Room 504, Friday Evening

[intraspective]

After a more eventful afternoon at the welcoming picnic thing than she'd planned on, thanks to Shikamaru, Chouji and her Dad all showing up, Ino was glad to be heading back to her room. Even with company.

Maybe even especially with company.

She grinned at Chouji as she opened her door, "This is my room, so no snooping!"

[For Chouji~]

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[hungry-mind.livejournal.com]

Chouji stared. "This place really is weird."

[intraspective]

"It's fun." Ino insisted, "A while ago there were these tiny little knights, about this," she gestured with her hands, "high and it was adorable. And I got attacked by a giant bug while at work on Tuesday. Killed it with a broom."

"What's all going on back home?"

[hungry-mind.livejournal.com]

There was still a smudge of chocolate on his fingers to distract him. "Training," Chouji replied. "Asuma-sensei has been making us train a lot."

And no, Chouji didn't seem to be terribly happy about it. He hated the running part.

[intraspective]

"It's good for you." Ino scolded him, totally noticing his unhappiness with it, "And you need it to get back to where you were before..."

She scowled. She Wasn't Thinking about that.

[hungry-mind.livejournal.com]

"I'm getting there!" Chouji protested, looking down at his feet. It was a big Do No Talk About subject all around.

[intraspective]

"Yeah?" Ino peeked at him, saying the first thing that came to mind in an attempt to ensure their continued avoidance of That Mission. "What 'bout we do some training before you go home again? I've been training too."

[hungry-mind.livejournal.com]

That go his attention. "Really? You're still training here?"

[intraspective]

"Yep! I train almost everyday - not as long as at home of couse, since I've got class and work and stuff." Ino grinned.

[hungry-mind.livejournal.com]

"Asuma-sensei will be proud," Choud replied, grinning back. Even if it did mean he couldn't slack off now. Darn it.

[intraspective]

Ha ha. If she had to work hard, then everyone had to work hard. And it was nice to see Chouji up and about like normal again.

"Don't forget to tell him!" Ino said, "I'll kick major butt by the time I get back."

[hungry-mind.livejournal.com]

Chouji nodded. He'd make sure to let Asuma-sensei know about how she was doing here.

Then he shifted about nervously for a minute. "Are you still mad at Shikamaru?"

[intraspective]

Ino scowled at her ceiling. "Yes."

[hungry-mind.livejournal.com]

Chouji's shoulders slumped a bit. He hated when they fought.

"It's not his fault."

[intraspective]

Ino rolled her eyes, still not looking at Chouji, "You always take his side."

[hungry-mind.livejournal.com]

"Do not!" Okay, so maybe he did. "I'm glad you didn't go."

[intraspective]

"I - " Ino frowned at him, "I'm not. I'm not just a, a disposable part of the team you know! I could have helped!"

[hungry-mind.livejournal.com]

"I know that!" Chouji replied, looking down. "But if you ended up like me, he'd never forgive himself."

[intraspective]

"Then why did you get to go?" Ino wasn't blinking back tears. Really. "You're his best friend!"

[hungry-mind.livejournal.com]

Which just made Chouji feel worse. He moved slightly try and comfort her, but was kinda at a lose at what to do. Or say.

"I don't know."

[intraspective]

"I didn't even know you were gone until you came back..." Ino hunched her shoulders and tried really hard not to think about that.

[hungry-mind.livejournal.com]

Finally screwing up his courage, Chouji reached over to pat her on the shoulder. "I'm sorry."

[intraspective]

She leaned into the contact, "Not your fault." Ino said, closing her eyes, "You didn't pick who went."

[hungry-mind.livejournal.com]

Damn it, this was why Asuma-sensei was around! "I don't think he had time to get anyone other than us."

[intraspective]

Ino's lips twisted, and she pulled away, "Doesn't matter much now, does it? He still left me behind, and now I'm here and you're probably all doing just fine without me."

She didn't want to hear Chouji try and justify Shikamaru's actions.

[hungry-mind.livejournal.com]

Oh, that was the last straw. Chouji hugged her. "We miss you! Why do you think we came?"