Nothing Says "I Love you" like "I Hate you" (Ino's perspective)

When I was 11, Shikamaru said that blonds are stupid. At the time, I was staring at Sasuke Uchiha (queue screaming fangirls). I was actually staring at Shikamaru, but had to cover it up by changing my glance towards the Uchiha prodigy when he turned in my direction.

I said to him, "I hate you."

When we were 12, Sasuke defected. I didn't really care about him, but I cried. Shikamaru told me to stop crying because he was already gone. I cried more after that, just so he would stay and 'comfort' me. I really did like the attention he was giving me.

Nevertheless, I said to him, "I hate you."

When we were 13, Shikamaru said it was stupid of me to be dieting. I wasn't dieting. Believe it or not, I just wasn't hungry. But in a way, I was flattered he cared enough about my health to say that.

But of course, I said, "I hate you."

When we were 14, Chouji was severely injured and nearly died during a mission. I cried. Well, of course I did! I was only human. Shikamaru told me to suck it up and do something useful. I cried more, just at the thought of Shikamaru being in Chouji's place.

As usual, I said, "I hate you."

When we were 15, Shikamaru became Temari's guide. I'm not gonna lie, I was jealous. So I started spending a LOT of time with dog brained Kiba, trying to get Shikamaru jealous. It didn't work. He thought I was whoring around with him.

Devastated, I screamed at him, "I HATE YOU!"

When we were 16, Shikamaru avenged Asuma Sensei's murder. He came back and said to me, "It's a good thing you didn't fight him; you would've died." I ignored his words, just happy he was alive.

Nevertheless, I mumbled at him, "I hate you."

When we were 17, I started showing a bit more skin, just to see Shikamaru's reaction. I may not have been the smartest person ever, but I did understand guys. Most guys like skin. But Shikamaru called me a slut. I was sort of disgusted with my self. I should have known my then; Shikamaru wasn't like most guys.

But as usual, I said, "I hate you."

Shikamaru hated me. I'm not stupid; I always knew that. He probably thought I hated him as well. It should have been obvious after all those "I hate you" s. But no. I always loved him. Because every time I said, "I hate you" I actually meant "I love you."

Authors Note

Well, if you guys enjoyed that, you should thank Mood Ink, who encouraged me to write a sequel to Nothing Says "I Love you" like "I Hate you". =)