"Perfect." I winked at myself in the mirror. My blonde hair was fixed into a ponytail that only perfection could describe it. My body looked incredible in my usual outfit. I looked better than usual. Why? My eyes caught a glimpse of shining silver and I tugged my mouth into a tight grin. I caught the metal in my fingers and played with the jewelry slightly. A part of my wanted to gawk over the expensive silver and show it off to all of the village, so everyone would see the wealth my "boyfriend" had. Yet, another part, a stronger part, wanted to rip the hunk of metal off my neck and throw it back in his face and tell him to fuck off back to the sand place he belongs. I will show him what it takes to be the boyfriend to the perfect Yamanaka Ino.
"Ha! Good luck, Gaara." I gave myself a slight thumbs up in the mirror. I caught sight of the clock and noticed I spent a good forty minutes getting ready. Well, perfection does take time.
I walked down the stairs slowly to greet the Kage in my kitchen. When I stepped on to the tile, he stood by the sink looking out the second story window. He never looked in my direction and I tapped my foot lightly. When he didn't look up, I cleared my throat loudly. He looked over with that same damn neutral expression where I couldn't tell if he was angry, annoyed, or didn't even care.
"You took a while." He muttered as he made his way across the room. I crossed my arms and tossed my hair over my shoulder.
"No 'hello beautiful! My! You look gorgeous today?'" I raised an eyebrow at him and he only stood there. I could see him tense slightly. He was uncomfortable. Awesome. An inner me smiled deviously. He looked to the right then back at me. His mouth opened to speak and I frowned.
"You look-"
"Too late." I raised a hand cutting him off midsentence. "Let's just go." I sighed making my way towards the door.
My inner me continued to smile although I portrayed an emotion of disappointment. Oh he'll deal with the bitch side of me alright. I'll make this a giant mistake for him. I placed my hand on the door knob but I didn't turn it. I looked over my shoulder to see Gaara still standing in the same spot I left him. I let go of the handle and turned my head further to look at him.
"What is it?" I asked him with a furrow of my brow. He shook his head at me and quickly strode towards the door. He stood right behind me. He lingered so close I could smell his scent and it was intoxicating my personal space. He leaned over lessening the space between us. He stared into my eyes and I couldn't look away. My eyes lingered to his lips then back to his eyes and he kept staring. His hand wrapped around the door knob and pushed the door open. He nodded his head towards the door motioning for me to enter. I narrowed my eyes slightly at him before turning my head quickly to hit his face with my ponytail. A smirk rested on my lips as I began to exit the door.
"It was worth the wait." He muttered and I froze looking over my shoulder at him. A small smile tugged on his lips and his eyes were lit. I looked away quickly. My inner me split into two. One screamed to kiss the guy, while the other said to punch him in the throat. I ignored both by flicking my head forward and walking down the stairs with the last ounce of dignity I could manage.
"Look just because you have the hottest girlfriend doesn't make you all that," I called up the stairs towards him as we made our way down to the flower shop. "In fact, you should be more careful not to lose me. I am the biggest catch in Konoha and any man will fight you for me."
I made it to the bottom of the stairs before him and looked up towards him. He stared at me with a small smile on his lips. He followed up right behind me and stared down at me. His jade eyes melting into mine.
"Do you have fanmail too?" He asked with his lips twitching and I sent him a glare accompanied with a sly smile.
"I don't need fanmail to know how wanted I am." I commented and quickly turned around to give a giant smile to my father who stood behind the desk staring at a chart that was most likely inventory.
"Bye, dad!" I waved and he looked up giving a big wave and smile.
"Have a good day, you two!" He grinned before turning to head towards the back.
Gaara cut ahead to open the door for me and I gave him a nod of approval before walking through. Some men had to be taught, others seem to already know.
"I know how wanted I am," Gaara commented as we walked next to each other on the way to the restaurant.
"Because you have fanmail," I muttered with a roll of my eyes.
"No," He responded quickly and I shot him a look before squinting at him. Arrogance can be lead to confidence if one uses it in the right amount. Gaara has never shown witty confidence before, not until now. A part of me enjoyed it.
"No?" I repeated and he gave me a one eyed smile. "Then how do you know?"
"Because of you."
I gasped slightly and looked away when I could feel the heat rising to my cheeks. Arrogant bastard.
"What makes you think I want you?" I hissed while crossing my arms in front of me.
"You accepted." He quickly replied and I flicked my head to the side.
"Because I felt sorry for you." I retored quickly.
"That's not what you portrayed." I sent him a glare for his cheeky response but I didn't see a smile or smirk on his face. He looked... confused, like a lost child in a giant shopping market.
