"I've Never Replaced You"

Here is Chapter 2! Enjoy reading everyone! :)
Again, this story is inspired by the Filipino book , I've read , respects to the writer!

(c) Naruto is Masashi Kisimoto's :)

There is something tickling Ino's nose that's why she woke up in her peaceful sleep. When she opened her eyes, she saw up close the wet nose of a dog.
When did she have a pet dog?

Aaah, right. She's not in her house and she's in the room of Shikamaru, lying in his king-sized bed. The dog is Yoku, the pet Golden Retriever of the Nara.

She petted the dog because she knows very well that it will not leave her until it will be given attention. When Yoku got contented, it lied on the floor near the foot of the bed. Sighing, she rested again on Shikamaru's shoulder. She breathed in his scent, closing her eyes once more. She felt the man's arm wrapped around her waist. And it's already morning…

Ino suddenly opened her eyes. Auntie Yoshino! She gonna arrive! She hurriedly went out of the bed; her chest is pounding so hard. It was accompanied by he bark of the dog because it was shocked in her sudden actions. And that's why Shikamaru woke up.

"What happened?" the Nara mumbled with his eyes nearly open.
"I'm going home, Auntie Yoshino is coming." She started picking up her wet clothes that were scattered on the floor.
"Hey, don't go home yet.' Come here, I'll fetch mom this evening, not now." His hand reached out to grab hers. "And the maids are not here, they are on vacation."

Ino smiled. "Shika, my mom is also looking for me." She draw near to him and seated on the bed and Shikamaru gently stroke Ino's hair.

"Huh, what time is it?" Shikamaru asked while looked at the wall clock. When he saw that it is still 6:25 in the morning, he pulled Ino again to the bed, they still needs to rest, Shikamaru's hand were caressing her chest. Ino stopped his playful fingers before her sanity will be affected, "Shika, I think we need to talk before something will happen again."

And the Nara's eyes opened completely. He transferred his hand to Ino's back and continued his sensual strokes there. His eyes roamed in Ino's angelic face as if memorizing all its lines. Then he said, "I've been attracted to you for the longest time, Ino. For me, you are the epitome of a perfect woman: strong, independent, intelligent, beautiful inside and out."

"But….?"
"I thought you won't accept me."
"Why did you think that way?" Ino watched him closely as he knit his brow in concentration.
"Because we've been best friends for a long time, I don't know if you'll notice that my attraction is something romantic or just because we are a member of a mutual admiration club."

He got a point but Ino's heart pounded rapidly again, "I see what you mean. But I'm flattered, really."

"How about you?" He raised himself for one elbow, intent on getting something out of her, too. "Is there also something you can say to me that will make me flatter? , even just one word."

"Huh?" Ino doesn't know about flattery things. "I don't know, what do you think I should suppose to say?"

"Come on, think of it. "He persuaded. "One word or even just a phrase."

"Ah. . . . . . you are one of the most important people in my life. Someone I'll always cherish knowing and having shared part of my life with."

He looked like he was trying to absorb what she had said. "Do you think it will help if I will confess to you now what I said to Sakura, if I had the chance to have a boyfriend in the gang, I only thought you and only you?"

He kissed her before she started to speak again.
"I've have something to say to you, more simple." There is a shine in his eyes like that of a person that is hiding a dirty secret.
"Yes?" It was still not said but she was severely blushing in anticipation.
He flashed a disarming smile. He slowly removed the bangs that covered most her face. "I love you, Ino."
The blonde just smiled- a one wide smile.

"You have a stupid smile on your face," Shikamaru teased.

"Really?"

"How about me, how would I have a stupid a smile on my face?" The man questioned jokily.

"Uhh, then you just need to imitate me," she said shyly shielding his eyes from his gaze.

"I can't." He said and started to tickle her.

"Shika, stop it." She managed to say those words even though she almost cries in laughing.

"Come on troublesome, how can I have a stupid smile on my face?" He rested his head on her neck and started to nuzzle her ear.

"Shika…." She threaded her fingers through his hair and clutching it, brought his head up so she could see his face. "I love you, too."

A smile was slowly shown in Shikamaru's face.
"There you go! I now have a stupid smile on my face!"

She kissed him, playfully nipping his earlobe, and then whispered sensually, "Make love to me."

Shikamaru moved to comply her wish.

Tell me , what you think... Review! :))

- lethalshikaino