Disclaimer: Naruto does not belong to me
Ouch, it's 3 in the morning right now and FINALLY finished this chapter. Have to do my Chrismas shopping still - crap I hate crowds...
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We join our hero and heroine in the midst of yet another familiar scene. Unfortunately for her new teammates, Ino was more than a little dissatisfied with the team selections. You see, Sakura had managed to be paired with Naruto and Sasuke, the same Sasuke that Ino was determined to have simply because well, everyone else wanted him too. There was no clear reason why she had decided this but in truth, it was partly because Sakura had already accused her of it so Ino figured she might as well.
Ah, the thing is, our girl ended up in the same team as Shikamaru and Chouji. Their parents were thrilled, jabbering on about a new generation of the Yamanaka-Nara-Akimichi trio. However, the old trio had never had to deal with a somewhat temperamental female who had spent the first half hour of their time together moaning about how she wanted to be in another group.
Now, the two boys were used to Ino complaining, Ino whining and Ino yelling. They were even used to her whacking them whenever she got mad. That's why most of the time, they either just ignored her until she eventually ran out of steam or complied with her wishes because she would keep nagging them until they did anyways.
Chouji opened yet another bag of chips. Considering he didn't carry a bag and there are only so many pockets in a shirt and pair of pants, where he kept them hidden was a mystery. Perhaps a mystery best left unsolved.
"Come on, Ino. It won't be that bad."
As always, she had a sharp retort ready. There were lots of things she could say but Ino did not. Why? Because she saw the way he was looking at her. No, not Chouji. He was busy searching inside the already-empty bag for any leftover pieces.
It was Shikamaru.
Well, he wasn't really looking at her. Not directly at least. But she knew he was watching her out of the corner of his eyes. He was listening, listening and waiting for her answer.
"No. I guess not."
Ino sighed, absently accepting one of Chouji's proffered biscuits. He always did that to her. Made her feel…guilty wasn't exactly the right word. It was more like an actual ache in her chest. Something that pulled at her and pulled her away from disappointing him. She didn't want to disappoint him.
"What the…? Chouji! I'm on a diet!"
Thumping the boy on the arm, Ino stomps over to a nearby log. Shooting dirty looks over at a completely bewildered Chouji, she sits and traces idle patterns in the dirt with a twig. At this point, our boy slowly makes his way to stand beside her.
"Clouds."
Alright, so that was not something that really required a response. What could you say anyways? 'Nice'? Ino didn't even bother trying. She simply scribbled 'baka' in the dirt. He saw it.
"You really that upset?"
The twig paused in its movements.
"No."
It was the truth. She wasn't upset per say. She didn't not like her team; it was more like she was frustrated that Sakura had won. There was a difference.
Ino shifted, motioning for him to sit beside her. Breaking off half of her twig, she handed it to him with a small smile. That was her way of apologizing for her outburst and Shikamaru knew it. That was why he scrawled 'Ino' next to her 'baka.' It earned him an elbow in the ribs but also a burst of laughter.
"Hey, Chouji! Come here!"
Waving the other boy over, Ino started talking enthusiastically, her previous bad mood forgiven and forgotten.
"Why don't we all get some sort of symbol? Like a team symbol?"
"You mean…(munch, munch)…like a banner?"
"Hmmm, maybe more like a necklace. Or a ring."
"Necklaces are dangerous during missions, Ino. They could get caught on something and choke you."
"Yeah…(munch, munch)…and I don't want to wear a ring. It'll just get greasy when I eat chicken, or corn, or fish…."
"Okay, okay!"
Ino was on the verge of throwing her hands in the air and giving up. Or rather, throwing her sandals on their heads and ordering them to use their brains. But then our clever girl got a better idea.
"What about an earring then? A small one that won't get caught on anything."
The two boys were silent. Chouji looked at Shikamaru, who shrugged. He didn't mind. And so they decided to get it tomorrow. Something simple because Ino thought it suited the three of them better. Neither of them argued with her decision. It had always been easier to just follow her lead.
So when the three of them showed up at the next day's training, Asuma wondered around his ever-present cigarette if it was a trend to wear only one earring. Fingering the small silver hoop in her ear, Ino proudly declared that it was a symbol of their friendship.
"Friendship, huh? How's it supposed to symbolize that?"
Rolling her eyes at the tall man scratching the back of his neck in a way that reminded her of Shikamaru, she tried to explain. It's silver because none of their techniques are flashy. It's small because they're a tight-knit group. And it's a hoop because it represents their never-ending trust and dependence on each other.
"Never-ending trust, eh?"
The doubt in his voice pissed her off so Ino 'accidentally' kicked him in the shin.
"Yeah, it's never-ending trust! We share one life now."
Shikamaru lifted his head sharply at that. What was going through his mind at that moment, one can only guess. But Ino was too busy denying that she had kicked her teacher on purpose to notice how her childhood friend suddenly looked wise beyond his years. Nor was she able to catch what he thoughtfully muttered under his breath.
"One life now."
Interesting how sometimes you say things off-handedly but they turn out to be true, huh?
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A/N: I'm not too pleased with this chapter but I wanted to update it on time. Next one should be coming in a week - I've already written parts of it and it's turning out well but just needs some editing. Thanks! and Merry Christmas!