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Thank you! Thank you for the replies. Honestly, I was thinking of this story for quiet some time now but never had the time til now. Law school happened.

Anyways, thanks still for the reply. I never knew that people are still interested even though it had been like a long long time. Those reviews warmed my heart.

And thank you for loving ShikaIno still

Slight warning.

I have not read Boruto so I don't know what happened so this story is completely different.

I will be reviewing the story and will edit it for grammar and other stuff.

Thanks so much again for staying with me. Five chapters and this is done. I will finish this story this month.

Thanks!

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The sun has yet to rise in the horizon but the sky is already illuminated with different shades of orange. Shikamaru felt the chilliness of that morning. The mist from the cold clung to his exposed skin. It was so unlike Suna where it was cold after the sun sets and but the moisture in the air is heavy. Here in Konoha, he welcomed the frostiness that lingers on his skin.

It was four days after Naruto was inaugurated as the new Hokage. The mission that they were supposed to do was delayed for that reason. Since Naruto assumed the post, there were details that were needed to iron out. And there was the matter that they waited for additional information for the mission that they were to perform.

The day after the inauguration, all the existing Kage's held a meeting to discuss if there was a threat looming over the new horizon. Sharing intelligence, the invasion of a town near Suna was not the only one that had been occupied. It seemed like two more small towns have been invaded. One is near Kumo and the other in Kiri. All are still small invasions and the Kages investigating team, found the empty small town cleared of all occupants. Comparing the situation, it was the same as that of the Kuhako clan.

Details like that, which had surfaced, made Shikamaru weary. Since he had to file these information, there was a delay in their mission. He had to plan out what to expect and to regard what will likely to happen next.

This, in fact, made him thankful, at least he doesn't have to think about a certain blonde. Four days, since, he last saw her and four days since there was still bitterness he felt that is being thrown at him coming from her. And if he learned something from their last encounter, is that for him to wait until she will tell him. He will patiently wait for her.

He walked quietly towards the big gate of Konoha. This was to be the first mission ever since he came back from Suna. Looking at the gate, he got a bit of nostalgia. But then he shook his head, he knew this time it was different. He will be coming back.

As he approached the gate, Tenten and Shino were already there. Tenten was crouched down and it seemed like, she was arranging her scrolls. Shino on the other hand was across her standing quietly as always.

"Ohayo!" Tenten smiled as she stood up and was the first one to greet him.

Shikamuru nodded at her "Ohayo." He then turned toward Shino, who bowed his head slightly for acknowledgment. "All set?" He asked them.

"We are still waiting for Ino, it seemed like." Tenten responded. "Oh wait, there she is!", she exclaimed. Tenten raised her hand and pointed to the pair that was walking towards them.

Shikamuru turned around and saw Ino walking together with her fiance.

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The first thing she felt upon waking up is the numbness on her hands. It had been cold that night and much colder that morning. Her neck was not doing much better likewise. As she stood up, she stretched both her arms and her neck, willing herself to be awake.

Sakura walked over towards the sink and splashed water on her face. She did not even bother to look at the mirror in front of her. What she did reach out to first, was her toothbrush, she mildly brushed her teeth and after, she reached for the towel to wipe her face clean.

She looked around her surroundings and noted the desk in disarray. She slept last night, slouched in front of her table. She hadn't meant to sleep inside her office at the hospital but apparently, she was too tired, and the minute she closed her eyes that night, she never woke up til now.

The last thing she remembered though, Ino dropping off her office for her last-minute check-up before she goes away for her mission. Ino did stay quite a while to keep her company but left around midnight to go to her fiance. The empty bottle of red wine was reminiscent of their conversations last night. No wonder, she fell fast asleep, even if it was in an uncomfortable position. The alcohol did help out bury the things that were boggling her mind.

Maybe that's why she blacked out. Having had no proper sleep for two nights after the inauguration, she was grateful for the alcohol as it muddied her mind to allow herself to not think and just sleep.

"It's your choice."

That was the words she remembered that Ino said to her last night.

