A/N: Hello again. I just want to thank all my reviewers, and "story alert", "fave. authors", and "fave. story" things. . I would especially like to thank the following acount holders on Fanfic...

ladyDV011

HPBabe91

i-luv-sesshy-23

red24ly

...Now on with the story!!(disclaimer:I do not own any Naruto material, or characters. For the 2nd time they all belong to Kishimoto-sama bows :D)

Chapter Two: Innocence

Stepping into the night air Sakura pulled her jacket tighter around herself. It was cool, but she hadn't needed it inside of "Steps".

"Sakura! Wait up!" She turned slightly to glance over her shoulder.

"Hey Shika. What's up?" He started to keep stride beside the kunoichi. "You ok?" He nodded, and a silence insuded between them.

"Sakura? How did you react when you found out about Sasuke and...Ino?" She carefully pondered her answer, "You don't have to answer if you don't want to."

"No. It's alright. Surprisingly it doesn't bother me as much as it did earlier. At first I was hurt, and I felt betrayed. But I realized that if he truly wanted to be with her, then I loved him enough to let him go. Why do you ask Shika-san?"

"Ino and I were together as well." Sakura came to a sudden halt.

"W...what?!" He smirked slightly and gave another nod, sitting on a stone bench along the path they were traversing.

"Yeah. She told me about Sasuke, and said that she wanted an open relationship."

"Oh, Shikamaru I'm so sorry. I had no idea."

"It's not your fault Sakura. I guess I should've known. Can't compete with a prodigy." She scowled at him. Placing her hand on his chin, she turned him to face her.

"He's not as great as everyone thinks he is. Granted I love him yes, but it took some time for him to open up to me. Actually talk to me. Now we're comfortable..well..we were comfortable with talking to each other. Guess that's changed now. But you're just as great, if not better-"

"Sak. don't lie for my sake. I don't need the lies."

"Shikamaru? Do you honestly believe me to be a fool? Do you seriously think that I would still be here if I didn't honestly trust myself with you, if I didn't trust..you." At this he met her eyes. "You're so laidback. Even when Ino's being an idiot, or Chouji does something like eat the last chip...or whatever. Shut-up my metaphors suck. You're intelligent, strong, yet at the same time a good friend to everyone even when they don't treat you the right way. You still carry guilt from Asuma's death don't you? You do, I know you do. I've seen you at the memorial stone everyday for the past seven months. Never failing, come sleet, hale, rain, snow, heavy winds. You're there."

"Oh, Sasuke!" Ino moaned rocking up to meet his hips. Her eyes closed, and to be honest Sasuke prefered them that way. He couldn't even remember how he'd gotten caught up with her, couldn't remember why either. She was clinging, overly happy ALL THE TIME!, she was a fangirl, weak, and a whore at that. She put out to anyone who would show her attention. She tried to play the innocent role, but failed miserably at it.

"Mmnph." Sasuke grunted coming down from his, 'high'. He fell on top of his lovers body and began to regulate his breathing. Footsteps in the hallway caused him to change his concentration.

"Sasuke-kun? What is it? Mou, Sasu?" Ino whined tugging on his arm.

"Shhh...!" He hushed. Reaching out for his pants Sasuke slid them on, "Stay here." He commanded. Ino nodded silently, pulling the covers to cover her chest. Entering the hallway Sasuke stood still.

"It's you." He said to the figure.

"It's me." She replied.

"Sakura I-"

"I'm just here to gather a folder I left here this...morning." She choked. "I can't find it actually. You wouldn't have seen it would you?"

"The yellow one?" She shook her head.

"No it's black."

"No, I'm sorry Sak. I haven't seen it."

"Oh, alright. See you Sasuke."

"Sakura!" Sasuke called after her when she gripped the door handle, "Are you leaving? For good I mean?"

"I think so. I'll be around the village if that's what you're asking. But don't worry, I'll leave you alone Uchiha-san. You'll tell Ino I said hello won't you?" He lifted his head to nod, but she had already opened the door.

"Shikamaru?" The onyx eyed man questioned,

"Uchiha. I was just escorting Sakura here, and now home." Sakura glanced back over her shoulder as Shikamaru pushed off of the wall he'd been leaning against.

"Goodnight Sasuke." The pair stepped down the allyway that led to the front of the town home. She's gone. Sasuke told himself, finally coming to terms that he couldn't have his cake and eat it too.

(A/N:Ok, so Shika. seems a little OOC but I mean there's not alot to go on. I think he's a good guy. LEMON in the next chapter!!)