DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN NARUTO (MAYBE IN A DIFFERENT REALITY I DID, WHO KNOWS?)
Ch.3 - Yamanaka Flowers
"Alright, let's take a break for now," Asuma declared, addressing his panting students, all except Naruto, who seemed to be unaffected by the rigorous training session. Team 10 had been pushing themselves for hours, striving to enhance their synergy as a team.
It was evident that Shino and Ino were exhausted, their bodies showing signs of weariness from the extended training. Gasping for breath, Ino couldn't help but express her bewilderment. "H-How... the heck are you not... exhausted, Naruto?" she managed to ask, her voice strained.
Naruto grinned, his energy seemingly boundless. "I honestly don't know," he replied, his eyes shining with enthusiasm. "From the looks of it... I think I can keep going, dattebayo!" Asuma found amusement in Naruto's unwavering stamina, holding a secret knowledge that Naruto himself was oblivious to. "Oh, I know why you're not exhausted. If only you knew," Asuma thought to himself, a knowing smile playing on his lips.
Seizing the opportunity to provide feedback, Asuma called his students' attention. "Okay, runts, listen up," he commanded, his voice firm yet encouraging. "Here are some notes I have regarding each and every one of you."
He turned his focus to Shino, addressing his unique strengths. "Shino, work on your positioning," Asuma advised. "Your arsenal of jutsus is well-suited for mid-to-long range attacks. Maintain a strategic distance from your enemy, using your abilities to set the tempo for yourself and your teammates."
Next, he shifted his attention to Ino, recognizing her potential for growth. "Ino, work on your speed and accuracy with your Shintenshin no Jutsu (Mind Body Change Technique)," he instructed. "We don't want you to miss your jutsu and find yourself vulnerable in the midst of battle. Additionally, improve your overall speed, as Naruto and Shino can only do so much against our enemies. You must swiftly capitalize on every opportunity presented by your teammates."
Finally, Asuma turned his gaze to Naruto, emphasizing the need for refinement in his approach. "And lastly, Naruto," he began, his tone serious. "Work on hiding your intentions. Your moves are too straightforward and predictable, suffice it to say that your moves are too telegraphed. An opponent with a functioning brain can easily anticipate your next move and turn it against you. Also, be mindful of the punishment you take. While your stamina allows you to endure a few hits, it's not an excuse to be careless and let the enemy overpower you. Your jutsu is well-suited for diversionary tactics, and you have shown some skill in that area. Focus on honing that ability."
Asuma concluded his feedback, offering a final assessment. "That's pretty much all I have to say for now," he stated, his words carrying a blend of expectations and encouragement.
Shino and Ino nodded, understanding their sensei's feedback and determined to improve their performance in the future. They recognized their respective roles within the team and the importance of refining their skills and coordination. Naruto, as the frontline fighter, would hold down enemies for Ino to utilize her clan techniques to finish them off. Shino, similarly, played a supportive and offensive role, with the ability to deal damage when necessary. Additionally, he served as the team's sensor, using his insects to detect hidden enemies.
Naruto, ever eager to learn, expressed his frustration at being unable to land a grip on Asuma during their training sessions. Asuma chuckled and explained, "Well, even though I'm more inclined towards close-to-mid ranged combat with my trench knives, I don't have much expertise in grappling. My style involves slicing the shit out of my foes, not beating them to a pulp. But if I come up with something that can help you, I'll be sure to let you know, kid. Also, remind me to train you in using weapons. It's always good to have some versatility in combat, unless you want to be like Gai and his mini-me."
Naruto was satisfied with Asuma's response, giving him a thumbs-up. The team had done extensive training that day, starting early in the morning and finishing just past lunch. Though it initially frustrated the two blondes, they understood the necessity of the training and pushed through. Shino, as usual, remained silent, his thoughts undisclosed.
Asuma addressed Ino and Shino, acknowledging that there wasn't much more he could teach them regarding their specific situations. He advised them to seek guidance from their clan members, who would have valuable insights to offer. With that, he declared them dismissed and headed off in a different direction, taking out a cigarette as he walked.
