Okay, okay…I take back about what I said that "Patience is a virtue" in my last chapter before. Patience is a lie! Patience is a bitch! Yea… I know. I hate waiting, too.

I understand that many of you really, really wants Shikamaru and Ino to have sex now (even Shikamaru and Ino did complained to me, heheh…) but I have to write this story based on the plot. There will be loads of things to reveal later on, more lunatic moments to come, and the appearance of other characters… So just you wait, minna-chan!

SEQUEL FOR ROOMIES. ONLY FOR SHIKA-INO LOVERS.

Naruto © Masashi Kishimoto.

A lunatic is someone whose behavior is very strange, foolish, or annoying.

A lunatic situation is confused and seems out of control.

Ino is a lunatic.

Shikamaru is also a lunatic.

Ino plus Shikamaru equals to a total lunatic situation.

Enjoy.


LUNATIC

© ArAshiMitArAshi

- Chapter Four: Meeting the Naras -


"Hey, Shikamaru?"

"Hmm?"

"Do you remember your first kiss?"

Shikamaru turned his head facing Ino, feeling strange at the question. "I think so. Why?"

"Who is your first kiss?"

The innocent question made him thought a little. He studied the ceiling of their apartment as if it will provide him the answer to her question. It should be simple though to answer her if he really remembered his first kiss. However, he only had vague memory about it because it happened so long ago. He closed his eyes. "I don't know…but I think…" He lifted up his lids and turned to look at her again. "I think it was with a blonde."

"Your ex-girlfriend?"

He recalled the blurry scene even harder but he failed to make out the face. "Mm…maybe."

"Oh."

He turned to face her, propping his head against one palm. "How about you? Do you remember your first kiss?"

She fell into a deep thought just like him a moment ago. Her fingers brushed the end of her long hair, toying with it. Slowly, her mouth curved into a weak smile. She shook her head. "No, I don't remember."

"You kissed too many boys." He teased. "That's why you don't remember."

"Not really." She defended herself. "I have an over-protective father, you know."

"Oh…" He cooed. "Really?"

"Really." She nodded. "I'm not allowed to date until I turned eighteen."

"And that's why when you are allowed to date you go 'bomb'?" He snickered, which earned him a hard punch on the shoulder, causing him to fall on his back once again. "Ite… That hurts!"

Ino pouted, crossing her arms across her chest. "That's what you got for getting me up on my nerves, you bum!" Her hand roamed on the carpet, searching for the remote control. She turned on the TV.

"Yeah…my bad." He rubbed his swollen shoulder. His eyes studied the channel she chose and sighed. It was the chick flicks again.

Ino loved romance, he knew but does she have to watch it often? He snatched the remote control from her hand and quickly changed the channel to the one he liked, just in time the new episode of "Hikaru no Go" was aired. He smiled. It was his favorite.

"Hey!" Ino tried to take the remote back but he quickly tossed it away from him. The tiny piece slid on the carpet smoothly far across the room. "Shikamaru!" She whined furiously. "Geez… Why do you have to interrupt my show?" She rolled past him, trying to reach the remote. However, he wasn't going to let her go far. Wordlessly, he wrapped his arms around her slim waist and positioned her on top of him.

"Hey, Shikama-" He pushed her head down meeting his to taste her lips. She groaned in protest but allowed the kissing anyway. They wanted each other so bad it was practically killing them. The chemistry was there, the attraction was banging and the sexual tension was off the hook but until now, they still haven't got what they really, really desired. There were always things got in their way, blocking out all the passageways through the satisfaction they have been lusting for so long. For example, right now, Ino was still in her poor state.

It had been two days since the lunatic Saturday and he was really, really eager in looking forward to the future because in a few more days, Ino will be free.

And that's when he decided to do it real once and for all.

But for now, the kissing and just a little teasing will do. Shikamaru was glad he had this Monday afternoon off schedule and as for Ino, she was free from classes. The teacher was sick, that's what she'd told. And she didn't have to work until Wednesday. So, there they were, lazing around on the carpeted floor just in front of the TV, lying next to each other and enjoyed each other's company. They realized that they haven't spent much time with just the two of them and both find it necessary to hangout together more often. The first thing they thought when meeting up that afternoon was catching some movie or sorts. As they lie on the floor, Ino started a conversation and after that, well, this was how they ended.

