In the end, there wasn't much to learn: Tenten had rejoined her original team, now that Rock Lee was fit for duty again. In all the war chaos, Neji had been promoted to chunin and often led the team on missions when Gai wasn't around. Sakura still paired up with Kiba and Shino. The Aburame shinobi had been promoted to chunin as well during field missions in the lands of Grass.
Both teams had rotated back to Konoha for debriefing and resupplying.
Ino had linked with her old team, but now that she was forcefully on break, I wasn't sure what was going to happen with the Ino-Shika-Cho formation.
The most drastic of changes was Karin. The Intelligence Department finally got wind of her Mind's Eye of the Kagura technique. She'd been stuck in the village, often completing D-rank missions when time allowed, between training with the eggheads of the IT dep.
Information about the jonins proved to be harder to get. Kakashi-sensei: Classified. Yamato: Classified. Which made sense. It was one thing learning about weak genin and newly promoted chunin; another was trying to track down the top shinobi of the village.
I gave Aoba a bow, then left.
That was enough for now. There were still a lot of things to catch up on, but none of them were urgent. The badgers could wait one, two, or three more days. The GGC wouldn't run out of gossip if I delayed my visit.
And the Hyuga.
Well.
Back at the apartment, I ate a light lunch, took a shower, changed into comfy civvies, packed all the stuff we'd need for a picnic, and went out to meet Ino.
Unlike the previous day, the Yamanaka Matriarch was there when I arrived.
She stood ramrod straight. Her mouth was a firm, disapproving line. By her side, Ino wore a pretty sundress: yellow with hints of purple. Her posture marred the pretty sight. She had her arms crossed over her chest, and her face was in a scowl.
I bowed. "Good afternoon."
The matriarch left Ino's side and approached. Clearly, she wasn't happy with me, and I knew the reason. She stopped in front of me; her face softening for a moment. Then, the woman surprised me by pulling me into a tight hug.
She pulled out, still holding my shoulders.
"I don't approve of this," she said, looking me in the eye.
From behind, Ino growled. "Mom!"
"But that's Ino's mistake to make."
"It's not a mistake!" Ino shouted.
"But if you hurt my daughter…" She left the threat unsaid.
I nodded. It hurt knowing we didn't have her support, but I guess it was better than nothing. At least we didn't need to avoid her anymore.
"I won't. I promise."
Her hands on my shoulders softened, her face matching. There was an almost smile on her severe facade. She kissed my forehead. "I'm glad you're back with us."
Ugh, damn these sneaky ninjas that kept toying with my feelings. Was she angry or not?
"Thanks," I sniffled.
"And don't forget what I said before," the matriarch said after releasing my shoulders.
"I won't hurt her. I promise."
Ino's mom shook her head. "Not about that, even if I'll hold you to it."
I tilted my head, more confused than ever.
"Come talk to me before opening your bakery. I'll help you with the paperwork."
Oh, damn, she knew about it already? I mean, I guess it made sense. I didn't keep it a secret, and Inoichi worked with the people supposed to ferret secrets out. It made sense he'd know about it and tell his wife.
I nodded. "I will."
After all that, the woman turned to Ino. "I expect you to be back by ten."
"Mom!" Ino complained.
"Not a minute later."
There was a staring contest, and Ino was the first to look away. The matriarch gave me one last nod before disappearing inside the shop.
Ino walked to my side and hugged me. "I'm sorry about her."
With my arms wrapped around the blonde, I answered. "I don't mind. At least we don't need to avoid her anymore."
"Small mercies," Ino agreed.
I offered my hand, and the blonde took it.
After we took a few steps, Ino asked. "Where are we going?"
I gave her my best grin. "You'll see."
We didn't take the rooftops this time. Just walked hand-in-hand through the streets of Konoha, talking about anything but ninja life.
Faster than I thought possible, we arrived at our destination.
Ino let out an adorable gasp.
The field of flowers hadn't changed since the last time we'd been here. I pulled on her hand until we arrived beneath the tree, casting lonely shadows over the meadow. With Ino still looking around, I unsealed the fabric and spread it on the ground.
I had just placed the basket with cupcakes on the fabric when Ino interrupted my work.
"Is this…"
"Yep," I said, nodding. "This is where you tricked me into not picking a single flower."
Ino looked away, ears turning a lovely shade of red.
"You still owe me for that."
Her face snapped toward me. "What?"
"And I plan to collect," I said, and before she could react, I tackled her.
We both fell, rolling on top of the flowers. Ino shrieked. Shrieked even more when I started tickling her. I didn't keep the upper hand, however.
Ino had gotten stronger, a lot stronger than before. She grabbed me, flipped me around so I was against the ground, and she was on top. She attacked my sides with merciless fingers.
I held my expression still, through sheer force of will. "It won't work on me."
Ino stopped for a moment, face turning into a devious grin. Instead of tickling my sides, her fingers found the places behind my head, near my shoulders, and neck.
I lost all control, squirming under her touch.
"Won't work, huh?"
The words barely registered. I couldn't keep this up. Instead, I bucked, forcing Ino out of me, then turned around so I was on top. She must have predicted it, because using my momentum, she flipped me again so I was below once more.
"That's cheating!" I said, face flushed.
"I haven't even started yet," Ino grinned back. She lowered her face until it was level with mine and bit my ear.
Things got chaotic after that. I may or may not have tried to wrestle free. We may or may not have made out while rolling through the flowers. Whatever bruises I got in the name of kissing and floral warfare, totally worth it.
Some time later — maybe a little, maybe a lot — we made our way back to the picnic. Ino had devoured half the cupcakes and now lay draped on me in a koala hug, head resting on my shoulder.
For a moment, I thought she'd fallen asleep. I almost did, too, lulled by the rhythm of her breath and the soft pull of contentment.
"What do you think the future will be like, Hinata-chan?"
That question pulled me back six years. Same field. Same girl. She'd asked it then, too. Back then, I'd lied. This time, I couldn't, even if the answer had changed.
"Anything we want," I said, looking at the sky. "As long as you're with me."
Ino giggled, pushed up, and kissed me.
"Keep saying stuff like that, and I won't ever let you go."