The blank piece of paper mocked Shikamaru Nara. For the last six months he stared at the same blank piece of paper on his desk. Just some notes or ideas would be nice, he thought. His pride wouldn't allow him to admit his writer's block. This was the same Shikamaru Nara who was published in countless newspapers and literary magazines. All at the age of twenty four. He was called a genius writer, fitting for his IQ of over two hundred. He made his characters come to life off the pages. His vocabulary created a mature essence to each of his stories. He made his settings so realistic that the reader could practically reach into the book and feel an ocean breeze. But that didn't matter if he lacked characters, settings, and of course a plot. He could think of climaxes off the top of his head, but writing an exposition, details, and a conclusion was the difficult task.

Nonetheless he loved his job, even if it meant he had to take shifts as a bartender to make ends meet. His roommate Chouji could only provide them with so much. The pleasantly plump man had no problem with the fact his best friend was essentially mooching off him until he could write his next hit. Even so Shikamaru didn't want to be a burden to him. But he couldn't get even a single idea down on paper without erasing it. He searched his mind for anything to cling on to, a memory or an old word of wisdom. He could write about anything at this point in his life. All he had to do was create a central plot, throw in some heart wrenching fluff to make the story more of a stand out, make some believable characters preferably two central ones and a few supporting, and add details to make the story flow. Not too hard in his opinion. Then why has it taken him six months to jot down a few ideas, ones he deemed not good enough.

So he mentally willed his pen to write across the smooth, crisp paper and give him something to work with. He didn't need much, just one more short story. It would be the finale to his collection of short stories that a publisher had already agreed to publish. He was proud of his other works, but this final piece needed to be amazing. His deadline was a year to complete the whole collection, he had the first four stories written within four months. The ideas ran through him like a waterfall back then. Now he needed his fifth and final and he had already wasted six months trying to write it. Only two more months left to go or else the deal was over.

He preferred short stories to full novels for a simple reason, he was lazy. Too lazy to develop a full three hundred some page book. He had respect for short stories because of how amazing they can be in only a fraction of pages. There wasn't room for unneeded information so they really hit home with the plot.

Shikamaru's eyes felt heavy and he peered at the digital clock at the end of his desk. The luminous green numbers read two thirty, in the morning. He remembered sitting down at ten o'clock that night. He groaned with every ounce of dissatisfaction of another session wasted. So he stretched his lengthy muscles and sank into his bed. Fully dressed in his pressed pants and crisp button down shirt from his meeting with his publishers earlier that day.


Ino Yamanaka didn't think her new apartment building would be so tall. She stepped out of the moving van dripping with confidence. She was ready for a fresh start. When she graduated college and became a nurse, she didn't expect to return to her tiny hometown and work at their tiny clinic. It was her own fault for being hasty and agreeing right when the job was offered. She should've waited for her other, far better, options to come in. By then she was stuck and had to be a nurse in that clinic for two full years before she could go to a new practice. Maybe she was a bit cocky, but she wasn't surprised when several practices were willing to give her a spot as a surgical nurse.

Ino remebered being overwhelmed by all her options to the point she contemplated staying at the shabby clinic. At least she was around her family. Then everything went downhill and Ino wanted nothing else than to escape. She chose the job farthest away from her old life. The laid back, somewhat hipster city of Konoha. Novelists, painters, coffee baristas, wannabe musicians, and indie rock obsessed teenagers flooded the streets. Ino didn't mind though, it was a stark contrast to her upbringing and she loved it. She felt like a sore thumb in her purple blouse and black miniskirt though. She looked around and skinny jeans and circle scarves were worn by everyone. The much colder temperature also helped in making her feel like a stand out. It was April and that previous week there was snow! Snow in April was unheard of back home.

