Chapter 12: Inojin's Story

"So, they gave the treasure a proper burial in the family mausoleum and left the hotel, knowing the family was together once more and at peace," Shikadai finished. "Alright, so that's my tale. What'd you think?"

Inojin sniffled and rubbed his nose on the back of his hand.

"Are you crying?" Boruto asked him, a little shocked.

"No!" Inojin said defensively. "My nose is running because my hotdog's too hot." He looked at his teammate. "But that was actually kind of a sad, touching story, Shikadai. What gives?"

"Yeah, who knew you were so sensitive?" Boruto teased.

Shikadai looked annoyed. "I gave you a ghost story. What do you want?"

"He's right," said Sai. "There was a ghost in it."

"But it wasn't really a scary one. Yeah, it had some scary things in it, but overall, it was… Um? How do I put it?" Boruto wondered aloud.

"It was based on a real mission my dad went on, so if you have a problem with it, take it up with him." Shikadai lowered his hotdog over the flames now that he was done telling the story.

"Really, Shikamaru?" Boruto asked, wondering if any of this could have been true.

"Um…" Shikamaru looked off to the side. "I'm not at liberty to say."

"It's made-up, isn't it?" Boruto asked straight-faced.

"Of course, it was," Shikadai admitted. "Sheesh. How would I know what went on? He doesn't tell me his missions. Too troublesome."

Shikamaru chuckled. "That ghost story was made-up, but I thought it was good. Touching at the end. I think you depicted me well."

"Ah, shut up," Shikadai muttered in embarrassment.

"Have you had enough time now?" Boruto asked, slumping so dramatically, his knuckles scraped the ground. "Come on, Inojin. You're the last one."

Inojin looked flustered. "Uh, uh… Uh, well my dad hasn't…"

"I told the one about Boruto switching places with the Hokage. Remember?"

"It was so boring, I think I forgot."

Sai's eye twitched. "I see."

"But you can redeem yourself." Inojin cheerfully patted his dad's knee. "Why don't you tell another one?"

"Oh, no," Boruto protested. "You've had plenty of time to think of a story and everyone else went. You tell one now."

"But- but I…"

"We don't care if it's story of the year or the greatest one of all time. Just tell one. It doesn't have to be good."

"Judging from your critics, it kind of has to be," commented Sai.

"Sai."

"Dad."

"What?" he asked with a forced grin. "You've complained about every story so far. You're probably making Inojin nervous."

"Dad," he moaned.

"It's part of the fun. Don't take it seriously," Boruto told him. "We're not going to yell at him if it sucks."

"It can't be any worse than the one my dad told," said Shikadai before taking a bite out of his hotdog.

Shikamaru shot him a look. "Hey, what was wrong with mine?"

"Wasn't scary."

"Sasuke as a fairy isn't scary?" Shikamaru scoffed. "Guess you had to be there."

"Admit it. You weren't even trying when you told that tale."

"It was short and to the point."

"I put more effort into mine." Shikadai took another bite of hotdog. "At least mine had ghost in it. Even if it was made-up."

"Shikadai's was probably the scariest one and it wasn't even…" Inojin sighed loudly. "Pressure's on, guys. I gotta make sure mine's good."

"Think of it as a practice one," said Boruto. "You can always try again later. The night is young."

Shikamaru yawned loudly. "Speak for yourself."

"You can't turn in now, old man," Shikadai teased. "First one out gets his face drawn on. Inojin brought the ink."

"What he should have brought was a story," said Boruto. "Any story. I'd settle for a fairytale at this point. I just wanna hear you tell one, you know."

Inojin finally gave in to the peer-pressure. "Ok, fine. But I'm telling you, it's not very good."

"Just tell one."

"Fine." Inojin adjusted himself into a better sitting position. "This one's about a haunted painting."

"There's a million of those," complained Boruto.

"You want a story or not?" Shikadai hissed.

"Ok, yeah, just make it good."

Inojin shrank a little. "Uh…"

"Anything you tell is going to be good. No pressure. Just tell it. Go on." Boruto sat with his legs folded under him. "Go on."

The expectant if not encouraging look on Boruto's face did little to boost Inojin's confidence. "Well, anyway… It takes place in a village a lot like ours. In fact, it kind of is…"