Part Four:

ShikaIno divided by Sasuke is equal to Error

â€.

'Would you allow me to hold you just for one last time?'

I nodded, leaned my head and closed my eyes. Feeling the warmth of his protective arms around me and feeling nothing but complete sanctuary.

Why am I being stupid to ignore this feeling that I've always wanted?

It's definitely not the wind.

It's definitely not the springtime breeze.

It was unquestionably

Nara Shikamaru declaring his undying love for me

That, at least—is a consolation.

"Ino? Hello? Hey! Are you still okay?" Sakura asked waving off her hand in front of my face.

I blinked for a few times and shook off my head. Had I been sleeping with my eyes opened? How embarrassing! The fact that Sasuke-kun is here

"Yeah†I'm fine. I was—just thinking about something" I answered briefly and glanced back at Sasuke-kun.

Sasuke-kun has been really quiet. Not that he had been noisy ever since but with Naruto-sama here??! He's really unusually silent. Now is he daydreaming just like me a while ago?

"As I was saying" Sakura placed her index finger on her chin. "I think it's about time you should know the whole thing, Ino. Don't you think so, Sasuke-kun, Hokage-sama?"

Naruto choked from as he devoured himself into his third bowl of ramen while Sasuke—just as he did before—quirked his eyebrow questioningly and stared at us.

Those intimidating eyes that I've come to love so much.

"It's not a good idea, Sakura." Sasuke said bluntly.

Naruto kept on choking as Sakura gently patted her boyfriend's back. It's really amazing how those two had become a couple. Well, it's not really that obvious from our genin days because well†we were both fighting over Sasuke-kun.

I guess it's only my fight now and not ours...

"Why not?!" Sakura shot back at Sasuke.

Well, come to think of it†I really should know. I don't see the point why Sasuke-kun has to disagree.

"Sakura, it's not good to meddle with others' business. It was their problem and it's up to them to talk about it. If they only both agreed to the one-month married task, then they wouldn't have this kind of conflict." Sasuke ordered a glass of water and drank it. "And besides, it's Shikamaru's job to explain everything to Ino and not you."

Sakura knotted her eyebrows and said in gritted teeth, "THEN WHY DON'T YOU TELL HIM MR. SMARTY ASS???!!!"

"And why don't you ask your beloved boyfriend not to touch that part of your body? Or perhaps you do enjoy doing that in public?"

I almost laughed, if I haven't been thinking about him. Who wouldn't be laughing seeing Sakura's face turn red in anger and embarrassment when she saw Hokage-sama leaning his head face-flat on her chest?

Sheesh looks like Naruto is a pervert now, huh? He isn't hanging around their Kakashi-sensei too much lately, isn't he? And now I wonder why I have been asking similar questions like that!

It's just that

I feel soâ€incomplete.

Is it him? Or was it Sasuke-kun?

I really don't know. When I was with him, I've been thinking of Sasuke-kun but now

He's been occupying my mind to the highest degree. It's like...a part of me is missing.

It couldn't be him, right? No... that can't be. He can't be.

"I'll be off now. See ya guys around" I almost said in a whisper and went down the stool. Lifting my feet towards the exit, I walked outside and left the ramen shop. I definitely need some time alone to think.

I love Sasuke-kun. Not him. Period.

Then why am I having second thoughts on cutting off the whole forced marriage thing? Why is he always in mind these past few days? Ever since I arrived back home—which was four days ago already, I've been having these thoughts about him.

I'm supposed to be drooling over Sasuke-kun, right? I should. I must and I would.

But here I am again, my mind preoccupied with the genius guy.

The way he held me so close onto his heart

When his arms around myself

Brought haven to the depths of my soul

"Damn it Shikamaru! Stop bugging off my mind!!!" I shouted and hit my head on the wall of my room.

Bad move.

"Shit!" I squirmed in pain as I felt something swollen on my forehead. Great. Just great. This is what I get when I think about him too much!

A lump on the forehead.

Falling down the floor, I snatched a pillow on my bed and buried my face. I feel so irritated, so annoyed, so infuriated and exasperated! It's like... he's entering my mind involuntarily.

Just like when the flowers' scent enters right through me.

Which reminds me... I saw something on top of the table counter downstairs.

I stood up and ran down the stairs as my heart began to throb fast for some unknown reason. I was anxious, nervous and fearful at the sam time. Strange, isn't it?

If this is what people in-love are feeling, then I wouldn't want to be in-love in the first place.

The problem is—I'm already in-love.

With Sasuke-kun of course!!! Not him.

Peach Blossoms. A bouquet of Peach blossoms.

Now what kind of a joke is this???!!!

I took the bouquet and opened the small card stuck on it. It says:

Ino,

Please always take care of yourself. If only you know how much I value you and how much I love you. Too bad, I can only say this in a small piece of cardboard.

Gommen ne†I've always been a quiet person ever since.

S

I quirked my eyebrow as I read the small note again. "S? Who is S? Another suitor?"

I brainstormed my mind and tried to figure out a particular person with a name that starts with an 'S'. Hmmmmmmâ€.

S--- S--- S

"Now wait a minute!!!!"

