Author's notes: Sort of continuation form the last chapter. Extra theme number 11: Rough hands.

11. Rough Hands

She was really happy that he was staying the weekend. He was really happy that they finally were together.

Although they had confessed their feelings for each other only the day before, for them it seemed like years! They really connected! And they really loved each other...

The weather outside was really scary. The wind was blowing really hard, the rain was falling down fast and the thunder was really close.

Ino was supposed to be scared... but she wasn't! She had Shikamaru by her side, after all...

They were both cuddled up on the couch eating popcorn and watching some chick flick. Ino's choice, of course.

Her head was on his shoulder and his arm was around her. They had a green blanket on top of them.

"Oh! Here, this is the good part!" Ino's eyes stared tearing up.

Shikamaru looked bored. "How can you like these movies? It's always the same! Boy falls in love with girl, girl loves another boy, girl dumps the other boy and finally understands she loves the boy who loves her back. Both of them fight and get angry at each other. They make up, kiss, and then it's the end!"

Ino wasn't really paying attention to what her boyfriend was saying.

"Right sweetie... oh look! She's going to kiss him and make up! How sweet..."

Shikamaru rolled his eyes at the screen. He definitely hated chick flicks! Just has the boy and girl were about to kiss, a thunder rumbled and the lights went out.

"AGH! NO!" Ino screamed. Shikamaru held her down.

"Calm down Ino!" She started kicking and trashing around.

"Damn! That was the best part of the movie!"

Shikamaru got up and started looking for some candles on the drawers.

"Come on Ino, you've seen that movie a million times before... help me out with the candles will you?"

She sighed and wrapped the blanket around her small body.

"They're on the last drawer along with the matches..." Shikamaru found them and lit them up. "I'm cold..." Ino said, her voice a little shaky.

Shikamaru lit up the last candle and sat down near her, placing the blanket around him also. She snuggled into his body and felt a little warmer.

"Much better..." she sighed. He smiled softly. Damn... his life definitely took a turn... and he really liked it! He loved the way her small frame fit his body perfectly... the way her hair smelled... the way her lips curved into a small smile he loved...

She moved a bit.

"Shikamaru..." He gave her a little peck on the forehead signaling he had acknowledged her call. "I'm bored..."

He chuckled.

"What do you want to do?"

She sighed. "I don't know..."

Shikamaru smiled. "I know something..." He got up and went upstairs. Ino stared at the stairs and waited for his return. What did he have in mind for her?

She giggled and pressed the blanket closer. Shikamaru emerged from the darkness with a big bag by his side.

Ino eyed him quizzically. "What's that?"

He sat on the couch and started unzipping the bag. "I've been practicing for about a year. I'm preety good at this now."

Ino moved a bit closer to see what was on the bag. It wasn't necessary since Shikamaru grabbed a black classic guitar from inside it.

Ino gasped. "You play?"

He smiled. "Yap..." He placed his fingers on the chords and formed a note. His eyelids closed and he started playing.

Ino was in awe. He really knew how to play! She got a bit exited, all her boredom forgotten.

"Shika... teach me how to play!" Her voice was eager, much like a child who gets a new toy for Christmas.

Shikamaru opened his eyes and stared at the object of his adoration. Ino had a bright smile on her lips.

"Sure..." He replied. "Come here." She got up and sat on his lap. He placed the guitar on her lap and grabbed her hand with his own.

Ino shivered. She still wasn't used to the touch of his rough hands... and she most definitely wasn't used to the way they sent an electric shock trough her body.

"Here." He grabbed her fingers and placed them in a certain position. She giggled eagerly.

"Play." He said. Ino took a deep breath and played one of the strings. A soft sound came from it. She smiled.

"Oh! Did you hear it?"

Shikamaru smiled. "I did!"

Both of them laughed. "Here, I'll teach you a song."

Shikamaru grabbed the guitar and played the song first. Ino listened intently. She loved to see him play... she loved to see his eyes closed and his lips moving as the soft words of the song left his lips...

It was mesmerizing... and she loved it...