Of Acacias
It is a game they play.
Flashback Begins
"Shika, are you just going to sit there or help me?" A sharp voice cut through the silence at the Yamanaka's flower shop, where two chuunins were hard at work.
"Maa…Mendokuse." Shikamaru muttered.
Make that one chuunin.
"Shika…you promised! Besides, I'll help you choose a bouquet for your mother for Mother's Day."
The aforementioned chuunin raised an eyebrow. "Honto ni?"
A swish of blonde hair as Ino swings behind the counter. "Aa. Shika no baka."
Shikamaru rolled his eyes and got up. "So, what do you want me to do?"
"Just bring me the flowers I ask you for," She said. She took out a vase full of water.
"Demo…"
"They're labeled."
"Oh."
So, she arranged the flowers she requested. They settled into a kind of rhythm until-
"Shikamaru, I asked for ambrosia, not acacia!"
"Mendokuse," he muttered under his breath as he went to fetch the correct flower. "What's the difference?"
"Ambrosia means reciprocated love," Ino explained patiently. "Acacia does not! This person is giving a bouquet to a person he loves. Acacia is the wrong flower! The bouquet will take on a whole, new meaning!"
"What does acacia mean?"
"BACK TO WORK!"
Flashback ends
She smiles as she walks up to him. She holds out a flower.
Acacia.
He takes it. "You never did tell me what acacia means."
She smiles and turns; he can't see the glint in her eyes. "You're smart. Figure it out."
And with that phrase as a parting, she walks off.
As he walks home, he runs into Sakura. "Sakura, can you tell me what this flower means?"
She observes the flower. "That's an acacia. It means friendship. Matte, Sasuke-kun!"
He makes sure no one is around and smiles. Friendship.
Hey everybody, how do you like it? NOT A ONESHOT, so keep posted for more chapters!
Acacia hidden meaning: hidden love.
Review please!