Tried to shine the light on some other canon couples in this one. please excuse grammar errors, English isn't my first language and its 3 am here haha (feel free to let me know what I did wrong though, I'll fix it, same for character/plot inconsistencies.)
Disclaimer: first portion dialogue between Gaara, Shika and Temari are from cacatuasulphureacitrinocristata's translation of Shikamaru Hiden. The Ino centric thoughts though are my additions. I own none of the characters.
XXX
It was decided that the first order of business was returning back to the village as many of the shinobi required further medical evaluation. Naruto, Sakura and Choji were going to stay behind in the Country of Silence and clean up matters there, Ino thought of staying back as well but considering how Gengo's jutsu had messed with the minds of many, Shikamaru advised that the Yamanaka accompany them back to Konoha as a contingency plan.
Sunagakure's shinobi also decided on leaving part of their troop behind while the rest headed back to Suna.
"This time around, I'm really in your debt." Shikamaru said to Gaara, as they stood at the gates of Curtain Village.
Sunagakure's returning shinobi stood lined up behind Gaara and all smiled politely at Shikamaru. The respect in their eyes and their body language showed how closely knit the two nations of Suna and Konoha had become in such a short time. They really had come a long way, thinking back on the events during the chunnin exams that seemed ages ago now- years of bitterness and rivalry amongst the nations seem to have been finally buried for good.
"Don't worry about it." Gaara replied. "You're someone whose existence is essential to the Union, now and in the future. There's no need for you to use such formal words like 'debt' for an operation like this. Isn't it natural for someone to go and save their comrade?"
Gaara himself had come a long way. He never used to be this talkative. Years ago, Gaara used to be the kind of guy who was nothing more than bloodthirsty killing machine and perceived as a monster by even his own comrades.
But now, Sunagakure's shinobi looked at Gaara with affectionate smiles.
Behind Shikamaru, there was Sai, Rou and Soku. Chouji and Ino herself, too. As well as another group of Konohagakure's shinobi. All of them were quiet, attentively listening to Gaara and Shikamaru's conversation.
"But I really am very relieved…" Gaara murmured seriously to Shikamaru. "If my sister hadn't been so troubled, we all would've ended up losing a very valuable person."
'If my sister hadn't been so troubled.'
Ino couldn't stop smirking; well the cat was out of the bag now. Surely Shikamaru was smart enough to get the hint.
Temari was standing next to Gaara, her gaze fixed on some spot above their heads, pointedly making an effort to ignore the conversation occurring well within her earshot and line of sight.
Ino wriggled her brows suggestively at Choji who nudged her to pay attention to the conversation.
"Don't worry about Gengo." Gaara said. "We'll drop him off at the Union's headquarters on our way home."
"We keep receiving your help on every little thing…"
"I keep telling you not to speak so formally." Gaara said before he stuck out his hand for Shikamaru.
"Well then, we'll meet again at the Union." Shikamaru said, and grasped Gaara's hand.
"See you later."
"Aa."
Gaara let go of the handhold, turning his gaze to look at his comrades.
"Let's go home." He said, and Sunagakure's shinobi unanimously answered in a cheer.
"What..? That's it?" Soku hissed incredulously.
"He's not even going to thank Temari is he? He's such a doorknob!" Ino whispered angrily sharing Soku's sentiments.
Temari turned her back to leave, and Shikamaru's voice suddenly called out to her.
"Oi."
Yes. Yes. Yes.
I totally called it.
"I knew he'd finally make his move!" Ino announced with an all knowing grin.
"Weren't you just saying that he's a doorknob?" Choji raised a brow.
"Oh hush you! I'm trying to listen!" Ino swatted her teammate.
Temari came to a halt mid-step. The rest of Sunagakure's shinobi looked like they were going to stop too, but Gaara made a gesture for them to go ahead and Sunagakure's shinobi obeyed, spilling out of the village's gates and into the main street. Gaara followed, casting one look over his shoulder at Shikamaru before disappearing.
Only Temari was left.
Somewhere behind Shikamaru, he could faintly hear Soku let out a 'kyaa!'.
Shikamaru ignored her, and drew closer to Temari.
"What is it?" The Sand Kunoichi asked with a frown.
Her eyes seem to size him up and for a minute it looked like Shikamaru had lost his nerve and would opt for a tactical retreat.
The Nara genius took a deep breath to try and calm himself down. It seemed he was having difficulty wording his thoughts.
