What do you guys think? What's going to happen to our fanfics when we're all dead in the future? Just wondering…
Chapter 4- Inoichi Calls from Hawaii
It was January 1, the first day of the year and things are already getting a whole lot busy in Konoha! In Sakura's fashion studio, Ino is once again modeling for the top New Year designs for Paradise™ Magazine, where Sakura had just been accepted as a top fashion designer! Stripes and metallic colors are going to be in this year (according to Sakura,) so those are the stuff Ino's modeling!
"It's been a long time since you asked me over to model for your designs, Sakura-chan." Ino said as she put on a black and white striped tunic, "They're just as comfy and original as usual!"
"Thanks…" Sakura replied as she fixed Ino's hair, "Now, hold still…"
"Is this going to take a bit long?" Sasuke asked, "I have to meet-up with Naruto, you see."
"Don't worry, dear! This'll only take about 30 minutes, so please be patient!"
"Okay…"
Sasuke waited for them impatiently as he leaned on the wall. He reminisced for a moment and remembered the Christmas party they had in Shikamaru's house. The incident came back to him when he and Naruto (accidentally) kissed under the mistletoe…
"Naruto…" he whispered softly, "I still remember that day you and I first kissed… It was in class…"
"Sasuke-kun! We're ready!"
"What!? Already? And I was just dreaming ever so happily…"
As the photo session went on, Shikamaru patiently waited for Ino to finish outside the room. He stood behind the door, looking at the clouds floating by. The hot sun rose highly in the blue sky, melting the snow. Winter was almost over and spring was coming to stay.
"Things are happening all so quickly…" Shikamaru sighed as the sun shone brightly at him, "Just last September, I met Ino after so many years of not seeing her.
"She was crying desperately and I felt pitiful for the poor girl. But aside from feeling sorry for her, I realized that I fell in love with her at that instant.
"Since that day, months seemed more like days to me and it was only a week ago when I asked for her hand in marriage.
"She said yes, and now wedding plans are being made.
"All of this… seems like a dream to me.
"But it's not a dream, is it?
"It's all real. I try to open my eyes a bit more to believe everything that's happening and keep my face to the sunshine.
"Ino… I'm so glad we met once again."
In his mind, moments of him and Ino were flashing around like a motion picture in his head. From the very first day they met, until now… All of those times, he remembered clearly like everything happened only yesterday.
Finally, after a few more minutes, the door opened and Ino came outside, fresh and beautiful from the photo studio.
"I'm sorry, Shikamaru!" she said, smiling at him sweetly, "Did you wait too long?"
"Huh? No, it's fine, really!" Shikamaru laughed, "I'd wait for you anytime, Ino.
"Shall we ride home now? I mean, we don't have any plans for the day, do we?"
"No. I don't think we have any plans for the day at all."
"Okay, then! Let's go."
The car ride lasted for five minutes since there were only a few other vehicles driving on the road. The clear sky and the bright sun greeted them happily as they drove through the town. Cirrus clouds stayed floating in the blue sky, telling them that a sunny weather was coming up ahead for the day. Ino rolled down her window and smelled the fresh breeze of wind and the fragrance of blooming flowers. The sun shone down on her as she smiled lovingly at Shikamaru, making him blush and smile back at her. When they arrived at the mansion, they immediately went inside and sat on the sofa together, nice and cozy in the living room.
"So… When's the wedding going to be, Shikamaru?" Ino asked shyly, "I can't wait any longer…"
"I'd like it to be on the second week of February, if that's alright with you." He replied. "The weather seems fine these days and flowers are in bloom… I say February's a nice month to get married, huh?"
"Yeah, I guess so."
"Let's get married at… How's February 8 sound? It's the birthday of the third Hokage, in his honor."
"Sandaime-sama's birthday? That sounds great, Shikamaru!"
The two of them cuddled up together closely on the sofa and began thinking sweetly of the days coming up ahead for the both of them. As they were staring tenderly at one another, the phone suddenly rang. Ino walked to the side table to pick up the phone. When she answered it, a very familiar voice answered her back, making tears roll down her face.
"H-hello?"
"Ino? Ino, Princess, is that you? My, my! Your voice has changed! It reminds me very much of your mother."
"O… Otouchan!?"
On the other line was Inoichi, Ino's father, calling from Hawaii to check up on his little girl. Ino started crying tears of joy when she heard her dear father's voice on the other line after so many years of being without him. He seemed alive and well, making her very happy to hear him.
"Otouchan, it's… It's been years since we last spoke to each other."
"Yes, Ino, I know. Shikaku-san told me everything! You and Shikamaru are getting married soon, aren't you?"
"Why, yes. Yes, we are. On February 8, to be exact."
"Oh, I see. Well, I hope he's taking good care of you!"
"Don't worry, otouchan. He is! He's been taking care of me for the past months! I'm glad I came to stay with him in his mansion!"
"Staying with him!?!? Don't tell me you're pregnant!"
"HUH!? Of course not! Shikamaru knows what restraining is, so don't worry about a thing! He promised me he wouldn't do anything to me before we get married, so there."
"Sigh… That's a relief."
Inoichi was just as happy to hear that his daughter was doing well, living a happy love life and being well-taken care of by his best friend's son. It made him even happier to hear that they were to be married soon.
"Um, otouchan," Ino said, "How are things there in Hawaii?"
"Huh? Oh, things are going great!" Inoichi replied happily. "The sun is always shining and the sea is great! I wish you were here."
"I wish I were there too, otouchan… I already miss you so much!" Ino said, wiping the tears off her face.
"Well, since you and Shikamaru are getting married soon, it would be a shame for me not to attend your wedding, dear daughter."
"You mean you're attending the wedding!?" Ino exclaimed.
"What the… OF COURSE I AM!" Inoichi answered, "Attending my only daughter's wedding would be a great honor. Listen, I'll be arriving in Japan two weeks from now, so I'd like a big welcoming party at the airport, okay?"
"Yes! Yes, of course!" Ino replied as more and more tears came falling from her eyes.
"Oh and by he way, is purple still your favorite color?"
"Yes, it is!"
"That's my girl for ya! Okay, can I speak to Shikamaru now?"
"Sure, I'll call him.
"Shikamaru, my dad wants to speak with you!"
Shikamaru walked slowly to where Ino was standing and took the phone from her hand. Lazily, he greeted Inoichi, "Hello, old man… You wanted to talk to me?"
"Who're you calling an old man?" Inoichi answered him, "This is your future in-law speaking! Are you taking good care of my precious little girl?"
"Yes, yes I am. I look out for her every day, Yamanaka-san."
"Are you two-timing her?"
"No, of course not. I am a gentleman and I know how wrong it is to break a girl's heart."
"Good answer! Last question… ARE YOU SURE MY DAUGHER ISN'T PREGNANT!?"
"HUH!? Yes! Yes, I'm sure! I swear to you we did not do anything besides hugging and kissing!"
"Okay, that's good." Inoichi sighed in relief when he heard Shikamaru's answer.
"Anything you might want to ask me before I put this phone down?" Shikamaru asked.
"Um, yeah… What might your parents want from Hawaii?" Inoichi asked.
"Macadamia nuts would be nice." Shikamaru replied, "My dad's been dying for soma those."
"Okay then! May I speak with Ino again?"
"Sure…"
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"I'll be seeing you in a few weeks, Ino! Be strong. I love you very much."
"I love you too, otouchan! Goodbye!"
"Bye-bye!"
And with that, Ino put the phone down and sat down on the sofa next to Shikamaru, crying happily. Shikamaru smiled and wrapped his arm around her.