Mistletoe –ShikaIno-

It was around Christmas and Ino was helping her mother decorate the house. Ever year on Christmas Eve, Shikamaru and Choji would come over with their families. She enjoyed those times with her team and their family, their families where very close. But since what had happened this year, during the year, she was loathing this Christmas Eve more then ever. It just so happened that Ino had moved on from her always crush of Sasuke. He was a childhood crush that was nothing to her anymore. Hearing the bell ring to the house, she peered out the window and saw a familiar pony tail. She took in a shaky breath and ran up the stairs to her room. She didn't want to see Shikamaru, she didn't want to be in his presence, she hated him, no she hated that she loved him. Holding her hand to her chest, she panted, her heart racing as she leaned against the door to her room. She wanted to cry, she wanted to sob, she wanted this all too just stop. But she would shed no more tears to the likes of Shikamaru Nara! But she hurt so badly… It all started last Christmas…

FLASHBACK.

Ino smiled brightly as she put the star atop the Christmas tree, her dad lifting her even thought the sixteen year old no longer needed to be hoisted up to reach the top. Coming down, she smiled and laughed. The house looked amazing, decorated in gold and sliver, just stunning. All there was now to do was to wait. Just then, the door bell rang and she ran to the door, opening it to see her good friend Choji and his family

"Merry Christmas Ino!!"

Choji said with a large smile, then hugging his team mate. Ino gave a laugh and hugged him back, getting a little crushed by his strength.

"Merry Christmas to you to Choji, same to you Mr. and Mrs. Akimichi"

she said to them, letting go of Choji and leading them in. As soon as the hello's where passed out, Inoichi took Choza away for some sake. Mrs. Akimichi went to help Mrs. Yamanka in the kitchen. Ino smiled at Choji and walked up to her room with him, he nudged her on the way.

"Sooooo, you and Shikamaru….?"

he questioned and laughed. Ino turned red and shoved Choji a bit.

"Shut up Choji!"

she said and crossed her arms. Choji laughed epically when the door bell rang again and Ino turned red. She knew it was the Nara family. Running back down the stairs, she opened the door and saw Mrs. Nara smiling brightly, Shikaku grunting, then Mrs. Nara stepping on his foot….hard.

"MERRY CHRSITMAS!"

he yelled out as it happened. Ino giggled and let them in, trying not to blush when she saw Shikamaru. Shikamaru stopped walking when he saw Ino and smiled at her, that oh so lazy smile.

"Merry Christmas…Ino."

He said in a calm and cool voice. She smiled and bowed to him.

"Merry Christmas, Shikamaru."

She said back to him and he came in. After taking off his coat, he kicked of his shoes and smile at her. Next thing was them talking, and Choji sighing, being left alone again. In Choji's boredom, he walked into the kitchen and started to eat someone of the already prepared food. Ino and Shikamaru sat down and talked…and talked…and one thing lead to the next. Nothing was ever unsaid between them, they were best friends, but they were more. Yes, Ino and Shikamaru where going out, they confused just a month ago and they were in love.

"DINNER!!!!!!"

Mrs. Nara called out in her loud voice, calling them all in for dinner. He kissed her cheek and smiled at her, taking her hand and leading her up. Ino blushed heavily and followed him. Walking into the kitchen, Inoichi made them stop walking.

"Mistletoe kiddies, kiss!!!"

he said to them, Choji laughed at their blushing faces. Shikamaru rolled his eyes and took Ino's other hand, pulling her close to him and placing a kiss onto her soft lips. He held it a second or so and broke it, blushing.

"Happy?"

he asked them, Ino was speechless. They clapped and Ino and Shikamaru blushed more. Then, sitting down for dinner Shikamaru and Ino played footsy for the entire meal. After dinner, there was dessert then presents. Shikamaru got Ino a sliver heart locket and Ino got Shikamaru a hand made Shoji game set. They both loved everything that they got each other. As the night got late, they started to leave. Ino walked Shikamaru out…it was lightly snowing and around midnight. So romantic. He looked up and saw mistletoe at the door again here. Smirking, he placed his lips onto her and gave her the sweetest kiss he had ever given her. She gasped for breath after their long lip lock and blushed furiously.

"Even after dating or this long Ino…you still turn so red when we kiss…troublesome girl.."

he said as he kissed her again and ran his hand through her hair, it was down

"Merry Christmas…Ino…I love you…"

he said to her as he looked into her clear blue eyes.

"Merry Christmas…Shikamaru…I love you too.."

she said. They shared one more kiss before they parted for the night.

That night, Ino took the mistletoe above the door off and wanted to save it. It was the most romantic thing that ever happened to her, that happened under that leave, and she wanted to save it…to remind her of how much she loved Shikamaru…and how much he loved her..

END FLASH BACK.

Ino started to cry as she held the delicate piece of mistletoe in her hands. It was dried out now…but she was able to save it for the most part. 'I hate him! I hate him!! Why do I have to love him!' she thought as she let the leaf hit her desk, her dropping it and she dropped to the ground….quietly crying.

"Ino!! Come down!! The Nara's are here!!"

Mrs. Yamanka called to Ino. She did her best to composer herself…and headed down the stairs…her heart beating faster then ever…