Separation

Ino stepped into her room and closed the door. Feeling weak in the knees, she sat down on the side of her bed.

Yes, she had considered and even hoped (subconsciously of course) that something would happen between the two of them but she had not expected Shikamaru to make the first move.

Or was Shikamaru more eager than she thought? Memories of their first 'kiss' flashed through her mind. Blushing furiously, she lay down on her bed, burying her head in her pillow.

She always wanted her first kiss to be Sasuke's. But Shikamaru had torn that from her, without her consent. She felt a lingering resentment towards him.

Trying her best to console herself, she told herself that it wasn't an actual kiss, it was just….a brush of lips.

But, that fleeting moment when their lips touched, she felt her resolve to be Sasuke's weaken.

Perhaps it was more than just a 'brush of lips'.

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Shikamaru was mad at himself. Or rather, his hormones. Traitors. They were going to cause him to end up chained at that troublesome Ino's side some way or another.

Stupid, stupid, stupid.

Where was his logic when he needed it? One split second of lost control and here he was, his very fate in danger.

Okay, that was perhaps a bit of an overstatement.

Either Ino was going to make him propose or something, or she was going to tear him to pieces for taking Sasuke's place.

Jeez.

Shikamaru wandered about aimlessly and soon found his legs taking him to his favorite cloud-watching spot. Just what he needed. Some time to fix the scrambled mess that was his brain.

He lay down on the grass, breathing in the smell of it deeply. Vaguely he wondered what Ino smelled like, and his mind answered him instantly with a memory from the day before.

Soft, pink lips , a faint whiff of strawberry...

Stop.

His logical mind cut the memory short. No, he could not go after Ino. For one thing, Ino was bent on getting Sasuke, and he was sure he couldn't compete with the handsome boy who was so mysterious and powerful, and, he wouldn't give up his manly pride (however little) by chasing a girl who was not interested in him.

And it was just too troublesome.

He sighed and closed his eyes.

A thump beside him made his eyes fly open.

"Shikamaru Nara, you are to see the Hokage immediately," said an ANBU. He poofed away after delivering his message.

Shikamaru groaned. He was still on holiday, what would Tsunade want with him?

He trudged to the Hokage's office and knocked.

"Come in."

He let himself in and sat down in front of her desk. Tsunade picked up a scroll and handed it to Shikamaru. As he unfurled it, Tsunade spoke.

"As you see, the Sand country is under attack from the Lightning country. Being their allies, they sent us a message requesting support. I have already sent five teams of ANBU and jounin to their aid, but they also need a strategist who knows our men well." She fixed her eyes on the Nara. "You."

"You will go to the Sand country to aid them in their struggle. For the period you are there, you will answer to them, and them only."

The scroll in his hands confirmed what she said. He looked up at Tsunade and opened his mouth.

Tsunade appeared to read his mind.

"You are to leave immediately, and I believe your holiday ended yesterday," said Tsunade. Shikamaru started, and began counting off the days on his fingers. Seven days. Right.

"When will I be able to come back?" he asked.

"When the war ends," she said quietly. "If you are still alive. You are dismissed."

"Ye..yes ma'am." Shikamaru strode out of the office, stricken. All of a sudden, he felt like he was going to miss his friends a lot, especially Ino.

He really wanted to see Ino again for the last time before he left, but he couldn't. He was to leave immediately. Perhaps their close encounter the day before would be the last time he saw her ever again.

Tsunade's words echoed in his mind.

If you are still alive…

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"Shikamaruuuu!"

A very excited Ino made her way to the apartment unit that Shikamaru and Choji shared. Banging on the door, she waited, bursting with the news.

Choji opened the door, one hand clutching a bag of chips. Ino shouldered her way in.

"Choji, my parents said they would host a birthday party for me this weekend!" she squealed. "Since Sasuke refused, I want Shikamaru as my guest of honor."

"Shikamaru!" she called. Getting no response, she turned to Choji. "Where is he?" she asked.

Choji shrugged. "He just left for a mission. Apparently it's a long one, he was packing like crazy just now." He shoved a handful of chips into his mouth.

"He….left?" whispered Ino, her good spirits disappearing instantly. "Without…. telling me? Without saying….. goodbye?"

Ino sank onto her knees. She rarely bothered if Shikamaru went on a mission, she was too preoccupied with chasing the Uchiha.

But this time, it was different. To Ino, they were no longer 'just friends'. Their relationship had advanced from 'like' to the border of 'love'. She felt hurt that he left so abruptly.

She never felt this sort of affection when facing Sasuke. With the Uchiha, she just wanted him like a child would want an expensive toy, longing for it yet out of reach. Now she wondered, was Shikamaru the teddy bear she always had, the one that always comforted her yet was never noticed?

"When…when will he come back?" asked Ino, hoping.

Choji hung his head. "He said he may never return."

"Shikamaru…."

You never know how much something, or in this case someone, means to you until it's gone.

A tear fell unto the cement tiles of the floor.

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Shikamaru turned over in his sleeping bag. His heart was howling at him to pack up and head home, but he knew he couldn't. A country was more important than his feelings.

He felt rather unaccustomed to his current life, knowing he may never see Choji munching away or Ino with her mood swings again.

He looked up at the stars twinkling above his head. Tomorrow, he would reach the outskirts of the Sand country. He hugged himself tightly, trying to keep out the chill of the night air.

Wars usually lasted for a year, maybe two. Shikamaru felt sick at heart. Two whole years before he could see everyone again, before he could see Ino again.

A sudden wave of loneliness engulfed him.

"Ino…."

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A/N:

Thanks to the people who reviewed on the last chapter, you guys really kept me going. Well, here is Chapter 2 and I hope you guys enjoyed it. To say the truth I'm rather proud of myself as this is my first fic (wait a sec, I'm supposed to be humble).

I'm intending on a little one-sided ShikaTema in the next chapter..*claps hand over mouth* Oops! I'm spoiling!

Naruto does not belong to me.