A Sand Shinobi applied pressure to the bloody wound on his thigh while taking cover under the trees. Ino placed her hands directly over the shinobi's wound, applying her medic skills. The rain was pelting down around them and the mud became thicker the longer they remained under the tree. With no relent on the rain, they struggled through the storm and mud. The mission was a success despite their injured comrade.

Ino had hardly spoke to Kankuro during the mission. She would catch him staring at her to only act like he hadn't. Her mind had been elsewhere when she didn't need to focus on the mission at hand. When Shikamaru and Temari came bursting through the doors, she was mortified they caught Kankuro holding her so close. 'It was innocent. He was comforting me. That's all it was.' But why did she feel guilty? Why did Shikamaru seeing them together make her feel like she had been caught cheating? Had they not walked in on them, would have Kankuro kissed her? Ino thought she was just imagining it or putting too much thought in nothing but there was something about that moment that was convincing her he would have. He had looked awed and conflicted. Much like herself. The whole time that they had been partnered, she hadn't never noticed his eyes. Up close, Kankuro's eyes weren't just dark like she had previously assumed but rather a deep forest green. They were pretty and surprising. She wondered how many other people had never took a second to notice.

Ino recalled Shikamaru calling after her but she didn't stop running till she reached her apartment. It was too much to deal with and she had to get away from all of them. In the shower, the water wasn't hot enough, her loofah wasn't abrasive enough. Her mind kept racing back to the feel of Junpei's rough hands on her, his slimy tongue and bad breath. No matter how much she scrubbed, her skin was still crawling. Her ivory skin was raw and red. She could still feel Temari's judgmental glare and Shikamaru's voice ringing in her ears.

The train's horn woke her from her daze. Once again, she caught Kankuro staring at her concerned. The train started to slow down at an alarming rate. The passengers gripped their arm rests.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, we will be making an emergency stop. Please remain calm. Do not be alarmed. Remain seated until we come to a full stop" a stewardess announced overhead.

Ino and Kankuro tried looking out the windows. The rain was making it hard to see outside into the darkness. They were no where near Suna. Once the train stopped, a loud exhausted sigh came from the engines that could be heard in the cabins. An attendant came by their booth, "I apologize. Our engine has an issue and until the storm stops, we can not go any further. You are free to stay aboard the train for the night. We will however have to turn off all power which also means we will not be able to serve any food. There is a small village a few miles away if you seek lodging and amenities. We have contacted an Inn there and they will be bringing a truck to take any passengers there for the night"

The four person squad arrived with other brave travelers to small inn in the tiny village. They had desperately wanted a warm shower and for their injured comrade to rest. Due to the amount of people and so few rooms, Ino and Kankuro were sharing a small room. They had shared a room before and she had with Choji and Shikamaru during missions but she felt nervous to be alone with Kankuro now. The silent exchange between them in the ANBU hall stayed with her.

Ino rubbed the towel through her damp hair; hyper aware of every little movement Kankuro made. His dark blue pajama pants were loose and he wasn't wearing a shirt. She couldn't keep herself from staring at his shirtless torso as he moved about the room. Water beads from his shower made slow trails down his chest. His back was refined and the deep V of his hips had always been major turn-ons for her. Without his purple kabuki paint, Kankuro had a rough around the edge look to him and what girl didn't like the bad boy? It was Ino's preferred taste in men.

They sat in silence for a while on their futons. The soft dim glow of the lantern between them was relaxing and was making her sleepy. Ino took small sips of the hot tea the host had brought them. Leaning back on his hands, Kankuro studied her, "Will you speak to me? I don't like this silent treatment"

Ino nodded, "Mm. I just have a lot on my mind. Its nothing against you." 'Liar, liar!'

"Then talk to me."

His voice had sounded different. Almost desperate. She didn't want to fight with him though. Which was where this conversation would end up like every one they ever had. She didn't have the energy. She felt like she was always having to defend herself with him. After this mission, she was so tired physically. This week she was exhausted mentally and emotionally. She just wanted to rest.

