AN: This is the first Chapter of "Phase Two". It is the second story in the trilogy carrying on from my first story "Missing in Action". Just to recap… it is Tsunade's birthday and she has trapped two shinobi couples in separate rooms. She is filming them and watching their progress along with Shikaku Nara, Inoichi Yamanaka, Choza Akimichi, Kurenai, Anko and Genma. It is pretty important to read Missing in Action first because there are plenty of references to things that have happened earlier. First up, I will show what is happening with Ino and Shikamaru, at the start of the part of the "mission" that Tsunade has labeled "Phase Two". There will be a serious lime coming fairly soon. I'm running out of ideas for phase two fast and it's getting really angsty so I may have to brake for a while but I'll try my best. Just to be sure: This is thoughts. "This is Inner Sakura" "This is speech heard through the speakers in Tsunade's security room". Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or any of these characters, but I do own this story line.
1431 words in this chapter
Phase Two
Chapter one- still hungry
What the hell Shikamaru?
What seemed like hours later, Ino had just decided to lie back down on the bed. It seemed strange to her how long Shikamaru had been inside the bathroom, but then none of his recent behavior could really be classed as normal by any stretch of the imagination. Was he intending to stay there until she was asleep, when he didn't have to face her? She had spent the entire time up until then, pacing around the room, trying to figure out where she went wrong.
He was attracted. He definitely felt it. He wanted me. It was in his eyes. I was so sure he was heading over to the bed for a different reason. Why did he knock on the wall like that? Why, when he so obviously wanted to, didn't he return the kisses? It was so one-sided, I feel awful. This isn't seduction. Who am I kidding? This is me using him as make out practice. Was that the problem? Did he realize that it didn't mean anything? Of course he did. That's his mission, right?
It must be that then. His mission orders won't let him respond to direct physical moves. I have to stop for long enough for him not to feel assaulted. Alright then, no more forcing myself onto him. Back off more and let him think it through. Oh Kami, I just had a horrible thought. Am I sexually assaulting Shikamaru? Is this official harassment? Will he write that in this report?
I wonder how Sakura is doing. It must be better than me, whatever she attempts. She's so lucky to get Kakashi. He's already a pervert. He spends so long reading those books, all she would have to do is act like one of those slutty girls and he'd be gone for sure. Is she already finished? Is she waiting for me to finish, laughing at my pathetic skills. I'll admit it, I'm much worse than I anticipated. It's just… it's Shika…
Then she was interrupted as she heard sounds of water running. He's actually in there then. I feared that he had somehow managed to contact Tsunade and had left the mission. Was that who he was knocking for? No, it can't be. He's in there now, and will presumably come out once he's finished in the shower. Put it this way, I'm not cooking him meals and handing them through into the bathroom. Not now I know what an amazing cook he is.
She winced, remembering their last experience with food. That was not going to be an association between them that they would shake off easily. She could imagine sitting with Chouji at a barbeque restaurant once they got out of there and they still would not be able to look at each other without blushing. Dear Kami, what would Chouji say about all of this? We'd never see the end of it.
She lay back and stared at the ceiling, trying to clear her head of all of the thoughts. She failed. All she could think of in this position was what Shikamaru had said to her, was it… yesterday? It felt like they had been in there for so long the days just melted together. She couldn't remember any separations between them. "I think of clouds"
The water stopped.
She tried his technique for herself, willing her imagination to come up with a projection of clouds to replace the dull grey of the current ceiling. She failed again. She had never actually looked up at them properly for long enough to take notice of their appearance. The only time she had ever even acknowledged their presence was when she went out to find Shikamaru, usually for being late.
He would sit on a hill over looking Konoha and lie back on the grass, watching the clouds roll by. He once said that it was for him what meditation was for Neji or ramen for Naruto. It was a focus point, a relaxant and a safe haven from the troublesome life of a ninja. For Ino, it would probably be shopping. However, she couldn't do that in this little bed-sit of an apartment, so she'd have to find something else to do. Imaginary cloud watching seemed as good as anything to keep herself occupied.
The bathroom door clicked open.
"Finally came out?" she scoffed at him, deciding just to close her eyes and try it that way.
"Hai" she heard him say, with an upbeat but attractively husky tone. He sighed. "Kami, I need a stretch… would you mind?"
"Huh? Mind what? Go ahead, I'm not stopping you." What is with him? He's suddenly fine again?
"Gomen Ino-babe."
She almost choked. Ino sat up and opened her eyes to get an absolute eyeful.
Shikamaru had put back on one of his mesh tops but wore it without his usual jacket, leaving a strong, clear outline of the muscles in his back as he pressed himself away from the floor in a push-up that had her heart running double-time. He was still damp from the shower, glistening in the poorly lit room.
Suddenly Ino felt very glad that the lighting was not brilliant and that he was facing away from her as she felt a blush forming on her cheeks. Imagine what he's like in proper light… no! Stop that thought process right there!
He glanced over his shoulder with a lazy glance and she noticed something suddenly. His hair! He's let it down! Oh Kami it's so hot! It's only spiky like that when he ties it up because it is naturally this straight and slick. He looks so… Stop it Ino!
She completely lost all control over her thoughts and actions as she so badly wanted to reach out and run her fingers through the slightly wet hair. In an attempt to stop herself, she bundled her hands in the sheets beneath her and bit her lip nervously, almost tearing them both.
Then he smiled. His lips curved into that irresistibly unique sideways grin. Framed by the dark locks of his hair and coupled with his well-toned torso as he turned to lean on one elbow casually, that expression no longer seemed awkward and stupid. Now it seemed to fit, making him seem more sultry than sulky.
She wasn't breathing and they both knew it. She was stunned into silence. When she had first compared him to Sasuke, she seemed completely offended by the notion of them being similar and considered it blasphemy. Her feelings had not changed. She couldn't compare them. Sasuke was a childish crush. Shikamaru was so much more mature, a full man, far more superior. She started to wonder whether it was in fact that she had been attracted to Shika's qualities in Sasuke, rather than the other way around. After all, she had known Shikamaru as a close friend since long before she even knew of the Uchiha's existence.
So many feelings were rushing through her right now, she couldn't for a second think sensibly about her mission. Stop it Ino, you're supposed to be seducing him, not drooling over him. He's still looking at you. He can see you staring at his torso, his hair, his eyes… Oh Kami, those eyes… no! Stop it. Look away. Wait, what is he doing? Why is he doing this? The smile says it's not just to exercise like he said. This is really weird now. It's Shikamaru, my team mate, my team leader, my friend. Has he really changed this much in a few years?
She watched in awe as he ran a hand casually ran his free hand through his hair. "I know… its stupid, right?" he said in a voice which sounded partly nervous but also teasing, like he really knew it wasn't. "I lost my hair band somewhere and I know you don't have any so…"
She took one deep breath and forced her gaze away. Then she felt his presence next to her as he sat on the bed. A hand worked its way onto her thigh.
"Still hungry Ino?" he whispered right up to her ear, his warm breath teasing the skin of her neck. She closed her eyes, sinking into the feeling.
The second she couldn't feel him any more, she snapped out of her trance. This was making her feel more comfortable than she had thought and the only thing she could do was the same thing he had done earlier. She screamed and ran into the bathroom, locking the door behind her.
