Lunch was a quiet affair. (Too quiet if you asked him.) They sat across from another on the patio of some bistro absorbed more in their meals than each other, or at least Ino was. Sasuke took this opportunity to eye the blonde closely.
The little heart to heart in the hotel room with Nara had caused the normally obnoxious kunoichi to withdraw, clearly lost in her own thoughts. (If her vacant spacey doe-eyed look was anything to go by.) It made her… dare he say, something akin to pleasant to be around? However as much as Sasuke enjoyed the peace and quiet, it also unnerved him. Like the calm before the storm, he was certain that sooner or later (most likely sooner, maybe even before dessert was served.) Ino would explode.
And boy was he dreading it. Ino's last combustion had after all not been more than 24 hours ago and it took four highly skilled ninja and a 'Kage to subdue her. At the moment he was practically a sitting duck, in a sea of civilians – and his steak wasn't even cooked properly. He just prayed she didn't let her pesky school-girl crush rule her emotions this time, and remembered to be professional. It was possible right? Miracles can happen?
Absently, Ino choose this moment to softly sigh to her self focused intently on pushing the croutons of her salad around. (And if he wasn't mistaken, were they all shaped in the form of a sad-looking heart?)
She looked heartbroken. Distraught even, like she'd just found out the man of her dreams had run away to Suna because he didn't return her unrequited love (Oh wait he did!) Who was he kidding – they were doomed; so much for a decent mission payout.
Needless to say, he hardly ate anything at all. His right had stayed under the table the whole time on his kunai pouch, ready to strike if necessary while his left deftly lifted the wine goblet to his mouth, like one would water in the desert. The only time he set it down was to fill it again.
When the waiter came around to ask them how their meal was, Sasuke was already a jittering fool as he bounced hastily – anticipating an attack. Ino merely smiled softly, though it didn't reach her eyes before telling the waiter the meal was delicious. Their server nodded politely, though briefly eyed the empty wine bottle suspiciously before clearing the table and handing out a dessert menu.
Ino ordered triple chocolate cake for her and fudge brownies for him. He didn't even like sweets, but in a brief moment of intelligent-thought he kept his mouth shut.
'I'm not going to bite you know,' murmured Ino softly, as she took a soft bite into the brownie placed in front of Sasuke. The dark haired teen stared blankly at her, not quiet processing the fact she had spoken.
Swallowing thickly, Sasuke licked his dry lips before speaking, intelligence fading. 'I thought the brownies were mine?'
Rolling her eyes at him, Ino merely pushed a forkful of chocolate cake in his direction. 'Were supposed to be engaged Sasuke, at least try to act like you care?'
For being a genius, he looked completely puzzled. It quite amused her. 'What does brownies have to do with caring?'
'Eh, you men are all the same.' Muttered Ino, as she forced the forkful into Sasuke's mouth; when all he did was stare at it. Watching his handsome face twist into a grimace was enough to push her out of her funk. That and the chocolate.
'Sasuke,' started Ino slowly, 'I am a woman. This is chocolate. There is nothing to not-understand okay?'
Said man, just nodded.
'Good, now be a good hubby and feed me.'
'Excuse me?'
'Sasuke!'
'Alright, alright,' grumbled the teen as he brought his hand up from under the table and snatched up a fork roughly. Ino opened her mouth to chaste his table etiquette, only to have a large forkful of chocolate and chocolate and more chocolate clogging her windpipes.
The result was immediate, and soon she was hacking and coughing trying to clear her airways; frantically waving her arms around like a seizure victim.
Thankfully their waiter was on his way back with their bill and preformed the hemlock on the frazzled blonde (and received a rather large tip too.) Given the circumstances however, the happy couple burst into a heated rush of who's fault was who's and "oh my god you could have killed me" to even "I don't even like chocolate, it makes you fat" – which was shortly followed by a resounding slap. At that point the restaurant manager had to step in with the threat of the police, and the couple was ordered to leave the premises and to not ever return.
The end result was both Sasuke and Ino being to prideful to admit either was wrong so both came to the consensus it was the restaurant, and how dare they ban them. Matching their counterparts' misery, the duo marched on with dignity. Nobody would ever say that Konoha ninja did not have class.
