Chapter Text
Ino wakes up in the morning at the same time she always does. No need for an alarm because the sun is already shining through the curtains and on her face. It wasn’t a good night sleep. It has been like this for some weeks now. Ino has had all type of weird dreams and sleepless nights. There’s anxiousness on Ino’s mind lately, only she knows why. It has been on her mind for a while, she’s been too ashamed to admit it to herself, but today is different. There’s a plan.
Before running to school, Ino has a warm shower to shake off the thoughts that keep reminding her that she must be prudent. She doesn’t want to. Ino has a plan and she knows exactly to whom talk about it. Her cellphone ringtone distracts her for a moment. It’s Sakura. She’s already late and Sakura is waiting for Ino outside her house. Ino dresses quick, putting some eyeliner in the only perfect way she knows how.
The walk towards school is not long, Sakura talks about her plans for college. Ino feels a slight anxiety to think about college. This is supposed to be the last year of high-school, but Ino doesn’t want to think about it. It comes with a lot of stress to think about the future: what school do you want to get in, what major. Psychology is the answer for Ino, she likes it, at least Ino thinks she will love to study that. Ino has always thought she is not as hardworking as Sakura is to try to get into med school. Psychology will suit.
There’s something about being the last year of high school that makes Ino even more anxious. She made a list, a few years ago, of all the things Ino wants to do before she turns eighteen. And there’s one in particular, she can’t stop thinking about: Ino wants to have sex for the first time. It’s something she can’t shake it off. Ino doesn’t want to go to college before she can experience that. It’s beyond her control. Since Ino was a teenager, there has been these thoughts... always thinking about them. Intrusive ones. Her dad always used to say to her that she’s a good girl, but Ino never felt she was one, not even now. What’s a good girl even supposed to do? A “good girl” doesn’t dream to have sex all the time, Ino thinks. A “good girl” doesn’t have weird dreams, erotic dreams, if you want to named them like that. Surely, a “good girl” doesn’t spend too much time of her day thinking she wants to have experience before going to college, to have sweet, rough, sex with someone. Ino is sure there’s no such thing as a “good girl.”
“You’re really pensive today.” Sakura notices, as the two girls sit on a bench before going to their first class.
“I already made my mind last night.”
“About what?”
“About the thing.” Sakura already knows because of course Ino has shared some of her list to her friend.
“Oh, dear.”
“It’s not that bad, Sakura.” Ino rolls her eyes at her supportive friend. Sakura is Ino’s closest friend, but sometimes Sakura worries too much. She always says the things that Ino’s mom would tell her, but also Ino would never tell her mother about her sex life.
“Do I want to know what did you decide to do?” Sakura already dreads Ino’s answer.
“Have faith in me, Sakura. I’m not going to go to the first random boy I find on the streets.”
“I didn’t think that. But you’re unpredictable, Ino.”
“Do you want to know or not?”
“Okay. Tell me.” Ino looks in front of her, admiring the building of the high school. She spots a familiar face, the face she’s about to mention. He has olive skin, long hair tied back on a ponytail, dark eyes as his hair. Her longest friend.
“I’ll ask Shikamaru.” Sakura would spit all her coffee if she had one, anything really, even water.
“WHAT?”
“Think about it, Sakura. It’s perfect.”
“What’s so perfect about it, Ino!?” Sakura already knows it’s pointless to try to argue with Ino. When Ino decides something, nothing holds her back.
“Because, because he’s a dear friend of mine. I trust him. I trust him more than any other immature boy.”
“And what makes you think he will agree to help you with this?” Sakura is looking for all kind of possibilities this could end. It would be a disaster, a complete disaster, there’s no doubt about it.
“I’ll just have to convince him.” Sakura hides her face in despair.
“Ino. Ino, I’m not trying to act like a mother here, but don’t you think you would want to have your first time with someone you don’t have or need to convince?”
“I don’t have time for romantic shit, Sakura. Look where those wait-for-the-right-guy has brought me?”
Ino thinks of all failed dates. When she and Sakura were completely in love with Sasuke, even to the point where they would end their friendship for a stupid guy, and then, everything for that boy that turned out to be gay and is now dating Naruto. Not just that childish and teenage crush, but all those stupid dates, where the boy only wanted to full around, but never could compromise. Ino has no time for love. Ino doesn’t think she’s capable of romantic shit, not capable of loving.
