Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto. If I did, Sakura wouldn't have such an annoying voice in English.

A/N: Last chapter! It's an epilogue-ish chapter.

Published December 1, 2006

Chapter 20 - The Aftermath

"Shikamaru seems much happier now, doesn't he?" Yoshino asked as she looked out of the window.

"Not really." Shikaku answered honestly.

Yoshino glared at Shikaku. "Yes, he does look happier." Yoshino stated. Then she looked back out her window. "He's growing up so fast! He's working closely to the Hokage, he's a 'special' Chuunin, he has his own apartment now, and he has two girlfriends!" Yoshino said as she wiped as happy tear from her cheek.

"Oh, Yoshino, Shikamaru's sixteen. He'll be okay. He doesn't need your help anymore. He can take care of himself. He's a genius, remember?" Shikaku said.

"A lazy genius." Yoshino corrected.

"I still don't think you should have interfered with Shikamaru's personal life. It's his life." Shikaku opinionated.

"Well, my interference worked, didn't it?" Yoshino smirked. "I knew what I was doing. I knew everything that happened would happen. Those two girls are as predictable as you, Shikaku."

Shikaku crossed his arms and pouted. "I'm not that predictable." He said like a little boy.

"Predictable enough…" Yoshino grinned.

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"See, we never had to fight. We got along just fine!" Ino said.

"Yup, just fine!" Temari agreed.

"Are you sure you two are okay with this?" Shikamaru raised an eyebrow. It was kind of awkward going on a date with two girls. He's never been on a date with one girl, so how was he supposed to date two?

"Don't worry, Shika-kun, we're mature. We can handle anything." Ino winked.

"Yeah, crybaby. No problems at all." Temari smirked.

"How troublesome."

"So, when do you get your apartment?" Temari asked straightforward.

"Yeah, when do you get your apartment, Shika-kun?" Ino asked as well.

"I don't know." Shikamaru said plainly. "I don't really care. I'd rather live at home."

"Shikamaru! How can you say that! Do you know how long I've wanted to live outside of my house?" Ino slapped Shikamaru in his left arm.

"Oww…" Shikamaru said lowly. "Troublesome woman."

"Yeah, Shikamaru!" Temari also slapped Shikamaru, except on his right arm this time.

"Oww…" Shikamaru said again. "Troublesome women."

"Don't make us hit you again, Shikamaru!" Temari threatened.

"Yeah, yeah." Shikamaru said.

"Only one yeah!" Ino and Temari shouted at the same time.

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Oh yes, Shikamaru was a lucky duck alright. He had two beautiful kunoichis at his side always ready to whip him when it's needed. Shikamaru may not have liked it very much, but Naruto and Kiba loved it. They especially loved to laugh in Shikamaru's face whenever he got whipped by Ino and Temari at public affairs or just on an everyday basis.

Either way, on the inside, Shikamaru was happy with his life. There were still some ongoing rumors about him and being a player with girls, but he got over them. It wasn't true and that's all that mattered to Ino and Temari, so they never got made.

In the end, Shikamaru truly was a lucky duck!

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A/N: That's the end…seriously! I know. It's only two pages for an ending. This wasn't even a good ending! It was more of an epilogue. If I'm ever super bored or anything, I might make a sequel, though I doubt it.