The barbeque restaurant was bustling with customers, much to Shikadai's annoyance. Despite the crowd, they were seated quickly into a back corner booth, and Shikadai perked up a little, it was one of his favorite tables. He noted that Chocho had slipped the waitress a few bucks. Of course Cho didn't want to wait an extra half hour for food.

Shikadai sat across from Inojin and Cho, both who looked ready to eat as they licked their lips. They had just finished another Ino-Shika-Cho training, and the three of them were beat. Rigorous training was necessary though to keep them in shape and ready for any moment in battle. Having been recently promoted to jonin, Shikadai led the training as the leader of their team. As a young genin, he never would have thought of himself reaching the level of jonin, he always thought that much work was too troublesome. However, he had the right amount of support to push him in the right direction, and he trusted his friends more than anything. The motivation to always keep his friends safe during battle pushed him towards his current level. He smiled slightly as he looked at his best friends, he was proud of all their hard work that brought them here today.

"Oh man I am so ready for barbeque beef!" Cho said, biting her bottom lip. She looked around the restaurant impatiently. "Why are there so many people here?"

"The peace day festival is coming up in a month, some of the travelers will be coming here soon." Inojin pointed out.

"A whole month early? Who has that kind of time?" Cho asked, still unnerved by the crowd.

"Nah, we're just here at their peak lunch rush," Shikadai commented with a wave of his hand.

"Speaking of the peace day festival," Cho started, suddenly seeming very interested in the topic, "who are you two taking for dates?"

Shikadai almost spat out his water, "dates?" he asked, perplexed, "we always just go together as friends though!"

Cho rolled her eyes at him, "C'mon Shikadai, grow up." Shikadai almost retorted back that he was a jonin level ninja, quite grown up. He held his tongue back though, he was used to Chocho's sassiness. "We're 22 years old now, I think it's time we start going to these events with dates. Besides," she looked around at both of them, waiting for them to gasp with anticipation.

"Yes?" Inojin asked after a much too long dramatic pause.

"I already have a date!" Cho squealed happily.

"Who would ask you out?" Inojin asked. He always had this way of asking the wrong questions, or stating things in an inappropriate manner. Shikadai had a feeling he had inherited this unfortunate trait from his socially inept father.

Cho rounded on him instantly, "what do you mean by that!? Tons of guys are interested in me, just so you know! I've only just now said yes because I happen to be interested in him!"

Inojin sunk into the corner, raising up his hand apologetically. Shikadai laughed under his breath. "Sorry!" Inojin said, "I only meant who asked you? I was curious."

"Hmm," Cho quickly got over her small fit of rage and switched back to her excited mood from before, "Metal Lee asked me just yesterday."

Shikadai was shocked to hear this news. He remembered now how Metal Lee had sometimes watched in on their Ino-Shika-Cho training. He had always thought that Metal was simply watching to gain information about various battle tactics, his father had trained him relentlessly and Metal could often be seen doing laps around the village or walking up the stairs on his hands. But perhaps Metal had watched their training sessions for a different reason.

"Congratulations," Shikadai said, truly meaning it.

Cho smiled warmly at him and then went on to discuss the finer details of how Metal had asked her out. She was never one to leave out any bit of information, "he came up to me yesterday as I was walking home from practice. I felt pretty embarrassed, I mean, I had sweat a lot after working out in the hot sun, but he didn't mind at all. He told me he had been waiting to catch up to me and ask. As soon as I said yes though, his father popped up out of nowhere. I could tell Metal was really embarrassed, it was kind of cute how much he blushed. His dad hugged me tight saying something like, 'the power of youth and love!' It was pretty hilarious, I just laughed while Metal told his dad to go away. Then he walked me home and said he'd like to hang out with me soon! So after lunch today he and I are going to get dessert together, I can hardly wait!" She was brimming with excitement. Shikadai was happy for her, he had never seen her this happy before. The only other thing that made her this happy was food, especially barbeque. At that moment, their plates arrived and the dish of raw meat was handed to Cho, who eagerly began placing pieces of beef on the grill with a wide grin.

