Something wasn't right about Shikamaru... you couldn't tell what, though.2
~~~~~~~~Shika's View~~~~~~~~3
She was in his presence for the second time and he didn't know what it was that was so special about her.4
It wasn't her appearance. All though he had to admit she was very attractive... "No! Leader's aren't allowed to grow too fond of their team mates or students!" All though she wasn't technically his student she was still his team mate. This rule is enforced so that none of the team mates would feel too depressed if one of their team members dies.5
( Idk, if it's a real rule or not... )6
Chouji sat down first, back to a tree. Shikamaru sat down back to a tree near Chouji and saw Ino pull Hikata with her as she sat down across from him. "All right," Shikamaru began, "we will start with our name, something about ourselves and explain a bit about our past."7
Ino looked excited and Chouji was still munching on his chips. As for Hikata? Just as special and mysterious as usual.8
"I'll start," he continued, taking a long drag on his cigar then starting, "my name is Nara, Shikamaru. I am very lazy, and have a high IQ. I graduated from Chuunin exams before my comrades and at an early age. After I had become more experienced, I was on a mission with Asuma-Sen- ..." he stopped himself and corrected, "Sarutobi, Asuma and, basically, watched him die, along with Ino and Chouji who were on the retrieval squad. I am now Chuunin examiner... the reason I was not there was because the real exam takes up to a number of months and this was simply a test to see if you, Hikata, had what it takes." Shikamaru looked at Chouji and gave a look that said 'I'm done, your turn.'9
And so Chouji started, "my name is Akamichi, Chouji. Umm... I've been friends with Shikamaru and Ino for as long as I can remember. I graduated from chuunin exams a year after Shikamaru, with Ino. You'll learn about me more along the way," Chouji smiled sweetly, and kindly then looked at Ino.10
"Well, I am Yamanaka, Ino," she began, "I own the Yamanaka family flower shop. I can use mind transfer jutsu. I have a great sense of style and clothing taste... that's all about me... oh, and if you ever need a place to stay, call me first... should you ever need it," Ino summed up with a smile.11
Ino looked at Hikata, who was clearly interested in this...12
~~~~~~~~Your Pov~~~~~~~~13
You were kind of afraid to talk. So you started as everyone else had.14
"My name is Ina, Hikata. My parents were k..." you paused, choosing not reminisce on the sad, depressing memory, "killed protecting Kazekage, Gaara. My house was burned, my older sister was taken, and all by those men in black with red clouded cloaks..." Shikamaru interrupted.15
"You mean 'Akatsuki' ?"16
"I guess..."17
"Those are the creeps who want Naruto!" Ino chipped in.18
"Yeah... and... nevermind" Shikamaru stuttered, taking another drag on his cigarette.19
"Anyways, I'm from Sunagakure, as you can tell... and that's about it..." you concluded.20
"Ok..." Shikamaru picked up, "Ino, take Hikata and go to the flower shop. We can start training tomorrow. Send her over to my house at 3:00 PM," he spoke to you and Ino.21
Then you realized something. You couldn't hop on his brainwave. You had done so from everyone else, but he was blank...22
You could tell what he was feeling by physical means.23
He took one, last, long drag on his cigar, blew a smoke ring, then put it out.24
"Go..." he ordered.25
And with that, Ino started walking, with a short, nod and a 'hai'. You said nothing, but nodded and followed. It was sometime around 2:00 and you had to be at his house at 3:00. So, one hour you had to spend with Ino, at her and her family's flower shop.26
You and Ino had walked the busy streets of Konoha for a few minutes(what it had seemed) when you saw her flower shop. It was smack dab in the middle of the whole village, you noted that your apartment was just down the road.27
"C'mon!" Ino shouted, happily, opening the door for you.28
You walked in. It was small, but not too small. It was also filled to the brim with neat looking flowers. Some were exotic, and some were your everyday daffodils.29
And then you took in a breath. It was so sweet, so pure, it smelled as if there were 100 meadows in one room. You could make out a few of your favorite scents. Roses, Dandelions, Tulips, and Camellias.30
She led you to the check out counter and hopped behind it, perkily.31
"So, I noticed you looking at Shikamaru," she smiled.32
You blushed slightly.33
"No need to worry, I'm an expert when it comes to boys and fashion. He likes girls who don't nag and aren't talkative, but not TOO quiet. You might be perfect for him when you open up a little to him. I'm sure we'll be great friends! Now, I'll start you with something simple. You can work the cash register. It's really simple. Each flower has a price. There is a chart right here," she pointed to a white, laminated piece of paper taped to the desk, "all you have to do is add up all the flower's prices, punch them in on the register, and the machine will add taxes and such. Now, I must warn you. We are very busy on Saturdays and Sundays. They key is not to rush. Take your time, and whatever you do, so NOT panic. I will cover everything else in the store. Once in a while I'll ask you to clean up for a little while after hours. You'll get paid for the after hours, don't worry," she smiled sweetly, "you'll make... how about... 300 ryo an hour?"34
You blinked at all the information but you had it all in your head. You nodded at the price and said, "that sounds fair... it's enough to make a living off of. Rent is 100 ryo a month so I'll have more than enough money," you smiled at her.35
Her smile got bigger.36
"So, your work hours will begin tomorrow, after we train. You'll have to work at least 7-8 hours a week. Unless we have a mission. Then Kurenai will take care of the shop. Our hours are from Noon to 7:00 PM. We usually train from 5:00 AM to 10:45 AM. That gives us an hour and fifteen minutes to eat lunch, change out of our clothes, and get to the shop. Don't worry, it'll become routine. And then there's the once a month, sometimes random, missions," she paused, "I'm sure Shikamaru will tell you all of this though..." she heaved a big sigh while you took this all in.37
Ino looked at the large clock on the west wall, above some exotic looking plants, "It's almost 2:45! Can you believe I've been talking for almost that whole hour?" actually you COULD believe it... Ino ushered you out the door, hurriedly, "you have to be at Shikamaru's at 3:00!" you all ready knew this, "it takes almost 15 minutes to get there!"38
Ino walked fast, not a jog, but not a run either. You struggled to keep up while she had hold of your hand.39
She took you to the farthest part of the village.40
It wasn't a very big compound, but it wasn't small either.41
Ino knocked on the door, hurriedly. There was a moments pause and she said, "good luck with Shikamaru, Hikata-Chan!" and she was gone. Just after she rounded the corner the door slid open and there stood Nara, Shikamaru.42
"Right on time," his smirked.43