Ino had to admit, she missed talking to Shikamaru. It was more of her talking at him rather than with him because he never offered much input, he just listened. She wasn't sure what she missed about him though. Sasuke acted similar and she felt comfortable talking about her family to him. He was better than Shikamaru, yet she felt empty.

There was something exciting about getting to know completely different than herself. She had enough similarities with Sasuke and Sakura, that she could almost read their minds. She couldn't do that with Shikamaru. Other than what he said on the Ferris wheel, she didn't know that much about him or his interests. It seemed like he didn't have any. That couldn't be the case, Ino believed.

She probably would never know now. He hadn't spoken a word to her in a week. He'd avert his gaze away from her in the halls and in lunch. She felt invisible. That was word Ino never believed would describe her. She was always the center of attention and at the top of the popularity pyramid. Somehow everyone knew her every action, at least at school. There were times that Ino just wanted it to all stop. All the attention drove her mad. She fantasized about having one single day away from the spotlight. She knew she'd miss it after a day, but what would happen in that day? Would she realize some hidden desire? Would she be able to finally observe others like they did her. Could she freely gossip or spread rumors?

"What's the matter?" Sasuke asked. They were waiting in the cinema parking lot. He parked the car and looked over at her with annoyed eyes.

"Nothing." She answered quietly. Sasuke was willing to sit through hour long rants and stories about her mother, but Ino doubted he wanted to hear about Shikamaru.

They hated each other. Sasuke still hadn't gotten over how he had to make up a story on how he got his black eye to the football team. He wanted to get revenge but Ino assured him fighting violence with violence wasn't the best option. When that failed to convince him, she told him that Shikamaru would probably tattle on him to the principal. It wasn't true at all, but it did its job. She didn't want Shikamaru to get hurt because of her.

"You've barely said a word since I picked you up. You've been talking about this movie for months." He objected. It was true that Ino was looking forward to the movie ever since she saw the first trailer months ago. It was a romantic comedy, most likely insanely cheesi, but those were Ino's favorites.

"Sorry, I was just thinking about...stuff." Ino shrugged as they walked towards the cinema doors. She had insisted on seeing the movie before they had practice later that day, so her mood could rise. There was no point in a cheerleader with no cheer. It was the regional championship game that night, so she had to be at her best.

"Your mom?" He questioned. He had asked that question so many times, that it held no real curiously anymore. The answer was usually yes anyway.

"Yeah, we had a fight last night." She lied. She said it coldly enough so he wouldn't pursue the issue again. He did always know where to draw the line. She appreciated that about him. Although part of her thought it was because he had no desire to continue their conversations sometimes.

"That sucks." He replied with an impressive lack of emotion. It was the response Ino wanted, but she couldn't the frown from forming. He never usually put emotion into his words anyway. What was different this time?

They made it into the cinema building in silence. Ino wouldn't call it tense, but it was unpleasant.

"Do you want popcorn?" Sasuke asked after purchasing their tickets. She shook her head.

She could not afford to eat all those carbs and calories right before a big game. She was head cheerleader. That meant she was front and center; she had to be at her best. All the salt would probably make her face swell too. No thank you.

"You sure?" He asked again unconvinced. Their first date was a movie and she practically ran to the popcorn stand.

"Yeah, that stuff is gross." She stated. Sasuke shrugged and walked past the booth. Ino followed behind quickly. Did his legs get longer again? Were her legs shorter? Could dieting do that?

They had almost reached the room for their movie, when Ino spotted a red scarf with rose detailing at the bottom. It decorated the neck of a brunette woman with piercing brown eyes. It was the scarf Shikamaru bought his mother at the festival. It didn't take a genius to figure out the connection.

Was Shikamaru with her or was she alone? Did she recognize her?

Goosebumps coated her arms and her stomach clenched. She didn't to face him or hearing about him. She missed him. She really did. She didn't want to.

