Disclaimer: Of course, I don't own Naruto.

Try

Chouji was more than prepared that day. It had finally happened, the" Ino-Shika-Chou" reunion at Yakiniku after four years. He had finally gotten both his teammates together in one place. He felt the anxiety as he waited for them to arrive at the restaurant. Who knew what will happen tonight? They can either ignore each other or yell at each other. He desperately wished it wasn't the latter.

He drummed his finger a little impatiently, as he waited for Shikamaru and Ino to arrive at their usual table in Yakiniku. It wasn't really that they were late; it was just that he arrived early. He was a bit excited of seeing his two teammates together; it has been far too long that Team 10 has been in the same place or at the same barbeque place, for that matter.

It was Asuma that reinforced the idea to them to always celebrate a successful mission with a barbeque. It has been Team 10's way of celebration and through that it helped with the team's camaraderie and they became close with each other. It was true though at first that they had been one of the loser team out of the rookie nine but then through Asuma's leadership and guidance the team 10 grew not just as a team but individually as well. He became a clan head, Shikamaru was exposed as a true genius and Ino was the flower of Konoha, both in beauty and intelligence.

Chouji has always been proud both of his teammates and just like his father, Chouza, he watched how his two best friends grew to become fine shinobis; he too watched both of his best friends. He never felt left out and has always been the one that stand beside them. However unlike his father, he watched his two best friends grew apart.

It was really the reality that forced them to grow up. The war, Asuma, Inoichi and Shikaka's death were the obvious reasons for their drifting apart. It was supposed to make them be together, to grieve together, but it went the other way. It broke apart their team. It broke the two of them apart.

But now that Shikamaru is back, he knew it would either turn for the better or for the worst. He never doubted what both of his teammates felt about each other. They didn't have to tell him, he just knew. He just hoped that after everything that they had to go through and what had yet to happen that they will find the happiness they deserved.

He shifted uncomfortably in his seat, twitching nervously and waiting for both of his teammates. The growling on his stomach this time was not because of hunger but because of his anticipated tension on their table. The owner of the shop already came by his table twice, asking if he would like for them to serve the food as he waited. He decidedly declined, just wanted to wait first for Shikamaru and Ino to arrive.

The sight of platinum blonde hair at the restaurant's entrance was a sign that Ino was the first one to arrive. Chouji let out a sigh, suddenly aware of the breath that he was holding. At least she came and he now he just have to wait for his guy best friend.

"Oh hey Chouji!" Ino approached him with a wide smile; her ponytailed long hair was bouncing on her back as she purposely walked towards him. She was wearing a simple knee cut baby blue dress and a pair of flat white sandal. When she arrived at the table, she shifted and sat on her regular seat. "So, it's just you?" She asked as she observed the other side of their table.

Chouji fidgeted and cleared his throat. "Shikamaru will come from a meeting with the Hokage. He sent a word this afternoon." He eyed Ino warmly, if she was uncomfortable with their dinner, she was not showing it. "Are you going to be ok?" He asked, wanting to make sure that she was fine.

Ino nodded and forced a smile within her. She had already decided that she can try for now. When Chouji invited her for Team 10's reunion, she was hesitant at first. But she had really grown now; she was not the twelve years old loud, bratty and annoying person she was before. She can be an adult and faced her problems head on. She knew that she could at least try to be friends again with him. She owed it to her sensei and her father.

"Don't worry Chouji." Ino replied and flashed him one of her signature bright smile.

Time seemed to slow down as they waited for the other person to arrive and now, there were two nervous people at the table. Chouji was still fidgeting while Ino was humming to herself as they waited for Shikamaru's arrival. Their eyes met and somehow they both realized how silly they were behaving, Chouji and Ino both laughed, releasing the tension from their table.

"It has been a while hasn't it?" Ino asked Chouji, pertaining to the last time the two of them also sat down for dinner, the last time Ino remembered it was more than a month ago. Close as they were, they still rarely got to see other in the village. They had each had been busy of their separate responsibilities.

