Conversations (2)

( Two weeks later)

" Two weeks and three C-rank missions completed, Daiki your team has completed the most C-rank missions of the new genin teams." Says the third Hokage.

" Mhm, they are growing quickly, I want them ready for the chunin exams in the coming weeks, and the loss to team seven has had a bigger impact than expected." Responds Daiki as he sits down on the chair facing his father.

" That's good, but on to more important topics, has there been any improvement with the Yamanaka girl?"

" From the looks of things, she still doesn't know, and I have no intention of taking the first step even though I agreed to the marriage."

" Is That so??? I wonder what exactly Inoichi is planning by not to tell that girl." The third says exhaling a cloud of smoke.

" Whatever it is, it shouldn't be bad, I'm guessing he waiting as long as possible hoping the girl falls for me on her own, instead of telling her of the agreement first." Says Daiki.

" Trying his best to make I as much her choice as possible."

" That's fine, it's not like you plan to marry now anyway, the chunin exams begin in another two weeks, and before that, we have a small problem, the team used to keep tabs on Orochimaru has lost contact." 

"I told you that would happen, I am surprised he left them this long, but him doing it at this time is troubling." says Daiki.

"I'm thinking the same, Him doing it now as the chunin exams are approaching, his intention is clear I just don't know what exactly his plans are."

"You should have killed him when you had the chance." Daiki says turning and looking at his father.

"Ah..... you're right, I was too soft-hearted, but if he comes to make trouble I'll make sure to deal with him this time." the third says.

"Please, If he comes it won't be your turn to kill him with me here, and let's be honest right now there is no guarantee you can kill Orochimaru now, we both know you aren't what you used to be." says Daiki.

"Time catches up to everyone." Hiruzen whispers.

"It does, anyways I gave the kids the day off I'm going to relax for today then it's back to training." says Daiki.

Daiki turns and disappears from the office leaving the third alone.

"Things are falling into place, it shouldn't be too long now in the next couple of months there will be a new Hokage in the hidden leaf." Hiruzen says. 

(Daiki)

Daiki was now sitting in Ichiraku ramen eating when a figure appeared behind him.

"Daiki sensei, you're here." a soft voice sounded causing Daiki to turn around.

"Ino, I'm surprised you aren't at home for the day."

"We were training, Choji and Shikamaru have already gone home, but I saw you so I came to say hello." says walking up to Daiki and sitting next to him.

"Oh, you guys were training on your day off, that's good you've all been making very good progress and it has shown in the last mission, but enough of that order something to eat on me." Daiki says as he continues to eat.

"Okay"

(A few minutes later)

The two had been eating in silence, but Daiki noticed the girl glancing at him every couple minutes seeming to want to ask him something.

"It seems like you want to ask me something, what is it?" Daiki asked as he raised his looking at her.

"Daiki sensei, what do you think of me?" Ino asked not looking at Daiki.

"...."

Daiki looked at her in silence completely shocked at the question.

"I mean compared to when we first met." says Ino seemingly feeling Daiki's shocked gaze.

"You mean to ask me if I think you've changed?" Daiki questioned.

"Yeah."

"You want the truth or.....?"

"The truth." Ino shouted interrupting Daiki.

"Alright then."

"When I first met you my impression of you was that you were a spoiled little princess who didn't care about anyone but herself, you were on a diet and for some reason overly infatuated with the Uchiha brat, all in all, you weren't fit to be a shinobi." Daiki says.

Hearing this Ino held her head lowering not saying anything, but clearly what Daiki said had hurt her, her hands under the table were clenched as her fingernails dug into her hand, and tears pooled in the corner of her eyes.

"But now things seem to have changed, I can't speak of your feelings for the Uchiha brat, but at least now, you aren't acting spoiled, you care about your teammates and the people in the village, you are training seriously, and eating properly. Now I believe you are a talented shinobi who will achieve great things in the future and become someone the people of this village can depend on." Daiki says as he continues to eat.

Ino on the other hand was shocked and her entire face turned red in a split second as she got up.

"Thank you for the meal Daiki sensei, but I should be going now." she says then turns to leave.

"Mhm."

With Ino gone Daiki continued and ordered another bowl of ramen and continued eating.

'I wonder what caused her to suddenly want to ask me that question?' Daiki wondered.

(Ino)

After leaving Ino ran all the way home with a smile on her face, seemingly very happy.

'Daiki sensei said I'll be a great shinobi.' Ino thinks as she rolls around on her bed happily as little giggles escape from time to time.

What she didn't know was her parents were outside and completely confused as to what made their daughter so happy.

"You think she fell in love with Daiki yet?" Inoichi asked his wife in a low voice.

"Things don't happen that fast."

"We can only keep it from her for so long, if she doesn't have some kind of feeling for Daiki by the end of the coming chunin exams we will have to tell her." Inoichi says.

"Things would move so much faster if Daiki would only take the initiative." Inoichi says.