The Princess and the Deer

I do not own anything but the plot of the story. I don't own Naruto in anyway. Enjoy this story and please rate and comment.

After the war was finished, I had some time to think things through in my life. I couldn't really say much really, but since this is my life we're talking about I might as well explain since then. We both lost our fathers and our sensei. Such a tragic for us both, but never mind that. Let's start from there.

"Ugh! Sakura for the last time! I don't need a boyfriend or some guy to be with. I can perfectly take care of myself!" Said Ino. "But you know Ino…you can't get what you said you wanted the most!" Said Sakura teasingly.

"Ughh! Billboard brow, I swear you could get on my nerves but you do make a valid point." Said Ino.

I thought about what Sakura said. She is right for one thing. I do want to have children of my own one day. I'm just not so sure if I want to date, especially right after the war. Maybe once everything is settled down…

"Earth to Ino!? Can you hear me?" Said Sakura. "Huh…oh sorry Sakura-chan what did you ask me?" Said Ino. "I said…don't you need to get back to work?" Asked Sakura.

"Oh…Shit! I'm sorry Sakura…I'll make it up to you later." Said Ino as she runs off to work at her flower shop.

I made it back on time to finish working at the flower shop. I really enjoy working here but…memories of my dad comes back every once in a while. I miss him so much. Dad, what would you do if I asked to start dating?

"Hey, Hinata…more flowers again today?" Said Ino. "Hai, dad wants to replace the old ones for Neji." Said Hinata. "Alright…just give me a few minutes to make the banquet." Said Ino.

That's right…Neji is gone now. It's been over a few months but I'm so sad for Hinata. Poor Hinata, I wonder how she's manage to be this strong after all that. I mean it took me a long time to get over dad.

"Here you go Hinata." Said Ino. "Thank you Ino. Um…Ino-chan…I was wondering if you found any one you'd like?" Asked Hinata.

"Huh…? I do not recall Hina-chan. Besides I did thought that Sasuke would chosen me when Sakura and I fought over him. But that was only a crush." Said Ino.

"Hmm…maybe I…can help you find one or we can talk about boys sometime." Hinata suggested. "Yeah…maybe. How you holding up? How's TenTen?" Asked Ino.

Hinata looked down sad about her cousin's death. "I'm okay really but TenTen…she's pretty upset about it still. She's living with us still, but she also been thinking of quitting." Said Hinata.

"That's horrible. Neji was everything she's been talking about lately. Did you know if she or he done anything since before the war?" Said Ino.

Hinata shook her head. "No…not what I recall. Neji did want to propose to her after the war." Said Hinata. "Oh…dear. I bet she didn't take it too well." Said Ino.

"Yeah, but since then she's been acting funny. I think she may be pregnant with Neji's child. For now we're not sure and don't start any rumors ok." Said Hinata.

"I promise Hinata. I'm not like I used to be back then. I am 22 and grown up now." Said Ino.

After that conversation with Hinata, I close up the shop. All the previous thoughts I had today run through my mind again. Sakura is in love with Gaara, Hinata with Naruto, and TenTen lost Neji. I'm with nobody and I'm starting to wonder why I'm still single or never dated anybody yet.

I head home, but of course as the airhead I am…I ran into Kiba.

"Yoi, Ino be careful. You might get hurt." Said Kiba. "Sorry Kiba…I didn't see you there." Said Ino. "What's wrong with you today? Normally you would be all bitchy." Said Kiba.

"It's nothing Kiba. Well goodnight." Said Ino as she walks off again. "Wait…Ino…" Said Kiba as he catches up to her.

What is this mutt's problem? Besides I just wanna get home and relax. Guhh.

"Ino…please let me walk you home." Said Kiba. "No really Kiba…I'm fine." Said Ino.

Mutt, get your face out of mine! Why you staring at me like this. Wait why am I blushing.

"Seriously Ino…what's wrong with ya today?" Asked Kiba. "What do you mean. I'm fine." Said Ino. "You don't look like it to me. Something's bothering you." Said Kiba.

"Ok…fine you win…please don't take it the wrong way." Said Ino. "Whatever you say princess." Said Kiba.

