Aww you're too sweet. Though I have come across a lot of HP fans recently who are all about the canon romances. It boggles my mind...urgh.

The SasuHina was done before the events of Shippuden. Hell, I was going to back and refresh myself with Naruto's events up to when Sasuke left since that's still all a huge blur. Was there an incident in Shippuden that allowed Sasuke and Hinata to cross paths? And a lot of folks in my workshop class were talking about how lame Naruto ended and how the ending sucked ass. I tried to tune it out as best I could. NaruIno would be nice, plus they could all go on fun double dates I don't see Sasuke going on double dates, even with Naruto and Ino. Though the images are enough to make me audibly chuckle. XD I'd be happy to try either pair down the line though, you know I can't stray from a challenge...aka all the pairs!

And glad you liked my plan, I played off some some of your suggestions too. :3 Sakura and Shikamaru will surely be put on spot quickly. Ino is gonna ask them all sorts of questions like how long they've been dating, etc. Hopefully not long so Sakura can quickly say they're not comfortable showing PDA. Ino is gonna be pretty interested in the sudden romance and I'm sure that's what Shikamasu is after...for the time being. XD

I don't get that. I respect their enjoyment of the ships, but... Ron is an unappreciative cockwaffle and Hermione is an underappreciated genius nearly unrivaled in intelligence and hard work. Meanwhile, Harry is, well, Harry, and Ginny is... freaking BORING. Did Ginny have anything in common with Harry?

Sasuke and Hinata have never crossed paths directly, though they did know of each other. The only point without making it AU where they could connect is after the War that occurred in Shippuden, and that would take you reading up on how that shitshow ended and I don't want to put you through that. For my sake, we can IMPLY it, by Hinata being gone a lot more under the ruse of 'training', and for some reason or another Sasuke is helping her because maybe he sees a little of his younger, naive self in her. SasuHina is one of the more slower romances out there. I wouldn't worry about it for now.

The ending DOES suck. I won't get into it again, but Kishimoto dropped the ball big time and a significant amount of people think the man can eat a dick now. I'm on that train. NaruIno are much more alive and bouncy compared to Shikamaru and Sakura, who would be of the calmer, more relaxing variety.

Hmm, speaking of Ino confronting them, what time do you want those two to get off of training? I was thinking maybe a little before mid afternoon, around 3 or 4 pm? I wanted to know how long Shikamaru immersed himself in books before he headed home and Sakura can be the one to catch HIM just entering the Nara compound this time.

Dude, everyone I talk to hates Hermione and praises Ginny. They cite how movie Hermione got to be a superstar and steal book Ron's intellect. Even so, book or movie, Ron was a shit friend to Harry and Hermione. Apparently the folks think it was SO cute how Ginny tied Harry's shoelaces? And how she dated around and finally got Harry's attention but yeah they sort of do Quidditch together but that's about it. I have no clue as to their logic but whenever I come across someone on reddit asking about Harry x Hermione's chemistry, it gets a ton of undeserved flack. </3

If Hinata did leave Konoha to make herself stronger and ran into Sasuke, I could see that happening. A lot of AMVs I saw had them connecting as kids thanks to the magic of editing. I think they could have really helped one another come out of their own shell growing up. It's a shame they never crossed paths, considering she's "nuts" about his teammate, you'd think that would sparked some kind of interaction. They are a slow burn romance, a lot of work would be needed for them.

NaruIno would be a lot of fun, I think they'd get along well but still have enough personal baggage so it's not all partying and chugging ramen. I think once Sakura saw Ino was serious about Naruto, she'd approve. I think deep down, Sakura would be protective of both Ino and Naruto's well-being.

I think 3-4 sounds good to me. I wasn't thinking much later, it would still be daylight. If you'd want to end your post with him getting approached by a frantic Sakura, that would be good. It's a shame Shikamaru can't go to Asuma at the moment, poor guy seems so out of his depth.

That is the face I would make if someone sat there and told me they hated Hermione and loved Ginny. Why do we glorify someone who was just a fangirl? Naruto did the same fucking thing... ugh...

It's also a shame she didn't become a stronger person on her own and continued clinging after the same guy, but maybe Sasuke's independence could help her finally let that guy go. Ah well.

