Chapter Text
"Are you sure about this?" Shinki asks as they walk through the Yamanaka district toward Inojin’s house.
"What do you mean?" To be honest with himself, Shikadai is a bit nervous about what’s coming, but he doubts his cousin has picked up on his concerns.
"Nothing." Of course Shinki’s going to be like that.
"Cut the crap. What are you trying to say?" Shikadai lets just a hint of irritation slip into his voice.
"I just wonder if your boyfriend will survive the desert for nine months."
After Shikadai became a Jounin, a new exchange program with the Sand Village was made public, allowing three teams from other villages to participate. Naturally, Shikadai was interested in the opportunity to spend an extended time in his second home and, for the first time, complete missions under Gaara’s command. Surprisingly, both Chocho and Inojin agreed without hesitation. The idea of living alone in another country is exciting for anyone in their early twenties.
"He’s been in the desert before. Many times." Shikadai replies with strong emphasis. It's true. Inojin has accompanied him several times to visit family and has even done short missions for Konoha in the desert.
"Not like this."
"Like what?"
"It’s different" The confusion on Shikadai’s face must be obvious because Shinki adds, "Not everyone can adapt to the desert. For us, shinobi of the Wind Country, the Fire Country might be confusing, but it’s easy to get used to. On the contrary, not everyone can function effectively in the desert. Especially people from Konoha. They're used to air conditioning even when it’s not hot, to wasting any kind of resource, and to everyone speaking to them nicely."
"That’s not true. People from Konoha can get used to Suna just as easy after some time. Like me."
"You’re as much from Suna as you are from Konoha. You grew up knowing Wind Country and a native of Suna raised you."
"What’s your point? Why are you telling me this now?"
"I didn’t find a better moment." Shikadai can only look at his cousin in disbelief.
There are just a few streets left before they reach Inojin’s house, and Shikadai plans to use that time to review everything Shinki just said. Thinking back to past visits, both Inojin and Chocho always seemed to enjoy themselves in Suna. Sure, they complained about the heat. Just as much as any other human being that steps in the desert at noon, but Shikadai can’t recall anything that backs up Shinki’s concerns. His cousin is probably just expecting the worst, as usual.
Shikadai has been worried about something else entirely; living under the same roof with Inojin for nine months. Their relationship is solid, and after four years, this shouldn’t be a big deal but for some reason, it feels like a huge step. Of course, Chocho will be there too, but living with Inojin.. isn’t that the kind of thing that ruins relationships? Like discovering things about the other person that make you realize you can’t stay together?
Before he can spiral deeper into overthinking, they arrive at Inojin’s house, and Shikadai has to get Shinki’s attention to keep him from walking past it.
The flower shop is closed today, so Shikadai rings the doorbell and waits a few minutes. When the door opens, Inojin steps out with two suitcases, Ino following behind him.
"Hey." Inojin smiles before turning to Ino. "I’m off, Mom. I’ll call when we get to the Kazekage’s building."
Ino immediately pulls Inojin into a hug, and Shikadai regrets not agreeing to meet Inojin at the station like Chocho. He could’ve avoided witnessing Ino’s dramatic farewell. Honestly, what a drag.
"Oh, Inojin. Make sure to call me at least once a week if you have time. Thank Gaara for the opportunity. Don’t you dare go into the desert alone, and don’t forget to wear sunscreen every day before even set foot outside."
"Mom, please calm down. I know." Inojin’s eyes find Shikadai’s, silently begging for help.
Shikadai clears his throat before saying, "Ino, we really have to go now. The train leaves soon."
With some reluctance, she steps back. "Yes. You’d better go, or you’ll miss the train. Thanks for picking him up, boys. Please take care of him, and Shikadai, make sure he doesn’t go out without sunscreen."
"Mom, I can take care of myself." Before Ino can argue, Shikadai jumps in to move things along. "Of course, Ino. Don’t worry."
Ino hugs Inojin again, just for a moment. "We’ll come see you in a few months once the Intelligence Department’s project wraps up."
"Yeah, Mom. I really have to go now."
A few seconds later, Shikadai grabs one of the suitcases, and Shinki starts walking. It takes just a moment before Inojin frees himself from Ino again and grabs the other suitcase to catch up.
"Ugh, sorry about the scene. I started saying goodbye an hour ago just to avoid that. Where’s your stuff?"
Shikadai simply points at his backpack, as if it wasn’t obvious.
"That’s all you’re bringing for a nine-month stay?"
"Mmm, it’s basically just my console, chargers, and some weapons. I’ve got plenty of clothes in Suna."
"Right. I always forget you half-live there. Hey, Shinki, didn’t you bring a suitcase either? You were here for two weeks this time, right?"
"My aunt kindly lets me keep some clothes and personal items at her house for when I visit."
Inojin looks serious. "I’m not always this stupid, am I?"
