A/N: Well, my new fic. Diffrent from the rest.
It took me a lot of work to write it, That's only the beginning and I'm quite unsure as to the style, OOCness, etc. It's the first time I tried writing something like that. Please, I beg you, review!
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto
Konoha was famous among other ninja villages for many things. The strength and determination of the warriors trained there, made its way into history. The hidden Leaf was a sign that would never be underestimated by anyone.
With such reputation, it's a real surprise that something so powerful could be destroyed by wars. There was only one thing that made the community the aim of attacks so often. The exams for ninja ranks and the training were much, much softer than other's.
Shinobi were believed to be weapons, deadly weapons with no feelings, no heart, only an organ beating inside their limbs.
The Sand village taught every child, since they could walk, how to slit another's man throat. The lessons for five year old children were often made on a dead body, sometimes even a member of the child's family or friend.
These lessons came to Konoha only after passing chuunin exam.
The test for a jounin in Sound village was to kill every other competitor. No matter, if there were ten, twenty, fifty or hundreds candidates. Only one could get the title, the rest were bound to be eliminated.
Those, who were lucky enough to have higher resistance than others, survived and managed to keep their sanity.
Those, who couldn't, escaped or died, slowly going insane, both from loneliness or blood that seemed to surround them.
From those villages, Gaara and Zabuza, the two devils came.
Zabuza died, admitting that shinobi's can't become the lethal weapons they are meant to be. Even he had a heart, which beat strongly in his chest as the tears for his only friend spilled from his eyes.
Gaara survived to become a monster. A beast, which fought only for himself, with a mark 'Love', graved by blood on his head.
From their birth, these killing machines were praised for their brutality , encouraged to develop more and more deadly attacks in a time where hesitation or mercy were nothing more than a cry for death.
The Leaf village was different. The little children, so naively oblivious of their fate, could play in the sun, snow and rain, with no care in the world.
But still, even peaceful Konoha had given birth to such a fiend. Itachi Uchiha, the Satan who murdered his family, leaving his only brother without a heart.
Yes, his younger brother survived, only to grow up in hatred and pain. The obsession for his older brother led him right into clutches of Orochimaru, the famous poisonous snake of Konoha.
The Uchiha prodigy still had a chance when he met his teammates, Naruto Uzumaki and Sakura Haruno. As soon as the snake pierced his skin, marking him with his cursed sign, the last bits of heart he had, disappeared.
Mixed with hatred, pain, and a lust only for power, Sasuke left Konoha to join faithful companions of the Konoha traitor. He was announced a conspirator and placed in the bingo notebook, meaning that he was now an aim for every Leaf warrior. Surprisingly enough, none of the Rookie nine protested, Sakura and Naruto being the only ones who shed any tears for him.
Orochimaru was a different story. He was a threat to the people since his birth and that was obvious. His teacher, the third Hokage noticed it.
Orochimaru was born with no heart and that was why he should be killed just after he left his mother's womb.
But even, if he had no heart, Sarutobi possessed feelings. Those feelings, thought to be useless for every shinobi, caused a disaster in the village. Many, many Leaf inhabitants died from the snake hands. And many will die as the adder lures them into his trap.
You might blame the Hokage for it. He had the chance to prevent the disaster from happening. It was clear both to him and to every citizen that one of the great three should be eliminated from their lives, once and for all. Sarutobi knew this perfectly well, but still he couldn't bring himself to destroy his former student. He grew to love his learner and not even the love for his home and family could force him to slaughter Orochimaru.
That was one of the reasons why feelings are thought to be a great nuisance in shinobi's and kunoichi's life.
Regardless, what happened, happened. Orochimaru survived, and thanks to his sick experiments, managed to create a mixture for everlasting youth and life. He stayed hidden, waiting for the right opportunity to jump at his prey and sacrifice in the most cruel way. For example, ripping his throat slowly, very slowly, so that every cell of your body screams with pain. Or drown you in your own blood, after he took out you eyes, cut you ears and limbs.
Yes, such things were born in such villages and will be born for many, many centuries.
