I'm working extra-hard to write the next chapters! I've been slacking off all vacation, I haven't been updating as much as I used to! Sorry again!

Chapter 21- Shikamaru's Angel

"I'm finally finished with your wedding gown!" Sakura exclaimed, "I've worked on it for a week, adding lots of detail onto it!" Ino smiled as she held up the beautiful dress. To her, it came out prettier than the design she did on paper. "This is the most beautiful gown I've ever made so far…" Sakura said, "You're lucky! I made it just for you!"

"Sakura, it truly is a wonderful dress!" Ino said, "I don't think I deserve it! It's fit for an angel or a princess!"

"But you are an angel! Shikamaru's angel, that is…" said a voice.

Looking up, they saw Sai sitting by the window, watching them as they talked about the dress. "And I'm pretty sure you're your daddy's little princess as well! Am I right, Ino?" he continued, "I'd bet that dress would look really gorgeous on you, so go try it on without any hesitations!"

"Sai!"

INOICHI: SAAAAAAAAAI!?

Inoichi was enraged when he saw the young man sitting by the window. "Sorry, but Ino's already engaged to Shikamaru. You better stop trying…"

"It's okay, dude! Chillax a little. I'm here to support their wedding, not ruin it." Sai told him, "It's not like I'm trying to steal Ino from Shikamaru, okay? I just want to see her in the dress Sakura made. If she refuses it, I'm pretty sure it would hurt Sakura's feelings a lot."

"Yeah, dad. Sai's a really good friend, so treat him well!" Ino said, "He really does support me and Shikamaru, so don't think of him as a hindrance to our relationship!"

"Okay, okay…" Inoichi said as he finally started to calm down. "I'm sorry I treated you that way."

"It's okay!" Sai replied, "I know fathers can get a little overprotective at times, so I'm cool with it!"

"Ino! Try the dress on already! I can't wait to see you wearing it!" Sakura said.

Ino took the dress and slowly began taking off her clothes.

INOICHI: Quit staring, you pervert.

SAI: I wasn't staring… I was only looking at that pretty vase over there at the coffee table.

INOICHI: Yeah right.

When the dress was finally on, everyone was stunned when they saw the most beautiful angel standing right in the middle of the living room. "Wow!" Sakura said, "Ino, you're gorgeous! What do you think, Sai? Give me a guy's reaction!"

"She's really beautiful alright!" Sai said, drooling, "When I see her, it's like I'm in paradise… She definitely is the prettiest angel I've ever seen! I told you the dress would look good on you!"

When Ino looked at herself in the mirror, she too, was spellbound. "I-I don't believe it… Is it really me I'm seeing in there?" she asked. "I don't look like myself! I feel like I've suddenly been turned into…"

"…an angel?" Inoichi continued, "Yes, my dear! But not just an ordinary angel! You're the princess of all angels!" Soon, he started crying. "It reminds me of your mother when I first saw her in a wedding gown… She looked very much like you… So beautiful… So radiant…"

"This'll make an awesome picture in Paradise™ mag!" Sakura said, "I have a camera with me right now, if only we had some wings!"

Sai quickly got his magic paintbrush and painted a fluffy pair of angel wings onto his sketchpad. Then, with the right words, these wings became real.

"Here." Sai said, "This indeed would make a cute picture!"

When Ino finally had the wings on, Sakura created feathers floating all around the room using genjutsu. Then, she asked Ino to pose and then, took the shot. Sakura didn't want to waste anything, so she took pictures of Ino in that outfit, with all the possible poses they could think of.

"Shikamaru will surely fall in love with you even more when he sees you in this!" Sakura said, "Ohhh, this is so lovely, I could cry!"

"You've got two more days 'til the big wedding, right?" Sai asked, "I can't wait…"

"Yeah…" Ino replied, "I can't wait for it either."

"Shikamaru…

"In two days, we can finally be together forever…

"I can't wait for you to become my husband…

"This is all like a fairytale…

"I used to dream of that day my prince would come and rescue me…

"You rescued me from that hellhole and brought me into your palace where I could be taken care of…

"I've made a lot of mistakes…

"But my decision to marry you and become your bride

"Is no mistake at all. I am ready and I want to be your wife…

"Mrs. Ino Yamanaka-Nara is who I want to be…

"We will make our dreams come true together.

"Shikamaru! I can't wait!

"I can't wait to finally say 'I Do…

"Love me, and I'll love you too.

"I'll give you everything you need. I'll do anything to make you happy.

"Let me be your angel, Shikamaru. Let me shine for you."


I'm pretty good when it comes to fluff! Okay, this is the author speaking now! The chapter's over. Yes, I know. I create very short chapters, that's my style. Of course, if I feel like making something long, I do it, WITHOUT ANY HESITATIONS!!! Buuuurrrning!!! Come on, baby!!!