Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.

Author's Notes: A big thanks to all who reviewed last chapter! I am sorry about the cliffhanger, but I hope this next chapter will make up for it a little bit. I really struggled with it, getting it done only yesterday afternoon. D: I hope you enjoy!

oOo

Proof that women are evil:

As any male can attest to, women are, most simply, time and money:

Women = time x money

(We know that time is money so, )

Women = money x money

Women = money squared

(We also know that money is the root of all evil,)

Money = square root of evil

Money squared = evil

(And if women = money squared)

ERGO, Women = evil ~ Credited to Simon Singh

oOo

The office was paneled in dark cherry wood, bathed in a harsh florescent glow from the tinkling chandelier; it hung above the sturdy bulk of a desk crouched like an animal ready for the final lunge. The office was quiet, intimidating in its austere strength. The desk was clear except for a small lamp and an onyx paperweight stylized as an eagle with red and black starred eyes. The only other concession to the sterile environment was a painting on the back wall.

The painting was obviously a masterpiece, crafted carefully with paint and brush into a muted rendition of a thunderstorm roiling over a lake. A massive bank of black clouds boomed over snow-brushed mountains, the heavens trembling right before the downpour of a deluge, a few drops already falling to disturb the whipped caps of the lake. A tree stood on the rocky shore, each detail bright and startling in clarity, clapped in half by the thin, jagged bolt of lightning streaking down the center of the picture.

Shikamaru studied the picture in avid interest, detailing the tiny brushstrokes and bold coloring. He hadn't seen a painting like it before, but he would have judged it to be painted in the early Baroque era, the oil hinting at an Italian origin. Worth about ten-thousand dollars—twenty, if he counted the gold-filigreed frame.

The door opened and shut with a soft click. Leather shoes whispered over the thick Persian rug—Shikarmaru dated it around 1940—and Sasuke Uchiha settled into the thick leather chair on the other side of his desk.

"Nara," Uchiha murmured, sardonic and calm. "Shockingly, you don't seem happy to see me. To what do I owe the honor of having my private office being broken into?"

Shikarmaru continued his study of the painting in silence, still trying to wrestle the cold monster in his belly to stillness. He was furious, and the tight muscle in his jaw was all he could show of it.

Uchiha nodded, turning his chair halfway to see the painting as well. "Naruto," he explained. "After he tracked me to Italy. He found an interest in painting, but he was terrible. Surprise, surprise. He commissioned that from a friend he had made. Magro, was his name, I think. Naruto still occasionally finds joy from painting in the form of more modern art. Flicking neon paint at a canvas and calling it art appeals to him."

"Hmm," Shikamaru grunted, shifting slightly in his very comfortable chair.

It was quiet for several long moments, both men studying the painting. A clock ticked somewhere, softly.

"Ino was there tonight," Shikamaru said finally. "I had to knock her out and drag her away before Kabtuo's blood cab could ship her off to some—"

He cut himself off. His voice had become more and more controlled throughout his speech, more tightly wound, and he didn't dare finish. An actual acknowledgment of a brunch club where Ino would be put on display in some cage, veins laid bare and—he stopped himself.

"I see," Uchiha said diplomatically. "Is she willing to testify?"

"She's not awake yet."

"Ah," Uchiha said. His eyebrow twitched with the desire to raise, but it remained firm. "Then why are you here?"

"I saw her come out," Shikamaru said, tone brittle. "Isn't that enough?"

"No."

"Then there's no point in me being here," Shikamaru said, standing. "I'll have it taken care of my—"

"Shikamaru," Uchiha interrupted, the rare use of his name enough to stop Shikamaru in his tracks. "Orochimaru is different. He's playing by different rules. I-" he paused to swallow his pride. "I was… beaten by him. Give us some time. Naruto is working on it. You trust him, don't you?"

