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: "Yes," Ino nodded slowly feeling a trail of blood drip down her shoulder.

"Your name is Ino," he said, "… not Keri."

"Correct," she nodded watching the way his shoulders tensed, "… I apologize for lying to you."

"It was part of your job," he understood, "…you need to capture Ruben."

"Yes," she smiled, "… thank you Shino," she admitted, "… you didn't know me very well, yet you were willing to protect me."

"You're welcome," he braced her with his rare smile.

"I didn't tell Mr. Aburame about the situation," she acknowledged to him, "… I figured you would rather speak to him."

"Thank you Ino," he nodded.

Ino nodded and stood. She was about to leave, but turned and walked toward the male. She reached her arms out and hugged him.

"Thank you Shino," she whispered and pecked his cheek before walking out of the room leaving that rare smile to be seen.

-o-o-

"You failed in protecting her," his voice was low with anger.

"She could've died if I didn't interrupt," the other bit back.

"Yet you let the target make his mark on her," the silver haired male glared.

"I didn't see it coming!" the honey eyed male shouted, "… you were not there so don't try and make it sound like I let the target have his way with her!"

"But you did!" Kakashi retorted back with anger.

"If you want to believe that then so be it!" Genma was furious as his hands were fisted.

"Are you two done," her voice floated into the vicinity causing the two male to shift their gazes to her.

Ino was about to say something, but she saw the silver haired male walking quickly toward her. She eyed him in confusion and saw his eyes staring intently at a spot on her neck.

"Are you okay?" he questioned worried and angry as he moved his fingers over the mark.

"Yes," she sighed, "… was this what you two were arguing about?"

"He thinks I didn't do a good enough job in protecting you," Genma crossed his arms.

"Well," her eyes shifted from honey eyes to brown one, "… he did what he could," she summarized still feeling his fingers against her mark.

"No, he didn't," Kakashi stated staring deeply into her eyes.

"Hey," she touched the hand against her neck, "… stop blaming him," he opened his mouth to say something but she stopped him, "… the mark will heal."

"It may heal," Kakashi theorized, "… but the pain will still be remembered," he eyed her, "… he," he turned his gaze to the other male who glared back, "… shouldn't have let you feel pain."

"Kakashi…" she breathed out, but he continued.

"I knew it was a bad idea once Leadersama chose him," he didn't break eye contact with the male, "… why he chose you knowing your past, I have no idea," he walked toward the other male who was ready for a fight, "… it should've been me. I wouldn't have let her get hurt," he gritted out.

"So that's it isn't it?" Genma smirked, "… I got to spend quality time with our Ino and you didn't," he mocked, "… your jealous, aren't you?" he quirked an eyebrow egging his long-time friend to start the fight.

"Hello Anko," Ino greeted seeing the female enter.

"What's up with those two, they going to fight?" Anko looked interested seeing both men close enough to spit on one another.

"Possibly," Ino sighed crossing her arms and placing her weight more on one side of her leg.

"This is fun," the older female smirked, "… who you putting bets on?"

"Neither," Ino shifted her weight, "… they won't fight."

"Ah but they will," Anko laughed, "… when it comes to their little Ino, they would kill one another, wouldn't they?" she smirked as Ino frowned.

"Excuse me, Ino-chan," a female with ginger hair spoke up, "… Leadersama wish to see you."

"Thank you Sally," Ino nodded to her and she smiled walking off.

"So soon," Anko admitted, "… another mission?" she question only to get a deep sigh from the blonde.

"Oi!" Ino called out, "… I'm heading out. If you guys end up bruised and bleeding," she turned and headed to the door, "… don't come crying to me," and with that she left the area heading toward her leader's office.

-o-o-

"Come in," Ino walked into the office and bowed before taking her seat.

"Is there something wrong with the report?" she questioned.

"No," he shook his head curtly, "… I wanted to know how your partner did."

"Genma did fine," Ino said without any hesitations.

"You know he had problems with the substance before," her leader mentioned, "… did he come in contact with any?"

"Yes," Ino admitted,"… the woman, Yumi was connected to the target. He had seen the substance in her purse."

"Did he take any?" he questioned.

"No," Ino knew it may be a lie, but she trust Genma, "… the other time he came in contact would be when he saved me from the target."

"I see," he leaned back against his chair, "… that is all. You may go."

"Hai Leadersama," she stood, bowed, and headed out the door.

As she walked through the hallway, she wondered if she should check to see if her two infamous partners were there still. She sighed and turned the corner into the area to find no one. She stared at the empty place before heading out of the place. She headed home wanting a shower to clean off the grime and dirt.

-o-o-

She stepped out of the shower and wrapped herself with her towel. She headed to her bedroom and sat in front of the vanity. She could see the mark clearly on her neck. Kakashi was right, she could remember the pain. She ran her fingers across the bumps the teeth had made and sighed. No use in thinking about it. She then saw the thin line underneath her eye. The scar was healing turning the skin a couple shades darker than her original color. Her mind thought of Shino Aburame. She was informed he had been released, which made her smile. He really was a good person, just related to the wrong person.

Ino ran her hand through her wet locks and thought about taking a walk outside to clear her mind and dry her hair. She headed to the closet to put some clothes on before stepping out of her home. The sun was starting to set as she walked around the block. She crossed her arms and leaned against the tree as she stared at the swaying of the grass. Her mind went to her father. She loved him, loved him so much that just thinking of him makes her sad.

"Hey," came a voice she hadn't heard in a while.

"Hey," she said back not turning from where she was looking.

He stood beside her and she wasn't sure if she should be happy or not. She remembered a time when she would smile so long that it hurt her cheeks. She remembered when she would jump at the chance to be around him, but now it was different. Now she seen too much, been too many, feel too exhausted. She ran her fingers through her hair and sighed. Wow was she so naïve when she was younger. A smile tugged at her lips as she closed her blue eyes. She felt the breeze flow by tickling her skin and playing with her hair.

"Your hair is tickling me," he commented and she could see the smile on his face without even looking.

"What are you going to do about it?" she opened her blue eyes to him.

"Well…" he grabbed the hair that was trickling his arm and tug.

"Hey," she laughed tilting toward him.

"You should know not to taunt me," He chuckled stepping closer to her.

"And you should know not to mess with me," she smirked.

"I must've forgotten," he smiled, "… do remind me."

"Hm," she smiled back and laughed afterwards, "… how are you Kiba?"

"I've been better," he grabbed her into a hug.

His hugs still feel so good. She eased into it and wrapped her own arms around him. She remembered when she first met him; her heart was beating so hard that she swore he could hear it. He was beautiful, charming, and so damn sexy. But good things must come to an end.

"How long are you staying this time?" she questioned.

"I'm not sure," he admitted as they broke their embrace, "… depends on your boss."

"What do you mean?" Ino asked watching him.

"I was sent to help out," Kiba informed, "… seems my boss and your boss is teaming up."

"Must be big then," Ino sighed, "… sounds fun."

"Hopefully we work together," he said slyly, "… you know how I miss our times together."

"I'm sure you do," she laughed, yet her thoughts were going back to what her leader and his are planning.