Chapter 2

Two days later, Shikamaru has waited for Ino to arrive and go inside their math classroom and take her seat before coming out of the corner where he is taking cover and entering the room to make sure he isn't seated beside her. Ino tends to talk to whoever is seated beside her and he's planning to take a nap. But once he enters, the only vacant seat is the one beside her.

Shikamaru is also three minutes late, judging by the way professor Hyuga looks pointedly at the clock.

Taking his chair, Ino murmurs to Shikamaru, "He's just four years older than us but you'd think he's older. He's so strict. Doesn't he remember students act this way?"

Shikamaru shrugs. It would be more troublesome answering Ino than keeping quiet.

Ino continues to whisper something to Shikamaru and if professor Hyuga catches her on it, she would smile back at him, acting all innocent.

Shikamaru has a feeling that Ino is succeeding wonderfully in irking the stoic-faced professor.

When Ino is on her way out from the classroom, with Shikamaru being the last one to leave, Shikamaru is able to hear the professor asking Ino, "So how's Sakura?"

"Still bitchy," Ino answers, thinking about her pink-haired classmate.

"Good. Nice to know your mutt is still acting like one. Probably takes after its owner," Professor Neji says smoothly before strolling out, exiting the room first.

Leaving a flabbergasted Ino, with her mouth open.

Shikamaru walks in front of her. "Coming?"

Ino closes her mouth. "Did you hear that?"

"Yeah."

"He'll have my revenge next time." The glint in Ino's eyes looks dangerous.

"Tch."

For their next math classes, surprisingly Ino listens to the professor and often raises her hand to give her answers.

Ino being agreeable means trouble with capital T.

On one of their walks towards school, Ino suddenly inquires from her companion, "You think he now realizes I'm not some dumb blonde?"

Shikamaru raises a brow.

"I've been studying well you know. I'd even borrow your notes if you have one but you don't. And starting tomorrow I wouldn't wait for you to walk me to school so I could go to the library earlier." Ino twists her mouth in apology, explaining, "Mom would be shocked if she sees me studying that early." Ino then breaks in a grin to show she's looking forward to the fruits of her labour.

Shikamaru pauses in his walk to asks, "What are you planning Ino?"

"Nothing." Ino smiles, loaded with meaning and her eyes sparkle, contradicting what she has just said.

"Suit yourself."

"I will."

TBC

A/N: Hey orenjitenshii, your/this request is taking too long, ne ~hope you did not forget about your request pairing~...and come to think of it you might not be even aware of this fic so I added your name on the summary...you should create an FFN account...

And thanks to DCfan100 and Echo Uchiha! You've made it easier to continue...appreciate it much!

Review ok...

~4/4.6/17/11AF~