A/N: woo-hoo! Right now, school's not that hard at all! It's almost like vacation so...I'm updating both my fics and posting a new one! Yay!

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto


It's hard to have a relationship when you're a ninja. But, at the same time, the bonds that are created at that time, are the one of the strongest.

When you go on a mission with the one you love, you can see how she/he acts in critical situation. You can see if you're really important to him/her.

But, most of all, you can protect the one you care about.

And that's the main reason why Shikamaru cursed ninja ranks.

He was jounin now; After 3 years being a chuunin, he finally agreed to take an exam for a higher rank. Day after his nomination for one of the best Konoha shinobi's, Ino became a chuunin, 3 years later than him. Just when she finally managed to catch up with him, he had to create an even bigger distance. If only he waited a little more, they could take the exam together. Now, in the future, Ino will take all the dangers by herself. She never gave up without an important reason.

Shika knew it won't be easy; after all, he almost failed.

And now...now, he dreaded that Ino will. And failure meant either serious injuries or death.

He won't be there to protect her.

When they were genins, they went on missions together, as a team. He was happy then, though those weren't really dangerous times and she didn't need his protection.

But he was able to be at her side, always.

When the exams on chuunin started and Ino failed because of Sakura, he wanted to give up. But, whether it was his male pride or something else, he couldn't.

Not when he had a chance to prove himself to Ino.

And he did it. He was the only one who managed to complete the exam with a higher position. He was able to prove himself better than Neji and Sasuke, the village geniuses. He, Nara Shikamaru, an ordinary, plain and simple boy, was better than all of them. With a 200 IQ and the laziest attitude you've ever seen.

The price for his success were more troublesome missions, and what's worse, no more spending time with Ino.

No more standing by her side.

Even though they started at the same time, now there's a big difference between them.

He gets longer and more uncertain missions.

She was accepted into the spy division.

He gets the best shinobis on his team.

She, as a spy, often goes alone.

His missions last for few days; sometimes, even weeks.

Hers last a few hours.

And yet, they still managed to create a bond, that won't be shattered so easily. They believe that thanks to theirs relationship, they are still alive.

For example, when Shika's team is really close to failing, when he gets injured and wounds sting impossibly, when he feels so close to giving up and just dieing-a face suddenly pops up in his brain. A face that has nothing to do with the strategic plans he's thinking about.

Big, blue eyes shining, bright hair dancing in wind, rosy lips stretched in a wide smile, slim body posing gracefully, whole posture beaming with pride, admiration and something much deeper-and it's all directed at him.

And somehow, almost immediately his back straightens, gaze sharpens, brain starts to work much faster and more efficiently and he finds the strength to fight until the mission is a success.

He's not stupid: He understands the feelings. He knows why he can't fail.

I serve to protect Konoha.

I serve to protect you.

I want you to be proud of me, Ino

She understands those feelings too. She knows why, when she's on an enemy land, alone in the middle of the forest, she's not afraid. Because when she remembers his rare and true smiles, directed only at her, with that warm feeling in his eyes-she's not afraid. She feels as if it's not hard at all; compared to the feeling she'd get if she failed Konoha.

If she failed her family and friends.

But, most of all, the feeling she would get if she failed him.

I want to be someone in your eyes Shikamaru.

I want to prove to everyone that I can be worth your time and feelings.

I want you to love me, no matter how many flaws I have.

Being a spy is a dirty work. Ino often felt disgusted with herself as she snuck into someone's brain and learned their secrets. She used it as little as it was possible.

But there's one thing that makes a spy job so hated: killing.

Death on the missions is nothing special. But, there's a slight difference between killing in a fight and killing while your opponent is sleeping after a hard day.

That's one of the reasons why a shinobi's life is so uncertain; even while you sleep someone can sneak into your house and slit your throat.

Ino knew and hated it.

She never killed anyone that way. She never thought she could. So, when Tsunade gave her the details of her next task, she wanted to refuse it. Every shinobi has a right to refuse a mission. But, very often is still forced to do it. Although she was positive that Tsunade would accept her rejection, she still accepted it.