Ino used her bossy nature to direct the movers where the boxes went and reminded them of their importance. In truth she bought her apartment based solely on a picture from the website. The few reviews given were positive as well, which gave her some comfort. It was her first time truly living alone. She lived with her parents during childhood and when she returned home. She had a roommate in college and was in her sorority house for the remainder of her college experience. The thought scared her, but not more than the traumatizing she had already gone through.

She grabbed a small box out of the van and began to her room. There wasn't an elevator she observed. Her room was on the sixth floor, and the stairway looked ancient. According to the landlord the elevator was getting fixed and the stairway was the only way to get around the apartment. She could already hear the movers complaining as she climbed the stairs. They were surprisingly stable compared to how they looked. This confused the blonde, but figured she would get used to the interesting lifestyle.

Ino fumbled with her room key until the lock finally opened. While keeping her box under one arm she opened the door with the other. The studio apartment was simple and clean. Fairly small but Ino didn't mind, it was just her anyway. There was a small kitchen area in the corner, with an open floor plan to the main room. There was a separate bathroom off the main room, as well as her bedroom. It was all she needed, a clean blank slate.


The next day Shikamaru was awoken by his roomate's persistent shaking. He narrowed his dark brown eyes at him, being woken up was one of his heaviest pet peeves. Chouji knew this all too well. "What is it Chouji?" Shikamaru frowned as he sat up from his comfortable sleeping position.

"Didn't you hear? A new girl moved in downstairs." He responded, his voice was so cheerful it made Shikamaru want to stuff his face in a pillow. Or maybe that was his sleep deprivation. Shikamaru deepened his frown and fell back on his bed. He wasn't about to get woken up for that. Chouji was determined and pulled his half asleep friend into a sitting position.

"Come on, we have to make a good impression on her. You know make her feel more welcome. Maybe she could be my future girlfriend." Chouji insisted. Shikamaru sighed at his hopeless romantic friend and got off his beloved bed. He tried to do Chouji favors whenever he could to make up for his lack of help in the financial department. If it meant his best friend would be happy, Shikamaru would do it. Besides how much trouble could introducing himself do.

The two made themselves presentable, well Chouji did and Shikamaru just threw on a pair of jeans, and knocked on her door. She was directly one floor below them which made the trip less troublesome for Shikamaru. His eyes were zapped of their boredom when the mystery girl opened the door. The girl greeted them with the what must've been one of the most beautiful smiles he had ever seen. Her straight platinum hair was held up in a high ponytail by a black ribbon. Her skin looked like it had been kissed by the moon, so luminous and fair. He figured she was fairly active by her toned physique that was revealed by the fact she wore only an oversized jersey. Even though it was hidden behind the baggy uniform Shikamaru could tell her figure was filled nicely with soft curves. But he wasn't paying attention to those little details. He was focused on her eyes, they were the palest shade of blue he had ever seen as an eye color. It was like she was wearing contacts for a costume, but they were real. Her lashes were full and long and perfectly fit her charming eyes. There was no doubt she was gorgeous. Shikamaru could feel Chouji's hopes of having her as his romantic interest disappear. A pitiful smile grazed Shikamaru's face as he shook his head at his friend. Unlike himself Chouji was a hopeless romantic that had extremely poor luck. Well really poor taste but Shikamaru kept that opinion to himself.

Shikamaru realized he hadn't actually said anything to the woman yet and stuck out his hand. "I'm Shikamaru and this is Chouji. We live in the apartment above yours." He greeted, hoping he hadn't stared for as long as he thought he did. She shook it happily, "Ino Yamanaka, pleased to meet you." She beamed. Ino was glad to meet new people, since she had no friends anywhere close to the area. And she observed they looked friendly enough.

