My Gorgeous Girl

A Message

I brushed those thoughts away as I walked deeper into the streets of Konoha. The smell of barbeque was very arousing along with all kinds of street food. It kind of made me hungry so I peered over to one of the stations that caught my eyes. Some meatballs on a skewer.

While I began to walk over, I felt a hard slap on the back of my neck.
"Hey baka!" Ino yelled right in my ear.

"Oi, quiet down will you?" I rubbed my ear. How did I not know Ino was approaching me?

"Why are you walking alone, Shika? Hmm? Hm?" I could feel my innerself chuckling when she called me Shika as she impatiently pokes my chest a few times. I liked it.

"U- um," I scratched my head not knowing how to answer such a question, "What kind of question is that Ino? I'm walking alone."

Ino scoffed at this. She looks quite unsteady today. I wonder why, but I won't ask her. I'll get yelled again for no reason. Troublesome.

"What did you say?" She glared at me.
"I didn't say anything." Did I accidentally say that out loud? She was also lost in her thoughts, staring blankly at me.

"That's what I thought.." Ino started to trail off with her arms still crossed over her chest. "Anyway, Asuma ordered us to be at Ichiraku's." She snapped at me. Our feet instinctively began walking. She turns then punches my left arm. "Where were you, baka? I looked everywhere for you! You're the one that is really 'troublesome' ". She sighed and turned away.

"I was walking aroun-." I attempted to answer before she began shushing very loud at me.

"I don't expect you to say anyythinggg."

 I grunted to her response and I could see that she rolled her eyes.

We kept quiet all the way to the ramen shop. Well, it wasn't far. Just about two blocks away. When we arrived, I let Ino in first. If I didn't, she would nag me about how I don't respect girls and how it would be more gentleman of me. It's a drag, really. I ducked under the little flags and took my seat beside Choji. Ino was on the other side of him. And Asuma next to her. I gave both Choji and Asuma a nod, greeting them.

"Well, well what took you two so long?" Asuma chimed up cheerfully at us. His eyes converted to Ino first, so we also did. Choji not so much since he's enjoying his Korean BBQ ramen. She looked flushed.

"I, u-um- it took me awhile to find Shikamaru because he was wondering all over the village!" She didn't forget to throw her usual glares at me. I sighed and gently shook my head. Choji chuckled besides me and reassured me with one of his kind and gentle smile while slurping down his noodles. 

We each ordered a small bowl, except for Choji. He was on his third large bowl! It turns out Asuma waited for Ino and I to get here so we could eat together. Choji couldn't wait much longer since it took Ino awhile to find me I guess. Today was one of those rare days where Ino stuttered, but with little no effort she covered it up  with her lousiness. Well.. Don't get me wrong though. I do like her lively personality. She's not so much of a bad person you know. Agh, I'm talking way too much now. 

After another hour of eating and conversing, we headed out to send Choji home. We all walked together with Asuma. This is what I like about my sensei, he's a great person. He's also like a father to me.  A second father. I sometime spend time with him more than my real father.

"Bye Chojiii!" Ino squealed as she hugged Choji. Asuma and I stopped side by side and looked up at the two and smirked as Choji's arms gently wrapped around her. I approached them and gave Choji a pat on the back and we fist bumped. 

"Oi, take care Choji." I gave him a half smile, knowing he didn't do so well according to how goal today. A few weeks ago, my best friend confronted me saying how he wanted to lose weight. He told me all his plans on not overeating, eating healthy, and all his other diet plans. Today didn't seem like a day for it. He gave me back a nervous and guilty smile yet soft. He knows he didn't do well today either.

Asuma also walked towards us and we waved Choji goodbye and the three of us headed off to a nearby pond where there weren't anyone there. I wonder why Asuma is taking us here.

"So kids," Asuma started as he stood between Ino and I and had each of his hands on our shoulders, "I have to tell you guys something."

Ino perched up and looked up at our sensei, excited to hear what Asuma will say. "What is it Asuma-sensei? Is it good or bad? Did you already tell Choji?"

Asuma chuckled, then nodded. "Yes, Choji already knows. Tsunade assigned us a mission to go to a smaller village outside of ours. The Village of Runa hasn't really been visited much by us. Since it's a small populated area of about 70 to 80 people, Tsunade demanded two from our team can go to explore. So I chose you two." He finished his speech and looked at us.

"Oi, sensei. Why me though? Why not Cho- ow!"

"Shikamaru, be quiet!" Ino kept a tight grip onto my arm after slapping me really hard. "It's finally our turn to go out somewhere where we don't have to fight! It'll be relaxing. That's what I heard from Hinata when she visited Sōgen. You never appreciate peacefully missions where we still get paid. Aish." I narrowed my eyes are her and pulled my arm away, not wanting more commotion. She turned her attention back to Asuma. "So how long is the mission, sensei?"

Asuma had a smug smile across his face and calmly said, "It'll be a week. 7 days to be exact for the slow minds of yours." He actually laughed out this time. "Anyway, you'll be heading out tomorrow morning by 6. You guys should hurry home and pack up now. You can pack light and just bring a few weapons with you. Much isn't need. It isn't so far away. Well, Shikamaru," Asuma beckoned at me, "You better get going and take Ino home."

He handed us the map to Runa and he waved us off, taking the first leave. I opened the map and looked at it and Ino peered over, blocking my view. I sighed at this and handed her the map. She looks up at me with a raised eyebrow. Being so close, I started heating up and stumbled back. I shoved the map onto her hand and averted my eyes away fr her, scratching the back of my name. Agh. What a drag. I hope my face isn't red.

"Baka, what is wrong with you!" She shook my shoulder. "Ou, boy. You better not get sick. Go, go. Get your rest now so you'll feel better tomorrow." She started pushing me away from the pond. "You don't have to take me home."

I started to cool down and shrugged. "Okay, if you insist." This made her shake her head and she walked off.

As she was on the edge of the horizon walking, I began to follow her from that distance. I mean like hey. I don't want her to get hurt or anything. She's a great kunoichi, but you never know who's around. I followed her all the way until she got home and went inside safely. I smiled to myself and walked home as the sun was almost completely down. I sighed and watched the dying sunset happily.