So this is my very first story, I decided to go with my favourite character Ino Yamanaka, who I think is really underestimated in the manga even though it's brilliant! :) I hope you will like it, reviews are always welcome of course! Enjoy :D

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or any character in the story... how sad :x

I am the best

Another morning in Konoha, people start getting out on the streets, opening their shops, going to school or preparing for a mission. Above the village flower shop, a young blonde moans in her sleep. Ino turns over to look at the clock. She suddenly sits up and almost falls. 8:00 am already! A heavy pain shots through her head. She groans looking around in her room. A few bottles of sake here and there, several clothes on the floor, the whole place was a mess. Ino then looks down at herself… Yeah, those must be her clothes on the ground, but there were so many.. Snoring nearby made her notice she wasn't alone. Gathering the sheets around her naked body, she peeked at the stranger in her bed. The face was familiar, where had she seen him? The guy had black spiky hair, and a sort of bandage above his nose. He was handsome and muscular, although his drooling on the pillow wasn't so sexy. Kotetsu Hagane, she recognized the guard, Izumo's (her ex) best friend. She sighed. God, she was in trouble. Kotetsu was laying on his belly, showing off his perfectly sculpted back. Ino was complimenting herself that every time she woke up after a blackout type of party, she always found rather attractive men in her bed.

Knocking on the window brought her back to reality. She looked around to see her best friend, Sakura Haruno on the branch in front of her bedroom window. Wrapping herself like a burrito with the sheets, she went to open the window.

-What the hell are you still doing in bed? asked the pinkette trying to peek over Ino to see who was snoring.

-Umm… oh shit! said Ino hitting her forehead. –We were supposed to go training, riiiiight!

-Well, after your little show last night, I've got to admit that I'm not surprised that you forgot! said Sakura laughing.

-What little show? asked Ino, alarmed for further drunk humiliation.

-Oh, just a little strip-tease like dance on the table, you know, the usual! replied Sakura with a teasing smirk.

-Humm… was all Ino could say, feeling her cheeks getting red.

-Don't worry, the bar was almost empty by then, only Kakashi, Izumo and Kotetsu saw your performance! reassured Sakura.-By the way, who is it this time? she pointed at the man in her bed.

Ino turned around to look at him. He was mumbling something in his sleep. She looked back at her friend with a grimace on her face.

-Kotetsu…

Sakura simply burst into laugh, completely uncontrollable. She loved it when Ino messed up, it was just hilarious how obvious it was that inside her head, the blonde was tearing her hair yelling "oh my god, oh my god, what am I going to do?"

-Shush, you'll wake him! hissed Ino, completely pissed off. –What about you, how did you get home?

-Kakashi walked me home, assuring me that Kotetsu and Izumo will take care of you; said the pinkette.

-Aha! Ino had that evil smirk on her perfect doll-like face.

-It's not what you think! Sakura blushed, avoiding the blonde's eyes.-He's my sensei, it simply can't happen!

-Yeah yeah, whatever… said Ino, her evil smile still on her face.

-Don't you "yeah yeah, whatever" me, pig! And get dressed so we can get going! snapped Sakura.

-Oh would you un-tighten your panties, billboard-head! Anyway, I can't come with you 'cause my parents left me the store for the weekend, they left on "vacation", said Ino rolling her eyes.

-'kay, take an aspirin, hate you! Sakura said jumping off her branch.

-Hate you too! yelled Ino after her.

She turned back to the lump-like guy still snoring and drooling on her pillow. With a disgusted look on her face, she approached him. She stood on the side of her bed where Kotetsu was and gently poked his shoulder. No reaction. She poked a little harder, and this time, he moaned. Getting impatient, she energetically shook his shoulder.

-Mmmmh, Izumo… 5 more minutes please…, he groaned.

How cute. And annoying. She got dressed and tied her hair into a pony-tail as she usually did. She went into the bathroom and got scared of the witch looking back from the mirror. Her mascara was all around her eyes and cheekbones, making her look like a blonde panda. It took her 10 minutes to clean her face off and get a more human appearance. Ino went down to the shop, opened the door and got the flowers some water. She stood behind the counter massaging her temples. Her first client snapped her out of her self-relaxing moment. She looked up to see her old teammates, Shikamaru and Choji, walking in. Choji had his everlasting friendly smile on his chubby face, and Shikamaru had his usual annoyed look. They both looked so out of place in her tiny little flower shop.

-Hey guys! she greeted them.

-Hi Ino, replied happily Choji.

