Okay, fine. I'm continuing it. You win.

Thank you to animeromance92, aka my new beta!

Dedications: tomboy14, Yorick-chan, animeromance92, SarcasticallyTroublesomeGirl, inuyashagurl, Krazzy-chan (basically everyone who reviewed the last chapter). Thanks for encouraging me to update.

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.

Chapter 2: A Visit from Sakura

"Hi, I'm looking for…oh, hi, Ino! Nice to see you again."

Ino nodded. "Please, do come in."

Haruno Sakura flipped her hair and stepped in. As soon as she sat down on Ino's couch her smile turned to a frown. "What's wrong, Ino? Spill."

Ino hesitated. "Well…Shikamaru…is on a mission…"

"With Temari," finished Sakura. "I knew it. It'll be alright." She put her hand on Ino's shoulder as if she were still an elementary student.

Ino sighed. "I know. I keep trying to tell myself that, but it can't seem to get through my head. But anyways," Ino forced a smile, "How are things with you and Sasuke?"

Sakura smiled back. "It's our 2nd anniversary today!"

"Congratulations," Ino said. She really was proud of Sakura's love life. So less complicated then mine, she thought. Over the years, Sakura and Ino had become good friends, and since Ino liked Shikamaru, she was okay with Sakura marrying Sasuke.

"Okay, enough about that. How are things with Shikamaru? You two together yet?" Sakura inquired, forcing the subject back to their conversation.

"Well…I haven't seen him in years," said Ino, looking at the ground.

"How long?"

"Let's see…6 years."

"6 years?!" Sakura cried, jumping up. Ino lifted an eyebrow calmly. "Why does that seem so alarming to you again?"

"Well…" said Sakura, sitting down. "I just thought that…you two were together already…"

Ino shook her head. "No. The last time I saw him was at the reunion. Since then I haven't seen a trace of him anywhere."

Sakura sighed disappointedly. "Oh, well, it's too bad. What time is it?"

"5:30."

"Oh my god, I have to go. Sasuke's taking me to dinner for our anniversary!" Sakura got up and headed towards the door.

"Okay. See you at the reunion." Ino closed the door after her pink-haired friend left.

I'm sorry it's so short! This chapter is purposely kept short because it links the first one to the third one which I'm going to write really soon. Even I can't stand the suspense!