A/N: Well, here's the second chapter. I'm sorry for such late update-I would post it yesterday if it weren't for the fact that, for some reason,I couldn't upload it on I'm planning to post the first part of my second story soon. It'll be much better than this one, at least in my opinion.

Once again, Thanks to all my readers and please, leave a review!bows It'll be really helpful and it'll make me happy, since I didn't have much luck recently. Actually, I'm writing this right before school starts. Today I have a history test...and the German, Maths and Chemistry test didn't go as good as I hoped. Also, I want your opinion whether or not the characters are too OOC.

Disclaimer-Naruto doesn't belong to me


Shika knew that he shouldn't feel that. Love was too troublesome for him. Too hard to understand and too unstoppable. He liked to be free, to have a choice.

He thought that love isn't made for him. He thought that if it weren't for reproduction, he would gladly live alone. If it weren't for the fact that the Nara bloodline had to be carried on the new generations.

Ino on the other hand was incredibly romantic. She loved reading mushy romance or dreaming of her prince charming, rescuing her from the dragon. She always wanted to have a loving and caring husband.

The Nara boy supposed that even if he ever felt love, he'll be able to ignore it.

They both didn't know the so called "power of love"

He didn't know what troublesome action it will force him to do.

She didn't know how easily she'll forget about her childish dreams.

They both didn't know how much and how little at the same time, it takes to love someone.

Shikamaru didn't know when it started. He supposed that he always carried this feeling towards his blond teammate deep in his heart. He supposed that he was born with it.

How else would you explain the way he stood in front of her when something or someone was about to attack? Even if it was a mere dog on their D-rank missions?

How would you explain that, when she ditched lessons in the academy few times, he always had an excuse for her?

"Ino's not feeling very well today, she asked me to tell you that."

"Her mother is sick and her father is on a mission and someone has to guard the shop."

"She fainted on her way to school."

"She had to visit her beloved grandma, who's very sick."

Of course, Ino ditched school only a few times. And, somehow, it wasn't too troublesome to visit her later and pretend to be surprised when she's alright. It was natural that he said how he covered up for her, pretending to think that was the real reason. And Ino didn't want him to look like a liar so she always confirmed whatever he told the teacher.

It never felt troublesome, because the feeling of sharing with Ino a secret, the feeling of her being somehow closer to him than anyone else, was very rewarding.

And then, she would often make him lunch. The knowledge that she made it especially for him, with such care and eagerness, was even more rewarding. They would eat it together, she would ask if it's good, he would grunt something in reply and she would playfully smack him on the shoulder.

Even at her younger days, Ino was an excellent cook.

Ino didn't know when it started as well. She knew that Shika always had a very special place in her heart, but she'd never call it love.

More like devotion, trust, fondness, protection and something more. All these feelings together. That's how she felt about him.

But how would you call it, if not love?

Maybe that's the reason why she always protested sharply when some girls started to talk about him in a bad manner. She always claimed that he was a good, caring guy. She never let anyone to say one bad word about him. That was the reason of many fights with her female friends.

They always liked to gossip on every boy in their class, but Ino never allowed Shikamaru to be one of their subject. She always managed to change the topic.

Of course that didn't go unnoticed. And Ino was blushing every time her classmates made even the smallest comment.

Shikamaru felt exactly the same. Maybe you could also add to the mixture a slight pang of possessives that seemed to be growing in him.

It was starting to get really annoying. When some guys he barely knew, asked him to give Ino a love letter or something else. After all, Ino wasn't the most beautiful girl in the school for nothing.

Of course, he never gave her those letters nor did he tell her about her admirers. Since the first one dared to ask him about his blonde classmate, he always walked her home. And he always stopped by her house to walk with her to school.

In the class he had a seat very near Ino. By her side, to be exact.

Because that's where he wanted to be. Always by her side.

Ino didn't mind at all. Somehow it was comforting to feel his presence by her side. She felt safe and confident. Though hardly any boy talked to her when he was in the class.

Only later, she would understand that the aura he emanated, was enough to scare any possible suitors.

But Ino didn't miss talking to other boys. Those little conversations she had with Shika were enough for her. Plus, he was very helpful on the exams. Even if he never wrote a thing, he didn't mind helping her. And he was very creative when it came to find ways how to help Ino.

When it reached its final peak, when he could feel that if he didn't have Ino only for himself, he would go on a killing rage, he confessed.

Actually, he wanted to ran away as soon as he started, but he couldn't do it, he knew that it had to be done once and for all.

At one point, his voice failed him. He couldn't bring himself to say those three simple words-so he let his body in control.

His lips brushed hers like a quick butterfly.

It wasn't romantic at all. There was no candlelit dinner, no flowers and only one, shy and quick kiss.

And yet, Ino found herself warping him in a tight hug, her blue eyes shining with happiness that she didn't understand.

Till now, she thought of him as a special friend.

Whether it was his blushing cheeks, his struggle to stay where he was, looking her in the eye, it made her agree.

And she felt as if she finally found her place in the world.

He felt as if world was a place without pain, without fighting and the only thing that was present there was Ino.

Because she was his one and only world.


A/N-Nope, that's not The End! I'll write clearly when it's finished. This one still has a few chapters to go, so live with this. And one more plea to you- do you know a GOOD,SERIOUS, Naruto school fic where the main pairing ISN'T SasukexSakura? And where it has ShikaxIno? I'd be grateful if you let me know...