Before Asuma was out of earshot, Ino couldn't resist a playful jab. "Say hello to Kurenai-sensei for us!" she shouted. A flustered Asuma responded that he didn't know what she was talking about, eliciting a laugh from Naruto while Shino remained silent, unfazed by the exchange.
As Asuma waved goodbye and disappeared from their sight, the three teammates remained standing in the middle of the training grounds. Shino calmly announced his departure, "Since our training for the day is complete, I will be heading back home. See you tomorrow."
They exchanged brief farewells, and Shino went his way while Ino and Naruto prepared to leave as well, reflecting on their progress and looking forward to the next day's training session.
As their bespectacled teammate departed, Ino and Naruto stood alone, their blonde hair catching the soft rays of the setting sun. A compliment unexpectedly escaped Ino's lips, leaving Naruto momentarily taken aback. It was a rare occurrence for him to receive praise, let alone be called smart.
"Huh?" Naruto's voice held a hint of confusion, his brows furrowing as he struggled to comprehend her words.
Ino rolled her eyes, a gesture that spoke volumes about Naruto's occasional slowness. "I'm talking about what you did earlier, Naruto," she clarified, her tone tinged with a touch of exasperation. "You created a clone to protect my body when I missed my jutsu. You'll be saving this body from unnecessary bumps and bruises."
Naruto's face brightened, a mischievous foxy grin spreading across his features. "Ahhh! It's not a big deal, dattebayo!" he exclaimed, trying to downplay his actions.
Ino's eyes narrowed playfully, her words carrying a warning wrapped in teasing. "Just remember, Naruto, if you ever have any inappropriate thoughts while holding my body, I swear to Kami, I will break your mind."
"W-WHAT?! I-I'm not a pervert!" Naruto protested; his voice laced with defensiveness.
"Alright, alright, I believe you," Ino conceded, her voice softer now. "Just keep my words in mind."
Naruto grumbled to himself, feeling slightly indignant about the accusation. "Alright, alright... You're kinda bossy, you know that? Maybe that's why Sasuke-teme doesn't notice you at all" he retorted, unable to resist teasing her.
In an instant, Ino's tone turned fierce, her anger simmering just below the surface. "What did you say?!" she snapped; her voice filled with indignation. Naruto quickly interjected, assuring her it was a harmless comment to avoid any physical retribution.
"No, no, it was nothing! I didn't mean anything by it," Naruto hastily replied, hoping to quell her anger.
"Besides, I'm not bossy. I'm just confident, that's all," Ino asserted, her voice a mix of determination and self-assurance.
"Yeah, whatever floats your boat, Ino," Naruto retorted, his tone implying a playful jab.
"And for the record, Sasuke-kun would definitely choose me over Forehead," Ino declared, a hint of rivalry creeping into her voice.
Naruto couldn't help but cringe at Ino's words, immediately regretting the reaction that escaped him. Sensing his discomfort, Ino took offense, her expression turning defensive. "What? You don't think I'm pretty?!" she exclaimed, her voice carrying a tinge of hurt.
"Huh? It's not that..." Naruto hurriedly replied, his voice tinged with a mix of embarrassment and reassurance. "I cringed when you mentioned Sasuke's affections for the bajillionth time. That bastard has the same amount of personality and emotion as a brick wall. And for the record, I think you're kinda pretty, so calm down, jeez..." he responded.
Ino felt a slight warmth creep up her cheeks as she processed Naruto's candid compliment. "He thinks I'm kinda pretty, huh?" she mused inwardly, a fleeting desire crossing her mind for Naruto to drop the qualifier and for Sasuke to utter those words instead. However, she quickly dismissed the thought, pushing it aside as she focused on the present.
"So, what are you up to, Naruto?" Ino inquired, her voice carrying a hint of curiosity.
Naruto's stomach growled audibly, prompting a sheepish grin to spread across his face. "I'll be having a late lunch since I'm freaking starving," he confessed.
Ino couldn't help but chuckle at his hunger-induced eagerness. Sensing an opportunity, she asked where he planned to eat, already anticipating his predictable response. "Ichiraku Ramen, dattebayo! Want to come along?" Naruto asked, his voice brimming with enthusiasm.
