A/N: I just came back from my friend's birthday party. It was sooo great!

Anyways, please review! I'm so sorry for making Sasuke OOC. I hope that later chapters will explain it at least a bit.

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto


He didn't know what possessed him to do such. His original plan was to go back to Konoha and show everyone the body of Orochimaru. He never wanted to save any kunoichi nor did he want to kiss her.

And on top of it, he didn't kiss her on the lips. No, he kissed her neck, cheeks, shoulders, even ears- but not lips.

Why not? And why was he now wandering through the forest with Orochimaru's head in his bag and an unconscious girl in his arms?

Maybe...maybe because of that letter...or maybe because of what Itachi said to him on their last encounter.

Right now, he had to reach Konoha, dump that girl in the hospital and show Tsunade Orochimaru's head. Then, he could do whatever he wanted...

...but that meant possibly death.

He wasn't able to kill his brother. He wasn't able...so, if Itachi was right about him being weak, maybe he was also right about this girl...

"No", Sasuke thought, his speed increasing, "I won't mess her into it. I don't want her to experience the same thing as me. Itachi...Itachi has to think I died from his hands. Itachi can't know about...

...her. I'll tell Tsunade everything. Every detail. Every crime I made. Every shinobi of Leaf I killed. Then she'll do whatever she has to do."

As he started to run, he looked once again at the sleeping girl in his arms.

"I will protect her. I owe it to you, Nara. But you know what? You were right about her. She really is..."

He didn't dare to finish this thought.

Am I...dead? Shikamaru, shouldn't you be with me?

"Ino".

"Sakura."

The pink haired kunoichi sat by her, adjusting her pillows and sheets on the hospital bed.

"Ino...what happened during your mission? We found you outside the hospital, almost healed. And...just after that" Sakura couldn't bring herself to say the breaking news to Ino,"...just...what happened?"

"Sakura," Ino exhaled deeply, although she didn't know why was she so happy to be with her. "I remember that a trap was activated and...that...my teammates are dead...and...someone saved..."

"Was it Sasuke?" Sakura asked in a sharp tone. The surprise on Ino's face was evident.

"So...it wasn't a dream..." The blond kunoichi murmured softly.

"So, that's how it is. That explains at least a little bit." Sakura took a deep breath. "Ino, Tsunade requested to see you, and I think you're healed enough to see her."

"Can I...first..."

"Of course," Sakura's face soften. It wasn't her job to tell Ino what exactly happened. It was Tsunade's. "I'm sure she'll understand."

Shikamaru, I'm back. I'm alive. It shouldn't be like this, you know? You should be here, with me, welcoming me back, congratulating a successful mission. Where are you, Shika? Are you already in my heart?

"No," Ino whispered, clutching her chest tightly, " You were always there."

A moment of silence.

"I have to go. Maybe this time we'll meet."

Is my fate to wait and hope for death?

"Yamanaka Ino reporting to duty, Hokage-Sama." said Ino, stepping into the office.

"Ino. Sit down."

As Ino sat, Tsunade looked at the young girl. Something wasn't right...her previous bossy and demanding character disappeared long ago, about two years...but at least she could see the will to live before and now...her blue eyes seemed duller...as if the girl was begging death to come for her.

It still has to do something with the Nara's death, I think...

"Ino, I know what you feel. I know that it's hard to continue living without him." She said softly. "I wasn't much younger than you when I lost my first precious person. My younger brother, so cheerful." She smiled at the memory. "He was so much like Naruto, also wanting to become the next Hokage. Just like Uzumaki, he always said he wanted to protect the village and everyone in it- everyone important to him." Her eyes shimmered with the memories. "It hurt. Sometimes I wanted to die. I continued with life but I couldn't live."

"Hokage-Sama...why are you telling me this?"

"But both, my brother and Nara-San did what was important to them. They did what they thought was right. Even if they gave their lives for it, it was something they believed in, something they thought was worth dying for." she carried on speaking, as if Ino wasn't there anymore. "If that's the case, maybe I can think they died happy."

"But...why him...it hurts so much..." Tears were now flowing slowly on Ino's cheeks and falling from her chin. "Chouji told me that he...he...always he...I...too...I..." Giving up communication by using speech, she simply grasped the hand of the older woman and sat in silence, slightly sobbing and hiccuping, knowing that Tsunade understood what she was trying to tell her.

