Survival of the Fittest

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Kin squeezed Shikamaru's hand as she tried desperately to look straight into Hokage's piercing eyes. The instant they'd entered the room, she could feel the tension and animosity. Like a storm that was about to strike.

Shikamaru took a deep breath before turning towards Kin hesitantly, looking for support. When he saw her gentle yet nervous smile, he felt his heart soften. "Sensei," he murmured respectably, causing Hokage to rise his eyebrows in confusion. Shikamaru being...not sarcastic...not rebellious...but polite? This was defiantly a first.

"This is Kin," he introduced pulling her slightly forward. She swallowed nervously, while she bowed respectfully. " It's a pleasure to meet you sensei."

"Pleasure," muttered Hokage reluctantly, his cold eyes never leaving her face. "If I may ask..." he paused momentarily as he turned towards Shikamaru. "What is she doing here?"

"She...we...," he struggled trying to find the right words.

Hokage remained silent, while waiting for an answer. He calmly folded his hands while his fingers tapped impatiently.

"I was wondering if you have an extra ticket for the cruise?" he grumbled feigning innocence. "Since I want to invite a friend of mine."

"And who might that be," replied Hokage, as he shot him a calculation look. "I'm not going to give the ticket to just anyone, it does cost money you know."

Kin bit her lips nervously as Shikamaru straightened and puffed out his chest proudly. "I'm taking my girlfriend...Kin," he remarked. Noticing that Hokage's eyes narrowed dangerously, he quickly added, "That is if I have your permission of course sensei," he amended.

Kin's heart fell at the next words that escaped Hokage's mouth, "What makes you think I'd allow her to come? Unlike you I still understand how dangerous she is. Have I taught you nothing?!" he growled furiously, his fist slamming against the hardwood table.

Shikamaru winced slightly, he was caught between two very uncomfortable places. His sensei was trending onto dangerous territory. "I'm not sure you understand," he argued reasonably trying to keep the anger out of his voice. He hated that sad expression in Kin's eyes. He had once promised that he would do everything in his power to keep her happy. And he promised to keep it.

Hokage's mouth twitched slightly, either out of anger or amusement, Shikamaru had no idea. "She changed, she wouldn't harm any of us," he insisted as he clenched his fist defiantly.

"Besides, I love her," he said as if that justified everything. "And I trust her with my life," he whispered softly, while looking at Kin. He noticed that her eyes were shining with unshed tears.

"I love you too," she murmured passionately, as she stared at him with large trusting eyes.

Shikamaru looked Hokage defiantly in the eye, " I don't care whether you trust her or not. Only my opinion matters." he said as he wrapped his arms protectively arm Kin. "I would never hurt her, and she wouldn't either."

"You've always given us speeches about how we should forgive people," he continued. "About how it's better to have friends then enemies," he stated, his eyes never leaving Hokage's.

"If you don't allow her to go on the cruise I'll stay behind. I couldn't stand a day without her," he stated, as Kin brushed a strand of his hair out of his face.

Hokage stared at him momentarily. "Are you sure?" he questioned intently.

Shikamaru nodded in agreement.

"Well then in that case..."

~*~

Meanwhile outside:

Ino had her ear pressed against the door trying to her the conversation. "What is going on in there?!" she snapped impatiently. "Who's that girl with Shikamaru?"

"She sounds familiar..." she silently trailed off.

Naruto was cheerfully eating a cup of Ramen, ignoring everything/ everyone around him.

Hinata was staring at him wide-eyed while she watched him eat bowl after bowl. "How in the world could he eat so much?" she pondered mentally. "He looks so cute when he's eating!"

Sasuke was leaning against the wall as he watched Naruto in disgust. Here he was, trapped in a room full of idiots when he should have been training. He flicked Sakura a glance when she walked down the stair. "Hey," he greeted as she walked past him.

Sakura's head snapped up in surprise at the greeting. Sasuke wasn't known for his conversational skills, I've never heard him speak to me on his on free will...

"Hey," she replied casually, as she ran her hand through her hair.

Sasuke scooted closer to her, so close that his breath tickled her neck. "Look at them," he whispered softly, tilting his head so that he could get a better look at the scene before him.

Ino had piled up a few boxes and was trying to look through the window. "Damn, it's too high!" she growled as she stood on her tip-toes. "Why do the walls have to be sound-proof," she grumbled.

Her face was set into a determined facade, and there was a strange look in her eyes. Almost protective.

Sakura giggled softly before turning back towards Sasuke. "Ino sure is determined," exclaimed Sakura, her eyes fixed attentively on Ino. "What I don't understand is why she cares so much about Shikamaru...It isn't like she's got a crush on him..." her eyes widened in realization. "That's it! Ino has a crush on Shikamaru!" she yelped cheerfully as she turned towards Sasuke noticing that he was frowning.

"What's wrong?" she muttered staring deep into his eyes. "Are you alright?"

Sasuke shook his head in denial. "I don't think Ino has a crush on Shikamaru," he stated calmly, ignoring the surprised look on Sakura's face. "It just isn't like Ino to fall for him..."

"She's probably just worried about him," he added, staring in Ino's direction. "After all, she's his team mate, and they're known each other for so long. It's only mutual that she cares about him."

Sakura remained silent for a few seconds before nodding in agreement. "I never actually thought of it that way," she said slowly. "Ino really is a good friend...well she could be if she wanted to," amended Sakura.

She snapped her head towards him. "Does that mean you care about me too? As a friend? After all, we have known each other for such a long time."

Sasuke swallowed nervously. Why am I so nervous? It isn't like I'm proposing? She's only asking if I think of her as a friend...it's not that big of a deal. But...there's something about her...something that sets her apart from the other girls. Something that makes me want to...make her happy...to always be there for her...

"Of course," he replied quickly, relieved when he saw the smile on Sakura's face. "I've always been you friend, even if you didn't know it," he muttered softly. You were always there for me...even though I treated you like dirt. When I first me you I thought you were just another weak lovesick girl. But after I got to know you...boy was I mistaken. You were the strongest person I've ever met...

"I'm glad," she exclaimed cheerfully, her eyes dancing with delight. "So we're friends from now on?" she pressed, just to make sure she wasn't hearing things.

Sasuke rolled his eyes in frustration. Women...they're from a completely different planet. "Yea, friends," he repeated.

The door flew open, and knocked into Ino's boxes. "Oh shoot," she murmured, having not more then a second before she crashed to the ground. "Owww...that hurts!" she growled as she gently messaged her ass. Ino turned around to face her so called "attacker."

Her eyes narrowed dangerous, as her beautiful lips curled into a snarl.

"Kin...."

~*~

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