Naruto Fanfiction: Shikamaru/Ino/Temari
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A/N: Hey, this is the fourth chapter of Torn Apart and Between, so sorry for the really late update. Lots of thanks going out to Peachy Pie, Haylin-chan, ShikaInoInuKikIchiHime36, LM3795 and Kells…..I appreciate it,
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Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or any characters.
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FLASHBACK
Shikamaru POV
As I walked into the tent, I guessed that this night wasn't going to be as simple as I wanted it to be.
"Happy Birthday, Shikamaru!" Everyone jumped out from behind chairs and tables, all with huge smiles on their faces, looking at me.
Great, I sighed inwardly.
They all started walking towards me, but someone caught my hand first. I looked at the person and realized it was Temari. She then engulfed me in a big huge that took my breath away.
"Hey, Happy Birthday, crybaby." She said. I rolled my eyes. She saw me cry once and everytime we saw each other, she would rub it in my face. I smiled at her, trying not to look nervous. She hugged me and I felt shivers run through my spine, her hands were wrapped around me securely, making my mind go blank for a second before I composed myself. She looked as if she wanted to say something more, but then Naruto, Chouji and Kiba came up to me.
"Happy Birthday Man!" squealed Naruto. Troublesome ninja….
"Hey, best wishes Shikamaru!" Kiba grinned as Akamaru barked excitedly. I smiled.
"Thanks."
"Happy Birthday Shikamaru! Want some food?" Chouji 's mouth half filled with chips….and other stuff…. " Temari planned a great party, don't ya think?"
Temari? She really did do all of this, and here all along I thought Ino had something to do with this ridiculous party, but she didn't….
"Yeah," I looked at Temari, "…it's definitely eye catching…" She beamed at me. I realized now that she looked really pretty tonight. She had on white pants with gold sequin patterns on it, and a red chemise that complimented her fit body perfectly. She looked great.
"You look great, by the way." I said to her. Shit? Did I just say that out loud? She blushed and turned away.
"But you don't like it, Shikamaru?" I heard a familiar voice….Sai. I didn't see when he, Neji, Sasuke and Shino walked up. "I mean, why say "eye catching" if you really liked it, instead of I don't know "wonderful" or "marvelous" or something like that." He smiled his fake smile. I glared at him when I felt Temari's gaze on me. Why did the guy with no feelings actually understand others? What a pain….
"No, it isn't that. It's just…well, I didn't expect something this big." She looked down momentarily. "But it's great though, I see how hard you've worked on this, you organized a great party, Temari." I said as I touched her hand. She and I both blushed. What was it with me today? Crap…
"Thanks." Temari smiled as she regained her composure. "You should, you know, eat and catch up with your friends, before we give you your presents." She teased.
I groaned. I guess I shouldn't be surprised.
"Hmm." I nodded. I glanced over to see the girls approaching me. My eyes immediately caught Ino's eyes. We looked at each other and I smiled at her warmly. She looked down. I frowned, she seemed different….distant, these past days.
Ino looked….wow. She wore her signature colour purple, in different, subtle shades, along her ankle long dress. She looked stunning. A pair of diamond earrings I gave her on her eighteenth birthday flattered her polished light blue eyes, as her blond, flowing hair brought out her delicate, perfect skin.
"Happy Birthday, Shikamaru!" Tenten, Sakura and Hinata said in unison. Ino just smiled at me.
"You look so hot, Shikamaru!" Tenten teased me. Everyone laughed.
My face twisted." Mendoukusai…." They laughed even more.
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Shikamaru endured more than he could handle of everyone wishing him Happy Birthday, but thankfully after that, they had to leave. His friends and their senseis though all stayed. He looked to one side of the tent where they were.
Hinata fainted when Naruto came up to give her some chips. Shikamaru laughed as Sakura was fanning her with some papers, while smacking Naruto at the same time and warily glancing over to see Sasuke staring at her. Creepy Uchiha.
Neji and Tenten were sitting together "listening" to their sensei and teammate talk about….wait for it….. divine youth! Kiba, Akamaru and Chouji were stuffing their faces with whatever food there was left and Shino was in a corner by himself, just observing. No surprise. Some things never change, Shikamaru thought.
"Asuma would have loved to see this…everyone together as we should be." Shikamaru whispered to himself.
"Yeah, he would." Shikamaru looked to the side to see a smiling Ino wander next to him to sit down.
"Ino, hey, I haven't seen you much tonight."
"Yeah?" She laughed. "How are you enjoying your birthday party?"
"Considering I didn't want one, it's good I guess." Shikamaru watched her out of the corner of his eyes. "You excited for yours?" Her gaze dropped to the floor.
"Shikamaru, I—"
"No need to explain, I already know you won't be here." Shikamaru turned to poke her forehead." Your big mission is tomorrow."
"How—"
Shikamaru laughed.
