Chapter 2

Konoha - Ino's Apartmment - 08:00 hours

"Morning, Sakura," Ino Yamanaka said to her best friend, as she locked the door to her place

"Morning, Piggy," Sakura replied, "I heard something from Sasuke last night. Something about you leaving a club angry, and Naruto chasing you down?"

"That's just Naruto being his incredible self." Ino then went on to explain about her bad (to say the least) date, and then her walk and later night with the future Hokage.

"So he was concerned for you?"

"Yeah. Not only that, but I think he needed that as much as I did. The thing with Hinata must have really hurt. BUt he's always put his friends above all, Forehead. Rememaber that promise he finally kept?"

"Do I ever."
"There were a few other times he's been there for me, but one really stands out.

-Major Flashback-

Konoha - Following Asuma's Funeral

Ino had separated from her teammates after Asuma was buried. Choji left with his family, and Shikamaru was with Temari, who made the trip from Suna after she heard the news. So, she sat on a bench in one of Konoha's parks, her tears still flowing freely. She had no idea how long she had been there, and really didn't care.

That is, until she felt a hand on her shoulder. She turned around to see Naruto sitting right there beside her. He placed an arm around her shoulder, and she just melted. She cried into his jacket until she finally passed out, and he just sat there, offering her all the comfort he could.

She woke up several hours later, at her parents' house, where her mother explained that Naruto had dropped her off. She was then handed a note that said, "Our Little Secret...N," and had a drawing of a toad on it.

End Flashback

"Why hasn't anyone snatched him off the market?" Ino inquired of her friend.

"If it weren't for her father, Hinata would have," Sakura replied, "You know how long she's loved him. But, I have a feeling he's off the market now."

"If I have anything to say about it, he is."

Konoha - Same Time - Front of Hokage's Tower.

Naruto was on his way to the Hokage's Office, when he was stopped by 3 of his friends: Sasuke, Shikamaru and Choji. "Hey, Guys," the future Hokage greeted his comrades.

"Hey, Dobe," Sasuke replied, "How'd it go with Ino?"

Naruto observed Shikamaru and Choji, and then told them all about catching up with the blonde girl, their walk and conversation, and then about catching up to her the next day. "They don't need to know everything," he thought

"Kami," Shikamaru said, "It's about time. All we've ehard since the end of the war was about her bad luck dating. Inoichi told our dads about how you brought her home after Asuma's funeral."

"Just treat her right, Naruto," Choji told the blonde.

"Wouldn't do otherwise, Choji," Naruto then headed into the office, followed by Sasuke. Naruto was humming a tune.

"You're in a good mood," Tsunade noted, as Naruto joined her at the desk, "And since you're here too, Sasuke, Naruto, what level do you think he's at? You fought him."

"Jonin easily," Naruto told the Hokage, "Elite Jonin, if you count in the Sharingan."

Tsunade threw him the flasck vest and told the Uchiha, "I'll calll you if I have a mission for you." Sasuke then left and Tsunade turned to Naruto, "So, it went well with Ino?"

"I'll say," he then told her withat he told Shikamaru and Choji about the previous day.

"Good, then you can take her to an engagement party tonight."

Naruto groaned, "Let me guess. Kiba and Hinata."

"They are your friends," the busty blonde kage stated, "Besides, you will soon be Hokage soon. You can't still be bitter."

"Bitter? No," The young Toad Sage replied, "I have nothing against Kiba and Hinata. Can't say as much about Hiashi and the Hyuga elders. I can, however, put it aside for Hinata and Kiba."

"This is part of the job, Naruto."

"I know, Baa-chan. It's all good. Besides, I'll be taking the most amazing kunoichi in the village, anyway."

"The party's at 18:00," Tsunade informed her successor, "And Ino's going to be at the hospital today. I have to check in on a few patients, so why don't you come with me, and see her there?"

"I'll leave a few clones to do the paperwork." Naruto then made several shadow clones to do the job as he and Tsunade left.

Hospital - 09:00 hours.

Unlike Sakura, who became one of the best medics in Konoha, Ino used her medical training and her clan jutsu to become a top notch therapist, threating ninjas recovering from injuries, and from Post Traumatic Stress after the war. She didn't have a patient for an hour, when Guy was coming for physical therapy after opening the 7th gate in a battle during the war. She's at her desk when there's a knock at her door. "Come in," she called

"Hey," Naruto answered, peeking around the door, "You busy?"

"Not at the moment," Ino said smiling, "Something up?"

"Yeah. I've got to go to Kiba and Hinata's engagement party tonight as Baa-chan's representative. You want to come with me?"

"Of course. A herd of cattle chased by a crowd of hungry Akimichi couldn't keep me away. It's at 6, right?"

"That's what I was told."

"Then I'll take off early, and make sure I look good for you tonight." Ino then walked over and wrapped her arms around his neck.

"I don't think that'll take much effort. I'll pick you up at 5." He slid his arms around her waist and held her close. Just her sheer presence, to Naruto, was intoxicating.

It was this moment that Guy managed to walk in on. "Their flames of youth burn brighter htan the sun," the eccentric jonin said, shocking both blondes out of their respective trances.

Naruto kissed Ino and released his hold at her waist. "I'll see you at 5, Hime."

"See you then," she responded, then thought, "Hime, huh? I could get used to that."

End Chapter

A/N: I know that a lot of ff writers put Ino in the T&I division after the war, but I had a different idea. Asuma described her as a compassionate caretaker in his last words (translation from Ultimate Ninja Storm 2). Take that into account, as well as her medical training, and her family's mind jutsu, and I thought she'd be a great Occupational Therapist for the Shinobi in Konoha. With her traning and credentials, she'd be able to effectively aid Shinobi in recovering from injuries, or from PTSD.