The Annals of Astra M.

***FanFic Vital Stats***

Title: Overflow
Fandom: Naruto
Pairing: Shikamaru x Ino
Other Characters: Asuma, Choji
Format: One-shot
Genre: Romance, Humor
Rating: PG, mild language
Warnings: spoilers for manga chapter 328, 30Kisses Theme
Tag Line: Just like that, the world she knew was overturned: Team Ino was no more.

***FanFic History***

This was originally conceived quite a while back when I was making chapter outlines for my fanfic, Unparalleled Teamwork. At the time, I thought the story would cover the timeframe through the Sasuke retrieval arc. But I've since revised it to end at the Chuunin exams, so this scene had to be cut out. But I still wanted to write it, and as a result it became another one-shot for my Scent of Grass and Flowers collection.

***FanFic Vital Stats***

Title: Dash
Fandom: Naruto
Pairing: Shikamaru x Ino
Other Characters: Asuma, Choji, Sakura
Format: One-shot
Genre: Romance, Humor
Rating: PG, mild language
Warnings: Slightly AU, 30Kisses Theme
Tag Line: “Well, Billboard Brow, what about tweaking the challenge then? Instead of the winner kissing a winner... how about the loser kissing a loser?”

***FanFic History***

This idea had to sit around awhile, mostly because unlike my typical vignette, I knew this one would be a little longer and I just didn't want to invest the time. But I hadn't been writing for months and then when I finally got back around to it, this was the first one that I knew I could finish easily. I don't really remember what inspired the idea; I think it was a something that developed out of the ideas I had with two of my other longer fics (Bittersweet Sixteen for the Sakura x Ino challenge, and Unparalleled Teamwork for the race event - this is in an upcoming chapter that was partially written but as yet unreleased). Is it possible to plagiarize your own work?

***FanFic Vital Stats***

Title: Perfect Blue
Fandom: Naruto
Pairing: Shikamaru x Ino
Other Characters: Shikaku
Format: Vignette
Genre: Romance, Humor
Rating: PG, very mild language
Warnings: none, 30Kisses Theme
Tag Line: “What?!? Poetry?!? Me?!?” he yelled incredulously. “Pop, are you out of your mind?”

***FanFic History***

I prefer writing prose to poetry myself, probably because all of my own (school enforced) exercises have resulted in scathing essay-length reviews, open mockery, and in one instance a mass case of stunned horror (that one wasn’t meant to be read aloud though). Given my past history, I had understandably mixed feelings about this story, and yet it made sense for Shikamaru. So because I’m a masochist, here’s a fic in honor of my old nemesis, April’s National Poetry Month. Yikes.

***FanFic Vital Stats***

Title: Ino's Secret Kissing Jutsu
Fandom: Naruto
Pairing: Shikamaru x Ino
Other Characters: Choji, nameless goons
Format: One-shot
Genre: Romance, Humor
Rating: PG-13, for language and sexuality
Warnings: Continues from Butt Out storyline. The term ‘kissing jutsu’ is duly credited to Persepolis130's fanfic “Operation: Genin Dance”
Summary: Is it possible for a normal teenage ninja in love to combine business with pleasure? Ino thinks she knows how to do it, provided she can just get Shikamaru to play along.

***FanFic History***

I had this story in mind for about a year with no real plans for writing it, but because of the problems I have had trying to rewrite a chapter of Bittersweet Sixteen, I really needed to work on other things for a little while. This one had new life breathed into it as a result. At the end of Butt Out, I wondered what challenges a secret affair between Ino and Shika might pose, and this is one of the ideas that popped out.

***FanFic Vital Stats***

Title: If Only I Could Make You Mine
Fandom: Naruto
Pairing: Shikamaru x Ino
Other Characters: Choji, Choza, Shikaku, Inoichi, Mrs. Yamanaka
Format: Vignette
Genre: Drama/Angst
Rating: PG-13, for teen sexuality
Warnings: none, 30Kisses Theme
Tag Line: “I thought you were a genius,” he said shortly. “So tell me what part of 'no' don’t you understand?”