"I guess being top strategist has its benefits. Tsunade told me that it's supposed to be confidential." Shikamaru stated. "Don't worry, I won't tell anyone."
Ino smiled sadly.
Shikamaru knew she was worried, but she didn't need to be. Soon, she'll be head interrogator, replacing her father, Inoichi, but she didn't know that. This mission would be testing her skills as leader once again, they needed her to be ready and fully prepared for a job like that.
As he watched her struggle with herself, Shikamaru realized how much they've all grown throughout the years, how much she grew. She was so much mature and independent now, the promotion to be head interrogator was a done deal for her, and at the age of twenty also it was unheard of. However, Ino was one of the best of her clan, the best of her family. She deserved it, she worked hard all these years, and everyone was so proud of her.
"I'm scared." She barely whispered, but he heard her.
Shikamaru waited for her to continue, he faced forward, his eyebrows furrowed.
"I'm scared, I know this one is really big, I can feel it." She murmured and finally looked up to face Shikamaru. "It's big and I don't even know what to expect. Dad tells me it will decide my future. What am I supposed to think after that? I can't mess this up, Shikamaru, I can't."
Ino searched his face for some sort of expression, but she didn't get any. He finally faced her.
"Why do you always second guess yourself, Ino?"
"What do you me—"
"Listen to me." His voice softened." It is beyond me why you don't believe in yourself right now. What exactly causes you to think that you can't handle this mission? You have been leader and carried out many successful missions countless times. You are one of the strongest kunoichi and one of the best mind readers in your clan. You're the strong, level-headed Ino, and what, you suddenly feel you can't do this anymore?"
Ino's eyes widened with disbelief…and gratitude. Shikamaru….
Her face hardened.
"Who the hell do you think you are? Talking to me like that? I never said that!" She looked angry, but Shikamaru saw her eyes, glazed and thankful. "I was talking casually. Of course I can handle this. If there's anyone who can handle this, that person is me. So you, get that thought out of your head. I am so ready." She laughed as she hit Shikamaru on his arm playfully.
That's my girl, Shikamaru smirked.
"Thank you." A smile on Ino's face just made the whole world more brighter…beautiful….
Shikamaru smiled back at her and touched her shoulder.
"When you get back, we'll hang out. It's been a long time, I've miss—" He started.
Temari came towards him and pulled him up, not even bothering to take a second look at Ino.
"Hey, guys! We have to give Shikamaru his presents now. Remember we have a time limit here people. Tsunade-sama said we could stay here till 8:00 since there will be preparations for some important missions tomorrow. I know it's a pain…." Temari glanced at Shikamaru and smiled at him. He rolled his eyes. "But it's what we have to work with, so…..me first!"
She took out a square black box, and handed it to him. Shikamaru opened it and saw that there was a gold watch inside, very expensive looking, with the sand sign on it.
"Thanks a lot, Temari, but you didn't have to." He said.
"Oh shut up! It's your birthday, so why shouldn't I give you anything? And you're welcome." She grinned. Sometimes she really scared him.
He got presents from everyone afterwards. A pillow, some ramen coupons from Naruto, he really laughed at that. From Chouji he got dinner reservations for two from one of the best restaurants in Konoha. Tenten gave him a special made kunai, with metallic silver designs on it, with his name carved elegantly on one side, he liked it a lot. He got earrings, books and even a card from Lee, with one of his long speeches about youth. He appreciated everything especially when Ino came up to him, to give him her present.
"Here, I hope you like it." She said. Shikamaru opened a long, rectangular box and saw that it was a different version of his favourite game, shougi. He always told Asuma that they should have tried it out, after all, it was supposed to be more challenging, but he forgot all about it.
"Ino…wow….it's amazing, thanks." Shikamaru told her. He was really excited about this present." I hope you'll play with me though."
She laughed.
"Sure, you lazy bum." She teased. "Of course I'll play with you."
Shikamaru watched her knowingly.
"Asuma would've loved it."
"He would, wouldn't he?" She beamed.
A hand then grabbed his, and turned him around. He saw Temari smiling at him warmly. Something in him….tingled? When she watched him….it felt….
"I hope you enjoyed yourself." Temari remarked.
"Yeah, I really did. Thanks for doing all this."
"No problem….crybaby." She turned and walked away then, very content with herself.
He sighed. Finally, this night was over and he could go home. He had to admit though, even if he wanted something small, he did enjoy himself being with his friends and colleagues. Asuma would have enjoyed himself, even though it was so troublesome…
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A/N: So what did you think? It's been a long time since I've updated. School, ugh. Anyways, I hoped you liked it. The presents part….yeah so, I can't buy gifts for people, ask my family. I have a wonderful sister who does all that for me, so the gifts are kinda weird. But I thought the pillow from Naruto would be funny, was it? I put some Asuma in there too, cause he's amazing. ^_^
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