Author's Note- I love Spring Break! I may not go anywhere but being able to work on my stories and post more chapters totally makes up for not going on an actual vacation. Trust me when I say sitting in the library typing is a lot better than sitting in the cold at a softball field freezing your butt off! Sorry, I'm rambling. Anyway, just to warn you this chapter is almost a complete overlap of the 3rd chapter. Only from Shikamaru's view. Sorry about that. I didn't mean for it to happen like that. Anywho, I hope you all enjoy!

Disclaimer: Sadly, I still do not own Naruto…

Chapter 4

I got back to the apartment and put Yumi's flowers on the kitchen table. Then, I went searching through the kitchen for ramen ingredients. I figured I'd make Yumi lunch to go with the flowers. I really hoped that making the same food that was part of the beginning of our relationship would help smooth things out. I found what I needed and got the ramen ready. I had just set the two bowls on the table and picked up Yumi's flowers when the door opened. Yumi say me and gasped. I walked up to here and gave her the flowers.

"I really am sorry. I didn't mean to upset you," I told her as I pulled her to me. Kami, she smelled really good.

"I-it's okay," she whispered. She put her arms around me. "What happened though?" I had a minor panic attack in my head when she said this. I quickly explained myself. I could feel it as my face got warmer. Suddenly, she started to laugh. I just stared. "I'm sorry. I'm not meaning to laugh, but that's really why you got up and left like that? Because I started to turn you on?" She was still laughing. I shot her a glare.

"I really don't think it's that funny. I didn't want to do anything that would make you mad," I answered. She stopped laughing.

"Hey, I wasn't making fun of you or anything." I felt her small hands slide into mine. "I'm your girlfriend. I'm supposed to do that. If I didn't, it'd mean there was something wrong."

After that we sat down to eat. We were both almost finished when Yumi spoke.

"Um…Shikamaru, can I tell you something?" I knew it was important because she hardly ever called me by my full name anymore. I nodded. "I…I think I saw a member of the Akatsuki in the street today." I just stared at her for a minute.

"Are you sure?"
"He was wearing a black coat with red clouds on it."

"Damnit. We have to tell Lady Tsunade. They may be planning on attacking. Or they're looking for Naruto. Either way, we need to go," I said, standing up. Yumi stood up with me and we left.

We arrived at Lady Tsunade's office and quickly informed her of the situation.

"Damn! This is not good. Shizune!" Shizune ran into the room.

"Yes, m'lady?" she asked as she bowed.

"Gather some of our strongest jonin and scatter them throughout the village. Tell them to be on the lookout for Akatsuki," Tsunade ordered. Suddenly, a bird flew in through the open window. It had a message attached to its leg. The Hokage quickly pulled the paper off and read the message aloud. "'We did not find what we were searching for. We have left this village…for now. I'm sure we will return soon. –The Akatsuki'. Shizune, send out some men to make sure the village is clear. Shikamaru, Yumiko, thank you and keep on the lookout," she said.

"Yes, Tsunade-sama," the three of us said in unison. We all left and Yumi and I headed home.