Neji and Ino: Good Like Milk Bath
By kiwi4me
Summary: He never liked teasing and jokes, but maybe he'd try it. After all, she started it.
"Chouji!" she screeched unashamed running down the streets.
Where did he go? She was seething.
"Excuse me," a female voice questioned and Ino turned.
"What?" she practically screamed at the innocent civilian and mentally cursed herself, "… I'm sorry. Is there something you need?"
"Hai," the female looked to be about the age of seven.
She smiled.
"Is there something wrong?" Ino questioned.
"Um…" there was a hesitant that she didn't miss, "… can you… can you help me?"
The little girl's eyes were huge and brown. How could Ino say no? After all, she used it many times to get what she wanted, why not pay it forward?
"Sure, what do you need?"
-o-o-
"You seem different," it was an observation and Neji was quite aware of her stare.
"How so?" he questioned not stopping his training.
"Angrier," she commented, "… like Lee had just beaten you in a duel."
He stopped.
Was she serious? Lee had never beaten him in their duels, ever. He turned to her and saw the look of truth in her. Was he angry?
He didn't say anything as he sat down and begin meditating signaling his former teammate to leave.
"I need you, it wasn't a lie," her voice sounded somewhat sad and he didn't know why.
"Teasing me will get you nowhere," he commented feeling her move in.
"Hm," she breathed out with a soft smile, "… I suppose it won't."
Her head lay against his chest and he felt odd. Was he supposed to comfort her? His head was starting to hurt as a frown graced his face.
"What is wrong?" he decided to question.
They've been on plenty of missions together for him to realize her moods. This one he doesn't see often, but when it does, it's bad.
"You're so handsome," she sighed pushing away from him, "… I hate it."
He stared at her confused and startled for a few seconds before his lips held a smirk.
"Are you playing games?" he leaned closer.
"You don't play games," she stated watching the way his lips inched closer.
"Maybe I will," he said softly, "… just this time."
"Neh!" Ino huffed pushing him away causing him to smile, "… you're the teaser!"
"Hm," he smirked crossing his arms.
"Why do I like you?" she pouted with a mumble.
"You like me?" he questioned and his smirk stilled.
"No," she deadpanned, "… the guy behind you."
"Hm," he saw her turn and walked away.
A part of him wanted to tell her to stay, but he just watched her leave.
Angry, was that really what he was feeling? Angry at who, at what, why?
He grunted in frustration.
-o-o-
"Oi, Ino!" a voice called out.
"Hey Kiba," she said turning to see the brunette running toward her.
"Thank Kami I finally found you," he breathed, "… I need you."
"Need me?" there was that playful smirk on her lips.
"Hm?" he looked at her and his lips curved, "… that too."
"Don't tease me Kiba," she pouted childishly, "… I don't know how long I can take."
After a few seconds the two laughed it up.
"What did you need?" Ino questioned after they settled down.
"Oh yeah," he reached into his pocket, "… for you."
"Wow, what I always wanted Kiba," Ino said was sarcasm, "… you shouldn't have."
"Anything for milady," he bowed chuckling.
"You going to be my partner?" she question and he shook his head.
"Nope," he sighed, "… go find out."
"Fine," she sighed and headed in the direction to the Hokage's tower after thanking her friend.
-o-o-
Her blonde hair was down today as she returned from her mission. After speaking to the Hokage and getting checked by the medical staffs, she headed home. On her way there, she saw him.
"Neji," she waved over to him and he stared motionless at her.
"Are you a statue or something?" she asked not too happily.
"What do you want?" it sounded like a demand and Ino did not like to do what she was told.
"Do you have a problem with me or something?" she was angry.
She didn't understand it.
"Forget it," she huffed and walked away.
He was in front of her.
She blinked in surprised before the anger set in. What did he want? All she wanted to ask was how his day was going, but he had to act like a jerk. Why are the ones she is attracted to such a jerk?
"I do have a problem," he said it lowly on the brink of a warning grabbing her wrist.
She glared at him and he did the same.
What the hell did she do? Did he have some sort of mood swings? She inwardly scowled. Damn him and his stupid sexy face!
"Let me go," she gritted out.
"Do you not want to know what it is?" his tone went up at the end of his question, but his face still wore nothing.
"It's me," she attempt to pull her arm away, but he held tighter.
"Yes," his answer made her want to slap him so hard he couldn't feel anything, but she didn't do that. She didn't do anything.
He certainly was surprised when she didn't retort back or push him away. His mind was turning over reasons the blonde would just stare at him.
"Let me go," she said in a sigh looking at him with tired eyes.
"You came back from a mission," he stated letting her wrist go and stepping back.
"Is it that obvious?" she asked with a slight smile.
