A/N: Hey well as you should know (if you read the previous Chapters) this is gonna be multiple chapters long, the odd chapters(1,3,5...) are gonna be the story of Shika/Ino and the even chapters(2,4,6...) are gonna be the story of Kanku/Saku! Enjoy and PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE R+R! it would just really make my day if you did!!!

I'll try to write a new chapter every week or so. If i get behind please don't hate me, it probably just means im having some bad days - it actually happens a lot...haha!

I have footnotes now in these chapters so wherever you see (*) go down to the A/N at the bottom of the page to find out what I'm talking about (or if I just wanna say something but don't wanna interrupt the story.)

I am terribly sorry! This chapter disappointed and depressed me because its so short and doesn't really have point. I honestly considered scrapping it and stating over but it has been almost 2 weeks so I think I at least owed you all something. Please read the bottom A/Ns.

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto, as much as i wish i did :(

Chapter 5

Girl Help

~She looked over at her best friend, sun shining on her glossy locks, and smiled sweetly…but it didn't quite reach her eyes. ~

Shikamaru noticed this and raised his eyebrows, but didn't say anything. He figured she was just thinking about Asuma and Sakura's parents. Oh, but how very wrong he was.

In fact, Ino was still thinking about her old shadow-possessing teammate lying next to her in the grass. Oh, Kami-sama he looks so hot with his hair down like that! I just wanna jump on top of him and make-out with those pretty lips of his!

Now she was gazing at him with something in her eyes that he couldn't quite put a finger on. And he didn't know if he really liked this look he was getting. What is it anyways? Lust…longing…? No way, maybe it's annoyance…?

"Um, Ino, why are you looking at me like that?"

Ino shook her head and blushed. She had been thinking about how she had seen him shirtless while they were sparring the other day; remembering his sculpted abs and perfectly tanned skin. She didn't know when his abs had become so chiseled, but the tan had most definitely come from all his cloud watching and sleeping in the sun. "…gorgeous," came out of her mouth in a whisper.

"Yes Ino, we all know how you see yourself, but could you please tell me why you are looking at me like that." (*)

"Like what?" Ino snapped.

Yep, it's definitely annoyance, but what did I do?! "Oh, never mind. let's just head back to the village."

"You go, I'm staying," was her simple response. What she really wanted to say was, 'I'm gonna stay, and I really want you to stay with me!' But, no, she wouldn't say that because she didn't know how he would react to it.

"Oh, um—"

Please say you'll stay, please say you'll stay!

"—Okay. Have fun," he finished while putting his hair back into its usual high ponytail.

Damn.

Shikamaru thought he saw a flicker of disappointment cross her face as he turned to leave, but looking back, her face was completely blank.

As soon as Shikamaru left the clearing, Ino felt tears falling hot and quick down her face.

Shikamaru headed back to his house – he still lived in the Nara clan's forest, but he had built his own cabin in the woods near Hidan's grave sight (just to keep an eye on him, you know). (**)

Unlocking his door and walking inside, he detected another person's presence. He quickly and silently pulled a kunai out of his weapons pouch and masked his chakra. Stealthily, he moved closer to where the chakra signature was coming from: the kitchen.

"Kiba!" he growled at the ass poking out of his refrigerator. "Oh. Hiya, Shikamaru," replied the dog boy, pulling his head out of the refrigerator and closing the door.

"What the hell are you doing her?!" Shika nearly shouted at the poor Inuzuka.

"Um, well, you see, I need a little help," Kiba said, looking a bit frightened.

Shikamaru, noticing the fear in his eyes, lowered his voice when he asked, "What kind of help?" in an uncertain tone.

"Girl help."

Oh. "And why are you asking me? It's not like I have any luck with girls."

"Because you seem to be pretty close with her."

"Who?" It better not be Ino, you Bastard! Wait, why am I being so protective of her?! It's not like we're together.

"Temari," Kiba stated with a light blush.

Thank Kami-sama! . . . ? "Oh, well, we're not that close. We just work together on the Chuunin exams…and we've helped each other out of a few tight spots," he said, thinking about Tayuya and Kujaku.

"Well, you just seem to know her the best in Konoha."

"What a drag. Yes, I suppose you're right. And fine, I will give you some insight, but I will not talk to her for you."

"Awesome! That's all I ask, Shikamaru, thanks," Kiba exclaimed, beaming.

Back in the field, Ino had fallen asleep again in the sweet-smelling grass and warm sun.

A/N:

(*)- He's so dense!!!

(**)- That is where his chiseled abs came from-building the cabin. ;)

SORRY SORRY SORRY! for the freakin' short chapter. I was having a terribly horrible writer's block! And i know that after I've disappointed you all with this chapter that I shouldn't be making threats, but I feel I have to, so here goes:

IF MORE PEOPLE DON'T START REVIEWING (not Shikaino'Sakusasu'Kibahina4eva you're awesome, keep 'em coming!) I'M GOING TO KILL OFF A VERY IMPORTANT CHARACTER JUST TO PISS YOU ALL OFF! Please don't take this threat lightly. :) If I don't get some more reviews, it will happen when you least expect it...so...yeah...REVIEW!!!!!!!!!