Sitting in front of her vanity, Ino stared at her bare face. She had just gotten out of the shower and her wet hair dripped on to her thigh as it was gathered to one side of her shoulder to brush. Her skin was youthful; her lips had a lovely natural pink shade to them. She studied herself in the large mirror, a lost in thought expression in her heart shaped face. She was absolutely beautiful yet why was it a gorgeous girl like her couldn't keep a man? What was so revolting about her to think she wasn't worth fighting for; she wasn't worth of anyone's love. She was short tempered, loud mouthed and the jealous type. Surely there was a man who could handle her personality or she'd end up like Kiba's mother, a single mother whose husband ran out on her because he couldn't take her intense personality. Ino's parents adored her and she had many friends whom would stand by her side in battle and she would for them too. But the love she needed, the love her craved, it was withheld from her as if she was being punished for a crime she committed in her past life.

"You're so young, Ino. You have plenty of time to find love. You'll find a man who doesn't see just a beautiful girl. He'll see you for you and love you whole heartedly. Just wait and it will spring up on you when least expect it" Ino's mother was arranging a bouquet, sneaking a mother-knows-best smile at her only daughter as Ino helped with another bouquet.

"Yeah.." Ino gave her mother a weak smile in return.

"Shikamaru is not the only one you'll love, Ino. He's a good man but he too is young. We all make mistakes for the sake of love, hurting ones we never wished to. Before I met your father, I wanted what all young girls wanted. A man to sweep me off my feet and show me the world. And like all girls, I was foolish. I swept myself up, falling hard for men who broke my heart. I had never considered your father. I never gave him a chance and before I knew it, he was amazing. He was loving and I regretted not giving him a chance from the beginning. I married him; he gave me a beautiful daughter who is just that world I had been seeking all along"

"So.. you are saying I should get pregnant to keep a guy?"

"Goodness no! Listen to what I'm trying to tell you!"

After helping her mother, she took a walk to clear her head. She hated when Shikamaru came home from his missions. Seeing him put her in a deeper state of self-pity. She couldn't bring herself to eat. 'If only he had stayed in Konoha instead of always being summoned to Suna.' Kicking a pebble, it hopped along the street and landed off to the side. All the while he was in Suna, Temari put her dry little weasel claws into him. Ino walked in to the hospital, looking for the pink haired medical-nin. Stopping at the information desk, she was about to ask if they could page Sakura to meet her but felt an elbow nudge. Sakura stood next to her, "Hey Ino. What brings you here?"

"Take a bestie-break?"

Sakura nodded and they headed to the Hospital's courtyard. It was a lush green courtyard that was well shaded and plenty of benches on its winding paths among the flower garden. Taking a seat under the blossomed willow tree, Sakura looked up through squinting eyes at the rays of sunlight peering through the willow's branches, "What's going on?"

"You saw them together again too?" Ino was referring to her ex and his new girlfriend. It caught Sakura off guard. To be honest, she didn't want to talk about Shikamaru anymore but her friend needed her to listen. It was the least she could do for listening to her cry over Sasuke long ago but no matter how much she tried helping Ino, she just wasn't moving on.

"I did. They were leaving this morning back to Suna. They looked happy"

Ino frowned at her words. "Some times I wish I could get over him but to give up this love I have for him, feels like I would be betraying him"

"He broke up with you, Ino. He comes home with his new girlfriend, calls her his woman. You shouldn't feel like you're betraying him when he's moved on."

"I keep thinking if only Gaara hadn't requested him so much, he wouldn't have left me. She tempted him with some sand voodoo!"

"She did no such thing. Stop it." Sakura rolled her eyes "We don't know what happened while he was out there. They had always gotten along and a little flirty. He's always liked her, Ino. It was a mutual attraction that was bound to happen-"

"WHILE HE WAS DATING ME!"

"The timing is scummy, I know. But I told you before that I asked him and he said he never cheated on you. I really do believe him. I don't think he could ever do that to you. You're my best friend and Shika is my friend too. I want you both to be happy. But this obsession you have is unhealthy-"

"Uh uh! Sakura Haruno doesn't get to talk about obsession! Should I bring up a certain Uchicha?"

"Ugh! Ino-pig! That's different!"

"Sakura, I didn't fight for Shikamaru when he broke up with me. I avoided him and hide my face in defeat. Maybe it's an obsession or maybe its feeling like I haven't given it my all to make it work. He was pulling away for months and I let him. He gave me some bullshit answer to why he broke up with me. Plus using her brother like that to steal my man was a dirty trick. I should go to Suna and steal him back under her nose" Ino stilled. Realization shining bright in her eyes.

"Oh boy.." Sakura shook her head. She knew that look.

"Wouldn't that be great! Ask the Hokage for permission to train in Suna so I can get Shikamaru back! Fight for him and he'll see how much I love him."

