Chapter 4

This morning

even my morning glories

are hiding.

not wanting to show

their sleep-mussed hair.

"Rise and shine."

C's eye darted open. Fuck, he had fallen asleep after all. How could he do such a thing when someone he trusted the least was facing his back?

He darted up, already in travel mode to put away his bag.

"Okay, I'm ready." He said in 10 seconds flat.

He watched her standing there in her purple outfit with her bag draped over her shoulder, waiting. He could see the surprise in her eyes that he was packed up so quickly.

"Let's head out now and we'll be to Kumo by noon." He instructed flatly.

She was the perfect guest, only nodding and following along.

Ino ran behind him, watching his back. Once they reached the village hopefully she would be free of him and free to focus on her mission. Seeing this guy was the last thing she expected.

"I know you have something interesting, please hand it over." Ino demanded politely.

The fifth hokage rested her head in her hands, observing Ino.

"I know you lost your master and that's just as hard as losing a parent, but I can't let you go running off on a mission in a state of mind like that."

"I'm in no state of mind except that with my master's last words he wanted me to train and beat Sakura in everything. I want something that will push my Yamanaka abilities to a new limit." Her arms were folded and she paid no regard to Tsunade's lecture.

Was she acting out after Asuma-sensei died? Yes. Was it for the benefit of Konoha, though? Also yes.

Tsunade knew this.

There weren't too many Yamanaka kunoichi active at present and this was the perfect opportunity to gain intel on someone somewhere.

"Fine, have it your way, you're grown now. It's a right of passage, we all do this once or twice before we decide if it's for us."

Ino waited for her instructions.

"One of our spies informed us a bunch of Kumo nin are taking vacation in various spots. I'm sending a team of ninja to stake out and blend in."

"What's the operative?" Ino asked.

"Blend in as well as you can and get as close as you can, by any means necessary."

"But Ino," Shizune began from behind Tsunade. "You know what this means."

"Every kunoichi is prepared for this." Ino reminded them both.

"That's right but very few have the guts to go all the way to get the info." Tsunade waved her tough act off.

It was just an act. Ino was far from tough at this point and her jutsu was still developing.

"Let me try. You said yourself you're sending a whole team, so one of us is bound to get something of importance." She reasoned.

Tsunade nodded and motioned Shizune to hand her a folder.

"If this is what you want, as hokage, I have no reason to deny you. Maybe it'll be your niche." Tsunade sighed, not even believing her own words.

Destiny had it that it was in fact not her niche. Though she was good at it and scored the biggest intel of the mission by entrapping the raikage's bodyguard, she came home feeling incredibly somber. The replay of the mission raced in her head over and over. It was impossible for her to separate herself on the mission and the her now.

The after effects of the mission followed her home. Though she could chalk that up to an erotic night with a stranger, shifting through his mind and seeing the instant feelings he was grifting towards her caused an unexpected whiplash of guilt.

Though the payoff was great, she went back feeling like something treacherous was done. And she couldn't even discuss it with any of her friends. She didn't want them to know she was acting out and trying new things.

It was her own little secret she kept locked away. Any ninja had at least one.

She never took on another mission like that again, eventually she even believed she had moved on, locking that unpleasant memory in a valut.

Then the 4th Shinobi War happened and everything got flipped on its head.

Everybody was allies now and here she was to atone for her past by being grouped with her former one night stand victim that she probed for info.

He was right to be upset, so she accepted this guy would hate her from here on out. Guy thought he got lucky only to find out a few years later he was played, she would be feeling the same way in his position.

Time flew by and the two arrived at the gates of Kumo at noon on the dot like predicted.

As the gates opened, the ninja guarding the door came out to greet them.

"Cee-senpai, Yamanaka-San, great to have you here in the village. The Raikage is waiting for you."

Ino greeted back, following behind Cee.

She looked around the Kumo village and felt small. The buildings were taller than she ever expected a building to be. Konoha had outranked Kumo as the most powerful village, but after Akatsuki's attack, Konoha had officially fallen to number two under Kumogakure. She understood now why.

Many buildings were etched right into the mountains and danced with the clouds.

"Don't waste time, let's go." Cee instructed in his cool typical manner.

"I can show you around later if you'd like." The guard at the door spoke to Ino.

