Angel of Mine

By: Marshie-chan

Chapter Two: Doubts

Ino took a deep breath after reminiscing the past. When she stared back at the other table, Neji wasn't there anymore.

Shikamaru raised an eyebrow when he noticed the paleness in her face, "You okay? You look sick."

"Huh? No… I'm not… I'm just tired."

"Well I can't blame you for that. Besides, I, too, find parties so troublesome," he whispered making the blonde laugh slightly. Somehow, it brightened up her mood.

However, deep inside, Ino was disappointed when she hasn't been able to catch a sight of Neji again. When they saw each other again earlier after two years, she can't help notice how much he had become more handsome and attractive. And with all honesty, she admits to herself that her heart still beats wildly for him…but it's too late because she's now committed to Shikamaru. Besides, Neji made it clear that she was not his type! Her lips curled bitterly at the thought.

The next morning, Ino was busy working at the flower shop. She was currently watering the flowers in the display rack when Tenten enters the shop with a basket of long stemmed white roses.

Ino smiled nastily. "Hmm… I'm green with envy. It's early in the morning and you receive flowers from one of your admirers." She teased.

"Hey, this isn't for me!" Tenten replied, "It's for you."

"For me?" She said, eyes widening, "What did father do to you? Had he mistaken you as me to deliver these flowers in the shop?"

"Baka, it's from Neji. He requested me to give this to you since we're neighbors."

She swallowed, "N-neji?" Ino's heart pounded in the mere mention of his name.

"Yup!" The brown-haired girl handed the basket to Ino and turned her back on her, "Well, gotta go! I have some training to catch up!"

"W-wait!" Ino called out but Tenten is nowhere in sight. Her mind was left puzzled. She placed the flowers in the vase. 'What is Neji up to? Is he planning on making fun of me?All of a sudden, Neji's handsome face flashed in her mind.

'Gosh, he's as handsome as I remember him. That ANBU uniform he's wearing made him look more bold and daring. It's such a pity he's so arrogant… hey, why am I thinking of that baka?' She scolded herself. Ever since they saw each other yesterday, she can't keep her mind off him.

Ino felt guilty. 'I am engaged to Shikamaru and yet I allow myself to be bothered by another man. Why? Is it because I'm still attracted to Neji? No! I'm not attracted to Neji! It was just my ego being bruised! Yes, because he's the first guy who hasn't shown interest in me!'

Her thoughts were suddenly interrupted when the phone rang. She quickly picked it up and greeted, "Yamanaka Flower Shop, good morning!"

"Hi Ino, this is Neji. Did you receive the flowers?" Ino felt her heart seemed to jump out of her chest upon hearing his voice on the other line. However, she made it sure that he wouldn't notice how excited she was when she received the flowers he sent and his unexpected call.

"Yeah thanks, but as you notice Neji-sama, this is already a flower shop." She said directly.

Ino can hear Neji's deep sigh before he answered, "I just want to ask a favor from you."

She raised an eyebrow, "A favor?"

"Well, yes. My team and I are going on a spy mission tomorrow and we need the perfect disguises. Tenten said you're good at this since you belong in the spy unit so we thought of asking for your assistance." He said casually.

'So that's it.' Her heart suddenly felt heavy. 'And what do you expect? That he became suddenly interested in you personally? Wake up, Ino. You're engaged and you shouldn't be entertaining those thoughts.'

"But there are other members of the Spy Unit who are better than I am, why chose a Chuunin like me? I'm confident with my skills, but you know, there are more experienced and highly competent ninjas than I am."

"Yes, but my team wanted you to be our guide. I can't refuse since this is going to be the last mission with them before I engage in my new missions as an ANBU. Besides, I know your skills are excellent."

"How can you be so sure?" She asked sarcastically.

"Look, I must admit that we started at the wrong footing, Ino. I'm sorry if I was rude and mean to you. We're both professional ninjas now and we may have differences but somehow we can set those aside just for now. We need your expertise in spying."

Ino thought for a second. Neji's got a point. The past quarrels they had have nothing to do with an important mission. "You're right. So where shall we meet?" she asked casually but the truth is, she had gotten eager with their upcoming meeting.

"My team and I will meet you at the training grounds this afternoon, would that be fine?"

She let out a deep sigh. "Okay, then." She didn't wait for him to reply and quickly put the phone down. So Neji didn't give those flowers because he likes her, but for just a simple favor. But why does it have to be her? Why does she felt that Neji's got another motive?