Naruto's got the baggage for sure. Maybe Ino has some insecurities deep down that she's never shown before. Through the wonders of roleplaying, anything is possible~

Asuma bagged the hottest Jonin in the village. Dude must have MAD tips. Watch it be like, "Be yourself." xDDD

Hahaha pretty much. Yeah for some reason a lot of folks dig Ginny when she was just a creepy fangirl who had no depth whatsoever. If anything, she's an even worse version of Hinata. I mean in my headcanon, Hinata improves and becomes more strong and independent. Deep down I am sure that isn't true.../sigh

It would be nice to see Sasuke care about others and sort of take Hinata under his wing. I could totally see her and Sasuke becoming amazing antagonists though. XD

Ino doe shave some insecurities, a girl that outgoing has gotta have some issues in terms of confidence and self-worth, at least that's how I look at it. But it's something we could hope to explore at some point.

Didn't Asuma get Shikamaru to take up smoking? XD It makes you look so cool /sarcasm

Hopefully Shikamaru is smart enough to stay away from Icha Icha Paradise. That is NOT well founded advice...

HAHAAAHAHAHAHAHA IT'S FUNNY BECAUSE IT'S NOT TRUE HAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHA... >:C

Hinata and Sasuke becoming antagonists, lmfao, boy that would be a shocking turn of events. I won't shy away from these two forming a connection while ShikaSaku and NaruIno are going to occur, but making Hinata a villain would take some freaking work.

Much, much later, yes. I think before a timeskip large enough to bring Naruto back to the village--and trust me, he'll actually LEARN shit from Jiraiya than bigger rasengans and basic tactics-- Shikamaru and Sakura have got to reach a really good point themselves.

I don't think so. Shikamaru took his lighter and trench knives, but in my headcanon, after he avenged Asuma by stopping his killer, he passed them on to Konohamaru, his nephew. Kid is the only Sarutobi left now, besides the child Asuma left behind with Kurenai.

I don't think he's interested in a dramatic smut series but I think it might cross his mind.

Let's face it though, Hinata was treated quite poorly by her family, was ignored by the boy she loved. Her ties to Konoha aren't too strong IMO. I could see Sasuke easily turning her towards the side of evil. I think she'd be a beautiful evil queen of sorts. XD I can only imagine Naruto confronting them and realizing she's Hinata. Ahh just a headcanon I've toyed with though.

I am curious to see what kind of cool battle tactics Sakura and Shikamaru might develop together. I still want he to learn her water gun damnit. It will happen. The progress she was making with Kakashi was really awesome. >__>

I still gotta see what Ino may learn, might need to do some more reading about her skills again but Naruto coming back a badass would be nice. Panties drop haha.

Her father shunning her away and her mother's passing, who she might have been able to find comfort in, could lead her on an awful path. Sasuke wants revenge against the one who destroyed his family. Hinata... she needs a purpose, and if it's revenge of some kind, it could lead them to working to become stronger together. Would be an epic battle though, holy fuck I love the image of Sasuke and Hinata fighting together >.<

When Kakashi has time in the RP I can take the time to teach you again, or you can imply he taught her when he had time, so she has something cool to teach Shikamaru. Combination Jutsu is a specialty that Ino, Shikamaru, and Choji share through their family's connections for generation. As Sakura grows stronger, Shikamaru could probably create an Ino-Shika-Saku combination of some kind since Choji's going to be busy with his father and clan for a while.

He really, really should've come back with more techniques. You remember Sage Mode? If you don't, look it up. I would have liked Naruto to come back KNOWING that mode, or coming up with some Imperfect version that he'd work on in his spare time as the story progressed.

I love how it's kind of the opposite of Arya and Joffrey, they could be baddies but instead end up being good people. Instead of Hinata saving Sasuke, he ends up corrupting her further and they have an epic bloody romance of destruction. Jesus. XD

I think the team combination was really cool for Ino-Shika-Cho but they won't be able to team up and do it as they grow older and apart. I think if Shikamaru and Sakura could utilize each other's strengths, it would be a sight to behold. It would be cool if Kakashi could teach Sakura some stuff (urgh my inner shipper cries) ahem...though for my sake it might be best to summarize said training. I still think Shikamaru also aiding Sakura in the Chunin Exam prep would be nice of him.

I do remember Sage Mode. I only recall seeing it like once though. I was more into the ability to summon cool beasts. Totally not like Pokemon haha. But I think he summoned the toad then kinda fused with it? He could come back knowing that, though he still is a Genin technically, he better take the Exam ASAP though I still assume so is Ino (and Sakura).

I wouldn't call it a bloody romance per se, just two people finding their own way and accomplishing their own goals without being tied down to a village. Their only crime would be abandoning their village, which is pretty much a death sentence if ever found.

If Sakura gets her enhanced strength from Tsunade, I don't think Shikamaru will need to help her as much as she thinks xD but yeah, helping prep her isn't going to be a problem. For the sake of simplicity, we'll pretend that the Exam is held in Konoha once again, and things didn't fully change bar the exam trick.