Not all people lived like this, though. No, most of the citizens were average, calm families whose children were never meant to be killers.
Parents chose the way their children lived. That's how many clans were created in Konoha, their descendants continually to pass the abilities to next generations.
Konoha was divided into two: The world where regular folk worked a safe job, or those who kept everyone safe and wealthy by murdering.
The second world was also divided: there were either those who had killed someone by the time they were ten, or those who gradually grew up to become a slaughterer.
And yet, in this kind of surroundings, relationships and love bloomed. Assassins got married, created families, trained their offspring.
This story is about relationships that flourish in this type of atmosphere. It's the story of people whose lives are defined by their lifestyles and by each other.
The room was silent. The only thing that could be heard, were breaths and pen scribing on a paper. Two young women were sitting at two desks, their backs bent as they scribbled on the paper. The clock struck one p.m. The one with brown hair, neatly folded into two buns on top of her head, stretched.
"I hate working in administration shift. I need action!" As to emphasize her words, she twirled her kunai in hand, before sticking it firmly into her desk.
"Yea, I agree. It's really boring here." The other one, with long, blond hair spilled on her shoulders, twirled her chair to meet the older woman's gaze.
"Oh, I bet for you it is. Since you passed the chuunin exam, Ino, almost every mission you get, requires seduction. I bet your missions are reeaaly interesting." The kunai owner snickered, a playful expression on her face, as she leaned her chin on her arm.
"Hey, I can't help that I'm so skilled at it," Ino smiled, teasingly flipping her ponytail over her back. "You're just jealous, Tenten, because I'm much prettier and sexier than you!"
Tenten laughed, her loud giggles echoed in the previously quiet room. "Yea, right. It's not me, who should be jealous. I can't imagine how poor Shikamaru takes it. I heard he's been to the Hokage to talk about it."
"Nonsense," her companion straightened instantly, her previously playful look replaced by a concerned one, "Shikamaru understands it. It's our job."
"Whatever you say, Ino." The bun haired girl rolled her eyes a she got back to work.
"I haven't lost my virginity yet..." a quiet whisper reached her ears.
On the lessons in the academy, the first thing a Kunoichi learns, is that nothing, not even your body belongs to you. As soon as you become a ninja, there's no escape. Unlike male ninja, a kunoichi isn't trained to use just her skills in genjutsu, taijutsu, and ninjutsu. She is also trained in the art of seduction.
Virginity isn't something that is only yours. Waiting for the right man to give him the woman's most precious gift, didn't exist anymore. You sacrifice it, when you need to. Sometimes on a mission, if you're lucky, you lose it willingly.
Deciding that it isn't a matter that should be laughed at, Tenten came closer to the mind-walker kunoichi and kneeled by her.
"You know...I'm scared. Every time. I...I wanted to give it to Shikamaru. And every time he actually tries to DO something...I panic. I panic that he'll be disgusted with myself...And sometimes, I just feel like I'm betraying him...because...so many men touched me. I could never forget it...that's why I'm so terrified of doing it with Shika. But at the same time I'm petrified that someone else will take it from me...it's like a broken wheel." The blond girl hid her face in her hands, sobbing slightly. Tenten warped her arm around blue-eyed woman's shoulder.
"I'm sorry Ino...I should have known that it's a sensitive subject for you." She felt kind of guilty; if only she hadn't bring that matter out...
"I'm alright. That's what's it like to be a Konoha warrior, right? To almost give the most you have." Ino smiled weakly, looking encouragingly at the woman beside her.
"If it makes you feel better...I...I gave myself to Lee two months ago." blushing a little, Tenten looked away.
"Really?" Just like she predicted, Ino jumped, instantly forgetting her worries. "What was it like? Did it hurt? Tell me!"
Laughing, the weapon specialist tried to pry of Ino's hands from her shoulders.
Since the four kunoichis passed the chuunin exams, they became very good friends. Hinata Hyuuga, Ino Yamanaka, Sakura Haruno and Tenten. They had to keep together to be strong. They comforted each other after a failed mission, they celebrated every success. They became inseparable.