Shikamaru's mind whirled through a thousand strategies, retorts, and plans that would both Uchiha and Orochimaru wailing. He could destroy them both utterly, leave them as pathetic husks with nowhere to run, screaming. He could, with a few months to plan.

But he did trust Naruto. Naruto wouldn't fail him.

"Tell him he has three months," Shikamaru ordered finally. "Then I make my move. Three months, Uchiha."

"Go back to your wife, Nara," Uchiha said cuttingly. "We have it well under control here. Oh, and tell Ino not to leave the city. We'll make sure she doesn't."

Shikamaru glared over his shoulder, and stalked out the door.

oOo

Ino woke to the really horrible feeling of being both mildly hung over and significantly drugged on Nyquil. The only time she had felt worse than this was during those three days of "morning" sickness that sent her to the hospital for dehydration. She was being jostled, warm arms around her, and she had a sinking in the pit of her stomach that meant she was on an elevator.

She took a deep breath, smelled pine needles and outside, and relaxed.

"I'm mad at you," she told Shikamaru, lifting her head from his shoulder took a great deal of willpower. He would deserve it if she threw up on him. She might do it for the principle of the matter. "Where am I you stupid loaf of mincemeat?"

"How much do you weigh now anyway?" Shikamaru shot back, hiking her up on his back. It was strange to feel his familiar hands on her bare thighs. "You really need to lay off the doughnuts."

"No, you need to spend more time in the gym," Ino corrected. "Where am I?"

"Your apartment building, on the elevator," Shikamaru said. "I'll drop you off there, where you will stay—and then go pick up Holly from Hinata's."

Holly, her heart ached at the thought of her daughter. She wondered how Holly would feel about moving to Florida. Or maybe California. California was even further. Far away was good.

"That's fine," she said, laying her head back down. Her entire brain was pounding. "I'll get her. It's not your job."

"I'm not allowed to help out every once in a while?"

"How does Temari feel about you helping me out?"

"Temari loves Holly."

"Code for she hates my guts," Ino sighed. "Well, you'll have easier access to Holly soon at any rate. We're moving to California, near a beach I think. I've heard beaches are nice to live by and I'm sure I can find her a good school—"

"You can't leave the city," Shikamaru said. He tensed, waiting for her to hit him.

She did. Hard.

"You have no idea—"

"I have every idea," Shikamaru snapped, hands tightening on her thighs. And wasn't that a strange sensation? "You ran into some big nasties, they told you they'd find you…"

Ino shook at the memory, but forced the trembling to stop. She suddenly noted a dull ache in her arms, but she ignored that too. "I don't know what you're talking about. I have a little too much to drink, maybe. Some guy was helping me to a cab when you mugged me."

Her bare feet—bare? Where are my shoes?—hit the floor with a thump and Shikamaru spun to face her, trapping her in the delicious place between wall and body.

Ino firmly reminded herself he was married.

"If you would just tell me," he said, voice low and urgent. "I could make sure you and Holly are protected."

"You kind of proved by that little trip to the drugstore that you're not so great in the protection department, Shika."

"Ino!" He turned away with a frustrated noise, shoving his hands in his pockets. He was counting to ten, she could tell from the way he was breathing. He turned around once he was done, calm restored. "If you won't trust me, I'll take you to someone you can."

"I don't know what you're talking about," Ino repeated fiercely. "I was tipsy."

"You were nearly murdered!" Shikamaru roared.

"TIPSY!" Ino yelled back, remembering those slug lips and their unmistakable threat. She had gotten Shika into enough trouble before this. He didn't understand, couldn't understand, what she had seen. She wasn't about to let him get involved in her problems. "Stay out of it!"

"Fine," Shikamaru said through gritted teeth. "But you have to stay in the city."

The elevator dinged and Ino got off, rummaging in her purse for her key.

"Ino. You have to stay in the city."

"Bite me," Ino snarled, and slammed her door in his face.

oOo

Author's Notes: Bad Ino!

I hope you enjoyed this chapter. If you did, then please review!