acclimation; o7.) move—
With a huff, Takuza heaved the large crate onto the growing stack in Ino-sensei's apartment and asked, "Is this all of it?"
Behind him, Houzumi hefted a smaller box onto the pile, and stood back, eyeing their work. "I think so, right, Ino-sensei?"
"Yes!" crooned the blonde jounin, clasping her hands together. "Aren't you two just so adorable? Thank you so much for helping me move these boxes of flower bulbs! I'd ask my genins, but they seem to have disappeared this morning…" she trailed off.
"Wonder why," Houzumi mumbled to Takuza, throwing a pointed look at the large number of boxes they had carried up to Ino's second floor apartment. Takuza offered a nervous laugh, then wiped his brow and brushed off dirt from his shirt.
"So, we'll be off then," he announced, grabbing Houzumi's hand and tugging him away before Ino-sensei found more work for them to do.
Ino sighed in defeat the sight of the genins running from her, and spoke aloud to their retreating forms, "If only I still had someone to help me."
"Eh?" Takuza uttered, stopping abruptly, causing Houzumi to slam into his back. When the smaller boy began to grumble, Takuza turned around and asked, "What do you mean by that?"
Ino looked up, surprised to see the two of them still in her apartment. "Huh?"
"What you said, about not having someone to help you anymore."
Ino started, unaware he had heard her. "Oh, it's nothing. I mean, my dad used to help me carry these boxes all the time, but that was before the war…anyway, it's nothing. Don't worry about it. Tell Shikamaru I said hello!"
"You're thinking about what Shikamaru-sensei said yesterday, aren't you?" spoke Houzumi by his side.
"Yeah, Shikamaru-sensei was talking about team bonds and friendship, and he said he'd do absolutely anything for his close friends."
Titling her head, Ino stared at the two boys. Why were they telling her this?
"Well, Shikamaru-sensei said that you were one of his really close friends, so I guess that means he'll help you do anything if you ask him."
Ino, raising a brow, smirked. "Did he now?"
The devious look on her face sent chills down the boys' spines. They shared a glance, then muttered their goodbyes as they raced out the door.
At their exit, Ino smiled to herself and said, "Well, you learn something new every day."
