I don't own Naruto.

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Ino stood in front of her dresser, fixing her hair. She would toss clothes from her huge wardrobe, picking out the perfect outfit.

She sighed, giving up. She opted to wear her usual hair and outfit.

Stepping out into the streets, she saw Team 8 in front of their flower shop, obviously waiting for her.

"Ino-chan! Want some?" Chouji offered his bag of chips to her, smiling brightly.

"Hey, Chouji. Um, I'll skip it. Thanks anyway." She gave a smile of her own.

Ino heard someone sigh. "Yo, Ino," Shikamaru said, obviously feeling left out.

Ino tried to keep calm, but failed miserably. She stared at her feet, her cheeks turning crimson. What will I say? Think, Ino!

"H-hi, Shikam-maru." Nervous, she sidled over to Chouji.

God! I can't even say a proper sentence! Ugh, stupid Shikamaru!

-

She sighed. Oh, Shikamaru. You're so dumb.

At night, she sometimes wished that Shikamaru was beside her, watching the star-filled heavens. She even daydreamed about marrying him. Maybe it's just a crush...I'm wasting my life with this..

-

They walked to the meadow where Shikamaru usually watched the clouds.

Suddenly, Chouji paled. "Oh, man. I'm out of food! I gotta go! Bye!" He dashed off, leaving the two alone.

Ino sat on the tree stump, watching Shikamaru. Suddenly, he looked at her. "What's wrong?"

She almost recoiled back in surprise. "Nothing. Why'd you ask?"

"Nothing. I care about you, you know. So what's on your mind?"

She sighed. Nothing eas going to stop this guy. "What's the point? It's just a waste."

He sat up. "Who? What?"

"Him." She crossed her arms over her chest.

"Him who?"

"What's it to you?"

He shrugged. "I don't know, I have the right to know?"

"Well, you're freakin' right because you're him!" She stood up and stomped away from Shikamaru.

"Hey, Ino! Ino!"

She turned around angrily. "What the hell do you want?!"

"I don't want anything! Why the hell are you mad at me?!"

"I'm not mad at you! I'm mad at myself!"

Shikamaru smirked, amused. "Why are you mad?"

She screamed in exasperation. "Because I love someone who will never-mmph!"

Shikamaru kissed Ino. When they pulled away, Shikamaru smiled. "Still mad?"

"Nope."

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