Please Don't Leave Me

"Hey! Shikamaru!"

Not again…

"Don't walk away! What's the matter with you?"

Maybe it's that I'm about to take another verbal beating. And considering I already took one today—

"Look, I know what I said was wrong! I shouldn't have, but I just can't stop myself sometimes!"

Shikamaru stopped and wheeled around. "Sometimes—is that what you call it? Could've fooled me, Ino, but I think you're only fooling yourself."

Ino had stopped, and was even shrinking back. "Well… can I at least apologize?"

Shrugging, Shikamaru answered, "If you want. Not like it means anything."

Ino paled (if such a thing was possible) and opened her mouth as if to say something, then stopped.

"Thought so." Shikamaru turned and kept on walking, but something was nagging at him.

She deserved it, really. Not like I was telling her a lie. The number of times that girl's taken her problems out on me… I'm not good at this stuff. She should just suck it up and talk to Sakura, like I told her however many times it was. At least Sakura will understand.

But that hadn't stopped him from giving advice. And hadn't it been damned good advice?

It's not like she took it seriously—I'm a guy.

But she did! That was why she kept on coming back. She'd even thanked him a few times.

The advice was given at my own personal expense.

Oh really?

"Ugh—so troublesome," Shikamaru mumbled, turning around. "Ino."

"What?" The muffled, choked-up voice came from behind a tree.

"I'm not gonna bite. Come here. I'd at least like to apologize face-to-face."

"Why?" came the mocking voice. "It's not like you mean it or anything."

Ouch. "Okay, okay. I get your point. I'll let you apologize if you let me apologize. I swear it on… um… Choji's eating chips."

Ino did not look amused as she reappeared. "I'll have you know I'm not going to believe it until it happens."

"Very well." Shikamaru sighed. "Ladies first?"

Ino looked squarely up at her teammate. "I'm sorry for yelling at you. It wasn't my place, and I really should just go find someone else."

It didn't escape Shikamaru's notice that Ino's voice had faltered at the end. "Well, I'm sorry for just walking away. What was it you were going to say?"

Looking surprised, it took Ino a moment to reply. "Just, um, that I was sorry. And thank you. Your advice worked. I'll go to Sakura next time, I promise. It's just…"

"It's just…?" Shikamaru prompted.

"Well, your advice is always so much better than hers. I mean, I taught her a lot of what she knows. And it's nice to get things from a guy's point of view. You're just… great that way. You get what I'm asking even when I don't." Ino offered a half-smile.

How was it that she could do that, and everything was all right? Shikamaru couldn't help the feeling that welled up whenever he saw that smile. Or when he knew she'd been crying. Or when she was angry with Sakura.

All different feelings, yet all pointing towards the same thing.

Now, to own up to it or not? Decisions, decisions…

"Ino, I—" Shikamaru stopped when he saw Ino was walking away.

She stopped. "What?"

"I just… never mind. Come to me when you need advice. I know how Sakura can be a thorn in your side."

Ino smiled. Really smiled. "Thanks. And Shikamaru?"

"Yeah?"

"I like you, too."

Shikamaru just stood stunned for a second.

Score one for Ino.

END

A/N: I always want to write more for these two, but I never do. Unfortunately, if you like my Shika/Ino fics, this probably won't change. But when I do put 'em out, I'll try to make 'em quality fics. That's my promise to you guys.

Please let me know how I did so that I can improve!