A/N: First of all, I want to apologize for being away for so long. I was on holiday (yeah, right…)

Again, this is not a typical ShikaIno story. If you're looking for lovey-dovey story, then I'm afraid you have to back off. This is ANGST. There's very little amount of romance between Shikamaru and Ino in here. Their journey of love is very tough. And remember, whatever happen has its reasons.

And GOMEN (REALLY GOMEN) it is sooo late.

Chapter 26: Phase Two

Ino's plan, however, was unexpected.

It was absurd, really.

"Ino, I thought about it many, many times but still have doubts about this, your plan…this so-called Phase Two. Sure you could pull this through?" Sakura voiced her heart out one late afternoon, during her break from training when Ino came over for a visit. They were sitting under a tree, watching the incredible sparring between Naruto and Gaara. Sasuke, who was also taking a break, was feet away from them, far enough for their conversation from getting to his ears. "You know, Ino, I'm not really sure whether you should carry on with this anymore. Just drop it and tell him, okay? Come clean about the whole thing. I think –"

"We've discussed this before, Sakura, and you were okay with it." Ino butted Sakura's words, holding her hands up and glancing at Sasuke. But he seemed unaware of their conversation. He had his full attention focused on the pairing sparring ahead. "I know what I'm doing, okay. Or have you lost your faith in me?"

"It's not you I worry about, Ino," Sakura sighed. "But Shikamaru. With amount of time he spent with Temari nowadays, don't you think –?"

"He's gonna fall in love with her?" Ino chuckled grimly. "If he loves me like you always said, he won't. That's why I'm doing this. It's a test, Sakura."

"But what if Temari –?"

"I trust Temari," Ino said firmly. "There's no way she would betray me – if that's what you think. She's had her chance long before this and she never made a move, not even once. Personally, I think she had never been attracted to Shikamaru. And she's the only person capable of doing this job."

"But that was before. Shikamaru has changed, Ino. He might be a lazy ass, unattractive boy during our younger days but he's all different now. He's turning into a man," Sakura gazed at Naruto then Sasuke with dreamy expression, softly murmuring, "Naruto, Sasuke-kun, even Gaara-kun…all are turning into men, gorgeous men. Temari might be attracted to Shikamaru any day now, you cannot deny that. You put Shikamaru into a vulnerable position."

"I know," Ino lowered her gaze to the soil at her foot. "I don't doubt there's a high possibility that they might be attracted to each other. But I trust Temari. I bet my life on her. And I got the impression that my plan won't backfire on me."

Sakura sighed at her best friend's stubbornness and self-confidence. "But what about you?"

Ino turned sideways, looking at Sakura. Her eyebrows met. "What about me?"

"Are you sure your heart won't change in the distance you put between Shikamaru and you? Because we both know you are the one who is so easy to move on." Again, a glance at Sasuke.

"That, I cannot be sure, Sakura. But considering how painful I feel without being near to Shikamaru like always I'm sure my feelings won't die any sooner." Ino's voice turned into a whisper. Just thinking about Shikamaru hurt so badly. As soon as Temari gave her green light, Ino did not waste any time to begin her Phase Two. She began it without even seeing Shikamaru. Now she missed him so much. "I always love him, Sakura. Always."

Sakura studied the blonde's expression. She knew perfectly well what Ino was talking about. After a few days Ino declared Phase Two has begun, she spent more and more time isolating herself from Shikamaru and with Temari's help it was hard for him to find time to see her like he always did. Temari always kept him busy; always made sure he was right beside her almost all the time, playing her part well, distracting his thoughts and body from going to her.

"Surely you're not doing this on purpose, this plan of yours?" The green eyes narrowed. Sakura certainly had smelled something.

Ino wore her expression as innocent as possible. "What do you mean?"

"We both know you are hardly a forgiving person – don't deny! I know you well, Ino. I assume you're doing this for the sake of…revenge?"

"What are you talking about?"

