A/N: Okay, I broke down and did a "Nara family business" chapter. Sorry. It's not an incredibly important chapter, but hopefully it's satisfying for you, and it does set the stage, sort of, for what happens later. I prefer to call it a "transitional" chapter instead of "filler." (grin) Enjoy, and review, if you're so inclined, because I love the feedback.

"Good morning, Mister Yamanaka," Shikamaru said as Inoshi opened the front door.

"Good morning, Shikamaru," he replied. "Please, come in."

Shikamaru executed a brief bow and entered, taking off his shoes and wandering into the living room. He had been getting along much better with Inoshi of late. It seemed that his refusal to leave the hospital as long as Ino was there had made an impression on the older man. "How is she?" he asked, glancing around.

"Oh, she's all right," Inoshi said, calling up the stairs. "Ino! Shikamaru's here!"

They waited as Ino slowly made her way down the stairs, a determined look on her face. Her expression, which moments before had been ashen and resigned, brightened when she caught sight of Shikamaru. "Hi," she said with a smile.

"Hey," he replied. "Are you ready?"

Inoshi was already herding them towards the door. "You kids have fun. Don't push yourself, sweetie, and don't forget to eat lunch. Make sure Shikamaru takes good care of you."

Ino scowled at her father. "Do you remember how old I am?" she snapped. "I think I know what I need to do by now. I can take care of myself!"

"Of course, honey," he said with a smile and waved at them as they moved off down the street.

"Doesn't he ever have missions?" Shikamaru sighed, clasping Ino's hand.

She snuggled against his shoulder, also holding onto him for support. "Sure. He's just on light duty right now. He wanted to be around for me, I guess."

"Can't blame him," he replied.

They walked for a while in silence, basking in the warmth of the day. Autumn was approaching, but the weather hadn't turned yet. "Where are we going?" she asked when he passed the turnoff for the cloud-watching hill.

"Someplace special," he replied, adjusting his pack. Naomi had packed them a sumptuous lunch, and Chouji had thrown in some newly-formulated pills that he thought would speed up Ino's strengthening process.

She cocked her head and glanced up at him, but she didn't ask him any more questions. He was worried that she would tire out too quickly, since she had only been out of the hospital a few days, but he didn't want to waste his time off, either. They turned off onto a dirt path, walking into the woods until they came to a large gate. He opened it for her and closed it again after he had walked through. They strolled into the woods a bit farther before he stopped them in a clearing with a small shed, a salt lick, and a water trough. "Where are we?" she asked just as a shadowy figure appeared from between the trees.

"Hey!" a deep voice said, and Shikato walked over to them, grinning.

"Hi Dad," Shikamaru answered.

"Haven't seen you here in a while. You've been shirking your duties, but I guess I understand," Shikato said, winking at Ino. "You're lucky your cousin Tomoko pitched in or you would have gotten behind in the rotation."

"Sorry," Shikamaru grumbled.

"But you're not due here today, either. What's up?"

"I wanted to show Ino the herd. She hasn't been out here before."

Shikato's eyes went wide before he chuckled a moment later. "I guess not! You were always at that flower shop of theirs. Well, I'm done here, so you kids have fun."

"We will," Ino said, smiling at his father. "Give my regards to your wife."

Her words drew a chuckle from Shikato. "Sure thing, Ino. Take it slow."

"Bye," Shikamaru said, waiting until his father was out of sight before taking the pack off and setting it on the ground. Ino opened her mouth, but Shikamaru shook his head. "Shhh," he whispered. "You'll scare them away."

Ino's eyes widened and she inched closer to him, scanning the forest. Large shadows appeared at the clearing's edge, silent and still. He could hear Ino's breathing as the first animal stepped into the sunlight, its hide shiny and sleek. "Oh," she gasped, gripping his arm. The buck was enormous, a gigantic rack of antlers on his head.

"It's okay," he said, taking her by the hand and slowly walking towards the buck. "Hey there, fella, remember me?" The buck's nostrils flared, but he lowered his head and took a few steps forward. Shikamaru dug in his pockets for a grain pellet, opening his hand and displaying it in his open palm. The buck tentatively took it, ate it, and nuzzled Shikamaru's hand.

"He wants more!" Ino giggled, eyes shining.

Shikamaru felt his heart soar. She hadn't smiled like that in a long time. "Then give it to him," he replied, digging out another pellet out and putting it in her hand. "Just hold it out flat and wait for him to take it."

Ino gasped as the buck's velvety nose brushed against her and then began to laugh as it took the pellet from her, bounding back into the forest. "It's so soft!" she cried.

