A/N: This is a fic based on a series of ten prompts over at the 10_what_ifs community on livejournal. The theme set I'm using is Spaceship. So, if you've figured it out, this is going to be a AU fic. The particular prompt for this chapter is 1. Captain.

Disclaimer: I don't own anything.

The Girl Can Drink

The door swooshed closed behind them, and Ino realized how trapped she really was. Shit... I made this too easy for them. Why didn't I fight? Go kicking and screaming?

Because you're representing the Coalition and you won't sully its reputation by acting like a petulant child said a voice in Ino's head that sounded suspiciously like one of her old professors.

Kisame stood at attention on her left, and the unknown figure still stood with his back turned to them. Silence stretched, as thick as the darkness in the room. Jeez, would it be too much to turn on the lights? Ino wondered as she fidgeted, fear blooming in her chest.

"How is my little brother recovering?" a soft, melodious voice asked.

Ino wasn't sure she had heard it, but a sharp poke in the ribs from Kisame prodded her to answer when she hesitated. "He's stabilized, and his wound has been treated. He has a high risk of infection because of the nature of the wound, but as long as he takes some strong antibiotics he ought to be up and about in a few weeks. He'll need to take it slow for a month or so, though."

A rustle of fabric indicated the figure, which Ino realized could only be the captain, had nodded.

"Do you have any idea what could cause the damage my little brother suffered from?"

"It's only a guess, but it looks he was shot with an Incinerary round," Ino said, pausing before tacking on a hesitant, "sir."

Itachi hummed, his back still to them.

"Do you know why you're here, Miss Yamanaka?" Itachi questioned after a significant silence had passed.

Ino shrugged, "No, sir, I don't. All I know is that you requested to see me, sir." Military training was coming back, making her polite and concise.

"I was referring to you being stationed on my ship," was the response.

Ino's furrowed her brows in confusion, "I don't think I understand what you mean, sir."

Itachi finally turned around, and Ino barely quieted her gasp. She knew that Sasuke was a very handsome boy, but his brother could easily be classed as beautiful. Itachi's features were similar to Sasuke's, but more delicate. Black silky hair framed his face, and a ponytail was draped over his shoulder. The captain's muscular frame was shrouded in a heavy coat with a high collar. Ino had seen Kisame wear something similar and wondered if it was military related. The thing that caught her attention, though, was his eyes. Itachi had the same dark eyes as his little brother, but where Sasuke's eyes were full of cold arrogance, Itachi's were just cold. They reminded her of a snake's, so alien and unpredictable. It scared the hell out of her.

Itachi was holding a crystal slate, information hovering in a hologram inches away from its surface. Itachi dragged a lazy finger through the floating image, the information scrolling down. The light casted from the hologram left eerie patterns on Itachi's skin.

"You graduated from your program with honours, you're father was a military man, of the law enforcement sector. You're an abiding citizen of the Coalition. Yet, here you are, in these circumstances."

"Nearly all students from my program have been placed on commercial or private spacecraft, sir. The Courtesan's Fan is fine ship that offers many opportunities to better myself with the challenges of running a medical bay. I'm happy with my placement, sir."

"And it doesn't rankle with your Coalition conditioning being placed on this ship?" Was the polite question, but Ino knew that there was a dangerous edge to it.

"Why would it rankle, sir?" Ino answered, playing innocent.

There was a miniscule twitch of an eyebrow. "So you're no bothered by your earlier suggestion to my first officer that this ship may indulge in illegal activity?"

"Am I to be marked fairly in regards to my assessment in terms of my performance on this ship, sir?" Ino asked, chewing her lip at the forwardness of it.

"If your medical performance conforms to my standards, and your decisions in regards to certain information does not in danger my ship or crew. If that is the case then I see no reason why you shouldn't receive a good assessment." It was a threat and an offer. Did Ino have the courage to not listen to it?

Ino took a shaking breath before replying. "Then, no, sir. I shouldn't see why I wouldn't thoroughly enjoy my stay onboard your ship, sir."

Itachi nodded, and that seemed to indicate their dismissal. Kisame led her by the elbow, marching her down the narrow hall and back into the mess hall. It wasn't until Ino was back in the dining area with its dimmed yellow glow did she realize how much she was shaking.