But Tenten and Ino were closer to each other than the rest. Maybe because they were more energetic than the two medics. Or they continued the lifestyle of Kunoichi, while the other two healed.
Both women liked working together, whether on a mission or in administration. They found each other presence comforting and they could always talk during breaks. What's more, they helped each other to become better soldiers.
Ino admired Tenten's strength with knowledge of weapons and often let the older woman teach her more and more, so that she could use it on a battlefield. And Tenten was in awe because of Ino's feminine side and the care, the girl put into appearance. Just in case, the younger girl taught her the art of seduction.
Both were like sisters, confessing most private secrets.
Like the one Tenten now revealed.
"Nope. I'm not telling anything." Sitting stubbornly with her arms crossed, the girl took all pleasure in teasing Ino before she was forced to tell her.
"Fine then. I'll break into your mind and see everything. How does that sound?"
"Try it and I'll kunai you to the moon," For what seemed a millionth time, the dark haired girl threaten, waving her favorite weapon in front of Ino's face.
"Come one, Tenten...tell me. Maybe...maybe then, I'll be able to...you know..." fidgeting a little, Ino blushed.
Her 'older sister' blinked. Since when was Ino embarrassed about it?
"Fine. I'll tell you the best way I can but...I won't tell you everything." Sticking her tongue out, she chuckled hearing Ino give a squeal of pure delight. That girl was too curious for her own sake.
She closed her eyes, remembering soft touches and whispers in the night...
"It didn't hurt. Thanks to my active lifestyle, my barrier broke long time ago. But...the feeling was just heavenly. And it felt like that only because...I love him. There. That's the secret." She was chuckling at the disappointed look on Ino's face.
"Gee, Ten, you sound just like in some chick book."
The clock struck two p.m.
"Yo, Ino." A new voice ringed in the room. a male one.
"Shikamaru!" The lively girl ran to him, kissing his cheek. It was bloodied, just like rest of his clothes.
"How was your mission? Shouldn't you see Tsunade first? Oh, God! You're all covered in blood!" The shadow master's girlfriend started to look him over, before he pulled her into his embrace, stopping all her movements. "I'm fine," he grumbled, grabbing her waist, "the mission was so troublesome. It was troublesome too, but I came to see you first."
Ino smiled. Years of experience taught her how to recognize his signs of affection. "You're so sweet. But I only finish at 3 p.m, so.." trailing, she looked over to her companion. Knowing what she meant, Tenten sighed. "Go ahead, Ino. I can finish it. You stood in for me last week, remember?"
"Thanks, Ten!" Squealing, Ino gave her a big hug, grabbed her jacket and in less than one minute she was already out, her arm hooked with her boyfriend's.
Shaking her head with affection, Tenten smiled. She snatched papers from Ino's desk and went to her own sitting in the chair as she concentrated at the double work waiting for her.
"Let's visit Chouji." Nara's quiet, uncertain voice reached her. She gripped his arm.
"Sure. Let's."
Since the return of the first leadership mission, led by Nara Shikamaru, four years passed. Lots of things changed in the 'Rookie Nine'.
First of all, Naruto left for three years, only to come back much more powerful. He tried many times to find Sasuke, with no success. Just like Itachi and Orochimaru, he seemed to disappear. Tsunade claimed that when the time will be right, he will come back. To fight against them.
There were many conflicts with the Sound village, fortunately none of them bloomed into war, much thanks to Konoha diplomatists. However, the tension still hung in the air.
Relationship with the Sand village improved a lot, and Konoha could be sure that the community has at least one faithful companion. It was all thanks to the Kazekage's and Naruto's friendship.
However, things weren't so good for former rookie nine. Since the last of Uchiha disappeared and the task to bring him back failed, everything seemed to fall.
The first tragedy, and the one that hit them most, was Chouji's death. After he survived the retrieval assignment, his wound opened during one of his first chuunin fights. Due to the lack of medical supplies and the long distance from the nearby hospital, Chouji died last winter.
