Chapter 4: Unlikely Pair
When Inoichi arrived home that night, he was very curious as to why there was a large dent in his door. Ino, already knowing about the door abuse, told her father she didn't know the cause of it, but just happened to mention a disgruntled customer that received white carnations instead of red roses.
"So you're telling me," Inoichi looked his daughter square in the eye, "that someone stuck a kunai in our door, because of a delivery mix-up?"
"It seems like the only logical thing." Ino convincingly stated, "The meaning of white carnations is death, so when they gave them to their loved one, I'm sure the other person knew that and they got mad because they didn't get red roses. So, they blamed us and acted out on it."
"By sticking a kunai in our door?" Obviously, this was a bit far fetched.
Time for Plan B.
"Dad, I almost forgot to tell you…I quit my training for being a medical nin today."
Not exactly something to be proud of, but if it distracted him…
"What? Why would you do that, knowing medical jutsu is very beneficial in the battlefield? I thought you of all people you would know that…"
And as a Yamanaka, one trick quickly learned was the art of escaping one's mind. Shikamaru's lectures were nothing compared to her father's, but she did pick up that useful habit from Shikamaru. Zone out, nod at appropriate times, and say sorry if caught not paying attention. Of course, Ino put her own spin to it and actually appeared interested about what the other person was saying. Kami forbid that her father said the 'A' word and use it as a point.
"…Asuma would have wanted you to advance yourself in medical ninjutsu to prevent situations like his in a fight…"
Ino sighed and respectively nodded, saying that even though she couldn't have saved him, she had learned an ample amount of medical ninjutsu to help her comrades, if she was needed.
She couldn't tell him about Morino-san, not yet. And as for an explanation…
"Dad, I feel that if I'm going to improve myself at all, I need to do something that focuses on my skills."
"Fine, but why would you quit your medical ninjutsu training. Yamanakas…"
Never quit. As a result of that, Inoichi would not quit chiding Ino on quitting the medical training.
"Also, you had a great opportunity, Ino…"
So, she had resigned from working almost directing under the Hokage. She could've made a new jutsu without her father's permission. She may have also, possibly, been considering becoming an ANBU's apprentice, behind her father's back. She could've also neglected to tell him that the dent mark on the door was produced by said ANBU Black Ops Leader…and that she had bothered Shikamaru again at his desk while he was 'working', because Shikamaru complained to Shikato, Shikato chatted with Inoichi, and Inoichi, briefly, scolded Ino. This was the sad reality of the Ino-Shika-Cho team.
"Do you have anything to say for yourself?" Inoichi crossed his arms.
Such a loaded trick question. Was he referring to Ino quitting training, or Ino doing things without his knowledge, and planning to for a while.
"Yes. I'm sorry I resigned."
And she was, but not because of the 'Yamanakas never quit' motto. It was because she, Ino, never quit. Even the act of resigning from the medical training went against her own rule, but if it meant putting down a Dandelion to pick up a Cosmos…
Inoichi sighed and Ino went to her room and began preparing her ninja gear for the next day. She took one final look at the brief note previously pinned to her household door.
Yamanaka Ino, report to the western training grounds, on the outskirts of the village at 0600 hours tomorrow. Do NOT be late. -Morino Ibiki
'Well, he sure didn't waste any time.' Ino contemplated, but she also thought that he was a bit vague in his short note. The western training grounds were separately placed in the same vicinity. Only Teams Seven, Eight, and Ten trained there. She supposed he meant to go to Team Ten's training grounds, but it also said, 'on the outskirts of the village', and Team Ten's were placed fairly close to the inner parts of the village, so maybe he meant for her to interpret that he meant Team Seven's training grounds, not her own…
With a sigh, she put the note down and continued making sure that she had all of the necessary weapons in her side pouch.
'Maybe I'm just thinking about this too much, but what if that was the point? Is this a test?'
She took a moment to consider that, and nearly laughed aloud. Of course this wasn't a test! He wasn't even her sensei yet!…But he pinned her file on her door, and that suggested that he read it thoroughly and decided to give it back. The words 'at 0600 hours' and 'Do NOT be late' also came to mind.
'So much for beauty sleep,' was the thought that grudgingly came to mind.
