I hit you back

Hello my dearest readers,

First off I would like to thank all of the enthusiastic reviewers and the favorites I got. Thanks! That boosted my writer-ego.

Anyways be warned, there is mature content in this story. Thus the M rating.

Disclaimer: Naruto and all it's characters do not belong to me. They are all creations of Masashi Kishimoto.

Enjoy my pretties! Muahuahuaahua


Shikamaru had successfully managed to sneak into his home through his room's window, he was a 200 I.Q. genius and a top-ranking shinobi after-all. Not that he liked to brag, only to himself when his ego needed some massaging…he was a man after all, he couldn't help it.

Once inside he directly proceeded into his bathroom and took a freezing shower, that cooled him down in all manners, at least for the time being, after getting dressed and rushing down to the kitchen. Proud of himself for having managed to accomplish all of this within a time-window of 5 minutes.

That still didn't stop his mother from glaring daggers at him through the kitchen door. His father sat quietly at the table, knowing by now that intruding in these situations would only cause trouble for him later. He was a whipped man indeed.

"Where were you young man? My throat aches from how loud I had to scream to get you out of that damn forest! Honestly, Shikamaru when will you grow up?"

He knew better than to argue with his mother, and after that steamy encounter with his teammate some of the anxiety that had been pent up inside him before seemed to have subsided considerably.

"answer your mother when she asks you a question son."

Now his father was teaming up with berserk mother? Gee… thanks old man.

" I think you know exactly where I was mother, the same place I always go when I feel like relaxing."

"Don't get cocky with me boy! Now, here eat your dinner before it gets cold. Next time I won't be so lenient."

Yoshino shoved a bowl of rice his way, he noticed that his father's was much fuller than his. How tyrannical could this woman get?

Sigh…this was the problem with being the successor for head of the clan. Honestly, it's another job he'd gladly pass up. He would be happy to help Konoha's next generation grow up from where he stood now. Being head of the clan meant more responsibilities, more etiquette, setting examples….too friggin troublesome. It was still years away, he supposedly would only take over the day his father passed away. But still…

This meant he wouldn't be able to move out and live alone (oh how heavenly that would be).

He finished his serving of rice, and was thankful that she had made a couple other side dishes to complete the meal, he took his servings, being careful not to set off the female time bomb, (which happened to be his mother) by taking too much or too little.

Once again he mused to himself, what was it with women? If he took too little it was insulting because it meant he supposedly didn't like the food, if he took too much it meant he was a selfish pig thinking only of himself and stuffing his face. Maybe he should crash at Chouji's for the week. Food was never a dilemma in that household.

Yoshino was pissed off, meaning that there would be no talking during dinner. Not that he minded though.

Once they all finished ,he was ordered to clear the table ( of course there'd be some other kind of toll to pay for being 5 minutes late to dinner…) .

When he'd finished and was on his way out of the dining room Yoshino didn't hesitate to put conversation (or berating in her case) back on the table.

"Straight up to bed now young man!"

"but mom…It's Friday night, Why do I have to go to bed early?"

"Don't argue with me!"

Tyrannical as usual…and he was old and smart enough to stray from arguments with her and employ the method of using his window as a door if he found the need to go out, which at the moment he did not.

He plopped down on his bed, he'd already changed into his pj's after the quick shower. But he had practically slept for most of the day, and he didn't feel like playing shougi with himself. After all his room only possessed his bed in which he spent a considerable amount of time when possible and a shougi board…oh and his clothes and weapons. That was about it.

For a moment he pondered on whether he should call up Chouji and vent to his best friend about all that had happened that afternoon. But he soon scratched that option out. Ino did say to forget about it, and in Ino language that also meant not to speak of it.

Then a not so foreign urge hit him. After meals he usually felt like having a cigarette. Stupid Ino had taken the last one, since he wasn't sleepy he figured.

"what's a walk to get her off my mind and get a pack of cigs gonna hurt? It kills two birds with one stone, not so troublesome.."

With his mind made up, he uncharacteristically bounced up from the bed and went to change into a more appropriate attire.

