The crowd was beginning to thin as Tenten followed the duo's retreating backs. The hand that was hooked low around her waist was making the dress cling to her skin with sweat. Gross but she was able to resist the urge to stick a kunai in between his piggy ribs.
This position didn't unnerve her as much as having the man who had been able to sneak up on her so well lazily trailing behind them as if he was going to get to watch the show. Whatever the 'show' might turn out to be. Just feeling his gaze made his annoyingly adult voice pop back up into her head.
"Ten..," his cool hand slipped around her elbow in an easy grip –it still made her skin reach to about thirty degrees hotter than should be possible,"be careful of him. I have a bad feeling…"
Glancing over her shoulder, she caught the indecision on Genma's face and smiled.
"Puuuu-lease, don't treat me like a child."
She saw the flinch he made at the term and grimaced herself at the reminder of a sensitive subject.
Oops.
Feeling the eyes on the back of her head and the breath of another on the top, she felt a moment's panic at being surrounded.
Being in a profession dominated by men, Tenten had lost any inclination of being intimidated in her training with Neji and Lee.
If you wanted to be on top then there's no room for hesitation.
Still, feeling those hard cold eyes on her back, and remembering the easy manner in which he had walked up behind her made Tenten glance around while sending a quick prayer for back up to be at least somewhat close.
Though, of course she didn't need help…but still…
.......................
The night was warm but Ino felt a chill as she was led away from the festival and towards the ominously dark woods. While the trees were covered in dark, she couldn't help but feel a slice of comfort. Shikamaru and Genma would be able to easily hide close by.
They might be slackers in daily life, well at least Shikamaru, but they wouldn't dare slack off now. Or else she'd beat them to a bloody pulp.
Feeling the clammy hand on her shoulder tighten painfully, Ino shifted impulsively to release the grip without punching the greasy prick.
"Ow, careful or you'll bruise me."
He's hand slipped off as he chuckled in what she thought was a dark manner. His whole swagger was slowly becoming something entirely different and it had her on edge. She looked around before stopping in the middle of a clearing they had just walked into. There was something wrong, she came to a stop as she felt the surrounding air.
"What's wrong?"
The sound of footsteps behind them distracted Ino and she answered absently as she turned to see Tenten show up with two men.
"How much farther? My feet hurt."
Seeing the frantic look that flashed in the other girls eyes, Ino frowned at the message and turned back to face her charge.
"I don't do audiences dear."
His gaze was fierce with lust and something else that had her stomach churning unpleasantly and fist unclenching in preparation for an attack.
"Maybe I do."
She felt the blood leave her face as he lunged towards her.
...............................……
He knew they'd been had the moment they went into the forest that was away from the festival and town. It was also obvious when the people didn't react when a fairly large group of unfriendly people left.
There should have been a sense of fear or relief, but nothing happened.
Racing now with Genma a pace behind him, Shikamaru felt his heart race.
Genma's voiced his own sprinting thoughts.
"If they knew about us then why would they continue the masquerade?"
The answer was so obvious now that he could have slapped himself.
"Information."
There was a sharp hiss of breathe behind him and they both silently increased their tiring pace.
"Ino…?"
Ignoring the pain in his palm when he caught it on a branch, he answered through his teeth, sounding more like a snarl than anything else.
"Assuming so, but unless they plan torturing her or know something about her mind ju.."
A loud shout cut off his sentence and Shikamaru turned his run into a full dead sprint, nicking his toes and nails on the sharp bark as he raced towards the scene.
...........................…………………
The air might have been nice, but the ground was just as dreadful as usual, and she got a good look feel of it when a sharp slap to the face her tripping over the terrible fucking heels she wore. Falling hard on the ground, she barely had a second to catch her breath before a booted foot stamped on her lower back.
Refusing to let the groan escape, she huffed with anger. What. A. Jerk.
It just goes to show that she should have trusted that tingling feeling at the back of her mind about something not being right, and now she knows. Sorta.
"What…are.. you…doing!"
Gritting her teeth as the foot grinded into her back, and Ino froze when a sharp rip signaled that her lovely purple dress had just been torn; in a very inconvenient place. She was torn between getting up and going ninja mode on his ass or to continue the cute act until she knew what the hell was going on.
Either way, she knew for a fact that she had definitely seen lust in his eyes.
"Oh no, that tempting dress is ruined…saves me the trouble of taking it off normal right?"
A boot tucked quickly under one side and it suddenly felt as if someone put her in a bucket on wheels and spun really hard, and for a few seconds she was positive she was airborne until the ground met with her body again.
Enough of this bullshit.
Pushing aside the hair and uncertainty that covered her face, Ino got to her feet with minor problems; ignoring the rent in the back of the dress that was doing a good job of not protecting her body. Not that it was meant for that in the first place, it had been to showcase her.
After this, she never wanted to wear one again.
Not letting her eyes wander from the man's intense gaze, Ino tried to spot Tenten's whereabouts out of the corner of her eyes, but couldn't seem to focus. He looked so focus, his body tense with intent as he watched her every move.
He was waiting for something was obvious, but Ino couldn't figure it out. Unless he was waiting for her to reveal her actual identity, in which case the pushoff could stand there forever.
