"Do you know why Ino has called us here?" asked the pineapple headed friend of Ino Yamanaka. Monday morning Shikamaru Nara was a bit snappy and the receiving end was Chouji, another member of team 10.
"I don't know, but she sounded excited when she called." Chouji smiled dreamily. Shikamaru chuckled looking at his friends expression. It was no new that Chouji has a crush on Ino but , he didn't have the courage to tell up front to Ino.
"What's taking her this long?" Shikamaru complained. "I have to go and meet Temari as soon as I get over with this stupid meeting of Ino." Chouji frowned at the negative response of his best friend. Ever since the chunin exams, Shikamaru has been very negative about everything that has Ino in it. It was almost like Shikamaru hated Ino but, Chouji knew better than to assume such a thing.
Chouji was about to speak when he saw Ino from afar vision waving her hands towards both of her friends. He smiled at her over bubbly nature and secretly wished that she will remain forever the same.
Ino waved her hands towards her friends and she walked fast to reach them. It was almost a week since her encounter with the Nara leader and this was something that now she can proudly announce the Nara that even she, Ino Yamanaka can be of use. Yesterday night, the Hokage has summoned her to join the team of four and deliver a scroll that contains vital information for the Ishigira clan in the land of waves.
"Hello boys!" she chirped like a bird upon arriving in front of her friends. "Guess what happened?" she did her giddy pose of stomping her legs up and down and her hands in front of her chest in a fighting pose.
"Ino I don't have time for you nonsense guessing games." Shikamaru drawled almost irritated by her happy mood. Ino dropped her smile for a second but recovered soon dismissing the hurt.
"You are so boring Shika!" Ino said in her usual loud tone and giggled. "I have been appointed on a mission to wave country." She announced and Chouji's face lit up. His happiness reflected on her face as well because she smiled even wider.
"Team member?" her smile immediately faltered when she heard uninterested voice of Shikamaru.
"Genma, Izuma and Yuugao." Ino answered happily at his question. Shikamaru was anything but happy with the answer and he groaned with frustration. Ino and Chouji both stared at their friend with confusion. Chouji knew it has something to do with Temari that was leaving his shadow master friend irritated. Ino on other side felt insulted that he didn't approve of her going to the mission with the people she mentioned. Still Ino tried to be cheerful at this moment.
"Okay stay clear from Genma." Just one sentence and he got up from his place. "I will get going now, Temari must be pissed." It hurt her feelings that he didn't even thought of her mission and didn't even ask what the mission was about. But his words were distant worry to stay away from trouble.
"Genma is way out of question Shikamaru. I am not interested in him." Ino gritted with hurt to the back of her pineapple headed friend. Shikamaru sighed loudly at Ino's words.
"You can literally fall for any dobe Ino. Your choices are shallow. Please don't make me say names." And Shikamaru started to walk away leaving a shocked Ino behind him. What did he mean by shallow? Is she this materialistic that he thinks she has no emotions?
"I am not shallow Shikamaru!" Ino gritted with tears. "I am not." She wiped her tears. Both the father and son thinks so low of her. Ino wondered how is she friends with him if he has no respect for her. "You don't even try to get to know your friends properly Shika." Ino said to herself.
"He already is stressed about Temari, Ino." Ino felt huge pair of hands land on her shoulders and squeeze them. Chouji always was a peace maker in team ten. "Don't get angry on him so early. He just meant it as a distant worry." Chouji tried to explain his friend. Ino nodded and Chouji wiped her tears making her smile at him.
