Well here it is! Chapter 8. Comin' to an end soon. Once again I apologize for this story. It's not as bad of a cliff hanger as chapter six but I am going on a trip next week and I don't know when chapter 9 will get done. but thats in the future. For now, enjoy.

"SHIKAMARU! Shikamaru!!" He wasn't there! He wasn't there! Dear GOD, where was he?!?! "SHIKAMARU!!"

There was no answer to her frightened pleas. Only laughter, cold, cruel laughter that Ino had prayed she would never hear again. And then…

"Ino! Ino, snap out of it!" It was Shikamaru's voice that brought her back to reality. He was there, shaking her with concern written over his face. Ino's face looked so relieved when she saw him, Shikamaru couldn't help but laugh softly at her, "What the hell is wrong with you?"

"Shikamaru!" She knew he was laughing at her. She didn't mind. Ino had a feeling that being in love with Shikamaru meant you were laughed at quite a bit. It was enough that he was there.

Ino threw her arms around him and Shika could feel warm tears splashing against his chest. Now he was entirely lost but he held her close and stroked her hair as he would comfort a child.

It was a long time before Ino could speak. When she finally got the words out, they were soft and broken apart. "I dreamed… you were gone… I couldn't find you… I couldn't… He-"

"Shhh…" Shikamaru didn't need to hear anymore and it obviously hurt Ino to talk about it, "Troublesome woman… you know I wouldn't leave you."

"I love you, Shika."

"Mmm." He kissed her softly and got up out of the bed, "Come on. Let's get out of here."

Ino nodded. "Clothes?" She asked.

"Most definitely." Shikamaru grinned at her naked body, "In the closet over there. To your left."

"No bras, I suppose." Ino sighed, selecting a t-shirt dubiously.

"No." Shikamaru said, putting on a dark pair of pants "Don't get picky, okay? I'm surprised they haven't-" It was only a moment, a brief second of instinct that told him they were in danger.

"Hide."

"Shika."

"Bathroom. Now!"

Ino complied immediately and locked the door soundlessly behind her. Shikamaru glance quickly around the apartment. No time to hide the evidence.

You may have to fight your way out of this one. He bit his lip and braced himself.

BAM!! The door was kicked in and Sasuke entered. His face was cold, impassive, as soldier on a raid. He was followed by Orochimaru and two guards.

"Alright, Nara, where is she?"

Shikamaru said nothing.

"You're going to make me guess, are you?" Sasuke raised his eyebrows, "Someone's rebellious."

"Shadow Neck Bind!"

"Sharingan!"

Shikamaru was thrown backwards, his body slammed against the back wall with a dark hand circled round his own neck. Fuckin' Copycat! He thought as he desperately tried to free himself.

"Sasuke!" Orochimaru exclaimed in horror, "I want him alive, Sasuke!"

Sasuke shrugged and lessened his grip around Shikamaru's neck. "Restrain him." He ordered the two guards.

The two men trotted quickly over to him and ruthlessly pulled Shikamaru's arms behind him, tying the tightly. Sasuke released the shadow neck bind and Shikamaru was forced to his knees. Orochimaru saddled forward and leaned into him.

"Shika, Shika, Shika…" He sighed, "You really are a fool."

"This one's locked." Sasuke called outside of the bathroom.

Ino-!

"Open it!"

Ino, get out of there! Ino!-

"One thousand birds!"

The door was annihilated in a storm of electricity and he could hear Ino's voice shouting, "Mind Body Disturbance!"

"Body Flicker!" A puff of smoke and a second later, his hand was around Ino's neck, lifting her clear off the ground.

"Bring her out."

"MOTHERFUCKERS!!" Shikamaru shouted, rising, forgetting his bonds, "I'LL FUCKING KILL YOU!!!"

"Don't move, Shikamaru." Sasuke said calmly, "If I use One Thousand Birds right now, she'll be dead long before you could reach me. Now get down."

He was right and Shikamaru knew it. His hands were once again out of commission and all he could do was watch helplessly. Ino had managed to pull the t-shirt on before Sasuke had captured her. Her bare leg flailed in the air and she gasped for air, vainly trying to peel his fingers away.

"Sh-Shika-!" She managed to whisper and their eyes locked.

I'm sorry! I promised I'd protect you…

Help…me…

"Shikamaru!" Orochimaru said, "We're back at the bargaining table again, now, aren't we? I've given up on Ino Yamanaka. She no longer interests me. The mind body switch is useless if I have to leave my own form to use it. It hasn't done her much good, has it?" He chuckled humorlessly, "But you, Shikamaru. You're still a hot commodity. I'm not a patient man but I've waited quite sometime to possess you. All of you…your technique… your body…" His long snake like tongue protruded and he licked his lips greedily, sending an involuntary shudder through Shikamaru's body, "Now the question is, what will you do…to ensure her safety?"

"Shika!" Ino gasped, looking straight at him, "Don't-"

I have to.

"Let her go." He ordered.

"Why should I?" Orochimaru grinned.

"Because you'll get me…" He hesitated, "All of me."

Orochimaru raised his eyebrows, "Intriguing. All of you. Does that mean your body as well?"

"Aye…" Shikamaru said, not looking at Ino.

"For how long?"

He looked up, "What?"

"For how long?" Orochimaru laughed, "I know you, Shikamaru. I know how your conniving little brain works. You'll wait until that wench over there is safely free of our walls and then all you'll be able to say is "No, no, no." How long do I get power over your body?"

