It was about eight-thirty now, the sun had vanished from the sky, leaving it completely black, with a fit twinkling stars. Most villagers were home now as Konoha settled down for the night, save for the nightowls who just started their "day" once the sun went down. However, the Otsuki's were no different than most as they sat down for their dinner together.

Yukio at the head of the table, as always, looked around at his two children as they quietly ate. These were the kind of moments he cherished now in his older days; but he just couldn't believe how fast they were growing up. Sure, it saddened him at the fact that they were no longer his "babies"; they didn't really like to be hugged and kissed alot, like it was when they were little; they didn't need daddy as much for everything anymore. However, what broke Yukio's heart the most was that Chima wasn't here to share in the joy of watching their two children grow up. But so is life, and I can't change it...he drifted off into thought.

"Sell anything today, sis?" Chokuro got out between big bites.

Yuuka shrugged, letting out a loud sigh. "A few...guess it was just a slow day" she paused, "It wore me out though."

"Yuuka," her dad interrupted, "Did you sell the cherry blossom flower pot you made? Because when I did inventory on the store and balanced it with the money made today, you were short."

Damn...you hardly ever do inventory...why pick today? Well girl: think of something to say! You can't just tell him you gave it to a guy who's taking you out on a date tonight.

"Stealing from your own family..." Chokuro sighed loudly, "You're just despicable."

Yuuka rolled her eyes at her brother, ignoring him. "Yeah, I accidentally broke it. I got bored today, so I started dusting around the shop; I wasn't paying attention I guess and knocked it off the shelf."

"Aw Yuuka, I'm sorry: I know you were real proud of that piece," her dad replied sympathetically.

Yuuka shrugged softly, playing off her dad's reaction. Folding her napkin onto her plate, she pushed away from the table. "Well, I think I'm going to get ready for bed, "she fakely yawned, "Cleaning wore me out. And besides..." she paused, a grin coming to her face.

"What?" Chokuro replied a few moments later, a bit annoyed at his sister.

"Nothing..." she said, grinning wider, "I think you two should get to be early as well: I just have a feeling that tomorrow's gonna be a good day," And with that, she pushed her chair under, and headed upstairs.

First a bubble bath, choose my clothes, get all prettied up, and then off for my date with Shikamaru!

At the Nara's house, they, too, sat around the dinner table together, "enjoying" family time.

"Well, it's about time you finally fixed that sink!" Yoshino sighed happily, a snappy grin directed towards her husband." Shikaku smiled weakly in return.

Shikamaru shook his head. Man, we haven't even sat down for five minutes and Mom already lets in on the nagging.

"I am glad, though, that you two got all the chores down in the house!" her tone now softening a bit. And though his mother kept going on about this and that, and what happened to her when she was at the grocer, Shikamaru, for once, didn't hear a word. All he was thinking about was the date.

A date...why in the hell would I even agree to go on one? he scolded himself quietly. Seriously, what have I gotten myself into? I don't know a damn thing about women, except that they're pretty much all bossy and all nagging; she's probably like that, too, once you get to know her. Really, I know Dad loves Mom, but seriously, he expects me to buy this bullshit that he's loved her from the moment he met her and didn't know she was like this? Bull-shit.

Shikamaru sighed loudly, not even realizing he had done so where everyone could hear.

"Is there a problem, Shikamaru?" Yoshino demanded, a bit annoyed at the interruption of her stories.

"Huh?" Shikamaru said, snapping out of his dreaming.

"'Ma'm' is what I should be hearing. Not 'huh'." she snapped at her son. Sometimes I just don't know what to do with him!

Shikamaru slumped his shoulders. "No ma'm," he replied. So damn loud...

Shikaku smiled inwardly at his son. Boy, you'll never have luck with women if don't even know how to handle your own mother. You'll learn though, I promise: you'll understand when you meet that one girl.

"Well, can I go on up to bed?" Shikamaru asked, pushing his plate towards the center of the table.

"Go on," Yoshino sighed. "But take your plate in the kitchen first."

Nag, nag nag...Shikamaru huffed, his thoughts now redirecting elsewhere. I shouldn't even go: she was probably just messing with me, trying to make me look like an idiot. I show up and then there's no one there. This is such a drag...too much work to worry about a date with a girl I just met today...and it may all be just a fake...damn it, this is such a drag! I don't know whether she was being for real or just setting me up...

Yuuka smiled at Shikamaru's acceptance of her proposed date. "Well, then what time shall we set up to meet then?"

Shikamaru shrugged, "Can't I just come here to get you-"

"No!" Yuuka interrupted, embarrassing herself the second she realized her reaction. "My family's kind of weird about visitors afterdark. Let's meet up somewhere..." she paused, noticing the confused expression on Shikamaru's face.

"How about Ichiraku Ramen?" Shikamaru suggested lazily.

Yuuka shook her head. "I know-just meet me up on the bridge and we'll go from there!"

"What are we doing though?" Shikamaru asked, a bit annoyed that this was taking as long as it was.

"Hmm..." she paused, then finally chirping up with a big smile, "It'll be a surprise! Just meet me on the bridge at say...9:30?"

"That's late isn't?" Shikamaru interjected. I could already be asleep by then!

"Sorry," she said, "But that's the earliest time I have!"

Shikamaru sighed, "Fine, whatever."

Yuuka stood in front of her mirror, playing with her hair fussily. She'd pull it back with her hands, readjust her head, turning from side to side, trying to decide what looked best. Then she'd huff loudly, dissatisfied with the results. Of all nights for nothing on me to cooperate: it just had to be tonight!

Taking a bit of makeup, she dabbed on eyeshadow lightly to her lids, powdered her face, and picked up the lipstick-

"Whoa girl," she said aloud, "Even you're not that stupid to think Shikamaru's some kind of Romeo..." She then traded the lipstick for balm and smoothed it over her lips.

Once again, she stood in front of the mirror and critiqued. Not too bad...She checked the clock in her room-9:06 p.m. Well...she paused, Guess I better get going. Dad's decently asleep so that he won't hear me go out and Chokuro's locked up in his room...She could feel her heart beating faster.

Shikamaru stood in his own bathroom, observing his appearance. He hadn't changed anything: still had the black fishnet shirt, with the gray, shortsleeve jacket overtop; still had the plain black pants; everything for him was still the same.

After all, Shikamaru thought, It's just a date with a some girl. Like I really care about my appearance. I'm sure this'll be a drag, anyway, if she even shows up...

And with that, he headed downstairs towards the door.

"Hey! Dad!" he called out, knowing that his father sat in the den, quietly reading the newspaper.

"What?" Shikaku grunted.

"I"m going to Chouji's for a while."

"Yeah," Shikaku replied.

And with that, Shikamaru headed out the door. But a strange feeling began to overwhelm him: he could actually feel his heart rate rising with each step he took. Calm down, Shikamaru. You're getting yourself all worked up, which is a total drag. Remember: it's just a date, and she's just a girl. I'll probably be bored out of my mind anyhow. It'll probably be a total drag and waste of time tonight, you'll get it over with and that's that-"

"Shikamaru!" he heard a quiet voice call out. Snapping out of his dreaming, Shikamaru looked up and saw her.

Damn, she's pretty.