Chapter 1: Unreciprocated Feelings

Ino sat glumly on a bench between her best friends, Choji and Shikamaru. Choji patted her back as slow tears rolled down her cheeks. Shikamaru sat silently next to her, but his presence was comforting nonetheless. She felt lucky to have such good friends, they were like big brothers to her. She closed her eyes once more as a fresh wave of tears cascaded down her cheeks. Then, to her surprise, she felt something fluffy and warm nuzzle up against her knee. She opened her eyes to see Akamaru staring at her, with gentle eyes. Ino felt her spirits lift somewhat, "hi Akamaru!" she said, patting his head. "If you're here, then-"

But her sentence was cut short as Kiba came running up to the four of them, slightly out of breath. "Akamaru, don't run off like that! We were supposed to train and then sudd-" Kiba's train of thought was cut off as he noticed who he was standing in front of, and as he saw Ino's wet cheeks and puffy eyes. "oh," he said awkwardly, Akamaru gave a small whine, "I'm sorry to bother you. Are you alright Ino?" A light shade of pink flushed across Kiba's cheeks. Ino wiped her eyes and sniffled but did not reply. Shikamaru got up and walked Kiba away from them to a more private space to talk, just a few meters away under a large oak tree. Akamaru stayed behind to comfort Ino.

"Ino just found out that Sasuke and Sakura started dating," Shikamaru confessed to Kiba.

Kiba blinked twice, "she still likes him? After everything that's happened?!" he seemed beyond belief.

Shikamaru shrugged, "a crush is a hard thing to erase. He's a troublesome guy, but Ino had eyes for him since she was a little kid. Somewhere deep down, she always knew he would never date her, but she couldn't let go of all her hope. She just found out from Sakura this morning, and although she's happy for Sakura, she's still crushed. She'll be okay in time."

Kiba replied, "why are you telling me all this Shikamaru?"

Shikamaru smirked slightly, "I've seen the way you look at Ino. The way you've always looked at her. And you and Akamaru are best friends, I thought it was a little odd that he came running all the way here just to comfort her."

Kiba felt his face get hot, "just because my dog came here to comfort a crying girl doesn't mean I like her."

Shikamaru shrugged, "hey, I remember you saying that Akamaru only likes the people you like, he's truly loyal to you that way. You said so once when you were bragging about him to us in the bathhouse. And when we were all in the Academy, you used to always give me the stink eye, it seemed you didn't trust me. And then one day I mentioned to Naruto offhand that Ino was like a sister to me, that I would never like her like that and suddenly you started to be okay around me. When Sakura and Ino started to compete for Sasuke's heart, I noticed you suddenly became vehement towards the guy. You've never really liked him since. I put two and two together, I've known you had a crush on Ino for a while."

Kiba opened and closed his mouth, unsure of what to say at first. His face was quite red now, he was just glad that the crying Ino couldn't see him from where she sat. "Well…" Kiba started, "dammit. Why are you so smart?"

Shikamaru smiled slightly, "listen, it's okay. I prefer you over Sasuke for her. Anyway, that's why I decided to tell you all this. What a drag." With that, Shikamaru stepped back a bit and turned over to Choji and Ino. "Choji, can you come over here?" Shikamaru said. Choji gave one last pat on Ino's back and then got up, looking at Shikamaru quizzically. Kiba blinked twice, noticing that Ino was now alone, save for Akamaru who was quite enjoying the attention he was receiving. Shikamaru nudged Kiba forward slightly as Choji walked up. Kiba felt his feet moving towards Ino, but his mind was blank.

Shikamaru and Choji stood off to the side, far enough away that they could not hear Ino and Kiba, but close enough to be in line of sight for Ino's comfort. Kiba had no idea what Shikamaru was talking to Choji about. Maybe he's telling him all about my apparently obvious crush on Ino Kiba thought. He sighed and then looked at Ino, who was no longer crying. He took a seat next to her on the bench, bending forward to pet Akamaru under his chin.

"Akamaru surprised me there," Ino said, "but it did the trick. He's such a nice dog."

"Yeah," Kiba said, "Akamaru is the best. Aren't you boy?" he was looking at the dog, feeling a sense of comfort and warmth that emanated from his furry friend. He then looked back up at Ino, noticing the tear streaks on her cheeks. "Uh-Shikamaru told me what happened. I'm –uh- sorry." Kiba spluttered out.

Ino smiled at Kiba, "it's alright."

