~*~*~ So this is a Sai/Ino fic for anyone who wasn't aware of that. Enjoy :)

Disclaimer: I OWN NOTHING. NOTHING!~*~*~

Edited in 2013

thoughts

Ino's POV:

"Understand?" Tsunade asked while raising a perfectly arched brow.

Ino shifted uncomfortably in her chair for the fifteenth time since she'd been called into Tsunade's office twenty-five minutes ago. "Er... sorry, what?" she sputtered. Tsunade rubbed at her temples and closed her eyes for a few seconds.

"Look Ino, I'm sorry to drop this on you so suddenly, but I don't have a choice. Naruto will be Hokage soon, and he's depseprately going to need someone competent in ANBU intelligence. After your father passed, we've had a desperate need for intelligence and stealth specialist shinobi. Stealth and intelligence is a vital part of village security, so I need you to drop your academy job and join the ANBU ranks. As in, I already have the exam set up for you, I just technically have to have your consent that if you die during the exam no one can sue us."

"Can I think about this and talk to my boyfriend Sai about the options?" Ino pleaded. Tsunade sighed and shook her head.

"I wish I could give you some time to think about it, but we're out of options. I have to have your answer right now. This is a once-of-a lifetime experience, and I truly think you would benefit from saying yes."

Panicking, Ino cursed having to make such an important decision on the fly. She had always had a fear of feeling regret for turning down opportunities, so she gathered her scrabbled mind and made her decision

After a lengthy silence, Tsunade got her answer.

"...I'm in!" Tsunade cracked a smile.

Ino just hoped to hell she didn't regret it.

"Excellent! Treat this exam like you would a mission. It is not easy, and if you don't take it seriously, you may die. Understand?" Tsunade said in her most authoritative voice. Ino nodded fervently.

"This exam will take place over the next two weeks. The directions are simple. I will give you a scroll. You are to take this scroll and hide out in the surrounding forest for two weeks. Several of Konoha's best ANBU will be looking for you, and if they detect you they will attack and try to capture you and the scroll. If you can manage to return to the Hokage tower exactly two weeks from now with the scroll and without being captured, then you pass the exam. Mind you, failing the exam doesn't mean you won't become and ANBU. Understand?" Ino blanched.

"Keep in mind, if you do not treat this like a real mission, there is a very good chance that you could be brutally injured. That, or accidently killed by an ANBU who expected more of a fight."

"Will I have time to prepare for this exam?" Ino asked suspiciously. Tsunade smiled deviously and clasped her hands together in front of her face.

"Nope. In fact," The Hokage glanced at her watch, and tossed the scroll to Ino.

"It starts now. You have fifteen minutes to get the hell out of here as fast as you can. In fifteen minutes, you're free game to the ANBU. Ino glanced between the village leader and the scroll, looking at it like it was going to explode. For all she knew, it just might.

"…."

"Just think of the exam like a two week adrenaline fueled, near-death-experience filled camping trip." Tsunade offered.

"...is that supposed to make me feel better?"

Tsunade just smiled again. "I recommend you run now."

And that's just what I did. Ran so fast I almost took out the old lady at the juice stand.

My name is Ino. Two weeks ago, Tsunade decided that I would become an ANBU to take over my fathers old position in Intelligence. Neat, huh? Yeah, for a moment there, I actually thought so too.