Many props and kudos to the people who got the Princess Bride reference: 'Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father, prepare to die." Classic! XD But my fav is still "I don't mean to pry, but you don't by any chance have six fingers on your right hand?"

Exams are coming up:runs away screaming:
Two chapters in one day! I am made of winning awesome!

Warning: Much fluff.

Disclaimer: Not mine!

Read, enjoy and review (because I love YOU! Yes, YOU!)

At first the words didn't even seem to register. Her eyes read the lines again, but her mind refused to absorb it. Her thoughts were jumbled, chaotic and confused, but most of all, terrified. She'd never received something like this before.

The letter slid from her weak, trembling grasp. As the envelope fell too, a picture dropped out, one taken from her day at the café. It was violently distorted with slashes of a knife and a biro, her face drawn over multiple times with circles and a jagged line across her throat, as if decapitating her. She took a long, shuddering breath, and bile rose in her throat; she put her shivering hands (why won't they stop shaking!) to her face and started hyperventilating.

Shikamaru leaned his head against the wall, and closed his eyes when he heard her humming with that silver, dulcet voice of hers, rich and melodious. The song was cut off abruptly mid-note. Shikamaru frowned. When he heard a strange noise, like a low, whimpering keening, he rushed around the screen. Ino was hunched over her in her chair, her hands over her face. She was rocking back and forth, the sound coming from her. He noticed a flash of white at her feet. He saw the familiar newspaper clipping letters and the mutilated photo. Fuck he cursed profanely inside his head.

He stepped a bit closer, trying to be as quiet as possible. Ino suddenly looked up, her face streaked with tears and deathly afraid. The pallor made her look sickly. Before he could so much as take another breath she had flown across the room and thrown herself into his arms. She sobbed into his shirt, wailing as she grasped him in a surprisingly tight hug.

He put his arms around her quivering form and rocked them left to right, making soothing, quiet noises as he calmed her down. She buried her face into his neck and continued hiccupping, smearing some of her makeup on his shirt. She drew herself deeper into his warmth and breathed in his scent, something earthy and mellow. She felt herself relax slightly, but she didn't let go of him. This was probably the first time he had held her so close.

"You ok?" He asked, as he pulled himself away to tilt her chin up. Ino hiccuped but nodded firmly and wiped at her eyes, smearing her makeup beyond repair. The door opened and Iruka came in. He froze when he saw them. "She's received the letter and a photo." Shikamaru said before Iruka could ask. The man's brown eyes widened, "Another one?" He asked, shocked.

Ino's head snapped up. "Another one?" Her voice was shrill and high, "What do you mean, another one?" Shikamaru sighed. "There's been letters lately, ones addressed to you with similar writing and photos." She turned her wide, fearful gaze to him. "Is that why you're here?" She asked. He nodded. She stepped back, and rubbed her face, then remembered her ruined make up. She moved jerkily as she crossed the room to the adjoining bathroom, where she washed her face clean.

Shikamaru walked over to the vanity and picked up the paper – he didn't bother using gloves; he knew there'd be no fingerprints, nothing except ink and glue. The paper was everyday printing paper and the letter squares were all meticulously cut. He looked at the photo and anger flared to life within him. The stalker was getting more violent; the letters before had never mentioned anything about Ino dying, and the photos were never mutilated.

But he wasn't getting impatient, Shikamaru knew. The fact that the photo had been taken in the café meant that the stalker had been close, very close. No, he didn't want it to be quick; he wanted Ino to be afraid before he moved in for the kill, like a predator and its prey. He almost crushed the paper in his hand, but he knew he had to keep it as evidence. Instead he turned and punched the wall, leaving a notable dent in the surface.

He looked up; Ino was standing in the doorway, her hand on the frame. "Is he out there?" She asked quietly. Shikamaru shook his head. "I can't say." She took a deep breath and closed her eyes, thinking deeply. Iruka moved forward. "Ino, I'll cancel the show if you want, you don't have to go. Resha would understand." But the blonde shook her head and opened her eyes. "The fans won't." She stated, and looked Shikamaru in the eyes.

"I'm going out there. I won't let some psychotic freak chase me from my own show and disappoint the rest of them." Her eyes never wavered from Shikamaru's; he knew she was going to do it whatever he said, and he didn't like it one bit. He nodded and sighed, and she smiled falteringly at him. Ino sat down at her table again and applied her makeup with lightning efficiency; she hated other people applying her makeup, so she always did her own. Soon, she looked the same as before except with more rouge this time to hide her pallor. Shikamaru found a spare shirt to change into.

