Hope you're all liking the story :) my inspiration for this chapter was Serenity by Godsmack.
Gratitude.
Chapter 7.
Ino's parents chose that moment to walk through the front door and into the kitchen. Her mother beamed when she saw Shikamaru.
"Aw, is this a little late night date?"
Ino went red. Her parents had made it obviously clear several times that they favored Shikamaru.
"No, Mom! We're just good friends." Ino rolled her eyes and peeked at Shikamaru who was pink. "Besides, he's really sweet on a pretty Kunoichi from the sand village. Right, Shikamaru?" Ino smirked in his direction. He had gone from pink to red.
"What? I..where did you..," He huffed and drained his too hot tea instead of answering. That was a hard yes.
"Shikamaru is going to stay the night on the chair in my room." Ino slipped in casually.
"Leave your door open." Her dad said as he tiredly walked up the stairs. Her mom smiled at them both.
"What your father said. Nice to see you, Shikamaru."
"You too, Mrs. Yamanaka." He replied to her and she followed Ino's father upstairs.
"That wasn't awkward at all." Ino smiled down at her cup of tea.
"How did you know about Temari?" Shikamaru asked.
"Oh, please. Everytime her village needs someone to come here even for something tiny..she's here, and you're usually less moody." Ino drained her cup next welcoming the heat down her throat.
...
Ino tossed and turned that night..it was hard to get to sleep for some reason. Her eyes focused on Shikamaru lying on her lounge chair but she couldn't tell if he was awake or not. All Ino could think about was what had happened in her bed..the way Kisames hands had held her with just the right amount of strength..
"Shikamaru." She whispered extra quiet due to her wide open
bedroom door. "Are you asleep?"
"Unfortunately, no." He whispered back just as quietly.
"Want to go for a walk?" She asked. They all used to sneak out back in the genin days..all the nine rookies would meet up sometimes for secret training or just hanging out and talking of their missions, the lands they got to see the new friends they made along the way. Choji and Naruto would bring stashes of snacks and drinks for everyone. Ino missed those days.
"Won't your parents be pissed?"
"It's almost dawn. I'll just tell them we were training..maybe we should start early training again. I know I'm kinda rusty."
"I'm down." He agreed and sat up to reach for his shirt on the floor. Ino slipped out of bed and after telling him to turn around she pulled on her clothes and tied her hair back.
"Ok. I'm done."
...
They munched on apples on the way to the clearing and arrived by the time the sun had pierced the horizon.
"Speed training?" Ino asked. "Then spar?"
"Read my mind." He smirked and walked to the other side of the clearing. Their speed training wasn't technically running and being fast. They would face off against each other and whoever could take over the others body the fastest won. Loser always paid for food. It usually motivated Choji to roll them with his human boulder. Ino had been rolled out a time or two by him and had paid for his lunch or dinner.
So if Ino could mind transfer him before he could Shadow Possess her then Shikamaru could pay for her breakfast. After she would head home to shower before going to see Tsunade.
"Mind Transfer jutsu!"
"Shadow Possession Jutsu!"
They both made the hand signs at almost the same time. There was a moment where neither of them moved then suddenly Ino was looking across the field through Shikamaru's eyes.
'Take that!' She cheered in his mind before releasing him.
Ino returned to her body and stood, brushing dirt off of her skirt.
Shikamaru stood and rolled his eyes.
"I know..breakfast is on me." He took out a kunai and didn't hesitate to run at her..
They kept going until it was almost mid morning..they hadn't meant to stay out there so long but it was good practice and exercise. Besides, even though her team mostly gave her a headache, she looked forward to seeing them everyday. She loved them like her brothers.
"Let's call it." Shikamaru tucked his weapons away and Ino did the same, both of them wiping sweat from their faces. "Should we get Choji? Or keep this one a secret?"
"Secret." She laughed.."But we have to actually get breakfast this time. No barbeque."
"Again..read my mind."
...
After breakfast, Ino ran home to shower and change. She immediately left her house again and started the trek to the Hokage's office.
"Ino!"
She looked up and saw Sakura walking towards her. Her old habit of calling her a 'Billboard Brow' died in her throat.
"Tsunade told me about yesterday. That's amazing that you can do that, Ino." Considering Ino had trained under Sakura for a time..it was nice to get a compliment from her.
