Hey, readers! Long time, no write XD (Excuse me for my...jokes...) I wanted to get this chapter out beofre my exams, so please wait for me till they're over!
Sorry for any mistakes or typos...
Enjoy~

Disclaimer: i do not own Naruto

It was just another day for Ino. Nothing exciting was happening and there was nothing to do. Ino just looked at the distant scenery from her balcony. She sighed deep enough to move her bangs. There wasn't much to look at besides rolling hills and trees, which she didn't mind too much.

"What to do, what to do…" Sakura was too busy helping Yoshino and the other servants. Only sometimes would she keep Ino company. It wasn't till Ino saw some horses that she got interested.

"It's been a while since I been on a horse…" it wasn't the best idea since that time she rode that pony. Maybe she shouldn't ride a larger size pony, but that didn't stop her. She made her way down the grand staircase towards the stables where the horses were kept. She found some servants attending to the empty stables and horses.

"Excuse me," she caught the attention of a young male servant, "Is it okay for me to ride one of these horses?"

"W-well, I'm not sure if you're allowed to, princess. It would be best to ask the King and Queen." He was caught off with her beauty.

"Oh, please~ I won't be gone for long," she put her big blue eyes to work, mesmerizing the young servant.

"I-I guess it shouldn't be a problem." His eyes were glued to her eyes.

"Oh, thank you!" she gave the servant a quick hug and changed into the proper attire for horse-back riding. She put the equipment on the horse and walked it out the stables.

"Where do you think you're going?" Ino jumped up a few feet. She turned around to see who scared her.

"Shika! What the hell! You scared me! What do you want?"

"Like I said, where are you going?" he said with his usual monotone voice.

"I'm just…going for a ride." She simply stated.

"A ride? Do you even know where you're going?"

"I do!" she said defending herself.

He sighed, knowing she was wrong, "Doubt it. Stay here. I'll be right back." he disappeared into the stables.

"What is he doing?" she asked herself the question. After a few minutes, she saw him come out with his very own horse.

"W-what? You're coming with me?"

"Like I can trust you by yourself, Ino. When was the last time you been here?"

"Hey! Just because I haven't been here for a long time doesn't mean I forgot everything."

"Yeah, just most of everything." Ino tired staring at him until holes burned in his skin.

"Ugh…fine. Let's go." Shikamaru led her to a trail that led to the forest not too far from the castle. Ino quietly followed behind.

It was quite peaceful in the forest. All was heard were birds' songs and the fluttering on their wings. It was very relaxing. It made Ino forget about all her worries and fears. She could think freely here without any interruptions. But there were some things she wanted to know about a certain someone.

"Hey, Shika…"

"Yeah?"

"Are you okay with getting married?" he didn't answer her right away. She thought he wouldn't give her an answer at all.

"I don't know. All I know is that I have to, whether I'm ready or not."

Hearing his answer made her…a little sad. She wouldn't like it if she was forced to be married to a stranger. She couldn't help but feel a little sorry for him.

"Do…do you love her?" she was hesitant about asking the question.

"That's a good question. I don't even know myself." Then it was back to silence. Ino could hear hooves step against the ground. She rode her horse next to Shikamaru's. She decided to change the subject.

"Do you come here often?"

"You could say that. Whenever I want to be by myself."

"What's so good about being by yourself? Don't you get lonely?" she looked over, trying to read his face.

He gave out a chuckle, "No, it gives me a chance to relax from all the work I have to do."

She stayed silence for a couple moments, "He must be exhausted…"

"Wait." She was drawn back to reality by Shikamaru's voice. She watched him jump off his horse. He walked deeper into the forest.

"H-hey! Don't leave me here!" she quickly dismounted her horse to follow him.

She kept on following him until he stopped in front of her.

"What are you doing?" she looked at him, but he just pointed out in front of him with a smile.

"Oh..my..god…" in front of her was a field filled with different types of flowers, each a different color. It left Ino speechless. She had never seen anything as beautiful as this.

"How did you find this place?" she asked bewildered.

"Well, I do come to this forest often. I knew you would like something like this." A smirk covered his face.

She ran towards all the flowers, taking in the multiple scents. She fell back onto the wild flowers. It was like heaven to her. She looked up into the sky, watching the fluffy cotton balls float by. Could it get any better than this? Suddenly, it happened again…

~Memory Obtained~
Ino, Shikamaru, and Chouji
Age: 11
Flower Festival

Today was going to an exciting day for Ino. It was one of her favorite days, the annual Flower festival. Today, people of all ages would give flowers to those they like, adore, or love. Activities were also held throughout the Crystal country. Eleven year old Ino loved this day. Every year, she would get piles and piles of flowers, wishing her to stay healthy and more. The Nara and Akimichi family came this year to celebrate the festival with the Yamanakas.

