L.
It's the Dog's Fault
Chapter 4
"Ino?" Shikamaru's genuinely confused voice called from the kitchen.
They young woman scowled and thrust the packet of rat poison under her pillow before she got out of bed and began undressing. "What?" She snarled back, stepping out of her pants and picking up her disguarded pajama bottoms.
"Why is the anti freeze in the sugar jar?"
At his innocent question, she froze; one leg was in the pants the other hung in mid air, ready to step in. "Shit!" She cursed under her breath and yanked up her pajama pants before tearing off her blouse and quickly throwing on the lavender tank top lying on the bed.
"Ino?" He called again, this time over the clatter of pots and pans.
Putting on an innocent, yet slightly disgruntled look Ino walked down the hallway and into the kitchen. She leaned against the counter top and began to comb her long fingers though her tangled hair. "How would I know why the anti freeze is in the sugar jar?"
He turned around to face her, his eyes filled with worry. "Oh I didn't mean you had to come out here; go lay down." He chose a small pot and placed it on the front burner. "Before you get sick all over the flooring please." He added lightly, already opening the can of soup.
Blue eyes watched as he moved about the kitchen, tossing the now empty can into the rubbish bin under the sink, rinsing his hands and filling up a water bottle.
"Ino please go lie down, I honestly do not want to have to clean up your sick." Shikamaru finally faced her, a bored yet begging look on his tanned face.
Ino shrugged her bare shoulders and sighed before turning around. "I'm not going to throw up; I felt a little…like I was getting the cold or flu or something." She moved to step forward only to trip over Peanut's snoozing form and fall flat on her face.
Trapped under her cursing body, Peanut yipped helplessly and squirmed about, trying to detach the blonde woman from his form.
"Ino, you okay?" Shikamaru asked, his voice filled with amusement as he bent down and helped her up.
"Oh yeah fantastic." She muttered and stepped out of his embrace. "Not like that damn dog did it on purpose or anything." Her eyes glared daggers at the whimpering Peanut who now sulked next to his empty water bowl.
The pineapple haired man sighed and rolled his eyes. "No, you're right he didn't do it on purpose Ino." He turned around and grabbed the water bottle he previously filled off the counter top. "He was taking a nap and you didn't see him, that's all. Stop trying to blame everything on him will you?" He walked over to Peanut and scratched under his chin as he refilled the water bowl. "You're a good dog right?"
Peanut moved to lick his master's hand in agreement.
Ino watched the exchange with a disgusted look before she tossed her hair over one shoulder and stalked into the living room. "'Oh Peanut's a good dog Ino, he isn't mean at all, everything that happened is all just a fucking coincidence!'" She mocked under her breath.
Shikamaru ignored his muttering girlfriend in favor of stirring the now steaming soup and filling the kettle with water. After setting it up to make two cups of tea, he opened one of the cupboards and took out a soup bowl and emptied the hot soup into the bowl. He then grabbed a spoon and napkin then took the steaming bowl of soup into the living room where he hoped to the Gods that Ino was done cursing his dog to Kingdom-come.
"Here you go Ino; this should take care of whatever cold you have." He placed the bowl of soup on the coffee table in front of her.
"Soup doesn't kill-" Her voice caught in her throat at the sight of his exasperated, pleading face. "Sorry." She blushed and sat up. "Thanks for the soup."
He nodded stiffly and sat down on the armchair away from his girlfriend.
After a few silent moments, Peanut padded over to his master and nudged his leg with his nose. "Hey boy." The large dog swiftly maneuver himself between his masters legs and nestled himself comfortably on the carpet. "Still tired?" Fondly, Shikamaru prodded Peanut's side with his foot as he yawned, his mouth opening wide to show off his canine teeth.
Smartly, Ino kept her snide comments to herself as she leaned forward to begin eating her soup. But as soon as she took one mouthful and looked up, her eyes locked with Peanuts.
Peanut tilted his head to one side.
Ino swallowed her mouthful.
Peanut blinked, and laid his head back down on his front paws, his large, chocolate eyes still locked with Ino.
Ino took another mouthful, her blue eyes narrowed in suspicion.
Just then, the kettle began to whistle calling Shikamaru to come pour out the tea. "Move it buddy." He gently kicked Peanut off his one foot then walked into the kitchen, turned off the stove, grabbed two mugs and two packets of Earl Grey tea before he poured the hot water. "Sugar Ino?"
Remembering the anti freeze lounging in the sugar jar, Ino quickly swallowed her mouthful of noodles, almost burning her throat in the process. "No! No, it's uh…"
"We have some Sweet and Low packets if you want that instead." He offered.
Blue eyes lit up at the excuse he handed her. "Yeah! Bring that instead."
Grabbing two Sweet and Low packets off the counter and the two mugs, Shikamaru returned to the living room and placed Ino's mug and one packet on the table before reclaiming his chair.
"So Ino, why was the anti freeze in the sugar jar?" He asked smoothly, opening his sugar into his cup as Peanut thwacked his tail against his master's leg.
"I told you I haven't the faintest idea as to how that happened." She spoke carefully, her voice low and measured.
Shikamaru raised an eyebrow at her. "Really? Because when I left this morning the sugar jar was anti freeze free."
"Are you accusing me of putting it in the jar? For what?" Her eyes lit up in, ready for another fight. "Why the hell would I do that? Huh Shikamaru? What's my brilliant, master plan?"
At the sound of her high, accusing tone Peanut sat up and whimpered, his large eyes begging.
"Ino, see what you did? Even Peanut is worried." He reached down to his best friend and gently patted his head. "And what am I suppose to think Ino? You got home before me-and Peanut certainly wouldn't do it."
Blue eyes narrowed at his observations but she kept her mouth shut, knowing that there really wasn't any logical excuse she could give. With a huff, she resumed eating her soup and ignored her boyfriend and his pet dog.
It's the Dog's fault It's the Dog's fault
Eger to get to bed and finally relax, Shikamaru ripped off his clothing and yanked on his pajama pants then flung himself onto the bed and snuggled down between the sheets. After he had pulled the blankets up to his chest and allowed his body to conform to the mattress, he realized that he left the over head light on. "Damn…Ino? You coming to bed soon right?" He called tiredly.
"Yes." She answered primly and strode into the bedroom with Peanut at her heels. Annoyed with the shadowing dog, she flicked off the lights and jumped into bed but watched as he paced at the foot of the bed before finally settling down on his masters side.
"Goodnight Shika." She mumbled, still not exactly in a pleasant mood, she settled down onto her pillow whilst he pulled the blanket up over her body.
"Night Ino." He sighed and slid his arm under her pillow like he was accustomed to. Just as he was settling down and moved to pull her pillow closer to his body, his wrist brushed against something sharp; confused, he slowly felt around until he grasped a packet. Curious, he pulled it out slightly and squinted at the packaging.
"Okay this is asinine." He drawled and sat up on one arm, staring down at Ino. "Ino, tell me what the hell is going on."
Ino groaned and opened one eye with a frown on her tired face. "What?"
"Tell me why there is rat poison in my bed." With that said he withdrew the lone packet of rat poison out from under the edge of her pillow and held it up for her to see. "Any logical reason for this? Or did the elves put this here by mistake?" He derided.
It's the Dog's fault It's the Dog's fault
L.
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