"What's the problem now, Ino?" Sasuke asked, obviously agitated. Shikamaru's mom turned and walked in the opposite direction. Ino turned back to face her boyfriend.

"Nothing. Come on, let's see this movie."

"Do you need a ride to the game?" Sasuke asked as they parked in front of Ino's house.

"No, my mom's coming to see it too. We're going together, it's going to be a blast." Ino replied bitterly. It was another one of her mom's efforts to reconnect with her.

"Alright, see you then." He stated and pressed a quick kiss on her lips. She got out of the car before returning it. She saw him frown before driving away.

They still hadn't gone back to the way they used to be. Ino doubted they ever would. The intamicy barrier between them has grown stronger. Sasuke never pushed it, but Ino was positive he wanted to. She couldn't bring herself to trust him after what he did. She honestly couldn't trust anyone.

Her mom was barely around. It didn't matter since Ino could never tell her any secrets. Her mom wouldn't believe them or brush them off. Uncle Chouza pretty much knew the story anyway, there was no point in adding more details. He'd get so overprotective that Ino would suffocate. Sakura was acting weird around her lately too.

Shikamaru didn't want anything to do with her anymore. He couldn't even tell her why he was so repulsed by her. It probably had something to do with Sasuke. She couldn't believe he could completely ice her out in a day without even asking about her motives. He was so reasonable, he had to have thought about why she continued to date Sasuke. Maybe he wasn't the guy she thought he was.

"How was the movie?" Her mother asked as Ino began to mount the stairs to her room. She just wanted to be alone before hundreds of people would see at the big game.

"Alright." Ino called over her shoulder and continued up the steps.

Sometimes Ino wondered if she should try again with her mother. She actually wondered it every time her mother would reappear. She'd always come to an answer just as her mother left again. It didn't matter.

She wasn't sure how long her mom would stay this time. She hadn't gushed about a boyfriend or her job as much as usual. Maybe she wouldn't disappear this time. Ino doubted that though. False hope never did any good.

Wallowing didn't do any good either. Ino wasn't sure when her undying optimism faded. She could've been thinking about she could get an ounce of free time with cheerleading over until basketball season. Instead she worried about falling off the pyramid or forgetting a move in front of hundreds of people. What if it was windy and she flashed the crowd. She'd be completely mortified.

Sasuke would be in a terrible mood if they lost. His competitiveness always got the best of him. Ino already walked on thin ice around Sasuke on a normal day. She didn't want to deal with him on a bad one. Of course, he'd be in a good mood if they won. He was more attentive on those days. That thought didn't cross Ino's mind. Optimism was a stranger.

Can't you go one day without worrying about everything! Ino internally screamed as she fell into her stuffed animal full bed. She grabbed the closest one to her, held it close...then chuckled it at her ceiling. What did that poor cat do to you? It crashed back down on her face like it was mocking her.

Ino was very frustrated. Maybe at nothing, or maybe at everything. Maybe she was being over dramatic, but she could only find stress. The list felt like it lasted for miles. There were primary stressors like her mom and temporary ones like the game in an hour.

Ino reached for another stuffed animal to launch into the ceiling. Several tiny teddy bears and bunnies crumbled to the ground. It didn't prove anything. Her frustration lingered and she had a sore arm. Her cartwheels were going to be shit if she didn't fix that.

She sat up to do some basic stretches, when her eyes met a proudly standing stuffed animal. It was purple and half her size;it was the on Shikamaru got her from the fair. It sat in the corner of her room by all her other large animals. It's vibrant hue made it stick out like a sore thumb.

Ino felt her hands clench her sheets. Her eyes narrowed into a glare at token a sweet memory turned sour. Shikamaru was surely a source of her frustration. You don't just completely ice someone out in a day? Especially not Ino Yamanaka. He had another thing coming if he thought she'd wallow over him.

