Sorry I haven't posted in a while! Writer's block has been kicking my ass.

Thank you to my wonderful beta TheBasedDepartment on AO3.

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Chapter 1

Daddy said that people were not to be toyed with. That controlling people is inherently wrong. Sometimes I wonder if he really is a Yamanaka. But in my defense, they were really, really cute together.

8 months prior

"Choji get your ass over here!" Almost forgetting, I added, "And bring Shikamaru as well!"

Soon I heard one Akimichi's voice behind me, "Hey Ino, what did you need us for?"

"Get a move on you two, we're running the coffee shop today."

"It's such a nice day for cloud watching though. Troublesome woman," my terrible, astoundingly lazy, not-Sasuke teammate drawled.

I considered the point. It was a nice day to be fair. A brilliant blue sky was on full display, fluffy, white clouds dotting it. The leaves were on a full fall display, their numerous colors soaring through the breeze of the team's training ground.

I shook my head. I couldn't let myself get distracted. I had a job to do.

"Be quiet. Hinata and Naruto are both going to the shop today. You know how fucking cute those two are?" It almost rivaled me and Sasuke… if he paid any attention to me. But he will! He's just a bit shy.

"But wh-"

"No. You are going to help me at Starmugs now. No exceptions let's go."

With only slightly more grumbling, my good-for-nothing, black-haired, why-couldn't-it-be-Sasuke teammate started to walk along with me, Choji starting right after him.

Walking briskly to the Konoha Marketing District, we were greeted with the usual bustling atmosphere. Adults were talking, vendors were advertising, kids were playing. Once Sasuke and I get married we are going to have such cute kids!

A raspy voice behind greeted our team, "You little shits, what are you doing back here? I thought I told you to let me run this shop in peace?"

"Ume-obasan! How are you? Sorry we couldn't come for the last few days, we were on a mission. I hope you were okay," I paused and scrutinized her. Her small body frame seemed to be getting smaller by the day. She was getting too frail.

"Let's head inside and I'll help with the cooking so you can rest for a bit," thank god I had one useful teammate. He was an amazing cook. Like really good.

I was assaulted with the earthy aroma of coffee as I stepped into the shop. I always liked hanging out here. It was charming. A large counter top seated next to a window overlooking a backyard filled to the brim with wildlife. Couches and chairs strewn across the cafe.

I stepped behind the counter and over to the coffee machines. I used my regular coffee mix and put it into the machine. I clicked "Start". I clicked "Start". I CLICKED "START". Oh it wasn't plugged in. I clicked "Start". IT DIDN'T WORK. No. This could not happen. I repeat, this is a tragedy. An Ino with no coffee means a not very pleasant Ino.

"Hey Ino," my no good, very bad, NOT-SASUKE, teammate started, "What's happening to make you even more troublesome?"

I sighed, "This fucking coffee machine isn't working." I gave it a nice hard hit. It didn't work, dammit.

"Oi blondie! Don't hit the machine!" Ume-obasan called. She really treasured these evil things.

"Sorry Obasan!"

"Then don't use the machine. No one comes to the shop for coffee anyways."

"But coffee Shika. Coffee makes the world go round. Coffee is love, coffee is life." Okay maybe I was exaggerating but what would a sleepy idiot — well genius-idiot — not-Sasuke teammate know about that wonderful godsend.

"Mah, why can't you be like me? Just sleep when you're tired." Case in point. He doesn't understand my suffering.

"Shika… we're running a shop."

"I don't see a problem with my previous statement."

"Maybe because you like, don't help?"

"And?"

"It might not be a problem for you. Since you just si-" I was interrupted mid rant by the door swinging open.

"U-Um was I interrupting something? I can c-come back again later if I was," Oh my god Hinata is the most precious thing. Why'd she choose the ninja life? She'd be better swaddled in blankets. Oh wait, she's a Hyuga. Fuck you Hiashi.

"Hinata-chan! Oh you're never interrupting anything! Have a seat. I'll get your cinnamon rolls ready," I heard a grumble behind me.

"I swear she's bipolar. One second she's on a rant, next she sees Hinata."

I spun around, "And you. Go help Choji and Obasan in the kitchen," as I started walking back behind the counter I added, "And I'm not bipolar. Hinata is just too-"

"Yeah, yeah, whatever Ino."

"So Hinata," I called over the counter, "How much do you want?"

"Just t-three is enough for me," she meekly replied. This is why she has to get with Naruto. Not because I care about that idiot or anything but because Hinata is the greatest gift known to the Shinobi World and must be given everything possible to make her happy. They were also so cute together.

"And with the ten percent favorite customer discount-"

"That's not a real thing Ino," my troublesome not-Sasuke teammate interjected.

"Shut up Shika! Anyways your total comes to three hundred thirty-seven ryo. And with the I'm Paying for you Discount it comes to, oh look at that it's free!"

"You don't have to pay for me, it's fine. I have the money this time!" Hinata was waving her hands, she looked so flustered. Her cheeks were painted a rosy red while she was digging around her flack-jacket for the money.

"It's fine Hinata! We just came back from a mission. Consider it my treat!"

"B-But you never let me pay."

"I'm a very generous person Hinata," I walked over to the couch she was seated at, "Now here's your cinnamon buns. Enjoy!"

As I went back to the cash register, I forked over the money. Damn. I don't have too much left. I'd better steal some from Shikamaru soon. He doesn't need it anyways. Sleeping doesn't cost anything. Except maybe dignity. I glanced over his way to see him strewn across one of the couches, eyes closed and in perfect peace… yeah he doesn't have that either.

"So Hinata," I started, grabbing her attention away from scarfing down the cinnamon buns. How does she eat cinnamon buns so quickly but elegantly? I'm gonna need tips. "Any interactions with a golden haired, whisker-cheeked, blue eyed idiot that you've had recently?"

Aww she was blushing. Her little Hyuga body just sank into the cushions. "U-Um no. I haven't gotten a chance to talk to N-Naruto-kun recently."

"Oh heya Hinata! I didn't know you came here?" The golden-haired, whisker-cheeked, blue eyed idiot burst in.

Hinata promptly fainted.

A sigh could only escape from my body. For all the cinnamon buns in the world the black-haired angel couldn't hold a single conversation with the village numbskull. Why do I have to do all the work around here?

Aaaand first chapter done! God, Ino has a tough job ahead of her. I feel bad for putting her through this.

Also shoutout to discord people who helped me with planning! You know who you are.

Review please!