Chouji looked cute as a button in her opinion. His smile was nice and cheery. He had more meat on his bones than the average person but still seemed strangely fit. He looked especially kind, which made Ino glad. Then there was the other one, Shikamaru. He looked reserved and a bit tense. His eyes weren't warm like Chouji's, even a bit cold to her. She did appreciate his tan and hoped she could finally get some color on her face as well. His brown-nearly black hair was pulled into a tight ponytail. She wondered if spiky ponytails were custom in the area. Maybe it was another hipster aspect. However it did suit his face very well though, it brought attention to his sharp jawline. He was even sort of handsome, especially compared to the boys Ino grew up with. From their handshake she could feel his lightly callused and firm hands. His height was rather tall too, she came just above his chin. To be fair she wasn't very tall herself and Chouji was even taller yet that didn't register with her.

"I would offer you guys inside, but I'm not even close to being unpacked. I can't even find my regular clothes." Ino explained and looked back at her barren apartment. Boxes littered the area and no furniture was sight. The only furniture she had brought was her bed and she had forgotten to get tools to put it back together. Sleeping on the hardwood floor left a knot in her back.

"You should probably find them before you get a perv to welcome you to the apartment." Shikamaru warned. At first Ino thought he was making a joke, but the seriousness of his tone told her otherwise. Ino wasn't scared of a few perverts at her door. She could take care of herself, she even had a pistol for protection. Of course she would only use it in extreme cases, but it gave her peace of mind to know she had it with her.

Shikamaru struck her as the snarky and sarcastic type. She knew how to play his game. All the assholes in college taught her how. "Thanks captain obvious." She smirked, her baby blue eyes twinkling even as they rolled in annoyance. She hoped she was correct on her assumption so she wouldn't sound rude.

"Just doing my job." He replied, his cocky smirk plastered on his face. He was beginning to like this girl, she had a nice sense of humor on her.

"How did you know the Shikamaru language?" Chouji chuckled behind them. He was definitely impressed she figured out his sarcastic side with one meeting. He wondered if she was a physic or maybe a mind reader. Now that would be an awesome neighbor.

"I'm a surgical nurse, I've gotta be able to read people to make them more comfortable." She shrugged. She prided her social skills that allowed her to have real relationships with her patients. It was part of her job to make them feel as safe and comfortable before, after, and during surgery as possible. Being able to read their personalities helped her greatly.

Chouji and Shikamaru both had a habit not taking the best care of themselves so they shared a look with each other, they definitely liked this girl. Having a nurse around would benefit them.

"Well I know who's taking care of me when I'm sick. Chouji does a terrible job." Shikamaru responded and raised his eyebrow at Choji lightheartedly. "At least I try, someone's too lazy to take care of me." Chouji teased back. Ino giggled at them from the doorway. She just met them and could already tell they were the best of friends. She wanted that kind of friendship.

"Don't worry I've got you covered, but I've really got to keep unpacking so maybe we can talk again later." She said.

"See you around and you know if you need anything you can find us at 7b." Chouji assured, and raised his hand to wave, a gesture she returned. Once she had closed the door and they heard the click of the lock the two roomates made their way to their room.

"So when did you learn to flirt?" Chouji asked Shikamaru. Shikamaru snorted, loud and clear. "I wasn't flirting." He scoffed and rolled his eyes. He hated women, they were bossy and troublesome. He had yet to meet a woman that wasn't trouble. He found the idea of romance to be stupid and unnecessary.

"Oh come on man, you were so checking her out. And she was blonde, I know how much you like blondes." Chouji shot back. Both of Shikamaru's previous girlfriends were with Temari and Shiho, both blondes. Well Shiho was more of a fling but Chouji counted her anyway. Shikamaru didn't believe he had a type, but looking back at his history there might have been something.

"I barely know her, I'm not going to try and start a relationship with her. That's so troublesome. Besides I already told you that I'm quitting the romance department until I finish my story." He dismissed the idea and went towards his desk area.

"Maybe you should try your hand at a romance story. You've done mystery, humor, angst, tragedy, slice of live, but not romance." Chouji suggested to his best friend. Any idea was better than no idea.

