Disclaimer: I Do Not Own Naruto. Masashi Kishimoto did.

Konoha, 13 & 14 February

Random place, random timeline

PART 4 – Love at the Last Glance

A Dedication to Chouji & Ino

You don't have to look hard enough just to find it. Maybe love is right in front of your eyes all along

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Ino stood calmly behind the shop's counter, hands flipping the latest edition of woman's magazine. Her blue eyes swept over the headline of an article saying, "Are you lonely this Valentine?"

The 16 years old girl grunted as her hand crumpled the edges of the page. "Stupid Valentine's Day", she muttered under her breath. Heck, she might the Beauty Queen of Konoha alright, (that's what she thinks) but the fact doesn't compliment with the situation she's experiencing right now; she's a dateless person On Valentine's Day which happened to be tomorrow.

And also, to top it off her mom gave her the responsibility to watch over the flower shop starting from three days ago. Responsibilities are good for a ninja, but if it's just any normal day, Ino could tolerate it. But right now, we're talking about 14 February. The most anticipated day of girls worldwide, well minus the single ones LIKE her.

And ever since the first day she took hold of the shop, there were many specimens of the male race swarmed over to her shop. Each and every one of them made reservations of red-roses bouquet for their loved ones. From the few that she knew, the earliest person(s) to drop by at her shop was Rock Lee and Hyuuga Neji. Lee, whose girlfriend remained unknown to her, chattered away the surprise he's giving her girlfriend tomorrow. Surprises that include romantic homemade dinner and movie watching at his house. Heck, even Ino herself was surprised that the Green Beast of Konoha was a hopeless romantic at heart. While Neji on the other hand, just remain silent and blushing slightly until Ino broke him from his reverie. "What about you, Hyuuga? What are your plans with your girlfriend tomorrow? It's Tenten right?"

Neji's white pearly eyes widened then narrowed a bit. His eyebrows furrowed, as a mean to conceal his embarrassment. "That's not any of your business, Ino"

Ino rolled her eyes in reply. "Heh, you might think that I asked out of curiosity. But, in order to help you give the best flower for your girlfriend, I need to know what you are planning. If not, the flowers won't match with the event. God knows what taste you boys have in flowers, Neji"

"Sorry, Ino." Neji said slowly after realizing that her intent to help him. Ino just raised her hands in a questioning manner. "So, what's it gonna be?"

It took him almost half a minute to voice out his request. "Ehm…Tenten doesn't seem to like those overly-feminine stuffs. I was thinking of getting her a bunch of red roses, but it seemed so common. I just wanted to give her something that says I loved her but not in an overly-romantic kind of way" His face blushed when he mentioned the word love. 'Weird' Ino thought to herself. Even the infamous stoic, cold-hearted Neji had fallen real hard for the weapon's expert kunoichi.

"I tell you what, Neji. I think the perfect one for your girl would be a posy of pink roses, lavender and a big full-bloom red rose in the middle. Is that okay?"

"Yeah, I think it sounds great." There was a slight pause in his words before he continued. "Thanks a lot Ino."

"Don't mention it. Now, you guys just have to come by tomorrow to pick the flowers up ok? I'll get them ready by the morning"

"Ino-san" She looked up at the other guy with the fuzzy eyebrows. "I wish you a great Valentine's day tomorrow."

Her lips formed a very warm smile. "Thanks Lee. You too, Neji" She waved them goodbye as they walked out of the shop. She wrote the reservations inside a big black leather-bound book on the counter. Just as she had finished writing the last line in Neji's booking details, she was pounced by a very familiar white dog.

She screamed at an alarming rate. "What do you think you're doing Kiba! Are you trying to kill me?" She gave Kiba the deadliest glare she could managed as Akamaru barked at her amusingly. The brown-haired Chuunin just grinned. "Nah…I can't kill you, besides who's gonna help me pick a flower for my girlfriend."

"You…have…a…girlfriend?" Her mouth gaped opened upon his revelation.

"Of course I have. What? Don't look at me like I'm gay."

Ino laughed at his remark. "You can't blame me if I've got the wrong idea. You're always hanging out with that bug-friend of yours together…"

"I think it's rude to talk about someone when that someone is also in the same room, Ino" A deep, calm voice interrupted her.

"Shino? What…what are you doing here?"

"Same as Kiba. Getting some flowers for my girlfriend."

"You too?" Ino sweat-dropped. But, she quickly wished away any treacherous thoughts as she tends to both boys.

Her next customer was Naruto and he made a reservation of a posy of white and red roses. She never thought that the blond, loud-mouthed weirdo would be dating someone. And that someone would be the quiet, shy Hinata of the Hyuuga household. Thinking back, these weirdos (including Shino) actually have someone to celebrate their love with tomorrow.

"Oi, Ino. Can I reserve a garland of violets and if it's not too hard, can you put in some wild orchids in the bunch too?" Shikamaru asked lazily, his hands stuffed deep in his pockets.

"Are you sure this is what you're getting for the Sand girl?"

"Tchh…troublesome women. Do you really have to ask? Temari's not like most girls. She hated roses, so that's why I'm picking something different if I don't want to get beaten to death tomorrow." The dark-haired genius scowled upon having the mental image of him beheaded by the tough, fan-wielder kunoichi the next day if he ever got the wrong choice of flowers. Ino just smile in return. "If that's gonna make her happy, I'll be more than glad to help you."

