You know, I can't believe I wrote 16 chapters. I'm so proud. And I'm glad that it's a story that you enjoy reading. Enjoy!!

Ino helped Shikamaru off the bed and put his clothes on. He grabbed her wrist softly, and looked into her eyes. "Ino, I can do it. Really I can." Ino sighed and handed him his shirt. "I know, I just want to help." She went across the room to grab his sandals. Shikamaru pulled her towards him and held her. "You did so much already. I appreciate everything you've done. Coming to get me, staying with me." Ino held on tighter to him. She breathed in his scent, the scent that she's missed for so long. They pulled apart and started walking out the door, Ino holding on to one arm.

It's been a week since they've been back. Shikamaru had lost a lot of blood, and needed surgery to repair the wound on his side. Tsunade would come in the afternoons to get information on what's happened to him while he was there. She had him go through psychological therapy to ensure that he didn't have any mental injuries from the tortures Orochimaru put him through. The day before, Tsunade and the doctors cleared him, telling him that he was able to go home. Ino hadn't left his side the whole time that he was admitted. She only went home to shower and grab a quick bite to eat with Chouji before heading back to the hospital.

Chouji would come in the evenings after his training. He would spend a two solid hours playing Go with his friend, before retiring to his home. Naruto and Sakura came by twice, they let him know about Sasuke, and his situation. The rest of the team came by to see how he was doing and wish him well. Shikamaru's parents would come everyday at noon, after his father was done tending to the deer, and his mother getting ready to work.

As Ino and Shikamaru walked through the doors of the hospital to the open air, they walked down the street, holding each other's hands. They stopped for a few minutes at Ino's home to drop his things off before walking to the Ramen stand. When they reached there, he saw the normal group that was there everyday. I love how nothing's really changed. He thought as he sat down next to the guys. "Shikamaru, I see you got you of the hospital. How you feelin'?" Naruto asked as he pulled another bowl of ramen towards him.

"Better. Glad to be out in the open again." He ordered himself a bowl as Ino kissed him on his cheek. "I'm going to meet the girls for lunch. I'll see you in a little bit." And she ran off.

"What are you doing here anyway?" asked Naruto, who happily enjoying his bowl of beef ramen.

"Yeah, aren't you supposed to be at home, resting or something?" added Chouji.

Shikamaru shrugged. "I've been resting all week, just wanted to hang out with you guys for a while."

"Yeah right. You never pass up a chance to watch the clouds. Unless there's something you have to do." At that point, everyone stopped their eating, and looked straight at Shikamaru. He leaned back on his stool, putting his arms behind his head, and gave them a crooked smile.

…………

Ino met with Sakura, Hinata, and Ten-Ten in front of her family's flower shop. She was all smiles and it made the girls give her a funny look. Sakura placed the back of her hand on Ino's forehead. "Ino? Are you okay?"

"Yeah, why?"

"I've seen you happy before, but you are just way too happy. Ino-pig, you're scaring me." The girls giggled and Ino swatted her friend's hand from her head. "Listen, Fore-head, I'm just happy, that's all. That and I want to do something special tonight for Shikamaru. He's been in the hospital since we got back, and he finally just got out, we haven't really celebrated like we should've been."

Sakura gave her a knowing smile. "Oh, a celebration." She said with a wink.

"Shut up."

"Well, what do you have planned?" asked Ten-Ten.

"Well, I was hoping you guys could help me. Give me some ideas or something." Ino said sheepishly, and the girls took her arm and headed to the shops.

………………..

"So what exactly do you need us for?"

"You guy are more creative than I am."

"Yeah, but are you supposed to be a genius. Can't you think of like a hundred ways to do it?" Kiba broke his chopsticks in half and threw a piece at Shikamaru. "Yeah, but they're all dull and boring." He replied, dodging the flying stick.

"You live by dull and boring." Chimed Chouji, who was on his fourth bowl when chopsticks fell in, splashing the beef-flavored liquid on his face. The boys laughed. "I know that, idiot. But I want to do something special for her. Something that's not dull or boring. Even if it is too much trouble."

"Aww. Our little Shikamaru's in love." Laughed Naruto, patting him hard on his back. Shikamaru blushed and rolled his eyes. "Are you guys going to help, or what?"

…………..

Ino looked through the different outfits she had in her closet. Sakura was with her, helping her choose the outfit to wear. Hinata and Ten-Ten were in the kitchen cooking. The aroma of the food left her thinking about that night. The more she thought about it, the more nervous she got. Thankfully, she had her friends with her, keeping things under control.

"Not the red dress. It looks too formal."

"Yeah, it's more like something you would wear."

"Hey, what's that supposed to mean?"

"Nothing." Ino smiled innocently as she put the dress back. Oh man I don't know what to wear!! How could I not know what to wear? Suddenly, a light bulb flashed in Sakura's head. She got up and walked into the closet. After inspecting the item, she walked out with two articles of clothing and a pair of nice shoes. I'm a genius! Exclaimed her inner self. "Very sexy, with a little conservative." Ino gave her thumbs up for approval. She took the clothes and hung it on her bathroom door. "This is perfect."

"I know!"

"Hey, don't let it go to your big fore-head, I'm still the fashionable one here."

"Yeah, but I picked it out." Ino stuck her tongue out and Sakura laughed. "You know, this time I'm going to take it as a compliment." The two girls laughed together as they walked out to join the other two in the next room.

…………….

"That's perfect. How'd you come up with that one, Naruto?"

"Sakura's a big romantic. She talks about that kind of stuff all the time. Then she reminds me of how totally unromantic I am."

"Oh. Well the, I'm off, thanks guys." Shikamaru slid of his stool, and started to walk out.

"Wait a minute." Lee put his hand on his shoulder. "Do you have what you need?"

"Yeah, had it for a while now. I just need to get a few things. Remember the plan. Remember the plan Naruto."

"Yeah, yeah, I got it." Naruto, Lee, Shino, Chouji, Kiba and Neji nodded in agreement.

"This will be interesting." Said Shino as he turned to face the rest of the group.

"Whoa, you spoke." Replied Chouji in amazement. Shino shook his head.

This is supposed to be one chapter, but I couldn't do it that way, had to break it up into two for effect. Please review!!