"Lesson" - (First Milestone Present Lemon)

Title: Lesson


Author: Cecilia Tsukineko and Kirei Kitsue


Genre and Pairing: het, ShikaIno


Rating: NC-17


Summary: Things aren't working out so well for Shikamaru and Ino. They've been together for a while,

but Ino's about had it with Shikamaru's constant snippy and lazy attitude. Can they fix things, or will they need

help?


DISCLAIMER: We don't gain anything but amusement from these writings, so please give credit to Kishimoto Masashi-sama for the characters and all things canon!

---

Sitting alone in her room, Ino quietly filed her third broken nail of the day to a smooth, curved tip. It wasn't like she

kept them long – they were always long enough to be attractive, but never long enough to hinder – however, it

seemed that today she just couldn't keep from jamming her fingertips, or catching the edges of her nails on cloth

and so many other things. Huffing in frustration at her bang, she sighed and reached over to the nightstand beside

her bed to lay the file there beside her telephone. She had to get back to cleaning the house.

The phone's sudden ring made her jump and her heart race as it exploded in the silent room. "My god!" she

gasped and heaved lightly until she'd relaxed herself. By then the phone was on its third ring and she snatched it out

of its cradle, saying into it politely, "Moshi moshi."

"Hello, Ino-chan," Shikamaru's mother greeted cheerfully. "It's Nadeshiko. Would you do me a favor?"

Blinking, the blond haired young woman sat down on her bed. "Hello, Nadeshiko-san," she answered with a cheer

she really didn't feel. Nothing was going right today at all, and now her fiancée's mother was asking a favor

of her. She withheld the groan and said, "I'll do whatever I can."

She and Shikamaru hadn't been engaged for too terribly long, but it was long enough that she and his mother had

gotten to know each other like friends... sort of. Ino still treated her like the respectable adult she was and

Nadeshiko still treated her with an almost maternal attitude at times, but they were not at odds and that made

things much easier on the Nara men in general when they were in the same house. Ino smiled a little at the thought

of her somewhat unexpected engagement. She bore no ring as of yet, but the moment hadn't warranted one. Not

at the time. And a ring could wait. Really.

"Shikato and I have to go out of town for a few days, and I was wondering if you could stay with Shikamaru. We

trust him to take good care of the deer, but it's taking care of himself that I'm worried about. You know

how he is. I swear that boy would never eat anything decent if I didn't pester him all the time. Then again, his father

is the exact same way..." She sighed in mock exasperation. "Men."

"They're stubborn and lazy, aren't they?" Ino agreed, smiling for real for the first time that day. "If you don't mind

my intrusion... I wouldn't mind 'babysitting' at all..." There was a wicked little note in her voice that said she'd be

teasing Shikamaru a bit at the first opportunity. "What time should I be there?" It amused her to no end how much

Shikamaru's parents had taken to the extra and willing pair of hands. Now, if only she could get Shikamaru to help

out around her family's place of business and home once in a while...

Nadeshiko chuckled at Ino's comments. She was very fond of the girl her son had chosen. "Whenever you get the

time to come over would be fine. We just had lunch, and Shikamaru's out in the pasture right now, tending to the

herd. He'll probably be out there the rest of the afternoon, and Shikato and I won't be leaving for a couple hours

yet."

"Hai," Ino responded, feeling like maybe the day would get better from that point. "I'll stop by after I'm done with

chores here and make him something to eat for dinner."

"Thank you so much, dear. Do you want me to tell Shikamaru you're coming, or do you want to surprise him?"

Nadeshiko's voice held a tone of mischief to it.

"Oh, no, thank you, Nadeshiko-san. I think he needs a few more surprises in his life," she answered, her own

voice a match for the older woman's easily. "And it isn't any trouble at all. I know exactly why you would worry

about him."

Nadeshiko chuckled and said, "Alright. I'll talk to you when we get back. Oh, and just as a warning, Shikamaru's

been in a very bad mood lately so don't mind him if he gets caustic."

"Aa," Ino murmured, wincing a little. Granted, she'd just banged her toe walking up to the nightstand to hang up the

phone, but she also knew that she and Shikamaru tended to clash even in the best of moods sometimes. And she

was not in the best of moods, and now she knew neither was he. ::Oh, well... nothing can be done about it,

and we'll have to work it out eventually... I suppose...:: "I understand, Nadeshiko-san. Thank you."

"You're welcome, dear. I'll talk to you in a few days. Ja," Nadeshiko said cheerfully.

"Ja," Ino repeated and hung up quietly before bending over to examine her toe. Finding it relatively unharmed, she

straightened and headed back downstairs to the flower shop below her apartment. She had just started living there

alone at the consent of her parents when Shikamaru had proposed to her. It hadn't been a romantic proposal, but

it had certainly been an entire night she wouldn't forget for a very, very long time.

Neither she nor Shikamaru had discussed moving in together yet. She knew it was coming, but she wasn't sure

when. With him it was sometimes impossible to tell. Trying to push her slight moodiness aside, Ino reached the

ground floor and cursed profusely without any regard for ladylike behavior or language. She'd left the hose hanging

over the edge of a flower trough at the front of the store, and now it had overflowed and was running out into the

street through the open door. ::Today is a rotten day!:: she thought as she scurried to clean things up.

----------Late That Evening----------

Tired from being in the pasture all day, Shikamaru was sprawled bonelessly on the couch in the living room. He

steadfastly ignored a fawn that had managed to get into the house and that was now nibbling on his fingers. He'd

take it back outside to its mother later... after he'd had a decent nap.

Unfortunately, sleep was long in coming. He was too worried about a large-scale mission he had next week. A

Jounin now, Shikamaru was often given missions that involved him leading a squad, and it was a different squad

every time. While the war was officially over, there were still a lot of loose ends to tie up, and the shortage of

Jounin meant Shikamaru got a lot of missions. He had yet to lose anyone he led, but he knew it was going to

happen eventually – but there was no way for him to know when and the worry was starting to get to him.

Shikamaru had just fallen asleep at last when there was a knock on the door. Growling quietly at being woken up,

he didn't move, hoping whoever it was would go away. Ten minutes later they were still knocking, and he got up

with a scowl. Stalking to the door he yanked it open. "Wha- Ino? What are you doing here?" he asked, his growl

cut off when he realized who it was.

"Konban wa, Shikamaru!" she greeted him and pushed past him, shopping bags in her hands. "I knew you

wouldn't be eating your mom's cooking tonight, so I thought I'd make sure you got something at least." ::Maybe I

can ditch this miserable day and have a nice evening at least...:: she thought as she set the bags down on the

kitchen counter and started to rifle through them.

"O...kay..." Shikamaru closed the front door and followed her to the kitchen to lean on the doorframe. "Let me

guess, Mom asked you to come over and baby-sit me," he said flatly, his entire demeanor lazy and uninterested.

He didn't really mind, it was just that he'd been looking forward to a very long nap and knew he wasn't going to

get it now for a good few hours.

"Well, sort of," she admitted, blushing faintly as she paused. "But you know she's right..." Ino added and finished

grabbing up everything she needed to begin dinner. She didn't want to argue with him. Not tonight. Perhaps, if she

just stayed in the half-way decent mood she was in now, she could avoid conflict. She'd been trying so hard to get

along with him, to compensate and cope.

Deciding it just wasn't worth it to argue, Shikamaru sighed and went back to the living room, only to get stopped

by the pathetically bleating fawn. Grumbling, he took it outside before going again to the living room, set on getting

his nap. "Wake me up when dinner's ready," he said as he lay down on the couch.

"Hai... demo... Na, Shikamaru? Where does your mother keep the rice cooker?" she called and opened a

cupboard door cautiously, feeling like she was invading. "And her cooking utensils? And -..."

"How the hell would I know?" Shikamaru grumbled, grabbing the cushion from the end of the couch to put over his

head. "She doesn't let me touch anything in there."

Ino persisted, still cautiously peering into every cupboard she could reach first, "You have to at least have helped

her with something... or at least seen her putting things away! C'mon, Shikamaru."

He ignored her, his hearing thoroughly blocked by the cushion. Shikamaru knew Ino meant well but he was very

tense right then and honestly didn't want to put up with her, no matter how much he loved her.

"Shikamaru!" Ino called as she moved into the doorway and sighed with exasperation at the sight of him with the

pillow over his head. "Oi!" she shouted and grabbed the pillow from the armchair nearby and tossed it onto his

head from where she stood. "You could give me a guess..."

He just pretended to not notice her, not budging an inch in response to the projectile. He wanted his nap, dammit!

"Shikamaru! I'm trying to do you a favor! You need to eat and for you to eat I have to be able to cook. At least

give me a clue!" She stomped over to him and yanked the pillow from his head, glaring down at him. He was being

difficult and that was starting to piss her off just a little bit. She was really trying to do something nice for him.

"Figure it out yourself," Shikamaru snapped, yanking the pillow back and returning it to its former location on his

head. "I'm tired, go away."

"Answer me! You don't have to be so rude!" she snapped back. Her temper had been close to breaking all day…

and he was pushing it.

"I said I'm tired. Go. Away."

There was a moment of silence and then Ino turned on her heel and walked quickly back into the kitchen. ::He

always does this. It's fine to interact with me when he feels like it, but heaven forbid should I ask anything

of him! He's never once offered to help my parents! He's never once offered to help me! He's been obligated to

help but those were always extenuating and unavoidable circumstances! He always does this! ALWAYS!::

Silently fuming, Ino eventually found everything else she'd need to cook on her own and settled into the routine, her

mind racing. ::Why can't he show me an ounce of respect? Even a little affection would be nice! He never

compliments me... never asks how I feel or what my day was like... He never even takes me places! His idea of a

good time is laying there on that couch or my couch - whichever is closest at the time - and doing absolutely

nothing! Oh! Except for the few times he feels like screwing! And then when it's over he's dead to the

world! If he doesn't care and I'm such a freaking bother to him, why the hell do I keep trying?!:: Without realizing

it, Ino had zoned out, her gaze focused pensively out the window. Even the smoke of the burning fish didn't catch

her attention.

The smoke did however wake Shikamaru up from his finally-achieved nap. Muttering curses under his breath he

climbed off the couch and went to the kitchen. "Ino, what are you doing? Do you want to burn the place down?"

he grumbled as he turned the stove off and grabbed a potholder, using it to pick up the pan by the handle to put it

in the sink where he promptly ran cold water over it to stop the smoldering. "Useless woman," he muttered under

his breath.

She'd started out of her mental rant when he'd come into the room and she watched silently as he put the food out.

She felt bad, mostly because it had been a good meal... would have been. Whatever.

"Useless? I'm useless? Who's the one that can't take care of himself?! You know what. Don't answer that.

I already know." Everything that had happened that day, from her poor abused fingers to her absolutely rotten

luck, came crashing down on her shoulders right then and as her eyes started to burn she turned her back on him,

facing the doorway out. She was moody, probably hormonal, and he just wasn't helping. But then, when did he

ever try to help her? It was always 'useless woman', 'troublesome woman', 'Ino, you're a pain in the ass',

'I'm tired. Go away'. It was a never-ending chain of ways to tell her how much she was a bother to him and how

much he just simply didn't want or need her around. The night he'd proposed had probably been half impulse after

good sex and half out of guilt. They'd been sleeping together for several months at that point, and nothing of any

other significance had passed between them really. The tears threatened to break, but she held them back firmly,

remaining in demeanor as if she were angry not hurt.

But Shikamaru saw them, even held back, and his bitter retort was stillborn. He knew he was causing Ino pain and

hated it, but he was in just too sour of a mood to try and make the situation any better... though he would at least

try not to make it any worse. He knew she was trying, and he honestly did appreciate it. He just didn't know how

to express it.

"Fine, whatever," he mumbled with a frustrated sigh, filling the sink with soapy water for the pan to soak in.

That was it. "What is that like your motto!? That's about all I ever get out of you, Shikamaru!" she

exploded. She whirled, unable to stop the tears now and too angry to really care. It was obvious he didn't want

her there any more than he usually did. The hurt was staved off for the time being by the absolute rage... an

intense anger at herself for ever thinking something this futile could work. "I don't even know why I thought

wecould be like this! What the hell am I talking about?! There is no 'this'!" she snapped. That was the last

straw. Turning, she stormed out of the kitchen and through the living room then right out the front door. Tears

streaming unchecked down her cheeks, Ino just kept walking. ::Bastard... he just... he never...:: She stopped,

unable to think coherently she was so upset.

