A/N: OMG! What's ShikaIno doing in here?! I couldn't wait to write this
chapter (believe it or not this was my first idea for the story), I hope
you like it too. Grand plots seem silly, given that the main reason for
fanfic is to write about our fav couples!
[Disclaimer: Alas, Naruto will never be mine]
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Chapter 10 - Warm Water.
It was one of those golden, peaceful moments. Shikamaru soaked lazily in his bathtub enjoying the luxury of the quiet. The steaming hot water had done its job well and the pain from his healing bruised ribs had faded from wincing to hardly noticeable. Laying back into the water he submerged himself past even his ears till nothing but his face broke the surface. He could almost float without touching the sides or bottom.
"Getting this bigger tub was one of Ino's of the best ideas ever, " he thought contentedly.
Sure, there were a couple minor little problems. The bathroom door could only open inward about fifteen inches before smacking in the tub's corner, and so what if he now had to stand in the tub to use the sink. It was all good. Heck, Choji didn't even need to be reminded to go before he stopped over anymore and as long as he and Ino stayed skinny they were completely safe.
He zoned for a bit before the things that had been bothering him gnawed to the surface. The last mission was by definition a success. They had scouted the ruins, turned back the enemy and finally returned with an artifact that the Hokage had said was immensely dangerous and powerful in the wrong hands, yet everything felt wrong.
"What resemblance did he mean?" Shikamaru said to the ceiling. He seriously hoped for a response.
Kabuto obviously meant that Sasuke resembled someone, but whom? Certainly not his older brother. He could clearly remember the day it was announced Uchiha Itachi was dead. The Hokage had hand chosen a team of four people to capture the S-class criminal.
She had unexpectedly elected to go herself and days later returned with a badly injured and unconscious Naruto. Immediately assembling the team captains she told them that Jiraiya had gone back to Myouboku after the battle. With a pained expression she then asked for volunteers to gather the body of their final team member who'd fallen in battle.
Shikamaru still remembered how calm Rock Lee had been when he asked to be sent along. After all, Maito Gai had been his sensei and role model. Kakashi had also been vehement that he go pick up the remains as well.
Everyone had been shaken by the news. Gai was so strong, a pillar among the Jounin. Even though he was a little peculiar it didn't matter because he was one of those people who made you feel safe just by being there.
The Hokage had said that Itachi's body was destroyed when he was killed She hinted at some vast super jutsu of destruction and no one had questioned it. Well, Kakashi had, but Tsunade shut him up pretty quick about it. Naruto had said he couldn't remember a thing when he woke up either.
"So either Sasuke's got another brother or... " Shikamaru didn't like this line of thought at all. He wasn't even sure what it would mean for the village.
He sat up and pulled his knees towards his chest just as the door to his bathroom pushed open. Shikamaru caught the scent of a familiar lavender perfume as Ino squeezed around the door to plop inelegantly down on his toilet cover.
"Woo, good landing!" she said laughing at herself. As he turned his head to look at her she planted a kiss lightly on his cheek. "Hey sweetie! what's up?" she asked.
Shikamaru felt a weight lift from his shoulders, every time he was gone on a long mission returning to Ino was like seeing her again for the first time.
"Nothing, much just the same long pointless missions," he said dismissively. Bringing up his theory that the Hokage had been lying to the village for the past three years was not someplace he wanted to go right now. "How was the field trip?" he asked.
Ino grabbed the soap from the dish and started to wash his back.
"Oh, it was fun," she said. "We went out to the pond with that great little waterfall just behind the Hokage mountain. Iruka sent us out to do some underwater concealment, which a lot of the younger ones have problems."
He nodded. A ninja should always avoid using jutsu for concealment if possible. Spending chakra unnecessarily could jeopardize one's ability to complete a mission. It was important that shinobi children pick up those skills as early as possible.
She grabbed a rag from the tubside. "I was worried about how to manage it all until Iruka-sensei said Sasuke could come to."
Shikamaru who had been resting his chin comfortable on his knees reacted to that statement. He half-twisted around to look at her, his bare skin squeaking against the wet porcelain.
"Sasuke went too?!" he said, suddenly alarmed and half-angry.
Ino gave him a level look. "Yes, jealous-boy, Sasuke went too. He can hold his breath longer than I can and they listen better when he teaches."
She continued to rinse his back while talking. "I thought it odd too, but Iruka-sensei said he okayed with Tsunade and kids loved it. Sasuke didn't seem phased by it either.
She was silent for a moment
Of course, "she continued, "I've come to expect these little surprises with Tsunade and it explains this. . ."
"Oww! Ino!"
Shikamaru almost levitated out of the tub as pain shot through him. Ino had poked him on the side where his bruises were.
He turned to say more when he caught the menace in her expression.
"Honestly," Ino said to him, near smoldering, "how big of an idiot does the woman think I am?!"