Shikamaru couldn't help but laugh at the idea though. He was the definition of an anti-romantic, both his exes have told him so. Temari had even more choice words for him as well. He cringed at how bad that breakup had been. "Romance is such a drag, why would I write about it?" He sniffed and went back to staring at his blank piece of paper.

"Maybe you just need to find your own romantic interest and write about it." Chouji responded and rummaged their pantry for his favorite chips.

"And you think Ino will be my inspiration right?" Shikamaru yawned, tired of the conversation. He just met the girl and he already knew she would bring him trouble. He heard Chouji respond affirmitively. "Then you're ridiculous." He sighed and officialy detached himself from the conversation.


Ino shuffled through her boxes trying to find her common needs;clothes, soap, hairbrush, shampoo, the list goes on. The day was still early so she had time to go shopping for groceries and furniture.

She finally found her box of dresses and picked up the first. The cool toned flower print drop-waist dress was one of her favorites. That was one item off her list. One of her cream colored cardigans was in there too so she added that to her ensemble. She remembered that the temperature was cooler here than her hometown. She wore the same black boots from the day before to complete the outfit. After rummaging through the boxes, tossing items out all over the floor she found her hairbrush and was content. With a few quick swipes through her locks, she was ready.

The furniture store was overwhelming, maybe it was just from growing up in a small town. She didn't know what style of furniture she wanted; modern, antique, rustic, chic, girly, she had no idea. Then there was the matter of the cost. She couldn't spend too much money on one item. A couch she decided is what she needed most, and a table. There were so many prints, finishes, and styles that she couldn't choose. She looked around at tables, not too big so it wouldn't take up her living area. Ino was known for her rash decisions and impulse buying. She bought the first table she saw, a rectanglular glass top. It was cute and modern in her own opinion. As for the couch she wanted something to match it. Ino went through the maze that was the furniture store and settled on a black leather sofa. Plain and simple she thought.

She had them ordered and peered at her watch. Ino frowned at the fact she spent two full hours looking for two pieces of furniture. She still had plenty of time to shop for groceries, if she knew where the store was. She forgot to ask the bellhop for directions to the grocery store. She didn't want to get lost in her new city. It took forever to catch a taxi just to get to the shopping district. There were indie record shops, boutiques with about five items, coffee shops left and right, art galleries, but not a single grocery store. She did pass by a farmer's market, it would have to work. She needed to get some food for herself.

She picked through the interesting assortments and decided to play it safe. Fresh fruit and vegetables and some stuff to make a salad, at least it would be organic. She needed to get kitchen utensils and tools as well, not like those would be at a farmer's market. Her watch said it was one in the afternoon, a good shopping day for Ino. She hailed a taxi and it surprisingly came quickly. She was getting used to the new city, even with all its quirks.

She propped her paper bag of groceries on her hip as she unlocked the door to her apartment. It was still stacked ceiling high with boxes. She set the bag on her counter and sulked over to her boxes. The first one she opened had all her toiletries, something she was extremely thankful for. She started work tomorrow and needed to find her scrubs. They were highly unflattering, but they got the job done so Ino didn't complain.

Her icy blue eyes scanned the room and shot up when they reached one wall. It was to a large window that led to a metal platform and ladders. She had never seen something like that before. When she looked down through the window she saw every floor had a similar contraption. She'd have to ask Shikamaru and Chouji about it later. However her curiosity fueled her quicker and she found herself stepping out of the window into it. The wind was much sharper higher up she observed as it whipped her blonde hair around like a rag doll. She wished she had brought a jacket with her, it was cold. The thin material of her cardigan wasn't doing much to keep her from freezing. She turned to go back into her apartment but the window wouldn't budge. She cursed under her breath and pulled harder. Must auto-lock or something else stupid, she thought with a groan. Now she was cold and irritated, a perfect combination for explosion.

