"So tell me something about you." Ino ordered after talking about her own her life for several minutes. They went from talking about her massive house to her equally massive list of extracurriculars to the pros and cons of her popularity and several little tid bits about her personal life. It felt strangely satisfying to talk to someone that actually listened to what she was saying and even adding his own remarks to them. She didn't mind telling him how much stress her activities gave her, only Sakura had a vague idea about it. She didn't mind telling him how she would love to have just one day as a completely different person. Someone that just went to normal classes and went home after the bell rung. It sounded like heaven. She had even told him that.

Ino couldn't believe how open she was being with this boy she barely. It was just the way his chocolate brown eyes were completely fixated on her as he listened to he little rants about her daily life. He looked genuinely interested in what she saying. He'd add in his own little personal stories once in awhile but for the most part his focus was completely on her. It didn't feel like the pressure to be perfect from her peers as they watched her every move. It just felt like she was important to someone.

She almost could've gone into the very imperfect aspects of her life. She hinted at them but not even Sakura knew the nitty gritty details. She was aware that Hisako had poor taste in men for the most part, but by now most people in Konoha already knew that. Ino decided her taste deteriorated with each new man because her first couple had actually been really great. Ino could actually stand to go out to dinner with them. But even then the longest relationship had lasted five months and that had been the longest of all her relationships. Ino couldn't really remember is name but she remembered him being very friendly. Her mother had actually smiled during that time period. No other guy or girl ever came close to that point much to Ino's dismay. Now she had to deal with assholes that just wanted to have sex with her mother and nothing more. It was usually either that or assholes that her mother had been smart enough to dump but they weren't as fond with the idea. Even so they hadn't had not had one of those in months and even he just spammed their phone with like twenty messages and gave up. It was no big deal compared to some of the other lengths they would go to.

That was still something she liked to keep to herself. That among dozens of other things deemed too personal for even Uncle Chouza or Sakura.

"Well," she cooed while shifting closer to sit by him.

"I'm really not that interesting of a guy." He grumbled and rubbed the side of his neck. He couldn't think of anything worth mentioning go her. She had so much to say and somehow never got boring to listen to. He knew he'd be the polar opposite.

"Got a hobby?" She questioned.

"Nope." He sighed in disappointment. He was almost too bland for himself to handle.

"Oh come there's got to be something you do for fun." The blonde persisted.

"My dad and I used to play shogi when I was a kid I guess." He answered. It was the closest to a hobby he had even if he no longer played it.

"That's like that strategy game with the pieces based on royalty right?"

"Well actually the king is the only royal piece. The rest are like the people that serve him." He corrected.

"Do you do the club here at school?" Ino asked trying to coax some conversation from him. Maybe he really wasn't an interesting person after all. But she knew there was something underneath that bland exterior. She knew to look past outside appearances better than anyone.

"No."

"Why not, it's your hobby right?" Ino asked. She would be lying if she objected to being a little frustrated with the spiky haired boy.

"It used to be my hobby. I don't really play it anymore." He replied and Ino could see that there was a tinge of sadness in his eyes when he said it. It was gone in a blink of an eye though. She wondered if she hit a nerve by accident?

"Well I guess that makes sense. Do you do any sports?" She continued in her effort to get some sentences out of him. She decided against pushing the shogi subject since it was evident he didn't want to talk about. Maybe if she got to know him a little better than she'd ask about some other time.

"I did soccer until the end of middle school and a little karate before that." He answered boredly. What other questions could she ask to get him to hold a conversation with her?

"They were too troublesome." He added as his reason for quitting.

"You're a lazy guy aren't you? Ino smirked. At least she was getting an idea of what he was like. He only gave her a nod.

Now Ino had become determined to crack this guy's shell. He was hiding somehing just like her. She knew better than anyone that whatever his secret was, it was something he'd protect to the bitter end. Maybe she was being a bit dramatic but this had been the first person to reach a kinship with her...potentially.

"It's gotten pretty late you know." She heard him say. What was he talking about, they had been talking for half an hour at most. However when Ino focused her baby blue eyes on the wall clock she saw it had been an hour and forty five minutes. She couldn't believe they had talked for that long. Not even Sakura could handle Ino for that long with nothing but talking.