The TV was forgotten and both were trying to shove their tongue down each other's throat.

"God, Ino…" He moaned and pinned her down. His mouth traveled down her throat through the opening of her shirt. He slid his hands under the thin cloth and pulled it up. She tensed upon the sudden greedy motion and speedily, she grabbed his moving hands.

"Shikamaru, we-" He silenced her with a kiss and murmured softly in her ear the moment he broke free. "Shhh…don't worry. I know your barrier. I promise I won't go far." His tongue licked the skin just under her ear and he felt her shivered under his magic. He smiled and kissed her all over again, here and there while his hands succeed in exposing her naked skin. The soft material landed beside them and her lacy, lavender-colored bra followed next.

Well, Ino was not going to let him have all that fun, he noticed. She slid her fingers wildly through his ponytail and tugged his hair free. And not only that, his mesh shirt he still wore after he got back was already meeting the pool of clothes resting beside them. She ran fiery touches on his back and felt the pain kissing his bare skin as her fingernails dug in, scratching his back, leaving clawing marks all the way down to his rear. He didn't mind the pain, instead, he found it very intoxicating and urging him to do more on her body. He took one of the tiny buds inside his mouth and toyed with it, teased it with his tongue skillfully while the other was played by his hand with unimaginable rough actions. She moaned harder and he responded with satisfying sounds he knew she always love to hear.

"Oh, Shikamaru…" She called his name lustfully. "You're so, so good…"

"Hmm…" He mumbled, his mouth shifted to her other nipple, licking, sucking, pulling, he did everything. "Damn, you're too, woman…"

Half an hour later, they were both panting heavily, side by side, after the hottest making out scene they had ever performed. Sweat embedded their body resulting from the passionate heat, making their moist skin glistened with shining pearls under the afternoon sun that managed to get past the curtains. Shikamaru snaked her waist, bringing her body closer to his and buried his face at the crook of her shoulder, inhaling the sweet scent of her hair. He rested his palm on her flat stomach and caressed her skin slowly in circular motions but soon, Ino' fingers made its way to his own and they ended up holding hands. His keen eyes studied the rise and fall of her chest and suddenly, a thought popped up inside his mind making him smile.

Her breasts tasted freaking nice and soon, he found himself wanting her again.

But suddenly she spoke, interrupting his dirty thoughts, blowing all his new built-up fantasies away. "The first guy I kissed on my first date is the most popular guy in my school. He is so hot, very charming and sexy to the max. It was the best date ever I experienced in my whole life. When we arrived in front of my house later that night, we almost have sex in his car." Her mouth curved into a smile. "But of course, it didn't happen because of my daddy. He saw us making out and he is so, so mad at me. I thought he will forbid me from going out anymore but then…" She chuckled. "In the end, I always get my way."

Shikamaru frowned. "Why are you telling me this?"

"He's a good kisser." She replied, her blue eyes meeting his brown. "But you are better, way too good. The best, I think."

He smirked triumphantly at the compliment. "Really?"

"Really." She said reassuringly. "He's sexy to the max but you are sexy as hell."

"And?"

"And…" She blushed a little. "You may be a better lover."

"We'll see about that…" He whispered seductively in her ear, making her grew hot once again. However, he didn't resume his actions earlier. He wanted to, but something suddenly appeared in his mind, his curiosity peeked out. "Hey, you remember your first kiss!"

"I don't." She replied nonchalantly. "He's not my first kiss."

"But he's the first guy you kissed on your first date."

"True. But he's not my first kiss." She repeated. "Well, at first I thought he's the one, too but then I found out that he's not." She fell into a deep thought. "When we kissed, it didn't feel like the first time at all."

"You mean you kissed somebody else before?"

"No. He's the first guy I kissed in my memory but he's not my first kiss." She noticed his puzzled look. "I don't remember kissing anybody before him. Maybe somebody else had kissed me before, maybe when I was little but I don't remember at all."

"Why?"

She sighed heavily. "I don't have any childhood memories, Shikamaru."

Okay, now he was really confused. He wanted to ask more but suddenly, Ino broke free from his arms and rose.

"Where are you going?" He saw her collecting her clothes.

"I'm going to take a bath." She replied and noticed his evil grin. "What? You want to take a bath with me?"

"Why not?" His grin worsened. She practically could see horns emerging from his hair. Oh, the tail, too.

