Inos POV

Its been a month and a couple of days since the game. Not much went on since then, other then Konoha winning against the Kirigakure Swordmen in basketball, which wasnt as interesting as the whole thunder business. I heard the whole basketball team had to clean up the gym and the cafeteria for a week becuase of that.

Our whole district only had 5 schools, each from diffrent countries. Which meant only 5 teams, We have of course our team, Konohagakure Fireballs, Kumogakure Thunder, Kirigakure Swordmen, Iwagakure Stoneheads, and Sunagakure Scorpions. Our baseball team on the other hand had a completely different name, but I really dont feel like talking about it.

Anyways, Getting back on topic, Shikamaru hasnt been to school since the whole thing... I cant believe Im still going to school even after that, and so was Choji. Im suppose to be getting perfect attendance, so trust me when I say that I wish I could of moped and missed school. Ive been having nightmares ever since...well you know. I cant even say his name without having a mental breakdown, so please be patient with me.

It was the start of a new day. An early Monday morning, the worst type of mornings. I wish I could completely erase mondays from existence and also tuesdays...and wednesdays...and thursdays. I guess the rest of the days can stay.

The sun was shining in my face. I groggily woke up from my sleep. I put on the schools uniform like usual, and put my hair up in a ponytail, leaving some of my hair down, and a little makeup wouldnt hurt now would it?

Of course not, as long as I dont take too long putting enough on...

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Okay so what I got a little carried away? It takes a long time for great beauty, But I needed to get to school in about 15 minutes or Im late.

I grabbed my pink backpack and ran downstairs. A grabbed a piece of toast for later to eat.

"Have a good day at school Ino." My dad waved me bye.

"Yeah you too!" I yelled while running out the door, Only to realize what I said and slowly make my way back to the door, "I mean...Have a good day too dad. Not at school." I turned around and started running again as fast as I can.

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When I got to school, there was no one at the front of the school. Was I late? No Impossible, It was 7:56am. School doesnt start till 8. So why isnt anyone out?

"Ino is that you?" I heard someone yell. I turned to see the girls running to me. I waved at them.

"Hi guys, Where is everyone?.."

"We were waiting for you to show up. Theres an assembly going on in the cafeteria and they want everyone there." Sakura informed me.

"Whats it about?" I asked while walking with them to the cafeteria.

"We dont know." Hinata shrugged.

"My guess is probably that they want everyone to have protected sex. I heard a girl got preggos last week." Tenten laughed.

"You shouldn't believe in rumors." I told her.

"Yeah Tenten, thats bad." Temari backed me up.

"Aw cmon, I was obviously joking. I didnt mean it. Besides, Temari you were the one that told me about that rumor."

"Hmph...Youre right." Temari said. Both Temari and Tenten looked at each other, then laughed. I never understood what type of relationship they had.

We opened the doors to the cafeteria and found that every senior was in the room. No lowerclassmen at all. Hinata pointed to some free seats and we all went over and took a seat next to each other. Everyone was talking since the assembly didnt start yet. I looked around some more. I looked at the small stage set up for assemblies, the teachers all crowding around the stage, and Sai waving his hands to get my attention....Wait Sai?!

I made eye contact with him and he smiled. I waved back at him. He pulled out his phone and pointed at it, I guess telling me to check my phone.

*ON THE PHONE*

Sai💙: Do you know what this is about?

Ino: You don't know either? Well, I dont know either :/

Sai💙: Damn

Sai💙: No one knows, but I heard it was pretty serious.
--------------------------------------------------------------

I heard microphone feedback and put my phone away before anyone could catch me.

"Is this damn thing on?" Tsunade kept tapping on the microphone.

"Uh yes lady Tsunade..." Kakashi mumbled to her.

"Oh okay, I apologize for my language," She started, "We have received some... devastating news. Mr. Saratobi was...murdered last month."

Everyone gasped. Little conversations broke out and the whole place was in shock. Even some of the teachers started crying. I couldnt hold myself back either. Tenten patted my back as comfort.

"Its okay..." She kept whispering over and over again. It wasnt okay, but I appreciate her effort.

"I know...I know, But I'm not done yet." Tsunade put a hand up for silence, "Ms. Yuhi has quit her job here. As appreciation, I would like a moment of silence for Mr.Sarutobi."

The whole cafeteria went silent. Small cries here and there were heard, but it was mainly silent.

