Shikamaru took a long drag from his cigarette as he stood outside the Hokage's building. "They're late…" he sighed. "Honestly this is too troublesome." The jonin shook his head. "Shikamaru-kuuuuuun!" He turned his head towards the melodious voice. He grinned as he saw his fellow ninja walking towards him. "Sorry we're late! Choji just had to stop for some dango." Ino sighed as she playfully shoved Choji, who was busy stuffing his face. Choji bowed and mumbled a sheepish apology through his full mouth. "Well, now that we're all here, we can go over the mission details." Ino and Choji nodded in agreement as the three started walking towards the villages entrance. "Ok so according to lady Hokage, there has been an increase in bandits attacking merchants traveling to the village. Our job is to find their hideout and apprehend them." Shikamaru glanced at his teammates. "Ok, that's pretty clear cut actually. Should be a piece of cake." Choji's ears perked up. "Did someone say cake?" Shikamaru and Ino exchanged looks, and let out a unanimous sigh.

"Hugh! Hugh!" Neji grunted as he punched the air. Training like this is so pointless, honestly. He sighed as he looked back at his teammates, who were tied back to back and flailing around. Guy sensei had tied Tenten and Lee together. "To strengthen your bond and solidify your YOUTH!" He chortled as he shot them a toothy grin, his hand in an enthusiastic thumbs up. Neji sighed. I wonder what he's doing…" Neji thought back to the day before, when Shikamaru had climbed through his window to meet him. He could feel his face flushing as he thought back to how the shadow ninja had bound him before he could even speak, gliding his hands across his bare body as he drew him into a long kiss. The two ninja had been secretly dating for several months. They hadn't made it public, not because they were worried about being judged, but because it just wasn't anyone's business. Neji sighed as Tenten raged, attached to the back of Lee still. I wonder where he is… Neji brought his hands up towards his face. "Byakugan!" Neji's eyes scanned the area as he sought out his boyfriend. Frowning, he relaxed and let his Byakugan subside. I guess he's out on a mission… I didn't even get to say be safe…