"You are welcome." She winked. "If you could stand the blood."

Oh… He almost forgot. Ino's still… He made a face. "Ugh, no thanks."

"Could not stand the blood, huh?" She teased. "Why? Are you afraid of it?"

"Of course not!" He snapped furiously. "It's just…the color…it makes me sick…" True, he didn't know though but he always disgusted by blood. Even a single drop, even his own, he could not stand it. The crimson-colored liquid sent shivers up to his spine every time he saw the sight of it, torturing his mind, traumatized him to the core. He didn't know what made him feel that way but it was always like this since he was little. Blood scared the living hell out of him.

"Oh?" She cooed, giving him a sly smile before disappearing into the bathroom.

Ino reappeared in front of him twenty minutes later, fresh and heavenly. She let her wet hair loose to dry and she put on the same fashion she always wore whenever she was at home. She didn't surprise upon seeing him still lying on the floor in his previous state before, almost naked. He was lazy after all.

She pointed at him. "Go take a bath." He shot a helpless look but she ignored it. "Don't be lazy…" She shoved his clothes to his chest and began to clear up the mess they made.

"Ino…" she smiled, loving the way her name sounded in his lazy tone.

"What?"

"What do you mean you don't have any childhood memories?" He recalled their earlier conversation.

"Oh." Ino bit her lower lip. Her face clouded a bit. "My daddy told me, when I was little, maybe ten or older, I got hit by a car. Real bad. I lost my memory from that incident. I remember nothing at all."

"Until now?"

"Until now." She replied. "The chance of any recovery is very, very slim. But…oh, well…guess that I have to live with it. It's not like there's something valuable to remember back then. Even if there's any…" She shrugged, not caring much. "I just have to let it slide."

He nodded in understanding, decided to drop the matter off. Maybe it was best they didn't talk about it though Ino seemed okay with it. He didn't know what it feels like living with half memories gone but he guessed it must be hard. It was like being born once again.

Finished in clearing the mess, Ino took the remote control and changed the channel to the one she liked. MTV. She lounged on the couch, watching the newest music video, "I don't need a man" by the Pussycat Dolls, nodding her heat following the beat and her lips lip-synced the lyrics. She felt Shikamaru shifted below her and suddenly, his face blocked her sight.

He leaned to her. "I'm not going to change the channel." She quickly hid the remote behind her back. He was still there, bugging her. "What do you want?"

"Tell me," his gaze narrowed. "Am I really sexy as hell?"

Flabbergasted by the question, Ino could only nod. He smirked. "Which part of me you found me sexy?"

Now this one made her chuckling a little. She shrugged. "I don't know."

"You don't know." He repeated.

"No, I mean I know but I don't know how to describe it." She leaned to him and touched his hair. "Maybe it's your eyes or your smile or your body, or…" Her fingers sneaked behind his head and pulled him closer to her. They kissed. "Maybe it's just Shikamaru." They kissed again.

"What's with the sudden question?"

He shrugged as he got up to go to the bathroom. "No reason."

"Hey, Shikamaru!" He paused at the door, waiting for whatever she wanted to say.

"What?" He asked lazily.

"Do you find me sexy?"

He chuckled. What a question… She didn't need to ask. He was certain she was well aware of it. "Hmm…yeah…"

"Which part of me you found me sexy?"

Everything. From head to toe, Ino. Inside and outside. "I don't know how to describe it." He replied with the same words she used earlier. She snorted. He smiled in huge amusement. It was fun teasing her. "Maybe it's just Ino."

He left her alone in the living room. Ino continued to watch the TV but the peaceful atmosphere caused her lids to go heavy, lulling her slowly to sleep. She almost fell asleep when suddenly her cellphone rang, shocking her to wake up.

"Maneater, make you work hard, make you spend hard, make you want all of her love. She's a maneater…"

Ino reached for her cell. "Hello?"

"Ino-chan?" A female voice sounded from the other line.

"Kaname?" She was one of her closest colleagues at the prep school. "What's up?"

"Hey, do you know that the result is out?"

"Result? What result?"

"Mogishiken." Ino's eyes lit up. "Kyouko told me. Have you got yours?"

"No. I didn't know it was out. What about you? Have you got yours?"

"Yup. Not bad, I think. In fact, it's a success."

