AN: ok. back to the couples as promised. i've split this up because it was a massive chapter, but it really is one long section for both of these chapters. be warned that there is some serious lime work in here. it's also pretty emo, but atleast Ino is trying to think. i think it's obvious how this is going to end up- or is it... Disclaimer still applies.

1707 words in this chapter

Missing in Action

Chapter fourteen- Breakfast part one

Ino watched from the corner of her half closed eye as Shikamaru moved from his position to head towards the kitchen area. Once he was facing away from her, she opened her eyes completely and pulled her nightshirt further up at her leg. This is too easy. She had gone straight to sleep when he left the room last night after she had eaten, not wanting to freak him out too much. He was in the bathroom for a long time and it didn't sound like he was showering so he must have been avoiding her.

He wasn't as uncomfortable as he made out. She was sure that he almost turned when she called to him that last time. She knew that he was taking the bait, if not in his immediate actions, then at least on a psychological level. Once he gets out of that "this is weird" phase, he'll be putty in my hands. She thought it was weird as well, but this was a mission, nothing more, so she brushed passed it. Sure, she'd be lying if she said that she hadn't entertained the thought of going further with Shikamaru, after all he wasn't exactly the lanky boy he used to be and her father was less likely to disapprove like he had with all of her past partners, but team mate relations were too important to her to ruin it all. It would be unfair on Chouji.

He seemed to be more composed now, having had all night to cool off. She would have to be consistent to get past his mission face. Or maybe not… if I let him think I've stopped flirting for a while, maybe he'll think he's safe enough to drop his guard. Not for too long though. Tsunade said she was timing it. Right then. One minute of friendly Ino, long enough for him to stop flinching when I speak. Then it's all hands on deck. If I get worse every time then he might figure out that to tell me what I need to know sooner rather than later would be the only way to stop it.

She pulled the nightshirt back down again to cover her modesty and sat up. "Good morning Shikamaru" she said cheerily, like she usually did when they had missions or when their parents made them stay over at each other's houses. She looked over as he took out some supplies from the cupboards. "Are you cooking breakfast?"

He grunted nervously, as though he was expecting her to say something inappropriate.

"Great. Thanks Shika. I'll be out in a minute." She watched as he looked at her using the reflections on the glass cupboard door and froze in shock. She had dropped the suffix so that he wouldn't feel awkward and spoke as if nothing had happened. She stood out of the bed and set off towards the bathroom, grabbing some things from her bag before going to get dressed.

When she came out, dressed in her usual skimpy outfit, Shikamaru had a pan out on the stove, obviously opting for a more time consuming activity, rather than a quick breakfast. He was probably trying to keep himself distracted, which was much harder for him without his board games or a view of the sky. After much thought, Ino had decide that wearing a less exposing outfit to put him into a state of relaxation would have been a waste of time, as he was used to what she was wearing now. That and it would be much more useful later on.

She put her nightclothes away and sat on the end of the bed, watching him as she decided how to continue.

It was the first time ever she had less ideas on how to be herself then she had to be someone else. Instinct automatically told her to reach for him and run a hand down his back towards his… bad thoughts Ino. Really bad thoughts. What the hell is wrong with me? What would I usually do if I saw him doing this? She drew up a blank. He doesn't ever do this. He is a lazy arse. Think on critical mode. I spent yesterday complementing him, now I've got to reverse it.

She looked him over, looking for some kind of flaw that she could nag him on. Once again though, she couldn't find anything. It completely threw her off. Even his stupid spiky ponytail failed to annoy her like it usually did. Eventually, she decided to pick some random detail and make up a fault.

"You really should change your style you know" She told him in her old, girly voice. "You have worn the exact same thing since you were a chunin."

"Hm" was all he replied with.

"And it looks stupid" she emphasized the "u" sound with a giggle to make it seem childish.

He didn't reply, but looked up at the glass to check her expression. She smiled at him, but not in a sensual way, before turning her head as she fiddled with her hair.

