Current mood:	annoyed
Current music:	"Come Undone" by Duran Duran

An ass of a weekend...
Well shit....I didn't know I'd be stuck in this hole of a house all weekend with work that is as thick as a bible. Damn Asuma. I fail this class I'm screwed for a while. My grades aren't the best in my other class either, but I'm passing. This is the class that is for shit. I swear this teacher is out to get me. He likes being an ass and tormenting me of all the other students.



((Asuma was played by our lovely Kitty aka Chouji! Thank's Kitty! ^_^))


Shikamaru made his way to the front of the class as the class emptied out. He stood up at the teacher's desk and waited for him to recognize that he was there.

Asuma yawned, piling up papers in no real order as he got ready to launch into his corrections. Or have a cigarette break and take a nap on the paper piles; whichever came first.

Shikamaru cleared his throat, crossing his arms over his chest.

Asuma looked up as a thin shadow spread over his desk. It was the Nara kid, Shikamaru. Huh. Well, that was something different, wasn't it? "Yeah?"

"My grades are lacking in this class. Was wondering if you had any extra credit?" he asked, flashing his now blue eyes.

"Now usually," Asuma said, pulling out a cigarette and sticking it in his mouth. No smoking on campus, but he was so much an addict that the cigarette itself was a comfort. "I'd say sure, go ahead. But that's for the kids who take the time to actually do their work."

Shikamaru grumbled. "I'm doing my work...." he defended. Maybe late, but he was still doing it.

"I'm not going to inflate the grades of a slacker who suddenly saw the light this late in the term," Asuma said, making certain that he made this sound non-negotiable.

"I'm asking you to give me a chance. Your class is the only one that is not letting me work at it. I fail this class, I fail entirely."

Asuma gave him a dark look. "I've known you for a while, Shikamaru. Years, in fact, and I can pretty much say you won't pull out of this with a wave of one hand. You have solid weeks of homework to catch up on."

"So give me something new to replace it. Some kind of assignment. Shit I don't know..."

"What are you doing this for, Shikamaru?" Asuma asked, leaning back in his chair.

"I don't pass your class...I fail. I fail...I don't get to keep the scholarship and graduate a year early."

Asuma rubbed his chin, feeling the stubble and thinking, offhand, that he should shave. "What're you graduating for? I thought you, Akimichi, and Yamanaka were pretty tight."

"Because I can. We are, but I do have a future planned out."

"Your future?" He chuckled. "You should've placed into the Advanced Critical Thinking and Ethics class, kid. You would've been loved by that crowd."

His eyes narrowed. "Are you mocking me?"

"Kid, you mock yourself. You're a walking contridiction."

"Really? Care to explain?" he said his eyes locked on an evil glare.

"Smart as all shit, but too lazy to do anything with those brains," Asuma said, shaking his head. "Most kids around here would be jealous of you---if you ever showed up on class to show them up."

"What do I have to prove to anyone?" he said raising an eyebrow. "I know what I need to know. No need in flaunting it."

"You need to prove something to me, all right. You need to prove to me that you want this scholarship enough to bust your ass," Asuma growled. "So far, I'm unimpressed."

"More like you wanting to be an ass and try to up me on one." He grumbled out. This teacher had always been trouble for him. He rubbed the back of his neck, "What kind of teacher burns a student to begin with?"

"One who knows you can do better than this," Asuma said quietly. The kid was good. Hell, the kid was brilliant, and he was the one who had brought it to his parents' attention. It was because of that that he felt he needed to push Shikamaru just a little harder than anyone else.

His voice got low, and he rested his hands on the desk. "So then let me..." he said his eyes flashing dark reguardless of the light blue color they were now.

Asuma was unnaffected. Shikamaru was a little too skinny and a little too late to inspire fear in him. "Get me all your makeup by next Monday, and maybe we'll talk."

"Eh....." Shikamaru pouted rubbing the back of his neck again. "Have any extra copies?" he asked.

Asuma rolled his eyes. At least the kid was predictable. He took out the impossibly thick stack he'd photocopied earlier, sensing this sort of situation might happen. "Here you go, slick. Have at it."

Shikamaru grumbled, his eyes rolling as he took ahold of the stack of papers. It looked to be as thick as a bible. "I have the weekend basically?" he asked in a half wine.

"Roughly," the teacher said, getting to his feet and fumbling in his pocket for his lighter. "Mm, time for a cig break. Good talking to you, Shikamaru."

"Feh" he growled out as he made his way out the classroom door. Damn this was such a bother. Instead of a simple talk, and a little extra credit, he'd landed himself in a far bigger situation than he had planned. He hated doing work.



My eyesight I have to say with these contacts is better. Though that damn website was as confusing as hell. Guess I ordered the wrong ones. Seems I have crystal blue instead of clear. Eh, the glasses were on the other side of the room. It was too bothersome to get them. They need to fix thier damn website. Asses. Can't say it doesn't get the attention though. Never had so many girls come up and fawn on me because of some damn blue eyes. Troublesome women...get a hobby.