Ino arched an eyebrow, feigning disapproval. "Don't you ever get tired of eating ramen? You do know that too much of something is bad, right? It's called moderation, Naruto," she retorted, a playful admonishment in her tone.
"Nah, besides, ramen is the best. It's practically the food of the gods! And that's rich coming from you, Ino. Isn't excessive shopping also bad?" Naruto jabbed back, a mischievous glint in his eyes. In response, Ino simply rolled her eyes, a gesture that conveyed her exasperation.
"Whatever," she replied, flicking her hair dismissively.
"So, are you coming or not?" Naruto pressed, his excitement palpable. Ino sighed, realizing that convincing someone as stubborn as Naruto to choose an alternative was an exercise in futility. Besides, it was Naruto and ramen they were talking about—two inseparable entities.
"Fine... I'm only coming because I don't feel like eating alone today. Plus, I'm already starving too," Ino relented, her words laced with a mix of resignation and hunger. Naruto's face lit up with delight as the two blondes set off towards Ichiraku Ramen, engaging in lighthearted conversation along the way, discussing trivial topics that eased their minds and grumbling stomachs.
- At Ichiraku Ramen -
Naruto let out a satisfied sigh as he finished his fifth bowl of ramen, his hunger finally satiated. Ino, on the other hand, had barely made a dent in her own bowl and watched Naruto with a mix of disbelief and amusement.
"There's seriously something wrong with you when it comes to ramen," Ino remarked, her gaze fixed on her fellow blonde.
"I could say the same about you and shopping," Naruto retorted, a playful grin forming on his lips.
"Why you!" Ino exclaimed, her fist winding back, ready to deliver a playful blow to Naruto's head. However, before her fist could connect, their attention was drawn to someone approaching their table.
"Naruto?... Ino-pig?" a girl with vibrant pink hair called out. The two blondes turned to face Sakura, who wore a puzzled expression upon seeing them together.
"Sakura-chan/Forehead?" Naruto and Ino greeted her in unison, their voices filled with surprise.
"Since when did the two of you hang out? Don't tell me you're dating?" Sakura asked, her curiosity evident.
"Huh?/What?!" Naruto and Ino exclaimed simultaneously, their faces displaying a mix of shock and disbelief.
"Me? Dating Naruto? Are you insane?" Ino responded, her voice tinged with incredulity.
"Hey!" Naruto protested, feeling slightly offended.
"Oops! Sorry, Naruto," Ino quickly apologized, realizing she had unintentionally hurt his feelings.
Deciding to brush it off, Naruto put on a casual front, concealing any lingering hurt. "What brings you here, Forehead?" Ino inquired, diverting the conversation.
Sakura explained that she had been searching for their sensei, Kurenai, hoping to learn a thing or two about genjutsu. However, Kurenai seemed to be nowhere to be found.
"Why don't you ask Kakashi-sensei? I'm pretty sure he knows a thing or two about genjutsu," Ino suggested, her tone helpful.
Sakura sighed in response. "Kakashi-sensei is on a mission and won't be back for a few days. I'll have to figure it out on my own for now," she replied, a hint of frustration lacing her words.
"Well... I think Kurenai-sensei is with Asuma-sensei, though I don't know where he is since he wouldn't tell me," Ino pouted, recalling the instances she had seen the two senseis together.
"That reminds me... I've seen them together too, but I don't know the reason behind it," Sakura added, her voice filled with curiosity. Ino couldn't help but smirk, sensing she might hold the answer to Sakura's observation.
"Speaking of dating... I'd bet that Asuma-sensei and Kurenai-sensei are dating, but that's just a hunch. Take it with a grain of salt," Ino commented, her words dripping with mischief.
After bidding farewell to Sakura, who had errands to run, Ino glanced at Naruto, surprised to find him still sitting silently beside her. She had assumed he would have left, thinking he had no interest in their conversation. Little did she know that Naruto had been listening attentively the whole time. He simply struggled to find the right moment to interject or determine whether he should join the conversation at all. The sight of Naruto behaving himself was rather amusing to Ino, considering his usual jumpy and energetic nature. "Would you look at that... He's just sitting there, all well-behaved," Ino chuckled inwardly.