Ino arrived at the training grounds late that afternoon. She was a bit amazed to find no one in sight. 'How odd.' She thought. Is Neji trying to make a fool out of her? She was about to leave the grounds when she felt someone's watching her from the trees. She quickly threw a kunai at the direction of the 'spy.' "Gotcha!"

The girl's eyebrows arched to find a familiar ANBU member who jumped from a tree and threw the kunai back to her. Ino quickly caught the kunai and was about to attack the guy again. "Easy there, it's just me." The guy said as he removed his ANBU mask. Ino's eyes widened to see Neji. It's as if her heart stopped beating when his eyes met hers. "I think we arrive earlier than the rest."

"Oh," Ino sighed as she thinks of something to say. Why does it feel so awkward when this guy is around? "So it means we have to wait for them…" 'Strange… I'm sure I was late when I arrived here…'

She stepped backward to distance herself from Neji when the guy suddenly spoke, "So you're getting married to Nara Shikamaru?"

Ino shrugged. 'And what does it have to do with you?' That's what she wishes to say but instead she replied, "Yes… in three months' time."

"Why?" He asked curiously.

Her eyes widened. She can't understand why he's so interested to know. "Look, not that I owe you an explanation but to satisfy your curiosity…" she spoke, trying hard to hide the anger she felt, "I'd like to share my life with him."

"But why?" He asked again looking at her directly in the eyes.

Ino felt uncomfortable but tried to stay composed, "Because we share almost the same values and dreams. We respect each other."

Neji frowned, "Is that all? I was waiting for you to answer me, because you love each other… that's why you're going to marry him."

Is it disappointment that she can see in the expression of his face? But why?

"You're marrying him for the wrong reasons," He said firmly that is enough to make her cheeks redden in fury.

'How dare you! You don't have the right to say that because you know nothing about my relationship with Shikamaru!' Ino wanted to yell that in his face but she remained calm. "Since when are you so good with these things, Neji?" She asked sarcastically, glaring at him, "And who gave you the right to question my decisions?"

Neji smirked, "Let's just say… I'm just a concerned friend. Why settle for the second best if you can have the best, Ino?" He asked meaningfully.

What does he mean by that? And why does this guy's sticking his nose on her decisions? It's not even in his business whoever she marries. "Stop beating around the bush, Neji. You're taking in riddles. Why don't you get straight to the point?"

"You two are not meant for each other. We're even much fitter to be together." He said with a confident smile.

Before she could react, Lee and Tenten arrived at the training grounds. They immediately started their plans about the mission. Neji just listened silently. Ino didn't know whether she had to reply on the last thing Neji said to her. But it seems like he had already forgotten about that. Maybe it's because he was simply fooling around just to ruin her day.

After the meeting, Ino promised that she will organizethe disguises properly the night before the mission. Somehow, she had gotten a bit nervous of what will happen tomorrow.


That sunny morning, Team Gai and Ino met at the entrance of the gate. But before the team proceeded to the forests, Shikamaru came to check up on her.

"Take care of yourself." Shikamaru told Ino as he caresses her face. "Try not to get into a troublesome situation 'ne?"

"Oh Shika. Don't worry… it's just a spy mission." She replied and smiled at him warmly, "Promise, I'll come back before our wedding."

"Okay." Shikamaru rounded his arms around her and hugged her. Ino hugged him back. Without their knowledge, Neji isn't a bit happy to witness the scene.

Tenten seems to notice his facial expression, "Something wrong, Neji?"

Neji shook his head, "Nothing."

"Wow, I'm jealous!" Lee exclaimed. "Too bad, Sakura-san is married!"

Annoyed, Tenten pulled Lee's ear. "Shut up you moron. You're ruining the moment." Tenten reminded her bobbed-haired teammate.

When Shikamaru returned to the village, Ino approached the team, "All right! Let's go!"

"Hai!" Tenten and Lee replied eagerly but Neji remained quiet. It's as if the guy is in deep thought. Ino just ignored him and took the lead to the forests.

Later on, the four shinobis left Konoha. They vault from tree to tree with Neji and Ino on the front and Lee and Tenten behind. They did the arrangement in purpose so that Ino and Neji who had both special abilities could watch for traps.

"Do you really have to do that?" Neji suddenly asked her, frowning.

"Do what?" She said innocently.

"Public display of affection," He muttered casually but Ino can sense the anger in his voice.

She turned to look at him. Yes, Neji is really angry. "Are you mad?"

"The answer is important to what I'll say next."

"Why so pissed, Neji? Shika and I are going to get married anyway and the entire Konoha population already knew that. I think it was okay for us to show them how much we love each other. Besides, I think it will also prevent nasty people for making stories about us just to ruin our relationship."

