This is from the latest chapter of Apples, my AU fic with the InoNaruto pairing. I just started sketching out the scene, and this is what came from it.

Scene

“Only you would think to come here,” Ino looked down at Naruto from where she was lying on a thick tree branch. The younger Genin looked up at her from where he stood on the swing outside of the academy.

“You have a better idea?” Naruto asked. He thought this was fun. He hadn’t been here in forever. “I’ll let you swing instead if you want.”

“No, I’m fine,” Ino murmured from her perch. She watched as Naruto’s head turned towards the road. He was always watching the road as though someone was going to come and snatch them up. He was too paranoid for his own good; although Ino was glad he wasn’t trying to mask it over when it was just them.

“What’s bothering you?” she asked. It was tricky, but she would back off if he wanted her to. He seemed to be getting his deep in thought look and she wanted to know what was going on.

“Nothing,” he answered quietly and began rocking the swing slightly.

Ino looped her arms over the tree branch and rested her chin on them. Looking down at him, she said, “It doesn’t look like nothing.” He hadn’t given a warning sign yet, so she decided to press.

Naruto said nothing and Ino closed her eyes. At least he wasn’t mad, she reasoned.

“I can’t tell you,” Naruto said after a while.

Ino opened an eye and frowned down at him. “Why not?”

“I promised,” Naruto said.

“Oh don’t tell me Big Forehead got together with Sasuke!” Ino sat up, her legs almost hitting Naruto in the head as they moved into a dangling position.

“No,” Naruto replied quietly, “they haven’t.”

“Good,” Ino said but it felt hollow. She should feel victorious, right? The fight for Sasuke was still on! Though, it was leaving a rather odd aftertaste. Changing gears, she said, “Nothing can be that bad.”

Naruto gave her a slightly bitter almost barking laugh. It lasted only a few beats, but got Ino’s full attention. “No, there can be,” he said and decided to leave it at that.

Ino recognized the finality, but she wanted to make him rewind and do that laugh again. She had never heard that laugh from him before. It was so not Naruto. Although, she considered as she tilted her head, was it truly Naruto?

“I have to meet up with Ero-sennin early,” Naruto announced and jumped off the swing, landing in a crouch.

Ino slipped off the tree and nodded. “I need to resume training with my Dad,” she said. “I want to make Chûnin next year.”

The pair stood looking at each other for a moment. This was where they were supposed to say good bye, good luck, and see you whenever, but neither made a noise. Finally Naruto said, “Let’s go.” Ino nodded and the pair started off for the market district together.

End Scene

Disclaimer in my journal.

Bienfang Sketch 8 1/2" x 11"
2HB Dixon pencil
Crayola Crayons 50 pack
Adobe Photshop Elements 2.0
..... Filters
.......... None
Notes
..... Based on chapter six of Apples
..... Outline [link]