Her apartment was still and silent, empty but for her sparse furniture and the vase of slowly dying but well-cared

for wildflowers that she and Shikamaru had picked together not too terribly long ago. Even then she'd had to

literally drag him out of the house to spend time with her where the couch wasn't involved. She fell onto her bed,

her tears long stopped. Curling up, she closed dry, burning eyes. Her day had ended even more miserably than it

had started. But then... she really only had herself to blame, for always chasing such impossible dreams.

--------------------

Shikamaru just stood there in front of the sink for a long moment, a little pole axed by Ino's explosion. He hadn't

expected such a violent reaction. ::What the hell did I do this time?!:: Muttering half-hearted curses, he set about

cleaning up the mess Ino had left behind from her cooking endeavor.

A couple hours later he fell onto his bed, feeling miserable and not a little heart-sick. Neither life nor love had been

playing in his favor for the last couple months. Missions piled on the stress, along with his mother's efforts to get

him involved in the elaborate wedding plans. It wasn't that he wasn't interested in the wedding - he honestly was

very excited about it - rather it was that all he wanted was a simple ceremony of preferably just himself, Ino, and

their parents. It certainly didn't help that he was in such a touchy mood lately... He hadn't meant to make Ino cry.

He never meant to make Ino cry. He hated making Ino cry. ::I am such a bastard...:: Shikamaru fell asleep

trying to come up with ways to make it up to her.

----------The Next Morning----------

Ino woke the next morning with a splitting headache and a heavy heart. Depression had certainly set in well before

she'd really ever fallen asleep. It was ten minutes before the store was due to open and Ino sat up, dreading the

chore. Sighing, feeling worse for feeling the need to cut out, she picked up the phone and dialed her home number,

then waited as it began to ring.

"Moshi moshi, Yamanaka residence," her mother said as she picked up the phone.

"Mom... I can't open the store today... I know, this is a late notice, but I... look I just... I'm not feeling well," she

managed to get out as she staggered into the bathroom to get some aspirin. Tugging her tank-top back into place

from where it had curled up during her tossing and turning, she headed for the small kitchen next, intent on a glass

of milk.

"What's the matter? Are you sick? You don't have a fever, do you?" her mother asked worriedly.

"No, Mom," she began and then paused, tossing the pills in her mouth as she poured the glass of milk and put it

away. She tossed back the pills in a swig and then turned to lean against the counter with a sigh. "I have a

headache... and," she sighed. "Shikamaru and I... I'm pretty sure we broke up last night."

She knew her voice was bitter, knew she sounded angry and sulky, she even knew she sounded upset, but she

didn't care because none of that would make anything better. Even so, she couldn't help but still feel it. Sniffling,

she wiped at her eyes. ::Thought I was done crying for the next little while... guess I thought wrong.:: "Anyway, I'm

going to go lay down. I'm sorry for skipping out on you like this, Mom," she added before her announcement

could sink in completely. She didn't want to talk about it too much at the moment. That would be like poking at a

wound while it was still fresh and bleeding.

"You two what?! I'll be right over!" her mother said as she hung up. Fifteen minutes later she was at Ino's door,

knocking a couple times before she let herself in. "Ino? Where are you?"

Groaning, Ino called, "My room. Where else would I be? Why aren't you in the shop?" She grumbled the last part

softly as she pulled the pillow over her head, knowing her mother caught the words just as she walked into the

dark bedroom. ::Please don't turn the light on... my head hurts...::

"Ayame is taking care of the shop," her mother, Murasaki, said as she sat down on the edge of Ino's bed without

bothering to turn the lights on. Ayame was Ino's younger sister. "I'll go help her when I'm done with you. So, what

exactly happened between you and Shikamaru last night?" She wasn't leaving until she had a good idea of the

situation between her daughter and her daughter's fiancée.

"His mom called me yesterday to ask me to look after him while she was gone with his dad on a mission," Ino

grumbled from beneath the pillow, her muffled voice strained. "You know how my day was yesterday. It was

just... one of those rotten days where nothing goes right... and he didn't help any with his rotten attitude. Bastard..."

she growled. She was trying to keep her temper. Trying really hard in fact, but she was fighting a losing battle.

"What did he do?" Murasaki asked gently, rubbing Ino's back soothingly. She knew Ino wasn't very enthusiastic

about talking about what had happened, but it had to be discussed while the memories were still fresh so that the

wound would heal cleanly instead of festering.

Ino was trying to keep her temper. Trying really hard in fact, but she was fighting a losing battle. "He just... he

never seems to really want me around. I mean really want me around. It's always, 'Ino, you're a pain in the

butt', or 'damn woman', or 'useless woman', never 'hey, Ino, how was your day?' or 'thank you' or..." She

deflated a little for moment as she murmured the most painful blow. "Or 'I love you'... It's always, 'Go away. I'm

tired'! He never helps, he doesn't do anything but lie on that damn couch and expect me to do the same or do

something for him! I don't mind helping his mom and dad out! But he never even tries to return the favor and if I'm

there he generally seems to feel like he doesn't have to work!"

Her fists knotted in her comforter and she kept her head under the pillow. She really didn't want to go through with

this but her mother wouldn't be asking her to if it wasn't important to her and at least that meant that somebody

cared. As irrational as she knew it was, at that moment, she felt like no one but her mother really did care.

"Alright, that's the way he is. Now what did he do?" Murasaki prodded gently as she took the pillow off

Ino's head and leaned down to hug her daughter. She understood what Ino was going through, having been in a

similar situation with Ino's father before they got married, and wanted to help her so that she didn't make decisions

she'd regret later.

"I was trying to make him dinner, but I didn't know where anything in his house was so I asked him, nicely at first...

but he basically ignored me. So I got a little more insistent. If nothing else, I had told his mother I'd make sure he'd

eat right... Well, he told me the same type of thing he always tells me. 'Go away. I'm tired.' Repeatedly. So, I

threw my hands up and went into the kitchen. I was... thinking and forgot to watch the food. I burned the fish...

and he called me useless. I lost my temper... the last straw was his whole 'Fine, whatever' attitude... I yelled at him

and told him I had to have been kidding myself this whole time thinking there was something between us. It was

just me pretending there was..." she trailed off and sat up slowly, putting a hand over her eyes as leaned back

against the headboard. "Stupid bastard... I don't know why I dated him in the first place... and I must have been

absolutely possessed to agree to marry him... the creep!" Growling loudly, Ino bunched her covers up in both fists

and tugged, not hard enough to rip them, but hard enough that she felt a little better. Only a little, but still...

Sighing quietly, Murasaki wrapped her arms around Ino's shoulders and held her close, gently pulling Ino's head to

rest on her shoulder so she could pet her hair soothingly with a quiet shush. "He's been under a lot of stress lately,

baby. I was talking to Nadeshiko a couple days ago and she told me that he's been going on mission after mission

without much of a break. He is a Jounin now, after all, and you know they are all being put to work to clean up the

mess from the war. In fact, your father has to leave tomorrow for a mission. I'm sure in Shikamaru's case it's just

that he's under more pressure than he knows how to deal with right now."

"But he's always been like this, Mom! It's never been any different. This is only making it show up more...

making it worse... or whatever..." she exclaimed softly as new tears started to flow. "Why do I always have to

choose the impossible guys...?" She sniffled and drew in a shaky sigh, trying to calm herself down. She felt really

childish.

"Because the impossible ones are worth the trouble in the end," Murasaki said, stroking Ino's hair. "Your father

was the same way when we were engaged, and, come to think of it, so was Shikamaru's father when he got

engaged to Nadeshiko. But we're all happy now. Sure, we still get into fights and we have our disagreements, but

part of being in a relationship is learning to overcome the troubled times. And some men are just not good at

showing they care, at least not in ways we're told they should. I know you're frustrated, baby, but give Shikamaru

a chance. He loves you. He has for a long time."

"I'm not so sure, Mom," Ino mumbled and pulled away to look her mother in the face. "I've never heard Dad call

you useless... or annoying, and really mean it. Shikamaru never says what he doesn't mean. It's too much of a

waste of breath for him..."

"Are you sure he means it? And from what I've seen, Shikamaru doesn't really worry about wasting breath. He can

babble just as much as you when he's in a talkative mood."

"He's never really talkative around me... He spends more time talking to Chouji than he does to me and I usually

see him more. And that's only because I go out of my way at every turn to spend time with him. I can't tell you

how many times I've literally dragged him out of the house."

"Maybe he doesn't know what to talk about when he's around you. To Shikamaru, women probably seem like a

foreign species." Murasaki chuckled quietly. "I know it was that way with your father. It took him a few years

before he figured me out enough that we could get along without arguing all the time, and he's still trying to

figure me out completely."

"He doesn't even try though..."

"Are you sure?"

"I wouldn't know it even if he did try... He doesn't change... and I suppose it doesn't help that I don't know what

to look for... Mom, this is impossible," Ino whined softly.

"So ask somebody who does know what to look for," Murasaki advised. "Go ask Chouji. He's been friends with

Shikamaru since they could toddle, I'm sure he could tell you."

"That's embarrassing! And he'd probably tell Shikamaru that I asked him something like that, and then I'd be twice

as embarrassed..." Ino trailed off. Her defeatist attitude was definitely due to her depression and her frustration.

Logically she could see that, but irrationally she didn't want to think about it in such a "forgiving" manner.

"Besides... I'm not sure Chouji could tell me either. Or that he would. I was so mean to him when we were

younger..."

"But you're good friends now, and have been for many years. Just ask him not to tell Shikamaru. He'll understand."

"Do you really think he'd listen to me?" Ino sounded a little too hopeful for her own liking, but the prospect of

something that could give her a good reason to give Shikamaru a second chance (or whatever number chance it

would be) was almost too much to wish for.

Murasaki smiled and kissed her daughter's forehead. "I'm sure he'd listen to you," she said confidently.

"I know I said I had a headache, but the aspirin started to kick in a little while ago. Would you be mad if I went

and talked to Chouji?"

"Not at all. Your sister and I can handle the store just fine, so take as long as you need."

"Thanks, Mom!" Ino kissed her mother's cheek and jumped out of bed, grabbing her clothes out of the dresser

and closet on her way to the private bathroom. She was dressed and out the door in no time, waving goodbye to

her little sister on her way out of the door.

Before long, she stood in front of the large from door of the Akimichi residence. Reaching up, she wrapped polite

knuckles on door frame. ::Please... Be home, Chouji...::

"Coming!" A large man with a wild headdress answered the door. "Ino-chan, hello. What can I do for you?"

Chouji's father asked politely.

"Ano... Ohayo, Akimichi-san. Is Chouji in?" Ino asked with a polite bow. She didn't know Chouji's family all that

well, and it was always best to be polite in cases like this.

"Chouji!! You have a visitor!!" his father bellowed into the house.

Ino's former teammate poked his head out of the kitchen doorway. "I'm right here, you don't have to yell," he said

as he pulled his fingers out of his ears. "Hey, Ino. What's up? You want anything? Mom just made a huge batch of

cookies yesterday and there's still some left."

Ino touched her tummy thoughtfully. She hadn't had breakfast and although cookies weren't the best breakfast...

shoving aside the trained instinct to turn aside food at the drop of a hat, Ino smiled a little. "I think I'd like a cookie

or two... but only if there's milk to go with them." Still she remained in the doorway, waiting for permission to enter

the home.

Nodding, Chouji ducked back into the kitchen, only to reappear with a tray heaped with cookies, a pitcher of

milk, and two glasses. His father had left by then, going back to his task of writing a mission report. "C'mon in, we

can eat these on the back porch."

Smiling, Ino entered the entryway and slipped her sandals off before following Chouji to the back of his house

where they settled on the back porch overlooking a koi pond with the cookies and milk situated between them.

"Thank you, Chouji," she murmured after they'd eaten a few cookies in silence. She took a sip of her milk and then

asked softly, "Chouji... can I... talk to you about something?"

"Let me guess, Shikamaru's being a jackass," Chouji stated bluntly.

Ino blinked in slight surprise and then looked into her milk. "He called me useless... again. And told me to go

away... There was more to it than that... but... If you don't want to talk about it, it's fine. I just thought maybe...

you could give me some advice... or something," she said with a soft sigh. "I know he's your best friend, so I

understand if you don't want to talk about him..."

