How old do you think I am? You'll be surprised, actually… Sorry again for delaying the fic! Busy, busy, busy…

Chapter 6- Inoichi Arrives at the Airport

Weeks have passed and Ino and Shikamaru grew to love each other more and more each passing day. Finally, the day came when Ino's father will be arriving all the way from Hawaii to meet his daughter and her fiancé.

"Hurry up!" Ino squealed excitedly, "Drive faster, Shikamaru! Dad's gonna be here any second now!"

"Alright! Alright!" Shikamaru answered, "Just hold your horses, okay!?"

Shikamaru was getting really pressured at that time, so he picked up the pace and drove as quick as he could. As soon as he was able to park his car, Ino immediately jumped out and ran into the Arrival section. He followed her just as soon as he got his last passengers out of the car.

"Come on, dad. Wake up. We're already here."

Shikaku rubbed his eyes, yawned and said, "Here already? Wow. That was quick."

"Choji. Akimichi-san. Get yer asses moving already. Ino went ahead."

Choji and his dad were all squeezed-up at the back seat, munching on endless bags of potato chips.

Meanwhile, in the airport, Ino walks along the aisle and finds a seat in the arrival section. As she sits quietly, patiently waiting for her father to arrive, she takes out her iPod and listens to 'I'm in love with a stripper.' This song reminded her very much of how she and Shikamaru ended up together. Finally, after a few verses, Shikamaru came together with his dad, Choji and Chouza.

"Is he here yet?" Shikaku asked, "I can't wait to see how he is after so many years."

"Just wait a while." Ino replied, "He'll be here, believe it!"

"Wow, Ino. You're starting to sound like Naruto!" Shikamaru commented, "If you keep doing that, I'm afraid I'm gonna have to break-up with you!"

"Hmph!" Ino frowned and stepped on Shikamaru's foot really hard.

"OW! Hey! I was just kidding!"

As Ino was about to take her seat, a very familiar voice suddenly said, "I see my daughter is just as feisty as ever."

Ino turned her head and saw a very important person standing a few meters away. He had long blonde hair like her, blue eyes just as blue as hers, and was carrying lots of suitcases with him. His face was a little unshaven and he had a few wrinkles just on his forehead.

"I'm glad to see all of you doing well." He said, "Now where's that welcoming party I ordered?"

Ino gasped and stared at him, standing still in the midst of a busy crowd. She was speechless and happy at the same time. Slowly, her eyes began to water.

"Wow, Ino. The rumors I heard were right." He said, "You truly have grown to become a beautiful woman. Shikamaru must be really lucky!"

Ino sniffled and because of hearing that voice once again after ages, her legs suddenly took control of her whole body and she began running to him with her arms wide open to give him a warm hug.

"OTOUSAMAAA!!!" she yelled with her tears flying in the air, "WELCOME BACK, OTOUSAMA!!!"

Inoichi held his daughter tight and too, started crying tears of joy. He was happy to see Ino doing well and was proud to see her as a beautiful adult, after seeing her as a teenager years ago, which was the last time he saw her.

"Oh, Ino." He sighed as tears ran down his cheek, "My dear, I've missed you so much. I prayed for you every night that your life would be happy and fruitful."

"Daddy!" Ino cried loudly, "Don't ever leave me again!"

Shikamaru and the others smiled as they saw this beautiful and touching father-daughter reunion going on right before them.

"Well," Choji commented, "Ino has always been a daddy's girl. Always has and always will be!"

"It's been ages, pal." Shikaku said, patting Inoichi's back, "I'm so glad you came by to visit."

"Visit?" Ino said softly, "This is only a visit? You're going back to Hawaii again after the wedding?"

Inoichi looked at his daughter with the sincerest eyes. As much as he didn't want to leave her again, he had to because of his business (he sells flowers there! The Yamanaka business lives on…)

Ino once again started crying and buried her face into her father's chest. "Otousama…" she cried, "I don't want you to leave!"

"I know, princess, I know." Inoichi replied, rubbing Ino's back comfortingly. "But what's gonna happen to the store if I live here for the rest of my life?"

"You can put the Yamanaka Flower Shop here back in business!"

"Gee, why didn't I think of that?"

"Hey! Let's all head to my son's restaurant for a big welcoming party!" Chouza said, "We're gonna have a feast, aren't we, son?"

"Oh yeah!" Choji answered enthusiastically, "This is for Ino-Shika-Cho, baby!"

"Then let's go!" Inoichi said, with Ino still crying, "I'm starved."

"Ino…" Shikamaru said softly, "Stop crying already. I hate seeing your eyes all watery. It makes you look so innocent and cute that I want to…"

"Shikamaru…"

"Ino…"

"I see they're getting along well!" Inoichi smiled.

"Hey! Hey! Break it up you two…" Choji said, "Don't get so intimate here! There are people all over!

"Now, let's get something to eat!"