"I totally lost track of time, I'm so sorry. I didn't mess up your plans did I?" Ino apologized hastily. She hated how she could get so lost in something, in this case a conversation. She was focused during her academics but during social functions her mind was racing at a million miles per minute.

"Nah I didn't really give my mom a time when I'd be done. Besides the walk isn't very long. Is just a couple of blocks." He replied and got up from the comfy sofa. If was almost as nice as his bed. We'll be expected it to be judging by the rest of the luxurious furniture in the home.

"You walked! But that's so dangerous at night." Ino gasped. She was shocked that anyone would willingly walk alone at night. Especially with the creeps that hung around every corner, at least that's what Chouza told her. She still knew there were plenty all around Konoha that could hurt an innocent pedestrian. It didn't matter the gender of the person. Ino always hated how men believed they were safe at night because they were just as likely to get attacked as a woman. Their gender was just so damn cocky in her opinion.

"I had no problem getting here." He yawned and waited in the archway of the room for her to lead him out. That still didn't ease her worrying.

"But now it's even later and that makes it even worse. I'll call my uncle to drive you home." She offered. Her phone was already searching through her contact list for her uncle's number. He wouldn't deny her request so she knew it wouldn't be a problem.

"That's not really necessary, I'll be fine." He reassured with a roll of his eyes. He didn't understand what she was so worried about. He had walked home in the dark plenty of times and had no issues.

"But it's faster, easier, and safer. Trust me it's no hassle for us." Ino bargained again as they walked down the vast hallway. She wasn't going to let him exit their front door unless it was to Chouza's Mustang.

He pivoted on his foot and turned to face her with a tired expression. "Will it make you happy if I do?" He asked as he leaned against the wall. He smirked when she nodded eagerly and made the phone call.

Shikamaru giving in to the blonde wouldn't be as troublesome as arguing. Besides a ride home meant he would not have to make his lazy limbs do much. He supposed her stubbornness wasn't as bad as he had thought. He just didn't understand what she was so paranoid about, it wasn't like he was going to die from walking home. She was making a very troublesome deal about it.

"Chouza says it's alright, it shouldn't be too long for him to get here." Ino informed after she had hung up from the brief phone call. He didn't even hear her ask him twice. He knew Chouji's dad was named Chouza and assumed they were thinking about the same person.

"He's Chouji's dad by the way. Aren't you two friends?" Ino added and continued the walk to the fourier. Sometimes she really hated how big the house was. It was like a dream to live in when she was seven and obsessed with fairytales and thought the mansion was like a palace. Now the extra space seemed so unnecessary.

"Yeah he's probably my best friend actually. Are you guys?" Shikamaru responded back. Chouji had never really mentioned her before. Sometimes she popped up in some conversations when they were freshman and Shikmaru was trying to get a hang of the new school. But it was like he was just saying facts about her.

"Kinda. We're friendly just not close friends. I mean I don't have a problem with him but we don't hang out or anything like that. We used to spend more time together when our dads were best friends. Chouza is my godfather actually so you can tell just how close they were. My dad chose him over his own brother even." Ino explained. She looked indifferent on the subject like it didn't really bother her even though it squeezed her heart for just a second.

After he father's death Ino tried to distance herself from everything that reminded her of him. That meant lots of sleepovers at Sakura or Hinata's homes, taking less shifts at the family flower shop, hiding their favorite books and films, and pushing away the Akamichis. Luckily it was just before high school started so she could use their different schedules as an excuse. It sucked because they were rather close but seeing him made her remember their family dinners and parties. She had told herself to just give it a year and ease back into her routine. So she actually slept in her own home, starting taking the weekend shift at the flower shop, and even watched one of their favorite comedies. But when she tried to repair her broken friendship it felt like their whole dynamic changed. They had completely different friend groups, activities, and classes so it was hard to reconnect. Eventually she just gave up. The only relationship that had been repaired was her one with Chouza which according to him had never really been hurt. He had still looked out for her and her mother even when they assured him they were fine. Apparently he and Inochi had some sort of oath to take care of the other's family if something happened.

