AN: I know I know! I'm super lame for dying again! I'm so so so SO sorry about the long wait. Thank you all who reviwed! And to answer tomboy's question: they went all the way. So yeah. I'll shut up and let you read now. On with the story!

Fate

Chapter 3: Daddy's Love

I clear my throat and nervously pick at the food on my plate. "Um.. I was thinking... maybe we should tell our parents soon..."

Looking up at him shyly I see in his eyes that he agrees with me. "Today?"

I smile brightly again, "Today sounds wonderful."

As if on cue I hear my mom unlock the front door.

I stand up from the table when I see the door open. I feel a small smile creep onto my cheeks as I see both our moms carrying our dads through the door. I could hear the men complaining about how much their heads hurt and our moms scolding them. I walked over to them as they plopped the men on the couch.

Struggling to make myself sound more concerned than humorous I ask, "What happened to you guys?"

"Oh your father is such an idiot sometimes!" mom says hitting him across the head as she goes off to get something in the bathroom. I chuckled at that as I look to Yoshino who was shaking her head disappointedly at the men.

"Your daddy and Shikato just feel a little under the weather sweetie!" dad said holding his head some more. I frown at his statement.

"She's not 5 anymore, Inoichi," Shikato scolded my dad then turned to look at me, "We had a little too much to drink..." he continued looking slightly ashamed.

"A little!? You both had 5 bottles of sake each! It's a wonder you're not dead!" Yoshino yelled at them causing them to wince at the volume. I laugh slightly as my mom walks in with a bottle of something. I happily watch them bicker like the old married couples that they are, laughing occasionally at my father's somewhat immature remarks.

They all stop suddenly and look behind me. Confused, I turn around and see Shikamaru come out of the kitchen. I look back to my parents and see that they're equally confused.

"What're you doing here, Shikamaru? We thought you'd be at home..." Shikato was the first to break the tense silence. I gulped as I felt the blood leave my face. I turn back to find Shikamaru scratching his cheek lazily. Looking back to the parents I see their faces grow more baffled.

"Did... you didn't sleep over, did you?" Daddy asked glaring hard at Shikamaru. As he said that, our moms looked worried. My mind turns to mush, knowing what our mother's faces were saying. It was too sudden... This wasn't how they were supposed to find out!

Wait a second... You're a ninja, Ino! A ninja learning how to be a spy no less! Snap out of it!

I shake my head lightly then smile brightly at the parents, about to say that Shikamaru came here after he found out that you guys weren't there. But, before I was able to say anything, I felt an arm wrap around my waist and pull me closer to it's owner. I eep quietly and our parents looked at us with the same surprise that I felt.

"Ino and I have been going out for over two months, and yes... I did sleep here last night," he says calmly. HOW CAN HE BE SO DAMN CALM ABOUT THIS?! This was really not the time to tell them! I mean, my dad's bad enough when he's not hung over but now he's gunna be super hard on us!

"Ino..." my dad states scary calmly as he slowly stands from the couch, "Is this true?" His eyes turning cold and piercing as he stares at me. Although he asked a question, it sounded more like a demand.

To say the least, I was at a loss for words. How were they going to take this? Would they demand that we stop? Then again... why would they? They don't have a reason to dislike the situation. It's not like we told them that I'm pregnant or something, I mean our relationship wasn't even like that... until last night that is.

Time was passing as I over thought everything, like I tended to do when I became nervous, and I could see that my father was losing his patience.

"Ino!" he barked causing me to snap me out of my train of thought. Oh gawd oh gawd oh kami kami gawd! My dad's gunna kill us!!!! What am I supposed to do?!

"What?!" my mouth yelled angrily. What am I doing?! If I get angry back at him, it's just gunna get him madder! What's my stupid mouth doing now?!

"Are you going out with Shikamaru?!" he demands back matching my fury.

"Why yes, yes I am, for about two months," my mouth replies sounding bored. Well... at least my mouth didn't make the situation any worse... My eyes scan our wide eyed parents. I shake my head as I see that my father's surprised expression change to that of an angry one.

Something in my snaps as I see his anger and I glare at him. I look back at my mother and see that she looks disappointed. I frown. "Now if you guys'll excuse us, we were just on our way out," I state grabbing Shikamaru's hand and walk out the door.

"Wait..." mom says looking dumbfounded. I keep the door open, "Out.. Like on a date?"

"Yes, on a date, I'll be back later," I clarify then slam the door closed.

12:56 pm Storming off somewhere

I HAVE NEVER BEEN SO ANGRY IN MY WHOLE LIFE! The worse part is, I don't even know the reason why I am... Curse the fates for making girls get so over emotional that they don't even know why they're so angry. Curse you!!!

We were walking down to... I don't even know where we were walking to, but I was dragging Shikamaru to where ever it is. I feel someone tug on my hand causing me to stop and I kicked a near by trash can away out of frustration.

