Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto

A/N: Another quick ShikaIno. This would be considered a sequel of sorts to my previous story, Awakening. There will be a third short one tentatively titled Conversing. Enjoy and reviews are appreciated. I'm still relatively new to writing Naruto. Thanks!!

"You're the genius, you figure it out."

Those words had been haunting him for the past few weeks. Shikamaru had taken up his teammate's challenge, but hadn't progressed far. He had taken to stalking the blonde, hiding in the shadows, agile mind picking up any possible clue down to that day's hair accessory. So far, he had come to the conclusion that girls were another race entirely and that it was impossible to ever fully decode the one that was Ino.

It had become an obsession, one that even Chouji and Asuma had picked up on. They watched in bemused silence at the BBQ restaurant as Shikamaru actually initiated conversations with Ino, seemingly interested in her latest fight with Sakura. Ino merely ate it up, responding to his questions eagerly; her blue eyes electric. Asuma merely shook his head, muttering something that sounded suspiciously like the poor kid doesn't know what's coming. Chouji was just plain mystified as to what had happened to his shirker of a friend. Maybe it's the lack of sleep that caused this, maybe he's sick, Chouji pondered. But no matter what one thought and the other saw coming, both agreed it made for some fine entertainment.

A few more weeks passed with Shikamaru losing precious sleep as the problem haunted him. Finally, he snapped and corned Ino after one of the team's practices. With her back against the tree, mirth danced across her face as Shika began ranting, peppering his complaints with some inventive curses.

"And so now, I demand you tell me what I'm supposed to have figured out!"

Ino rolled her eyes at the command. "What makes you think I'm going to tell you?"

"Not now, Ino. If you even try to play games right now, I will kagmane no-jutsu you to the shops where everyone will see you buying the most hideous clothes there."

Shikamaru began to let a small smirk slip out at the look of abject horror in her eyes. "Besides," he continued, "When have I ever admitted defeat to you before?"

Ino perked up somewhat at that line. "That's true!" she said. "I think we're making real progress Shika-kun."

"Ino, stop stalling."

"Have you really been losing sleep over this?"

"Yes!"

"Good," she replied coyly, and without another word she leaned in and pressed her lips to his. Pulling back just as swiftly, with a face as equally red as Shikamaru's, Ino waved goodbye as she hurried off.

Shikamaru was simply bewildered, again. Instead of answering his simple request, his troublesome teammate had to go ahead and do that instead. Pondering his first kiss, Shikamaru finally decided that it had been nice, but further experimenting was needed. With a whistle bursting forth from lips, Shikamaru headed for his favorite cloud-watching place, plans burning in his mind to get Ino to somehow kiss him again. But he had only gone a few more feet before he turned around and stared in the direction where Ino had disappeared. Mendousuke, she still didn't answer my question!