He smiled down at her, placing more pellets in her hand. "Here you go. The does will eat from your hand, too, now that the buck has. Just make sure you don't let them get pushy."

"Okay," she said, and he took a step back and watched the deer surround her. Even the females had short, stubby antlers, which they dropped during the winter. His family then gathered the antlers and gave them to Chouji's family, who used them in their pills. Ino laughed and smiled at the animals, obviously having a good time. "There are so many!" she squealed as one of them nuzzled her face.

"Hey, don't get too friendly with them," he drawled. "You don't want to make me jealous, do you?"

"Oooh," she grinned, rolling her eyes. "I'm scared."

He raised an eyebrow. "You should be."

Her brow immediately furrowed. "What? Why?"

He smiled and snapped his fingers, making a series of hand signals. The largest of the does suddenly forced its head between her legs and moved forward, scooping her onto its back. Ino screamed as the deer took off at a dead run. He couldn't help laughing at her wide eyes and startled mouth, watching as she held on to the doe for dear life.

"I'm going to kill you!" she screamed, and he formed a series of hand seals, keeping pace with the herd by using the shadows.

"You'll have to figure out how to get off first," he called back, but he watched her very carefully in case she should start to fall.

The herd finally slowed in a meadow, a brook running through the center of it. The doe that had kidnapped Ino came to a stop, Ino shaking and clinging to its back. It simply stood until Shikamaru came over and gently gathered Ino into his arms. "You asshole!" she cried, smacking his arm.

"What? Wasn't it fun? I bet you're the only girl you know that has ridden a deer. The Nara deer don't just let anyone catch a lift, you know."

She rolled her eyes, but her cheeks were pink and she was smiling. He gently set her on her feet, hands on her waist to steady her. "Well, it was pretty different," she admitted, eyes roving over the clearing. "Wow, this is really pretty."

"Not as pretty as you," he murmured, the brook burbling in the background. "Nothing's prettier than you are."

She met his gaze and captivated him, her luminous eyes taking over his soul as she looked at him. "You're very handsome," she whispered, reaching up a hand and tracing his cheek.

It was so easy to be with her. Sure, she was troublesome, and sometimes loud, but she was also graceful and intelligent. He adored her completely. Leaning down, he pressed his mouth against hers, pleasantly surprised when she wrapped her arms around his neck and leaned into him. His heart rate began to speed up, his body reacting to touching her, and he nearly fainted as she deepened the kiss. His mouth was full of the sweet taste of her, and he thought his heart would burst from the pure joy of it. They sank to the ground together, holding one another and kissing, until Ino's stomach growled. She broke off their contact, startled, then blushed. They laughed together, her ringing mirth mingling with the sound of the running water and creating a lovely music. "I guess I should feed you," he said, helping her up and brushing bits of grass off of her.

"You're wonderful," she told him, gripping his hand, and a wave of tenderness washed over him.

"You are, too. Do you have the strength to walk back?"

"If we take it slowly, and rest a few times," she replied, and they made their way back to where his pack lay on the ground. It took a while, on account of Ino still being weak, but she was improving. He still thanked the heavens every day that she was alive. He unpacked lunch and they ate silently, just enjoying the breeze and one another's company. It was the sort of moment he liked best, and that was why he loved Ino, he supposed; he only had ever shared those sorts of moments with her and no other.

He sighed, hating to say what he had to say next. "I have to tell you something," he said.

Her face tightened. "What is it?"

"I have to go back to work next week."

Ino hung her head, pushing around bits of rice in her bowl. "I understand," she murmured. "I'm lucky you could take off so long, anyway."

"I hope they're not gonna evict me from my place," he murmured.

"I'd like to see it before they do," she said, and he turned to stare at her.

"You've never been over?"

"No," she admitted. "There really hasn't been time, and before you were with, well, her…"

"Right," he muttered, trailing off. The atmosphere grew uncomfortable as they both recounted what had happened, but he refused to dwell on it. "Hey, Ino," he said, stowing his dishes.

"What?"

"Would you like to go to the autumn festival with me next month?"

All traces of melancholy melted from her face. "Of course!" she said, and cast her food aside, tumbling into his arms.

"Great," he said with a smile, feeling his stomach flutter. He returned her embrace and buried his nose in her hair, inhaling. They held one another for quite some time, then he packed up their picnic and they began to head back to town.

"Thank you for showing me your deer," she said, squeezing his hand as they strolled along.

"No trouble," he replied absently, then realized what he had said as they burst into simultaneous laughter.

"I'm glad to hear it," she grinned, eyes sparkling. They took a few more steps before she stopped, looking up at him. "Thank you for today. It was just what I needed."

"You're welcome," he said, returning her smile, and they set off once more.