This is the last prompt for ShikaIno week. Thank you all for reading this as they came out. So please enjoy this last contribution for my most favorite pairing in Naruto.

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

Post-War Happy Ending

It was a few weeks after the war; they were at the new memorial stone where their fathers' names were carved into it. They stood there in a solemn silence, both knowing that there was no need for words. Ino was holding a bouquet of lilies and then knelt down to lay them down in front of the stone. Shikamaru stood beside her as she stood up and then slipped her hand into his as they looked at the larger memorial stone. Then they silently walked hand-in-hand through the village where there was still rebuilding to be done. Along the way, they had greeted their friends who by now were finally made aware of their relationship though they had previously believed Shikamaru was interested in Temari.

They were almost at Ino's home when he suddenly asked, "Are you free later this evening?"

Ino looked up at him curiously and then answered, "Yes, I don't have anything to do. Why?"

Shikamaru scratched the back of his head and then replied, "Well, we haven't had a date since the war and I thought it would be a good thing to try to get our minds off of it."

Ino smiled at him and then said, "I'd love to. What should I wear?"

"You can wear something semi-formal…" He answered.

"Okay, then I'll meet you at seven later…" Ino replied and then stood on tiptoe to peck his lips and then ran the rest of the way home.

Shikamaru smiled and then went to prepare for their date.

At seven…

Shikamaru had worn a black formal shirt with dress slacks. He was waiting for Ino to come out of her house until she came out wearing a new dark blue, knee length, dress with black sandals; she has always been able to make him speechless, he's still wonders how this beautiful woman was his.

Shikamaru smiled and then held out his arm, like their first date and then Ino giggled as she latched her arm to his.

They went out to eat at a newer restaurant and had conversed with each other on what projects they were helping within the village in it's reconstruction. Soon, they were finished and just went out for a walk until they were in the center of the village.

Suddenly, he carried Ino bridal style and then ran up on top of the buildings and then jumped from roof to roof. Ino was startled by this sudden show of energy that she hastily held on for dear life.

It wasn't until Shikamaru reached his favorite and evidently her favorite place for cloud-watching and stargazing; the very top of the Hokage monument that overlooks the whole village. He set her down gently and before she could ask why he brought her up there for he held her hands in his and looked down at her.

He proclaimed, "Ino, I love you. You are the best thing that has ever happened to me and I want to be with you always. I know this might seem sudden but I've been thinking about it for a long time now. And I came to the conclusion that I want to spend every day with you and only you."

Then he slowly knelt down on one knee; Ino gasped softly as he looked up at her to ask an important question.

"Ino Yamanaka, will you marry me?" Shikamaru asked.

Ino placed a hand over her mouth and tears had leaked from her eyes and then she whispered, "Yes…"

At first, Shikamaru thought he didn't hear it right but then he felt Ino tug him up and then she abruptly grabbed his face and then pulled him down to kiss him passionately. Shikamaru smiled into the kiss and held her closer to him. Soon, they broke apart, panting from lack of breath and Ino wiped her happy tears away.

She answered again, "Yes, I will marry you, Shika."

Then she embraced him tightly and he returned it happily.

He thought, "I know that I want to spend the rest of my life with her. It's because I had always known that; I'm in love with my childhood friend."

They stood on top of the monument, happily embracing each other as they both look forward to their future together.

Hope you liked it and please feel free to leave a review.