"Was he trying to take a nap when he told you to go away?"

"Yes, but I was trying to make him dinner, and he wouldn't tell me where anything was. I mean, he said he didn't

know, and I believe he didn't, but he could have at least helped..." she murmured. "Or made a suggestion, or

something..."

"When Shikamaru's trying to take a nap, it's best to leave him alone, especially if he tells you to go away, because

he means it. He only says 'go away' if he's really tired, or in a really bad mood, or both. Otherwise he would have

helped you. He would have complained, but he would have helped you." Chouji downed a handful of cookies

before taking a long pull on his milk. "Good, huh?"

"Of course they're good, Chouji. You're mom's the best cook I know," she said with a little laugh. Then she

returned to her serious attitude. "But he's always been that way to me... I can never get him to do anything."

"He's that way with everyone, Ino, even me. He just needs a lot of motivation or a very good reason to do

something. Or Naruto being stupid, but then again Naruto can get anyone to do anything by acting

like a total idiot." He shook his head in amusement.

::All that tells me is I'm not different from any other person... except Naruto...:: She swallowed hard. She'd already

lost one long time love to that blond loudmouth. She didn't think she could bear losing the second as well. "He's

really good at getting on people's nerves," she agreed softly without any hint of bitterness or malice towards

Naruto. "I don't know, Chouji..." She tried to find a way to ask the right questions or present the right problems,

but she knew she was failing. "He doesn't talk to me hardly, I have to drag him everywhere, I have to nag him to

get him to do anything, I help him whenever I can... I've even done his laundry for him! He's... never really done

anything for me. Never asked me out to do something... I was the one that moved in on him..."

That was a little known fact. Everyone, to her knowledge, assumed that they'd just fell into the relationship

suddenly. Truthfully, it had been a little like that, but there was more to it than the relationship just suddenly coming

into being. A lot more.

"What do you mean?" Chouji asked around a mouthful of cookie. The platter was almost empty, along with the

pitcher of milk.

"I went to him... after I found out about Sasuke and Naruto... It's hard to explain any other way... I could give you

the full story..." she offered, her voice still soft.

"I wouldn't mind hearing it if you're willing to tell," Chouji said gently. The more information Ino gave him the better

he could help her. He really wanted his friends to be happy together.

Ino nodded a little and then took a deep breath. She wasn't going to rush through this. Chouji... seemed to

genuinely be trying to help her, so she was going to be as honest and upfront with him as possible. "I had heard

about Sasuke and Naruto from Sakura, but I kept telling myself that it wasn't true. Until I saw them."

----------Flashback----------

Ino froze in her tracks, her heart freezing alongside her feet as it dropped. There, on the bench along the road, in

the solitude of the evening, sat Naruto. On Sasuke. The Uchiha heir held the blond's hips, tipping his head back as

Naruto devoured his neck. Naruto's knees rested on either side of Sasuke's thighs on the bench, his hips rocking in

a slow grind against Sasuke's own pelvis. Her shock was immediate and the sudden jolt of unacknowledged pain

almost sent her to her knees. She felt a little detached as she turned and headed away from the romantic and

agonizing scene, her mind so dazed that she forgot to watch her feet.

Somehow, she made it to wherever her feet were taking her with only one scraped knee and a small gash in the

palm of her right hand from a rock. She was dirty but her mind decided that that didn't matter and that stopping

where she was, was a good idea. Reaching up automatically, she knocked listlessly at the door in front of her.

After an uncounted amount of equally fruitless attempts to draw out the occupant, Ino sat beside the door and

drew her knees up to her chest, burying her face in them as she wrapped her arms about her folded legs. And

there she remained, dazed.

The door she sat by just happened to be that of the Nara household. It wasn't long before Shikamaru walked up

to her, coming home from an errand. He was very surprised to see her on his doorstep. "Ino? What are you doing

here?" he asked, crouching down in front of her. Something was obviously wrong and he didn't like that one bit. If

there was one thing he hated it was to see Ino in pain. "Are you okay?" he asked, honestly concerned.

Lifting her head, Ino slowly looked at him with big, vacant eyes. For a moment she didn't seem to recognize him,

but then, as her eyes narrowed into focus, clear tears started to fall making the odd blue of her gaze, strangely

gem-like as she pounced on him, throwing her arms around his neck and tackling him into a sprawl on his back.

She simply lay on top of him and cried, clinging to him desperately.

"Wha- Ino?!" Shikamaru exclaimed, surprised by her sudden pounce. Not quite sure how to handle a crying girl

lying on top of him, he awkwardly put his hands on her shoulderblades. "What's wrong?! What happened?!"

Sobbing, Ino tried to articulate what she had seen, and managed to get her point across with just a few choked

words. "I - saw them..."

Her face was buried in his chest, her arms still clung about his neck, and their legs lay in a tangled mess. Ino's body

shook with her pain, but it was a pain that the deeper side of her had come to accept already and had starting

getting over already. The crying part... was her immaturity speaking loud and clear as she experienced the first

major blow to her ego in her short lifetime. Her mind was slowly beginning to analyze and recognize the feelings for

what they were, even as she bawled insensibly on one of her best friends.

Knowing what she meant, Shikamaru groaned silently and let her cry herself out. He'd been waiting for something

like this to happen for quite a while now, though he certainly hadn't been expecting to end up on his back on his

porch with Ino on top of him when it did. Not that he was really complaining. He'd been secretly smitten with Ino

for years and was more than willing to lay there with her on top of him.

When she finally quieted, he slowly sat up so that she sat on his folded legs. "Feel better?" he asked with a gruff

gentleness, still hugging her awkwardly.

"Mm... A lot better actually," she murmured and wiped at her eyes with the heels of her hands. "I'm sorry. I just... I

couldn't think of anyone else to go to. I didn't mean to bother you," she added and yet she didn't move from his

lap. She didn't want to leave the calm and comfort that Shikamaru was giving her heart right then.

"What did you do to your hand?" Shikamaru asked when he spotted the gash on her palm as she rubbed her eyes

dry, not hearing her words at all.

Ino looked down at her palms, not even sure which one he was talking about. After examining them for a moment,

she answered, "I think I tripped a few times on my way here. Got my knee too, but I'll be okay..." She tried to give

him a tenuous smile. "I'm surprised, but... I think I'm okay in general. I think I was just... shocked. Or something."

He sighed and stood up, grabbing her wrist to drag her into the house. "You idiot," he muttered as he pulled her

into the bathroom and dug the med-kit out of the medicine cabinet. "You're a ninja. You're not supposed to fall

down and get hurt," he scolded half-heartedly as he cleaned the gash on her hand.

Blushing a little, Ino stood there quietly as he bandaged her hand. "Thank you..." she said softly and reached up

with her other hand to brush back a stray lock of dark brown hair that had apparently escaped from his ponytail.

"Were you busy... I can leave... I kind of just dropped in on you, I know."

"Whatever you want, it doesn't matter to me." Shikamaru finished bandaging her hand, doing his best to ignore the

butterflies her fingers on his face caused. "Fix your knee. I need to go check on the deer," he said as he left the

bathroom, heading for the large pasture behind the house.

Ino watched him go. Then she made a quick decision. Putting a little medicine on her already cleaned knee, she

followed him out the door. On silent feet, but keeping her distance a little, she left the house, hot on his heels.

Shikamaru was already in the pasture, refilling food troughs with the special feed the Nara family gave their herd

and draining the water troughs only to refill them with fresh water after scooping the leaves out of them. Fawns

kept getting underfoot, curious as to what their "uncle" was doing, and he kept shooing them away with light slaps

to their rears, sending them back to their mothers. Some of the adult deer would walk up behind him and rest their

head on his shoulder in greeting. In return he'd pat their neck and maybe give them a scratch on their favorite spot.

The hot-blooded yearling bucks kept trying to knock him over by ramming him in the rear just to cause trouble,

but he always knew when they were coming and whipped around to grab an antler and twist, sending the young

buck to the ground as Shikamaru smirked in smug triumph. All of this was done in a comfortable silence, broken

only by the occasional bleat that was sometimes returned by the human boy and the sound of food or water being

poured. Throughout all of this the king stag watched calmly, checking each trough after Shikamaru was done with

it to nod his regal head in satisfaction or nudge the boy's shoulder with his nose to fix something he didn't like.

Shikamaru never questioned him, doing as told and being rewarded with an approving nod.

Ino stood on the outskirts, watching quietly as the peace of the scene infused even her. For the moment, her

troubles were completely forgotten. She'd never seen the Nara family herds before. She wasn't even sure she was

supposed to be back there. Something cold and moist nudged her leg and that was immediately followed by

something wet and sucking and foamy. Ino eeped and ended up on her rear after tripping over the culprit.

Immediately, she rolled up onto her knees picking the little one up.

"Oh! I'm sorry... you startled me..." she whispered to the little fawn. It was really little. ::I hope I didn't hurt you... ::

"Oh..." she groaned in frustration and ran her hands all over the tiny, quaking body. She was shaking, the fawn was

shaking... "We're both in pretty bad shape for such a small scare," she murmured when she'd determined that she,

at least, hadn't broken anything. A step to her right brought her attention up to Shikamaru for a split second before

she dropped it to the fawn again. "I'm sorry. She came out of no where and startled me. I think I fell on her - my

legs did anyway - when I tripped over her."

"First off, that's a he," Shikamaru said as he sat down next to her and lifted the baby's tail, ignoring the fawn's bleat

of complaint. "See, only one hole. Second, fawns are resilient little buggers and falling over him the way you did

isn't going to do any more than scare him witless." He bopped the baby between his ears lightly. "That's what

happens when you don't stay with your mother like you're supposed to," he scolded. The fawn had the grace to

look sheepish, giving Shikamaru huge 'pity-me' eyes... which didn't work in the least and only earned him an

amused scoff.

::This... This is Shikamaru?!:: Impressed at the complete about face, Ino reached out a little and then

hesitated. "Can I pet him? Or would that insult him?" She knew very well that the deer were intelligent beings

simply by watching the king stag's behavior.

"Go right ahead. Buggers love being petted. Can't get enough of it." Shikamaru lay back in the lush grass of the

pasture, folding his arms behind his head as a pillow and closing his eyes.

The king stag came over on silent hooves to look down his nose at Ino, warning her without words that to harm

one of his herd meant death at his giant antlers. Without opening his eyes or even twitching, Shikamaru made a

quiet sound - somewhere between a bleat and a huff - and the king stag transferred his attention to the boy for a

moment before leaving, looking for all the world as if he had better things to do than baby-sit a couple young

two-leggers.

Feeling like things had turned a little surreal under the attention of the king stag, Ino reached out the rest of the way

and stroked the soft, mottled hair on the baby's back. "So soft..." she murmured and lifted the little one into her lap

after crossing her legs. "Do you name them?" she asked while letting the fawn suckle two of her fingers. "I think

he's hungry..."

"If they make to yearling we name them. Babies get numbers - that's twenty. And babies are always

hungry. Mai!" he called without moving, and a doe lifted her head from a water trough. "Feed your spawn before

he eats my teammate's fingers." In response the doe let out a bleat and the fawn in Ino's lap jumped up, running to

his mama for a good long suckle. "Always hungry," Shikamaru muttered.

Ino giggled a little and then sprawled back beside him and sighed, her ponytail lying in a wavy line in the grass

above their heads. She was stretched out at a slight angle to him, enabling her to look up at him by turning her head

slightly from where it rested near his side. "They're adorable..." she sighed, smiling up at the clouds passing over

the full moon.

"Until they nibble your fingers off and slobber all over your clothes and hair and of course let's not forget the time

one of them pantsed me."

"Pantsed you?!" Ino rolled onto her stomach, propping herself up on her elbows. "Really?!"

"Yes," Shikamaru growled, making a face at the memory.

"Oh, I wish I'd been there! That would have been something to see!" she giggled and poked his cheek with a

careful fingertip. Careful because she didn't want to poke him with her nail. "You should be thankful you have

deer... All I get are flowers."

A curious yearling buck made his way over and got a swift kick to the chest from Shikamaru before he walk

around them to get at Shikamaru's ponytail. "Not now, Hige. I don't want your slobber in my hair." When he left

Shikamaru said to Ino, "At least flowers don't maul you." He was very talkative and open right then because he

was at incredible ease, surrounded by creatures he understood completely and trusted (to an extent).