"I've been thinking about dating too," Inojin piped up. Shikadai and Cho eyed him questioningly, both of their mouths were full with cooked beef. "I'm thinking of asking Mitsuki to go with me, but I'm just not sure if he'll be into that kind of thing." Inojin blushed a little and swept his eyes downwards towards the grill on the table.

Shikadai had always suspected that Inojin might have a preference for men, "that's great Inojin, I think you should go for it," he said supportively. He had his suspicions that Mitsuki was also interested in men, as he had rejected all advances made towards him by the girls in their class when they were younger. He had made it quite clear that he didn't find any of them attractive.

Inojin smiled, "you think so?" he asked, perking up in his chair.

"Yeah," Cho agreed, after chewing on a succulent piece of meat, "you're both weird, it would be cute if you guys started dating. You'd be a good match for each other."

Inojin smiled at her, "thanks!" he said brightly, oblivious to her slight insult in calling him 'weird.'

Shikadai laughed at them, enjoying being around his friends. He had to admit they were both weird in their own way, but he liked that about them.

"So Shikadai, if we both have dates, then what will you do?" Cho asked, "the peace day festival is coming up soon, you should ask someone."

Shikadai considered this as he took another bite of meat. The peace day festival happened once every two years, it was a celebration of peace among the shinobi that formed after the 4th great shinobi war. The peace day festival didn't just last one day as the name implied. Over the years it had grown and become a huge event that lasted 3 days, sometimes longer. It was held in a different village each year, and this year would be held by Konoha. The kage from each village as well as most of the villagers themselves would be in attendance to watch the firework display, eat a wide assortment of foods and treats, and enjoy the festival games and theatrical productions. There were storytellers who would come and re-tell highlights of the 4th shinobi war and there were musicians who would sing about the peace among nations. There was always a period of silence for those who were lost in the war, and then paper lanterns were lit up in the sky to commemorate those fallen warriors. It was truly a spectacular event, full of many fun activities and heartwarming moments as they remembered those lost and reflected on the peace that was gained. Shikadai always enjoyed going, the last one had been held at Sunagakure, which had been wonderful. He was able to hang out with his uncles Gaara and Kankuro, and the fireworks that year had been truly impressive. He always watched the fireworks with Chocho and Inojin, it was one of their traditions. Now that they were going with dates, Shikadai would have to find someone else to watch the firework display with. This seemed like a troublesome dilemma for Shikadai.

He thought back to all his encounters with women, most of which were unpleasant. He had only ever spoken to a few women around his age in his life, he had never bothered to go out and talk with any of the girls that were not in his class. He considered Cho a friend, almost like a sister and had never felt any romantic feelings towards her. He one time walked into her room while she was changing and felt completely embarrassed. Cho had on her pants and a bra, she was still deciding what shirt she should wear that day. She was unfazed by Shikadai's presence, "oh psh, you're like my little brother," she had said, "I don't care if you see my bra. Actually, you can help me decide which shirt to wear, the pink one or the green." She held up both options. Shikadai could almost see the outline of her breasts underneath, as the bra was pale in color.

He blushed again, looking away. Inojin had then entered the scene, "oh I like the pink one!" he said in a cheery voice, oblivious to Shikadai's embarrassment. Cho pulled the pink shirt over her head, trying it on.

Shikadai then looked back at her, recalling her words, "hey, why would you think of me as a little brother?" he asked.

"Women mature faster than men," she had explained, as if it was that simple. Inojin laughed at them, finally realizing that Shikadai had walked in unexpectedly on Cho. Shikadai and Cho laughed along with Inojin, his laughter was quite contagious.

Shikadai smirked as he thought of that encounter, and he quickly picked up another piece of meat with his chopsticks, placing the morsel in his mouth as he continued to think about his past experiences with women.

