Ladies and gentlemen, DarkDream93 is proudly presenting to you: chapter 7, yay! Okay, it's a bit shorter than the others, but as you will surely notice while reading it, I'm really not any good at drama. When it gets too intense or desparate, I always throw in a stupid joke or something, I'm truly sorry x) Please let me know what you think, because I will do an "ensemble" correction once I've posted all of my chapters. That said, I just have to add: just two more chapters left, it seems surreal! Enjoy and please review!

Disclaimer: go look it up in my previous chapters, damn it! :p

Chapter 7: Kick in the teeth

Sakura looked to her right. Ino was sitting back in her chair, her eyes glued on her knees. The blonde hadn't spoken the whole evening, which was very unlike her. She hadn't even touched her cup of sake. Choji cleared his throat and looked at the couple in front of the three of them.

"So, how did you two get together?"

Temari smiled, grabbing Shikamaru's arm, encouraging him to tell the story. The said ninja sighed and spoke, slightly blushing.

"Well, we have been working together for a long time, and, you know, when you're stuck with someone 24/7, you're bound to kill the person or get together… Can we not talk about this?"

"Actually, it was a bit more romantic than that," Temari interrupted. " He came to me with some miserable sand flower, he wanted to buy me a bouquet, but we don't have flower shops at Suna…"

Ino snorted once, not looking up from the spot she seemed to be trying to burn a whole through with the simple power of staring at it. Everyone around the bar table looked at her.

"Did I say something funny that I didn't notice?" the sand woman asked dryly.

"Nope, nothing funny about you, don't worry…" Ino said, still fixing her spot.

Temari looked up at Shikamaru in disbelief. The strategist just smiled at her, shrugging.

"Clearly someone isn't in a good mood" he teased the blonde in front of him.

No answer. It was Sakura's turn to clear her throat and try to appease the tension around the table.

"Cheers to Shikamaru and Temari, who made it safely back to Konoha." As she raised her glass. Everyone did the same, but Ino didn't bother meeting her cup of sake with the other's and drank it directly.

"What a great month…" The Yamanaka muttered.

Later that evening, everyone went separate directions. Ino didn't say goodbye to anyone and headed straight home.

"Hey, Ino!" someone shouted after her. She turned around to see Shikamaru running towards her.

"What are you doing here? Why aren't you with Temari?" the blonde raised one eyebrow.

"I wanted to make sure you were alright, you seemed a little…tense tonight…"

"Hum, don't worry, I've had a bad day… a bad few weeks, actually."

"Yeah I can see that… Is there anything I can do?"

"Nope, unless if you're willing to kill someone, but other than that, nah, go home Shika."

"What? What's with the killing someone? Ino, I think you…"

"Don't think, you do that enough on duty. Go home to your sand princess and be happy."

Shikamaru just stood there, frowning at the moody girl. The blonde just rolled her eyes, clearly he wasn't going to let her off the hook without any explanation, and she wasn't giving it to him.

"I wanted to let you know, Shikamaru, that I've changed. I've decided to not date anyone for a long time. Thought you would be proud of me.."

"I am, Ino. It's a good decision you've made, taking your time, and I'm sure you'll find someone who will respect you the way you deserve it. But you should know, I've always been proud of you."

"Wow, that's hard to tell… Anyway, thanks, go and be happy with your princess."

The kunoichi turned her back on the young man who just stood there for a while before heading home.

Her parents were asleep, luckily. Ino went straight upstairs and threw herself on her bed. She looked at the ceiling for quite a while, then she put her hand on her chest, making sure her most vital organ was still there, still beating. Wow, it actually was. "I'm not going to cry, nope!" she thought squeezing her eyes shut. "I'm not going to cry… I'm not crying… My stupid cheeks get randomly humid of their own accord! Yep!" The young woman sighed then pulled a sheet over herself.

The next day, Ino was taking charge of Sasuke. He was staying at the flower shop with her because she was on duty that day. The Uchiha sat on a chair near the counter where the blonde was preparing a luxurious bouquet. She was surprised he broke the silence of his own will.

"People do so useless stuff just not to get bored with their pitiful lives…"

"What are you talking about?"

"Flowers. You've actually got a shop full of useless shit." Sasuke took a rose petal in one hand and crashed it.

"Watch your language, Uchiha. You'll scare my clients away. And if you're so much into criticising useless stuff, try and take a look in a mirror and criticise your own useless existence. I'll be glad to help you." Ino didn't take her eyes off her work.

"You're not allowed to talk to me like that…"

"You know what? You're not a v.i.p. I'm supposed to escort, chicken head! I don't know if you noticed, but you're a criminal, a traitor I'm supposed to keep an eye on. So I'll talk to you how the hell I want! Now shut up if you're only going to say useless stuff!"