Ino played with the end of her ponytail and looked over as a slightly older fawn came over to her. "Do you take

them off their mothers like some people do with their cows?" she asked as she sat up and pulled that fawn into her

lap, where it nestled contently. "Do you give them anything special, like treats?"

"Every once in a while. And we pretty much just let them take care of themselves. All we really do is make sure

they have enough food and water. In return we get their antlers for medicine when they fall off come winter.

Careful, that one likes to bite."

"They bite?" she asked, looking up to him while scratching the fawn's chin. "But... they're intelligent aren't they?"

"So are humans."

"But we don't - Ow!" Ino started, spilling the baby out of her lap in surprise. "It actually bit me!!"

"Told you," Shikamaru grumbled, sitting up with sigh. The fawn had already high-tailed it back to her mother to

avoid Shikamaru's spank, only to get bitten on the neck by mama in scolding. "Didn't break skin, did she?" he

asked as he leaned over to examine Ino's fingers.

Ino's breath hitched in her throat as he took her hand in his and examined her hand. "No..." she murmured, the

tone of her voice a little... off. ::He's actually... really handsome...::

"Good." Satisfied, Shikamaru lay back down in the grass with his arms folded for a pillow.

Without really thinking about it, Ino followed him, shifting and leaning forward as he lay back down. One hand

came to rest on his chest while the other braced her weight on the ground above his head. She spent about one

moment looking down into Shikamaru's face and then leaned down, her lips merging softly with his, kissing

non-invasively but boldly nonetheless.

Shikamaru was so shocked he didn't react at all, his face slack with surprise and his heart pounding in his ears

when Ino pulled away. That was certainly something he hadn't expected! "Wha- why-" he stuttered.

Ino's face was blank for a few seconds as he stammered, and then she smiled. Not the haughty smile, or a smirk,

but an honest smile and, as he quieted, she lowered her face again to rub noses with him. "I think... I've been

missing something all this time..."

"O...kay... Uh, Ino, it's getting late and... ano..." Shikamaru said shakily, blushing at just how close their faces were

and at just how new all of this was. Never in his life had he ever experienced feelings like the ones he was having

right now and he was going to need time to sort them out. "Are... you sure about this...?"

Now she smirked. "Yes... I'm sure," she answered softly. It was strange but at the moment, she couldn't care less

who or even what Uchiha Sasuke was doing. She'd been over it before she'd known she was. And this

new revelation was definitely... something she needed to jump on while she had the opportunity. "Are you?" she

breathed and kissed him again, once, softly.

If there had ever been a time when Shikamaru was flustered, this was definitely it. He couldn't even make a

complete thought at that moment, he felt so turned upside-down and inside-out. "I... uh... how... uhm... how about

I... get back to you on that?" Without waiting for her answer, he got to his feet and walked very quickly to the

other end of the large pasture in search of escape from the object of his confusion.

Watching him walk away, Ino smiled a little to herself. Who needed a playboy to be happy anyway? Shikamaru

was twice the man Sasuke had ever been. At least he had a moral code and didn't go running off with the

enemy at every turn. Standing slowly, she stretched and turned, heading for the house and her sandals. It was

obvious he need some time to think.

----------End Flashback----------

"I went back to him a few days later, offered to help him with chores and moved on him again. He was a little

uncertain about what to do, but he was all for trying the relationship out... then. I haven't seen him like that

at all since that day. Even when he's with the animals..." Ino eyed her empty glass and sighed. Life was just too

complicated anymore.

"Hmmm..." Chouji hummed thoughtfully. The cookies and milk were just a memory now, finished off while Ino had

told her story. "That was, what, four years ago you said?"

She nodded. "Yeah... four..."

Chouji thought carefully for a long moment before saying firmly, "Well, he most definitely loves you, Ino. The

problem is he doesn't know how to show it or how to... deal with you is the only way I can think of to put it. It

was one thing to be friends with you - he knew how to do that - but then all of a sudden you two were something

more and he met a roadblock. Shikamaru may be a tactical and strategic genius, but when it comes to relationships

he's pretty clueless."

"I've figured that out... but what makes me different now compared to when we were just friends? The intimacy is

certainly different, but he didn't seem to have too much trouble with it! So what's different... why can't he

just talk to me? He talks to you..." Big, pale blue eyes looked directly at Chouji and she sighed. "He just... he's so

closed off compared to that time..."

"He talks to me because we've been friends since we were six and I'm another guy. He understands me. He's

never really been able to understand women." Chouji leaned forward and rested his elbows on his knees, looking

at Ino. "Take sarcasm. If a guy were sarcastic to Shikamaru, he'd pick up on it right away. If a girl were sarcastic,

he wouldn't know whether she was joking or to take her seriously. So, tip one: Always tell him flat out what you

mean.

"Next point: He knows how to be friends and he knows how to be intimate - I'm assuming you mean physical

intimacy?"

Ino blushed a little and looked away. "Yes..." She was in listening mode at the moment, not something one saw

often, so her answer was simple.

Chouji decided to be polite and ignore her blush. "He knows how to be intimate because he sees the deer do it all

the time. Hell, he's seen it since before he knew what it was. The trouble he has is what goes between friendship

and intimacy - an actual relationship. That is something he never had to deal with before you, and I know for a fact

his father isn't much help when it comes to advice. Tip two: Show him how to be in a relationship, but do it slowly.

Be patient and don't try to force him into anything.

"As for the closed off... That's most likely a result of all the stress he's under from the war clean-up. He clams up

when he's worried. The only way to get him to open up is tease him open with careful questions.

"Am I forgetting anything?"

She shook her head slowly. "No... Not at all," she said, sounding incredibly thoughtful. Maybe all hope wasn't lost.

"Alright. You're welcome to stay or go home, it's up to you. And if you have any more questions you know where

I live." He gave her a friendly smile, happy that he could be of help.

Setting the glass aside, Ino stood and walked over to stand behind him. Kneeling there on the porch, she hugged

him tightly about his broad shoulders. "Thank you, Chouji... You helped me out a lot this time. Please don't tell

Shikamaru that I was here... ne? I - It just doesn't feel right to think that he might know that I came here to talk to

you... for some reason. At least not right now, okay?"

"My lips are sealed," Chouji promised. "I swear on the last cookie." Never mind that they were all gone already.

Ino giggled and kissed his cheek. "Thank you again, Chouji. You're a really great guy," she proclaimed and smiled

at him. "I'll see you later," she called over her shoulder as she headed back through the house and out the front

door with her sandals on, heading for home.

----------Three Days Later----------

Ino sat behind the counter of the family flower shop, quietly reading a book in the downtime of the store. It was

close to noon so all the morning shoppers – intent on buying their lunch dates and sweethearts something for as

many reasons as there were breeds of flowers – had come and gone, and it wasn't yet time for the afternoon

shoppers – those that were intending to buy something more romantic than flowers to be presented at a lunch date

– so she had lots of time to catch up in her favorite novel series. It was a large surprise when the bells above the

door chimed, and she looked up to find two, rather good-looking young men headed her way. They weren't even

browsing, making their reason for visiting… obvious.

Mentally, Ino groaned and looked back to the book, quickly skimming the last sentences of the paragraph she had

been reading. Ino marked her page with a tiny, plastic flowerbed marker – snapdragons to be exact – and tucked

the book on the shelf under the countertop. Inside, Ino sighed. The two of them looked as if they were from higher

class families that were very well-to-do. As they approached the counter, she smiled. "Hello, how can I help you?"

she asked, putting on her polite employee persona. She really didn't want to deal with them. They looked like they

had more than flowers on their minds, but she didn't want to insult them, or lose potential future customers.

Especially since, if her mother found out, Murasaki would kill her, no questions asked. The family business was not

to be tampered with no matter what was going wrong in Ino's out-of-the-business life.

"Ino-san," the younger, somewhat sweeter looking of the two greeted her with a kind smile that was almost

charming while tossing an uncooperative lock of short blond hair out of his eye. "We heard the news about you

and that Nara guy… We came to see if there was anything we could do for you…"

::Such familiarity… Oh! I know who these two are now. They're the sons of two of my dad's drinking buddies.

The ones he substitutes in while Shikato-san and Akimichi-san are both out. It makes sense… Now, what were

their names…:: "Thank you, Haichi-kun. Seiritsu-kun," she greeted them and smiled, trying to keep her impatience

out of her voice. "But Shikamaru-kun and I are just having a little bit of a falling out. It doesn't mean that it's

over. We just needed to take a step back, I think. Thank you for your concern but -…"

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" Shikamaru growled at the two other young men, standing right behind

them with a very annoyed look on his face. He'd come by to apologize to Ino for being such a jerk a few days

ago, but then he'd seen her talking to Haichi and Seiritsu through the window of the store. He hadn't been able to

hear anything that was being said but he did know that he didn't like the fact that Ino was smiling at them

when they were clearly flirting with her. Of course, he'd assumed the worst, and now he was in an even worse

mood than before.

The two young men turned and faced him, looking a little nervous, but holding their ground rather well for being

faced with a rather irate looking Jounin, no matter how young that Jounin might have been. Seiritsu smirked a little,

trying to appear as confident as possible. "We're just talking," he said and glanced at Haichi. "She looked a little

lonely, and our families are friends..." He shrugged casually as did his partner and the two looked at Shikamaru

with rather pointed expressions. It was obvious their implication was that Ino's "apparent" loneliness was

his fault.

Feeling quite a bit surprised to see Shikamaru there without someone forcing him along, Ino rolled her eyes a little

at Seiritsu's comment then parted her lips to speak when Shikamaru said all there was to say on the subject in the

matter of a few breaths.

"Oh, really? Well, she's not lonely anymore, and you two are done talking. Out," Shikamaru ordered, his tone

holding absolutely no for argument and his face stony. He was ready to stare these intruders down and he

was going to win.

Haichi looked back at Ino for a moment before elbowing his friend lightly. "C'mon... she'll be here tomorrow," he

muttered as he brushed past Seiritsu and then past Shikamaru. They weren't dumb enough to hang around when

there was a grumpy Jounin staring them down.

Ino watched them go and then looked to Shikamaru, lifting her eyebrows in a gesture of quiet curiosity as she

stood from her stool and came around to the front of the counter. "Hi..." she said softly.

Shikamaru watched the other young men leave, glaring holes in the backs of their heads. He'd search them out

later and beat it into them that Ino was his and there was no way in hell that was he sharing. When they were gone,

he turned back to Ino. "Hey," he muttered gruffly, still looking rather annoyed.

Leaning against the front of the counter, Ino folded her arms gently under her chest and watched him. The only

thing she could think of to describe his expression at that moment... was grumpy. "What are you doing here?" she

asked him, still speaking softly. It was a logical question, since she almost never saw him in the shop... and since he

almost never came to her.

"I was going to apologize for the other day, but now I'm not sure I should since apparently you're willing to

lift your tail for any guy that walks in here," Shikamaru snapped, misunderstanding her intentions.

He was apologizing, which was a feat in itself, but... "'Lift my tail'? What the hell does that mean?" Ino asked

bluntly, completely thrown off by the strange... turn of phrase? She wasn't sure what that was.

"Figure it out," Shikamaru snapped again before stalking out of the store, almost bowling Kiba over as he walked

into the store.

"Hi to you too," Kiba muttered as he evaded getting knocked onto his rear. He was there to get something for

Hinata. "Hey, Ino. What's up with Shikamaru?"

Completely thrown off, Ino stared after him and then sighed, her heart heavy. She had no idea what had just

happened. "Uhm, Hi, Kiba.... Here for something for Hinata? We got some fresh irises and I just brought in fresh

roses from the garden this morning. All colors," she responded, shaking her head a little as she turned around and

moved back behind the counter. ::What the hell was that all about!?::

"Yep. So what's up with deer-boy?" Kiba asked as he looked through the flower beds, searching for just the right

flower to give Hinata. Akamaru lay down on the floor by the door, waiting patiently for his partner to finish the

errand.

