Day 10

Ino wasn't all too fond of her birthday, either.

It wasn't that growing a year older was a big downer, like she was some old woman just counting the days away until death. No, she actually loved the fact that she was growing ever closer to year 18, when she could finally go to college and live on her own… No, the problem was that she never had anyone to spend it with. She'd never had a birthday party, because there had never been time to plan one. Her sweet sixteen the year prior hadn't been sweet at all. No car, no party, no anything.

"What's it like a have a normal birthday?"

"Hn?" Shikamaru looked up at her from his seat. He had been taking his daily lunchtime nap, but had only closed his eyes when he thought he heard Ino speak. He blinked wearily.

"You heard me."

"I don't know, I spend my birthday like it's just another day. Yeah, whoopee, I'm a year older… it only means more troublesome tasks for my mother to heap onto me. Why?"

"My birthday is tomorrow…" She sighed and took a bite from her sandwich, "I always wanted one of those big parties that everyone came too, but thanks to moving…"

"You can't even plan one?"

"Exactly."

Shikamaru sat up in his chair and glanced at Choji. The named smirked as he shoved a few more chips in his mouth, snickering only lightly. Shikamaru scowled at him.

"What's so funny?" Ino questioned.

"It's nothing," Shikamaru reached for his soda and took a sip, "Maybe Choji and I," he sent a menacing look in his comrade's direction, who immediately stopped snickering, "Can take you out to dinner or something tomorrow after school."

Ino brightened instantly, "You'd do that for me?"

"It'll be troublesome, but I suppose we can do it for a friend."

"Hey, don't look at me." Choji waved his hands, his grin slowly creeping back onto his face, "I have a wrestling match tomorrow. Love to, but can't."

Shikamaru frowned at him, but Ino shook her head, "No, no, Choji, it's fine, really. Its last minute and it won't hurt my feelings in the least, considering I've never done anything special for my birthday before anyway except let my dad buy me extravagant gifts and such…"

Choji frowned, "Then why do I feel guilty?"

"…because you love me?"

Choji looked at Shikamaru and smiled slyly, and Shikamaru bopped him on the head. He scowled back and stood from the table, "I'm getting a cookie."

"Ino watch out!"

Ino yelped and jumped out of the way when she suddenly noticed the volleyball flying at her head. She turned the other way and sweat dropped, "Sorry guys…"

"Good lord, Ino," Sakura sighed, picking up the ball, "You're really out there today."

Ino let her eyes wander over to wear Shikamaru stood, yawning. He had skipped his daily lunch nap, after all… that probably had an effect on him to some extent. She laughed weakly and rubbed the back of her neck, "Well, I suppose I am daydreaming a bit."

"Ha," Sakura smirked, "Looks like Shikamaru's rubbing off on you."

Ino blushed and sent her a glare while doing her best to pay attention to the game. Her eyes scanned the room until they rest upon Temari, and her heart beat sped up a little. She furrowed her brow in anger, observing that the girl in question was gazing over at Shikamaru. She inwardly growled, then jumped, startled, when she heard the loud thud of the volleyball crashing into the ground just beside her.

"Ino! Pay attention!"

"Young Ino, might I offer some advice?" Rock Lee called to her from the sidelines, flashing a grin coupled with a thumb's up. Ino felt almost blinded by the whiteness of his teeth.

"Um, no… Lee. I'm fine."

"I'd be happy too!" Lee completely ignored her previous statement and stepped into the game, positioning himself so close to Ino that she felt embarrassed by the contact. He rested a hand on her shoulders, causing her to flinch slightly, and pointed ahead to where Temari was preparing to serve, "You must never take your eyes off that ball, even for an instant, or everything could end for you." Ino nodded hesitantly, but Lee didn't move, "Protect your side of the net like a soldier would protect his country."

"I get it, Lee."

Lee beamed and patted his soldier, then shot Sakura a victory smile, as always, before he retreated back to the sidelines with Coach Gai. She signed and looked back over to Sakura.

"How have you put up with this every day?"

She laughed in return, "Hey, Lee isn't that bad. I mean, he has his moments."

