Chapter Two.
Disclaimer: I still don't own Naruto.
3:30 A.M.
Ino was sleeping soundly and dreaming of wonderful things when-
BEEP BEEP BEEP
Ino hit the alarm clock with a little more force than necessary.
"Ugh..."
Ino opened her eyes and stared at the ceiling for a few minutes.
"...I'd better get moving." she thought to herself, "Come on, body. Move."
A few more minutes later, Ino was finally up. She hurriedly got dressed, brushed her hair and teeth, and grabbed her pack.
4:28 A.M.
As Ino came to the rendezvous point, she noticed that Sasuke and Makoto were already there and waiting.
"Hello." yawned Ino.
"Ah, Hitomi, you're here." Makoto replied.
"You know, we don't have to use the mission names 'till we leave."
"Might as well go ahead."
"Right." she replied, her eyes straying over to Sasuke.
He looked as stoic as ever. Ino sighed and looked down at her feet.
"Sorry I'm late."
Ino whirled around. Kaneda Jin had arrived.
Makoto looked at all of them.
"Alright. Everyone ready?"
No one objected.
"Good. We have about two weeks to get there, and we must travel as civilians. And please remember to use the mission names, alright?"
"..."
"Right then. Let's head out!"
Ino trudged along beside Jin with Sasuke behind her and Makoto in front. It had been about five hours since their last break, and Ino was feeling a bit miserable.
"How long until we make camp?!" thought Ino angrily, "It already 7:20 in the evening! Stupid mission leader. And why the heck is he the mission leader anyway? Why not Jin? She at least seems to be normal. And she looks like she wants to take a break too. Ugh!"
Ino kicked a small rock in her path. Then she glanced back a Sasuke.
"Well," she thought, continuing her mental rant, "at least he's not the team leader. I mean, at least Makoto talks sometimes. All Sasuke has done so far is act like a mindless drone. I'd rather him act like a jerk than a zombie! So troubleso—I've hung out with Shikamaru too much."
Ino's thoughts were interrupted by Jin.
"You alright there, Emiko?"
"Huh?" Ino replied, startled, "Oh! Never better."
Ino smiled at her. Jin looked over at her.
"Then get your head out of the clouds."
Ino flushed with embarrassment.
"Right. Sorry." she mumbled.
"Alright. Nevermind," thought Ino bitterly, "I'm glad she's not the leader after all."
Makoto suddenly stopped.
"Let's stop here. Minowa and myself will look around and see if it's safe to set up camp."
Makoto turned to look at Ino and Jin.
"You two wait here."
After Makoto and Sasuke left, Ino made her joy known.
"Finally!" yawned Ino, stretching.
"Tired already?" Jin asked, raising her eyebrows.
Ino turned to look at her.
"...Yes, I am, as a matter of fact. Is that a problem?"
Jin looked bemusedly at her for a second before she replied.
"I'ts just strange that your stamina is so poor, you being in the ANBU and all."
Ino glared at her.
"What is your problem?"
But before Jin could reply, Makoto returned.
"All's clear on my end. Has Minowa returned yet?"
Ino huffed and folded her arms.
"No." she replied.
Jin looked concerned.
"Should someone go look for him-?"
"There's no need."
Ino and Jin turned around to see Sasuke standing behind them.
"He can speak after all." thought Ino.
Sasuke looked over at Makoto.
"There's no trouble on this side either."
"Alright. Good."
Sasuke continued, "And there's a stream close to here."
Makoto raised his eyebrows.
"Even better. Minowa take Hitomi with you and go get some fish for tonight's dinner. Misa and myself will set up camp."
Jin looked over at Ino.
"Are you sure that you're not to tired?"
Ino smiled mock-sweetly at her.
"I'm fine, but thanks for asking."
As Ino and Sasuke made their way to the stream, Ino couldn't help but to let her frustration out.
"ARGH! What is her problem?!"
Sasuke looked over at Ino, startled. After he regained his composure, he raised one of his eyebrows at her.
"...Try and keep it down. We are on a mission here."
Ino's eye twitched.
"What did I do to get these teamates?" Ino inwardly asked herself and sighed.
Sasuke and Ino continued to walk towards the stream in silence. Ino glanced at Sasuke.
Then she suddenly remembered something.
"Oh! Have you heard from Sakura at all recently?"
Sasuke looked over at her briefly.
"...Yes.."
"How is she doing? I haven't seen her since she announced that she was pregnant!"
Sasuke looked like he was contemplating his answer. Ino raised her eyebrows at him.
". . . Moody." he finally replied.
Ino burst out laughing, startling Sasuke.
"Well, duh! She's pregnant!"
"Hnn."
Ino grinned at him.
"So how's her hubby doing?"
"...'Hubby'?"
"Mmhmm."
Sasuke glanced at her again.
"...Still an idiot."
Ino smiled and looked towards the sky.
"It's nice to know that some things never change, isn't it?"
"Hnn."
Sasuke and Ino walked in comfortable silence until they finally reached the stream.
"Hmm..." said Ino, breaking that silence, "Do you want to catch the fish or should I?"
AN: Alright. Well here's chapter two. I hope you've enjoyed it.
Info on Makoto: He's got brown hair and brown eyes. He's been in the ANBU for five years. He's not famous or anything, but he's still respected (Well, by some.). He's a nice, but usually very business-like. Has never worked with Sasuke or Ino before. Is about 25 years old.
Info on Jin: She's got dark brown hair and dark blue eyes. She's nice to some, but if she doesn't like you, she shows it (as hopefully seen in this chapter.) She's been in the ANBU for three years. She's worked with Sasuke before on a few missions, but this is her first mission with Ino. Is about 23 years old.
Info on Ino: Still has long blonde hair in a ponytail, but not in a high ponytail. She's been in the ANBU Interrigation Squad for two and a half years. Specializes in mind techniques and is a capable fighter, but it isn't her strong point. Is about 22 years old. Has worked with none of these people before.
Info on Sasuke: Same appearance, really. Just older looking. He's been in the ANBU for three years. He's never worked with Ino or Makoto before, but he has worked with Jin before. Is about 22 years old.
Code name reminder:
Yamanaka Ino- Emiko Hitomi
Uchiha Sasuke- Matsumoto Minowa
Kaneda Jin- Sanyu Misa
Hidaka Makoto- Yuuta Kumi
And that's that. Thanks for reading! Please leave a review, but no flames. :D