It was getting clearer to Sakura, of what Ino's true intention really was. "I get it now. Your plan is not really a test. It's simply a punishment. You're still mad at him, don't you? Deep in your heart there's still anger. He didn't want you and your baby, that's why you're doing this." Ino opened her mouth to protest but Sakura quickly silenced her. "You want him, yet you isolate yourself, distancing yourself. You know he loves you, but you punish him this way. Just because of your stupid anger. What do you exactly want, Ino?" Sakura recalled the night where she found Shikamaru holding a sleeping Ino in his arms, her cheeks still wet from crying. She had asked Shikamaru about their talk and he told her they were going to be alright. Hearing that, Sakura assumed whatever negative feelings Ino felt towards Shikamaru had gone. No more problems. They were beginning a fresh start. "I don't believe you! You're still keeping your freaking anger! I thought it was over!"

Ino didn't answer. She found no reason to retort, to deny. True, the angst in her had not disappeared completely. It was only buried. Deep, deep within her.

"Why, Ino?"

It took Ino almost an eternity to produce such a simple answer. "Pain," she said softly. "I'm giving him back."

Sakura frowned. "What?"

"Before we proceed to something…new, I want to give back the pain, Sakura. The pain he caused me. On my baby's behalf. Then I could move on from what has been haunting me in these past few months. Then I could give him all my love – if he's still in love with me."

Sakura's mouth hung open. "I cannot believe you, Ino…" She shook her head, looking really worried and confused. "Just because of that? You're only torturing yourself and Shikamaru! How could you? Then what about your plan on getting him? What about all your sweet acts, your flirty gestures before? Were you just fooling him around? How could you do this to him, to yourself?"

"I wasn't fooling him, I was serious," Ino answered timidly. "But I couldn't…I couldn't just let go!"

"He didn't deserve this, Ino…" Sakura shook her head. "Both of you don't deserve this. Can't you just clear it up? Forget everything? Because I'm sure Shikamaru could've done better if there was still time, Ino, if given second chance. He was just…late. So please…"

"Even if he has the second chance, it would be no use. I told you about my dad, Sakura. He's gonna kill me if he finds out. Even if he doesn't, I'm sure he'll force me to do the abortion. He'll be ashamed of me. I am no longer his pure, innocent daughter. And I cannot risk Shikamaru's life – dad's gonna kill him, too. I cannot bring war to our families…"

"You don't know unless you try, Ino."

"It's too late to stop now, Sakura." Ino said firmly, meeting the green eyes. "Phase Two has begun. No turning back."

Sakura was ready to retort when suddenly she saw Gaara was standing very close to them. She didn't realize when or how long he had been there. She and Ino could really get carried away when having the "Girl Talk". But to her relief, Gaara wasn't listening. Instead he was watching Naruto jogged to his spot.

Then Sasuke's voice rang in her ears, making her heart jump. "It's our turn. Let's go, Sakura."

Sasuke had got up from his seat under the tree, also standing close looking down at her. Sakura chanced a glance at Ino, who was already white with fear, her mouth clamped shut. She had said the word 'abortion' out loud. And if Sasuke had paid attention from the start, they had let him into the secret. Though Sakura did not see, she knew Ino's heart was hammering fast just like hers.

She sighed. The secret was burdening her with a brutal weight she never imagined.

"Sakura."

Hastily, Sakura wore her boots back. As she pulled her glove over her right hand, she silently prayed the boys hadn't heard a single thing they discussed mere seconds ago.

"Go," Ino whispered, struggling to keep the color on her face. In her mind only raced, "Gosh, if Sasuke-kun hears, what he will think of me?"

Sakura got up and followed Sasuke to the destroyed training ground, back to her normal mode. "I might as well train for Jounin Exam, with all these madness!" She complained out loud, shaking what Sasuke and Gaara possibly hear from their ears.

"Wait 'til I become chuunin, Sakura-chan! Then we'll take it together! Just the two of us, forget Sasuke-teme!" Naruto yelled, collapsing beside Ino. He showed his injured body to her. "Look! Gaara's being nasty! Heal me, so that I could pay back all these injuries!"

"You don't need healing, you have Kyuubi," came Gaara smooth voice when Ino was ready to produce the green chakra. "Don't bother, Yamanaka."

Sure enough, the wounds on Naruto's body began to heal themselves. Ino watched in astonishment while Naruto stuck up his nose. "Hmph! I'm not gonna thank this bastard!"