Since then, the loyal duo, Ino-Shika continued to come to his grave, every now and then.
Just a month later, Neji Hyuuga, one of the most powerful Konoha shinobi's, had gone missing. It has been already six months with no news from him and he was believed to be dead. The Hyuuga clan still mourned after their genius.
Those two events were enough to break their hearts. Rookie nine stopped meeting in group, like it used to. Smaller groups and pairs were formed.
Lee gave up on Sakura long time ago, when he saw someone who's much better for him. Tenten comforted Rock after operation and gave him, like he put it, 'the strength of youth' to develop his taijutsu.
Sakura, after three years of depression, found console in Naruto's arms. When he came back, he found himself warped in her warm embrace he longed after so long. If someone deserved to be loved, it was Naruto.
Hinata, seeing the happiness Sakura gave Naruto, decided to finally open her eyes and see what was in front of her for so long. She and Kiba met in secret since the Main Hyuuga family did not approve of Inuzuka clan.
Ino sighed, remembering all those sad and happy times, snuggling under Nara's arm. Instinctively feeling that something is wrong, he pulled her closer.
They stopped at the memorial stone. The sign of love for the village. Love, so strong that they didn't hesitate to gave their life for it.
This one stone...one simple, piece of rock. It was a symbol of simplicity of feelings shinobis had for the villages. When she was younger, Ino often wondered why they didn't build something bigger, like the Hokage's monument. Now, she understood.
Those who sacrificed their lives hadn't done it in order to be praised. They did it, because they loved their families and home, nothing more, nothing less. They didn't need to be heroes.
The first rule of Konoha ninja: Never bow before your opponent, fight and die with your head proudly raised...
All they asked for, was a simple memory. A sign that meant that their sacrifice wasn't wasted. Unwillingly, all of them became Konoha's pride.
Second rule of Konoha ninja: Even when there's no hope, fight with everything you've got.
Ino and Shikamaru stood in silence, together under the pouring rain. Time seemed to stop for Ino as she remembered her ninja career...
She pushed those thoughts away. No need to reminiscence on those missions. They're not worth it.
Her mind wandered to the time after Chouji died. With a quiet shame, she realized that she didn't want to remember it. Only one event stuck to her mind, the one that actually brought her and her former teammate closer...
Flashback
"Come on, Shikamaru, please. Just try it, alright?"
She'd been sitting by his bed since morning, trying to convince him to just eat something. He was lying in the bed, sheets completely covering him and she'd been sitting in a chair, just by him. This was the fourth day in a row that she had visited, and nothing seemed to change. She was trying to make him talk to her, at least look at her. Nothing worked, not even her going into complete-bitch mode.
Every day was his response was hurting her, but today it stung even more. She woke up earlier and tried so hard to make something that was edible. She studied cooking books and various recipes until she decided on one, quite simple, even for her. And still he didn't seem to care at all. She felt tears in her eyes. If this was happening under any other circumstance, she would've thrown the food at him and stormed off by now. But not even Ino was so insensitive when someone is so clearly suffering much more than her.
Setting the food aside, she got up and went to the other side of the bed to see if he was awake. His eyes were opened, but empty and not seeing.
"Shikamaru." She carefully thought of a strategy. Damn, nothing seemed to be right at this time. He was a strategist, not her! Finally, she gave up on motivation speech and just settled for a simple question.
"Please Shikamaru, just a bite of food?" She brought the cold dish to his face. "Your mom says you haven't eaten in a couple of days." She felt like crying when she still got no response.
Finally, the boy grunted and rolled, his back facing her once again. She held her breath, waiting for something more. When time passed and there was nothing, she gave up. She strolled to him once again and kneeled, so that their faces were on the same level. They stayed like this for quite some time, just looking in the eyes.
"Go away," he sighed, pulling the sheets so they covered his head.
Ino just sat stubbornly in the chair again, crossing her arms.
"You know, Shikamaru," she tried again, inspecting her nails, "Beating yourself up like that won't help you to feel any better." She wasn't sure if she chose the best method, but what else she could do? Nothing helped. Asuma's reassuring talks, his mother's screaming, his father's and Godaime advices...she had to try.
