You must be registered for see links
Story Description:
Ino is finally realising her feelings for Shikamaru, but she isn't alone in discovering new feelings; Shikamaru begins to see Temari in a new light. As emotions stir, Ino uses Kiba as a decoy to win the heart of Shikamaru; but how will she go about it?
Kiba/Ino/Shikamaru/Temari ~
Enjoy!
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Selfish Little Me.
Chapter One: False-Illusions.
"It's not like I have feelings for him…" I thought to myself as I walked away from the ever-so-popular Shikamaru, who was now surrounded by Konoha's bimbo schoolgirls. "So why am I getting so worked up at the sight of him getting so much attention?"
As I continued to walk further away from him, I began to get frustrated even more so than before. "He's just boring old Shikamaru!" I explained to myself, my tone aggravated. I came to a halt and brought my hands to my face, sighing.
"Boring old Shikamaru, eh?" I heard a familiar voice behind me query.
I looked up from my hands in surprise, turning around instantly."
"Shikamaru! I didn't kno-" I tried to explain, but was stopped when I saw Shikamaru grinning to himself; the same grin he used whilst being surrounded by the girls.
This angered me pretty quickly, not to mention it doesn't take a lot to piss me off.
"What's so damn amusing?" I asked aggressively, daring him to challenge me.
But before I could even continue to express my annoyance toward Shikamaru, he pulled me into his arms, enclosing me inside them tightly.
"You can't deny your feelings for me any longer, Ino." He insisted, looking into deep into my eyes. "Sooner or later things are going to become troublesome."
I looked up at him, wanting nothing more than to kiss his tender looking lips.
"Shikamaru," I sighed, with a look at was almost begging him to make a move.
I closed my eyes, hoping, praying he would. "I, I lo-"
Ino, wake up!" Someone shouted, waking me with a start. "You're supposed to be working at the shop today, and you're already late!"
I sat up slowly, looking at the other side of my room, where my photo of Team 10 stood proudly amongst my other photos. As my vision became clearer, I noticed that Shikamaru stood out in the picture more than ever before. "Damn Mother," I thought to myself, "I was having the best dream…"
"Ino! So help me, if you're not down here in ten minu-"
"Yes Mother, I get it!" I shouted back to her, lately my Mother had been quick to anger me. "God, Parents these days are so damn annoying," I mumbled to myself, "they honestly don't know when to shut up. Plus, it's rude to interrupt someone during… well, anything." Yeah, I knew I meant my dream. I didn't want to admit myself that the dream was probably the best I've ever had; because that would be admitting my feelings for Shikamaru.
A few years back, even the thought of having anything to do with Shikamaru like that would definitely send shivers down my spine. And since then, I have absolutely no idea what happened to change that feeling towards him. As I said to myself in the dream... he's just boring old Shikamaru.
But, that didn't explain why he's starting to get more and more female attention, but not so much to the extent of my dream. That was admittedly over the top, but I was definitely afraid of that happening.
"At least I'm the closest female to him", I thought to myself, "That way I have a much better chance of... what am I saying? I don't have feelings for him." I really need to stop thinking like that. We're just friends... yeah, just friends. After getting ready, I made my way to my Mother in the hallway, who handed me my working apron.
"Your shift ends in about an hour, since you're already pretty late," my mother began to rant, "Go before I cut your allowance; because the next time you're late, I honestly will. I mean it this time Ino!"
I sighed as I grabbed my apron and walked out the door, not really listening to my Mother's threats. On my way to the flower shop, I encountered Choji, who as usual was beaming. "Hey Choji," I called out to him happily, "Where's Shikamaru?" I automatically asked, hoping he wouldn't notice my wanting to see our team mate.
"Hey Ino," He replied in a sort of sing-song, "The last time I saw him he was talking with Temari."
I raised an eyebrow, then went on to frown slightly. "Wait, Temari?" I asked in an unimpressed tone that I couldn't help, "What business does he have with her?"
Choji shrugged with an awkward smile on his face, then looking away from me, he mumbled just loud enough for me to hear, "He told me not to tell anyone…"
This time, I raised both eyebrows, and Choji immediately looked away from me, closing his eyes tightly.
"I'm sorry Choji," I challenged, in a high voice, "But I don't think you heard my question correctly. It wasn't a "You don't have to answer," sort of question, it was an "Answer before I hit you," sort of thing. You got it?" I asked, in a simple tone, with an innocent smile on my face. Choji knew now to answer my query; I could see him getting fidgety.
"I'm sorry Ino," Choji cried, before running off quickly in the opposite direction to where I was going. Hadn't it been for my shift I would've gotten him to answer me then and there. But it could wait; I would find out sooner or later anyway…
To be honest, I'd already guessed, I just didn't want to admit it to myself.
Once I'd finally got to the shop, there were already customers there waiting to be served; and they didn't look too happy. I quickly opened it up as they frowned upon me and served them as quick as I could. I then wondered why there were so many villagers wanting flowers on that particular day, and asked the last customer I was serving. "What's the special occasion?"
He raised his eyebrows at me, and replied in a monotone; "A lovely young lady like you should know Miss Ino, its valentine's in two days."
Shoot! I almost forgot about that, but it definitely explained the situation. Once every one of the many customers had left, I walked around my shop and watered all the flowers, and while I was doing so I bent down a little, watering them to the best of my ability; since it was almost valentines.
Whilst sorting out the flowers, I heard footsteps coming into the shop. Absent-mindedly, I asked "Welcome to Yamanaka Flowers, please take your time."