"Ino," he called my name. It's so strange... the moment I heard his voice I felt a sudden sense of calm wash over me and I relaxed a little, but only a little. I glare at a pebble on the ground.

"Look at me, Ino," he commands squeezing my hand momentarily. It was only then that I realized that I was avoiding his eye contact, heck, I still was! Now my body's not listening to me! Stupid mouth is infectious!

"Ino..." he calls again dropping my hand. I remember how it felt when he didn't look at me that one rainy day... so I looked up at him and was instantly hit with the reason why my body avoided looking at him in the first place... I couldn't see him for very long because, the moment our eyes met, mine swelled with tears and I started to cry.

This surprised me. I quickly turned and furiously wiped the tears away. What was I crying for anyway? It didn't make any sense. I was about to laugh it off when I felt Shikamaru's arms circle my body and hold me close to him. In that little act the tears, that didn't know I was holding back, flowed freely now.

"Shhh... it's okay," Shikamaru whispered calmly as he rubbed my back.

Why the hell was I crying so much? Wait... I already knew. Before our mother's found out that we were going out, they'd always do or say little things that make it seem like they'd want us together... but now that we've told them, they looked as though they surprised by the idea! My father looked pissed, as expected, but Shikato looked like he was gunna cry. What the hell was that all about?!

Reliving the whole situation made my crying worsen and I hate myself for doing it. I clung onto Shikamaru's shirt tightly as I struggled to stop my tears, as I did so, Shikamaru rubbed my back like the good boyfriend that he is. But... why the hell does it seem like, when people try to comfort you, you just cry more!? Gawd I must seem so pathetic.

Never have I thought that the ability to read people well was a double edged sword. Knowing what people thought most of the time was cool... but at a time like this. I take deep breaths to calm myself and shut my eyes tightly trying desperately to erase the memory of their faces away.

"Don't worry Ino, no matter what they say... my feelings for you won't change," he whispered quietly. Once I heard that I stopped crying and looked up at him, knowing that my face was tear stricken and my eyes red from crying. He looked down at me with warm loving eyes as he wiped my cheeks with his thumb. His hand lingered on my cheek and bent his head down to kiss me, as if to prove what he just said.

My hand slowly let go of his shirt and found its way to the back of his neck as I deepened the kiss. I instantly forgot all of my troubles and it seemed that we were the only two people in the world. When we broke apart for air, I couldn't help but feel like it was way too soon.

"Did you really man that, Shika?" I say resting my head in his warm chest, my arms hugging his waist. I hear him mumble an agreement then feel him kiss the top of my head. I smile a small smile then say, "You're so corny."

"I know," he replies sounding like he was smiling. I laugh at his honesty and moments later he chuckles as well.

"And that's just how I like ya!" I say happily as I poke his nose.

He raises a brow at my random act then smirk, "You're so corny." I frown and he laughs lightly pushing my head away. His face read, 'too cute.' so I smile. "Let's go," he says randomly.

"Huh?" I asked being confused.

"You said we were going on a date, might as well, where do you wanna go?" he replies reverting back to his bored face.

"Oh I don't mind going anywhere as long as I'm with you!" I say over dramatically then laugh at his skeptical look. Although I said that as a joke... now that I think about it, it really doesn't matter if I'm with him. Oh gawd... I really am corny!

Pushing that scary thought to the back of my mind, Shikamaru and I debate as to where to go. We just ate, so food is out. We both don't really care much for movies and the arcade is just... bleh. So far, the only thing we're gunna be doing on our first date was hang out in a meadow somewhere. How exciting was that?!

Although, just hanging out isn't such a bad idea at all. I know I'm gunna beat myself up for saying this, but I really do love just being around him. He's like my own personal rain cloud. I know that sounds bad, but, if you're me and love the rain as much as I do, you'd know it's a good thing, a very very good thing. He's actually more calming than the rain, and he doesn't make me freezing after I leave him. I chuckle quietly at the thought as we walk hand in hand towards the meadow.

"Ino!!!" I hear a female voice call me. I turn my head and see Tenten across the street. She walks up to me and I see her smile when she sees who I'm with. "You two on a date?"

"Kinda, we were just gunna hang out in a meadow," I reply returning her smile.

"Oh yeah? Hey! Neji and I are gunna go to the festival later, wanna join us? We can finally do that double date!" she says getting really excited. I forgot that the Musubi no Kami festival was held this week. I looked up at Shikamaru to see if it was okay with him and he nodded. Tenten and I smiled happily as we exchanged very girly squeals of happiness.

"So we're gunna meet up in the front at 5! Don't forget to wear a kimono and a yukata!" she says running off happily. I knit my brows together... I thought we were leaving right now... Tenten sure is strange sometimes...