"Yamanaka-San," Tsunade broke the silence, seeing as the girl was calmer now. Or maybe she cried all the tears she had. "I have a new mission for you. As you may know, Sasuke returned, killing Orochimaru."

"He...did?" Asked Ino dully, still uncaring. Sasuke could do a polka dance in a pink tutu and she wouldn't be surprised.

The Hokage slowly closed her eyes.

Shikamaru, I hope you'll not hate me for this.

SLAP!

Ino's head was turned to the side, cheek red with a hand print.

"Ino Yamanaka! I am very disappointed with you! Up till now, you carried your duties successfully! What changed?"

"I'm sorry...Hokage-Sama...it's just...I thought I would finally die...and..."

"Well, you didn't die. I thought you'd be used to this kind of lifestyle by now...especially..."

"Yes, Hokage-Sama." Ino didn't want to hear the ending." I am ready for your orders."

"Good. So, as I was saying, Sasuke Uchiha returned. He told me some...interesting things but I'm afraid that he's hiding something even more interesting. He is currently kept in my cell. I want you to use your mind techniques and see everything that he has in his mind. Every memory. Every detail."

Then, maybe you'll understand...Shikamaru...I'm not sure if what you did was right...I hope so...

"I've already told everyone that you have my permission to enter it. And..." slightly hesitating, Tsunade got up, followed by Ino. "Maybe...you could talk to Sakura. I let her visit him, just once."

"I will. And...Thank you." Ino bowed slightly, going out.

Only you can understand Ino...

---

"I heard you visited him, Sakura."

No answer.

"Tell me, how is he? I'm going to visit him tomorrow, so..."

"...Cold and silent."

"Oh."

"He said I was annoying. He said that he hated me. He said that...that..." Sakura broke into tears, burying her head in her knees. "His eyes...they told me everything. I...always...I..."

Ino closed her eyes, one arm embracing Sakura's shoulders.

Shikamaru...I didn't die. I'm sorry, we can't be together, not yet. But...as soon as I...I...will...I will die soon, I can feel it. Don't worry, I won't kill myself. I couldn't do that anyway, ne, Shika? I couldn't...you...

Her tears also falling, she suddenly pressed Sakura's head on her shoulder.

"I'm sorry, Ino...I...so stupid...I'm..." Sakura was choking on her tears and sobs. "It had to awful when he died, right? At least Sasuke is still alive...and..."

"Yes," Ino whimpered, somehow her head finding place on Sakura chest, the medic's hand stroking her blond head. "But...then Chouji told me what Shika felt when he was dying...and I... thought how I was always waiting for him, never being able to see him enough. He died...Shikamaru died and I stayed alive. I shouldn't have...I...Shikamaru...you know, he always protected me. And now, when it's too late I saw him...I saw his open heart and arms. I saw...If only I could...turn back time...if only I could feel his arms around me just one more time...him kissing me, even just a mere peck on a cheek...I would gladly give my life for it." Sakura's shirt was already wet, but she paid no attention. Her best friend was finally letting out her misery, breaking the shell she had from that dreadful day...she was finally moving on. "Shhh...Ino, shhh..." It was Sakura's turn to be comforting. "You know, I think Shikamaru felt the same. That's why he died happy. And now...now he's probably watching you, lying on a cloud...and hearing all these things is making him so happy...you just made him so happy...so happy...that if he could, he would probably dance. Even if it's so troublesome." Sakura chuckled lightly, feeling her own eyes watering again. Sasuke, Shikamaru...why them?

"You will see him someday Ino. One day...maybe you'll see him as a cloud, as a bird or somebody...and...as long as he's in your heart, you'll see him in everything that's good. You will..." unable to continue, Sakura cried with her friend, hugging her tightly.

After a while, she stood up, pulling a dizzy Ino with her.

"You have a mission starting tomorrow. You need a strong mind." You need to bring him back, Sakura thought but she didn't say it. She didn't want to put pressure on Ino. "Go home and rest."

Both went in different direction. The sun was setting.

When she came on a small road, her house barely visible, the stars started to show. A gentle, violet shade was coloring the sky, mixing with gentle blue.

So beautiful...Shikamaru, you're here, right? That's you, ne?

As cold wind passed her, playing with the wet strands of her hair and she thought she heard his warm voice whispering something to her ear.

Yes, Ino. I'm here.


A/N: Well, from the next or the one after the next, I'm moving this fic into Sasuke x Ino category. Please, review!