A/N: Yeah I decided that this story was meant to be short so this is the last chapter. I really liked this story but I thought that the plot was as good as it was going to get and that this was never meant to be a long story like my others. Thank you so much for reading and I hope you still stick with me because I have plenty more story ideas with this particular couple. Thank you and enjoy.

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto

Chapter 4- Ai...

"Shikamaru….." Shikamaru groaned and turned away from the voice that dared tried to wake him from his wonderful dream. His dreams were filled with nothing but the image of his beautiful dream girl. Her eyes were haunting him with their incanting gaze; her sweet voice calling him to whatever part of heaven that she desired to attend. His dreams brought him comfort; brought him to a world where everything had wanted for so long he had finally achieved and obtained. Yet for some reason someone wanted to ruin his dreams, to wake him from his escape from reality. Shikamaru slowly opened his eyes to see something he has always dreamed of since he first started puberty. The girl that has haunted his dreams was lying next to him with a small smile on her face. "Shikamaru it's time to get up." Suddenly the events of the past few days have flew into his mind and a small smile grew on his lazy and tired face.

"Five more minutes…." He whined, which was something that Hinata couldn't help but find unimaginably adorable. Hinata didn't know why but the sight of seeing Shikamaru just woken up, his hair free from his pony tail, his eyes showing a softer side of him, his muscles so relaxed and free from the constant stress of a ninja, made him seem so….sexy. Hinata blushed at her dream from last night, a dream she would like to revisit. She shook her head and smiled.

"No, Shikamaru, don't you want to get back to the village so that we can….I-I mean….." Shikamaru knew what thought came to her and smirked. He moved closer to Hinata and placed a small kiss on her lips.

"Okay, I'm getting up." He said then slowly got up from the bed and yawned. Hinata smiled and got up as well. "I'll just go and take a quick shower and then we're off." Shikamaru said then walked into the shower. Hinata sighed and sat down on the bed. She couldn't believe that this has finally happened. She has dreamed of Shikamaru and her being together for a long time. When Naruto left for his 2 year journey with Jiraiya, her feelings for him started to disappear while her feelings for Shikamaru grew. He was just….so different than the other guys. He was not as quiet as Shino yet not as loud as Naruto or Kiba, he was in a since perfect for Hinata. Hinata was nervous though because of the many rumors of him and Temari but now that she knew that those were just rumors…a weight has been lifted off of her shoulders. Now that her dream has finally came true; she seriously was jumping with joy. Hinata looked at the time and gasped. 'I better get dressed soon.'

Meanwhile Shikamaru had just finished his shower and sighed, letting his hair drip onto his shoulders. He looked into the mirror and noticed how his body and smiled. He was so glad that Hinata had told him that she liked him the way he was, mainly because that meant that he could eat again. But the one thought that came to his mind was when she told him that she not only did she liked him the way he was but that she thought that he was…sexy. This boosted his confidence up by a large amount. Just the memory of her saying that with a blush on her face was already causes his blood to rush down to his lower area. Don't get Shikamaru wrong he was had thoughts of Hinata in certain situations since he first started puberty but just the fact that he knew that she felt the same about him, that she thought of him as attractive, made him become ever more turned on than ever before. He slowly zipped up his chunin vest and tied his still wet hair into his trade mark pony tail and yawned. 'Man….I'm still tired….' He sighed before opened up to see Hinata already fully dressed in her usual coat and pants. Hinata turned to see Shikamaru and smiled.

"Guess we better get going." She said softly. Shikamaru nodded and walked over to her. Due to the fact that Hinata is known as the shortest of her class she looked up at him to see that he was already lowering his mouth onto hers, connecting them as one. Hinata gently closed her eyes and placed her hands gently on his chest as he wrapped his arms around her small waist. Their kiss was soft yet passionate, much like their love for each other. Hinata pulled back, much to Shikamaru's disappointment, and smiled at him. "Shikamaru…."

"I can't help it…." Shikamaru whispered. "I've been waiting for this for a while….." Hinata's face turned even redder as she stared into his dark eyes.

"I know….I have too…." Hinata said truthfully. "…but we have to get going." Shikamaru groaned and nodded.

"I guess you're right." He said as he picked up his and her pack. "Let's go."

SHIKAHINA

"Ino, how many times do I have to say nothing was going on?" Choji whined as his girlfriend continued to ignore him.

Ino stopped walking and huffed. "I don't know, why don't Kimiko, I'm sure you two would have a great conversation." She said then continued to walk forward. Choji sighed and quickly followed her like a lost puppy. Apparently Ino saw Choji helping a medic nin in training named Kimiko out with some boxes. What Ino found inappropriate was the kiss on the cheek that Kimiko gave him which brings Choji into this situation of trying hard to explain to her that nothing was going on.

"Ino please believe me I would never-."

"How can you do this to me?! I'm just so-." Ino was silenced as Choji wrapped his arms around her small waist. Ino looked up at the gentle look in his eyes and looked down in shame, now realizing that he would never do such a thing to her.

"Why would I take a risk of losing the perfect girl…?" Ino looked up and smiled. Realization came quickly to Ino. How could she think that Choji would do such a thing? He had to have been the kindest ninja in the whole village who would never hurt her in any way, shape or form. Yet she would insult him by thinking of him in such a way?

"I….I'm sorry Choji….." Ino apologized and pecked him on his lips. "I know that you would never do that….." Ino smirked. "I mean really look at me! You're not an idiot." Choji chuckled at his girlfriend and tightened his hold on her.