"We're partners, ja? You can trust me" Kankuro reached out and took her hand in his. It was so warm. She wanted to curl into a ball to fit inside his hands and sleep for days. Safe, warm, protected. Despite their fights, it was small moments like this he surprised her with how sweet he could be. Ino let out a heavy sigh. There was something that had been nagging at her. Ino pulled her hand from his, the same hand she wanted shelter in, were the same ones to brutally punish her attacker.

"Did you really break Junpei's hands?"

The apple in his throat dipped. He wasn't expecting that. "I did." he confessed, "I'd do it again. Seeing his hands on you, I fucking lost it. I wanted to kill him but we needed him alive. Does that scare you?"

"No. It doesn't." It didn't scare her per say but knowing Kankuro had broken his hands for touching her made her realize she didn't really know Kankuro. She knew Suna shinobi were ruthless and often called "hardcore." She had to wonder if anyone else in his position would have done the same. Would Shika or Choji? If she hadn't noticed before, the relief on his face was apparent he was worried that she was frightened of him.

"You're not angry at me then?"

"I'm not angry at you for anything. You stopped him and you stayed by me. I'm thankful, Kankuro. I really am. He deserves everything coming to him. I just.. I have a lot on my mind these past couple days. With everything that's happened, with Shika, and then Temari accusing me of using you, I just need to get myself collected"

"Wait.. using me?" Kankuro gave her a genuine confused look.

Did Ino really say that? Ino thought back to what she had said. She was so out of it, she hadn't meant to tell him. "Yeah, when we got back to Suna. She accused me but I think I pissed her off even more though" Ino said dismissively, hoping he'd drop it.

"Ugh. Course she did" Kankuro let out a groan. Temari had been increasingly irritable and this explained why.

"You know, people have always assumed I'm some blonde bimbo and I'm not! Now Temari is probably telling Shika and even Gaara that I'm using you and they'll think its true"

"..But Shikamaru knows you, right? Better than anyone?"

"Yes"

"Then what does it matter what Temari says? He'd know you'd never use me to get back at them. He would shut any rumor down. Gaara doesn't care about drama. He has bigger issues to worry about. I know you're not using me. What is there to prove?"

Ino was at a loss for words. Kankuro was right. Shikamaru should know she would never do that. Even if he had doubts, she knew Shika would come to her directly. At least she thought he would. They had hardly seen each other or had a moment alone without a sand sibling around. 'So much for staying friends.' She wanted to cry again but there were no more tears left. He didn't believe there was something between Kankuro and herself, did he? Ino looked over at Kankuro. The way he had looked at her in the ANBU hall, Shikamaru could very easily believe it.

"Is there anything else bothering you?"

Ino shook her head. Kankuro had sprawled out on his futon, "Then lets go to bed, ja"

The sound of the the thunderstorm raging outside kept waking Ino despite how exhausted she was. Normally it would be soothing to her but it was eerie and ominous in this old Inn. Tree branches too close to the Inn scratched against the windows from the wind. The room was dark, quiet and cold. Kankuro's steady breathing was just a couple feet away but too far to settle her growing unease.

A slow scratching noise woke Ino this time. It sounded like nails dragged against the door of their room. Ino stilled, watching the door, her heart starting to race. A drawn out raspy moan or hiss, she didn't know, was just outside the door. Thunder boomed, scaring Ino. She yelped and crawled to Kankuro's futon, curling into his back under the duvet. She didn't care if Kankuro woke. She hoped he would.

"They'll talk, you know. Trying to seduce me.." his groggy tease earned him a shoulder punch.

"There's something outside the door!"

"It's just the host"

"No it's not! Something is scratching the door! Did you not hear it?"

"Go to sleep."

"I can't! I'm.. I'm scared, Kankuro"

Kankuro groaned, reaching across her for the lantern. His bare chest heavy against her's as he fumbled to turn on the lantern. The soft glow illuminated her features, catching the sleepy puppeteer's breath. His eyes focused on her's. Her blonde hair spread out under her. When Kankuro didn't speak, Ino blushed at their contact. His face was close to her's.

"There's.. someone outside.." Ino said, unsure what to do with him over her.

