Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.
Chapter 3- Perfect
"Ino!" Shikamaru called, " Ino, Wait!"
"I can't…its late…gotta…run," she panted.
"Will you stop?!" he shouted, "I need to talk to you!"
"Sorry," she continued running.
"Dammit Ino! I've been looking for you all day. I finally found you, STOP!"
She slowed to a jog then to a walk and eventually stopped entirely with her back to him. That was how she intended to stay.
Shikamaru was not a shy guy, he was just lazy. He wouldn't chase after just anyone… Despite his lack of shyness he was getting nervous. A little because he was about to confess his feelings, but mostly because he wasn't sure how she was going to react. She had been so peculiarly lately…
"Geez…" he sighed. "Why must you run?"
"I dunno…part of my new diet?" she smiled bleakly to herself.
Ino was 5'6 and about 115 pounds. Shikamaru always got annoyed when she would go on diets. He liked the way she looked and he couldn't help but to think that diets must be a drag. However he wasn't about to argue with her about that with her now. He could sense her emotions were unstable. Also, there were more important things to talk about.
"What do you want? It's going to get dark soon," she said impatiently.
"This is long over due Ine. You know we have to talk."
"Later, I'm tired."
"No, if we avoid this you'll just keep running and quite frankly; I can't keep up. So we are going to do this now, ok?"
Her heart sank.
He's found out I like him and he's eager to break the news that he doesn't share the same feelings. He doesn't want to hurt me. That's why he wants to break my heart quickly. He probably thinks it will be better for me if he doesn't drag it on.
"So then…talk." She was mentally preparing for the worst.
"Can you come here? There's a bench and we can sit and talk things through."
Talk things through? Things like 'we're just friends' and 'I don't see you like that…I hope this doesn't ruin our friendship'. Hmph. Well screw you! I don't want to hear that!
"Whatever you have to say, do it now. I'm not moving," she crossed her arms defiantly.
"Fine," he knew Ino was a very stubborn and determined person. He had calculated his options and the best one he had was to talk to her back.
"I was talking to Chouji and I've asked Hinata, to get a girls point of view…they think you like me."
"You shouldn't believe everything you hear."
Dammit! Why are you saying this? I thought we agreed you were going to keep your big mouth shut! Ino mentally slapped herself.
"It's okay Ino. I know you and I know your lying. I just want to talk to you about your, you know…feelings," Shikamaru swallowed.
Am I about to get turned down by Shikamaru? No way!
"Feelings? I don't have any towards you! I'm leaving, this conversation is absurd." She, of course, had started to run again. Shikamaru, of course, had anticipated it and had already made a plan.
"Dammit woman! You brought this on yourself! Shadow Possession Jutsu!" He shouted.
She stopped unwillingly. She couldn't move.
"SHIKAMARU!! LET ME GO!!"
"No."
He used his shadow to lay her on the ground. At least this way if his chakra went out or the sun went down he would have a chance of catching her by foot.
"LET ME GO NOW! HOW DARE YOU USE YOUR DAMN SHADOW ON ME! HOW DARE YOU?! I'M GOING TO KILL YOU WHEN I'M FREE!"
Shikamaru knew he didn't have much time. He would never be able to hold her like that for the whole conversation, especially if she was going to argue. And knowing her all to well, she would.
If my chakra runs out before I'm done talking to her…she probably will try to seriously harm me…
He had one choice and he knew she wasn't going to like it. He hesitantly walked towards her until he was standing over top of her.
"What the hell are you doing? Get away!" She ordered.
He sat down on her and grabbed her wrists pinning them down on either side of her.
"GET THE HELL AWAY FROM ME!" she screamed.
She was trying to squirm but the shadow possession was still too strong for her to break free from.
"WILL YOU JUST LISTEN?" He shouted back.
"GET OFF BEFORE I…"
"Be quiet! For once you need to listen to me, get over it," he smirked causing her to frown at him.
Why is he going through all this trouble to reject me? Could it be?
Shikamaru smiled inwardly.
Hmmm, I kinda like this control thing. It's nice bossing her around for once, even if it won't last for long…
I actually like him on top of me, leaning into me. I can't believe I'm thinking this! She blushed slightly. It's true though, I like the fact that he's taking control and not being so carefree and lazy. His new take-charge attitude is impressive and it's sort of hot!
She wanted for once to be passive but as usual her big mouth ruined it.
"I like you!" She blurted out. She bit her tongue immediately and blushed again.
"Ino, Ino, Ino. I thought we talked about this already," he raised an eyebrow, "it's my turn to talk, not yours. Not another word out of you!"
He was happy with her currently silenced state.
"We've known each other for a long time now. We've been on the same team for eight years now. I've come to know your attitude, actions and emotions. You know me as well."
"What's your-"
Surprisingly quickly he grabbed her arms with on hand and pinned them above her head. He used his newly free hand to clasp it over her mouth. Her eyes narrowed.
"Shhh," he instructed, "You need to listen, it's important. I'm not one to brag but I'm not stupid, Ine. I know you like me and you have for awhile."
Shit my chakra is running out… I guess I better get to the point.
"As troublesome as it is, I like your quorks. I like your unpredictable mood swings, your determination to boss everyone around, even Asuma," he laughed, "I think it's cute when you get at me about crazy things. I even like your overbearing pride you carry, at worst its entertaining."
She had been waiting for her feelings to be known but he was right. With her pride she would have never admitted it. She was supposed to like Sasuke. Nevertheless she felt a weight lifted, the truth was out.
"I have something else to say but I'd like to say it to your face, your whole face. If I move my hand are you going to scream?"
He looked into her eyes and sensed no anger. She was no longer a threat to his health. Still he wasn't planning on getting off her anytime soon…
He slowly removed his hand allowing his fingers to linger on her lips a little longer than intended. They gazed into each other's eyes.
He leaned into her ear.
"I love you," he whispered and pulled her up into a kiss, short and sweet.
She slapped him.
"That's for using your damn shadow on me," she smiled provocatively with her leg running up his.
He raised an eyebrow.
"Oh?" the corner of his mouth raised slightly.
"I hope you're not turning lazy on me now, Shikamaru," Ino teased.
"Not a chance," he slipped a hand under her back, with the other hand beside her head and powerfully drew her up to his face. He passionately kissed her. She gasped when he daringly slid a hand under her shirt but her gasp was silenced by his ravenous lips. He was gently caressing her firm stomach while encircling her mouth with his own. She couldn't catch her breath but she didn't want to. She had loved him for so long, imagined this for so long. This moment was better than her imagination, it was perfect. She opened her mouth to tell him how this was perfect but Shikamaru had taken this as an invitation and glided his tongue cautiously into her mouth. She was surprised but she quickly returned the favor.
This is Perfect.
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A/N- so what do you think so far?