-Hey, Shikamaru grunted.

-So, what brings you here? asked Ino.

-Isn't it obvious? said Shiakamaru, annoyed. –Flowers, Ino!

She frowned at him. Shikamaru wasn't such a sunshine in the everyday life, but he was even worse in the morning.

-What's it for? Tsunade-sama got pissed at you and you thought of flowers? Aw, how ADORABLE of you, Shika! she teased.

Shikamaru snorted. He hated it when she toyed with him, even more when she called him "adorable" or "cute"… He felt like he was being treated like a puppy. Damn it, wasn't that Kiba's role?

-Don't be ridiculous, woman! he snapped at the blonde. It's for my…eh…mmmmmtherr.., he mumbled the last word so no one understood it, looking awkwardly around, avoiding his friend's eyes.

-Sorry? said Ino.

-For my mother, Jesus! he practically screamed, his cheeks tinted red.

Dumbfounded, the young woman didn't reply. She just stood there, blinking at him. He looked up at her and got a few shades redder.

-What?..

-Since when do you get flowers for your mom? Ino asked.

-Since he made her cry, replied Choji.

Ino's eyes shot back to Shikamaru, and she felt heat through her body and her vision turned red.

-You what? The blonde snapped at Shikamaru.

The shadow-caster took a step backwards, a worried look on his face. Somehow, he sensed murderous pulses around him.

-She was nagging again about my smoking and the fact that I never listen to what she says; he started off like a poor, misunderstood teenager.

-And?

-And I sort of told her she was troublesome and nobody ever listened to her anyway…because…um… her opinion wasn't important to anyone? he was clearly on the defensive.

Ino took the solid fan she always kept next to the counter and smashed it hard on the pineapple-headed boy. Shikamaru let out a little scream of pain and jumped slightly back, his hand on his aching head.

-You crazy, woman? he screamed.

-Oh don't worry, you have enough neurones for whole Konoha, replied Ino, although for someone so smart, you're surprisingly stupid!

-What the f-..

-Calm down Shikamaru… interrupted Choji, trying to relax the atmosphere.

-I won't calm down, Choji! screamed back Shikamaru.-She's completely nuts! Why do women always overreact?

-Because we have the damn right, idiot male! Ino snapped. –And don't ever treat your momma less than she deserves! She wore your lazy ass in her belly for 9 months, be grateful!

They shot murderous looks at each other for a while and finally Shikamaru sighed.

-Would you please get me the most expensive flowers you have, Ino? he asked.

-That's more like it! Ino smiled, satisfied, and went to fetch him his flowers.

Passing by Shikamaru, she thought she heard him mumble "troublesome", but she ignored it. She was too happy that she always won their arguments, even though it was probably because he was too lazy to find juicy comebacks.

-Are flowers edible? asked Choji, sniffing a rose.

-I don't think so, but I wouldn't try it! said Ino, laughing.

She assembled a very rich bouquet that would please any woman and discreetly wrote on a little card "I'm sorry. I love you, mom" with an impressive imitation of Shikamaru's writing (well, basically, you just have to write as if you were half asleep, and there you have it). She slipped it into the flowers and headed back to her friends. Giving the bouquet to Shikamaru, she patted his head and was rewarded with an unfriendly but pleasing groan.

She stood back behind the counter and faced her friends. Ino admired how tall they grew in the past years. She has known those two since she has known herself. She was very proud of the two fine young 17 year old men who stood in front of her. Choji kept his kind character and was a reliable and protective friend. Shikamaru was a good leader and very compassionate. She also had to admit he was very handsome and many female Konoha residents noticed it, but he, on the other hand, wasn't really showing any interest in romantic relationships. Ino was quite the opposite of the strategist. She was, as everyone admitted, one of Konoha's greatest beauties. Ino had dated several ninja companions, but she never managed to keep a relationship for more than a few months. None of those rather shallow men ever gave her the butterflies, the head over hills in love feeling, but she was sure that if she continued searching, she would eventually find "the one". Of course, she never told this to anyone, because she was afraid people would think it childish. So, many considered her an "easy woman", translation: a slut. Nobody really understood her constant need of male company. The thing is, that ever since Sasuke betrayed Konoha and Asuma was killed, she couldn't get rid of the constant feeling that she was completely alone, left behind. When she was with a boyfriend, this feeling nearly disappeared, so that pretty much explained everything.

Shikamaru's voice interrupted her thoughts:

-Training this afternoon?

-Um, yeah, I'll just have to close the shop at…, she started but was interrupted by an unusual voice.