***FanFic History***

This began as an idea for a longer, angstier storyline that I realized I don't really want to write. I also wanted to explore the type of scenario that might cause a real blow up among the Shika-Ino-Cho generations. True, while I personally think the fathers would be thrilled if their children got married, wouldn't it be interesting to know what might cause them not to be so gung-ho for it? But poor Inoichi, he comes out looking bad here and he only has Ino's best interests at heart...

***FanFic Vital Stats***

Title: An Excessive Chain of Hugs
Fandom: Naruto
Pairing: multiple, both romantic and platonic (or one-sided)
Characters: Akamaru, Asuma, Guy, Hinata, Ino, Kakashi, Kiba, Kurenai, Lee, Naruto, Neji, Sai, Sakura, Sasuke, Shikamaru, Tenten
Format: Drabbles
Genre: Angst, Humor, Slice of Life
Rating: Mostly G, but some scenarios may imply a slightly higher rating
Warnings: none, 15Hugs Theme
Tag Line: none

***FanFic History***

A strange exercise in writing drabbles and multiple pairings, using a common theme throughout with the goal that everything would come "full circle" as it were.

***FanFic Vital Stats***

Title: In A Good Mood
Fandom: Naruto
Pairing: Shikamaru x Ino
Other Characters: Choji
Format: Vignette
Genre: Humor
Rating: PG, for implied hickeys
Warnings: none, 30Kisses Theme
Tag Line: “There were a hundred different ways to smirk, and his friend had mastered them all. But this was different.”

***FanFic History***

This had its roots in a 'jump start' writing exercise. Bogged down in old projects and other things, I haven't been able to write in a long uninterrupted burst in a long time, and I'm getting rusty. Nothing like turning to an favorite pasttime!

One of those quirks about Shikamaru I've thought about is how rarely he smiles in a truly happy way. His eyes usually remain hard and he smirks a lot instead. This fic doesn't really dig into that too much, but it's a theme I'd like to explore more.

***FanFic Vital Stats***

Title: Red
Fandom: Naruto
Pairing: Shikamaru x Ino, hints of Naruto x Hinata
Other Characters: Hinata, Mr. and Mrs. Yamanaka
Format: Vignette
Genre: Humor
Rating: PG-13, for passionate necking and raging teen hormones
Warnings: none, 30Kisses Theme
Tag Line: “Hinata, as a special favor, today I’m going to instruct you on the fine art of seducing a boy.”

***FanFic History***

I'd meant to release this in July, but somehow I just couldn't develop the right tone for the scenes. Describing what's happening through Hinata's eyes instead of writing dialogue between Shikamaru and Ino was actually more challenging than I thought it would be. This story also had its vague roots in the ShikaIno livejournal community, because of a fanfic challenge. I remember that having Hinata as one of the side characters was involved, and I think that's when the idea for this plot began to percolate. I've also been writing a lot more "serious" stuff recently, so I really needed to get back to something that was just light-hearted. This fits the bill just fine!

***Fanfic Vital Stats***

Title: Our Own World
Fandom: Naruto
Pairing: Shikamaru x Ino
Other Characters: Sakura
Format: Vignette
Genre: Angst, Romance
Rating: R, for sexuality
Warnings: set in future, 30Kisses Theme
Tag Line: “I need you to do the most important thing for me. For us.”

***FanFic History***

I had this idea for a very long time; at one point I had considered it for the basis of a longer story. But really it was just one scene, so why drag it out beyond that? It also helped that I was in a blue mood when I wrote this. Poor Ino.

***FanFic Vital Stats***

Title: Ten
Fandom: Naruto
Pairing: Shikamaru x Ino
Other Characters: Asuma
Format: Vignette
Genre: Angst, sort of
Rating: PG, for mild rudeness
Warnings: spoilers for Naruto II arc, 30Kisses Theme
Tag Line: “Did I ever tell you guys why I thought Ten was the perfect number for our team?”

***FanFic History***

This story began as a Team Ten introspective. Well, I thought that fit the 30Kisses theme much better than a straightforward Shika x Ino story. There was even going to be a kiss. But it sat on the hard drive while I got involved in writing Bittersweet Sixteen. Because of this, the next time I looked at it I was influenced to write something that focused more on Shikamaru's attitude towards love (since Bittersweet Sixteen is primarily about Ino's.) To a certain degree this can be considered a 'side chapter' to certain events in that story, but I probably won't directly write about, just hint at.

