Dedication:

To ShikaIno fans and Naruto fanatics and to those who're still having a hard time finding their real selves.

And to...( you know who you are)...

Part Three:

Decisions and Feelings are not to be Mixed!

The sun's warmth awakened my senses as I began to flutter my eyes because of the blinding twilight. I never intended to wake up this early. I just want to get enough sleep and rest but my instincts kept on bugging me to wake up.

I was still groggy and unsteady when I stood up from the bed. I nearly fell back but a hand gripped by arm preventing me from such an unwanted accident.

"Careful." He said.

I looked up and met his gaze only to send an electrifying feeling down to my spine as I felt the impact of his skin against mine. Wasn't I just so impressed to see his eyes filled with worry and anxiousness?

"T-Thanks..." I whispered and straighten off. "W-Would you care for a breakfast, Shika...?"

I don't think he would agree and neither could I expect an answer from him. He would ignore me, I know. After I rejected him and abandoned his sacred feelings, I know he is mad. I know that he hates me now.

I am not the right one for him. Not the dream-girl he had always wanted.

I'm no more than a stupid spoiled brat totally infatuated and obsessed with a guy that had never paid attention to me.

I'm just... dumb enough to cast away his feelings for me.

Still, what he said had surprised me. Just as he always does...

"Sure."

"Good morning Ino-pig!" Sakura greeted as I reached the foot of the grand staircase. Together with her were Lee and Tenten each giving me a sign of greeting.

"What are you all doing here?" I can't help but ask.

Sakura walked towards us and gave me a friendly hug. After a few seconds she faced me and glanced over Shikamaru who was currently standing behind me. "Oh? Didn't Shikamaru-kun tell you that we're here to escort you back?"

"Back? Back to where??!!"

Sakura laughed gently and held my hand. "To Konoha, of course! Shikamaru-kun sent a letter to Naruto-kun saying that you want to go home already. So..." She turned to lee and Tenten. "We're bringing you back home."

I don't know if what I felt was guilt, regret or excitement. I know I've said yesterday that I would definitely go back home and even said that nothing could stop me. But... here I am, feeling a bit unusual.

I feel like I'm being too cruel to him and I feel like he's been tolerating me for ages.

He's too kind and I'm too cold.

So the question 'was I the one who is cold and not him?' had finally come to an answer.

"Wow Shikamaru! This is definitely a beauty!" Tenten exclaimed obviously pertaining to the mansion.

Shikamaru let out his infamous snort and said, "Might as well eat something before departing. Ino still haven't eaten anything."

Is it just me or is it Nara Shikamaru showing a well-evident worried tone on his statement?

We were definitely not eating in silence. Lee who had been goofing around, Tenten who had been talking about the oh-so great Neji who had finally paid attention to her and Sakura being the best donor of mischievousness... how do you expect to have a peaceful breakfast?

What more if Naruto and Kiba are added into the mixture?

I took again another sip of the corn soup and let its warmth slid down my throat. Finally I could go home already. Finally I'm going to be Yamanaka Ino again. Finally I could be the persistent carefree brat again that would flung onto Uchiha Sasuke's arms in every chance I get to see him.

Things had only been different for a couple of days only, haven't it?

"Ano... Ino..." he said partially stimulating me.

I looked back at him with questioning eyes. "What is it, Shika...?"

Again, the blank face covered everything up. I can't see his intentions nor his feelings again. Does being a highly-rank Jounin have anything to do with the changes of one's attitude? Surely he wasn't like that when we were still genins.

"Could I have a word with you?" he asked.

I cleared my throat and nodded. After all, there are still some things that I want to clarify before I go back home. Maybe this could be my last chance to see him again so it's better to clear things up before we part ways.

I stood up and followed him towards the veranda leaving Sakura, Lee and Tenten continue their foolish talkings.

Now what lies beneath Nara Shikamaru's head right at this precise moment?

When we reached the veranda, the enticing scenery had again caught up my attention as we stood in front of each other. Surely, the scenery in here is the one that I'm going to miss when I head back to Konoha.

I watched him as he shoved a cigarette pack from his pocket and lit it with a lighter.

Shikamaru? Smoking?

He isn't hanging around Asuma-sensei too much lately, doesn't he?

He puffed out a thin air of smoke as he leaned against a marble post. "I'm not trying to stop you, Ino. I just... want to make things clear before you go..."

For once I had become speechless as I continued to listen to his words.

"I know that I could never replace Uchiha there inside your heart. I've always known that ever since the day I decided to love you. I know that all I could do was to watch you and be contented with our relationship as friends. We could never be what I had always hoped for us to be. It's nothing but a plain illusion. An illusion worse than a Kagebushin technique... But the past days even if it hadn't lasted for a month or even a week..."

Again, I felt the same warmth I felt when the sun had shone over me and when the corn soup slid down my throat. Nobody had ever held me this way before the way he does right now. It's not that I love him already.

No. It's not like that.