'S' as in 'Sasuke'. It couldn't be Sasuke-kun, right??????!!!!

"Oh my gosh!!! Sasuke-kun is my secret admirer????!!! Oh dear...Oh my... what would I do� I love him and he loves me-- which means... Eeeeeekkk!!!!!!" I held the bouquet as tightly as I could and felt my face getting warm. Everybody knows that I've always liked sasuke-kun.

And maybe†he finally noticed me!!!!

Oh shucks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What to do? What to do? Should I ask him on a date or what?

The smile on my face can't help but widen in delight. Finally! All those years†Finally! I would finally be seen as the beautiful kunoichi in the arms of the great and ever-so popular Uchiha Sasuke

I've always wanted that!

And now, my dream came true!!!!!!

"Sasuke-kun! I love you so much!!!!!!!!!" I shouted absent-mindedly in so much happiness and enthusiasm.

To hell with those pestering thoughts a while ago! Right now†I'm certain about what I want.

I want Sasuke-kun and nothing but Sasuke-kun!

Life really is full of surprises

There, I spotted him. Sasuke-kun is perfectly alone! Now we would have our moment together.

I rushed towards him and it didn't take long to get his attention. Again, he stared at me as I made my way in front of him. Oh how I love his adorable face!

"Sasuke-kun I--"

"Have you received the flowers?" he asked cutting me off.

"I" I can't speak. In short, I am speechless. So he did give it. He knows about the flowers and definitely, he IS the one who sent that!

"Well, have you?" he asked again this time in an impatient tone.

Clearing off my throat, I managed to say even if my face was currently burning red, "Yeah†I did. T-They're beautiful"

"Good." He retorted coolly and continued his training.

I remained staring at him with eyes filled with bewilderment. He knows about the flowers and not only that, he liked it when I complimented the flowers. I think this is proof enough.

He did send it.

"Ano†Sasuke-kun"

He glanced at me.

"I†was just wondering"

I should say it. It's the only way I could hear out his feelings for me. There's no use to hide it any longer. It's just proof enough. Sasuke-kun and I are meant to be and nothing would ever change that.

Nothing.

"Ino, would you please spit it out? I'm busy, you know."

I blinked for a few times and asked, "Why did you give me those flowers in the first place?"

This time, it was his turn to quirk his eyebrow confusedly. "Excuse me?"

I sighed exasperatedly. "I asked 'why did you give me those flowers in the first place?'"

I never thought that his next words would be the biggest mistake in my entire life.

"I think you got the wrong person. I'm not sending any flowers to you—neither to anyone."

I could only feel nothing but pure embarrassment.

Author's Notes:

Well†I got to point and clear some things out to the readers and reviewers:

Jonathan Shim:

First off, I'm sorry about that mistake about the kind of marriage in Japan. I didn't know that the girl wouldn't take the guy's last name when they get married because I AM NOT A JAPANESE meaning I DID NOT CAME FROM JAPAN and most especially I HAVEN'T BEEN IN JAPAN not even for a good one minute. So, sorry for the mistake but I still plan it to be that way—although you said it's wrong. After all, I think it would not affect the whole storyline.

And about you opinion 'Uzumaki Naruto would NEVER be the Hokage', I respect that. But I don't agree. Although I know it's your opinion but I think our hero deserves enough credit of being a hokage even if people still think that he is a demon fox. Why? Just ask the Naruto fanatics around there and you'll know why. But for me, I think this is why it's called FANFICTION meaning everything is made out of a writer's imagination.

And I did imagine Naruto becoming a stubborn hokage.

Anyways, I hope I did clear that out for ya and for all the readers and other reviewers.

FiendisHSerapH:

Thank you for the kind review! I'm glad you like it and I'm glad I did help you out with your pending fics. Hey, I checked out your bio and it appears that you are a ShinoXIno fanatic.

Wow†that's pretty unique—interesting I'd say. I think I'm going to check that one out. Hehe

Thanks for the review and good luck also to you!

Irukapooka:

Awwwwwâ€. I've always loved your pen name! It's really cute! Pooka†pooka.. pooka†pooka†XD Anyways, thanks for being a supporter to this story and as always, I would update soon!

Many thanks to you!

Hikaru of Arrow:

Yay! My very first reviewer! Haha†I'm glad that you're enjoying it! Kip in touch! XD

Baby Kakashi:

Awwww†why is it that you guys have cute pen names!!!! XD Anyways, Ino really has to speak up her mind! The fact that her mind is filled with Shikamaru too much lately. Haha†Yeah, it's pretty sad for Shika but hey†it isn't a ROMANCE/DRAMA for nothing

Thanks again!

Moronicus:

Glad you're enjoying the story! Thanks for the review and I'll update soon--unless I want to get my ass shaved! Hahaha... XD Kip in touch also!

And to the other reviewers Chocobaby, Kou Haruko, ThanatosUpbringing, Kawaii-34girl, blader-takao, Kanaru-chan, Mistress Dark, marshmellowluver, Ino-chan (the one who adviced a P.O.V basis! Thanks!) and Ice.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH and I'll always do my best!!!! Hope to hear more from you all!!!!

Peace Out!!!