Sakura never did tell Sasuke her answer to the question that he had asked her four days ago.

She remembered it all.

"Sakura, will you marry me?" Sasuke asked. She froze as she held the ring that was given to her.

"Think about it. You don't have to give me your answer right away." He followed.

To say that she was not shocked will be an understatement. The moment that she saw the ring and heard the first few words coming from him. It was either she wanted to run away or she wanted to curl up to Sasuke.

And that made the difference.

It was a hesitation. She felt it. And she knew he felt it.

After Sasuke gave her the ring, he walked back and disappeared from her view. An excited Naruto went over to her as well as a flushed and confused Ino. But she was too shocked and her thoughts still confused about what had transpired, she excused herself from her two best friends and directly and went home.

She could not even remember if she congratulated Naruto for his inauguration that night.

She went over her desk and started arranging the things that were in chaos back together. She walked over to a small cabinet and pulled out a fresh white robe.

Now here she is, back in the hospital. No words and communication with Sasuke since that day. She was grateful he was keeping away. She knew that he was giving her the space to think this through.

This was a big step for them. She was thankful that he finally acknowledged the direction that should be next for both of them.

This was exactly what she had dreamt of since she was a twelve-year-old girl. Married to the man of her dreams, to whom she fell in love with when she was still young. It was like a dream come true, a perfectly happy story ending.

In reality of it all, she still does love him and she still does want to marry him.

It would be really easy to say yes.

She saw the ray of sunlight now peeking at her small window.

Ino was right the choice was hers.

The decision she had to make.

But why does she felt that she was holding back?

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"You're going to be ok, Ino. I believe in you." Sano told her as he held her the last time that morning.

Ino looked up to meet the eyes of her fiance and forced a small smile. They had already talked it through that night. After she left Sakura, she headed straight to Sano's complex and stayed over at his place. She already told him the uncertainties and waverings that she had for their mission.

Although she still omitted the Shikamaru part of it all for still there was hesitancy still in her. She had no doubt that, Sano will be able to accept her story. As tainted as it was, she knew he would understand the choices that she made.

They sauntered together towards the gate. The sun was beginning to rise. The different shades of orange in the sky are fading away. The mist is starting to disappear and the coldness of the night is being replaced by a warm glow.

Ino nodded to Tenten and Shino who were already at the entrance. She did notice Shikamaru but he was looking in the opposite direction. She tried her best to avoid directly looking at him as well.

"Hey, all!" Ino greeted them with a small smile.

"Hi Ino, Hi Sano." Tenten replied back, waving and smiling at them.

Shino turned to Shikamaru, and said: "We should be going, it is time."

Shikamaru sidestepped and looked directly at Ino for the first time that morning. His eyes are full of intent. "Tse, troublesome. Yes, we have to go.", he responded without

breaking his stare with Ino.

Ino stared back. She knew Shikamaru enough that the look that he was giving her was the look of determination.

And suddenly, this mission, she felt is not just for Konoha anymore.

Before she could reply, Sano stepped in front of her and stared directly at Shikamaru.

And then, there it was, her future and her past, staring directly with each other.

"You will take care of her." Sano said with a slight warning in his voice.

Shikamaru smirked. "You don't have to remind me. I always will." he replied back.

Sano gave the man a small nod and turned towards her.

Sano smiled and said, "I'll see you once you are back.". He leaned in and hugged her. Ino hugged him tightly and nodded at him. She reached out to kiss him tenderly on his cheek.

From the corners of her eyes, she saw Shikamaru avoided his gaze from looking at them.

Ino released herself from Sano and walked over to Tenten.

"Let's go," she said to her teammates.

Ino looked up and the shades of orange are gone now. The sun had risen and the sky is now blue. It was a clear morning.

Tenten nodded and stood close to her. Shino turned and walked over to her and Tenten. Shikamaru then walked over to the other side of Shino.

Sano turned towards her and to her teammates and said, "Take care all of you." His eyes locking with her.

He gave Ino, a last wink, and the last wave before he turned around and started walking back to Konoha.