"He... Well, we got in a fight a few days ago," she answered. Had it really only been a few days ago? It seemed

like so much longer than that. "And then he just came in here and yelled at me for being polite to potential

customers. No more polite than I'm being to you right now... then he told me he'd come to apologize for the other

day but that he wasn't sure he should since I'm apparently 'willing to lift my tail for any guy that walks in here'," she

repeated. "I don't even know what the hell that means."

Kiba paused in reaching down for a lily and looked up at Ino. "Uhm, Ino... lifting the tail is what a female animal

does to show males she's in heat and willing to mate."

Ino's mood darkened, her aural temperature dropping from decent to negative eighty in point five seconds. "Kiba...

guard the shop. If you leave this shop unattended, I'll hunt you down and maim you!" Having said that she turned

and stormed out. It wouldn't take her long at all to find Shikamaru. He walked incredibly slow.

True enough, she came up behind him in a matter of moments and grabbed his shoulder, whipping him around only

to slap him hard across the face. "You bastard!" she snapped.

Shikamaru's head snapped to the side as palm met flesh, his cheek stinging and red from her slap. It only added

fuel to his already very foul mood. "A little slow on the uptake, aren't we?" he growled as he turned his head back

to its original position to glare at her.

"You, of all people, have the least right to call me a slut, Nara Shikamaru! I haven't been anything but

faithful to you, you bastard, and you've done nothing but take advantage of me! Of anything and everything

I've given you, and you've given absolutely nothing back! Those two guys were friends of my family and

potential customers on top of that!! What the hell did you expect me to do?!" she yelled. She hadn't ever felt so

insulted or betrayed or hurt in her entire life. With that one little phrase, Shikamaru had summed up exactly

what he thought of her. He thought she was a tramp, a slut, and in saying that he was telling her he assumed she'd

been unfaithful.

"Well, they certainly weren't there for the flowers!" Shikamaru yelled back, feeling very much like a buck whose

harem was on the verge of being stolen from him. He was feeling just as betrayed as she was, unable to get the

image of Ino smiling at the two men who were clearly flirting with her out of his head. That was a threat he didn't

know how to deal with, and it frightened him, making him even more edgy and snappish.

"I know they weren't there for the flowers, Shikamaru! I was in the process of telling them that I wasn't

interested because you and I were just having a falling out and weren't over yet, when you butted in and

took care of it for me! I'm not stupid, though you sure as hell seem to think otherwise! I know what they

wanted, but I don't want them!" Ino shouted and glared murderously at him. She didn't care that they were

gathering a crowd, and not one entirely of strangers. "The gods know why, but I want you! If you'd get

your head out of the clouds!!"

Deciding to end it there - her point fully made - she turned on a heel and stormed away, shoving through the

crowd. She was going to cry again and she didn't want to do it in front of all of those people, or him at the

moment.

"Get out," she snapped at Kiba as she re-entered the store. "It's free because you watched the shop, now go!" She

was holding her temper by the thinnest of threads.

Knowing better than to ask questions, Kiba high-tailed it out of there after a quick, "Thanks." No way was he

staying around for a full-out explosion.

As soon as Kiba was gone, Ino slammed the door of the store and flipped the open-closed sign to closed. And

then it was an all out sprint to her room where she threw herself onto her bed and broke.

--------------------

Growling hot curses, Shikamaru stomped through the crowd, headed for home. People that didn't get out of his

way fast enough got their toes trampled, but they didn't dare complain. A furious Shikamaru was a very rare thing

and something to be feared and avoided at all costs.

Unfortunately for him, the house wasn't empty when he reached it.

"Okaeri, Shikama-ru..." The cheerful greeting died in Nadeshiko's throat as her son stormed right past her and out

into the deer pastures. She cast a worried look to Shikato before walking to the back door to peer out after him.

::What happened? It's obvious that Ino was here at some point - the shopping bags of nonperishable items on the

counter had to have been her because Shikamaru would never have gone to the trouble of shopping - but

something has obviously gone awry.::

"Anata?" she inquired of her husband as he came up beside her, but his helpless shake of the head told her he had

not more idea of what to do than she did. "Go check on him..."

Sighing, Shikato opened the back door and headed out to the deer pasture. What he found there was both

amusing and concerning at the same time.

Shikamaru was quite literally was butting heads with the yearling bucks, both he and the bucks letting off steam

(the yearling bucks always had steam to let off). He was too angry to think straight at the moment and was

working on tiring himself out so that he could think calmly. The rational part of his mind understood Ino's

explanation of what had really happened in the shop, but that part of his mind was being thoroughly shut up by the

seething, frustrated, and stressed-out mess that was the rest of his mind.

Shikato sighed and headed back into the house. Nadeshiko would want to know what was going on. He cast one

last look over his shoulder at his son and sighed, feeling deeply for Shikamaru. He knew it was hard. He'd been

there after all.

----------Late That Night----------

He'd had to wear out all the yearlings and two-prongs, but eventually Shikamaru had calmed enough that he could

think coherently again. Now, he lay in his bed with his face buried in the pillow, mind running in hopeless circles of

self-pity and worry that he'd lost any chance he'd had at making things better with Ino. It certainly didn't help that

he didn't know what he was doing wrong most of the time.

A gentle weight settled on the mattress beside his shoulder and there was the rustle of cloth as his mother leaned

back against the headboard of his bed. She'd left him alone long enough and now she was going to find out what

was wrong with him.

"Shikamaru-chan... what happened?" she asked softly and reached out to comb her fingers lightly through his

relatively short black hair, which was in a much lower ponytail for sleeping. Her entire demeanor was calming,

comforting, soothing, and loving. Everything she had ever been for him in his younger, less worldly days.

Everything she hadn't been in a long time in her attempts to not cling to him as he grew up.

"I'm an idiot and Ino hates me," he mumbled with miserable finality, his words muffled by his pillow.

"Oh... Baby, Ino doesn't hate you! She's probably just upset like you and probably thinking the exact same thing

you are right now. And you know you're the farthest thing from an idiot. This is just new to you, that's all,"

Nadeshiko soothed and then stretched out on the bed beside him on her side, propping her head up with one palm

her elbow sinking into the well-used mattress. "Why don't you tell me what happened, and maybe I can help you."

It took a lot of coaxing, but eventually Shikamaru told his mother everything that had happened the night the whole

mess had started and what had happened at the store that afternoon. When he was finished, he felt even more

miserable than he had before, realizing now just how much of a total jackass he'd been to Ino. Granted, he'd been

under a lot of stress in the past couple months, but that gave him no right to take it out on his fiancée.

Nadeshiko was silent for a long while, letting him mull over his own words for a little bit before saying softly, "I

know you can see some of the things you did wrong, Shikamaru. But here's a little bit of advice. If you want to

keep Ino, you are going to have to make a few sacrifices. You've been pretty selfish in the relationship so far. Even

your father and I have noted that, but at the same time, you and Ino don't communicate enough. You let problems

rile you before you try to work them out, instead of trying to work them out before they rile you. Ino's still your

friend, too. Just because you two are intimate doesn't mean you have to or should treat her differently than you

used to treat her. On the other hand, you should also know that you can't neglect the little things that are all part of

the relationship, like soft touches and little nuzzles and quiet, romantic words exchanged in public or in private.

Sometimes simply holding her or lounging with her on the couch is enough, but you have to understand that unlike

you, she's led a rather active life. She's tried to compensate for you all this time and she's bottled up a lot of her

energy to do it. It's no wonder she's gone explosive, ne?" Nadeshiko laughed softly and pulled Shikamaru close to

her side, hugging him. Now it was time to listen to him. She'd say more when needed.

Sighing, Shikamaru let his mother's words sink in. "I try to communicate with her, but it feels like there's a

language barrier or something. Half the time I don't know what she's talking about or what she wants me to do and

when I ask she just acts like I'm pretending to be stupid so I can get out of it. Or gets annoyed. And how the hell

am I supposed to be romantic when I don't have a clue of how to be like that?" he said, thinking out loud with his

face still buried in the pillow.

"Romantic isn't always elaborate, Shikamaru," his mother said softly. "Sometimes simply bringing one flower, fresh

picked from a field on the way to her house, is enough to set a girl's heart to fluttering. You would have to sacrifice

a little extra lying around time, but it wouldn't be so bad to see her smile at you instead of scowling, would it?"

"No, it wouldn't..." he agreed quietly. If something as simple as bringing Ino a flower would make her smile, he was

willing to do it. Anything was worth seeing her smile at him again.

"I think I might be able to help you out just this once, Shika-chan," Nadeshiko said softly with a smile, tugging on

his whole ponytail to get his undivided attention. "But you'll have to follow my instructions to the letter, improvising

positively where needed. No shortcuts. There are no shortcuts in love, do you understand?"

"Yes... and you better not make me do anything stupid," Shikamaru muttered warningly. He would follow her

instructions as long as they were reasonable. Anything wild and crazy was going to be ignored.

Nadeshiko grinned a little, her eyes closed to hide their delighted gleam. She finally had permission to step into her

son's life a little again, and she wasn't going to turn it down. "Alright, that's understandable. First, start with an

apology and a box of assorted chocolates. I've shared my chocolates with her before and she adores them. You

should ask your dad where to get them, ne? But don't take any other advice he gives you to heart. He isn't all that

great at this relationship thing either nine times out of ten." Slowly she laid out a small outline for her son to follow.

When she'd finished, she planted a kiss on the back of his head - the lazy bum hadn't looked at her once and her

only indication that he'd been listening was his occasional question or thoughtful noise - and then stood up slowly.

"Just remember to improvise only as needed, but I trust you'll know when to and when not to change things," were

her final words of advice before whispering good night and heading off to find Shikato, leaving her son in peace.

Shikamaru returned the good night and fell asleep going over the outline in his head, adding details and actually

beginning to think that this time he was going to be able to make it up to Ino. At least, that's what he hoped.

------------Two Days Later, Evening---------

::What if this doesn't work? What if she's still mad at me? What if I completely screw up?:: Shikamaru worried,

sitting in front of Ino's door. She'd closed the shop about an hour ago, meaning there was a very good chance that

she was home, but Shikamaru was having second thoughts about his mother's plan. Wondering if Ino needed more

time to cool off before it was safe to apologize, Shikamaru was just about to get up and go home to put off making

up for at least one more day when the door opened.

Swinging the door open wide, Ino stepped out of her apartment and onto the landing. There were three ways to

get to Ino's second story apartment: 1) through the shop, 2) through the little side stairwell that lead to a small

hallway, and 3) the fire escape. She'd chosen to go out via the small hallway rather than messing with the other two

exits, but as she stepped out her legs hit something that wasn't supposed to be there and she felt her balance slip

away as she stumbled and ended up twisting so that she landed on her rear with an, "Omf!" and then a small whine.

"Itai..." Wincing, she put a hand to her lower back and groaned softly.

"Uhm... hi..." Shikamaru said awkwardly, getting to his feet and offering Ino a hand up. "You okay?" ::Wonderful

job, genius. Great way to start an apology - make her fall on her rear.::

Ino blinked in absolute surprise. "Shikamaru. Hello," she murmured and then slowly reached up and took his hand,

letting him help her to her feet. Nothing was overly bruised she determined as she rose. It had just been the jar of

the impact on her rump that had hurt. "I'm fine. What -?"

"I'm sorry," he blurted out.

Startled, Ino remained where she was in front of him, unable to move for the moment. She wouldn't let herself.

She'd been on her way out the door to go find him and instead, he'd come looking for her. Her hand still held his

lightly, their arms stretched a little between them though they stood relatively close. She didn't really need to be

told what he was apologizing for. She already knew, and she also knew she owed him one as well.

Reaching up with her free hand, Ino cupped his cheek in one palm, her touch light and tender. "I'm sorry, too. It

doesn't help that I'm a hothead..."

He smirked a little in agreement. "No, it doesn't..." His smirk fell then as he returned to seriousness. "I really am

sorry... I shouldn't have said those things to you and... I guess I could be more helpful... just... I'm sorry," he said

sincerely, looking at his feet. "It was all my fault."

"Our fault," she corrected him, and then she hugged him around the neck out of the blue. "I'm sorry I slapped you,"

she whispered into his ear, her eyes closed tightly as she held onto him for dear life.

"I deserved it. I should never have said that," Shikamaru whispered back, holding Ino just as tightly and burying his

face in her neck. Oh, how he'd missed this... and he hadn't even realized it until just now. It had been much too

long since they'd last hugged or kissed.

