-1Summary: Ino doesn't feel good about herself, since Shikamaru started dating Temari. She looses her appetite and hardly eats anymore. This takes place after the time skip.
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto and I'll only say this once.
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Ino's POV
I walked to the hill where Shikamaru usually did his cloud-watching. He was there under the shade of the tree and was staring at the sky, his head resting on his hands.
"Hey, Shika, what are you doing?"
"The name's Shikamaru, not Shika."
"Sorry," I pouted, "But Shika just sounds so much cuter! So, what are you up to?"
"Nothing. Why do you care anyways?" I felt hurt hearing that come out of his mouth.
"But I thought we were friends." I faked a sniff and pretended to wipe away a tear.
"Why are girls always so troublesome?" He sighed.
"Excuse me!? Just what do you mean by that!? This is how normal girls act!"
"Well, what about Hinata? She's normal and she isn't too troublesome."
"When I say normal, I don't mean shy girls, genius."
"Fine. What do you want?"
"I just wanted to talk to you, that's all."
"What do you want to talk about?" He sighed and sat up as he said this.
"Nothing in particular. So, how's life?"
"Too troublesome. I wish I could be like the clouds, going wherever the wind takes us, without a care in the world. Why couldn't I be one instead?"
Shikamaru just finds everything too troublesome.
"Well, for one, clouds are made of water. And-"
"Shikamaru!" I heard a screech and saw it was Temari running towards us. What was she doing here? Is she here for an assignment from Gaara?
"Hi, Temari. What are you doing here? Are you here for an assignment?"
"Nope! I'm here to see my Shika-kun!" My heart fell from hearing this. Are they dating? Why didn't Shikamaru tell me about this?
"I already told you. It's 'Shikamaru.' Shi-ka-mar-u."
"We-well, are you two dating?" I feared that the answer was going to be yes.
"Of course we are! He asked me out last week!"
"Shikamaru, why didn't you tell me this earlier?"
"Didn't feel like I needed to." Why did he feel like he didn't need to tell me?
"But I'm one of your best friends!"
"Too troublesome and too much to talk about."
"Well, I have to go now. I have to help my mom out at the flower shop. Bye." I was desperate to get away from there. As I was walking away, I heard Temari ask Shikamaru as why he didn't tell me that they were going away. After that, I heard a 'troublesome' come out of his mouth.
I ran away as fast as possible. Tears were pouring from my eyes. My heart wrenched with ache and pain. I always knew that having your heart broken would be painful, but I never thought that it would be this painful.
But why? Why her? Why couldn't it been me? Why couldn't I have been the lucky girl?
As I was running home, I regret not telling him about my feelings for him. I collapsed on my bed and cried my heart out. I wonder if this is punishment from only paying attention to Sasuke and nobody else for all those years. If it is, it's very cruel to play with the feelings of the heart, but I guess it's what I deserve. After all, fate is cruel and usually unfair. I felt my head spinning and felt dizzy.
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After crying myself to sleep, I heard a knock on my door.
"Come in." I saw my mom standing in the doorway with a smile on her face.
"Ino, there's someone here to see you." She let the person in and stepped out the door.
"Hey, Ino, how are you feeling?" Sakura was a considerate friend. She always put others ahead of herself.
"I feel dead inside. Like I don't know how to live anymore." I felt tears prickling in my eyes and spilling out. I felt Sakura taking me in her arms and rubbed my back.
"Ino, I'm really sorry about the situation. I know how much you loved him. I felt the same way when Sasuke left. But I do hope everything will work out for you."
I cried on her shoulder as she comforted me.
"Thank you, Sakura. You're a good friend."
"You can call me if you need me. I have to go help out at the hospital now. Bye."
"Bye. Thanks."
"It's no problem." She left after telling me that. I feel a little better, but it still won't erase that large tear in the middle of my heart. I heard another knock on my door and quickly wiped my tears from my face. I was glad that I just woke up because my eyes are still fresh and not red.
"Yes?" My mom was at the door again.
"Ino, can you look after the shop for a little while? I need to run some errands."
"Sure, mom." I got off my bed and went to the shop. Maybe it'll take my mind off of him.
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"Hey, Ino, can I have a dozen long-stemmed roses?" It was Sasuke. My guess is he's buying it for Sakura.
"Sure." I prepared the flowers and handed the bouquet over and he paid the amount.
"Thanks." He nodded in response.
After a few minutes, I got bored and arranged some flowers in vases and placed them in the fridge. I heard the bell ring.
"May I help you?" I asked, not knowing who it was since I had my back turned.
"Can I have five roses?" I heard Shikamaru's voice and the feeling in my heart returned.
"Yeah, can you wait for a sec?"
"Fine," he sighed. Guess it was a bit troublesome to wait. I took some roses out and wrapped them in a bouquet for him. He handed me the correct amount of cash and walked out. My eyes saddened and wished that my mom would hurry back soon.
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An hour and a handful of customers later, my mom finally came back.
"Mom, can I go back home now? I feel a little tired."
"Of course, dear." I headed home and wondered about the things in my life. I wondered how it's going to end with my love life. If I'm going to be with Shikamaru. And if I do get to be with him, then what's going to happen to Temari.
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