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Shikamaru was fully aware of the earful he would get from his employer the moment he told her about the incident that took place the day before. If anything, the genius was contemplating on whether or not to even bring it up, choosing to stick to the whole idea of "Don't ask, don't tell."

He measured his steps evenly as he took a lazy stroll to her office. He exuded calmness with hands in pockets and a relaxed demeanor. Chocolate eyes did not betray his inner conflict as he entered Tsunade's office. The older woman was scribbling away on a stack of papers in front of her, her eyes never meeting his as she spoke up.

"How was your meeting yesterday?"

As annoying and loud of a woman that his mother was, she always raised him to tell the truth. Though he did not follow through with her lessons from time to time, he still made sure to tell some semblance of the truth – mainly because he didn't want to be hit upside the head with the nearest object. Tsunade was not Yoshino, but she sure was his boss, so he sighed and conceded anyway.

"She left."

Tsunade huffed slightly. "Well of course she left, everyone had to leave at some point. Why did she leave?"

Carefully calculating his words first, the detective continued, "We had a minor argument."

Tsunade ceased her writing and looked at him fully. Shikamaru examined her face, the age attempting to peek through yet not quite succeeding. Her toffee eyes displayed years of wisdom and experience and he could barely repress the tingle that surged through him. Indeed, Tsunade could be a frightening woman, especially when she stared at you full on.

'It's as if she's looking right into my soul. Troublesome old woman…'

"The Yamanaka's are an emotional family, Shikamaru. This I know like the back of my hand. However, they aren't emotional to the point of unprofessionalism. Why did she call me earlier and tell me to find another partner? She described you as 'inconsiderate' and 'bitter.' What did you say to her?"

The Nara groaned. "I'll admit I wasn't as kind to her as I should have been… but it's as if her very presence irks me."

"Who cares?!" Tsunade raged with a toss of her hands, "Nara, I don't know what's gotten into you, but you need to get rid of it. Now, you're going to apologize and act like the professional adult that you are. If Ino poses a problem, you come to me before you speak! Understand? Remember what I told you before: I'm not asking you to like the girl, just get the case done! Dismissed!"

'And just how can I get the case done if my partner is still the child she was years ago?' He stalked out without a response, waiting until he got to the end of the hallway to pull out his cellphone. Shikamaru unraveled a crumpled mess of paper with seven digits written in small, precise handwriting. He dialed the number, expecting to receive the automated voice telling him to leave a message. However, the same feminine voice from yesterday, smooth yet confident, answered after the fifth ring.

"What do you want?"

'No time for small talk, I see.' He mused inwardly. "Oy, Ino… I just wanted to – "

Brash and annoyed, she cut him off. "Well hurry up with it, won't you!"

"Can I get my words out, you troublesome woman?" His lazy voice answered. He noticed her quiet on the other end and almost missed her shy apology.

"As I was saying, I would like to apologize for my behavior yesterday. It was very unprofessional of me and I understand if you would like to terminate this collaboration." 'Well at least I'm hoping you'll want to call it quits.'

"No, I refuse to go back on this. I forgive you, Shikamaru… I'd just like to apologize for any inconveniences I may have caused you as well." Humble was her tone and her sincerity was palpable from his end of the line.

"It's a – "

"But if you ever stop talking to me for another five years, I will slap you ten times harder than I did yesterday! Got it?!" Ah, there was the anger he was used to.

"Will you be stopping by the branch today?"

"I'd actually prefer if you came to the estate."

An onyx eyebrow raised and he couldn't help but question why.

"Well for one, it's raining and I refuse to get soaked just to see you. No offense, we're friends and all, but I'm still pretty mad!"

He rolled his eyes, but listened to her second reason.

"And number two, there are some people I'd like you to meet. Don't worry, you'll like them!"

"I'm sure I will…" He muttered. "Text me your address and I'll be there soon."

"Okay! Thanks, Shikamaru!"

Some sort of grin hit his features, and when he'll look back on this conversation he won't be able to figure out why. "You're smiling, aren't you?"

"What was that?"

"Nothing, Ino. I'll see you soon." He hung up, questioning how an old, irritant of a friend could evoke an unfamiliar sort happiness that had been repressed for years.

Shikamaru allowed his feet to carry him wherever they pleased, passing by familiar faces yet never pausing to say a greeting. Indeed, Yamanaka Ino has always been a childhood friend. Along with Choji, the three of them grew up with one another due to their family's close ties. There was a point in his teenage years where Shikamaru's feelings for his flaxen-haired 'friend' grew and, like any other reserved teen, he kept it quiet and only conceded to the Akimichi. He recalls it clearly, muttering to Choji how he despised the terror that Ino commonly caused yet how he could not stop her from invading his thoughts. Choji simply laughed and clapped him on the back, causing Shikamaru to stumble forth and call his best friend troublesome.

"I want to tell her, but I just can't." Shikamaru admits at the tender age of 16. He's lying on a grassy hill between East and West Konoha with his eyes focused on the gentle clouds above.

He hears the ruffle of a chip back and a crunch. "Well let's backtrack. How long have you liked her?"

Hesitation is clear in his voice. "For as long as I can remember... But it's useless anyway; She's too involved with that Uchiha kid anyway."

"You still have a chance though! They're not even dating. It's just infatuation, so she's not completely involved yet."

"'Yet' is exactly right. Like I said, it's useless and I'm sure my feelings will pass soon."

He never counted on the fact that his feelings for the banshee would resurface when the blonde whirlwind danced into his life after a five-year hiatus. In retrospect, the Nara realizes how unfathomable it is to lose contact with a close friend for five whole years – especially since they live in the same city. Granted, Konohagakure is a vast metropolis and the division between East and West does make things slightly more difficult, but he almost feels glad that she wasn't in his life for five years, for her newfound presence is fresh and invigorating all over again and he actually enjoys the feeling of being pulled back into her vortex; never mind that she's an enigmatic termagant of a woman. He knows that face to face, he'll constantly bicker and grow fatigued with the blonde, but behind closed doors he'll look back on his day and fall further and further into her abyss…

Just like he's done for the past 22 years of his life.


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