She was a surgical nurse, went through her four years of college and passed her exam on the first try, she could think of a way to get herself out of this mess. Her arms wrapped around her as she looked around the platform. Stairs! She saw two stairs, one going down and the other going up. Perfect, she could climb down the stairs needed and go in through the apartment's entrance. Climb back to her apartment and never open this damn window again. All she needed was to unlock her front door and she'd be safe and warm again. Her optimism faded as she realized her key was inside her locked apartment. A frown marred her face as she looked at her other option. Shikamaru and Chouji said they lived right above her so the other ladder-stair hybrid hell trap should lead her to their apartment. Surely they would help her out. She had her spare key under the welcome mat for the distant week in case she screwed like this.

She mounted the first step, her hands had a death grip on the handrail. Her feet took her up another and then another until she was at the middle of the stairs. It was then she made the mistake of taking in the view, from six and a half floors high. She froze, that was really high. Her feet were glued to the step.

"I'm going to fall!" She whispered to herself frantically. The wind was blowing so harshly Ino was sure it would blow her over the railing. It was too high, much too high. Both her hands clung to one side of the railing as her whole body shook. She wasn't scared about heights before. She aided a liver transplant, an appendectomy, hell even an open heart surgery; there was no way heights would faze her. But here she was, clinging for dear life in between the sixth and seventh floor. She would be stuck there forever, even before she could start the job that brought her to the stupid apartment.

"Need a little help down there!" A monotoned voice called from above her. Ino used every ounce of her strength to just look up at the sound. Her pineapple haired neighbor had already reached the top of the stairs before she could even answer. He began to climb down the narrow stairway to her relief. Ino's hands were still stuck to the railing as reached out his own hand to her.

"I can't help you up if you don't let go." He sighed exasperated, he rolled his eyes at the petrified blonde. "But I'll fall." She shot back and clung tighter to the railing, it was getting slick with her cold sweat. She felt her knees getting weaker as she strained them to keep her as solid as possible.

"How the hell did you get out here anyway?" He questioned, his hand still dangling in the racing wind. Ino looked down at her boots sheepishly, "I wanted to see what this thing was and I got locked out." She muttered.

"The windows auto-lock dummy." She could hear his light chuckle and pouted. He rubbed his forehead in annoyance. Was she really this incompetent? Maybe he should have asked Chouji to help her instead.

"So this building is utterly ancient and probably full of ghosts, but it has auto locking windows?" She dead panned.

"It values safety." He shrugged but still smirked at the irony of the situation.

"Look I'll hold onto you alright. You won't fall then." Shikamaru assured, wanting to get both of them off the freezing platform. Ino shook her head rapidly at that. She was afraid that once she let go of the rail, she'd slip and fall backwards.

"Well I can't just leave you out here, as easy as that would be." He groaned, his eyes filled with annoyance at the blonde. He wasn't sure how much he liked this girl anymore. He moved up a step to Ino's dismay.

"Wait!" She called, her eyes pleading. Shikamaru came back down with a light smirk at her predicament.

"Will you let go of the railing?" He questioned in his signature monotone. Ino peeled her small hands off the railing only to snap them back on. She looked apologetically at the brunette. He wasn't paying attention to her anymore, his eyes look vague and distant. Like he was calculating something in his mind.

"Do I have to carry you up?" He questioned, his face a mixture of boredom, annoyance, and mischief. Ino wasn't sure if he was being serious or sarcastic, it was hard to tell. Still she found herself looking up at him with puppy dog eyes. He groaned very heavily before scooping her onto his back. Shikamaru could practically feel her heart beating out of her chest by how close she was glued to him. He observed she was surprisingly light. She bit her tongue to keep from screeching as he climbed up the first step slowly.

"I'm not making a very good first impression am I?" Ino asked over the roaring wind.

"You're...memorable, but if you get a big ass spider in your bathroom don't ask me for help. This is such a troublesome thing to do as it is." He answered and continued to his apartment. He could already tell this girl was going to bring him lots of trouble.

"And next time you get yourself locked out on the fire escape bring a coat, you're freezing." He added with a smirk. He could feel her ice cold limbs shaking in the cold air even through his own jacket.

