Author's Note: I had a lot of fun writing this chapter XD. Thanks to everyone who has reviewed and read my story! Keep those reviews coming!

Troublesome Love

Chapter 5- Misunderstanding?

"Have a great day!" Ino called after the couple that had just bought the daffodil bouquet that was on display. She waited until the couple was completely out the door before she turned to the still bewildered man beside her. To be honest, she herself was still a little dizzy. The two of them just stared at one another for what seemed like an eternity, but was really only a few seconds. Finally, Shikamaru was the one to speak up first.

"I think we need to talk…about what that was. Come over to my place tonight?" He didn't really want to talk about it in the flower shop. There was too high of a chance that another customer could come, or someone could enter through the back door like Sakura had earlier. It was too risky and uncomfortable to talk about it here.

Ino agreed. What had just happened needed to be discussed, and privately. "Alright." She responded. "Should I bring something to eat, or…?"

"I have some leftovers from Choji's party." Shikamaru said. "They need to be eaten soon or they'll go bad. We can just have the rest of those." It wasn't exactly romantic or glamorous, but it would do. Ino wouldn't have had it any other way. The casual atmosphere would probably make it easier for the two of them to talk about what had happened. Ino just prayed that things would go smoothly, and the two of them would be able to come to an understanding.

"Guess I'll…see you later then." Shikamaru said, getting up from the chair he was now sitting on and turning to head for the door. "Shikamaru?" Ino asked, courage bubbling up in her stomach as she walked toward him. Shikamaru turned his head to look at her, and froze when Ino got so close to him.

Ino wrapped her arms around him, hugging him gently. She breathed deeply, taking in the smell she was now addicted to. "Thanks…for helping out today." She murmured against his chest as she hugged him a little tighter.

It took Shikamaru a few moments to get over the initial shock, but soon his own arms were wrapping around the girl hugging him, returning the gesture. "Hm? I barely did anything." He said quietly, his hands resting on her back. Ino hadn't expected him to hug her back, and feeling his arms around her only made her heart beat faster. Slowly she lifted her head from his chest, and looked up into those dark, alluring eyes.

"I meant what I said earlier."

It wasn't very specific, but Shikamaru knew exactly what Ino was talking about. The way she looked up at him made his whole body feel warm, and he gave her a warm smile as he lowered his head to the side of her's. His head almost rested on her shoulder as he whispered close to her ear.

"Me too."

And with those two little words, Shikamaru released his hold on Ino and walked towards the front door of the shop. Once he was outside, he looked back in the window only to see Ino staring dumbfounded at him, her face as red as a tomato. Shikamaru laughed at the sight and waved as he made his way back to his apartment.

When Shikamaru whispered close to her ear, Ino's face slowly became redder and redder, her heart beating out of control. The feel of his breath whispering into her ear was so…sexy. She couldn't help but stand there and watch as the Nara walked right out the front door, seemingly unfazed. When he waved, she waved back with a goofy smile on her face.

Tonight was going to be an interesting night.

Hours later, Shikamaru was pulling out the covered leftovers from his fridge as the oven heated up. He had never been the best of cooks, so luckily heating up leftovers was easy. He would have felt awful if Ino had cooked something after working all day.

But as he uncovered said dishes, he noticed his shaking hands. Come on Shikamaru. Relax. Why are you so worked up over this? He took a deep breath to calm himself and put the leftovers in the now hot oven. As soon as the door was closed, there was a small knock on the door that made Shikamaru's stomach twist and turn inside him.

After work, Ino had headed straight home to get ready for her…date? Could this be considered a date? Eating leftovers and talking about why they had almost kissed? Probably not, but in any case, Ino quickly changed her clothes and put on a bit of perfume. Even if it was a casual atmosphere, she still wanted to look nice for Shikamaru.

She made her way up the stairs, and gently knocked on the Nara's apartment door. Shikamaru made his way to the door, and opened it to find the very same blonde that his hands had been shaking over. Okay, Shikamaru. Don't screw this up right from the start. Compliment her or…something. He told himself, trying to think of what to say to invite her in.