When she was ready, she slipped the hood back over her head. Shikamaru escorted her through the mass of nameless faces, all screaming her name. Ino flinched when a hand reached towards her, but one of the men gave them a warning glance. Backstage, Ino slipped her arm out of Shikamaru's and smoothed her black robe unnecessarily. They heard Resha working the crowd up to frenzy, her powerful voice booming across the entire club.

"Who's excited to see our most renowned superstar goddess?" The crowd yelled in reply. "That's right! Yamanaka Ino, the most talented actress and singer, all around performer of our time is ready to rock this house! Are you ready?" The legion of fans screamed. "I said, ARE YOU READY!?" The tidal wave of sound brought a flickering smile to Ino's lips. She wavered for a second, but then brightened, and walked up behind the screen for her cue.

The opening lines of the song began. 'What can I do for you?' The slightly robotic back up voice startled the crowd, and as she walked onto the dim stage, the spotlight suddenly turned on and focused on her. The head mike could be seen beside her mouth. She wore nondescript black robes, but somehow she managed to make it look like a catwalk as she strutted down the lit floor.

Ino looked up and tossed off her robe, to reveal her costume underneath. She wore a long sleeved, black mesh and lace mini cardigan tied at the front to expose her smooth, toned midriff, and flared black pants held up by a silver-gold belt. Her hair was loose and hung about her mid-back like a cascading white-gold waterfall. She started dancing, and the crowd went wild. Behind her, the rest of the dancers materialised from the shadows and moved in complete sync with her. She opened her mouth and sang.

"Far beyond the hazy borders of my heart

I could see a place that's something like this

Every now and then I don't know what to do

Still I know that I can never go back"

Shikamaru watched the crowd anxiously, but everyone only seemed to be enjoying the music. He cursed her impulsiveness; there were clearly not enough security measures, and the burly men that held back the crowd was having enough trouble as it is without errant, overeager fans trying to climb onto the stage. The lazy bodyguard's eyes widened when he saw Ino perform something that should have been utterly impossible, but her body flexed right back and grinned as she let the back up take over for the chorus, until it was her turn again.

"I don't plan on looking back on my old life

I don't ever plan to rely on you

Even if by chance everything should go wrong

You'd come anyway and try to save me."

Shikamaru frowned at the song, and wondered if Ino was singing it on purpose. God, she's stubborn, he thought as he rubbed his temples. Ino was nearly finishing her dance now, and the crowd were just as loud as ever. One deviant fan dodged the guards' arms to jump onto the stage and dance with her. He was obviously professional too; Shikamaru moved forward to 'forcefully eject' the man from the stage, but Ino suddenly improvised her dance to include him. The dancers behind her did their own thing while Ino twisted and moved around the man, and he slid his arms around her shape, not quite touching her. So he wanted his fifteen seconds of fame, Shikamaru thought, at least he wasn't dumb enough to actually touch her.

But at the man's sudden closeness to the mega star, the crowd couldn't take it anymore; they surged past the struggling guards to jump on stage too. Ino was slightly startled, but she kept up her performance; it was ending anyway, just a few more lines of the back up voices. Suddenly, with all the pushing and pulling onstage, she tripped over the stage and went on an involuntary stage dive.

Someone snatched off her head mike, and she was spun through the crowd. Shikamaru leapt to action; calling up Lee through the radio, he jostled past the crowd and shoved away everyone in his path. Ino shrieked when several hands – innocent or not – touched her butt. People pawed at her, everyone eager to touch the blonde idol. Finally, Shikamaru got to Ino. The people moved away, and Ino dropped into his arms bridal style. She clung to him and he battled past them again, though it was slightly easier this time.

As they left the club through the empty fire exit, Shikamaru could hear Resha screaming at the chastened horde. It was raining a steady drizzle outside, as the black limo pulled up and Lee jumped out to open the door. Shikamaru tried to ease the trembling Ino into the car seat. She clung to him for dear life. Her head was bowed and turned away from him, but she clutched him to her. He adjusted his hold on her and finally managed to manoeuvre them both into the car without much injury. Shikamaru accepted the thick blanket Lee offered and wrapped Ino in it. Lee hopped back into the car and started driving. He glanced back at the couple; Shikamaru shook his head. Lee nodded in understanding and took the quieter, if longer drive home.

