Author's Note: Hello readers! Shorter chapter than normal, but it'll be longer next time. Please excuse any typos or grammatical errors. I hope you enjoy it, leave some feedback.

SIX

-I knew I loved you then, but you'd never know

'Cause I played it cool when I was scared of letting go-

Their first kiss happened exactly one week ago. Shikamaru paced in his room, remembering the soft touch of her lips, the curve of her waist, and the stars in her eyes. He stopped and sighed, falling back onto his bed. His eyes followed the spinning blades of the fan. They never really talked about the kiss, or what it meant. Shikamaru hadn't had much of a chance either. When they got back from their trip, Ino and her mother went to visit some family. They were coming home today though, and Ino said she wanted to go to dinner with him.

Shikamaru sat up and rested his elbows on his knees. His eyes drifted to the wall clock: 4:30pm. Ino would have gotten home a little while ago, she said for him to pick her up at six. He had one hour and twenty-five minutes to figure out what to say to her. Or rather, how to say it to her. Shikamaru wasn't going to ignore his feelings anymore. Ino was a single girl, he was a single guy, and there was chemistry between.

And if he was being honest, he knew it before they kissed. In fact, Shikamaru knew he had fallen for Ino at the end of last summer. He had hoped he'd move on while attending university. For about a minute he'd forgotten about her, but somehow he always went back to her. He told himself to let her go, to stop driving himself insane, but the heart wants what it wants.

He was pacing again. At this rate he was going to wear a hole into the floor and fall straight into the kitchen. He was dressed and ready to go, black jeans a simple white t-shirt. This wasn't supposed to be something fancy, right? It wasn't a date or anything, but maybe it should be one. Shikamaru rubbed the back of his neck and glanced to his window. He had a clear view of the yellow Yamanaka house. Ino's window was open, the summer breeze blowing it, causing her curtains to wave like butterfly wings. Tearing his eyes away from the house, Shikamaru walked out of his room and went to the bathroom.

He had to stop pacing and wasting time. It was time he strapon a pair and ask Ino if she wanted to go out with him. He had to use his words. Sure, actions spoke louder than words, but Ino was traditional and on some level so was he. The right thing to do was to properly ask her out, not silently assume they were or would be a couple.

Shikamaru stared at himself in the mirror and took in a deep breath. He wasn't sure how to even start. Should he be casual about it? Forward maybe? No, Ino liked things to be romantic. But being forward and casual was like being dominant, which meant sexy and she liked that too. He pinched the bridge of his nose and cursed. Why was it so hard to ask a girl out? Well, he didn't normally have issues, but this wasn't just any girl. This was Ino Yamanaka, his childhood friend, the girl he never imagined he'd end up falling for.

"This is hopeless," Shikamaru sighed.

"What are you doing?" His dad asked, standing out in the hallway.

Shikamaru's face became very hot. Of course he would forget to shut the door, but he also thought his mom and dad were outside doing some yard work. His dad tilted his head and smirked.

"Nothing, I'm not doing anything." Shikamaru shrugged, trying to maintain some dignity.

His dad chuckled. "Don't look like nothing, seems down right serious."

Shikamaru cleared his throat. "Okay, fine," he huffed. "I'm taking Ino to dinner and, well I was planning on asking her if she wanted to date."

Shikaku smiled. "You must really like her to be this flustered."

"Ino's not like other girls."

"No, she isn't and that's because she's special to you and you don't want to look like an idiot. But listen son, you'll be more of an idiot if you think about it too hard."

Shikamaru looked into the mirror. "I just think I might ruin things if I ask her at all."

His father laughed and leaned against the doorjamb. "Cross that bridge when you get there. Get out of your head."

Shikamaru wished he could get out of his head, but it was easier said than done. He was so nervous. His hands were clammy and his heart was thundering in his chest. "How did it go with you and mom?"

Shikaku whistled. "I swept her off her feet, but she'd tell you a different story."

"Maybe I should go talk to her instead," Shikamaru mused.

"Just rip the bandaid off, son." Shikaku clapped his son on the shoulder and gave him a bright smile. "It's all going to work out."

"You sound so sure."