"Today…"He began but it was no use as his voice trailed off.
"What?" Temari asked impatiently.
Even now, her body was slightly tilted towards the gates to follow the direction her younger brother had gone.
"Thank you, for today."
"Hmph." Temari gave a snort, and Shikamaru continued talking.
"Next time, how about eating a meal together?"
Ino wordlessly reached out and gripped Choji around the arm.
"Are you asking me on a date?" The Sand kunoichi raised a brow.
Choji gave a small yelp as Ino's nails dug in and her grip became tighter.
Temari's gaze was serious as she plainly asked that question. She didn't blush or fidget, the question was asked as plainly as one would ask about the weather.
Shikamaru rubbed the back of his neck and sighed.
"Well, yeah, it is that sort of thing." His reply came just as blunt as her question.
Ino's eyes went as wide as saucers as she held in her breath waiting for Temari's reply.
"I see." Temari thoughtfully said. "A date, huh…"
Temari put a hand to her chin, as if starting to think seriously about the matter.
It was almost as if she was seated in a war council, talking about preparations for how to deal with a formidable enemy.
"You don't want to?" Shikamaru involuntarily blurted out, his insecurities finally kicking in.
Temari gazed closely at the look on his face for a while. Then she let go of her chin, and put her hands on her hips.
Her face finally broke out in a playful grin as she replied, "How troublesome."
And that was all they needed to hear.
Ino squealed and let out the breath she had been holding. Choji rubbed his poor arm, grinning from ear to ear.
Shikamaru though had eyes only for the woman whose rare smiles took his breath away.
You couldn't ask for a better end to a day.
XXX
It's been three days since they returned from the Land of Silence and everyone was recuperating nicely. Shikamaru was to meet Temari for dinner later in the day and Ino was trying to micromanage everything- from what he wore to what he'd say (not that Shikamaru was actually paying attention to any of that).
"Ahhh I can't believe you actually asked her out like that!" Ino exclaimed for the thousandth time as Shikamaru sized up the two bouquets in front of him.
"So you keep telling me…" The dark haired Jounin resisted the urge to roll his eyes, turning his attention back to the flowers he sighed, "Don't you have anything less…you know.."
He gestured abstractly.
"Less what exactly?" Ino narrowed her eyes.
"Less I don't know…everything?" Shikamaru answered rubbing his neck, "I'm not even sure she likes flowers…"
"Every girl likes flowers." Ino huffed.
"She's not exactly like every girl."
"Awww Shikamaruuuu that's so romantic!" Ino cooed.
Shikamaru flinched and fought down the pink that tinted his cheeks, "I knew this was a bad idea, coming here…what a drag."
"Stop complaining already!" Ino motioned him to follow her to the back of the shop, "Ok so how about I make you a different smaller bouquet?"
Shikamaru followed wordlessly as the blonde kunoichi started bustling through rows of flowers and plants without waiting for him to even answer.
"Does she like roses? Probably not. Hmm how about these? Oh no. These won't do at all… hmm yes..no…maybe..AH-HAH…no no they mean completely the opposite."
She talked so fast Shikamaru could barely get a word in edgewise.
"This really isn't…necessary…" His words were lost on her.
Once Ino decided to do something it was really hard to convince her otherwise.
"Ok I'm drawing a big blank here! Say something useful Shika!" She rounded on him suddenly.
"Uh..I..hey wait a sec..what's that? That's it. I want that." He reached around and lifted up a small pot with pink flowers.
"Those are desert roses." Ino answered almost involuntarily, "They're low maintenance and pretty resilient too. Careful though, don't let the pretty flowers fool you, the sap is poisonous."
"Sounds just like her. Perfect." Shikamaru grinned.
"You're… going to give your date a …potted plant?" Ino cocked a brow, "Like for real?"
"Yes. It'll last longer than cut flower bouquets and it's practical for where she lives."
Ino opened her mouth to argue but really couldn't think of a "practical" reason why he couldn't give Temari the desert roses.
"Fine." She conceded, while it was an unconventional present for a first date, she had to admit she could more easily picture Temari tending to those instead of gushing over a bouquet of red roses.
"How much do I owe you?" Shikamaru set the plant down on the counter and rummaged in his pocket.
"Like I'd charge you."Ino frowned as she sealed the plant into a scroll for ease of travel, "Get out of here before my mother comes in kills me for letting you even suggest the idea."