"Yeah, it was. We should do this often." Chouji gave her a warm smile. "How's Sano?"

Ino leaned forward and placed both her elbows on the table. "He is away on a mission, again." She sighed, she knew why because they had asked a two months' vacation after their wedding. "I really hope that's the last one he will have for the next two months." She continued worriedly.

"The big day's approaching fast."

"Yup, you better not slack off Chouji; we need you at the ceremony." She teasingly ordered. She had already decided that along with her mother, Chouza will stand in for her father when she walked down the aisle. Chouji will be her best man.

Chouji nodded and their eyes met again and they laughed, remembering their genin days when she would always be the one giving orders and the two boys would have no choice but to obey her commands. Ino smiled at the thought that Asuma really had his hands full when he accepted to be a sensei for a bratty blonde, lazy guy and a chubby kid. He was a good sensei though; he was the reason why Team 10 has the best teamwork over all the Rookie 9. But even with all his teaching we could not have prevented something as far as feelings from the heart. She frowned at that thought.

"I'm sorry I'm late." Shikamaru's voice, echoed disrupting her thoughts.

Ino straightened her back, suddenly aware of the person standing beside their table. It was just three days ago that she had last seen him and she still cannot believe that the man standing in front of her table now was really back. She looked down at the table as Chouji stood up and gave Shikamaru a clamp on the shoulder.

"No you are just in time." Chouji smiled with obvious happiness. Finally, Team 10 is now currently complete. "Ino and I had not been waiting that long." He gestured towards his seat.

Shikamaru smiled at his best friend and glanced down at Ino who was looking down at the table avoiding his gaze.

"So, who's buying?" He asked Chouji, grinning at the swirly cheek man. He was wearing the usual jounin attire and a tired look in his eyes.

He scooted over at Chouji's side of the table and Chouji sat down as well. The owner of the Yakiniku soon came over to them teary eyed as she saw the reunion of "Ino-Shika-Chou" at her restaurant. She was really fond of them as she had witnessed how the team developed; she told them Asuma would have been really proud of how each of them grew, not just a fine shinobi for Konoha but as a person as well. The she told them that their dinner for that night will be on the house, earning heartwarming thanks from the three shinobis.

Their dinner was relatively peaceful with Chouji taking on the role of the host. He was the one telling stories and asking Ino and Shikamaru's opinion about things and the two will respond with enthusiasm, false or not just to humor him. It was almost as if, the people on the table were getting along really well and the reunion was a success. Of course Chouji knew he was safe as long as he stayed away from three topics, he knew this evening will relatively end well. The three topics being: about the two of them, Ino's wedding and Suna.

As the night wears on, Shikamaru found himself really enjoying the dinner with his teammates and he has yet to thank Chouji for arranging the meetup as well. Specifically, since he was able to see Ino again. He knew it was just three days ago that they finally were able to see each other but he knew that they still needed to talk.

He might as well be staring at her all throughout dinner time. He would notice the way she laugh, her smile, the way her face will become animated when she listened or talked to Chouji. He did also notice the way she would avoid his eyes, he might as well be invisible and patient as he was it was irritating him. But at least she was there and had not left just like the last time, he thought.

Then it happened, he caught her gaze. It occurred so quickly but he met her eyes, and in a brief moment it gave him hope.

Soon enough, it was almost past midnight and the restaurant is already closed. Their table was free of food and the 3 empty bottle of sake were the only remnants. The three of them were also the only people remaining at the now empty place. A lone waiter was sleeping at the far corner of the restaurant patiently waiting for them to finish and to go home.

"Oh, look at the time." Chouji glanced at his watch, his eyes dropping and his words swirling from the alcohol for consuming most of the sake that night. "Kaori is waiting for me. I promised her that I will meet her tonight at her house before I go home." He said reffering to his girlfriend.

