This is chapter 8, I really hope you enjoy it. I don't own Naruto or any of the characters, and please R&R.

Tayuya just gawked, open mouthed and wide eyed. His words had been "Ino is going to be staying with us for a bit, you don't mind right?" but what she had heard was "Well Tayuya your great and all but this little blonde bitch has a nice ass, and you don't have a choice wether she goes or stays so shut up". Tayuya gulped slightly "...uh...not...at all" she said in a rasp,thinking the exact opposite of what was coming out of her mouth. Yes she minded!! Of course she minded!! Why would she want HER, of all people to infiltrate her new home and SABATOGE her plans of finding love!? Her brain was going crazy, yelling at her to put her foot down on this idea right now but no other words came out of her mouth. Shikamaru smiled slightly and nodded "Great...I knew you'd understand." Tayuya weakly smiled 'Oh I understand PERFECTLY, it's YOU that doesn't seem to get it' thought Tayuya angrily.

Ino smirked slightly, as Shikamaru released her shoulder and walked back into the kitchen to finish Dinner. Standing across from her was her rival, the enemy, Tayuya. Her plan thusfar had worked perfectly. It had started with her asking her parents if she could move out, telling them she was more than ready for a place of her own. Instead of going to an apartment, she went straight to Shikamaru's home, claiming she had failed to pay rent on the place, and needed a place to stay until she could get the money. It had worked flawlessley. She moved her hands to her hips, looking into Tayuyas eyes as Tayuya stared back into hers. "What's the matter Tayuya...? 'fraid of a little competition, are we?" she teased in a whisper. Tayuya's stare slowly transformed into a glare, her open mouth shutting as she forcefully grinded her teeth together, hands becoming fists. "May the better woman win..." teased Ino with a smirk, twirling about and marching into the kitchen as though she owned the place.

Tayuya's fists shook in disbeleif, letting out a low and dangerous growl. 'It's war now you little cunt. All bets are off' spat Tayuya in her mind, eyes very narrow. Tayuya soon walked back into the kitchen and sat back down at the table, not even bothering to touch her food. Shikamaru slowly looked up from his own meal to Tayuya, who returned his look with a look of her own then a sigh as she lowered her chin into her arms, resting her head on the table, it had been such a promising night too...nice and cold...warm fire...they would have been able to get nice and close...and Ino had spoiled it all. How dare she invade her life, how dare she spy on them, how dare she poke her ugly pig nose in her own personal buisness. Tayuya was now full on scowling at Ino, thinking all of this through.

Shikamaru's eyes drifted from Tayuya's to Ino's, the gears of his brain slowly grinding and turning. Ino had a look that was somewhere between spite and smugness, staring down her nose at Tayuya. Chouji's words gently drifted into his head "...You know what she's doing...right?
...Spying on you...she doesn't trust her one bit...and I can't say I do either..." Shikamaru shut his eyes and sighed. Was this just another little mission of Ino's? To spy on them both 24/7? Shikamaru finished his food then sighed. "I'll get that" said Ino and Tayuya in harmony,
both of their hands moving to the bowl and gripping it firmly. Tayuya looked up at Ino and Ino looked up at Tayuya. Their eyes narrowed at the same time and both pulled the bowl in their direction, neither letting go and neither looking away as a silent tug of war began. Shikamaru watched this for some time before sighing and taking the bowl himself "It's fine...I'll take it..." mumbled Shikamaru. When he was safely in the kitchen and out of earshot, Tayuya and Ino silently looked at one another, eyes in full glare. "How pathetic" hissed Ino gently. "Sleep with one eye open blondie" retorted Tayuya. Ino smirked "...your so stupid...and foolish.
Shikamaru would never fall for a bitch like you." "And why is that?" growled Tayuya, vicously fighting off the impulse to beat her to death. Ino let out a soft laugh "...look at you.
your scruffy, scrappy, slut filth. I feel sorry for any guy that-"

Tayuya had had enough, she just had. Ino had stormed into HER new home, was trying to get HER new crush, and was trying to fuck with HER own life. She punched her clean in the nose with great force and impact, causing Ino to squeal and stumble backward into the wall where she caused a picture to fall down and hit her on the head, glass shattering when it hit the floor. Tayuya's eyes widened, still holding her fist, staring down at her. Shikamaru ran in then stared at Ino. Ino's nose was bleeding and her eyes were slightly watery with pain, shattered glass littered the floor around her. His eyes slowly moved to Tayuya's fist, then to her face. For the first time in a while, Shikamaru gave her a truely angry look, glaring at Tayuya. Tayuya felt her heart sink, releasing her fist and stepping back "S..shikamaru I..I didn't mean for that to happen!" she said quickly. Shikamaru ignored her, walking to Ino and gently taking her hand, helping her up to her feet. Tayuya watched with a growing sense of panic as he cleaned Ino's nose and gently led her out of the room. Tayuya was about to move to but Shikamaru gave her a look and Tayuya froze. His look told her she was in deep shit. Tayuya softly hung her head then took a seat at the table, resting her face in her arms.