"Well I didn't plan this out you know." She snapped back at him. She hadn't realized they had reached his landing. "Here you are princess." He teased as he set her down. Ino saw he had placed a hardcover book to keep the window open, something Ino wished she did.

"You're not much of a Prince Charming." She huffed as she entered his apartment through his window. He followed after her and shut the window. His lip quirked into a cocky smile when it locked.

"Don't you have any gratitude? I just rescued you and you're insulting me." He remarked with with an eyebrow raised. He was met with narrowed eyes. He didn't see the intimidation she was going for, her baby blue doll like eyes weren't suited for glaring.

"Don't flatter yourself, it was hardly a rescue. I'd call it lending a hand if anything." She sighed and shook her head. She could tell he was the kind of guy that was going to get under her skin. Still he did seem like a nice guy, not like the jerks she grew up with. After all he did climb down that death trap others others liked to call a fire escape just to help her.

"But thanks for your help anyway. I don't know how I would've gotten down from there without you." She added with an appreciative smile. He nodded, glad to finally get some recognition. He saw her slim frame shivering like she was in Antartica and decided to be nice. He grabbed a blanket off his couch and handed it to her, she wrapped it around her within seconds.

"You don't know much about living in a city do you?" He asked curiously, hoping she was simply naive instead of an idiot.

"Yep, lived in small places all my life." She nodded. She always envied girls that lived in big cities, but her quaint small lifestyle was everything she needed. Sure rumors spread like wildfire and there were way too many festivals, but she didn't mind.

"Then you've got a lot to learn." Shikamaru replied, mischief filled his eyes.

"Say, why were you on the fire escape in the first place? There's no way you could've seen me, or heard me for that matter in here." Ino questioned as her body readjusted to the warmth. The first thing she was going to do when she went back to her appartment was put on her fluffiest sweater.

"Chouji doesn't let me smoke inside the apartment." He answered with a shrug. On the inside however be cursed the habit. He knew how much it worried his best friend but the addiction wouldn't budge. He had many failed attempts to break it and some even lasted a few months. Then stress would build up and smoke would be puffing out of his lips once more. He had been clean for only a few weeks but the habit had returned once he has his writer's block.

"Those are absolutely destructive for you! Don't you know what they do to your body; cancer, emphysema, and bronchitis. It's an addictive habit-" Ino began to lecture. She was a nurse after all.

"I know that. I've tried to quit ever since I started. It's far from easy." He snapped before she could continue her scolding. Shikamaru puffed his first cigarette when the first teacher to ever give a damn about him died. He was a pack a day smoker and when Shikamaru took up the habit, it was meant to be a memorial to him. He never believed what health teachers told you about how easy it was to get hooked.

"Give me them." Ino ordered and stuck her hand out palm up. Strangely Shikamaru did so despite barely knowing the girl. His half empty pack was now in her hand. He watched her squeeze it in her fist and winced. It was like she crushing a part of him.

"Do you have more?" She questioned.

"No, Chouji only lets me have one pack at a time." He replied bitterly. He wished it was a lie. His hands were already shaking, his lust for nicotine was exploding inside him. Ino eyed them sadly.

"Don't buy anymore." Ino ordered once again and stared deep in his eyes. She knew she wasn't getting through to him. "You know I can't do that." He objected painfully.

"Then I'll help you so you can someday."


Shikamaru looked at the piece of paper next a box of unopened cigarettes and for once wasn't disappointed.

His melancholy was shattered by the eccentric girl on the fire escape. Now he wondered if he could've saved himself from countless troublesome efforts if he had left her on it. Damn those beautiful eyes and blonde hair. Looks could be very deceiving. He thought she'd be an angel, but now he knew she was a little demon. Yet he didn't mind her bossiness and persistence, it was a refreshing thing for the bland boy. At least he knew he wasn't going to be bored when that girl was around.