The sun was high in the sky and a beautiful day. A third of Ino's room was already filled with flowers and smelled wonderful. Ino found her friends, sitting at the kitchen table eating cookies.

She happily made her way to the table and took a seat.

She looked at the two boys, "So?

"Yes?" Shikamaru looked at Ino.

"You know what today is?"

"It's the flower festival." Chouji was clueless as to what was going on with Ino.

"Yesss~ so…did you get flowers for a certain someone?"

"My mom." Shikamaru stated and so did Chouji.

"Did you guys get flowers for…I don't know…friends?"

Chouji laughed and knew she wanted some more, even though it seemed like she had thousands. Choiji hoped put his chair, "One moment." and vanished behind a corner. He appeared a few minutes with a bouquet full of baby breath flowers.

"These are for you." He held out his arm holding the flowers. "My mom helped me pick these out."

Ino face lit up and she thanked him with a hug, "Thank you Chouji. You're a good friend!" she then turned to the other boy. "Do you have something to give me?"

"I don't have anything."

Her once happy face changed into one of melancholy, "Why so?"

"Too troublesome. If I was to give you flowers you would probably say something bad about the flowers." He picked up a cookie and took a bite.

"How would you know? You always think you know everything when you really don't! It wouldn't kill you to do something 'troublesome' for a friend you know!" she stormed out the kitchen to her room.

~That Evening~

The sun was setting but the festival was still going on. Ino stayed in her room ever since the incident. She wasn't going to go downstairs to apologize either. She was looking towards the flowers she would get from her friends. At least Chouji gave her some. She just leaned against the balcony rail. She heard a knock from her door and went to answer it.

At her door was a person she didn't feel like talking to, "What do you want?" without saying a word he held out his arm.

"Here." In front of her was a bouquet filled with colorful flowers. "I'm sorry about earlier." He said with a quiet voice. His and Ino's face were colored a light pink. Ino didn't know what to say, she wasn't expecting this!

"Thank you." She slowly grabbed the flowers and smelled their scent, "They're pretty!" she radiated and Shikamaru felt relieved. "I'm sorry about earlier too."

"It's okay, you're right anyways." She lightly laughed. She thanked him once more and surprisingly gave him a kiss on the cheek. A big smile appeared on her face and she returned to her room, leaving Shikamaru surprised. He touched his cheek where her lips touched and slightly smiled. He then went back down stairs to find Chouji.

~*~*End*~*~

"You remembered another memory?" she looked to her side and found him lying next to her, which almost scared her.

"Umm, yeah. It was about the flower festival."

"Wow…that was a long time ago."

"I can't believe I got mad at you for not getting me flowers." She stated, embarrassed. She covered her face so he wouldn't see her face.

"I can." He looked at her, but wouldn't see her.

"Shut up!" she grabbed some flowers from the ground and threw them at Shikamaru and laughed. He wiped away the flower that covered his face. It had been a while since he heard her laugh and it made him feel warm. He knew she was having a tough time, trying to remember everything and meet people she already knew before. It was nice to see her relaxed.

He sat himself up and leaned over Ino, "Don't move." He gently wiped away the petal on her cheek. As he did, he couldn't help but notice how blue her eyes were. Just like the sky, he could look into her eyes for hours. Both of them looked into each other's eyes. He quickly noticed that he was staring at her and looked away.

"Sorry." He apologized to her. Ino was almost shocked. She hasn't seen this side of him, it was amusing.

"It's okay." She stood up and dusted off her pants, she held out her hand towards Shikamaru. "I think we should head back." He took her hand and went back to the forgotten horses.

"Thanks for coming with me." And they back to the castle.

When both the princess and prince arrived at the gate, Temari came rushing out with his mother following behind.

"Shikamaru! Are you okay? Where were you!" Temari asked as he got of his horse.

"I'm fine. I just went on a ride with Ino."

"You didn't bother to tell us? I thought you were still on your mission! I thought you might of got caught…" Temari's last statement confused Ino.

"He was on a mission? What does she mean by 'caught'?"

"You worry too much. I said I'm fine." That didn't help Temari calm down though.

"Come on Shikamaru, let's go clean you up." And the both of them walked away. Ino and Temari were left. Ino didn't like the tension in the air.

"What the hell are you doing?" Ino was caught off guard.

"What?"

"What are you doing with him? Going on a ride alone, something is going on."

Ino dismount her horse, "You're crazy. Me and Shikamaru are friends! Nothing more…"

"Well it seems like you like him." Ino thought all of this was unnecessary.

Her face was tinted a light pink, "Well you're wrong."

"Just stay away from him; he's marrying me, not you." She returned back to the castle. Ino's head was spinning.

"What the hell…" she grabbed the horse's reins and took it to the stables.

Chapter 10: Done~
What do you think about this chapter? I think it could of done a little better like towards the end...sorry! (.) I still think it was good though hahaha.

Reviews onegaishimasu! (*^^*)