I told Kiba my day from Sakura all the way towards Hinata's rumor about TenTen. I felt bad about telling him everything, even when I promised Hinata I wasn't going to tell the rumor to anyone. Kiba took me home safely, which was nice. Somehow I enjoyed talking to Kiba today.

Kiba left and promised to keep this talk a secret between us two only. He's sweet and kind when needed to be. I head up to my room and change into my pj's. I look out the window for a while before heading off to bed.

~The Next Day~

Seriously, can they be even more stupid. I understand that I'm high IQ, and it's a curse I tell ya. Damn, why do I have to teach them something that they can't even listen too?

"Alright. One more time, what will happen if you are surrounded by a group of rogue ninjas and you are on your own?" said Shikamaru. "We take them down." Said one kid.

"No, you run and find some others who are not your enemies to take them down." Said Shikamaru. The bell rings.

Finally! I can rest my aching brain. I better go see mom.

"Hey mom. Need any help today?" Asked Shikamaru. "In fact I do. You mind going over to Ino's house to take over this for me." Said his mom.

"Sure. I haven't seen her in a while. I wonder how she's doing." Said Shikamaru.

I took my time to walk towards Ino's house. Man it's been a while since I've seen her.

"Ino…It's me Shikamaru, may I come in?" Said Shikamaru. "Huh yeah, I'll be right down." Said Ino.

I waited in the kitchen. When she came in I was in shock of how beautiful she had become.

"I..Ino…I um came to drop off something from my mom." Said Shikamaru. "Oh, thanks. It's really nice of your mom to do this kind of thing for me. Since well, my mom can't really cope well enough about dad being gone." Said Ino.

"Yeah, I miss them too. Ino…are you doing anything later tonight?" Asked Shikamaru. "No, not that I know of. Why?" Asked Ino. "Oh, um I was wondering if maybe we should get dinner and catch up." Said Shikamaru.

"Like old times. I like that Shika. Pick me up at 8." Said Ino. "Yeah, I'll pick you up at 8." Said Shika.

It's not like a date, date kind of thing. It's us catching up on our lives.

~The Date~

Oh man I don't know what to wear. Should I go with classy or sexy? Classy won't distract him as much of a sexy dress. Classy it is!

I put on a classic purple dress that goes down towards my ankles. The straps of my shoes go up the rest of my ankles to meet the dress.

"Ino…I'm here!" Said Shika. "I'll be right down!" Said Ino.

"Ino…you look amazing." Said Shika. "Thank you Shika. You look handsome yourself." Said Ino giggling.

They head off towards the restaurant. They chat about the days they used to be as a team and what happened after the war. Ino talked about how she is working in the shop more often, and Shika talks about how he's teaching the kids in school.

After they ate their meal, they head back to Ino's house. They sat in the kitchen talking and drinking.

"Shika, do you have someone you'd like?" Asked Ino. "Huh? What you mean by that?" Said Shikamaru. "Oh, it's nothing. Never mind." Said Ino.

"Ino…tell me!" Said Shika. "It's just that Sakura likes Gaara and Hinata with Naruto, but the saddest one is TenTen losing Neji. I'm with no one Shika." Said Ino.

"Oh…I see so you're asking if I have someone special." Said Shika. "Yeah, but the thing is I'm not sure if I'm ready, yet I'm feeling like I'm the only one left to find love." Said Ino.

"Nothing wrong about that Ino. You're taking your time to find the right one. Trust me I'm the same as you." Said Shika. "I guess you're right. I'm sorry Shika but it's getting late." Said Ino.

"Hey, Ino let me know what you're doing later this week alright." Said Shika as he left. "I will!" Said Ino.

That was an interesting night I had with Shikamaru. It's been a while since we had a fun night like that together.

I head upstairs towards my window to look out. Surprisingly Shikamaru was still outside my house. Something's different with him lately. Oh well time for bed.

End of Chapter 1. I hope you will enjoy this new story. I will try to finish up with my other story as soon as possible. I kind of took a long break for now. I'll be getting back into these stories for all my fans out there. Thank you for waiting.