((Since my drawing ability came back some lastnight after 2 weeks of a dry spell...here's some Shikaness for you))




Temari is pissed at me. I have to say I'm more pissed at myself. Not going into that right now. At least Chouji and Ino are talking to me again. I swear, that took a world of convincing. I grew up with you guys. We're a team together. Nothing can ever change that. I guess I do have to thank you Ino, for helping with getting the job back. Though I'm not so sure it's a good thing working under that pervert again. He annoys the shit out of me. Speaking of I have to work until closing tonight. Shit. I hate that. It's so troublesome to have to clean the damn place after hours...




Shikamaru picked up the phone. He dialed her number and waited for an answer. At least things between them was going better than they were with him and Chouji.

Ino stopped on the path from the school to pick up her cell phone, and frowned. Who would be calling her? Everyone was mad at her... "...hello?" she said expectantly into the phone. She knew she didn't sound like herself.

"Ino dear, hey...." he said softly.

She sighed in relief. She knew that voice. "What's up?"

"Just checking up on you..."

"Appears I will be your chauffer..."

She smiled softly. "I suppose so." She looked around, pulling her pink hat further on her head. "Where are you, buttcheek?"

"I have a name skunk..."

"And so do I." Ino plopped down on the school steps, rubbing her hands over her tight-covered thighs. She could feel the coldness of the concrete seep through her skirt. "I'm cold. I don't want to stay in school... because... you know."

"What are your plans right now?" he asked, turning the corner in his car.

"Plans?" Ino squinted her eyes in the sunlight, and laughed bitterly. "Since when did I ever have plans?"

"As of now...." he said as he pulled up into the school parking lot. "Head over to the parking lot...." It was after hours....his car minus the red camero to the right were the only ones there.

She picked up her schoolbag and hefted it on her shoulder, turning around to see if any boys were spying on her. She didn't want any more bruises. "I'm going..." Turning into the parking lot, she spotted his car and pretended not to see him. "Who's that ugly guy in front of me?"

"I don't know, who's the ugly girl in front of me?" he said smiling and closing his cell phone.

She smiled and ran to him, not caring that she was splashing slush all over herself. Throwing her cell in her purse, she got to him and wrapped her arms around his neck, closing her eyes. A friendly hug, that is. She didn't want any rumours.

He wrapped his arms back around her and returned the hug. "I've missed you skunk...." he said softly.

She squeezed his shoulder and looked up at him, real tears forming at her eyes. "I'm-- sorry. I've missed you too." She laughed softly and wiped her eyes. "It's just beenso tough..."

He nodded. "I know..." He then wrapped his arm around her shoulder. "Lets get some food....I'm starving...."

She smirked lopsidedly and leaned against him, wincing when the material of his shirt brushed her cheek. "I wish I felt the same way..."

He paused and looked at her with his analyzing glare. He rubbed her cheek lightly. "What happend?"

Flinching, she regained composure and she tried to plaster a bright smile. But her pain shone through. "I... Oh, nothing... It's not important."

"Ino..." he said sternly. Which translated to spill or I will get defensive.

She waved her hand around, then stopped and sighed. "You know those rumours going around? A boy almost dragged me off after school and tried to get me to do stuff for him. So I bit him, and he... you know." She pointed to her cheek, making a slapping motion. "And if Chouji wasn't walking behind, I'd be living up to the rumours. Giving the guy head."

His brows narrowed and he half growled. Kids today were ridiculous. He'd had his fair share of flirtations, and guys that wanted to pumle him to the ground. It was amazing how fast rumers spread. And he couldn't help but feel guilty. "It's my fault....I'm sorry..." he said softly.

Raising her eyebrows, she smiled at him. "No, Shikmaru... It's been happening before too. I just like to ignore it... I know that they aren't true..." She sighed and shrugged to the car. "Are we going soon? We can talk in there."

He nodded and opened his door to get in. He started up the engine and waited for her to get in.

Closing the door, she settled herself in the seat and buckled up quickly. She blew on her hands and shivered, waving her arms around. "It's so cold...

He started up the heat and headed out of the parking lot. "I don't have a lot of money...so it's fast food. Heh..." he hadn't had much since Jiriyha laid him off for the time being. Maybe he should go back and see if he could have the job back at this point. Things had cleared up somewhat.

"Fast food..." It had been a while since she had that. She made a face, wrinkling her nose and making a gagging noise. "They have salad?"

"Mcdonalds does....can you deal with that? I kind of ran out of money since I lost the job...."

"Its okay, Micky D's it is..." She looked out the window, then breathed on it and drew patterns on it.

"Don't put frilly shit on my windows...."

Ino turned around and stuck her tongue out, drawing more stuff on the window. "It gives it such a nice touch, yannow?"

"No, it makes me look gay....stop..." he wined.

"Maybe you are," she said teasingly, wiping it all out. Then she started again. "So, what are we going to do?"

He glared at her. "That's not funny...." he said frustrated. "I'm getting food....then I don't know...." he said as they passed the local theater that he used to work at. He glared at it for a second.

She raised an eyebrow at him when he eyed the theatre. "What are you giving that look for? You wanna burn it down or something?"

