Disclaimer: I do not own the characters.


CHAPTER 2 - Break Monotony

I couldn't figure out why I told her to do it. Where the hell did I get the idea?

Seriously, I'm exhausting my brain cells now, searching for a logical explanation.

But I couldn't find any good reason because it was some kind of a spontaneous proposal.

Something without a logical explanation was most likely an illogical idea right?

So why Sakura did it was beyond me.

It was a weird suggestion but how was I to know that the girl was gullible. And illogical.

Then I remember, I told her something about wasting her time thinking of him and pining over him until she realizes by the time they finished making out, he's not at all that attractive. It's all about taking quick action and getting the answers.

That must have been what convinced her to take the plunge and dive head first.

I just hope something good came out of it. After all, it was my idea.

Speaking of good things, I can't help but notice Shikamaru's mood these days.

He seemed- I'm not certain about it, preoccupied maybe.

I guess he ought to be. He had every right to be, after what he'd been through.

It's a good sign. Mostly, when a guy was preoccupied, it means he's thinking of it- thinking of the kiss and trying to decipher it.

Is there any guy out there who wouldn't be affected when a girl comes to them and steals a kiss?

I'm pretty sure Shikamaru had never been kissed before… at least that's what I heard from him a year ago. Poor guy.

Oh my. Sakura had no idea what she just did.

Don't get me wrong. I'm not doing this because I want Sakura to get in trouble.

Not really, I swear.

But I'm quite aware that Shikamaru hates troubles and this one, it's troubling him certainly.

Say you were in my shoes and all you hear every day for the past two months were complains regarding what she calls to be a fleeting attraction whatsoever towards my teammate and you learn that she has no plans of getting to the bottom of it, then what kind of friend will I be if I just stood there and be a sponge absorbing all her frustration toward the lack of a normal relationship with the guy.

I couldn't believe I waited for two months to finally give the girl a push. A very hard push indeed.

Well actually, it was more of getting her thrown into the arms of Shikamaru, the guy who's motto in life was 'all things, most of all girls, are troublesome!'

I just wanted to help Sakura to be put out of her psychosis.

Plus, wouldn't it be amazing to see Shikamaru trip for a girl.

That would be a sight worth seeing.

Honestly, the guy needed some excitement in his life.

And cloud watching wasn't as exciting as kissing.

Even the simplicity of spending time with someone

Spend time cloud watching maybe. At least doing it with someone seemed more exciting than doing it alone right?

But they didn't have a normal relationship, that's what's hard to work out.

By normal relationship, I meant, you know, be able to act normal around the guy.

I've never seen Sakura act so uneasy around guys before like how she acted around Shikamaru.

When Shikamaru was around, I want to give her a kick in the butt for acting weird around him.

He did not seem to notice her uneasiness.

For a lazy guy, those things were insignificant.

So what do you guess was my reaction when a month after Sakura's confession to me, Shikamaru came to visit me at the flower shop and ask why Sakura acts edgy when he's around?

And I was already convinced that they're insignificant details to him. I never thought it bothered him one bit.

How awfully wrong was I to have such assumption?

Well it only made things easier for me to manipulate and bring them together.

If I'd known earlier they feel the same toward each other, I could have taken action and they could be watching the clouds together at this moment.

How did I know they have mutual feelings?

Well, I put the pieces together like a puzzle.

I came to the conclusion that he reciprocates Sakura's feelings when he asked in a concerned voice that maybe Sakura keeps a grudge on him when he said that she's a ninja with no special trait.

I mentally shook my head as if to say 'nope that's not it Shikamaru, how oblivious can you get?'

As a loyal friend of Sakura, I told him I have no idea even though I'm itching badly to spill all her secrets to him.

I highly doubt Shikamaru would admit anything, even the little attraction he had towards Sakura.

He can be so secretive about many aspects.

But he couldn't hide the things he wanted me to miss. Clearly.

Lucky for me, my observation skills are excellent.

I guess the little attraction he had for her started when news spread regarding Sakura's excellent display of skills, when she defeated the Akatsuki member Sasori.

He admired her for her strength and strong will to defeat someone dangerous and deadly.

If he only knew-

Sakura admired him for his strategic skills.

But he seemed to have lacked the ability essential to strategize when it comes to dealing with women.

Lacking such was the main reason why he never had a first kiss—

A week ago he's still a virgin in that aspect.

But since Sakura kissed him, he must have been thankful that he's no longer left behind in the field of interaction between the opposite sexes.

What could they be doing at this very moment?

I wonder if they sorted it out.

Thinking of their situation drained the energy out of me.

So, I was very thankful for a time out.

I'm experiencing the fruits of my labor.

There's no Sakura around who'll vent her frustrations to me as I arrange flowers.

