Ino was much lighter than he remembered.

Even without the gaping hole in her stomach, the weight difference was stark. She was always dieting back in the day, but this is a different weight loss. She was much more toned, defined muscle structure bulging where there used to be little on her feminine body. Shikamaru wondered how healthy she ate in the wilderness, and when she stopped caring about her figure.

Not that it mattered much, anymore.

He takes another long drag of his cig, trying to shove the image of laying Ino's prone body on the ground, just another lifeless form awaiting disposal. To her right, enemy bodies were stacked to be burned, to her left, Leaf shinobi to be buried. Ino lay between the two groups, in a no-man's land, neither friend nor foe. Shikamaru wasn't sure what the Godaime was going to do with her body, and at this point, he was too weary to care.

At least someone had enough sense to drape a sheet over her bloodied body.

It was probably Sakura. No one else cared enough to do such a thing, and Inohi had hardly left Ino's side once Shikamaru had put her down.

He reached down for another dead carcass, and heaved it over his shoulder to take to the enemy pile. He skirted Ino's body, not bothering to look down to see Inohi sob over his dead teammate, and tossed the dead ninja onto a steadily growing pile of corpses.

Once they had emerged from the forest with Hiiruke's dead body, the remaining rogue shinobi had scattered. The injured that could not get away were left stranded, and taken into custody. Shikamaru doubted they would get anything useful from them. Turning, he surveyed the aftermath of the battle. There were still quite a number of bodies to be categorized, and he sighed. His eyes fell on the slow-moving group of Leaf shinobi and he was glad that his father and Chouza were out on a mission. He didn't think they could stomach seeing an Ino-Shika-Chou generation more broken than theirs.

He didn't appreciate the curious glances thrown his and Inohi's way. No one bothered the young girl, still quietly crying over Ino's corpse, and he doubted anything would move the girl from her current position. The whispers behind his back were what irritated him the most. Speculation ran rampant among the Leaf shinobi about him and Ino, and he wished they would shut up and leave him be.

Only Lee had the decency to approach him, placing a battle-scarred hand on his shoulder and offering a sad smile. Shikamaru gave him a gracious nod before shrugging off his hand.

It was evening by the time all the casualties were sorted through. The flames of the funeral pyre hungrily licked the darkening sky, sending flames to cover the budding moon. Shikamaru, entranced by the flickering shadows playing off the underbrush, nearly missed the loud commotion behind him.

He turned, his disinterested gaze taking in the large number of ninja grouped in a circle. They were shouting, and someone hurled a kunai through the air. Suddenly, all of the shinobi were attacking, jutsu spewing from hastily formed hand seals, senbon whistling towards a lone target trapped by their ranks.

Several ninja fell as their prey attacked, and a deafening roar rose from the middle of the gathered shinobi.

Shikamaru stiffened at the sound, then bolted toward to the crowd, recognition of the voice compelling him forward.

"Stop!" he yelled to his comrades still on the offensive. "Stop attacking!"

His calls went unheeded in the clamor. He growled in irritation, then forced his hands together.

"Kagemane no Jutsu!"

The entirety of the shinobi paused, some airborne bodies falling to the earth in a fit of dust. Startled, they all twisted to look at Shikamaru. He paid them no heed. The shadow-nin took several steps back, those caught in his grasp following suit, and an opening appeared to reveal a spotted snow leopard kneeling poised for an attack, a low growling rumbling through her throat.

"Shinsetsu," he breathed.

A low murmur began to spread through the shinobi.

The proud leopard slowly eased off her hunches. She gave Shikamaru a lasting look, flicked her tail, and began to stalk toward him.

"So this is the land of the little one's before," Shinsetsu spoke, turning her head about now that the threats against her were incapacitated.

Shikamaru blinked slowly. "Shinsetsu," he began, "what are you doing here?"

The large cat ignored him, choosing instead to continue her inspection of Konoha.

"Shinsetsu!" he called again.

She threw him an agitated look, clearly unhappy about being interrupted.

"Where is the little one?" she demanded.

Shikamaru bristled.

"Where is she?" Shinsetsu inquired once more.

Turning his head away, the Nara spoke, "It doesn't matter. You're too late."

Walking forward slowly, the snow leopard kept her gaze on the shinobi before her. "Where is she?"

Shikamaru could feel his anger rising. He clenched his shaking fists, his eyes downcast. "I said, it doesn't matter."

"That is not what I asked."

"You're too late."

"I demand to know where she is!"