He didn't come back in time to take the exam, and it quickly became irrelevant, but he'll be less surprised that people became Chuunin while he was gone. Kid needed some growth and common sense badly even then.

If anything, Sakura would probably need help staying calm and thinking of good tactics, that's probably one of her weaknesses.

Naruto coming back and acing the probably next exam would be cool. I wonder if it's possible for him to have taken it while with Jiraiya in another village where it was being held?

You think she'd have anxiety, like us? Oh god, like us... xDDDDD

It's not possible. The need for an increase in rank wouldn't be as important as becoming stronger with a Legendary Sannin. He can always take the exam later on and absolutely crush it later. For now, Sakura and Ino can be the stars, as well as EVERYONE ELSE who became Chuunin over the two and a half year timeskip. Let me just say that if we get far enough, IF we get to the point Naruto comes back, he's going to be a lot more grown up, and a lot less naive.

We all have an Inner Sakura, deep down.

It would be nice to get far enough to where Naruto does come back. XD I got a post up, about to hit the hay cause I've gotta buckle down tomorrow. I may be able to pop on now and then tomorrow if you'd like but I'll be in the zone with my essay...hopefully. :/ If you want to control Ino in your reply, you're welcome to. If we wanna torture ShikaSaku further we can, otherwise they'll probably talk once Ino leaves to go do some soul searching.

I'll probably have Ino press the two further, since this revelation is too juicy to ignore. They're the first couple to emerge out of the Rookie 9, so Ino's gotta know more, y'know?

I will hold off on ANY replies until Sunday night, so you have the opportunity to work on your essay without distraction.

Fine with me. XD

And thanks, getting into it right now, the more reading I did the more stoked I am to work on it. I mean how often do you get to write your last college essay and its topic happens to be slang in America? XD I'll probably be busy well into the evening but we do have this weekend to post more. :3

Okay, Ino can escalate from here or run off any tell anyone who will listen... unless Sakura decides to tell her not to. I was just going to have Shikamaru suggest that they need to get going, and that he was going to take Sakura out for dinner, which would give Ino the excuse to disappear, but I wanted to see if Sakura had any thoughts on Ino running around and spreading word of her new relationship. Thoughts?

Hmmm I don't think Sakura would stop Ino at this point. Ino likes to gossip and I think Sakura would rather give in now than try to stop Ino, plus it shows Sakura and Shikamaru don't have 'anything' to hide. I think Sakura will still be a bit baffled by Ino's sheer enthusiasm but I'll probably have Ino ask one or two more questions before Sakura decides she and Shikamaru are late for their dinner date. How does that sound? XD

That works just fine for me. Ino's enthusiasm is probably because she's glad for Sakura, but she'll eventually start wondering just how it all happened. I know you wanted her to become skeptical of it, but I couldn't find the investigative mood where we are now. I figure it would come a tad later. She's jealous though, I just didn't really get into that since I was merely borrowing her.

I would say skepticism would come later as you said. Right now she has NO reason to think this isn't real. But in time, I think she'll notice some inconsistencies and start to do some more digging as it starts to bug her. Though in my mind, Ino's feelings won't be about falling for Shikamaru the way ShikaSaku intend, but Ino would just be curious and wanting to know the truth. Unless you were thinking Ino would actually develop feelings for Shikamaru? I'm just curious to see where you think Ino will eventually come from. I'd say she'd want both to be happy and she'd see Shikamaru as a possible mate but I think Ino would know she and Shikamaru just aren't quite compatible, plus I think Ino in the end, would think Sakura and Shikamaru are, even if they don't realize it yet. Thoughts?

Ino's not dumb so yeah, in time it'll start to eat at her. The thing about the false relationship is that one of them ends up liking the other, but until that time I think there's a smokescreen of lies that Ino's trying to look through. Until one of them starts feeling something real, it'll never really be convincing, and I think once Shikamaru isn't just PRETENDING he'd be more impressive to her.

So, Ino should use this time to realize that Shikamaru is actually capable of being a boyfriend, something she didn't actually give thought to prior to this moment. However, developing feelings shouldn't come until they work together as a unit later on; he's on her radar now, more than before, so Sakura did her job well.

Shikamaru and Sakura do genuinely get along, and I think she'd just need to convince the one that does not see that at the time. Shikamaru is infatuated with Ino now, but he'd have more fun doing nerd shit with Sakura than doing anything Ino actually likes doing. I see Sakura enjoying clouds, but I don't see Ino enjoying them as much. etc etc.