"I'm a good actress." I stated with a wink and Gaara looked away. I couldn't tell if he was angry, sad, or annoyed. I immediately felt regret for what I said, as in it struck him deep enough to leave a mark I couldn't fix with words. It was still worth a try. "I mean, you said it was just like some other mission right?"
Gaara looked at me slowly then looked forward. He was thinking of something. Whatever that thought was, it had brought him to a level I couldn't reach again. It was like day one with him. Some statements Gaara reacted to differently. But when he distances himself, it crushes me.
"Yes, like some mission." He repeated slowly. His voice was like a distant memory.
I looked to the side to stare at some passing villagers. Did I just hurt the Kazekage's feelings? Was it something I said? All questions I could find anwsers to because of this Kage's ability to close others out as quickly as he lets them in. My mission isn't going very well if I keep placing dents in his feelings and being. My fingers immediately went to the shiny silver hanging around my neck. I twirled it around while trying to figure out something to say that could fix what I have done.
"When did you have this made?" I asked out of curiousity. The first thing that could come to mind. If you can't come up with an anwser just change the topic, right? Gaara gave me a one eyed stare before looking forward again.
"A while ago." He muttered and I nodded while staring at the charm on my neck. Love. How ironic for a man who says he can't feel the emotion.
"It's very pretty. I like the simple silver. It compliments with any outfit." I smiled at him trying to lighten his mood. He just nodded, distancing himself further.
"It compliments you." He mumbled and I looked over interested. A compliment is something a woman always wants to hear, and from this man, it something special.
"How so?" I asked loudly, a small part of me jumping up and down for the small compliment. Gaara stopped and turned to face me. He took the silver in his fingers and held it up to examine it before his eyes locked on mine.
"The silver shines, but not as much as your eyes." He released the necklace allowing it to fall against my neck. I looked away as the heat rose to my cheeks at the strong compliment. As much as I wanted to swoon over his words, I knew it would be no use. It would only hurt myself further. I made a promise to myself.
"You say that because it states 'I'm yours'." I huffed before turning to continue walking ahead. Gaara strode quickly yet swiftly back towards my side.
"Isn't that it's whole purpose?" He whispered and I sent him a glare. Maybe he had a point, but... it still pissed me off. Being someone else's property was insulting to a kunoichi.
"You think this is a game, Gaara?" I hissed at him, causing him to flinch.
"No, I do not, Ino." His response was stern but did no affect on me.
"Really?" I crossed my arms. "You act like nothing ever changed."
"It hasn't."
"But it has!" I cried cutting him off. Gaara gave me a look that he was staring at someone he didn't know. "You may be able to act like nothing ever happened that night, but guess what? Something did happen! I meant the words I said Gaara and you broke my heart."
"Everything I spoke was the truth, Ino." He leaned in stating it quietly but harshly. I looked around and noticed a few villagers staring but I couldn't give a shit at the moment. This man had some damn nerve.
"Oh so everything I said was a fucking lie?" I spat at him stepping back and he shook his head with aggravation.
"No, Ino. You weren't acting rationally, and you're doing it again, right now." He shot at me and I widened my eyes in disbelief at him.
"Sorry, but you're dating this irrational bitch." I turned away from him while sighing in aggravation.
"You are not the girl I remember." He muttered and I turned around quickly.
"You don't know me, Gaara." I reminded the man in front of me.
"Yes, I do, Ino. This is not you." He tried to inform me and I snorted while walking faster away from him. He quickly walked back to my side and I tried to ignore his presence.
"That girl you met in Suna is a totally different girl. This is me, Gaara. This is ALL of me." I stopped walking and so did he. I turned to him, bringing my hands up to emphasize my next statement. "Everything you see here? That's what you're getting."
He looked away from me, but his body still faced me. I could see he was trying to control his anger. Disbelief flashed through his face as his hands clenched into fists by his side.
"Well, I don't like it." He finally stated. He looked down at me and I could only glare at him. How dare he? Who the fuck does he think he is? Does he really? Did he really just-?
"Well, I'm sorry to disappoint you, Kazekage-sama." I turned away from him, not wanting to look at him. "Looks like this isn't going to work out then. Find yourself another girl."
I stormed off, every ounce of anger pounding to the ground with my steps. It took some time for me to realize the pain his words brought to me.
"He doesn't like me, huh? Well, I don't need him either." I mumbled to myself as I walked back towards the restaurant. Villagers moved out of my way when they saw me coming through. I was sure smoke was visible from my ears. It was rejection. Plain and simple. Not being liked for the woman you are? Nothing can be more insulting.