They were quiet like that for a long time. Ino didn't care how long. It was enough that she was being held again by

Shikamaru. When she finally opened her eyes, she noticed the grocery bags sitting on the floor against the wall next

to where Shikamaru had been sitting and asked in quiet curiosity, "What are those?" before burying her nose in his

shoulder and peering over it at the objects in question.

"Oh... uhm... I was thinking maybe we could, y'know, make dinner together," Shikamaru mumbled awkwardly, not

sure how Ino would take that suggestion since it had been cooking dinner that had started this whole mess.

"Together?" Ino repeated and then pulled back to look at him. "You..." ::Don't look a gift horse in the mouth, Ino...

just say yes.:: "It sounds good to me... come in," she said with a small smile and pulled him to the door where she

allowed him the second it took to gather the bags and then lead him inside, locking the door behind her while he

headed towards her small kitchen. She followed him in a matter of minutes and then came up behind him as he laid

out his purchases on the counter, wrapping her arms around his waist and resting her cheek against his shoulder.

"Thank you, Shikamaru..." she murmured and nuzzled his jacket-covered shoulderblade.

Smiling lopsidedly, Shikamaru gave one of her arms a squeeze before returning to his task of setting out the food...

all except for one box. That he left in the bottom of the grocery bag, and he set that bag out of the way. When he

was done, he turned around in her arms and looked down at her, patiently waiting for instructions.

A small smirk turned up one corner of her lips as she looked around him at the stuff laid out on the counter top.

"Have you ever made onigiri before?" she asked as she brought her eyes back up to him. He'd gotten all the right

ingredients for onigiri and shrimp tempura with vegetables, plus the added treat of deli-made California rolls. Her

arms were still wrapped loosely around his waist, but she was leaning back a little to look up into his face. He'd

gotten a bit taller than her over the last few years, but as far as she was concerned, he was the perfect height now,

so she was happy looking up to meet his black eyes.

"Yeah," he said with a slight nod. "I'm okay at it." Onigiri was one of the few things he knew how to make, simply

because it was so easy to do.

"Good," she smiled brightly at him then and reached up to brush a soft kiss against his lips. "The rice cooker is on

the counter right there," she said softly as she sank back to her usual height and pointed to the appliance. "I'll get

everything else going while you do that, ne?" Quite frankly, she was excited to be cooking dinner with Shikamaru,

mostly because he was the one who had suggested the idea in the first place.

Shikamaru smiled back and nodded, glad that Ino was so happy. He gently pulled out of her embrace and started

with cleaning and cooking the rice as she prepared the tempura batter. "Do you want me to put umiboshi in these?"

he asked as he stirred the rice to keep it from sticking to the sides of the pot. It actually felt very good to be doing

something like this with Ino, and he decided that maybe next time he'd help when she asked for it, especially, if it

made her that happy.

"Please?" Ino asked as she began to mix the flour, water and an egg together. When she was finished, she set the

batter aside and began to cut up the vegetables. The preparation of the shrimp was last. She'd already set up the

deep fryer and the oil in it was heating nicely. ::Now would be a good time to talk. We're both doing something, so

we're not going to be entirely focused on worries...:: "Ne, Shikamaru? Can we talk? I mean, I want to know what

I can do to... I don't know, understand you better. I talked to Chouji after we got into the first fight of this mess,

and it made me realize that I don't know you as well as I thought I did. That doesn't change the fact that I love you,

but I think that maybe my lack of understanding might be part of this problem we've been having."

She didn't look up. She didn't even glance at him. To be honest, she was afraid to. Ino knew they had to talk

about these things and soon, but she also worried that maybe it was too soon, and she was being too impatient.

The vegetables neatly chopped, Ino moved on to the shrimp, peeling them but leaving their tails and cleaning them.

She was impressed that Shikamaru had found such large shrimp. She had never been able to get them that big

before they were sold out. "These are nice," she commented softly, pleased.

"Yeah... Are they really?" Shikamaru asked without looking at her as he took the now cooked rice off the heat for

it to cool before he made the onigiri. He wasn't sure if Ino meant what she said or if she was saying it just for the

sake of politeness. He wanted to talk and make things better between them just as much as she did, but - like her -

he didn't really know where to begin. What could he tell her that would make her understand him better?

"They are," she confirmed and then paused a moment before asking softly, "I want to know what things I do that

irritate you. And maybe I can adjust, so that I don't do it as often or even at all..." plunging head first into the

subject, figuring there was no point in beating around any bushes in hopes of flushing the answers she wanted.

"You don't irritate me..." Shikamaru said just as softly. "You never irritate me..."

"How can you say that, when you're always telling me that I'm useless or annoying? I mean 'Go away. I'm

tired' isn't exactly the nicest way to ask someone to leave you alone... so you were annoyed with me then, right?"

she responded while keeping her eyes trained on the vegetables she was dipping. After each vegetable was

dipped, it went right into the deep fryer and in no time even the shrimp were being added to the basket in the hot

oil. Finished putting everything into the deep fryer, Ino capped it.

Shikamaru was quiet for a long moment, trying to think of a way to explain it, as he made the onigiri. In the middle

of each he put a pickled plum. "I say those things because... I'm frustrated and I don't know what to do," he said

quietly. "When you do or say something that I don't understand, it frustrates me... because I don't understand. And

when I'm frustrated I get snappy."

The last thing she did was set some water to boil for tea and when she was finished with that she finally turned to

face him. "What about me confuses you then? I want to work this out, Shikamaru, and if that means dissecting

myself for you, I'll do it. I know you don't always understand girls, but I want you to understand me. I'm not just

some girl, at least I hope I'm not, and I want you to feel comfortable talking to me, like you feel comfortable talking

to Chouji."

She moved forward quietly then and, as he set the last of the onigiri on the plate she'd pulled out for him at the

same time she'd gotten the rest of her kitchen supplies out, Ino caught his elbow and turned him to face her.

Moving in, she wrapped her arms around his ribcage and buried her face in his shoulder. "I missed this: your

warmth, your smell, your voice, the way you hold me... I missed you, koi," she whispered softly.

"I missed you too, Ino," Shikamaru murmured, hugging her tightly around her shoulders and resting his cheek on

her head. "I'm sorry I've been such a bastard lately... It's just that I get really worried about my missions, and when

I'm worried I'm prone to yelling or snapping, and I hate yelling at you so I avoided you..."

"Maybe, if you talked to me when you're worried or upset rather than avoided me, we could work it out together.

I know I'm not a Jounin yet and I know some missions can't be discussed, but I want to support you just the

same." she stated firmly. She wanted Shikamaru to be able to lean on her instead of trying to bear things by

himself.

Shikamaru smiled softly and nudged Ino's temple with his nose. "I'll remember that," he promised quietly, his way

of saying 'thank you'. He gave her a squeeze before loosening his grip, putting his hands on her upper arms. "You'd

better check on the stuff frying," he reminded gently.

"It should be done, actually," she answered and checked it, pulling it out when she found that everything was done.

While the fryer basket hung and drip dried, she reached up into the cupboard above the counter and pulled out

one large plate, two tea cups and two glasses and then a cloth napkin. In the matter of a few minutes she had one

spot set for two at the table. "Get the tea and water please and then sit," she ordered him gently and began to fill

the plate.

"Hai." Shikamaru did as asked, wondering why Ino was making only one plate of food when there were two of

them... and why she'd set up the one place-setting at the table for two people. He filled the glasses with water and

poured tea into the cups before sitting down, completely without a clue as to what Ino was planning.

Ino came up behind him and set the plate on the table before him, then moved around to his right side before

settling in his lap. Wrapping her right arm around his neck, she smiled and nuzzled his nose and then reached to the

table, grabbing a piece of carrot and putting it to his lips. "Okay?"

Now feeling very confused, Shikamaru let her put the carrot in his mouth and nodded awkwardly as he chewed.

This was something new and he wasn't quite sure what to think of it. Stiffening a bit in his confusion he wrapped an

awkward arm about her waist.

"Relax, Shikamaru," she soothed and kissed the corner of his mouth gently while her now free hand brushed gentle

knuckles against his cheek. "Are you uncomfortable?" she asked softly.

"No... just... What are we doing?"

She smiled at that. That was definitely a step forward in her book since he'd asked instead of any of the numerous

other ways he could have responded to the situation. "I'm cuddling with you," she answered and picked up a piece

of shrimp, pulling the tail off and offering it to him. "I've always thought there were two things that were the most

intimate things one could share in a relationship: food and sleeping space. Don't your deer share feed bins

sometimes, or lay together, for companionship or intimacy?" she asked curiously.

Visibly relaxing, Shikamaru smiled lopsidedly back and nodded. That was an analogy he definitely understood.

And if that kind of deer behavior could be applied to humans then maybe this relationship thing wasn't as hard as

he'd been making it out to be. He knew instinctively how to act around the deer, so if he just thought of Ino as an

overly-intelligent doe - at least for right now - then maybe they would be able to smooth out a lot of the bumps

between them. "So basically you want me to act like a buck?" he joked.

"Uhm..." Ino blushed a little. "That depends on how exactly a buck acts... I don't know deer like you do, so I'm

not sure." She smiled sheepishly. "If acting like a buck means cuddling and nuzzling and... uhm, sharing feed, then

yes."

Shikamaru chuckled softly and leaned his head on Ino's shoulder, both his arms wrapping snuggly around her

waist. "I think I can do that. And your stomach is talking." Smirking he reached up and took hold of Ino's wrist,

steering her hand so that the shrimp touched her lips.

Now that was more like it. Ino smirked a little herself and bit half of the large shrimp to eat it. She took the second

half between her teeth then and leaned in, rubbing noses with him and offering the bit of battered food to him that

way. It was kind of like sharing an apple, something she'd seen ponies do before when she was little and her father

had taken her to a petting farm. Deer probably did the same thing... she hoped.

He took the shrimp with his teeth and brushed his lips against hers once he'd swallowed. This was beginning to feel

like the games he'd played in the pasture when he was little and he was having fun. Also, Shikamaru could see that

Ino was trying to do this in a way he could understand and he greatly appreciated it. This made a lot more sense to

him than going to a movie or to a fancy restaurant.

Smiling a little, Ino brushed a kiss to the tip of his nose, making the whole meal a game for the two of them. When

they'd polished off everything right down to the last bit of tea, Ino kissed him softly on the lips and then stood,

clearing the dishes from the table.

"I'm going to do the dishes," she announced. "You can go take a nap on the couch if you want and I'll come get

you when I'm done cleaning in here, ne?"

Shikamaru had other things in mind, however, now that Ino had managed to get him in a very cuddly mood.

Instead of going to the living room he stood behind her as she did the dishes, arms around her waist and chin on

her shoulder, his eyes closed in contentment.

Her heart had never felt so incredibly light as it did at the moment he opted to stand behind her instead of taking

himself to the couch as she had expected of him. Smiling and humming softly as she washed and dried and put

away the dishes, thankful that their cupboards were all close by. Ino was the happiest she had been in a very long

time.

When she was done with the dishes, Shikamaru murmured without letting go, "There's something for you in the

grocery bag."

Ino paused and a delighted smile took her lips slowly. "Oh?" she inquired, sounding curious. She put the last dish

away and set the sink to drain before turning in his embrace and resting her arms over Shikamaru's shoulders,

wrapping them around his neck as she looked up into his face. "Well? What is it?" she prodded. She absolutely

loved presents.

"Not telling," Shikamaru said firmly with a smirk.

"Well, if you aren't telling, are you going to give it to me?" She was still smiling.

"Maybe." Shikamaru reached around her and grabbed the bag, only to pull out of her embrace and head for the

living room.

"Shikamaru!" Ino demanded with a giggle and walked quickly after him. "Don't be so mean! What's in the bag?!"

"You had your chance to find out when I told you there's something in here for you. But instead of seeing for

yourself you had to ask what it is first. Now you have to give me something if you want it," Shikamaru teased,

setting the bag on the couch and flopping down on top of it, careful not to crush the contents. He was feeling much

better than he had in a very long time.

Groaning in mock frustration (she was having more fun than anything really), Ino knelt beside the couch on the

floor and looked down into his face. "What would you like in exchange for the contents of the bag then, stingy?"

she teased.

He hummed thoughtfully. "I don't know yet. Give me a minute."