"She's dead!" Shikamaru roared. A hush fell over everyone in the vicinity. In his fury, he released his shadow possession, and the group of shinobi fell down in an uncoordinated heap. It was deathly quiet after the shadow-nin's outburst.

"She's dead," he spat, struggling to suppress the desire to obliterate the surrounding forest.

Shinsetsu stopped in her movements, watching Shikamaru mutely.

"Where were you," he ground out, "when she needed you the most?"

The cat, muscled suddenly tensed, began a low growl.

Shikamaru continued, "Where were you when she faced a horde of shinobi? When she took on a monster? Where were you?! Have you forgotten your—"

Shinsetsu cut him off with a ferocious roar as she lunged toward him. "I have not forgotten my debt, Shikamaru!" He scrambled backwards and stumbled, landing on his back, as Shinsetsu rose to meet him. "And you!" she howled. "Were you not there as she fought? Were you not holding her as she bled to death?"

Shikamaru blinked at her accusations. He said nothing, wondering how she knew, and swallowing his shame because it was true.

"I could not have helped her any more than you did," Shinsetsu spoke, lithely jumping over his body to search for her ward. "The little one," she said gently, "is not dead. She merely sleeps."

Sleeps? The Nara narrowed his eyes at so ridiculous an assertion. He stood, eyeing Shinsetsu wearily.

"Take me to her," the spotted cat spoke at length.

Sighing, Shikamaru could only shake his head. Ino was dead, and this stupid beast was not helping the situation by insinuating that she would somehow miraculously wake up. He closed his eyes, suddenly drained and wishing for a small hill to lie down upon and stargaze.

"I'll take you," said a voice abruptly.

Sakura stepped forward, hands clasped on her chest. There was a glimmer of dangerous hope in her eyes. Beside her, the Hokage eyed her cautiously.

"She's over here," said the pinkette, making her way past Shikamaru and toward Ino's lone body.

Shikamaru sent his gaze toward the Godaime, raising a brow in question. Tsunade followed after the giant cat, and he ran to catch up to her.

"What does she think she's doing?" the shadow-nin asked.

"When did Ino meet this snow leopard?" The Hokage asked abruptly.

Blinking, Shikamaru scrunched his brows. "What? I don't know, some time ago. She saved Shinsetsu from poachers, and since then she's followed Ino, vowing to protect her until her debt was paid. Why?"

"I take it you haven't heard of the snow leopards of the Land of Snow."

"No."

"They're rumored to have extraordinary healing prowers. It's merely speculation, since such creatures rarely leave the treacherous mountains of the Land of Snow. No doubt that was why she was captured in the first place."

Shikamaru processed this new information. Healing powers? Could that mean…

"You don't think…?" he began, afraid to even fully speak his thought.

"It seems we'll find out soon enough," Tsunade answered.

They followed Sakura to Ino's body. Inohi looked up at the approaching footsteps, her tear-streaked face lifting, eyes widening in surprise at the sight of the snow leopard.

"Shinsetsu," she breathed, her eyes focused steadily on the large feline.

The leopard nodded in her direction. Bending her head, Shinsetsu grasped the sheet lightly in her teeth and pulled it back to reveal Ino's visage. Light blonde bangs had fallen to the side of her face, revealing the smooth texture of her pale face. Shikamaru marveled at the peaceful look that had settled onto her expression, noting it was the most calm he had ever seen Ino in the past few months.

"Oh, little one," Shinsetsu spoke, breathing onto Ino's face. "Oh, my dear little one. You are not born of fire and molded by flames. You were birthed of the earth, and to the earth you shall return. Rise, and take the life I breathe into you." Shinsetsu blew onto her face, blowing away strands of blonde hair.

Something flickered on Ino's face, but Shikamaru wasn't sure if he imagined it or not.

Shinsetsu blew out another breathe, and the cat lifted her head high as she continued to fan air across Ino's face. Ino's chest lifted off the ground, seemingly pulled up by the very air from the snow leopard's lungs, and a minuscule rising of Ino's chest to imply an intake of breath had Shikamaru suddenly, brazenly hoping against his better instincts that something miraculous could happen. He realized he wasn't the only one wishing for such a thing. To his right, Sakura tightly clutched her clasped hands to her chest, and Inohi seemed to be holding her breathe as she watched the spotted leopard.

Shinsetsu gave out the last of her air and laid Ino back to the ground.

"A life for a life," voiced the snow leopard. "My debt is repaid." The image of the cat began to fade. Behind her, Inohi gasped as Shinsetsu further disappeared from view, her speckled coat evaporating into the air. "Wake, child," said the disembodied voice of Shinsetsu.

