In Konoha, This Naruto Has Decided To Take It Easy

"Where is the bracelet I gave you?" Naruto glanced at Ino's bare wrist and asked with some dissatisfaction.

"It's gone." Ino hid her hand behind her back, looking somewhat reluctant. However, she didn't dare to look at him, so she could only stare at the ground instead.

"Let's go find it. I'll go with you."

Naruto seemed completely unconcerned about the upcoming team meeting in two hours, treating it as background noise.

Truth be told, there wasn't much for him to pack, and he was confident that Ino hadn't actually lost the bracelet. He was just looking for an excuse to disrupt Ino's mood and shifted from a passive position to an active position.

Sure enough, Ino's breathing quickened. She had kept the bracelet well, and what she just said was just an angry remark.

The two of them hadn't actually met much during this period, mostly because Ino had been incredibly busy. She wanted to meet Naruto, but at the same time, she didn't want to appear too eager about it.

"The mission is about to begin. There's not enough time to look for it now." Ino made up an excuse, but deep down, she worried Naruto would just shrug it off and leave.

"I don't need to prepare anything. Let's go to your house. You can pack, and I'll help you look for." Naruto looked at the sunlight in the distance and squinted his eyes.

He wasn't seeking Ino for anything special, and he just noticed that she was in a bit of a mood.

But he was not stupid enough to keep asking questions, since he understood that their relationship was still ambiguous, and it would be a miracle if he could find out anything by digging too deep into it.

The search for the bracelet was just an excuse, and getting to her house was the real goal.

After some thought, Ino didn't object. She muttered an 'oh' and started walking toward the exit of the Hokage Tower. Naruto followed behind at a leisurely pace.

Ino's long legs moved ahead of him, her graceful figure catching his eye. Two red hairpins held back her golden locks, while her thick bangs cascaded down.

In fact, Ino would look even better if she pinned her bangs up.

Naruto had considered cheering her up, but then he remembered he was the one asking questions here, so he couldn't lower his stance too much. After all, there was still no definite news about the 'lost' bracelet.

He didn't need to act angry, but it was important to at least seem a bit sullen. Even the most childish things can become fun when done with someone you like… sometimes even sulking together has its charm.

There's no conversation along the way.

As they neared the Yamanaka Flower Shop, Ino estimated that they had already spent about twenty minutes on the road. Including the time she spent waiting downstairs, they only had about an hour and a half left.

"Alright, fine, I didn't lose the bracelet. It's been kept safe all along." Ino finally couldn't hold back, then turned to look at Naruto and confessed.

At this moment, they were not far from the large green tree across the street from the Yamanaka Flower Shop. Hearing this, Naruto first glanced at her and pretended to be doubtful.

"You're lying, aren't you? I worked so hard to save up for that bracelet, but you just threw it away."

"I didn't throw it away!" Ino raised her voice defensively, "I told you, I put it away safely. I'll show you when we get to my house. I'm not lying."

They continued walking slowly.

"Then why did you say…" Naruto asked hesitantly, turning to look at Ino again.

Unable to stand his gaze, Ino gave in and said, "I just said it casually to piss you off. How was I supposed to know how many girls you've given that same bracelet to?"

"You're the only one." Naruto said.

In truth, he had indeed only given the bracelet to Ino. Sakura had gotten a bangle, and Hinata had received several plush bears. So, technically, he was telling the truth.

"Yeah, right." Ino muttered skeptically, though a small smile crept onto her face.

"Stubborn as ever." Naruto complained.

Ino's reaction was swift. She reached out to pinch the soft flesh at Naruto's waist, but he dodged, though not entirely. While the two of them playfully bickered, they approached the entrance to the Yamanaka Flower Shop.

"Ino, there's someone at the door." Naruto's sharp eyes saw a young man standing at the shop's entrance. He looked to be about a year or two older than them.

"Hmm? A customer?" Ino asked.

"I don't know, maybe he's here to buy flowers." Naruto stepped closer and recognized the young man as someone he'd seen once or twice before, though he didn't have a good impression of him.

Ino had grown into a graceful young woman over the past two years, and she has grown into a girl with firm features, and is now plump where she should be and thin where she should be thin. Her popularity had risen too, drawing the attention of many suitors in the village.

But back then, they had all been young, just fresh graduates from the Academy. Everyone was too thin-skinned, and most lacked money, so there weren't any serious admirers.

Naruto only vaguely remembered that Ino had been quite popular, but at that time, their close relationship had discouraged many from pursuing her.

The two of them didn't meet too often this year, and since Ino was busy with work, Naruto wouldn't bother her unless he had something important to say. Plus, as time went by, the boys in the village had matured too.

Occasionally, someone would go to the Yamanaka Flower Shop under the guise of buying flowers, hoping to strike up conversations with Ino. As time went by, Ino grew tired of the attention, prompting her to consider taking over her father's work sooner than planned.