"I swear is there ever a day where you have low self-esteem?"

Ino thought for a second before smiling. "Nope!" Ino giggled until she felt two presences approaching the gates, which she just realized they were standing in front of. She turned and squealed seeing Hinata and Shikamaru walking up hand in hand. Shikamaru looked up and frowned seeing his blonde teammate running up at him.

"Hinata….prepare for-."

"OMG!" Ino ran up and jumped around the pair. "Please tell me that what I'm thinking is what's going on?" Hinata blushed and looked down with a smile on her face, giving Ino the clue as to what the answer is. "AAAHHHH! I knew my meddling would work!" She giggled and grabbed Hinata. "You have to tell me what happened!" Hinata looked back at Shikamaru who nearly sighed and gently pulled Hinata back to his side.

"Ino, Hinata and I have to report to Tsunade before you can go and interrogate Hinata with questions." Ino pouted and crossed her arms.

"You're no fun!" Ino huffed, causing an approaching Choji to chuckle.

"Come on Ino, they probably want some time alone."

Ino turned to her boyfriend and whined. "But they had the whole mission to each other, can't I ask for a few minutes?" Shikamaru rolled his eyes and gently placed his hands in Hinata's and quickly began to walk pass the couple. "Fine but Hinata we are so going to talk about this!" Hinata giggled and nodded before turning her head to Shikamaru.

"Troublesome woman….." Shikamaru muttered, causing Hinata's giggling to increase.

"She's just happy for us." Hinata said as she tried to defend her friend's hyper antics.

"Still…" Shikamaru sighed. "She's still troublesome…." Hinata giggled and decided to simply let the conversation die, liking the sweet silence that they share. Soon the two started to hear the whispers that slowly irrupted from the villagers and quickly became uncomfortable.

"Oh my goodness does this mean?"

"Awe they look so cute together!"

"Lucky Bastard." Now Shikamaru was never one to care about other's opinions on him so these whispers really didn't bother him but Hinata…..he knew that Hinata was not as comfortable so he slowly started to quicken their pace, surprising the young Hyuga. Hinata blushed as Shikamaru gave her a small smile before turning back to face in front of him. Hinata gave him a small smile and pulled him back. She knew that he was rushing for them to get to the Hokage's mansion on her benefit and couldn't help but feel slightly guilty. The last thing she wanted was to have Shikamaru think that she was embarrassed to be seen with him or anything so she started to slow down their walk, fully ready for the villagers to talk. As long as she was with him she did not care about what any of them said. Shikamaru was surprised that Hinata was slowing down but did not complain at the slightest.

SHIKAHINA

Tsunade loved to see a plan come together. Knowing that all her hard work has come together perfectly was a huge joy to her. So seeing Shikamaru and Hinata walk in hand in hand brought a grin on the Hokage's youthful face.

"Well you guys look like you had a nice time." Tsunade chuckled. Hinata blushed and looked down while Shikamaru shrugged with a content look on his face. The memories of the mission flashed through his head and frown grew on his face.

"Lady Tsunade, I really don't think that sending out elite shinobi to handle your debts to other clans is a really good use of your power." Tsunade smirked and gave him a shrugged.

"Has the issue been handled?" Tsunade asked with a calm look on her face.

"You mean has the I.O.U. worked….no…..But thanks to Hinata you don't have to worry about them anymore." Tsunade glanced at Hinata and her smirk widened. 'Told you Shizune'

"Is this true Hinata?" Hinata looked up and nodded slowly. "Well, you have done the village a huge favor and got a huge burden off my shoulders. Thank you Hinata." Hinata smiled and nodded. "Well I expect a mission report by one of you by tomorrow morning. I know you two want some time alone so I won't hold you two up." Tsunade turned her back to them. "You are dismissed." The two nodded and walked out of the office.

"Um….Shikamaru….?" Shikamaru looked down at the girl with a smile.

"Yeah?"

"Um….you think that maybe….this was a plan by Lady Tsunade?"

Shikamaru nodded. "She basically told me before we left…." He gently grabbed her shoulders and smiled. "But I'm not complaining at all." Hinata blushed and smiled back at him.

"Neither am I….." She said before Shikamaru gently placed his lips onto hers.

"Now….I'm actually pretty tired so why don't we start off this relationship right, how about we go to my favorite spot and watch the clouds together?" Hinata nodded.

"Okay…." They both gave each other a quite peck before slowly walking out of the building and off to start a strong relationship. Yes they will face many problems along the way….some deadly. But that will not stop them being together, from being one. Long ago Shikamaru thought of love as something he could never obtain. That the only person that he could ever love would never see him in that light. Hinata thought of love as something she will never receive, giving her love away to someone who did not even notice. Both were lost and confused about love. Both thought of love as an unobtainable goal that they could never reach. The sweetest apple that hung on top of a tree that was way too high for them to reach. But thanks to the scheming of some blond Hokage and fate's lucky hand; both finally found what they were looking for. Shikamaru had gained the girl he wanted for so long, the love he craved, desired. Hinata had finally seen someone that had always loved her and returned that love with full force. These two souls….these two wondering spirits have finally gained what had always wanted.

Ai means love….and love was what they finally achieved.

A/N: Well thanks again for sticking with me and this story. I hope that you guys are not too upset on me cutting this story short. Soooo thanks and I hope you continue to read my other stories.

Love ~Blackjak345~