Chapter 2: The Flower of Love
"Shikamaru? What are you doing here?" Ino asked walking closer to him. She knew, or better said 'everybody knew', how lazy he was and how everything seemed troublesome to him. Awhile back, his laziness irritated her and maybe a little today, but she really became use to it. Besides he's a genius, so it wasn't like he's useless or anything bad. In fact his presents is quite calming.
"I was just about to visit Asuma Sensei's grave and I thought maybe you'd like to come with me. I mean it's been awhile since we've ever done something together…you know besides missions." Shikamaru said rubbing the back of his head. He sounded as if he was too nervous to talk or scared. Ino was very dumbfounded by Shikamaru's invitation to tag along with him to Asuma's grave, since he would always go alone. Not to mention that it actually has been awhile since Ino and Shikamaru had done something together. The very thought of it made her think. How or what are his feelings for her? What is she to Shikamaru? 'Sasuke is gone. Maybe I should focus on finding someone new. . . . and Shikamaru is very intelligent. . . . maybe . . . NO WAY! He'd. . . He'd never like me. Not in that way. We are just friends.'
Ino smiled. "Let's go."
She and Shikamaru started walking together side-by-side silently. Ino started staring at the lazy genius oddly. He slowly noticed and didn't bother asking until it was a little bothering and he just had to ask, "Ino? Something wrong?" Ino turned away. "Oh . . . n-nothing." She mumbled. He leaned forward some so he could try and see her face. However, he could barely see any of it because of her long bang covering half of her face, but he spotted her cheek a little that shockingly had a very fade tone of pink. '….Pink? Is that her blushing? What is there to be blushing about If she is? Is she thinking about Sasuke?'
It was true, Ino was blushing a little and she hated it. She didn't want Shikamaru thinking she liked him because she thought someone like him wouldn't be interested and also because it would affect their close friendship.
After a few seconds of her forcing her somewhat pink cheeks to fade away she stopped hiding her face."Umm . . . . Shikamaru?" Ino said softly.
"Yea?" Shikamaru said finally getting a glimpse of her face after her hiding it. There wasn't any more pink in her skin.
"D-do you . . . . Am I . . . . What am I to you?" Ino finally said. She felt idiotic and embarrassed for asking such a stupid question. It felt as if she had already blown it with having a chance with Shikamaru, though she still wants to deny having any affection for him. He was silent for a second and then went in shock from Ino's sudden question. 'What is she to me? It's such a troublesome question but . . . .'
"Well your-" Shikamaru was suddenly interrupted by a familiar voice from a distance. Naruto.
"HEY SHIKAMARU! INO!" Naruto shouted. Ino was surprised by Naruto's sudden yelling and jumped a little, hoping Shikamaru didn't notice. However he did and was trying to reframe from snickering. Ino noticed how Hinata was with Naruto. She was bright red in the face as usual. He then grabbed Hinata's hand and they both came running toward Ino and Shikamaru. When they reached them Naruto grew a weird smile on his face. He turned to Shikamaru.
"Aha! You weren't dating Temari! You're on a date with Ino!" Naruto shouted. He leaned in and whispered to Shikamaru. "So how long has this been going on?" Shikamaru didn't say anything, but noticed how Ino got angry.
"BAKA!" Ino shouted punching Naruto in the face sending him flying back. Hinata and Shikamaru were quiet the entire time. The only reason Ino punched Naruto was because she was embarrassed enough from blushing in front of Shikamaru and saying they were on a date wasn't helping. Shikamaru, being good at hiding emotion, reframed from blushing and decided to turn the tables on Naruto.
"So, I take it you and Hinata are on a date?" Shikamaru asked. He looked at Hinata, whose face was so red you'd think she was on fire. She started shaking a little and sweating.
"W-what? Na-Naruto and I were just. . ." Hinata whined, not wanting to finish her sentence. Ino grew a big smile on her face and looked at Naruto, whose face was implanted in the ground. She figured it would be a good time to also change the subject to them.
"Hey yea! You and Hinata must be the ones on a date. What were you two doing here alone?" Ino asked smirking at Naruto. Naruto then stood up rubbing his wounded face with his hand.