'Can you believe those people,' huffed Ino as she threw herself onto a bench in the Suna ninja training compound. Sasuke chuckled as he wiped his sweaty forehead with a towel, standing to her right.
After the disaster that was lunch, they had decided to let off a little steam. Thus had headed to the training grounds for Suna anbu which the Kazekage had expressed they may use when in need of it. (It was the only training ground that was hidden from the public, thus their identity would be completely safe.)
An hour and a half later, Sasuke was feeling much more relaxed and Ino had spewed the brunt of her anger out and was now winding down – so they could both laugh at the situation at hand.
After all they were supposed to be playing husband and wife, and let's face it – they were royally sucking at it. Hells they portrayed a perfect couple getting a divorce rather than one entering a marriage. If they didn't somehow pull it together they really would blow the mission, and that definitely wouldn't be pretty.
'Ino – what are we doing?' Asked Sasuke tiredly, as he moved to sit beside her. Immediately the laughter left her face, as he felt the waters of dangerous topics and territories start to ripple.
'What do you mean Sasuke-kun?'
'Really playing the innocent card? C'mon you can do better than that Ino!'
The blonde gave an aggravated sigh, 'To my knowledge we were griping about the unfairness of –'
'Ino.'
'Fine,' admitted the blonde in defeat, dropping the façade. Her face fell into her hands as she leaned forward. To anyone she might look vulnerable right now, but Sasuke knew her better than he liked to admit (or that she would too) and knew that if needed she could grab the dagger artfully hidden on her inner thigh and run her enemy through.
'God. What are we doing? What am I doing? My head is everywhere! I'm completely out of it whenever…. He, they… I fuck up okay? I just can't help it! They make me want to – to kick puppies or something!'
'Kick puppies, really? Your deranged Yamanaka,' drawled Sasuke as he stared at the clear blue sky absently. He didn't even bother to glance at her, leaning back on his palms that rested against the stone bench.
'Shut it Uchiha. I said – or something. Damnit what the fuck was the Hokage thinking putting us together? We can't stand another! How the hell does anyone expect us to complete this mission much less pull it off successfully. There's an 'effing war waving in the crossfire!'
Well he couldn't argue with her there. She actually had a point. 'I think I might agree with you.'
'Don't hold your breath.'
Eye Roll. 'I really don't understand how men find you attractive?'
Sticks tongue out. 'Funny, I could say the same thing for you. Wasn't your first kiss with Uzumaki?'
'Ha-ha. Look as much as I enjoy our little bantering bitch-fights as you do – I'm going to put this out there, and yes it's stating the obvious: I am not going to do paperwork for the rest of my life. So someway or the other we are going to complete this mission even if it kills us, understood. I have always been top of my game and I'll be damned if I stop now just because some spoiled blonde princess is throwing a temper tantrum.'
If life had a reply button, now would have been a good time. He hadn't really meant to insult her like that, really – and he knew the consequences of his actions would be dire the moment he hashed them out. He just wasn't sure what to expect, because there was a variety of things really. The highest rated one was an explosion of some form, however Sasuke was pleasantly surprised (if not a little insulted, with a smidget of pride) when the blonde scoffed at him in disgust.
'I'm a princess? Really, I'm not the one who betrayed my village, my team-mates, and my friends all for the sake for personal vengeance. You took all the relationships you had and cut the strings like we were all nothing! Then you come back and expect to have it all back! Like suddenly everyone is going to pick up where you left us hanging and it will all be good and well again? News flash buddy, it's not and it's never going to be the same again! You gave that all up years ago! If you want to fuck your life up go ahead, I'm just pissed because I'm dragged along for the ride – so yeah maybe if that makes me a princess then sure, why not!' At this point Ino had sat up straight and was glaring at him with such ferocity; Sasuke felt the urge to look away (though he didn't.)
'Oh cause you're such a victim?'
'Argh! You are impossible! This is why I despise you!'
'Well the feelings mutual sweetheart, because quite frankly I find visiting the Memorial stone better company!'
'You did not just compare me to a rock! You're the one who lacks any form of social skills, much less a personality!'
'Well at least I'm not a social slut!'
Slap.
Two for two, and the day wasn't even close to done. Sasuke should learn to just keep his mouth shut. But as proven, when it came to a certain blonde Yamanaka, such a task proved impossible.