Beside her, Naruto was fuming, and then roared, "Hey! Bushy brows! Stay away from my woman!"

"SHUT UP NARUTO!" Sakura growled menacingly before dealing Naruto a terrible blow to the head. Naruto whimpered a word of apology and rubbed his head, scooting away slightly. Sakura crossed her arms and harrumphed, then looked back to Ino, "Why are you so out there today, anyway?"

"Eh, I suppose it's because my birthday is tomorrow." She sighed.

"Really? That's interesting."

"What do you mean?"

"Oh, nothing," Sakura smiled, "Just pay attention, all right?"

Day 11

Just another boring birthday, Ino thought as she walked the halls of Konoha High at Shikamaru's side. But this year she couldn't help but feel a little giddy as the school day neared its end. Not only was it Friday, but only a mere couple of hours after she left school would Shikamaru be picking her up for dinner. An actual birthday celebration, sans parents! She could only smile at the thought.

Web mastering flew by fourth period, where the whole time Ino stared at the clock built into her computer, counting the minutes away. Their teacher Asuma would just about let them get away with anything online, as long as their assignments were finished. She had been surfing the web, checking out only a few sites she had learned of while being in this class. A few seats away, Shikamaru was dozing in his chair, his head rested back on a pillow and his feet propped up in the computer table. Shikamaru kept a pillow stashed in his locker, he had told her, just for this class (it was the only thing he used his locker for, apparently, since this was the only class it was situated near enough to be handy). Sometimes he'd stay awake for the duration of the period to play Shougi or Go with Asuma, but most days, she had learned, he would just sleep.

Brrrring! Brrrring! Brrrring!

The loud noise of the end-of-day bell caused Shikamaru to stir peacefully from his nap. He blinked, reached behind his head for his pillow and yawned, then grabbed his bag and slowly rose from his chair. Ino grabbed her bag as well, kicked her chair under the table and ran over to the lazy boy.

"Hey Shikamaru!"

"Hey," he smiled tiredly, rubbing the sleep from his eyes as the walked to his locker, "Have a good birthday?"

"Nothing special," she shrugged, "just like all the others."

He nodded, opening his locker and shoving the pillow inside it. He slammed it closed and shifted the bag on his shoulder and looked down at her, "Well, hopefully you won't still think that tonight," he paused, "And I also hope you don't eat too much, because I don't have that much money for dinner."

"Oh, you don't need to worry about that."

"I didn't think I would," he eyed her slim waist, "Anyway, I'll pick you up at six."

"Can't wait," she smiled as she watched him walk away.

She really couldn't.

She couldn't help but be excited about the impending night awaiting her. Not only am I spending my birthday with a friend for a change… she grinned, it's also just like a date too!

Ten minutes before Shikamaru's expected arrival, Ino gave herself one last check in the mirror. Her hair was all in place and her appearance suited herself perfectly. She smoothed out the small creases in her purple top and tugged at her denim skirt. She smiled, "Looking great!"

She grabbed her purse and went into the living room and sat down on the couch. She glanced at the clock, almost six. He'd be here any minute now.

"Have fun tonight," her mother said to her from behind the half-wall that separated the living room from the kitchen. "It'll be strange not having you around here on your own birthday, though."

"But it's nice to get to spend the time with someone else. You know, a friend."

Her mother laughed slightly from the kitchen sink, "Well I suppose the same old dinner with your parents would get boring after a while."

"Trust me, I appreciate it, but the change is nice."

"And here I am always thinking that you hated changes," her mom shook her head, "Konoha has been good to you after all."

The doorbell rang; Ino jumped from her seat and ran to the door, "Hey Shika!"

Shikamaru didn't acknowledge the nickname this time and motioned for her to come outside, "Come on, we have reservations."

Ino grinned and waved to her mother, "Bye mom, leaving!" She pulled on some boots and left the apartment with Shikamaru.

Mrs. Yamanaka sighed as the door shut behind the two, and returned to her cooking, "Have fun, dear."

"Nice car," she said, hopping into the passenger seat of Shikamaru's black Mitsubishi, "I'd never think that you'd drive."

"It makes it easier to get places," Shikamaru grunted as he started the car.

