Ino's Garden Secret

Oncloudnine: Hello hello! After much time my next story is a shikaxino pairing!

Shikamaru: Oncloudnine does not own Naruto Oncloudnine: SHIKAMARU!*glomp*
Shikamaru: Troublesome woman

Chapter 1

"what did you say?" I said with disbelief. "I SAID you are nothing but a LAZY ASS COWARD of a ninja!" Ino yelled. "Now, now,
guys just calm down!" my best friend Chouji said. We have always been like this, Ino, Chouji and I. "I can't believe you would rather lay down and watch clouds all day than to take on missions!" She argued. I felt my temper flare, just for a second. " STOP BEING SO BOSSY INO! I GOT TIRED MENTALLY AND ASKED TSUNADE-SAMA FOR A BREAK!" I retorted "OR DO I NEED YOUR PERMISSION FOR THAT?" She stopped yelling for a moment apparently stunned that I raised my voice to her. 'That shut her up' I thought. Chouji stood between us looking just as stunned as Ino.
Then she did the most out of character, the most un-Ino like thing ever...Ino Yamanaka...apologized."You know what...I'm sorry Shika-kun," I thought 'Uh-oh she called me Shika-kun...she only calls me that when she's super pissed off!' She moved and I winced, preparing for her to hit me, but when she didn't, I opened up my eyes just wide enough to see hers fill up with tears. "I'm out of here!" she said with a huff,and left. Chouji looked at me and shook his head."Shikamaru..."he started.
"Ugh, I know Chouji I'm going." I replied and I chased after her, knowing exactly where she was heading.

*******At Ino's House ********

"Stupid Shika!" I heard her yell. She went to the place she always went to when she was upset...the Yamanaka's flower garden. 'They soothe my mind' she would always say. I hid behind a nearby rose bush, waiting for her to calm down before I approached her, but I wasn't prepared for what she said next. "I just can't believe him y'know?" she said as she watered the flowers. " He has so much potential and he's so smart, but all he does is cloud watch!" She let out a sigh. 'Who is she talking to?' I wondered as I looked around. 'No one else is here...the flowers?' Ino looked lovingly at the flowers and smiled. I felt my face heat up. I have always loved Ino's smile, her geniune smile that could make any man's heart melt. I couldn't keep my eyes off her. 'She just complimented me though' I thought 'But why?' She kept talking out loud,"You guys always make me feel better,but you know what I'm not really mad about it anymore."
"Can I tell you guys a secret?" she glanced around playfully." I think I'm in love!" I froze. 'Ino is in love?' I felt my heart drop. 'Who does Ino love? Is it still Sasuke? Sai? Neji? Naruto?' I was anxious to hear the answer. I have been around her for years but this is the first time she's mentioned it.I felt true fear for the first time in my life. Chouji and I had both fallen for her long ago and we both were inwardly hoping that she would fall for one of us, agreeing to support each other if either of us were chosen, but I couldn't help but feel a little jealous if it was someone else other than us. I didn't want to lose her to another man. " He means alot to me," she said "And he is very reliable when it matters." She walked over to the plant food and started to gather it up to feed the plants. " He has no idea I like him though." she chuckled. 'That eliminates Sasuke...who is it Ino?' I frowned. I knew I shouldn't be eavesdropping but...I just couldn't...help myself.

"I'm always wondering what he thinks of me..." she trailed off "If he thinks I'm smart, pretty, or mature," 'Well she's right for the most part' I thought.
I remember when the guys and I talked about the girls on our teams and Ino was always voted the best looking. But the smartest and most mature had been Sakura and Tenten repectively, with Hinata having the best blend of the three. 'Enough' I shook myself from my thoughts and kept listening. "He is handsome and strong," Ino said,"but I don't pay attention to him 'cuz of that." Ino stopped and thought. " I would say I fell in love with him as a person!" she said finally. I bit my lip growing more anxious by the second. 'Come on Ino say it already' "Have you guys guessed yet?" she grinned. "His name is..." "INO!"
'That was her mom...ugh why NOW?'I was in mental agony. "Coming!" Ino replied."I have never felt so frustrated in my life!" I muttered. I waited until Ino went inside to leave.