"That look of determination is very attractive, Konoha kunoichi."
Tenten's loud curse was ignored as Ino consciously straightened up to her full five foot eight and gave the man her best 'oh really now' expression. The saucy look had the opposite effect that she had planned because he simply laughed out loud before continuing.
"Come now, you really thought that an Akatsuki informant would be so easily fooled by your slut's game?
The words seemed to echo throughout her mind as she stared at the large man in front of her. Now that he had mentioned it, it really did seemed stupid to have thought that they would be able to get past one of the most feared groups in the worlds, but it still pissed her off for him to brush off their efforts.
Tenten watched as the blonde slowly lifted up her leg, appearing for a moment like she was going to climb up imaginary stairs before she stomped hard on the ground with a loud snap as the heel neatly broke off the offending shoe. As the young woman repeated this to the other side, Tenten nodded admiring at Ino's courage.
Even though it was obvious the dude had some kind of training, it was also obvious that he wasn't up to Ino's level; is first two hits were only allowed out of surprise and the fact that she must have had to decide if acting was going to get anyway.
Evidently, it seemed to her that Ino had just decided to kick some ass, and she was going to help her.
Luckily her own footwear wasn't as evil as Ino's, being practical sandals, so she was able to swiftly turn to implant the long awaited elbow to her stupid escorts side. Leaping away she quickly reached under the low hanging skirt to grab the kunai that was belted to her thigh.
Bended low, she slid a leg out to effectively sweep his shocked legs out from under him before catching the knife in the fatal spot at the base of his neck. It was a bit messy but she didn't have time to play good ninja bad ninja with such a crowd.
She wasn't like Naruto; she couldn't afford to listen to everybody's stories and somehow find a way to fix them. This was her job, and killing was her specialty; she never wanted to be anything else.
Straightening up from her position with a dirty kunai ready in hand, Tenten's eyes darted around the area for the opponent her gut was telling her was definitely going to be hard.
And found him a few feet behind Ino, who was unaware as she clenched her hands in preparation of what the blonde thought was going to be a sweet smack down.
"Ino! Behind Yo-!"
She watched as Tenten broke off whatever she was saying to jump off of the way of a handful of shuriken that came out her from..
Leaping to the side towards Tenten, Ino's eyes widened in surprise at the grinning man that had close behind her. She hadn't even noticed him! Sliding to a stop, the nub of what was left of her heels creating dips in the ground, she shook back her hair and spoke to Tenten – who had dropped back by her on the ground.
"Who the fuck is that?"
Without breaking her stare towards the two men, Ino only felt the extra kunai being pushed into her and hand shook her head as she pushed it back. Tenten stopped her ministrations for a second to answer quickly.
"I don't know, he's the guy who approached us about you but I'm definitely sure he is a bit grander on the shinobi skills besides his friend."
Watching intently as the shorter man casually walked to the base of a tree, Ino roved over his body in an attempt to notice any weakness. He was short and didn't have the muscular build to make up for the height, yet the way the dirty blonde carried himself suggested at power that had her wishing she hadn't refused Tenten's weapon.
The motions the original target was making though, had Ino narrowing her eyes in confusion. He was restlessly moving his shoulders around as if he was nervous to be in a battle, which was an obvious fault in any shinobi. It should be normal to be calm and prepared at the beginning, it's what they were trained for, but the way he was looking around now that they were both up and away from him.
Tenten's voice broke into her bewildered thoughts.
"I don't think the target is a ninja, but an actual 'normal' informant?"
She nodded in agreement, so the man was really just an average thug who was paid for getting the information that the buyer wanted, but then how did he know about her (and now because of her actions, Tenten too) being from Konoha?
Ino's thoughts kept drifting back to the shorty who was standing around as if waiting for a party to begin.
Well, she was suppose to be good at games right? Loudly clearing her throat, Ino batted her eyes sweetly at the men while speaking.
"Don't suppose you guys are gonna fight us poor women?"
One's face reddened in anger at the obvious mocking tone and the other simply grinned while answering in a tone much higher then she expected.
"Of course we do not intend to fight unless there is no other choice, if you would be so kind as to participate..?"
Laughing lightly at the manners used, Ino's mind was furiously racing as they bantered.
"I regret to inform you that we aren't allowed to, so you'll just have to let us go."
If the thug was good at his trade, which she grudgingly admitted had to be at least good enough to attract Akatsuki, than it was entirely possible for them to have found out about them being Konoha's ninja. What she didn't get was why they had played along instead of just killing them straightaway.
Arg! Where was brains when you needed him! She didn't have time to sit around and prettily banter with the enemy! It was time to punch and let Shikamaru do the bantering while undercutting all escapes!
"That guy…such a pain!"
Tenten's reply told her she had spoken out loud.
"I'll take big toad and you can take a whack at the midget?"
Not bothering to correct her on who she really was insulting, Ino nodded but stopped to mutter again.
"Wait, do you have enough weapons Tenten?"
That earned her a dark glare from the brunette and Ino smiled in response before giving the kunai that was being thrusted at her one more rejection push.
