#1: Martyr

She wakes up to a lot of white. And Shikamaru screaming love.

"What the hell was that, you troublesome woman?! Don't you know I've planned everything – right up to how many goddamn grandchildren we're gonna have? You don't get to fucking back out now!"

The grip on her shoulders is gentle, his eyes wide with panic, and their sensei, teammate and parents all snickering in the background.

Years later, as she faces her 6 grandchildren, she asks him. His begrudging answer only makes her laugh.

"I thought we were gonna have 7."

#2: Genius

4 months after Ino asks, her youngest child, Inomaru, and his wife, Naoko, tell them the good news.

Shikamaru scoffs beside her before turning to her with a big grin.

She groans.

#3: Start

The 3 of them are all 5 years old when they first meet (and actually remember, their playdates as infants don't really count).

His father tells them to go play outside for a while. So he brings them to the Nara forest to meet Rikumaru – the newest deer in their family.

It's all really fine (and not troublesome at all).

Because Ino is surprisingly good with deer, and he's just a little bit in love.

#4: Accident

The first time that his mind betrays him happens during Chouji's 7th birthday.

There are other clan children around and Ino – ever the bright-eyed girl – was greeting everyone who came to the door while he and Chouji shared his potato chips at the side, merely waving at the guests.

Then Mikoto Uchiha comes in with her husband and 2 sons.

And Ino is smiling a little bit too much at the boy their age, shyly hiding behind his mother's leg.

As Sasuke slowly steps forward, he smiles back at Ino. She practically becomes the sun.

Shikamaru frowns and before he knows it, he has one hand around Ino's wrist and a glare fixated on the Uchiha spare.

"Ino's my troublesome blonde friend, go find your own!"

There's a short silence before Ino shrieks and smacks the back of his head.

#5: Date Night

"Shikamaru…did you get me flowers from my own shop?"

A/N. These were all written a long time ago, probably a few months after Shippuden started airing as an anime. I kept it back for so long because I didn't really think I'd be continuing this drabble series but once the 4th Shinobi War Arc started in the manga, I started it again. Then chapter 700 came out and I felt sad and thought we needed more ShikaIno love. - DarlingDearestDeadForever