"Ungrateful brat. Face it; you're just not strong enough. Maybe without Kyuubi, you're ten times worse."

Ino blinked. Was Gaara actually teased? She never thought he would converse so easily and so naturally with other people, yet with Uzumaki Naruto his ice mask was completely gone. Was that his true self? If that was, then Ino was lucky she had come to the training ground today and witnessed his revealed nature.

The two Jinchuurikis (though one was without his Bijuu anymore) continued their bickering. "Shut up. I still can beat you, you know," Naruto scowled, taking a water bottle Ino brought and gulped the content in one go. "I haven't showed you my best jutsus yet. Stuck up bastard."

Ino laughed. "Careful. He's still the Kazekage, you know."

"Hmph! His title means nothing to me!"

The afternoon wore off with more threesome bickering between Naruto, Gaara and Ino and only being stopped by a loud call from Sakura, who asked the two boys to join her at the training ground. Sasuke and Naruto just decided to team up and spar against Sakura and Gaara when the blue sky turned grey.

It's going to rain, Ino thought, looking up and feeling a raindrop on her cheek. She drifted her gaze back to the four and saw they were still in their stances. They didn't even care about the suddenly changed weather.

"Well," Ino shrugged to herself, packing her things. "Looks like it's time for me to go back." Then remembering the numerous works in the lab waiting for her, she groaned out loud.

As she left the training ground with her head held high, she didn't realize that two pairs of eyes were watching her every move very intently.

x

Shikamaru wanted to smoke.

So. Very. Badly.

He didn't know where the hell he got that feeling. He hadn't felt that feeling since long ago. But now it all came back. Maybe it was because of overloaded work for the Chuunin Exam (as if depended on him alone) or maybe it was because of Tsunade gave so many work to Ino that she became so busy these days and never spare even a second to see him or talk to him or even let him catch a glimpse of her or whatever, or maybe…

Shikamaru glanced at his side and threw his face away to the other side, scowling.

…because of that woman always following him everywhere. EVERYWHERE.

"Tell me why you are here again?" He spoke through gritted teeth.

Temari smiled sweetly (though a vein popped on her forehead). "I told you I need to get something for Gaara."

"Something from a sake shop?"

"What's wrong with that?"

Shikamaru 'tch'ed sarcastically. "He's underage."

"And so are you."

"I'm here for Godaime." Actually Shikamaru saw the sake shop as a last resort escapade (after 150 before crushed into dust easily).

"Oh, well thought." Temari shrugged like she didn't care. She moved to a spot next to him and scanned the lined sake in front of her carefully (with full interest), as if she really going to buy one of them.

"Actually," Shikamaru shoved his hands into his pockets irritably, "Godaime sure won't mind if I leave the buying to Shizune. I guess I call it a day. See you later."

"Yeah, later." But Temari's steps fell beside him the instant he left the shop. Shikamaru fought the urge to blow himself off (or rather that woman) with an explosive tag.

"I thought you were going to buy Gaara something?"

"Like you said," again, Temari shrugged with a sinister smile. "He's underage."

"Well said." Shikamaru nodded, flashing the similar smile. His head began to hurt. Why won't she leave him alone?!

The sky cast orange hue across the horizon. The sun slowly set. It was dusk, where usually working people started to retire from work and returned home. Shikamaru wondered whether Ino still be working in the lab around this time.

"I'll go this way," he pointed his left, where the road indicated hospital. "I'll see you –"

Temari grabbed his arm instantly. "I'm hungry. Let's eat at the yummy meat shop people in here always talk about. Come on, it's no fun eating alone!"

Shikamaru groaned out loud.

Troublesome woman!

x

The next day Ino was summoned to the Hokage's office. Gladly leaving the lab, she wondered what it was Tsunade want from her. She hadn't received a mission for a while and she hoped for one. When she walked into the office, she found out that Tsunade and her loyal assistant Shizune had a serious look on their faces, as if they'd just discussing something very important. Hinata was there as well. The pale-eyed girl gave her a nervous smile and she smiled back in return.

And by the office window, a seated Gaara surprised her.

His face told her that he didn't want to be there. Ino wondered how Tsunade found out about the Kazekage's presence in Konoha. But it wasn't impossible to know. Some ninjas probably seen him and reported to her.