"hm…It was Friday night after all, maybe he would drop by Chouji's and see what he was up to. Of course he'd be careful not to mention Ino and just play it off as some well deserved buddy-bonding time."


"So..Ino, what's going on?" inquired Sakura as she made her way alongside the blonde down one of Konoha's mainstreets. The Yamanaka looked improved from how the pinkette had first encountered her at the hospital, she had brushed out her tangled mane, which hung loose and seemed to be strategically covering her neck, something was up.

" I'll tell you all about it forehead, as soon as we get to the nearest bar."

"bar? I'm in no mood for drinking, can't we just go to the ramen stand or something?"

"Are you mad? Naruto is always hanging around there and he's one of the last people I'd like hearing what I have to tell you, besides once he's there other people we probably know will magicaly pop up as well."

"well it's not my fault you've got your panties in a bunch pig, I was merely making a suggestion, but since what you've got to say is so "important" then lets go to the pub."

"great, make a left here"

"that's strange, not even a tiny retort to my remark about the panties? Something must be really up." Thought Sakura

Sakura was stunned out of her thoughts as Ino grabbed her arm and turned into a side-street, a badly lit side-street and not a very clean or reputable one at that. She could make out a pub sign a bit ahead of them, but what called attention to it was the usual sounds of an overly crowded pub on Friday night, and not how it looked. Because it looked like a dump.

"perfect!" exclaimed Ino in exact contrast with Sakura's thoughts.

"I knew it…let's just hope I don't have to drag her home later." She thought.

Ino made her way in like she owned the place (as usual), Sakura hesitantly followed. Just as expected, the place was packed, mostly with men. Some shinobi who had just gotten off patrol duty. But no one they knew in particular. Still, she could already tell they were being eyed by the males. No wonder, especially with Ino's get-up.

Sakura saw a few vacant seats up at the bar, but felt Ino tugging on her arm.

"Do you have no knowledge of pub protocol forehead? If we sit at the bar, it's practically asking for other men to come up and socialize, let's get a booth."

" Well that does sound …safer."

And so they made their way to an empty booth in the corner of the room.

Not soon after a waiter, if it could be called that…came around.

"So what'll it be ladies? It's still happy hour so Sake shots are two for one!"

"umm.. I'll just have a bottled water please." Said Sakura eyed the man up and down, she wouldn't take her chances….being a doctor did that to you, shw was now a hygiene freak.

"Boring as usual foreahead! Give me two shots…which means four right?"

"Pig! I'm not having any alcohol!"

" Whoever said I was ordering for you forehead?"

The waiter looked uncomfortable but confirmed the order none-the-less.

" so a water for you and two, two for one rounds of sake shots for your blonde friend?"

Sakura was opening her mouth to protest but Ino beat her to it. Few could compete with her in the speech department.

"Precisely! and make her water sparkling, as you can she most of her is already flat, so we're looking for a bit of contrast here hehe."

The look on Sakura's face was enough to shoo the waiter away in fear. As soon as he was gone she turned to Ino and pinched her in the arm, HARD.

"OUCH forehead, what the hell was that for?"

"I don't appreciate you making fun of me like that stupid pig! You said you needed a friend to talk to, not someone to put down." Sakura spat back and made to get up.

"No! wait Sakura please! I'm sorry I'm just really thrown for a loop right now, I didn't mean to be…well…mean to you. Come on! You're my best friend HELP ME!"

Sakura eyed her but sat back down begrudgingly.

"Spit it out pig, what's eating you?"

Ino eyed Sakura and took a deep breath.

" Well. Let me start from the beginning, I had nothing to do this afternoon. So I went out for a stroll and happened to bump into Chouji, who subsequently asked me to go looking for that lazy ass good for nothing bum."

Sakura's face was already starting to mold into one of her skeptical looks.

" By lazy ass good for nothing bum you're referring to….?"

"Shikamaru. You know, my old teammate."

"thought so, go on pig.."

Ino didn't hesitate in spilling out the rest of the story and continued giving too many details as usual.

