Shikamaru looked around, huffing. So posh, just like he expected it to be. But this is Neji and he loves things like that and Nara is judging him for that not secretly. He looked at the huge 6 floors cake and only rolled his eyes. Too much. Just too much in all ways for him.
''I wonder who will eat all of this'', Naruto muttered, standing close to him.
''All guests'', Shikamaru answered with a shrug. ''I don't know why we were picked for this, honestly, we are not his best friends.''
Naruto didn't answer, licking his lips. He came closer to the cake and started to look around for someone else in the room and Nara immediately understood what is going on here. He slapped his hand that was reaching for a cake and received a judging gaze. This cake indeed looks very delicious and Shikamaru would love to eat now, but this is Neji's wedding and they need to behave. And he is sure that eating the cake before it is even showed to all of the guests is not a good behavior.
''We need to go to Neji'', Nara reminded and Naruto rolled his eyes, nodding.
They went out of the room with a cake and went to the hall. They have two hours till the guests will start to come and they needed to check up on Neji. Naruto went further, while Shikamaru stopped, spotting Ino with Naruto's girlfriend, standing near the wall. She saw him too and excused herself from her friend, going to him. She was wearing yellow dress, just like the other girl, because this is what fiancée wished. Ino came closer, smiling and he wrapped his arms around her, smiling too.
''Everything is alright?'' he asked quietly and she nodded. ''What's the plan?''
''Go to the room, calm her down, check her wedding dress, start to get ready'', she answered and wrapped her arms around his neck. ''And you? Same?''
''Pretty much'', he answered with a nod and leaned in, pecking her lips. ''When you will have some break? I will always be on the other side, we won't see each other till the whole ceremony?''
''Guess so'', she mumbled and pouted. ''I need to go now. See you soon.''
He nodded, kissing her lips and letting her go to the other girl. ino walked to the special room, where Neji's fiancé was standing, still wearing her normal clothes. Tenten was a nice girl and they all loved her, but she was way too nervous and Ino didn't judge her. She will probably be like that too on her own wedding day. They hugged and Tenten showed them her wedding dress, which was on the bed.
''Okay, calm down, we will help, don't be nervous'', Ino mumbled and as Tenten nodded, she went to pick up the dress. ''It's beautiful. Can't wait till I see it on you. C'mon.''
From the other side of the building, in another room same was happening with Neji, who just was walking around in circles, annoying Naruto and Shikamaru pretty much. Last one was thinking seriously about punching him, so he can calm down a bit. Naruto just started to drink whiskey, which was not a good sign.
''Neji, stop on the place and go wear your suit'', Nara ordered and his teammate nodded, grabbing his suit and going to the change room.
Naruto and Shikamaru waited for him there. Nara looked around the room, suddenly thought of him getting married getting into his mind. He shifted on the place, getting annoyed that he can get this idea out of his mind. He was not scared of the marriage or responsibilities. But maybe he was scared of the marriage because that suppose to mean the end of his freedom, independence and he didn't like it at all. Not like he was very independent now, but you get the thought. He raised his head to look at Neji, who was in suit.
''Looking pretty, Barbie-doll'', he commented and Hyuuga only rolled his eyes on this, being so obviously nervous. ''Chill, Neji. It's all good.''
''Nara is right, looking good in this'', Naruto said.
Neji only shrugged. He was nervous and didn't like to have all the attention on himself, so he decided to change the topic, so he can loosen up a bit. His eyes stopped on Shikamaru, who was saying something to Naruto and then they both laughed.
''And you, Nara'', he called, getting attention of the defender. ''What are your plans? One year already with Ino and still didn't propose? You're not getting younger, man. Look at me, we dated six months and that was enough for me to understand that I want to spend my lie with Tenten. What is stopping you?''
Shikamaru instantly didn't like the theme. He already thought about this. Yes, he's not getting younger, but he's not that old and Ino is two years younger than him, which is also very good. But again, what about his freedom? And at the same time, he looks at the married couple and they look happy. Even Naruto, his Naruto is searching for a ring and is planning the way he will propose.
