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: She suddenly stopped feeling his breath near her ear. He paused there for a while and she wondered what he was going to do.

"I would like to thank our cousins for joining us," Hinata spoke up.

"We are glad you invited us," Ino spoke up smiling.

"Yeah," Shikamaru added with a nod.

After finishing their marvelous meal, Ino felt as if she couldn't move. She had never eaten so much in her life. She turned her eyes to meet eyes watching her. She offered a smile toward him and he nodded slightly. She then looked around them and noted Ellie was in the dining area watching them with a smile. She turned her head to face the heiress who continued taking sips from her cup.

"I had a great nap," Shikamaru spoke up, "… thank you. The meal was great as well."

"I'm glad you two enjoyed yourselves," Hinata smiled watching her female cousin nod as well.

"I don't mean to be so curious, but…" Ino started with a nervous smile, "… where is everyone?"

"Everyone?" she questioned.

"They are working," Neji spoke up.

"Oh," Hinata giggled, "… yes they are working."

"Oi imouto," Shikamaru looked toward Ino, "… I wanted to tell you mom called."

"Oh," Ino nodded, "… something wrong?"

"Hm… things are complicated," he sighed.

"Complicated?" Ino's eyes narrow, "… like what?"

"Maybe you should call her," Neji offered, but they knew it was to ease his suspicion.

"Alright," Ino nodded to her cousin who nodded back.

Shikamaru grabbed his phone from his pocket and handed it to Ino. She pushed a few numbers and held it to her ear. She heard the ringing and waited.

"Yes," there was a questioning tone.

"Hello Morino-san," Ino greeted, "… how is my mother doing?"

"Are they with you?" came the question from her leader.

"Yes, we are here," she replied smiling into the phone.

"Tsunade," he called out.

"Ino, I see you called for me?" the older female spoke in.

"Mother," she said brightly into the phone, "… onii-san told me you aren't feeling well."

"Yes," there was a sigh, "… her father has informed us of more information. Be sure to retrieve it from Shikamaru."

"Alright," Ino nodded, "… mind if I put you on speaker?"

"Sure," she heard the confused tone before it was replaced by understanding, "… put me on."

"Okay," Ino smiled and pressed the speaker button, "… you're on."

"Hello?" Tsunade questioned.

"Hello," Hinata quickly spoke up, "… how… how are you?"

"I'm alright dear," Ino noted the worried look on the heiress's face, "… I apologize for not coming with my children. I hope you keep them company."

"I will," Hinata nodded, though Tsunade couldn't see it.

"Is my nephew there too?" Tsunade questioned through the speaker phone.

"Yes," Hinata spoke up.

"That's good to hear," Tsunade coughed, "… I should let you kids get back to what you were doing," a sigh, "… good night."

"Good night," they said in returned save for Neji.

After Ino hung up the phone and returned it to Shikamaru, they headed up to bed. Ino said her good nights and entered her room. She waited for a couple hours before exiting her room and heading toward her partners.

"Come in," the male drawled as she entered.

"Hey," Ino said as she closed the door behind her and sat on the bed beside him as he lay.

"Someone has tipped others about us," Shikamaru said without sitting up, "… someone working here in this house knows we are not related to them."

"Would anyone believe this person?" Ino questioned.

"Apparently they do," Shikamaru sighed and blinked, "… when I was left alone, I caught a glimpse of one of the housemaids talking to the gardener," he turned his eyes toward her, "… they seem to be coming up with a plan."

"You think there is more than one?" Ino questioned.

"Hai," Shikamaru placed his hands behind his head, "… what do you think?"

"It is possible," Ino looked away before looking back, "… Hinata seems to be overly soft. In order for her to rule, she needs confidence. I spoke to her about doing something called pre-leading."

"Interesting name," he smirked at her and she rolled her eyes.

"I need you to come up with ways for her to start making commands," Ino frowned, "… Neji is paranoid and overly aware," she looked at him, "… he said there is someone trying to frame him."

"And you believe him?" Shikamaru observed her.

"I do," Ino nodded, "… it's been a day's worth of information. Get some rest."

"Her father is returning sooner than expected, he wants us to find the person or people as soon as possible," Shikamaru added.

"I see," she inwardly frowned.

"Hey," he called out as she stood in front of the door, "… watch your back."

"Hai," she nodded to him and offered a smile before leaving his room and back to hers.

-o-o-

Ino stood outside in the garden enjoying the colors surrounding her. She was currently at the center of rows of brightly colored flowers. She continued standing as the robe around her swayed with the movement of the breeze. It had been a couple days already. In two days the heiress was to be made legal. Hinata had developed a bit of higher self-esteem after the trials her partner had thrown at her. The pale eyed girl was hesitant at first, but after finding courage in herself did she realize she could become a good leader someday.

"What are you doing?" he questioned.

"Neji-san," Ino turned and smiled at him.

"You didn't answer my question," he replied.

Ino just smiled not saying anything as she faced what she was looking at before. It only took a couple of days for him to finally ease himself. Ino had to admit, she thought it would take much longer, but he accepted them. She figured it wasn't whole-heartedly, but it was something. He hasn't glared or made any snide remark at them, so it was a good sign.

"She isn't ready," he spoke up.

"Yeah she is," Ino turned to him, "… why do you think she isn't?"

"She's too weak," he admitted looking at her.

"That's why people want to overthrow her?" Ino questioned.

He didn't say anything. He didn't have to. Ino knew the answer to her question. She sighed and turned away to look down at the redness in the petal of the flowers. She bent down to touch it and stood back up. She turned and found him right in front of her. She gasped quietly as her feet automatically stepped back. He grabbed her arm pulling her toward him. They were chest to chest. She hesitated in saying anything.

"Don't step on the flowers," he reprimand softly.

She didn't say anything as she thought about what to do. If she leaned in to kiss him, there would be no room for mistakes in their case. If she does, though, it would make everything worse afterwards. She sighed inwardly and stared into his pale eyes. Well, she knows Shikamaru is with Hinata at the moment which means, considering the situation, they are about 75% done. The only problem they were still having was pin-pointing who the culprit or culprits were. Maybe she should kiss him and see if it attracts any mishaps in the heiress's home.

She leaned in placing her lips on his.

He didn't fight her, nor did he kiss back. When she leaned back to give him a questioning look, Neji had a look of frustration. She reached her hand to touch his face and gave him a smile that conveys reassurance.

"You're my cousin," he said softly.

"By marriage," Ino clarified with a smile.

He didn't say a word, but he didn't move away either. Ino knew he probably felt the chemistry like she did. The only thing stopping him wasn't just the fact that they were 'cousins'. Someone was out to harm their lineage. Someone was motivated to destroy the heiress and him.

"I have an idea," Ino started as she moved away from him.

"We can either have it subtle or not," she said after the brief silence.

He still didn't say a word, but she already knew he agreed.