Sasuke got up of his seat and slowly walked to the counter, put his elbows on the edge and watched the kunoichi carefully across the white counter. She never looked up at him, not merely interested.

"So, is it true?" he asked with his usual cold tone.

"What is, Chicken Head?"

"The sleeping around with random men?" he continued, slightly frowning at his new pet name.

"Oh, it used to be. But I've changed."

"Bullshit. People don't change."

"Correction," Ino looked up for the first time at the man in front of him. "Selfish, apocalyptical bastards as yourself don't change. Us, normal people, have the choice to change what we don't like in our lives. And most of the time, that means changing yourself."

The Uchiha grabbed violently the girl's wrist, forcing her to look him in the eyes.

"Don't ever call me a bastard again!" he hissed.

"Or what, you're gonna wish me to die? Let go of me, Uchiha, you're going to hurt yourself." Ino spoke calmly, but she had already grabbed a kunai she always kept attached to her thigh. He looked at her with that murderous look for a while then let go and regained his original position on the counter. The kunoichi felt slightly relieved. She wasn't sure how strong he was, but she didn't really want to get in a fight with him so soon.

"Is this "change" permanent?" the man continued his icy inquisition.

"I guess so. Why does this interest you?"

"Well, since I'm stuck in this rotten village, I might as well get to know all its village idiots and have some fun pointing out their weaknesses." The smirk on his face made Ino want to slap him so bad, but she forced herself to concentrate on the delicate flowers in her hands.

"If I were to court you, would you sleep with me?"

Snap. Ino broke the flower's branch as she was caught off guard. She managed to compose her face when she looked up at the inquisitor, who had a cold but serious look on his face.

"If you're horny, Sasuke, get yourself a prostitute. I wouldn't sleep with you in a million years!"

"Who said I would give you a choice?"

Against her will, the blonde's blue eyes narrowed.

"What are you insinuating?"

"I think you know well, Yamanaka. What, would there be someone to protect you?"

"I don't need someone to protect me, Uchiha! And you wouldn't get far, I'd cut your balls off before you could make your first move. Now shut the hell up and go sit in your corner, you parasite!"

With a satisfied smirk, Sasuke went back to his seat and sat there arms crossed and eyes closed. The little bell above the shop's door rang, cautioning Ino that a client had arrived. She made her best smile to greet the incomer. That smile quickly faded. Shikamaru was walking towards the counter and Temari was staying slightly behind, admiring the rich world of flowers around her.

"Hey, Ino."

"Shikamaru." She nodded once, but was startled by the sudden presence right next to her. Sasuke stood very close to Ino and watched the strategist analytically.

"Oh" the Nara looked at both of them, then at Ino only. "I didn't know you were on duty today."

"Yes, the good days keep on coming for me, don't they…" the blonde forced a smile. "What do you want, Shika. Flowers?"

"No", the young man seemed a little disoriented by the harshness of her tone. "Actually, I came here to ask you if you would be available to participate at the chuunin exam. There aren't enough jonin, so I'm asking a few chuunin of our grade to survey the rookies. Like, assisting the written exam would be really great!"

"Sorry, I've got my hands full. I've got the shop most of the days for the next few weeks, and they still need my help at the hospital, not to mention with the chuunin exam, kids will be flying in the emergency room constantly…"

"Argh, well, thanks anyway.." Shikamaru was scratching the back of his neck. "So, how's it going in here?"

Ino felt Sasuke's look on her face but decided to ignore him.

"Actually, I'm kinda busy, Shikamaru. No time to chit-chat, sorry."

"So this is your fabulous 'always available' team, Shika?" Temari came to the counter too, grabbing the Nara's hand. "Shikamaru wanted to talk to you all morning, and now you're ditching him for flowers? Some friend…"

Ino clenched her jaw and looked at the sand woman, keeping her face composed.

"I don't expect you to understand, Temari. It's a boring family business, we trust one another with it and live in perfect harmony and love, and my friends understand that. Oh, by the way, how are your brothers? I know how close you three are…" she gave her most cheesy smile and enjoyed the furious look on the older woman's face.

"So, if you don't mind, I've got lots of work to do, but you can come by my house anytime this evening, Shika. You know you're always welcome!"

The strategist gave her a confused smile and dragged his furious girlfriend out of the shop.

"You didn't mean that." Sasuke stated, still staring at the kunoichi.

"What are you talking about, Sasuke?" the blonde closed her eyes to calm herself.

"He's not welcome. You don't want to see him, you're avoiding him."

"Shut up."

