In His Shadow
Chapter 4: Fighting Dirty
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto

I can't believe the nerve of that man! Ino thought as she stormed out of the club. Well, who knows what could have happened if Shikamaru hadn't shown up…Stop! I'm still mad! She blew past the two guys at the entrance, and all they did was look at her. Yeah, I'm mad. What are you going to do about it? She kept on walking until she got to the middle of the parking lot, then stopped when he called her name. "Ino! What's your problem?! I was only trying to help you!"

She turned around, her eyes flashing fire. "You really want to know? It's you! You…you…lazy bum!" All he did was look at her with that blank stare, which caused her to get even more angry with each passing second. "You infuriate me because you always have this blank, I-could-care-less look on your face, and it bugs me to no end!"

What is she talking about? Do women always ramble on like that? So no one can understand them? He kept on looking at her, trying to decipher what she was really trying to get at. He sat there, deep in thought, then it finally came to him. I think I know what I have to do now!

He's just sitting there staring at me! She tried to move, but she couldn't. I know I get weak-kneed at the sight of him sometimes, but I should still be able to move! Unless…Oh no! He didn't! She figured out that he used his shadow possession jutsu to trap her there so she couldn't move or escape. "Let me go!" she shouted at him.

"Why should I? Isn't that your issue? I never do anything?" he said, that all-knowing look in his face.

"I never said that!" Yes you did, Ino! "Okay, maybe I did, but…" Where am I going with this? "Just let me go! Now!"

"Funny, but now that I am doing something, you don't want to be any part of it! Real funny, Ino, but you see, you're my problem." At her shocked look, he just smiled. Ino looked ready to fall flat on her face. "What's wrong Ino?"

She closed her mouth. Anger, Ino! Remember you anger! "You need to untrap me, imediantly! You dirty...pig!" When he started walking towards her, forcing her to walk towards him, she started to panic. "Shikamaru, stay away from me!"

"But, Ino, isn't this what you want? For me to be close to you, not away from you?" He replied, still sauntering over to her, causing her to get closer and closer. He stopped when they were almost fact to face.

"Stop right there, Shikamaru!" Oh my goodness! What should I do? She started to panic because she really didn't know what he was going to do. She looked at his face, but like usual, couldn't read anything. Come on, Ino! You know you couldn't stop him if he did anything.

"Why do you want me to stop?" he asked her.

Yes, why do I? "Because...um..." he just chuckled. "You have no right to come near me! This is sexual harassment!" Anger, Ino! Don't let him know that you're flustered! Be angry at him! Show him your fierce anger.

"Sexual harassment?! Do you want to see sexual harassment, Ino?" He moved closer to her face, a breath away from her face, causing her to lick her lips. "Because this is definitely sexual harassment. If it were sexual harassment, you wouldn't want me to do this." He went to touch her face, but her eyes flashed fire.

"Don't you dare put one finger on my person!" She said hotly when inside she really wanted him to kiss her, or touch her.

"What will happen if I do?"

"You'll live to regret it for the rest of your life!"

"You sure talk big, Ino. Let's see you do something about that bluff for a change, too!"

"What do you think I've been doing for the past sixteen years of my life? Ever since I was born, I have been trying to get your attention! I would have been happy if you had acknowledged me just once as a person instead of someone on your team." She stopped, realizing what she just said. Now would be a good time for the ground to open up and swallow me! "Forget it."

Shikamaru thought about what she just said. Wow. She feels the same way! I always thought that she liked Sasuke, especially the way her and Sakura always argued over him. Or the way she watched him when she thought no one else was looking. He thought about what he was going to do next. Realizing that he wouldn't be able to stand much longer, he released her from his hold, but not wanting her to move away, he grabbed her shoulders and kissed her. What's the worst thing that could happen? I'm already head over heals, and the only thing that could come from this is a smack from a very enraged Ino! He though, but was surprised to feel her running her hands up his chest, and was shocked at what she did next...

TO BE CONTINUED...

stay tuned!

Dragon Queen