"Really?!" Ino replied excitedly. She couldn't wait to see hers. "Oh, congratulations, Kaname!"

"You better go get yours, Ino-chan. I think you'll pass with flying colors, too."

"I will! Thanks for informing me."

"Not a problem." Click.

Shikamaru, who just stepped out of the bathroom, was puzzled seeing Ino so cheerful. She was smiling to herself and when she saw the sight of him, she jumped from the couch.

"Shikamaruu!" She bounced to him. "About time! Hurry up and get dressed!"

"What for?" He asked confusedly as his body being pushed by Ino into his room.

"The Mogishiken result is out! So we are going to take it! Now!"

"We?"

"Yes. We." Ino narrowed her eyes. "Don't say it's troublesome. You have to come with me."

"Why?"

"Because after that, we're going shopping."


"Yay!" Ino flung herself on Shikamaru. Her right hand was clutching a white sheet. "I did it, Shikamaru! I did it!" She stood back on her feet and examined the paper once again. Her clear blue eyes were shining in excitement. Her smile never ended. "I couldn't believe I passed the test!"

Shikamaru took the paper from her hand. He smirked. "Not bad." He commented. "Congratulations."

"Thank you!" She linked her arms with Shikamaru's and brought him into walking. "Aahhh…it feels so good! All my hard effort has been paid! I wonder how Sakura would react if I tell her this! Oh, and Kaname, too! With awesome result like this, who couldn't believe?"

"Heh, look who's the teacher." Ino stopped short in her walk when hearing Shikamaru's slightly smug tone. "What?"

"I think I should reward you, huh?"

"Reward?" He asked dumbfounded. He didn't mean anything, really.

"Yes, reward." Ino replied with a grin. "Tell me what you want and I'll give you anything as long as it beyond my capabilities."

Shikamaru smirked. Reward, huh? He leaned closer to her and whispered, "You know what I want…"

Ino turned red. Yes, she knew perfectly well about his wanting. Well, he didn't need to ask her that. She would gladly give it to him, once her period was over.

"Nice try, mister but as you can see, that kind of reward has to wait." He pouted. "I know!" Suddenly, Ino turned giddy all over. She looked into his eyes with a big smile on her face. "I know just a perfect reward for you!"

"So, what is it?" He asked amusedly.

"I'll let you go out on a date with me!"

"That's all?" Shikamaru sounded disappointed. "A date?"

"Of course! You never go on a date with me, right?"

"Ino, we live together. I see you everyday. We don't have to go on a date."

"Oh, come on!" Ino slapped his shoulder playfully. "It'll be fun! We never go out on a date before, right? Right?"

"Well, I took you out for a dinner once." He reminded her about the event happened more than two weeks ago. "We met here after your Mogishiken and then we went celebrate your birthday, remember?"

Ino smiled. Of course she remembered. How could she forgotten the romantic rainy day? She could still feel the kiss Shikamaru gave her, still hot and intoxicating in her mouth. They both soaked wet after that. After they changed into something dry, Shikamaru took her out for a simple dinner with just the two of them. However, later that night, somehow Sakura and her other friends managed to find them and threw a surprise birthday party for her. They never go out anymore since then. That was the first and the last.

"Ah…it's not a date!" Ino whined. "It's only…a birthday night out!"

"So, walking out together like this is a date then."

"Baaka…" Ino sighed. "This is not a date at all."

"We're out together and go shopping after this." Shikamaru stated. "It is a date."

"It's not! We're simply roommates having a day out! Geez…"

Ah… Shikamaru finally got the hint. His lips slowly curved into a smile. He knew what Ino had in mind just perfectly. However, he decided to tease her a little bit more. It was fun to see the energetic blonde on her nerves. He put on his casual lazy look, the look he knew would annoy her more. "Oookay…the date's fine. I'll think of something later. Just tell me what great going on a date with you is."

She shot him a glare. Yes, he succeeded in bringing out her wrath. "Can't you see it yourself?"

"What?"

"You should be honored that I'll let you date me! Most guys would kill to be in your position!" She pointed at her beautiful face and all over her killer figure. Shikamaru was not stupid to let the details went unnoticed. He was a genius after all.

"Ah…I guess I should, huh?"

"Shikamaru!"

He slung an arm around her shoulders casually. "Oh, chill out, Ino…" They continued walking and reached the commuter station. "I'll take you out, I promise." Why refuse? He thought. He loved to go out on a date with her. Just thinking about it made his heart grew in excitement. "So, when will you be free?"