"So I'm right" the Uchiha took a seat next to the girl, with an evil smirk on his lips. "You're in love with him, and now you're jealous of an older woman. How pitiful."

Ino took the knife she used to cut off the flowers, and with lightning speed, stabbed it in Sasuke's chair, right between his legs and very close to his intimate parts. She left the counter, going to get a bucket of water. Ino didn't take a second look at the Uchiha, or else she could have seen the drop of cold sweat flowing down his forehead.

"What are you doing?" Sakura asked, outraged.

Ino looked at her with a pitiful face from the branch outside her friend's window.

"I'm in desperate need of girl talk, Sakura…" the blonde pleaded.

"Why can't you use a door?" Sasuke asked from under the tree.

"You shut up, and don't move!" Ino yelled back at him. She could almost hear him roll his eyes when he answered.

"That would be a little difficult since you attached me with your chakra, idiot!"

"And you brought Sasuke?" Sakura's face turned red. "This is really not the right moment, Ino, and you come to visit me with him?"

The blonde raised one eyebrow and eyed her best friend. She was wearing a towel around her body and her hair was almost purple because it was wet.

"Oh, I'm sure Sasuke won't bother your outfit, or even better, we can let him outside attached to the tree! So, will you please let me in…"

"Sakura, what is it?.." A male voice called from behind the pinkette. Ino tilted her head to see over her now more-than-red friend's shoulder a very naked Kakashi, with only a towel around his waist and his hand covering the lower part of his face. He was soaking wet, just like Sakura. Ino's mouth fell open and right when she was about to curse very un-femininely, she lost her balance and fell from the tree. Luckily, Sasuke was on the perfect spot to slow down her fall. He muttered some curse with his face in the ground and a Yamanaka girl sprawled over him. She sat up, patted her arms and backside to get all the dirt off, then she patted Sasuke's head.

"You see, you're not as useless as everyone thinks!"

The Uchiha gave her very explicit threats on her life while the blonde helped him stand up, but she ignored him. The image of Sakura and Kakashi together haunted her thoughts. She was sure going to tease the pinkette forever with the event.

As Ino started walking, she was now wondering who she could turn to for a friendly talk: Sakura was obviously busy, Choji was working with his father, Shikamaru…well he was the problem. She looked to her right, where Sasuke was walking, he looked at her too and when she shook her head, he looked confused. Tenten wouldn't give her any good advice, Hinata was too shy… Oh well, she'd have to go with that last one.

"This way, doggy." Ino directed Sasuke when turning left at the next crossroads, which earned her a disgusted hiss.

The Hyûga mansion was huge, you could get easily lost in all its chambers. Ino politely announced herself at the housekeeper who escorted her and the Uchiha to the beautiful courtyard where Hinata was meditating.

"Hey there, Hinata!" the blonde jumped on the brunette, hugging her from behind.

"I-Ino-san! It's good to see you!"

Hinata turned around and looked shocked when her pale violet eyes met the cold Uchiha ones. Ino looked at the man standing next to her, who couldn't look any less bored.

"Don't mind him. I'm just babysitting him, but I desperately need to talk to someone!"

"O-okay, I'll get us some tea, come."

She led them to a big room, which was one of the numerous guest rooms in the mansion. Sasuke sat down in the garden, analysing the Hyûga training field. The two girls sat to a low table and left the fan open, so Ino could keep an eye on the traitor. Hinata filled two cups with a delicious mint flavoured tea and handed one to Ino.

"Thank you!"

"You're welcome, Ino-san. S-so, what did you want to talk about?"

"Well, where to begin… Okay, I'll just say it directly: I'm in love with Shikamaru, but he's now dating Temari.."

The Hyûga heiress looked embarrassed, not really knowing what to say or do. She only reached her hand out and patted Ino's.

"I'm so scared, Hinata." The blonde's voice was cracking at the end of her sentence. "I think he's really serious with that sand girl, and I'm just starting to fall for him. I'm afraid I'll lose him forever, and I can't be friends with him with all these feelings that seem to burst inside me every time I see him. With her!"

She paused for a minute, trying to keep herself together. The kunoichi looked up at the shy girl in front of her, and her voice, barely louder than a whisper, sounded almost pleading when she spoke again.

"Hinata, how can you stand seeing Naruto always run off with Sakura? How is it you seem always positive and healthy?"

The pale-eyed girl looked confused for a minute, but then she showed almost determination to answer her friend.

"I-I love Naruto-kun, and I only hope he will be happy. Even if it's not with me…"

"How can you say that? Aren't you human? You've got to have at least a bit of selfishness in you!"

