Mission Impossible: Housewife
By KawaiPanda
Chapter Two
A GaaraIno love story
I felt as if the weight of the world was on my shoulders, and it was no easy burden. My shoulders sagged—my entire demeanor changed. Tears were beginning to burn, threatening to spill as I contemplated my choices. I was torn... torn between wanting to be an asset to my village and wanting to have a husband of my own choosing. Someone to love me and who actually wanted to be with me, not some man that had to marry me to please a bunch of old, political busybodies.
Somehow, I found myselt seated on a bench, somewhere in the village. I couldn't bring myself to really care about my location to focus on the details.
I wanted love. I needed it. As humans, we craved acceptance, love, and happiness.
But, I was also a ninja, I had to do the best that I could for my village. I stopped short of nothing to to insure the survival and safety of these people. Blood stained my kunai, my very soul was tainted in the name of this nation. My family jutsu forced me to take the memories of others into my own mind, and as time passed, I was slowly losing my sense of self. It was only a matter of time before I was overwhelmed and lost the battle.
Blinking, I found myself to be engulfed in a slowly drifting sea of people, civilians, who strolled past me without a second glance. Shifting to stand, I left the area. I knew not where I would find sanctuary, so I headed in the direction of my home after a few false starts, and finally getting my barings.
Yes, it was my duty as a shinobi of Konohagakure, Village Hidden in the Leaves, to do as my leader instructed of me, however, I still maintained an even greater duty to my heart, which almost never lead me astray. Just as being a ninja did not define who I am.
Ino Yamanaka.
Kunoichi.
Apprentice.
Friend.
Daughter.
There are many facets to who I am, what makes me me. And it takes all of these things and more to even begin to grasp who I am, just as it does for others.
And knowing myself, I am completely unsure of whether or not I am capable of making this decision and sticking to it. Never once had I ever had to make such a life changing decision, other than when I decided to become a ninja, though for as long as I can remember, my life was set on this one path, following in my fathers footsteps.
Marriage is supposed to be between two people who love one another and wish to spend the rest of their days together. From day one, I had always imagined that my path would lead me to become Mrs. Sasuke Uchiha because I thought I loved him, but he deflected from the village, became a traitor and almost got my teammates killed when they tried to bring him back. After Sasuke, I never could see myself with anyone in particular, even when my parents tried to arrange a marriage between me and Shikamaru. Rather, I jumped from man to man, flirting, dating to my hearts content.
"See you later Morito." I giggled, kissing my latest boyfriend on the cheek as we departed ways.
"See you Ino," he replied blushing. This new one was a civilian and oh so cute. He had dark hair and a lean build from construction work that he did around the village.
I was on my way to meet my team for a mission debriefing in the tower, and not really paying attention until I heard my name not so graciously tumble from a woman's lips as she gossiped about me.
"Isn't that that Yamanaka girl?"
"I heard that she's slept with almost half of the shinobi men and even a few of the girls!" The muscle in my eye twitched at this, and the increased shaking in my clenched fist informed me I was losing the battle to stay in control.
Sure, they were just busybody gossips, but damn if it didn't hurt. I knew I was thought to be the 'Village Whore' but most people didn't know that I was actually still physically a virgin. Mentally, not so much. And hey, I fooled around but I didn't sleep with any man who snapped his fingers at me. I was above that and I knew to save my hymen for my husband or dad would most likely have a heart attack.
Bitting my lip, I drew upon what little self control I had obtained in the past few years and took to the rooftops.
Even now, I was still considered a whore because I was one of the few women in the village to take on seduction missions, but someone had to. My friends were in no shape to do so. Hinata was too damned shy, Sakura was way too noticable, and Tenten was wrapped up in a certain angst filled Hyuuga named Neji.
Not that the label was much of a problem for me. I only hated that it caused those who knew and tried to date me think that they would be getting some of my goodies without the long drawn out process that was dating and wooing.
I knew little to nothing about the man I would be entering the union with. I knew that he was Temari's brother. He has red hair and the kanji of love imprinted on his forehead. He also used to contain Shukaku, the one-tailed demon. That was about it.
Did I know if I wanted to spend the rest of my life next to him as his wife, the mother of his children...? No. I had no idea whether or not we would even be compatible. But I did know that Tsunade wouldn't have asked me to take this on without thinking about it. She would have had Shikaku strategize who would be the best woman for the job. Apparently, of all of the available kunoichi, I was it.