"Do you think my hair is stupid Shikamaru?" she continued on her girly rampage, ignoring him like she usually did "I think it should have been left to dry properly yesterday. It's gone all frizzy." She threw her hands up in exasperation "I have frizzy hair! I have awful, frizzy, hopeless hair and it's all your fault!"

He continued to move the pan around on the stove, not acknowledging her.

"Are you even listening to me Shikamaru?"

"Your hair isn't frizzy Ino" he mumbled, acting himself again finally.

She scowled at him "but it is awful and hopeless?"

He sighed quietly "Troublesome"

She pretended that she didn't hear him. "It doesn't matter anyway. I'm trapped in here and you're not a girl so you won't know the difference." She lightened her expression and walked over to the kitchen area.

She stood behind him for a while, smelling his cooking as she watched him work. Wow! It actually smells good. I can't wait to taste it properly. (AN: The food. Not Shika you pervert)

She put a hand on his shoulder and leaned over him to look closer. Contact with friendly Ino means he might be more comfortable with contact with sexy Ino. "What are you cooking Shika?"

"Breakfast" he grunted sarcastically, but wary in case her hand moved anywhere else.

"Smells good" she commented, accidentally putting more pleasure in her voice then she intended. I guess he looks comfy enough. He's had more than one minute of friendly Ino. Now it's sexy Ino's turn. "You should cook more often Shika-kun."

"It's too troublesome" he returned, acting himself still. He had obviously missed the return of the suffix.

"I would have thought you were too lazy to do chores like this"

He shrugged "cooking is a hobby. I don't mind doing this, but you have to make the bed"

"Oh, I'm not finished with it yet." She smiled and ran her hand from her shoulder to reach down across his chest. He stiffened beneath her touch. She moved around to stand in between him and the counter.

He attempted to step back, but she grabbed hold of his hip with her free hand, blocking his retreat. He glared at her with a sulky expression as he realized the change that had occurred. He gave up trying to resist and let her tug him closer as she continued to feel his chest with slender fingers. He steadied himself with a hand either side of her hips, on the counter behind her.

"It's hot in here" she told him, moving her hand to the buttons on his shirt.

"You are stood right next to the stove." He replied, averting his eyes.

"No Shika-kun, I'm perfectly fine. I like it hot" she purred "I'm just worried about you. All stuffed up in that nasty stupid shirt." She imitated the elongated vowel sound in her earlier comment, but twisted it to make it sound sensual as she began to undo his shirt.

"Stop it Ino" he told her calmly, "The breakfast will burn"

She stopped like he said but only to reach behind her and turned the heat off with a devious smirk. "No it won't"

"Aren't you hungry?" he asked her, his face a picture of confusion. She really did regret that she wouldn't get to taste that amazing-smelling food and obviously, he was just as shocked that she would turn it down.

Her smile fell. Her blue eyes looked up into his dark ones with a serious, smoldering gaze, showing that she really meant it. "Oh, I'm hungry." To her surprise, she felt her heart leapt as she gripped the front of his shirt and pulled him closer. She didn't give him enough time to react before she caught his lips with her own.

She pushed him across the kitchen with staggered steps as she passionately trapped him in her grip. They landed against the bed in seconds and she climbed on top of him, continuing to play with his lips.

His eyes filled with panic as he tried to push her off, only to have his hand pinned to the bed as she moved her kisses to a more tender pace. He is helpless. There's no way he can resist this. There's no way I can let him resist this. I can't help it now. She suddenly felt him relax beneath her.

"Ino…" he called out between kisses, trying not to get her to stop but hoping for her attention.

Her eyes flicked up to his, understanding the genuine tone in his voice. It melted her completely. He seemed hurt. It was like he had something he wanted to tell her, but he couldn't get it out. She let go of him and collapsed against his chest, arms still around him but keeping her lips properly away. "I will have you" she whispered, talking in a bizarre cross between sexy Ino and friendly Ino. She looked up at him, expecting him to look freaked out and jumpy.

Instead, she found him gazing at her with an expression that seemed to say I know. He looked resigned. "Can I finish cooking now?"