Ino was getting very hot and sweaty even in an air conditioned security control U.S. Embassy. Since arriving in the modern day oasis city she hadn't adjusted to the climate. It was very dry and arid during the day and windy and freezing at night. Also, she found it difficult to have her every step and all her actions scrutinized by the security at the Embassy. Auara's parents were diplomats involved in heavy political battle with the Egyptian government. The family bodyguard, Juliet, was driving her nuts. She was a ninja not an invalid! She didn't need to be monitored twenty four hours a day.

"How can you possibly like this? I feel like I'm going insane her! I can't get a moment of privacy," Ino whined. The Embassy was no nothing like Hokage's Tower. Instead of planning missions and trying to pinpoint Orichimaru and his gang, the people here were worried about religious freedom, rights to oil fields, and trade tariffs. It was too deep and over her head at times.

"My government's troubles are not what you are expecting right? My parents try to do what is best for both their countries. It can be difficult at times when you feel national pride for both countries," commented Auara entered the suite. She had been attending her dance/acting classes at Cairo University and had just returned home with Juliet.

"How can you have allegiances with two different countries when you should be loyal only to one?"

"It's because I hold duel citizenship in both the U.S. and Egypt that's how. My great-grandparents on both sides immigrated to the U.S. in the 1930' took with them all their hopes and dreams along with their culture and customs. Over they decades a few traditions where abandon. Finally my parents decided to give back to their ancestral home. They became heavily involved with anything to do with Egypt. I was born in this Embassy and spent a lot of time here growing up except for return trips to the U.S. so my parents could make their reports. So you can see why I have pride in my two countries."

"Whoa, that's amazing. I guess I never thought it was possible to stay loyal to two different countries before. Back home one's loyalty to village and the Hokage are above all else even clan duty. That's drilled into us from the start."

"Sounds like your village has the right ideas when it comes to loyalty. When I was in basic training learning to protect my principle charges we were instructed to place our absolute trust and loyalty into them. It goes against my code, what you would call a nindo, to abandon my principle charge and go against their wishes," informed Juliet. The female bodyguard was cleaning out her Six Saucer preparing to load in another round.

"You're the toughest kunochi I've ever met besides Lady Tsunade. Just how powerful are you?"

"Before being assigned to the mistress family eighteen years ago I protect three major governmental officials and their children. I have assassinated over a dozen would be murderous. I have perfect marksmanship, can dissemble a bomb in under ten seconds blindfolded, and I have extensive survival training knowledge. When you are a bodyguard especially, a female in country that sees's you as a lesser; you need every advantage in the world to survive.

"Isn't that always the case with girls? Even in the Leaf village male shinobi outnumber female kunochi three to one. I had to double my training efforts just to keep up. That and showing up Forehead!" Ino said proudly. So what if Sakura was the primary apprentice to Lady Tsunade and knew more medical jutsu? She was the one with the clan techniques and greater stamina oh yeah!

"If only more people had your enthusiasm. Then perhaps something's would be different here. Mistress, since your parents are in meetings for the remainder of the day I am free to accompany you and Ms. Yamanaka to the Khan El-Khalili," Juliet calmly announced. She had finished cleaning her gun and was checking the rest of her equipment. Tying back her long hair and inserting her headset she was ready to go.

"The Khan El-Khalili? What in the world is that?" inquired Ino. She was trying to decipher the words in her mind. She may know how to read, write, and speak Arabic thanks the Babel Stone, but that didn't mean she always comprehended what she heard.

"The Khan El-Khalili is the oldest outdoor bazaar in all of Egypt dating back to time of the pharaohs. Most of the citizens who live in Old Cairo depend on the bazaar as livelihood. This place is also a hot spot for tourist which in turn helps the Egyptian economy greatly. You're going to love the wares they sell Ino," Auara readily assured her friend.

"Oh believe me I love shopping! Every time we get down time from a mission I drag Shikamaru and Choji off to the mall. You never know how heavy your purchases will so it's good to have extra muscles on hand," Ino lectured. But then she looked at Aura in confusion. "Wait, why are we going shopping? I already know how to do that and Shizune said to try avoiding purchasing to many souvenirs to take back with us because she didn't know how it would affect the jutsu."

"Typical weak female mindlessness I shall explain on the way. Let's get into the car shall we," Juliet intoned. Without waiting for a reply she hustled the two girls out of the suite, through the Embassy Halls, out to the garage and strapped them into the car. After checking to make sure the car was safe and there were no bombs the driver drove to the bazaar.

During the drive Juliet lectured Ino as one would do a toddler. She informed her that the market place was an excellent spot for training whether you're a ninja or a bodyguard. The many variables and possibilities made it a great place to train. A girl could learn the in and outs of selling different wares, how to spot black market property and return it to who it belonged. Heck she could use her purchases to take out and attacker. Juliet herself had done so with nothing more then a pile of fish, a basket, and a bolt of cloths during her final training exercise. Since she successfully completed the mission she had special tri colored diamond on her right shoulder. This mark was like the ultimate pass to anywhere in the world.

Finally the car arrived in Khan El-Khalili and the three got out. Juliet instructed the driver to meet them later and predetermined location. After surveying the bazaar and taking into account every possible escape route and location of an enemy sniper she nodded. "We may proceed forward. Mistress Auara, I believe this is your show."

"Thank you Juliet. Come on Ino don't drag your feet. Watch your step and please try to avoid knocking anyone's stall over. Follow the nuances of society that I taught you and watch what I do okay?"

"Got it! Is the anything else I should now?" Ino asked readjusting her head scarf. As tourist she was required by law to wear one, but it did show her respect to the primary Islamic community.

"Yes, it's important that you learn how to haggle and barter with the services here. Its tradition and if your not very good at it you can insult someone's honor greatly. I would advice you think very carefully before speaking. Do you understand our money system?"

