AN: Alright, I've typed the chapter after this, but right now I only have the copies I've saved in e-mail because the regular computer is freaking out. Like the monitor, I dunno, I'll get it sorted out. But either way, here's the new chapter! Once again, short, sorry about that, but please read and review.

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"It's getting late," Shikamaru said, observing the darkened sky, "Let me walk you home."

Saeko nodded as she walked with Shikamaru back to her house. She opened the door and felt her stomach fall.

"Kabuto," Saeko whispered as she found him once again seated on her couch.

"You've already tried to replace me I see," Kabuto said, looking at Shikamaru, "Tsk tsk what a sad specimen, still just a boy."

Saeko held Shikamaru back as he began to walk towards Kabuto.

"Don't let him get to you," Saeko whispered to Shikamaru, "It's what he wants."

Shikamaru nodded and relaxed his stance.

"What are you doing here?" Saeko glared at Kabuto, "I thought I told you to get out."

"I'm giving you one last chance," Kabuto said, "If you apologize for throwing me out I'll take you back."

"Me apologize to you?" Saeko said in disbelief, "After you did the one thing that would make me so mad. After you broke my heart? I have a true friend now, Kabuto. Someone who won't hurt let me get hurt and when they say something they mean it."

"This weak thing?" Kabuto scoffed, "You've known hi m for what? A day? A rebound relationship that won't last."

"I've known him for a long time," Saeko said, her voice weakening, "But it was today that we really talked. He's not my boyfriend, he's just a friend, but even if he was it wouldn't be any of your business."

"What kind of a friend would let you be verbally assaulted?" Kabuto questioned.

"Shikamaru knows I need to get through this myself," Saeko said before counting, "What kind of man would verbally abuse his ex-girlfriend?"

"Ah, Shikamaru… Nara Shikamaru is it?" Kabuto smirked, "One of the laziest ninja families who ever lived. How could he protect you?"

"I would protect her against anything," Shikamaru said, "Especially troublesome people like you."

"You think you could defeat me?" Kabuto laughed.

"Only if you forced me to," Shikamaru replied.

"Is that a challenge?" Kabuto smirked.

"No!" Saeko cried out, "I won't let you fight. Leave, Kabuto, leave now."

"If I leave I won't be responsible if you get hurt later," Kabuto said, his voice wavering and different than his usual cool tone, "If Orochimaru wants to get rid of you…"

"I've done nothing to Orochimaru," Saeko said, "Even if I had I can protect myself."

"And I'd help protect you," Shikamaru said, stepping in front of her, "Now leave, Kabuto."

Kabuto bowed slightly before smirking and walking out the door.

"Shikamaru," Saeko whispered, "Will you stay here tonight and sleep on the couch? I'm scared."

"Of course," Shikamaru said instantly.

Saeko handed him a blanket before walking into her room and changing into a night gown. She fell asleep quickly but was plagued with nightmare of Orochimaru and Kabuto coming to hurt her with Shikamaru lying on the floor in front of her, dead. She woke suddenly and walked into the living room.

She watched Shikamaru's chest rise and fall for a few minutes before calming down. She started walking back to her room silently but the floor creaked under her feet.

"Saeko?" Shikamaru asked drowsily, "Are you okay?"

"Nightmares," Saeko shook as she walked to the couch and lay next to Shikamaru, "Please don't ever let me go."

Shikamaru wrapped his arms rightly around her and wrapped the blanket around both of them.

"I won't," he whispered as she drifted off to sleep.

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AN: Okay, Kabuto is actually one of my favorite characters but it's easy to write him as evil. I will make a fanfic sometime where he's a nice guy, so, uh... woo! Anyways, thanks for reading, and yeah, I know, a bit cheesy but cute, right? Let me know what you think.