Shikamaru tried to calm her down. "She just doesn't want you to worry...," he began, before starting to cringe at the sight of her.
He had this bad habit of saying the wrong thing.
"If I have only one right as a woman in this damn village, Shikamaru," she said heatedly," it's the right to worry about the ninja I'm in love with." Ino slapped the rag down on the side of the tub and reached for the shampoo.
Shikamaru felt the color rising in his face as he turned back around meekly to let her wash his hair. Her fingers were far from gentle as she dug into his head, but he was too afraid to tell her.
"The bald patches will grow back," he tried to assure himself. "Mom always swore my hair grew like a weed."
After a while Ino had taken out most of her frustration on Shikamaru's poor scalp. She started to feel bad. Ino was never able to stay angry with him. It was key factor in the successs of their relationship she surmised. Maybe for all couples.
"You complain and complain about her," she started ending their forced silence, "but did you ever notice the moment when I say something about Tsunade you turn around and begin to defend her?"
"Now that you mention it I do, but I'm kind of dumb, so I always say the wrong things," he said playfully.
Ino tilted his head back and placed a kiss on his forehead. "I know. It's a sad. I'm so shallow that I only go after the guys with looks not brains, " she teased back while getting up to leave. "Rinse and get out of there. It's starting to get cold."
Shikamaru slid back into the water and washed the shampoo out.. He was so glad she was finally here. Here with him. He didn't want to think about anything else for tonight at least. Tomorrow with its intrigue and unpleasantness would come all too soon anyway.
He floated again for a brief moment to cleanse his mind before sitting up. "The water really is starting to lose its heat," he thought.
Hearing the door shut again, he assumed she had come back in.
"Hey Ino hand me... Ino?!"
Shikamaru had caught glimpse of her that sent him spinning around to the other end of tub. Ino stood there before him in all her glory, not a a stitch of clothing to be found.
She smiled at him seductively while her fingers combed through her loose, flowing blonde hair. Pulling a strand of it over her shoulder, she let it trail lazily down between her perfect round...
Shikamaru was not finding a problem with the water temperature at this point. It also occurred to him his mouth was open.
Ino took a step slowly into the tub.
"I like you like this, "she purred, "with you hair down. . . acting all coy... like a trapped deer..." creeping up to him, she let her lips brush lightly against his. "it makes me feel all... predatory."
She kissed him fully this time and soon Shikamaru's mouth met hers eagerly. Ino let out a small squeal of delight as he took her in his arms.
Only a soft splash and the occasional moan came out of bathroom. After a hard mission the least she thought she could do was help keep her boyfriend's bath warm.
TO BE CONTINUED
[Disclaimer: Alas, Naruto will never be mine]
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Chapter 10 - Warm Water.
It was one of those golden, peaceful moments. Shikamaru soaked lazily in his bathtub enjoying the luxury of the quiet. The steaming hot water had done its job well and the pain from his healing bruised ribs had faded from wincing to hardly noticeable. Laying back into the water he submerged himself past even his ears till nothing but his face broke the surface. He could almost float without touching the sides or bottom.
"Getting this bigger tub was one of Ino's of the best ideas ever, " he thought contentedly.
Sure, there were a couple minor little problems. The bathroom door could only open inward about fifteen inches before smacking in the tub's corner, and so what if he now had to stand in the tub to use the sink. It was all good. Heck, Choji didn't even need to be reminded to go before he stopped over anymore and as long as he and Ino stayed skinny they were completely safe.
He zoned for a bit before the things that had been bothering him gnawed to the surface. The last mission was by definition a success. They had scouted the ruins, turned back the enemy and finally returned with an artifact that the Hokage had said was immensely dangerous and powerful in the wrong hands, yet everything felt wrong.
"What resemblance did he mean?" Shikamaru said to the ceiling. He seriously hoped for a response.
Kabuto obviously meant that Sasuke resembled someone, but whom? Certainly not his older brother. He could clearly remember the day it was announced Uchiha Itachi was dead. The Hokage had hand chosen a team of four people to capture the S-class criminal.
She had unexpectedly elected to go herself and days later returned with a badly injured and unconscious Naruto. Immediately assembling the team captains she told them that Jiraiya had gone back to Myouboku after the battle. With a pained expression she then asked for volunteers to gather the body of their final team member who'd fallen in battle.
Shikamaru still remembered how calm Rock Lee had been when he asked to be sent along. After all, Maito Gai had been his sensei and role model. Kakashi had also been vehement that he go pick up the remains as well.
Everyone had been shaken by the news. Gai was so strong, a pillar among the Jounin. Even though he was a little peculiar it didn't matter because he was one of those people who made you feel safe just by being there.
The Hokage had said that Itachi's body was destroyed when he was killed She hinted at some vast super jutsu of destruction and no one had questioned it. Well, Kakashi had, but Tsunade shut him up pretty quick about it. Naruto had said he couldn't remember a thing when he woke up either.