"Hey."

Oh good going, idiot. Shikamaru sighed, but Ino responded with a smile and her own greeting. "Hey." Well, things were crashing and burning fast. Shikamaru moved on and opened the door wider, allowing Ino to come inside.

Ino walked inside the door, and placed her purse by the entryway before walking to the kitchen. "Sure smells good. You sure those are still the leftovers from Choji's?" She laughed, teasing the boy in front of her. "If I had cooked that, it wouldn't smell anything like that." He responded, moving over to the fridge. "Want something to drink?"

"Oh! Do you have those canned juices your mom always brings over? I love those…" Shikamaru nodded. "I can tell her to bring you some. Which flavor did you want? I have apple, orange, grape, pomegranate…"

"Pomegranate!" Ino stopped the Nara when she heard her favorite flavor, and soon the can was in her own hands. She smiled up at Shikamaru as he handed the can to her; their hands brushing against the others slightly and making both of them blush lightly.

Shikamaru took a seat at the table, holding a can of juice for himself. He watched as Ino joined him, sitting right next to him, and the two of them looked into the other's eyes for a moment when they were at the same level. Finally, Ino spoke up.

"So…you like me, huh?"

Well, that certainly was starting things off quickly. Seemed like Ino didn't want to beat around the bush. Shikamaru could play at that game too. "I have for a long time. I was waiting for the right moment to tell you." Their eyes were still locked together, and Shikamaru smiled when Ino blushed a little. "And? You like me too?"

Ino had been joking when she asked so bluntly if Shikamaru liked her. She didn't expect him to full out confess to her. The words that came from the Nara's mouth made her face heat up, and his question made her hands tremble, the juice hitting the sides of the can in her hand as it shook. She carefully placed the can down on the table and responded.

"Y-yes. I like you a lot, Shikamaru." Her face was definitely another shade redder. "Since the incident with Sasuke. I can't stop thinking about you, Shika. And in a good way." She gave him a small smile.

Shikamaru chuckled, running his hand through his ponytail. "I can't believe it…and we kept it from each other. We usually tell each other everything, Ino." He returned a small smile of his own and leaned his elbow on the table.

"Well, it's not exactly easy to just come out and confess, you know. Even if we tell each other everything, that's a bit of a sensitive subject, isn't it?" Ino watched as Shikamaru leaned against the table, bringing his face closer to hers. "So, Shikamaru…" She started, but was interrupted.

"Can you call me Shika? I like when you call me that. Hearing you say my full name sounds…weird." Never in his life had he asked someone to call him Shika. He thought that nickname was girlish and immature. But the way it rolled off Ino's tongue…sounded nice. Better than when she said Shikamaru.

Ino giggled and nodded. "Well, Shika, what should we do now? I mean, we both…like each other." She too leaned her head on her elbow on the table, bringing her face even closer to the Nara's.

Shikamaru thought for a moment, blushing when Ino moved closer. "Well, it's only logical that we…experiment, right? Maybe…go on a date?" He looked into Ino's blue eyes, loving the way they looked when she smiled like she was.

"Are you asking me on a date, Shika?"

"I think I am."

"And if I refuse?"

"Then that's okay. If you don't want to, then we won't."

Ino smiled, feeling Shikamaru's breath on the tip of her nose as they talked. "Well, I'm not refusing. I'd love to go on a date with you, Shika." Ino couldn't believe what was happening. She was going on a date with Nara Shikamaru, the man she had been crazy for over the last few days. It was like a dream come true.

"Well, good." At that moment, the oven timer sounded, and Shikamaru excused himself to get up and turn it off. He pulled the dishes out and grabbed some plates from the cabinet before bringing everything to the table. "Dig in." He said as he handed Ino a plate.