"People grow apart, what can you do about it. Ino shrugged before he could reply. He nodded in agreement but couldn't think of any words to say. He knew what she was saying but not how to respond. Luckily no awkward silence fell on them because the sound of a car horn interrupted them.

"That's him." She stated and stepped out into the chill night. Shikamaru followed at a less eager pace. He already knew who Chouza was after spending so much time with his son. Seeing the massive man in the dark still made him feel uneasy. Chouji was on the fuller side and his dad was double his size. Shikamaru had never felt scrawnier than the first time they met.

"So I see you two have met." The man stated as he held the passenger seat door open for Ino. Shikamaru could tell he was smiling when he got closer to get into the back seat.

"Yeah he helped me with a section for the newspaper." Ino explained while clicking her seat belt in place. She turned around and sighed when she saw he had not mimicked her action. She smiled triumphantly when he finally did.

"All set!" She announced to their driver. He responded by backing out of the large driveway and into the dark road. Shikamaru was surprised by how little light the street had given how expensive the block looked. He assumed they would want maximum security and that included well lit streets. Maybe getting the ride home wasn't as stupid as he had thought after all.

"She wasn't too bossy was she?" Chouza asked to the ponytailed boy in his backseat. Ino's snapped her head to the side to glare at her godfather. She knew she was bossy but didn't like hearing it from anyone else. Someone had to take charge, she just liked being that person.

"Not really." The teen replied with a yawn. He wanted sleep. He wanted it very badly.

"Well that's new. Have you finally stopped being a dictator Ino?" Her godfather teased. He knew everything that riled the little blonde up and exploited them frequently. She let him get away with it though.

"You're making me sound bad, I just met this guy." She whined and sank into their seat in annoyance. Her arms folded over her chest and her glare had yet to leave her plump uncle's face.

"Let him know what he's getting into, don't tell me you acted like a little angel to deceive the poor guy." Chouza sighed and shook his head lightly. He knew she would stoop to that level if she had to. She was a phenomal actress so she could have people under her spell quite easily. However it didn't take much to tick her off so her facade rarely lasted.

"Uncle Chouza!" Ino exclaimed and smacked his arm.

"I'm just giving him a disclaimer." He replied innocently. Shikamaru chuckled to himself in the backseat over their little dispute. He had a suspicion that Ino was more troublesome than she let on and her uncle was confirming that point.

"What else should I know?" Shikamaru questioned. This car ride was proving to be fairly amusing.

"Don't you dare." Ino warned with her baby blue eyes narrowed into slits at the large man. Her voice despite being cheerful and bubbly had a scary ring to it that reminded Shikamaru of his mother's.

"Well she obsessed with her grades and will have a meltdown for having a B. She's a horrible cook so if she offers you food I suggest running. She's the dictionary entry for a bossy person. She's as stubborn as a titanium wall when she really wants something. Arguing with her will only lead to physical pain on your part. That includes loss of hearing from her yelling. Hm what else? Oh stay away from group assignments with her, I assume they are hell. But you'll probably get a good grade. And she's also a trouble magnet with a very large variety that attracts to her. I suggest if you ever decide to walk her home that you carry-"

"CHOUZA!"

"Well am I lying?" He chuckled after being rudely interrupted. Ino felt pink radiating off her cheeks as she looked at her lap. She wasn't about to admit defeat but couldn't think of a comeback either.

"But, she's also a very loyal friend or so I've heard. She knows how to take care of herself and how to use a microwave so she won't poison herself. She's extremely responsible and organized. I think she's a pleasure to have around as long as you take her orders. She's never bullied anyone. She's very active in school which has rubbed off on several students. I've also gotten advice from her that is pretty decent too. She is a genuinely good girl and I'm very proud to call her my niece." Chouza added in an effort to please his now upset niece. He wasn't lying about any of those points either.

"Way to lay it on thick." Ino scoffed while she rolled her eyes. She was still pleased to hear compliments about herself.

Shikamaru was wondering if this girl was more trouble than he was willing to handle. He'd have to spend more time with her to find out.