamaru could say or do anything else, more Yamanaka clan members appeared, ending the little moment they had.

Once Ino spotted the other assassins, she grabbed Shikamaru's katana from his waist and walked closer to them. "If you think that I will just follow your orders I'm afraid you have been mistaken. I wish to speak to my father with Shikamaru present." She yelled to her fellow clansmen as she pointed the katana towards them. Shikamaru could only stand beside Ino as she tried to negotiate. "It's not like I can trust you guys with him anyways." She mumbled the last part to herself.

"I do not think that would be possible." One of the clansmen answered her back, but she expected an answer of that sort.

"I wish to cause no harm towards my own clan!" she really didn't want to fight members of her own clan but, if push comes to shove, then she would have no other choice than to fight.

"You may under our guidance but I am afraid we cannot trust one from the Nara clan." She, once again, saw this coming. But, Ino was going to see her father with Shikamaru, one way or another.

Ino slightly turned her heard towards Shikmaru while keeping her sword on the people in front of them. "Do you think we can take them all on?" she asked as they both sized up the small group in front of them. There had to be about seven assassins from the Yamanaka clan.

He also turned his head towards her, "If we play our cards rights, we should be fine."

"Wait…" She quickly scanned his body with her eyes, her attention off of the other assassins for a moment. She forgot that she had taken his katana moments ago. "You have nothing on you though."

"Trust me. I got a plan, unlike some people." how she wished she could of punched him right them and now but, she knew that wouldn't be wise at the moment.

"Okay. I trust you." She smirked and they both ran towards the assassins, hoping to come out this battle alive.

Thank you for reading! Reviews and comments are more than welcomed! Please tell me!

See you soon!