As if on cue, Ino took a shuddering breath, eyes flying open as she drank in precious air. Inohi gave a great cry of excitement as a clamor rose from the shinobi that had gathered around them. She flung herself at the recovering blonde. Such an action forced the newly acquired breath out of Ino and she gasped in pain. Inohi abruptly let go, apologizing profusely, just as Sakura, tears falling steadily from her face, bent down and hugged Ino.

Shikamaru fell to his knees, stunned beyond belief.

"You'll squeeze her to death if you continue, Sakura," Tsunade intoned.

"Sorry!" Sakura squealed, rising off the blonde.

Ino sat up, bewildered. She turned her head about to gather her senses, stunned to see so many people staring at her lying on the ground.

"What…what…" Ino started to speak. Her eyes bulged as she recalled her last memories, a hand lifting quickly to her abdomen, expecting a giant hole where one was not. Her fingers traced over the ripped cloth and smooth skin, and she stuttered, "H-how…"

She took a sharp breath, and spoke one word: "Shinsetsu."

Inohi nodded enthusiastically, practically bouncing from her kneeling position. Ino twisted her head around to spot the snow leopard, even knowing she wouldn't be there, and sighed in resigned defeat. "Thank you," she whispered, head bowed, a small smile gracing her features.

Looking up, she caught a glimpse of Shikamaru on his knees, a dumbfounded look on his face. Something spurred within her, and she swiftly scrambled toward him, throwing herself into his embrace and pushing him onto his back. He fell with a grunt, still in a shocked stupor.

His shirt was unexpectedly wet, and he realized Ino was crying. He circled his arms around her and buried his face in her hair, disregarding the stares of those around him.

"Ino," he whispered desperately, and kissed her hair.

"Are you sure you'll be okay?"

"Kasei, I'll be fine," voiced Inohi, a thread of impatience filling her tone. Behind her, the busting village of Hojimou went about its daily routine, unaware of the two shinobi at its front gates. "Besides, you've sent me on worse missions before, remember?"

"Yeah, but this is different," Kasei answered, biting her lip.

Inohi cocked a brow. "Why are you so worried all of a sudden?" In the distance, a child's shriek of happiness could be heard.

Shaking her head, Kasei spoke, "With all that's happened, I'm just anxious, that's all."

"Everything's going to be fine. We always made it through the tough times, right?"

"Yeah, yeah, we did." Kasei smiled at the distant memories.

"You'll come visit?" The younger girl's green eyes were full of wanting, and Kasei found she couldn't deny her if she wanted.

"Of course. And you'll come see me?"

The girl nodded vigorously, a smile on her face. "Don't be so concerned about me. You've taught me well, and Chikao's promised to look after me. And I'm not mad. I'm not."

The small grin on Kasei's face vanished, a grim look replacing it. "You've every right to be. I won't blame you if you are."

"I'm not," Inohi replied, defiantly. "I get it now. Besides, everything worked out in the end?"

"Yeah, I suppose it did." In the distance, Chikao could be heard calling his son's name. "Take care, Kiriko."

"You too, Ino."

Kiriko pinned her bangs out of her face, gave Ino a lasting look, then turned to enter the village. Taking a step back, Ino gave the village one last glance, and set her mark onto the nearby pathway. She meandered a ways down the path, veering off into the forest after a while. She came upon a blossoming pear tree, plucked a stalk of rosemary, and settled against a large oak tree. Leaning her head back, she stared into the leafy canopy and brought the rosemary to her nose.

"I guess things did work out in the end, huh, Chouji?" she spoke into the air.

"It did," Chouji answered, sitting down beside her and snuggling against the tree.

Ino started, jerking away at the sight of her long-dead friend, and gasped.

Chouji merely smiled her way, raising a hand in greeting.

"Ch-chouji," she stammered.

"Ino," he replied, shifting his gaze around the small clearing. "This is a very nice place you found for me. Thank you."

"I…I'm glad you like it," Ino answered after finding her voice. Then, "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."

"It's not your fault, Ino." Chouji furrowed his brows. "I've never blamed you."

"But I should've been there to help you! If only I was strong enough to save you—"

"Stop it, Ino. It's not your fault, and worrying about it after all this time won't do you any good." Raising a hand to her back, Chouji rubbed circles to soothe her. "It's done and over, Ino. So what are you doing here?"

"What? I'm visiting you, of course. What else?"

"No, why are you here, instead of Konoha?"

She blinked. How did he know?

"Shikamaru told me," he explained, a gentle smile adorning his face. "It's been two weeks. Why haven't you gone back?"

