"Ino, please get up." A smooth, familiar voice called to me.
I leaned over and peered one eye open. I caught a glimpse of smooth black hair and onyx eyes. I blinked quickly and sat up. The covers dropping down my body. I shivered as goose bumps took over my bare flesh.
"You troublesome woman. It takes you forever to get up." He gently whispered with a small smile on his lips.
"Good morning," I mumbled while stretching into a yawn.
"Good morning," He responded before taking my outstretched hand and kissing it gently.
"How are you awake before me? You're usually the last one of us to wake," My voice called out accusingly. It interrupted the silence. I twitched a single eye at the harshness of my voice. I sounded like a bitch.
"Let's not be so harsh this morning, woman." He spoke in a normal level but there was still a gentle tone to it. "We had a great night, and I want to have a great morning with you."
"Okay," I slowly agreed.
"Now then," He smiled and took his thumb and forefinger under my chin. He pulled me into a gentle kiss.
My heart sunk and fluttered at the same time. I pulled back with a giant smile with my eyes closed.
"Shikamaru, that was wonderful." I swooned. Enjoying the moment.
"Shikamaru?" He responded back with a husky, harsh voice.
My heart sunk and hit my stomach. My eyes opened quickly and I was staring into jade orbs, and fierce red hair.
"Is that what you dream about when you sleep beside me?" He muttered accusingly. "You dream of other lovers when you're lying next to your sleeping husband?"
"Gaara?" I muttered in shock.
"Ino."
"Gaara, I'm sorry." I cried.
"Ino, wake up."
"What?" I called and my eyes flew open.
Green. I was surrounded by green grass and green trees. Yet red hair, brown hair, and blonde all disrupted my view of the sky.
"What?" I muttered again trying to grasp reality from my… dream or nightmare.
"We had fallen asleep." A tired voice responded.
I looked to my right, and Shikamaru yawned. He swiftly rose up to his feet and rolled his head back then forward.
"Sorry." He mumbled. "It's hard not to take a nap in this weather."
"It's cool." Kankuro replied back. "Choji was there for us and he brought us here when you guys didn't show up."
I listened to them talk but I stared up at one person. Gaara was watching Kankuro speak and gave me a quick glance with his eyes. Not even bothering to turn his head towards me. That look though. It gave me uneasy chills.
I gulped before closing my eyes and exhaling a small breath. Calm down, Ino. Don't lose your bad-ass Barbie behavior. I got up quickly and gracefully. My hair flew up smoothly and settled down sensually slow. I raised my arms up and adjusted my ponytail. I smiled to myself. How is it that even when I sleep on the floor, my hair still manages to be-
"Perfect." I smiled.
"I beg your pardon?" Temari questioned and I looked back at her and gave her an upsettingly sweet smile.
"Perfect timing. Now that we are all together, let's grab some lunch?" I looked towards everyone with that perfect smile. Making sure to hold it longer for Gaara and Shikamaru. "I'm pretty hungry and I'm sure you guys are hungry after the long meeting."
"That sounds like a fantastic idea, Ino!" Choji exclaimed excitingly. He glanced towards Shikamaru with a giant smile and he raised an eyebrow.
"Very well." Gaara responded. "We have some things to discuss about the mission. That would be a good place to do so."
"Great!" I exclaimed taking Gaara's arm with my hands. I tossed my hair over my shoulder abruptly hitting Kankuro in the face with my ponytail.
"Pft." He blew a raspberry trying to get my hair out of his mouth. But there was nothing. My hair flows perfectly as a whole, not in strands.
Everyone stiffly agreed, and I pulled Gaara eagerly towards our destination. We walked in front of the rest of the group. I could hear their low mumbled and louder conversations. Kankuro and Choji were having a conversation on the differences between the foods in their countries. Shikamaru listened silently as Temari spoke in a softer voice. Her voice wasn't harsh so I knew what they were talking about was something personal between them. I peered over my right shoulder back at the two of them. Temari wore a soft face. Her eyebrows were relaxed, and her eyes seemed almost sad. Her skin was glowing with her beautiful tan. Her lips moved softly as she spoke. I had to admit, Temari was fucking beautiful. Shikamaru was looking up at the sky, while walking with his hands behind his neck. She said something, and it caused him to look towards her. His facial expression wasn't neutral, or bored like usual. It was soft and caring.
