Chapter Text
It's common to find insects or snails in a flower garden, but this morning Ino saw something different.
She just opened the wooden gate of her garden, carrying watering can when suddenly a figure of large white dog passing by in front of her. The dog was happily chasing a butterfly making such a beautiful scene that she even smiled fondly for a moment. Not for long though because the dog nearly stomped on her newly bloomed daisies and her eyes flicked back into reality.
"Stop! Akamaru!" She yelled.
The white dog whimpered and ran back to his owner who were laying down in the middle of the garden. Sleeping soundly. Ino put down the watering can and walked fast towards him.
"Hey Kiba...! What are you doing here? Trespassing other people's house?"
Kiba opened his eyes slowly. When he looked up, Ino was already standing behind his head with hands on her hips. He forced himself to sit up, yawning and scratching the back of his head.
"I'm just... C...-camping... "
"You're a terrible liar... "
"Alright alright! I just try to find a place to relax. And your garden definitely looked more tempting compared to Shino's non-stop buzzing bug farm."
Ino shook her head, picked up her watering can back and continuing her own errand.
"You can just ask for my permission you know? Well... Whatever! As long as you guys didn't making a mess, you can stay--"
A loud crunch of branch being snapped interrupted her words. Akamaru just fell from a short tree with a broken branch full of magnolia trapped in his mouth.
"Ah!"
Kiba waving his hand panicked with a visible sweat dripping in his face. "I'm sorry Ino! Please don't get mad at Akamaru.. . ! He's just playing around...."
But Ino's face already turned dark. Too late.
"Begone!"
Kiba and Akamaru pulled salute pose before dismissing themself from her eyes.
It's a rare sight to met that guy this early. Other than mission, they barely interract anymore after the war ended. Everyone was busy with their own thing and Kiba, being the member of tracker team most often camping in the forest rather than in his own home.
But still Ino kind of jealous of him. She's been very busy lately and barely got any sleep. Maybe sleeping in the garden to relax not really a bad idea after all.
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"Ino? Heeeey!"
Sakura's concern voice woke her up from the daydreaming. Her friend was standing in front of her, waving her palm right in front of her face.
Apparently she already in her own shop without realizing she's been spacing out the entire time.
"Are you okay?"
"Sakura! Y- yeah...!"
"C'mon! We only have 1 more hour before the announcement...! You didn't forget right? "
One month ago, various organizations in Konoha holding a major exam to find replacement for many members who died in the war. Sakura took her exam in the medic division and Ino, following her father's footsteps chose the Konoha intelligence division.
Today the results of the exam would be announced and since yesterday Sakura promised her to see the result together. Ino slowly untied her shop apron while yawning pretty wide, making the pink haired kunoichi frowned.
"You should take a rest sometimes you know? I almost never see your eyes fully opened lately."
Ino just shrugged. "I don't have a choice... "
She walked towards the portrait of her late father and put a new flowers in front of it before leaving. After her father died during the war, her mom's health started to deteoriated badly so she moved to the countryside. Hopefully living with fresher air with her grandma would help her to get better.
That left Ino alone handling both garden and the flower shop. It's not a big deal at first, but since she was also an active kunoichi her daily live became more hectic than usual.
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When the two arrived at The main Hall, it's already packed with every Shinobi from all ages. Sakura and Ino tried their best to walk among the crowd, struggling to reach the announcement wall where it's normally used for placing the missions. Sakura quickly scanned the entire wall, tried to find her name.
"Ah! I passed... "
She covered her mouth in excitement. But rather than celebrating it she decided to check Ino's name next to her list.
But her name wasn't there. Which was hard to believe. Ino was doing really well in every test, there was no way she would fail.
She looked at her friend immediately. Ino looked rather calm and smiled in acceptance.
"Ino! There must be a mistake--! "
"No.... I already expected it. I fumbled the final test. So no worries!"
Sakura tried to cheer her up but Shizune's voice echoed from the Hall entrance, instructed everyone who passed the exam to gather in the next room. With heavy heart she grabbed both Ino's hand as reassurance before quickly leaving the room with the others.
Ino took a deep breath. She walked away from the crowd and went straight back to her home with a sloppy steps. A lonely feeling creeped out from inside. Everyone was moving on steadily. Sakura was on medical division. That's totally suit her. Shikamaru spent most of his time in hokage office to deal with paperworks, pretty ironic with his usual lazy demeanor. And Chouji was in Kumo for months, joining his father mission.
And when she opened her door, the gloomy and empty house welcomed her. It's not really her character to let herself drown in sadness. But she was tired and lonely. Without thinking further she went straight to the flower garden, planning to do the same thing as Kiba did this morning. Maybe she really needed that relaxation time.
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To her surprise Kiba was still there. Sitting quietly while looking up to the sky with his back facing her direction. Even when a strong wind blowing past him and carrying all the fallen petals to the air he still didn't move.
Ino walked slowly with a curious face. Starting to questioning Kiba's real intention.
"You're hiding something, don't you?"
Kiba turned his head, a little bit surprised when Ino slowly walked towards him with a more calmer expression than earlier.
"Inuzuka Kiba that i know definitely prefer running around the forest with his dog to relax himself rather than sitting around in someone's garden."
Kiba didn't answer.
"Is it something embarrassing?" Ino tried to guess.
"Hah!? "
"Let's say..." Ino crouched down in front of him, placing her palms on her face.
"If i told you something embarrassing that happened to me would you tell me yours?"
Still didn't sure what she was on Kiba scratched his chin in confusion.
"Embarrassing? Like that time in academy when you gave a love letter to Sasuke but it's actually Shino practicing his henge no jutsu? "
"Shut up! Shino's disguise was too convincing! Nobody ever pulled Sasuke's disguise better than him!"
"Right? That's because Shino is naturally cool!"
Ino took a deep breath before continuing.
"I failed my exam for Konoha Intelligence Division."
Kiba tilted his head. "What's so embarrassing about that? "
"Are you kidding me!? Every generation of Yamanaka clan are part of that division. My father even become the head of analysis team. It's our clan's pride. Something expected for every heir of Yamanaka clan. Yet i failed...."
There was an obvious frustration in her voice but Ino tried to cover it making her words sound shaky despite her smiles.
Kiba looked at her deeply. He could just throw some words of encouragement but after seeing Ino's failed attempt to remain calm maybe she just wanted to let out her frustration.
"Fine... My turn then."
Ino nodded attentively.
"I lost my strong sense of smell. My clan's notable ability. "
Ino's pupil grew wider. She braced herself to hear a funny embarrassing story so this information really took her by surprise.
Kiba unzipped his jacket and pulled down the collar of his inner shirt. Showing a small blue flower 'tattooed' in the middle of his chest.
It's Asagao (morning glory) flower. Glowing slightly with a vines spreading out from it, as if it strangling the center of his chakra source.
"Lady Tsunade suggested i spend my time in a place with strong and fragrance scent as a form of therapy. And i can't think a better place than your flower garden. "
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To be continued