Ino had been watching Ino and Shikamaru from a patient's room window. She kept herself hidden as she watched from afar, wishing she could hear what it was they were talking about. [i][color=plum]'Ooooh what are they saying? It's gotta be about me. I mean why else would they be talking together? He's probably asking her what to get me for my birthday next month.'[/color][/i] Ino quickly went back to work when Sakura headed into the lobby. The blond kunoichi casually strolled up to her friend as Sakura was checking over some files. [b][color=plum]"Hey Sakura, you're late."[/color][/b] Ino teased, knowing Sakura was barely a minute late, if even. Sakura checked the clock and waved a hand at Ino as the blond chewed on her lower lip, still dying to pick Sakura's brain and see what Shikamaru wanted. Still, she remained calm and waited until Sakura was done checking on her first patient before she couldn't hold it in anymore.

[b][color=plum]"So! I saw you with Shikamaru this morning, what's that all about?"[/color][/b]

Sakura steadied herself and stared at Ino, not sure if she should deny everything or tell Ino how Shikamaru was truly feeling. She had once pined for Sasuke so she knew how Shikamaru was feeling and knew if she exposed his inner secret, he would be mortified. Still she couldn't just brush off the encounter either, Ino was inching closer, clasping her hands together and giving the pink haired girl a very intense stare that was probably supposed to come off as innocent. Ino was hardly innocent. Sakura averted her eyes and took a step back, feeling smothered by her friend. [b][color=plum]"Come on Sakura, you can tell me anything. Did it have anything to do with my birthday?"[/color][/b] She pressed, stepping closer. There it was, Sakura could lie and say they were discussing a surprise party or something but in the back of her mind, she didn't feel right saying that...

[i][color=darksalmon]'God...what do I tell her? Shikamaru did want to seem unavailable and if Ino is already this interested then maybe this is for the best?'[/color][/i] Sakura felt she was grasping at straws. The more she was quiet, the more Ino would suspect something. [b][color=darksalmon]"Well...we didn't want to tell you yet-"[/color][/b]

[b][color=plum]"Tell me what?"[/color][/b] Ino laughed and smacked Sakura so hard on the back, that Sakura dropped the chart she had been clutching to her chest.

[b][color=darksalmon]"We are...dating. Yes...um we're dating, just a recent thing so we didn't want to tell you until we knew this was serious."[/color][/b] She explained, her face quickly catching on fire as she feared Ino would see through her ruse. [b][color=darksalmon]"We had our first date last week and he was walking me to work today, we're taking things slow."[/color][/b] Sakura looked to Ino and saw a mixture of emotions fall across her face. She looked somewhat dubious but also intrigued and surprised...and a little...sad. Maybe she was imagining things though. [b][color=darksalmon]"You're not mad are you...?"[/color][/b]

Ino finally leaned back giving Sakura her personal space back. [b][color=plum]"Mad? No way! You two would be good for each other, I wish I had pushed you guys together sooner."[/color][/b] Ino waved a hand and took a step back and looked at Sakura up and down, her hands on her hips. Sakura bent over and grabbed her metal chart, still eyeing Ino, not sure if the girl was truly sincere or going to smack her. Ino noticed Sakura's hestiation and shook her head. [b][color=plum]"Really, Sakura. I'm happy for you two, I just wished I had been told sooner but I suppose you wanting to wait makes sense. I guess I never knew Shikamaru had those kinds of feelings...for you, I mean."[/color][/b] Ino pulled Sakura into a tight hug. The two friends embraced one another before Ino pulled back and squeezed Sakura's cheeks, pinching them. [b][color=plum]"I'm so proud of you. And Shikamaru too, you guys are growing up!"[/color][/b] She teased.

The rest of their work was spent healing patients, going over a quick lesson when Lady Tsunade had some free time, eating lunch and finishing paperwork. It wasn't glamorous but it kept them busy enough that Ino couldn't further bombard Sakura with questions about her and Shikamaru's budding romance. Sakura was still trying to read Ino and see what her friend was thinking. She felt bad about lying to Ino and even felt somewhat bad about lying on Shikamaru's behalf without consulting him fist. Still, it couldn't be undone anymore. Maybe it was for the best, maybe this would work out in Ino and Shikamaru's favor and they could all laugh about it months from now.

As the afternoon grew, it was time for their shift to end. As the two friends were getting ready to leave, Ino mentioned hoping to see Shikamaru and congratulate him on the new found relationship. Sakura quickly excused herself and channeled her chakra to her feet as she jumped up on the nearest building once out of Ino's view, and sprinted toward Shikamaru's home. Much like Naruto, she was quite capable of quickly sprinting through the village though it was something the rarely ever did unless pressed for time. Sakura knew the route Ino would take was a little less direct so it gave her a small window of time to get to Shikamaru first. Her heart pounded as she already began to regret this whole scheme. It was so stupid, it was never going to work. 

And yet...Ino seemed clearly affected by it which was the intention right?

[b][color=darksalmon]"Shikamaru!"[/color][/b] She called out upon spotting him. Landing on the dirt road, she hurried over to him and nearly plowed him down as she grabbed onto his shoulders, trying to catch her breath. [color=darksalmon][b]"We...I had to tell Ino we're dating."[/b][/color] She panted. [b][color=darksalmon]"It just came out, she was asking questions and it...you owe me cause it really caught her attention."[/color][/b] The girl straightened up having collected herself, she let go of him and stepped back, wanting to fill him in before Ino who would be arriving shortly. [color=darksalmon][b]"I told her it just started last week so that could cover up why she just found out and why we're still taking it slow."[/b][/color] She said. [b][color=darksalmon]"She says she's happy for us but I could tell it was very much a surprise and already made her head start spinning a whole new way regarding you. You owe me."[/color][/b]

Before anything else could be said, Ino called out to them, walking towards them. She nuzzled herself between Sakura and Shikamaru, looping an arm around each of their shoulders. [b][color=plum]"So this is why you had to leave early? To see your boyfriend? That's so cute!"[/color][/b] Ino then stepped forward and spun around on her heel, her bright eyes sparkling at the pair, still trying to imagine them as a couple. It was just so sudden. 

[color=plum][b]"So who asked who out? Let me guess, you Sakura?"[/b][/color]

[color=darksalmon][b]"No he asked me out."[/b][/color] Her reflexes were getting better at reacting to Ino's questions. Though Sakura's job was to make Shikamaru look good. [i][color=darksalmon]'We pretend to date a few weeks and he could dump me, go after Ino and she'd be happy to fall into his arms after seeing what she was missing.'[/color][/i] Sakura thought to herself with a shrug. [color=darksalmon][b]"Our first date was so relaxing, we had a picnic and spent the afternoon holding hands and staring up at the clouds, enjoying the sunshine. He then walked me home and well...kissed me! We've only been out once after that you know we are trying to take our time but I'm just surprised you two never got together."[/b][/color] Sakura glanced to Shikamaru, hoping he could play along too.

Ino looked between them, looking crestfallen for a moment. [b][color=plum]"Hm...yeah, I guess I never considered him to be romantic or to even care about girls."[/color][/b] She sighed. [b][color=plum]"You guys better take care of each other though, you're very special to me."[/color][/b] She went back to smiling at them though it was clear Ino was thinking a lot about the pair now and if she had missed out on something great.

[b][color=darksalmon]"O-of course!"[/color][/b] Sakura grabbed Shikamaru's hand, lacing their fingers together slightly clumsily.