He was a man that looked as young as her and had brown hair and dark eyes like Cee. He was wearing the typical Kumo ninja attire that exposed his bare arms. He was extremely handsome.

"Oh, thanks." Ino hesitated, bowing.

She turned around and saw Cee shooting him daggers.

"Sheesh, what's his deal?" She heard the guy say as she followed Cee to the Raikage Tower.

It was the tallest building in the village and could be seen from all over, only it was three times the height of Konoha's building.

When they reached the foot of it, a woman was standing there, waiting.

"Ino-san, I'm Jinrui, the Raikage's assistant. I'll take the two of you up to him at once. He's been eagerly waiting." She had a similar skin tone to the Raikage and black hair that went to her shoulders.

Seeing Jinrui jogged her memory, she looked familiar. Ino recalled that Raikage's former assistant, Mabui, died along with her father in the tower. A pang struck her gut.

"Sorry to keep him waiting." Ino responded politely, walking through the door she was escorted through.

"Not at all, he's just impatient is all." Jinsui sent a genuine smile.

This time Cee followed behind Ino as they headed up to the top floor where Ae's office lay.

"Ino Yamanaka." Ae bellowed in his usual tone as the trio walked in. "Inoichi's daughter and the heir to the Yamanaka clan. Couldn't have asked for a more capable person to send. I'm thankful."

Cee's eyebrows raised in surprise at the revelation, she was much more important than he originally thought.

"It's my job to take over for him, so anything you need…" Ino bowed humbly at the mention of her father.

"Lord 6th said you're a busy woman these days, so if you don't mind we'll jump right into it today." Jinsui said, handing Ino a folder. It was the documents that would brief her on the full picture of this mission. She only knew vague details in Konoha.

"I am, but don't worry about that, I won't leave until the mission is complete." Ino said, accepting the folder.

"We caught some low life trying to plant a bomb during our reconstruction of the Sensor Headquarters, Cee is over that project and sensed it right away." Ae began, leaning back in his seat.

Ino glanced briefly at Cee and turned her attention back. So he was on the same project here as she was there...

"If he had succeeded, worst case he would have blown up what sensors we have left in this village." Ae continued on. "That's where you come in. We have him apprehended but he's not talking and none of our methods can penetrate him."

"I'll see what I can do." Ino nodded, listening to him while scanning the documents provided. She looked at the culprit's face and felt a sense of familiarity. That was happening a lot in these parts, it seemed. "After the war I've heard more than one case of groups trying to ride the chaos and take power in a village."

"It has succeeded in a few minor villages." Jinsui added.

"I'll let Jinsui take you to your quarters and after you've rested, we can get started today." Ae spoke.

"Very well, raikage-sama." Ino agreed.

"Cee, you stay here." Ae commanded and in that instant Cee was by his side, dutifully waiting.

Ino let a sigh of relief slip out, exiting the room.

After the women were out of ear shot, Ae spoke.

"Do you know her by chance, Cee?" How could he tell?

Cee hesitated. He would never lie to his raikage, but this was a great amount of shame he wasn't ready to answer fully.

"We met once… on the battlefield. She bested me." He sighed. That was the truth, right?

"I see, that doesn't surprise me given who her father was. You'll have to observe her and see if you can learn anything for our own village, got it?"

"I'll be working with her still?" And the suggestion hurt his pride a smidge but he wouldn't say.

"Of course. I trust you to shadow her and make sure everything goes smoothly, and also to act as her backup. You're both her superior and her support."

"Got it," Cee obeyed without a second thought. Raikage's trust in him was something he did not take lightly no matter the circumstances.

"Also, I know you may have encountered each other in the past, but it's time we move on from that. That was the point of the 4th Shinobi War and why she's here today. Understood?" Ae raised an eyebrow at him.

"Of course, Lord Raikage!" Cee saluted. He would never let a petty squabble get in the way.

Though he wondered what raikage would have to say if he told the truth. He realized raikage should know what a failure he was and that he may not be suited to guard him anymore. However, he just told him to let the past go… He knew he would have to discuss this with Darui when he next saw him.

The group reassembled after a couple hours and all present had their schedules cleared for the day to get started. They met in what seemed a quarter for interrogation and intelligence.

"Everybody in this room, this mission is your top priority, got it?" Ae commanded.

Everybody nodded.

Ino, Jinsui, Cee, and a few shinobi she wasn't familiar with were present.

