Hey guys, this is the second story I'm going to write. It took me a long time to think of this oneOf course this a Shikamaru and Ino story, because I love them, and Shikamaru is definitely the best character on the show, what's not to love, and I also can't think of anything to write about on the other characters, because then it would be cliché. But I'm going to try and focus a little bit on the other characters too, just so I can keep writing.

Ino ran through the daisy field, laughing, as she had her arms spread out. She looked peaceful and happy as the sun shone down on her. It almost seemed as if the sun was shining only on her as she ran towards him.

What is she doing? Why is running to me like that?

But then the calm was rapidly leaving, and it became windy and dark.

What's going on? Shikamaru couldn't make out the sudden change of atmosphere, but he kept his eyes on Ino.

People were running, finding a place to hide. Naruto ran up to him, "Man, what are you doing? Run!"

"What about Ino?" Naruto looked back at her, then back at him. "Don't worry, she's got it."

"Okay" Was his only response. Naruto ran away. Shikamaru looked back at Ino, and noticed she stopped running, and had a confused look on her face as she looked past him. He turned around saw an overpowering shadow looming over him. He turned around again, but she was gone.

What the f…

The shadow took a swing at him, but Shikamaru dodged it. He threw a punch, but it seemed as if it was going in slow motion. By the time it reached its target, he dodged that. It went like this for a while. Finally Shikamaru was able to push him down. He turned around to see if he can find Ino, but he was suddenly at the Ramen Shop. His usual gang was there, Kiba, Naruto, Sasuke, and Chouji. He took a stool and listened to what the boys were talking about.

"Yeah man, Lee got this awesome house by the lake." Kiba took a drink from his cup.

"That's awesome! I got new shoes." Naruto finished his bowl of ramen.

"I wonder if he'll invite us to go there. I want to check out his TV" Chouji grabbed his chopsticks.

"Why not? We're friends." Sasuke got up from his stool.

What the hell are they talking about?

"What do you think?" Shikamaru looked up and saw everyone was looking at him waiting for an answer.

"I like the lake." Everyone went back to eating their lunch. Ino came up behind Shikamaru and poked him in the back.

"Hi Ino, how are you?"

"Fine, what are you doing?"

"Nothing."

"Lets go to the academy, I want to grab my books."

"Okay"

Shikamaru and Ino walked down the street, and it seemed like everyone had they're eyes on them. They were just staring at them, no emotion to show. When they finally reached the academy and got inside, it was like he was inside his own house when he was 12 years old. But the house was dark and creepy.

"Mom. Dad. Are you home?" Shikamaru called out. No answer. He looked on the table. The newspaper was open. He looked at it but couldn't make out what it said, but noticed Ino's name in a dark red color.

"I'm going upstairs, Shikamaru, I think the books are up there."

"I'll go with you."

"Okay"

They climbed up the stairs and the shadowy was standing at the very top. Without hesitation, he grabbed Ino's arm and ran off into the dark. Shikamaru tried to run after them, but his legs were stuck in its place, as if he had no will on his own. He tried to yell to her, but there was no sound. A kunai came out from the darkness, flying towards his chest…

Shikamaru woke up with jolt. "What the hell was that? That was a crazy dream. Why would I dream of Ino? 'I like the lake'? What kind of crap answer was that? Man, that was too weird." He rolled over in his bed and fell back asleep

The next day

Shikamaru went to the Ramen stand, where, of course, his friends were enjoying their lunch. Sasuke, of course, was in the corner, keeping to his silent self. "Hey guys."

Chouji looked up from his bowl, "Hey, you okay?"

He placed his hands on face. Since his dream the night before, he couldn't get it out of his head. It felt too real to him. "I had a crazy dream last night."

Naruto turned around on his chair to face him, "What kind of dream?"

"I don't know. It didn't make sense. Ino was in it."

Kiba smirk and patted him on the back. "Ino, huh? What kind of crazy was it?"

"Idiot, not that kind. You guys were there, too, talking about Lee having a house on the lake and you guys wanted to go. And Ino came up to me, and asked me if we could go to the academy to get her books. So we went and everyone was looking at us. Then we were at my parents' house, and some shadow took her. And I fought this guy earlier in the dream too."

"That is a crazy dream, you were fighting."

"Shut up."

"Maybe it means something?" A female voice came from behind. The guys turned around and saw Sakura standing there. "They say dreams are your subconscious telling you something, or warning you. Maybe that's what it was."

"Why would Ino be in it?"

"I don't know, maybe its how you feel about her, or maybe she represents some emotion." At this point, the guys were looking very confused. "I'd go about every detail in my dream, and piece it all together."

"Right, I'll think about that. It's not that big a deal. Thanks though."

"Well, I tried. Sasuke are you ready?" Sakura turned toward the guy sitting in the corner. It's funny that after all these years they still hadn't gotten together. Naruto wasn't so lucky either. He understood that they may never be together, and that she only has eyes for Sasuke. Sasuke, on the other hand, wasn't thinking about it either. He relied on her to be there for him, and she had him help her train. That's as close as they got. None of the other guys hooked up with any of the girls either, each had their own reasons. Sasuke nodded and stood up. They walked off to continue their training

Shikamaru stood up and turned to leave. "I have some errands to run, I'll see you guys later." He walked down the street. He was supposed to meet with his father and help him the deer that day. The dream played in his head. A warning? The shadow figure took her. Ino. The newspaper had her name in red letters. What does it mean? He was in his own world, and didn't notice the rice ball that hit him on the head.

"What the hell?" He came back to reality and looked up to see Ino standing in front of him. Her hands were on her hips, and she had an annoyed look on her face.

"Did you not hear me call you? I look like an idiot, yelling at you like that."

"Ino."

That was the first chapter. I promise I'm working up to the point of the story, just had to start it there. The dream has a significant role in future chapters. And there's a reason there are no pairings. (Not yet, anyway). So read and review, constructive criticism a must. Ideas from you guys could help me shape the story.

PS School sucks! Professors are killing me, I have an exam everyday this week, but I will try to update regularly.