Ino thought for a moment. She had morning classes on weekdays and part-time work schedules on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday evenings. She always worked full-time on weekends but she could always ask for a day off. The flower shop she'd been working was one of the Yamanakas, though she was not the boss but she always had the privilege to do whatever she liked. If she didn't want to attend for work, or late for her shift, that was fine. But slacking was never really her thing but sometimes, she could not just resist. She seldom suffered from various hangovers after clubbing or partying. Oh, and her nights were always free.

"When will you be free?" She asked instead of answering.

Shikamaru shrugged. It's too troublesome to explain all the details to her. She should've guessed his weekly schedule by now. Ino seemed didn't pay any attention to any of his classes but he doubted she cared less.

"Well?" She demanded.

Not bothering to answer her question, he replied, "This Saturday's fine to you?"

"This Saturday?" Her mind reeled. She had to work but meh, to hell with it. A date with Shikamaru or more precisely a first date with Shikamaru would be fun. "Okay. Fine with me."

"Saturday then." He confirmed. "It's a date."

"Yosh!" She smiled cheerily. "I just can't wait."

Me, too…

"This Saturday…hmm…" Ino began to think what she should wear, how she should style her hair, which shoes to wear to match her outfit, should she buy new makeups and such. Her blue orbs lit up instantly as a thought jolted in her mind. "Perfect!" She voiced her thought out. "It's just perfect, Shikamaru!"

He looked at her, clueless.

"If we are going on a date this Saturday, then you'll have much time to prepare." She explained.

"Uh, prepare?"

"Yup." Her tone was light. "I want you to give me the best date ever!"

His face fell. This is certainly going to be troublesome…


They arrived at the biggest shopping mall in town. When Ino said they're going shopping, he thought of refusing at first but later on, she told him that they were out of supplies and it's best for them to go out and buy all the necessities together. He had no choice but to agree.

He was never really good in shopping. Standing alone just a few feet behind Ino and left with nothing to do except to follow her around and made sure she was within the range of his sight, he was beginning to feel bored. Ino seemed not to notice his boredom for she happily chose one thing after another, adding the selected items to her almost full cart. As he paused near the shampoo rack, he felt an unexpected tap on his shoulder.

"Shikamaru-yo."

His eyes bolted out upon hearing the very familiar voice.

Why of all people the one he met that day while went out shopping with Ino had to be his father?!

He turned around slowly. His father was smirking at him, shooting him a look of surprise and amusement. He knew what his father was thinking right now. The shopping mall was the least expected place for him to be found.

"Old man." He addressed his father dryly. He secretly glanced at Ino, who was still busy in selecting a few more items for the household. She didn't seem to be aware of the presence of the older Nara. Shikamaru sighed in relief. He wasn't ready to let anybody of his family know about Ino yet. "What are you doing here?"

Shikaku narrowed his eyes. "That's my line, son. What are you doing here?"

"The same reason you're here." Shikamaru looked for his mother. Good, she was out of his sight.

"Oh?" His father echoed teasingly. "Shopping?"

"Yeah."

His father noticed his empty hands and shot him a look of question. He ignored the look. "You haven't answered my question, old man. Why are you here?"

"The same reason you're here." Damn, was his father a genius too?

Shikaku began to explain. "Your mother wants to shop here. She's bored shopping at the same place every time. So, we're here for a change. Though it's troublesome driving all the way to this place…"

"Where's mom?"

"Ah…I don't know. I lost the track of her. I was about to look for her when suddenly I see you here." He grinned. "So shopping, eh? With who?" He knew his son hated shopping so he assumed that Shikamaru must be here with somebody.

"Nobody." Shikamaru shrugged. "I'm alone as you can see."

"Really?" Shikamaru feared the grin spread across his father's worn-out face. If the old man knew that he was out with a person opposite his sex, it would be a hell day at the Nara resident the day he'll come on visit. He could imagine the mocking questions, their never-ending evil grins and the troublesome explanations he had to provide to the Nara women. Even his grandfather probably asked him to bring Ino home to meet the rest of the family and he was not ready for all that yet.