"His lost. I'm the best damn thing he will ever get!" I gritted my teeth as my feet stomped away faster towards Yakiniku Q. I could feel the steam following my footsteps. I was trying to take my anger out on the ground that did nothing but watch the scene that unfolded moments ago. Maybe I was being irrational? No, I had every right. No one can pertend something didn't happen when it did, even if you have a Kage title.
"Ugh, I mean look at me!" I stopped to look at myself through a window. My eye caught the baby blue staring back at it. My pale yet radiant skin shining off my reflection. My blonde bang framing my face. I was beautiful, very beautiful. How could he let me go? "I'm fucking beautiful-huh?"
I squinted through my perfect looking reflection into Yakiniku's. There I could see my teammates' dining table with the other two sand siblings. Shikamaru and Temari sat next to each other with Kankuro and Choji across from them. I gulped down the jealousy that was making itself up.
"Hey!" I smiled and tried waving to get their attention through the window. "Wait?"
I squinted closer noticing Shikamaru's arm hanging on top of the booth behind Temari's back. It was such an open position. It was welcoming her into him. I tried to look away but couldn't fight it. It was pissing me off! He NEVER does that. Ever. Plain. Simple. Period.
I leaned against the window, my eyes scanning the table. The two were listening attentively to Choji and suddenly the four of them bursted into laughter. Temari leaned against Shikamaru as she laughed. Her smile was radiant and beautiful. She shined with feminine beauty. Her hands settled on his chest as she held herself from her laughter. Shikamaru seemed to not mind it as he continued laughing while rubbing the back of his neck with his other hand. That white smile he rarely showed. Whenever I saw it, it brought a smile on my face. But this was not a smile I brought him. I am not the girl sharing his laughter. It's her.
I leaned away from the window and crossed my arms as I exhaled all the frustration that built inside of me.
"Ino." A familiar male voice called and I only looked over briefly before returning my attention to the window.
"Kazekage." I muttered. He slowly took a spot next to me and I peered over at him. His eyes were on the mirror as well. His neutral expression bringing a small comfort, but not enough to penetrate the anger I felt towards the sand beauty. He stared through it for three seconds before he glanced at me.
"Window gazing?" He questioned and I sent him a glare before giving a small snort and laugh.
"This is not the type of window gazing I prefer actually." I retorted while continuing to watch the pair. They were no longer laughing but they kept smiles on their faces as Kankuro spoke excitingly. Temari's body still lingered on Shikamaru's. Neither seeming to act different about their position... as if they have done it before.
"Comforting."
"Excuse me?" I looked towards him when he interrupted my thinking. He gave me a one eyed smile before opening his mouth to speak. His eyes were lit with a bright emotion I couldn't name in my unhappy state.
"To see the two of them very happy, it makes me content." He spoke freely and I raised my eyebrows at him before glaring back at the couple.
"Why?"
"Temari deserves to be happy and he makes her happy." Gaara acknowledged me and I frowned. He cared deeply for his siblings. Temari was his oldest and she cared for him the deepest. Of course he wanted to see her happy."Don't you like seeing your teammate happy?"
I looked over at him for a moment before turning my attention to the couple. Trying to look at it through a different perspective, Gaara was right. Shikamaru looked very comfortable and relaxed. He showed no worry and seemed to be genuinely having a good time. Without me.
"Yeah, I guess." I muttered before turning away from the window. I brought my arms around myself as if trying to comfort myself with a hug.
"Ino." Gaara called and I looked at him slowly.
"What?" My voice was quiet and he walked up to my side.
"You were right." My eyes widened and I turned slowly to face him.
"I was?"
"Yes. I was afraid of change and it happened. I wanted to deny it, to try and act as if everything was okay. I didn't see how it affected you." He extended his arm and lifted the charm to look at it before looking into my eyes. "If you allow me to, Yamanaka-san, I would like to try this again."
"N-no games?" I whispered as I stared at him. How was that he knew exactly what to say? If he would have gone with an 'I'm sorry', I would have dismissed it. Instead he gave me power, and told me I was right. Damn him for knowing what's right, but thank goodness he knew how to make me happy.
"No games, Yamanaka-san," He repeated and I smiled. I took his hand and pulled him closer harshly. He looked over me towards the window then back to me.
"Fine, I give you another chance, Gaara-sama. I am a kunoichi and I like to fulfill every mission I'm given." I raised my head with pride but I shot him a quick glare. "I am still, however, very fucking pissed at you. You are not off the hook yet."
