Sorry this took so long to think/type/get up. I decided to throw a twist in…I'm going to make it a SasuNaru and a NejiShika fic. Well…I don't have much to say so…read and review... thanks.

Shika's Cloud Nine

Ignoring his mother's voice, Shikamaru walked away from his home towards the center of Konoha.

"Hey! Shikamaru!" a long haired boy with eerie silver eyes called , an unusual smile gracing his pale face. The boy jogged up to Shikamaru, who had stopped to let him catch up. "Why weren't you in school today?"

"Ino decided she'd harass me." Shika responded simply, a slight blush creeping onto his face.

"With what?" Neji asked, companionably rubbing Shikamaru's back.

'he's touching me….how –I AM NOT GAY!' Shika thought.

"Oddly enough…. she was pestering me about you." Shika smiled, wondering briefly if the smile plastered on Neji's face was for him.

"Me?"

"Yeah …you know how I nap in class?…well…she thinks that because you're the first person I see when I wake up, that I like you." Shika explained.

"What?!" Neji's smile fell and Shikamaru's backrub stopped.

"Yea. That's what ticked me off. Irritating little bitch." Shika said casually as Neji recovered, dropping his hand from Shika's back, accidentally brushing his rear.

"Huh!" Shika jumped, turning red.

"Sorry!" Neji apologized.

"It's Okay." Shika muttered.

"What?"

"Do you wanna go to the Festival of the Fire Lotus?" Shika asked, hope gleaming in his usually dull eyes.

"Might as well." Neji Shrugged. "When does it start?"

"Uh…Probably around sunset," Shika said smiling.

"Wanna get a bite to eat while we wait? I told TenTen I'd meet her and her friend at the Ramen Shop."

"Sure, but if Ino's there I'm leaving."

"Nope, Yes or No?"

"Yes, then. But-"

"No buts. Lets go." Neji ordered.

"Fine." Shika conceded.

They walked into the Ramen Shop the two boys were assaulted by a very surprised TenTen.

"Shikamaru Nara! Neji! You were supposed to bring a girl!" TenTen burst.

"I was under the impression this was a friendly, bring a friend, dinner. Not a date." Neji growled, looking from TenTen to the now present Lee.

"If it was a date, I would have brought Lady Sakura," Lee said as if expecting somebody to respond.

"TenTen! Can I join you?! You're amassing quite a crowd! 5 people counting me!" The most annoying voice in the entire universe squealed.

"Ino! Oh, You can sit by Shikamaru and be his date!" she bubbled, drawing concerned and confused looks from the three guys.

"Oh, Man…" Shika whined as Ino sat down by him.

"Hello, Shika…"Ino said seductively.

"Don't talk to me." Shika snapped harshly, causing TenTen and Lee to stare at him.

"That is no way to treat a lady." Lee said calmly, eyes showing unbridled fury at the disrespect.

"You know, Lee. I don't really give a damn how you treat a lady." Shikamaru said deathly quiet.

"Well, it might be that you should be more respectful, especially to Ino." Lee snarled.

"Ino is a demon sent to ruin my life!" Shika roared at Lee, making the boy go an angrier shade of red.

"That's enough!" TenTen broke the tension, as the chef put bowls in front of all of their places. "We are here to enjoy a fine bowl of ramen and each others company. SO…let's eat in peace."

"Shikamaru…?" Ino said quietly, after everybody finished their ramen.

"hn?" he looked at her.

"You and Neji make such a cute-"

"INO!"

"- couple!"

"Ino. Knock it off." Neji said simply. "It's nothing like that."

"Anyhow, who's going to the festival?" TenTen said falsely happy.

"I am." Shika said.

"So'm I." Ino smiled. What was her deal anyway?

"I'm going." Neji said, pulling incredulous looks from some of his friends. "I told Shika I would." He explained.

"Lee? Are you going?" TenTen asked.

"No. I must train to become the best." Lee smiled gaily and gave the thumbs up to TenTen.

"Well, I'm going." Shika said pushing Ino out of his way.

"Yea, me too." Neji said, following Shikamaru out.

"Ino. You're so right! Shikamaru does like Neji!" TenTen buzzed excitedly.

"Yes. I see it. I will monitor them." Lee said and zoomed out the door.

"Well, he's eager." TenTen muttered.

"Time for Step 2." Ino sing-songed evilly. "Recruit Sakura."

"Um….Ino? I don't know if you've noticed, but Sakura really doesn't like you." TenTen said shyly, not wanting her fickle friend to turn on her.

lol…it wont stop here…I just promised it'd be up..and its starting to pour down rain here…Read and Review!