Snake in the trees

                                    

                                          


                          
Ino's arm hooks around yours as she drags you through the colorful shopping district of Konoha. Making up for lost time, she claims. You think that she just really wants female company, but you indulge her anyway. Both of you are in more comfortable civilian clothes, her in a purple sundress and you in a tight fitting singlet and safety shorts. The boys trail behind the both of you, a bunch of shopping bags in their hands. 


Shikamaru is carrying more since Choji needs a free hand to eat out of the bag of chips he has wedged between the apex of his left arm.
                          

The day is hot, you could see the waves of heat emanating from the pavement. Summer is at it's peak. The shopping district is one of the more developed districts in Konoha, primarily getting more foot traffic by travelling merchants from outside the village. 
                          

"Ugh, troublesome." Shikamaru says, almost tripping on a stray pebble by the side of the road. The pile of parcels and shopping bags stacking in his arms is almost tall enough to reach the top of his nose -He can't even see the road. Choji just laughs, a stray bead of sweat rolling down his forehead. 


He sneaks a chip into Shikamaru's mouth, which the Nara boy accepts with a begrudging look.
                          

"Hey! That would look totally cute on you!" Ino says. She seems to have spotted something amongst the busy streets and she pulls on your arm, leading you through the throng of people.
                          

"W-wait Ino! I think we're leaving Shika and Choji behind." You say, but your voice gets drowned out but the hum and drum of the crowd and she pulls your past the sea of heat, sweat and fabric and right in front of what seems to be a civvie clothing shop. That only sells yukata. Lines and lines of fabric that are on display only made the already small shop, smaller.
                          

"Don't worry, they're not far behind." Ino slips her arm from yours and picks out a fabric from the display, holding up to your body as if to see if the colours match your skin tone. Multiple times.
                          

"How about this one? Or this one? What about this? The pattern on this is beautiful. Ohhhhh, this would totally fit you! Here, hold this against you and let me see again." She says, pressing a dark blue cloth against your chest. It looks soft with a subtle sheen to the surface with patterns of different flowers arranged in an explosion of colour. While not something you would normally wear, you can't deny that it is beautiful.
                          

"Wow, it's really nice. You sure know how to pick clothes, Ino." You say, running down a lone finger against the fabric. Your appreciation for her talent in picking clothes is genuine.
                          

Ino's cheeks redden when she hears the uncharacteristically soft compliment from you and she quickly covers up her embarrassment by picking out more choices for you, "How about this? Or this? This pink looks nice on you. Okay this. No this. This!" Her hands are moving as fast as how she currently feels (which according to the speed of her hands, says she is extremely embarrassed).
                          

You smile at her, her tendency to wear her heart on her sleeve is somewhat refreshing for you, you know, in comparison to the other members of your clan. Her reactions to everything is very vivid. Like she sees the world in more colour, instead of your drab, muted outlook. A trait you envy quite a bit. But that is what makes her the girl you know and are really fond of.
                          

"You should pick stuff for yourself, Ino-chan," You gesture at the one that you're already holding up against your chest and say, "I think I'm getting this one. I think it's really pretty." You've been trying your best to open up, she had asked you to be more vocal about your thoughts so that she can understand what you're feeling. It was a little awkward at first, but with some encouragement from Ino and even Shikamaru (that lazy boy actually encouraged you to do something), you're actively trying.