Ino continued to grasp onto him, slightly wet and shivering, as he walked up the stairs to her room. One of the maids, a raven-haired one, looked startled to see Ino in Shikamaru's arms, but without a word darted upstairs to open the door for him. He thanked her quietly, and heard the sound of the limo driving away, Lee going to pick up Iruka.

The bedroom was dim, only lit by moonlight. He lay her down on the bed, worried when she still hadn't spoken a word. He began to remove her lace up glittery heels; Shikamaru winced at the height. Once those were safely tucked away, he removed her glitzy bracelets; Juicy Couture, he read on the sparkling charm bracelet. He shook his head. He wondered what to do about her top; it was obviously uncomfortable to sleep in, and rather wet too.

She solved it for him by sitting up and taking it right off and exposing the black lace bra she wore. Shikamaru had to swallow with just a bit more difficulty than usual.

She pointed towards one of the drawers. He obliged her and turned around to find some soft flannel sushi print pajamas. He raised an eyebrow at an Ootoro (tuna roll), but brought it back to her. She'd peeled off her black pants while his back was turned, and they lay in a pile at the foot of her bed. He handed her the pajamas, and looked away. She unhooked her bra and threw that to the pile too, and tugged on her most comfortable sleepwear. She sat there, and he stood there.

Finally, she spoke. "I'm such an idiot." He turned around to stare at her. "No, you're not." He said. He went to her vanity and took her comb and brush, went back and combed and brushed her hair to its usual sheen. She pulled it over her shoulder and braided it. He pushed her back onto the bed and began tucking her in.

"Don't you want to know why I do it?" She asked, her voice a whisper, and her large, bright azure eyes gazed back at him in the dark lighting. His eyes, dark and glittering, didn't reveal anything to her. "Why I joined show business?"

His look was steady as he knelt down slowly to her level. She twisted in her bed so she faced him. "I know why." He said just as quietly. Ino closed her eyes and took a deep, shuddering breath. "And?"

"And I think you are the best actress, singer and dancer I've ever seen." He said with complete honesty, and laid his hand on top of hers, the blanket separating them. Ino looked down, moved her hand out of the covers to hold his. He gently stroked the back of her smooth hand with his slightly rough thumb. She smiled at him, suddenly shy, and then she giggled in a broken, despairing way, half a sob in her voice. She put her other hand to her face.

"Years of the world's severest critics praising me to high heaven, and it's still your opinion that I sought the most." She gave another bitter chuckle, loneliness laced through her words. "Since high school, damnit." Shikamaru held her hand tighter.

"I know." He said. She smiled grimly in the darkness. "I'm so pathetic." She laughed at herself. He leaned forward until his forehead touched hers. "No, you're not."

"Stay with me." She whispered. He moved back. "You know I can't." She shook her head. "I don't care. Stay." She breathed, "Please, Shika, just tonight. I don't want to be alone tonight." She moved her hand to interlace his.

"You can't ask this of me." He said, but his voice was thick with emotion too. He looked away, but she knew she was winning. She tugged at his hand. "I just did." A flare of her usual self shone through.

He sighed, and removed his jacket, leaving his white shirt and black pants on. He moved to the other side of the bed, and she followed his movements. He slid off his black shoes and lay on top of the silk covers. Her hand, made paler and that much more frail in the ghostly moonlight, reached over and tugged his hair band off. His black hair, finally released, fell down past his chin. She used her fingers to comb it through, and she sighed girlishly.

"Always wanted to do that." She mumbled into the covers, her face flushing a deep red. He was blushing too, but he hid it better. "Goodnight, Shika," She said sleepily, and he smiled. "Good night, Ino." He replied. She 'hmm'ed in her approaching sleep, "That's the first time you used my name." She noted absently.

"I know."

Ye Gods! Is Romance finally pulling itself up, brushing the dust from its shoulders and getting to work? Hopefully its father, Plot and sibling, Action will join my chaos soon, although there have been bits of it poking through (don't look at me like that, it has!)
And in case you're wondering, Drama is mother. The other siblings include Tragedy and Comedy. XD That's how I think of the creation of fics I guess, Must have plot and drama before you have anything else.

Reviews please my pretties!