Chapter 12: are you happy?

Ino wondered who it was that knocked on her door as she reached for the knob. "Konichiwa, Ino-chan." It was non other than someone who you'd already figured out, Tai. He held up a rose. Ino was surprised at first, then became curious. "Why are you here Tai-kun?" She asked. "Well, to give you this," He held the rose up to her. "And to ask you something. So, can i?" Ino received the rose and nodded. She came out of her room and closed the door behind her. Then, they went downstairs where the shop was. "So what is it?" Ino asked as soon as they reached at the bottom of the stairs. "I wanted to ask you if you were free tomorrow. It's Valentines Day you know.. So how bout being my valentine?" Ino just froze upon hearing this. She didn't know what to say. Then, she gained her strength to speak and said, "Well, there's a problem." He frowned at those four words. Ino continued though, "I'm actually not free tomorrow. I kinda made plans to see Shikamaru. I'm sorry." She looked at him with those eyes that explained 'don't be mad at me.' Tai was taken aback, although, he stayed cool and smiled fakely. " Oh, then." He was very disappointed. He thought she had forgotten about Shikamaru and maybe moved on to someone else, him. "Well, I'm supposed to go see him now. So gotta run, bye!" She was about to leave but, "Do you want me to walk with you, Ino-chan?" She thought for a moment and opened up her mouth to say, "It's okay, it's really close by. Thanks anyways." She then, quickly left the shop, with the rose left on the counter.

"I told you Naruto, I don't have money.." Shikamaru said as if he didn't cared because he didn't. Naruto had came over to his house to borrow some money to buy Sakura something for Valentines day. Shikamaru was just lying on his bed. "C'mon Shikamaru. I know she'd be my valentine if i got her something. I just know it!" Naruto was so anxious for the day. Shikamaru just looked away to the window. Then something hit Naruto, not literally though. "You're probably using that money for your own valentine. Hmph FINE!" Naruto teased. He loved to tease. "I told you, again, i don't have money." He closed his eyes, hoping that Naruto would be gone by then.

It was Valentines day. Ino probably was with Tai. And She probably forgot about him thinking its over. But Shikamaru couldnt help but think, its "probably". who knows? "SOOO?? What you getting for that someone?" Naruto said trying to be casual, trying not to give anything away. Lazily and without any interest at all, he asked, "What do you mean?" Naruto laughed inside. "You know what I "mean"." Naruto was trying to push it out of Shika. "Ugh, I "don't" know what you mean. Don't you have to be somewhere right about now?" He said, hoping again that he would go away. "C'mon, you know who I mean. INO! aren't you guys that thing called a couple?" Now he really pushed it. Shikamaru didn't want to think about it or talk about it. "No, we broke up, okay? Just leave me alone." Shikamaru turned to his side, his back facing Naruto. "Whoa.. Then why didn't you just tell me? geez." Naruto was really getting on his nerves. Shikamaru sat right up and, more likely yelled, "NARUTO!! JUS--"

"Shikamaru?"

That voice wasn't Naruto's or Shikamaru's. It would be pretty silly to interrupt himself like that. They both turned to the door which was opened and there stood Ino. "Your mom let me in." She said. There was silence so Ino let herself talk. "Naruto can you get out. I have to talk to Shika." Naruto didn't move and i really don't know why. "Naruto! like NOW?!!" Ino asked really really nicely. "WHAT?!! C'MON!! I wanna know what it is too!!" Naruto totally forgot about Sakura. Although, Naruto fled when Ino gave him the look. "Alright, Alright. psh, broke up, heh?" Naruto said under his breath as he left the room. Ino heard and walked closer in the room.

"Shikamaru.. breaking up? Do you want us to be just friends?" Something with Ino's face just changed. There was sadness in her eyes. He opened his mouth to say something but instead, let out something totally the opposite. "Why are you here?" Shikamaru turned the other way, trying not to have eye contact. "It's Valentines day, So i was hoping we'd talk about ..us." Shikamaru was kinda shocked by the last word. He was going to blurt out ' I really like you Ino, I don't want to break up.' but..

"What us ino? Don't you mean you, me." 'you and tai, more likely." He thought in his head. "So? Do you want to.." Ino couldnt finish the sentence. She just stared at the ground. "break up?" He thought but somehow ended up out of his mouth. She just sighed and let out a "yeah.."

"Well, answer me this, are you happy?" Shikamaru said. ' with tai?' He thought. She didn't know what to say. Suddenly a part of her said ' not without you, Shika.' but the other part yelled out, ' aren't you already happy. You have been for the past days with Tai, havent you?'. Ino thought about what she was going to say. It was true. She felt happier than ever in the past days she spent with Tai. He gave her the good feeling inside. But She really did really like Shikamaru, the day she saw him more than what his appearance told you. She might even love him.

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What will she say? say that shes happy with the sasuke clone Tai? or that she doesn't want to break up?? OMGOSH!! next chapters gonna be sooo exciting!! [screams like a girl even though im already a girl]

tai is not actually sasuke's clone. just the fact that all the girls are in love with him just like they are with sasuke. xP