"God, woman, sit down, you look like you're about to pass out." Kisame led her to the table.

Ino collapsed into a chair before muttering, "I'm not about to pass out."

She took her head in her hands as she tried to calm her breathing. It felt like she had a run a marathon, her heart was pounding so hard, and fingers were so shaky from the adrenaline coursing in her veins. In the background she could hear Kisame rummaging through cupboards. She heard glass clinking together, and Kisame pulled a chair across from her.

"Knew I had a bottle of this still stashed somewhere," Kisame said as he poured two fingers of a clear liquid. He shoved it in front of Ino before pouring himself a glass.

The medic wrinkled her nose at it, smelling the smart sting of alcohol. "Isn't this contraband?"

Yellow eyes gave her a withering look. "Drink it; it'll make you feel better."

Ino highly doubted that, but downed her shot of vodka nonetheless. She hissed as the drink stung her throat.

"The girl can drink," Kisame commented, praise in his voice.

"Well," Ino offered, giving her glass to Kisame for a refill, "I'm a medical student. We work hard, we party hard."

Kisame hummed in approval before downing his own drink, Ino following suit. She didn't gasp nearly as much the second time.

The First officer was refilling their glasses with another two fingers worth of booze when Ino asked, "Is he always so fucking terrifying?"

Kisame chuckled, knowing exactly who she was referring to. "Don't worry, you get used to it. And he's fair. If you do the work you'll leave with a good report."

Ino snorted, taking a sip of her drink. "Except for the huge black mark already on it, sure."

A cautious look fell on Kisame's face. He took another shot of vodka before speaking. "I don't think you'll have to worry about that."

Ino huffed. "Yeah, I think I do. Having a report filed about my behaviour is kind of a big deal."

"No, I don't think you do," Kisame offered again, hinting at something.

Ino rolled her eyes. "Unless it magically disappeared it's still a big concern." It was then that she noticed Kisame pointedly wasn't looking at her.

"Wait, did you revoke it?" she asked hopeful and cautious.

Kisame poured himself another shot before swallowing it down. "It shouldn't have been filed in the first place," he answered gruffly, "And I didn't even file it. It was someone else sticking their goddamn nose where it didn't belong.

There was definite shock resounding in the medic's head. "Thank you," Ino offered, truly meaning it.

Kisame shrugged his shoulders. "Don't be thanking me. I still think you're an obnoxious bitch. Even if you do have an impressive rack."

Ino gave him a glare before responded flatly, "Thank you, and you're still an arrogant asshole. Oh, and a friggin' pig." Ino gulped down the last of her drink. She was already feeling very warm and she was starting to get fuzzy. Maybe that's why she just decided to skip the tirade about sexual harassment in the work place. Or maybe she knew that he'd just ignore it. Kisame was right about one thing, the alcohol was making her feel better.

Kisame shot her a wide toothy grin, "Anytime, dollface."

Kisame went to refill her glass, when Ino slapped her hand over it. "I've had enough. I probably should go back to the infirmary and see how Sasuke it doing."

The glass was wrestled away from her and filled with another shot. "Pfft. Haku can look after the little brat tonight."

Ino sighed in resignation, accepting her glass back. "So what happened down on Nanaja? If you don't mind my asking?"

"The stupid kid didn't keep mouth shut."

She was curious now. "What do you mean?"

"The client, Orochimaru, is a bit a nutcase but he's good business. Him and Itachi have been trading for years," Kisame answered, taking a sip from his glass, "Anyways, Orochimaru is a little nutty, like I said, and his tastes are on the other end of the spectrum, if you catch my drift. Not that I care, to each their own, except he's just damn creepy about it. Anyways, the kid didn't appreciate it when the client made a rather dirty comment towards him. Kid blew up, Orochimaru got offended and then shit went all to hell. He's lucky he got shot because it means Itachi is gonna give him less of an earful when he comes to."

"Ahh..." Was the only response the blonde could come up with. She took another careful sip of her drink. "Soooo... when you got that cut the other night was that...?"

Kisame chuckled. "Nah, I cut myself sharpening one of my knives."

"Oh... you have knives?" Ino flinched as the words left her mouth. Really, what a stupid question to ask!