"How old are you, sixteen or seventeen?"

Shikamaru hesitated before answering her question, "Seventeen," he said. He pulled out of the apartment driveway and made his way out of the complex.

"Today's my seventeenth, obviously," She smiled, "When's your birthday?"

He hesitated again and made a turn onto the main street, "September twenty-third."

"Really?" She said, looking out the window. She suddenly froze and shot him an amazed look, "Twenty-third!? That was yesterday!"

"Yeah, so?"

"Why didn't you tell me your birthday was yesterday?"

"It wasn't a very big deal," Shikamaru shrugged, "Just another year, like I said."

"And I was complaining about mine all day, too. I feel so inconsiderate…"

"Don't," He glanced at her briefly before looking back at the road again, "I already told you, I don't care about my birthday."

Ino frowned and stayed silent for a moment, then spoke in a somewhat hushed tone, "Explains why everyone was so amazed at my birthday being today."

"Amazed?"

"Well that's how things seemed," She rolled her eyes, "Choji was snickering, Sakura was surprised, et cetera. Sort of sent that vibe."

"Frankly, I was amazed too." Shikamaru pulled into a parking lot and began searching for a parking space, "Out of all the stories my mother has told me, I've never heard one about you being born the day after me."

"Remembering birth date's is no one's strong point, no matter how coincidental they are," She laughed, "I've moved back to places I've already made friends with at many times around the date of my birthday, and not once had anyone ever remembered."

"It's harder to remember the birth date of someone who moves so often, but that's not your fault." Shikamaru parked finally and turned off the car. He pulled out the keys and stepped out of the car, then reached the other side of it just as Ino had opened her door. He held out a hand to help her out, "We've arrived, madam."

Ino laughed and took his hand to stand up, "Thank you for the ride, chauffer."

Shikamaru laughed too and led her inside, "I'll never forget your birthday, Ino."

"Thanks."

Dinner had been wonderful. They had gone for Italian at Mimi's Café, and then Shikamaru took her to Shake's for ice cream (or rather, frozen custard, since that's what Shake's sells, not ice cream, but it was still delicious). It had gotten late by the time they were done, but being a Friday night, neither cared. Ino didn't even want the night to end.

"You know," Ino said when they sat at a small table outside at Shake's, "I always thought frozen custard sounded disgusting, but it's actually really good."

"That's what everyone thinks," Shikamaru said, "And then they just love this stuff to hell. The only downside to coming here is that the only indoor part of it is the kitchen, so you either drive-through or sit outside."

"I like the porch, though."

"They all say that, too."

Ino giggled and took another bite of her dessert, "Well I can't thank you enough for tonight, Shikamaru."

"No problem, it wasn't nearly as troublesome as I thought it to be."

Ino kicked him under the table and he silently cursed and rubbed his knee, sending her a small glare. She laughed again, "But seriously."

"I get it," He finished his food and threw the cup into the trash can across the porch, making it in perfectly, "But we've got one more place to stop before I can drop you off at home."

"Really?" She said, also finished. He took her cup and threw it away too.

"Yup, get in the car."

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY INO!"

Ino's jaw dropped when she entered Shikamaru's house. Everyone she met in the past week and a half was there with the music on loud and paper decorations hanging everywhere. She turned to the lazy genius beside her, "What is this?"

"Sakura came up to me yesterday and said she wanted to throw you a party, so I let her prepare it here while we were out."

Ino was too surprised to reply. Shikamaru grunted as he scanned the room, "Oh lord, this is going to be such a drag to clean up."

"Oh my god, Shikamaru…" Ino began to cry, "Thank you so much, for everything." She turned and hugged him tightly.

"All right, that's enough mushy crap," he laughed, "Go hang around and party with everyone, god knows when you'll get something like this again."

She thanked him again and went to go find Sakura to thank her as well. Ino Yamanaka definitely didn't hate her birthday anymore, and all thanks to one lazy genius.

Twenty-third, twenty-fourth? I think I got the dates right, but hell, if I didn't, oh well. The important fact is that I FINISHED THE CHAPTER. So… get over it. XD

I'm thinking homecoming next! I think we all know what that means ;)

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