A/N: Hey well as you should no (if you read the previous Chapters) this is gonna be multiple chapters long, the odd chapters(1,3,5...) are gonna be the story of Shika/Ino and the even chapters(2,4,6...) are gonna be the story of Kanku/Saku! Enjoy and PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE R+R! it would just really make my day if you did!

Only one review? Faithful readers, I'm crushed, really, I am! Are you all just mad at me for killng off Lee? Cuz I'm sorry, but it couldn't be helped. Please, all I ask is for some reviews for this chapter-I don't even care if they're flames! Just give me something, PLEASE!

Chapter 7

Passionate, Heated, Loving, Tender

Shikamaru watched Kankuro carry Sakura out of the hospital room before he turned his gaze upon Kiba being comforted by Temari. At least his effort paid off. Shikamaru thought to himself as he looked at the dog-boy and fan-wielder.

Then he looked down at the frail girl who was clutching the front of his vest. The tearstains on her cheeks were clearly visible, as were the puffy, red circles around her closed eyes.

Shikamaru sighed and glanced up at Choji before the two men led Ino quietly out of the room. As the old Team 10 walked through the hallways of the hospital, Ino stumbled many times, unable to see clearly through her clouded eyes. Sighing heavily again, Shikamaru muttered a "troublesome" under his breath and picked Ino up bridal style.

A small gasp found its way through her lips when the lazy cloud-watcher picked her up, but she soon settled comfortably into his arms, still overwhelmed by the death of a fellow-ninja and friend.

Choji and Shikamaru brought Ino to her apartment near the hospital. Choji opened the unlocked door and Shika carried the now sleeping Ino to her bedroom, the almost identical scene form a couple days ago playing in his mind as he repeated himself.

When he emerged from her room and closed the door, Choji spoke, "I'll stay with her this afternoon until she wakes up. You look pretty beat. Go home and get some rest, too."

"Thanks. This sure is a drag. Poor Gai."

"Hai. I don't know what he's going to do now that his favorite person in the world is gone."

"Hn," was Shikamaru's tired response as he nodded and waved to his best friend before exiting the house and heading home.

When Shikamaru reached his cabin-home, he entered slowly and tiredly, dragging his feet, before collapsing on the bed. The lazy ninja drifted into sleep almost immediately after his head hit the pillow.

Shikamaru found himself standing in the middle of a field, much like the one he so often watches the clouds drift by in. But there was something a little different about this particular meadow. Apart form the fact that there were little purple, pink, and yellow flowers everywhere, there was also a bright light shining (almost too brightly) in the very center of the field.

Shikamaru sucked in his breath as he noticed it was a figure standing still, in the midst of the blooming flowers.

He took a few unsteady steps forward, while his insides screamed at him, telling him that it was a trap and that, as a shinobi, he knew better than to walk towards the distant person. But he couldn't stop himself. There was something compelling about the person, willing him forward; to look into it's eyes.

The figure started walking towards Shikamaru, mimicking his movements, as if under Shika's shadow-possession jutsu. Then he noticed the long hair and wavy dress, blowing in the previously nonexistent breeze.

"Ino?" Shikamaru tentatively asked the woman.

"Yes?" She answered back, in more of a question than a reply.

He didn't know how to answer her. She looked so peaceful just standing there; so beautiful. "I – " he started.

"You?" She asked back.

"I…love…"

Ino's face lit up. Her smile was wide and gleaming. Shikamaru found himself leaning forward, drawing nearer to her beautiful face. Their lips just meeting—

Shikamaru jolted upright in his bed, head and heart pounding. Looking at the clock, he realized it was only 2 o'clock in the morning. He lay back in his bed, thinking about that dream. He didn't know what had sparked it, but it had really impacted him…he thought what he was saying in it…was true.

Now this thought shocked him. Ha sat bolt upright, but he knew it was true!

Shikamaru jumped out of bed and rushed to put a shirt and shoes on. Soon enough, he was out the door, heading to Ino's, not even registering that she and Choji would probably be asleep.

Ino was in the kitchen making Mushroom Miso at 2 o'clock in the morning while Choji slept on her couch. She was able to piece together what had happened last night and why he was here. She was glad that her boys cared so much about her, especially Shikamaru – she knew he would've been the one to carry her home and tuck her in.

A knock on the door pulled her from her thoughts. Trying no to wake the snoring Choji, she made her way carefully and quietly to the door, wondering why someone would be visiting at this hour.

When she opened the door, all she saw was Shikamaru's handsome face, framed by his long black hair that as usually not hanging by his ears, before he grabbed her and smashed his lips to hers in a passionate and heated, yet loving and tender kiss.

A/N: Well, this story is officially back on!

Sorry this chapter is really short, but I needed to be cut off there. I know for a fact that the next one is wayyyyy longer so don't give up on me yet!

IDK when I will update again, but hopefully it will be soon, seeing as I've already written the next chapter, I just don't have it typed, but I do have other stories to work on, too. (READ THEM!) There will probably only be 2 or 3 more chapters to this story, so just be patient with me:) Love you all! Now…REVIEW!