"Ino…"
"Fine, you asked for it-you're footing the next round at Yakiniku Q." She smirked knowing that Choji ate enough to put a dent in anyone's wallet.
"…That was underhanded." Shikamaru chuckled as he took the scroll, "Also…is there any particular reason there's a Hyuuga eyeing you?"
"Huh what? I don't sense anyone.." Ino gasped.
"You don't need to sense chakra to know a Hyuuga when you see one." Shikamaru covertly gestured towards the glass shop window.
Ino looked through the corner of her eye and saw a young man dressed in a white kimono-shirt with long, loose sleeves and dark brown pants. He wore bindings that covered both his hands, which held a newspaper that Ino was now sure he was pretending to be engrossed in. Since the newspaper covered his face she couldn't really tell what he looked like.
"That's weird." Ino turned to look quizzically at Shikamaru, "What do you think he wants?"
"Well seeing as he's about to walk in the store, you're about to find out."
The door opened and the small bell atop rang softly to announce the newcomer's entry.
"Welcome to the- uh what are you doing?"
Ino stopped mid sentence as the man bowed deeply.
"Miss Yamanaka."
His voice was deep and husky, the kind of voice well suited for making women swoon.
Shikamaru looked between the man and Ino, his curiosity evident.
"Please there's no need for that…sir." She added the suffix unsurely.
"A-Apologies, I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable." The man straightened immediately and gave her an apologetic smile.
He was incredibly attractive, his hair a deep chocolate was short at the back but much longer in the front, long straight bangs wrapped in white binds near the ends framed either side of his chiseled face, the only mar on his skin were the thin markings on his forehead that was the makings of the seal placed on him by his House. His signature Hyuuga pale eyes were fixated on her. There was something oddly familiar about him but Ino couldn't quite put her finger on it.
Ino felt her cheeks color and immediately tried to not overtly stare at his handsome face.
"Do you two know each other?" Shikamaru spoke diverting both their attentions.
"No." She replied.
"Yes." He said.
They answered together. He looked a bit disappointed that she didn't remember him. She bit her lip as she racked her brain for where she'd seen him before.
"Ah it's fine you probably don't remember me… but you helped dispel the genjutsu I was under in The Country of Silence."The Hyuuga finally offered when it was clear Ino couldn't place him.
It finally clicked into place.
"You're HISAO HYUUGA! OHHHH!" She piped up as she realized the last time she saw him he had hair down to his elbows "You got a hair cut!"
Hisao fidgeted a little before answering, "Ah yes I did…does it look odd?"
"What are you talking about? You look fantastic!" Ino winked and giggled as the Hyuuga turned pink and started to fidget, "What can I help you with today?"
"I umm…I'd like…to thank you.. for…"
"Don't worry about it!" Ino smiled and waved her hands dismissively.
Shikamaru quietly watched their exchange from the sidelines, his mind quickly catching on.
"Oh…Well….that was all really…so I think I'll..umm.. be going then…Miss Yamanaka." Hisao stammered.
"Please call me Ino." The blonde tucked a loose strand behind her ear.
"I'll see you around then…I-Ino." He bowed deeply again before rushing out of the store.
Shikamaru rapped his knuckles on the counter to attract Ino's attention.
"Wonder what's up with him?" Ino giggled and shook her head.
"You don't even realize that you're doing it do you…?" Shikamaru sighed as he walked towards the door.
"What is that supposed to mean?" She picked up a few sticks of hydrangeas and followed Shikamaru out.
"Troublesome." Shikamaru started to walk faster.
"Oh no you don't!" Ino hissed and stomped rapidly to pass him and block his path.
"Look, it's none of my business." He shrugged and tried to move past her.
"Explain." Ino grabbed him by the arm and tugged sharply.
He let his features contort in irritation before eyeing the hydrangeas in her other hand, "Are those for Sai?"
"They are, as a matter of fact." The blonde replied, "I was going to visit him after seeing you off."
"Don't you think it's a little cruel to lead Hisao on like that then?"
"Just what are you implying? I would nev- urgh ok fine, maybe I let the attention get to me a teensy bit." She conceded as Shikamaru gave her a pointed stare.
"It's nice to be reminded that some people find me attractive okay!" She backtracked defensively.
Especially if the person you like never really means it when he calls you Beauty.