"Shall we go, Naruto?" she asked, giving him a gentle nudge on the back to get his attention.
"Huh? Oh, sure!" Naruto replied, his focus shifting back to the present. Before they departed, however, Naruto reached into his wallet, which bore a striking resemblance to a frog or perhaps a toad. The wallet appeared ready to burst at the seams due to the substantial amount of money it held. Ino's eyes widened in astonishment as she realized that Naruto was surprisingly well-off. It seemed that their missions, coupled with his frugal nature, had contributed to his financial prosperity.
She couldn't help but envision the several lovely dresses she could purchase with that kind of money. "Didn't know you were loaded, Naruto. You have enough money for a decent shopping spree," Ino remarked, a tinge of envy in her voice.
"Hehehe... Well, I've been saving most of the money I earn from our missions. Plus, I don't splurge much. I mainly spend some to restock my supply of cup ramen at home and for the occasional treat here," Naruto explained, as he handed the exact amount of money to the daughter of the ramen shop owner, displaying his frugality and precision.
Ino patted her pocket absentmindedly, only to realize with a sinking feeling that she had left her wallet at home. Exhausted from their earlier training session, she had forgotten to bring any money with her.
"CRAP! I forgot my wallet. Could you wait here while I go ge—" Ino's sentence was cut short as Naruto handed more money to the shopkeeper to pay for her meal as well. Ino's cheeks flushed with a hint of embarrassment, touched by Naruto's gesture of paying for her without her even asking. She found it rather sweet, but decided to set that thought aside for the time being.
"Thanks for the meal, Ayame-neechan! I'll be back another time! Teuchi-jiji, be sure to save me some Miso Char Siu for the next time I come back!" Naruto called out, his gratitude ringing through the ramen shop.
Teuchi, the owner of Ichiraku Ramen, smiled warmly at his favorite customer, assuring him that he would remember his request. "Come again next time, Naruto-kun! And bring your girlfriend along too!" Ayame, Teuchi's daughter, chimed in mischievously. The unexpected remark flustered both blondes, causing Ayame to burst into laughter as she waved her hand, assuring them that she was just teasing. With that, the two blondes bid their farewells and set off in another direction.
As they walked, Ino couldn't help but reflect on the interactions they had just experienced. Naruto's kindness and Ayame's playful comment had stirred something within her, igniting a mix of curiosity and uncertainty. However, she pushed those thoughts to the back of her mind, not yet ready to delve into the complexities of her feelings. For now, they were just two teammates and friends, strolling through the bustling streets, their destination unknown but their bond growing stronger with each passing moment.
- At Yamanaka Flowers -
A few days had passed, and finally, Naruto had a day off—or so he thought. To his surprise, he found himself wearing an apron, a pair of gloves, and holding a trowel in his hand. Ino had dragged him along to help her at her family's flower shop, and despite his protests, Naruto had succumbed to Ino's bossy nature, finding himself in his current predicament.
"I was hoping to have some solo training today... not this!" Naruto complained, voicing his frustration.
"Oh, shush. Don't be such a big baby and help me with those," Ino retorted, pointing towards bags of dirt and fertilizer stacked at the front of the shop. Naruto let out a sigh and reluctantly set down the trowel, making his way towards the bags.
"These bags are damn heavy, Ino! It's going to take a while to move them all!" he exclaimed, realizing he had no idea where to move them.
"Uhhh... where do you want these?" he asked sheepishly.
"Back over there, in the corner of the greenhouse. They just arrived yesterday, so be careful," Ino reminded him.
"Yeah, yeah... I'm not that much of a klutz, Ino. It's like you don't trust me," Naruto grumbled. Ino heard his comment and placed her hands on her hips, raising an eyebrow.
"What? If I can guard your body like my life depended on it, I can do the same with these damn bags!" Naruto retorted, his frustration showing.
"Fine, whatever. Now get to it! Less talking and more working," Ino commanded.
