When Ino exited the nondescript building where T&I was located, the sun was already setting - the pitch-black, elongated shadow of Shikamaru a dark contrast against a backdrop of pastel pink clouds, chartreuse grassblades glimmering with raindrops.

(Her heart always hurt at the sight of those colours together.)

"Hey, you forgot we were going for tea and snacks with Chouji this afternoon, Ino. Let's have it at your house. You owe me a shoji match for making me wait," and the code phrase they had come up with to signal a secret discussion killed any lingering sentimentality and guilt in Ino, leaving only the Head of T&I, devious tactician and ruthless commander.

(But if Ino lingered just one second more than necessary, before turning her back to the dying sun and accompanying Shika, only she would know.)