A/N: Got a pretty good response with the first chapter, so here I am with another part. I'm hoping to keep this shorter than "Wounded" and "After All," but we'll see where it takes me. I know how I want it to end, but I'm trying to figure out a way to get there that doesn't play out like a cheesy teen movie. Bleh.

Anyway, new installment. I'm taking suggestions for titles. Should I just keep "The Plot Thickens," or scrap it for something totally different?

I apologize in advance for the short chapter, but I knew I needed to get something fresh out there. You guys seemed to really like Chapter 1! Thanks for keeping me on track. :)

There are some pretty heavy references in this chapter to InoShika developments that occurred in "Wounded," so if you haven't, I'd recommend reading the parts I listed in the author's notes in Chapter 1.

Speaking of "Wounded" - I have a poll on my profile page about a bit of plot coming up. Be sure to vote after you've read Chapter 10, please.

Kishimoto-san still holds the Naruto universe in his hands… If I owned it, Rock Lee and the rest of Team Gai would get a hell of a lot more panel and screen love.

A couple of Japanese words:

Neko - kitty

Usagi - bunny

Chapter 2

"I can't believe her, hanging all over my brother like that," Temari groused, watching Kankuro walk away from the restaurant with Ino on his arm.

"It didn't seem too bad to me," Shikamaru lied. "You're making a mountain out of a molehill."

In truth, he thought his head might explode. He had just been subjected to an hour of watching his ex-girlfriend interact with the sand shinobi. She hung on his every word. She laughed at all of his stupid jokes. She put her hand on his and whispered things in his ear.

These things might have been tolerable if Ino hadn't pinned Shikamaru to a wall and jammed her tongue down his throat just a few days before. Memories assaulted his mind; he remembered longing and regret that he'd locked away and boarded up.

He had Temari now, and she was his equal and match in every way. He was really happy. But of course, just when life was starting to go smoothly, something troublesome like this had to happen. Trying to sort it all out was making his brain hurt.

"I guess you're right... Maybe she's harmless after all," Temari replied. "I'm still keeping my eye on her, though."

Shikamaru felt like a complete asshole for being so indecisive. It was like playing shogi with his father - he was caught in a checkmate. Anything he chose to do would hurt someone.

He sighed, looking down at Temari's hand in his. "Not a bad idea, babe."

Dinner was a gloriously awkward success, but as soon as Shikamaru and Temari were out of earshot, Ino started hissing a gripe at Kankuro.

"'Rabbit food?' Really?"

"Well, that's what you ordered, wasn't it?"

"This plan won't work if I don't watch my figure."

"It wouldn't kill ya to have a steak once in a while. I've been watching your figure all day, and from where I'm standing, it's Grade A."

"Whatever," Ino sighed. "Anyway, don't ad-lib."

Kankuro took the toothpick out of his mouth, flicking it over his shoulder. "I'm a puppeteer, not a puppet. I can't follow your script too close. Temari'll see right through it."

"Why?"

"Well… 'Cause the way you want me to say stuff is… kinda gay."

She crossed her arms and rolled her eyes in irritation. "Fine… I guess we'll have to improvise since you're bad at taking direction."

"Don't get so worked up. I've got this. I have no problems playing the role of your boytoy. I mean, we've established that you're a knockout. I am clearly a stud. From the outside, it totally makes sense."

Ino knew Kankuro's type well. His arrogance was just a facade, but she decided to give him a little guff over it anyway.

"Nobody will buy it if you talk like that. Everyone knows I'd never be with a guy who's cockier than me."

"Ah…. Feminine double standards. Love 'em."

"I'm the pretty one in the relationship – it's my prerogative."

She swayed her hips as she walked, which did not go unnoticed by her male companion.

"Seriously, though, your attitude might get us in trouble if you don't watch it, Neko-chan," she sassed when they arrived at her door.

"Aw… you had to talk smack about my hat, didn't you? I'm not even wearing it today!"

"I'm trying to bring you down a peg or two so you don't blow our cover."

"Well, at least you and I know I'm hot. It'll be our little secret." He nudged her side with an elbow.

"Take it easy with this 'ours' stuff. This is a mission. Nothing else."

"Whatever you say, Usagi-chan." Kankuro propped himself against the wall, gazing at Ino lazily. "I think you're just saying that 'cause you're afraid you're gonna fall in love with me."

"Pssh. Dream on."

He gave her an amused smile that made his eyes crinkle. "I dunno… you might not want to discount me so fast. You may just miss out on something if you do."

"Oh, come on… could you lay it on any thicker?" She rolled her eyes.

"If you ask nicely…" He leaned toward her a bit. "…beg, maybe?"

"Do these cheesy lines ever work for you?"

He eased an index finger under her chin. "Sometimes."

She froze. "Yeah?"

He ran his thumb across her bottom lip. "Yeah…"

Suddenly, their faces were less than an inch apart. Ino held her breath.

"But I'm sure it'd take a lot more work than that to tame a filly like you."

Kankuro pushed off the wall, moving away from her as quickly as he'd closed in.

"See ya tomorrow."

"Bye," was all she could say as she watched him take off in the direction of the Suna embassy.

Had he really just done that? What's more, had she fallen for it? Had she thought he was going to kiss her? Did she want him to?

She shook the absurd thoughts from her head. They were working together – nothing more. He was just playing around. She ignored the tug of disappointment she felt upon reaching this conclusion.

'I'm just feeling insecure about Shika rejecting me, and to compensate, I'm taking Kankuro's meaningless flirting personally,' she reasoned with herself.

She went inside and quickly changed for bed, trying her best to dismiss her strange combination of emotions while she settled her head into the pillow.