Shikamaru's Cupid

"This is such a drag."

"Come on Shikamaru, just put it on."

Shika walked out of the dressing room in a back tux. "Can't she just go by herself?"

Ino looked over Shikamaru's outfit with approval. "She needs a date, and I already told her you'd go."

Shika sighed and walked back into the dressing room. He sat down and leaned against the wall. Ino waited impatiently outside.

"I know it doesn't take you that long to change!" Ino finally shouted, after ten minutes had passed.

Shikamaru opened his eyes, annoyed. Then, he shut them again.

The next morning found Shika cross legged by the lake. He rubbed the bump on his head. Ino had hit him with her shoe. Apparently, she had not appreciated the fact that he had been meditating in the dressing room.

He sighed. He was not looking forward to the afternoon. Why did Ino have to open her big mouth? The thought of loud music and obnoxious dancing gave him a headache. Shika found himself wishing that Naruto would have gone with her instead. Of course, that wasn't possible since he was going with Sasuke.

"What?"

Ino crossed her arms. "You're still out here?"

Shika didn't even bother looking at her. "The dance doesn't begin for six hours."

"Exactly!" Ino's eyes grew large and round. "We still have to get you dressed, and get Hinata's corsage, and," she gasped, "I still have to get ready. And we have to try to brush through that hair, and…" She grabbed Shika's collar and pulled him back to the house, all the while listing things they had to do.

When they finally got inside, Ino ordered Shika into a chair. He reluctantly complied.

Ino grabbed a hairbrush and untied Shika's hair. Much to her dismay, however, it stayed in the same shape, just as if the tie was still in. She tried to put the brush through, but it broke off at the handle. She threw the handle down in frustration and grabbed hold of the brush head which was still in his hair.

"Ino what are you…Ahhh!" She yanked it down, but it wouldn't budge. Shika jumped out of the chair.

Ino pointed an accusing finger. "When's the last time you brushed your hair?!" She made a grab for the brush. Thus beginning a violent game of cat and mouse that can be summarized as follows:

"Ouch!"

"No, wait!"

"Get down here!"

"Ahhh!"

"I got ya!"

"What a drag!"

As you have probably already concluded from the last line, Ino caught Shika. Then, she forced him to get dressed.

"Now," she said, "I have an idea for your hair."

Shika groaned. "Leave my hair alone!"

Ino chuckled darkly, and squirted gel into her hand.