As I walked into the apartment that I shared with my friend, I noticed that Tenten's shoes were not by the door, meaning she was either training with her team or she was with Neji.
I was somewhat glad about this because I didn't need to hear about her relationship with Neji right now. Nope. I'd rather not. Taking off my ninja sandals, I turned on the television as I walked into the kitchen and pulled open the freezer door. I went, of course, straight for the ice cream.
Grabbing the pint of Triple Chocolate, I grabbed a spoon from the silverware drawer and plopped down on the couch, allowing myself to get lost in the world of soap operas as I drifted in and out of focus between the love triangle and my mind.
I wasn't halfway through with it when there was a knock on the front door. Sighing, I placed the ice cream on the coffee table and shuffled to the door.
"Ino, you there?" Came Choji's voice.
"Yeah." I pulled the door open. "What can I do ya, Cho?"
"Just wanted to check on you." He walked in, taking off his shoes before following me back into the living room. "We had a team meeting today, which I'm assuming you didn't remember."
Shit. "I'm sorry. I totally spaced." I picked up the ice cream and placed the lid on it before stuffing it back into the freezer.
"Ino, what's going on?" I paused, before looking at him from the corner of my eye as I peeked into the fridge.
"Hmm, what do you mean?"
"I mean, you just ate half a pint of chocolate ice cream. So either one of your boyfriends broke up with you or something is bothering you." I pulled out a can of apple juice, frowning as I tried to think of something to keep him from worrying about me.
I gave him a bitter smile and drank the entire can in mere seconds."I'm fine Cho."
"Ino..."
I sighed and tossed the empty can into the trash, walking into the living room. "It's just... there's a mission that I'm considering taking."
"Go on."
I bit my lip, and continued with, "And well... I might be gone for a long time."
As I took a seat on the couch as he asked, "How long are we talking?"
"A couple of years at least." He let out a low whistle and sat down on the couch.
"That long huh?" He asked, and I nodded. Neither of us had ever taken such long missions before, and the prospect was weird. I wouldn't see him or anyone for a long time. Added to the fact that, if I married Gaara, I would never be allowed to come and go whenever I wanted... neither would my friends or family.
"Probably even longer," I allowed. It was as close to the truth as I could let out.
"Is there anyone else?"
"No, there isn't." He nodded at this, turning to look at me.
His curiosity shone through, and I tried desperately to keep any intense emotions from slipping through the mask. "Are you going to do it?"
I shrugged. "I don't know. I feel so torn."
"You don't want to be away from home for so long..." He supplied, and I nodded.
"Exactly." Of course I didn't want to be sold off to a foreign country! This was my home, and I don't think I could bare the thought of never seeing this place, my parents... my friends.
"Ino, you have to do what's right for you. And whether or not this mission is for you, you know that both me and Shikamaru will support you."
"Thanks Choji." I patted his knee, and changed the subject. "So, what did you come by for? It wasn't just to let me know that I forgot about the meeting." Knowing Choji the way I did, there was no way he was going to come over here just to tell me something so trivial, though it was hard for us all to meet up with Shikamaru gone all of the time.
"Well..." He turned red. "Um... Ayame is pregnant."
"Really? Oh Cho! Why didn't you say so?" I jumped up and tackled him in a hug. His news was welcome in the fact that he had finally found someone to love him in the way he needed, however, it was not something I wanted to hear. I didn't need his happiness to affect my decision.
He left soon after that with a reminder of the teams meeting next week, and I was once again alone. Left to make a decision that would either change my life or decide to not take this on.
As night rolled in, and it seemed more and more likely that Tenten was going to be gone for the night, I prepared for sleep. During my bath, I contemplated my choices as I washed my hair.
There were pros and cons with both choices.
I could not marry Gaara and continue living in Konoha going from man to man, looking for someone to love me truly without trying to get into my pants on the first date, live in my apartment with Tenten until said girl married the man she's been with for the last three years. I could watch as Choji got married to Ayame as they started their family. Shikamaru would marry Temari and move to Suna. And me, well, I would probably end up alone. A spinster...
If I did marry Gaara, there was a chance that we could be happy together... once the awkwardness was gone. But there was still a chance that we wouldn't fall in love. But then again, there was a chance of happiness with him. He would be a constant in my life, and while I might not end up falling in love with him it would be stable. And over time, I'm sure I would grow to love him, at the very least.
But... did I want to risk a lifetime in a loveless marriage?
