My Trip To... (ShikaIno)

Day 1 - Photographic Evidence

Ino didn't dare look back to see the sight behind her. Instead she marched forward with her head held high. Her mind ran wild though. Every terrible thought flitted around as she wondered what Shikamaru was thinking about her at this moment after her stunt back there. It was too embarrassing to think about. Yet it was better than pondering about that look in his eyes when she had finally raised her head from his nook. It had been so mystifying to see his charming brown eyes staring down at her in concern. The thought of them alone made her heart jump to her throat when she realized something.

When has Shikamaru's eye ever been charming?

This conclusion brought on a new flaming blush that had nothing to do with Florida's heat. She doesn't even notice her friends' excited chatter about the attraction as she scurried out of the ride. She didn't try and engage in conversation with them. It would mean seeing Shikamaru...

She didn't think she was prepared to see him just yet. Though that option was taken from her when she finished climbing the stairs out of the ride to come upon a wall that held six screens. Her eyes instantly zeroed in on their clustered bodies. There was no mistaking her blonde hair and his tanned arm wrapped around her. Her insides began to twirl around and to a degree that put the ride they were just on to shame.

Ino was only brought her from stupor when Sakura squealed by her right ear, "Look how cute!"

Ino gasped at Sakura's words. Did she really think that? About Shikamaru and her? Ino looked at her friend, incredulously before looking back up the picture. She felt her mouth go dry and chalky as she realized maybe her friend was right. It pained her to admit it but Ino looked like she fitted perfectly into Shikamaru's side and somewhere in her, she realized it had been nice.

It was also the first time today she saw that Shikamaru didn't look as gloomy as before. If anything, he looked only concerned for her welfare with his eyes carefully placed on her. Uncomfortably, her heart began to speed up once again. She had to stop focusing on this. Now.

"Oh, look! A gift shop!" she croaked out before taking the turn at the wall of screens to enter the Dinosaur's gift shop for a much needed distraction.

With her back turned, she didn't see a hand stretch out to save the picture to their Magicband. Or Sakura still fawning over the picture. "Don't you think we look cute in this picture, Naruto?" 

---

He didn't know what he expected but Shikamaru sure didn't expect what he got. It was like one moment Ino was hanging off of his shoulder and the next, she was bulldozing through people to get away from him. It stung to watch her ponytail swing quickly behind her as she made her getaway from him.

He hid it well though. The moment he realized his fists were clenched, he pushed them into his pockets and just slowly followed after the rest of the group. He kept his eyes away from them but he was unable to control a frown from marring his face. Thankfully, his friends were too busy in discussing the ride while he was in emotional torment. He couldn't pay attention to them while feeling wretched about the turn of events.

He was only pulled from his contemplation when Sakura squealed loudly and his eyes landed on the screen that held their group's picture. Shikamaru found himself unable to look away. Instead he took in every detail. His eyes analyzing every curve and inch of that photo. She had turned to him in her moment of panic and need. She could have just closed her eyes but instead she had wanted him to keep her safe. He hated to admit it but it had felt good. It had felt right to have her there right in his arms. He had even wished that the ride would never end.

But it had.

His frown came back full force when he realized rationally, Ino probably would have turned to anyone if she was scared of the ride. He was just reading too much into things. He was hoping for too much. Ino liked Sasuke, not him. Just a day before, she tried to recruit him for some insane plan to woo Sasuke. There was no plan to woo him. Looking up at that photo where he looked down at her so tenderly, he knew she wouldn't need a plan to get him.

He scratched at the back of his head and finally managed to pull his eyes away from the photo, hating how happy he looked to be so close to Ino. It was too painful to stare at the screen any longer.

Yet he still stretched out his hand and pressed his Magicband to the marker underneath to save the picture to his account. He knew it probably meant nothing. It was probably more than nothing with the way she now had more interest in a gift shop than him. But it was still a memory he wanted to save. It wasn't like every day he had Ino Yamanaka in his arms.

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Author's Note: Poor Shikamaru! He's so into her! He can't even seem to fight it! And what do we have here for Ino? I think someone seems a touch flitter-patted...xD 

Also this is the very first time we get Shikamaru's POV! Did anyone like it? Should I do more from his point of view as well? Or more Ino? Tell me please!

Please remember to like and comment! I'll try to answer any I get!