" well, anyways, Chouji mentioned something about Yoshino-san asking him to find Shikamaru and tell him to get his butt home because he hadn't shown up all day, and also added that she was quite rabid about it. Not that that's a surprise to anyone, but Chouji was unexpectedly summoned to some clan meeting or whatever, his clan is all excited about having clan meeting, probably so they can all eat together but moving on… I kindly volunteered to do go looking for Shikamaru. And then…"

"you're rambling Ino."

"Hold on, I've got a point to make, trust me."

They were interrupted by the waiter's hand setting the drinks on their table between them.

"Here we are sparkling water for you, and shots for you."

A small holder with four cup shots were set in front of Ino.

"thanks" they both muttered in unison with Sakura unceremoniously shooing the man off with her hand .

"HA! Make sure that water is sealed forehead, the next drink you ask for will probably have some unwanted body fluid in it. There's a reason you have to be nice to waiters you know?"

" INO can you finish the story and then?" Inquired Sakura as she twisted the cap off he bottle a bit to violently. A clear sign she was loosing her patience.

Ino looked at her with what seemed to be fear in her eyes. Genuine fear.

" I love Sakura, but I honestly feel sorry for whatever man she marries…"

Ino picked up one of the cups and shot it back, the liquid burning down her throat .

"Wooh! That's some good sake!"

"Ino, I'm waiting…"

" I needed something to take the edge off. Trust me, what I'm about to tell you might shock you."

Sakura didn't speak, but nodded her head as if to say "go on".

" I got into the Nara compound easily enough, but I couldn't sense the bastard's chakra anywhere, I swear Sakura! Those deer freak me out too and they're so smelly! I'm so glad my family deals with flowers…

Sakura was glaring again…

Uhh… Anyhow,when I finally found Shikamaru on that stupid hill he watches clouds on I stole his cigarette and then he got mad and…."

They were interrupted by a loud and deep voice. Sakura looked about ready to smack the individual into oblivion, apparently she recognized the voice, very well. Ino had to squint a bit and then she saw a flash of unnecessarily tight shiny green spandex moving torwards them.

Shudder..

"MY MY! If we don't have two of Konoha's most beautiful representatives of youth! Blooming flowers!"

"Oh…fuck" Ino muttered under her breath , dropping her head in defeat.

Sakura didn't seem too happy either and answered drily.

" Hi Lee.."

before she could get any further he had already edged into the booth next to Sakura and started blabbering about youth and blooming and the usual nonsense he spewed for hours.

"Scratch what I said earlier, he can outtalk Ino any day…" The medic-nin thought with a sigh.

Ino grabbed for another shot, instantly downing it and then reaching for the third. The alcohol hadn't even begun to give the numbing effect she needed right now. If it would help shut out Lee's blabbering about youth she would e truly grateful.

"Sakura-san, is Ino-san alright?" She heard him say.

" oh so naïve…"

"fine Lee, It's just that you cut into some of our girl talk and she had something important to tell me."

"Well! If it's good news why not share it with us all!" he cheered.

The guy just couldn't take a hint, and they didn't blame him, they knew he was innocently slow like that.

"Good evening ladies! Lee. No one told me there was a Konoha 11 meeting tonight!"

Now, this voice was unmistakable to Ino, It belonged to none other than Inuzuka Kiba. The dog-guy from team 8 with the wolfish good looks.

" Young Kiba! Join us! By all means this was an unplanned yet delightful trap of fate, sending all of us to the same location unknowingly !"

"…more like a tragedy" muttered Ino who was on her way to downing the fourth shot.

"whoa! Easy there Yamanaka…you sure you can handle that much alcohol in that tiny body?"

"Who's tiny Inuzuka?" She barked back.

SMART INO, challenge Inuzuka…we all know how he loves it. Thought Sakura scowling at her friend and her alcoholic behavior.

"think you can take me on Blondie?"

" You're joking right? Last time I saw you drink one beer you made a big mess and complete disgrace of yourself dog-boy."

"oh yeah? Then allow me to clear my record now." He had that sexy grin he sported when he saw a chance for challenge and that feral look in his eyes, he was known for being a tough competitor.

So he squeezed into the booth next to Lee, shoving the pinkette further against the wall, and squeezed up against Lee nonetheless.