I sighed and looked back towards the front. I looked to my left towards Gaara. Usually, I walk with people to my right. My bangs covered my face and I didn't have to worry about them seeing my eyes. They only get a glimpse of the smile I give. I didn't have to worry about hiding my emotions. Gaara was different though. He preferred to see my face so I accommodated to him. It was definitely harder to keep emotion from showing. But I'm a queen at hiding the wrong emotions.
"What's troubling you?" Gaara asked. His voice was neutral as always. I guess I slipped.
"Nothing. I was just observing." I smiled at him, but he wasn't looking at me. I smiled to myself. At least some of us never change.
Never change. I dropped my smile as that thought crossed my mind. He probably hasn't changed. I instinctively pulled myself closer to his arm and squeezed it. I looked up at him and he looked down at me. I gave him a smile and he only looked ahead.
"Had a good nap?" He questioned.
"Yeah," I gave a small smile. "It helped time fly by. One moment I'm gossiping to Choji, next I'm talking with Shikamaru and then he snoozed off like always and I guess everything was really quiet and I dozed off."
"Mmm," He acknowledged, but I knew he was still pissed off about it.
"How was the meeting?" I asked gently.
It suddenly hit me. This is the Kazekage. I need to have some type of elegance about me. This affects him overall.
"A lot of information. We will discuss it over lunch." He muttered and I frowned at him.
"Can't you tell me before the others?" I playfully smiled while poking him lightly in the cheek.
"So I don't have to repeat myself." He sternly answered back. I smiled at him and leaned my head against his arm.
"Come on. I am your girlfriend. Can't I know first?" I asked again with a giant smile and he looked over at me. He looked back ahead. His face as neutral as ever. But I knew deep down, he had that "oh shit, she's right" moment.
"Fine… Our time here was extended. The medics from Snow Country are three days behind. We cannot get started on the training until everyone has arrived-"
"So how long does that keep you guys here?" I interrupted him.
"About a week longer." He replied and my eyes widened.
"What does that do to the mission?" I asked him quietly.
"It extends as well. Pay rate is the same. There is a new scroll to be given to you with the information this evening at Lady Hokage's office." He stated.
"This evening?" I furrowed my brow.
"Yes, we will be going there for the scrolls about your guide mission. As well, the Suna medics are arriving so I must be there to see them arrive."
"That one person who is supposed to watch us is going to be there too, right?"
"Yes." He finally looked down at me and I nodded.
We grew silent and I looked ahead as well.
"Thank you." I muttered and looked up at him to give him a sincere smile.
"For what?" He asked while looking down at me. General confusion on his face.
"For telling me first." I chirped before looking forward. "We're here!"
"Ramen!" Choji exclaimed before charging into the restaurant.
I smiled at Choji's behavior and turned towards the rest of the group.
"Well then! Let's eat up!" I smiled as I took ahold of Gaara's arm and gently pulled him into the restaurant.
"Choji! What's up?" A familiar voice called and my smile widened. I sneaked a glance towards Gaara and saw a small smile take form on his lips.
"Naruto! Just grabbing some grub with the group." He smiled while taking a seat next to him.
"The group?" He turned around to look at us. "Shikamaru! Ino! GAARA!" Naruto exclaimed when he saw him.
"Naruto." Gaara smiled back. "How are you, friend?"
"Better now! Came to grab some ramen?" Naruto jumped off his stool to greet Gaara.
"Seems like we aren't important." Temari muttered with a smile and Naruto looked over with a "huh".
"Oh! Hey guys! I didn't see you there. How's it going… uh?" Naruto scratched his head as he tried to remember her name. I couldn't help but give a small laugh.
"You still don't remember my name!" She muttered angrily.
"Temari? Right?" He muttered and she looked away angrily while crossing her arms. "Oh, hey Kankuro!"
"Naruto. What's up, bud?" Kankuro replied with a small hand gesture of acknowledgment.
"Just eating some ramen, what are you guys up to?" Naruto asked while taking his seat. The rest of us took our seats with him, filling the entire bar. Gaara sat next to Naruto and I sat to his right. Choji took the other Naruto's left, and Kankuro to Choji's left. Leaving Shikamaru to my right, with Temari following.
"Grabbing some grub before we head to Lady Hokage's office." Choji answered before turning toward's the owner of the restaurant.
