Unsent
"So?" Shikamaru asks as soon as Ino reaches him. He's been waiting for exactly forty two minutes for her return to camp, sitting on a rotting log about several metres from the camp entrance. The idle position is making him conspicuous. Shinobis going to and from the camp are starting to give him suspicious and pointed stares.
"Hm?" Ino answers. She's taken by surprise by the fact that Shikamaru's obviously waiting for her. Why? Her blonde brows knit daintily together into a puzzled frown as her hands on her sides stop in mid-sway.
"What did that troublesome woman say?" Shikamaru clarifies, sounding abrupt.
"She…she—" Ino starts to prevaricate. Not able to come up with an answer, she gushes out quickly, "I just remember I have an important errand to do."
With a speedy wave of her hand, she utters, "Ja!" saying goodbye as she walks fast, leaving behind her former teammate and going ahead first towards the camp.
"Ino, wait." Shikamaru starts to follow.
Ino swivels around and glowers at the shinobi tailing on her heels. "Oh for goodness' sake, Shikamaru, I'm busy! I have to go." Then with a very audible huff, the blonde kunoichi marches faster towards the camp.
"What's her reply, Ino?" Shikamaru shouts at the departing figure.
Unseen by Shikamaru, Ino's face cringes. Temari's reply is probably on its way—and it's probably not one her friend will like and she has a niggling feeling it's her fault.
—o0o—
~4 9 13AF U4 25 13~
A/N: Anybody else got the address in search of Gaara's alpha crypt?