"Hm," he sounded and her smile slipped down to a frown.
"I'll see you around," she turned waving from behind heading home.
Ino was just so tired. Her entire body was aching from pain. A bath, that was what she needed right now. As she walked into her room, she decided sleep sounded much better.
-o-o-
"Naruto," he looked at him, "… you're going to be the one paying if you continue."
"Come on Shikamaru," the blonde whined, "… Chouji is eating as much as me!"
"That's why he is paying his share," the genius smirked.
"Fine," the blonde huffed finishing off his bowl then leaned back rubbing his stomach.
"Hey Shikamaru, Chouji," Kiba spoke up, "… I wanna ask you something."
"What is it Kiba?" Chouji questioned with confusion.
"What do you think of Ino?" the brunette smirked.
"Of Ino?" the swirly cheek man scratched his cheek involuntarily, "… she is our teammate."
"I mean…" the brunette grinned.
"She is like our sister," Shikamaru sighed, "… what brought on this question."
"You wouldn't mind if I ask her out then, right?" Kiba smirked causing the men before him stare in shock.
"What makes you think she'd say yes?" the lazy male smirked crossing his arms.
"Oh come on," Kiba frowned slightly, "… she's hot."
"That didn't answer my question," Shikamaru smiled this time.
"If you want to date her for her looks, I suggest you find someone else," came the voice of the other male.
Neji was right after all. He didn't want Kiba going after Ino for something as vain as looks. All their eyes held shock and surprised. He knew this was what Shikamaru was trying to get at, so why did the lazy nin look so shocked.
Laugh.
Why was everyone laughing? He frowned and crossed his arms. It was hard to ignore their loud uncontrollable laughs. He glared at them and thought about walking out, but he didn't. Why? He wasn't sure.
"Okay Neji," Kiba choked out calming himself before a grin pulls at his lips, "… she's all yours."
It took him a few more seconds than should before the words rang in his ears.
"She's all yours."
He blinked and seeing the grins from the table, he knew they saw through his exterior. He blanked out his emotions and looked evenly at Kiba.
"I do not know what you are saying," he could feel his arms tighten around himself.
"Eh?" Kiba quirked and eyebrow as his grin turned into a smirk, "… you sure?"
Neji's lips thinned.
"Are you telling me you were never attracted to a sexy woman like Ino?" Kiba was taunting him and he knew it.
"She is vain," he avoided answering the question.
"Strong too, right?" Kiba added.
"She knows how to complete missions," Neji admitted with a curt nod.
"Don't you think her clothes are too tight on her?" Kiba smirked, but Neji missed the look.
"Her clothes are smaller than need be," he clarified.
"Her hair is too long," Kiba continued to watch the pale eyed Hyuga.
"Hai," Neji nodded before adding, "… it comes in handy when needed."
"Is that so?" Kiba grinned too widely for his liking. Glancing to the others, they had a somewhat knowing look that unnerved him.
"You like her," Naruto said it like a statement.
"We worked together," Neji explained.
"You two work well together," this time Chouji spoke up with a genuine smile, "… Ino tells me all the time."
"Hai," Neji was a bit startled. He knew they worked well together, but why did she want a new partner then if she knew?
"She likes you," Shikamaru didn't held a smile, but his eyes were solid.
"As a comrade," Neji was starting to feel like he was being interrogated.
"As a friend," Chouji spoke up.
"As more," Shikamaru clarified and Neji knew his face held shock.
"No," Neji stated, but a part of him felt shaky.
"If you do not like her the way she does," Shikamaru was glaring holes at him and Neji couldn't find it in himself to strengthen his defense, "… tell her."
"I will do what I want," Neji felt the anger boiling in him.
"If I have to," Shikamaru said threatening, "… I will do what I need to for Ino's sake."
"What you going to do?"
Shikamaru leaned back and sighed.
Neji on the other hand tensed up.
"Nothing," Shikamaru folded his hands and closed his eyes.
"Scoot over," she said to Neji whose side had an extra room.
"No," he replied bitterly.
Ino paused and stared at him feeling the anger emitting off of his being. A questioning gaze aimed at him, but Ino smirked instead.
"Should I just sit on you instead?" she was mere inches away from his face.
"I'm leaving," he said attempting to stand, but she didn't move.
Lips were closer than he was comfortable with.
"Avoiding me only makes it harder," she whispered and he could see the sadness.
Was she sad because of him?
"What do you want Yamanaka?" it was soft, almost fragile and she felt her lips curve.
"You," Ino admitted and leaned in.
Lips on lips.
It was quick, soft, and yet beautiful.
She leaned back to face him. Confusion was the only thing she could see and she wonders if it was about her feelings or his.