Shikamaru soon walked back downstairs and back into the kitchen, pulling up a chair and sitting across from her. He let out a soft sigh then looked at her "...Explain this...and please don't give me bullshit..." Tayuya looked up and bit her lip...explaining it would mean revealing her feelings for him...and she just wasn't ready...it wasn't the right time. She softly looked back down and watched her hands. "...I...I punched her..." she mumbled, not able to think of anything else. "..Why?" he asked gently. Tayuya gulped as she thought of a good way to explain it but the only reason she could safely use was "..I don't..like her.." She instantly realized that was the wrong choice of words. Shikamaru's eyes narrowed "That's it..? You punched Ino because she looked at ya funny?" Tayuya said nothing, afraid to open her mouth again, watching Shikamaru with depressed eyes. "Why do you have to be so goddamn violent, that's the second time today you got in a fight with her, why can't you just grow up?" "Shikamaru-kun I'm sorry" "But you've told me that already, and you did it again" "I mean it this time!" "So you didn't mean it last time?" "Wait, I didn't mean it like that..." "What did you tell me you'd do?" "T-try to hold..my temper" "Your doing a really great job, I thought you changed Tayuya"
"Shikamaru, I have changed, I have!" Shikamaru kept his narrow gaze on her eyes "Then prove it to me Tayuya, I want action, not promises." Tayuya gently hung her head, eyes shut, stunned by the unfairness of this whole thing. "...Yes...Shikamaru-kun.." said Tayuya gently after a minute or so.

Shikamaru sighed, he hated it when he had to lecture people..especially Tayuya. He watched her for a minute or so then looked closer. Tayuya was beyond upset, frustrated tears had formed in her eyes. "...Tayuya...don't...please don't cry..." pleaded Shikamaru softly, getting up and walking around the table to sit next to her. Tayuyas misty brown eyes glanced over at him. It just wasn't fair...things had been so great until Ino had come and wrecked it all. She didn't knew she was far smarter than the Yamanaka girl, but in terms of looks, Tayuya wasn't sure if she could compete. She was feeling the pressure to beat Ino, pressure to hold her temper, pressure to hold her feelings inside. Why did things have to be so complicated? She shook her head quickly,
rubbing her eyes, realizing that the tears had formed. Shikamaru silently wrapped his arms around her, holding her gently, resting her head on his shoulder. Tayuya lowered her hands from her eyes and softly moved them around his neck, holding onto him as she rested her chin comfortably on his shoulder. His hand gently ran up and down her back, stroking it soothingly.
Tayuya's eyes very softly shut and she let out a small sigh, getting comfortable. She sat in his lap and wrapped her legs around his waist, getting as close to him as she could.

Shikamaru was a little surprised at just how close she had gotten on her own, gripping him as though she needed him to live, feeling the occasional tear hit his shoulder near his neck. '...I guess she's just had a really bad day...' thought Shikamaru sadly, now softly stroking the back of her head. After a few minutes it was clear Tayuya had fallen asleep. Shikamaru carried her up the stairs, her legs still around his waist, arms still around his neck. He pushed open the door to his room to find Ino, laying face down in Tayuya's bed. Shikamaru sighed and laid Tayuya gently down on his bed, pulling a blanket over her. He was about to go to sleep when Shikamaru noticed that her nose was still bleeding, she hadnt gotten a bandage.
He watched her for a long moment before getting up with a sigh and leaving the room. After a voyage to the bathroom medicine cabinet he returned with a tissue and bandage. He softly mended her nose, stopping the flow of blood. He finished up and paused, looking over her face.
"I'm sorry about what she did Ino..." whispered Shikamaru, and for a reason he didn't really understand, he leaned in and gently pecked her lips. He blinked, and slowly leaned in again,
this time kissing her. Ino kissed back on her own, still fast asleep. 'Her mouth...tastes.
GAH' Shikamaru quickly pulled back and stood up, backing away from her. Ino just pleasantly licked her lips and gripped the sheets a little tighter, still in slumber. Shikamaru rubbed his head and silently got back into bed with Tayuya. Things were confusing enough as it was.
why did he just go and do that...It was strange. He knew a part of him had liked that...but another part of him felt he was betraying Tayuya..why he felt that he wasn't sure. He and Tayuya hadn't been going out...nor were they dating...but a layer of guilt washed over him as he pulled the sheets tightly over him staring at the ceiling. What was wrong with him?
was the last question he could get out of his tired brain before sleep took over and he drifted silently off.

I hope you enjoyed that, and be watching out for new chapters soon. R&R, no flames!