A/N: We apologize for the lateness!
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10:00 the next morning…
"Uchiha, why did I have to get up so early to meet you here again?"
"Stop whining, its not that early. And because not many people will be here."
"Fine, whatever. Lets just go over the stuff to look like a happy couple quickly so I can go back to sleep." Shikamaru said while trying not to yawn.
"I made a list, you know,"Sasuke revealed,"All that's left for you to do is to memories these five ground rules,"Sasuke continued, putting a piece of paper on the table in front of him.
"Rule number one,"Shikamaru read, "We must kiss in public, and we must pretend to like it. Rule number two. We must always smile we see each other. Rule number three, We must hold hands if headed in the same direction. Rule number four, We must date often. Rule number five, We must show them that we hug"
"What the hell?! Uchiha!"
"That is what is needed for it too seem like we are dating."
"That's ridiculous!"
"Are you going to break your promise?" Sasuke asked, eyes narrowed dangerously.
" If I was, I wouldn't be here. Don't underestimate me,"Shikamaru replied hotly.
And so the two argued. Eventually, Shikamaru agreed to accept these terms, for he prided himself in honoring his words. His heart had won as well, for he desired to kiss the Uchiha again. Nevertheless, his brain did find that thought wrong.
"May I go to sleep now?"
"Shortly. We need to make plans for a date, then I'll walk you back to your place."
"Alright, fine. How you pick me up tonight at say, 7:00, and we go for a stroll in the park?"
"Perfect."
"Good. Now can I go home?"
"Yes. Don't forget the rules." Sasuke grabbed Shikamaru's hand as they started to walk to his house.
They walked back to Shikamaru's house in relative silence.
"My house is here," Shikamaru said, suddenly grasping the other's hand tightly for a second, before letting go. Silently, he walked into his house, feeling sad. The Uchiha would never return his feelings. This… this was not helping. As long as he was with Sasuke, following those stupid rules, he would never be able to give up on the guy.
He decided to sleep on it.
6:57 at Shikamaru's house
'Okay Shikamaru. Remember, this is all just an act. Don't do anything other than what the rules state you must do.'
'But what if I accidentally do something that I don't have too and he catches on...No. That won't happen. But what if...' Someone knocking on his door broke Shikamaru's train of thought
When he opened it he saw Sasuke standing at his door, looking like he was trying to not show how uncomfortable he actually was.
"If I have to pretend I'm happy," said Shikamaru, dragging Sasuke inside, "The least you could do is to show some consideration and pretend you're happy too."
"I'm trying!"Sasuke protested.
"Sure you are. That's why you have that scowl on your face, as if I'm an enemy you have to fight with."Shikamaru retorted.
"I'm still not really comfortable with the idea. Just give me a little time,"Sasuke murmured, giving Shikamaru a quick kiss on the lips.
"What. Was. That. For?!"
Sasuke smirked. "Just to get us into the spirit of things," he replied, calmly.
"'Just to get us into the spirit of things'." Shikamaru grumbled under his breathe. 'Dang, its like he's trying to make me fall for him even more every time I see him.'
"So, um..."
"Well, I..."
They both started talking at the same time, looked at each other, then started to chuckle.
"This really isn't working is it?" Sasuke asked.
"Your right. We both need to relax if this is going to work." Shikamaru said, smiling.
Sasuke's lips gave a small twitch that Shikamaru guessed was the beginning of a smile.
They continued on to the park.
After a while of walking Shikamaru was about ready to sit down.
"Hey, Sasuke? Could we sit down for a while?"
"Sure."
They wandered over to a bench and both sat down.
"So, um, so far the only thing we've done the parts of the rules that proclaim we have to go on dates and hold hands in public..." Shikamaru said quietly.
"Your right. Well, we'll just have to change that now won't we?" Sasuke said smirking slightly.
Then he leaned forward and gently brushed his lips against those of Shikamaru's. Shikamaru leaned forward and wraped his arms around Sasuke's neck, returning the chaste kiss. Perhaps it was instinct, for Sasuke's arms immediately wrapped themselves around Shikamaru's waist.
They quickly broke free. "Sasuke, I have to tell you something."
"What is it?"
"Well, you can't kiss well with your tongue. I noticed that when you kissed me at the ramen bar."
"What do you--- I haven't much practice, to be honest."
"What?! Well, I guess I have to teach you," Shikamaru groaned.
With infinite care, He pulled Sasuke closer before allowing their lips to meet in a chaste kiss. Then, he licked the Sasuke's lips. Flustered, Sasuke opened his mouth to say something, but Shikamaru took that as a sign of consent and slid his tongue into Sasuke's mouth, showing him just how to kiss. Sasuke found himself liking the kiss. He wondered how Shikamaru learned how to kiss that well, but was soon stripped of any form of cohesive thought.
This continued for about half an hour, with them breaking apart every few minutes for air and for Shikamaru to give a few quick instructions before they continued.
'If this is what it's like to sin', Shikamaru thought,' then I never want to enter heaven,'
Tsukiko: Well, our next chapter!
Shizuka-: Once again, sorry for taking so long. I hope you all enjoyed it, and are looking forward to the next chapter(s).