"Yes, I remember what you taught me. So what stalls are we going to visit first?"

Auara used a come here gesture and led both Juliet and Ino deep into the market. Ino's eyes were bugging out. She had never seen or heard so many strange sights. Heck, even the smells were different. The food was very different then what she was use to. Ino stopped in her tracks for a moment to admire some flowers when she got plowed over by men. She hit the dirt scraping her palms and tearing her clothes.

"Hey, what's the big idea? Why don't you ah!" Ino yelped as she was backhanded. A bruise was starting to form on her face as the two men glared at her angrily. They cursed her in old Arabic. "Um I'm sorry I didn't mean to offend you."

The man raised his arm to hit her again when grabbed his wrists bending it painfully back forward. After several seconds she released the man and flashed her badge. "Good afternoon gentlemen. As you can properly guess my young charge there is under the protection of the Embassy. I hope there won't be anymore threats."

"None."

"We'll be leaving now."

"I warned you Ino to watch what you say here. Your big mouth could cause an international incident so kindly zip it. Now, Mistress Auara is waiting for us. She wants your opinion on some curio," Juliet commanded. Dragging the girl by her hair she led her to a stall three feet away selling typical curios pieces of Egyptian history. After depositing Ino next to Auara she stood straight waiting for further threats.

"I warned you about being polite in this society. Now let's have some fun shall we. Logically all these pieces can't really be from the mid or late dynasty despite how they look. A good way to check is to see if they have cubes in them and that the material they are made off. Ah this isn't a history lessons, it's a shopping one," Auara said giggling a bit. Brushing back her braids she began again, "Okay what I want you to do is pick one of the curios and see what you can learn about it. Afterwards haggle with Mana her for a price. Once that's done we'll continue on. At the end of the day I expect you to know everything there is to know about running your own stand. Think of it like those kunochi lessons you took only with a real reason."

"No problem Auara. I'm going to redefine the meaning of shopaholic!"

Ino strolled up to the stand confidently and randomly selected a piece of curio, a small statue of Horus, and started to examine it. She could see how much hard work and handmade details went into the piece. It felt heavier then she imagined. She gently rubbed the statue to check for signs of forgery. Once satisfied the piece was real she opened her big mouth and started poorly haggling.

"This piece is exquisite. I've never seen something like this before. Horus right? I have to say for such a modern piece it really does look like it thousands of years old. So how about I pay you a reasonable 300 rubies for it. So what do you say?"

"Are you deliberately trying to offend me child? I can tell when someone is trying to flatter me so they can cut an unreasonable deal for me!" the merchant lady shouted. She was visibility upset and ready to make a scene.

"But I really meant what I said! How about I give you four hundred rubies then?"

"I wouldn't touch your money you idiot child!"

"Hey, I ought to," Ino started screaming, raising her fist to pound the poor merchant when Juliet grabbed it and painfully held it Ino looked at her angrily, but one look from the female bodyguard caused her to feel embarrassed. "Ugh sorry?"

"I thought any friend of my mistress would have better manners. After all Auara is the politest child I have ever known. Perhaps if you watch her haggle the price you will learn a thing or two about etiquette and protocol. Mistress, would you please demonstrate?" Juliet said.

"Gladly, my friend didn't mean to offend you she just doesn't get it. You wares are great, but their nothing special. I mean I saw better wares at Jakul's stand. You care to convince me I'm wrong?" Auara challenged the merchant.

"Hah Jakul's should spit in camel's eye for luck! His wares don't compare to mine! Mine use original painting methods and I bake them in traditional methods unlike him! I also add unique detail to all so each is different. Worth at least five hundred!"

"I don't know they seem to be on the small side and I thought I detect some cracks. I think they deserve three fifty."

"Cracks? I assure you mine don't have any cracks. I can offer you a bigger one if that is your wish say four fifty."

"Still to rich for my blood and still think that weights off. Are you sure you didn't find them? My final offer is three seventy five. Take it or I go elsewhere."

"You drive hard bargain. Alright three seventy five it is and I'll throw in an extra one for such good haggling. Here you go and come again," the merchant lady said. She picked up the wares and wrapped them up and handed them to Auara. Auara gave the proper farewell and headed over to Ino smirking.

"That's how you barter in Cairo. Here's your purchase. Now learning about what you bought can help you blend in and in the worse case scenario you can break it over an attacker's head to slow him down," Auara lectured. She was enjoying teaching someone else the skills she acquired over the years. "You want to try again? Maybe find a little keepsake for your boyfriend or team."

"Now that's a challenge I can win. You'll see by the end of the day I'll be an expert at this," Ino vowed. With that thought in mind the three females continued their shopping purchasing clothes, food, and even a few pieces of jewelry. By the end of the day Ino was expert when it came to bartering. She couldn't wait to get back home and show everyone her brand new skills.

"Today was such a great day! I had a lot of fun and look at all the great bargains we got. I was able to pick up something for everyone. I hope they like what I got them."

"I'm sure they will enjoy everything you purchased, but we have one more stop to make before returning to the Embassy," Juliet said, giving the directions to the driver.

"Oh what's that?"

"See for yourself," Auara said stepping out of the limo. A few feet away was a roped off section of the Nile River free of crocodiles and a lot of the other dangers with swimming in the river. Already in the water were tons of people, most skinny dipping. It was a sight like any other.

"You want to go swimming in the river? I don't even have a bathing suit!" Ino sputtered.

"Its okay, you can strip to your undergarments. You said you were hot. Come on its fun and no one has to know. Are you chicken?" Auara teased already in her skivvies. With a laugh she darted off with Juliet right behind. Not one to miss the fun Ino got into her bra and underwear and ran full speed for the river, finally able to cool off.