Sakura looked about ready to blow. Just then the waiter came around again.

" I see we have some newbies here, so…what'll it be boys?" interrupted the waiter, who seemed to be keeping an eye on the new customers.

" still two for one?" asked Ino

"yup, but that offer ends in about…3 minutes." He answered peeking at his wrist-watch.

"great! Then bring us 5 shots!" she answered.

" make that 12" said Kiba.

She looked at him quizzically.

"what's with the random number?"

" Can-it Yamanaka, I'm being a gentleman. Besides I like to play fair, and you've got four shots on me already. So let's keep this equal."

"NO MAN TELLS ME TO CAN-IT, especially YOU, DOG- FACE!"

"Please my friends! While we are engaging in harmless youthful fraternization we should keep it polite!" Said Lee waving his hand in a sheepish manner and without notice almost slapping Sakura. Ino could have sworn she saw smoke beginning to come out of her friend's head. But maybe the alcohol was starting to make effect….who knew.

And then BOOM!

"HARMLESS?" piped in Sakura. " Ino I am not sitting through a shot competition between you two. Just make sure you get home safe. I'm tired. Call me tomorrow"

Clearly she had tried to keep her temper. She got up and practically trampled over the two men sitting next to her. Leaving Lee's face looking like a very ripe tomato. Ino looked disappointed, but didn't feel it as bad with the alcohol beginning to set in.

"Don't worry , when Blondie here's collapsed I'll take her home nice and safe."

Sakura turned to glare daggers at him with her hand on her hips, classical kunoichi-pre kick ass stance.

" and…I'll keep my hand to myself?" he completed

"Don't worry forehead, I know how to defend myself. Go on…I'll call you tomorrow."

"Sakura-san I was just leaving as well, allow me to escort you home…"

said Lee in a chivalrously. By the time he had finished his sentence the pinkette was already stomping her way to the door, and he followed after like a love-crazed puppy. Ironically that's what he was.

Ino turned her attention back to Kiba. Who was still staring at the retreating and infuriated Sakura. She snapped him out of that..

"So you ready for this Dog-boy?"

He turned his head back to her grinning and baring his fangs.

" I'm always ready blondie. Don't worry, I'll take 6 at once when they get here to give you a default."

" I do not need a default stupid dog."

She was glad that she didn't have to make further conversation, when the waiter started to set row upon row of shot glasses on the table. She knew she was in trouble. She was either about to embarrass herself horribly or win. But the walk of shame home was something she would not be able to escape, she just prayed to stay sober enough to get home. She had never consumed this much alcohol at once. But Kiba challenged her and her ego, and as a true Yamanaka she had to at least stand up for herself and compete honorably.

She was on shot number…oh screw it. She had lost count by now, and tried her hardest to keep a straight face. She noted that Kiba was keeping up well but noticed that the alcohol was starting to get to him, his comments to her had gotten cockier.

"So I always thought you were a complete Lady, Yamanaka. What's causing this…inappropriate behavior on your part?"

"Can't a girl drink without being labeled as something nasty? Look at all the buffoons drinking it up in here, does anyone judge them for that? Wait! Of course not because they have something hanging between their legs, therefore it's perfectly acceptable right? I am not a woman to be bound by social stereotypes."

When she was drunk she spoke her mind, more than usual. God help the person who had to listen.

"Whoa..I get it Ino. Just so you know I'm not labeling you. I've always liked a woman who can hold her liquor and one with a mind of her own at that." Said the dog master giving her one of his smoldering looks.

She blushed a little and giggled at this. Who was she kidding, she was barely keeping it together as it was, any more and her head would drop on the table and stay for the night. Just like casting a Shintenshin, but no one to catch her… Her inner however, was on a roll tonight.

"come on you can do it Ino, show that stupid smelly dog who's boss!"

" You know, if you're trying to hit on your opponent , that won't work tonight Kiba. You need to work on your pick-up lines doggie. This is an honorable competition. Now man up!"