When he was 17, he had asked Sarada out on a date. He had thought she was pretty, just like every other boy in his grade, and although he didn't know her very well, he thought he should give it a shot. He wasn't even sure that he really wanted to go out on a date with her, but he had overheard her talking with Chocho about a guy that she liked. It had made him curious, so he had asked her out just to see what her reaction would be. Sarada had stomped on his foot in anger and cried, "no Shikadai!" He was stunned by her violent response, a simple 'no' would have sufficed. "I'm waiting for Boruto to finally realize he likes me, I don't need you interfering! You're one of his good friends, shouldn't you know that he likes me? Does he?" she had yelled all these mad things out while waving her arms around in anger. Shikadai wasn't sure what to say to her, he had never talked about girls with Boruto before that time. He was almost glad she had said no, if she was always asking troublesome questions and stomping on people's feet then maybe it was a good thing she didn't want to go on a date with him.

After that encounter, which he had told no one about, he tried to casually bring up Sarada in conversation to Boruto. He noticed that Boruto had blushed slightly when he had asked him, "what do you think of Sarada? I know she's your teammate, but I've seen you guys hang out a lot and I sometimes wonder if she means more to you than just a friend."

Boruto had deflected this and tried to change the subject. Shikadai's question must have stirred something within him though, because just a few months later Shikadai and Sarada started going out on dates. Pretty soon they were inseparable and even to this day they can be caught holding hands or kissing lightly in public. Shikadai was happy for them, but all the same it was quite troublesome walking around the corner and seeing them embraced in a kiss. They often had to sneak around and hide from the prying eyes of their parents.

The only other girl Shikadai could think of was Boruto's little sister Himawari. She had always been nice to him. He recalled the time that he came over to the Uzumaki house to hang out with Boruto, and Himawari had come running out of her room holding a large box. "Here Shikadai!" she had said brightly with a big smile. She handed the box to him, which was full of chocolates.

"Thanks Himawari," Shikadai said, "what are these for?"

"It's for Valentine's day!" she said, "it's an American holiday where you give chocolates to people! I got some for you and for mom and dad and big brother too!"

She was super excited, and was about to double back to her room to grab more chocolates when Boruto said, "you know you're only supposed to give chocolates to the people you like right?"

Himawari blinked in confusion at her big brother. She was around 10 at the time, and she didn't quite understand Boruto's question. "but I like all of you," Himawari said to him.

Boruto rolled his eyes and snickered, "I mean you give the chocolates to people you like like." The emphasis on the word 'like' made Himawari blush fiercely red. She quickly backed away and ran to her room while Boruto laughed. Boruto was 13 or 14 at the time, Shikadai couldn't quite remember, but he did remember that being the age that Boruto got a kick out of teasing his little sister. He soon grew out of that age, thank goodness.

"You didn't have to say it like that," Shikadai had said to Boruto. Boruto shrugged his shoulders, brushing off Shikadai's comment.

Although it had embarrassed Himawari, Shikadai was grateful for the gesture and he made sure to slip a 'thank you' note under her door later that evening.

Another memory of Himawari that Shikadai recalled was her chunin exams. The chunin exams were held in Sunagakure that year for Himawari, and Shikadai's father had been in charge of the third round- the one on one battles. Shikadai watched alongside his uncle Gaara the Kazekage and his mother, his father was busy on the scene, making sure that everything was running smoothly. Boruto's father, the Hokage, was also seated in their section alongside the other kages. Boruto and Shikadai watched together as Himawari was called forward in battle against a genin from Iwagakure. The kunoichi she was up against was an ominous looking girl with an evil look in her eyes, but this did not faze Himawari. When the battle began, Shikadai was stunned with the fierceness and power that Himawari unleashed with each blow. Shikadai had always known her to be gentle, kind and sweet, so seeing this steady fierceness was surprising for him. He found himself silently rooting for her as she fought valiantly and cleverly, blocking each attack from the Iwagakure ninja and countering with her mighty attack of the gentle fist. Her byagukan eyes helped her to aim directly for the chakra points on her opponent, and she soon rendered the Iwagakure kunoichi immobile, unable to use chakra. Himawari had won the fight with flying colors, and Shikadai had wanted to scream and cheer alongside Boruto. But Shikadai felt that he would look like a fool cheering for her when in the presence of the other kage. He saw Naruto smile widely at Himawari's win, but he did not cheer as loudly or obnoxiously as Boruto.

