Chapter 3- Confessions
"Wow… It's been a long time since I last went inside your room, Shikamaru!"
"Yeah, sure. It's been years. That was before you fell for Sasuke…"
"Uh-yeah… You're right."
Then, Ino started looking down at her feet. "…about that," she said.
"Huh? What about it?"
"I heard Sasuke's fallen in love with someone else…"
"Really, now? Who? With Sakura?"
"No one knows who… He wouldn't tell who it is. All that Sasuke told me about his true love is that… That person has blond hair and blue eyes…"
AUTHOR'S COMMENT: Hmmm… I think I know someone like that! Blond hair, blue eyes… Doesn't that ring a bell? –SK ;-)
Oh, sorry for interrupting! Getting back…
"Oh, I see… So… You're dumping Sasuke?"
"Sure looks that way… And besides, I think I've also fallen for someone else."
Shikamaru's world suddenly ticked. "Really? Who is it, then?" he asked. "Tell me, Ino!"
Soon, Shikamaru was getting anxious… "Who is it!" he continued asking.
"Why are you so psyched about it?" Ino asked.
"Uhhh… Well…" Shikamaru began, "We've known each other for an awfully long time now, you see… Then, you're suddenly telling me that…
…you've finally dumped Sasuke because you've fallen for someone else."
"Yes, and your point is?..."
"I just want to know who it is! Ino, I can keep a secret! I'm your CLOSE friend, remember?"
CLOSE friend? Ino thought. Oh, here we go again…
Soon, Ino started sweating all over again…
"Hey, Ino? Are you feeling alright? Oh, no… Maybe you've caught my fever… I'm sorry."
"Huh? Oh, no! It's okay! I'm completely fine! Don't worry about me, darling."
"What?"
"HUH! I mean, um, I'm okay, Shikamaru!"
Shikamaru scratched his head and yawned… "Okay. Ya know, I think this fever is making me hear things! Just a second ago, I thought I heard you call me 'darling!'"
"Huh!" Ino blushed, "Of… Of course not."
Shikamaru smiled at her and said, "You look really cute when you blush! I like the shy Ino…"
This just made Ino blush even more.
Suddenly, the door opened and in came Shikaku with a video camera…
"Hah! I knew it! The two of you actually like each other!"
"Dad! What are you doing here!"
"Huh? Well, I just heard the two of you talking and suddenly your conversation was starting to get really awkward, so I…"
"…DAD! JUST GET OUT AND LEAVE US ALONE!"
Then, Shikamaru pushed his father out of his room and locked the door.
"How troublesome…" he said.
Ino was still blushing. She couldn't stand to look at him… Shikamaru's compliments were circling her head… "You look really cute when you blush! I like the shy Ino…" He called me 'cute' she thought. She was frozen once again. She couldn't utter a single word.
"Hey, Ino. Are you sure you're alright?"
"Yeah, I'm fine."
"I know! Could I try to guess who you like now?"
"Huh? Sure, I guess."
"Okay… Is it Naruto?"
"WhaAaAaAaAaT! Heck no! There's no way I'd fall for a guy like him!"
"Uhhh… Is it Kakashi?"
"Huh! No! I find him too old for me! I'd usually prefer someone younger…"
"…Iruka-sensei?"
"NoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo!"
"Okay then, is it Gaara?"
"Huh! He'd KILL me if I ever tried to kiss him… Which'll never happen, of course! Guess some more!"
"Rock Lee?"
"Huh? No, he's Sakura's! And he looks too much like Gai-sensei! No!"
"Okay, how 'bout Neji?"
"Okay, I admit, he is kinda cute… But yeckh! Nope, not my type. Guess some more."
"Okay, Hinata then!"
"WhAaAaAaAaAaAaAaAaAaT! Do… Do you think I'm lesbian!"
"Heheh… Whoops, sorry. Ummm… Is it Sasuke?"
"Uhhh… I just dumped Sasuke."
"Oh. Yeah. I forgot… Is it Kiba?"
"Eww! No! I hate animals…"
"Is it Shino?"
"Eeeeeeewwww! I hate BUGS even more! No!"
Suddenly, Ino realized that Shikamaru had just mentioned almost all the students in the academy…
She was afraid he would soon realize it was him…
"Uhhh… Shikamaru, let's give you your sponge bath now, okay?"
"Wait! I… I think I know who it is… Yes. I know who you love."
"You… You do?"
Ino was getting worried. She loves Shikamaru, but what if he didn't feel the same way about her? Her heart would shatter to pieces… Oh no, Ino thought.
"He's someone you've known for quite a while now, isn't he?"
Quietly, Ino replied, "…yes, he is."
"Does he wear the same pair of earrings as yours?"
"Yes. He… He does."
"He's one of your closest friends, am I correct?"
"Y-yes, Shikamaru… He… He is… And that is why now, I must tell you that…"
"…IT'S CHOJI! CHOJI'S THE GUY YOU LIKE, AM I RIGHT!"
"Huh! Ohhh…" Suddenly, Ino fainted.
"Ino! Are you okay? Hey! Speak to me! Oh, Ino…"