She reached for the next shot edging it towards her and pushed another one in his direction. Both shooting at the same time. Her reaction was a scrunched up face, he on the other hand seemed still completely unfazed, as if it were water and not hard liquor.

"We'll see about that Yamanaka."

the night wore on.


Shikamaru didn't know how he had wound up in this situation. One minute he was talking to Chouji on his doorstep and enjoying a cigarette and the next he was on his way to a bar. From what his mind concluded it had gone down like this:

-In the middle of the conversation Chouji got hungry for Ramen, and so they went to Ichiraku's.

-At Ichiraku's they met up with Naruto who was on his 5th bowl already.

-Naruto got a ring from Kiba offering a get together at a pub with the four child-hood friends who used to slack off at the academy together.

-Naruto accepted eagerly, commenting on the fact that he was unable to get a hold of Sakura-chan tonight and would enjoy some company.

-Chouji agreed, and somehow convinced Shikamaru to come along.

And now the three of them were making their way down some seedy alley to a pub, one he knew was a famous after-work joint for working men (mostly), both shinobi and civilian.

It was around 11 PM now and he heard Chouji's phone ring. The Akimichi proceeded to shove his bag of chips in Shikamaru's hands and dig the phone out of his pocket looking at the receiving screen.

"Whoa! It's from the Yamanaka's!"

"answer it." Stated Shikamaru, more out of curiosity than anything.

"o..k, Hello? Inoichi-san? Hi! Oh, Ino? She's not with me. Nope, Shikamaru's right next to me. Have you tried Sakura's?

"She won't answer? Well Inoichi-san If I see her or reach her I'll let you know right away."

He ended the call and placed the phone back in his pocket.

"What happened datte-bayo?" piped in Naruto, curious as well from the looks of it.

"Inoichi said Ino had promised to drop by today and that she never showed, and won't pick up her phone. Since it's not like her, he's worried."

"Maybe she's at Sakura-chan's? Or already asleep?" said the jinchuriki

"Maybe Naruto, but it's not like her to forget engagements." Stated Shikamaru matter of factly. He knew both his teammates very well, and now felt slightly guilty because maybe Ino had gone M.I.A. in the village due to their encounter from earlier.

By now they had made their way into the pub.

"HA! I knew you'd give in sooner or later dog-face!"

Shikamaru recognized the voice instantly, and it sounded to be speaking in slurred tones.

"Oop! The gang's here Ino, look sober!"

Kiba stumbled from his seat and waved at the trio.

"Over here losers!"

Ino turned around to look exactly who "the gang" was and instantly turned paper white, stiffening and turning back to Kiba.

"O.K. Kiba you win, I think I'll be on my way now…" she made to get up but was abruptly stopped by Shikamaru who now stood in front of her.

"Evening Ino."

She plopped back down on the seat in defeat, and reached for another shot.

Shikamaru unceremoniously squeezed in next to her, subsequently trapping her in the booth. His next move was to seize the shot-glass out of her hand and push it in the opposite direction to her utter indignation, which now showed all over her pretty little face.

Reaching for the glass on the other side of the table, over his arm.

"Excuse YOU Shikamaru, but I'm in the middle of sumthin' here! Hick!"

She quickly covered her mouth, terrible time to start hiccupping.

"Hey Ino you O.K.?" Chouji had squeezed in next to Kiba who didn't look too pleased either for some reason, followed by the energetic Naruto.

"Hi 'hick" Chouji , I'm great! How are you?"

" He's right Ino, you don't look so good!" Great, Naruto…too blunt for her tastes as usual and he carried on… " I thought It was just us guys tonight!".

"Oh…sorry about that Naruto. Didn't figure it was boy's night out. Kiba was the one keeping me here…" she slurred.

Earning him a questioning and somewhat threatning look from the genius seated next to Ino.

"Yeah! We were in the middle of a competition here! But I agree with you guys, looks like the little lady here is done for."

He obviously wasn't as drunk as she was, but she took that as her cue to leave.

"O.K. then guys, I'll be leaving now, nice seeing you all."

When she tried to get up again, Shikamaru held her arm in place.