"I think going to Sunagakure is a bad idea. You'd be on Temari's turf and she's not one to ever back down."

"If she starts anything, I'll punch that pig-tailed bitch" her eyes were electric as she practiced punching an imaginary Temari before her.

"Going there is only going to hurt you. Seeing them already makes you depressed but to see them every day? I feel sorrier for Gaara!"

"That's just it! When he was here, he was mine. Gaara requested him repeatedly and Shika left me and got with her. You'll see! Shikamaru will come home and we can put this past year behind us" Ino smiled at her childhood friend.

"And if he doesn't?"

"Then I guess I have my answer.."

"Well, I can't stop you but I'd hate to say I told you so" Sakura frowned. "Plus Tsunade won't just hand over a mission so easily."

"That's where my beeest frieeend comes in" Ino pinched Sakura's cheeks.

"What! No! There's no way I can convince her!" Sakura slapped Ino's hands away.

"Please, Sakura! Isn't this the closure you want too? Either we come back home together- which we will or not and I know I fought for him and can move on"

Ino was right. But what if she still couldn't accept that it was over? Sakura mulled it over. Gaara had in fact requested a spy to help with an internal investigation but Ino wouldn't be Tsunade's first pick or even fifth.

"I mean, you can ask but I doubt she'll approve. Gaara requested help with an investigation but I think she already had someone in mind"

"See! It's a sign! I just have to get her to send me off"

-======= Later on that day =========-

"Hokage, I request a mission in Sunagakure."

"Ino, I don't have time for you right now. I'm busy. If you want a mission, its not going to be for Sunagakure. That's for sure." Tsunade was already annoyed. Her desk overloaded with paperwork and a headache setting in.

Ino dropped to her knees, her elbows out and fingertips touching as she bowed, "Please, Hokage. I request a mission in Sunagakure"

Tsunade looked up from the papers she had been reading previously, "I just told you."

The girl wasn't going to budge. She stayed in her bow, never looking up. Tsunade could see the determination in the younger girl. The Hokage closed her eyes as she spoke, "Is it because Shikamaru Nara is in Sunagakure?" She sounded more annoyed and a bit taunting than she had intended.

"I wish to expand my training. With our close relations to Suna, it would be a safe place to develop new skills"

"You're not fooling me, girl. If I sent you to Sunagakure, I am betting I'd receive a message that they have you in contempt for trying to fight the Kazekage's adviser. I have been lucky so far to not have any jealous outburst from you so far but that's mostly to Temari's credit for not visiting very long"

Ino couldn't help the corners of her mouth from smirking, 'So she's afraid, huh?' "Hokage, I know Gaara requested help of a spy. What better than to send a Yamanaka?" 'Checkmate!'

Godaime Hokage glared, leaning back into her leather chair, "And how would you know about that?"

"I have my sources."

"Sakura." Tsunade accused flatly.

"Sakura" Ino nodded.

"It's true he requested aid of a spy. But you're not ready for missions of that caliber" Tsunade took a sip of her drink.

"I want to prove myself. I spent the last year stuck in a rut. I can prove my abilities and grow stronger. If I can't, Gaara can send me back." Ino looked up, hope in her eyes.

The young girl wasn't fooling Tsunade. She knew Shikamaru was Ino's goal. Shikmaru was clearly happy but Ino couldn't move on yet. Whether it is a negative or positive outcome for the young girl, she needed to see for herself. Team Asuma was all but almost dissolved. This was an issue for Tsunade to have such a rift between them. They were extremely close and worked amazing together. She wasn't able to send them on a mission together for almost a year. Ino needed closure. That was the only way. The only hesitation was the trouble it would cause the Kazekage. Truth was, the Kazekage had requested someone from the Yamanaka clan but did not mention Ino being excluded. Sending Ino was a bad jealous bet. But the girl needed this. 'Sorry, Gaara.'

"Ino Yamanaka! I hereby issue your mission to Sunagakure for two months. You will offer your skills as an infiltrator as he sees fit."

Jumping up, she had a bright, hopeful smile on her face. "Thank you, Hokage! I appreciate this"

"If I get a message from the Kazekage that you are causing him any trouble, you'll be back in this village in a heartbeat. Got it? You are representing Konoha"

"Yes, ma'am!"

"You will leave later this week. I'll send the Kazekage a message that you will be coming."

Ino mentally prepared herself for the rest of the week, racing scenarios through her head. She thought of the look on Sakura's face as Shika and herself came home together, hand in hand. It made her fluttered inside. She was going to bring Shikamaru home with her, she was going to fight for him and show him he was more than just a "boyfriend". He was much more to her heart. She had a strong confidence she hadn't felt in nearly a year. The day Ino leaves, she is sent off by Choji and Sakura. Her parents had given her hugs and hoped her training would go well. She couldn't tell them the reason behind her request to Suna. She didn't want to argue with anyone about her decision.

