Hyen

He looked down at his large folder, everything they had picked out for the wedding threatening to fall out. “Then…is there another wood of similar color and likeness that wasn’t infected?” He asked. “My wedding is only a couple of weeks away, and I—We need those customs chairs!”

The worker flinched. “We’re looking through all our inventory, I promise!”

He gathered up his things. “I’ll check back in at the end of the day. I need to check this off our list by today at the absolute latest, or I will raise hell.” He left in anger before the worker could say anything else. Once he was outside, he sighed heavily. “Unbelievable.”

“Shika!” He turned to see Hinata running toward him with a smile. “I just came from the Yamanaka Flower Shop.”

“Did Ino manage to secure the flowers we wanted from their merchants?” He asked.

She shook her head, smiling apprehensively. “They couldn’t get lilies of the valley and calla lilies, unfortunately. But I assured her that anything similar they had was fine,” she explained.

He put a hand on his hip. “Fine? Hinata, I won’t accept anything but those lilies!” He exclaimed, walking around her and marching toward Ino’s flower shop. “First our custom chairs, and now the flowers? This is ridiculous!”

Hinata rushed to catch up to him, biting back an amused smile. She wouldn’t mention it aloud, but Shikamaru had turned out to be a bit of a bridezilla. He was very particular about their color scheme, the invitation design, flowers, custom decorations, and all. It was actually quite cute.

“Shika, honey, you know that Ino can’t control what her merchants bring if the seasons don’t call for it,” she reminded him. “We’ll make due. The wedding is still going to be beautiful.”

He slowed to a normal pace and sighed heavily. “This wedding needs to be perfect, Hina. It’s our wedding, and the only one we’ll be getting. It’s gotta be grand.”

She took his hand and brought it up to her cheek, leaning into it. “All I need is for you to be the groom. It doesn’t need to be perfect and grand,” she reminded him.

He looked down at her and then at the large folder he had spent weeks pulling together of all his—their inspiration, and still knew she was right.

“I’m sorry. I don’t know what came over me,” he said quietly. “I even nearly scared the crap out of the worker here at the woodworking place.”

She giggled softly. “You’re excited to marry me. I can’t be mad at that, and you shouldn’t apologize.” Then her smile turned teasing. “But you shouldn’t be so hard on the workers, okay?”

He sighed heavily, trying not to actually pout in public. “All right.” He paused. “But let’s go check on those flowers anyway. I wanna see what Ino says for myself.” She followed after him with a small smile.

He entered the store with a bit more of a push on the door than was standard for him, still obviously a little upset. “Ino, what’s this about the flowers?” He asked, putting the thick folder on the counter. “You gave me your word that getting them would be no issue. I understand that these things happen, but—”

He trailed off when he looked over to see her smug reaction. “Simmer down, loverboy. The flowers are still coming in. I just wanted to cause you some stress,” she admitted happily.

He groaned, as standard when interacting with Ino. “Why, you sicko?”

She shrugged. “I hadn’t in a while. It was either I do it now, or on the wedding day.”

A heavy sigh came from his lips. “I guess I should just count myself lucky that it was now.”

“That’s the spirit!” She pulled out a scroll. “Anyway, here’s the proof of those flowers on their way, just to ease your mind. We’re getting a large batch of all the ones you ordered, and you should count yourself lucky because calla lilies aren’t even in the proper season yet.”

Hinata rubbed Shikamaru’s back as he slumped over the desk in relief. “Thank god.” He flipped through his folder and checked it off. “All right. Now we’re just waiting to confirm the number of guests to give to the caterer, and the chairs.” He nodded to himself and shut the folder. “We’ll see you later, Ino. Thanks again.”

Hinata smiled at Ino. “Thank you so much for all your hard work,” she said, hugging the Yamanaka tightly.

“It’s no problem. And now that Sakura’s back in the village, we can finally go dress shopping.” Hinata had been putting it off while waiting for her friend to return, and Shikamaru was kind of confused on how his fiancée could be such great friends with the woman Naruto used to chase after. But Hinata was a sweet girl, and she just wanted her people to be happy.

“She looked so tired last time I saw her,” Hinata said worriedly. “I hope she’s getting plenty of sleep. Why didn’t Sasuke accompany her back?"

Ino shrugged. “Something about a huge fight, and him having to remain behind to go undercover or something,” she replied, waving her hand dismissively. Then, she leaned in closer. “But apparently she wanted to get officially married and start a family but he wasn’t really into the idea. It led to a fight, and she decided to stop wasting her time. She told me they only kissed once, and he seemed to be disinterested after. She wasn’t really feeling the fireworks either.”

She frowned, sad for her friend. “I hope she’s okay.”

Ino nodded. “Honestly, I think she feels better. I think she needed a solid answer from a Sasuke who was no longer obsessed with revenge. She can move on now.”

“I guess that’s good, then. May she find happiness.” Ino hugged her again before Shikamaru led her out of the small flower shop by the small of her back.

He could only hold it in until they were down the street. “What if she and Naruto suddenly decided to go out?” He asked curiously, trying to be nonchalant.

She seemed to think for a moment. “I would be happy for them, but I don’t think it’ll happen. Naruto only sees her as a sister, and he won’t cross lines that he drew,” she replied.

He put an arm over her shoulder, pulling her close to his side. “Good. Because you’re mine, and I won’t let anyone else have you.”

She giggled. “No one could take me from you. And no one could take you from me either.”