Here's the next chapter for you!! I'd like to thank everyone that reviewed so far and I hope that you will continue to review in the future! So to answer some questions: Gaara and Kankurou WILL be in this story at some point, I promise XD please R&R

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or any associated characters.. I do own this plot however.

Ok, so it's me, Ino, Chouji, Sakura, Naruto, Tenten, Sasuke and Neji at the lunch table and out of the blue, this Temari one appears next to us and sits down at our table without asking.

Nobody told her to move, so we just continued to eat our lunch in silence, frequently glancing awkwardly at each other. Temari either didn't notice or really didn't give a damn.

After about ten minutes, Ino acknowledged Temari's presence. "Hey Temari-Chan, how was your summer?". Temari turned to Ino and eyed her up and down before replying.

"Ok, until I got back to this dump". She threw me an evil look and rolled up her sleeves. Great, now she wants a fight.

That is the last thing I need right now. I'm in enough trouble already (I fell asleep in the first two classes.. I'd still be asleep if it wasn't for Chouji nudging me hard in the ribs).

It turns out that she didn't want to fight. She extended her arm across the table, her left sleeve dipping into Chouji's food (he didn't look too happy!).

"I'm Temari, and you are?". Wait… what? This morning she was picking a fight and now she's introducing herself like nothing happened.

I held out my hand wearily, half afraid she was going to trick me and give me a Chinese burn or something. "Shikamaru Nara" I muttered.

She shook my hand, finished the last of her food and walked off. The whole table was looking at me astounded. Sakura laughed nervously. I hate women.. They make absolutely no sense at all!


It was four days until Ino's birthday. I was sitting in science, staring out the window at the clouds when my phone vibrated in my pocket.

A message from Ino flashed up on the screen. I admit I was really curious as she was sitting only three rows behind me. 'party? The cinema? Saturday at four? Ino xxx'..

I didn't text back but caught up with her after class.

"What do you mean when you say "party"" I asked inquisitively.

"oh just the usual.. Just you me and Chouji.. I wouldn't want it any other way. I know you probably don't want to come because how would you put it? "it's too tiring" yeah that's it.. Please though, I'd love you to come".

She smiled warmly at me as though daring me to object. "yeah ok I'll come.. Your impression of me sucks though". she laughed as we walked up to the cafeteria.

We discussed the cinema plans all through lunch and over the last four classes. By the time it came to walking home, she had everything picked out, the movie, the time we were going to see it and even the clothes she was going to wear.

I loved being a guy. You didn't even have to bother with dressing up. Just throw on a clean shirt and jeans and you actually look like you've tried.

Poor Ino went to the expense of getting new clothes to wear and even a pair of heeled shoes. She was always into the fashion scene but she doesn't really have to try because she always looks glamorous anyway.

At least that's what people tell me!


It wasn't even a weekday and I could see the familiar figure of Ino standing right in front of me, threatening to spill a cup of water over my head if I didn't get up and help her choose what colour top to wear.

Why was she asking me? It was too early for my brain to work properly. It didn't bother me that I was only in my boxers. Ino and I were practically siblings.

I opened my eyes as little as possible and squinted to make sure that barely any light entered. "the blue one" I mumbled as I closed my eyes again.

"I thought pink looked better" Temari said, eyeing me up and down. "Oh yeah I hope you don't mind Shika but I wanted Temari to come as well, so I invited her over here to get ready" Ino laughed.

I tried to process what she said as I sat up in the bed. I took in my room and its surroundings.

That Temari girl was standing at the door… Temari is standing at the door… oh Kami I'm here half naked and she's there grinning over at me like it was nothing new.

Ino understood by the look on my face that I was disgusted and ushered Temari out of my room and down to the kitchen while I got dressed. I tried my best to look good and it didn't turn out too bad.

I yawned widely as I dragged myself down the stairs. "twenty minutes it took you, y'know!? We're going to be late now" Ino scowled.

She had a fierce manner about her which made me feel slightly guilty. "And we still have to go and pick up Chouji!". she grabbed my ear and pulled me from the house, waving goodbye to my mother as she did so.

Temari laughed and followed us willingly down the road to Chouji's house.


So there you have the second chapter.. Please let me know what you think!! Flames ignored, constructive criticism is welcomed!!