"I really don't want to have this conversation. It's so troublesome. Just try not to complicate things for yourself, Alright?" Shikamaru sighed and turned to take a different path to the city gates.
Ino stood still trying to think his words over as she watched his retreating back. It was just some harmless flirting, right? Shikamaru didn't need to make such a big deal about it. It's not like she and Sai were dating, she wasn't sure if he was even ready for that. Then why was it that she felt so utterly guilty…
She looked at the flowers in her hands, if only it were that simple. If she could forget about Sai and throw herself at someone else it would probably save her a lot of heartache- but no, even when Hisao was stoking her bruised ego, a small part of her couldn't help but wonder whether Sai would be jealous if he knew..? Would he feel something? Would he jump in and send the other man packing? Would he sweep her up and claim her as his own?
It was a childish petty notion, but she wanted it all the same.
XXX
"Why are you following me?" Shikamaru frowned when Ino caught up.
"I'm seeing you off, you idiot. Do you even know what that means?" She huffed angrily, as she landed on a branch next to his "Also I was hoping to catch up with you while you were actually still in the village!"
"Well I didn't know you were planning to tag along!" The Nara rubbed his temples.
Ino grinned as she raised her hands in one of the mock salutes they came up with while they were still genins, "I wish Cho was here, he'd know what to say better… but I know you'll be absolutely wonderful! Try not to worry too much. Just be yourself 'kay?"
"I-I wasn't worried…"
"Go get her tiger!" She cheered.
"Yeah alright, I'll be going then." Shikamaru sighed and shook his head before his expression softened and he added, "..Thanks Ino. I needed that."
She smiled as her childhood friend disappeared into the trees.
Who would've thought that Shikamaru would be first of their team to score a date?
XXX
She walked back slowly, humming and cradling the hydrangeas in her arms. If she sprinted she'd be able to make it back to the village in a matter of minutes but she was in a good mood and wanted to take in the sights.
Suddenly she froze as she sensed a very familiar chakra fast approaching, it seemed to be rushing out of the village and cutting through the woods.
"N-No way…." She couldn't help but gasp, quickly she turned and sprinted to intercept the path.
Was this actually happening? Maybe I'm just mixing it up…but that chakra signature..there could be no doubt about it!
She caught a flash of dark hair and a brown cloak.
It was him. He must have been meeting with the Hokage or something judging by the direction he came from.
"S-Sasuke? It IS you. SASUKE OVER HERE!" Ino rushed after him but he showed no move to slow down.
"Wait up!"
"SAAAASUKEEEEE!"
He was still well ahead of her and moving quickly through the trees, but she was certain he could hear her.
"Oi hotstuff! Hold up!" In a desperate attempt she yelled out.
"-the hell..?" He froze in his tracks and turned around slowly, his features contorted in a scowl, then recognition registered and he added,"Oh…it's you."
Figures you'd respond to that.
"It's been forever! How've you been?" She beamed at him.
"Alright." Sasuke nodded curtly.
How descriptive. Her inner Ino thought dryly, and did he always have to look so grumpy?
This was weird right?
She was actually talking to Sasuke.
Alone.
Her 12 year old self would be dancing with joy at the chance, but while it was true he was still just as attractive as she remembered (albeit some questionable fashion choices- but she had to focus on the important things here), he no longer gave her butterflies with just one look. He no longer made her heart race or make her picture their future children.
Sasuke Uchiha, the man she thought, no she knew, was her soul mate- had been reduced to nothing more than a very attractive man. The likes of Hisao Hyuuga, great to look at, to bat your eye lashes at and use as fodder for your ego- nothing more and nothing less.
Ino flipped her hair back, unphased by his complete lack of interest in prolonging their conversation.
"Well that's good to know! Why don't you stick around for a few days, Saku-"
"Don't say her name." Sasuke suddenly hissed, eyes narrowing.
"Huh? What d'ya mean?" Ino frowned.
"Duck." He mouthed before jumping out of sight.
Wait what?
Ino tilted her head in confusion, the same instant a senbon whizzed past, missing her ear by millimeters.
"Darn it.", Sasuke landed behind her, his back to her, "Keep your guard up there's.."
"Two of them yeah," Ino finished for him and whipped out a kunai.
"Good, you sense them then, don't make any sudden moves." Sasuke ordered gruffly.
So we were being watched. No wonder he was in such a rush to get away.
"Shouldn't we do something?" Ino scanned the surroundings, trying to see if there was anything they could use to their advantage.
