Over 200 hits…11 reviews. Lol, that does very little for my self-esteem. Thanks a lot guys! (cries in corner) Ahem, sorry about that. But thanks so much to everyone who did review. I LOVE YOU GUYS! But if you haven't reviewed and like the story, or have any constructive criticism for it, I'd love to hear it. Because honestly, if there aren't that many reviewers, I'll question pursuing the story because what's the point in continuing a story only like five people like?
Sorry, I'm not trying to sound like the snappy people who are all like "ok listen up, if you don't review I wont continue so there!!!" I just really want to insure that this story continues for a reason.
Also, if anyone has any plot twists or romance twists you'd like to see in the story, PM them to me! Thanks!
Chapter 3
Busted!
"What on this PLANET do you think you were doing!" Mina violently grabbed Ino and Tenten by their hair and yanked. "That was YOUR punishment. PUNISHMENT. No help from a dial, or others, and the last thing I need is you soot wads corrupting these two young men!"
With one last yank of their hair, almost bringing to the girls to tears, she turned to the boys.
"How could you have possibly agreed to helping them cheat out of their punishment? Really, you two, I expected better from my two top workers. For goodness sakes!" She merely sighed and shook her head at the boys. Then, back to the girls.
"Well guess what?" she told them, walking closer. "Now you're paying me back in full. Not just for breaking the rules, but also for making this building so frickin hot! Both of you will go for the next two days without meals, boiler duty ALL day, EVERY day, even during your missed mealtimes. Is that clear?"
Ino was startled. As if one day of boiler duty wasn't hard enough, now they were deprived of food AND had to tend to Satan's domain every day?
Shikamaru seemed to think the same. He stepped forward.
Shikamaru took a breath intake. This is troublesome, but…
"Mina?" he said in a mature tone.
"Yes, what is it." Mina said impatiently as she put her hand on her desk.
"You have no need to punish these girls again. It was Neji and I who chose to come to help, and it was our idea to use the dial. They were just following what we told them. I'm sorry to say we were in violation of the rules, not Ino and Tenten." Shikamaru said this all in one breath, but each word meant the world to Ino. She whipped her head around quickly, swinging her ponytail as she did.
She mouthed the words what are you doing? to Shikamaru. Tenten just looked on with wide eyes, shocked.
Shikamaru ignored it and went on.
"We would be happy to take upon ourselves the said punishments." Shikamaru bowed his head in apology to Mina. Mina was just as shocked as the girls. Shika nudged Neji to go on.
"Um…yes. It was our fault. Punish us instead," Neji said as if he had no clue as to why he had said it, but seemed to have sold it off well to Mina.
"Of all people," she shook her head. "I never would have expected you, Shikamaru. And you, Mr. Hyuuga! I thought you would have had more sense."
"I guess we don't after all," said Shikamaru casually, shrugging his shoulders. "So how bout that boiler room? It's mighty hot up here. We might as well start our work now. Come on, Neji." Shikamaru hitched his head towards the door, telling Neji it was time to leave.
Shikamaru walked by Ino as he left. Their eyes locked for a split second that felt like a lifetime to Ino. In that split-second, Ino could detect a small grin growing on Shika's face. Ino was confused, and let her face show it. But Shikamaru still grinned, as if saying it was ok.
Then of course, the second ended, and Neji and Shikamaru exited the room, shutting the door behind them.
As soon as the door clicked shut, Mina plopped into her chair, clearly as speechless about the turn of events as the girls were. Her two best boys? Committing such heinous acts? There's something I find rather fishy about this…she looked at the innocent looking girls. And one way or another…I'm going to find out. But for now, let them have their fun.
"You two girls are off the hook," Mina said, standing up and opening the door for them.
The girls, still in shock, slowly walked out the door.
"…For now." Mina added after she shut the door.
With Shikamaru and Neji…"Remind me again why you put our necks on the line for them?" Neji asked as he wiped sweat off his (perfect) forehead.
"I think you know why," said Shikamaru. "And you were about to do the same." He took some coal out of the boiler, not aware of the lack of success Tenten had earlier when she tried that.
"No! Well, just…I was thinking about it. But think about what you're doing. We have come this close to figuring everything out Shikamaru," Neji held up his two fingers to indicate a small amount. "All these years of sucking up to Mina and just when we think we can get some information, you go blast it all over a couple girls," he huffed and went back to breaking up coal.
"Hey," Shikamaru said severely, his voice suddenly ice cold, and his gaze turning dangerous, a look normally only Neji could pull off. "Ino's not just a girl. And you know you don't think Tenten's just a girl."
"You have only known her four a mere five hours. Why are you so sure about her?" Neji tested, intentionally ignoring the remark about his feelings for Tenten.
"I don't…I mean, I'm not. But there's something about the look on her face when Mina yelled at her that one night that made reminded me of my first days here. It's remarkable how composed she is." Shikamaru explained. Neji shook his head and breathed heavily. Though Shikamaru was his friend, he could tell there were things he kept hidden from him.
"Whatever the case," he said, changing the subject. "You have no idea how much work we are going to have to pull off in order to win back Mina's trust."
"Oh, I do," said Shikamaru, picking up a bucket. "But I think this time…we're going to have some help."
With Ino and Tenten…"Why did they do that?" Ino asked in a panic as the two girls took their seats for lunch at the same table they were at for breakfast.
"Relax," Tenten said, putting her hands up.
"But why?" Ino said. "I mean, they lost meals, free time, trust…it wasn't even their fault! It was ours! And that look…" Ino's mind trailed off as it recounted the comforting grin Shikamaru gave her.
"What look?" Tenten asked, confused.
"Oh, um nothing." Ino quickly recomposed. "What I mean is, we could have had all that. But they took it for us." She looked down at her plate and pushed the stale bread around, somewhat unable to eat it. Then, a thought struck her.
"I have an idea…" Ino said.
(Sigh) Wouldn't it be awesome if guys were really like that? Yeah right. Like that'd ever happen. Anyhoo, no guessing the cliffy please! I hate when people guess and get it right, because it sort of spoils the suspense. No offense! Just please try not to guess. Thanks everyone!
