a/n this starts after the match between Ino and Sakura during the month prior to the final part of the exams, so it will follow the basic plot but that is just about it. So if things don't add up forgive me.

A slow breath escaped the lips of Shikamaru as he listened to his childhood friend rant beside him. He watched as the clouds above Konoha floated carelessly across the sky, and he tried as hard as he could to tune out the loud blonde. The front of his body warmed in the sunshine, and he could feel the texture of the rooftop on his back. He'd come up here to escape, and with a side-eyed glance of annoyance he sat up.

"Ino. Get to the point." He said, the corner of his mouth turned down in a half frown.

"I'm over Sasuke." She lamely, brushing her long bangs back away from her face, only for them to fall back over one of her eyes. Shikamaru looked back up to the sky, his arms resting on his knees. The blonde eyeing him nervously, while biting her lower lip, and with a deep breath she closed her eyes. Shikamaru cast a glance over to Ino, and he knew that she was scared. They had been friends for so long, their fathers being a part of the original Ino-Shika-Cho team, and they were thrust together for countless "playdates". The only other time Shikamaru had seen Ino this nervous was, well, never. Shikamaru shifted so that he was leaning back on his forearms, not quite lying down, but more relaxed.

"You're so troublesome." He stated with a slight quirk of a smile. The kunoichi looked at him, her blue eyes locked onto his.

"I'm over boys," she stated finally, looking away. Shikamaru raised an eyebrow and frowned slightly.

"Is no one giving you attention?" He asked, knowing full well that's not what was going on. He'd noticed it years ago. Ino never paid any one person attention she was everyone's friend, and until Sasuke never gave boys any bother. Of course, she was flattered and arrogant. She was still Ino after all. Ino punched him in the arm not in her normal aggression, but seemingly more out of habit.

"It's Sakura." She said quietly, hardly above a whisper. Shikamaru looked at her, and then lay down completely, his arms behind his head. Ino lay down next to him, both of them quietly watching the clouds float by.

Ino finally broke the silence, with a quiet sniffle, and Shikamaru held back rolling his eyes.

"It makes sense you know."

"I never liked boys, but it was easier to say I liked Sasuke."

"He's basically a girl. He has the mood swings of one." Shikamaru muttered, and was happy to hear Ino giggle.

The two friends fell back into an easy silence, both of them trailing on their own thoughts. Shikamaru thinking back to all the signs, and the attention that Ino gave Sakura. Ino thinking back to the Chunin exam, and seeing Sakura being pummeled by the Sound nin. Shikamaru blocked his eyes with his hand and looked at the position of the sun. He sat up, and stretched.

"I've got to go train with Choji," he told her. Ino sat up and nodded her understanding. She watched as Shikamaru stood and shoved his hands in his pockets. "Look, Ino, you're probably wasting your time with her. She only has eyes for Sasuke." He said with a frown. Ino stood next to him and her shoulders sagged defeated.

"I know, but ever since I understood what was going on, it's always been her." She said numbly. Shikamaru put a hand on Ino's shoulder, and shrugged. "I know, I know." She said to the gesture. "Don't tell Choji, not yet at least." Ino pleaded. Shikamaru nodded, and turned to leave, his hand slipping off her shoulder as he sprung off the roof.

Ino stretched, her body still sore from her battle with Sakura. She'd been impressed by the other kunoichi, and proud of the strength she had. Even enough strength to throw Ino out of her mind. The blonde stood on the roof top, wondering what she should do about her feelings, and with a defiant look decided it was time to end the silly rivalry over Sasuke. 'She can still love him, but I don't have to.' She thought as she bounded off the roof top, and to Sakura's home.

The trek to Sakura's home was longer than Ino remembered, and when she arrived, her confidence had dwindled. Ino reminded herself that she was just there to tell Sakura that she was over Sasuke, and that she truly just wanted Sakura's friendship back. 'It'll be easy Yamanaka. It's not like you're telling her you're in love with her.' Ino thought to herself, and raised her hand to knock.

She tapped her knuckles in a succession of knocks, and stepped away from the door to wait. At first she wondered if anyone was even home. After a moment, the door creaked open and Ino's heart palpitated as Sakura peeked out, her hair was wet, and she wore a light blue yukata.

"Oh, it's just you." She said sharply. Ino blushed and twisted her hands together with her nerves. Not only was she here to fix things, but Sakura had to look so damn cute. Ino felt the heat flaring to her chest.

"Hey Sakura." She said softly, ignoring the surprised look from the other girl. "May I come in?" She asked preferring not to have the conversation from outside the door. Sakura opened the door for Ino to enter, and crossed her arms skeptically.

"Are you just here to rub it in my face that I didn't beat you?" She asked. Ino frowned and shook her head. "Well what is it Pig?"

"Sakura, I don't want to be your rival, not like this." She said quietly rubbing her upper arm nervously. 'I'm a mess. I'm not even a little like my normal self.' Ino realized she was acting more like Hinata than herself, she groaned inwardly.

Sakura raised an eyebrow and looked at Ino, her eyes held curiosity, and she was slightly worried about the blonde. "What do you mean?" She said finally.

The two girls stood, Sakura standing confidently, and Ino withering under the look of the pink-haired kunoichi.

"Sasuke's all yours. I haven't liked him in ages. Not really." She said, 'at least that isn't completely a lie.' Ino added to herself.

Sakura's eyes widened comically, and if Ino wasn't trying to keep from looking at Sakura's shapely body underneath the thin yukata she'd have laughed. However, she didn't and after a moment she cleared her throat awkwardly.

"I guess that's all I wanted to say." She muttered, and turned to leave, the admission not going nearly as she had planned. A part of her had hoped that Sakura would say "Same here Ino, actually, I'm in love with you." Ino had no such luck.

Ino took hold of the door knob, and as she pulled it open. Sakura finally spoke.

"Ino, why don't you stay, we have some catching up."

A/n please leave a comment if you liked it. Thank you. Xx