"Ah, a full bar!" He smiled before turning around and turning to the back. Probably to start up some food. He came back with waters for everyone, before going back.
"Gaara! Long time no see, what are you here for?" Naruto turned to him with a smile and believe it or not, I felt Gaara relax next to me. The most relaxed he's been here since he arrived. Huh.
"We are here to oversee the medical procedures being introduced to our medics. We had neglected the medical system for a while now, and finally we are seeing progress into advancing our techniques and equipment." Gaara responded with a small tone to his voice I haven't heard in a long time. It was comfort. It was also the longest sentence he has spoken too.
"Oh yeah! I remember Sakura was supposed to go on that mission to your town, but was caught up over here. Who went instead?" Naruto asked and I rolled my eyes.
"Ino did." Choji smiled. "We were her guards but that didn't turn out so well."
"Oh, Ino did?" Naruto looked over at me and raised a curious eye brow. "How was it, Ino?"
"It was hot. I hate being sweaty." I responded with a toss of my ponytail.
"Ah," Naruto nodded then whispered something into Gaara's ear. I squinted my eyes at him while pretending not to care. I took a sip of water while keeping my ears open for any hint of his whisper.
Gaara had a small smile on his lips and exhaled what seemed to be a small laugh. What did he say?
"Not at all. In fact," Gaara responded and suddenly his hand came over mine on the counter top and he gave it a squeeze causing everyone's attention on us, "I'm glad she came and not Haruno-san."
The look on Naruto's face. Priceless. First confusion, shock, anger, then a sneaky grin took over his face with squinted eyes and a wide, somehow creepy smile.
"Oh! You two are fucking now?"
A choke came from my right and I looked over to see Shikamaru coughing. Temari looked at him with an irritated frown. I looked towards Gaara and all I could see was the back of his head. He shook his head with a no, but Naruto nodded his head in what seemed to be understanding. What was Gaara's facial expression?
"No, Naruto. She's my girlfriend." He responded and Naruto raised his eyebrows with more shock.
"What?! You have a girlfriend now. Ino, when did this happen?" He looked towards me and I shrugged my shoulders. Time for the story in your way. I smiled to myself.
"Well back in Suna, Gaara and I started to spend a lot of time together after everything that happened. I grew used to his presence, and I guess he just couldn't get enough of me." I gave him a smile and he just stared at me. I took that to continue.
"We did leave off on a small bad note, due to a misunderstanding, but after being assigned as a guide/guard to him, we got to see each other again. Our feelings for each other didn't change, and he surprised me with this beautiful necklace!" I exclaimed with a giant smile while showing Naruto the simple, yet lovely silver necklace with the kanji. "Then he asked me if I would be his girlfriend and this was a token to show that I was his. I said yes, and now here we are." I squeezed Gaara's arm with a large smile and Naruto nodded in what seemed like confusion.
"Ya know Gaara, I wouldn't take you for being into a girl like Ino." He responded and I felt a vein pop.
"What do you mean a girl like Ino?" I hissed and Naruto recoiled back.
"I, uh, mean like someone with a strong personality. Gaara has always been more quiet and I didn't expect him to fall for someone,"
"Annoying?" Kankuro added. I glared towards him.
"Stubborn," Temari whispered and I looked towards her direction.
"Loud," Shikamaru muttered and I pinched his arm.
"Uh…" Naruto froze as he tried to think of a word and I closed my eyes trying to contain the anger I felt towards everyone.
"Sometimes someone who doesn't necessarily show off a lot of emotion, is drawn to someone who does so easily. I think that's why Gaara was drawn to Ino. And vice versa." Choji added in and a soft smile took over my face. Choji is the fucking greatest guy ever.
"Sure, what he said." Naruto said, but had a small smile on his face. "He looked over at the clock and his eyes widened. "Oh shit! I gotta get going."
He slurped down the last of his ramen quickly and wiped his mouth with his sleeve before looking towards the rest of us.
"Gaara, we need to hang out before you leave! Guys it was great seeing you, hopefully we'll run into each other again!" He smiled and the rest of us smiled back.
"We will, Naruto." Gaara responded and Naruto took off.
Needless to say, the rest of our lunch was quiet as we ate our ramen in peace. I was still pissed about their earlier comments. But it hit me, Gaara so easily stated our relationship that it's damn official. Well "official" and now with Naruto's big mouth, everyone will know. We are together and man, how is this going to play off?