Hearing a sound from the lump on the bed encouraged her to continue. She was afraid. He was already emotionally crushed and she didn't want to make things worse.
"Chouji would probably be upset you're letting good food go to waste," Ino commented casually. She hoped he wouldn't notice the concern in her voice.
Finally, he pulled the covers of and sat up facing Ino. His hair was a mess and he had big bags under his eyes. "Chouji is dead." He said in a tone which sounded just like his famous 'Troublesome'
She nodded, not taking her eyes of him. "I know he is, Shikamaru." She bowed her head, suddenly feeling very small and pathetic. "But he still would be upset."
Silence greeted them again. This time it was full of tension, full of hope and patient waiting.
When minutes passed, Ino started to think how to break the quietness, but she changed her mind when she saw his hands trembling on the blanket.
His shoulders were shaking and he was crying
He dove under covers again, hiding his face in his pillow, which quickly became wet, muttering something about his faults, his mission and his responsibility.
"Shikamaru." Suddenly, an old memory hit her and she knew what to say. The first class for girls in the academy. She repeated every word her teacher said to them.
"We, woman, for ages were meant to be mothers and wives. We were fated to tend for our children, while our husband provided us living." She winced a little at how old fashioned that sounded. "However, in a shinobi village, things are different. Women are also weapons. I expect both my parents not to come back from a mission one day. I fear of that day, but what can I do? That's the life of a shinobi."
She laid by him in the bad, warping an arm around his neck and pulling his head closer. "Don't think I don't care about him. I miss him already. A lot. I'm just happy that I didn't lose both of you."
Feeling that she had done everything she could, she stood up and left. All she wanted was a warm bed, like the one she just left...and a moment of forgetting about all her worries.
She slept for the half of the day, ditching her work in the shop.
She was reading Tenten's book about various types of weapons when her father called her to come downstairs.
When she got down, she saw her father pointing to the kitchen table. There was her favorite bento box placed on it, with a bunch of wildflowers, obviously picked very recently as they were still fresh. The one who left it, didn't even bother to make a bouquet, she noted. There was also a small card attached to it.
She folded it open and read the few words written inside
You're still a terrible cook. Don't you know cold food tastes horrible? Make it warmer next time. But it wasn't that bad. At least I managed to live.
It wasn't signed, but no name was needed. Ino knew who was it from and she couldn't help but giggle all the way to her room, where she plucked the flowers into a crystal vase.
End flashback
The rest was a blur. Shikamaru's constant depression and her chubby friend's funeral were hazed, felt foreign.
Although she first killed at the age 15, Ino fully realized that she wasn't playing shinobi anymore only one, last winter afternoon. This was real. The memories of blood that painted her hands was real and never seemed to come off after that. The smell was always around her, making her want to puke. She hated herself and felt disgusted with her body. Especially when she thought that the ninja who killed Chouji was probably just like her, a normal shinobi. They shouldn't be blamed. She had no one to blame for the death of her friend. That was their lifestyle.
With a pang in her heart, Ino realized that she grew up. And that she wished she could be a child forever.
Killing became easier, however never the same. Tenten had to hold her hair when she killed for the first time after Chouji's death, because she threw up so badly. She never vomited again, but the memory was still fresh.
Shikamaru bowed so she did the same. Together, hand in hand, they walked towards the woods. Ino cuddling up to Shika.
Right now, they had each other. But how long will it last?
Meanwhile, in the Hokage's office
"I called this meeting because the jounin exams in the Suna village are coming up. We have to prepare a list of candidates." Tsunade's tired eyes drifted from one face to other. "Any suggestions?"
The jounins were surprisingly agreeable. The representatives of Konoha were, as following:
Nara Shikamaru
Uzumaki Naruto
Tenten
A/N: That Prologue is longer than three chapters of my other fics. Once again, please review, it means a lot to me! I'm not sure when I'll update it...it depends on your opinions.