Shikaku backed away, letting his son out into the hallway. "Of course I am, you're my son. Good luck."

"Thanks, dad." Shikamaru smiled and nodded to his dad, who wandered toward his bedroom.

-xXx-

Shikamaru couldn't do it. He couldn't muster the courage to ask Ino if she wanted to be a couple. Time was running out, they were heading back to her place. Dinner had went well, they laughed and talked about high school and college. Ino gossiped about Sakura and Sasuke, who were supposedly moving in together soon.

He glanced at her. She was singing along to the song on the radio and playing with a stray string on her vest that draped around her petite figure wrapped up in an airy sundress. The best part, Ino wasn't wearing much makeup. In high school she was rarely seen barefaced, but today her natural beauty was shining through. Ino smiled at him when she caught him staring.

"You've been acting weird. Is everything okay?" Ino asked, tilting her head cutely.

Shikamaru had a lump in his throat, so he only nodded. The blond wasn't the slightest bit convinced though as she reached over and laid a hand on his forehead. She pursed her lips and pulled her hand away, eyeing him like a hungry lion. Shikamaru slowed his Jeep as they approached an oncoming stop sign.

"Shikamaru what's wrong?" Ino was genuinely concerned, he could see it in her eyes and written all over her face. "Was it the food? Do you have a stomach ache or something?"

He shook his head. "No, I'm fine."

Ino frowned. "Then what's wrong? You look like someone who is keeping a secret and really wants to tell me. What do you know?"

Shikamaru opened his mouth and closed it immediately. He needed to figure something out. Stepping on the gas, Shikamaru spotted the park. The same park he and Ino had rekindled their friendship. The same park they hung out at all the time as kids. He pulled into the parking lot, hoping he could find comfort in a familiar place.

He parked the car under one of the lights and cut the ignition.

Ino raised an eyebrow at him. "Okay, now I'm getting worried? Did some girl call you and tell you she was pregnant?"

Shikamaru sputtered. "Seriously?"

Ino narrowed her eyes. "Well, you aren't saying anything!"

He sighed and rubbed the back of his neck. "This doesn't have to do with a girl, or well it kind of does."

Ino pressed her lips together and sank back in her seat, looking away from him. "Oh, so...what is it? Find someone?"

Shikamaru's heart raced in his chest and his stomach was in knots. He wiped his hands on his jeans and cleared his throat. "Yes, I think so at least."

Ino twirled a strand of hair around her finger and took in a deep breath. "Is she pretty?"

He looked at her, and furrowed his brows. It clicked a second later, she didn't realize he was talking about her. And surprisingly that put him at ease. Shikamaru fought the urge to smile. "More than pretty, she's beautiful."

Ino met his eyes and forced a smile. "Wow, and what's she like?"

Shikamaru leaned forward and rested his arms on the wheel of his Jeep. He stared out at the park, seeing flashes of them as children. Ino would be making flower crowns while he'd cloud watch. They would swing together, betting to see who could jump the furthest.

"She's." He paused to think. "Perfect."

Ino blinked and stifled a laugh. "That's bold."

Shikamaru smiled. "You think so?"

"No one's perfect," Ino said, waving her hand in the air.

He leaned back in his seat and stared at her for a moment. "Yes you are."

Ino rolled her eyes. "No. No one is…" She stopped, looking completely confused. "What did you say?"

"You heard me."

Her cheeks turned a bright pink. "Shikamaru."

He chuckled and shrugged. "Who did you think I was talking about? I've only spent almost everyday with you for the last three months. Didn't you ever wonder about me?"

She was at a lost for words, she only stared at him in bewilderment.

"Ino," Shikamaru said softly. "I'm in love with you."

Without hesitation, Ino leaned over the console and pulled Shikamaru into a kiss. She smiled against the kiss, tightening her grip on the collar of his shirt. His hands cupped her face and then slowly pulled away, stroking her cheek with his thumb.

"So does this mean you'll be my girlfriend?" Shikamaru asked and pecked her on the lips.

Ino smiled at him. "I'm in love with you too."

"So yes?" Shikamaru smiled brightly.

Ino nodded. "A thousand times yes."