Chapter 5

The day went by faster than he had expected. Ino was eager to learn and showed a lot of improvement by the end of the day. She's not bad once she gets into it and applies herself. Shikamaru laughed, remembering when Asuma told him the same thing almost a year ago.

Ino went to take another bath. This time in the protection of the darkness.

She came back refreshed and clean, smelling heavenly.

"Good night, Shikamaru-sensei," she teased, closing the tent flap behind her.

"Night, Ino."

He threw another log on the fire then unrolled his mat and lay down.

He stared up at the stars as he did every night before going to sleep. He listened to Ino moving around. A light flicked on from within the tent and he turned over to watch.

Moving her arms slowly, she began the ritual of brushing out her hair. It had grown longer since the preliminary exams when she cut it during her fight with Sakura. He liked it long. It shone so beautifully in the sun. He also thought she looked even prettier when she had it down. The wind would catch it sometimes and the blonde strands would dance around her face, making her laugh.

He put a hand up to his own hair. He felt rather self-conscious about wearing it down. I can't pull it off like Sasuke does, thinking of the Uchiha's straight black hair that women would give up their lives for a chance to run their fingers through.

His fingers found the band that kept his hair in place and slowly pulled it out. He shook his head, and his hair fell down to his shoulders. I feel like a mop, he sighed. He put the band around his wrist and lay his head down on his pillow still watching Ino's silhouetted form.

She started to hum. Singing a quiet melody she knew from her childhood.

Shikamaru listened, soothed by the sound. His eyes closed, then opened again, then drifted closed again and remained that way.

The night was quiet. Ino had fallen asleep hours ago, but awoke to the sound of the water from the stream, influencing her to use the bathroom. She stepped out from the tent and found a spot not too far away from camp. She returned and placed another log on the fire, glancing over at Shikamaru's sleeping form.

His back was turned to her and she squinted her eyes to see him in the dim light. Then she noticed it.

His HAIR is down!!!

She crept around to see his face.

His hair was tousled across his closed eyes. His strong jaw led up to his neck muscles which were flexed. His lips were thin but firm and sure, most likely able to produce a kiss filled with passion. He looked less like a boy and more like a man.

Why did she never notice how attractive he was until now? Am I an idiot?

She leaned in closer to his face, her fingers reaching out to tuck a strand of hair behind his ear. Sensing someone's presence, Shikamaru opened his eyes, startling her.

"Ino??? What's wrong!?" He sat up alarmed. "Are you okay? Why are you awake in the middle of the night?" He looked around still not fully awake.

Ino giggled at his reaction. "Calm down. Nothing's wrong.......except that your hair is down."

"Huh??" He looked down and upon seeing the band on his wrist, realized his appearance. He quickly moved his hand to pull it back. "Yeah...I...uh...sleep better when it's down sometimes." He closed his eyes, utterly embarrassed. Then he felt her fingers touch his hair and pull his hand back down.

"It looks good."

He opened his eyes to find himself staring into hers. She guided her other hand up his neck and through his hair. Blood rushed through his body as his heart began to beat faster, unsure of her next move.

She studied his face, which was now fully awake. His eyes questioning her touch, his lips slightly open.

He wondered what she was thinking. The girl looked as if she was trying to decide on something.

"You look...." She paused, not wanting to hold back and tell him he looked...sexy as hell.

I look what??? He thought. Stupid? Like a moron? Like I want to do more than just kiss you? Her touch sent shivers down his spine.

"You look...." Her mind raced for another word, but "...cute" ended up spilling out of her lips.

"You look cute, Shikamaru," she repeated softly. Her hand slid down his face pausing on his chin. She wasn't sure what direction she was trying to go with this so she blurted out, "Good night!" And dashed inside her tent only to collapse in a heap of nervous breaths, leaving him alone outside, his outstretched hand lingering where her form had been.

Shikamaru found air to fill his lungs again. He thought for sure this was going to be it, that their lips would finally meet. He wanted for it to happen and almost took action, but she seemed to be in control of the situation.

Inside the tent Ino cursed herself for losing her nerve. She ran her sweaty hands through her hair and glanced back in the direction of Shikamaru. Next time I won't back down.

Re-adjusting himself on his mat, Shikamaru tried to relax. He sighed, Is this even right? I mean I'm her sensei! What would Asuma think if anything HAPPENED? Mendoukusai na. He would probably slap me on the back and say, 'Way to go, Shikamaru, you got yourself a babe!"

"Hmphh." He stared into the darkness. She certainly was a babe, he thought with a grin. He shook his head trying to erase the arousing visions that snuck into his mind, turning back to his mission of sleep.