"Well, it's still pretty hindering..it makes me sick and faint."
"You just need practice..with any training at first." She beamed. "Well anyway, I've gotta get to the hospital. Pretty soon I'll be your protege."
They said their goodbyes and Ino continued on her way.
...
She knocked on the Hokage's door.
"Enter." Tsunade's voice rang out from the other side. Ino walked in but before she could even look up Tsunade had snapped again.
"Hurry! Close the door! I thought you were Shizune." Ino closed the door quickly and looked up just in time to see Tsunade lift up the sake bottle and little cup she had been hiding under her desk.
Tsunade tossed the contents down her throat and set the items on the floor behind the desk.
"It's always a paperwork day." Tsunade said as an explanation. Ino wasn't going to judge her..she'd done worse.
"I came to request something." Ino said boldly, squashing down her nerves.
"You have my attention." Tsunade replied.
"We can't just let the Akatsuki get away with this. We're supposed to be hunting them down..killing or capturing them if they're in the Land of Fire."
"No one was killed last night. It was a different kind of victory." Tsunade looked Ino over. "You're angry. It's understandable, but don't forget what happened to Asuma. Even if I did send a team..they most likely wouldn't come back alive." The mention of Asuma still stung.
"Then send me! I can heal whoever you decide to send if they needed it."
"So you can pass out and be a dead weight?" Tsunade suddenly glared.
"I just need some practice." Ino bit her lip.
"By the time you get enough practice the Akatsuki will be out of our land." Tsunade grabbed the bottle and cup and drained another.
"Until they come back!" Ino snapped.
Her hazel gaze leveled with Ino's aquamarine eyes.
"Why would they come back? Do you or Shikamaru know why they were here?"
Ino's heart skipped a beat. Shit.
"What shocked Shikamaru so badly yesterday night? He wouldn't say and Kiba doesn't know much." Tsunade continued and looked over Ino with a knowing gaze.
"If you're honest with me..I might consider sending your squad with an extra Shinobi."
"We don't know anything." Ino said. She couldn't admit to anything without admitting to everything.
"What is your goal, Ino?" Tsunade continued. "You plan to kill them? Capture them and manage to get them all the way here without a hitch?"
Ino suddenly didn't know. She knew she wanted Itachi killed or captured..but then that meant Kisame would be next. Ino wanted to scream at him and punch that stupid grin off of his face..but kill him? She didn't want it to go that far.
Tsunade saw the fire leave her eyes.
"You want to tell me the truth now?" Tsunade asked, another cup to her lips.
The door suddenly opened and Shizune walked in with her little pig in her arms.
Tsunade gasped and tossed the sake and cup behind her. The contents spilled over her floor and the clattering was painfully obvious.
"You can't be drinking this early!" Shizune snapped and Ino took that moment to leave. She walked out, glad for Shizunes timing. Ino wasn't ready to tell the Hokage everything..and Shikamaru had made it clear he didn't want to either.
...
Ino walked back through the village..her home. She slowed her pace past the academy and stood on the other side of the chain link fence. The kids were out tossing their shuriken and kunai knives at the targets on the trees. That took Ino back..Choji sneaking snacks between every throw, Shikamaru hitting every one of his perfectly and herself, who missed more times than she could remember. She continued on with a smile on her face taking in the different scents from all the different restaurants..listening to people talk and laugh.
Maybe she shouldn't take a team..then no one else's life would be in danger but hers. Ino was walking around the outskirts of the village now..she had to train. Practice at the hospital until she could heal multiple times without getting sick or fainting and she would have to train to fight a Sharingan. But how could she do that?
She looked up and her answer was right in front of her. Literally. Kakashi was standing on the little bridge over the small creek. Ino made her way to him.
"Good morning, Ino." Kakashi said without even looking at her.
"Good morning." She paused, wondering how to just come out with what she wanted. Kakashi sensed her hesitation and turned to give her his full attention.
"I need some training."
"Are your fellow ninja all busy?" He asked, not unkindly.
"I don't know. You're the only one who can train me the way I need." That really got his attention.
"And what kind of training do you need?"
"Sharingan training." She spit it out. "I need to be able to fight through it and fight hand to hand without getting sucked into a Genjutsu."
Kakashi sighed. "This is about what happened to Shikamaru, isn't it? You're afraid."
