Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto and Naruto Shippuden.

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A/N: My attempt to continue this. Please enjoy. And thank you to all the awesome reviewers!

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The Lift

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After 25 Days

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Ino wasn't expecting she'd see the raven haired man again. Wishing yes but definitely not expecting it to happen after she finally gave up a few days ago. For the next three weeks since she first saw him, she'd been diligently following the same routine to take the elevator at the exact time she rode it with him. Then for two days that she had no work, instead of enjoying it with her friends or just relax at the comfort of her unit, she waited in the lobby with eyes wide on the elevator for any sign of him. When Tenten called her a stalker, she knew she had to give up. Even though technically it wasn't stalking because she didn't even saw a single strand of his hair for the past twenty-one days.

Today marks the twenty-fifth day since she last saw him. Stepping inside the elevator, she stood at the opposite side facing him. He has his eyes close while leaning on the wall. Ino wondered if this guy has a habit of sleeping on the elevator. She took in his appearance and noted that he's not soaked and dirty. Her eyes weren't tricking her when she first saw him, he is handsome. His black chin-length hair is styled in a sexy rugged way. He's wearing an expensive looking suit that fits perfectly that you can outline his lean form. His only jewelry is a limited-sold watch, no ring on any of his fingers. He's also donning designer shoes and there's a small black luggage beside it. No one should look that great when it's only six-o'clock in the morning.

"Are you done checking me out?"

She lifted her gaze back to his face and saw that he's smirking at her, his onyx eyes fully awake. Ino suddenly felt insecure with herself – she just came back from her morning jog and she's sweaty and her hair's a mess. But then she wouldn't be Ino if she couldn't handle this. She winked at him. "Just making sure you're not in need of some tomato juice again."

His smirk got a bit wider. "I don't need it but thanks to you I think I'm getting addicted to it."

"It's a healthy addiction, I wouldn't worry about it." She assured him.

A ding signaled the elevators stop. Ino looked at the sign to see that they're at her floor. She slowly stepped outside and turns back to him. "Well, it was nice seeing you again."

The elevator door was halfway to close when it opened wide once mroe. The man's right hand was lifted to his side, most probably holding the open button. His left hand loosed his tie a bit, his cheeks has faint blush of red.

"Yes?" she asked.

"I just came back in town and I'm going to grab some tomato juice from the café across the street after putting my luggage upstairs. Would you like to have breakfast with me?"

Ino tried her best not to squeal like a lunatic.

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End

September 9, 2012


I hope you enjoyed this even though it's shorter than before. And for shameless promotion, please checkout my other fic, GLOMP. I'm planning to update that next.