A shark grin was on Kisame's face. "Yep, and a sword too. Which you're welcome to handle anytime."

Ino made a disgusted noise. She couldn't let the lame pick up line slide. "That's considered sexual harassment, you know."

A wide toothy grin was the response. "So they tell me."

The blonde rolled her eyes and preoccupied herself with sipping her drink. Silence stretched, but it wasn't the awkward silence that it normally was. She would almost dare to say it companionable. Yeah, as if.

"So what were you guys trading with this Orochimaru guy?"

A thoughtful look crossed Kisame's face. "And what do I get for it?"

Ino's blue eyes filled with confusion. "Huh?"

A smirk was full force on the older man's face. "Everything comes for a price, little lady, including information. It's something that always rings true in this line of business."

Ino nodded as it started to make a little sense. "Okay, but I don't have anything that I could trade you for it."

"Oh, there's always something you can barter with."

Ino gave him a nasty glare, getting at what Kisame was hinting at. "In your dreams, creep."

A booming laugh echoed in the room. "You really have a low opinion of me, don't you?"

Ino smirked, "It doesn't exactly come undeserved does it?"

Another laughter filled the room, "I guess not."

Silence fell between them again, Kisame clearly in thought. Ino sipped at the remnants of her drink, peeking at the man across from her. She still thought he was an insufferable ass, but at least she could half-stand him now that she was getting suitably tipsy. Or maybe it was because she was no longer fearful that one wrong word from her would wreck her career. She rather liked someone that she could get bitchy at. It was rather therapeutic.

Kisame snapped his fingers, shaking her out of her thoughts. "I got it."

"Got what?" she asked, incredulous. What exactly was he on about?

"What you can trade."

A confused expression lingered before things snapped into place. Recognition spread across her features before suspicion replaced it. "What?"

She didn't like the smile that slid on Kisame's face. "Nothing too big."

"What?" Ino asked shortly. The man was making her nervous with that damn smile of his.

"Mmmm... just a favour," practically purred Kisame.

It didn't seem to make any sense to Ino. Maybe it was the vodka, or maybe Kisame was just being too obtuse. "What do you mean?"

Kisame sighed, and spoke slowly, as if talking to a small child who doesn't understand a complex concept, "For the information I tell you, you, in turn, are going to owe me a favour that I'll collect later. Got it?"

Another frown fell on Ino's face. She lifted her chin and glared. "What kind of favour?" she asked with caution, suspicion clear in her voice.

Her drinking partner held a thoughtful expression before Kisame replied in an oily voice, "Oh, I have a few ideas..."

Ino narrowed her eyes, "No."

Kisame played at being hurt, "I haven't suggested anything yet!"

The blonde continued to glare. "You don't need to. I have a fairly good idea about what you're thinking."

Kisame continued with his innocent charade. "Oh, you don't know that."

Ino didn't buy it. "I don't think I really want to know what this huge secret is anymore. Not at what it's gonna cost me," She sighed.

The man across from her gave a wicked grin. "Oh come, on. I seriously have pure intentions."

Ino cocked her head, trying figure out if he was lying or not. "Fine, what's the favour?"

"I don't know... it's not exactly a favour if I know what is ahead of the time now is it?"

Ino gave him another look.

Kisame shot her another grin, but it wasn't as eager as the previous ones. It seemed to be slipping a bit. "I promise it won't be anything that'll be against your morals. And you have the right to refuse. Agreed?"

It sounded reasonable enough. "Deal. So what's the stuff you guys are trading?"

She was curious, dying to know almost. At the same she had the nervous feeling flitting around her stomach – the one people feel when they get outside of their comfort zone.

Kisame poured himself another drink, and topped off Ino's as well, while he thought. "This and that... typically weapons, sometimes other contraband materials. Like those fancy crystals that's in everything now a days. We move a lot of tech around."

"Drugs?" Ino asked, looking over her glass.

"Surprisingly, no," Kisame responded, "Medical type of drugs we do occasionally, but the harder stuff? Itachi doesn't like the type of people you have to deal with in those circles. In that business it's always constant supply and demand, and if you don't meet your quota; well it ain't pretty, let's just say that."

