The Language of Flowers (NaruIno/Naruto Fanfic)

The Language of Flowers (NaruIno) Chapter 2

"You've become beautiful."

In her frozen and vacant state, Ino barely noticed his wave as he bid her farewell, walking out of the store. She wrapped up the customer's choice of flowers and awkwardly took their money, handing them the change as her mind was still stuck on Naruto's words.

As the woman and her children left, Ino held the flower in between her pale fingertips and her face became tinted with her oncoming blush.

"A daffodil, huh?" She covered her face with her hands, "They symbolise 'new beginnings'."

On Thursday, Shikamaru rolled his eyes at Ino and threw her a couple of yen bills.

"What's this for?" She grinned, already knowing the answer.

"Don't act cheeky," The Nara mumbled, "I don't know much about romance, but it's Valentine's Day on Sunday and I need to do something." Ino raised her eyebrow, "For Temari." He added.

Clapping her hands together happily, "Well, you've come to the right person."

While Ino giddily picked up various flowers from the bunches on the wall, Shikamaru shook his head at his friend's antics and sat on the chair, exhaling a sigh at his constant exhaustion.

He watched her struggle as she reached for the tallest shelf but simply stared and didn't help. Shikamaru wasn't a romantic, but he knew that at heart, Temari was. So since they had been together for a while and their relationship was serious, he had to plan a whole day or something for the two of them.

He groaned and helped Ino pick a couple of pink flowers from the top shelf as he had enough of watching her struggle.

"Can't I just buy red roses?"

Gasping, Ino turned, "No way!" She wagged her finger in disapproval. "Half of Konoha will be receiving those." She turned back around to the flowers. "Peonies, for romance, prosperity, and bashfulness." She laughed, "And you are definitely bashful."

"Quiet, troublesome woman."

Ino hummed and smiled as she picked up another flower, "Ranunculus, meaning that you're dazzled by her. We'll add a few Red Roses, but end it with some Irises, they represent faith and hope, to have a long-lasting relationship."

Begrudgingly, Shikamaru nodded as the mix of colours that Ino chose were certainly beautiful, but he didn't want to praise her too much, her head would grow so big that he wouldn't be able to fit into the room.

"Do you know her favourite colour?" Ino questioned, turning his head.

Huffing, Shikamaru answered, "There are far more exciting things to be doing in a relationship than ask what her favourite colour is."

"Ugh, I never wanted to think about Shikamaru having sex."

The familiar voice came from the entrance and both Ino and Shikamaru turned and saw Naruto shaking his head in exasperation.

"Ah, Naruto," The Nara nodded in greeting, then smirked, "Don't lie, you always want to know the details."

"Ah!" Naruto yelped and covered his ears, shivering from the mental image that refused to leave his mind. "Please stop!"

Ino rolled her eyes so far that they nearly went to the back of her head, "Trust me, it's irritating." She plucked the final flower from its bunch and walked to the counter, ready to arrange them beautifully together. "I teased him before he got a girlfriend, and now all he does is threaten me with details."