Disclaimer: All characters appearing in this fic are Masashi Kishimoto's except for some random passers-by.

Summary: Neji has this hobby he does not want anybody to find out. Unfortunately for him, Shikamaru comes into the picture. ShikaNeji

A/N: More misunderstandings... but don't worry, soon everything will clear out! Maybe only 3 chapters left until this story is finished. Though I'm not quite sure as just a few chapters ago I thought it was only 3 chs left... It seems the number isn't decreasing at all.

And someone asked me some chapters ago what do peaches have to do with anything. They really don't, I just always write Neji and Shika as peach lovers. They name 'Pearls and peaches' was first just a filename referring to Shinju and Neji & Shika's love for peaches, but then it decided stick with this fic till the end. So, nothing serious going on with the peaches.

So, this chapter is Shikamaru's POV of the scene from the previous chapter. Please enjoy!

"Oh my, the summer festival is so close!" Ino squeals in delight. "I can't wait, I haven't been to any festivals for a long time."

"Hmm", Shikamaru mumbles. He isn't really paying attention to anything Ino is saying. He is only thinking of ways to tell Neji how he has missed their time together and how he wants them to be friends. And then he could maybe asks Neji if they could hang together at the summer festival and let things flow on their own pace... And secretly he hopes they would end up being more than friends after that.

"Oi, Neji, good morning!" Ino yells and Shikamaru comes crashing down from his daydreamland.

"Yo", Shikamaru says to Neji, trying to sound casual and hiding his hands behind his backs. He is cluthing the back from the jewelry shop in his hands. He tries to not blush and hopes he doesn't look like someone who has just been caught stealing apples.

"Ino, come here a moment, I need to talk to you..." Neji says, turning his eyes away from Shikamaru.

Shikamaru feels his heart become a thousand times heavier. 'Oh yes, I forgot all about Ino and him...'

"Ok", Ino says, annoying the hell out of Shikamaru with her overly happy voice.

Neji smiles at Ino and leans closer to her. Shikamaru tries to turn away from the scene, but it appears he is an inner masochist and so he only watches them silently, his heart becoming heavier and slowing down every second.

Neji blushes slightly as he and Ino exchange words and Ino smiles at him. Shikamaru feels his heart stop and tries to tell himself this doesn't matter, he can still be friends with Neji and that he is only happy that they have found each other... Though in his mind he wonders how the hell Neji could find Ino attractive.

Neji blushes again and Ino puts her hand on his shoulder. Now Shikamaru can't take it anymore and turns his eyes away. Anyone sane wouldn't torture themselves willingly with watching their friend with the one they want!

"See you later, Neji-kun!"

Shikamaru sighs quietly as Ino leaves them alone. He gives a quick glance at Neji, feeling angry at Ino, and somehow betrayed. "Aren't you late for work?" he finally asks to break the silence, hoping to sound casual, but the image of Ino's hand on Neji's shoulder burning in his mind probably ruins the attempt. He isn't still looking at Neji. He just can't, because there is no guarantee he could hold himself from jumping to Neji...

"What's that?" Neji asks, meaning the bag Shikamaru carries.

"Nothing", Shikamaru answers. Then, without thinking, the picture of Ino touching his Neji still in his mind, adds; "It's for Ino."

"Oh", Neji says, and Shikamaru frowns as he hears his tone. It wasn't angry or full of rising jealosy as he had thought it would be. It was only quiet and... sad?

Finally Shikamaru turns to look at Neji, slowly and carefully, as if afraid he would be gone the minute he would look into his pearl white eyes.

Neji only looks at Shikamaru, his eyes dull, and turns quietly around.

Shikamaru stares long after him, not able to move an inch from where Neji's eyes had nailed him. His heart beats rapidily, and his brains are confused from all the things that had happened in that short time after Ino had left.

What was that look in Neji's eyes?