Author's Note: Okay, so here's chapter two. Slight warning, the story earns its T rating in upcoming chapters. He can't start out in love with her, can he? Anyway, I hope you like it.
Ten Times Shikamaru Thought about Kissing Ino
(and the one time he did)
Chapter 2
Her New Outfit
Shikamaru lay on his bed tossing and turning. He couldn't sleep. Again. It had been two days since Ino had left and all he could think about was their last conversation. What if 'troublesome' was the last thing she'd thought he'd ever said to her? What if she didn't make it and he never got to put things right? Images of Ino being caught, being captured, being attacked flashed through his mind. He squeezed his eyes shut, willing them away.
He could only pray their awful goodbye wouldn't be the last exchange they had.
"Well, at least I'll be out of your hair for awhile and you can watch your clouds in peace."
He could still see her stony gaze and the thin line of her mouth as she turned away from him.
"I gotta go. Bye, Shikamaru."
And then her back as she leapt onto a tree branch, not casting him a single look as she took off.
He covered his face with his hands, exhaling heavily. 'Way to go, genius,' he though cynically. He'd wanted to kiss her and tell her it would be alright and instead he'd driven her off. How many times had it been now that he'd wanted to kiss her? Plenty, to be sure. But he had never done it. At first it had been a desire based on lust alone, but it had become more. It had become so much more.
And now he didn't know what he'd do if he never got the chance. He always seemed to regret things when it came to Ino. His love for her was a world of actions never taken, of fantasies left unfulfilled. "You think too much." She'd told him once. And she was right.
He was always thinking and never doing.
He could remember the very first time he'd thought of kissing her, the very moment this torment had begun.
It had been an uneventful day in Konoha. Training in the morning, quick nap, and now lunch. He'd been sitting at Ichiraku with Naruto after being bribed into taking the fox-boy out to eat. Naruto had been slurping his Ramen down with gusto when he'd paused, squinted, and pointed down the street. "Oi! Lookit Ino! She sure looks different, huh?" Shikamaru's gaze lazily followed the direction in which Naruto's finger was pointing and his left eye twitched slightly. Naruto chatted on, but Shikamaru heard none of it.
Yes, it was Ino. And she'd taken the wrappings off of her legs and stomach; furthermore, it seemed she'd switched to a new look composed of fishnet arm and leg bands and a new skirt and tight shirt in her favorite shade of purple. The real issue was that he couldn't stop staring. She'd always been pretty, even he knew that. But she'd just been scrawny little Ino, always trying to be thinner. This new Ino was all curves and he found himself wanting to run his hands over them.
But apparently so did the boy she was talking to. She was leaning against the pillar of a little outdoor shop, batting her eyes at the young man running the stall and he was not shy in flirting right back. Flames of jealousy roared to life in Shikamaru before he could think about it. Back away from her, you scum bag, or I'll make you back away. Shikamaru blinked. The invasion of such violent, possessive thoughts surprised Shikamaru. He tried to shake it off and turn back to his meal, as Naruto had done long ago.
But he couldn't keep his gaze from wandering back to her. Attempting to keep his eyes focused on his food, he tried to reason with himself. This was just a physical reaction to an attractive female. Mind you, other girls were changing into more form-fitting ensembles as well and he'd barely given any of them a second glance. Sure Sakura looked different, but what did he care? Now suddenly Ino's got a new getup and he can't stop drooling? What was that about? Was it because she was his team mate? Perhaps, but doubtful. Even so, it shouldn't have come as such a surprise to him. She'd always been into fashion and obsessed about her looks; forever trying to be sexy when she was too young to really know what it was she was asking guys to think about her.
But now? She was older. She had become a woman and it seemed like Shikamaru had been the last one to notice.
But he was a guy too, right? What was she asking him to think now?
What did he think now?
He thought of how surprised she'd be if he walked up to her right this instant and grabbed her by the arm, dragging her away from the undeserving store clerk. He thought of what she'd say if he pulled her into an alley and pressed her up against a wall. He thought of the noise she'd make when he tilted her chin up and brought his lips to meet hers. Would she give in to him? Would she moan if he leaned in and pressed his chest against her, pinning her to the wall? Would she gasp when he'd start kissing her neck? Would she run her fingers through his hair as he ran his hands up her thighs...
"Shikamaru?" He jumped at the sound of his name. He'd been staring at Ino openly and now he snapped his head back to look at his quizzical friend. Naruto ran a hand back and forth in front of his face. "Hey, are you in there?" Shikamaru turned red, surprised at himself, and ducked his head as he resumed eating.
"I'm fine."
"Did you need to talk to Ino? Oi! Ino! Over here!" Shikamaru looked up horrified, first at Naruto and then at Ino, as Naruto waved his hand frantically in the air. Ino glanced up from talking to what's-his-face and when she saw Naruto, a small frown marred her visage.
'Heh. She obviously doesn't want to be disturbed from talking to Prince Grocery Boy', Shikamaru scowled. Then she made eye contact with him and her face lit up in a smile. Shikamaru found it difficult to swallow.
Without as much as a by-your-leave to the guy she'd been talking to, she skipped over to them happily. The hop in her step brought him back to reality. "Hi, Naruto! Hi, Shikamaru! What do you think about my new look?" Naruto scratched the back of his head and laughed, but Shikamaru didn't hear his reply.
She'd skipped over to see them.
Looking into her bright blue eyes, Shikamaru felt all his hopes of pinning Ino to a wall and kissing her with abandon slip away. Ino knew she was attractive, and she sauntered around all the men in the village. She would strut around, hips swaying back and forth in a sultry motion meant to make them want her.
But she skipped around him. She never tried to seduce him; she jumped and bounced (not that he minded the bouncing, when he thought about it) and acted like they were the best of platonic friends.
'Because you are,' he thought. She did not want him to think the sorts of things she made other guys think because she did not want him.
"Shikamaru? Did you hear me? I asked you if you liked my new outfit." He turned his head away, surprised at how this new information affected him.
"It's very you, Ino."
She beamed at him and he couldn't explain the way his insides twisted.
Still unable to sleep, Shikamaru rolled over onto his back and sighed. Ever since that fateful day he'd realized how hopeless it was for him to want her. But that hadn't stopped him. No, his feelings continued to grow, despite his better judgment. But then again, Ino had always defied common sense and better judgment. If she would just come back safe and sound he'd risk it and tell her. Who knew if he'd get another chance? Hell he might not get one at all.
Tomorrow was day three of no Ino. Only 87 to go.
"If all goes well."
He shut his eyes and hoped.
Author's note: I can't believe I got seven reviews on my first chapter! That's exciting for me. But looking at the number of people who read this compared to how many review, the number is really small. The reason I posted this story is to get feedback. I'd really, really appreciate it. Comment, suggestions, criticisms, whatever you have to say, I want to hear it.