"Stay here" Kankuro got up, breaking out of the trance he was in. He took a kunai out of his bag. Closing the door behind him, Ino couldn't hear any other noise. He was gone for a few minutes but it seemed like a long time. Ino sat up and sat where he had been sleeping. It was warm.

When the door opened, in ran a black and orange spotted cat. "Found your culprit" Kankuro was smiling as he closed the door.

"I swear I heard something! "

"Everyone's asleep. This guy was clawing at everyone's door. He's probably as scared of the thunder as you are"

Ino picked the cat up and scowled at it.

"Merroww!" the cat purred.

Ino got up and took a sip from her water bottle. Kankuro laid back down on his futon. He pulled back duvet beside him and patted it. "I'll protect you"

Ino nearly spit out her water, "I'm not going to get in your bed with you in it"

"What changed from 10 minutes ago? You were okay with it then. We still have time before morning. I'll talk to you till you fall asleep" Kankuro patted the futon again.

Ino was still uneasy about the noise and the storm. The Inn was old and drafty. Partially why she couldn't sleep was because she had been cold. She could steal his warmth and as long as he behaved, she would probably be able to get an hour or two. She laid beside him. They talked for a while, stories from when they were kids. Ino studied the smoothed finger tips of her puppet master partner, comparing their hands. The cat was fast asleep on Ino's futon, taking comfort in their company.

She decided to change the subject, "Why puppetry?"

This seemed to perk him up from the sleepy daze he had been drifting into, "When I was little, my mother told me she was gonna have another son. I remember crying, fearing she wouldn't love me anymore. She made a promise to take me anywhere and wherever I choose, that would be our place, just for us. We went to a city and there was this old theatre selling tickets to their show. I asked her if we could see it and the whole time, I was absolutely awe-struck at the puppets and how hidden the master's kept to the shadows, controlling them. No one saw them and they could be anyone. We went all the time and after she died, I guess.. it was my way of hanging on to her.." Kankuro grew quiet, his eyes watering slightly. Ino's heart felt for him.

"Your attachment to them doesn't seem so creepy after hearing that."

Kankuro shrugged, "Girls like you don't bother to get to know guys like me."

'Wasn't that the truth..'

"When we headed to Bevia, I said something mean about your puppets.."

"Ah, yeah. That. Growing up, my father was strict. He had a huge weight on him trying to save our village from collapse. It was a lot of pressure on us too. I felt like a failure because I didn't inherit his kekkei genkai. Suna has had the best puppeteers in the ninja world come from our village, you know. When it was time to take my training seriously, I went to Chiyo, hat in hand, begging her to train me. You know what she said? Fucking 'no" he laughed, "I taught myself everything I know. So yeah, I am not just defensive of my puppets. I'm proud. "

"Listen, what I said, it was stupid and I feel-"

"Ino, it's okay. You don't have to say anything. It's under the bridge."

She smiled and wrinkled her nose, "It wasn't the only thing I said that upset you, was it?"

Kankuro seemed to consider what he said next. "The council has been pressuring Gaara and I recently to find wives. It's hard to meet women in the first place when they don't tend to notice you. Women want someone cool, handsome, the elite type. Being Rasa's sons, you'd think women would want to marry into a strong family. But my family's reputation is something we're trying to rebuild after everything that's happened. My father left a lot of damage he doesn't have to clean up"

Family reputation was huge in ninja villages and considering Kankuro's family past, she knew any woman in their right mind would steer clear of dating either Kankuro or Gaara despite how strong they were. She looked at him and she felt guilty. He was good guy at heart and a talented shinobi. Ino knew that had she not been assigned his partner, she would of never got to know him, never got to see a sweeter side of him, never see him for who he really is.

"Gaara has morphed into this caring, strong leader since we were kids. I'm sure all the hard work he's done will pay off. Suna will flourish and he'll find someone who's more than a 'wife'. Just as you will. The puppets aside, I seen your ex. She's pretty. You're attractive so I don't think you have trouble meeting women. You're probably that guy who always chooses the wrong girl he thinks is his "type" and she turned out to be a total witch"

"You think I'm attractive?" Kankuro grinned at her.

