Tranquil Mornings
It was nearing the peek of dawn in the leaf village. All was shadowed by the heavy mist hovering over the morning sky. All was quiet. all was at peace, just the way Nara Shikamaru liked it. No Ino, no Chouji, no Asuma, no missions, no nothing, just him and the morning skys. He let out a deep sigh and with all the energy he wanted to utilize, rose upward gazing toward the approaching figure. Her blonde hair looked almost white in the pearl colored fog, her movements were sluggish to the pointto were she almost looked drunk. Her hands were cupped around herself, hugging what slim body she had for the dawn's wind. Her purple shirt dipped with dew droplets which seemed to make her glow. The shadow ninja watched with half opened eyes as the figure's gaze fell apon Shikamaru. Ino Yamanaka's radiant azure eyes fell into the ivory black eyes staring at her. She stopped and as for a moment time seemed to slow to a crawl. Then as if awoken from a daze Shikamaru slowly rose to his feet and stood observing Ino. Her azure eyes were faintly stained with tears of sadness and her body was shaking, but no from the suave breeze, but from the long sleepless night she had had. He sighed and murmured a troublesome. He amblly walked over to her, running an amiable hand down her face. "You are such a troublesome girl, why were you crying," he said in a husky voice. Her azure eyes widen as if bewildered by how self-evident her night had gone. Yet, before Shikamaru could get the reply he desired, Ino dashed off like a cat down the dusty road disappearing in the mist. "Ino, wait...shit," Shikamaru said and broke into a breathless run after her.
Ino never realized how fast Shikamaru was, simply because he lounged around like the lazy ass he was. He caught up with her with ease and tackled her to the ground, placing an arm under her so her body would not come in contact with the ridged earth below. Ino pressed herself agaist Shikamaru's chest and heaved as hard as she could, but to no aveal. She then placed both hand firmly on his chest and pushed with all her strength, and to hers and Shikamaru's surprise she had successfully toppled him over. She shattered to her feet and began to run, but before her feet even brushed the ground she was agaist the wall of the ramen shop Naruto always accompanyed. Both hands gripping tight on her brittle arms. He was breathing effortless apon her even after the chase. Ino eyes darted from place to place trying to find any means of escape, she did not want to tell him, she did not want him to know, she didn't want him to care as he tryed to act as if he didn't care, when she and him both knew he did. Shikamaru on the other hand was flabbergasted at Ino wild actions, even in her fits she never seemed to be this wild. "I hate you," she hissed lowly, slowly gripping his hand and trying to pry if off, but the grip tigthened and she grimaced. "Let me go, let me go now," she screeched struggled as hard as she could, yet her actions failed miserably.
Finally after what seemed seemed like an everlasting struggle, she crippled to the ground, Shikamaru following her downward. Slowly, he losseden his grip and stared blankly at Ino, who was pale faced and crying once again. "You hate me don't you, you hate me," she muttered. Shikamaru was complexed by the word "hate" he could never hate Ino, even when she wined, fussed, and bossed himand Chouji around he could never hate her. To be honest wth himself he loved her. His eyes narrowed dangerously, then softed when her glazed eyes met his. "I don't hate you, I never could hate you." He gave a heartfelt smile and slowly wrapped his bruised arms around the fragile gem before him. Even now he couldn't admit his feelings to her, his grip tighted at the thought of telling her. He knew as good as everyone else that Ino fell for that Sasuke. So he would gradully try to erase his love for her which seemed so sinful. Ino glanced over at the spikey-haired boy and slowly, hesitating a moment, hugged him tightly.
Ino couldn't help but give a gentle smile to Shikamaru's kind words. "You don't...hate me." she said with a hiccup. "I don't hate you." Just the thought of hating Ino caused Shikamaru to tighten his grip around her, causing Ino's arms to fall limply to her side. Minutes formed into hours and slowly the dense fog that hide Ino lifted revealing a gently landscape. It was still early morning, and the sky was masked with bright pinks, blues, and golds of all kinds. The sunlight seemed plastered on Ino and Shikamaru. Ino sat there, gazing down at her teamate, her friend, her love, and yet now realizing it she loved him deeply. She ran her hand down his face, to have it caught by the wrist. Shikamaru lifted his head slowly, his eyes were fixed on Ino ocean-bleached eyes, slowly his face drew so close to her that she could taste his salt breath.