"Actually Hinata wanted to visit some of the graves today. I saw her and asked if I could tag along. She fainted, but she woke up faster than usual." Naruto laughed looking at Hinata. That's when Hinata passed out. "Wha- . . . . H-Hinata!" Naruto and Ino yelled running up to the now unconscious girl. Shikamaru and Naruto helped her up, but she was still out cold. "Umm you know me and Hinata were done anyway. I'll carry her until she wakes up. Me and her were suppose to get ramen next." Naruto stated. Shikamaru just nodded and put Hinata on Naruto's back. "By the way where are you guys going?"
"Oh me and Shikamaru were going to Asuma sensei's grave." Ino said plainly. Naruto nodded.
"Ok then. Well me and Hinata are heading off now. Later!" Naruto said adjusting Hinata on his back and then walked away. Shikamaru and Ino waved good-bye and started walking side-by-side again. Ino started wondering what Shikamaru was gonna say before Naruto interrupted him. She didn't want to sound to obsessed or pushy by asking him again so she just stayed silent hoping he would finish the sentence on his own.
They finally reached Asuma's grave and stood there in silence for a sec. Then they both got on their knees and prayed. 'Asuma . . . . .' Ino and Shikamaru sat in silence for a while. Shikamaru took out Asuma's lighter and lit it. Placing it on the grave of the pasted sensei the silence grew longer. Breaking the silence Ino let out a sigh. "Asuma . . . . I miss you." She ran her fingers across the grave as the lighters flame went out. Shikamaru turned to Ino.
"Ino. He's still with us. Don't tell me you've forgotten that already." Shikamaru said. Ino immediately turn to Shikamaru angrily. "OF COURSE I HAVEN'T FORGETTEN!" She yelled. Shikamaru just smirked and then everything grew silent again. Shikamaru broke the silence again.
"Ino, earlier you asked what are you to me." He started. Ino could feel her heart pound hard. "Before I answer that I'd like to know why you're asking me that now." He said looking down at the grass. Ino didn't know what to say. Shikamaru's always been just a close friend to her and now she wants him to become something more. She started to feel like she was pushing this too fast.
"I-I was just wondering." She finally spit out. "It's ok though. You don't have to answer it. It was just a . . . . stupid question." Ino sadly laughed. Shikamaru was tempted to not answer and leave it at that, but he had to say it.
"You someone . . . special to me, Ino." He said embarrassed on the inside. He felt as if he shouldn't have told her that. Ino was full of surprises and he didn't know what to expect. Maybe she would turn her head and reject him. Maybe she would hug him tightly and be with him forever, but Ino just sat there blank in the face. She felt a warm feeling in her gut for Shikamaru now and instead of hugging him she just smiled.
"Thank you, Shikamaru."
Shikamaru did nothing, but smile back relieved by Ino's reaction to his answer. Feeling the need to stretch, Shikamaru got up and did so yawning. "Tired as usual?" Ino teased still on her knees on the ground. Shikamaru just nodded. "Well you wanna go get some ramen? Maybe Hinata and Naruto are still there." It wasn't gonna be like a date Ino thought next.
"Sorry, but I'm not too hungry." Shikamaru said plainly. Ino didn't grow sad. She just wanted something to do.
"Hey we could go-." Shikamaru wasn't able to finish because he had stumbled forward over a positioned rock by his feet. He then noticed that he had fell on Ino and then noticed something greater. His lips were pressing onto something moist and soft. It was Ino's lips. They were both staring into each other's eyes in shock. Neither one of them moved as their bodies were pressed together. Shikamaru, thinking Ino was about to get furious, decided he should get off before she slapped him. However, she didn't. She just sat there.
"I-Ino I'm sorry. I didn't mean to . . . ." Shikamaru started.
"No . . . no it's ok." Ino said interrupting Shikamaru. She got up slowly and silently. The moment then grew awkward. Ino and Shikamaru just tried to reframe from looking into each other's eyes, knowing the moment would just get more awkward.
OOOOOooooo /
lol thanks and leave a review C:
