Title: It's Never Easy
Rating: T
Disclaimer: I once again, do NOT own NARUTO or any NARUTO characters. (I just wish I did)
Distribution: Take it, share it, just credit me and tell me where it's going. Stealing isn't cool.
Pairings: InoxShikamaru
Feedback: Yes, PLEASE!'

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"Why does everything have to be so... troublesome?"
The rain was pounding down on Nara Shikamaru as he slowly made his way through the trees. The mission had been.. Somewhat successful, it hadn't failed. But he was still about an hour of tree-hopping away from the dry, calm Konoha he was used to. He frowned as a raindrop went into his eye.
"Storms.. Rain... what a drag..."

Ino sat comfortably on Sakura's couch with a big purple robe and Sakura's pink slippers. She was dry, but she wasn't happy.
"I don't know Sakura," Ino said carefully, gritting her teeth so that she wouldn't use 'Forehead'. "This is weird. We haven't done this since we were like...9."
"Well, it's time we were friends again, Ino, especially since Sasuke is gone.. And well, to be honest with you, I kinda missed you."
Ino winced at Sasuke's name and then smiled, glad she had agreed to Sakura's girl's night. It had been pretty gloomy at the flower shop with no one coming in. She'd been surprised when Sakura had appeared, drenched to the bone.

The first thing that Ino had said was, "Well, well, well. Look at that. A wet rat with a big forehead. MOM! CALL THE EXTERMINATOR!"
Sakura had glared at her momentarily. "Ino, I'm raising my white flag."
"WHAT?"

She still wasn't sure how Sakura had gotten her to agree to this, or to the fact that they weren't going to call each other names.
The truth was, that she had only kept fighting with Sakura after awhile because she was angry. Angry that Sakura had gotten someone. Well, not really gotten someone but had UCHIHA SASUKE to care about her.
Ino kinda changed her mind about liking him. Obviously she didn't have the bond that Sakura and Naruto had with him, and she never would. She had dealt with and accepted it.
"So, What do you want to do?"
"What is there to do?" Ino asked.
"We could... dance in the rain, do 'girly' things or talk."
"Number One, I don't want to get wet. Number Two, What are 'girly' things and number three, we are talking."
"Right..." Sakura looked thoughtful. "Girly things are like, talking about who you like."
"Oh." Ino wrinkled her nose. "You first."
Sakura rolled her eyes, "Do you really have to ask?"
"Sakura," Ino said, annoyed. "The boy left you unconscious on a bench."
"I know. I'm stupid. It sucks. Now, on to you."
"Well," Ino was silent for a minute. "I kind of like...Shikamaru."
"NARA SHIKAMARU!?" Sakura shrieked, her eyes wide. "But-But, he's so.. dull. He thinks everything is cumbersome and useless!"
"I know, I know, but there's just something about him... but that Temari of the sand.. I don't know.. I think he likes her."
"TEMARI? Gaara's sister? Nah."
"You didn't..."
"I didn't what, Ino?"
"You didn't see the way he looked at her... I wish he looked at me that way." Sakura looked up, surprised at the raw sadness in her friend's voice.
"I am so hooking you guys up."
"WHAT? NO! HARUNO SAKURA FRIENDS AGAIN OR NOT, I WILL KILL YOU."
"Ino, Ino, calm down. I'll get Naruto to find out if he likes you, trust me."
"Naruto?"
"Yes, despite the fact that he's loud, annoying and always wearing the color orange, Shikamaru talks to him. Or, you know, I could be really suspicious and just ask Choji or straight out ask Shikamaru."
"Sakura, don't you dare."
"Naruto it is then."
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Shikamaru scowled as Naruto asked him again. Shikamaru had been home and dry for barely an hour when Naruto had come to his door, knocking so hard Shikamaru was sure there was going to be a hole in his door. "Why do you have to be so..bothersome?"
"Shikamaru, c'mon! There's gotta be SOMEBODY you like!"
Shikamaru thought about this.
"If it makes you feel any better, I like Hinata-chan!"
"Ugh..what a drag... I like Ino, okay?"
Naruto flashed him a grin.
"Thanks, Shikamaru!" The Nara stared suspiciously as Naruto ran around shouting free ramen before thanking him one more time and running at an incredibly fast pace towards Sakura's house.
Shikamaru blinked. "Why can't things just be simple?"

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"OKAY! Now can I have my ramen!? He LIKES INO. PLEEEASE Sakura-chan, I reaaaallly want some RAMEN!"
"Alright, alright," Sakura giggled, unloading the entire pot onto his plate. "There, if you want more, yell, 'kay?"
"OKAY! THANKS SAKURA-CHAN!"
Sakura rolled her eyes and went into her bedroom where Ino sat fiddling with her shuriken.
"You know, you shouldn't play with those, you could cut yourself and get an infection," Sakura pointed out, coming to sit next to Ino on the bed. Ino put the shuriken down and frowned.
"Right."
"So, he likes you."
"So?"
"So you guys should.. Be together!"
Ino stared at Sakura.
"Be together?"
"Yeah! Like date, and then maybe one day, when you're older and still in love.. You'll get married and have little Ino's and Shikamaru's..."
"Whoa, whoa, whoa. Who's having what? Slow down, I only said I liked Shikamaru!"
"Well, you'd better go ask him out before someone else does."
"Why?" Ino asked trying to hide her worry, "Who likes him?"
"A couple of girls..."
"WHO!?"
"I can't tell you," Sakura fought to hide her grin.
Ino stood up.
"I'll be back later."
"You're going to do it aren't you?!"
"Maybe."
Ino left the room and a few seconds later, she screamed. Sakura sat on the bed, snickering. Ino was suddenly in the doorway.
"I see you remembered that you were still in your pajamas and that Naruto is in the kitchen?"
"Shut up," Ino said, walking over to her bag on the floor. Sakura was rolling with laughter.

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