Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto. If I did, I wouldn't even know the meaning of the word 'filler' because I would never have a 'filler'.

A/N: This is basically a filler mostly…somewhat not…somewhat is…so yeah…

Published December 1, 2006

Chapter 15 - Taking It Into Consideration

'I need some advice…some persuasion…something! But from where?!' Temari poked her bottom lip with her index finger. 'What was it that Gaara said again a couple of days ago?' Her eyes looked up to her forehead to remember exactly what Gaara said that day.

Flashback

"I'd like to give my interpretation of this chaos." Gaara said. "Temari seems to be having second thoughts about Shikamaru. She doesn't want to go out on a date with him anymore but she still has feelings for him. She doesn't want to give up though because if she told Shikamaru that she didn't want to go out with him anymore, he would choose Ino by default. Ino would feel like a winner and rub it in her face for a very long time. So she can't do that. But she also can't go out with Shikamaru. Even though Temari would love break another guy's heart, Shikamaru's different and because he's different Temari can't tell him the truth. Shikamaru would have made a bad decision and go into an 'emo' mode in a second. Their relationship would be strained. There's no right way out of this if you think of it thoroughly. Sure, Temari could admit defeat, but she has too much pride in herself to lose to Ino. She could tell Shikamaru the truth but she's grown too close to him to change their close-knit relationship. I haven't figured out a way in which there is no negativity involved."

End Flashback

'Oh, yeah. I remember now. Gaara's right…I have to keep my mind on track…but that apartment!' Temari still argued wit herself and new dilemma.

"I need to sleep or something. My brain is hurting like hell!" Temari rubbed her head as she closed her eyes and turned to her side on the couch. 'I don't need to decide what to do now anyways. I have time…' She thought her last thought before she dozed off.

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"Why does this have to be so difficult?! Why can't I just make a decision already?! I need some help!" Ino frustratingly said. 'I know Sakura helped me out. What did she say again? Oh yeah…'

Flashback

Ino sighed. "Maybe I should just go out with Chouji or something."

"Ino Yamanaka! Don't say something like that! Chouji's great and all, but come on; everyone knows you truly love Shikamaru." Sakura said. "Shikamaru is the one. I just know it! He loves you. He just well, doesn't want to die... He loves you! His mind is just confused because of Temari. He really does love you; it's just too foggy for him to see it."

"You didn't realize your feelings for him until he became a Chuunin. I think you had feelings for him all along, but couldn't see them until later." Sakura continued. "Temari's got nothing on you! She doesn't have the same relationship that you and Shikamaru have."

"Well what's the point of pointing out positives when there are so many overpowering negatives?! I'd be hurting myself even more if I stay positive just to have my heart crushed when Shikamaru chooses Temari instead of me." Ino said.

"If you feel that strongly, then tell Shikamaru." Sakura suggested.

"If Shikamaru chooses Temari, they'll be all happy and it's over for me. Shikamaru would be spending a lot of time with Temari. I won't even be able to talk to him because of Temari. In case you haven't noticed already, Temari doesn't like me very much. There would be many awkward situations that I really don't want to face…there are more dilemmas. I could tell Shikamaru that I don't want to date him anymore but by default, Temari would beat me. I'll regret that my whole life…and she would rub it in forever. If I go out with Shikamaru and it doesn't work out…I can't see myself having the same relationship we used to have. There are too many awkward moments that will occur in the future." Ino admitted.

End Flashback

Ino sighed. "There's too much pain mixed in with all of this…I have to remind myself again and again that it isn't worth it…that apartment would be nice though…"

"Ugh! How can I not think of something? It's such a simple question! Do I still like Shikamaru or not?!" A light bulb turned on in Ino's head. 'That's it! That's my question!' She found out. "I have to find out if I still like Shikamaru or not?! Oh my gosh! I finally got it!" Ino breathed in and out to calm herself down. "Okay…now I know what to do."

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A/N: Short, very short. You didn't really have to read it. I just felt like filling this chapter up with a filler. How rude I am.