Ino ran a hand through her fringe, looking at herself in the mirror. She smiled. No way could Sakura compare, she giggled. Pausing, her mind drifted to yesterday and she flushed. Slapping herself lightly she shook her head and skipped down the stairs. She was to take charge of the flower shop today, as usual. To her surprise, she saw Sakura examining the roses.

"Someone looks oddly happy," Sakura smiled, not bothering to turn to face the blond. Ino arched an eyebrow.

"Huh?" She queried, placing a hand on her hip. Sakura glanced her way and shrugged, turning around again. Ino frowned, why was she acting so annoying?

"What is it?" Ino pestered, poking the girl in her side. Sakura jumped back and giggled.

"Yesterday…" She grinned, turning around again. She picked up a rose and sniffed it. Ino froze. Yesterday? That yesterday? No way, Sakura saw?

"I don't know what you're talking about." Ino composed herself and tilted her chin upwards. Sakura smiled knowingly and Ino groaned inwardly. It's not that she didn't want to be seen with Shikamaru, it's just weird. Or awkward, seeing that they've been teammates for so long. Or maybe it was both. Ino ignored her best friend and sat gingerly on the stool behind the counter.

"Who's that for?" She asked casually, jabbing a finger at the rose. Sakura shrugged.

"Myself." She replied, taking another. Ino arched an eyebrow. It was then when the chimes sounded and her head snapped up.

"Welcome," Ino smiled, before she flushed and stared. Shikamaru had strode in, in his usual lazy fashion. His both hands stuffed deep in his pocket. His gaze was fixed on hers and she shifted uncomfortably in her seat. What was wrong with her? She never had any problems in the presence of men before. Then again, she never really liked any of them. Sakura lifted her head and a sly smile graced her face.

"I'll come back. I think I'll go eat breakfast first." She waved, sprinting out of the shop in smiles. Ino blew at her fringe in frustration of being abandoned in her time of panic. His eyes followed Sakura as she ran off, almost as if to make sure she was leaving. Turning back to Ino her half smiled. She smiled back, a meek, shy smile. She mentally kicked herself. What was wrong with her? She was melting like butter in an oven.

"Have you eaten?" He asked, still staring at her. She bit her lip and shook her head slowly.

"Let's go." He replied, walking out. Ino's eyes widened, was that his way of asking her out? Usually, she would have sniggered and told whoever that he didn't stand a chance. She never fell for this kind of invitations. But Ino found herself trailing after him, not sure what to do with her hands. She wanted to slap herself. He visibly slowed down and waited for her to catch up with him.

"What are we eating?" Ino asked, steadying her voice. Shikamaru shrugged. He came to ask her out without even planning where they'd eat? Ino sulked.

"Where ever you feel like eating." He replied. Ino sucked in a breath. Did he really say that? She blushed, having a sudden urge to hug him. Shikamaru looked up at watched a few clouds drift past.

"I'm leaving for a mission in the afternoon." He said suddenly. Ino felt her heart sink. She wanted to bombard him with millions of questions. Like, how long would you be gone? Where are you going? Is it dangerous? Will you be okay? Can you not go? But she figured that would be way out of character for her.

"Oh…" She replied, looking at her feet as she walked. Ino sighed softly. Shikamaru looked at the blond as she walked beside him, her hair swaying gently with every step she took. Her soft, blue eyes fixed her shoes as she walked. He removed his right hand from his pocket and caught her left one as it swung lightly when she walked. Shikamaru felt a shiver run through this entire body but he kept his eyes fixed on the road forward. Ino's eyes widened. He had wrung his fingers in between hers and their palms were touching in the sweetest way. She stared at their hands, wondering if this was genjutsu. Then she adverted her gaze to the Chuunin beside her and she smiled.

"I'll be gone for just a day. I'll be going with Pakkun. It's really simple actually. I just have to retrieve one of the scrolls the silly Jounins dropped on their way back before anyone gets it. I'll be back by tomorrow night." He said, shrugging. Ino could have sworn she was glowing, he could read minds too?

They walked into a casual restaurant and sat in a corner. It's almost empty, Ino thought, looking around. Shikamaru ordered jasmine tea and waited patiently as she decided what she wanted. She looked up at him, surprised.

"Is that all you're having?" She asked. Shikamaru shrugged.

"I don't like running on a full stomach." He replied. Ino nodded and ordered scrambled eggs. Shikamaru raised an eyebrow.