She obviously knew very little about the guy. She thought he was different than the other boys at school, but he wasn't. If he'd ignore her because she liked Sasuke more, than he was no different at all. He probably wanted to get into her pants like the rest of them. She saw how he stared at her in her cheerleading uniform. It used to make her blush, but now it made her scowl.

Ino needed to get rid of that bear from her room and Shikamaru from her mind once in for all. He wanted nothing to with her, so she'd make it clear she felt the same.

Ino gave one final twirl in the mirror. She had to look perfect for the game, and make Shikamaru realize what he lost. Her high ponytail was sleek and shiny. She hated how the big bow looked in her hair, so she put it on right before halftime each game. Her lips were glossed and ready to tell Shikamaru off...and call the cheers of course. Ino wished the cheer skirt wasn't so criminally short because it made her thighs look like balloons. She needed to try a new diet for legs. She doubted Shikamaru would notice through his drooling.

She already convinced her mother to go the game without her, she said she needed to give the bear back to Sakura before the game. She believed it without another question. Ino rolled her eyes at the lack of caring. It still made her mission easier. She would march to Shikamaru's house, which was on the way to school. Then, she'd give him a piece of her mind and return the back. She'd finish with a dramatic exit and perform at the big game. It was simple and easy.

She threw on a jacket to combat the late autumn air, grabbed that stupid bear, and was on her way to cross one factor off her stress list. His house was a few blocks away from her, so had plenty of time to yell at him before putting on her game face.

Her pace was determined and quick. She didn't want to be seen lugging a giant teddy bear around town. Her obsession for stuffed animals was a hidden one. She didn't want people to think she was childish.

Ino's resolve faltered when she reached the Nara's front door. What if his mom answered? Or what he found out it was her and refused to answer? Ino pushed those ideas away as she rang the doorbell. No answer. She could see lights on in the house, so someone was home. Ino huffed and rang the doorbell again.

She was about to ring the doorbell a third time, when the door slowly opened. Shikamaru slouched against the doorway with half lidded eyes. He was still in his pajamas. He probably just woke up.

"Hi." He yawned. Ino rolled her eyes at him and shoved the bear forward.

"I'm returning this." She announced confidently. His eyes flickered between the bear at his feet and the cheerleader in front of him. She still looked as beautiful as ever.

"Why?" He asked. At least he hadn't slam the door in her face. Ino still had time to complete her plan. His question was the perfect start.

"Because you've made it perfectly clear that you don't want anything to do with me. So, I don't want anything to do with you like this stupid bear. I won't bother you anymore, and you better do the same." She started. She realized she could end it there and walk away, but she had so much more to say.

His eyes widened a little. Ino crossed her arms over her chest before continuing, "I really thought you were different...a nice guy. But I was obviously wrong. You're just another perverted loser like the rest of them."

Ino felt tears forming in her eyes. She had no idea why they were there. This is what she wanted. She had too much pride to cry in front of him, because of him. Why was he making her act like this? She didn't care about him. Plus, she couldn't ruin her makeup before the game. She blinked a few times to get the tears out.

"Ino, what are you-" Shikamaru interrupted and stepped forward. Ino took a step back.

"I'm not done yet!" She shouted. There was still so much to say on this tirade. He had no right to interrupt her. He brought this upon herself.

Shikamaru slouched again in defeat. He was just as tense as Ino was, that much she could tell. He still wore the same bored expression on his face. He hadn't touched the bear laying across his bare feet.

Ino exhaled a breath that she had held than what was humanly possible, she relaxed her hands at her sides, and locked her blues eyes with his. She couldn't lose her composure and attack him like her conscious was telling her.

"You're actually worse than the rest of them. They didn't pretend to care about me. They just wanted to hook up with me. I wouldn't be surprised if this was all some bet with them." She said bitterly. Saying it made her feel even more stupid.

