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 an AU fic. The particular prompt for this chapter is ; this chapter has been split into two because of it's length.

Disclaimer: I don't own anything.

Scheming Afoot

It was suffice to say that Ino wasn't pleased when Itachi left. Her request had been denied. Not something that usually happened. She wasn't even sure it was legal. And there wasn't anything she could do about it. If she couldn't leave with an honourable discharge, well... her career would be pretty much shot.

Ino didn't know whether to cry or scream in frustration. She settled for saying "fuck it" and leaving the medical bay in a huff. She was going to her dorm to sulk in peace.

Not that it helped any.

She attempted a nap, but she kept tossing and turning. Reading didn't help either, because she didn't have the attention for it. She just landed up in this mind-dulling state that just made her mental state fuzzy.

So she more than jumped when there was a knock on the door and practically tripped over herself running to answer it.

She punched the unlocking code into the keypad, the knocks still pounding on the door.

"Geezus, give me a minute, will you?" Ino muttered under her breath as the door slid open.

She got another surprise at who was at paying her a visit. Dark hair, dark eyes, and pale skin. And a dark, displeased look.

Ah, the younger Uchiha. Lovely. Just frickin' lovely.

"Yes?" Ino asked, suddenly subconscious of herself. She had dressed down, her clothes more for comfort than anything; sweat pants and a skimpy tank were not really something to impress anyone. Especially a guy you liked (but didn't like because he was brat) that didn't seem to care if you walked in front of a hover-bus.

Sasuke jerked his thumb down the hall. "You're wanted in navigation."

"Um, why?"

Sasuke gave her a glare and a frustrated snort, "Because my brother wants you there, for some reason."

Ino's mind didn't really know how to process this information, and apparently she didn't move fast enough for Sasuke.

"Uh, now would be good."

Ino snapped into action at the sharp tone in Sasuke's voice, immediately making her feel like an idiot.

"I guess I better go, then," she said, trying to regain a casual composure after literally jumping into the hall.

Sasuke just rolled his eyes, and walked in the direction of the bridge. Ino had nothing else to do but follow. And hurray for more awkward moments, Ino thought as she trailed behind.

The door was open to the navigation room, and the noise of two people having a heated discussion could be heard. It was obvious that whoever it was, was trying to keep their voices low; clearly they wanted the matter kept private. And here Ino was, following Sasuke into the middle of it.

Ino stepped into the threshold of the navigation room, hearing the tail-end of the conversation more clearly.

A woman Ino's age was pacing, her pastel pink hair a mess from her fingers constantly running through it. She was still wearing a tight flight suit, and there was a vivid gash on her proud forehead.

"It's not that complicated, Itachi! You're being over-analytical, like you always are."

The person across from the stranger, looking the most aggravated that Ino had ever seen, was Itachi. His eyes were narrowed, and his arms were crossed across his chest. His expression was still stoic, but it was the vibe in the air that was the tell-all. Itachi was not impressed.

Itachi was about to respond, but he noticed Ino's and Sasuke's arrival. "We will continue this discussion later, Sakura."

The woman, Sakura, huffed, which earned a chuckle from Kisame, causing Ino to jump. He had been lounging in a dark corner of the room, where she couldn't see him.

Kisame noticed her noticing him, and his chuckle quickly died. Ino pointedly didn't look at him. Sakura raised a bloodied an eyebrow to Itachi at the exchange. The captain answered with an inaudible sigh.

Much louder, the captain softly commanded, "Sasuke, you have other work to do. Yamanaka, close the door behind you."

The door hissed closed behind her, adding an ominous air to the poorly-lit control room.

There seemed to a tension in the air, or it could have just been the lack of conversation.

"You asked for me, sir?" Ino asked, tucking her hands behind her back.

Itachi gave a minute tilt of the head towards the pink-haired stranger. "Sakura needs medical attention, see to it."

So this must be Sakura, Ino thought, appraising the other woman. Ino noticed she received the same scrutiny.

Something about Ino must have met Sakura's approval, because she stepped forward, not without a complaint though. "Honestly, I'm alright, you worry too much, it's just a scratch. When did you become such an old man, Itachi?"

Still, Sakura stood silent as Ino quickly examined her. The gash needed some anti-bacterial skin glue, so it would knit back to together faster and be less likely to scar. Ino couldn't really do much else, Sakura seemed perfectly sound.

"Done! You're as good as new," Ino said as she finished. It had been an easy enough job to do; she wasn't sure why she had been called down. Ino was positive that even Kisame or Itachi would have been able to make a good patch job.

Ino was also dying to know how Sakura would have gotten the gash. She remembered Haku mentioning something about shuttle damage over the comm...

"You're dismissed then, Yamanaka," Itachi said softly, though there was intensity in his voice. It was obvious he wanted to continue the earlier conversation with Sakura.