"So either Sasuke's got another brother or... " Shikamaru didn't like this line of thought at all. He wasn't even sure what it would mean for the village.
He sat up and pulled his knees towards his chest just as the door to his bathroom pushed open. Shikamaru caught the scent of a familiar lavender perfume as Ino squeezed around the door to plop inelegantly down on his toilet cover.
"Woo, good landing!" she said laughing at herself. As he turned his head to look at her she planted a kiss lightly on his cheek. "Hey sweetie! what's up?" she asked.
Shikamaru felt a weight lift from his shoulders, every time he was gone on a long mission returning to Ino was like seeing her again for the first time.
"Nothing, much just the same long pointless missions," he said dismissively. Bringing up his theory that the Hokage had been lying to the village for the past three years was not someplace he wanted to go right now. "How was the field trip?" he asked.
Ino grabbed the soap from the dish and started to wash his back.
"Oh, it was fun," she said. "We went out to the pond with that great little waterfall just behind the Hokage mountain. Iruka sent us out to do some underwater concealment, which a lot of the younger ones have problems."
He nodded. A ninja should always avoid using jutsu for concealment if possible. Spending chakra unnecessarily could jeopardize one's ability to complete a mission. It was important that shinobi children pick up those skills as early as possible.
She grabbed a rag from the tubside. "I was worried about how to manage it all until Iruka-sensei said Sasuke could come to."
Shikamaru who had been resting his chin comfortable on his knees reacted to that statement. He half-twisted around to look at her, his bare skin squeaking against the wet porcelain.
"Sasuke went too?!" he said, suddenly alarmed and half-angry.
Ino gave him a level look. "Yes, jealous-boy, Sasuke went too. He can hold his breath longer than I can and they listen better when he teaches."
She continued to rinse his back while talking. "I thought it odd too, but Iruka-sensei said he okayed with Tsunade and kids loved it. Sasuke didn't seem phased by it either.
She was silent for a moment
Of course, "she continued, "I've come to expect these little surprises with Tsunade and it explains this. . ."
"Oww! Ino!"
Shikamaru almost levitated out of the tub as pain shot through him. Ino had poked him on the side where his bruises were.
He turned to say more when he caught the menace in her expression.
"Honestly," Ino said to him, near smoldering, "how big of an idiot does the woman think I am?!"
Shikamaru tried to calm her down. "She just doesn't want you to worry...," he began, before starting to cringe at the sight of her.
He had this bad habit of saying the wrong thing.
"If I have only one right as a woman in this damn village, Shikamaru," she said heatedly," it's the right to worry about the ninja I'm in love with." Ino slapped the rag down on the side of the tub and reached for the shampoo.
Shikamaru felt the color rising in his face as he turned back around meekly to let her wash his hair. Her fingers were far from gentle as she dug into his head, but he was too afraid to tell her.
"The bald patches will grow back," he tried to assure himself. "Mom always swore my hair grew like a weed."
After a while Ino had taken out most of her frustration on Shikamaru's poor scalp. She started to feel bad. Ino was never able to stay angry with him. It was key factor in the successs of their relationship she surmised. Maybe for all couples.
"You complain and complain about her," she started ending their forced silence, "but did you ever notice the moment when I say something about Tsunade you turn around and begin to defend her?"
"Now that you mention it I do, but I'm kind of dumb, so I always say the wrong things," he said playfully.
Ino tilted his head back and placed a kiss on his forehead. "I know. It's a sad. I'm so shallow that I only go after the guys with looks not brains, " she teased back while getting up to leave. "Rinse and get out of there. It's starting to get cold."
Shikamaru slid back into the water and washed the shampoo out.. He was so glad she was finally here. Here with him. He didn't want to think about anything else for tonight at least. Tomorrow with its intrigue and unpleasantness would come all too soon anyway.
He floated again for a brief moment to cleanse his mind before sitting up. "The water really is starting to lose its heat," he thought.
Hearing the door shut again, he assumed she had come back in.
"Hey Ino hand me... Ino?!"
Shikamaru had caught glimpse of her that sent him spinning around to the other end of tub. Ino stood there before him in all her glory, not a a stitch of clothing to be found.
She smiled at him seductively while her fingers combed through her loose, flowing blonde hair. Pulling a strand of it over her shoulder, she let it trail lazily down between her perfect round...
Shikamaru was not finding a problem with the water temperature at this point. It also occurred to him his mouth was open.
Ino took a step slowly into the tub.
"I like you like this, "she purred, "with you hair down. . . acting all coy... like a trapped deer..." creeping up to him, she let her lips brush lightly against his. "it makes me feel all... predatory."
She kissed him fully this time and soon Shikamaru's mouth met hers eagerly. Ino let out a small squeal of delight as he took her in his arms.
Only a soft splash and the occasional moan came out of bathroom. After a hard mission the least she thought she could do was help keep her boyfriend's bath warm.
TO BE CONTINUED