"Ill be giving the microphone over to Mr. Hatake.... Please be respectful and listen to what he has to say."

Tsunade handed over the microphone to Kakashi. Kakashi starred at the microphone for a minute and looked back up at all of us.

"I knew Asuma since Middle school. He was a... great man. Kind, Respectful, and all around amazing guy. I have 2 very important announcements as well. 1st of order, As you know Mr.Sarutobi didnt just die of natural causes, He was murdered. Thankfully they know who killed him, but the bad news is that they have no Idea where he is. The man who killed him did in fact, go to this school and is a student. If you have any leads or know the whereabouts on Hidan...Please contact me immediately. Also, If you know where he is, but dont want to tell us, You are helping him get away with this crime. Be the upper person, and help us avenge a great man." Kakashi took a deep breath.

"Asumas favorite holiday was Halloween. As many of you know, Halloween is 6 days away. Were hosting a party in the schools courtyard and all of you are invited. He always wanted to host a party there and here we are granting his wish. Heres the catch though. If you are for sure coming to the party, You must grab a slip from this box." Kakashi grabbed a box and shook it around, "Fill it out and place it in that box," He pointed at a box Mr. Yamato was standing next too, "Mr.Yamato will take one out and give one to you. This game will work like A secret Santa. Expect you will have to dress up as the persons fear for the party. Does everyone understand?"

Everyone was silent. It sort of meant a yes.

"Good. Thank you all for your participation. Even if it was manual... Anyways, Have a good rest of the day." Kakashi passed the mic to Tsunade.

"We would love to see everyone there. One last thing before we go, May I have Ino Yamanaka, Shikamaru Nara, and Choji Akimichi to my office after this assembly? Thank you everyone."

"Lets go get one. All of us." Temari smiled. We all looked at her and showed the same expression. The gloomy aroma in the cafeteria turned to a happy one, Everyone was pushing and shoving to get a slip and fill it out. I was so happy to see this. I wonder what asuma would say, If he saw all of this?

"Oi, Guys, Ill go into the crowd...Wish me luck." Tenten took a deep breath and ran into the pushing, noisy crowd to get all of us a slip. If she dies...She dies.

That was a horrible thing for me to say, even though no one heard me. Im sorry Tenten if you can read my thoughts. I swear I didnt mean it.

We waited a few moments and Tenten came back out, thankfully unharmed.

"Here...we...go..." She said in between breaths. She passed each of us a slip. It was a piece of white paper, with 2 words on it

'NAME:__________

FEAR?:___________'

I feared many things. For example, Death, but I dont think people will dress up as death. What scares me that isnt emotionally deep?

Pirates scare me...

I don't know why, but I cant even watch the pirates of the caribbean without being scared out of my witts.

I folded the paper. Everyone else was already done by the time I was done.

"Ill take it up and turn it in. You should get going Ino, We'll see you later after school." Temari waved me goodbye and ran into the crowd, expect this time, people got out of the way for her. She was truely terrifying in her own way.

I slipped out of the cafeteria and walked towards the office. When I opened the door, Choji was already waiting.

"Hi choji."

"Hi Ino."

I sat down next to him and waited. It took a while, but finally Tsunade stepped out of her office. "Choji and Ino?" She called out. We both walked over to her room and took a seat.

"May I ask where is Shikamaru?" She asked us.

"Hes still hurt about what happened." Choji awnsered for me.

"I see," She interlocked both of her hands and rested her chin on them, "I want you two coming to Asumas old room after school, He had some things to give to you guys. Mrs. Yuhi will be waiting for you. Dismissed."

We both got up and bowed in respect towards her. I walked out first along with choji.

What could Asuma wanted to give us?

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"Ino! Ino wait up!" Sakura called out to me in the hallways. I slowed down and waited for her to catch up.

"We forgot to give you your slip." She passed me a piece of paper. I opened it and was shocked to what I saw.

'NAME:Sai__

FEAR?:Elfs__'

Elfs?

"Did you give me Sai on purpose?" I asked.

She shook her head, "No way, Trust me when I say I wish I got Sai." Sakura got out her slip and showed it to me. She got Lee, and apparently he was scared of being a loser.

Well I guess hes living in a nightmare.

"What does a loser look like?" She pondered.

"Easy. Dress like Lee." A voice from behind us said. We turned around and saw Choji, "Are you heading to Asumas room too?" He asked me. I nodded my head.

