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All credit belongs to Masashi Kishimoto. Credit for this written piece belongs to yours truly.
011: Nagging
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"Shikamaru," began Ino as she watched her teammate step outside for a drag of smoke. "I don't understand how you can even handle smoking in this heat!"
Shikamaru shrugged, leaning against the doorway as he lit the roll between his fingers. As usual, he stared up at the rooftops of the buildings, at the clothes wiring extended above the streets, and at the scatters of tags and graffiti scribbled onto the peeling paint of the walls. The sun was at its point of day, and many of the villagers walked by in clothing suitable for the waves of heat engulfing Konohagakure.
Ino, for instance, was in a casual pair of orange shorts and a baggy blouse as she monitored the Yamanaka Flower Shop from the check counter. Shikamaru, rather than walking around in his usual chuunin vest and black long sleeve, wore a simple fishnet and his training pants. Many of the women walked around in a simple sundress, and many of the boys ran around in shorts.
"Shikamaru!"
The brunette shifted his gaze behind him into the shop, and he caught hold of a very frisky Ino, who had slammed her palms onto the counter.
"What?"
"How many times do I have to remind you not to smoke around the plants!"
He sighed, deciding to put out the cigarette and smash it beneath the heel of his zori. He would much rather keep cool under a rooftop than bask under the rays of sun at this hour.
As he walked back into the shop, he stared blankly at the blonde, who was feasting herself with a bowl of red jell-o. She glared at him before swallowing and giving him her signature scowl.
"Now you smell like smoke." She groaned. "Shikamaru, I really don't understand how you're considered a genius."
He smiled.
"And I don't understand how someone who nags me more than my mother can be so attractive."
Ino's mouth shut, and her eyes widened—giving a perfect view of her icy irises.
Shikamaru's smile quickly formed a smirk when her cheeks flamed a rosy pink. She was at a loss of words, and because of this, he took the chance to snatch the spoon in her hand. With a dip into the dish of jell-o, he took a spoonful into his mouth before giving it back. When he swallowed, he turned his attention back to Ino.
"We're even now."
Ino's brows furrowed, and she snatched the spoon back.
"If you wanted some you should have asked!"
And with that, a very flustered Ino shoved another spoonful of jell-o into Shikamaru's mouth.
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