Ino was angry not afraid. She wanted to take these skills to knock Itachi down a few levels..if not kill him. Kakashi didn't need to know that. No one did.
"As I should be. Will you help me?" She asked. He paused to think for a moment.
"You're sure?" Kakashi asked.
"I'm sure." She nodded.
"Get some rest tonight. Meet me here at sunrise and don't eat breakfast. You'll puke." They parted ways and Ino couldn't help but feel light and airy inside. This could work.
She was walking back through the village to the center. Now I just need to work on my healing. Tiring herself out at the hospital would be perfect for a deep sleep. Ino was used to skipping breakfast in the morning she was always trying this and that diet for short times anyway.
...
That night Ino collapsed into her bed. It was getting easier to heal and not black out..a little at a time. Everyday.
...
She woke early to shower and then make her way back to the bridge. As instructed she skipped breakfast, opting to sip on a little water instead.
Ino waited about ten minutes before Kakashi walked up..he tucked a little book away into his pocket.
"Good morning. Sleep well?" He asked her.
"Good morning, Sensei. Yes, I did."
"Good." He was smiling behind his mask.
He led them out past the bridge to a clear spot of land with fewer trees scattered about.
"Ok. The first step to fighting someone with a Sharingan is to avoid looking directly into their eyes. It's better to watch their feet..you can anticipate moves and directions this way. I won't reveal my Sharingan yet. First step is fight me by only looking down. No weapons yet..just fists. After you get a good hold on that..I'll let you try with my Sharingan revealed..to see how long you can avoid it. Finally, I'll use my Sharingan on you directly and you will try to release yourself until you can get a good hold on that as well."
Ino nodded in understanding..she could do this.
"Alright, look down and anticipate where I'm going to move."
She took a deep breath and he stepped sideways..Ino approached him with a punch, avoiding the direction he was stepping when..wham!
Pain coursed through her mouth as she took his forearm block to the face.
"Training for this won't be easy." Kakashi's eye softened. "Are you sure you want to continue this?" She had to. It was the only way she was going to improve.
"I'm sure."
"Alright. Let's go again."
...
Ino didn't even have enough energy to go back to the hospital that day. She soaked in a hot bath and passed out in her room a short time later.
...
The next four weeks were busy for Ino. She would wake up early and alternate training with her teammates and Kakashi before heading to the hospital. She even took extra flower shifts on the weekend for her mother and she was the best daughter she could be. She was planning on leaving the village soon. Ino was confident in her ability to hold a fight with Kakashi. She knew how to recognize when she was in a Genjutsu and successfully release herself from it.
Her team had been on some C and one B rank missions lately. Delivering items to a few towns over or escorting someone back home..but Ino was ready. The thought made her a little depressed. Ino wanted to get as much time in with her friends and family before she might not make it back.
Ino had no idea where to start looking for them but she assumed it would be by a coast or body of water. They seemed to like hanging around those areas. Not that it helped her needle in a haystack problem but it was somewhere to start.
...
"Release!" The Genjutsu faded back to reality in hypnotic like waves and Kakashi pulled his mask back into place, covering his ruby Sharingan and scarred eye.
"That enough for today. You're doing well, Ino. You're learning fast. I've heard your medical training has been a success. You're improving."
"Thank you, Sensei. I couldn't have done it without your help."
...
The sun was almost down but she wanted to go see Tsunade. She needed a real reason to leave the village so no one would follow her.
Ino knocked on the door.
"Enter."
Ino walked in and closed the door in case it was a repeat of last time. It wasn't.
"Hello, Ino. Is there something I can do for you?"
"I'd like a mission." Her heart was racing.
"What kind of mission? I have more than several that just came in this afternoon."
"Just some deliveries. I've been near the village the last few weeks and I need a change of scenery. A delivery would be perfect." Ino smiled.
"You have been working hard. Will your teammates be joining you?"
"They're busy with other things. It's just deliveries. I can handle it."
"Alright." Tsunade replied. "There's two to choose from..,"
Ino saw one delivery was in the Land of Fire and the other in the Hidden Rain village ..perfect. She would be able to ask the locals and scout around for anyone that might have seen them.
"I'll take them both tomorrow." Tsunade handed her the sealed scrolls and Ino left to go home.
...
