Disclaimer: Don't own Naruto.

Author's Note: This is the first I've written. Very commonly used, though, I've noticed. Well, with the whole Shikamaru-watching-clouds plot. He's typical, but I love him. :3

Criticism in reviews are appreciated, for they help me. But compliments are also loved. Just feel free and open to say anything.

Can't See What's Right Before You

Shikamaru felt at ease as he lazily rested on the bristly grass that he lay upon. Predictably, he was surveying and gazing at the wandering puffs and swirls above him that swam in their own chasm of blue. He wondered why clouds seemed like such an illusion. They would always appear to be a certain thing, then morph into another. Or they would appear to be more than one thing.

One cloud caught his eye. He had to cock his head sideways to view it. Eventually he chose to analyze it as a heart, a broken one it seemed, since it was thinning out in the middle. Shikamaru thought it was troublesome, especially because he reflected the idea that this thinned out heart might've been a sign for him that's how it's meant to be. He thought life was meant for him to be bothersome that Ino was crazy about that Uchiha kid, and not him. Not that it really mattered to him or anything.

He grew to get into an argument with his conscience until he felt the warmth of the sun become stronger against him. It felt delightful enough for him that he sensed his eyelids growing heavier, and eventually he fell into light slumber. For what seemed about a minute or two, a familiar voice that called his name rang to his ear. Ino. Shikamaru decided to ignore the pestering and annoying voice and remained with his eyes closed, hands rested on his stomach. It was until he heard Ino stop calling him that he grew curious. He opened his eyes to expect seeing the cerulean sky above him. But instead he saw something other than the sky over him. Two cerulean pools of it, actually. And blonde strands of silky blonde threads.

"Wake up, lazy ass!" Shikamaru heard the pestering voice shriek.

"Why do you think my eyes are open?" He asked dryly.

"Don't get smart with me."

"How can I help it?"

The yellow haired girl pouted at the lazy genius that lay before her. She stood beside him on the grass as Shikamaru lounged on it.

"So.. Why are you here again?" Shikamaru asked with a lopsided smile.

"Asuma's looking for you. So I had to come and search for you."

"Forget Asuma." Shikamaru said without emotion. He felt Ino's eyes glaring at him. The next thing he felt was her hand against his, she had a firm grip and was trying to haul him up. But he refused to let her. Although her skin did feel nice against his..

"C'mon, Shika. Just get up." She whined. Nevertheless, Shikamaru continued to refuse after Ino's further attempts. Ino looked at him with disapproval.

Ino lifted her nose up to the sky, arms crossed, and announced, "Fine. I'll just leave you alone."

"Satisfies both of us." Shikamaru smirked.

Ino was beginning to get irritated. She opened her mouth to say something, but then shut it. Then she reported, "Asuma won't be satisfied."

Shikamaru lightly raised an eyebrow knowledgably, as if questioning her 'Does it look like I care?'

Ino gave up and plopped herself beside him on the grass. She sat cross legged and sighed. They sat rather close to each other, considering they were also alone together on a nice sunny day. Ino noticed Shikamaru's eyes were still focused to the sky.

Ino heaved another sigh. She really wished to know what was going on through Shikamaru's mind. Guys are probably more concentrated on training, not girls. Stupid me. She thought to herself. In the back of her mind, she also believed Shikamaru would never make the first move. Like that it would happen. And like she cared. She also noticed that she had stopped nagging about Sasuke in front of Shikamaru hoping that maybe he could get a clue.

"What's so fun about watching clouds anyway?" Ino asked out of the blue.

"I don't know. It's easy against my brain, and it isn't troublesome. Unlike you."

"Pfft. What brain?" Ino asked, even if she had made a mistake. Shikamaru had a brain, all right.

The sluggish boy just rolled his eyes.

"Well fine. You have a brain. An alien sized one, but you're still a dumbass."

Shikamaru turned his head towards Ino, his eyes narrowed.

"Why do you say that?" He interrogated.

Of course Ino meant the fact that he was blind to realize the feelings she had for him. She never tried to make it obvious for she was unsure about the outcome. In addition, she didn't really have the guts to let him know right now.

"Because," Ino shrugged.

"Because what?"

"Because you can't see things that are right in front of you..!"

"Neither can you."

Shikamaru had also meant the fact that he had a little crush on her. It took him a while to admit it to himself, however.

Ino snorted, "Maybe one day it'll come to you the easy way and you'll see."

"And maybe one day you'll just be smart enough to realize."

The two of them sat there blankly for a while in silence. Both of them not being able to read each other's expressions, and both thinking about what each other had meant. The clouds turned shades of orange, and the sky grew pink. Pink just like the slight blush on Ino's cheeks, as she thought of the possibilities.