"Be careful, Ino." Choji hugged her close to him. She ran her fingers through his brown hair, her way of comforting the big guy. Both of his teammates would be in Suna without him. No doubt the Akimichi would feel left out.

"I will, Choji. Shika and I will be back soon"

Ino looked over at the pink haired Shinobi. She wasn't happy and her face showed it. Ino slung her arm out to capture the girl and bring her into the hug.

"Don't make that face, Sakura. You look ugly"

"Shut it, Ino-pig. I'm just worried"

"It'll all be okay, I promise" Ino gave her childhood friend a reassuring squeeze.

"I'll be here when you get back" Sakura gave a weak smile. Choji nodded at what Sakura said, agreeing he'd be there too for his comrade.

"Well, see ya!" Ino waved as she headed past the old familiar gates.

It took Ino almost 2 days to reach Sunagakure. The lush thick green trees gradually thinned out and soon, she was entering into the sand dunes that surrounded the hidden village. Their gate was open and Ino dropped her bag at the entrance, resting a hand on her extended hip. "How the hell could anyone live here?" she muttered, looking at the dry village. Most citizens were wearing wraps and loose clothing to keep cool from the blistering sun.

"I am here to see the Kazekage" Ino appeared in front of the desk in the Kazekage tower leading to Gaara's office.

The red headed secretary seemed annoyed by Ino's presence, "And who are you?"

"Ino Yamanaka of the Leaf Village"

"One moment. Take a seat over there" the thin red head pointed over to a bench. Ino followed and plopped herself down. She was a bit tired from her travels and sitting down was great. She waited for a few minutes before the red head directed her in to Gaara's office. It had been a while since she had last seen him at the chunin exams earlier in the year around town. His face had a smooth complexion and vibrant teal eyes. No doubt the sand armor he used worked as a great exfoliate whether he knew it or not. He was no longer the creepy, dangerous youngster he had been when she first seen his incredible power. Now he was a strong leader whose presence demanded a silent respect and she herself trusted his leadership. He was a good looking man and she could see something rather beautiful about him that she just couldn't quite put her finger on. Standing off to the side of the room was Shikamaru and Gaara's older brother Kankuro. The sight of Shikamaru surprised her and her heart started fluttering; she forced herself to keep her eyes on Gaara. It was after all the first time in almost a year they had been in the same room was each other since their break up.

"Ino, thank you for loaning your skills to our village." Gaara's voice was emotionless as she had known it to be.

"It's not a problem, Kazekage. Our alliance runs deep and I hope I don't let you down"

Gaara had a small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth, "I would normally wait till you've settled in but since I have you here, I'll fill you in. I have some traitors in my village who don't see me fit to be the Kazekage. I don't care what their opinion is of me but they have started attacking their own comrades. Two have been hospitalized already. Kankuro has already begun investigating."

"You want me confirm Kankuro's findings?"

Gaara nodded.

"Simple enough."

"Kankuro and Shikamaru will be helping you"

Kankuro had his arms folded over his chest and Shikamaru's hands were in his pockets, his shoulders were slouched into a lazy stance. Next to one another, Shikamaru was shorter than the puppeteer. He was leaner and toned compared to the broad shoulders of the black clad brother who even under that baggy clothing, Ino could see his arms were muscular.

'Shika..'

"I have arranged living quarters for you. Kankuro will show you to it"

Ino bowed and exited the office with Shikamaru and Kankuro in tow. Shikamaru started walking out to the staircase and Ino felt hurt he didn't greet her. Taking a shaky breath in, she kept telling herself she had two months; hold it together.

"Hey! Lets go" a voice barked at her from her thought. Kankuro was looking over his shoulder at the blonde. He had her bag's strap over his shoulder. Ino 'tch'd', following behind the older man. He didn't talk to her the entire walk. Like most apartment buildings in Suna, they were tall with round windows. The apartment building they entered was no different. Kankuro took out some keys from his pocket and opened the door. It was a small one bedroom that was already furnished with the basics. The bedroom was made with two extra blankets folded neatly on the bed. It wasn't like her bedroom in her parents' home but it was a small piece of independence she secretly had been wanting. It was perfect. Just needed a woman's touch.

Kankuro placed her bag on the couch, handing the keys over to her, "Welcome home for now. I'm right down the hall in 44 in case."

Ino nodded, "Thank you for caring my bag."

"Eh, yeah. No problem. We are gonna meet tomorrow so rest up"

Sighing as Kankuro closed the door behind him, she looked at her bag. She really didn't want to unpack. She dragged it along the floor into the bedroom and started a warm bath. 'So begins operation gimme-back-my-man'