That night she told her parents she would be leaving early in the morning for a mission. She wasn't going to tell her team because Shikamaru would know in a heartbeat. She had to get well away from the village before he figured it out.
...
Ino walked through the village gates just as the sky started to lighten the next morning.
...
A few days later Kisame was sitting around their fire. A bird circled and called a few times. If it didn't stop squawking soon Kisame would kill and cook the damn thing. The sky was going deep pink and orange as the sun sank below the horizon and he watched Itachi sew up a gash on his arm..he cut the thread with chakra sharp fingertips. The last mission had been a tough one but they got the target to their destination. Now they had some time to kill.
Itachi never let anyone but Kisame see him this way, hurt and licking his wounds..even Kisame felt a little roughed up this time. It was only going to be more difficult from here. Itachi lowered his sleeve over his freshly sewn arm.
"That looked like it hurt." Kisame grunted.
"We've had worse." Itachi replied indifferently.
Suddenly, Kisame caught a scent on the breeze..flowers and female... Ino. Kisame cut his eyes over to Itachi. He hadn't noticed. Kisame pinpointed her location through scent alone. Ten miles to the east. What was she doing so close to the Hidden Rain village? He couldn't let Ino get too close to Itachi..he wasn't sure what he'd do if Itachi threatened her right in front of him.
Kisame stood and his companions eyes followed his movements.
"Gotta take a piss." Kisame said and made his way to the woods. As soon as he hit the treeline he was running..
...
Ino stepped over a few loose rocks on the hill..sliding down the loose dirt easily. She was close. She would rest up for a few and then make her way to the river. That's where they were.
She sensed a sudden chakra..to the left! She threw her kunai and it sunk deep into a tree trunk. Was she getting jumpy because she was so close finally?
"Almost got me with that kunai." That gruff, masculine voice washed over her whole body. Ino spun around to see Kisame standing behind her. The sight of him took her breath away.
"What are you doing out here? How did you find us all by yourself?" He leaned nonchalantly against a thick tree.
"That bird. I've been mind transferring birds to scout from the sky." She didn't miss him give her entire body a slow appraising look.
"You've gotten a bit more muscle since last time."
"I've been training."
"What are you doing out here?" He asked again.
"I was on a mission. I dropped my last delivery to the Hidden Rain village. I'm here to kill Itachi or capture him. Whichever." She made to walk past him but he grabbed her upper arm and pushed her back. He looked shocked and angry.
"No. You're going to walk your pretty little ass back to your village." Kisame's voice deepened..became rough and she couldn't help the pleasant shivers it sent down her spine.
"You don't think I can do it?" She snapped.
"I know you can't." He hissed back. "And so do you."
"This is the whole reason I've been taking missions.. to scout ahead and see if anyone in the area had seen anyone like you two. It took me days to get here!"
...
Kisame calmed down enough through his shock and rage to notice the way she was also breathing hard, adrenaline coursing through her. She really did come here to fight Itachi. He would fuck with her mind in the worst ways before finally putting her out of her misery. Kisame tried to steer her in another direction.
"Then let's make the most of it before I send you back on your way."
"No! You attacked my friends." Her eyes were cold but her body still reacted..he could smell her.
"Your friend attacked us..we were trying to skirt by with minimal fighting. Short on time." Ino couldn't help but notice his coat wasn't zipped and her eyes followed the hard lines of his muscles and lower.
"Let me help you relax, Ino." He purred in her direction..he had missed that delicious scent between her legs the moment she saw him.
"I don't think so! I know Itachi threatened my life and you did nothing!" She growled and he was actually stunned as she threw a tiny fist to his face. He dodged with blurring speed and grabbed her with one arm around her middle before throwing his weight into her body. She landed on her back in the dirt.
"Go home, Ino." He growled, standing over her and she huffed. "I'll smell you from any direction and put you on your ass again. Go. Home." His eyes drifted over her body. "Before I end up fucking you." Her cheeks were slightly pink and he didn't miss her hard nipples showing through her shirt. He imagined her naked on her hands and knees in the dirt..soft pale thighs spread apart and waiting for him to shatter her body.
"I'm going." She brushed herself off and the second he let his guard down she suddenly made a mad dash to run past him in the direction of their camp! She was rushing to her death.
