Just remember that in the winter, far beneath the bitter snow
Chapter 3.
Shikamaru had bought a new sweater for the dinner. Something he would normally never ever do. But when you had the oppurtunity to find a girlfriend you should take it with both hands.
He put some cologne on and went off to Naruto.
On his way to Naruto he thought of possible things he was going to say. He really had to come up with a plan or something because his charisma towards girls sucked.
It started to rain and when Shikamaru reached Naruto's she was soaked.
"Quick come in or you'll catch a cold." said Sakura when she saw Shikamaru soaked in the doorstep.
"Just wait in the living-room until I'm finished cooking." said Sakura and she walked to the kitchen.
He looked around, Sakura and Naruto owned a big house, almost as big as his.
"Hi! Shikamaru!" said a voice behind him.
He turned and saw that Ino sat on the couch behind him. Hi Ino, long time no see! Tell me about your life."
Shikamaru sat down beside Ino on the couch.
(Meanwhile in the kitchen)
"See I told you that they would be happy seeing each other again." said Sakura.
"I hope your plan works, Sakura." said Naruto with a grin.
"Of course." she replied with a bigger grin.
(Back to the couch)
"Well my life isn't that interesting, I own a flower shop and a small apartment above it, and I'm still single, so how about your life?"
'Yamanaka Ino, single?' thought Shikamaru, 'This might be a chance.'
"Well I'm strategic advisor of the Hokage, and I'm single too." he replied.
There was a long silence.
Shikamaru nor Ino didn't know what to say next.
It was Sakura who broke the silence. "Dinner time!"
After 3 weeks of eating ramen Shikamaru was very happy when he tasted normal food again.
"You're a good cook Sakura." said Shikamaru.
"Thank you, but Ino cooks a lot better than me."
He saw Ino blushing.
When Ino was in his team she was always bossy and loud-mouthed, but now she was quiet and kind. 'Time changes people.' thought Shikamaru.
After dinner they discussed the news and the usual matters.
When it was time to leave Shikamaru decided to invite Ino to his house.
"Ino?"
"Yeah?"
"We haven't seen each other for quite a while and I was wondering if you maybe would like it to visit me for a cup of tea." asked Shikamaru.
"The night is still young, so why not?" replied Ino.
They didn't say much as they walked through the streets of Konoha.
"Oh my god! Your house is huge!" Ino said when she saw Shikamaru's house.
Shikamaru unlocked the door and led Ino inside.
"Oh my god!" she repeated when she saw his living-room.
"I'll make a cup of tea, feel free to look around." said Shikamaru.
Ino sat down in a big chair.
Suddenly she noticed the photo-album on the table. She opened it and smiled when she saw the Ino-Shika-Chou pictures.
They had such a great time together.
"Here's your tea." said Shikamaru and gave Ino her tea. He sat down on a chair next to her.
"Do you look a lot into your photo-album?" asked Ino.
"Only when I feel lonely, it's kinda hard to live all on your own."
"I know the feeling." said Ino.
"Look this photo was taken when you became a Chuunin." she showed Shikamaru a photo of his younger self with his a brand new Chuunin vest on.
"There ended the Ino-Shika-Chou." said Shikamaru.
"Yeah."
Shikamaru noticed the sadness in her voice and into Ino's crystal blue eyes.
Ino looked back into his dark brown ones.
Shikamaru fought with the temptation toembrace and kiss her.
Ino stood up and said, "I have to go, it's getting late, thanks for the tea."
And she was gone.
Shikamaru realized that he had let her go. He was such a idiot, how could he let her go?
He decided that he would visit her tomorrow, and this time he wouldn't let her go.