"Sakura, you didn't tell Shikamaru why I left right?" Ino asked her friend.

"No Ino," she responded "I only said that you left because you needed to"

"Anyway, the flower shop I opened in the noodle country is going great" she announced with a joyful smile.

Ino, you didn't have to do that. Your shop was great here. But I can't believe your parents sent you there to expand business. That doesn't matter anymore…because they're dead.

Both girls sat there on Sakura's sofa discussing their lives as mature, full grown, shinobi.

I remember when we used to fight over Sasuke. Damn, why did I give up on him so easily? Ino thought.

"How was your visit to Shikamaru's and Chouji's place?" Sakura asked

"Well, Chouji is still fat..." Ino remarked "but still kind."

She let out a little chuckle.

"And Shika-kun…" Ino sighed and looked down "I feel like I don't know him anymore"

"I felt that way once..." Sakura admitted "with Sasuke"

Here, there is my best friend. Who lost her love for years. And here I am, feeling sorry for myself. I don't love Shikamaru like Sakura loved Sasuke. Whoa! Do I? Stop it Ino!

"But Sasuke wasn't engaged—"

Ino insides suddenly jolted up, raising hell. Her eyes grew wide with anger.

"SHIKAMARU'S ENGAGED TO THAT—"

Ino attempted to restrain herself and cut off the sentence.

Sakura threw her a furtive look. "I thought you knew Ino"

"I thought they were dating and—" Ino held back words again "They're engaged? WOW.."

"He didn't tell you Ino?" Sakura wondered why she took this news so alarming.

Ino shook her head "NO!" she shouted "He's engaged as a 26 year old, while Temari is 28?" She found that a little too shocking.

How come he didn't tell me? I was his team mate! I was always the one who gave him the cooties and no one else!! I've set him and Chouji straight as kids before Temari came a long! I've practically spent my every genin days with him, and I'm the last to know about his engagement? Is it that difficult to say, 'Oh, by the way Ino, I'm engaged' Oh, I'm gonna kill him!

"Maybe, he forgot" Sakura suggested shrugging

"Would you forget your own engagement?" Ino questioned her

Sakura shook her head. "No, but they've been engaged four years since you left here"

That's six years of engagement…

"What's taking Shikamaru so long?" she asked Sakura

"Honestly," Sakura confessed "I think Shikamaru's holding back"

Ino smiled at her statement.

Shikamaru has doubts? Ha! That'll hit him later on when Temari's patience finally explodes!

"What about you Ino?" Sakura asked curiously "Is there anyone precious to you?"

Ino thought about it…

"Sadly," Ino responded "no"

Out of nowhere, Sakura asked "Then, why don't you stay?"

"What?" Ino asked back quite puzzled.

"Ino...just...don't go back" she pleaded "You know you don't want to"

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I post previews every other chapter! (Me and my friend take turns writing this)

Till next time kiddos! BTW, got reviews?