Chapter 28: Birthday Party

Word had apparently gotten around about Ino’s reading and writing fanaticism, as most of her presents this year were books or writing materials. From her parents she got Clans of Konoha: A History, and Human Nature: Understanding Ourselves and Others. 

Shikamaru got her a rather childish looking book titled Help! I can’t find my Chakra! He apologized under his breath and promised to get her a better alternative once she’d finished it. 

Chōji got her a mortar and pestle, her favorite cooking tool so far. It was just so fun to use! 

Sakura got her a strange book and guiltily admitted she was excited to read it too. The book was called: Knowledge: Its Power, and How That Power is Kept and Controlled. Sakura said the 1st edition had been a wedding present to her parents, and the 4th edition had just gotten released. 

When it was Inoyama’s turn he walked up and handed her a small package. As she opened it, he explained, “Since you’re hoarding those priceless ‘High-quality ninja lesson’ coupons from last year, I decided to give you some incentive to use them. I double checked with your parents before getting you this and this is me giving you double the warning about only using these when an adult is watching you. Ok?” 

“I haven’t even seen it yet but ok!” Ino squealed excitedly. There was just something about dangerous, parent-forbidden things. “Toothpicks? Oh!” Ino gasped as she read the package. 

“Senbon: 20 pack.” There were 3 packs total. 

“Inoyama thank you thank you thank you!!” She leapt to hug him, but he dodged and planted a hand on her forehead to keep her still. 

“I know that you’ve been working your arm off with your kunai. Hopefully this will be a less painful option for a while, although this is no excuse for not mastering the other weapons. Understood?” Inoyama looked over at her parents and got a nod from Ino’s mom before sagging in relief. 

He leaned down and whispered to her, “I had to practice that speech about 10 times before your mom agreed.” Ino giggled. “But that doesn’t make it any less true, ok baby cousin?” Ino nodded and took advantage of his whispering to grab him for a hug, which he accepted with mock exasperation. 

Just like last year, Shino confused the audience with another strange and probably expensive gift. Ino took the envelope and pulled out another picture of what she could now identify as a night-flowering cactus. This one also had a white flower.  

“Moonlight Cactus.” Ino read out loud. Shino told her it would thrive in the same area as the Princess of the Night, each one helping the other in some way that Shino didn’t understand. 

Throughout the exchange her parents’ intense stare followed their every movement. Ino watched her father give her mother a resigned look as she read out the flower name. As she thanked Shino profusely for the nicer-than-needed gift she couldn’t help feeling a bit resentful. What was going on? Why wouldn’t they just tell her? Was she in danger? Was she being put into some sort of debt? She allowed herself another few seconds of self-centeredness before giving everyone her dazzling smile and calling for the cake, smirking internally as a few boys got a dazed look in their eyes. 

 

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