And it's also because I disagree with anyone who thinks that Shikamaru's romantic plans for the future are mature and grounded. Wrong - it's a slacker's attitude and completely self-serving. Sometimes geniuses need to get a clue, too.

***FanFic Vital Stats***

Title: Cradle
Fandom: Naruto
Pairing: Shikamaru x Ino
Other Characters: none
Format: One Shot
Genre: Romance, Angst
Rating: T, for suggestiveness and death
Warnings: no particular setting, 30Kisses Theme
Tag Line: “Shikamaru, do you remember the very first time you held me in your arms like this?”

***FanFic History***

Well...

It's very difficult to explain what happened to me during the writing of this particular story. I completely fell to pieces, and developed a block/paralysis/constipation/whatever you want to call it every time I tried to write beyond the first paragraph. Even attacking it at different points made it worst. Really, I only got through it because of the support of fellow Naruto writer Aventri, for which I'll always be grateful.

In a nutshell, the story is about death and the fear of separation. It's not the typical kind of story for me, not the kind I enjoy writing. However, I could not bring myself to make it truly dark... yes, it's still much to light for that. But I think it's still sincerely true to how people feel about this type of event, and about the strength of love in the face of death. I hope that much comes through.

***FanFic Vital Stats***

Title: The Road Home
Fandom: Naruto
Pairing: Shikamaru x Ino
Other Characters: Choji, Asuma
Format: One Shot
Genre: Supernatural, Romance
Rating: PG, for weirdness
Warnings: no particular setting, 30Kisses Theme
Tag Line: All she really knew was that she was desperately searching for something. She had to find it, and quickly...

***FanFic History***

Well... this was a strange one. The idea started out very simple - kind of a take on the Sleeping Beauty fairy tale theme, where the girl needs a kiss to be awakened from her slumber. But it started to get complicated when I tried working it out, at least more than I had intended (or wanted). I decided not to give it a full fic treatment, although I think I could have. Too many other things I want/need to write. I can't exactly say I'm *thrilled* with the way it came out, but I think it got the basic idea across... sort of. Yeah, it's a bit odd all right.

***FanFic Vital Stats***

Title: The Space Between Dream and Reality
Fandom: Naruto
Pairing: Shikamaru x Ino
Other Characters: none
Format: Vignette
Genre: Romance
Rating: PG, for suggestiveness
Warnings: no particular setting, 30Kisses Theme
Tag Line: “What I’m trying to say is... in my head I get all that. But in my heart... I just don’t know.”

***FanFic History***

Compelled by a crisis of conscience. I began it several months ago as a simple idea that I didn't fully flesh out, and then I started working on something else, so it was left in an unfinished state on the hard drive. While writing Bittersweet Sixteen, I felt lost and had to work on something else to reassure myself. (Sad, but true.) Perhaps Ino's excessive doubt in the story is a reflection of my own at the time.

***FanFic Vital Stats***

Title: Unrivaled
Fandom: Naruto
Pairing: Shikamaru x Ino, [Ino -> Sasuke]
Other Characters: none
Format: Vignette
Genre: Romance
Rating: PG, for kissing
Warnings: theoretically set during Naruto II or III story arc, 30Kisses Theme
Tag Line: “Huh. Sometimes a ‘special’ thing can exist between two people without its being openly acknowledged.”

***FanFic History***

Sitting for a little while in an unfinished state on my computer. Just a response to the question of how jealous (if at all) Shikamaru could be about Sasuke, regarding Ino.

***FanFic Vital Stats***

Title: Butt Out!
Fandom: Naruto
Pairing: Shikamaru x Ino, [Ino -> Sai]
Other Characters: Naruto, Sakura, Choji, Sai, and others
Format: Multi-chapter story
Genre: Romance, Humor, Lemon
Rating: X or M - Mature Audience Only, for language and sexual situations
Warnings: based on events in manga chapter 328 (Naruto II story arc)
Tag Line: Shikamaru has a nicotine problem and Ino wants to make him quit, no matter what it takes…

***FanFic History***

First off, this is the first multichapter fic I've ever written that I just plowed right through, so I'm very proud of that fact. On the other hand, it really took a lot out of me by the end. It's also by far the most hits I've ever gotten on anything, which I attribute to the fact that this is Naruto fandom, where there's a really large built-in audience. But it's still nice to see.

