Okay folks, so Hinata and Naruto have finally gotten together, but something is still bugging me… oh yeah! What about Shikamaru and Ino? Given, they went to the dance together, but does it mean anything? Well, it does if I have a say in it!

Once again, I do not own the characters in Naruto, that honor belongs to Masashi Kishimoto… ::bows to Kishimoto-sama:: XD

Chp.11- Operation Matchmaker: The Lazy one and the Loudmouth: Phase One

Shikamaru, for the first time in his life, was at a complete loss for words.

And not because he chose not to speak, oh no. He couldn't even if he had wanted to.

He never saw himself really getting attached to anyone, at least not this early on in his life. He though high school relationships were one of the most troublesome things on the planet. A couple would be together on an average of maybe a few weeks in Konoha High before news of the teary-eyed break up got around. Shikamaru had told himself time and time again that he would wait and really think about how he felt about a person before trying to date them or start any sort of relationship with them.

Then when he grew up, he would settle down with that woman, raise two kids, and be content to spend the rest of his life that way. He had a plan, and it was a good plan.

So why the hell wasn't he following up on it?

As much as he hated to admit it (and boy did he ever), he had fallen head over heels for the girl currently in his arms, dancing with him. He tried thinking about reasons why it wouldn't work between them. He did manage to come up with a few.

Ino was a social creature, he wasn't.

Ino was loud, he was usually silent, or quiet if he talked at all.

Ino was nosy, Shikamaru couldn't give a crap about other peoples' business.

Ino loved dancing, partying, romance, everything Shikamaru thought was troublesome.

Ino was often impatient, whereas Shikamaru could spend the entire day just staring at the clouds or contemplating a single move in a game of shogi.

They were just so completely different from each other that he couldn't see any relationship between them being a smooth one.

And yet they were still there, and he was… happy.

Shikamaru was at a loss for words. And despite himself, he was enjoying every minute of it.

XxXxXxXxXxXxXxXx

Ino was, for the first time in her life, absolutely speechless.

And not because she chose not to talk, good heavens no. Ino could talk every single minute of every single day if she put her mind to it. And not about anything specific, she could talk about the most random crap anyone could think up.

Ino never thought she would become so attached to someone in high school. She had always told herself to have fun, date a bunch of guys, and through that she would find out what she liked, or hated, in a man. This would ultimately help her make a decision as to what she wanted in a man when she finally settled down after college.

Despite her often spontaneous nature, she had this plan in her head for a long time, ever since she was a little girl. She was a born party machine. And yet she still had a plan, and it was a very good plan, in her opinion.

So why the hell wasn't she following the plan?

As much as she absolutely loathed to admit it (and she definitely did), she was head over heels for the man currently holding her in his arms, dancing slowly with her. She racked her brain for plenty of reasons why it wouldn't work between them. She came up with plenty.

Shikamaru was too reserved, and she loved being social.

Shikamaru was too quiet, whereas she was loud and always in the center of attention.

Shikamaru had no ear or mouth for gossip, whereas she thrived on it.

Shikamaru seemed to be turned off by dancing, romance, parties, pretty much everything Ino loved.

Shikamaru could spend the entire day doing absolutely NOTHING, save for staring at the clouds or sleeping. Ino couldn't find it in herself to sit still for any extended period of time.

And yet there were still there… and she was happier than she had ever remembered being in her life.

Ino was speechless, but at least for the moment, she didn't mind one single bit.

XxXxXxXxXxXxXxXx

Shikamaru looked up from Ino and managed to catch a glance of Naruto and Hinata across the floor. Ino had somehow convinced him to help her and the others get them together tonight, and judging by the fact that the two were now kissing, Shikamaru judged the mission a success. He tapped Ino on the shoulder lightly and pointed across the room.

She followed his finger and found Naruto and Hinata caught in their first kiss, and it took all of her strength not to squeal like a five year old girl. She turned back to Shikamaru and said, "See? I told you it would work, didn't I? You really need to have more faith in me, Shika-kun…"

"Yeah, whatever. While I still think romance is troublesome, I'll admit that at least we did something productive tonight. Maybe she'll get Naruto to be a little quieter in class now…"

Ino giggled and placed her head back on Shikamaru's chest, still swaying to the music lightly. They both thanked god that neither one could see the slight blush that had entered their faces.