"excuse me Shikamaru, I'm leaving now in case you didn't hear me the first time"

Her tone was menacing but she kept it to a whisper. His hand on her wrist was giving her that tingly feeling again, she was drunk and couldn't help but have images of their recent encounter flash through her mind.

And now of all times her Inner started to tease her.

- "you know you want it, just let go for once Ino! It can't hurt"

" Of course it can hurt! Our relationship could be ruined"

"please girl, what relationship? You barely see or talk to him. Why not take advantage of the situation and have some fun?"

"Oh just shut up!"

"Inoooo Hellow!" Chouji was waving a hand in front of her face, snapping her out of her conversation with herself. She noticed that the shadow-nin was no longer beside her.

" Where's Shikamaru?"

" Oh he's outside calling you dad datte-bayo" mused Naruto, fingering one of the still full glass shots between his fingers, probably pondering on whether to drink it or not.

" wait a minute, He's WHAT?" She bolted from her seat frantically.

" Calm down Ino, your dad called me, cuz you said you were gonna drop by to see him and you didn't. So he was worried."

"Oh Shit!" She reached into her pocket pulling out her phone.

"twenty missed calls?"

" Um, thanks Chouji I'm just gonna go now before stuff gets ugly! Bye everybody.

Thanks for the drinks Kiba!" She casually waved them off, stumbling out of the pub in search of the pineapple head moron. Depending on what he said to her father she would be in serious shit!

" Oh great, I lost my bait for the night and I'm stuck with the bill…" muttered Kiba. He looked drunk and grumpy now.

"ehhrr you were gonna try to make a move on her datte-bayo?"

"Oh just drink Naruto…" He answered.

Chouji looked between the two inquisitively, and then at the door where chaos would ensue between his teammates, no doubt.

Once outside she quickly pin-pointed the pineapple pig-tail in the crowd. Making a bee-line for him, not very gracefully though.

When she reached him he was placing his own phone back in his pocket.

" Damn it! Now I'm really screwed!"

" Nara I swear If you told him…"

" Chill out Ino, I didn't give you away. Though that would have been the right thing to do."

She felt partial relief and then partial anger rising in her belly from his implication.

" O.K. Shikamaru what exactly did you tell him? Word for word?"

" Troublesome…..I said that we met up earlier and you went home because you were coming down with the flu, and that you were probably sleeping. Just so you know he was very prone to drop by your place tomorrow with chicken-soup."

"was?"

"Well, nobody needs to be a genius to look at you and notice that you're far from having a cold, and walking around half naked and drunk like that only adds to my theory. So I told him Sakura had examined you and diagnosed it as contagious, so he won't be coming over for at least three days….you know standard time for your body to recover."

" Well thank you for that Shikamaru, but I don't need to know your opinion on the matter. Good night."

She turned to leave, but noticed that she was literally frozen in place.

Oh no he didn't!

" I'm not letting you walk out on me like that two times in a row Ino, besides your drunk over your head and vulnerable, and let me remind you that your attire is an excuse for any sexual predator within the 1 kilometer radius."

" By sexual predator you mean you?" she grumbled.

She felt him release the jutsu and didn't look back, instead she continued to move forward as well as she could in her state.

She groaned again as she felt him fall in step with her, putting an arm around her shoulder and supporting her.

" I'll walk you home troublesome woman, No second intentions I promise."

" Oh please, that's what they all say Shikamaru."

A pang of resentment hit him, and he didn't know why exactly.

" they ALL say? Who's they?" he thought

But instead he settled for a humble approach.

" You know me Ino, and honestly I don't know what came over me today…I'm sorry…"

"Fine Nara. I told you to forget it. Just make sure you be a gentleman" She nuzzled her head onto his shoulder unaware of what that was doing to him. Halfway home she fell asleep and he had to hoist her up on his back and give her a piggy-back ride the rest of the way.

He fought his hardest to keep his hands steady on her thighs, tried not to caress them even if he caught himself doing it without noticing once, she didn't seem to notice but it still wasn't right. The scent of her hair, and of her skin mixed with the scent of Sake was intoxicating and making him feel a way he was familiar with, just not with her.

Once they reached her doorstep he nudged her with his shoulder in hopes of waking her up.

