amwong88: i know! i love sweet and sexy guys! haha! anyways, hope you'll like this chappie cuz Shikamaru is pretty sexy at the end too! but...omg! please dun skip everything and JUST read the end XD! enjoy!
naash: awwww...thank you! but here's so little shikaino on the net! ughhh...i wanna read them too!
babykitty2270: hehe! yup yup! but dun worry! one day, he is going to kiss her back! hope you'll like this chapter!
Akino Matoumiken: haha! i know, the kiss and the role thing are kinda sweet! and here's another update! hope you'll enjoy this one as well!
KaiKaiCutie: thanks thanks!
Uzamaki-Girl: hope you'll like this chapter too then!
Lilitoughiepunkie: haha! he is gonna get owned someday! not gonna let the boy wins all the time! haha...
Gonrie: haha XD! an update an update! and omg! i wanna kick her out too...but! still need her in the later parts of the story! hehe! hang in there! hold your anger lolx...
LanzaDeChu: ahhh! im gonna run away from you! lolx...but before i do...THANKS! lolx.
Dyeh: thank you thank you! and phew done the exams! and now focus on the story! hehe! hope you'll overcome your writer block soon!
oztan: thanks for your review! and...hey! you'll love this chappie too, i hope!
Hikari-03: not going to give up! haha...another fluffy chappie! hope you'll like it!
Iyakon Sobek: thank you for your offer! and thank you for all the wonderful ideas! i will add them in as the story goes on! hehe! all nice ideas! thank you so muchie!
iA-yOh aka Fuyu Kuro: omg! my mother thought i was crazee too when i was typing out the chapters! lolx. but it's all right! they are mothers, a huge generation gap! lolx.
cutiepie777: thanks for you reivew!
Shika-Kun: yay! i got two reviews from you! lolx...anyways! he is perfect, i know! but this kind of man doesn't exist on this planet! too bad! anyways, i am going to charge some temari in later! get your armor ready!
-Kristine x3-: read half way of your story! it's great and cute cute! hehe...will review later when i finish the whole thing! hehe! thanks for your review and your reminder!
Chapter 5: The Tangled Feeling
Waking up. Brushing up. Cooking breakfast. Yelling on the top of her lung until Shikamaru woke up.
Preparing everything for him. Making bed and cleaning up the room. Forcing him downstairs.
Watching him eat breakfast. Washing the dishes. Pushing him out of the door. Slamming it shut.
She was already used to this daily routine after a couple of days; Ino was already used to his laziness.
This morning was another sunny and hot day. Ino got up from the bed and took a quick gaze that the sleeping Shikamaru. What a lazy bum! Grabbing her clothes and other accessories from the closet, she quietly proceeded to the washroom to do the washing up. Not only was she used to it, but she was also tired of it. Never in her life did she thought that being the only woman of the house would be this difficult. It was probably because the man she needed to take care of was Shikamaru.
She switched off the running water and changed into her outfit. She pulled the t-shirt over her head and slid into the pair of shorts. Then, she stormed out the bathroom and rushed downstairs for the kitchen. Grabbing the frying pan and tools from the shelves, she cracked open two eggs and started scrambing them while yelling out on the top of her lungs, "Shikamaru, it's time to wake up!"
Adding a little bit of salt and water along with the half-cooked eggs, she yelled again, "Shikamaru, it's time to wake up!"
Quickly and efficiently, she placed the eggs neatly on a plate, putting few trends of hams and carrots beside them. Ino wiped her hands with a cloth as she ran towards the staircase and up to his bedroom. Without knocking or signalling, she opened the door.
Shikamaru was still lying flat on the couch with the blanket half fallen onto the floor. Ino grabbed the collar of his shirt and shook him awake, "Shikamaru, you are going to be late!"
He groaned out and rolled to the other side of the couch, "troublesome..."
