Ninja Chic: Wait until I get into the whole dream thing. Trust me, it's going to be good.

ShikaIno: Thanks, you were the only one who submitted a review. And I appreciate that to the fullest. But that also means that I'm going to wait to update the next chapter. Anyway, I haven't decided the pairings of these two just yet, I want to see where the story goes, and what other people think before I decide. (That's why reviews are important people!!) And the whole Temari, I can't agree with you more. I mean she's cool, but not that cool to be with the coolest character in the series. Full metal Alchemist? I was thinking about it. I watched Full Metal Panic, awesomeness and funny. (I'm an anime pot-head)

PS We are so having a conversation on here, it's great!!!

All right, on with the show.

Hours had gone by, and the rain hadn't let up. Lightening and thunder had been rolling all throughout the evening. The electricity had gone out a few times, but the last lightening had ousted it completely. As much as Shikamaru felt comfortable being in the dark, the lightening and thunder were starting to creep him out. He lit candles and placed them along the windowsill, took out a few pots and pans and placed them under the leaky ceiling to catch the rainwater. Wish I were at home right now. Shikamaru had moved out of his parents' place a year ago. Not because he wanted to, but because his father thought it was time that he learned to fend for himself for a while. His mother thought it was a little cruel, but she went along with it anyway.

He lay in his bed, hands behind his bed, closed his eyes, and listened to the sound of the rain. He was very relaxed. The smell of peach from the candles him relax more. My day off. He'd been training and going off to missions lately. Not big ones, but ones that involved escorting and protecting. He was grateful for the work, but more grateful for the day off. He managed to get the dream out of his head for a while. He ruled it out as just a dream, nothing more. It was mere coincidence that it rained today. I have weird dreams all the time. Just the way it is. No sense in worrying about it. With that, he felt much better.

Shikamaru was on the edge of peaceful sleep, when he heard a knock coming from outside. He opened his eyes, and continued to lay still. Knock. KNOCK! "What the hell?" He got up, and looked outside. The rain was pouring so hard; it was hard for him to see anything. He barely made out a figure moving about wildly. He finally opened the window, and saw Ino standing in the middle of the street, waving her arms frantically. "Ino?" She ran to the door. Shikamaru got up and ran downstairs to let her in.

"What the hell are you doing outside in the rain? I thought you were at home." He led up the stairs to his little one bedroom apartment. He got her a towel and wrapped it around her.

"My parents weren't home. I was locked out. Then, the lights went out, and I freaked out. And since your house was close by, I ran over here. But I was kind of scared of being out there in the dark, by myself. You don't mind, do you?"

"No, but you're going to catch a cold. Go the bathroom and dry off. I'll give you some clothes."

Ino went into the bathroom as Shikamaru went to his dresser and grabbed a shirt and sweatpants. Great. He thought to himself as he handed the clothes to the girl. When she finally stepped out, she had her hair down, using the towel to dry it. She walked across the room and stopped in front of a pot halfway filled with water in the middle of the room. She pointed at it, and looked at him. "What?" he mumbled.

"Thanks, I appreciate it." Ino sat down next to Shikamaru and looked at him. "But can I borrow a pair of socks? My feet are freezing." He sighed, got up, and walked to his dresser and took out a pair of clean socks, and handed them to her. She quickly put them on, and brought her legs up to the bed.

Bright lightening had struck right outside the window. Ino screeched and jumped on Shikamaru. "Holy crap!" Shikamaru suddenly stopped breathing, as he looked down to her, her head buried in his shoulder. When the thunder rolled out, she looked up at him. They sat looking at each other for a moment before looking away blushing.

"Um, do you want something to drink?"

"Yeah, please."

Shikamaru got up and walked to the kitchen and poured her a cup of water. He walked back and handed it to her.

"So why are you so quiet?" he asked.

"I don't' know. Nothing to say I guess."

"Find that hard to believe. You always have something to say."

"Well, I guess this time I don't."

"…Okay."

"Shikamaru?"

"What?"

"What's up with you? You were acting kind of weird today."

"What do you mean? I'm fine."

"Well, I guess it's just me, but you were like in your own space or something."

"I'm always in my own space."

"You know, you shouldn't always be. Keeping things inside can't be good for you, you know."

"I've gone this far haven't I?"

"But lately, you've really been disconnected. Are you sure you're okay?"

"Yes, Ino. I'm fine."

Truth was, he's had a few things on his mind lately. He had been feeling really alone, lately. It was probably the stress of living and doing things on his own that made him feel that way. But it was something he figured would go away on its own time. Just growing up is all.

"You've changed the most of all of us, you know."

"What?"

"You did. Since we were twelve. You were always the 'quiet, lazy ass.' But you're really mature for your age. But you're getting too serious."

"If me not caring is considered being serious, then okay. But I don't think I'm that serious."

"You need to have some fun."

"I have fun."

"What you do is not fun."

"And how the hell would you know? I don't go around shopping, and meeting 'cute' girls at teashops, and I don't go chasing the 'hottest' guy in town. Sorry but that's not my thing."

"You're so cute when you do rabbit ears when you talk. 'Cute' girls, 'hottest' guys."

"You're annoying."

"Thanks, I try. It's my purpose in life, balances the world out."

Shikamaru couldn't help but smile at that remark.

"Ha! Got you to smile."

"Ino, there really isn't anyone in the world quite like you. Listen, it's still dark and raining out, so sleep here, I'll sleep on the floor."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah, it's okay, It's better than you wandering the streets when there aren't any lights."

Ino climbed into the bed, and pulled the covers over herself. Shikamaru situated himself on the floor with his pillow. He put his arms behind his head and stared at the ceiling. Ino's words played over and over in his head.

"You're so serious. You should have more fun. You're so mature."

The rain had stopped, and the skies cleared. The moonlight shined brightly in the night sky in between passing clouds.

Shikamaru lay awake on the floor. The light was shining on the girl sleeping on his bed. Her hair seemed to glow with the light, much like the sun. She slept so peacefully.

Serious. Mature. Different. Ino, you don't understand.

End of Chapter 3

I'm starting to like this story myself. If I get more reviews, then I'll update.

I have another exam tomorrow. Spanish. Seeing as to I myself is Hispanic, easy A. maybe a B.

But please, enough about me, and review and tell your friends!!