After a unanimous vote, it's been decided that this chapter will be in story POV form. This will be a lot easier for me and hopefully for you guys. It will be spoken in past tense manner, but the events haven't already happened. It's just easier for me to write past tense than present. You'll understand when you read it. Hope you like it!

Ino's POV…

I looked at myself in the mirror. Not…too bad. Of course, I'd always be much for pleased with my ensemble if I could have bore my arms, but that's obviously not an option.

I had my hair swept up in messy yet somewhat formal style that Sakura had shown me at the last dance, and light makeup. Over doing makeup makes people with skin as fair as mine look trashy (AN: If you have fair skin, don't take that offensively please, this is just how I'd imagine Ino would think.) Since I didn't have the fine services of Sakura, although she did offer to come over to get ready together, I would have to suffice with my less-than-perfect makeup applying skills.

I wore a light blue dress that had small sleeves, and hugged my figure just right. It flowed out more at the end, creating a really nice effect when I danced. The neckline of it was embroidered with a bit gold lace, making it look pretty yet still innocent. And of course, a light blue and gold edged shawl to complete the look. I was all set.

After taking a final glance in the mirror for reassurance, I hesitantly took off the shawl. I could feel my fingers shaking as I did so. Why did the scratches scare me so much? I'm the one making them, after all. So why do I get this weird pit in my stomach whenever I see them? I can't possibly be feeling regret for having created them. I mean, I have never regretted cutting myself once as I did it. There is no better feeling then being able to liberate my emotional pains with a simple sharp object.

But I also have a strange feeling…that if Shika hadn't cut me out of his life (no pun intended), he would have been so disappointed in me.

I shook off the remorse. It's not like he would care anyway now. He'd probably just say it's my fault for creating this problem and go on about how stupid I am.

Whatever. Forget him right now. I had to deal with some things.

I took a new powder compact out of my bag and ripped the plastic off. I quickly pried it open and began dabbing my cuts with it relentlessly. It stung a little, as more recent cuts had not completely closed yet, but I bore through the pain. I dabbed until I hid them as best I could. There were faint red lines remaining, but it's better than conspicuous bloody streaks.

I snapped the compact closed and smiled in satisfaction. I was good for now, but I slipped the compact into my small shoulder purse just in case the powder rubbed off on the shawl or anything. I would surely take a few freshening up breaks in the bathroom, so that would be a good time to re-powder my marks.

I pretty much had the evening planned out.

After putting some makeup essentials in my purse, I head for the door. However, I stopped in my tracks as my eyes fell on something balanced on the edge of the bathtub within the bathroom across the hall.

A fresh razor.

My thoughts were going so fast, I couldn't sort out the rational ones from the bad ones. It was as if my shoulder devil and angel were in a word fight, constantly shutting each other up at the beginning of the other's sentence.

Don't, Ino, you'll regret it later- Bring it! What if drama occurs at the party? You will need some way of feeling- Don't listen to that! You know your body Ino, and you know this isn't good for you- It obviously is good for you if it makes you feel better- NO! What would Shikamaru think if he knew you did this to yourself…

I froze as this last thought struck me. Had I not been in panic about keeping my eye makeup in place, I would have let the fighting tear roll. I looked at the ground and recounted one of the days in the shops with Shikamaru. The day he bought me the rose.

"So…why did we come in here again?" Shikamaru, hands rested in pockets, hung his head back and look boringly at the many ceramic animals and objects in the pottery store.

"I dunno, just cause," answered Ino, looking at the price of a pottery cherry blossom. She kept mental note of it for Sakura's birthday. "This place just has a rather relaxing aura, don't you think?" She asked, walking over to him.

Shikamaru took his hands of his pockets and straightened his face. He took on his hard-core thinking face.

"Yeah, I guess it is," he said finally. Ino smiled at his agreement. An awkward silence followed.

"So…" Shikamaru broke the ice. "What have you been up to lately? Still running the flower shop?" Ino mentally giggled at the small talk attempt, before falling silent in remembering what became of her family's beloved flower shop.

"Afraid not," she answered silently. "It was burnt to the ground in a battle." Shikamaru went pale.

"I'm so sorry to hear," he said, taking her hand and closing it in his own.

"It's alright, I just wish I could have had something to remember it with," she said. "I always want to have at least one object to help me never forget something I…" she looked at Shikamaru nervously. "Love."

At this, Shikamaru walked right past Ino and to another part of the shop. He came back with a small delicate pottery piece in his hand. Ino tilted her head questioningly.

"Here," he said handing it to her. "I'm going to buy this for you. That way, you will never forget memories made in the flower shop, or with…y'know…" Shikamaru turned a bit red as he scratched the back of his head. "Me."

Ino lightened up and looked at Shikamaru caringly as he walked to the cashier to pay for the pottery piece.. She had to tell him. This was the perfect time.

"Shikamaru…" Ino lightly pulled Shikamaru back over to her by his shoulder. "I have to tell you something…"

My mind tightened up. I knew very well what happened after that part. It was just then my shoulder devil took me over.

…Well he's not here, is he? And even if he were, why would he care about someone as heartless as you?

Without any more debate, I walked to the bathroom and put the razor right in my purse.

Don't worry. Things will brighten up Ino's future. Look for the next chappies soon!!!!!!

Sorry Doodlebop, no mad skillz today. I have no songs in mind : ( Feel free to recommend.