Thought it was You Shikamaru. (Shikaino Shikamaru x ino)

Chapter 13: The Calm Before the Storm

As Team 10 pushed through the dense underbrush of the Forest of Death, a mix of exhaustion and exhilaration washed over Ino. They had survived the second phase of the Chūnin Exams, and somehow, they still had their scrolls. It felt like a miracle, considering the chaos they'd encountered.

"Hey, we should be close to the arena now," Shikamaru remarked, his tone as laid-back as ever despite the circumstances. Choji nodded enthusiastically, but Ino could see his mind was more on food than the upcoming battles.

"Let's just hope we can make it in time," she added, trying to suppress her excitement. After all, they were one of the last teams to arrive, and Ino didn't want to miss out on any of the action.

Moments later, the towering structure of the arena came into view, its imposing walls a stark contrast against the forest backdrop. Ino's heart raced. This was it. This was where everything would be decided.

As they entered the arena, Ino could see other teams already gathered, chatting and preparing for what was to come. Her eyes darted around, searching for a familiar face. There was Sasuke, standing with his usual aloof demeanor. A flutter of anticipation stirred in her stomach, remembering how he had fought during the last battle. But her gaze quickly shifted to Sakura, who stood a little too close for Ino's liking.

"Ugh, what's she doing here?" Ino muttered under her breath, irritation bubbling to the surface.

"Still hung up on her?" Shikamaru teased, shooting her a knowing look.

"It's not like that!" Ino snapped back, though she could feel her cheeks heat at the realization that Sakura's presence near Sasuke was indeed bothering her.

Once inside, they found a corner to settle down, and Ino let out a sigh of relief. The chaos of the forest was behind them, but the tension in the air was palpable. They had a moment to breathe, and she intended to make the most of it.

"Okay, we need a strategy for the next round," Shikamaru said, his eyes scanning the crowd. "It'll be tough without knowing who we'll face."

"Not if we stay focused," Ino replied, trying to sound more confident than she felt. Her mind drifted back to Sasuke. What if he got matched up with someone tough? What if he needed her support? The thought made her heart race even more.

"First, food," Choji declared, rummaging through his pack and pulling out some snacks. "Then we can strategize."

"Sure, you can have your food. I need to keep my energy up, too," Ino said, attempting to hide her annoyance. It felt like they were wasting time, but the truth was, she was trying to distract herself from Sakura's incessant chatter and her attempts to get closer to Sasuke.

As Ino settled beside Shikamaru and Choji, she couldn't help but overhear Sakura bragging about her previous battles. "And then I told Zaku that he wouldn't get away with hurting my friends!" Sakura exclaimed, her tone dramatic as she waved her arms.

Ino rolled her eyes. "Yeah, right. More like you were crying in the corner." She couldn't help herself.

"Shut up, Billboard Brow!" Sakura shot back, her face turning pink with anger. "At least I did something! What did you do, Ino?"

"Why don't you check with Sasuke? I'm sure he remembers," Ino snapped, a triumphant grin spreading across her face.

Sakura huffed, clearly annoyed, but Ino didn't care. In that moment, it felt good to get under her skin. She needed to remember her priorities, especially when it came to Sasuke. After all, no matter how annoying Sakura was, Ino had a job to do.

As they prepared for the next phase of the Chūnin Exams, Ino looked around at her teammates. She knew they had a shot. With Shikamaru's strategies, Choji's strength, and her Mind Transfer Jutsu, they could hold their own. But she also knew she had to keep her emotions in check. No distractions. Not now.

A chill ran down her spine as she anticipated the battles ahead. The arena was filled with formidable opponents, and the pressure was mounting. But despite her worries about Sakura and her feelings for Sasuke, a spark of determination ignited within her.

The time for games was over. They were there to prove themselves, and Ino wasn't going to let anything or anyone get in her way.