"Every phenomenon that happens in the human world is caused by people for their own convenience." ~Higurashi No Naku Koro Ni

.38

Ino was about ninety-three percent certain that when her father asked her to invite a certain redhead along with her to the onsen that the man had an ulterior motive. What that motive was the blonde teen couldn't be certain, all she knew that there had been some sort of drama involving the redhead recently just from what she'd overheard Shikamaru's dad and her dad talking about one evening. She knew something wasn't quite right with the younger girl.

Something had never been right. Uzumaki Mitomi was a bundle of intrigue, mystery. She was an interesting character that's for sure. Especially from a psychology point of view. Ino would love to take a dive in her mind, to see what made Mitomi the way she was.

But alas that will never happen, since as it stood Ino was a chunin and Mitomi was a jonin. She'd only get jonin level psych evals.

She raised her eyebrow at her father, securing the hold she had on the basket of lilies. "Why?" And because she was almost a hundred percent certain he had an ulterior motive she figured it was just better to ask.

Inoichi sighed at his daughter, at the questioning look in her eyes. "I believe she needs to see that other people are capable of genuine actions. Her last eval made it apparent that at the moment she believes that most people are out to get her. That everyone sees her as the enemy." Ino seemed to contemplate his answer. Understanding slowly creeping in.

"Is this because of the kyuubi?" It was no secret now among the rookie nine that Naruto and his sister were the host of the demon fox. Ino was honestly just glad someone was keeping that beast in check.

Her father gave another heavy sigh. Leading her to believe that there was more to it than that. But if there was he didn't share it with her. Instead he gave her an almost pleading look. "Invite her to the onsen, it will be good for her mental health if she spends time around other people her own age."

Inoichi knew that in order for anything to change Mitomi needed to make friends. She needed proof that humans had the ability to be decent. If not, if she continued down this current path. Not only would they all suffer the consequences, her inability to form human connection would be her undoing.

"Fine. Do you know where she is? I'm assuming you do." Ino conceded to his want. Good girl, his daughter had a really big heart if given the chance. This would work out well.

He half smirked. "I'd check the Nara compound first and if not there perhaps her own apartment or the Yondaime's nose." He knee from the mind walk that those were the only comforts she fold inside the village.

It did bring up the question why the Nata compound, but he supposed that was a question for another day.

Ino made a face at the first suggestion as if she knew the reason why. But she didn't share and set the flowers down offering him a quick goodbye peck on the cheek before rushing out of their store. Inoichi couldn't wait to hear how it went.

…

I begrudgingly liked Shikamaru. It was a realization I'd come to recently. Something about the lazy Nara heir settled well with me. He never pressured me to do anything I wasn't comfortable with, he allowed me my space, no matter how much I probably intrigued him.

Shikamaru never let his own curiosity compromise my comfort. It was a gesture I understood and completely appreciated. I wanted to trust him. Which put me in a very peculiar situation.

I liked him, I didn't want to, but I did. I shouldn't have trusted him. I'd never fully trusted anyone. But yet I did.

Could you see the predicament?

His head snapped up and he groaned before giving me a rather pitiful look. "Incoming." He mutters, I could feel the irritation of his words.

I'd been so comfortable playing shoving with him that I'd let my senses slide. A problem it appeared. I felt safe here, I didn't think to keep them open.

Now it was too late.

A certain cheerful blonde pushed herself into my view. She looked rather proud of herself, if the smirk on her face was anything to go off of. "Uh…. hello?" What did she want?

What did she want from me?

Apparently I wasn't going to wait long to find out the answer.

"Myself and some of the other konouchi our age are going to the onsen today, and to get dinner after, a girls day of sorts. I know you don't usually hang out with us but since our last mission together I wanted to hang out with you. So you'll come right?" My eyes narrowed before I could stop them.

This was suspicious. I was under the impression that Ino did not like me. Maybe I was wrong…

No there was something more to this. I just wasn't sure. Besides, the phrasing of her question…

It wasn't one. She didn't seem to give me a choice on the matter.

I wasn't sure how to feel about it. Forcing a sigh I nod my head. My smile to follow isn't real and I'm sure she knows that.

"Sure, why not." I mean I could think of a million reasons why this wasn't a good idea but she didn't ask me. "Not like I have any other plans for the day. Shikamaru and I can only tie on shogi so many times before it gets boring." He rolls his eyes while putting the board away.

Ino's grin in response to my answer is triumphant, she's accomplished what she wanted. Whatever that was.

"Great, then you don't mind coming with me now. We're going to go meet up with Sakura before heading over to the onsen."

Great.

Just great.

I get up slowly. Not looking forward to whatever this was in the slightest. Something, or someone had an ulterior motive for this and I was going to find out way. I was not a fan of someone trying to play games with me.

My guess was Inoichi, but the question was. What did he think that this would accomplish? No way Ino would invite me to do something with her of her own accord. Right?

One way or another I would get to the bottom of this.

XOXOX

Inoichi is playing a dangerous game with Mitomi… It might not be such a good idea to force his will on her. He should really know better.

Anyway…. Thank you for reading!

I look forward to hearing from you all!

Thank you for your continued support!

Sincerely, La'Rae