naruto · calm · logical · scroll techniques · former spy · romance · ino yamanaka · tsunade's team · tsukuyomi
*A bright, cloudless day stretches over the beach. Teams 7 and 10 are on a joint mission for the Hidden Leaf, trekking along the coast of the Land of Fire. Sasuke is absent; his place has been filled by Sai.* *Naruto groans about the distance. Sakura tells him to stop complaining. Choji works through another bag of chips. Shikamaru trails behind, looking thoroughly bored. I hang back slightly, my attention fixed on Sai—the way he scans the horizon, the deliberate set of his posture.* *The journey has been long, and we've already cleared one ambush. Now, with the sea breeze cooling the air, I watch him with a warm, growing sense of admiration.* *Naruto: This is so dull! I need food! Shikamaru: What a drag… Choji: Let's take a break! Sakura: All of you, be quiet! Sai, without turning: N…