These new chapters are coming up quick… Hope you have been enjoying them.

"Shikamaru-kun! Where have you been? I've been looking all over for you!" Ino screamed as she opened her door. Shikamaru shrugged and walked through the door.

"What? Are you not going to say anything?" She pushed him around until he was facing her. "What's with you?" He just gave her a disgruntled look before turning back around and walked to the living room.

"…Troublesome…" He muttered inaudibly as he sat down on the couch. Ino walked up and started poking at him. He looked at her; he was getting annoyed.

"What's going on?" Ino saw that he had something on his mind. He was acting weird. He was usually like that, but right now; there was definitely something out of character. She had a bad feeling all day that something big and horrible was going to happen. "What's wrong?"

Shikamaru let out a sigh. He searched in his mind for the right words. He had something really important to tell her, but he didn't want her to worry. He didn't want her to be hurt. After thinking for a while, he realized that no matter what he'd say, Ino was going to be upset.

"Ino. Come here. Sit with me." Ino sat down, held his hand, and put her head on his shoulder. Now she was getting worried. She could feel her heart do a jump. Something is wrong. Ino couldn't help but think that she was about to receive some bad news. A cold shiver took over her body.

Shikamaru took his free hand and touched Ino's face. He pushed her chin up so that they were looking into each other's eyes. She's so beautiful. I don't want anything to happen to her. I would never forgive myself if something bad happened. He could feel the butterflies in his stomach. He felt a little dazed, a little confused. He wanted time to stop at this very moment. He wanted it to last forever. Not wanting to think about the future that was laid before him. All that mattered to him at this right now was Yamanaka Ino. The very person he loved more than anything. More than his love for cloud-watching. More than his love for Go. More than his own life.

Ino…

Ino looked at him. She was trying to figure him out. Trying to figure out what was going on in his mind. He was far too intelligent for his own good. He was simple-minded, yet complex. But then again, he was complex-minded, yet simple. This was the very man she wanted to spend the rest of her life with. She was sure of it. He was the man she wanted to give herself to. She was sure of it. She understood the job of being a Jounin. The missions he had to go to. The dangers he had to endure. The dangers he had to endure for him and his friends. Possibilities that he may never come back; possibilities of death. She understood that. Thinking about it, breaks her heart. But that's what he wanted to do. He chose this life willingly. He could've turned it down and stayed a Chuunin, but he chose the promotion, and she understood and accepted his fate.

Shikamaru…

As she looked in his eyes, she saw anger, and hurt, but mostly, she saw sadness.

"I have another mission."

"What? You just got back a few days ago!"

"I know."

"So, turn it down. Tell them to give you a break. Tell them you won't accept"

"Ino, you know it doesn't work that way."

Ino sighed. "When?"

"Tomorrow, me and the rest of the group are leaving."

"Where?"

"I can't tell you."

"Can't or won't?"

"Does it matter?"

"Of course it matters."

"Both."

"… I have a bad feeling."

"Ino…"

"Who else is going?"

"As far as I know, me, Naruto, Lee, Neji, Shino, Kiba, and a few others."

"Naruto? How big is this mission that it requires the Sixth Hokage to go?"

"He volunteered."

"When will you be back?"

"I don't know. Nothing is for sure right now. All I know is from the briefing."

Ino's eyes started to well up. She looked out the window. The moon was shining brightly. She could hear the chirping of the crickets outside. There was some laughter coming from the bar down the street as drunken men enjoyed themselves without a care in the world. The lights that illuminated the lamps lined across the city set a peaceful aura. She looked to the floor then around the room, as if expecting something to tell her that she was dreaming, that he was just joking. The tension in the room proved otherwise.

Something is not right. I have a bad feeling about this. A cold shiver took hold of her body once again. She held on Shikamaru tighter. She felt a lump in her throat. She tried hard to swallow it, but she had no luck.

"Ino. There's a big chance that I might not come back. The possibilities are looking slim. I want you to be prepared." Shikamaru voice sounded as if he, too, were about to cry. Damn it! Why me? Why do I have to go to this stupid mission? Why does that Uchiha bastard have to be so selfish? He's hurting everyone around us. Shikamaru let go of Ino and put his face in his hands. With his eyes closed, he tried to calm his breathing.

The chances of me coming back are so slim. With Orochimaru by Sasuke's side, we definitely might not make it. The Third barely took him down, only injuring him enough, and he died in the process. What makes Tsunade-sama and Naruto think that we would be okay? Wait. Naruto doesn't even think our chances good. Sasuke has grown much more stronger, maybe more than Naruto.

Shikamaru walked to Ino's bedroom. Her window, he thought, had the best view of the village. He stood there thinking about the next day. He felt Ino's arms wrap around his body. She held him tightly. He gave her a small smile and kissed her on her forehead. "What time are you leaving?" she asked. "Before sunrise."

He turned around and held her close. They kissed for a long while. After parting, she looked straight in his eyes.

"Leave your pillow with me."

With that, he hugged her tighter, and kissed her more passionately. He kissed her on the neck as they slowly made their way to her bed.

He kissed her behind her ears. He removed the tie that held her hair up, letting it fall around her pillow. He kissed her down her neck to her shoulders. He kissed her on her chin, making his way to her collarbone.

She let him have her for the first time as they made love.

===The Next Morning Before Sunrise===

Shikamaru knelt down by Ino's bed. She was peacefully asleep. He saw the tears that had stained her cheeks. His heart felt crushed and he felt a lump in his throat. He moved her hair away from her face. He stood up, grabbed his belongings and walked to the open window. Just before he stepped out, he turned around to take one last look at his love. I love you. With that, he was gone.

Ino felt a cool breeze. She pulled the covers closer to her body. She opened her eyes, and looked to the empty side of her bed, where her boyfriend was just hours ago. She felt a piece of heart missing. She had a horrible feeling. Tears rolled down her face.

Nara Shikamaru, you better come back to me.

I really liked this chapter. I don't care what you think; it was good. R & R please!!