Ino nodded with a faraway look in her eyes. "Hmm, you say that like you know from experience."

Kisame shrugged, suddenly nonchalant. "Let's just say, I've had to deal with them."

"So how do you get this stuff? I mean it doesn't fall of a truck right?" She asked, skirting around Kisame's answer. She got the hint that he wasn't going to share that tonight.

She got a look for her question. "How do you think pirates 'get stuff,' girl? Ask nicely?"

She responded by narrowing her eyes in a glare. "I knew that."

The First officer smirked. "I think a certain blondie can't hold her liquor, if that memory is any clue. Or maybe you're just a natural blonde?"

"Ha ha. Blonde joke. You're sooooo funny. And I can hold my liquor fine, thank you. If you haven't noticed it's past midnight, and I've had a long day, no thanks to you. I'm a little tired," she answered waspishly.

"My fault?" Kisame asked cocking a brow. "How exactly is it my fault?"

"One," Ino held up her index finger, "I had to fix up Sasuke. Seeing as he was down there with you when he got shot and you're his superior, he's your responsibility. Therefore, making what happened to him, your fault. Secondly," the middle finger was held up, "you dragged me to see the Captain. And thirdly, you made me keep you company to pester and insult."

Kisame rolled his eyes as he leaned back in his own chair and promptly started to list the reasons it wasn't his fault off his own fingers. "One, the kid's mouth is what got him shot. He didn't listen to what I said before going to see the client, so it's his own fault there were consequences. Two, I did not drag and I was on orders to get you. Itachi wanted to see you, so that's no fault of mine, again. And third, you could have said no. You could have left anytime, but no, you've stayed. If I didn't know better, girl, I'd think you might enjoy my company."

Ino resisted the urge to roll her eyes, and instead sipped her drink. She hated it when he had a point. Which was turning out to be often. Damn logic. "So what do you guys typically trade for the stuff you get?" she asked trying to get the topic back on hand.

Kisame smirked, not naive to her scheme. But he let her have her way anyway. "The stuff we get is hot, so we typically try and dump it as fast we can. Exchange it for ship parts, if we need them, or anything else we might need, like supplies. Sometimes if it's something real useful, that won't give us trouble if we're caught with it, we'll keep it. Mostly though, we trade for untraceable mon cards."

"Aren't mon cards sometimes a little unreliable though if you're dealing with other criminals?" Ino cocked her head. Mon cards were like old world credit cards, but with fancier chip tech in them. But there was a nasty history about chips being coded to say they had money, but didn't really. It could really mess with the economy. "Where do they get the mon cards? And what do they do with the stuff they get from you?"

Kisame shrugged. "Dunno, don't care. As long as our clients don't try and screw us and jip our cut then it's fine."

"I thought you'd all be more... I don't know... involved?" Ino asked, wrinkling her nose. It seemed that the crew on the Courtesan was getting the short end of the stick – doing all the running around but none of the pleasures.

"Apparently the whole piracy business was a lot better when the whole Coalition was still young. Now that's stretching its reach it makes it harder to do our jobs. Besides, we like all this roaming around. We're all on this ship for a reason, and being on the Courtesan gives us that and our freedom. We're not stuck on some dirt planet struggling with other crimelords." The expression on Kisame's face was unreadable, no matter how hard Ino tried to discern what it was.

Realizing she was staring, Ino blushed a little at her rudeness. I think I've had enough for tonight.

She stood up, feeling the world whoosh as she stood up. Well, I wasn't expecting that. Good thing I'm going to bed. She collected herself before she spoke. "I think I'm gonna go to sleep now. I'm pretty tired."

Kisame appraised her before speaking. "Alright. 'Night then."

"You, too" Ino mumbled as she took a few wobbly steps. She heard Kisame behind her ask, "Want some help?"

"Pfft, no. I'm fine. Just make sure you get Haku to watch Sasuke for me."

"Yes, ma'am," was the sarcastic response Ino heard as she made her way down the hall. She could have sworn she heard him laugh too, but if it was at her or at something else she had no idea.

A/N: Sorry this took so long to post. Been busy with school and these chapters tend to be heavy with the writing. And I apologize for leaving it on such a cliff hanger and taking my sweet with an update. Hopefully this makes it a little bit better.