"You’d be dead by now." Shikadai fails to dodge Inojin’s pinch, but both of them laugh, and the doubts about their relationship vanish.
At the station, Shikadai spots his parents quickly since there aren’t many people traveling to Suna today.
"Ino didn’t come?" Temari asks as a greeting.
"Oh no, she’s busy with a project. She only had time to see me off at home. Dad had a mission today, but we said goodbye yesterday."
"Ready for the journey?" Something in the way Shikamaru addresses Inojin makes Shikadai slightly alert.
"Yeah. I couldn’t even sleep last night from the excitement."
Exactly. Shikadai can’t remember a time when Chocho or Inojin weren’t eager to visit Suna. "By the way, I didn’t think you guys would come to say goodbye to Shikadai at the station."
Shikadai chuckles. "They’re not here to say goodbye to ME. Mom’s staying in Suna for two weeks, so the Hokage’s advisor came to see off his wife."
"Hey, brat, don’t tease your dad. He’s going to have a hard enough time without me around to pamper him." Shikamaru just grumbles, but doesn’t deny it.
"Eww, spare me the details."
"Shikadai, please, you wouldn’t survive the details."
"Moooom."
"You’re such a baby. Oh, there are Karui and Chouji."
A few meters away, Shikadai sees the Akimichi family approaching. Chocho and Chouji’s eyes show they’ve been crying. Maybe Shikadai hadn’t considered tears today. They've never needed an emotional goodbye before. But then again, they’ve never stayed in another village for this long. Is it weird that his family isn’t crying? Sure, he’ll miss his grandma and the deer, but he’d be lying if he said he wasn’t looking forward to being under the care of his uncles who have a very different idea of supervision than his mom.
"Hey," Karui greets in a calm voice. "I thought the train would be here already."
"It should be here in a couple of minutes," Shikamaru replies.
Karui nods slightly and asks Inojin, "Completely prepared for this mission?" Why do they keep asking that? Shikadai pays close attention to Inojin’s reply.
"I think so." Maybe seeing Chocho made him doubt, since he says it with less enthusiasm than when Shikamaru asked.
"You’ll be fine. I’ll tell you what I told Chocho: when you settle in a country that isn’t your own, you need an open mind and a lot of humility. It’s temporary, so take the chance to learn as much as you can. These kinds of exchanges were unthinkable when we were your age, and I’m sure it’ll enrich your experience as a ninja."
Maybe it’s Karui’s tone that keeps it from sounding like a lecture. Inojin thanks her, but Shikadai can tell something’s on his mind. He might ask him later in private.
A few seconds later, the train arrives, and the energy shifts.
"Let’s board," Shinki says, already heading for the train. Shikadai sees his parents give each other a light squeeze of the hand before Temari walks after Shinki.
"Call if anything happens or if you need anything. I’m not sure I’ll be able to get a few days off to visit, but your mom definitely will. Let us know if you want us to send you something." His dad tells him once his mom is on the train.
"Sure. See you. Don’t bug Grandma too much while Mom’s away." Shikamaru squeezes his arm lightly before heading to the Akimichi to say something to Chouji.
"Shall we?" Before Inojin can respond, Chocho interrupts, her voice cracking with emotion. "Wait. We can’t board yet. Sarada said she’d come say goodbye."
Well, that wasn’t necessary. The whole group already gathered yesterday evening to say farewell to Team Ten, including Sarada.
"Chocho, the train leaves in seven minutes. We need to board." The dried tears on Chocho’s cheeks are the only reason Shikadai hides his frustration.
"Two minutes. Please."
Shikadai stares at Chocho before giving in. Does everything really have to be so dramatic? Boruto said they’d probably visit in the coming months. There’s no need to act like this is the last time they’ll ever see each other.
After three more minutes, and just as Shikadai is about to force the team onto the train, Inojin shouts, waving his hands over his head, "There she is. Hey, Sarada!"
Sarada runs up and immediately hugs Chocho. They start promising to call and message each other, dragging the moment longer than Shikadai would like. Once Sarada finishes with Chocho, she approaches Inojin, while Chocho heads back to her parents for one last round of hugs.
Shikadai hears Sarada wishing Inojin luck and reassuring him he’ll be fine. Of course he will. It's getting really annoying how everyone’s acting like this.
Finally, Sarada turns to Shikadai and gives him a threatening farewell. "You’d better bring them back safe and sound."
“Is that your idea of a goodbye?" Sarada doesn’t respond but gives him a brief hug. Chocho is already back when Shinki calls from the train door.
"Get on. The train leaves in one minute!"
The youngest generation of Ino-Shika-Cho runs to board the train, and Shikadai only exhales once everyone is seated and finally on their way to Suna. If the whole experience is going to be as troublesome as the beginning then maybe Shikadai would’ve preferred to stay in his always nice and cozy comfort zone.