-Hey babe, I borrowed your toothbrush, hope you don't mind!.., said Kotetsu entering the shop with only his pants on.- Oh; he stopped, noticing the other two.

Ino felt herself blush and looked shyly up at her teammates. Choji's smile faded and showed a serious look. Shikamaru's jaw clenched and he frowned at the half naked man.

-Hey there, Shika, Choji.. said Kotetsu, not much at ease.- I was, uh, just leaving…

He threw his shirt over his shoulder, smacked Ino's butt and whispered in her ear:

-See ya later..

Ino didn't answer, standing there, unable to move. Kotetsu passed between Choji and Shikamaru, the two of them looking him down. They than turned to Ino.

-He's in your bed too? asked Shikamaru, raising one eyebrow.

-Shika, please, it's embarrassing as it is…, she said lowering her eyes.

-I don't like this, Ino.. said Choji, clearly worried.-Looks like trouble to me.

-Whatever, it's none of our business, Shikamaru coldly snapped.- Training at 6:00 pm, see you there; he said to Ino but without looking at her.

-Bye, she weakly said.

She hated this situation. Kotetsu was going to brag about their night, and Izumo would get pissed and probably kick his ass. Choji was worried about her, but the worst was the disappointment in Shikamaru's tone and look. It was unbearable…

The hours passed by too fast, for the first time in years. Ino didn't even have many clients, it was supposed to be a boring long day. But the whole while, she was resenting the moment when she would have to go training with her boys. After what happened that morning, she was sure she wouldn't be able to look them in the eyes. But there she was, closing the door of the shop, ready to leave. She was thinking of an excuse to ditch training. Something like food indigestion? Or an urgency with the Hokage? Oh, they would probably think she would be off with Kotetsu, it would only make things worse.

Ino ran to their training spot, deep in the Nara forest, where they were never disturbed. She liked to run, it cleared her head, she was actually able to only focus on her movements and her breathing, which was great when she was troubled. She had always been the sporty type, no girl beat her at running, the only one to rival her in that domain was Tenten. They actually liked to race when they had nothing to do, and the loser would treat the other to a drink.

She eventually arrived at her team's spot. She was the first, of course. Choji was slow, and Shikamaru… well, he was his own lazy self. She threw her bag next to a tree and started stretching. Ino then felt suddenly in danger and jumped in time to avoid a kunai. She picked it up and looked around to see her opponent. She then sensed a familiar chakra and relaxed.

-Are you out of your mind? she yelled.

-I was just making sure you were alert, Shikamaru simply said, perched in a nearby tree.

He jumped down and walked towards Ino. There was something strange in his strut. He suddenly started composing signs with his hands and Ino avoided his shadow by a shred.

-You are no match for me, Shikamaru smirked.- You can keep avoiding my attacks, but eventually I'll get you.

-What's wrong with you? she screamed, avoiding a kunai coming in her direction. She caught it and threw it back to his original owner. It landed in the tree right next to Shikamaru. He used his Kage Kubishibari no jutsu so fast that Ino had no time to escape. Shikamaru's shadows slowly wrapped around the young woman's body, reaching for her throat. Luckily, Ino was very good at substitution jutsu. She literally slipped through Shika's hands. He turned around and threw a bunch of kunais attached to each other and trapped a stunned Ino. The chakra net he had used to attach the kunais wrapped the blonde's body and the kunais struck into a tree behind her, pinning her to it. It all happened so fast, Ino didn't really understand what had happened. She hid so well, how did he know?..

He slowly walked towards her, and she was unable to move. He took out a kunai and held it in his right hand. Ino's eyes widened. What had gotten into him? Shikamaru was only a few inches from her, he raised the kunai and stabbed it near Ino's head in the tree behind her, slightly cutting her cheek as he did so. Ino hissed at the feeling, her heart racing with the stress. She had never been scared of her friend, yet now he terrified her. She kept a perfect poker face, and trying to make her tone firm, she just asked:

-What gave me away?

Shikamaru slightly leaned near her ear and she could practically hear him smirk when he answered:

-Your perfume.

He leaned back and looked her in the eye. There wasn't any resentment in his dark eyes, nor disappointment, he had an expression almost amused. Ino felt her ego punched to the ground. He was making fun of her!

-Detach me, she said calmly.

-What, I hurt your feelings, princess? he asked, still smirking.

-Release me or else you'll regret it for a very long time, believe me! Ino coldly said.

The Nara folded his arms and raised an eyebrow, still having fun.