"I have a feeling it won't help," this earned a quick look of concern that also held acknowledgement "let's just hope I can hold him off until…" She left the sentence unfinished, knowing that too much said could be used against them. Hopefully the two that were across them preparing to start a fight would only think that they were the only ones and not expect two others to show up.
She had a feeling that they might need the element of surprise, but didn't dwell on it for long, right now Ino needed a good opportunity to get the confident shinobi to show his skills without getting herself killed.
Her poor dress wouldn't be able to handle anymore rough abuse.
Leaving Tenten, who was coolly bringing out a short sword (Ino didn't even bother to contemplate where the weapons mistress was hiding it – she only shuddered to guess) and turned to fully face the more lethal opponent.
As the thug was obvious muscle and no brains, this man was the complete opposite and that put her nerves more on edge.
"I suppose this is your answer?"
He continued after her grim nod, a pleasant smile on his face as he straightened from his slouching position.
"It won't be pleasant for you and I do hate to hurt exceptionally beautiful ladies, but I can make exceptions."
Watching that smile, Ino held back the look of disgust and forced her face to remain blank. It wouldn't help if she was an open book like Sakura and Naruto, she had to keep it together and watch for his first move.
Too fast.
That was the last thing she remembered before a kick to the small of her back sent her flying forward, not able to land before his small body appeared in front of her to give a quick shot to her stomach.
"See, too bad."
Collapsing onto the ground, Ino fought for anything let alone oxygen to flow through her mouth as she gasped up at him. As she struggled back to her feet, a vague part of her mind noted how at least she would die a virgin and not a rape victim. Small prizes for big failures.
The next move she was barely able to dodge, mostly by sketchy guesswork, but it gave her enough time to aim a swing at his diaphragm – hoping to get a good hit that lingers. It fell several inches short as he seemingly melted away from her as if he was made out of jello.
Next came a hit to her own chest, Ino felt bile dangerously rise but forced herself to swallow as she twisted hands over back to avoid a foot to her knee. Landing with bad wobbly grace, she didn't bother with regaining balance before launching herself to the spot where he had been.
Being caught off guard by his disappearance, she stumbled forward until a sharp tug brought her up short.
His breathe was hot in her ear as he pulled the clump of hair tighter, forcing her to tip her head back.
"I need you to do a little something for me."
Feeling her body shudder in revulsion at his nearness, Ino kept silent until a brutal tug opened her mouth.
"Well sir, you have me at a fucking disadvantage, so tell me and I'll see what I won't do."
The sarcasm wasn't lost on him, and a extra hard tug brought tears to her eyes before she bit down on her lip hard –willing herself to remain unmovable.
"I need information, and I want it from you little girl whose dad is an expert at mind reading."
Her throat closed at the mention of her father, but Ino wouldn't be swayed. Taking the risk of major hair loss, she spat out whatever words came to her mind.
"I would rather die than give you anything."
The vision of the forest in front blurred dangerously when something hard and sharp slammed against her skull. Sparkly white dots floated in front of her like thousands of little snowflakes, and numbly she wished she could reach out and touch them. Odd memories flashed in and out of her mind with stark differences in focus.
Her fourteenth birthday where Chouji puked after eating the entire cake.
Shikamaru's first broken wrist.
The purple Lilly's she'd been growing in her garden.
The feel of a hand circling the back of her neck had Ino dimly aware that he was covering her precious brain stem and that if he hit her there again with whatever he had used before, it would most likely cause some serious damage. If she wasn't mistaken, he had already given a slight concussion.
"Tell me where the nine-tails is."
The smell of dirt, trees, and breath resembling dog panting helped Ino's wandering mind stay on the command. Nine-tails? As in the big fox thingy? Something flickered around the edges of her consciousness as she thought about it, but drew nothing but a blank.
Blinking rapidly, Ino realized that she was kneeling on the ground, and he had moved out from behind her to squat in front of her – ugly pale eyes staring at her from locks of dirty blonde hair.
Locking eyes, she felt the urge to vomit with the words she knew she'd say no matter what.
"I'd go to hell before I tell you anything."
His encouraging smile dropped as the hand that held her vulnerable neck shove hard enough to slam her face first to the ground and Ino felt rather than heard the crack of her nose breaking.
Gagging with pain, blood, and dirt; Ino fought to breathe through her mouth pressed against the ground. Tears were leaking from her eyes, but she no lingered cared – sickened by the throbbing of her nose being crushed to the ground.
There was a terrible sound coming close by, and Ino wildly wondered for a moment if Tenten was in danger before she realized that the noise – a high pitched groan- was coming from her. A second later, the pressure on her neck subsided and she pulled her head up enough to watch amazingly small feet walk away from her.
Lips bleakly set in a line, she took the opportunity he gave her to raise on hand up to cup around what was her nose; hoping that there was enough blood to cover the fixed appendage.
With her gaze fogged over with the green light coming from her palm around her nose, Ino felt the light go off in her head as she realized who he was looking for and almost groaned again.
Why was it always him! Damn Naruto!
........................
A/N: I'ma be honest, this chapter is a lot lighter then originally intended..
Ah, well, enjoy!