The two of them served themselves, and started eating. "So, Shika. Can I call you my boyfriend now?" Ino asked teasingly, knowing that word would make the Nara cringe. And, it did. Shikamaru thought for a minute before responding "not like it's my name or anything, but…if you want to, I'm not against it."

Ino's fork froze in it's place. He…accepted? "You're serious? We haven't even been on a date yet…" She said, concern in her voice. "Then don't. It's really up to you what you call me, Ino. For you, I'll just stick to your name for now." He smiled at her, putting a piece of chicken in his mouth.

"Then I'll call you Shika." She said as she continued eating. "Any places you want to go in particular?" She asked. "As long as I'm not cooking, I'm good with anywhere. When are we going on this date?"

Ino couldn't wait until the weekend, so she made a suggestion. "Tomorrow night?" Shikamaru raised his eyebrow at her. "So soon?" He sighed. "But I'm free." Ino clasped her hands together. "Then tomorrow night it is! Should we tell Choji?"

"We'll have to eventually, but let's not worry about it right away." Shikamaru said. Seemed like everything was settled now.

"I hope I don't screw up like I did with Sasuke. Don't hesitate to tell me if I'm annoying, yeah Shika?" Ino said, pushing the remainder of her food around her plate. Shikamaru looked at her, and made a bold move. He set his fork down on his now empty plate, and reached for Ino's free hand. He held it gently, squeezing ever so softly on it.

"Don't talk like that. You'll do great, just be yourself. That's the Ino I fell for, so it's the Ino I want to go out with." He smiled at her. Ino looked into his eyes, dumbfounded yet again. Why did he always make her heart flutter like this? She put her own fork down and held Shikamaru's hand back, feeling how rough and warm it was.

"You're too good for me, Shika." She responded, getting lost in his eyes again. She didn't even hear what he said next, and was pulled back into reality when he squeezed her hand. "Are you finished, Ino?" Shikamaru repeated, chuckling at Ino's spaced out nature.

"Oh…oh yes, I am." She said, but didn't want to let go of Shikamaru's hand. Shikamaru noticed, and let go for only a moment to pick up the dirty dishes and put them in the sink before heading back and taking Ino's hand in his again. Ino beamed and squeezed his hand gently.

"Your hands are so…delicate." Shikamaru said, lacing their fingers together and feeling how soft Ino's hand was. "I feel like I'll break them if I squeeze too hard." Ino giggled and squeezed his hand. "Well, your hands are rough and strong. I like how they feel around mine."

Shikamaru brought her hand up to his lips and kissed it gently. "Our hands are very different, aren't they?" The gesture made Ino blush, and wish Shikamaru was kissing something other than her hand. "They are. But, opposites attract, right?" Shikamaru nodded and kissed her hand again before getting up from the table.

"It's late. I'll walk you back down to your apartment?" Ino pouted up at him from her chair, but realized how late it really had gotten. She was working early tomorrow, so she had no choice but to agree. She stood up from the table, still holding Shikamaru's hand, and followed him out the door and down the stairs. The two of them stood for a moment in front of her apartment, still hand in hand.

"Thank you for dinner. I…had a nice time with you." Ino smiled up at him. "Anytime. Guess I'll see you tomorrow?" Shikamaru smiled back at her. "Mhm. Tomorrow."

Ino had been waiting for this part the entire night. Shikamaru would be crazy if he didn't kiss her goodnight. She wanted to feel the sparks that flew when her lips pressed against his. She leaned her face a little closer, and smiled when Shikamaru did the same.

Shikamaru moved closer to the blonde's face, knowing what she wanted him to do. Soon, their faces were inches apart, just like they had been earlier. At the last second, Shikamaru's lips changed course, and planted a gentle kiss on Ino's cheek.

Ino flushed, and soon Shikamaru's lips here on her cheek, his hand squeezing hers once more before letting go. She head him whisper "goodnight" into her ear, and watched him turn around with an evil grin on his lips. Ino fumed, and called after the lazy nin.

"I sure have one tease of a boyfriend!"