Authors Note: It has been a little over a year since I have felt the urge to write. Now that I want to write again, I figured that I would start a new story. I started a story a while back called "The life of Ino Nara." After three chapters, I gave up on that story.

P.S.- I don't own Naruto. If I did, you could just watch this in the anime or manga. Nevertheless, I am just writing this story. =)

What a Life

Snow fell from the clouds and added to the blanket of snow already covering the ground. As I looked around, I could see snowmen with hats and scarfs wrapped around them, sleds left behind from a long day of play, even the occasional igloo. However, no children were in sight. This meant only one thing in my 7 year old mind, they were already opening their presents.

"Daddy, come on we have to hurry." I paused, trying to push my hat from over my eyes. "If we don't walk faster we will miss the presents." Looking up at my father with big puppy dog eyes, I whined, "We can't miss the presents!"

My father looked down at me as we continued to walk at the irritatingly slow pace. "Don't worry Ino, we are almost there. If we walk any faster, you could slip. Then your pretty outfit would be all messed up. Your mother would be so disappointed." He tisked rolling his eyes up toward the sky. "We can't have that can we?"

After taking a moment to think I realized, of course, he was right. If I messed my party outfit up, there would be no presents tonight, or ever again. Therefore, we continued to walk slowly. 'At this rate Christmas will be over and I will miss it.' I thought looking at the ground. When I looked up, I could see the house. Lights were flowing out of the windows and jolly music could be heard.

Eagerly, I ripped my hand out of my fathers and started to run. My feet slipped from under me and the ground started to rise. I shut my eyes, waiting for it to hit. An arm wrapped around my waist and lifted me up before I touched the powdery snow.

"Ino, be careful, do you want your mother to kill me?" my father looked at me pleadingly. He set my feet back on the ground and took my hand in his. "Come on Ino, let's get into the house before we get frostbite."

We took the last few steps and he knocked on the door. Almost immediately, it opened and warm air hit my face. "Inoichi, what took you so long? Your wife was beginning to worry. Come on inside and get out of the cold." Shikaku Nara said. We stepped into the house and placed our shoes with the others piled in the entrance. Quickly I removed my hat, coat, and scarf so I could put it with my fathers on the hook.

"Ino, that can't be you!" Mr. Nara said. "Look how much you have grown since you were here a few days ago. Shikamaru is in his room, you wouldn't mind going to get him, would you? It is almost time to open the gifts" My eyes lit up and I raced off to Shikamarus' room yelling "Sure" as I went.

I stopped at Shikamarus' door and knocked quickly before opening it and walking in. "Shikamaru why are you sitting in your room when there is a party out there?" I directed my question to the dark haired boy lying on his bed, looking as if he was sleeping. Of course, I knew better then to believe it.

His eyes opened and his head turned towards me. "What a drag, all I wanted to do was open a present or two and then go to sleep. Tomorrow there will be plenty more presents anyway. Now my parents have invited half the town and this ordeal will take forever. I looked at him impatiently. "If you would get your butt up and get out there we could all start to open our presents faster." He jumped off his bed and stared at me again. "You are so troublesome Ino."

I grabbed his sleeve and pulled his out to the party. The rest of the children were already sitting on the floor. Shikamaru and I sat down and the presents were handed out. My gift was wrapped with shiny purple paper. Eagerly, I ripped away the paper, before reading whom the gift was from, and opened the box.

"Wow a new scarf!" I said excitedly. The scarf was woven from many different colors of purple. Smiling I wrapped the scarf around my neck. Later, I walked into Shikamarus' room and sat on the floor beside the bed. The scarf was still wrapped around my neck and he made it a point to tell me. "Ino, you do know that we are inside and there is no need to wear that scarf, right?" Rolling my eyes, then smiling sweetly I said, "I'll have to thank your mom for getting it for me. Isn't she just the sweetest?"

"No she's troublesome, just like you." He said while closing his eyes. Silence hung in the air. As I looked over the bed and out the window, I realized it was snowing. "Shikamaru look!" He opened one of his eyes and looked out the window. "Ino" he said with disinterest "It is snowing, it snows every year. Why are you so excited?"

"It is the first snow of the year. Plus, it is on Christmas Eve, the last time that happened was like five years ago. We were like 7 years old then. " He looked at me and continued to frown. "Oh Shikamaru, you are such a kill joy!" He smirked and looked at the door when someone knocked. My mom poked her head into the room. "Ino, get your things, it is time to go home. And Shikamaru, your mother is asking for you." With that, she was gone and I stood up. "Well Mr. Kill joy I guess I'll see you back in school." I walked through the house toward the front door. Only to find Mrs. Nara waiting there.

"Thank you so much for the scarf, I love it." I told her. She looked at me and smiled. "It was no problem Ino; I saw it and knew you would." Her eyes darted toward the ceiling and she laughed. "Whoops, someone was caught under the mistletoe." I looked up only to realize it was me. I tried to jump backwards, but I ran into someone. Turning, I ended up face to face with Shikamaru.

"Fantastic, why are you standing there?" I said without thinking. His face turned an even deeper shade of red. "Don't worry Ino; you don't have to kiss me that would be way too troublesome." Realizing that I hurt his feelings, I gently reached up and kissed his cheek. His eyes widened. I turned threw on my coat, hat, shoes, and new scarf. I shouted one final "Merry Christmas" to the house and walked out the door.

The ground was covered in a thin blanket of snow. My mom chatted to my dad about the party and what needed to be done around our house before school started again. I followed behind my parents, but I was only halfway listening. The other half of me was trying to calm the butterflies that were flying around in my stomach.

Well, that ends that first chapter. What did you all think? Please review because reviews make me smile. I will try to update later in the week. I am taking a college course this summer, so I will, hopefully, have time towards the end of the week. Maybe sooner, who knows? Until next chapter.

Blondegirl09