Epilogue
Shikamaru looked down on the arena. Ino was fighting. It was her second time to be in the exam. He saw Temari sitting on the corner with her genin squad. Inosha and Shikato were watching with him. Gaara sat on the judges platform beside Tsunade.
"Inosha-san." He spoke.
Inosha and Shikato turned their eyes on him.
"What is it Shikamaru?"
"I wanted to say that, I, well I kind of want to…"
"Just say it son."
"I want to call off the engagement."
"what?" both ninjas screamed.
"I'm not sure if sh's right for me, not yet. I want to see other peple first. I want to sit and be lazy for just a little longer. I kind of want to be her friend now, not her fiancé."
"It's okay, shikamaru. I had the feeling you'd do this."
"Arigato gozaimasu, Inosha-san." He said.
Ino won the chuunin exam tournament and was promoted to chuunin together with Chouji.
Shikamaru went home. He saw Neji and Hinata together, Kiba and Hinata, Asuma and Kurenai, Shizune and Genma, Jiraiya walking with Tsuande. A thought crossed his genius mind.
'One day I'll be with someone too, with one troublesome woman beating me up. I can't believe I'm excited.'