Shikamaru nodded and yawned.

Ino waved her right hand towards Chouji, feeling a little lightheaded with the sake. "Go now!" She ordered Chouji. "Tell her I said hi too." Ino smiled.

"I'll see you both soon." Chouji stood up and gave Shikamaru and Ino both a grateful smile. "Do me a favor Shikamaru, please walk Ino home. It's already past midnight and I don't want her walking alone this late at night." Chouji said to his best friend.

Shikamaru nodded again and shrugged at his best friend. He stood up and clamped his hand at Chouji's shoulder. "Troublesome, but I will." He replied.

Chouji knowingly smiled at him and he promptly left before Ino could say her protest, who currently was still in shocked with Chouji's orders.

"Let's go?" Shikamaru asked and yawned again. He crossed his arms as he waited for her to respond.

Ino stood up, ignoring him and started walking towards the exit. She exited the restaurant, without bothering to see if Shikamaru followed her. Once outside she deeply inhaled the night's cold air. Glancing up the stars, she sauntered towards her apartment with Shikamaru right in tow, steadily walking behind her.

The streets were now quiet and empty of people. Their path being illuminated by few lighted lamp posts. It was so quiet that she could hear the rustling of the leaves as the wind gusted over them. The night was also cold, chilling her pale skin and she hugged herself.

She stopped and faced the man behind her. "You don't have to really walk me home, you know. I promise, I won't tell Chouji, if you don't." Ino said, rolling her eyes at Shikamaru.

Shikamaru frowned, knowing how she can be difficult at times. "I'm not walking you because he asked me to. It's because I wanted to." He simply replied, shrugging his shoulders at her.

She was taken aback, surprised with his sudden forwardness, just like when he wanted to talk the last time they were together. Ino has yet to become accustom to his new behavior, the old Shikamaru before was not quiet this forward. She turned to her feet and began walking again. Shikamaru followed her and walked by beside her, his hands both in his pockets.

Silence accompanied them all the way to her apartment building, while both gave stolen quick glances to each other, wondering what the other was thinking. They climbed three stairs on the building and Ino stopped at her doorstep.

"Well, this is me." She said glancing towards the door and looking back at Shikamaru, who stood uneasily in front of her.

Shikamaru stared at her, his eyes piercing currently unsure on how he can continue where they left off last three days ago. She still has not yet accepted his apology. "Ino…" He started.

"I've decided something." Ino said, cutting him off. She faced him, as she took in a deep a breath. She took a step forward towards the hallway window. "We can try…" She said quietly, almost a whisper.

Shikamaru looked at her curiously and he returned her gaze. He can't helped but hoped, hope on what she was about to say.

"I am really not ready to talk about you or about us, what happened and I am not sure on how we are going to go about… when you were gone." She continued turning her head away and looking outside in the sky. "Actually, I am honestly not prepared to handle this stuff right now." She smiled sadly, staring at a distance. "And you are here, and Konoha is really not that big enough for us not the see each other, or not go to missions together, so..."

"But we can try…" She faced him again. "Try to be friends again. I guess..." She trailed off and gave him a small smile.

He really didn't expect the words he heard her say. He was not exactly sure if that was what he wanted either. He still had to precisely know what he wanted from her; all he knew was that he came back in the village to atone for all the hurt that he caused her. And that she is definitely a special person in his life, one that he knew he can't live without.

And having her in his life again even just as a friend… that was a good way to start.

Shikamaru nodded and returned her small smile. "I would really like that."

Oh the drama! New chapter posted two days earlier. I was supposed to update my other stories but I hit a writer's wall. But I was able to finish this one yesterday, so here you go.

I hope you like this; they are progressing but still a lot of drama. And thanks again for the people who took their time to review (tatyanac17, ShikaIno1, nellyhime, me, brunt, Rose Duchess, onceuponabloodynight) as well as thanks to the new followers and favorites. J

Please read and review again. J