Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto

Pairings: InoxShikamaru TentenxNeji SakuraxSasuke HiantaxNaruto

I didn't update in a while huh? Well here it is!

Ino leaned into a warm sensation that made her shiver. Her skin was tingling as she heard the faint sound of laughter. She felt like she was floating, yet touching the ground. Ino was to preoccupied with the sound to notice that the light was growing brighter and brighter. In her hands there was a bundle as she seemed to be brought back down. The light suddenly flashed and a tapping sound could be heard. The illusion was fading and warmth was disappearing. "D-don't g-go please." Ino cried out. The echo of her voice was fading away. She held the bundle close to her and cried. The tapping returned and this time she ran. She ran as fast as she could panting heavily. Ino could now clearly hear something heading for her. The hand was cold as it touched her cheek. The girl screamed and opened her eyes to see a dark room.

'So it was just a dream.' Ino's hands were clutching the blanket covering her and panting. When she breathed out, her breath was seen in small puffs. Her skin was covered and goose bumps and she wasn't sure weather it was because of the dream or the temperature. The blonde stood up, realizing that everything was in the exact place she left it her face dropped. The note hadn't move from its place which meant that Shikamaru had not returned home. Her breath became uneven and she checked to see if the power was working by turning on a light switch. The light turned on and Ino began to squint.

It was very bright and the rest of the room was very dark before.

The girl adjusted the heat and headed up the stairs. Ino took her pillow and blanket with her. 'Shika still isn't home.' She sighed as she opened the door to her room. Crimson petals lay on her bed untouched, perfect as they were the day before. Through the window of the balcony white snow lay in little bumps that flowed smoothly. This made Ino smile a bit as she headed for her closet.

When she got in, the girl picked out a plain white shirt and a white skirt. Ino didn't feel like dressing up today. Anyone who saw her like this would be in absolute shock. Ino went into the bathroom and placed her clothing on the counter. The blonde locked the door. The mirror seemed to reflect every bit of sorrow the girl was feeling. "At least I don't have any work to do besides chores." Ino whispered in a raspy voice. Sleeping with no heat on with only a thin blanket could cause things like this.

Ino began to take off her clothes and the cold air stung her sensitive skin. Ino never thought that she could tolerate much pain, and the girl thought that she shouldn't be a ninja. During the chunnin exams, fighting Sakura hurt badly. The pain was so excruciating but her ego was in the way and she didn't give up. Ino pulled a roll of bandages from the cabinet next to her and began to wrap herself. The bandages covered from her fingertips to mid thigh. The girl then slipped on her clothes and smoothed them out. Her head rose to meet her reflection in the mirror. It seemed to pity her. That was the last thing Ino wanted to see. 'I don't need any pity.' She turned her head away and grabbed a small towel.

Ino turned on hot water and washed the towel. The liquid was soothing, just like when Shikamaru and she were together. Ino washed her face gently wiping away all the sleep from her eyes. The makeup from yesterday also washed off as she scrubbed her face clean. When she was done, she grabbed her dirty clothes and left for the laundry room.

There were piles and piles of clothing that needed to be washed. When you had regular missions, you had no time for things like laundry. 'I really have to stop pushing laundry off.' Ino stuffed all the clothes into the washing machine and started the wash cycle.

All of a sudden, there was a low grumbling noise. It was her stomach. It was only then that Ino realize how hungry she was. The kunoichi headed for the kitchen and saw that she had forgotten to put everything in the refrigerator. Ino decided to eat a bowl of instant noodles and poured some boiling water into the cup. While she was waiting for her food to heat up, she slid the cake and pasta into the refrigerator. By the time she was done, her noodles were ready to eat. She took her chop sticks and smiled. Ino ate heartily eating every last noodle. She licked her lips and threw out the disposable chop sticks and noodle cup.

"What should I do today?" Ino asked herself. "I could go shopping at a downtown fair. Konoha had many street fairs and stores. Or maybe I could go to a friend's house." Ino thought for a while then came to a decision. "I'll go to the street fairs!" Ino exclaimed and run upstairs. Ino took her locket attached it to a silver belt with little hoops that made it up. She then grabbed her purse and her white leather jacket. The girl walked down the stairs and slipped on a pair of white boots with its insides laced with faux fur. It looked real enough thought. She opened the door and closed it behind her when she got out. Ino took the elevator and pushed the button. The elevator door closed as it began its decent.

When she reached the first level of her apartment, she went out the door and began to walk waving her hands for a taxi. A yellow taxicab stopped and allowed her to get in. She told the driver where she wanted to go. The location however was not downtown. It was the place where her Shika-kun loved to watch clouds. Ino looked out the window and marveled at how perfect the snow looked. It was so magical.