"Ino were here, where are the keys?"

"Wha…Kiba?..." that certainly irked him, had something been going on between Ino and Kiba before he arrived?

" No, it's just me Ino, Shikamaru your lazy ass good for nothing teammate."

He abruptly let go of her, the impact of the fall awoke her but she was on her feet before her butt hit the ground.

"WHAT THE FUCK SHIKAMARU!"

"shhhhh you wanna wake the neighbors you troublesome woman?"

She shoved him out of the way and pulled out the key, successfully inserting it into the keyhole and turning it.

" good night now Shikamaru, thank you."

He hesitated for a second, he knew that her nap on the way home had sobered her up some, and he felt the need to talk to her, clear the air. For some reason he felt guilty for everything that had gone on tonight.

" Can I come in for a second? I just wanna talk."

" fine, come in." She said, feeling slightly uncomfortable, though something inside her was definitely intrigued.

They made their way in and she locked the door behind her.

" go sit or something, I'll be right back."

He'd been to her place before, she had gotten it a few months after the war had ended. It was a bold move on her part to go live outside her family compound, she had a hard time convincing her father. Thus explaining why he checked up on her more than usual. He sat on the sofa she had bragged so much about when it'd arrived after months of waiting. He didn't see anything special about it, but according to Ino it was a one of a kind must have piece for your home.


She hated admitting this to herself, but the reason she'd gone to the bathroom was to check her reflection and brush her teeth. If she really didn't care about what he thought she wouldn't have done that, she wouldn't even have let him come inside.

"You look like shit Ino! Wash your face at least, and brush that hair out …AGAIN!"

" I know, I know…"

" a little lip-gloss wouldn't hurt either"

"what for?"

"hey, you're the one that's thinking it. I'm just being the honest one here."

Her inner had already gotten on her nerves today. But she knew that her inner was extremely candid if nothing else, and she hated that part about it.

After she was done she gave her reflection one last check, and then sighed.

"What am I thinking?" she mumbled to no one in particular.

Shikamaru glanced over at the clock hanging above the kitchen's entrance.

1 A.M. already , what the heck was Ino taking so long for? Could it be that she had passed out on the toilet? He certainly didn't hear any vomiting sounds.

The bathroom door swung open and she stepped out looking incredibly fresh.

He quickly diverted his eyes from her approaching figure and straightened up on the couch.

She circled the sofa and sat on the opposite end from him. She was an incredible actress, she had to hand that to herself. She knew that she appeared completely at ease to him, but inside she was as nervous as ever.

She smiled at him.

"So Shikamaru what is it you wanted to talk to me about?"

and just like that the atmosphere filled with tension.

" well..Ino I'm just going to get to the point. What happened earlier today between us…"

"I thought I told you to forget it. I get it. I wasn't joking when I told you my sensor skills are sharper. You miss her and you're a man. But in my defense I'm not going to be your consolation booty call.

Ouch!

" Well I haven't forgotten about it troublesome woman, and as troublesome as this is I think we need to talk about it and clear the air between us, I wouldn't want this to influence our relationship."

" What relationship is that Shikamaru?"

Ok she was deliberately irritating him and she knew it, he could tell from the unwavering stupid little smile plastered on her face.

"Ino come on, act serious."

She crossed her arms and pouted in frustration, what exactly did he expect her to say? He also looked the other way, a small blush spreading across his features. Something was on his mind, and he didn't want to say it.

" I'm just gonna be honest Ino. But before I am can I make sure you're sober enough to remember it tomorrow?"

She was sobered up, not completely there…but lied.

" I'm here, so spit it out Shikamaru." She was loosing her patience.

She noticed him discreetly edge closer to her on the sofa, but didn't budge an inch.

Not knowing whether it was out of pride or actually wanting him closer.

He grabbed one of her long tresses of hair, fingering it between calloused fingers and inspecting it as if it were foreign matter to him.

" I'm sorry but I seem to be attracted to you…physically that is. And I'm past the bullshit of how wrong it would be or look to others."