-I think we made it clear that you can't beat me, he said defiantly, you're no match for me.

-I warned you…, said Ino with an evil smirk now on her face as she used her right knee to punch him in his most sensible parts.

-Mother-…started Shika as he fell to the ground, KOed by Ino's cruel but decisive hit. As he fell to his knees grabbing his sore parts, he let some of his kunais fall next to him. Ino picked one up with her foot and threw it to her hand. She was quickly rid of Pineapple Head's trap and was standing above him, dominantly.

Choji arrived and looked around to see weapons everywhere, Shikamaru on the ground and Ino merely watching down on him.

-You started all the fun without me? the chubby boy asked, frustrated.

-We were just warming up, right Shika-kun? said Ino, clearly amused.

Shikamaru mumbled something not too friendly under his breath. The other two just laughed.

After the training, Ino was gathering the thrown weapons. The boys were sound asleep, both worn out by heavy physical exercise. She smiled at them, sleeping under their favourite tree. Since Asuma died, they really gave everything they had to become a perfectly united team and to take care of each other. Even Shikamaru was now training and being exhausted, which he never did before. Choji was eating less (just a bit less) and was exercising every time he had a break. Ino knew that she was the team's weak spot. Her techniques were very good for spying and infiltrating, but she constantly had to be protected by one of her teammates who also put himself in danger because of it, and that was killing her. She worked hard on her taijutsu, and even though it was already pretty damn good, it wasn't enough! Ino tried inventing new techniques and learning some of her family inheritance, but so far she was nowhere.

The blonde sighed as she finished packing. She went over to the boys to wake them up.

Ino looked at them for a moment. They were so peacefully sleeping, Choji with his chips in his arms, and Shikamaru on his back with his arms folded behind his head. She looked up at the sky. It was a beautiful late spring night, without clouds and lots of clear stars. Ino decided that they could sleep out tonight, she didn't have the heart to wake up those two. She got a blanket (which she always had for occasions like this) out of her bag and threw it over her friends. She then decided to lay down next to Shikamaru because she felt she was also tired. She kissed both his and Choji's foreheads and lay back. Ino was looking at the stars when she felt Shikamaru move next to her. She turned her head to look at him and found that he was now facing her, deeply looking into her eyes, and she recognised the look in his eyes that meant that he was analysing something.

-Hey, she whispered.

No answer.

-What are you thinking about? she asked, intrigued.

-I was wondering why do you let men treat you like that, he whispered.

-Treat me like what?

-Like an object, he answered. You're smarter than that, Ino.

She was disoriented by what he was saying, but in some way it hurt her that he was just saying this so randomly.

-You have no idea why I am like this, Shika, she replied. Don't you judge me.

-I'm not judging you, he simply answered. But explain it to me, I really want to understand you.

Ino grimaced for a moment as she thought it through. Would he understand her, wouldn't it be embarrassing talking about it with him? She sighed. He was one of her closest friends, and she was sure she could trust him with her life. Oh, what the hell!..

-Well, I figured, if you're not too attached to someone, then you'll get less hurt, she whispered. - And at least I don't feel lonely or ignored, you know?..

He frowned, but still nodded once. It was a good sign, he was at least trying to understand her.

-When do you feel lonely? he asked.

Ino sighed, yet again.

-All the time.

Shikamaru moved, but before she could wonder what he was doing, he placed his hand on her cheek. It was rough but still warm on her face. She couldn't help but notice his hands were so manly… He caressed her cheek gently with his thumb.

-Ino, we've known each other forever, he said softly. – And forever means also in the future. We're your team, we'll always be here, I'll always be here.

Ino was touched by his sudden show of affection, but was still startled by his actions. She was grateful that it was really dark by then, because she was sure she was blushing. She put her hand on Shikamaru's.

-Thank you, Shika-kun, she said, smiling.-That's really cute of you.

He snorted at the adjective and took his hand off her face and placed it back behind his head.

-Pff, you're annoying! he said.

-Hihi, I know, Ino laughed.

Shikamaru threw some of the blanket on Ino, and then closed his eyes and quickly fell asleep. Ino was still smiling, and she had a weird feeling in her stomach. She closed her eyes too, and slowly drifted to the unknown world of dreams.

So that's it, for now! Hope you liked it, I try to give an important role to every character, but I think it's obvious who are my favourites ^^. Next chapter will come out soon, though I don't think this story will be too long (something like 10 chapters). Please review, I would really appreciate some tips on writing :) See ya!

DarkDream93