Yamanaka's were known for their pride; and Ino was, with no doubt, a Yamanaka.

But, most of all, she wanted to fulfill her vow.

I promise to make myself worthy of your attention, Shika. I promise to be at your side, always. I promise to protect you, just like you protect me.

She didn't know that even if her body was miles away, a mere memory of her face, often saved his life.

The worst thing was, that Shikamaru was away right now. She had no one who would understand her.

Sakura and Chouji often killed that way and to no one, except Ino, seemed that it was a betrayal.

Because it was only hers ninja way.

She was so close to fulfill this task. She was in the enemy camp; she had a kunai in her hand. Just a few seconds and it'll be over. She brought it to his neck...slowly and carefully...now, just a swift move and another successful mission...

Her hand retreated.

Mission failed.

I failed you all; I'm so sorry Shika...

Tsunade was really angry. Missions were very often failed...but it's one thing when everyone did their best to fulfill it and another when you fail on purpose.

If someone failed purposely, he didn't deserve to be a ninja; especially higher ranks than genin.

Ino was expelled from the spy division; she was no longer a chuunin.

She wasn't even a genin.

She wasn't a ninja: she was truly nothing.

I don't blame them...

She closed off from everyone: Sakura, Chouji, her parents. She spent days in her room, eating and bathing only at night, to avoid contact with everyone.

It was the same when she broke friendly contact with Sakura for the first time.

And that's how Shikamaru found her after his return. Or rather, hadn't found her.

When he came back, he was a little more than surprised, when he didn't see Ino for two days. It was a little too long for her to have a mission; unless, she's...

That's why he was running to the office like crazy.

And when he found out that Ino wasn't a ninja anymore, he proceeded right to the Hokage. He remembered how she was after that incident with Sakura; she refused to talk to everyone, claiming she's alright and doesn't need anything.

But Shika knew it then and now. What she needed most is care and insurance that someone loves her. That day, some childish games that he played with her, were enough to, shake Ino out of misery.

Now, he'll do just the same. However, when he learned the details of the mission, he changed his mind.

Ino wasn't a little girl anymore. This time she needed something else.

Shikamaru was actually glad that Ino wasn't a ninja anymore: spy missions were dangerous. If she was found by an enemy, she would die for sure.

But he also knew that she would slowly die if she were thrown out like that. She needed acceptance like air. It's a known fact, that childhood experience tend to influence their adulthood whether they wish to or not.

Because her best friend threw their friendship away, Ino thought she was not worthy of Sakura. Ever since that, she carried a feeling of lack of acceptation deep inside her heart.

He knew Ino wasn't made for a ninja. She couldn't stand killing and blood.

In their genin days, whenever a bug got on her, it was Shikamaru who had to take it off and squish. She always looked away.

She wasn't made to be a ninja; she was made to be by his side, to always welcome him back, without him worrying about her every second of his life.

Just like his mother was to his father.

So, he gently explained it to Tsunade. He proved that Ino was a very good addiction to Konoha spies. He proved that she was only handed the wrong mission.

Tsunade had no choice but agree. She wanted Ino back.

There was acceptance.

Now it was time for Ino to accept it.

So, when she showed up with him twenty minutes later, she was once again a member of Konoha Shinobi Force. She accepted it but chose to step down. She retired from being a ninja on her own will. It was her decision and, this time, Tsunade accepted it.

From now on, she was always there to welcome him back, to listen, to talk. She found her place.

So, when one night, his father found him in the kitchen, he just smiled knowingly and said:

"You truly are a Nara, my son."

Everyone has a place in his life. Everyone has a mission to fulfill. Shikamaru's mission was to serve to Konoha and his friends. But, most of all, to keep Ino safe. Then he was content. When she was safe, always waiting for him, he felt successful. That's a sign that he completes his lifetime mission.

Ino's role was to wait for him, offer help and understanding. And she did it with real pleasure. Because, as long as he was with her, happy, she was content. She wished nothing more, but this mission to last for a lifetime. And it did.