I just felt safe like a young fox would feel when she was in her mother's protective arms.

So, he did mean it. He did mean it that he loves me.

"I want to thank you, Ino. Yeah, I know it's very unlikely of me to thank you or anybody but I guess this is the time where I had to make an exception. At least... somehow... my dream came true even if I am the sick bastard, lazy ass bum you've always known to be..."

I stared at his face and there were no traces of mischief, humor, insincerity or dishonesty. He was face was just...

Blank yet solemn...

Even if I don't want to, questions simultaneously popped inside the walls of my mind. Like, will I ever see him again? What would he do after I leave and disappeared from his life? Would he still go back to Konoha or head on to another mission? Who would take charge of his meal? Could he ever eat a balance diet if I ran out of this responsibility?

And who—of all people could ever offer me that security I felt just moments ago?

Would we... just go and part ways and go on living as if nothing happened?

Why won't I be as eager as before to go home?

Why can't these pestering thoughts just go away and leave the hell out of me alone???!!!

"Ino... I know this is too much. I respect it if you would disagree and go away." I felt his hand stiffen as he tightened his grip around mine. And with full genuineness, he looked at me straight into the eye and asked, "Would you allow me to hold you just for one last time...?"

My mind is in chaos—literally. When he said the words 'one last time', some odd feeling inside my stomach developed that makes me want to stay and live through with the one-month marriage thing.

Words aren't necessary to give an answer. I leaned my head on his chest and closed my eyes. It would be farewell now, isn't it? It happened so fast. It's only for two days but it was as if...

...something had changed...

I told him, didn't I? I can't love him. My heart is only for Uchiha Sasuke and for Sasuke-kun alone.

I felt his arms around me as if tugging me as tight as he could. It was just like no sound nin could ever hurt me if I were in Nara Shikamaru's arms.

But still... it would be better if it is Sasuke-kun holding me right now.

"Farewell... Ino..."

We traveled for quite a long time. Surely I had never imagined based from Lee's story how on earth they have carried me all the way to the Nara's hidden mansion.

But hey, it doesn't matter now. All that matters is that I'm home already.

As we entered Naruto's office, Neji and Sasuke were sitted in front of the Hokage's desk both having an inquisitive look on their faces.

My face brightened as I saw Sasuke's face. Oh how I miss that gorgeous face!

"Sasuke-kun!!!!!!!!" I shouted in delight as I flung onto him—just as I always did. He didn't move and didn't stir. It's so much Sasuke.

"Naruto? You said that the marriage would last for a month..." I heard Neji say with Tenten glomped on him also.

Naruto scratched his head and sighed. "Well, yeah... I dunno. The genius guy sent me a letter that tells me to cut the whole thing off as soon as possible and if I don't, he's going to shave off my ass..."

Like the heck I care what they are talking about! All that matters is Sasuke-kun! Boy, am I glad to see him?

"Ino, could you please get off me?" I heard Sasuke say bluntly.

I obliged and gave him my ever-so radiant smile.

Sasuke turned to Naruto-sama and asked, "And you WOULD allow him to cut everything off?"

There is something in his tone which I can't explain. It was as if he planned everything all out. Well... did he?

Naruto then glanced at me and said, "Hmmm... I guess it depends upon the decision of Ino here. To be or not to be Nara Ino?"

Of course I want to cut everything off and Shikamaru does, too. That's the main reason why I had come back here, right? It's why I have persuaded him with all my might to let me go home in order to live my normal Chuunin life and of course...

To be with my one and only Sasuke-kun!

Before I knew it, everybody's eyes were all glued upon me as if waiting for my answer. I was supposed to open my mouth and say 'OH HECK I DO WANT TO END THESE CRAPS OFF!!!' But certain events appeared in my mind again as I began to flashback the past occurrences.

Peach blossoms...

Autumn leaves...

He, making me say everything out to lighten my burden...

The care in his eyes...

The stress well-evident on his face...

His protective arms around myself...

His voice when he declared 'I love you'...

It's all...

Too beautiful to forget...

I walked towards Naruto and slammed his desk making the others quite startled at my sudden impulse.

"Let me think about it, Hokage-sama..."

Author's notes:

Heheheheheh... kind of short isn't it? I'm glad that someone praised my dedication. I was kind of touched when that person said that the dedication was sweet. Also, I'm glad to the supporters of this story. I promise that there would be a lot of surprises and circumstances to this story.

And mind you, this isn't STILL the end of the forced marriage thing! Hahaha... XD

I just can't resist Shikamaru being a bit of OOC in here. Well, at least I hope I didn't make him OOC that much!

Again, I promise to update as soon as possible and a bunch of hugs from me to all the reviewers as well as the readers!

To the readers of this story, thanks for adding me to your author alert's list! Even if you don't review, I recognize you as a supporter of this story! Many thanks to all of you also!

And of course, ahem! to THAT special someone! I can't resist to put him in here! Hahahahahaha...

Kip in touch, minna!!!!!!