Whenever Ino was summoned to the Hokage's office, normally she would've felt excitement. Because it means she was going to have another mission. Sometimes with her team, other times she would be paired by someone. With her skills and experience, Ino is now a 19 year old jonin. But this time even she doesnt know why she feel so, anxious? Was that the right term? Maybe because it's been awhile since her last mission which was a month ago.
When she arrived on Tsunade's office, she knocked on her door first before pulling the handle and quietly walked in. She gave a bow and greets the hokage on her usual chair without her green coat on.
"Hokage-sama."
Tsunade gave her a nod.
"Ino." It was her cue, she lifts her head and before she could meet Tsunade's eyes, a pair of black coal met her violet ones first.
Ino went still. Okay, she was really anxious about all of this right now. What is he doing here? Was he here, even before she came. She didnt even notice his breathing, does he even breathe? Why is Uchiha Sasuke in here? Inside the hokage's office. With her. He was standing perfectly still behind Tsunade, his back facing the open window.
This is not good. Why? Ever since Sasuke became wanted through out the nation, Ino had already decided to give up her love for him. She willed herself to move on. But her father's last words had affected her. That her positive was Sasuke. And then he decided to show up in the midst of the war. But it was war and there was no time for that. So she still willed her self to move on. It was not that easy and quickly but she did move on, slowly. After the war which was victoriously won by the Shinobi Allied Forces, Sasuke came back to the village. He was welcomed again because he was one of the main people who were responsible for their victory though he was suspended and grounded for a year and a half. He was free to use his sharingan on missions but wasnt allowed to use his mangekyo sharingan during his whole reprimandatoon. He was also only allowed to take missions up to C-class and with the companion of his old team. This year he became a jonin along with Naruto, Sakura was the first one to become one before the two.
So back to Ino, why was this not good? Because ever since he came back there wasnt any sense of normalcy between them anymore. Yes, they have small talks whenever their friends get together like,
"How's your misson?"
"It went well. You?"
"Same."
"Hmm."
Or
"Hi."
"Hmm."
Everyone seems to be the same with him but with her, she doesnt know why. Maybe because she was inlove with him and the others didnt. Sakura was too, but they were team mates. And they werent. So for her, she doesnt know where to begin. How to start. That's why this is no good especially for her.
She directed herself to the hokage infront of her.
"You summoned me, Hokage-sama?"
"Yes. I have a mission here, for you and Sasuke."
And the Godaime dropped bomb. Before Tsunade could explain the mission any further, Ino already bombarded her with questions
"Me? Isnt working with his team a better idea? Sakura Or even Naruto?" Sasuke gave her a look which she ignored.
"Not that I mean anything, its just that they usually work together." She added.
"No. Sakura is attending to her medical duties while Naruto is away on a mission with Kakashi. Besides I specifically picked you two for this mission. Ino, youre mind transfer jutsu and intel skills will be much needed for this mission as well as Sasuke's genjutsu." Tsunade pointed at them. Both nodded for her to go on.
"This is an A-class mission. As I've said and as you can tell, I will be needing you two to gather as much intel as you can. I received some reports regarding about this too from the other villages. A syndicate group is kidnapping various children from small villages. The alarming thing is some parents are willing to sell their child in exchange for money. Then the syndicate sells them off through various transactions, the worst case prostituting. In short its like a buy and sell process."
That caught Ino's attention. At first she thought it was like those missions were the kids get sell off and then thats it, but this time its different, some parents were willing to sell their child in exchange for some money.
"What you two will be needing to do is to get information from them, of where they keep the children and how they sell them, and to whom and where do they sell them. According to the reports I've read, they are only composed of a single group but the said group is divided into two. The other one is responsible from buying and kidnapping while the other is responsible for selling them off."
Tsunade each handed them a scroll.
"Whats written in there are the specific locations of the group's hideouts. Both of you are about to leave tomorrow. Let me repeat, you two are only sent there to gather intel. You are not to take actions not relating to the mission given to you two without my ?"
"Hai, Hokage-sama." Ino bowed once more, while Sasuke nodded.
"You may now leave."
Both exited the room quietly. When they left the room the two were welcomed with silence. Both stood still. When Ino couldnt take the silence anymore, she decided to break the ice first.
"So, what time should we uh, leave tomorrow?"
"Let's meet at the village's gate tomorrow before dawn breaks."
"That sounds good. Then we'll talk and plan about the mission tomorrow on the way right?"
"Hmmm."
"Okay, well then see you tomorrow." Sasuke only nodded at her in response. She gave a small wave before awkwardly walking off.
Tomorrow will be the start of their mission. How great.