"Come on!" The girl pulled his arm with all her might and pushed him to the unoccupied bathroom. Handing him a toothbrush and a cup of water, the blonde hair girl left the washroom and walked to the closet where his clothes were stored. She grabbed a turtle-neck shirt, a pair of pants, a net shirt, socks and the Konoha forehead protector and waited patiently outside the bathroom door.
As soon as the shadow boy was finished washing up, she threw everything to him and, once again, pushed him into the washroom. At the same time, she helped him packed the training bag. She put kunai, scrolls, needles, explosive tags and soldier pills into his bag and zipped it up, "Shikamaru, hurry up!"
"I am coming!" Still sounding as sleepy as ever, Shikamaru managed to let out a reply.
Ino pushed him downstairs. Shikamaru sat by the wooden table and started consuming the food Ino cooked.
He was not afraid of eating the whole thing already. He was already used to her bad cooked meals. Shikamaru never complained though because he was glad that he had a woman to cook for his meals before, during and after his training. He let out a light smile.
"Ino," He called out her name between the chewing.
The girl took a deep sigh and placed her hands onto her hips, "What is it now, Shikamaru!" Sweat was matted over her forehead and her cheeks flushed up because of the rush and movements. The apron began to loosen up and so was her ponytail, "I know I am a bad cook but you just have to live with it!"
Shikamaru let out a light chuckle and took a sip from the glasses of orange juice. He patted the seat next to him to signal her to sit down. And she did. "Ino, you are so troublesome," he teased and grabbed her hand just in time before she smacked his face. Then, he added, "but also the best woman of the house at the moment."
She blushed slightly at the compliment and looked away, "stop talking and start eating, or else you are going to be late!"
Before listening to her order, he pulled her close and whispered into her ear, "you will make a great housewife in the near future," With that, he pushed her away gently and slid the egg between his lips.
Only if he took another gaze at the girl, he would realize how hard she was blushing.
Or maybe, he knew that she was, even without looking.
At that meantime, Ino was busy pacing back and forth around the house. She grabbed his green vest in her arms and looked at the clock. 8:49... The girl gasped and hurried to where Shikamaru was eating. She almost tripped herself, "Shikamaru, hurry up!"
Waiting impatiently for him to finish the breakfast, she pulled him out of the chair roughly and slided the vest onto his board shoulders. She turned him around and pushed him towards the door.
"How troublesome..." He mumbled and she heard it. That was the reason why a side of his cheeks was red when he walked out of the door. Hiding it was no use, the slap was just too big to cover up. Or maybe he didn't even want to hide the mark. Yes, I am going to tell everyone how women are troublesome and violent creatures. Then, he walked off.
Not soon after, Ino ran out of the door for the academy school too.
"Once upon a time, there was a little girl..." Ino was reading a story for her students. Yes, she was a sensei in the academy school now though she was not those who could train and teach the students how to become a shinobi. Her job was to baby-sit younger graders. "Her wish was to become a ninja..." She and her group of students were sitting out in the field under the sun, with flowers sitting beside them.
"Sensei!" One of the little boys raised his hand. Ino paused at look at him, he smiled brightly, "did you want to become a ninja when you were young, sensei?"
Ino smiled and recalled the reason she wanted to become a shinobi. Uchiha Sasuke... The girl sighed happily and replied, "of course I did, but I wasn't a good shinobi." Ino randomly picked up a flower and smiled again, "but I was good at picking flowers!"
They laughed and one of them suggested, "can we pick flowers today too?"
The blonde hair girl nodded and added, "We can if the boys don't mind. But plants can be very useful in a shinobi's life too!"
"Then we're in!" All the boys raised their hands.
"All right!" Ino stood up from her spot and the little children followed, "let's go to where the river is then!"
The children ran towards the direction of the river with Ino tagging slowly behind them. I was once a little kid just like them... She looked up at the blue and bright sky. And you were one of those little kids too...
The past is malleable and flexible, changing as our recollection interprets and re-explains what has happened.