"Ino-san, this is Ran and Jae, they will be standing by today to observe." Jinsui pointed out politely.

Ran was a fair-skinned young woman that was probably in her age range, she had short brown hair that flipped out at the ends. The two exchanged bows.

Jae was a shinobi more senior in age than herself, she guessed in his 30s. He had dark skin, no hair and wore sunglasses even indoors. She exchanged bows with him as well.

"I'll bring the prisoner right this moment, Raikage-Sama." Jae stated coolly and left the room. In an instant he returned, wheeling the prisoner attached to a mechanical chair.

He looked more like a peasant than a shinobi. His hair was dusty brown and disheveled, he had an arrogant air about him nonetheless but seemed pained and exhausted. Probably from the days of interrogation.

"The prisoner, Yamanaka-San." Jae presented him as though he were a plate of dessert to her. She was the star after all and it was her time to shine.

"What have you figured out so far?" Ino instantly went into business mode, walking towards the prisoner.

"Nothing of value." Ran spoke up. "He has a seal on him."

"A seal?" Ino eyed the man as he eyed her back quietly.

"That's why I'm here. He has a seal on his tongue, which seems reminiscent of Danzo Shimura's technique."

Ino's eyes narrowed. "So if that's the case he couldn't speak even if he wanted."

"It's information we discovered on your way here." Ran admitted.

"Luckily that won't stop me." Ino announced.

"Well hello there, beautiful." The tied up prisoner laughed at her approach.

"Hello." Ino said with little emotion, preparing her technique. She was more than used to this. "What's your name?"

In the background the Kumo nin watched her in silence and each other, not sure what she was doing talking with him.

"Wouldn't you like to know." He smiled. "Do something for me and I'll tell you."

"What would that be?" She inquired innocently.

"Sit on my face."

SLAP

A loud slap rang through the room and everybody gasped.

Ino had just open-palmed slapped the guy.

But when everybody looked the man was slumped over, seemingly knocked out.

"You knocked him out with one slap?" Jae seemed confused.

Ino turned, "Technically. I administered genjutsu. The more their guard down is, the better. So he needed to be asleep and by surprise."

"I've never heard of a slapping genjutsu." Cee pointed out, skeptically.

"You can do it that way if you want and have the skills." Ino shrugged. "Something I learned from Ibiki-san."

Cee looked to the raikage with worry, wondering if this was really going to work. Her demeanor was different from her father so far.

Ino held her hand to his head and closed her eyes. "I'll be pulling out any information I think is useful to you. Jot it down as I speak."

"Of course, Ino-san!" Jinsui replied, holding onto her paper.

In a matter of seconds Ino information dumping.

"This guy is not an isolated case. He was recruited. He's part of an org, but he's far from high up. He's mostly a crook, from this area, seems he's had minimal to no shinobi training. However…" Ino paused.

"What is it?" Ae asked.

Ino didn't answer for a long time, continuing to scan and make sense of it all.

Cee watched beside the raikage intently, not even daring to breath as she paused.

Ae was growing increasingly impatient for every second of silence on her end. He trusted her ability but didn't know what to make of her confused expression.

After a pregnant pause she released her grip on his head and turned to the others.

She hadn't broken a sweat, Cee noted, rummaging through this man's memories was as easy as snapping her fingers. The gifts of her genes were not to be taken lightly.

"You can take him away now. Maybe try and get that seal off of him. If you fail, he may die. But I got all the info I needed, so that won't matter either way."

Ran smiled and nodded. "I've been waiting for this opportunity to practice my fuinjutsu."

Ae motioned for her to take him out and she obliged.

"Please, tell us now what was the rest you saw?" Ae asked, with everybody else not daring to look away from her.

"I came across recent memories of his that I recognized personally." Ino began.

"What do you mean?" Jinsui asked with her clipboard in hand.

"When I was traveling here I stopped for my first night in a small touristy hot spring town in the Land of Hot Stones. That night I came across a stall of a couple. They suggested I go stay at their sister's inn. That night I sensed quite a few above average chakra signatures within the vicinity, but I was on my way here and didn't want to get caught up in something." She tried to make sense of it.

"So what are you saying?" Jae asked, adjusting his sunglasses.

"I don't know how but there's a connection between that guy at the food stall, the inn, and this man. When I looked through his memories there was nothing overly damning. He conducted this job by taking orders from shadows. He's part of some gang, but it definitely seems more like a front."

