(1/2) thank you for all your answers!! I can't begin to tell you how many hangovers BtB has given me :D and now I have more questions: 1) when did Ino and Choji start to suspect the ShikaNeji? were they totally side eyeing him when he disappeared before (and after) the Hoteigu lunch? 🤣 2) what was Neji's reaction to Stupid Bird? (I assume they have met since he's now ventured into the Nara forest), 3) how did Shikamaru get Neji into the Nara residence after everything that has happened?
Pleasure, luv. 🥰 Thank you for your interest! I’ll do my best to answer, though I may withhold on account of 1) spoilers or 2) answers which are ‘still to be confirmed’ by the Dastardly Team…a.k.a the Sadistic Show-runners that conspire in my mental ‘BtB Plot-Bunny Den’ and presently look like this:
I’ll do my best as my Team holiday in Hiatus.
1) when did Ino and Choji start to suspect the ShikaNeji? were they totally side eyeing him when he disappeared before (and after) the Hoteigu lunch? 🤣
😆 I can confirm it’s post-UtS for sure, though Ino unknowingly gathers some hints during UtS that only come together for her later down the line; such as Kurayami’s words to her regarding Neji. That Shikamaru might be involved with Neji (let alone any male comrade) is so far off Team 10’s radar that it’s not something Ino or Chōji would initially ever suspect — especially when they assume Temari is the defending champion when it comes to Shikamaru’s baser or romantic interests (those Suna twins notwithstanding! 😅)
2) what was Neji's reaction to Stupid Bird? (I assume they have met since he's now ventured into the Nara forest)
To gaslight Shikamaru in evil solidarity. Initially, Neji pretended not to believe Stupid Bird existed, as Stupid Bird would always “vanish into the ether” any time Neji entered the Nara forest. This gaslighting game would aggravate the ungodly hell out of Shikamaru, much to Neji’s amusement.
3) how did Shikamaru get Neji into the Nara residence after everything that has happened?
Yoshino, funnily enough. She extended a practical dinner invite one evening. Shikamaru, Neji, and Team 7 were working late on war gaming strategies for upcoming missions related to the Akatsuki (before Pein attacked). Yoshino spotted them at Yakiniku Q and (remembering how Asuma’s poor bank account often haemorrhaged) took pity on Kakashi and Yamato’s wallets. Dinner invite was extended (insisted upon 😅). Neji couldn’t decline without offending Shikamaru’s mother, which he determined would be far more catastrophic than offending Shikamaru’s father (which is saying a lot).
As it happened, he needn’t have worried about Shikaku. When Neji rocked up with the rest of the group, Shikaku made no bones about it. This let Neji know the ‘you hurt my kid’ hatchet was truly buried.