Ino sat on the grass, constantly picking flowers from the ground and put them into her basket. She loved putting them into a vase and displayed her masterpiece. It would be if someone does that for me though... She looked at the running children and reminded them, "don't chasing each other near the river!"
She ran a hand through her soft hair. She loved the way the wind was making her hair float in the air and how the scent of the sweet flowers got into her nose after every blowing wind. Wouldn't it be nice if time can be forever like this? She looked at the flower she picked. Lily. And smiled as she recalled back to her memories...If only time can turn back...
"Shikamaru, just how long are you planning to lie here!" Ino yelled at the shadow boy. "I thought we are going to visit Asuma-sensei!"
"Ino, Ino!" Chouji pulled her sleeves while holding a bag of chips in his hands, "Do you think we should bring sensei some chips?"
The blonde hair girl turned to Chouji and her face boiled up, "Sensei is sick and injured! You expect us to bring chips when he is trying to recover from injuries?" She stared at Chouji and back to Shikamaru, "why are you boys so...URG!"
Shikamaru snorted and rose from his spot, "what do you want to give him then?" he yawned as if he didn't care about his sensei, "troublesome woman..."
"Shikamaru!"
"Shikamaru's right! You should just bring him chips!" Chouji sat beside the boy and stared chewing on his potato chips again, "they are yummy!"
Ino just couldn't hold it anymore, "That's it! If you guys are not going, I will go alone!" With that, she turned around furiously, storming off for the hospital. Suddenly, Shikamaru's lazy voice called her name. Feeling as annoyed as ever, she turned around and yelled out, "What-" but she was stunned by the object she saw in his hand.
"Get him lilies," Shikamaru looked at her with his small eyes, "they are beautiful and sweet."
Ino sighed and argued, "you are ssaying that we should pick random lilies from the-"
"They are just like you." When his brain finally realized what he said, he blinked and looked away, "I mean...they can remind him of you."
The girl kept her eyes on the boy's face, thinking that 'is he getting hot or is he blushing?' and 'did he just say I'm beautiful?'
Ino was drown into her own memories and didn't realize how close the children were looking and surrounding her. One of the students took a huge breath and yelled out once again, "Hello! Earth to Ino-sensei!" Yes, she heard that.
She dropped the lily onto the grass and replied the student with a blush, "Sorry, what is it?"
"Can we go back now?" The child held the flowers in front of her, "We picked lots and we want to put them into a vase!"
Ino stood up from her spot and replied, "all right, let's go back to the classroom." She patted the grass off her dress and slowly followed the running children. Suddenly, she felt dizzy. She was either sitting under the sun for too long, or she was too tired from the work she did in the morning. Probably going to be fine. She chose to ignore it. But it didn't work.
"Ino-sensei, hurry up!" One of the girls turned around for her teacher but realized that her teacher had fallen and fainted onto the ground. The little girl dropped her basket and cried out loud, "Everyone, Ino-sensei fainted!" Then, they all ran towards her.
Inside Ino's head was nothing except for the children calling for her name...
Shikamaru threw few kunai towards Lee who kicked them away with his feet right after. The kunai flew back towards Shikamaru and were struck onto the tree trunk behind him. The bobbed hair boy challenged, "Come on, Shikamaru! You can do better than that!"
Troublesome... The shadow boy yawned and waved at Lee, "can't we just take a short short break?"
"Impossible!" Lee walked to him seriously and grinned, "let's your youth of flame burn bright while you are still young, Shikamaru!"
Oh my god. Shikamaru stared into the hardworking ninja's eyes,"Can we please take a break, Lee?"
Lee sensed the danger and immediately jumped few meters away from Shikamaru before the shadow caught him. He shook his head, "Shikamaru, that was tricky!"
"But it was the only way to stop you from training," he mumbled. He is just full of energy, isn't he? Shikamaru unwillingly stood up and aimed another few kunai at the green beast. At the same time, Konohamaru suddenly appeared behind one of the trees.
The little boy was running towards him, panting for air, "Shikamaru-niichan!"