''She will not wait forever for you'', Neji let out quietly, looking at his bowtie. ''She can find someone, who will be more brave and propose to her.''
''Hyuuga, concentrate on your wedding, I will somehow solve mine'', Nara muttered through gripped teeth.
Naruto tapped his back and stand up, helping Neji with a bowtie. Nara stand up, pushed Naruto away and took bowtie in his hands.
''Mind'', he whispered, making bowtie too tight, '' .business.''
At the last word Neji couldn't breathe, so he stepped back, trying to control his anger. He thought about this too, that Ino may get tired of waiting and just went to another guy. All girls in her age get proposed to and then get married, this is a perfect age to start family and he knows that. But they already live together for a year, they are happy, does it really need to be that formal? He went out from the room, going to the hall and leaning on the wall. Those thoughts were running in his mind and it was making him angry just to imagine Ino with someone else and it physically hurt to imagine her leaving him.
''Aha, someone's sneaking from his responsibilities!''
Shikamaru jumped, getting scared and looked at smiling Ino, who quickly fixed her yellow dress. She was smiling, but smile fade as she looked on his face. Her eyebrows furrowed and she stepped closer, knowing that something is not right.
''What happened?'' she quickly asked, coming closer.
''Nothing'', Shikamaru replied and tried to smile, but he knew that she will not believe in this.
''Nara'', she warned and he sighed, giving up and pulling her on him.
He leaned on the wall and wrapped his arms around her, holding her close. He looked in her eyes, trying to find the words to say, but end up being silent. Feeling his struggle, Ino just kissed his lips, smiling. This always relaxed him and helped him a bit in times like that.
''Everyone is getting married'', he said, looking at her.
''So?'' she asked, raising her eyebrow.
''Do you want this too?'' he asked, looking in her eyes.
Ino blinked, not getting the question. She looked at Shikamaru, trying to understand from where this is coming from. Of course she wants to get married one day, this is just a need, not like a wish or something. He was all tensed up and she didn't like it at all.
''Why are you asking this?'' she asked and he sighed. ''Shika, of course I want to get married one day, this is what every girl wants, this is a normal thing.''
''Can you wait?'' he asked with desperation in his voice. ''Just a bit?''
And that's when Ino understood what is going on here. Looking at everyone around them getting married, he thought that she wants this too and is waiting for his proposal. Of course she was waiting for his proposal, but not in the near future and seeing him nervous like that actually made her giggle.
''Shikamaru'', she whispered softly, taking his face in her hands. ''Don't feel pressured just because everyone is getting married, okay? I don't even think about it, honestly. Relax.''
He wanted to reply, but then they heard sounds of the cars stopping, which only meant that guests are finally starting to come. She pecked his lips and went away and he did the same, not being able to stop thinking about what she had just told him. The ceremony started shortly after and even though Shikamaru did not expect this, it was actually a whole lot fun. Watching Neji kissing Tenten, Shikamaru quickly moved to Ino, gripped her hand and surprising the girl.
''One day we will be on their place'', he whispered in her ear and she turned to him in shock. ''I promise.''
Ino smiled at this, nodding and leaning on him. Shikamaru smiled too, kissing her forehead and finally relaxing. There will come time, when he will need to go and buy her a ran, when he will need to see her in this wedding dress, when he will need to pick some fancy place where they can get married. This time just didn't come yet, but Shikamaru was sure that it will come. And when it will, he won't run away.
A/N: well, this is it guys. Hope you enjoyed the story, thank you for reading and favoriting and letting me know your opinions. Happy New Year, darlings! From the bottom of my heart I wish you only happiness in 2014, I hope you will cry only from the laughter, I hope your lives will be filled with love and joy. Go outside, work your ass to reach your aims, fulfill your dreams. Have the best time. I love you all. – Nizza. xx