Wow, one day has past between writing this chapter and the last. Lol, I couldn't wait any longer. This chapter is a lot longer than my other ones, but I don't think you'll mind too much. I also wont update again for some time because of finals. Hope you enjoy this chapter.

XkeyokoX

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.

Recap: She took a deep death and turned around to face what she thought was to be her killer.

"Hey Ino! What's up? You look like you've just seen a ghost or something."

"Naruto…WH-what the hell are you doing here!?!?!?!" Ino exclaimed as she stared at the kyuubi boy in disbelief. "

"Well, I was up eating my regular 2:15Am ramen, when I saw you walking and decided to say hi." He replied and took another big bite out of his ramen that he was holding.

"WHAT? YOU CALL SCARING ME HALF TO DEATH IS YOUR WAY OF SAYING HI?" Ino yelled at Naruto. A Killing aura was surrounding her and she brought her fist up ready to punch him in the face.

"Wait Ino!" Naruto yelled as he fell to his knees. "Do anything you want with me, just don't hurt the ramen!" His was clutching the ramen close to his chest.

Ino sweat dropped at the sight of Naruto. She felt bad for yelling at him now.

"It's ok Naruto, I'm not mad" Ino said, but clearly she was irritated. She turned around and started to head back towards the shop once again when Naruto called after her.

"Ino wait up!" Naruto yelled as he ran to catch up with her. "Where are you going? Don't you live back there?" he pointed back behind them in the opposite direction.

"Yes, but I'm heading over to the shop" She pointed at her parents' shop that was about half a block away from them now.

"Can I come?!?"

"If you want."

"Yes!"

Ino smiled in return. They had reach the front door and Ino took out her key to unlock the door. As they went in, Ino dropped her bags by the door and turned on the lights.

"Okay Naruto, if you want to help then start-"

"Hey Ino what's that?" Naruto asked as he ran over to a very beautiful flower type plant. "It's so pretty" Naruto whisper as he reached over to touch the plant, completely hypnotized by it.

"Naruto, wait, don't touch that!" Too late. Only Naruto would be dumb enough to stick out his hand over a Drosera. All though the carnivorous plant eats insects, it would still try to attack humans that came near it. It shot out its tentacles and grabbed on to Naruto's hand.

"AHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!! INO, WHAT IS THIS THING?" Naruto yelled trying to shake the plant off him.

"Naruto, stop moving you're just making it worse." Ino said coming over to him. After a few minutes, they were able to get the plant to let go of him.

"Now Naruto, what have we learned?" Ino asked while bandaging his hand.

"That plants really do eat people."

Ino sweat dropped and laughed at the statement. Oh boy. This is going to be a very long morning.

To Ino's surprise, the morning didn't drag on like she lot it would. In fact, it was a lot more fun with Naruto around. Her parents showed up around 9 to take over the front desk and the customers that came in. So, Ino and Naruto went to the back greenhouses to water the spare plants there. Out there, Ino showed Naruto the importance of how to take care of each type of plant. She also told him the significance of each plant and the meanings of each one. She lost track of time until Naruto asked,

"Hey Ino, what time do you have to leave for your mission?"

"Well we don't have to leave till noon, but I told Shikamaru I would meet him at 11:45. But I was going to get him back for yesterday and get there at 11:30. Why?"

"Uh-oh"

"Uh-oh what."

"At least your going to be there by noon." Naruto said as he pointed at the clock behind Ino.

"Oh shit! Its already 11:50! I can't believe this is happening!" Ino yelled as she got up.

"Ino relax, your not going to be late. Your just not going to be early."

Ino just glared at him. If looks could kill, Naruto wouldn't still be breathing.

"Look at it this way, you'll be on time for once."

"Not if you keep talking to me" Ino replied and ran for the door. She stopped when she got there and turned back towards Naruto. "Thanks for the help Naruto! See you soon!"

"Anytime Ino, have fun on your mission"

And with that, Ino was out the door and into the shop. She yelled a quick sorry and good-bye to her parents and the customers, grabbed her bags and ran out the door. Luckily it was a beautiful day to be traveling, just not through the streets of Konoha. Today there was a big flee market, so the streets were crowded with people, but that didn't stop Ino. She jumped up on the highest ruff, and started off in the direction of the main gates. As she was running, she kept thinking of what Shikamaru was going say when she got there.

If he knows what's good for him, he won't say a word about me being late…again.

Well you know it is your own fault.

WHAT? What the hell are you doing here? I thought you deserted me?

You wish. No, I'm here to remind you that you're going to be late for your date with Shika-kun if you don't hurry up.

Date I don't have a date with him! We're going on a mission.

Ahh, so you like the name Shika-kun don't you?

WHAT? Where did you get that idea?

Because you didn't yell at me for saying it.

Oh shut up.

By now she had reached the street that would take her to the gates. She jumped down into the street because there weren't a lot of people here and decided to slow down to a jog. As she came out of the street, into the opening that was in front of the gates, she slowed her pace down to a walk. She saw Shikamaru who waved over at her. She waved back and walked towards him.

Well at least he isn't mad.

TBC