Ino's house 3:18 pm

After our little run in with Tenten, we decided to continue with our plans and leave the meadow with enough time to change and talk to our parents again. Shikamaru had to really convince me to do it though, but he managed some how.

We stood in front of my door and just stared at it for a while. We could hear the four of them talking on the other side and didn't know what to do... Jeez, you'd think they'd have something to do other than hang out with friends. They're more irresponsible than a teenager! Don't they have work or something?!

I frown when I see Shikamaru open the door. I'm not ready yet!!!! Before I had time to protest, our parents were in our faces just about yelling questions at us. Only... It wasn't the questions that I was expecting... They seemed more excited than angry.

"Did you two have fun?!" mom asked/demanded happily.

"Why didn't you tell us sooner?! I'm so excited!" Yoshino squealed.

"So, when're you two getting married?" Shikato teased.

"WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO MY BABY GIRL?!" dad seemed to be the only one who reacted the way I was expecting. But the moment he said that, the moms pushed him away and locked him in the closet... literally!

I hold my head then hold up a hand to make them stop. "I'm so confused. What's going on?!" I ask out of frustration, "I thought you guys didn't like us going out!!!"

Silence.

"OF COURSE NOT INO!!! WE'RE SO EXCITED!!!" the moms yelled happily as they both hugged me.

"I'M NOT! IT'S TOO SOON!!!" dad's muffled voice was heard from the closet. I saw the moms glare at the door for a second then ignore him.

This is just too confusing... they're okay with it!? Happy even?! I tried to look at Shikamru's face to see his reaction, but it was just too hard what with my and his mom taking turns hugging and asking me questions.

Something clicked in my mind... something my dad said just wasn't right ... "too soon?!" What's that supposed to mean? I tried to ask my mom about it but she was too busy rambling on about when I was younger.

"What did Inoichi-san mean when he said 'too soon?'" Shikamaru asked scary calmly. Although he asked in a normal tone, it was enough to make the mothers stop talking. Man I love how Shikamaru can ask questions at the right moment, my ears were starting to bleed from the older womens' ramblings. I suppose I have to thank Neji later for rubbing off on Shika... STOP IT INO! You're going off topic!

"Yeah, what did dad mean by that?" I asked, my mouth not hindered by my wandering mind. I stepped away from the moms to look at the three adults in front of me. Maybe their face's will say something.

Again, we were met with silence. I was starting to lose my patience when dad broke the closet door and ran up to hug me, yelling about how it was "too soon," and "not yet." Looking to the rest I saw that they looked worried about what dad was saying. I frown, then smile brightly as I hug him back. I saw on everyone's faces that they didn't expect me to do that, but it made my dad happy crying about how "I wasn't ready either."

"Daddy... if I ask you a question, do you promise to answer it?" I asked, my voice so sweet I could feel cavities forming. I glanced at the people in the room and saw their eyes widen. The parents' faces looking as though I'm going to find something out that they didn't want me to know.

"Of course sweetie! Daddy promises!" he swears squeezing me tighter. Sometimes my dad's love hurts, but I have to suck it up.

"Daddy..." I say looking up at him with wide innocent eyes, "What did you mean when you said it was 'too soon?'"

Dad just stared at me blinking for a moment then looked anxious. Huh? I saw that he was going to look over to my mom but I stopped him by holding his face in my hands. "Daddy... you promised you'd answer my question!"

Father was at a loss for words. As I stared into his eyes I saw that he was going back and forth between his love for me and his inability to say what I asked. I looked up at him with puppy dog eyes and saw his heart melt.

"You... and Shikamaru..." he hesitated, I smiled brightly at him, urging him to go on. He looked very nervous, like he was afraid that I'd hate him, so I continued to smile lovingly at him.

"Well... you know how the ino-shika-chou combo is set up by the Yamanaka, Nara, and Akimichi clans?" I nodded happily. "Good girl! Ever since it started, we've always wanted the clans to be joined, but for some reason, each generation has consisted of either all male or all female. So when you and Shikamaru were born there was finally a way for the clans to be joined existed! And since you two were born so close to each other, we thought it was fate! So we uhh... I mean, your mother, Shikato, Yoshino and I... umm... we (mumbles something inaudible)"

"Huh?! What did you guys do, daddy?!" I asked making him look at me again. They couldn't have... could they?

"You had us betrothed to each other..." Shikamaru states, finishing father's sentence. I see dad's eyes move to look at Shikamaru and nod slowly in my hands.

I dropped my dad's face as something snaps in me. Shikamaru and I... are already engaged?! But why don't I feel happy about this!?

TBC.

AN: AHHHH!!! please don't hate me for uhh... ending it there? Sorry about the grammar mistakes too T.T I know it's not much of a cliffy but yeah... my interest in this story has rekindled so I think the next chap'll pop out very soon, but it won't if you don't review! Think of your reviews as gas to my ability to write. XD