passion:
meddlesome
by Kayla Chavi
email: kaylachavi@hotmail.com
website: .
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I just have to say, Shikamaru is now my favorite Naruto character. Sasuke is an ass who needs to be beaten to death with his own arms and have his eyes clawed out.
And that's the conclusion I've come to after reading up through 194 of the manga.
At any rate, here's some Shikamaru/Ino cuteness. I wrote this before looking at any of the manga and was so pleased that I guessed his father's character so well. I can't say the same for Inoshi, but that's only because I haven't seen enough of him. I really can't wait until they animate….well, everything. ^__^ I don't want to give too many spoilers.
Anyway, enjoy!
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| |meddlesome| |
It was late. He was bruised, bloody, and exhausted. The last thing he wanted was to deal with interfering adults. However, the moment he saw his father sitting at the table playing shoji with her father, he knew he lost before he'd had a chance to defend himself.
Both men looked up when he came into the room. "Asuma's keeping you later every night," his father commented.
"He thinks that sand bitch is going to kick my ass," he grumbled. "It's annoying."
Inoshi chuckled. "You sound just like this punk when we took the chuunin exam."
Shikamaru shrugged and silently ate the dinner his mother had left out for him. He kept waiting for the other shoe to drop, but the adults continued to play their game while ignoring him. Impatient, he decided that he was going to force them to either give up or to get it over with. It wasn't until he had gotten halfway to his room, that Shikato stopped him.
"You might want to shower first," he said, lazily repositioning one of the game pieces.
His son paused mid-step, a feeling of absolute dread filling his gut. "Why?" he demanded through clenched teeth. Shikato fought to hide his smirk. Even Inoshi seemed to have problems stifling his laughing.
"Ino fell asleep on the couch waiting for you," the blond man explained, looking up from the board. "Shikato thought she'd be more comfortable in a bed."
"My bed." Shikamaru groaned, much to the delight of the sadistic fathers. "Aren't you supposed to be overprotective of her or something?"
"You're only thirteen." Inoshi turned his attention back to the board. "Should I be worried?"
It wasn't fair how much he seemed to be suffering in order to amuse them, for they both laughed at the blush that darkened his face. Grumbling obscenities under his breathe, Shikamaru stalked to the bathroom. Yanking the tie out of his hair, he muttered, "I'm not sleeping on the floor."
He was too tired to take the time to enjoy the hot, relaxing shower and in a fit of uncharacteristic pique he decided to dress in his own room. To dress not more than six feet away from his sleeping friend. It would serve the officious jerks right if he scandalized her.
It was a little disappointing that she stayed sleeping the entire time. He was sure that it would have taken some of the ache away.
Shikamaru crouched down next to the bed to watch the peaceful face of his closest friend. He had grown up with her and Choji. It hadn't been that big of a surprise that the three of them had been put on a team together.
And at the same time, it was odd to see her so unguarded and relaxed. He and Choji rarely saw anything other than her high confidence. Ino had few insecurities and was rarely indecisive about anything. It was why he enjoyed working with her. What you saw is what you got. He didn't feel like he had to second or third guess what she said and did.
She was much less confusing than other girls.
With a quiet sigh, he stood and urged her to move to the other side of the bed before climbing in after her. She stirred briefly but settled after stealing nearly all of his blankets.
"Damnit, Ino." He struggled to get her to release his half of the covers. The silent battle ended when she gave up the blankets in exchange for curling into his side. He stiffened when her arm snaked over his stomach, forcing him to wrap an arm around her shoulders.
Never one to waste an opportunity, he wrestled the covers over them and tried to relax enough to get some sleep. When it didn't immediately come, he glanced down at the blond head pillowed against his shoulder. He sighed again and wrinkled his nose.
'
"What a pain," he grumbled and then, "He doesn't deserve your attention." After getting that out of his system, Shikamaru closed his eyes.
He left before she woke but he couldn't remember a time that he slept so soundly after a hard day of training. It confused him of course, and he would never admit to anyone that he liked sleeping next to her.
Inoshi was still there in the morning when Asuma came for him. It was infinitely rewarding to see the shock on the older man's face when he said:
"Maybe you should worry."