Though he and Ino now was more than friends and less than a couple, their relationship was still lack of a term really. They never talk or discuss that matter seriously from heart to heart. They just let the things happen as naturally for them and go with the flow, though lust always overpowered love. She loved him, he knew that. He loved her, too, though he never say it out loud or express it with words. Ino was not dumb. He knew she knew and he knew she was waiting for him to give their relationship a name. She understood how he didn't want to be attached with anybody right now or let his life being controlled by a certain female and was willing to wait but for how long, he didn't know. He had to prepare himself fast if he didn't want to lose her anytime soon. Ino was getting restless day by day and judging from the countless partying, dates and her wild night activities, he knew she'd done them on purpose, to get him on his nerves and somehow, it worked.

Finally, he found himself was ready to declare the stunning blond girl as his special girlfriend. Ino had given him the perfect opportunity to make her his and when the time comes, he was going to do it right. He will put an end to their friendship on their upcoming date.

It would be an unforgettable memory to her. He wanted her to remember every single details of it. He wanted her to smile every time she thought about that day. He wanted her to cherish that moment to the max. He wanted her to cherish that special moment that he and only he could give her.

When they're officially become a couple, then he'll bring her to meet the rest of the Naras. And he wanted to make the moment perfect, too.

However, there was always obstacle getting in his way.

"Really?" His father had the grin.

His mind reeled for the perfect answer but before he could say anything, a female voice called his name sweetly from a distance. "Shikamaruu!" He groaned.

Shikaku looked over his son's shoulder. There, he could see a very attractive blond female was going towards them. Her ponytail was bouncing while she walked and her blue eyes lit up upon seeing his son. She didn't seem to be aware of his presence.

"I'm done with this section. Let's go over there." She tugged on his sleeve. Shikamaru said nothing. His death sentence came sooner than he expected. As he waited in horror for whatever his father was going to say, he noticed his father's dark eyes roaming over Ino with interest. His brows raised in question.

Feeling another pair of eyes staring at her, Ino turned to the older Nara's direction. Her eyes widened in recognition.

"You said you're alone." Shikamaru growled hearing the amusement in Shikaku's tone. "But I see you got company."

"You must be Shikamaru's dad." Ino said cheerily. Shikaku nodded.

"And who might you be?"

"She…ah…" Shikamaru interrupted before Ino had the chance to say anything. "She's…she's my roommate."

Shikaku's smirk grew bold. "Roommate? Really?" Shikamaru nodded furiously. The older Nara ignored his son and focused on Ino instead. "Are you sure that she's only a roommate?"

Ino glanced at Shikamaru and a funny feeling crept into her heart seeing him pale-faced.

"Are you sure she's not your girlfriend, son?"

"Ye-yeah…"

Unsatisfied with the answer, Shikaku shot Ino a question. "Are you really his roommate?"

Ino nodded. It was true, though. "Yes, sir. We're only roommates."

Shikaku gave a long "Oh" at her answer. "So, how's it like living with him? It must be hard for you." He slapped Shikamaru's shoulder playfully. "My son here's lazy to the core. I'm sure he never helps at home."

Ino smiled. "Not a problem, sir. I already got used to it."

"Did he ever jump on you? He can be dangerous sometimes."

Now, that part made Shikamaru smirked and Ino turned beet red. If Shikaku knew who the real dangerous person was…

"Nah, he's too lazy to do that." Ino sent a meaningful glance to Shikamaru and he replied with a knowing smile.

"You said that you'd done with this section right?" Shikamaru quickly butt in to avoid more questions from his father. He really didn't want to deal with all that right now. It was time to escape. Hurry and run!

However…yep, another obstacle came.

"Dear?" Shikamaru almost fainted hearing his mother's voice. "Was you here all this time? I look for you everywhere! You know that I- Oh, hello, Shikamaru. It's a surprise seeing you here." Nara Yoshino came closer to the group. "And who is this pretty girl? Your girlfriend?"

Shikamaru blushed slightly. His mother had always been this straightforward. "No, mom. She-"

"She's his roommate." Shikaku cut in.

"Oh, really?" He knew his mother didn't believe that statement.

"Yes, mom. Really." Shikamaru sighed.

"Nice to meet you, Mrs. Nara." Ino greeted her politely.

"Nice to meet you, too, um…"

Ino held out her hand quickly. "My name's Ino. Yamanaka Ino."

