Chapter 14: Remnants

Shikamaru's Pov

School had finally ended, and I couldn't have been any happier if I didn't have extra lessons for sleeping in class. I groaned at the thought, finishing things of this grade would be easy, but just the thought of it was a waste of time, I guess that's one thing me and my father had in common. "It's your own fault" Choji replied eating a spoon of Italian Ice.

"He's right you should learn your lesson by now" Naruto commented with the signal grin. These two had a lot of nerve, considering they also had extra lessons, Choji for eating in class, and Naruto for disrupting it. " I could say the same about you guys" I smirked as Naruto shoved my shoulder.

"I guess will never learn" Choji grinned taking another bite, "I worry about you guys graduation" Naruto crossed his arms trying to smother his grin. "Are you seriously saying that your the only idiot in this group" I replied.

"Now now Shikamaru you shouldn't put people down" Choji tsked waving his spoon in the air, as he waved a goodbye. "Well Hinata's waiting for me" Naruto replied ditching as well, which was weird considering they would never leave me alone, till I actually left. Turning my attention to the school gate I spotted the problem from a mile away.

There stood Ino Yamanaka, my old friend from middle school. "You finally make a show huh" she pouted indignantly, "yeah I guess I did" I replied nonchalantly as I started to pass her, causing her to grab my forearm. "Wait! Hold on!" She practically yelled, "what you didn't come here to bother me."

I was surprised instead of yelling or even glaring, she just fiddled with her fingers which were so unlike her. And even little cute, if I had to say so myself "my mom has a lot of old flowers, too many actually. So she asked if you wanted any." She blushed profusely before shaking her head, was Ino Yamanaka asking me out?

"Don't get the wrong idea, you snob!" She tsked looking away from me with a cross of her arms, she couldn't have had a better time. "Right, let's go" I replied holding a grin,"wait you are serious!"

"I don't hate you Ino" I replied at her outburst.

We had walked in silence, for quite awhile before we made it to the flower shop. "Pick whatever you want" she replied making her way to the back, making my way around the flowers I spotted one that actually caught my eye. It was a yellow Daffodil which surprisingly reminded me of that woman if I remember correctly they meant 'new beginnings.'

"Did you find something you like?" She questioned as she found my choice "ah Daffodils, what a good pick, who are you planning on giving it to, your mother?"

I picked one of the flowers giving it a good stare "maybe" I replied earning me a frown. "Then I'll wrap you some" She replied running off to the back, she was being uncharastically kind. Walking up to the counter I waited for a few minutes before she came with a bouquet of Daffodils I looked at it realizing the rose in the center "Ino..."

"Don't say it! I know it's stupid, but I'm not very good with words so let me say this..."

"I love you, okay!"

"I loved you too" I replied in a whisper.

"I thought so" she started to cry settling down the bouquet. "Ino.."

"Don't think I wouldn't catch the past tense in that" she smiled looking down at the bouquet. "I guess I was too late then" she whispered to herself. "What about Sai?" I questioned which caused her to shake her head. "He already knew about my feelings, but he said he would wait..." She sobbed wiping her tears away, I could barely stand to stomach it.

"He didn't care if I didn't return his feelings for him, I always thought my feelings were one-sided. But it really hurts, this rejection."

"Ino, I will always be here, as a friend" I stated for her to understand, as I took the bouquet fro the crying girl. "I know, just give me some time, okay" she sobbed indignantly. Looking at the rose I plucked it from the bouquet quietly tucking it into her hair, "I hate you" she replied trying to stop the tears.

"Hey, now that sounds more like the Ino I know" I smirked giving her head a last pat, before leaving the shop. If I told myself I saw this coming I would be lying, in all honesty, I always thought my feelings would stay one-sided.

It was pretty late when I made it back home, home when did I start thinking about it that way. Taking off my shoes at the door I walked into the front room finding Temari cooking behind the counter. "You back later than usual" she commented, which was pretty true I was the type to laze around as soon as I got the chance.

Giving a shrug I settled bouquet down on the table, she gave a questioning look before shaking it off. "What's up?" I questioned taking my seat at the barstool, as I leaned my chin on my palm.

"It's just that...Do you think being capable is a bad thing?" She asked scrambling the vegetables into the pan. I sighed at the thought, was this one of her more emotional days "if it is than I guess I like a capable woman." I stated causing her to turn around in surprise a deep blush upon herself, crap I said that out loud.

"W-w-what are you saying?" She stuttered trying to gather her calm. "I never said I was talking about you" I whispered as I snatched a kiss from her soft and lecherous lips. She jumped back in surprise before she could reply, I stood up and walked to the room holding a smirk upon my face.

At least she didn't hate it if she did you wouldv'e smacked me. I chuckled at the thought.

~GummiBearsAndTears Signing Out