"I thought you didn't like eggs."

"It's healthy."

"You're too thin."

Ino looked at him, his eyes staring right at hers. She bit her lip and looked away. No one had ever actually said that to her before. Ino assumed that she was fat. Not very fat, just fat. Many people have told her that she wasn't and that it was just her mind. Somehow she didn't look at herself in that way. She ate in silence, poking at her eggs miserably. Shikamaru sipped his tea never taking his eyes off her.

"You know, I kind of miss not caring about what I eat." Ino looked up suddenly and smiled. He felt a smile creep up his lips and he nodded.

When they were finished Shikamaru took her for a walk in a park nearby. He has never actually gone out with a girl and it had taken him a lot of mental preparation before leaving the house. He was surprised that he hadn't muttered his famous phrase for the entire record. Someone call the Hokage, it's a miracle. Shikamaru smiled at Ino.

"It's Naruto, hey Naruto!" Ino suddenly called. Shikamaru pealed his eyes away too look at his friend clothed in his usual striking orange. Ino squealed and Shikamaru jumped.

"Is that a puppy?!" She squeaked, running towards Naruto. He chuckled and scratched his head.

"Yeah, I found it awhile ago." Naruto smiled watching Ino lift up the white dog. She cuddled it close and laughed. Naruto raised an eyebrow when he spotted Shikamaru.

"Hi Shikamaru!" Naruto yelled, waving. Shikamaru sighed, pushing his hands deeper into his pockets. He jerked his head, acknowledging him.

"Wait, did you two come together?" Naruto's eyes widened in glee, swinging his head from his friend to the blond. Shikamaru sighed, ignoring him. Instead he chose to look at her.

She laughed when the puppy licked her face. She hugged it close to her and stroked its fur lovingly. Running to him, she held it out.

"Look! Isn't it cute?" She laughed. Shikamaru said nothing, instead he stared at her. Ino returned the puppy to her embrace and glared at him.

"What is wrong with you?" She asked. Naruto sucked in a breath. This could get nasty, he thought.

"Your moment of pity would only hurt it." Shikamaru said, looking away. Ino was taken aback. Her moment of pity?

"Naruto found it here. It's either lost, or a stray. Either way you're going to have to leave it. And the more you cuddle it now, the more hurt it's going to be when you leave." He continued. Ino clenched her teeth.

"I'm not leaving it here." She stated. Naruto wondered if he should leave. Wait, he couldn't. It was too interesting. Were they together?

"You have to." Shikamaru snorted. Ino glared at him.

"I will find someone to take it. I'm not leaving it here." She spat, stalking off, puppy in hand. Shikamaru stared after her, he couldn't bring himself to feel annoyed but he was a little angry.

"Wow." Naruto breathed. Shikamaru glared at the genin and punched him.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"I'm sorry Ino. My father hates dogs." Choji shrugged. She sighed, nodding slowly. Walking away disappointed, she wondered if there was someone else she hadn't asked. Her eyes lit up as she thought of someone. She ran.

"Kiba!" she yelled, knocking loudly on his door. "Kiba open up!"

Kiba opened the door and stared at the girl, annoyed. His expression softened when he saw the puppy. He took it from her and stroked its fur. Akamaru peeked through Kiba's legs and barked. Ino grinned.

"So you'll take him?" She asked expectantly. Kiba raised his eyebrows.

"Take him? Huh? No, I can't Ino. You know I have Akamaru." Kiba shrugged, handing the puppy back to her. She took the puppy, disappointed yet again.

"Thanks…" She said, waling away slowly. She looked up at the darkening sky. She had been at this all day. She sighed; Shikamaru would have already left for his mission. How could he have been so unfeeling?

On her way home, Ino stopped by the store to buy fresh milk for the puppy. Tired and upset she trudged upstairs to her room. Pouring some milk into a bowl, she gave it to the puppy that lapped it up enthusiastically. She smiled, grabbing her clothes she headed towards the toilet. She paused when something caught her eye. She frowned, walking to the desk.

On it were a stack of fliers. A picture of the dog drawn on it and her number written at the bottom. It said 'LOST DOG' on the top. Ino picked the stack of papers up in surprise, flipping through them; she realized they were hand drawn. Every single piece of paper. A small note slipped out of them and she caught it before it reached the floor.

"I'm sorry,

-S"

What do you think? (: I liked it. Hehehehe. Here's the sequel kisukebenihime asked for. It's for you. Drop a review!