Shikamaru entered the classroom once more late and the scene of the first day of collage with the difference that now he knew the people and the person who he knew the best didn't turn his head when the lecturer continued talking.
The ponytailed boy sat down again in the first row of benches but he didn't sat directly to the red haired who pierced him with his eyes.
Shikamaru hasn't seen that look in Gaara's eyes ever before and he sighed in his mind because he knew that meant a lot of trouble . 'You've got to be a man. You made this mess now you've got to rectify everything .' He looked at the board avoiding steel blue eyes. 'Actually it's her fault. Is she wasn't acting that way...' He shook his head. 'Don't blame others for your stupidity Nara.'
The unavoidable break came and Gaara stood up. So did Shikamaru and walked out of the classroom waiting for his friend.
'So your back. ' He spoke calmly but just like his sister, his words cut the air like blades.
'I came to carry the responsibility for what I did. '
'For what you did ...' He hissed.
'I'm sorry for getting your sister down...'
'I only asked you to call her boyfriend. You didn't have to get her personally . '
'I wanted to get that done. I had a bad day...'
'I don't know what you've told her but she came back crying .'
'Crying?' He didn't see that coming.
'I haven't seen her cry in years Shikamaru . In years.'
'I definitely didn't mean that... '
'I want you to apologize to her.'
'I planned on doing that anyway. '
'Buy her flowers.'
'Flowers?' He said shocked.
'Yes, flowers. ' He said strict. ' She likes..'
'Purple ones?'
'Yes. ' He eyed him once more.
' Can we be friends again?' He mumbled
'We'll see. First you'll have to make her accept your apology.'
'That's not going to be easy, is it? '
' I've never seen Temari forgive anyone, apart from us.'
'Crap. Fair deal though . I'll try my best .' He sighed.
Straight after UNI he called his blonde friend.
'Ino!'
'Shikamaru!' She laughed. 'Why so energetic?'
'I need your help…'
'Oh, now I see… What is it lazy ass?'
'I need your professional support.'
'I like what you're saying. What support though?'
'I need to buy some flowers…'
'Did somebody die?'
'No.'
'A wedding?'
'No, Ino…'
'Why else would you need flowers Nara? I never ever did even heard you speak out the word "flowers" before.'
'I need to apologize…'
'Shikamaru Nara needs to apologize? To who? '
'Certainly not a guy… Will you or won't you help me Ino?'
'I will help you. Otherwise that poor girl might end up even more furious at you but you'll have to tell me what you did to that poor thing!'
'Poor thing…he he he…'
'Sure Ino.'
An hour later they were standing in a florist shop and Ino was picking some flowers.
'Purple…' He murmured having his hands in his pockets and obviously feeling unwell.
'Purple? Purple what Shikamaru?' She spoke irritated.
'She likes purple.'
'She likes purple?' She rolled her eyes. 'You're behaving so strange Nara I could nearly suspect you of actually caring for that girl. What did you do to her?'
'I've been mean…' He sighed.
'That's all? I'm being mean to people every day and I don't buy them flowers.'
'I've been mean and I regret it. What more I really want her to forgive me and she's kind of a hard opponent.'
'You really want her to forgive you?' She straightened up and looked in Shikamaru's eyes.
'What?'
'Nara.' She caught his arm. 'I've known you since we were small kids and I really think I can say I know you better than anyone…maybe apart from Choji, but this my friend is something new.'
'What are you up to?'
'Is that girl some kind of a crush of yours?'
'Ino…' He blushed.
'Y-O-U A-R-E B-L-U-S-H-I-N-G!' She gasped.
'Ino!' He pulled her closer. 'Please be quiet. I don't want the whole world to know.'
'So you're admitting it!?' She was looking straight into his eyes with a fascination like he was the best book she has ever read.
'Fine.' He shrug his shoulders. 'You're the only one who knows that and if I find out anyone else knows that I'll know whose ass is to be kicked.'
'You didn't tell Choji?'
'No…that's not something I'm very proud of.'
'Oh my my my my!' She put away the flowers she was holding. 'That's our very first secret Shikamaru!'
'Ino…'
'Who is she?'
'I can't tell you.'
'Shikamaru!'
'No, I can't. It's really nothing serious…'
'It'll soon be! I'm sure Shikamaru Nara can get any girl if he only puts enough effort into impressing her.'
'Let's hope so. So what flowers do I take?'
'Purple! Give me a moment!' She ran through the florist with a lot more energy than before. 'There you go! Roses, sweet peas, tulip and anemone! ' She smiled widely and Shikamaru had to admit the bouquet looked gorgeous.
'Thanks a look. She will like it I think.'
'She better do! Otherwise I'm going to write a complain letter to that picky chick!' She laughed and patted Shikamaru on the shoulder. 'Good luck my friend!'
'Thanks Ino.' He went to the counter and felt like crying when he left the shop. He's wallet was so empty. Ino didn't inform him that flowers were so expensive.
