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Tenten's shoulders were beginning to ache from the tension in them; her shoulder blades wanted to bunch together. As if they would protect the soft vulnerable spot between them.
She wouldn't call the feeling nervous, but maybe something close to anxiousness. It wasn't everyday that someone snuck up on her, and that fact had her repeatedly glancing at Genma's composed face in hope of reassurance.
So far it just increased her anxiousness.
"Tall beautiful blonde, yeah she's a….acquaintance of ours."
Tenten's lips were numb as she demurely kept her head lowered, in appearance of looking weak while secretly trying to take any notes of weakness from the guy sitting almost too close to her. What the hell! Why can't stupid senbon eater get the creeps by him for once!
"Oh, that business huh, well what would you say…"
Listening to his words, Tenten imagined the subject of their conversations reaction if she could hear them and bit back a groan. Shikamaru's going to be soooo angry!
……………………
It was surprising how little Ino thought of her virginity until it was being threatened. Actually, it was more common for her to forget her inexperience all the time – except for when it was being called in for question. She just didn't have the time to putter about and worry about that kind of stuff.
Who the hell in the young ninja world had time for anything beyond living past their mission?
Besides that, she just didn't really see the point of it. Of course she knows what happens and what not, but to Ino, it didn't matter unless there was some kind of physical attachment.
For her that was like a dead end until recently.
So, staring down at a dress she had prepared before leaving Konoha, Ino felt the first wave of apprehension in her stomach.
Fighting to the death for ones country was almost too easy, but giving up your body as the opponent's spoils for it was something else.
It was an invasion, and she wasn't sure if her mind would keep cool if worse came to worse.
"Don't you think you should start getting ready, or are you not feeling well still?"
Blanching at Genma's question, Ino felt Tenten's hand on her shoulder guiding her to a chair in front of a vanity table to sit on as the other girl began working her hair.
"You, stupid boy, shut up and make yourself useful elsewhere."
In the mirror in front of her, Ino saw the frown on the shinobi's face as he stared at the brown haired girl's back until she stopped and turned to face him full on, leaving Ino to helplessly watch.
"What?"
She felt like an intruder on a lover's quarrel, but couldn't leave without notice so she tried to become invisible. Not that it helped.
"Are you mad because of earlier?"
Tenten turned away, but not before both Genma and Ino caught the flicker of rage on her face.
"Of course not, I just can't work when people are bitching at my back constantly, go make off and be like Shikamaru."
Ignoring her wide eyed reflection, Ino waited until Genma slammed the door before quietly speaking.
"Tenten, ….ow?"
Feeling the tight grip in her hair loosen considerable, Ino let out sigh before standing up to face the shorter woman.
Shikamaru's remark on the personal tension in this mission and it's problems.
She hated it when he was right before her.
"Hey, knock it off right now. We are on a mission kunoichi, and we do not get emotional."
It was a weak command, being as her own insides were beginning to feel like jelly. Tenten's eyes flashed upwards and held hers for a minute in mute challenge before a sheepish grin broke her grim expression and the tense atmosphere.
"I can't help it, that dude sets me on edge and that guy today just wierded me out."
Nodding, she shook out the loose curls that Tenten had made into her hair and went to slip on the deathly high heels. Could it have only been a day ago since she and Shika had sun bathed like gluttons?
"Ino, are you ready?"
Shikamaru watched her straighten up from slipping on her shoes and felt himself freeze. The dress wasn't some short black number like before, but just as deadly; made out of some purple shimmery material that left very little to the imagination. One elegant leg was stuck out in a classic seductive pose and the faint light shined on the fine shin bones.
"Shit, this might actually work."
His voice sounded choked, and he watched with increasing ire as a horrifyingly tempting blush made its way to her cheeks. Fighting his stone muscles, Shikamaru made his way into the room with what was left of his composure.
"I'm guessing that was a compliment jerk."
Unashamedly staring at the product of sex appeal in front of him, Shikamaru almost felt like laughing hysterically; something that almost never happens to him. Catching Ino's curious stare, the shrugged with more nonchalance then he felt at the moment.
"Thank god your dad isn't here Ino."
Their eyes met from across the room, and Shikamaru felt the muscles in his hands tighten in response to his thoughts. Parts of him wanted to shake her at the scandalous outfit, to throw every blanket on her, to show her proudly in the fact that she was going to do this even though she didn't want too, and most of to take her and sprint to the hills – protecting her from sight with his body.
"Yeah, me too."
It was going to be the longest night in his whole frickin' existence.
"Alright, let's break this love fest up and go get the info so I can go home and get some wasabi gelato!"
Genma walked in just in time to see both Shikamaru and Ino turn green with Tenten grinning happily between them.
It was going to be a long night.
………………………….
Despite the disgust at what she was planning to do; Ino felt comfortable in the familiar surroundings of the outdoor area where the dancing was held. The air was fresh if hot, and the constant breeze was refreshing in the heat.
The area was wide and minus the numerous bodies rocking and swaying to music, there was plenty of room to maneuver if she needed to make a mad dash.
That or to rip open someone's mind or body.
The thought winced through her as she recalled Shikamaru's parting words when they had stopped a ways from the ongoing festival.
…………………
"We will be in the crowd" he said gesturing too casually at his not so subtle ninja outfit, "so don't freak out."