“You know not all of us can afford being in love like Tenten and Neji, you know?” Ino says. Sakura thinks how lucky is Tenten. She’s so jealous deep within, not the bad jealousy kind, Sakura doesn’t like Neji. But she’s so envious of that certainty, of the time. Tenten and Neji had been dating for a year, they don’t even to show how in love they are because anyone can see it a thousand miles away. Ino remembers how her and Sakura wanted to know how Tenten’s first time was, trying to know all the juicy details. Tenten didn’t say much, but she looked so happy. Ino thought, does that really exist? That look, that certainty, that love.
“It’s your choice, Ino. I just don’t want you to rush too much.” Sakura makes an effort to worry for the last time. She knows Ino is a big girl and Sakura feels a light relief that Ino chose Shikamaru instead of any stupid, idiot, boy.
“Not rushing. I really want to do it.”
“With Shikamaru? Your best friend?”
“That’s why. Because he’s my best friend.” Sakura doesn’t know if she wants to punch Ino on the face or if she wants to slowly kill herself.
“Ino. Do you even like him, like, really like him?”
Ino stays quiet. She doesn’t want to say too much. Some things are better to left unsaid. Ino could tell Sakura about her secret crush with Shikamaru when she was fifteen; when Ino started to notice how Shikamaru was turning more into a man, not anymore a lazy boy who slept all the time he could. Ino is sure she doesn’t like Shikamaru that way, of course, he’s handsome, he has something. He’s attractive in his own way. Those chocolate eyes that pierces every soul that looks into him. He’s smart. Yes, that’s a plus. But, there have been always these rumors about Shikamaru, the way he’s so good with girls. He has never talked about it with Ino and Ino has never asked him about it. She doesn’t really want to know and Shikamaru would never tell her anyways. Ino is positive she doesn’t like him. But she trusts him, more than anyone, Shikamaru has always taken care of her, even with his lazy, annoyed, way to do things; with his endless effort to try to not show that he actually puts effort into things, into people.
“Sakura, I trust him, okay? Don’t you think that trust is very important if you are having sex with someone?”
The bell rings. Thank god, Ino thinks, I don’t have to keep talking about this. End of story.
“Okay, okay. You do your way, Ino.” Sakura gets exasperated, but eventually she lets her friend be. Sakura spares the take-care talk, she knows that Ino is already aware of what she needs to do.
—————————
School passes like any normal day, nothing important happens. Ino studies closely at her schedule, she’s supposed to have her tutoring with Asuma the next day. That means she will see Shikamaru then. Asuma is the teacher in charge to help Ino, Shikamaru, and Chouji with their applications for college and tutoring, although they always end up talking about different things while drinking coffee, or eating anything that Chouji wants. It’s not like Asuma just neglects his roll as a teacher but the three students don’t really need tutoring. Despite that, principal Tsunade requested tutors for every high skilled student. Not that Ino ever thought to be an excellent student. She was very lucky, that’s all. If you ask Ino, she will always say she’s just average.
Ino changes her clothes, puts her favorite jeans shorts and a black sleeveless T-shirt. She doesn’t bother to fix her hair, she likes it long and straight. Before going out, she picks a few orchids at her mother’s flower shop and arranges the bouquet. Ino walks with one thing on her mind as she gets to Shikamaru’s house. She rings the doorbell and Shikamaru’s mother, Yoshino, opens the door smiling at the sight of orchids.
“Ino! What a pleasant surprise.”
“Hello, Yoshino. I brought this for you.”
“Thank you, Ino. They’re beautiful.” Yoshino let’s her in, already familiar with her son’s friend. Ino is always welcome at their place and she always feels welcome in this place.
“Shikamaru is outside at the garden doing something, probably reading. Why don’t you go with him? I have to leave for work in a few minutes.”
Before sliding the door that goes to the garden, Ino spots Shikamaru reading a book that’s probably for school. For a guy that claims he doesn’t care about anything, he always have his eyes under a book. Ino contemplates the sight and already starts to practice her speech on her head. Maybe you don’t have to plan anything, just go with it. Talk to him like a normal friend he is and then just ask him.
“Hey, Shikamaru.” Ino is standing beside him, waiting for Shikamaru to notice her instead of his huge novel.
“Ino? Hey, I didn’t know you were coming.” Shikamaru places his book on a side and slightly stands up, yawning, tired from being too focused reading. “What’s up?”