Himawari had become a chunin that year, at the age of 12. She was one of the few in her class to reach that level, most of them remained genin. Shikadai thought of her different from that day on, he realized that she was kind and sweet but was also a force to be reckoned with. He had more respect for her after watching her fight.

Recalling her fighting during the chunin exams led Shikadai to think about -SNAP SNAP- Shikadai blinked, noticing that Cho had snapped her fingers in front of his face to awaken him from his daze.

"You were sort of dozing off there, lost in thought again," Cho said. "Honestly, what do you even daydream about all the time?" She asked him.

Shikadai blinked, focusing back on where he was. He wasn't even sure what had gotten him onto his train of thought anymore. He often dozed away from reality, daydreaming or reminiscing about other things until someone had to snap him awake. That person was usually Chocho.

"Sorry," he said, now remembering what their earlier troublesome conversation had been about, "I just don't know who I would ask for a date…but I'll think of someone."

"Yeah, you don't want to get stuck going with your parents," Inojin said, "I heard from Boruto that he saw your mom and dad making out during the fireworks display last time. He said they were really getting into it."

Shikadai made a face, "ugh gross I don't want to hear that stuff!" he told Inojin.

"Oh okay," Inojin said, "I sometimes hear my parents in the bedroom, I figure most of our parents probably-"

"Oh gross stop right there!" Cho said. She often had to stop the clueless Inojin from saying things that were socially taboo. "Anyways," Cho said, eyeing Inojin cautiously, "you have a month Shikadai, don't over think it."

Shikadai sighed, he had already begun to over think about asking someone for a date. This whole thing was troublesome. He hoped that one of them would change the topic of conversation soon. He was in luck as Cho said, "anyways, are you guys going to Himawari's 18th birthday party tonight?"

"Yes, Mitsuki invited me," Inojin said, smiling brightly. Cho nudged him and raised her eyebrows, Inojin blushed.

"Huh?" Shikadai was confused, "what birthday party?"

"Oh did Boruto not invite you?" Inojin asked bluntly.

"No, I guess not." Shikadai said. It was odd, he and Boruto were good friends. Although if it was Himawari's birthday, maybe it was more of a family get together.

"Well, Sarada invited me," Cho said, "and I'm sure Sarada's only going because Boruto invited her…and they probably had to invite Mitsuki since he's part of their team. Sorry Shikadai." Cho smiled, trying to hide the awkwardness of bringing up the party that Shikadai had not been invited to. She probably wished she hadn't mentioned it at all.

Shikadai didn't mind too much, of course he wished he could go but he never minded having a night to himself to read or stargaze. They had switched topics of conversation again, speaking about lighter things before finishing their meal. They soon left the restaurant with their bellies full and parted ways. Inojin and Shikadai wished good luck to Cho on her dessert date with Metal Lee. "Psh, I don't need luck!" she had called out to them. Shikadai walked Inojin to his house and then began walking the rest of the way home on his own. He enjoyed walking alone, it gave him time to think about things.

He had barely taken 10 steps however when he heard someone running up behind him. He turned around and was shocked to see Himawari running in his direction. "Shikadai!" she called, wearing a big smile. Shikadai stopped and waited for her to catch up to him, which didn't take long at all. She was slightly out of breath, "I've been looking for you!" she said.

"Really?" Shikadai asked, wondering what she needed.

"Yeah, what are you doing tonight?" She asked, and then before he could respond she added, "It's my birthday tonight and I'd like you to come! A few friends and my family will be having dinner and drinks at Touka. It's that new nice restaurant by the south gates."

