Alone in an all-you-can-eat restaurant, Shikamaru, Chouji, and Ino sat eating slowly and discussing what was going on. Obviously, these two girls posed a potential threat. Otherwise, there wouldn't be so much uproar over them. Kakashi had said they were from the Hidden Cloud Village. But, they all knew the village had been beaten years ago when they broke their peace treaty with Konoha.

"So, why do you think they came here?" Chouji asked through a mouth full of food.

"Revenge, maybe?" Ino suggested, recalling her former education of the village.

"No, I don't believe so," Shikamaru said. He took a quick drink and then continued. "If they were here for revenge, they would have already attempted it. Yes, they got into a fight, but I don't believe it was of vengeance. Otherwise, they'd either be dead, packing, or we'd all be dead. If anything, they're here for diplomatic purposes."

"But, what diplomatic purposes are there?"

"Well, that could be just about anything. They could be here for a renewed peace treaty. They could be here to announce war as messengers. They could be here to play poker with the Hokage, for all I know."

The doors chimed, interrupting the conversation. Walking past the team were the two in question.

Hitomi flashed the three a look, getting the idea that she and Akane were the topic of discussion. The theory was confirmed when a deadening silence fell over the restaurant. We can't be THAT scary, can we? she thought to herself as she scouted for empty seats. The pair sat down in the first empty booth available, and with another look from Akane, the silence relieved itself and they were shrouded in common gossip and laughter.

Ino turned around in her seat to look at the two, talking just as cheerily as everyone else here. Looking at them now, she didn't think they were here for revenge, either. "Hey!" she called to them happily. She waved at the blond one, who was the first to look.

"Hi," she said solemnly. Hitomi was more afraid of causing unnecessary conflicts right now, though she knew how she appeared to everyone else.

"My name's Ino. And these two here are Chouji and Shikamaru," she said, signaling out the other two, causing a disgruntled look on Shikamaru's face.

"I'm Hitomi. And this here is Akane. Did you need something?" Hitomi asked, getting the idea from Shikamaru's expression that this conversation was not highly looked upon.

"Um, well. Not really..."

"Great. Then-" Akane tried saying, a little grumpy.

"But, now that you mention it!" Ino interjected. "My team and I were wondering what it was you two were doing in Konoha."

Shikamaru slapped his face and drew his hand slowly down as he tried to comprehend the stupidity of his team mate. You don't just waltz right up to a source of danger and try to make small talk with it. Doing so could result in-

Akane smiled up at her now, respecting her curiosity. "We just need to speak with the Hokage about something. Think of it like...advice."

Well, he definitely didn't expect that. "I guess our parents were really overreacting after all," he muttered before he gave a choking Chouji a smack on the back to save him.

Yes...this chapter is REALLY REALLY REALLY REALLY short! I KNOW! I know I promised you all a LOT more than this, but I just can't right now. I needed to update, so I put in what I already had worked out. I'm currently dealing with the usual high schooler's life. Homework, stress, friend conflicts, stress, parents being annoying, and more stress, preparation for the Art show, oh and did I mention STRESS!?!?!!? ahhh!!!! I'm going to go die now or something. .

Dragonn