21/25

"Ino-"

"I need to go."

Oh, damn this woman. Damn her to the deepest depths of hell – only Shikamaru did not really mean it, not like that, anyway. But why, why, why in the name of everything that was holy was she back to ignoring him again?

Damn her.

There was a saying. It had been coined by a scientist, naturally, as he had early realized that scientists had much more intelligent things to say than many poets and writers. Granted, the latter category managed to wrap their words into intricate and lyrical images, but the main message was what counted, anyway. Einstein, Newton and other scientists had found much more straight-forward, true words than their writer friends could ever have stated in less than three stanzas and two short stories.

Repeating the same process again and again in the hopes of a different outcome: this is the definition of insanity.

Shikamaru was, at heart, a realist. Romance wasn't his field of research, emotion never would be something he dealt with happily. He was ready to accept certain things – like and dislike he could understand, and even love and hate – but that didn't mean he had to take a liberal approach to feelings in general. No matter his emotions towards Ino: he wouldn't try to get her to change her mind innumerable times. He'd made his point clear and had asked her out. He'd wait some time, ask her a second time. Maybe a third. But he certainly wouldn't wait forever for her to make up her mind. It wasn't fair to him, and it also wasn't fair to her, either.

But she had kissed him first.

"Shikamaru- Shikamaru! Wait!"

Shikamaru wasn't an idiot. He knew the worst he could get would be a charge for sexual harassment, and he was quite determined to not let it get that far. A no was a no, after all, not a yes in the making.

He kissed her, lightly. His lips lingered – he couldn't help himself – and Ino pushed him away.

Almost before her hands made contact with his chest he was already stepping backwards, the taste and the feel of her causing a jumble of emotions tearing into his heart. You kissed me, too! Damn her. There is someone next to me… Canon for three to four multiple personalities, eh.

"You can't simply-"

"Why not?" He asked, frowning at her. "You kissed me without warning, as well. You could say now was my turn."

"But…"

"Yes?"

"Shikamaru…"

She looked so desperate, so torn and small, that he didn't know what else to say. I want you? Too forceful. I need you? Too true. I love you? Not quite there yet, are we. Just give it up, idiot. For an odd second, he thought he couldn't breathe, but the moment passed. He wouldn't force her. Never. If she didn't want him, she didn't want him.

Damn her.

Cursing under his breath he whirled around on his heels, shoved his hands into his pockets and walked away.

A/N: Many thanks to all of you who continue to read and review this story of mine! Paosu, I am sorry for replying here, but when I try to send you a message a spam alert pops up (?!). Thank you for your reviews! I hope you will like the following chapters, too. :) And greetings to the anonymous guest whose four-word review on ch. 3 really made me laugh.