Shikamaru smiled at the little disturbance. At least I get to take a one minute break now. He tucked his hands into his pocket and yawned, "what's wrong? You look horrified..."
"Of course," Konohamaru wiped the sweat away from his forehead, "Ino-neechan fainted."
What? Ino is- what! Shikamaru raised an eyebrow and pretended he didn't care about that news at all, "So what? She is with the nurses now, right?" Konohamaru nodded gracefully. Shikamaru looked away and started playing with the kunai with his fingers, "then it's fine."
"Oh, Shikamaru." Lee shook his head and narrowed his eyes at him, "Go take a look, maybe she is having a serious illness!"
Shikamaru looked at Lee and his shinning eyes, sighed, "Alright, I will train with you another day!" With a fast hand motion, he disappeared into a cloud of smoke. Deep inside Lee's heart, he knew his training partner was dying to go to the nursing room and see her. But he was just that kind of guy... Lee shook his head and chuckled.
Poof! "How is she?" Shikamaru asked calmly as soon as he arrived to the nursing room. Sakura was treating Ino, who was lying on the bed, unconscious. The shadow boy asked again, this time with more force, "Sakura, I am asking how's Ino?"
The pink hair girl smiled, "She will be fine in a day or two." Sakura poured herself a glass of water and smiled again, "she just overwork these days. I bet she was doing everything for you, Shikamaru."
Heturned away. Troublesome...
Sakura giggled and pulled Shikamaru to the edge of the bed, "Why don't you carry her back home now? She needs some rest."
"But-"
"I've already spoken to Tsunade-sama about Ino and you missing a few days of work," Sakura patted him on the shoulder and whispered softly, "Don't worry too much. I think Ino should be the most important person to you right now, right?" He remained silent as hescooped Ino onto his back. He walked out out the nursing room, thanking Sakura for the hospitality. With that, he disappeared into the corridor.
Sakura stared at his leaving form and smiled. Silly dude...
Shikamaru could feel Ino's slow breathing hitting the back of his neck. He would blush every time she did. He liked the way her body was leaning against his back entirely; he liked the way she was looking when she had her eyes closed; he liked the way her hair was matted onto his shoulder and arm. BUT...I don't like you to be sick and ill, Ino...
It was raining outside...
He gently placed her onto a chair, taking off his jacket and placing it around her, before picking her up into his arms in bridal style. Together, with the sleeping Ino in his embrace, he slowly walked for his house along the dim street. Once a while, Ino's head could contact his chest, making his heart skipped for a second. Sometimes, her hair would tickle his arms which made him smiledand also felt lucky that he could have her in his arms.
Shikamaru looked down at her peaceful face. A part of him wanted to do what she did few mornings ago. That short and simple kiss. But he didn't dare to, not even on her forehead. He was afraid. He was scared that she would hate him for doing that. He was scared that he could not control himself anymore. There was a certain kind of feeling, a different kind of feeling, developing inside him. He didn't know what it was.
But, he knew that if he didn't hide it, he would lose this childhood friend...
They got into the house.
He grabbed a big towel from the washroom after he set Ino onto the bed. He wiped her dry from head to toe, of course, he didn't dare to touch any -ahem- other part of her body during the process. After that was done, he threw the towel into a corner in the bathroom. Shikamaru took a chance to look at how neat Ino made his house and room into. He was glad and proud. And I never take the chance of thanking you...
He gently pulled the blanket over her chins and switched off the lights. Instead of going back to where he was suppose to sleep, he grabbed a chair and pulled itto the edge of the bed. He was going to sit there for the entire night.
He was planning to watch her all night long...
and he knew that was all he could do.
End of Chapter 5
A/N: Whao! I updated faster than i thought! haha XD! exams all over! JUST over, i should say! hopefully i did fine in all of them! and omg, imediting this at 1 something in the morning. I am sorry if there are mistakes and what-so-ever! just wanted to update this chappie as fast as i can! haha! anyways, hope you all liked it! and thanks for everyone's reviews!