Gaara pulled me closer to him closing the distance between us. He looked down into my eyes before his lips crashed against mine with a quick but deep kiss. It took me by surprise and I tried to pull away but my body wouldn't let me. It missed this. I missed this. Gaara pulled away and looked down at me with a small smile on his lips.
"What about now?" He asked and I shook my head with a small laugh.
"No. That may have worked in Suna but not here." I snapped and Gaara's smile faded. Inside I wanted to do a little victory dance for winning this one, but another part of me was angered with my remark. It was like my emotions were beginning a war. I softened my gaze towards Gaara and he looked ahead before looking back at me.
"I didn't think so." He muttered and I gave him a confident smile. I took his hand and began to drag him towards the restaurant.
"Now, let's join our friends, shall we?" I chirped too happily as we entered. I looked at him and his eyes were wide with surprise but he gave me a small smile.
Gripping his hand tightly in mine, we walked to the table. When Shikamaru came into view, I suddenly became nervous. How is he going to react to this? He did not like how I became after Gaara and to know I went back with him? I was going against everything I promised him.
As we approached the table, my nerves began to get the best of me. As Shikamaru came into clearer view, I tried to tug my hand away from Gaara's. I wasn't ready to tell them. I let my emotion get the best of me. I wanted to enter and rub my "relationship" with Gaara in his face, but now I was getting cold feet. Gaara's hand tightened around mine and I looked at him quickly. He kept his neutral gaze ahead and didn't bother to look down at me. What is he playing?
We came into clear view and Temari spotted us first. Her smile faded but she didn't show disgust. She knew the plan and she had to hide it. Then Shikamaru and I locked eyes. He was no longer close to Temari. He seemed to have scooted himself away from her, slightly. He wore a very bored yet serious expression and looked away immediately. I felt a cold rush as I saw Shikamaru distancing himself very quickly. He straightened up slightly and I could see he was thinking, trying to come up with possibly reasons for how this is happening.
"There you two are." Temari's voice sang out pulling Choji and Kankuro's attention. I flinched slighlty at her tone. It wasn't harsh, nor too happy. Temari had a very seductive voice when she spoke and it was something that made me very jealous. She did it with such ease.
"Finally, we thought we were going to be late for the meeting." Kankuro commented before his eyes flashed to our hands and a smirk grew slowly on his lips.
I made quick eye contact with Choji and gave him a smile. Choji gave a very small smile back but looked away. I knew he saw our hands and I didn't even want to try and look towards Shikamaru. I slipped my hand out of Gaara's but smiled at him to keep playing the part.
"Let's go, shall we? We don't want Lady Tsunade angry at us again." I stated to the whole table before quickly turning and taking Gaara with me.
I walked us out of the restaruant quickly letting the others worry about the bill.
"Shouldn't we wait?" Gaara questioned as he finally fell into stride with my quick pace.
"No." I snapped. Gaara pulled his hand out of mine, slowing his pace. I looked over at him and when I made eye contact, I dropped my attitude. I slowed down to fall in step next to him.
"Why can't I tell them, Gaara?" I asked him softly. I looked him in the eyes waiting for the anwser I wanted.
"It's best the fewer people who knew, the better." He commented looking away from me. I could hear the others leaving the restaurant behind us.
"But they would never tell, they could help us." I urged him in a hushed tone.
"I said no, Ino." He responded harshly and I flinched back. He looked at me and shook his head before taking my hands in his. "It's just for a week, Ino. Please, just drop it."
I looked at our hands then back at him. I furrowed my brow and pulled my hands back.
"Fine." I anwsered before turning to wait for the others to catch up. Gaara looked relieved and I frowned. "But this isn't over." I hissed at him. Gaara gave me a quick glance before turning his gaze back to the others.
"Jeez, you practically ran out of there! What has you all bitchy today, Ino?" Kankuro questioned when he came close. I bit my lip to keep myself from clawing at the puppeteer.
"I'm mad that you ate all the food! Didn't leave shit for us." I whined and Kankuro raised his eyebrows.
"You gotta be shitting me. You didn't look hungry." He smirked and I raised an eyebrow at him. The others have caught up with Choji next to Shikamaru who was next to Temari. The three of them stood a little behind Kankuro, watching me bitch out for something that wasn't even true.
"What do you mean? We just got there and you were like 'oh we thought we were going to be late' and shit. How could you know if I was hungry or not?" I spoke with my hands as I could feel my blood boiling a bit.
"Because you didn't look hungry after you were busy devouring Gaara's lips outside of the restaurant." He retorted and I could feel the blood drain from my body.
