What if Ino had saved Hinata from the bullies (Instead of Naruto)? What if Hinata didn't fall in love with Naruto because of this? What if she fell in love with someone else instead? HinataxShikamaru

Hello guys, this is my first fanfiction. I read a lot of HinataxShikamaru stuff and this is my favorite pairing. So I decided to add my own story!

Chapter 1: Why are you friends with Ino?

"Hi-na-ta!" Ino said. She threw her arms around the weird eyed girl. "What'cha brought for lunch today?" She asked curiously as she pulled away from the brief hug. She then sat on the empty chair next her friend.

Hinata pulled out a lunch box with the Hyuga logo embedded on it. And removed the lid to show a beautiful packed lunch with rice, octopus shaped sausage and veggies on the side.

"W-Would you like some Ino?" Hinata asked.

"Hell no! You know I'm on a diet. A girl in love mustn't fall behind in the fight." As Ino said this, her eyes trailed to Sasuke, who was eating lunch by himself. "Not that there's much competition, ya know. But I gotta always stay ahead in this war."

"Then I guess I should say hang in there, Ino." Hinata said, sympathetically. "B-But you should eat more often." Hinata knew that her advice would fall on deaf ears, but decided she wanted to remind Ino of this anyways.

"No pain no gain, at least that's what they say." Ino replied.

"Oi, Ino-pig! Over here." Sakura peeked inside the classroom, and made a hand gesture which went along with her words. "There's something funny going on outside, Naruto pulled another prank!" Sakura said.

"Seriously? That clown never learns! He's so gonna get caught." Ino said. There was amusement in her voice as she stood up and ran down to meet Sakura by the door. "I'll be back Hinata." With a wave, Ino left the shy Hyuga girl eating lunch by herself.

"I don't know why you associate yourself with such a troublesome girl." Shikamaru said. He had just finished witnessing the exchange between Hinata and Ino. In his opinion, he thought Hinata was better off with other friends. Ino could be sort of toxic to be around. Hinata finally turned around and looked at him in the eyes. Shikamaru had his chin resting on his hand. He raised an eyebrow and waited for a response from the girl.

Hinata cocked her head in confusion.

"Y-you mean Ino? Um, I don't understand why you're asking when you're also her friend." Hinata said.

"We're only childhood friends because our family are close. The decision was completely forced on me from a young age." Shikamaru replied.

"Well…I look up to her. She saved me from some bullies back before I joined the academy." Hinata replied. At this, Shikamaru lifted his head and scrutinized his classmate, as if to check if the girl was trying to deceive him.

"And you're sure it was the same girl?" Shikamaru asked suspiciously. Hinata stifled a giggle and nodded.

"Yes I'm very sure." Hinata said. "S-She even told me her name was Ino."

His brown eyes trailed to the clock on the classroom's wall. "What a drag, I just lost three minutes of my time. I'm gonna take a nap now. Bye Hinata." Shikamaru said; ending the conversation as he went back to resting his head on the desk.

"S-Sleep well?" She said, not knowing what else to say. Hinata then turned to her lunch and finished it in silence as light snores could be heard from behind her.