Naruto glanced at the piles of bags in front of him and scratched the back of his head, contemplating how to get through this task quickly. It wasn't that he lacked the strength to handle it; he simply wanted to finish as soon as possible, hoping to squeeze in some training time later.
Suddenly, an idea struck him. But before he put it into action, he asked Ino if it was okay to use ninjutsu. Ino replied that she didn't mind. With her approval, Naruto performed the hand seals for the Kage Bunshin no Jutsu (Shadow Clone Technique), and in a puff of smoke, four additional copies of him materialized.
As Naruto's clones efficiently moved the bags of dirt to the back of the greenhouse, Ino watched in awe, impressed by how quickly he was finishing the task. It was undeniably convenient to have clones that knew what to do without needing any instructions.
"You know... you could work here too and earn some money on the side. Plus, it would help you learn about plants! I came to your apartment yesterday and saw your plant in a rather questionable state," Ino suggested.
"Oi! I water my plants every day!" Naruto argued.
"Uhmmm... maybe you're watering them too much, you dummy," Ino replied with a smirk.
"Oh... well, I didn't know I've been watering them too much," Naruto admitted, conceding Ino's point.
"But are you allowed to hire me just like that? I'm pretty sure your parents should be the ones deciding, plus I think you just want me to work here to lessen your burden," Naruto speculated.
"Hey, that's not true!" Ino claimed, though she couldn't help but think that it was partially true. "Then I'll just ask them if it's alright. It's as simple as that!"
To their surprise, someone responded to their conversation. "I don't mind Naruto-kun working here, dear," Ino's mother said, appearing in the flower shop. Naruto was taken aback, realizing that Ino's mother didn't have blonde hair like her daughter. Instead, she had brown hair and brown eyes, and she exuded an elegant charm with her fashionable dress. Naruto realized that Ino must have inherited her obsession with clothing articles from her stylish mother.
"Mom! Are you done with your errands?" Ino asked.
"Yes, dear. How's business doing?" her mother inquired.
"It's fine, Mom. Though it's a bit slow, I'm pretty sure we'll be extremely busy soon due to that time of year again," Ino explained. Naruto, feeling a bit lost, asked what was going to happen soon, showing his curiosity.
"It's almost spring, duh!" Ino replied with a hint of exasperation.
"Oh... I see. That makes sense," Naruto responded, still not fully understanding why spring was such a big deal.
"Gosh! I do wish Sasuke-kun would give me flowers when spring comes!" Ino fantasized, causing Naruto to cringe as usual.
"There you go again, sweetheart. Always swooning over that Uchiha," Ino's mom teased.
"MOM!" Ino protested.
"I'm just teasing, dear," her mom reassured her. Ino let out a sigh, knowing her mother was just joking.
"Anyway, I told you my parents wouldn't mind you working here," Ino said triumphantly.
"I'll think about it, though. Thanks for the offer, Noriko-san," Naruto replied, impressing Ino once again with his politeness. It was quite a sight to see the usually brash and loud Naruto being so courteous.
"No worries, dear. And please, call me Noriko," Ino's mother insisted.
"Sure thing, Noriko!" Naruto grinned mischievously before returning to work alongside Ino and her mother. They continued their tasks, with Naruto occasionally engaging in friendly banter and jokes with Ino and her mom. The atmosphere in the flower shop became livelier with Naruto's presence, and even though he was still considering Ino's job offer, he couldn't deny that working there could be an interesting experience.
(A/N: Hey yo! haha this is the third chapter of this fanfic. As you can see this doesn't really progress the plot by much but that's what I intended to do. Think of this as filler? But not in a bad sense, cause I do hope you still enjoy these kinds of chapters where it's just goofing off or something haha. Anyway, I noticed a lot of visitors which I am happy about since I read that # of Visitors is the stat a writer should focus on (Still not sure if this is true but oh well). Kindly leave a review if you'd like haha cheers^^)
(A/N#2: I already fixed some dialogue about Valentine's Day, I removed it and changed it into something else so that it doesn't mess up the data haha cheers^^)