There's no Shikamaru around as well who'd ask me questions as I think of another flower arrangement.

This was what you call peace, which was deprived from me for months.

I savored the quiet afternoon, alone but content, hoping it will not end.

Until the chimes rang, indicating a customer has arrived.

I looked up to see a scowling Shikamaru…

Scowling yes, though he did that sometimes, this was a different scowl.

More like 'why-is-she-avoiding-me' kind of scowl, to be more specific.

Obviously, he's not here to buy flowers.

He's not here for chitchat.

He's not here for anything but one in particular.

One reason which I undeniably knew about.

He's here for information about a pink-haired ninja who not only stole his first kiss but was now missing in action.

I resumed my activity, hoping his visit would be quick.

I pretended not to notice the expression on his face.

He sat on the high chair and propped an elbow on the counter.

He sighed, and then there was silence.

He sighed again, and then there was silence, longer this time.

It continued like this until he finally decided to break the cycle.

"Tell me Ino, when you kiss someone, what do you mean by that?"

It was such a naïve question coming from a very naïve Shikamaru yet it sounded silly.

Almost silly but the look on his face was all seriousness. So I decided not to laugh because he might walk away.

I had to gather all my self-control to keep a straight face as I stared at him. His cheeks gradually turned a faint blush of pink.

This was embarrassing for him yet he delved into it, like he could no longer take the absence of answers.

But why ask me when he can get the answer from Sakura?

Oh right, the girl was avoiding him.

And right, I'm the closest girl friend he could talk about these things, but why was he embarrassed?

Was it because we're about to have a discussion about something strange to him like kissing?

Maybe months ago it would be strange, but now that he's experienced it, it shouldn't be.

Putting aside these thoughts, I asked: "What kind of kiss are you referring to Shikamaru?"

This only seemed to embarrass him more since he had to describe to me what kind of kiss my very bold and courageous friend Sakura did.

Bold and courageous huh, but where was she now? Coward.

Come to think of it, Sakura didn't even give me details about it. She at least owed me that.

I guess I'll get it from Shikamaru then.

The silence stretched on. He was contemplating whether or not to provide a recap of that experience.

Of course I'd have to act like I know nothing.

I must act like this was one of our many casual conversations.

But this was different in so many ways.

It's a topic that would never be instigated by Shikamaru—too troublesome for him.

It's a topic that embarrasses him and he had never been this embarrassed in the years I've known him.

It's a topic related to his capability to interact with the opposite sex-the interaction he had with Sakura, which I have a feeling I could possibly make him to tell.

This was a very sensitive topic – it involves his first kiss.

But I'm not supposed to be the one explaining this to him.

Sakura where the hell are you?!

The list went on in my head and still Shikamaru was silent.

He was undecided whether or not to let me in on his secret. But to have at least some idea why it happened, that urge was too strong for him to disregard.

Clearly, the thought of fishing for possible answers from me, even the slightest about why girls would do such a thing, why Sakura would kiss him when they're not even romantically involved to be specific, was a very disarming topic for him to bring up.

To sum it all up, Shikamaru was greatly affected.

But this was a good indication. It would break the monotony of his life.

"Uhm... I'm not really familiar with the different kinds of kisses…" he trailed off while scratching the back of his neck for the lack of knowledge, his eyes focused on the flowers I was arranging earlier.

I figured he wanted me to give him an overview.

An overview he will get.

"Okay, why the sudden interest?" My curiosity wouldn't back down but I got my expression in check. It'll scare him away if look too interested.

"Nothing. I was just wondering…" He was evading my question because he realized that it would lead to me having an idea what this consultation was all about.

Typical.

It seemed he will never give me the details I want.

How disappointing.

Might as well give him what he came here for so I can have the peace again.

I hope Sakura would not be taking that away from me just like what Shikamaru did today.

"If I kiss a guy on the lips it means:

1. I like him

2. I love him

3. Or for some girls, they simply kiss a guy for no apparent reason

The last reason happens. It does.

But not this time.

It did not apply to Sakura.

She's not like that and I know the reason behind it.

I knew she likes Shikamaru and that's about to turn into more than that if I wouldn't mess this up.

The look on Shikamaru's face when I mentioned the last reason could be deemed as that of disappointment.

Disturbed. Dejected. Defeated. Distressed.

Was he thinking that Sakura kissed him with that last reason in mind?

As if catching himself and realizing that he'd shown too much emotion, he changed the subject.

"So, you like or love Choji then?" He was dead serious.

"Shikamaru!"

He was out the door before I could throw him the basket of flowers I just finished arranging.

To be continued


A/N: Thanks for the time in reading this; it will make me happier if you'll leave a review.

Anyway, just tell me if this chapter bored you to death, I'll try my best next time. ^_^