Moronicus: I know Sasuke is anti-social, but you know, couldn't help but feel a little appreciative for the whole lets-go-save-Sasuke-from-evil business, so I figured I'd put him with the group, but only in the corner where he can always keep to himself. But I'm glad you like it.

ShikaIno: Thanks, I love your stories just as well. You crack me up!!

AN: Thanks for reviewing, but I hope more people would leave some. Makes my day when I check for email at work and school. And PS, a little saddened because I just finished watching the last Inuyasha episode that I downloaded. Why can't there be more? Damn you Welchi!!!!

"Right… So, anyway, ran into your father today." Ino walked up to Shikamaru, took him by the arm and they started walking down the street. "He said if I saw you, to tell you not to worry about meeting with him at the field today. Said it was going to rain. So I asked him…" Here we go. "…how do you know it's going to rain? I mean, there aren't any clouds, the sun is shining brightly? It doesn't make any sense."

"The animals."

"What?"

"The animals. They can sense weather changes. The deer must've sense it and took shelter."

"How do you know?"

"I wonder, Ino." What a dumb question. Shikamaru sighed and continued walking with Ino on his arm, as she rambled on about her shopping and meeting some "hot" guy at a tea shop.

His mind drifted off, and he started thinking about Ino. Ino, to him, would always be his team mate. He knew more about her than anyone could imagine; her hopes, her dreams, her dislikes for salad, her love for chocolate ice cream, her fear of bugs of all sizes. Ino was smart, not genius-smart, but really smart. It amazes him just how smart she really is, but puts no effort in showing it, so people would think she's loud-mouthed and obnoxious. Almost like him, except he'd rather be reserved and lazy. But Ino has guts. When she saw that the guys were getting promoted, she snapped. In the past, Ino graduated from the academy as the top female ninja of her class. But Shikamaru, second-to-last graduate, was the first to get ranked. She had her father, Shikamaru, and his father help her train. Eventually she caught back up. That's what Shikamaru liked about her. Her ambitions.

He wasn't particularly listening to Ino, but thinking about the complexity of this girl.

"Hey, are you listening." Stopped.

"Barely…" Suddenly Shikamaru felt his arm tighten and two burning holes on the side of his head. "I mean, yes. Shopping, tea, guy, wonderful time,"

"So anyway…"

Winds were starting to pick up, and the sky began to darken. "Hey, looks like it really going to let down. I'm going to get home to help my mother with the flowers. See you later." Shikamaru stood and watched her go. Odd. Maybe I should tell her. Nah, it was only a dream anyway.

"Starting to rain, we should quit for the day." Sasuke kneeled down to pick up his tools. He looked over to an exhausted Sakura, who had dropped to the ground and let the cool rain fall on her face. Sasuke let a small smile play on his lips. He felt almost proud of her. He's been helping her train for a year now. She, like Ino, didn't want to fall behind and be considered weak. Sasuke had he go through a lot of mental training, helping her learn logical decision-making in crucial situations. Seeing her improve made it seem worth the time. Of course, he would never admit to it.

"This feels so good." Sakura took in the rain. It was as if it were washing away her tiredness. She opened her eyes to see Sasuke's hand held out to her. She looked at him and back at the hand, not knowing what to make of it.

"I'll walk you back to your house, come on." She took his hand and stood. She felt the all-too-familiar butterflies dance in her stomach as her heart fluttered. She never really gave up on him; just back off a little bit. She understood his reasons and promised to be there for him. He would always have her heart.

They walked into town. The winds and the rain were starting to get heavier. "This is some really bad weather." Sakura looked around the village; the people were closing up their stores early and started heading to their homes.

They finally reached her house, Sasuke bid her goodnight, and told her he'd see her tomorrow for more training, hopefully the weather permitted.

Shikamaru walked slowly his house. A cold shiver took hold of body. Damn rain. It all seemed too odd and coincidental for him. He tried not to think any of it, but it couldn't be helped. The sun shining brightly suddenly turned dark and rainy, and Ino disappeared so quick. Coincidence, that's all it is. Just pure coincidence. Weather is like that. Can't be explain, just happens. Right?

This probably seemed a little short, but I have to get to bed. I have an exam tomorrow morning, and I need to get back to the studying. Who really needs physics anyway?

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