“Nothing really.” Ino sits closer to him, feeling the wood of the bench on her thighs. She starts looking around, suddenly feeling nervous. “Just visiting.” Shikamaru raises an eyebrow.
“Don’t you have homework to do?”
“Not really.” Again, Ino looks away, contemplating whatever she can find on the garden. “Do you want to get some coffee?” Ino asks Shikamaru before he says anything.
“Okay, sure. Let’s go.” And Shikamaru stands up first, then reaching a hand for Ino to help her stand up. Ino takes his hand and gets up, resting her other hand on his chest to support her weight.
——————
“I can’t remember the last time you paid for my coffee.” Shikamaru looks surprised as they wait on the counter for their orders.
“Agh, not true. We always pay for each other’s things.”
“More like I always end up paying for most of your coffees.”
“Whatever. You’re my friend and I wanted to do something nice for you.” Shikamaru raises another eyebrow.
“Something nice?”
“Yes, something nice.”
They take their orders and walk towards the nearest free table, but Ino keeps walking to go to the farthest table, that way, no one will interrupt or listen to them. Shikamaru follows her, still pensive, still thinking Ino is plotting something. Probably, she wants to ask him help with a school paper, an essay. Shikamaru always proofreads Ino’s essays before she hands them in. Ino trusts him more than anyone, and Shikamaru is the most brilliant student without even trying.
“So what essay do you need help with?” Shikamaru asks as he takes from his pocket the cigarette pack. Ino rolls her eyes.
“I don’t need help with any paper, Shikamaru. Honestly, why it’s so hard to believe I want to spend time with you?” Ino says almost offended, even though deep down she knows she’s about to ask him something.
Shikamaru lights his cigarette, holding it down so the smoke doesn’t go towards Ino. What an unholy vision, Ino thinks. He suddenly looks hotter smoking and I always found it annoying.
“I do believe you want to spend time with me, but you always have something in mind. I know you.” Ino finds more irritating the way Shikamaru claims so confidently that he knows her. Of course he knows Ino, but he can’t know every dark spot, every secret she tries to hold in, all her anxieties and intrusive thoughts. If you only really knew me, Shikamaru. However, Ino realizes the way Shikamaru can read her expressions, sometimes even when Ino doesn’t really know how she is feeling.
“Fine.” Ino scoffs. “I do want to talk to you, Shika.” Ino turns serious, Shikamaru leaves his cigarette. If Ino is looking earnest, then it must be something important. He only hopes it’s not about some guy. Shikamaru swore some time ago he wouldn’t help Ino with men anymore. Just suddenly remembering how Ino used to order Shikamaru to talk to Sasuke and ask him something, whatever that might reveal that Sasuke liked Ino. All this trouble he had to go through so it turned out that Sasuke didn’t even like girls at all.
Shikamaru decides to give Ino the benefit of the doubt. He waits before jumping into conclusions, and listens to Ino.
“You have a lot of sex, right?” Ino asks so straightforward. Shikamaru almost chokes with his coffee and cigarette. He coughs and looks embarrassed.
“What!?”
“You have sex, right? I mean, you had sex before, with a lot of girls, right?”
“Ino.” Shikamaru gets himself together, clearing his throat. “That’s a weird question, and I don’t know where do you want to go with this. Why are you suddenly interested on my sex life?”
“I’m not interested. I just asked you if you have had sex, before..”
“Before as?” Ino gets exasperated.
“As you’re no virgin,” Ino remembers to lower her voice even though she so badly wants to scream at him.
Shikamaru still can’t believe this is happening. He had never talked about this with Ino. With no one, really, and the fact that Ino is the first one to ask him stuff about his sex life, after his father, it’s weird.
“No, I’m not a virgin, why the sudden interest?”
“Just asking.”
“You’re just asking?”
“Well, there are rumors. You know, rumors that you have plenty experience with girls.”
“WHAT THE HELL, INO. Look, I don’t know if I like where this is going.” Shikamaru looks embarrassed and mortified.
“Chill the fuck out, Shikamaru. I thought we were friends.”
“We are friends, Ino. But I don’t really feel comfortable talking about this with anyone, not even to Chouji, or Naruto, or with my dad. Specially my dad.”
“Listen, I’m not trying to know with how many girls you have slept. I swear.”
“Okay...”
“I just....” Ino stops, biting her lower lip.
“What? Are you in trouble?” Shikamaru looks concerned for a minute, but Ino shakes her head.
“There’s really no other way to put it. Shikamaru, I want to have sex with you.”