"I already am." His voice was low.
Realization dawned immediately; you don't grow up with Shikamaru without picking up a thing or two about battle tactics.
Shadow clones of course. They we're just diversions then, while the attackers were focused on Ino and Sasuke, Sasuke's shadowclones would ambush them. Normally ordinary shadow clones wouldn't stand a chance against a half decent shinobi but this was Sasuke Uchiha and nothing about him was ordinary.
"It's rude to use a woman like this, Sasuke." Ino teased, implying him using her as bait without actually outright saying it, lest the attackers catch on.
Ofcourse, the innuendo that implied a questionable character was just a bonus. Completely unintentional. Ofcourse.
"You're still as loud as ever I see."
"Old habits die hard." Ino gave a dry chuckle, "I can see why we don't see more letters from you. Is it always like this?"
"Hn." Sasuke shifted and then they both heard a shuffle somewhere deeper in the woods.
"We should move now." He stated, "More are coming."
"R-Right." Ino nodded back as he turned to leave, "It was nice seeing you…really."
He nodded at her curtly, but she couldn't help but notice he was no longer scowling.
"She's still crazy about you. You know that right?" She added softly.
He stopped and turned around slowly. His face carefully controlled but she could see the way his shoulders tensed.
"She's doing well, but she misses you… We all do." Ino smiled, while it was true she was no longer in love with Sasuke Uchiha, it would be a lie to say she did not care about him.
Sasuke stood quietly, processing her words. The faintest smile, bittersweet almost, tugging at the corners of his mouth, "…I..", his voice trailed off.
She sensed 2 more chakra signatures approaching ahead, Sasuke must have noticed something too as he immediately tensed up again.
"You should go. I understand. I'll tell her you're looking forward to seeing her." Ino supplied noticing his difficulty at voicing his thoughts.
"Thank you…Ino."
A rustle of leaves and Ino was left alone in the clearing.
XXX
Ino knocked the door harder. She was breathless, leaves were stuck in her hair and she could tell she could use a shower but right now she was already late as it is.
She shifted her weight from one foot to another, mentally counting to five before knocking again. Her legs ached, she had ran out of the woods the moment Sasuke made his exit and made a beeline straight for Sai's- who was expecting her hours ago as it was.
Since returning from the Land of Silence, she had taken it upon herself to check up on the former Root, considering that both his team mates were still in the Curtain Village cleaning up after the Gengo fiasco, he didn't get a lot of visitors.
The Hokage, Kakashi Sensei, had fortunately taken Shikamaru's recommendation and given Sai some much needed downtime. Considering the drastic measures it took to break Gengo's genjutsu on him, he was doing surprisingly well save for the occasional night terrors and migraines. Ino kept a close eye anyways knowing enough about the mind to understand how vulnerable he was right now, the last thing she wanted was for him to slip into depression. Given the circumstances it wasn't out of the realm of possibilities.
Ino was about to assault the door with another round of knocks when it suddenly swung open and she felt as if her jaw simultaneously hit the ground.
Sai stood wearing a pair of low hanging dark pants, his torso bare save for a few speckles of paint on the left side of chest.
Ino felt a rush of blood to her face and…other bits.
"Oh…Hello, I thought you weren't coming today. Please come in." Sai smiled at her like there was nothing unusual about the scene and moved aside so she could enter.
Ino had to pinch herself to make sure she wasn't dreaming. It wasn't everyday that the object of your desire decides to invite you into his house half naked. She couldn't stop her eyes from roaming all over his exposed chest and pinched herself again; she almost certain she had a dream like this once. Except in her fantasies she wasn't covered in sweat and dirt with leaves in her hair- or at least not in this particular fantasy.
"Beauty?" Sai looked at her quizzically when she didn't respond.
"Uh umm…where's your shirt?" Ino asked numbly.
What the hell are you doing? Her inner Ino hissed at her, Why are you questioning a good thing? THIS IS WHY WE CAN'T HAVE NICE THINGS!
"I'm working on a large painting and I did not want to get paint on it… I wasn't expecting company.." Sai scratched the back of his head, "I could change if it bothers you…"
Is that a trick question?
"Whatever makes you comfortable." Ino's voice hitched mid sentence.
Ohh that was a good answer, if I do say so myself. Need to work on that delivery though, but we're getting there.
He smiled before he turned around and gestured her in. Ino gulped nervously as she followed him in, her eyes glued to the contours of his back.