"N-no, Ino-san. You are mistaken, I am a very selfish person…"

"Oh, come on, Hinata!…"

"Sometimes, I wish Sakura-san would disappear, a-and maybe Naruto-kun would notice me.. B-but then I get mad at myself for thinking like that, because I also like Sakura-san…"

"Hinata Hyûga, I'm sorry to say this, but you're in love with a dope. You even made him a clear declaration, before you fought Payne, and he still didn't reply…"

The Hyuga heiress giggled lightly, even Ino smiled a bit.

"Yes, Naruto can be a bit dense sometimes, but that's one of the things I find cute in him…"

"Ooooh, you're coming on the dark side of the force!"

The two girls laughed again, then Hinata grabbed Ino's hand again, and looked her seriously in the eyes.

"Ino-san, I think you should tell Shikamaru-san what you feel."

"Wow, I wasn't expecting that, coming from you!"

"I know. B-but when I told Naruto-kun, even if he didn't answer yet, I felt a weight lifted off my shoulders."

Ino thought of what her friend had just said, then looked her hesitantly in the eyes.

"He won't leave her for me…" and she started really crying for the first time. The brunette got up and sat next to the sobbing girl and put her arm around her shoulders.

"Maybe he won't. But you won't know for sure if you don't try. Don't give up, Ino-san!"

"Thank you, Hinata. Can…can I stay here for a bit, please?"

"Of course."

Ino walked in silence home. She had left Sasuke at his guarded flat in the other side of Konoha. The blonde entered her house silently, her father was off on a mission and her mother was probably sleeping. She dropped her keys and her bag near the stairs and went straight to her room. Only bothering to drop her clothes on the floor, she put on a short and a top and threw herself on her bed. The tears wouldn't take long before appearing on her cheeks, buried in her pillow.

"Good evening to you too." A voice spoke somewhere in her room. Ino jumped on her knees on her bed, automatically grabbing the kunai she kept under her pillow. She relaxed when she recognised the familiar chakra and threw herself back on the pillow.

"Go home, Shikamaru."

"You said I could come by anytime this evening. I've been waiting for quite a while, you know." the man sat down next to her on the edge of the bed.

"Not now. Leave me alone."

"What's up with you, Ino? You've been acting all weird since I came home."

"…"

"Are you mad because I came back?" she could guess he was frowning above his analytical eyes.

"I'm not mad you've come back, it's who you came back with…"

"Yeah, I noticed it was a little tense between you and Temari."

"Tense?" the blonde took balance on her elbows as she tilted her head up to the dark pineapple. "The woman's cold and pushy, and just so annoying!"

"I've never asked you to approve of my relationships."

"That's not fair. You're the one asking me what's bugging me, so I'm telling you. If you're not happy with what I think, then go home!"

Ino dug her face back in her pillow. Shikamaru sighed next to her, then reached out to touch her arm, but she snapped it away when she felt the contact.

"Don't do that. You've made a choice, stick with it and leave me alone!" the blonde shouted, her voice shaking even with the fabric muffling it.

"What are you talking about, Ino?"

The kunoichi sat up and looked the Nara right in the eyes, her blue orbs burning through the thin layer of glittering tears.

"Shikamaru, I'm not your buddy! No, I'm not going to jump around the village because after almost a month of worrying sick for you, you come home with that witch as your girlfriend! I'm sorry if I'm so weak, but after what happened between us, I can't just act like I'm happy for you! I'm too selfish for that, and I'll be too selfish to be at your wedding with Temari and I'll be too damned selfish to congratulate you when you'll have your first kid with her!"

The strategist sat on the bed, his eyes almost empty of expression, shock gracing his face. Ino took this chance to lean quickly forward and kiss him desperately on the lips. She threw her arms around his neck in abandon, pressing her body against his unusually cold and rigid one. Shikamaru was motionless against her lips, his brain freezing on the spot. He finally pushed her harshly back on the bed. The young woman looked up at the confused man in front of her. "What are you doing?" he hissed in the most icy tone Ino had ever heard, as he looked down upon her in disgust.

"If you love Temari, then leave now." Ino whispered, a tear rolling down her red cheek.

Without a second thought, Shikamaru got up and jumped out the window. The blonde fell back on her bed, letting her body shake in the emotion.

"Thought so too…"

Hmm, how sad... Sorry Ino, but Shikamaru and Temari seem to be a very popular and natural couple, which I've never understood! Hang in there, blondie! x)

So, what did you guys think? I noticed something by reading the reviews: some people understand inuendos that I didn't put in there on purpose, and I think it's really funny! Anyway, I love reading your different points of view on the story, it's really interesting. In case you didn't get the hint: PLEASE REVIEW! ;)

Kisses, keep reading!

DarkDream93