"So, are you and Sakura doing okay?" Tsunade broke the silence and jumped straight into business. Ino quickly turned to meet Tsunade's eyes, startled at the question. Gaara cast his eyes outside the window, like wishing he could just jump out of it and disappear.

"Um…yeah, except she hasn't been in the lab recently. I'm sure you know she helps Naruto with his training, right?"

Tsunade rolled her eyes. "As if Sakura alone is not enough to help him. Uchiha Sasuke is a great rival and sometimes Kakashi drops by to train with them. What was he thinking calling the Kazekage all the way to Konoha?" She glanced at the person mentioned. Despite his title, Gaara was still a kid. A teenager. Underage. And his expression at that time only meant, "I don't want to be here anymore. I wanna go out and play with Naruto."

Ino didn't know what to say. She wondered whether Gaara had gotten a good lecture from Tsunade (not that Tsunade didn't respect Gaara as the leader of Suna) maybe she thought Gaara wasn't supposed to leave his village in order to join Naruto in his training. What would his people say when they find out their leader is helping their opponent to win?

Ino got the point.

"Tsunade-sama, about the thing we discuss before…" Shizune reminded her.

"Ah, yes…" Tsunade turned her attention back to Ino but still looked thoroughly annoyed. "How are you doing with the experiment alone?"

Ino hesitated a little. "Well, I was poor at the beginning…but I'm getting pretty good."

"And I understand you helped as well, Hinata?"

Hinata's head bobbed anxiously. "I hope it's al-alright."

"Of course it's alright. Helping Ino is good for your practice." Tsunade picked a scroll in front of her. "This," she showed it to Ino, "came this morning. From Suna. A mission request. They hope we could share our medical technology with them, in exchange they share theirs." Tsunade looked sideways at Gaara and Ino knew instantly that they had talked about this before she came. "I never had the chance to study Suna's exotic plants before and I know they make great medicines and poisons. This mission is beneficial for both villages and whatever we get from this mission will be very useful in the future. So," Tsunade clasped her fingers together, "I want to offer this mission to you."

Ino felt the excitement rose within her.

X

"So, how did it go?" Naruto asked with surprisingly worried face as soon as Gaara arrived at the training ground, followed by Ino and Hinata. "Oh, hi Ino, Hinata-chan."

"Hi, Naruto!" Ino greeted back. Hinata blushed. "Hi, Na-naruto-kun."

"Bad news." Gaara told him.

"WHATTT?!" Naruto shrieked. "I knew it! That GRANNY!" He cracked his knuckles and rushed forward. "I'm going to talk to her!"

"Drop it." Ino said. The raging blonde turned around furiously. "Whatever you want to say won't work. Whether you like it or not, Gaara's going to Suna tomorrow."

"What makes you say that?"

"Because we will travel together, right Hinata?" A nod (plus a layer of blush).

"What? You're going to Suna?" A sweaty Sakura approached the group with Sasuke not far behind her. He looked mildly annoyed with Sakura's early retirement from their sparring but Sakura was too distracted by Naruto's loud voice. The presence of her best friend and Hinata also grabbed her attention. "Tomorrow? But–"

Naruto stepped between Sakura and Ino. "Why he has to go with you?"

"Because he has to."

Before Naruto could protest some more Sakura pushed him aside impatiently. "Wait. What this is all about? I don't understand."

"Tsunade-sama gave us a mission," Ino answered, gesturing Hinata.

"A mission?!"Sakura's eyebrows met.

"Yeah, a mission. Actually, it's for the three of us – you, Hinata and I – but Tsunade-sama prefers you to leave after the Chuunin Exam," Ino explained. She gave Naruto a look. He was listening but looked very agitated with the news. "She wants you to stay for the training and finish the experiments. I cannot tell you the details though. She'll brief you about the mission after everything's over." The reason Tsunade held Sakura a little longer was because she knew Naruto would be devastated if Sakura gone, too.

"Great, training and lab work at the same time." Sakura sighed heavily.

"I'm going to talk to her," Naruto decided. "She cannot do this. The exam is less than fourteen days!"

"Naruto." Ino stopped him once again. "There's no use talking to her. We've been given a mission and Gaara's going to take us to Suna tomorrow."

