Now was as good a time as any. He brushed a stray lock of blonde hair out of her face, took a deep breath and let it out.
He started "Ino, I don't know if you can hear me or not but this might be the last chance I get to say this. Now I know we've been friends for a long time but I don't know how much longer I can take you chasing after that Sasuke guy. I like you Ino, a lot. I'm not talking about some schoolboy crush. I've felt this way for a while now and I understand if you don't like me back but I just had to get it off my ches…"
He was cut short right there because Ino's face scrunched up and then relaxed. She opened her eyes and a smile came over her face. His eyes went wide and he sat her up. He brought her to his chest and hugged her. She tensed in shock but soon relaxed and responded. He felt her hug him back and grasped her tighter wrapping his arms around her back.
She pulled back with a strange look on her face. The one thing she whispered in his ear would now define their whole relationship.
"I love you too Shikamaru Nara."
Then
she pulled back and smiled, he smiled back at her. She brought her
lips to his and he was amazed at how soft they were. He remembered
what they say about seeing fireworks… and they lied. He felt the
fireworks. She pulled away and he missed the warmth of her lips. They
stood up and went back to camp, hand in hand packed and left for
Konoha...together.
PH