After saying this, I heard a familiar chuckle that made me alert.
"Ino, I know it's a drag, but I just came to say hello."
"Crap, that's Shikamaru's voice," I thought to myself, and for some reason panicking.
"Sh-Shikamaru!" I exclaimed, scrambling up as quick as I could, brushing myself down; which for some reason caused him to chuckle again.
"What's so funny?" I asked with a frown, making my way back to the counter.
"It's nothing," He explained simply, his hands deep in his pockets and a grin on his face. "You're just so damn clumsy."
"Excuse me?" I challenged, raising my eyebrows "Say that again, I dare you."
This time he laughed, picking up a bunch of Acacia flowers, and walking over to the counter. I then looked at him and the flowers uncomfortably.
"Erm, Shikamaru?" I asked in a baffled tone, "You do know what those flowers mean, right?"
"Of course," he again, replied simply, but this time with a smile on his face. "The meaning of this flower is to express to the receiver your secret admiration, also known as Unspoken Love."
I couldn't help but blush as he said this, as dull as Shikamaru was, he was still a charmer. But, I then asked in a stern voice, "Well, who's that for? If you know the meaning then wouldn't giving them to someone express your feelings for them? Unless of course," I began to end in a comical voice, "It's for your Father?"
Shikamaru chuckled, and then turned after purchasing the flowers, looking out of the shop window. "If you must know who it's for," He began on his way to the door, making me start to regret asking him, "It's for Temari."
Before I could even question him about his reply, he'd left.
To be honest, I was in complete shock. I could do nothing but back against the wall and slide down it, my hands grabbing my long hair.
"Shikamaru… why?" I whispered, my eyes welling up with tears. "Why would you do that to me?" I knew he couldn't hear me, but I just had to let those words out of my mouth. As tears trickled down my fair cheeks, I wondered why I was getting so upset over such a simple thing. It could be that he was lying, or it could be she'll turn him down.
Yeah… that'll happen. It just has to.
Whilst on the floor expressing my emotion, I heard the shop door open and a familiar female voice call out, "Is anyone here?"
I automatically stood up, wiping my very wet eyes, making my friend jump.
"S-sorry, Sakura… what were you saying?"
Sakura looked as shocked as I was before, when Shikamaru told me about Temari.
"Ino, were you just crying?" She asked, her eyes somewhat widened.
"No I wasn't," I replied hastily, "I just had something in my eye, that's all." I then smiled and went on to say, "So, how can I help you?"
Sakura looked at me doubtfully, and asked "I just saw Shikamaru leave the shop, did he say something to you?"
"No, no of course not!" I replied hurriedly, "It'd take a lot more than that to make me cry, you know that." I grinned at her, wiping away the last of my tears.
I hoped she'd buy it, and she seemed to let it slide, but she still looked displeased.
"I actually came here to buy some flowers for a certain someone." She explained, winking cheekily afterwards.
"Ah," I replied, grinning back at her, "Let me guess; Sai?" I asked in a teasing tone.
Sakura then tapped her nose and said, "That's for me to know and for you never to find out." She then giggled and picked up two red roses, taking them to the counter and handing me the money.
"Oh?" I asked with a smirk, and then went on to joke, "Two roses? Well aren't you a sly one." Sakura laughed, then shook her head grinning.
"One's for… that certain someone, and the other is for my Mother. Incest really isn't my thing, Ino-Pig. I'm not sure about you though." Sakura winked and laughed again; I was about to hit her when another customer came in.
It was Temari.
"Hello girls," She began with a smile which made me want to punch her, for the sole reason that I knew the smile was cute. She made her way over to the flowers and looked straight at me, "Ino, I want to get a flower which represents love, but it can't be a rose. Which flower would you recommend?"
I looked at her, thinking for a second. Suddenly, a thought hit me.
"Oh, you could pick a bunch of yellow tulips. They mean "I simply adore you,"."
Only I knew the meaning of yellow tulips, and that was "Hopeless Love". I know it's pretty sad but I honestly felt proud of myself as Temari purchased them and walked out of the shop. Sakura then bid me goodbye and followed after Temari.
Once my shift was over, I locked up and made my way back home.
Half way there, I witnessed Shikamaru and Temari hugging, and then Temari walking off in the opposite direction. I frowned upon the sight, obviously disliking it. Shikamaru soon spotted me and waved, motioning for me to come over.
"Ino," he began in his usual dull voice, "what's up?"
"What was that?" I asked quickly, placing my hands on my hips.
"What? Just then?" He asked awkwardly, one hand rubbing the back of his head. "We were just talking an-"
"Oh of course," I interrupted in an ungentle voice, "Just talking."
Shikamaru raised an eyebrow and put his hands in his pockets. "Yeah, what's the problem?"
"I don't like her, Shikamaru." I replied harshly, "She seems lik-"
"Ino, you shouldn't pass judgement on people that you don't even know." He said with a slightly fierce tone. That's when I got really pissed off, and snapped.
"Well you shouldn't be declaring your feelings for some bitch!"
Before Shikamaru could even reply, I stormed away from him as fast as I could. As I ran, I could feel onlookers staring at me, but I didn't care. I just wanted to get as far away from Shikamaru as possible. My eyes were shut tight as I ran, and I could feel myself beginning to cry again. I then suddenly bumped into a tall figure and fell on my back, letting out a shriek of pain.
"Sorry about that, let me help you up" said an apologetic voice that wasn't so familiar to me, "You're Ino, right?"
