A/N: I made it! Yatta! Half an hour before midnight in my country!This update is in honour of my dearest friend. Now, everyone let's sing for her:

(Chours)

Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday, Dear Ola, Happy birthday to you!

Yup, since16.03.06 my friend has 15 years! So, I dedicate this update for her!

I'll be having my birthday on 3rd September... TT-TT So long...

I'm sorry for the long wait, but my chemistry test, biology test ( I got a B+ even though I studied sooo hard! Can you believe it?) and two english competitions really made me a little busy. BTW, I got the 2nd place in one of them...the result of the other on aren't out yet, so...Alright, enough with my ramblings.

Guys, I beg you, review! And check out my other stories too .

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto

Everything was hazy. Slowly, she began to recognize the bridge, where Team 7 spent many exciting hours, waiting for their teacher. This time was no different. Sakura, Naruto and Sasuke were currently standing on a bridge, Sakura quarreling loudly with Naruto; just opposite to Sasuke, who was standing silently, looking away from the future hokage and his wife.

Ino was just starting to wonder why were she here, when three familiar figures appeared in the distance.

Although the road through the bridge was longer to their training grounds, Ino always insisted to take it. That way, she could meet her precious Sasuke at least once a day.

Right now, Ino looked away embarrassed, when her younger self glommed Uchiha, provoking the Haruno girl. Turning her head, she focused on the young Nara. His lazy expression hadn't changed but years of training as a spy, taught her to read people's thoughts and feelings by the language of their body.

So, Ino saw it. She saw his tightly clenched fists, the slumping of his arms, slight bowing of his head and the way he tore his eyes from the scene on the bridge. She also saw his deepening, with every second, scowl.

It was obviously anger. Maybe even jealousy...

After about two minutes the boy started to walk towards their training grounds, muttering something about Asuma and being late, while tugging gently Ino from Sasuke.

Unnoticed, Ino went after them, the younger Yamanaka continuously screaming her undying love for the Uchiha prodigy, while the older wanted to crush his head until it fit into the blender.

"Shikamaru cried because of that damned traitor..."

It didn't take long for them to get to the training grounds. Asuma was already there. He was saying something about training, while Ino stared at Shika, amazed by her sudden discovery.

Shikamaru was very well built.

It wasn't anything amazing for a ninja, but she never actually saw Shika training taijutsu. Their teacher put pressure on ninjutsu and genjutsu, completely ignoring taijutsu. Shikamaru's family shadow techniques don't require moving at all, except for hand seals. And she could see through his fishnet shirt that not only both his arms were pretty good built, but also his chest.

And she could remember that in the future, he'll be even better muscled...even if his work involved sitting and thinking about various Konoha equipment or mission plans.

"Even for a genius, it's impossible..."

Suddenly, the sky changed. It was a lot later; hours had to pass.

Asuma departed, Chouji ran away just like Ino, leaving Shika alone, slowly heading towards his house.

Once again, Ino started to wonder what she should do. Should she go after Shika or herself? And why was she here in the first place? Her thoughts were interrupted when the familiar tall and slim boy stepped in the picture. Ino frowned. What was he doing here? Had he lost something? Or maybe-

She never finished this thought. A loud crack echoed through the training area. His fist landed straightly in the wooden pole.

Ino saw the familiar posture of his body. The one he had when she glommed Sasuke...

And suddenly, a brief but vivid memory passed her mind.

A five-year old boy, with spiky ponytail, was handing her a tissue.

"Don't keep it to yourself. Cry. Don't worry, I won't tell anyone. Just cry, please. You'll feel better."

That day she cried. That was her way of letting all her hurt of.

Looks like Shika found a different way of getting rid all his pain.

"No wonder he's so well-built. I gave him a lot of reasons to be angry..."

The last thing she saw, was the furious kick Shika gave the wooden post, before stomping away.

"Wham!"