Yamanaka? Shikaku and Yoshino exchanged a meaningful look. Shikamaru noticed that his parents were a bit tense hearing the family name. Curiosity crept into him.

"Uh…" Shikaku's voice was shaking a bit. "Yamanaka, you say?"

Ino nodded.

"Are you somehow related to…uh…somebody named Yamanaka Inoichi?"

"He's my father."

"Oh…" Shikaku acknowledged.

"Do you happen to know my father?"

Shikaku and Yoshino exchanged a look once again. "He's an old friend." Yoshino answered on behalf her husband. What she did later surprised both Ino and Shikamaru. Yoshino lifted her hand and stroked Ino's cheek carefully, her dark eyes filled with concern. "You are fine…" She whispered. "Thank God…"

Shikamaru blinked in confusion. Why his mother was suddenly acted that way? Ino was confused as well.

Shikaku took his wife's hand. "We better get going."

"Ah…" Yoshino complied and quickly gave Shikamaru a peck on his cheek before turning to follow her husband. "See you later, Shikamaru. Take good care of her, okay?" The old married couple left them.

"What does she mean by that?" Ino asked bluntly.

"Troublesome…" Shikamaru muttered. He smelled something really fishy about his parents' behavior just now but he couldn't make out any conclusion. He lacked information and details. "Like I know…" He decided to drop the matter off. He was sure he'll find out soon enough. "Are you done with the shopping, Ino?"

"Not yet. There's a lot more." Ino latched her arm with his intimately and pulled him into walking.

Shikamaru found himself groaned.

He didn't realize that two pairs of watchful eyes were watching them from a distance. The Nara couple studied the two lovebirds thoroughly as they slowly faded from their sight. They lived long enough to notice that something was going on between the so-called roommates.

"Roommates?" Shikaku queried. "They seem to be more than that, I see."

"Definitely." His wife agreed. "Shikamaru's not the type who hangs out easily with a girl unless he has certain feelings for her."

"I never thought that one day they'll meet again." Shikaku brushed his goatee lightly. "I wonder what Inoichi will think about this matter."

Yoshino studied her husband's thoughtful look. "What should we do, dear? Should we let them be?"

"I don't know." Shikaku replied with a sigh. "I just hope it's not going to be troublesome later in the future. They're both practically adults now. We should not interfere with their life." He took over the cart from his wife and made way towards the counter. "Just let them be. Let's see what fate will do to their destiny."

"Maybe you're right, dear." Yoshino agreed. "Time will decide."


It was nearly midnight and they'd done shopping hours ago. Though he was exhausted as hell, he was still energetic enough to play one game of online chess with some anonymous player. When Ino came to his room to kiss him goodnight, he was halfway to victory as usual. His body may be tired but his mind still functioned properly.

"Starting this Thursday, I'm staying over at Sakura's place until Saturday." Ino spoke to him as she wrapped her arms around his neck, hugging him from the back. Shikamaru's attention altered from his game to her.

"Why?" He questioned.

"Hm-mm…I want to give you more time." She spoke lightly. Her lips were barely touching his ear.

"Time? For what?"

"For you to prepare our date." She tightened her arms. "You wouldn't want me to be around while doing that would you? It won't be a surprise then."

"You don't have to go over to Sakura." He muttered. The thought of not having her around for a few days was kind of bugging him.

"I have to." She planted a light kiss on his cheek. "I want you to miss me."

"That's troublesome…"

"And I don't want us to go to our date by walking together through that same door." She let him go and began to retreat to her respective bedroom. "Shikamaru?"

"What?"

"If I'm satisfied with our date, I might give you a bonus reward." She grinned wickedly.

"Bonus reward?" Dirty thought came swimming into his mind.

"Bonus reward." She confirmed. "So, I expect a perfect date. You wouldn't want to miss that, would you?"

Like hell… He thought excitedly as he watched her silhouette disappeared from his sight. He couldn't focus on his game anymore.

His genius began to calculate 200 possible moves to make sure that he'll get the promised bonus reward.


TBC


Yosh! Another chapter is done! Sorry if it takes so long… (curses exams)

Let's help Shikamaru to plan the date! Poor guy…he might be a genius but he's such a loser when it comes to romance! He didn't know how to plan a perfect date! So, let us help him minna-chan! Anybody who's willing to help him, please visit my profile page. I have something fun for you guys!

One question…

Is "lemon" allowed in this site?