"Ino, you're being-"

"Troublesome! Of course I'm being troublesome! I'm the dumb, attention craving cheerleader to you, aren't I? Isn't it funny that you only wanted to talk to me when I was in this skimpy uniform? You're-"

"Stop it, Ino. Can I say something?" He asked. He hadn't seen Ino blow up like this before. Chouji had told stories about her infamous temper. Shikamaru had seen sparks of it, but never like this.

"No, no you can't. You lost your right to talk to me weeks ago. And you're never getting it back." Ino objected and turned on her heel. She had made it two steps before Shikamaru grabbed her arm.

"Ino, don't you want-"

"I want you to leave me alone." Ino snapped and pulled her arm back. She walked towards school.

He didn't follow.

Ino checked her phone for the time, as she slumped onto a bench. She still had fifteen minutes before the game. It would take about eight to get there. The further she walked away from that house, the heavier her feet felt. It felt like concrete was filling her sneakers.

Shikamaru watched her go. She could feel his eyes burning into her back. He didn't follow or call after her. He just let her go. It was what Ino wanted, but her heart didn't agree. It was being squeezed at the fact. Ino didn't want to feel that way, she didn't want him to affect her life in anyway.

A droplet fell onto her phone screen. There wasn't a cloud in the sky. If her mascara ran, she would never forgive him.

Another weight rested on the bench. Ino reacted on impulse and jumped up. She blamed Shikamaru for making her nerves overreact. It was just some old guy with a newspaper. It was time to get to school anyway.

"Are you Hisako'a daughter?" The guy and Ino inwardly groaned. She did not feel like dealing with one of her mother's whatevers.

She nodded as she began walking away. She knew she should've lied, it typically worked better than the truth.

"Thought so, you look just like her." He called. She kept walking. Mentioning her mother never led to good things. She had to be cheery for the game, so her mood better not be ruined by this guy.

"I've actually been looking for her. We met in Suna a few months ago. She said she'd call but I haven't heard anything." He continued and Ino heard him begin to follow her. She rolled her eyes and quickened her pace.

"She's busy with work." She replied in an effort to make him go away. Her mom probably didn't remember the guy's name.

His footsteps got quicker and louder. He was in front of her before she could quicken her own pace. "Is she in town?" He asked. Ino nodded. Just go away.

"Good, but the thing is I don't know where you guys live. Could you show me?"

Ino's whole body tensed. Yep, this guy is one of the bad ones. How far was school? All the lessons Chouza taught her came flooding back.

"I've got a game to go to." She replied quickly and walked faster. He didn't take the hint and met her new pace.

"It's very important that I see her." He persisted. Ino rolled her eyes. He was using all the typical lines.

"My game is very important." Ino snapped. She could see the school approaching. A wave of relief washed over her.

It evaporated when his arm circled her waist and pulled her back. "Mine is more important." He hissed. She stomped on his foot and pushed out of his grasp.

"Leave me alone!" She screamed and ran away from the school. Chouza'a lessons were cursing at her, but Ino's gut told her to turn back. Dead sprints were not Ino's speciality but adrenaline worked wonders on speed. She made it back to the original bench, when he reached her again.

"I'll scream!" She warned. The town was empty but hopefully the threat would work. It didn't.

Ino dodged his first lunge towards her and reached for the pepper spray in her purse. He lunged again and pushed her down onto the bench. The pepper spray was launched out of hand. He held her down by both her arms. She struggled but he was much stronger. It was a grip that would surely leave bruises.

"What do you want?" Ino spat and kicked his leg. He barely flinched.

Ino shut her eyes to focus on the situation. She had to calm her racing heart. This guy wasn't Sasuke, he could break her in half if he wanted. She couldn't reach her purse to get her keys. Maybe if she kicked harder or stomped in his foot again. That would at least loosen the grip enough to struggle out of it. He was close enough that a stomp would be more effective, Ino decided.

Ino waited for the perfect moment to raise her sneaker to crush it down on his foot. He was too focused on her that it wouldn't work. He'd step out of the way.

