Passion Island
Ino In Denial
Disclaimer: I do NOT own Naruto.
Pairings: SakuSasu, ShikaIno, NejiTen, NaruHina
Summary: The Genin of Konoha are sent on a 2 week trip to Passion Island for a break by Tsunade. Little do they know that the Jounin have special 'plans' concerning them. Will romance bloom?
Everyone had loaded themselves and their luggage onto the boat (with the exception of Ino who made Shikamaru carry her bags for her again). The Jounin's headed to the captain's room to discuss the routes they were taking with him and the Genin's were left alone to do whatever they pleased. Shikamaru was cloud-gazing next to Chouji who was eating chips a little ways away from them Kiba and Naruto were arguing with Lee about something to do with Gai-sensei. On the other side of the boat (the left) there was Neji and Tenten. Tenten was polishing her weapons and would occasionally ask Neji whether they looked cleaner then before and he would reply every time with a "Hn…" and then continue staring out into the ocean. A little ways away from them was Shino who was silently meditating and talking with his bugs (me: creepy o.0). Then there was Sakura, Ino, and Hinata.
After the Jounin's gave their speech they had all loaded the boat and to Sakura's disappointment Sasuke had disappeared so she had caught up with Ino and Hinata for some girl to girl chatting. They had found a small table for three close to where Naruto, Kiba, and Lee were arguing. Occasionally, you'd catch Hinata glancing quickly over in Naruto's direction then blushing furiously before turning back and joining in the conversation. Sakura seemed to be depressed over having no idea where Sasuke was so Ino had taken it upon herself to do most of the talking (since Hinata wasn't much of a talker anyways).
"So then Shikamaru called me a troublesome woman after I had so kindly tried to remind him that Asuma-sensei was calling us but NO! He just had to sit and cloud gaze for another ten minutes! So then I-" Ino narrowed her eyes. Sakura was looking at Ino but she seemed to be off in her own world and Hinata was busy, once again, staring at Naruto (who seemed to not notice).
"Oy! Are you two listening to me!" Hinata whipped around and Sakura jolted upright.
"Eh! Ah gomen Ino-chan I was just erm…" Sakura blushed and smiled nervously.
"G-gomen I-Ino-chan I too was erm….." Hinata blushed deep red and started nervously fiddling with her fingers. Ino sighed.
"You two are so transparent. Sakura it's obvious that your depressed about Sasuke and Hinata you were wrong when you thought I didn't notice those times when you were staring at Naruto." Sakura and Hinata both blushed and bowed their heads.
"Gomen Ino-chan it's just well…" Sakura trailed off lost in thought.
"M-me too. G-gomen Ino-chan. It's just well N-Naruto-kun..I…." Hinata blushed and turned away in embarrassment. Ino sighed.
"Your both forgiven but I mean really letting two boys get to you like that! How pathetic!" Sakura snapped her head up at this.
"Well what about you Ino!"
"Nani! What about me Sakura!" Ino asked eyes widened a bit surprised.
"I mean what about you and Shikamaru!"
"What about Shikamaru and me?" Ino asked a bit taken aback by Sakura's statement. Sakura raised an eyebrow.
"Well ever since Sasuke rejected you you've been giving Shikamaru a lot more attention then you used to Ino." Ino raised an eyebrow.
"What are you implying Sakura?"
"I'm not implying anything. I'm telling you that you like Shikamaru and not just as a friend." Ino stared at her old friend wide-eyed. Shikamaru! He was just a friend! A teammate! And here she was thinking that she liked him! What was going on lately!
"Nani Sakura! What brought this on all of a sudden! I don't like Shikamaru well I do but as a friend!" Sakura raised an eyebrow.
"Really now?" Ino sat there jaw open.
"H-Hinata you believe me right! Shikamaru's just a friend! Teammate! Really!" Ino turned to her other friend for help. Hinata was usually the one you could depend on if things got rough. Unfortunately, not this time though…
"W-well…Ino-chan has been awfully friendly w-with Shikamaru-san l-lately." Stuttered Hinata nervously. Ino's mouth just stood agape.
"I don't believe you guys! Your supposed to believe me we're friends right?" Sakura just rolled her eyes.
"Of course we're friends Ino but I mean come on! You and Shikamaru are perfect for each other! You get him off his lazy ass with your energetic personality and he calms you down with his calm personality when you lose your temper. It's the perfect combination!" Ino sighed. Sakura did have a point there.
"I-Ino-chan h-he isn't th-that bad looking e-either." Hinata stuttered. Sakura gave a sly grin towards Hinata.
"Deserting Naruto so soon Hinata? Really I had no idea Shikamaru was your type!" Hinata blushed at this statement.
"I-I would NEVER desert Naruto-kun!" Hinata raised her voice a bit still blushing profoundly.
"Yeah Yeah whatever you say Hinata-chan!" Sakura said brushing the matter off casually.
"Sakura-chan I m-mean it really!" Hinata tried to convince Sakura. While Sakura and Hinata bickered Ino was lost in thought.
Sure Shikamaru and her personalities matched up. I mean they had been on the same team for over three years now and they had both adjusted to recognizing each others behavior and how to deal with it accordingly. It was only natural for them to be aware of each other right? And of course Hinata was right about the fact that Shikamaru was good-looking. Puberty had done all the young Genin (and Chuunin) wonders but it seemed it had done most of it's wonders on Shikamaru. He had grown much taller and his body was lean and muscular from all his vigorous training. His hair was still in it's unique ponytail on top of his head and his eyes still had that kind gleam in them.
Shikamaru had always been kind to her. She had always been able to depend on him for support whenever she was down. When Sasuke had rejected her it was Shikamaru who had comforted her. He had noticed that her training wasn't as spirited those days and had asked her what was wrong one day. She had burst into tears and had blurted the whole story out to him. Shikamaru had embraced her and told her that everything would be alright and that soon she would forget about him and move on. He had been right. Her crush on Sasuke seemed so farfetched and juvenile now.
Ino frowned and furrowed her eyebrows. She hated to admit this but maybe Sakura was right. Maybe she was falling for Shikamaru…
Authors Note: Hey everyone! Thanx so much for all your reviews. It takes a lot for me to sit down and write something. I litterally have to force myself but it was a lot easier this time because of all your support. So thank you very much and keep sending all your reviews in! I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Ino finally recognized her feelings! Kyaa! xD There is to be lots of ShikaIno in the future so don't you worry about it! I also forgot to mention that during the story there may be some traces of KibaHina and LeeSaku although NaruHina and Sasusaku are the main pairings. I am also hoping to write the next chapter or two rather quickly because on August 17th i'm off to...Japan! xD I know it's a dream come true! I can't wait! In any event see you all next chapter! ;D