N/A: I know! Instead of updating all those fics that I have to update I'm posting these silly little oneshots. It's not my fault! They keep popping up in my head and I'm not satisfied until I write them. I'm not a Neji/Ino fan...but as this idea came to me I think the pairing could work somehow...Enough rambling, enjoy!

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto...or Kakashi...or Itachi...damn.

Thorns

" I swear! Making me work at the shop today too? I mean, when the hell will I have the time to train?" Ino said to herself, sitting behind the counter of her mother's shop.

They all expect me to be a proper kunoichi, but all they do is make me work in here...Sakura's getting ahead of me, damn it!

Ino sighed, letting herself fall on the chair and burying her chin in her hands.

This is SO boring! No one hardly ever come in here...

As if to prove her wrong, the little bell above the shops's door rang and someone stepped in, heading towards the counter. Ino eyed him suspiciously. Long black hair, pale complexion and those freaky almost white eyes. What the hell was Hyuuga Neji doing here?

"Good morning." he greeted politely. "I'm looking for some white roses."
Ino narrowed her eyes. She could hardly stand the "genius" ever since the incident in the forest of death. Let's just say she didn't take rejection all that well.

"Can't you see them for yourself?" she replied icily.

Neji's strange eyes widened at the unexpected verbal assault. What was this girl's problem? Come to think about it, she seemed pretty familiar...He knew her from somewhere, but he couldn't quite place his finger on it.

"If I can or cannot find them for myself is not your problem. You're supposed to assist me." he replied, his eyes piercing into hers.

Conceited to the very end...

Ino walked around the counter, heading straight for the vase of white roses.

"One will do." she heard his voice

She picked one with the utmost caution and stuck it in his face:

"Be careful with the thorns." she said, but Neji was quite under the impression she wished for the contrary.

Wait a minute...blonde hair...blue eyes...cocky attitude...she's one of the rookie nine. I met her in the forest of death.

Neji's lips twisted in a malevolent grin as he remembered the scene.

"What's the matter? Don't want to seduce me anymore?"

Ino blushed furiously, shooting him a death glare.

"Why would I want to seduce you? I just wanted your scroll..." she snapped.

Neji approached her slowly, until they were face to face. He was much taller than she was and she hated having to look up.

"Is that so, flower girl?" he whispered to her.

Flower girl?! Just who does he...

Suddenly, a strange thought made its way into her mind. She looked him straight in the eyes and touched his hand, letting her fingers caress his skin. He gazed at her with a surprised expression in his pale eyes. Placing her small hand over his, she squeezed, making his grip on the rose tighten. A drop of blood fell onto the floor as she smiled at him.

"You forgot about the thorns."

A/N: ONESHOT people...no updating this whatsoever...I like it this way. I'd like know your opinions, constructive criticism is most welcome...hell, flame if you like just say something:)