Summary: As Ino traverses the world with Yamato after the war to neutralize potential threats, she finds out that they share more in common than just an interest in plants. - A colorful story about an unexpected pair [YamatoxIno]

What you need to know: I'm making a stand for this lovely sorely-lacking-in-anything pairing (shout-out to my past account at 'pistachio gelato' where I did a oneshot for this pair titled 'The Right Words'). I'm aiming for 100 chapters 300 words long based off of the 100 color theme from LJ. Thanks for giving this entirely unexpected pair a shot!

A note on format: These small chapters look best in the 1/2 page view.

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.

Chapter 1: A Sprout

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Ino stood up from her latest patient, putting a hand to her head as her vision swam momentarily. Then she heard the groans of all around her, and was reminded that there was work to do.

She looked across and saw Hinata was dutifully healing someone, face hard and tear-stained. Then to Sakura as she attended to Kakashi. Slugs moved around slowly, tired like their summoners.

Shaking her head, Ino moved to the next cot. She sat on the edge and looked down at her new patient.

He had an extremely plain face, even plainer brown hair, but Ino's eyes widened as she recognized him: he was Kakashi-sensei's subordinate. He helped her take down Hidan, back when she thought the villain taking her beloved sensei away was the worst thing imaginable.

Now he lied unconscious, shaking and pale. At the moment he was not strong and steady like the wood he had so easily commanded back then.

Ino's brow furrowed before she reached out. She put her hands against the oozing cuts and took a deep breath, closed her eyes, and focused.

It was against regulation to favor patients over others from personal bias, but Ino could not help but put extra care into healing him. He helped her gain understanding and peace, making her able to have enough strength to wade through this war and overcome the pain of another loved one's death. The least she could do was make sure he did not have any physical scars to take with him.

Opening her eyes, Ino gasped as a single, green sprout came out between her fingers from where the deepest gauge had been. She removed her hand carefully, fingers brushing against the soft leaves briefly.

"Get better, Yamato," she said softly.

Ino patted his head before moving on.

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Theme: 006. Green
Word Count: 300
Posted: 10.8.2014