Switched

By kiwime

Summary: She thought in her line of work holding on to love was harder than holding onto anything else. She was wrong. It was worse.

Previously: As she lied there looking at the ceiling, her eyes drifted over to tree at the corner of the room.

"So what is wrong again?" he questioned.

"There is nothing wrong sir," Ino said with a smile, "… I'm not sure about a tree anymore," she explained, "… I might have to leave soon," she said sadly, "… I do not think I can bring a tree with me home."

"I see," he rubbed his chin, "… are you donating it back or do you want refund?" he questioned suspiciously.

"I will donate it Mr. Aburame," Ino looked around, "… I know you would take good care of it."

"Thank you miss," he laughed and noticed someone, "… Shino, come here son."

"Yes father," Shino said and noticed her there.

"Hi Shino," Ino smiled, "… it's nice to see you again."

"You brought back the tree," he spoke shifting his eyes from the tree to her.

"Yes," she nodded, "… I thought I would be staying here for a longer time, but it seems I might be leaving earlier than I had thought," she looked sad.

He didn't say anything and Ino wondered if it was because he understood or didn't care. She was about to say something when he spoke first.

"There are other trees that are small," he stated, "… maybe you would rather have those instead."

"Oh," she smiled knowing that it was him who offered, "… I will have to see how they look and how big they would be."

"I will show you," he said and walked toward another direction.

Ino nodded slightly to the older man and followed the link.

-o-o-

"I see you got another tree," Genma commented as he watched his partner walking in holding a potted plant.

"It seems I did," Ino closed the door behind her and placed the item on the floor, "… did you find anything?"

"Yeah," he nodded as she sat beside him, "… here," he said handing her the glass, "… the woman headed to this vacant building where there was a man waiting for her," he informed, "… from the description Leadersama told us, it might be him," he then paused and noticed a scratch under the shine of her skin underneath her eye.

"I didn't see the branch," she said noticing him staring at the fresh mark.

"Medicine?" he questioned placing the palm of his hand against the curve of her cheek.

"Yes," she informed, "… Shino Aburame put it on for me."

"Hm," he smirked, "… you got him to physically touch you."

"Yes," the corner of her lips curved remembering his gentle hands.

"You know," he leaned in closer, "… he won't be able to resist any longer," his face was mere centimeters away from hers, "… are you worried?" he whispered.

"He isn't you," Ino smirked not moving away from him.

"True," he laughed pecking her lips before standing, "… you probably have to get closer to him though," he looked at her, "… I will make contact with the female again."

"Genma," she stood up and looked at him sternly, "… she may be closer to the target than you assume if he was there alone."

"Are you worrying about my safety?" Genma smirked.

"Yes, I am," Ino admitted and touched his arm, "… you should be more careful."

"Of course," he smiled reassuringly, but she knew her worries may be closer to the truth.

-o-o-

She didn't walk into the building this time, but she decided to walk around it instead. The clear cover was illuminated with the greens and browns of the trees and plants. As she continued to round the corner, she saw pinks, purples, yellows, and reds. She walked closer to it and saw that they were flowers. She headed inside and toward that direction. She saw the rows of flowers lined up perfectly. She stepped closer to the deep violets and touched the petals softly. She picked one out of the bucket of flowers and observed with a tilt of her head.

"That's the African Violet," a voice from behind her spoke up, "… it represents modesty."

"Oh," she spoke softly as she faced the voice, "… I didn't know there were flowers here."

"I apologize," he said, "… are you here to return the tree?"

"Oh no," she giggled softly, "… I was actually hoping to run into you," she placed the flower back as she walked closer to him, "… I was wondering if we can talk."

"Sure," he nodded and begun to walk with her following.

"Hey," Ino started innocently as they paused, "… I was wondering about the beetle called Black Diamond."

He stared at her through his shades. It was quiet for a moment and Ino knew she had caught him off guard. She continued explaining about it being a rare beetle and wondered where she would be able to witness it. As she continued her speech about the beetle, she watched his features. Though there were no emotions on his feature, he seemed to be relaxed. After she was done, it was quiet. To Ino's surprised, she saw the corner of his lips lift.

"Interesting," he said keeping the rare smile of his shown, "… why do you want to see that type of beetle?"

"I have always been intrigued by it," Ino fibbed, "… rare things are hard to find. I am a curious lady," she smiled confidently.

"I see," he said and the corner of his lips slowly fell to a straight line. He looked around him for a few seconds and called for her to follow. As she continued to walk behind him, she noticed this section of the store she hasn't been too. She looked around to see the large amount of trees slowly fading from her sight. The sound of buzzing was heard as they neared an area. They turned a left down a narrow hallway and then a right. What she saw was something that caused the gasp in her voice to emit.

Rows and rows of different types of bugs were contained in a clear glass. She walked closer to the closest bugs to her and touched the glass. She continued to stare at them seeing the redness on their shell.

"Keri," he spoke, "… you seem to be more interested in bugs than trees," there was a small smirk on his lips.

"Well," she smiled toward him, "… I find them interesting," she decided to say.

"The one you wanted to see," he continued the walk as she followed, "… is at the end."

"Wait…" Ino started as they continued to walk, "… you have one here?"

He didn't answer as he continued walking past all the insects and bugs. Ino's eyes kept drifting to the loudness of the bugs near her. She didn't notice he had stopped and bumped into him.

"Oh, sorry," she looked embarrassed.

"That's alright," he nodded to her, "… here it is."

Ino looked to where he pointed to see the large beetle contained in a glass case. It was the only one with the darkness of its shell shining underneath the lights. She couldn't believe her eyes as she aimed her brown contact lens to the specie. She knew she had gained another insight into this man. Now, she had to find a way to connect him with their true target. Though Genma had mention he had witness the man, Leadersama wanted her to make contact with this knowledgeable bug man for a reason. Did he have a way of stopping them? Is he an asset or someone to be distracted?

"I know why you are here," his voice broke her out of her thoughts.

"W… what?" she turned with shock filled eyes.

He didn't say anything as he walked up closer to her. She stood in shock knowing if she blew her cover, than things would become worse. If he was going to hit her, she would have to suck up her pride and take it. She saw his hand reach to her and she braced herself for impact never losing the shocked look.

"Your scar," he said softly gently moving his fingers above it realizing it was slowly fading.

Ino inwardly sighed with relief, yet she was still confused. Did he change the subject or was he trying to see her reaction?

"I swear I didn't come back for more cream," she said softly giving him a confused look.

"But you are here to learn something," Shino backed away letting his arms hang at his side, "… it isn't trees, bugs, or flowers," he stated, "… what is the real reason you are here?"

"What are you…" Ino started looking at him confused though she was trying to figure something out, "… Shino," she said softly, "… why do you think that?"

"Nevermind," he pushed it aside, "… I suppose you should leave."

"Shino," she walked up to him and placed her hand on his arm close to his elbow, "… you are right, I am here for something."

He didn't move and Ino took it as a good sign. She moved her hand down to his wrist where she grabbed gently. She didn't lose eye contact with him as she smiled.

"I'm sorry," she apologized, "… I didn't lie about leaving soon," she stepped back removing her hand from his wrist, "… I have a job I needed to finish," she wasn't lying, "… I need your help."