She continued to act cocky with him, thinking it would scare him off. Dissimulating the own chills she was feeling from his closeness and his playing with her hair.

" You and half the village moron. But…. You have a point."

I do? Is that you or the alcohol talking Ino? Her inner decided to butt-in.

At this point she didn't know if she shut out her Inner or let her take over, pushing her to act on her impulses.

She uncrossed her arms and swatted Shikamaru's hand away from her hair turning to face him.

" Shika-kun, I'm glad you accentuated that your 'attraction' is merely physical, and I will admit I'm tired of being pressured into relationships. For a lack of better words, I find them troublesome hehe. So…."

Her hand wandered from her own lap to his face, which she began to caress.

He looked startled and as soon as her own hand caressed his face, her thumb grazing over his manly jaw-line, his expression instantly turned back to the one she had seen earlier that day. His eyes glazed over, feeling the feral side of him beginning to take over.

" Why not? At least for tonight, finish what we started and then leave it at that?"

She continued, her hand now travelling down his chest, feeling his developed muscles, under the thin material of his shirt. When her hand arrived on his belt, he lost control. Grabbing her and pinning her under him , she didn't protest, in fact she even giggled. He straddled her, pinning her arms above her head, and she lay there showing no resistance.

" Ino, before we continue…Are you sure about this? I don't want anybody to get hurt." He stated with seriousness, and edge of lust apparent in his tone.

"I won't get hurt stupid, like I said I'll make the most of it and then we can move on with out lives…no use walking around with pent up sexual tension between us, let's do this and we'll go back to normal afterwards."

" affirmative Ino."

He let go of her hands and started to trace the outline of her lips with the tips of his finger, then proceeded to remove the hair that covered her neck, leaving a trail of fire with his hand brushing through there as well.

" I'm sorry about those" he gestured to the marks he had left on her neck.

She gave him a cocky side-grin.

" Don't worry about it, But try not to leave anymore, after all we don't want evidence."

He lowered his head, eager to taste her pink lips again.

"Don't worry, I'll try. But it'll be difficult, we got some ground to cover from where we left off." He said huskily.

With that she roughly shoved his head against hers. Taking him in a passionate kiss. Seconds later abruptly pulling away, knowing that she left him wanting more. She liked to tease.

" You don't worry Shika, I've been needy enough for a while myself. This will be good for us. Just take it slow will you, we both know you're far from an eager and inexperienced teenager. Just remember this will be nothing but an ecounter consisting of casual sex. "

She nudged him off her, to which he complied, not happily though.

He sat back up on the couch frowning at her retreating figure.

She trudged over to the kitchen.

" I just need some water."

As she opened the fridge and bent over to dig for a bottle of water, she felt two hands gripping her hips, then trailing up her back and beginning to undo the criss-crossed string that held her halter in place, she hadn't noticed him coming up behind her and was startled at first, but then relaxed under his ministrations, enjoying them.

She closed the fridge door and turned around abruptly, setting the bottle aside and locking lips with him once again, wrapping her arms around his neck and prooceding to undo his pony-tail. He pushed her up against the kitchen counter, easily lifting her by the buttocks and setting her on top of it, moving his hands up and down her thighs and then squeezing them with a growl.

"ouch, easy there genius."

" water can come later…troublesome woman" he muttered lowering his head to her exposed neck.

and with that she let go and gave in…


A/N

Hello people!

So I hope you enjoyed the chapter, and would like to state that it won't be a multi-chaptered lemon, though there will be lemon ( there's already lime anyways) but anyways there is a plot planned for this and it's developing now.

You'll see soon enough.

Please remember to REVIEW! It gets me going! I'm enjoying writing this story because I've always wanted to write a nice Shika-Ino that wasn't mushy or cliché.

Btw pls notice that Ino is not a slut, she is simply a forward thinking and free-minded woman, that's how I think she's maturing in the canon story anyways and Shika is not a complete pervert, as I base the characters a lot from the canon I do like to keep that gentleman/chauvinistic side of him.

Anyways, It's late late late and I got to go now!

Remember! REVIEW, FAVORITE, ALERT! It'll make ever so happy!

Now his hands went from her w