Stealthily, Ino made her way downstairs, got an apple, and made out of the house without waking up her parents, which was a hard task to do due to the fact that her father was a shinobi and was a considerably light sleeper. However, Ino being his daughter, found a way to hone her kunoichi skills and get out of the house without waking her parents. Who said the life of a ninja was overrated?
Based on her last decision last night, she decided to go to Team Seven's training spot; maybe it was a test and he wanted to see if she could pass it. And maybe she would be taking an unnecessary risk and end up not showing up at the right place, making him think that she wasn't serious or that she rejected his 'invitation'. After all, it was her decision to go.
'No, it has to be Team Seven's, if it was ours, he wouldn't have said 'outskirts' and Team Eight's is in-between ours and Team Seven's.' Ino thought quickly, making her decision to cut through the main road and head to Team Seven's training ground. If she happened to be wrong, then maybe she wasn't meant to have him as a sensei…
The kunoichi, who is now formally a sempai, stepped into her superior's office and faced her upright.
"Lady Tsunade, Ino has decided to resign from the infirmary."
The Godaime gave a small, almost inaudible chuckle, more to herself than anyone else. "You know, I had a feeling she would…"
"Did," she knew it was none of her business, but she couldn't help asking, "You put her up to it?"
The Hokage was taken aback. "Sakura, would you think I would do something like that? You of all people should know that only Ino would make the decision to resign herself."
"I know, but…" Sakura thought for a moment and smiled to herself, "Maybe she's right, maybe I'm not mature enough to know better."
The Hokage didn't say anything to her comment, knowing it wasn't meant for her. "Sakura," she began again as she stood up, "I'd like for you to come with me."
The pastel-haired apprentice diligently followed her sensei, coming out of her thoughts.
They walked down a narrow hallway, and then down a flight of steps, into what could've been considered the 'basement' of Hokage Tower. Once the Godaime completed a series of hand signs to open a set of double doors, both kunoichi stepped into the darkly lit room.
A spacious room filled with different, rare medical remedies filling a large shelf as big as the wall and an examination bed, where a man laid on, supposedly sleeping. He was restrained to the bed and his eyes were covered with wrapping gauze.
"Lady Tsunade…who is this?"
"This…" the Hokage turned from the man to her surprised apprentice, "is the person who will lead us to Akatsuki."
The younger kunoichi's emerald eyes grew wide and she looked away from her sensei back to the man. He was disheveled in appearance, practically wearing rags for clothes, as if he had been on the run. Had she been able to see his eyes, she would have seen the same blank, empty stare her rival had her in four years ago…
"Tsunade-sama, who did this to him?"
"Believe it or not, Ino did."
Sakura's shock only grew more and more by the second. Not only had they a lead to the Akatsuki, but Ino was also the one that brought him in. But…
"Ino only specializes in the Mind Transfer Technique, how did she…?" Sakura's brow scrunched up with her question.
"Apparently, she made a new type of jutsu, it locks people within their minds. By now, you should know that the reason you weren't informed before was because this was a classified mission on a need-to-know basis."
The silence lasted between the medical kunoichi for a few moments as both were caught in their thoughts before Tsunade spoke again.
"Sakura, I need you to look after this man, make sure he stays nourished, and not say a word to anyone about this."
"Yes, Godaime-sama." Sakura agreed determinedly.
Arriving at Team Seven's training grounds with a few minutes to spare, Ino sat down on a tree stump and ate her apple, appreciating the fact that she needed to take a big bite to enjoy it. She had only concerned herself with getting there and thoughts of breakfast nearly escaped her mind. If it hadn't been for quick thinking, she would've been hearing her stomach growl by now
The sky's hue had brightened and the Sun would soon rise. Ino nibbled on her apple as she let her mind drift. The last mission was a success and the target was apprehended, with a technique she had made. She couldn't help, but feel happy at that success, but at the same time…
She took another bite of her apple. She'd been lying to her father at an increasing rate recently. As much as she hated to say that word, which was what it was, because she hadn't been truthful with him either. The fear of him possibly stopping her was only growing and her urge to ignore it only grew to the point where it was getting harder and harder for her to. She'd never admit that aloud, but she knew that sooner or later, he would find out.