"Goddammit, Ino!" He grabbed her around her waist before she could even pass him and tossed her over his shoulder. She weighed practically nothing. "I apologize for your friends getting hurt but it's the way of the Shinobi. You all knew what you were signing up for."
He walked farther with her twisting and trying to get out of his hold.
"Put. Me. Down." Her voice dripped venom.
"Not gonna happen. Now hold still before I spank your ass." He tightened his grip on her ass to show her he was serious.
"You wouldn't." She snapped. Oh, he would..
"Test me, Kunoichi." He felt her shiver suddenly and that intoxicating scent reached his senses, equivalent to a slap to the face. He suddenly stopped walking and raised his other hand between her thighs. With one slow finger he stroked back and forth along her heated pussy through her clothes. She gave a shocked gasp but her movements stilled completely. Kisame decided he was going to fuck her. It had been too long.
...
"Kisame. I'll go home." Ino wiggled against his shoulder. "Put me down, please."
"You will. But not until I'm done with you." His promise sent chills down her body. She wanted him so badly but the thought of her friends made her hesitate.
"Not this time." Ino jerked and almost freed herself from his tight grip.. his arm tightened across her thighs and then..one of his hands came up and delivered a stinging slap to her ass!
Ino yelped and then growled with fury at the tingles of pain.
"That hurt, you bastard!" She snapped, resisting the urge to claw at his back.
"I told you I would. Keep still." Ino huffed. She would get him back for that if it was the last thing she did. Then his large warm hand caressed where he had popped her a good one and the pain eased.
"Just tell me you missed me as much as I missed you." He growled teasingly and her heart skipped. He had missed her, too? Or was he just playing with her? Ino had missed him. He invaded her thoughts constantly every day..enough for her to lose concentration to snip her fingers in the flower shop, enough to have restless nights remembering his smell and voice..missing the way he could bring her body so high and then plummet her back down to earth breathless and satiated. Ino thought about telling him any or all of those thoughts but she didn't.
"Yes." She said quietly instead.
"I can't let you fight Itachi, Ino." He slid down the same hill of loose dirt easily and she saw her forgotten kunai still in the tree trunk. "You'd die."
He set her on her feet suddenly and she leaned against a tree for a little support..her knees had suddenly decided to go weak.
"Why do you care?" Ino scoffed.
"Other than having the entire Leaf Village hunting us once they found your dead body?" He stepped up to her and leaned down so they were so close his breath fanned her lips. "I care and I missed you." His warm lips brushed hers briefly before traveling to her throat. One of his hands tugged at her ponytail and she realized he had taken it down to free her hair. Waves of pale blonde fell around her face and he threaded a hand into her soft tresses to lightly grip at her roots.
His fingers ran along the inside edge of her skirt and the contact alone sent goosebumps up and down her arms. At the same time his warm lips traveled up the side of her throat to whisper in her ear all while gripping her hair a little tighter but it felt amazing, making her shivers and chills even worse.
"I miss your smart ass mouth and I like that you stand up to me." God, his voice..it was like his seductive growling had a direct effect between her legs and she had become aware of her aching nipples. Kisame took a deep breath and then his fingers slipped into her skirt. Ino sucked in a little gasp when his fingers found her clit.
"I like the sounds you make." His lips brushed her ear as he spoke and his finger traveled down to stroke her..coating the tip of his finger into her arousal only to bring it back up to her throbbing clit.
"I like that just the sight of me has you soaked and aching for my cock deep inside you." Ino wasn't used to anyone talking to her like that. For a moment it made her turn pink, a little embarrassed but his fingers were suddenly all she could concentrate on. His sharp teeth nipped her ear and she was on the verge of coming. Her muscles tightened and she feel herself rising up and coming to the edge..it was right there. A sudden wave of heat flooded her body and a light layer of sweat beaded her forehead. Ino was panting and whimpering just wanting to feel that final burst of pleasure.
His fingertips suddenly pulled back at the last second..and then two of his fingers plunged deep into her.
"I care, Ino." He whispered into her ear and then his thumb went back to her aching needy clit adding to the bliss of his fingers sliding in and out of her.
"All I think about is if you're home safe in bed..if you think about me.. if anyone is touching you the way I do. I care. Now come for me."
Ino came hard..shifting her legs farther apart allowing him to slide his fingers in deeper and she cried out..the sound of her high pitched voice echoing off the trees.
