She sat in the garden, her hands clasped around a bouquet of lilies that had been tied with a silver ribbon. She stared at the flowers for a while, tracing her fingers along the curve of the petals down to the intricate knots of the ribbon, occasionally rearranging the leaves. They had to look perfect; designing flower arrangements was a complicated task, but Ino Yamanaka was not going to settle for anything but the best.

"What are you still doing here?"

She turned at the familiar voice, smiling unconsciously. His shadow came into view before he did and as he turned the corner, she almost could have sworn he was a different person, dressed so formally. There was barely a trace of the disheveled, nonchalant boy she had known her entire life. He looked… the corners of her mouth twisted despite herself… ridiculously handsome. Not that he wasn't anyway. She turned her head slightly to hide the blush that had suddenly sprung to her cheeks.

"Just putting the finishing touches on these floral…" She stopped mid-sentence, her head snapping back up as she realized something. "What am I doing here? I think I should be asking that to you!"

She sprang to her feet, setting the bouquet aside as she moved toward him. Around her ankles, her skirt rippled like eddies in still water and she had to brush her hair behind her ear to keep it from flying in her face. When she saw that his expression had changed to that of someone completely transfixed, she paused, examining her dress self-consciously.

"What? What is it? Is it wrinkled or something?"

The corners of his mouth twitched, and he failed to hold back the lazy grin that spread across his face.

"You…" He shook his head, but his eyes didn't lose the sudden light that had filled them.

"I what?" She closed the last few steps between them, putting her hands on her hips indignantly as she probed his face for answers. "You're not supposed to be here, and you know it."

He shrugged, and she saw his shoulders tense slightly. "I know. Just making sure that you still… well…"

He trailed off, his expression suddenly fraught with uncertainty.

"Shikamaru." Ino grabbed his hands forcefully and held them until he looked her in the eye. With his dark eyes locked onto hers, she couldn't help but smile.

"Baka." She whispered. "What do you think?"

She only hesitated for a split second, an old fear kindling like a flame in the pit of her stomach, only to be quashed a moment later when his hand moved to cradle her cheek. Smiling, she kissed him.

That strange intensity was still present, the same as the first time they'd kissed, but this time, there was no fear, only the realization that she would be this happy kissing him in every moment that remained to them in their lives. And when she finally pulled away this time, she didn't feel the need to run.

He stared down at her, and for once, behind all the whirring calculations that were always reflected in his gaze, Ino was fairly certain that she really understood him.

"So."

"So."

They both let out a laugh, hers light and melodic, his breathy and nervous.

"I should get back. Some troublesome event I have to be present for." He raised an eyebrow at her and she swatted his arm gently. He turned back to look at her once, and she gestured him forward, because she was fairly certain if he didn't go now, she'd never be able to let him leave. With one last unguarded smile exchanged between them, they parted ways.

As he disappeared from view, the shadows of the leaves fell across his back, filtered green and gold by the intensity of the sun. Ino watched him go, her stomach knotting, but for once, she knew that this was right.

Their future as shinobi of Konoha was uncertain, and it always would be, but now more than ever, as she stood in the garden she'd known since she was just a toddler, wearing the dress she would be married in mere moments, Ino Yamanaka knew one thing with absolute certainty: that the boy who had always caught and protected her would be there until the very last moment, whenever it came. And she would do the same for him, whatever the cost.

With one last glance at the garden, she followed the path he had taken, out of the shadows and into the brilliant light of the day.

A/N: Oh my goodness. It's actually done. I worked with a few different ideas for the ending, but in the end, this was the one that really fit.

I sincerely hope that you all have enjoyed reading this. It's been my pleasure to write and then to read all of your reactions to my work. Since this is the last chapter, I'd love to hear your thoughts on the ending and the story in general - favorite chapters, scenes you liked - any thoughts you have, I'd really enjoy knowing what they are.

Also, I'd like to take the opportunity to thank my part-time beta Wroathe. Without her invaluable help, I would absolutely never have gotten some of those middle chapters done and looking decent.

As a last note, I pose a question to you all. I've been running a poll on my profile recently asking about an original Ino-Shika-Cho squad story I've been working on, and I've thought about posting a little preview chapter at the end of this story, just to see what you all think and gauge the interest it might generate. If you'd like to see me add it on, please say so in your review, and I'll definitely try to do that!

Thank you so very much for reading.

- Senka Hitomi