They were familiar in a way that most couldn't understand. Like being born already bonded to one another; destined. They never wanted it, yet they cherished it all the same.
Shikadai has often been considered brilliant, much like his father. He doesn't think he's that great, never has, but his friends praise him often. They look to him for guidance, and whether it's a drag or not, he prides himself in being of use to them.
He's a boy with many friends. However, what he has with Inojin and Chocho is much different from the relationships he has with any of his other friends. They're a team, just as their parents and grandparents were before them. As if it was written in stone from antiquity. They were destined to form a team. There was no denying how well they complimented one another, how their combined abilities far exceeded any amount of skill they could ever hope to reach on their own.
They were InoShikaCho, a dynamic trio that could face anything so long as they were together. As their parents have remained close, the three genin have always been together. For as long as any of them can remember, they've been friends; and while they don't spend every waking moment together, one could often find them bonding in some way or another.
They enjoy frequenting their favorite eating establishments together, training, and sometimes just taking it easy. Each of them can say, with confidence, that they have the utmost familiarity with one another. Shikadai knows Inojin and Chocho both like the back of his hand, perhaps even better, and he cares for them equally.
Currently, the three are having a day of leisure. Mid-spring makes for wonderful weather; not too hot nor too cold. Shikadai is perfectly content, resting on his back in a field of lush grass, hands tucked under his head, legs bent and crossed at the knee. His eyes are closed, but he has spent a great deal of time already admiring the sky. It's colored a deep azure with thick, cumulus clouds languidly floating by, providing shade from the sun most of the time.
To his right, Chocho sits resting against a cherry blossom tree that's flourishing with pastel pink blossoms. They make for a wondrous sight that anyone would enjoy, and Shikadai is no exception. A bag of potato chips is in her hands, a familiar crunch sounding every few seconds that has somehow come to have a calming effect on him. Inojin is sitting on his left, the near-constant scritching of his lead against his sketchpad is just as familiar, and just as calming. What he has right now centered between the two of them may not be what anyone else would consider their peace, but for Shikadai, it's like being home.
They live in a time of peace, but Shikadai knows that it hadn't been the same for their parents before them. He wonders how often they had days like these; how often they could just enjoy each other's company and pleasant weather without anything else to worry about. No missions, no heartache—just their team, and tranquility. Even these days, their parents are always working hard, with his father as the Hokage's chief aide, Inojin's mother as the leader of the village's Barrier Team, and Choji as the sixteenth head of the Akimichi clan, they are always doing something.
And to think, they even took time to train with their kids, to be doting parents. They have seen things Shikadai and the new Team Ten can't even fathom. They are brave and strong in a way that makes Shikadai unable to help wondering if he could ever hope to come close to being as amazing as they are. Truthfully, he doesn't have much faith in himself, but the same can't be said for how he feels about his team. Not only does he cherish them, but he respects them greatly, and he has the utmost faith in their abilities.
He may be the only chunin of his class, but he knows that those two aren't far behind him. They're tactful and talented, and he's always been the lazy one of the group, although some may not believe it. Shikadai is the one who'd be the first to suggest and enjoy a day just like today. He had, in fact, been the one to suggest this little outing. He hadn't been surprised when they were more than happy to tag along.
Tomorrow, Inojin would be helping his mother at the flower shop, Chocho would be running errands for her father, and Shikadai would be setting off to visit his uncles in Suna with his mother. For today though, there were no worries. Nothing but springtime sun, the fresh scent of flowers, and lifetime bonds that they would always cherish. Today was a simple day, one that many would likely take for granted, but not Shikadai. Though many wouldn't think too much about it, every passing moment stuck with him—sentimental and impactful. Memories that he would be able to reflect on for years and years to come.
When they were older and had more responsibilities like their parents, Shikadai hoped they would still manage to have occasional days just like today. Though they may end up being quite less frequent, he's certain the three of them will have plenty of time to reminisce on their days of youth and how calm and peaceful they are. It doesn't seem fair when he thinks about it; that their parents had to struggle so much, and yet Shikadai is grateful that he and his generation are able to live peacefully. Perhaps it won't last forever, but for now—thanks to their parents and their generation—they are able to enjoy days like this, and that's something that Shikadai appreciates even if most people his age think nothing of it.
