Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or any famous people/brands possibly mentioned in this story.

Ino woke up the next day alone. She wasn't surprised or hurt, she'd knew that it would have to be this way. He had left her with a surprisingly good memory and secretly she would always think of him fondly and as a friend. She knew that this small portion of time spent together in each others' arms would have to be a well guarded secret she would always treasure. A treasure just for her to keep. She knew he wouldn't have long to keep his end of the secret as he was very ill. She knew he had a year at best and could die anytime at worst, whether Sasuke managed to find him or not. In her opinion it was only keen medical skills on his part and sheer willpower that kept him alive this long. At least she now knew why he'd only ordered water at the bar.
She sat up in the bed, ready to get the day rolling and do some cleaning of her messy apartment before getting ready for work. Then she noticed a neatly folded note on her bedside table. She was surprised and picked it up, something told her it would contain something important, something precious. She sighed and unfolded the note.

"Ino,
I'm sure you picked up on the signs of my illness and I ask that you tell no one. I won't see you again, but not because of a desire not to. The last couple of days with you have been some of the happiest of my life. I thank you for that and hope that you too can look back and think of it, of me as a fond memory.
Shikamaru was and is a fool. You should never settle for someone who refuses to see the value of the beautiful, vibrant, and intelligent woman that you truly are, including my foolish little brother.
I would advise you not to go back to Konoha for a while. It's probably not safe. I think that some Akatsuki members are planning something. Don't involve yourself as it probably won't help and will only endanger you. Consider it a last request of a dying friend. I would hate to think of you being hurt as you've showed me a kindness I hadn't thought possible for someone with my history and reputation.
I imagine at some point you will probably wonder if this time between us actually happened or was simply some wonderful (at least for me) genjutsu. My answer is that every touch you felt was the real me.
I will end this letter rather than becoming too uncomfortably sentimental. Goodbye and thank you, my beautiful friend.
Respectfully Yours,
Itachi Uchiha"

She smiled and wiped away tears at his kind words. She thought of her family and wanted to warn them, but Itachi had made his last request of her and she couldn't bring herself to not honor them. So she stayed away from Konoha for a while. It was only weeks later that she learned of Itachi's death. She'd cried for days, her boss giving her a vacation for her to grieve, not knowing why. She'd layed in her bed, missing him deeply and reading his letter over and over again. She didn't feel like a traitor for feeling this way, and never would.
She still did as Itachi asked and stayed away from Konoha. She did feel guilty for not sending warning of Itachi's suspicions to the Leaf, but there was no way to do that without explaining her short relationship with a S Class criminal.
She was very glad that she'd listened to Itachi when the Leaf was destroyed, especially after only days before she'd discovered that she was going to be a mother. She still couldn't believe it. 'His child,' she thought in awe. Who fathered the child would have to be a secret for as long as possible, forever if she could. Reality was, that if her child inherited it's father's sharingan, the truth would have to come out then. She could only cross that bridge when she got there, if she got there. After all, the child was only half Uchiha and might not even have a sharingan.

Finally, a couple of months later, she took on the trek back to Konoha to help rebuild the village. She caressed her swollen belly absently and lovingly as she walked, already loving the child very much.
"Time to see where your parents are from Little One," she said a soft smile gracing her features at the thought of Itachi and of their unborn son.
She'd already picked out a name, Kai Itachi Yamanaka, although his middle name was off the records. She smiled nearing her old home, ready to begin the next chapter in her and her son's lives.