❛ let’s go somewhere, just you and me. ❜
The Yamanaka and Nara clans had always been opposites as much as opposites could be opposites. Whereas one was energetic, lively and extroverted. The other was lethargic, bent on 'energy saving' mode from beginning to the end of their lives and introverted. And by no means did their many differences end there.
But the loyalty and devotion the two families bore each other was unquestionable. It was said, in half jest and half seriousness, that Yin and Yang would be easier to separate.
Ino hadn't thought much of those words when younger and studying at the Academy. Some time, missions and life-threatening situations later however, they began echoing faintly at the back of her mind. Nothing too invasive. More of a passing thought whenever Shikamaru would go out of his way for her and she'd find herself doing the same for him, no questions asked, almost effortlessly.
Just because.
And then she started wondering how much of it was years of drilling and conditioning by both their clans to their kids selves —susceptible as all child soldiers were — and how much of it was themselves only.
Then Asuma-sensei died. Their fathers died. And Ino didn't wonder anymore. As though needing a reminder, even, Shikamaru showing up at T&I was as good as any. Ino wouldn't admit it but she was thankful for how relaxed he was all the time. Sometimes it made her mad, but most times he calmed her just by walking in the room.
As was the case today.
She had been screaming like a banshee for the past half an hour or so, barking orders left and right. Her being away to Kumogakure for two weeks with Ibiki on sick leave didn't mean they were allowed to be careless and disorganized.
"Go somewhere?" she echoed, blinking up at the Nara in disbelief. Caught in the middle of displaying her authority — and loudly at that, Ino had abruptly stopped at the sight of him, had signalled for Shikamaru to follow her to her father's office.
She still hadn't gotten used to calling it hers.
"What brought this on?" the blonde questioned further. While it wasn't unusual for them to hang out together, doing so without Chouji was...rare. "Can't you see I'm busy, Shikamaru? These idiots left a ton of paperwork for me to deal with!" she huffed, gesturing towards the monster stacks laid atop Inoichi's desk.
Ino exhaled loudly and leaned back into her seat, pinching the skin between her brows. "If Tsunade-sama were still Hokage, I would have been chewed at all the way to Suna and back."