Shikamaru hissed in pain. It was already two weeks. Two weeks, since he hadn't seen her bright eyes and smile. Two weeks, she lay in the hospital, sleeping, with him constantly by her side, whether sitting by the desk or laying in the nearby bed.

Shika always had a great sense of responsibility. Even if no one blamed him, he did. And, the feeling of being helpless always brought that memory. The memory, when he failed for the first time.

The memory when he failed Ino for the first time.

He couldn't look her in the face for weeks.

Right now, he needed to escape. Even if for a short while, he had to leave Ino. The trouble is that even though he left her body, the memories of her still stayed in his mind.

"Wham!"

More blood splattered from his fist onto the pole.

"I failed you, Ino..."

"Wham!"

Now, the blood from his leg mixed with the blood on the post.

"If it weren't for MY damned trap..."

"Wham!"

The blood from the second fist, joined.

"...Ino would've never gotten hurt..."

"Wham!"

The blood from his second leg splattered on the pole, covering the last not-bloodied surface.

"Ino, forgive me..."

The cracks stopped.

It was a tradition for Shikamaru. Every time, which happened very rarely, his plan failed, hurting someone, he went to his old training area. Usually, the familiar view reminded him what's it like to be a shinobi.

This time, even painting the pole with his blood, didn't help. Ignoring his torn trousers and sleeves of his shirt, he quickly went to the hospital.

He needed to be near Ino again.

This time, she was on a field. Asuma and Shikamaru were the only one present.

"What do you mean you won't be able to complete this mission with us? You're our teacher! It's not fair that we get to do some troublesome work for you, that you get paid for, I might add, so that you can see Kurenai-sensei..."

Ino almost laughed at the blush that spread through Asuma's cheeks.

"Because, if you won't do it, I'll make your life miserable. Is that enough?"

"...What troublesome mission do we get to do this time?"

"Good boy. You'll tell Ino and Chouji, ne? Well, it looks like some old ha- err, lady, lost her favorite necklace. Somewhere in this field. So you get to find it! Isn't that..."

"...troublesome? Yes, yes it is. This field is HUGE. And one, small necklace laying in this tall grass. Three genins to find it. With no byakugan. Why do you always chose the worst mission for us?"

"Because I'm evil. Now, good luck!"

Ino started giggling at the boy expression, when their teacher disappeared.

Then she heard some rustling behind her. Chouji was coming, with Ino slightly swerving behind him.

"Hey, Shika sorry for being late! You see, my mom cooked me this..."

Ino looked at her younger self. She was obviously sick. Rosy cheeks, slight panting, sweat on the forehead and ruffled hair.

Shika obviously thought the same, looking at her with a scowl and worry in his eyes.

"So, anyways, what's the mission today?"

Chouji didn't seem to notice anything except his chips.

"Asuma gave us a day off, so he could spy on Kurenai-sensei."

Younger Ino looked up with mild interest while the older gaped.

"Ino, go home, when we'll have a mission tomorrow, you may faint. And eat something, you got it?"

Her younger self, obviously too tired to argue, nodded and slowly headed towards her home.

Chouji was about to go too, in the same direction where Ichiraku stood, when Shika grabbed his chubby arm.

"Make sure she'll get home safely, alright? And make sure she'll eat something healthy and warm. I'll treat you barbecue later."

Chouji looked disgusted, which was really strange since Shika said the word "Barbecue".

"Are you kidding me? Of course I'll do it, she's out teammate! I don't need a payment for it! Besides, I'm waiting for the cake at your wedding..."

Shika stared at him blankly, before giving him a slight push.

"Just go and do it!"

When Chouji ran away, grinning, he sighed and looked at his retreating form with regret.

"Now, as for that damned necklace..."

Everything started spinning and turning black. But before it disappeared completely, she could remember herself, crying out with surprise.

"I thought we completed only 5 D missions! I was sure..."

"You're so stupid, you can't even count properly. We have 6 D missions completed and that's it".