When Ino arrived, she paid the driver and walked out. The taxi drove away and Ino walked slowly thought the park. The trees were bear yet the scene was still breathtaking. Then she thought she heard talking. The blonde listened closely and indeed she heard talking. The voices were faintly familiar. Then in the distance she saw red and black. She immediately knew on of the people. "Kazekage-sama!" Ino yelled.

Gaara had decided to go somewhere quiet because Temari was gone and he was therefore bored. Kankuro, being the annoying older brother that he was, insisted he came along. When Gaara had become Kazekage, he had been a little more open. Temari claimed that it was good progress. Gaara just thought it was girl talk and didn't listen. Today, Temari had left to go meet up with someone and Gaara wanted to go somewhere quiet to think. He found the park and he went there to think. Kankuro followed him the whole time.

Kankuro had found himself a girlfriend and bragged about her all the time. After a couple minutes, Kankuro became bored and decided to start conversation. "Gaara, do you think you'll ever find a girl?" It was just an innocent question.

"I have no need for one." Gaara responded coldly.

"Oh, come on. You must like someone. Love is necessary in a person's life. Without it, you'll go insane." Kankuro stated waving his arms around for emphasis.

"I said that I didn't need one. And have you forgotten what's on my forehead."

"Well, I'm going to make sure you find one. The next girl I find that is around your age will go out with you!" Kankuro vowed. Gaara sighed, his brother would probably fail.

Then as Kankuro was talking about what to and not to do, a voice called out, "Kazekage-sama." The both of them looked towards where the sound was coming from. "Oi! Gaara!" Ino waved furiously as she approached the two brothers. When Ino finally reached the two she panted and thought something was missing.

Kankuro stepped up to her and asked, "Would you like to go out with my brother?"

Ino blushed and screamed, "Excuse me! I'm taken!" She smacked Kankuro on his face. The older of the sand siblings stumbled back. Gaara proceeded to glare at his older brother while he was rubbing his sore cheek.

"Ouch. I didn't know. Who is it? Shino?" Kankuro snickered. Ino smacked his again and crossed her arms across her chest.

"And for your information, it's Shikamaru." Ino retorted. Kankuro looked down as Gaara glared at him. No matter how much Gaara opened up, he still glared 80 of the time.

"I didn't know." Kankuro repeated. "Hey Gaara, did you know?"

"Yes." Gaara said. Then he turned to Ino and apologized. "Ino, I'm sorry for that. My brother is an idiot.

Kankuro flailed his hands out widely. "Why didn't you tell me if you knew? I have a right to know these things before I go make a fool out of myself.' Ino giggled and waved goodbye leaving the two standing in the cold.

Ino's smile was wide as she sat down on a bench and looked up at the sky. Her heart was content yet it was still empty. Ino closed her eyes and tried to think back to the dream she had. 'It seemed so perfect, until the darkness enveloped everything.' Ino had always wanted to fly. It was what she dreamed about as a child. She would be fascinated with the clouds and birds were among her favorite animals.

As Ino was thinking her cell phone rang. Waking out of her reverie, the girl took out her phone.

Ino: Hello. This is Yamanaka Ino.

Hinata: Ino-chan! It's Hinata.

Ino: Hinata-chan, what's up?

Hinata: Apparently Naruto-kun has to meet with Neji-nii san and Sasuke-kun. Can I go over to your house? I feel lonely and I have nothing to do. If your not busy maybe I can bring the dress I have to wear to Tenten's wedding. If you're not busy that is.

Ino: Wow that was a mouthful. I guess you could come over.

Hinata: Great, I'll be there soon.

Ino: Wait, can you pick me up? I'm at the park in the center of town.

Hinata: Sure. I'll be right over.

Ino: Ja ne.

Ino walked over to the main entrance of the park. Looking at the clouds ever step of the way. It tore at the kunoichi's heart that her lazy genius wasn't home yet. When Ino reached the entrance, she sat on a bench and stared at the fountain in the shape of a giant flame. It had all the names of the rookie nine, which Ino was proud to be a part of. It also had Neji, Tenten, and Rock Lee's name on it. It was a fountain dedicated to the youth of the Fire Country that became some of the most well known ninjas throughout the entire world. The fountain was no operational in the winter for obvious reasons but was still marveled at.

Ino sat waiting for her friend to arrive. The cold air brushing against her pale skin made her shiver. Somehow, it was all okay. Something told her everything would be alright. It told her Shika was alright and that he would return. Then again, how could anyone ever possibly be sure?

Thank you for reading!