Disclaimer: I do not own anything Naruto affiliated.
It was only a mere 45 minutes later when Shikamaru appeared outside of the Yamanaka Estate. His chocolate irises absorbed every detail of the lavish property, with its tall wooden door and many windows. The healthy green grass was a stark contrast to the concrete streets of Western Konoha. Shikamaru felt out of place around the variety of flowers and trees.
The door opened to reveal Ino with her hair atop her head in a neat bun and her body garbed in a cable knit lavender sweater along with light wash jeans and house socks.
"You made it here in one piece!" She exclaimed, tugging him inside with a grin and bright eyes.
He nodded, "Even though it's been a while, I still remember how to make it here."
Ino's smile turned wistful, the memories of their childhood together replaying in her mind. His simple words threw her mind into full reminiscence. She sighed and gazed at him with a look that could be tagged as somewhat sad, "Daddy's in the kitchen with today's guests. Give me your coat."
"It's alright, Ino. You don't ha-"
"I don't care what I "have" to do. Give me the coat!" She ignored his groan and took the olive trench coat. Ino appreciated his onyx watch, only revealed due to his black sweater's sleeves being pushed up. His charcoal slacks weren't too loose on him, nor were they too tight; in Ino's opinion (and according to her, her opinion was always right) they fit perfectly and complimented his height.
Shikamaru noticed her roaming orbs and quirked an eyebrow at her, questioning her actions.
"You look like you're going to a funeral." She commented as she turned to place the trench on the golden coat rack, patting it as if it were dusty. "However, I do enjoy your shoes. You always did invest a little more money into nice shoes."
"It's my mother's fault."
"Yeah, but you're grown now. You weren't thinking of mommy dearest when you picked up those leather dress shoes. You liked it, so you bought it." Her eyes narrowed, an impish grin took place, and suddenly Shikamaru understood why Ino has always been dubbed the Queen of Mind Games. "I'm not condemning you - more power to you, actually. Follow me."
Shikamaru nodded and obeyed, not quite sure how to respond to her words. They rounded a corner and reached the estate's elaborate kitchen. The atmosphere was warm and inviting, and his senses picked up the aroma of baked goods. Next to a French window sat two faces at a round table – one familiar and one unfamiliar. Inoichi stood in between them, chatting animatedly about something or the other. Ino clasped her hands and cleared her throat, signaling for their attention.
"Meet my newest partner for the Orochimaru case: Shikamaru Nara! Daddy, you already know him. Asuma, I don't know if you remember him; it's been years. Ibiki, you guys haven't met before, have you?"
The tall man with the many scars regarded Shikamaru as he responded, "Years ago when he was an infant. I am familiar with Shikaku, however."
"Long time no see, Shikamaru." Asuma stood and offered a handshake with a genuine smile on his face. He smelled of cigarettes and pine, the very same scent Shikamaru recalled from his childhood.
The younger Nara returned the gesture. "It really has been far too long. How've you been, Asuma?"
"Can't complain, can't complain… But with Kurenai pregnant and hormonal, I've been forced to run here and there to pick up the weirdest items for her. Why would anyone want onions and applesauce together?" He shuddered comically, eliciting laughs from the kitchen's occupants.
Inoichi tapped the young boy's forehead with his index finger and a grin akin to Ino's was plastered onto his features. "Hey, stranger. How's your father?"
"Lazy as usual."
"Like father like son…"
Shikamaru caught Ino's muttered words and glanced at her with slight amusement. The twinkling of her blue eyes did not appease the feeling in the depths of his stomach. In fact, it only made it worse.
"Asuma and Ibiki have been my mentors for the past couple of years. Asuma specializes in field work, so he's something of a personal trainer for me. Ibiki is the head of the Hidden Leaf Corps Torture Unit and works closely with my dad, seeing as he's in command of the Interrogation force."
Asuma nodded with pride. "The Sarutobi family has always worked close with the InoShikaCho trio. I wouldn't mind working with you and Choji. Keep tradition alive, right?"
The pineapple headed man tilted his head, considering the prospect. "I wouldn't mind either… I'll talk to Choji about it."
Ino cleared her throat once more. "Well Shika and I need to get things organized for this case, so he'll be taking me to the eastern corps branch."
"I will?"
"Thanks for stopping by, Ibiki and Asuma. I'll see you two later! Bye daddy! Be good, okay?" She hugged the three men and pulled on Shikamaru's arm for the second time. "C'mon, lazy boy."
Shikamaru waved unenthusiastically at the remaining adults and sighed when they laughed at his predicament.
"Soooo..." Started Asuma in a mischievious tone, "How long do you think it'll take for them to realize their life long feelings?"
"I give it a couple of months…" Inoichi suggested with a frown - the blonde man wasn't too keen on giving his baby girl away just yet.
"The end of this case."
All eyes turned to Ibiki with surprise, causing the torture specialist to shoot them an all-knowing smirk.
A/N: A little on the shorter side just to impliment a few characters that'll appear later. Thanks for the read!