A/N: Hey guys! So, I don't know about you, but my kids are seriously starting to get cabin fevered from being home so long. My middle son actually broke down in tears from it yesterday. Talk about a heart-wrencher. And in light of that, I got to thinking that probably everyone with a movement restriction is starting to feel the same way. So my idea on contributing to a solution was to do a daily posting of something short, probably random, just to relieve boredom if nothing else. If you have any suggestions as to what would be good to write about, feel free to throw them my way. I honestly haven't a clue what to go for. All of this is completely fresh. Also, there will be no editing, so forgive any coarseness and repetitive verbage.

It will run as long as I feel inspired to do so, or until life returns to normal. So, stay safe, those who aren't sick, and prayers for a speedy recovery for those who are. And for inspiration and encouragement these last couple of weeks, my go-to song has been The Light by Disturbed. Great vibes there. May all the joy and blessings my heart can hold find its way to lift you up.

Oni

Chapter 1

The Puddle

Team Ten strolled into a large glade in the woods on the outlying territory of Konoha. They were on their way home, and their original plan had been to make it to the village by nightfall, but a series of summer showers had slowed their progress just enough to ensure that they would be camping out for one more night before they could deem their mission a success.

And what a success it was. Never before had their teamwork been so smooth, with the entire team working in sync to infiltrate and retrieve the information Konoha needed to ensure the Land of Grass wasn't a larger threat than they anticipated. The best part was, not a single soul was the wiser.

It might have been that reason that the mood was so light, or maybe it was the proximity to home, but either way, both Ino and Choji had serene smiles on their faces as they shed their packs near a wet log that had fallen ages ago. Asuma and Shikamaru looked untroubled, not a worry line in sight.

It wasn't long until the group made themselves at home. Choji had plopped down against the log, uncaring of his rapidly dampening shorts, and breathed in deeply before sighing loudly and closing his eyes in contentment. Asuma and Shikamaru busied themselves with setting up the tents while Ino wandered around the confines of the clearing, examining the flora with a critical eye.

It was on this short circuit that she noticed there was a gentle dip at the far end, filled to the brim with standing rainwater, creating an impromtu ankle-deep pool. The grass was still visible beneath, suspended in the warm liquid.

Sliding her sandals from her feet, Ino set them to the side and straightened back up. Tentatively, she flexed her bare foot and dipped her toes in the water. It was as warm as it looked, so she planted her whole foot in it and slid the other one forward. She paused there for a second before settling it beside its mate and evening out her weight.

After walking all day the liquid felt like heaven on her feet. Slowly, she made a loop around the inner edge. The grass tickled her feet, and the mud on the bottom squished up between her toes. Scrunching up her face, she wiggled the tiny digits, both loving and hating the feeling.

After she had her fill of sensory indulgence, she turned toward the middle, planning to trek across the short diameter. It was then that from out of nowhere a large hand landed on the middle of her back, and a moment later she was sent sprawling face-first into the water. She landed with a loud sploosh, instantly getting soaked and spluttering.

In less than a second she was on her feet, whirling around, her long, blonde hair flinging muddy water in a great circle, as she leveled an incinerating glare at the figure of Asuma as she struggled to drag her wet bangs from her face.

Her leader struggled to maintain the look of innocence on his face, but the death glare he received sent his lips skyward, his cigarette threatening to fall as a deep chuckle escaped his lips.

She didn't have time to utter the curse that was rising in her mind, as Asuma suddenly lurched forward, his eyes widening in shock and surprise, arms windmilling. Ino dodged to the side, landing in the water on her elbows as he splashed down right where she had been. Extricating herself from the water a second time, her anger melted away at the sight of Shikamaru and Choji standing side by side, dusting their hands off. Matching grins plastered both of their faces, and Ino couldn't help but smile back.

They reached down to help her up, each grabbing a hand. She struggled for a moment, nearly rising when the grass under her feet gave way to the mud beneath, sucking her back down, both boys in tow. The ensuing splash was enormous, arms and legs entangling in a melee for dominance as they each attempted an escape from their current predicament. Finally Choji expanded beneath them, flinging the other two off as he filled up the majority of the space.

Rising to her feet for the third time in as many minutes, Ino dragged herself to the somewhat drier grass where she collapsed in a fit of laughter. She turned her head to find Shikamaru, who had pulled himself halfway out before giving up and sprawling out on his back, still half in the water. They could hear Asuma on the other side, struggling to free his leg from under Choji, who appeared to have fallen asleep where he was, refusing to move to release his sensei.

Finally with a loud pop Asuma freed himself, falling backward before climbing to his feet and wading out of the water hole. Choji returned to his normal size, and mere minutes later, everyone was standing around the log, wringing out hair and clothes as Asuma worked on getting a chakra-enhanced fire going. They huddled around it as they ate their dinner, talking about what they would do after their debriefing tomorrow. They would have the rest of the day off to do what they wanted, and none of them were letting the rare opportunity pass.

Later that night as he stood guard over his students, Asuma couldn't help the smile that played on his lips at their earlier antics. Such time for play was rare in a shinobi's life, and it made him want to delay their return to the village every time they had a mission. Who knew how long it would be before the bitterness of reality woke them, replacing carefree attitudes with worry. But for now, he too, would enjoy this moment.