"A year."

"Kill her."

Sasuke's hand tightened and Ino gurgled, desperately trying to pry his fingers loose. "No!" Shikamaru shouted.

"Then make another offer!" Orochimaru ordered, "Quickly before she runs out of air!"

"Two years! Please, Orochimaru, two years!"

"Two years? Shikamaru…" The snake lord clicked his tongue sadly, "For such a pretty girl? You can do better than that!"

"Shika-!" Ino gasped, "Shika, don't-!"

"Three years!"

"No!" Tears filled her eyes but Orochimaru smiled.

"Three years is acceptable. Let her go, Sasuke." The Uchiha complied and Ino dropped unceremoniously to the ground, gasping for air.

"Cut Nara's bonds." Sasuke ordered the guards, "Don't do anything stupid, Shikamaru, or it'll be worse for you."

"She'll be let go?" Shikamaru asked, "Back to Konoha."

"You have my word she'll never see the inside of one of my prisons again." Orochimaru smiled, "We'll leave you two alone. One final good bye."

The door slammed close behind them and Shikamaru went to her. Ino had regained her breath but now her body trembled and quaked with sobs. It hurt him to watch her cry like that, like the world was ending.

"Ino…" He whispered, his own eyes welling with sadness, "Ino, shh… Don't."

She looked up and tears streamed down her cheeks, "Shika…" She wrapped her arms slowly around him, "Shika, why…?"

"I told you…" Shikamaru swallowed hard, trying to hold back the tears, "I won't let you die here."

"Shika, no…" He could feel her tears roll down his body, "Shika, don't do this. Don't do this for me… I can't… I can't!"

"You can." He grabbed her shoulders and looked at her, "Ino, listen to me. You don't need me. You'll be alright."

"No…" She shook her head, "No."

"Yes." Shikamaru persisted, "You'll be alright. Go home, Ino. Go back to Konoha."

"Not without you." She whispered, "I'm not going without you."

"Yeah, you are." He smiled ruefully.

"But you'll die… Shika, I know you, you won't… and then they'll kill you!" Ino sobbed harder at the thought, "And it'll be my fault and I can't…I can't!"

"I'm not gonna die." He whispered, "I promise you that. I'm not gonna die as long as you're safe, Ino. That's all I need. I need to know you're okay. I can survive anything else."

"How do you think I feel?" Ino cried, "I love you, Shika. I can't leave you here and just go home. I-I-I can't. Please, don't make me."

"Ino, don't do this." He held her close, "Don't cry. Don't them the satisfaction. You're strong, remember? Remember Ino Yamanaka? She's strong. She's a survivor. Don't cry."

Ino sighed deeply and when she looked at him again, her eyes were dry. "I won't cry."

"That's my girl." He kissed her softly and she didn't let go.

"I hate this."

"Me too."

She kissed him again a long sad kiss of goodbye. Ino wanted to give him something. Something to keep him safe, to help him remember. But it seemed that Orochimaru and Sasuke had taken everything from her, even Shikamaru. Everything but a promise.

"I'll wait for you." She whispered, "If you promise to come back I'll wait."

"I promise."

"Promise."

"I promise I'll come back."

"Promise me."

"I promise, Ino."

She sniffed and smiled slightly, "That's three times you promised."

He smiled back at her, "I'll promise twenty times more if it'll keep you happy."

"You seem to be making a lot of promises today, Nara." Sasuke entered again and Shikamaru grabbed Ino and pulled her close.

"Get the hell out of here." He hissed.

"No." Sasuke shrugged, "You've had long enough. Too long, I think. Cuff him."

The guards had handcuffs now and Shikamaru was quickly brought struggling to the ground. "Ino, run!" He shouted, "Run!"

Ino hesitated, looking at his face, his pleading brown eyes. That was all Sasuke needed. He grabbed her wrist so hard; Ino thought her bones might crack.

"Let go." She commanded, trying to hide the fear in her voice.

"You know, Shikamaru, every woman in this camp belongs to me-"

"LET HER GO!!"

"And I do not take kindly to other people using what is mine!"

"Shit!" Ino swore violently as he threw her to floor and stood over her, laughing. She clenched her teeth and struggled against him. She would not run away this time. This time she had her arms, she had her legs. She would not try to escape into her mind this time. This time she would stay and fight!

After a few minutes of struggle, Ino found what she was looking for. Sanna's knife, right where Shikamaru had dropped it the night before. That knife had saved her life once already and Ino silently thanked her psychotic caretaker as she dragged deep across Sasuke's faces.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!" He screamed and recoiled away from her. Ino lost no time. She scooted quickly from under him and back away, laughing. Shikamaru couldn't help but grin as well. This was why he loved Ino. She was always full of surprises.

"Think Sakura will like you as well with that scar, Sasuke?" She laughed, "I hope you bleed to death, you insignificant little fuck!"

"Get…her!" Sasuke ordered, clutching his face. The guards however seem rooted to their spots. Ino glanced at Shikamaru.

"Shika…"

"Run, Ino."

She nodded but moved toward him and pressed her lips against him. They were soft and wet and warm and Shikamaru prayed that no matter what, he would never forget that kiss.

It ended when the guards regained their senses and pulled her from the room. Ino's eyes, as they dragged her away from him, were the saddest things he'd ever seen and her lips mouthed the words she knew he wanted to hear.

I love you.

Was it decent? Lotsa twists and turns in that one. Please review.