"Hidoi, Shikamaru," Ino pouted and poked his side with one stiff finger. "You shouldn't tease me like this... it

makes me... pouty and whiney."

She just happened to poke him in a ticklish spot, making him shy away reflexively and get off the bag just enough

for her to snatch it before he got back on it.

Delighted by the unexpected discovery, Ino took no time to gloat or torment. Snatching the package she leapt to

her feet and darted well away from him, her hands already pulling the contents of the bag out. The box that fell into

her hands stopped her in her tracks however. Assorted chocolates, the kind his mother had gotten her addicted to,

and now she had a box of them. She looked to Shikamaru her eyes as happy as her smiling mouth. "Thank you!"

she exclaimed.

Shikamaru smiled back at her and folded his arms behind his head as a pillow, very glad that she was so happy. It

definitely made up for the trouble he'd gone through to actually find one of those boxes. "You're welcome."

Tossing the shopping bag into the wastebasket in the kitchen, Ino returned with the box already open as she

examined it contents. "Want to share?" she asked as she came to a stop beside the couch. She examined him for a

moment before settling on his stomach, straddling him comfortably. She smiled at him and set the chocolate box on

his chest.

"You go ahead and take what you want first. I'll eat whatever you don't like. And since when did I turn into a

table?" Shikamaru asked with a smirk. Ino was a very comfortable weight on his stomach and he was more than

willing to just lie there, watching and talking to her. This was the best they'd gotten along in a very long time and he

didn't want it to end. Not only had he missed it, but it was a very refreshing change from the gloominess of the past

couple months.

"There's one problem with that, Shika-chan," she teased. "I like them all... so! Since you won't tell me what you

want I'll just have to pick one for you..." Grinning evilly, she reached into the box and selected a chocolate,

reaching out and holding it to his lips. "Try them. They're o-i-shii..." Stretching the last word, she leaned down with

each syllable and ended up taking the chocolate in her own teeth before he could catch it. It was a small enough

candy that it would serve for a little bit of volleying, if Shikamaru was up to chocolate kisses at the moment.

Smirking wider, Shikamaru took the box off his chest and set it on the floor so it wouldn't get crushed. He leaned

up and took the candy from Ino with his teeth. After swallowing it he leaned up again to kiss her softly, taking an

arm out from under his head to cup her jaw. "I think I like you better," he murmured with a smile, meaning that he

liked her taste better than that of the candy.

"What about both together?" she asked with an evil little smirk that was all temptress as she reached down and

picked up another piece of the candy.

"Together? And you're scary when you smirk like that..."

She laughed a little, losing the expression in the process, and answered, "Choco Kisses. Wanna try 'em?"

"Aren't those the little choco teardrop things?" he asked, beginning to get confused again.

"That's a type of candy silly - well, that's not really a good way to put it because this could be considered candy,

too, I guess," she murmured, looking a little thoughtful before she leaned down after popping the chocolate into her

mouth. It rested on her tongue lightly as her lips pressed to his and then, as she kissed him softly, she offered him

the chocolate. She was thankful these weren't the filled kind because with these the chocolates would melt

between them, meaning there was no chewing necessary.

Well, this was new... in a very pleasant way as Shikamaru quickly found out. The chocolate slowly melted as it

was passed back and forth between their mouths as their tongues danced lazily, leaving behind a delicious, rich

sweetness. "Can we do that again?" he murmured against her lips when it was completely gone, his fingers now

tangled loosely in the now-free hair at the back of her head. He didn't even remember pulling her hair tie out.

"Anytime you want," she purred softly and grabbed another chocolate, putting it to his lips. Ino was absolutely

delighted that Shikamaru was taking to her efforts to iron things out so well. It was so wonderful to be able to be

held by him, and kiss him, and not have to worry about him hurting her feelings in the next instant. She wouldn't let

her feelings be hurt so easily anymore though. She hoped she'd gained a little better of an understanding of him

now, and she could only learn more as things progressed.

Smiling, Shikamaru took the chocolate and pulled Ino back down to kiss her again. This was so wonderful...

They took their time going through the box, making each chocolate - and thus each kiss - last as long as they

could. But when the box was half empty and Shikamaru reached down for another candy, Ino stopped him with a

light hand on his wrist. Confused and a little disappointed, Shikamaru looked at her questioningly.

"Shh," Ino soothed softly and put a finger to his lips before he could say anything. Standing slowly, Ino caught his

other wrist, hauling him up to his feet as well. Pulling him close, she kissed him gently, standing on tiptoe as her

fingers flew through a few hand seals, just out of range of his otherwise occupied senses.

Satisfied that she had his attention, she pulled away from the kiss and took a few steps back. Smiling come hither,

Ino slowly crossed her arms and took the hem of her shirt at either side in each hand, lifting her arms slowly. The

shirt ended up in Shikamaru's face, thrown there lightly as Ino turned around so that when it was removed, all

Shikamaru saw was Ino's shirtless back as she walked slowly towards the bedroom. She was busy starting to

remove her chest wrappings, revealing more and more skin to him as she hip-swayed to the bedroom door and

paused to look over her shoulder as she pulled the last of the wrappings off and dropped them on the floor. She

wasn't making a big production, just luring her fiancée in to play. She waited there patiently for just a moment to

see if he'd follow.

Shikamaru was more than willing to 'play' after all those chocolate kisses... and what healthy man could have

resisted a lure like that from the woman he planned to marry? He was at her back in an instant, his jacket and shirt

finding new homes on the floor before his hands settled on Ino's hips, holding her gently in place as warm lips

teased her neck. This was another thing he had missed sorely over the past couple months.

Her moan was soft and warm, much like the flesh beneath his hands. Lifting her arms up above her head, she let

her fingers find his ponytail and pulled his hair free as she tipped her head for his mouth's access. However, that's

all she remained there for. As soon as his hair spilled down around his face, she moved out of his reach again,

drawing him farther into the bedroom, exactly like a doe lured her chosen buck away from the rest of the herd.

Only Ino wasn't planning on mating. Tonight Shikamaru would learn a very important lesson about the differences

between animals... and humans.

Pausing beside the bed, she pushed her skirt off modestly ample hips, revealing black satin panties. Settling on the

edge of the bed, Ino crossed her naked legs and patted the mattress behind her in a silent summons for him to

crawl up behind her. Ino couldn't help the way her eyes traveled slowly over Shikamaru's smooth chest. There

were few noticeable scars over the evenly tanned skin, and she adored the way said skin stretched over finely

honed muscle. Her expression could only be called... hungry.

The look she gave him was all Shikamaru needed to go from semi-aroused to completely aroused and eager to

find release. Dropping his shorts and boxers to the floor, he climbed up onto the bed behind her and settled so that

she was sitting between his legs. He reached around to pull her against his chest by cupping one of her small, firm

breasts in his hand, while his other hand slid down her stomach towards her panties. Once again his mouth found

her neck, worshiping the soft skin of her throat with warm lips and gentle teeth.

"Shikamaru-koi," she murmured and caught his hand at her navel even as she reached up to cup the back of his

head, long fingers tangling in long black locks. "Do you know why humans have sex far more often than deer do?"

It was an appropriate question, but he might not see it that way at the moment. By the end of the evening he would

understand, though, so long as she had anything to say about it.

"Uhm... Humans are always in heat and deer aren't?" Shikamaru hazarded quietly, nuzzling behind her ear as the

hand on her breast squeezed gently. "Why?"

Her breath hitched a little and her fingers tightened for an instant in his hair. "No, koi," she corrected him softly.

"It's because sex isn't just about release and reproduction for humans... Do you understand?" She couldn't help the

tiny pants that were starting to take over her breathing pattern. Shikamaru's mouth on her neck and his hand on her

breast were definitely stealing her breath away and making her feel overly warm.

Not understanding what this had to do with them right now, Shikamaru stopped teasing her neck and looked at her

face. "I understand what you're saying but... what do you mean?" he asked quietly as his hand came up from her

breast to brush her flushed cheek.

Ino turned her face into his hand, kissing the palm softly. "It's easier to show than to tell... though I think, this once,

a little of both would best... Shikamaru, let me show you the difference between mating and making love?" She

closed her eyes and waited. A lot of men would take offense to a statement and a question like that. If Shikamaru

got angry, their wonderful night could potentially end in disaster.

"There's a difference?" he asked, sounding... not really surprised, though that was the best way to describe it. That

was a piece of information his father had never bothered to tell him.

"A big difference, koibitto," she murmured and stood, carefully extracting herself from his 'clutches'. She turned

then and cupped his face between softly calloused hands and kissed him gently before she murmured, "Let me

show you?" against his lips, her eyes hooded and sultry.

Shikamaru nodded, more than willing to go along with what Ino wanted. Everything she'd shown him so far tonight

had been wonderful and exceedingly pleasurable, so there was no reason that this wasn't going to be as well. He

reached up and took hold of the sides of her ribs as he laid back, pulling her down on top of him as he kissed her

languidly.

With a little coaxing, she got him up onto the middle of the bed and settled on her hip beside him. "Trust me?" She

needed to know he trusted her before she delved into realms unknown with him. He was a Jounin now and

although she knew he loved her, if she did something and he responded on reflex one of them could end up

potentially injured. She wasn't afraid of Shikamaru, but she was incredibly respectful of the power he represented

without even realizing it himself.

"Always... Except when you smirk like you're planning evil things," Shikamaru murmured teasingly, rolling onto his

side and running a hand down her back to her rear. His fingers caught the hem of her panties and tugged them

down her legs, finally making it so that she was as naked as he was.

"I only plan evil things that involve you any more... so what's there to worry about," she teased back and watched

her panties disappear of the bed before pushing him onto his back and then she straddled his thighs. "Just relax,"

she purred and leaned forward to press warm, soft lips to his throat. The ends of her hair tickled his chest and

arms as it spilled around them while she slowly kissed and nipped and licked her way down his chest. The taste of

her lover's sweaty skin made her shiver a little. She was hot and there was a deep ache in her lower abdomen that

was demanding to be eased, but for now there was something that had to be done.

She moved over his sternum and trekked silken pink lips lower, dipping her tongue into his navel teasingly. Ino

threw a glance up to check on him.

He was watching her curiously, shuddering a bit at the feel of her tongue in his navel. This was definitely new to him

and he had no idea what was going to happen next, though by the way his erection was twitching in response to

what she was doing at least his body knew. Every place she'd kissed or nipped on her way down now burned

pleasantly and he wanted to pull her back up to return the favor, but he also wanted to know what she was going

to do and so he decided to wait.

Ino calmly ran her hands up Shikamaru's thighs from his knees, pushing them apart so she could resettle between

them. Certainly, this was a new experience for him, so she continued to tease his tummy lightly with her mouth

while she soothingly stroked the insides of his thighs. Then, gathering her courage, Ino shifted down farther yet

again until her warm breath ghosted along the underside of his member and over his sacs. With a quiet boldness,

she took the base of his shaft in one hand and then, while resting her free hand on his hip where it joined with his

thigh, Ino took a deep breath and leaned down.

Her lips parted as they pressed to the tip of his erection, her tongue flicking out briefly to collect the drop of

precum swelling from the slit. It was only a second later that she let her tongue cup the underside of the head and

then she slowly wrapped her entire mouth around him, sliding as much of him into her mouth as she dared. His

essence held a slightly bitter flavor, but it wasn't something she couldn't handle. She was too busy watching his face

to pay too much attention anyway.

The only way to describe the look on Shikamaru's face was dumbfounded, wide-eyed surprise. For her to do that

was the last thing he'd been expecting! Then all the surprise drained out of his face to be replaced with a look of

intense pleasure as his brain registered the amazing sensations Ino was creating in his lower abdomen. Moaning, he

let his head fall back into the pillow and panted at the feeling of Ino's mouth on his length, his hips bucking up in

search of more stimulation. Shaking fingers found their way into white-blond hair, stroking in encouragement for

her to continue.

Pleased with the look on Shikamaru's face, Ino withheld her smile and cupped her tongue around the large vein,

cradling it as she began to bob her head lightly, choosing a rhythm to match the attempts of his hips to get exactly

what she was giving him. One hand stroked the inside of his thigh gently before sliding up to cradle his sacs. She

massaged gently both the base of his arousal and his sacs, all the while bobbing her head slowly. Carefully, she

monitored his voice as it had always warned her when he was getting close. Twisting her wrist a little, she chanced

rubbing one finger against the small plane of skin between Shikamaru's sacs and entrance just to see if what she'd

heard about that particular erogenous spot was true or not. If it was true then that knowledge could only help her.