"Is that so? You must love him that much." Neji said, gritting his teeth.

"Not really. I mean, Shikamaru's a nice guy. Besides, we trust each other." She replied, in defense of her fiancé.

Neji raised an eyebrow but Ino preferred not to talk to him anymore. They remained silent until they reached a small village near their destination. It was already seven in the evening so the team decided to rest for a while and rent two rooms in one of the inns there—one for Lee and Neji and one for Ino and Tenten.

While Ino is busy fixing the disguises inside the room they rented, Tenten suddenly asked, "Be honest to yourself, Ino."

Her eyebrows arched, "What do you mean?"

"There's no harm admitting that you're still interested in Neji and I think the feeling is mutual. He did not mean to despise you. He acted that way towards you because he thought you're just like other girls who care for nothing except their hair and body and to get a handsome boyfriend."

Her eyes widened on what she had said, "B-but why are you saying this to me Tenten?"

"Because I know the truth between you and Neji," Tenten replied meaningfully which confused Ino's mind.

Silence came between them for seconds before Ino decided to change the topic, "I wonder nobody dared to court you, Tenten. You're beautiful, kind, strong and intelligent and in the age of twenty-four, you're about to pass the ANBU exam. Why do you hate men so much?"

Tenten cleared her throat before she answered, "Remember this, Ino. There are only a few guys that you can trust. If I were you, don't easily trust on them. They can't make you love them if you wouldn't give them a chance to stay close to you."

"Is that why until now nobody courted you? But why? Aren't you afraid to be an old maid?"

"I'm happy as I am right now." Tenten spoke casually. "Hey wait a minute, why are we talking about me? Let's talk about you and Neji…" The brown-haired girl sat down on the edge of the bed before she continues, "I noticed that Neji isn't comfortable whenever you're around. I knew him very well… he's a good friend and teammate to both Lee and I. What's so confusing is that everytime we mention your name, his mood suddenly changes. Remember that rich married guy who wanted you to become his mistress? Do you know how he reacted?"

Ino nodded her head, anticipating what Tenten will say next.

"I saw his amazement when I told him you declined the offer because he thought you're going to accept it just because that guy is rich and famous." It's as if Tenten noticed her feelings got hurt so she became doubtful whether to continue talking or not.

"Go on," She said and tried her best to force a smile.

"Well, that's because Neji views beautiful girls like you as gold diggers and users and he seems he has made up his mind about that… unless you decide to do something to change his mind."

Her eyebrows met, "What for?"

"To teach him a lesson that not all girls are just like what he thought of."

"And what will I gain from it just in case I decide to do it?"

"You're the instrument in changing his negative view, and who knows, you might discover that there are a lot of things you have in common? In short, you might learn to like each other." The brown-haired girl said teasingly.

Ino vigorously shook her head. She doesn't know whether to be happy or get angry on what Tenten just said.

"I don't want to say this but I have a feeling that he likes you… and hates himself for that."

"Really Tenten, you keep on selling that idea. Why? Because I sense you don't like Shikamaru for me." She said with pain reflected in her blue eyes.

"To be honest? Yes, I don't like Shikamaru for you, Ino. I've got a hunch that he's just pretending." When Tenten noticed the sad expression in Ino's face, she decided to change the topic. "I'm sure you're tired too and you would love to rest in preparation for the full day ahead. Even I have undergone a lot of strenuous training these past days just for this spy mission."

"Yeah. I think it's better if we rest so that we can leave this village early for tomorrow." She said and lied down in the bed next to Tenten's.

She was about to close her eyes when Tenten spoke, "Ino, I'm sorry if I hurt you because of what I've said about Shikamaru. Please try to forget that I said all those words." Tenten said in a lower voice.

Ino just answered her with a sad smile before she lied down in her bed. However, she wasn't able to close her eyes. She was still thinking about what Tenten just said to her earlier—that Shikamaru is just pretending that he loves her. True enough, she noticed something about her fiancé these past few weeks. It's obvious that he cared about her so much but there are times that she would catch him in a daze or in deep thought. It's also as if that the "spark" she felt before whenever she's with him is gone. Is it really true that his feelings for her suddenly changed?

However, the back of her mind refused to believe. She knew that Shikamaru loves her. She tried to console herself, 'He can't do that to me. He loves me. Maybe Tenten is just imagining things… or maybe she saw something that I didn't.' Her lips curbed in annoyance when she failed to erase the nagging doubts within her. 'Oh no, what's happening to me? Here I am, ready for my forthcoming wedding and yet, my heart is beset with some doubts about my feelings to Shikamaru.'

TBC