Shikamaru wasn't sure how to use his free reign over his date with Ino. He honestly didn't know if it even was a date, but that was the simplest term for the endeavor. He asssumed it was and wasn't going to question it. He also didn't know if they were dating at all. They hadn't labeled their relationship yet.

"So what do you want to do?" Ino asked as the pair walked out of the school building.

Ino felt so much better being out of that building. Lately it was so draining to her. She had to over exaggerate her personality as the energetic, bubbly popular girl. That girl was definitely a part of her, but she felt more like a character than herself. If she slipped up and broke character, than her mood dropped even more. It was like she failed. Failure was Ino's worst enemy.

"Um, I thought we could..."

Shikamaru realized that he had no plan. That was almost never the case. He had to think of something he wanted to do, aside from sleeping. It also had to be something Ino would enjoy too. Not an easy task. They didn't have much in common.

Ino could tell he was out of his element. He probably wasn't put in charge often, which was the complete opposite of her. She enjoyed the power and ability to boss people around. It was exhausting though. In a way, she was testing him. She wanted to see how much effort he was willing to put forth. Did he see their relationship was something worth going out of his comfort zone. She didn't want to put more effort in than him.

"We could go to the park." He finally decided.

He figured that they both liked nature. There was a playground, and he could see Ino dragging him to the swing sets. He liked laying on the hills and watching clouds. Maybe Ino could see the tranquility in it.

"That sounds fun." Ino replied. Her smile reassured Shikamaru that his plan was okay.

Ino took a quick glance around to see if any of their classmates were around before reaching for his hand. She wasn't ashamed of liking him, but she just couldn't deal with any criticism from her peers. Ino refused to second guess her feelings for him.

Shikamaru caught that quick glance as well and scowled. Was she really that scared of being seen with him? He knew that he was seen as a loser in school and she was practically the goddess of it. Ino seemed vain in some aspects but still associated with "lesser" people at the school with ease. It shouldn't bother him, but it definitely did. Being insecure was so troublesome.

"What's the matter?" Ino asked innocently when she felt his mood drop. Shikamaru was impressed that she could tell that something was wrong instantly. He didn't have time to even attempt to hide it.

"Nothing." He replied and squeezed her hand in assurance. He didn't want her to worry.

"You're frowning." She stated with furrowed eyebrows. He wasn't frowning a few seconds ago.

"I always frown."

Ino went back in her mind to think about what could've upset him. They were walking towards the park after he suggested going to it. They held hands. She looked around, which Ino realized was the cause. He was probably insecure now.

"I'm really happy that we're hanging out today." Ino announced. Although she was genuinely excited to be with him, she needed him to know that she truly wanted to be with him and no one else. Screw being careful about hiding her affections for him.

Ino moved her hand up to Shikamaru's arm and moved closer to his side. In her defense it was on the colder side, so Ino's obviousness was not totally unjustified. Cuddling was also a bonus.

"You don't have to be so obvious." Shikamaru mumbled with rolled eyes. He didn't needn't Ino overcompensating.

"Well I want you to know that I really like you. I don't care about anyone else like that." Ino explained. Shikamaru couldn't help but smirk at that.

"Fine, I believe you." He replied in surrender. Ino did have a way with words.

"Do you really like me too?" Ino childishly asked back while tugging on his arm. She wanted reassurance too. Shikamaru did miss the mischievous grin on her lips though. She had a plan.

"Of course I do." He stated.

Ino noticed that they made it to the park and she was ready to put her plan in action. She immediately dragged Shikamaru by the sleeve to the swing set. She quickly stood on the swing seat. Shikamaru never understood why some people did that, but Ino wasn't like most people so it made sense. He wouldn't expect her to act any different.

"I don't believe you." Ino said with her chin held high.

"What?" Shikamaru questioned, utterly confused at his situation.

"You heard me. I don't think you like me that much." Ino continued and began to swing slowly.

"You're kidding me right?" He shot back. Ino was a good actress, maybe this was her acting?

"Nope." She objected.

"Well I do." He reasoned. Why was she being so difficult?

"Prove it." Ino challenged as she looked down at him for the first time. She felt like a queen ordering around a knight. She liked that concept.

His eye twitched at her request. Hasn't he proven himself enough? He's stuck with her through all her personal drama. Drama was one of his least favorite things too, but he liked Ino so much that he was willing to deal with it. He tried to make her happy. He didn't think he was doing a terrible job. What other proof did she need?

"I have an idea if you need one." Ino added after seeing him squirm.

Shikamaru knew that Ino had an agenda. What that agenda was, he didn't know. However he just wanted it to be over with, so complying seemed like the easiest option.

"Fine. What do I have to do?" He asked tiredly. He hoped it wouldn't be something humiliating. He was thankful that the only other people in the park were a toddler and his mom on the opposite side of the park.

Ino hopped off the swing set and began pacing around the brunette boy. He rolled his eyes at her dramatics.

"Well there is a patch of wild flowers over there. You could make me a bouquet of them and come back here for part two." Ino explained and went back to her swing set throne.

Shikamaru reluctantly went over to the flowers. He wondered what part two would be. With his luck there would be several other parts. His casual day at the park would turn into jumping through hoops for this girl.

He knew that Ino would have no issue sending him back if his bouquet was not up to par, so he tried his best to make it look cute. Once his collection seemed passable, he walked back over to the swing set. Ino was waiting for him with one leg crossed over the other.

"Here you go, princess." He stated sarcastically and offered the bouquet to the blonde. Ino inspected the flowers and gave a nod of approval.

"Very pretty." She complimented.

"What's part two?" Shikamaru asked. Shikamaru wasn't sure if her cheeks were flushed from the wind or because of what she was about to make him do.

"Well, I was thinking that you could ask me to be your girlfriend." Ino stated. Ino found being forward to be the best option. That way she couldn't chicken out.

Shikamaru should've realized what Ino was hinting at it, he had to admit, she really had him fooled. Her part two was much nicer than what he envisioned. It was also something he had been too scared to ask for awhile. Ino probably knew that.

"Do you want to be my girlfriend, Ino Yamanka?" Shikamaru asked as he hovered over the seated blonde.

Ino pretended to contemplate an answer before beaming up at him, "Yes!"