I dried off completely before I pulled on my night clothes. Tomorrow, I was going to go to Tsunade's office and inform her of my decision.
It was decided - I was going to marry Gaara, for better or for worse.
XxXxXxX
It was just nearing eight in the morning when I awoke from a much needed sleep. I was stretching, getting rid of any remnants of sleep when suddenly it hit me—yesterday's events. It was real.
"Damnit," I muttered as I took my time getting ready. Already I knew today was going to be shitty. After all, I was going to be heading to the Hokage's office to inform her that I was going to marry someone I never even once considered as a prospect to be in my life.
Tsunade was lucky I guess, to have caught me in between boyfriends. Though, I kind of knew that had I had a boyfriend I still would have been asked. After all, I was a "flirt." I wasn't into "serious things" like my friends were. Or at least, that's what everyone believed. I mean, just because a girl didn't want to settle for some guy that couldn't stop staring at her breasts didn't make her a whore.
As the Hokage herself said, Sakura was far to valuable too the village, Hinata was the heiress of the Hyuuga and had a kekkei genkai that couldn't leave the village, and Tenten was probably going to be the baby factory to a certain, Neji Hyuuga.
I made sure to wash my face and brush my teeth before I dressed in my usual outfit and did my hair.
I frowned at my reflection, knowing today was going to be a pain in the ass. It was hard to keep from flip-floping my decision, but I was set. I was going to marry the red haired Kazekage if it was the last thing I did.
Heading for the door, I slipped on my ninja sandals and slowly made my way towards the Tower. I took my time too, after all, I did have until noon to inform the older blond of my decision.
"Hey Ino-pig!"
I turned and saw my rival and best friend. Sakura. "Hey Sakura." I wasn't supposed to see her until Friday, but she must have been really curious as to what our teacher wanted. After all, Sakura was her right hand, and knew a lot of things that no other ninja knew.
"So what did Tsunade want?" I smiled bitterly at her innocent, yet nosey question.
"It was a mission."
"Oh." We walked in silence for a while before she asked the question I knew was coming. "Well, what's the mission?"
"... Classified."
"Oh. One of those, huh?" Because she wasn't as expendable as I, she never had to go on a seduction mission like I have before. It was also what she thought the mission was. Oh, How I wish it were right in this moment.
"Yeah." A little white lie wouldn't kill her. After all, she assumed.
"Well, I hope it goes well."
"... Thanks."
"See ya!" She turned and jogged towards the hospital, not even waiting for my reply.
Stop acting so bitter, Ino.
She is my best friend and here I am, hating on her. I hate feeling like a bitch, but I can't help it right now.
I shook my head and took a deep breath to clear my head. I was agreeing to this. It wasn't like I was being forced into the marriage. Kind of.
When I reached the tower without running into anymore familiar faces, and for that I was glad. I steadily walked towards my fate, pushing down the butterflies trying to overwhelm my stomach and destroy my bravery. When I reached the hallway that led to Tsunade's office, I noticed several of my friends sitting out in the hall. Damnit!
"Hey guys, what are you doing?" Neji, Shino and Shikamaru glanced at me.
"Waiting on a mission debrefing. Apparently, we're early," Shikamaru replied, a frown on his face. "She told us to sit outside."
"Oh... Well, should I wait out here with you? I mean, there must be someone in there with her then, right?"
"Actually, no. If you need to meet with Lady Hokage, go on ahead." I nodded, wondering why they were being forced to wait in the hallway... I knocked on the door and stepped inside. My mentor sitting at her desk smiled when she caught sight of me, waving me in.
"Have you made a decision?" She asked once the door was shut firmly behind me. I nodded. She lifted her brow at me. "Well...?"
"I'll do it." A big smile broke out on her face.
"I knew it. I never should have doubted you."
"... Thanks?" I think.
"Can you tell the boys in the hall that they can come in now?" I opened the door and called them in, and when I moved to leave Tsunade called out to me. "Ino, you stay since this obviously involves you."
As they filed in, and stood next to me, I could feel Shikamaru's eyes on me, causing me to begin tugging at the fabric of my skirt. Why was I so nervous? Frowning, I forced my hands to my sides, and awaited Tsunade to speak.
"As you all know, I have called you three boys here for a mission. And that mission is to escort Ms. Yamanaka here to Suna." And then with a smile, she continued, "Ino here has just agreed to marry the Kazekage."
"What?"