Sorry about the long wait! I've been super busy these days and hadn't had much time to update.

Thanks to SarcasticallyTroublesomeGirl and tomboy14 for the ideas! I will definitely use them in this story.

Ps. Don't forget my goal…by the next chapter I want to have in excess of 50 reviews! Please help me make it happen and review!

Chapter 10: Mrs. Yamanaka to the Rescue!

Ino ran up to her room in tears. No, I won't forgive him! I'll never forgive him! He's just a lying, backstabbing bastard! And damn that Temari too!

As soon as she reached her room she slammed the door shut, plopped on her bed, and hid her head under her pillow. Soon a knock was heard at the door.

"Go away," Ino demanded between sobs.

"Sweetheart, are you all right?" Came a voice from outside Ino's room.

"I'm fine. Go away!" Ino practically shouted, making her mother wince.

"Ino, can I please come in? Obviously something's been bothering you." Ino's mom offered, but the only reply she received was a threatening growl.

"That's it, I'm coming in!" With that, Mrs. Yamanaka flung the door open and walked towards Ino. She snatched the pillow off Ino's head to reveal Ino's tear-stained, blotchy, red face. All her makeup had run down her face, leaving her to look like it was Halloween again. Ino's mother sat down next to Ino and put her arm around her.

"This is the work of Shikamaru, isn't it?" She asked gently.

Ino slightly nodded, and then burst into tears again.

"Oh, mom, I thought Shikamaru liked me! I thought I liked him back! But it was all a huge misunderstanding! The only thing Shika will ever think of me as is a friend! Just a friend! I hate him, Mom, I do! How dare he…"

Mrs. Yamanaka patted Ino's back. "It's okay. Calm down. Unlike your father," she emphasized on the word father, "I know that Shikamaru-kun can be a real pain at times. But despite his laziness he still has a heart. A good heart, too. My guess is that he was lying to conceal his true feelings for you. You should give him another chance." Ino just turned away. Her mother sighed.

"When I first met your father, he was the craziest kid I ever met! He drove me absolutely nuts! When he asked me out, I of course said no. But then, even though he was crazy, he still was very kind. He came to my aid when the bullies were just about to punch me. I gave him another chance, and here we are now. Just think of what you and Shikamaru could be if you gave him another chance. You two are meant to be, I just know it! The whole school knows it. You know it. And even Shikamaru knows it." But it was useless. Ino had fallen asleep.

Ino's mother sighed and wiped her tears off with a tissue. Then she tucked her in and said goodnight. But the truth was, Ino had heard every word her mother had said. She thought and thought about it, and still couldn't make up her mind. When she fell asleep she didn't have her mind made up yet.

XXXXX

Ino's mother waltzed into her room, where Inoichi was reading a magazine.

"Why is Ino home so early? Isn't she supposed to be with Shikato's son? What happened?" Inoichi asked frantically. Ino's mother just shook her head.

"It appears that Shikamaru upset Ino at the dance. I don't think she likes him anymore."

"WHAT!? But…but…our plan…" Ino's father almost burst into tears.

"Don't overreact, honey. There's ups and downs in a relationship, and right now they're just experiencing downs. Apparently very down," she added quietly.

"Well, don't just sit there! Work your mind and come up with some sort of expert plan or something!" Inoichi said with concern.

"As much as I want them to be together, I despise trickery. But on the other hand…" Ino's mother thought for a while, then a mischievous grin appeared on her face and she started rubbing her hands together.

Gasp! Ino's mom has a plan! And it's going to be really good, too, because for once I already know what it is. But I'm warning you, her mom's really smart! Please review and help me achieve my goal! Um…okay then…how about…review if you ever want another chapter! (insert evil laugh) Okay, maybe that was a little too much. But still, review so I can update!