"But my training–"

Ino sighed heavily. "Look, I'm sorry to say this, Naruto, but what needs him the most is his village, not you. You are strong. Your teammates are more than enough for your training. He's been told to go back, so let him go."

Naruto turned to Gaara, expecting him to say something. Gaara was expressionless but his gaze showed that he agreed with what Ino just said. Earlier, when he was looking out of the window, a part of Tsunade's lecture knocked some sense into him. As a Kazekage, he was being irresponsible.

"Kankurou said in his letter that I made everyone worried for MIA. But he found out I was here so he asked me to come back."

Naruto let out a helpless moan. "So after I left she asked you to return, huh?" Ino quickly concluded that Tsunade had called Naruto along with Gaara and probably he was the one being lectured, not the Kazekage. And judging from Tsunade's foul mood proved that Naruto did not just left without making a riot.

Gaara nodded.

Like a kid lost his candy, Naruto started to whine. Sakura, who absorbed all the information and understood the situation, put her hands on her hips. "Oh, stop it. Don't you feel ashamed of yourself? You have troubled him and his people! You'll hurt his reputation if you make him stay any longer. What will Suna-nin think if they know their own leader is helping a Konoha genin to win the exam?"

"But…they know Gaara and I are friends! They'll understand!"

"You think a Kazekage can take a time off just like that? Naruto, he has a village to take care of!"

"Kami, you're being childish…" Ino shook her head. "Whine all you want, he's going back anyway, whether you like it or not."

Sasuke walked slowly to them and spoke for the first time, "Are you going to stand there chatting all day or what?"

All attention went to him.

"Enough break. Let's continue our training." Then without making a comment about Gaara's return to Suna tomorrow, he walked back to the training ground.

With just that, he put the arguments to rest. Gaara slowly followed his track. And leaving with no choice, Naruto followed suit.

"Em…" Hinata suddenly spoke. "Is it alright if I leave first, Ino-san? I want to inform Kiba-kun and Shino-kun about my mission."

"Sure." Ino replied. Hinata bowed to both of them and took her leave. "I have to leave as well, Sakura. There are a lot of things to do. Tell my parents, pack my things, visit some places…"

"Will you say goodbye to Shikamaru?"

Ino smiled mysteriously and without saying anything but giving Sakura a wave, she walked away, leaving the pink-haired girl to wonder.

…to be continued.

A/N: Not a very good chapter. I had a HUGE writer's block. Forgive me for that. I'll fix it another time. About Ino's Phase Two, I'll explain it in the next chapter. The reasons and all…

A petition for ShikaIno special episode by Masashi Kishimoto for Sakura12, Flaming Beauty, aki-child, nazzy and jerkez, The blackdash, Nemrut, MayumiNorika, Bella-Rose, MoonIdiot, SkyBell, Wings-chan, wonderwoman29, braindamage730, Spread-My-Wingz-And-Soar, A Flying Sponge, sad little monkey, Ebil Chameleon, Kait, chikarubunny, Doggone2dog,93addict, Kisame Fish Sticks, x0x, NoNameFace333333, Kayla, Shera-girl, AnimeFanatic223, AGENT RACH, The Reading Maid, Milady Kagura, crazilyinsanelady, rainoftears,Emily-Jade, Zaton, hyperactivesoccerchick, Ninna Boo, lala-sama, A Person, Miakmi, zzTroublesomezz, rabid behemoth, nadakesgurl, SkyMaiden, kayla, lildreamerx3, escsamx, tomboy14, Firestorm, itachiXdeidara,SupahAttackPea, Anything but Normal, GoldenKitsuneHime13, Jill-kun, Kait, Ginriku, sophia666, UglyXXDuckling, Fallen to Earth, rallybabe89, darktank, Lord Eraendall, AlisterRainbow, Junipe11, dyingtosurvive, Lavender, sesshoumaru4me, DarkMaidenTerri, bluestrdrmr, shyxvibrant-love, Kait, snowbells, shelvesinthecloset, chidori532, ishgreeklady and Jarield to sign.

(You know you want their special episode – xoxo Ara)

Thank you so much for reviewing the last chapter!