Chapter 5

Taking a long drag from his cigarette Shikamaru sighed. The mission was a success but why did he feel like it was a total disaster? Maybe it had something to do with his blonde haired teammate. Who was he kidding of course it had something to do with her! Not that she disobeyed his orders or went maverick on him. It was much worse! It hurt to think of the incident. Playing it over and over in his head it was a moment that defined what she really thought of him!

Flashback.

"Ino we have the enemy in sight now would be a good time to use the mind transfer!" she nodded her head, preformed the hand signs perfect and...

"Choji look after my body while I'm gone!"

End Flashback.

The twin looks of shock on both of his and Chojis faces said it all. She didn't trust him anymore! Not even while in battle would she let him near her. He couldn't even explain the pain it had caused him. Realising he had finished his cigarette he got up to get a breather. Been stuck in his house sulking would do him no good! Maybe if he strolled around town he would feel better. Choji had mentioned that Ino was helping set up the party after insulting both the sand brothers. And tonight was the party. He decided he might pop in to the bar unexpected just to see if she was there. Maybe help out a little. At this stage he would do anything to get a foot near her. On the mission she spoke to him only when he gave an order or asked her opinion on how to work the battle. Otherwise she didn't even glance in his direction. As soon as they returned back to the village she pretended as if he was even there! Not the he expected her too!

The village was quite. Most of the shinobi took time off to get ready for the party. It was near sixish and the party was at eight. He hadn't even realised where he had been going until he was standing in front of the Faded Red Rose. It was a big hit in town ever since it was opened. Manly a ninja bar the odd civilians came in. He himself had been here a good few times. That's where Kankuro got the idea to have the party here. The sound of something smashing startled him from his thoughts. A high pitched shriek he heard followed by curses that belonged to a voice he would recognise anywhere!

"What do you fucking mean I've put the fucking banner up wrong?" Ino was starting to get pissed off! She had been here since five and frankly she was getting sick of seeing Kankuros ugly mug! He had been a complete ass to her. Ok she may have deserved some of it because of what she had said in front of him but now he was crossing the line! Nine times she had put that banner up and every single time there was something wrong with it! It was too high or too low, too much to the left or too much to the right and now the piece of shit said it was crooked when it was clearly straight! Finally she lost it and threw a bottle at his head. The stupid prick even had the audacity to move out of the way! He clearly deserved to be hit with it. He knew it and she knew it!

"You are testing my patience make up boy! The fucking banner can stay where the fuck it is. Cause I swear to kami if you make me move it again it'll be shoved so far up your ass that you will be shitting happy birthday for the next year!" Fear flashed through the puppet masters eyes but was quickly replaced with hate.

"Now you listen here Blondie Gaara said you have to help out with setting up. And I want everything perfect! Do I need to remind you that he will write a letter to your Hokage! So you better do as I say! And nothing of importance is to be damaged. That means you will be paying for that bottle that you threw!" Waves of anger where flowing from Ino. The stupid bastard pulled his trump card! Damn it! Suddenly a thought came to her and she slowly walked over to him. He stepped back warily. Gently putting a hand on his shoulder she looked in his eyes and kneed him straight into the balls!

"Oops!" She put a hand over her mouth and her voice was sickly sweet. "You said nothing of importance was to be damaged! And I'm pretty sure those aren't of importance!" walking off smirking and leaving a much damaged Kankuro on the floor. Ino continued her help of setting up. Even though she had felt his presence she made no effort to acknowledge her ex-teammate standing in the doorway. Maybe if she kept pretending he wasn't real he would disappear all together! Wishful thinking at its best!

All day she had salved for that stupid bastard and she didn't care that after such a hit to his privates he may never have kids! Severs him right! Did he not know who he was messing with! Glancing over to him she saw he was still on the floor. Shit if the scary red head came in and saw he had crippled his brother she could kiss her ass goodbye! Walking over to the bar she went to get ice. The unsettling feeling that Shikamarus eyes haven't left her gave her chills. And not the good kind!

"Here I got you ice." She carefully kicked Kankuro. Oh shit he wasn't moving! Did she kill him! Lowering herself down slowly to see if he was dead she poked him. Just as she went to poke him again he grabbed her and threw her over. The next thing she knew she was on her back with a very pissed of Kankuro on top of her.

"You ever do that again Blondie there will be trouble!" She could help but smirk at that! "Challenge accepted asshole!" Pushing himself off her he wobbled to the back taking the ice with him. Only to turn and glare at her! Dusting herself off she began to rearrange the seats. Making sure everything was perfect she decided it was time to get ready. Plus she was sick of being here. She loved parties not setting them up! Making a head for the door she ignored the presence of the shadow user. Only to have him grab her arm!

"Ino please I can't take you ignoring me. Yell at me! Hit me! Do anything please just stop pretending that I don't exist! Please I'm begging you! I know you're hurt but please stop being selfish and talk to me!" His voice sounded pathetic and she couldn't help but notice the black bags around his eyes. He hadn't been sleeping. Good he didn't deserve to! She turned to him with clod eyes.

"I'm sorry Shikamaru how cruel of me to ignore you. How selfish of me to not realise that you're upset. I'm such a selfish person sometimes!"

"Ino that's not what I mean!"

"Oh but you do! How selfish was I when I came home from my Father's funeral to find you fucking the dirtiest whore you could find! I was looking for comfort but I selfishly walked in on you cheating. Stupid me why didn't I think how you're feeling. Well I better go home and think about what iv done just to make sure I never act that selfish again!"

"Ino please I just want to..." The sound of a hand hitting flesh cause the other people who where help to stop and turn round. There stood Shikamaru holding his stinging cheek and a trail of blonde hair leaving threw the door. Kankuro slowly walked over to his friend and put a hand on his shoulder. "Give her time it's still raw!" Shikamaru could only nod and turned to leave. All the time no one noticed the figure with red eyes smirking in the corner!

Okies there's a nothing chapter done. I Know I said it would be longer this time but I've been super busy so sorry for that. I'll try harder next time. Thanks to all who have reviewed and Fav/followed it really helps to write a story if you know people like it :D Just a little something I want to say I'm asking people to vote because I want the readers to pick the guy Ino should be with. I know everyone will not agree with who is chosen but there is a lot who will. The person will be picked by the reader! And I just want to thank all that have reviewed :) so here's how the votes are

Sasuke - 11

Naruto – 6

Neji - 2

Gaara – 1

Kankuro - 1

Kiba - 1