Placing one of his arms casually on top of the counter, Shikamaru nonchalantly asked her, "What are your plans tomorrow Ino?"

She looked up from the book, pen still clutched tightly in her right hand. "You know I'm not dating anyone Shikamaru…"

Shikamaru let out a small laugh. "Perhaps…you should stop looking hard enough"

"What does that have to mean?"

But all she got in reply was a shrug and a meaningful look from the pineapple head. "I'll come by tomorrow morning to pick it up" Just as the sentences came out, he disappeared behind the door.

'I wish I had use Shintenshin No Jutsu to find out what he meant and then I'll mess his brainy head…' Ino was grinning menacingly until a new customer came in.

"God knows Ino, when you had that 'evil' smile on your face, someone's definitely gonna get injured"

"A...Asuma-sensei? Don't tell me you too?"

Later that night, she had nothing interesting to do much. So, she did the best thing a girl could do in the moments of boredom; call another girl friend.

"How are you doing?"

"Yeah, great. How about you Ino?"

"Same here. So….Sakura…"

"Yeah…"

"What are your plans for tomorrow…since it is Valentine's Day?" Ino didn't really want to ask Sakura about that since she knew ever since Sasuke went away from Konoha, her pink-haired friend shied away from most guys who tried to approach her.

"Well…I don't know how to say this Ino."

"You should go out with somebody you know. You can't be waiting for Sasuke forever."

Sakura exhaled a deep breath on the other end. "Sorry I didn't tell you earlier Ino, but I'm going out with Lee tomorrow. He's been asking me all this years, I just guess I should give him a chance right now. He just said that he has a surprise for me."

She's going out with Lee? Sakura…Lee's girlfriend?

"What…that's great…I'm happy for you. I'm sure that you'll have a great time with Lee tomorrow"

"You think so? Well…how about you then?"

"Mm…me? Nah…I'm not that lucky like you girls. I'm just gonna be at the shop…we had lots of flower reservations for tomorrow"

"I really hope you'll find that person soon, Ino"

"Gee…thanks Sakura. It's not everyday you could hear a friend say sweet things to you"

There was a faint laugh at the other receiver. "Enjoy it while you can, Ino"

The next morning, she helped her mother in preparing all the reservations so they would be ready by the time their respective 'owner' dropped by to pick them up. She was busy tying one pink-colored ribbon onto a bouquet when her mother came in from the back door, carrying a white box filled with lots of red, pink and white flowers.

"Are you sure you want to stay, sweetheart?"

"Yeah, mom…It's not like I have anything better to do anyway."

"It's Valentine's Day. Your friends are celebrating it. SO, why don't you go out and have some fun?"

"Heh…they are celebrating with their special someone. I don't see why I should be in the picture"

"Anyway…you deserved the day off to yourself Ino. I could manage the shop by myself"

Ino laughed miserably to herself. It's not like out of the blue, a miracle would happen and her Prince Charming would came walking through the front door.

Then, there was a loud rapping on the door.

Ino froze. Slowly, her eyes moved towards the shop's entrance. And, there he was…dressed in out of his daily attire.

"Chouji?"

"Good morning Ino, Yamanaka-san."

"I didn't remember having your name on the reservation list, Chouji"

"Ehmm…." His reddening face turned a shade deeper. "I'm not here for the flower, Ino. I came here for you"

Ino blinked several times. "Me? What do you mean Chouji?"

The adorable, plump Akimichi heir turned to her mother. "Yamanaka-san, if you don't mind. May I ask your daughter out today, since it's a very special day?" His eyes filled with unspoken hope and perhaps…love.

"By all means, Chouji. Please do. She really needs to have some fun and not working today"

"Mom!" Ino cried, blushing profusely.

"Now…run along you two. Have fun!" Her mother grinned while pushing the two out of the shop.

She kept glaring at her mom for pushing them out of the shop.

"I'm sorry it took me a long time to ask you out Ino"

"I still couldn't catch what are you trying to say, Chouji"

"I've been meaning to tell you this. And, I was ready to walk out of this door today if you said no. I just need some time to gather the strength to tell you that…I've been having these feelings for you Ino. I think I like you…but, it's okay if you think I should just forget it" Chouji's head hung low in embarrassment.

Ino jumped at him and pulled him into a deep embrace. "Why didn't you tell me sooner, big guy? Are you trying to make me suffer?"

Chouji just grinned as he looked down at the blonde girl beside her. Their hands joined in a deep link as they walked down the streets. "Happy Valentines'…" Her dainty finger went up to his mouth. "No, I don't want to hear that. I think I had an earful of those crappy greetings. Let's just talk about us and what are we going to do for today, ne?" She winked as she tightened her hold onto Chouji's big, muscular arms.

"You know…Shikamaru told me that I should worked harder to win your heart, Ino"

"He did? Well, he told me that I should stop looking harder to find that somebody"

They looked at each other in a questioning manner before they broke into laughter. This is what you call Fate and it has indeed played a big part for the both of them. She's been trying really hard to find true love for all this time; and he was there all along beside her. Chouji was her best friend, a friend who never fails to be the first person to offer a shoulder to cry on and share her problems. A friend worth to be a lover himself.

The End

FINAL STOP: SHIKAMARU & TEMARI

A/N: Spread the love, minna. Have great productive and happy days ahead! -