Almost half of the apple was devoured now. She only hoped that it would be later than sooner. Also, she hated how she couldn't tell Sakura anything about the last mission or even show off her new technique. Or even the real reason for her resigning from the Infirmary. Well, she could've told her that, but chose not to. Maybe her spying skills of knowing more than the people around her were finally kicking in and she somehow missed it.
Another glorious bite was taken out of her depleting apple. Now, she was also having Shikamaru and Chouji lie for her too. Was lying contagious? Or maybe her type of lying was soon becoming compulsive, to the point where she had to lie, even over something not worth lying about.
She sat her apple down on a nearby rock. Maybe she shouldn't have quit the Infirmary, life was simple when she worked there and the vow of someday surpassing Sakura as a medical kunoichi still appealed to her. Of course, she would look hypocritical if she just went back to face Sakura again, after saying that she wasn't mature enough to stop the-
Before Ino could realize it, a shiriken sliced through the air, her apple, and a few centimeters below her fingers that rested on the stump. Surprized, Ino looked up into the shrouded face of Morino Ibiki.
"Well, you're certainly a contemplative one."
"I," Ino said in a voice weaker that she thought and tried for a firmer one again, "I thought you didn't believe in using weapons."
"Well Yamanaka," He stepped closer and the shadows were slowly disappearing from him face, "It would do you better to know cold hard facts instead of just thinking something, now wouldn't it?"
"Are you saying I shouldn't think?" Ino inquired brazenly as she stood.
"I'm saying you should consider the present situation, not past realities. You thought I didn't believe in using weapons, yet I used one just now, what does that tell you?"
"That you're a liar." Ino said, looking him square in the eye, not missing a beat.
"Now, how did you come up with that conclusion?"
"You told us during the Chunnin Exam that you hate the use of weapons. If you were telling the truth, why would you contradict yourself by using one?"
A quirk of the lips tugged at his otherwise stern features. This girl had spunk.
"So if I were to tell you that this was a genjutsu and that the shiriken was an illusion?"
"I wouldn't believe you."
"Why is that?"
"Because if I proven you once to be a liar, then to get out of the first lie, you would have to make a second. If this were genjutsu, why would you tell me?"
"To throw you off your balance."
"Then why would you admit your plan for doing so? See, you're a liar and a sadist because you just told me two lies in less than five minutes and you're trying to play with my mind."
"That wouldn't make me a sadist."
"It does if you enjoy it."
Ibiki began to chuckle, "Enjoy it? Never."
"See?" Ino exclaimed, losing her cool, "You just said another one!"
"Who, me? I've never told a lie."
"And that's the biggest lie of all! How are you an ANBU Leader if you're such a liar?"
"Perhaps you're not asking the right question."
Ino blinked and paused for a moment, "What do you mean?"
He crossed his arms, "What you mean to ask is, 'do you have to be a liar to become an ANBU Leader?'"
Ino blinked again, "What's the difference?"
"The difference is that your question refers to how I got to my position. The question you should've asked was is lying required for my job, not how I got my job."
Ino blinked for the third time and only replied, "Oh."
They stood in silence for a few moments, scrutinizing each other with guarded expressions. They certainly didn't appear to fit each other, and while Ibiki never took on the role of sensei before, he never expected to have to be one to a kunoichi, especially one that wears a purple midriff and matching mini skirt, one with flaxen blond locks, and especially one that was a Yamanaka. He could already tell she was going to be a handful. Of course, he hoped she did know that he was rather tame this morning and that his training would only get harder...
Yeah, finally some Ino/Ibiki. Next chapter should be soon because I already have the idea for it. I'd like to thank the people who've read my story and really thank the ones that have commented, their opinions are appreciated!
sad little monkey: Yes, very much so, although Ibiki has a few tricks up his sleeve...I like this idea too.
lazy2signin: Yeah, I get lazy too, I'm glad you're expecting things, so am I.
Ancient Kyubi: (Starts singing) Sometimes I feel like, somebody's watching me, and I have no privacy, Whoa...hey, that's you! Now, everything makes sense...
Hydroxyacelunodosetrase: Yeah, I completely agreed with everthing you said, I've been wanting to do an Inocentric fic and a Team Ten fic, thought I should put the two together! And Ibiki really makes sense as her sensei, I think Kishimoto should do it, but probably won't...
Chiken spice and nothing nice...
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