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{ familiarity }
"Look, this is just a reconnaissance mission. You got that?"
"Yeah, yeah. Don't get your panties in a twist, Shika." Ino smacked his shoulder, then moved in front of Chouji. "I'll get in, get out, and we'll be on our merry way."
"I mean it, Ino. All we need is confirmation that either Orochimaru or Kabuto have been there recently - nothing else." Shikamaru's sharp eyes studied her face, the grim line of his lips unwavering. "We're not here for him."
"I know."
"Good. If there's any sign of trouble, I want you to release your jutsu immediately." Shikamaru turned to Chouji. "You got her?"
"Like always," – Chouji placed his hands on her waist and nodded – "ready whenever you are, Ino."
Ino lined up her mark, the single guard standing watch outside the cave's entrance, and moved through her sequence of hand signs. After a moment, which she used to adjust to her new body, she headed inside. The tunnel drove straight back into the hillside for several meters, then it opened into a large circular room housing two metal doors. The small room behind the first door held a few basic supplies, mainly food and water. The second room stunk when she opened it, the odor no doubt coming from jars of rotting specimens on the shelves, and the medical equipment inside was covered with a thick coat of dust. Ino sighed.
Another dead end.
The mission done, Ino rushed outside, eager to get away from Orochimaru's creepy leftovers. The boys saw her as she emerged and she shook her head, dejected. As Shikamaru's shoulders hunched in shared disappointment, Ino raised her hands to release her jutsu, only to pause mid-motion.
Chouji.
Missions normally involved chaos – weapons, blood, death – so she'd never taken the time to study him in this capacity before now. He cradled her body in his arms, hovering defensively over her, and his gaze settled firmly on her face, as if he was waiting for the moment when her mind would return. In spite of all the hurtful things she'd said about him, to him, over the years, he continued to protect her unfailingly. Even more, his expression towards her, the one currently wore, still managed to shine with a tenderness she knew she didn't deserve.
Hell, Ino admitted to herself, I've been such an ass.
Then she opened her own eyes and, looking up at his sincere smile, she decided to never again close them to his potential.