"Y-you saw that?" I whispered and Kankuro snickered.
"We all did." Temari responded and I suddenly felt nauseous. So that means Shikamaru and Choji saw...
"Let's just get going to the Hokage Tower." Shikamaru sighed before he lazily began to walk ahead of us all.
"Good idea." I muttered as I followed him.
The rest of us got moving and soon Temari was next to Shikamaru and Choji on the other side of him. I walked in between Gaara and Kankuro. I couldn't help but stare at the back of Shikamaru's head. We were all silent and no one was talking. It was a very awkward walk to the tower. It didn't help that I felt left out of my team since they were obviously upset and angered with my "relationship" with Gaara. As the tower came in view, I began to get nervous and shaky. When we dropped the trio off for this meeting, then what? I'm left to explain some made up story to them and deal with the questioning and betrayal left behind in it's awakening.
Betrayal. That's what it feels like it's becoming. Why do I feel this way? Maybe because I promised my two best friends I wouldn't let him hurt me again, but I went back with him. I could have said no. I peered over at the red head to my right. He wore a solemn expression as he glanced around at the village scenary. A part of me was ecstatic to see him here with me, to try and live as if the ending we had in Suna never came to be. Yet a stronger part of me screamed to get my head together. That part always leans on the pineapple head man walking in front of me. Shikamaru was a safe choice. He was my definition of comfort. A comfort I wanted to feel secure, but I didn't need. Gaara was adventure and a new beginning. My body was beginning to split in two. One part, I call my inner demon, told me to go for Gaara. Another, the angel, said to leave him be and go for the comfort I have here in Konoha.
A bit my lip in the exhaustion and frustration that was bubbling deep inside. I knew this week was going to be hell, but it has now become a test to myself. I promised myself I wouldn't let Gaara win, that he would feel the same hell I felt after he rejected me. A beautiful and smart kunoichi that every man dreamed of. Every man except for Shikamaru. I was an exact oppostie, as was the sand kunoichi walking next to him.
Temari and I both were two opposite women for Shikamaru. He confided in me once that he wanted a woman who was ordinary and plain with simple beauty. He dreamed of having two kids that he would come home to after an ordinary day of work. I told him to quit dreaming, because dreams don't become reality. He responded by telling me the exact same thing. Yet if I had to chose right now, Temari has found a way under his skin that I have seen no woman crawl under, not even I. Maybe I could be friends with her. She was funny, smart, and beautiful in her own way. But Temari had two things I couldn't have right now. My "boyfriend" and my best friend. How is it that happiness comes to some women but not to others? Am I not allowed to be blessed with happiness and simplicity? Was that a curse after pledging to be a kunoichi, or was it just my terrible luck? Either way, I knew I had to take this week with full seriousness if I was to determine what I wanted and what I needed.
I love Gaara. There was no ending it there. I glanced over at the red headed Kage and his eyes locked on mine. His lips tugged into a small side smile that I couldn't help return. Gaara did hurt me in a way I couldn't imagine. Rejection was cold and harsh. It was something no one can ever feel the same after. No matter what tough man, or independent woman may try and say, rejection will always sting and haunt your mind and heart. I wouldn't give it to him easy. I promised myself that. If he truly wanted me, he would have to learn all fifty shades of me. Just as I have learned his. Yet, I'm not even sure if I have learned everything about this man. There was one statement Shikamaru said that one night that still had me thinking. Gaara was no virgin before me. There was a woman, or maybe few, who took his virginity and taught him what he knew before me. I shouldn't be angry, nor upset. But a part of me had this feeling that his past will return. He always brings up his monstrous past with Shukaku. What if this woman was something he always brings up as well? It was something I needed to find out and probe him for it. Whether I was ready to hear it or not. It was time to learn more about him. I don't know if he had any feelings for me still, or if he was just playing the part of this mission. That is all up to me to decifer.
Yet this mission is difficult with my teammate in front of me. There was no denying the night we shared. Something happened between us. A spark that ignited and has not yet been put out. He had feelings for the older blonde next to him, but what he had for me? I needed to find that out too. It was like I was given the job of a detective. I was going to find all the anwsers I needed. I just had to.
I am so sorry about the wait. School has been very stressful now that it has started and work has been very busy. After a month and a few days, and a long day of revising with a bottle of wine in my hand, I am finally comfortable enough to just post this chapter. Or maybe that's the wine talking? Either way, I am sorry for the wait and I hope you guys enjoyed it. I think I got a little deep in this but oh well. Please let me know what you guys think!
Until next time, loves!