Scowling darkly, Ino sat moodily with her arms folded across her chest. He knew she was stewing, internally ragging on the inside and most likely thinking disturbing things on how to disembody him. How did he know, you ask? Because many a time he thought the same things; it was what was getting him through each day on this hellish mission.
'Look,' snapped the blonde finally. Her voice had a steel edge to it, sounding deeper than normal and Sasuke was afraid she might actually pounce him and slit his throat if he let his guard down. 'Let's just agree that we don't get along. You think I'm a bitch, I am so I can deal. I think you're a bitch, but in a prissy, degrading to your manhood way. Shut it - You. Will. Deal.'
Sasuke, who had been ready to interrupt, firmly snapped his mouth shut.
'Now, no matter how much we despise one another – we ultimately have the same goal in mind. Finish this stupid mission, go home and hopefully that will be the end of this partnership for good.'
He gave her a look, as if to say 'duh'.
Pretty blue eyes rolled rudely at her partner's behaviour, 'So If were going to pull this off, then… God I can't believe I'm saying this, it makes me queasy.'
'Spit it out Yamanaka.'
'Euck fine. We'll have to set aside our differences and just do our jobs. Like professionals – though keep in mind, I am still your senior officer thanks to your little field trip you took. And if you cross the line, I will be using a little hunter-nin ninjstu that we so love.' At "cross the line," Ino had leaned over to pinch Sasuke's cheek as if he were a petulant child only to have her hand swatted away by said child. (*cough* man *cough*)
To Sasuke the idea sounded terrible, in fact he had a stomach ache just thinking about it. (And no that wasn't indigestion from all the food he's eaten.) But it did have merits. Plus if he proved he could pull of an mission as important as this with Ino of all people (It was after all no secret how much they openly despised one another.) Then it would be all the proof the Hokage and the council would need to let him go on mission with his old team – then if he was lucky, solo missions. (Oh blessed silence, which he had yearned for ever since this nightmare began.)
So, it was only a small amount of shock when his body betrayed him and spoke over his warring brain and heart which dictated the woman next to him was crazier than a loon, and to trust anything she said was a fools errand.
'I accept.'
'Really?' Deep blue eyes, watched him inquisitively. Sasuke squirmed slightly, at the moment Ino reminded him all too much of the young hard-edged woman who had been his interrogator during his imprisonment.
'Yes.'
'Well then, that's that. We agree for the sake of the mission only, to let bygones be bygones in hopes to get this over as painlessly and quickly as possible… should we shake on it?'
'I'm to be your husband Ino – shouldn't we start acting a little more like it?' grumbled Sasuke not to fond of touching the blonde's hand which was mindlessly toying with the edge of her skirt. (And was much to close to that dagger, damnit!)
'You're absolutely right, I apologize.' Ino mumbled sarcastically, as she scooted closer towards the Uchiha. Sasuke barely had time to comprehend what happened before he felt a pair of soft lips press again his own.
It was only a few seconds, but the minute they connected there was a searing white light that invaded his vision and flashed brightly before she pulled away and stood cockily in front of him. When his vision cleared he instantly zeroed in her hands positioned in the sign of the ram seal. He then had less than half a second for the message to sink in before he promptly fell over in a full body bind; an angry glare settled on his features.
'I'm glad you agree Sasuke-kun, life is going to be so much easier now.'
Fin. 04
Author's notes
Woot! I got that all out in one sitting! It jumps through a lot of emotions, I hope I captured them all and kept them in character still – I realize I've made this story mostly crack but I think they can still be capable of other thoughts. And I'll try to gear back on track to incorporate all that other complicated stuffs.
ZMOG! In all my stories I have never gotten to a fourth chapter before! This is exciting!
So sleep deprived! be aware of bad grammar, spelling errors, runons, etc. etc. Twas Written. Posted. Pass Out - hopefully.
Thank you to everyone who had reviewed and dropped a shout of what you thought! (My one reviewer in chapter three gets lots of love, as I was on a huge hiatus and me thinks the style/plot/characterization changed lots from the first two chapters; so it was nice to hear someone still read it and liked it!) To even all the people who just drop in to ghost-read - you're all epic awesome! Hope someone likes this chapter as well - and we will get to this mission eventually! Ja ne!