Ino pulled her legs closer to herself and wrapped her arms around them. She laid her chin on her knees and stared off into the distance, as if talking to her dead friend was a normal occurrence. "I…don't really want to go back."

"Why?"

"It's…I've been gone so long. What if Konoha's not what I remember? What if no one wants me back?"

"You know there's at least one person who wants to see you."

Ino buried her face in her arms. "Ugh, don't remind me of him."

"You two seemed to have had quite a night here a few weeks ago," he insinuated cheekily.

Instantly, her mind was flooded with memories of the night Shikamaru had stripped her bare, his warm hands caressing her sides as if trying to make up for lost time. Even if he was a ghost, she was glad Chouji couldn't see her flustered blush as she remembered Shikamaru's hot breath on her neck, trailing kisses down between her breasts.

"It was nothing," she protested.

"Shikamaru would disagree, I'm sure."

"Shut up, Chouji."

"Why don't you ask him, then?"

"What?" she said, head rising. To her utter surprise, who should be standing at the edge of the clearing but the dark-haired shinobi himself.

She quickly ducked her head at the sight of him, hands tucked into his pockets, a cigarette lazily hanging from his lips. It seemed he always knew where to find her.

"Ino," he began.

She didn't look up.

He kneeled before her, lifting her face gently with a finger.

"Ino."

"I'm not going back," she said suddenly, staring into his dark eyes. They narrowed at her statement.

"Why?"

"How can I?"

"You've been pardoned by the Hokage."

"It doesn't change what I did."

"It doesn't matter."

"Things have changed. I've changed. I'm hardly Yamanaka Ino anymore."

"Yes, you are. You're not Kasei, you've never been, and it's time to go back."

Shikamaru dug into his pocket for a moment, scrounging around for an item that would hopefully change her mind. The object found, he brought his hand close to her face and opened his palm. Her eyes widened.

"You…you kept them," she said, shocked, reaching for her silver studs in his palm.

"I did," he replied simply.

"Why?"

"They're yours, and we're still Ino-Shika-Chou, no matter what happens."

Her eyes began to water as she inserted the studs into her ear. Shikamaru stood, and reached a hand down to her. She hesitated, lifting her hand but not moving it the entire way to meet his. Without warning, he swiftly reached down to take her hand in his and yanked her to her feet, surprising her by his actions.

"It's time to go home," he said.

Three days later, Ino stood facing Konoha's gates, Shikamaru's hand on her back. She paused, staring at the group of people standing just beyond the looming walls. They were still too far away to make out any faces.

"I sent word," Shikamaru explained.

Ino couldn't find her voice. She was still so unsure, uncertain of what to expect upon her assimilation back into Konoha. While she stood apprehensive, a lone figure broke from the group, and came towards them.

The figure began to run, sprinting forward as if her life depending on it, and Ino could make out pink hair flapping with every stride. She hardly had time to prepare for an impact before Sakura barreled into her, wrapping her arms around the blonde and burying her face in her neck.

Her actions caused the two girls to swivel on their feet so that Ino's back faced Konoha. Sakura lifted her face, an enormous grin plastered onto her face despite the tears trickling down her cheeks. She mumbled her joy at seeing Ino come home, and raced back to the gates, expecting Ino to follow.

Ino didn't though, still rooted with fear some ways from the entrance to her former home. She turned around slowly, making eye contact with Sakura who stared back with a questioning look. Hesitant, Ino shifted her gaze to Shikamaru, who gave a minuscule smile, and motioned forward with his head.

He took her hand, and it was only at his constant tugging did Ino finally walk through the gates of Konoha.

Author Note: Yay, that's the last chapter! Thank you all for reading, and please, if you haven't reviewed before, leave me a little note about what you thought of the story overall. How'd I do?

On the subject of Chouji, I've mentioned he's a ghost, but you shouldn't take it as a literal ghost come back from the dead. He's more of a physical embodiment of Shikamaru and Ino's subconscious, hence why he only knows things that the person imaging him knows, and why they're the only ones in each scene to acknowledge his presence. It also explains why Chouji's never had a blatant exit; Shikamaru or Ino always get distracted, and Chouji merely disappears as their subconscious comes to recognize a different stimulus.

Questions? Please let me know!

Also, if you want more ShikaIno, I have a oneshot, Blithely They Stay, that should tide you over for a while. I'm actually planning on expanded it as per request, so please follow that story for the update. I'm also planning another series featuring more pairings (which you can find in my bio), so stay tuned for that as well.

Thanks again!