Feeling frumpy about being bossed around like she was some amateur, Ino snorted at his remark and turned to flounce away when a tight grip around her wrist stopped her. Shikamaru's hot breathe was almost like boiling water on her skin when he whispered in her ear; his lips brushing her ear with a result of fizzy tingles down her spine.
"If you so much as try and use that mystic palm thingy, I'll do more than strap you to a bed for a week….love."
A firm pat on her rump had her stumbling towards the colorful crowd with flaming cheeks and temper.
………………………..
Remembering the threat and over familiarity of the deer boy, Ino forgot where she was for a moment to fume. That jerk was being a tad too possessive! Patting her butt like she was a dog getting a "good girl" pat! Bah! And how dare he threaten her to not use a perfectly useful and super cool scary technique!
The fact was, Ino felt better knowing she had a back up to use if her mind jutsu's ended up not working. Being so use to working with a full team at all times, it was unnerving to know that she might end up in a place where they won't be able to get to her.
Mind jutsu's weren't meant for the offensive attacks, but just for gathering information, so it left her at a big disadvantage when in a solo battle. Sure, she could usually figure a way out.
No, staring at a group of especially brightly clothed children running back towards a vendor Ino folded her arms in contemplation as she watched them laugh and play together. No, that wasn't very honest of her, usually it was Shikamaru who showed up to figure things out and she had just always trusted him no matter what.
Had she fought without knowing Shikamaru was somewhere near, if not by her side?
The Chuuin exams didn't count, but other times? At the moment she really couldn't remember any where she didn't have Nara or Chouji by her.
It was lonely.
Maybe this was why teams were made, to prevent the loneliness of carrying the heavy burden of battle and ultimately, death?
Of course, she mused irritably as the kids wandered off through the crowd; it was also very painful to be a part of a team. You're not supposed to be compromised in a fight; having no weaknesses is a good weakness, but that kind of defeats the purpose of teammates right?
She knew that was her weakness, the very thought of one of her boys being in serious trouble or hurt was enough to make her heart pound and head spin.
The thought had her eyes wandering over the surrounding, hoping stupidly to catch a glimpse of a comforting dark gaze
"You're hot."
Nearly jumping out of her skin, Ino barely contained herself when sticky hands slid across her shoulders as if he had the right. Catching the shudder of repulsion, she smoothly rotated her hips until she was leaning against the tall man behind her.
"It is rather warm."
The chuckle gave her unwelcoming goose bumps, and Ino had to force back the memory of another's laugh.
"Shall we dance or…?"
The cliffhanger was enough to make Ino roll her eyes, invisible to his position before turning around to wrap her arms around his sweaty neck. Ew.
Avoiding direct eye contact, she leaned closer to purr in his ears, her gaze return to its wandering.
Tenten was a dozen feet away, flirting outrageously with what Ino assumed was her targets bodyguard. Relief was brief.
"Oh, let's warm up first."
Leaning back, she finally met his leering face as her hands suggestively slid down his chest before grabbing his hands and leading to where people were dancing.
His weight pulling away had her faking a faltering step, turning wide questioning eyes; she wasn't surprised to see the opening calculating look on his face.
"What?"
She watched the corner of his mouth curl up and was smart enough to admit that he was handsome in a gangster way, and ten times more dangerous than any gang leader.
"Let's go somewhere more secluded to dance."
It was hard not to look around for her comrades but she managed as he turned and began to lead her away from the safety of the festival. It was hard to keep her heart beat from becoming frantic, but as they reached the edge a familiar hand reached out and gave her bare neck a caress in passing.
She didn't have to turn around to know that Shikamaru's face was probably in its habitual frown of distaste that occurred in every mission. It was almost as if she could hear him say "Tsk, troublesome."
It was what she needed.
…………………….
He watched as Ino playfully tugged at the man's hands, creating the picture perfect image of a slutty tease and felt himself tense.
Not good, but very good. Ba! Fucking relationships and all that such.
Glancing to the left, he nodded as Tenten – firmly attached in a blatant displace of wantonness- followed Ino's retreating figure with what Shikamaru hoped was someone who was allowed into wherever the informant was taking them.
Another glance confirmed that Genma had taken notice and was casually making his way through the crowd; a lethally sharpen dango stick cheerfully being rolled around in his mouth.
Check point one made, now it was check point two.
Check two was what was "the make or break part", and Ino was the one who would decide the outcome. The goal was for her to get him in a position that offered no alternative, which would allow her time to perform her mind transform jutsu. If that was successful then she'd steal the stuff they needed and make a mad fucking dash out of there before he could kill her.
That is, if they are lucky.
Shikamaru wasn't a optimistic, in fact, those people usually bugged the hell out of him.
The chances of Ino successfully taking over control of an informant of the Akatsuki was slim to none. It wasn't due to confidence in her skills, it was just the plain old fact that those guys were known for being extremely powerful and Shikamaru doubted that they would trust precious information to just anybody.
So really, while he had told them of this very basic plan, he was already making preparations and notes on how to rescue and maybe even kill the obvious powerful man who was oh-so-touchy with Ino.
Male bitterness had nothing to do with it….really.
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A/N: First off, thank you for the reviews, they pumped up my soul to write again so soon T_T lol
Enjoy!