"Ahh, I'm out of snacks," Chocho says with a defeated groan, dramatically waving around her now-empty bag of chips.
Inojin pauses his sketching to grin cheekily at her. "Well, what do you expect, Chubbs? You ate them all."
"Duh. Way to state the obvious, Inojin." She rolls her amber eyes and rests back against the tree's trunk with an indignant sigh. "I should've brought more."
Shikadai had anticipated this. Rolling onto his side, he grabs his bag and tugs one end of the drawstrings to open it. His hand snakes in and pulls out a bag of barbeque chips. "Luckily, I just happened to accidentally put these in my bag this morning."
"Accidentally?" Inojin scoffs while Chocho squeals gleefully, snagging the chips without the slightest bit of hesitation.
"I knew you were my favorite for a reason," she says musingly, and Inojin points an accusing pencil at her.
"Hey!" His pout is nothing short of adorable, and they all know there is really no favoritism between them, so it's merely for show. Still, Shikadai laughs and Chocho opens her chips, holding out the bag towards the blond.
"Don't be pouty. I'll share."
Inojin's feigned look of sadness and disappointment evaporates instantaneously at the offer, and he accepts a single chip with a smile so bright it puts the sun to shame. "Thanks, Chubbs."
"Hm. Well, you are my favorite."
The three of them laugh freely at her words and continue to enjoy their day while exchanging playful banter, snacking on Chocho's chips, soaking up the perfect weather, and admiring Inojin's many sketches. Before they know it, the sun begins to set and they have to go their separate ways, though they will be back together soon enough.
At home, Shikadai's mother is still preparing dinner, and his father takes the opportunity to call him onto the porch for a game of shogi. It's a game Shikadai has come to love, and he understands that the game itself harbors a deep sentimental value to Shikamaru, as he played often with his father and his sensei when he was still a child. They're two individuals no longer of this world, but Shikadai has heard much about them and he enjoys that; learning of the life his parents—all of their parents—lived before their time is always something that he finds so enticing.
As they sit down across from one another, the shogi board situated between them, Shikadai studies his father's face and asks, "Dad?" He pauses a beat, waits for Shikamaru's eyes to peer from the board to him, and then the young Nara smiles. "Will you tell me about your bond with Mrs. Ino and Mr. Choji?"
"Huh?" Shikamaru's eyes widen a fraction before his features soften and a chuckle rumbles deep in his chest. "Again?"
Shikadai's ears heat up at being called out and he averts his eyes bashfully. However, he doesn't back down. "Yeah… I know it's a drag and all but…"
"Ah." Shikamaru hums in a way that's contemplative and amused. "It's not so much of a drag, don't worry. I'm happy to talk about it."
Shikadai expected no less, but still, his father's words make him smile and somehow feel so much lighter. His own bond with Inojin and Chocho feels so strong, but he knows it doesn't compare to what their parents have. Not yet, at least.
Their game begins, and the entire time, Shikadai listens intently, envious and happy that they have each other. More than anything, he's happy to have his friends as well, to know that they're not only here for now, but forever. It's relieving too, hearing Shikamaru speak of how even though he isn't able to spend so much time with Ino and Choji these days, their bond remains as strong as it ever has been. It helps solidify the fact that when they grow up, the only thing that will change is they will come to cherish their bonds even more and have an even better understanding of one another.
Shikadai is not in any rush to grow up. He's content where he is, and he wants to take his time, enjoying every day for what it is, but he doesn't dread the inevitability of his future. He will have his team by his side, and they will always have him. The words don't need to be spoken for him to know that they both feel the same way; they cherish what the three of them have—what their parents have, and what their parents before them had as well.
Some people may not think much about bonds, no matter the type they may be, but Shikadai does. He thinks about them daily, and he's so glad that he's able to have something so special; something most people don't have.
The game is close, and in the end, his father wins. They've been called for dinner and know well that they better get inside lest they both get into trouble. Before they go in though, Shikadai thanks his father for his patience and willingness to indulge him, and as they make their way inside and Shikadai slides the door closed on another wonderful day of growing up, he hopes that he's able to make his son or daughter just as happy by telling stories of his bond with Inojin and Chocho.
And he hopes that they cherish their InoShikaCho bond just as much as all the trios before them. He hopes that they also have days of leisure, and that he will have many more with his team in the meantime.