Flowers For Gaara

Chapter Eight: Hiccup

"No...Gaara...I don't want it!"

"Ino!"

"It's too sour! No! I won't have it..."

"Ino!"

"Gaara! No. I really...don't like pickles..."

"Ino! WAKE UP!" a voice screams me into reality as I go crashing to the floor wrapped in mound of covers.

"What? Whozzat?" I shout in panic.

"It's your mother."

"Eh?" I look up and it really is my mom! What is she doing here? Why am I on the floor? And why am I craving pickles? I don't like pickles...

"Ino-kun! I came back on my lunch break to see how you were doing," she says in a gentle voice while leaning down and smiling at me. Aw, it really is mom. She's looking nice for a change.

"Wait. What? LUNCH BREAK? OH MY GOD I'M LATE!" I shoot up from my spot on the floor, trying desperately to clean up my tousled state and look around for clothes. My mom laughs at me and I nearly trip over a traitorous shoe. I swear things like that just try to get in your way to mess up your mornings - or afternoons.

"No, Ino. Calm down. I gave you the day off. You've been working hard. I tried to wake you up earlier, but you slept like a log," she smiles and lifts up the sheet that fell over my eyes.

"Oh. So is dad at the shop?"

"Yes. Here. Take some money. Don't spend it all in one place." I glance at the money she offers me a little hesitantly. You never know when you're having one of those dreams where you keep waking up and each time you think your dream is reality. Those dreams are so annoying. One minute I might be here, waking up to my mom, receiving a suspicious amount of money, and the next I'll wake up in a mall, shopping for bathing suits with Shino. It's happened before. I take the money anyway - if it even is real money.

I just got up and I'm already confused.

"Ino-kun! Maybe you could use it to buy a dress for the festival!" she beams. I slap my face gently. I feel real...So, what's this festival about? I turn to ask my mom but she's already gone.

Eerie.

I sigh heavily. It's just another day, I might as well get ready. Halfway through my shower, I realize that by missing work I won't be able to see Gaara today. The thought kind of makes me sad. I wonder if he has the day off too?

I get dressed, eat, and all the typical waking-up routine before walking out to greet a new day. I wander around, not quite sure what to do. It's a bright day with a few large, puffy clouds out. Suddenly an idea comes to mind. I head over to the big empty field next to the lake, in search of a certain someone I haven't seen in a while.

I come across a shady tree with leaves so big it would keep the sun off of the person that sat under it for the whole day. The lump next to it indicates that my friend is definitely taking advantage of the unique spot.

"Shikamaru!" I yell cheerfully as I run down hill to the lazy bum. The body, of course, refuses to move as I approach it.

"Shika-kun! Hey! Are you asleep - " my voice tails off as I look down at my sleepy friend. "Figures."

He's slumped up casually next to the tree as if it was his own personal couch. He has one arm dangling loosely at his side while the other rests across his stomach. His head is tilted down and slightly to the side. I sit next to him quietly as I watch him doze.

"Shikamaru...you know you're much cuter when you're asleep?" I say softly, secretly wishing he would wake up. Since everyone has grown up and moved on, Shikamaru is the only one that's remained exactly the same. Even when he's with Temari, he acts as if everything is the same. That's why I like him. I would have been disappointed if he had become some big romantic loser. I poke him playfully in the arm.