"Hey! Let her go!" An all too familiar voice commanded. Ino looked over to see Shikamaru rushing towards them. So he did follow me after all.

The guy holding her down looked up too, and Ino slammed her foot down. He stumbled back in shock, and Ino bolted from the bench to behind Shikamaru. She noted he still wore his pajamas. He was her knight in crumpled pajamas. She could roll her eyes at it but chose to smile instead.

"You alright?" He asked but kept his glare locked on her attacker.

"Yeah." She assured. His shoulders visibly dropped in relief.

"Good, stay back." He commanded. Ino opened her mouth to ask what he meant, but he was already engaged in a fight with the now alert man. She didn't expect that out of him.

She couldn't think of many guys that would get yelled at mercilessly and still defend that person. Maybe he wasn't so bad. Duh, you knew this the whole time.

"Shikamaru!" Ino called out. Sure he was a hero in her eyes, but he was a scrawny teenager to everyone else. He'd get his ass kicked in this fight. She couldn't let that happen because of her.

To her surprise, this wasn't the case at all. Shikamaru was dodging and twisting out of every attack, and he had landed a few punches on the other guy. They weren't big punches, but it was something. Ino wondered how he was so good at fighting if he tried to avoid confrontation as much as possible. It seemed contradictory.

"Hey! Break it up!" A booming voice commanding. A cop car was parked. Shikamaru was back at Ino's side instantly. Ino vaguely recognized the cop walking toward them. Chouza has introduced them once before probably.

Ino explained the situation to the officer. He questioned Shikamaru a little and arrested the other man. He let Shikamaru off with a warning. Ino would've thrown a fit if he did anything harsher. He was just protecting her. The officer did call Chouza. That was a fun phone call. She had to insist she was fine, have Shikamaru confirm it, they talked about something for awhile, confirm she was fine again, then insist he didn't not have to drive her home. She wasn't going home.

"So, am I allowed to talk to you again?" Shikamaru asked as they went back to his house. She leaned against his arm as they walked. Not for support, but because she separately wanted to be close to him.

"Yes."

"And do you still want nothing to do with me?"

"No."

"I'm sorry for saying all those things back there. I just didn't understand why you suddenly didn't care about me anymore." Ino apologized. She knew he was sincere. He wouldn't have gone after her, if he wasn't.

"It's fine. We could have avoided this if you had listened to me though." He sighed. It was a troublesome ordeal. All he wanted to do was fix his problem with Ino and somehow got involved in a fist fight.

"Shut up. Maybe I wanted you to prove that you could protect me." She teased back. She wanted to be able to take care of herself without anyone else's help, but it was nice to know that somebody could help her out.

"Didn't I do that with Sasuke?" He questioned. Chouza wasn't joking when he said Ino was a trouble magnet.

"Yes, but you lost my trust when you ignored me. You needed to get it back." She clarified.

"But, thank you for helping me out back there. I know you probably didn't want to. You really are my hero." She added. She smirked at the red hue rising in his cheeks. She remembered him saying something about wanting to be a hero on the Ferris wheel. He did it.

"I'll always want to protect you." He mumbled. It was Ino's turn to blush. She wasn't sure if she was supposed to hear it or not. He didn't seem like the sappy type.

Ino decided not to embarrass him more by complimenting him. She couldn't believe he found embarrassment in that. "So how did you learn to fight like that?" She asked. She had been curious about how he got so skilled in fighting. He didn't look like a fighter.

"Those were just some basic self defense techniques my dad taught me. He wanted to train me to be in the army ever since I was a kid." He shrugged. Ino's eyes widened. How were those basic? And if those were basic, then what technique was she using?

"I could teach you them, if you want." He added after noting the shock in her face.

Ino nodded in affirmation as they approached his house. "I have one more question for you, Ino." Shikamaru stated.

"Okay."

"Can I kiss you?"