Ino rolled her eyes, her cheeks feeling warm, "That's all you heard?"

"What if the right girl is in love with someone else?" Kankuro's weak smile slowly left his lips. He looked down at his large hand still in her smaller, delicate hand.

Ino didn't quite know the answer. Her heart was pounding loudly and the flush to her cheeks was hidden by the soft dim glow of the lantern. Was he hinting at her? "I can't say.."

Kankuro made a frown before nodding.

Ino felt panicked and tried to dismiss whatever he was implying, "I am the worst side of girls wrapped in one. I am selfish, jealous, and quick tempered. Girls like me only see things as "I want" and no other way. You should never bother with girls like me. We don't deserve the good men we get."

"Ah" Kankuro waved his hand dismissively, "It takes a certain man to handle a woman like you. You're a challenge, no doubt. That doesn't mean you deserve a good man too"

"Don't guys like the dainty-fainty, save-me-damsels to boost their egos?" Ino smiled.

"Have you been dating civilians? We're ninjas. Girls like that don't make it in our world. Some guys like the submissive girls but you, you don't back down even when you're wrong"

"When have I been wrong?" Ino exploded.

"Lemme finish!" he laughed, "You always have something to say. And you don't care if you step on people's toes. You're an amazing spy, incredible ninja, a strong-willed.. beautiful.. woman." Kankuro couldn't look her in the eyes at that last part. He knew he was stepping over the line but it was true. She was exotic in this desert. Everything about her had been drawing him in, closer and closer. He tried telling himself she was just a friend but the more they spent time together, the more he wanted to be able to spend time with her without an excuse or mission, to put his arm around her and smell that fruity perfume she liked so much. Just his luck, the one woman he wanted and she was off the table. Kankuro stared down at her parted lips. "But... the good ones are always in love with someone else.." his voice whispered.

A chill ran through Ino's body, her heart felt like it was going to leap from her chest. Many men had said she was beautiful but hearing Kankuro say it, it was different. She caressed the side of his face, "Even if you think the good ones are in love with someone else, there is going to be a one who falls for you. Like the paint you wear, you're so different under it all. Why wouldn't she after seeing the man you are?"

"Don't say things like that." Kankuro's touched her hand, leaning into it. He sounded pained.

"Why not?"

"Its getting hard to hold back" Kankuro pressed his lips against hers. His body had reacted on its own. Too late to take it back. He instantly regretted it, unsure how she'd react. To his surprise, she didn't hit him or push him away. She returned his kiss without hesitation. It was slow and sensual, like he was savoring it. A small moan escaped from her mouth when he bit her bottom lip which delighted him beyond belief. Kankuro got on top of her, sliding between her thighs. His chest was hot and she could feel his heart beating wildly under her palms. This happy, sexual need was fading fast and guilt built in her stomach, conflicting with everything she was wanting in this moment. She didn't want to stop but Temari's words were coming back. The look on Shika's face in the ANBU room. She couldn't do this. Not with him. This was wrong.

"Kankuro?.. I.."

"Mm" he answered, his lips on her neck. She bit her lip, kissing her neck was her weakness. His hand was stroking her upper thigh.

"I'm not that kind of girl." Ino whispered, clenching her fist in the duvet for the will power to stop him from going further. He rested his forehead against her shoulder, absorbing her words before he answered softly, "No, you're not.."

It was clear now, Kankuro felt something more for her and that wasn't fair. Not to him but not to her either. It made her feelings even more complicated and conflicted. He knew how she felt about Shikamaru yet the more time they spent together, the more she was having trouble keeping focus on why she came to Suna. His kiss, hands on her, it felt.. exhilarating. But as much as she enjoyed the moment, this was never supposed to happen. She didn't come to Suna for Kankuro. Ino covered her lips with her hand, out of breath and unsure what to say.

Kankuro sat across from her, out of breath too, unable to look at her, "I'm sorry, Ino. I fucked up"

The train the next morning was a quiet ride.

Author's Note: This chapter -before- was written with Ino losing her apartment keys and having to spend the night in Kankuro's apartment. I kept their original dialogue about his mother and the steamy part but the rest of the chapter was rewritten.