They danced like that for the rest of the night, neither one saying another word, and still feeling completely content.

XxXxXxXxXxXxXxXx

"I love you…"

Naruto and Hinata stared at each other with wide eyes, not able to believe that they had both admitted it at the same time. Naruto was the first to finally recover from shock and he chuckled lightly, saying, "Well… this is a coincidence, isn't it?" Hinata smiled and blushed slightly. "I suppose it is… I'm surprised I actually got the nerve to say it… I've wanted to tell you for a while now… I just didn't know how."

Naruto looked at her, apparently in thought, and then he smiled and said, "You didn't stutter. I think that's the first time you've said so much without stuttering."

Hinata blushed even further and opted not to give her voice a chance to relapse. She instead grasped the collar of Naruto's shirt and kissed him again. Naruto was only too happy to reciprocate the action.

They released each other once again and couldn't help but giggle lightly. Naruto then looked across the way until his eyes fell upon a certain brown haired man dancing with a certain blonde girl. Shikamaru and Ino both appeared to be on cloud nine at this point, their eyes closed and their bodies swaying ever so lightly to the music. He motioned towards them and Hinata smiled upon seeing them.

"I always thought those two looked cute together. It's just too bad they don't seem to be attracted to each other."

"I dunno Hinata-chan. They're looking awfully cozy right now… and is that a blush I see on Shikamaru's face?"

Hinata looked again and saw, much to her surprise, that Naruto was right. In the dim lights around the gym, Shikamaru's face seemed to have taken a slight pink hue. Hinata caught a glimpse of Ino's face, finding the same pink hue there as well.

Naruto and Hinata gave each other a significant look and smiled knowingly. Naruto chuckled and said, "Something tells me we should keep an eye on these two. After all, they were watching us all night, so it's only fair that we return the favor."

Hinata nodded and said, "Looks like Tenten will have more matchmaking on her hands." Naruto chuckled and said, "Except this time… we can head this instead of Tenten. We're in class with Shikamaru and Ino more often than she and Neji are. I think that the time has come for our own little plan…"

Hinata smiled and leaned her head back on Naruto's shoulders, "But that can wait… right now I just want to keep dancing with you…"

Naruto smiled warmly and said, "The feeling is mutual, my lady…."

XxXxXxXxXxXxXxXx

Later that night, after the dance had wound down and ended, Shikamaru and Ino had arrived at Ino's front porch, ready to say their goodbyes. She turned to Shikamaru and said in an uncharacteristically soft tone, "I really did have a good time tonight, Shika-kun."

Shikamaru smiled in spite of himself and said, "Yeah, I did too Ino. Maybe there is more to this whole dancing thing than I thought." Ino giggled lightly and walked right on up as close to Shikamaru as she could manage without passing out. "I'll see you in class on Monday, Shika-kun…" She lightly kissed him on the cheek and disappeared into her house, waving at him lightly as she closed the door.

Shikamaru couldn't move. He placed a hand to his cheek, still tingling slightly from where Ino had kissed him. He slowly turned around and walked back to his car, mumbling nonsensical things to himself as he got in and drove away.

He finally got home at about 1 in the morning, and walked past his parents' room, thankful that they were still asleep. He quickly shed his dance clothes and threw on a shirt and a pair of boxers, falling onto his bed with an odd smile on his face, still touching the cheek that Ino had kissed.

They both fell asleep that night to very vivid dreams… each involving the other.

XxXxXxXxXxXxXxXx

Naruto and Hinata had already gotten to Naruto's apartment by the time Shikamaru and Ino had gone to bed. They both knew that it would probably be best if he took Hinata home, but neither of them seemed to mind ignoring that fact.

After another hour or so of kissing the daylights out of each other, they fell asleep on Naruto's couch, both dreaming happily…

A/N: Okay, so not quite as much plot advancement as I thought, but I promise there will be in the next chapter. I just had to write this because the fluff was gonna rip me apart if I didn't. Stay tuned for the next chappie "Phase Two: Call for Help"

ATTENTION ALL SHIKAINO FANS: As you can probably tell, the remainder of this story will have a little more emphasis on this pairing. If anybody has any ideas on how they want this to go, please review with your ideas included! If any jump out at me, I might just use them! Or I might not... but you won't know if you DON'T REVIEW!!!XD