Please forgive me for being late with this next one-shot, I had a lot of assignments to finish. Please enjoy.

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto, Masashi Kishimoto does.

First Date

Shikamaru was really nervous; he kept pacing outside of the Yamanaka flower shop. He made sure to dress formally so he dressed in a black dress shirt and slacks. He knew that he would be nervous but he didn't think that he would be this nervous. When he asked out his best friend and teammate he was worried that she would say no, but he was shocked that she actually said yes.

A few days previously…

Shikamaru was standing outside of the Yamanaka flower shop and while on the outside he was stoic, on the inside, he was a bundle of nerves. He wanted to ask Ino out on a date but he can't seem to bring himself to do it. He had the free time since he was not working on the exams or anything major. But to actually go through with it was another thing; he can't because he knows how his best friend is and what her tastes are and she never given any indication that she could date someone like him.

So at the last minute, he was about to turn and walk away until he heard, "Shika, where are you going?"

He turned back to find Ino standing at the doorway of the shop in her yellow apron that she would wear when she was working. And she had worn her regular clothes when she has her days off.

He cleared his throat and answered nervously, "I was going home but there was something I wanted to ask you."

Ino looked at him curiously and replied, "Okay, what is it?"

Shikamaru locked gazes with Ino and then suddenly his voice didn't seem to want to work. But then he managed to mumble, "Would you like to go… on a date with me this Saturday?"

He averted his eyes and he felt his cheeks heat up as he turned red waiting nervously for her answer.

Ino then answered, "I'd love to, Shika…"

Shikamaru then abruptly turned back to her and saw that she was smiling up at him and her eyes seemed brighter.

"Really?" Shikamaru had to ask to make sure it wasn't a dream or a cruel genjutsu.

Ino giggled and then replied, "Yes, I really would."

Then all of a sudden he felt very giddy but mostly relieved that she said yes. So then he replied, "Okay then, is seven a good time to pick you up?"

Ino answered, "That's perfect, I'll see you on Saturday, Shika."

Present…

So now here he is on Saturday, a minute until seven, waiting for Ino to come out of the shop. Shikamaru had stopped pacing and he turned when he heard footsteps. When he turned fully to look at her he was speechless; she wore a dark purple dress that went to her knees and had on strappy sandals of the same color. Her hair was done into a messy bun with strands of her hair framing her face. She had on light purple eye shadow and a pink lip gloss that enhanced her already beautiful face.

He saw that she was smiling and then she greeted him, "Good evening, Shikamaru."

Shikamaru then let his nerves slowly went down and then he replied, "Yeah, good evening Ino."

They stood there in silence for a few seconds before he added, "You look… beautiful tonight."

Ino had a light blush on her cheeks as she replied, "Thank you, you look handsome, Shika."

Shikamaru blushed as he said, "Thanks, Ino."

Then he held out his arm for her to take and he smiled as he asked, "Do you want to get going?"

Ino smiled in return and looped her arm through his and answered, "Yes, let's go."

So they walked away from the flower shop and onto an important step in their lives, having their first date and to see if their relationship will grow into something more.

Hope you liked it. I'm sorry that it's short, I thought that the ending will let you imagine how it went. But I will probably edit it later to add more detail to the story. Thanks for reading.