"Ill see you guys tomorrow then. Bye." Sakura turned around and walked away from us.

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Asuma was room 10.

We walked the silent hallways together until we got to room 10. We opened the sliding door and saw Kurenai sitting at his old desk.

"Hello guys." She smiled at us.

We both bowed to her and took a seat in front of her.

"Asuma...wanted to give you guys these, just incase something would happen to him, and well...Something happened..." Kurenai got out three boxes. One was green, one was red, and the last one was purple.

"Green is for Shikamaru, Red is for Choji, and Purple is for Ino."

"Ill take Shikamarus present over to him." Choji grabbed the green box and placed it in his pocket. They all were small boxes.

"On the count of three, lets open them." Choji whispered to me. I grabbed the lid of the box and nodded my head.

"1...2...3"

We both opened ours with enthusiasm. In the box were plain silver earings, New ones.

Flashback

We all were around 12 years old at the time and we were all in front our favorite place to hang out at. A BBQ place. Well, it definitely wasnt asumas favorite place since he was always paying.

"You guys make me so proud sometimes." Asuma started.

"Sometimes? Hmph." Shikamaru softly chuckled.

"Yeah, I hate it when I have to pay over 100$ for some food you guys eat." Asuma puffed a little smoke out of his cigarette and smirked.

"Hey Im on a diet!" I yelled. Everyone looked at me and rolled their eyes. When I was a kid, I thought I was overweight, but really I was actually a bit underweight.

"From now on, I want all of us to be called the Ino-shika-cho. Thats a cool name right?" Asuma chuckled.

"Meh." I tried to sound unimpressed.

"Its a fine name." Shikamaru leaned against the wall.

"I like it!" Choji shouted with joy.

"Then its settled. I got everyone these so we wont forget our powerful bond. Lets all promise that no matter what, We'll always wear these. To show that we care for one another." Asuma grabbed a box from behind his back and opened it. There were 4 sets of earrings. One for me, One for Shikamaru, One for Choji, and one for Asuma. "I dont have my ears pieced yet, but I know you guys do." Asuma said. He didnt touch his earrings.

I took out my earrings that I already had on and put the new ones on. When I was done, I noticed that Shikamaru and choji already had them in.

"You kids do me proud. Now lets get you all home before all your parents start yelling at me again." He put his hands on shikamarus and chojis head and we all walked down the street.

End of flashback

"Im sorry I think I need a minute alone." My voice cracked. I held onto the box tight and ran out the door. I ran down the hallway and not stopping, not caring if anyone could see me. Besides, there werent many people in the hallway anyways since school was over.

I grabbed onto a door handle and opened it. It was the dance room for the dance club, I wasnt in it, but like I said, I needed a minute alone and no one was in here.

I went to the back of the classroom and slid down on the wall while crying my eyes out. I held on tight to the box, making sure I didnt crush it.

I dont even know if I could wear this, It reminded me too much of Asuma.

Oh asuma, Why did you have to leave this world so early? You were gonna be a dad for christs sake!

I heard something open, I looked up at the door but It wasnt open.

"Ino, Are you okay?" I heard a voice ask me. I turned to the right and saw Sais head sticking out of a window. I pulled out my ponytail and let my hair fall. I nodded my head.

"I just need a minute." I told him.

"Come here Ino." He ordered in a bossy tone.

I crawled on the floor till I got to the window. Sai sighed, which sounds kinda weird when you read it. You know cause Sai sounds like Sigh....Anyways...

Sai started playing with my hair, "If it helps any, I know what its like to lose someone precious to you. Its hard. It'll feel like a huge chunk of your heart was crushed, and I know people are telling you that it'll get better, but Im here to tell you the truth. It wont. You'll just get use to having him gone."

I stiffed at Sais small lecture. He literally had no filter, I felt like slapping him for being so straightforward, but he wasnt wrong. He was right. Ill always miss Asuma, but one day, Ill get so use to not seeing him anymore, It wont make me so sad.

"Oh...Thanks I guess Sai." I said.

"Anything for you Ino, I will always be honest with you." He stopped playing with my hair, I turned around and gave him a smile.

"If you need someone to talk too, Im here, but not now. Im playing hide and seek with Naruto and his friends. So far they havent found me, but I should get moving. Goodbye gorgeous." Sai jumped and kissed my cheek, then ran to the left to avoid whoever was looking for him. 

It amazes me how hes scared of elfs, yet hes scared of nothing else.