"That would be an idea....But it's too troublesome."

"I was kidding, you loser. What's wrong? Miss your job?"

"No....just money is key to surviving in this blasted world..."

She tapped her fingers on the window. "Then get a job. Or fight for your old one back."

"Feh...." he said as he pulled into the McDonald's lot. Getting out of the car he hooked his keys on his chain. "Let's go skunk...."

She smiled dangerously. "I'm Ino. I'm much higher than a skunk." She followed him, running a hand through her hair and checking herself out in the window.

"You look fine...." he said not turning to look at her as they walked into the food complex. He slowley made his way to the counter and ordered. "What are you getting miss Ino..."

Pouting, she scanned her eyes over the list of food. "The salad. And a Coke." The smell of fast food was either making her nauseous or hungry.

"Add a salad and a coke to that..." he said paying the man at the counter.

"With cesar dressing," she added.

He grumbled taking his receipt. Finally getting thier order he hunted around for a place to sit. He settled with a free booth and sat ready to dig in. He wasn't much for such greasy food, but lack of nutrition at home....he didn't care at this point.

Carefully, Ino opened her salad container and poked at it, then put a tentative forkful in her mouth. She made a face, then relaxed. "It's not so bad..."

He looked up at her with a sarcastic look on his face. "No....food is good for you....it's not out to attack you...." he said.

Shrugging, she shoved another forkful in her mouth. "I just head that it was gross, that's all."

"Hmph" he replied stuffing his second hamburger in his mouth. Damn, he swore he was eating as much as Chouji. Damn the shrew and her insisting he buy his own food. He missed having home cooked meals.

In a few minutes, she finished the whole thing. Sipping quietly at her Coke, she raised an eyebrow at him. "Not getting much food at home, are you."

"What do you think?" he said finishing up his last hamburger.

Burping quietly, she wiped her mouth with her napkin. "I think that you need a job so you can buy a decent meal."

He raised an eyebrow. "What are you getting at?" he said wiping his hands off on a napkin.

Smiling deviously, she poked his arm repeatedly. "What I'm saying is, that you need to go back to the theatre and beg for your job back, and everything will be hunky dory."

"I don't feel like it today...." he said flatly. It was too troublesome to bother with.

"Too bad. We're going to go and FIGHT." She nodded at him. "You done? Then let's get going. I'm making you go."

He raised an eyebrow at her. "What?" he said as he got up, leaving his trash and tray on the table top.

She grabbed his arm and dragged him along. "We're going to go the the theatre, stupid, so you can get your job back!"

"Feh...Ino..." he grumbled. "This is troublesome....damn you women...." he said as he was dragged to his car.

"Stop damning us women when we're right!" Ino ordered, buckling herself in her seat.

He grumbled some more as he got into the car and started the engine. He pulled out of the parking lot and headed to the theater.

"I win, victory..." Ino sang, getting out of the car and stretching. "Let's go."

He was suddenly pulled back out of the car by the bold blonde and pushed towards the door. He ran smack into Jiraiya.

Ino looked up at Jiraya's massive height and smiled sweetly. "Hello, Jiraya-san~~ Shikamaru wants to talk you you."

"Uh...." he studdered as Jiriya nodded and told Shikamaru to follow him into the office. The door shut, and Shikamaru wondered why he'd ever let women boss him around.

Ino stood outside the office, leaning against the door and pressing her ear against it.

Shikamaru opened the door only to have Ino almost fall face forward into him. "Snoop, let's go..." he said before nodding to Jiraiya and heading out of the theater.

Ino regained composure and straightened herself like nothing happened. She smiled sweetly at Jiraya again and waved. She turned back to Shikamaru, smiled deviously. "So, what did he say? Did you get your job back? Am I a genius or WHAT."

"No you just pester the shit out of me, and I'd rather do what you ask than to have you scream at me..."

She puffed out her cheeks. "I WILL scream. Tell me. Now."

"Yes...yes...I got the job..." he said rolling his eyes.

Ino punched the air, then Shikamaru. "I KNEW IT! I'm so proud of you!!!" She hugged him quickly and ran around, almost knocking an employee over. "Sorry, but SHIKAmARU HAS HIS JOB BACK!" The guy looked at her strangely and scurried off.

He put his finger in his ear and scrunched his eyes tightly. "Damn Ino...do you have to be so loud?" he said reaching the door.

"I HAVE TO BE LOUD! I WOULDNT BE INO!" She was returning to her loud, hyper self again. "Aren't you SO EXCITED?"

"Not half as excited as you." he muttered. "Now I get angry kids in my face and thier ugly mothers slapping me accross the jaw when I make thier kid cry..."

"But you have a job... Money. And there are SOME perks to this job, right?"

"I suppose...." he said grumbling. "Let's go...."

"Okay," she sang, holding the door for him. "That was really quick."

"Yeah...lets get out of this blasted place," he said headed to the car. He paused before putting the key in the door, his back to her. "Thanks....Ino...." he said softly. "For not....hating me..."

Ino smiled softly. It was good to have her other best friend back. "I never hated you, Shikamaru. I just missed you."