The Baker ~Shikamaru~

02

"Your too stubborn Shikamaru. You should have gone to the hospital." Ino said to her lazy teammate.

"Maybe you should go, Shikamaru. It could get infected." Choji added.

"Guys, I'm fine. Its just a scratch." Shikamaru sighed.

The three teammates walked into the Hima Bakery for a treat after a week long mission.

"Your back," was the first thing Shikamaru heard when they entered the small bakery.

"Just couldn't stay away, could ya?" Rei giggled.

"Something like that." Shikamaru muttered, a small blush on his cheeks.

Ino and Choji were stunned.

'Shikamaru is blushing!?' they thought.

"What can I get you guys?" Rei asked, snapping the two out of their thoughts.

"Two mochi balls," Ino said, handing Rei the money.

"I'll make them fresh, just for you. It might take a few minutes though, so why don't you take a seat?" Rei smiled, accepting the money.

"Sure but you don't have to go through all that trouble just for us." Ino waved her hands.

Rei smiled and shook her head. "It's no trouble at all. Any friend of Shika's deserves nothing but the best from the Hima Bakery."

And with that, she turned and made her way into the kitchen.

Ino and Choji slowly turned their heads towards Shikamaru, who was already sitting with his arms crossed. He tried to play innocent by whistling but his teammates knew better.

"SHIKA?!" They yelled.

Shikamaru cringed.

"Listen guys. You don't need to freak out." He tried reasoning but it was too late.

"Who is she?"
"When did you meet?"
"Is she your girlfriend?"
"Are you in love?"

"Gah!" Shikamaru yelled.

"Order up!" Rei said, bringing a tray of mochi and tea to their small table.

"Thank you...," Ino trailed off.

"I'm Rei. Nice to meet ya!" Rei smiled.

"I'm Ino and this is Choji. We're Shikamaru's teammates."

Shikamaru sighed.

Ino smirked, "Oh lighten up Shikamaru. We're just talking."

"Yeah, Shika. What are you so afraid of?" Rei teased.

"N-nothing. Do what you want, you troublesome woman. " Shikamaru blushed.

"As fun as it is to tease you Shika, I do have a job to do." Rei sighed and stood up, wiping her hands on her apron.

"It was nice to meet you both," she nodded at Ino and Choji and walked away to tend to another customer.

"She's cute Shikamaru. And she seems like your type. Pretty, sweet, and she's not a ninja. Why haven't you asked her out yet?" Ino asked.

"I don't even know her that well," he answered.

"Maybe you should try to get to know her better then. She seems like the perfect girl for you." Choji added.

"What a drag. If it'll get you two off my back, then maybe."

Ino and Choji sighed. 'That's the best we can hope for I guess.'
~~~~~~
"I couldn't keep my mind off of that short baker with the green eyes for days. You know, I was the one that suggested going to your bakery after our mission? Yeah..It was a good choice I guess because Ino and Choji really liked you, but I was still too dumb to realize that you were right in front of me."