I would technically consider this the "third" Naruto multichapter fic I've written, though in actually it's the first to be finished and published. The "second" fanfic was going to be an Ino centric fanfic that I tentively named "Bittersweet Sixteen" and which I now highly doubt I'll ever finish. "Butt Out" just stole its thunder, and looking over what I had written it just seems there are too many minor plot overlaps. I don't necessarily want to write the same story over again.

"Butt Out" was lots of fun to write, but a relief to walk away from, too! Talk about an intense writing experience.

***FanFic Vital Stats***

Title: Look Over Here
Fandom: Naruto
Pairing: Shikamaru x Ino
Other Characters: none
Format: Vignette
Genre: Romance, Humor
Rating: PG, for kissing
Warnings: no particular setting, 30Kisses Theme
Tag Line: “All right, Ino. By the end of the day, I’ll prove to you that I can make you do whatever I want… just by thinking about it.”

***FanFic History***

Also from 30 Kisses. Hmmm... this one was a mini break from "Butt Out" - I needed to focus on something very light at the moment. As I work in a library, and I regularly witness people playing hide-and-go-seek in the stacks, I used that imagery to make a strange little scenario where Shikamaru is acting playful with Ino. Turning the tables makes for a nice change!

***FanFic Vital Stats***

Title: Fence
Fandom: Naruto
Pairing: Shikamaru x Ino
Other Characters: none
Format: Vignette
Genre: Romance
Rating: PG-13 or T, for suggestive sexuality
Warnings: set during Naruto II story arc or later, 30Kisses Theme
Tag Line: “No, Shikamaru,” she whispered back as loudly as she dared. “Don’t do this. Go home… please.”

***FanFic History***

Whoa, a semi hot one... Again, it's from 30 Kisses. Somehow I was on a kick to write something a little sexier between Shikamaru and Ino, and this scene is the result. I think this one-shot is a large reason why I ended up writing "Butt Out"... it's sort of the back history of "Fence," although this was written first. It also seems to be one of my most popular vignettes.

***FanFic Vital Stats***

Title: Jolt!
Fandom: Naruto
Pairing: Shikamaru x Ino
Other Characters: none
Format: Vignette
Genre: Romance
Rating: PG, for kissing
Warnings: set during Naruto I arc of anime series, 30Kisses Theme
Tag Line: “Look, don’t ask me to explain why – the reasons aren’t really important anyway. It’s just… I’m going to be an awesome kisser, Shikamaru. I need to be!”

***FanFic History***

Also from 30 Kisses. But I really liked writing this one! I thought how in the world could I write a Shikamaru/Ino story with them kissing during the first story arc in a believable way? Talk about wish fulfillment...

***FanFic Vital Stats***

Title: Gardenia
Fandom: Naruto
Pairing: Shikamaru x Ino
Other Characters: none
Format: Vignette
Genre: Romance
Rating: PG, for kissing
Warnings: no particular setting, 30Kisses Theme
Tag Line: “In the language of flowers gardenias symbolize secret love – or just loveliness,” said Ino.

***FanFic History***

It was a simple one shot to follow up on "The Scent of Grass and Flowers" but I first got the inspiration by looking at the 30 Kisses LJ community... something about their list of fic plots just fired the creative juices in me.

***FanFic Vital Stats***

Title: The Scent of Grass and Flowers
Fandom: Naruto
Pairing: Shikamaru x Ino
Other Characters: Choji
Format: One Shot, Vignette
Genre: Romance
Rating: G
Warnings: set during Naruto 1 story arc
Tag Line: “Hey, Shikamaru, I was wondering – have you ever noticed that people you become close to have a special scent?”

***FanFic History***

The very first Shika x Ino story I ever wrote (though technically not the first Naruto fanfic I started writing). Don't remember exactly how I hit on the idea of using grass as a metaphor for Shikamaru, but I'd been writing a lot of mini scenes during the process of writing the longer Naruto story... and somehow it just morphed into its own one-shot. Like Shades of Scarlet, this is one of my personal favorites.