AN: anti-climax I know, but I have to save the best stuff for later. I won't say much because I'm sure you are dying to find out what happens next and you probably won't even bother reading my author notes. Disclaimers still apply.

961 words in this chapter.

Missing in Action

Chapter fifteen- Breakfast part two

She found herself letting go and rolling off, watching as he got up and turned the stove back on. She leaned up on one arm and unconsciously her finger went up to her lips, tracing where his touch had been. It was so soft. It's almost a shame that was our first kiss…. that I had to force him. Was that what upset him? He wasn't resisting too much, maybe he just wanted it to mean more… could it be? Could Shikamaru really like me that way? She looked up at him to find him looking back at her.

His expression was clouded, almost apologetic, and then embarrassed to be caught staring. He quickly returned to his cooking, shoulders slumped more than usual. He wasn't upset, he was ashamed. What can I do next? I have to put him at ease. I don't know why but this is obviously something that puts shame on him somehow. I don't understand it. I'm the one that's being shameful. He hasn't done anything wrong. It's only a mission. It's not like anyone's watching.

He finished cooking the food and served it up on two plates. He then sat down at the table and bowed his head, speaking in a low voice. "Help yourself"

The temptation for Ino to comfort him was unbearable, but she had to stay in character. No turning back now. She went over and sat down next to him, choosing not to fetch her own plate but to focus on his. She ran a hand along his thigh lightly under the table. "I will"

He went to pick up his chopsticks so that he could eat the food, knocking her hand off with his other hand. She stopped him by grabbing the hand before it reached the wooden objects and entwining his fingers with her own. "Let me" she offered in her sensual voice, picking up the chopsticks in her other hand and using them to receive some of the food before holding them up to Shikamaru's mouth.

"Ino." He moaned "You are not going to feed me"

"But you know it smells good. You like it really" she pouted and it worked exactly the way she wanted.

He opened his mouth to allow entrance and she slipped the food inside, leaving the chopsticks to lean slightly on his lips before withdrawing them. She hoped that this would remind him of the kiss and that the more he allowed her to kiss him with the chopsticks, the more comfortable he would feel when she kissed him for real.

He looked up into her eyes again and she realized that she had paused, preventing him from eating any more. Once again she fed him with the chopsticks, this time with them both turned in their seats to face each other. She stared at him, observing every little flash of longing he showed when the chopsticks left his lips.

When the plate was empty, he looked down at the abandoned chopsticks with an even longer period of longing.

"That's it." Ino noted. "It wasn't that bad was it?"

He looked up at her with a soft expression. "No… it wasn't"

He's talking about something else. Go on Ino. That's practically an open invitation. She leant forward and kissed him again, with the same pressure as she had put on him with the chopsticks, then sat back and gazed at him dreamily. Yes! The longing look was still there.

She gripped his hand tighter and stared into his eyes again. "Rock-hard sexy and a god of a kisser" she commented with a sigh. What's one little lie in a mix of one big act? He's yet to return any kisses.

Suddenly he got up, throwing off her hand as he headed towards the bed. Is he? No. It can't be… is he giving in? Should I follow him? No. Give him a sultry stare, that'll work. Oh dear Kami, I'm gonna have sex with…

She didn't get passed that thought though, as Shikamaru simply walked to the wall behind the bed and knocked on it hastily and loudly. He then stormed out into the bathroom and locked the door without another look at her.

She sat there staring with her mouth open. What the hell Shikamaru?

"What the hell Shikamaru?!" Genma complained as they all watched in horror.

"Don't take this the wrong way Inoichi, but your daughter is a bit of a minx" Anko grinned.

"Hai." Genma agreed "and hot too! Though I could have told you that."

"That's not my daughter." He told them quietly, and then smirked "That's her mother."

"How can he just put her down like that? She was ready to jump his bones right then" Genma shook his head, looking disappointed.

"She even lied to him" Kurenai sighed.

"Huh?" The men all turned to her, confused.

"Rock-hard sexy and a God of a kisser? Come on."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Shikaku glared at her.

"Well I can't exactly account for the sexy thing, she may have strange taste in men, but face it Shikaku your son is shit at kissing."

"Hmm, I must admit that I thought I taught him better than that"

Tsunade just laughed at them "You just wait till Phase two. It's gonna get X-rated in there."

"If it does…" Inoichi sighed "when it does… the monitor goes off. Is that understood?" here he shot a glance in Genma's direction, who had a disappointed look on his face.

"Don't worry, we'll respect her modesty" Tsunade assured him.

"Well that was one interesting display" Anko interrupted and turned to face Tsunade "Has Kakashi gone too?"

They quickly went to the other feed. "No." Tsunade answered her with a bigger grin "He's got his hands full"

AN: Duh! Duh! Duh! What are Sakura and Kakashi doing? I'm going to be really evil here and leave it to your imagination for a while. I probably won't finish it tonight but I will give it a good try. No reviews yet. Sob. There are actually One shots which have more than me. One shots that are appearing on the just in page. I hope that's not any reflection on my writing skills. Hopefully you are all just two busy reading it to review it?