Shikamaru let out a loud, rough gasp as his whole body trembled. "Ino..." he moaned, his hips bucking again and

his face contorting in pleasure. This was vastly different from everything they'd ever done before and his

passion-foggy mind decided this was definitely something to do whenever they got the chance. He could feel the

edge rushing towards him and he was oh so close to falling when all of a sudden the stimulation was gone. No

more mouth around his length or hand on his sacs. Very confused at the sudden change he opened his eyes and

gazed down his shaking body at Ino, looking very much like a kid whose candy had been snatched away.

Slowly, Ino crawled up his shaking form to lick at the corner of his mouth again. "Never saw a doe do that before,

have you?" she asked in a slightly teasing voice, her pale eyes sparkling with mirth and love at the response she

was getting from him. Gentle fingers brushed at Shikamaru's cheek gently. "Lesson number one: Humans like

pleasure," she crooned and nuzzled his nose. "Ne?" she inquired her voice still teasing as she lay down on her

stomach on top of him, breasts pressing against his chest, elbows on either side on his head as she gazed down at

him from where her chin rested on the backs of her hands. This was fun!

"Evil woman," Shikamaru grumbled around a smirk, pulling her down for a long, deep kiss. Warm hands caressed

Ino's back before settling on the backs of her thighs just under her rear, pulling her legs gently open. He could feel

the heat radiating from between her legs and shivered as the desire to join with her nearly consumed him, but he

wasn't going to ruin her fun by stopping her plans in the middle. "Dare I ask what lesson two is?" he murmured

huskily against her lips, his voice amused and curious.

"Lesson two?" Ino asked thoughtfully as she shivered at the touch of his hands and readjusted her position so that

she straddled him. "Lesson two," she purred and then kissed him deeply before continuing. "The second lesson is

about drawing out..." She kissed him again and wriggled a little, rubbing the full length of her body over his, her

lower body - held slightly off him by her spread knees - rubbing his arousal between their lower abdomens lightly.

"The pleasures of 'mating'. That's what makes it 'making love'."

She rubbed noses with him, looking into his eyes with an absolutely sultry blend of mischievousness and seduction

in her own pale blue gaze.

He moaned quietly at the feeling of her body rubbing against him, fire licking at his skin. Suddenly feeling impatient

for the climax he'd been denied, Shikamaru rolled them over and slid a hand between their bodies, seeking Ino's

entrance. When gentle fingers found her more than ready accept him, he pulled his fingers away and replaced them

with his erection. One swift thrust and he was completely inside her, immediately beginning a steady rhythm meant

to bring about climax as quickly as possible. His mouth found its way to Ino's neck and teased it from jaw to

shoulder as his hands held her hips firmly.

Ino groaned, half in pleasure and half in frustration. With a good deal of effort she managed to wrap her legs tightly

around him, ceasing his movements by cupping his face in her hands and forcing him to look at her. She soothed

him with soft hushes and gentle words until she had his attention. It was hard to think with him filling her body so

perfectly, but she managed to murmur, "Slowly, Shikamaru... Make it last longer. Sometimes longer lasting matings

can feel twice as good... I promise."

As a little bit of confusion overtook his face - he was more interested in finding that release at the moment,

something she'd only felt the first time they'd had sex - Ino took advantage of the moment, rolling him to the

bottom. For one instant it was like their first time all over again with the deeper penetration given by the change in

position. She leaned forward over him and moaned, panting as beads of sweat rolled off of her skin and dripped

onto his chest to mingle with his own perspiration, but she caught herself before she gave in to the urge to just

mate as they had been doing. It was definitely time to change the norm. Arching her back, she lifted herself

off of him and then sat back down, creating a slow, flexing rhythm that varied as she experimented to see what felt

good for the both of them – rolling her hips a little, rocking them, straight up and down, whatever she could think

of. It was the hardest and most pleasurable thing she'd ever done in her life. And she actually had Shikamaru

completely at her mercy now. It was an exhilarating feeling to be in control of someone so strong and normally

controlled, to be in control of their pleasure.

Shikamaru's breathing was getting harsher by the second, air entering and leaving his lungs in shuddering gasps as

pleasure assaulted him. His hands had remained on Ino's hips when she'd flipped them over and they tightened

their grip, helping her lift herself and making it easier for him to lift his own hips to meet her on the way down.

Every time she changed the angle or way she came down it left him trembling for a long moment, only for her to

change it up again just when his tremors were beginning to end. All he could hear was his blood pounding in his

ears and behind it their harsh breathing; all he could feel was Ino's tight, slick, burning-hot grip around him; and all

he could see was Ino's beautiful face, flushed with arousal and love.

Unable to bear the friction and the pleasure it created any longer, Ino finally took a steady pace, arching her back

and flexing her hips in a way that she had determined to drive them both wild. "Shikamaru!" she gasped and leaned

forward, bracing her hands on either side of his head as she moved on him, moaning in blinding pleasure.

Her moans sent bolts of lightning straight to Shikamaru's groin and he moaned in concert with her, each thrust of

his hips stronger and deeper than the last. One of his hands glided up from Ino's hip and across her sweat-slick

body to her neck, curling around the back of it to pull her down into a deep, passionate kiss before sliding back

down to cup one of her breasts, teasing the hard nipple with a calloused thumb.

Ino whimpered and shuddered at the arousing touch of his thumb against her nipple and that shudder lead to

another and then another as she came with a long, low moan. Her body flexed and seized around him, tightening

almost painfully. "Shikamaru..." she groaned against his mouth, gasping for air and panting as wave after amazing

wave of pleasure washed through her. It was nothing like the first time. The first time she'd experienced orgasm it

had been fast and sudden and all too much for her to really remember in the frenzied state they'd both been in.

Now though, oh now she would never forget that feeling. Never.

A rough groan tore its way past Shikamaru's lips as he came with her in response to the heavenly tightening of her

body around him, filling Ino with his hot seed. His mind spun as if on ice and he lay there limply beneath her,

panting as he slowly came back down from cloud nine. He felt wonderfully relaxed and he lazily wrapped his arms

around her shoulders, pulling her down to lay on top of him. "I love you, Ino," Shikamaru whispered right into her

ear, nuzzling her for a moment before letting his head fall back onto the pillow, all ready to fall asleep.

Ino pinched him lightly after an instant of disbelief. "Shikamaru... say that again, please," she said, sounding a little

desperate despite the sluggishness of pleasure infusing her every limb. He was absolutely not going to fall

asleep on her! Not immediately anyway.

"Love you..." he whispered again, his breathing already in the gentle rhythm of light sleep. He hadn't even felt the

pinch.

Too happy with hearing those words, certain she had heard them now that he had repeated them, Ino hugged to

him tightly and whispered, "I love you too, koishii." After a tiny pause to watch his sleeping face she murmured,

"Sleep well," and settled more comfortably on top of him, tucking her head beneath his chin and closing her moist

eyes. He'd finally actually said it. He loved her and had admitted it! Boldly! Her heart soaring, she placed her ear

over Shikamaru's heart and slowly fell asleep.

----------The Next Morning----------

Shikamaru woke up very slowly, feeling much too warm and comfortable to move. At some point last night he and

Ino had rearranged themselves so that they lay on their sides with her back against his chest, an arm over her waist

holding her close to him. His nose was buried in her hair and he took a deep breath, filling his lungs with her sweet

scent. He absolutely loved waking up with Ino in his arms and would have stayed there all day had a bird call not

pulled his gaze to the window. It was almost noon, judging by the angle at which the light was coming in. He was

supposed to have been in Tsunade's office for a briefing almost three hours ago. "Dammit," he muttered, slowly

untangling himself from Ino to get up and get dressed. Better late than never...

"Where do you think you're going? You're on leave..."

"I have to go see Tsunade..." he grumbled, sitting up with a stretch. "I was supposed to be there three hours ago..."

"No you don't. You're on leave. A bird came by a little while ago and told me that you were on leave for the next

month. Apparently, your dad went to Tsunade and told her how stressed out you've been lately. His words -

according to the bird - were, 'It's better to only lose him for a month rather than forever.' I would have to say that

is absolutely true."

Ino hadn't moved an inch, or even cracked open an eye. She was far too comfortable to move and she really

didn't want him to either. After a moment, she reached back and groped blindly for an arm or wrist or shoulder...

whatever she could grab to pull him back down.

"My dad got Tsunade to give me a month's leave?!" Shikamaru exclaimed in surprise. That was certainly

unexpected. ::Mom probably kicked him out of the house and threatened not to feed him until he did as told,:: he

thought as he laid back down, spooning against Ino again. "Hmm, I guess miracles do happen," he said and

wrapped his arm around Ino's waist. Returning his nose to its former location in her hair he sighed, planning on

going back to sleep.

"Oi!" she snapped, just to get his attention. "Don't go back to sleep. Cuddle with me. Talk to me."

"I am cuddling," he murmured, tightening his hold on her waist.

"Then talk to me too," she murmured and turned around in his arms to nuzzle his throat. "I want to get to know you

better... as best as I can. We need to talk about a lot of things. There are a lot of things that I want to talk about

too."

"So, what do you want to talk about?" he asked quietly, not opening his eyes. He figured that if he humored her he

could get away with only half-paying attention and maybe get some dozing done in the process.

"Us, koi," she answered. "I want to make sure that we've got this little problem ironed out. I want to know that

you're okay with this relationship as it is now... I want to know... if you enjoyed last night..." She got really quiet as

she trailed off, unsure. But she needed to know.

Shikamaru sighed softly. It looked like he wasn't going to be able to go back to sleep after all. He moved his arm

from around Ino's waist to around her shoulders, pulling her closer so that he could nuzzle lazily at her temple.

"Maybe, yes, and yes, very much so."

Sighing a little in relief, Ino nuzzled his collarbone. "We need to communicate like this more often," she stated

happily and hugged him. "I love you."

He smiled and kissed the corner of her eye, hugging her tighter. "The choco certainly helped," he murmured

jokingly.

"Oh, it doesn't end with the choco, Shikamaru," she said seriously, lifting her head to look him right in the eye.

"Chocolate syrup, whipped cream... anything sweet can be turned into a toy like that." And then her smile was sly

as she ran her tongue over his bottom lip. "So what did you learn last night?" she inquired expecting the "right"

answer.

"Listening to Ino is a very good idea, at least in bed," he answered with a smirk.

"Ehmmmm, close... I was looking for something a little more specific, like: It's not something you do just to get it

over with and sleep. That it's something shared between two people, who love each other and want to share the

most intimate of pleasures together," she told him, smiling softly as she propped herself up on one elbow and

caressed his cheek with one gentle forefinger.

"That works too," Shikamaru consented, scooting closer to rest his cheek on Ino's chest and tugging her back

down in the process. "Yay, pillow," he murmured happily.

Ino blinked and then laughed softly as she cradled his jaw in one palm and hung the other arm over his body. "So

there is some enthusiasm in that body of yours outside of obtaining orgasm..." she teased and stroked his cheek

again while lying back to play the part of pillow for him.

He pretended to already be asleep, just to be a tease.

Rolling her eyes a little, she smiled amused. "Go ahead and sleep, koi," she whispered softly. "You deserve the

rest. You've worked really hard lately and I just never realized that you were stressing out over it. I'm sorry I was

so self-centered before." She put a finger to his lips before he could say anything. "Now, go to sleep, and we can

sit down, after we wake up again and eat, and we'll talk about whatever we might need to talk about then, ne?"

Shikamaru smiled and nodded, leaning up to give her a soft, loving kiss before resting his head on her chest again.

He was just about to fall asleep when he remembered something. "Mm, one of the does fawned last week. Want

to go visit later?" he murmured.

"Yes," she said softly and without any hesitation at all. "I'd love to." Oh, to see the baby deer again... She missed

them all.

"'Kay." He snuggled deeper into her and was soon sound asleep, Ino's heartbeat in his ear.

She soon followed him into dreamland, his scent surrounding her and his head a warm weight on her breast,

comforting and reassuring. The world was a better place when one shared it with those that they loved and Ino had

never felt those words to be truer than in the moment just before she went to sleep.

~~Owari~~