Then Kiba's mouth got ahead of his brain again, as it so often did with him, as he said the first thing that popped in his mind, "why did you like him anyways? That guy has never been nice to you. He never even noticed or acknowledged you."

Ino looked affronted. "Well, I wouldn't expect your pea brain to understand. You've obviously never experienced the feeling of liking someone regardless of whether they notice you or not. Just to see that person, how beautiful he was, how cool he was, it was…it was the highlight of my day! And although he was never nice to me, I still had hope! Maybe I should never have hoped that he would return those feelings towards me, but my heart was a fool and could not be turned away. I guess someone like you could never understand what that feels like Kiba!" her words had become tensed with anger as she spoke, the color rising in her face. Kiba had touched a nerve, had thrown salt over an open wound. She knew her words were a little harsh, but she really didn't think Kiba could understand her.

Oh Ino, the way you describe your feelings for Sasuke is the same way I feel about you! And maybe you're right, why should I have hope that you'll return those feelings for me! Kiba thought to himself, growing steadily frustrated. "Yeah Ino, maybe you're right," he said, "maybe someone like me can't understand what it's like to have a crush on someone who doesn't notice. Someone who is so beautiful, yet so cold towards me. Someone who constantly teased me when I was younger, and yet I somehow still fell for that person! Yup, my little brain will never understand your pain!" Kiba got up from the bench suddenly. Ino was startled by his words, and her face turned pink as she realized who he might be talking about…

"C'mon Akamaru." Kiba and Akamaru took their leave, Kiba did not turn around to say goodbye, although Akamaru was whimpering by his side as they left Ino stunned on the bench.

Kiba had no choice but to pass by Shikamaru and Choji, who were still standing nearby under a tree. Shikamaru wore a face of confusion, "what happened?" he asked. Choji blinked, he had a somewhat strange look on his face, but he didn't say anything.

"Eh," Kiba sighed, "I screwed it up. I shouldn't have let my big trap blabber about Sasuke…I just really don't like that guy! I mean, Ino pined over him for so long, and he didn't even give her one glance! If I was him…I would've treated her like the queen she is…I would've…well, it doesn't matter. You don't want to hear about any of that mushy stuff anyways. Well, Ino doesn't like me anyway. Please, both of you, don't tell her any of this. I'd like to just forget about this." Kiba felt like his mouth was running fast again, he couldn't stop his words from coming out when he was upset like this.

Shikamaru sighed, "sorry, I thought maybe you guys might hit it off, maybe it was too soon. I won't say a word about this," he added.

Kiba gave a look to Choji, who quickly replied, "yeah no worries." His face still looked strange, perhaps he was surprised at Kiba's affections for Ino. In any case, Kiba wanted to get out of there as fast as he could. He motioned for Akamaru to follow him and they left the area abruptly, Kiba's face still burning hot.

Shikamaru waited for Kiba to walk out of earshot before he said to Choji, "you can go back to your body now Ino." Choji's blank appearance went away as his consciousness regained his body.

Choji and Shikamaru walked back towards Ino, who was looking sheepish on the bench. "You didn't give me any warning," Choji complained, "it feels strange when you take over my mind so suddenly like that."

"Sorry," Ino apologized, "I –uh- just wanted to confirm something." Her face turned bright pink, and she didn't look Shikamaru in the eye as she asked, "how long have you known that he liked me?"

"A while," Shikamaru admitted, "what a drag. You've gotten yourself into a mess, and you didn't even realize it. But don't worry about him. You and Kiba will get over your childhood crushes, and find someone new. I guess his advances on you were not reciprocated."

"Right…" Ino said as she stared off into the distance. But the truth was, she wasn't really listening to what Shikamaru was saying. Her thoughts were elsewhere, she couldn't stop thinking about Kiba's reaction to what she had said. She felt awful, but she also felt strange. She couldn't quite figure out how to describe her feelings at that moment. All she knew was that she suddenly wanted to be alone, wanted to figure things out on her own. She looked up at her friends, both of whom were staring down at her with uncomfortable expressions. "Thank you both," she said, "I don't feel so upset about Sasuke anymore…but I think I want to go rest, I'm feeling a little tired at the moment. I'm gonna go on home."

Shikamaru and Choji smiled at her as she got up, "Alright, if you say so," Choji said, "Shikamaru and I were going to go get some barbeque, are you sure you don't want any."

"no thanks, I'm not hungry." Ino replied and got up, heading towards her home. "bye, I'll see you both later." With that they made their depart, Shikamaru and Choji heading towards barbeque and Ino heading towards home, her mind full of questions.