Author note: Whee! I'm updating all my oneshot series for the holidays. So… did you guys miss me? I certainly missed all of you! Now…for a fluffy, gooey mouthful of Shikamaru and Ino!

Oh yea... it's written in Ino's POV

Disclaimer: I'm running out of creative disclaimers…

Um… I can't remember if I replied to your reviews or not, since it's been so long. So, if you replied to my second oneshot, I'll list you here. If you are a member, your penname will be in bold. If you are an anonymous writer, I'll underline it.

Se-chan: Well, I'm not much of a fan of Chouji/Ino, and I can't really stomach Shika/Temari either… but I'm glad you still like my Shika/Ino stories. Thanks for your review!

Falcona: Yea, beautiful is a good description. Thanks for your review!

Kougayurizoku: Eheh… sorry I didn't update 'soon', as you requested… I've been really busy. But thanks for all your compliments; give my regards to your cousin too. Recommending me to other authors, wow, what a compliment! Thanks for your review!

Misaomaniac: Thanks both for your review, and for recommending me to your cousin! What an honor; I'm tickled pink! (Haha, what a funny expression)

Darkflame414: Aw, you're sweet as pie! (Pie? No, sweet as Thanksgiving pumpkin pie!) Thanks for your review, and the fave!

Undertaker of the Sith: (Grins) I'm flattered. Thanks for your review!

Amazoness: Your reviews always make me laugh. (Smiles and hands you a cookie)

I Remember

I remember when we were younger

I could feel my lips curving into a smile as I finished putting the food into the picnic basket. A cheery, red and white checkered blanket was folded and put beneath it, to rest on the ground

Going to the beach

This place, where the waves meet the sand, has been a witness to so many shared memories. You and me, two little kids, teasing each other until we could cry, just splashing around and being… well, being kids.

I hung a strand of white Christmas lights on the rocks that surrounded the little cove that we used to play in.

Picking up seashells

Spreading out the blanket, I bent down on my hands and knees, pawing through the sand to find seashells, giggling at how silly I must look—a grown woman (okay, teenager, not an old lady yet) scrambling around to find seashells.

Yea, it was a lot different when we were younger. Do you remember those little contests we used to have, to see who could find the prettiest seashell the quickest? Smiling, I remember how those contests would always end in arguments. My shrill voice screeching that it didn't matter if you thought your shell was prettier, because I had found mine first.

And splashing in the water

Oh, those water fights. The sparkling, clear waves that always made my hair stringy and salty. You always said I looked funny with my hair wet…

I remember forgetting the sunscreen

And that one time, the first time we were allowed on the beach without our parents, that you forgot to put on suntan lotion?

I remember the pain it gave

You turned red as a lobster, and I remember your face scrunching up, trying still to be cool, for you wanted to impress me. Even all those years ago, you were trying to impress me…

I remember crying the tears

And I remember tears sliding down my cheeks, although I wasn't the one with the horrible sunburn. I just felt bad that you were hurt, but that wasn't anything I was about to admit.

Pursing my lips, I surveyed the little area one more time. Good… I thought, nodding my satisfaction. Glancing at my wristwatch, my mouth dropped open in surprise. Only five minutes until you'd be here! Stifling a girlish giggle, I ducked down behind a rock.

Even though it was so fun

"Boo!" I exclaimed, jumping out at you. A disbelieving, and slightly annoyed, expression crossed your face.

"You are so immature…" you stated dryly, rolling your eyes. I pouted.

"I only wanted you to be surprised!" I protested, waving my hands around. Your dark eyes took in everything—the blanket, the picnic basket, the Christmas lights strung over the gray, ocean-washed rocks, the tiny evergreen tree made of seashells.

I remember laughing at the pictures we took

And the present. "For me?" you asked, your eyebrow raising in that way I loved so much. Nodding, I watched enthusiastically as you tore the wrapping paper.

A small, white photo album, with Our Memories written across the front lay in your hands. You stared at it for the longest time, until I asked impatiently, "Well? Do you like it?"

"Yes…" you answered slowly, kneeling down. I sat next to you, and we quietly flipped through each page, once in a while murmuring details about a picture.

But my favorite memory has yet to come

"I like the pictures you chose," you said quietly, giving me a gorgeous smile; my heart instantly melted.

"N-no problem," I whispered.

"But there is just one problem. You didn't put my favorite memory in there," you replied.

"What memory is that?" I asked, a little confused. Suddenly, you lunged towards me, placing your hands on either side of my face. Heat surged through my chest as you gently pressed your lips onto mine. All logical thoughts fled from my mind as I leaned into you, drinking in your warmth.

Pulling away, I gasped for air as you smiled at me.

"That memory."

The End

Well, that was my little Christmas drabble… hope you enjoyed it