Shirts were invented to keep men like him from turning unsuspecting women into putty.
Ino shook her head trying to clear her thoughts; this was not why she was here. She wanted to help him, she cared about him, she wanted to be there for him like he was for her- instead here she was objectifying him like a piece of meat.
But with a body like that, that's just plain cheating!
Ino groaned, darn it if it came down to it she'd plunge herself into 'the heart of ice' to keep her thoughts straight- but that was a last resort.
Pull it together Yamanaka! Think unsexy thoughts…like that time Guy sensei walked around with spandex wedged between his butt.
Ok that did it…libido gone.
Possibly for good.
XXX
Sai's apartment was meticulously neat and tidy. Everything arranged and perfectly in place, even the numerous paintings that covered most of the walls were never even the slightest bit skewed. In the middle of the room, there stood a large unfinished canvas, the surrounding floor was covered in paper to prevent paint stains.
"Did you eat already?" Ino asked as she arranged the hydrangeas into an empty ink pot, "Sorry for being so late, I ran into some people."
"Captain Yamato dropped by earlier with some fruit, I don't understand all the fuss though. I feel fine." Sai picked up a brush and prepared to return to his painting.
"Oh hush and just accept the fact that people care about you." Ino perched herself on a side table and watched him work.
Ever since the events in the Country of Silence the two had really opened up to each other, although neither brought up any non platonic conversation.
"So Shikamaru went to meet Temari for their date." Ino commented after a few moments of watching the way the muscles in his arms shifted as he painted.
"I think they're quite compatible. She's driven enough for both of them, and he can get her to relax more often." He spoke as he added a few more strokes to his painting.
"Mhmm. I saw Hinata yesterday and I can't believe she still gets flustered when I insinuate things about her and Naruto. It's so cute you should have seen her face."
"You enjoy putting her on the spot don't you?" Sai accused.
"Oh please you say things to fluster people all the time!" Ino countered.
"Mine aren't on purpose, well for the most part." He smirked.
"Was that a joke? You're getting better." Ino gave a small laugh.
This was one of her favourite things about Sai, that she could talk to him about anything.
"Hey Sai."
"Hmm?"
"Speaking of people I ran into… I saw Sasuke. I think he was meeting with Kakashi sensei," Ino picked her words carefully, the last time the two had brought up Sasuke it had disastrous consequences.
Sai stopped his brush mid air and carefully put it down, "I see."
"We didn't really talk much, we got attacked by some shinobi trailing him."
"Are you hurt?" Sai rushed to her side, face inches from hers.
The concern in his voice and the look in his eyes, coupled with the fact that his naked chest was inches from her made Ino's face go bright red and she shook her head vigorously, unable to put together a verbal answer.
"Oh good." He visibly relaxed and shifted away.
"I just asked him to pay more attention to Sakura you know." Ino stared at her feet, "I mean she really likes him and.."
"You really like him too…" Sai spoke softly.
"I really liked him," She corrected him, "I mean I hope he's doing well and all…but I don't think I want to ... be with him. At least not in the way Sakura does, not anymore."
"Oh."
"I just feel like Sakura's grown so much and I hope he sees that. Any guy would give their right arm to be with a girl like her." Ino mused.
"Well…to be fair… that is his only arm." Sai deadpanned.
Try not to laugh.
Do not laugh.
No.
Nope.
I'm going to go to hell.
Ino snickered and shook her head, "Stop that! Stop making me laugh when I really shouldn't! At things I really shouldn't."
Sai grinned and shrugged, "I can't really help it. I really like making you laugh."
Ino didn't even fight the blush this time, "I really like that you make me laugh too."
XXX\
A/N
This took forever to write and Im still not completely happy with it, I feel it's better in my head than in writing…idk if that makes sense. Anywho, I hope it didn't drag on too long, I know it's a lengthy chapter.
Also I love me some ShikaTema cutefluffs. Hisao Hyuuga I am so sorry for using you so callously in this fanfic (a moment of silence for this poor OC). I've never really written sasusaku before so I hope I didn't mess sasuke up and make him too OOC. Btw, dunno if I made it understandable, but in this fic Sasuke doesn't write much to Sakura since he doesn't want the people tracking/watching him to know about his relationship with her, basically doesn't want her to be targeted as well.
Please let me know what you think, it really does make my day.
And oh THANK YOU for reading xoxo