The Aftermath

Part 9

"""""""""""""""""""""""""""THE NARA APARTMENNT""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""

"Kyaaaaa" screamed a swarm of delighted girls. These being Ino Yamanaka, Ayame Ichiraku and Temari Nara.

"I can't believe that lazy ass proposed to you" yelled Ino still euphoric.

"Me too. But I don't care. I'm Temari Nara now." Grinned a teary Temari.

"Look at how shiny the ring is. It must have cost a fortune." Exclaimed Ayame.

The girls all turned their focus on the ring and started evaluating it. Meanwhile the boys were having a discussion of their own.

"Man, who would have thought that you, out of all of us, would be the first to get married, huh. Chouji, we need to get our asses in gear. Can't have the worlds laziest man beat us." Smiled Naruto.

Chouji chuckled, " It seems even the laziest guys have their own moments of brilliance."

"Yeah, yeah. Don't be troublesome." Smirked Shikamaru, happiness etched all over his face.

They turned their attention towards the screaming girls.

"Man, look at them go. As soon as they hear the word wedding or marriage, they turn into That" pointed Naruto at the girls who were drooling at the sight of the gorgeous ring.

"Women" sighed Shikamaru.

"We all have our perks. We aren't any different. They have weddings and we have our vices. By the way, Shikamaru, where did you get that ring? I think I've seen it somewhere before." Asked Chouji.

Shika smiled, "My mother and father gave it to me. It belonged to my grandmother. They wanted Temari to have it."

"That's Yoshino and Shikaku for you. It was probably all Yoshino. She probably beat Shikaku so that he got off his lazy ass." Smirked Chouji.

"I still can't believe it. How do you make a decision like that?" inquired Naruto.

Shika smiled, " You'll know when the time comes. When I look at Temari I see my future, my family. I know that I want to spend the rest of my life with her, no matter how short it may be."

"I see." Said Naruto who looked towards his girlfriend.

He saw Ino smiling, sheding tears of joy for her best friend. He saw the woman he is starting to really care about. The woman who surprises him every single day.

'Are you the one Ino' pondered yet again Naruto.

Shikamaru saw him in deep thought, "You will know eventually. Let time do its magic."

Naruto nodded at his friend's wisdom.

In the meantime the rush of the wedding gist wore off, at least partially, and the girls scurried over to each of their partners.

Temari went and hugged her soon to be husband gave him the biggest kiss she could muster. Shikamaru happily returned the affection and whispered, "I love you Temari Nara" in her ear.

"I love you too Shikamaru Nara." Responded Temari lovingly.

Chouji received a loving kiss from Ayame. Chouji was pudding from that kiss; he always is, after each kiss from his beloved.

Ino strolled happily towards Naruto," Can you believe it? They are getting married."

Naruto smiled lovingly back at his girlfriend, "I know. It's unbelievable. But look at them. They look so happy together."