"That would be the smart thing to do, send somebody disposable that doesn't actually know much." Jae concurred.

"So what does this have to do with this man you mention and an inn?" Ae asked.

"That man, named Sasaki, I believe, spoke with him shortly before he planted that bomb. He gave him the paper instructions to carry this out in exchange for money."

"I see," Ae replied, the wheels were already turning in his head of his next move after this meeting.

"Different images spun in my head of this operation and the inn called Sakurako. There was one piece I found interesting. They seem to have named this mission or maybe it's the name of their org, I'm not sure." Memories and images can be unreliable and blurry, depending on the person and their state of mind.

"What was it called?" Ae asked.

"Senbonzakura."

"A thousand cherry blossoms?" Cee seemed perplexed.

"The encounter I had, the inn with the chakra. My guess is that it's a meeting area or headquarters even of it all."

"What are the odds of you stumbling across it?" Jae wondered aloud.

"I don't know if it was a coincidence. The man named Sasaki insisted that I stay there. He said he was a former resident of Konoha and he recognized me as a Yamanaka."

"What could that all mean?" Jinsui wrote the notes down.

"No idea, but the best thing to do is ask Lord Sixth to have someone search if there's a former ninja named Sasaki and then tail that inn. They seemed to be targeting Kumo specifically but it was too hard to tell from that guy's narrative."

"Jae," Ae bellowed.

"Yes, Lord Raikage." Jae stood to attention.

"I want you out there tracking this inn at once!"

"Yes, Lord Raikage." Jae bowed and made his exit to prepare.

"Wait," Ino said to the raikage before he got carried away.

Ae, Cee and Jinsui turned their attention to her.

"I would like to assist you and go on this mission."

"That's an insane thought." Cee couldn't help but say. These Konoha nin were always into meddling.

"It's not," she protested. "That guy Sasaki seemed to have a lot of trust in me because of my origins. If a bunch of Kumo nin go stomping in, that would send them all underground."

Ae paused for a long moment, seeing she had a point, but he had an inner battle. He agreed with Cee that sending a foreign ninja on a mission was insane. "I think you have the right idea but we only borrowed you for this. I couldn't ask you to put your life on the line for us."

"You're kidding, right?" Ino couldn't help but smile. "I said I would help you accomplish this mission. The mission is to find out who these terrorists are so you can combat them. I didn't come all this way to read the mind of a street thug." She gave them a confident smile.

Cee squinted his eyes at her. He saw determination in her face, it was almost admirable that she wanted to take this head on.

"You've convinced me. I'll send word to Lord Sixth that we'll be borrowing you a little longer if that's okay. You may very well be right that you can be the step into the door of this org."

Ino smiled triumphantly, ready to make herself useful and prove her worth.

"Take rest for the day, we'll convene in the early morning for this new mission. I need to go assemble a squad that will back you up in case anything goes wrong."

She bowed to Ae as he marched out the door, with Cee right behind him.

As Cee left he took a look back at Ino and when he saw she was staring he quickly turned his head and shut the door. She made a contorted expression at his back. What a doofus of a guy!

"Excuse me, Ino-san." Jinsui said beside her.

"Just call me Ino," Ino interjected. It felt good to be addressed in a polite manner but was not her style.

"Sure, Ino. May I ask if you know Cee?"

Ino blinked, "Why would you ask that?"

"Well, it just seemed that way." The girl tucked a strand of black hair behind her ear. "He's usually very unmoving and composed around others. With you, he seems to…"

"Hate me?"

"Yes." She giggled at her forward way of speaking.

"I got that vibe, too. Wonder why." Ino lied through her teeth.

"I thought maybe he'd change after the war. Well, I know he did a lot. But still, I think sometimes he's upset about his mother."

"What do you mean?" Ino paused.

"His mother was killed by Konoha shinobi in the Third war. She was a healer and got caught in the crossfire, I believe."

Ino's face sunk. She had a feeling he and Konoha were not going to ever mesh at this rate.

A/N:

This fic contains a mix of canon and OC characters. I actually try to use canon characters (even filler ones) when available, so I'll tell you at the end of a chapter if a character is canon or OC. Canon characters you may not recall can be searched on Narutopedia.

Canon: Amai, J, Ran

OC: Jinsui