"Yeah I've heard of it, it's supposed to have pretty good food," Shikadai said, "yeah I can go, I wouldn't miss it," he added, making Himawari smile even larger.

"Great!" she said, "we're meeting up at 8pm there."

"Alright cool," Shikadai said, and then he added, "Um- you didn't necessarily have to invite me for Boruto, I know he probably just wants to hang out with Sarada anyways." He didn't want Himawari to have to go through all this trouble just for her brother.

"Oh," Himawari said, turning a little pink in the face, "I'm not inviting you because of Boruto, I'm inviting you because I want you to come," she said. Shikadai felt a jolt of surprise tinged with excitement, he hadn't expected to receive a formal invitation from her for her birthday.

"Great then," he said, clearing his throat, "I'll definitely be there."

"Good!" Himawari said cheerfully, "oh and um, try not to drink too much while my dad's around. My mom and dad will leave after we eat dinner so that I can hang out with just my friends and then we can all drink." Now that Himawari was 18, she was legally allowed to drink.

"Oh yeah no worries," Shikadai said, waving his arms, "I wouldn't want to get drunk in front of the Hokage."

"Haha yeah, I guess not. I can trust you," she gave him another genuine bright smile, "anyways I have to get going, but I'll see you later!" She turned around and waved at him. Shikadai waved back, feeling happier than he had before. There was something quite contagious about her sunny smile that uplifted his spirits.

….

Shikadai entered his home, looking forward to going out later for Himawari's birthday gathering. He was thinking about what he should wear, the restaurant was really quite nice and fancy which was troublesome. He never knew what to wear to fancy places.

"Shikadai is that you?" he heard his mother call from the kitchen. "I'm just wondering what to cook for dinner, do you have any suggestions?"

Shikadai popped his head into the kitchen, "I'm going out for dinner tonight, it's Himawari's birthday."

"Oh!" Temari looked surprised, "what did you get her?"

"Huh?" The thought hadn't occurred to Shikadai that he needed to get a gift. "um uh," he laughed awkwardly, knowing he was about to get berated by his mother.

"Oh Shikadai, I taught you better than that!" she said, "she's the Hokage's daughter, you should get her something nice!"

"Uh I don't really know her that well mom, I'm not even sure what she wants." Shikadai retorted.

Temari considered this, thinking hard, "hmm…how about some flowers or chocolates?"

Shikadai felt his face flush, "It's not a date mom, all her friends and family are going."

Temari looked a little surprised, "Oh, the way you said it earlier I thought it was just the two of you, but that makes sense," she chuckled and smiled at her son, "make her a birthday card then, and I'll run to the store and get her a bracelet or something."

"A bracelet mom?" Shikadai sighed, "that still sound like an intimate gift…I'll just stick with the card." He walked out of the room then, not wanting to talk any more with his mother about what gift to get Himawari. The whole ordeal was too troublesome to him.

He plopped on his bed with a piece of paper and some crayons. He thought it would be childish to make a card on his own, but it would be better than nothing. He didn't have the time to buy a card, and he always thought that cards bought in a store lacked sincerity. He folded the paper in two and wrote "happy birthday Himawari!" on the front. In the inner flap of the card, he wrote "I hope you're 18th year is a memorable one. Stay sweet- Shikadai." He wasn't ever sure what to write on cards, but he figured this would do just fine. The card still looked pretty blank, so he decided to draw a sunflower on the left side of the inside flap. He wasn't very good at drawing, so he looked up a picture on his cell phone for reference. The flower didn't look very realistic, but it was good enough. He sighed, wondering how soon she would throw out his card after tonight.

Once the card was finished, he had to decide what to wear. It was a drag, but after looking through his closet, he finally found the right outfit. He wore black long pants and a blue shirt with a white tie. He put on the outfit and surveyed himself in the mirror. He decided it was alright and changed back into his normal attire. He had a few chores to do around the house before 8pm or his mom would give him another talking to, which would be troublesome.