Sakura made a face. Clearly she knew what Itachi intended, too. She looped her arms through Ino's and guided the pair of them towards the door.

"I'm starving, how about you?" Sakura beamed at the blonde.

"We still have things to discuss, Sakura," Itachi warned.

Sakura flashed him a smile. Ino admired the other woman for her candour. How anyone could be that chipper to such a cold, cynical man was beyond her.

"And we will. Just later. I need to eat. You and Kisame can talk shop 'til I get back, m'kay? Poke more holes into my glorious plan. That's what you two are good at," she teased.

"Sakura," Itachi warned again, but the door swished closed behind them, cutting him effectively off. Ino did see Kisame give either her or Sakura a wry smile before the door slid home.

Ino was staring at the door, thinking about how she would have gotten her ass handed to her if she had pulled the same stunt Sakura just had when a voice dragged her from those thoughts.

"Sakura Haruno," a name and a handshake were offered by the pink-haired woman.

"Ino Yamanaka," Ino shook the offered hand. She noted that Sakura had a lot of scars running across her knuckles, and rough calluses on her fingers.

"So you're the new medic, huh?" Sakura asked, tilting her head. Pink locks fell over her face, obscuring bright green eyes.

"Yep, and you're the one causing all the excitement, huh?" It was easy to talk to Sakura. The other woman had a friendliness, and confidence to her that was just inviting. She reminds me of my study buddies back at medical school.

Sakura laughed, "Word getting around already? I'm getting quite the reputation."

They entered the kitchen, and Sakura instantly gravitated towards the cupboards with the food. "Pfft, I swear, it's the same protein staples from when I left," Sakura muttered as she pulled out vacuum-sealed packs.

Ino slid into a chair while in thought. "You don't come to the ship often?"

Sakura shook her head, sending her shoulder-length hair flying. "It's been more than a year since I was here last."

The blonde medic raised her eyebrows. "That's a long time, why did you leave?"

Sakura paused. "It's ... complicated. There were a lot of reasons, but really, I just needed to do my own thing. As great as it is being the medic, I'm more of a general freelancer. It sucks being the one stitching everyone else up all the time. You know?"

"Wait, you're the old medic? I thought Haku was."

"You're right on both accounts. Haku was the original medic, but I took over the position."

"How'd that happen?" Ino asked, genuinely curious. As much as the fact the entire crew had their hands dirty with crime, they certainly did have interesting stories to tell. Way better than her medical friends' stories about how drunk they were that one time or another.

Sakura shrugged. "Through friend of a friend. Sasuke is buddies with my friend, Naruto, and Naruto sort of arranged my employment."

Ino heard the stove turn on, and food sizzling in oil. Apparently, Sakura had found something edible.

"That doesn't make much sense, hiring another medic when you already have one," Ino remarked.

Unless you really do need two. And given the trouble these people get into...

Another shake of the head from Sakura. "Oh no. Haku was still the medical officer. I just got hired as an extra gu- uh... person. See, Itachi was still flying the ship back then."

Ino noticed the slip up. "So you used to the same work that Kisame does now?"

Sakura tilted her head as she shrugged, an attempt to look nonchalant. "Sort of, yeah, you could say that. So what about you?"

"I went to medical school, got a temporary placement here. That's about it. Nothing too exciting."

"School, hmm?"

Ino knew by Sakura's tone what the other woman was thinking; Coalition. But there was no comment on it. A truce seemed to be building, as long one ignored the other's connections to the law (or lack of it) everything was well and good. How long it was going to last, Ino wasn't sure. Hopefully for however long she had to deal with the other woman.

"Yep."

"It's not exactly what they teach in the books, is it?" Sakura asked, turning around.

Ino couldn't help but laugh. "Yeah, definitely not."

Sakura pulled a seat across from the blonde, letting her food pop and hiss as it cooked in the background. "You know what you're gonna do when your placement ends?"

It was Ino's turn to shrug. "I was hoping to get on to a, um, commercial ship."

"Why not stay here?"

That made Ino laugh loudly for several moments before she thought maybe it might be considered rude. "No offense, I'm sure you find everyone accommodating but they don't exactly like me much."

"Itachi trusts you, which is what counts. Otherwise he wouldn't have been let anywhere near the bridge. And I can see that Kisame likes you more than enough."

Ino released another snort of laughter, in particular to the last comment. "If you say so," she said in sarcastic tones.

Sakura gave her an incredulous look, but decided not to comment.

"Sakura," a smooth voice called out from the door.

A small, tight smile graced Sakura's face. "Sasuke! Come here, you!"

Ino watched as Sasuke was pulled into a bone-crushing hug that he only fought against half-heartedly. The hidden smile tugging at the corners of his mouth hardened something in her heart. It was obvious what the boy who never cracked a smile thought about the pink-haired medic.

I've been competing with a woman who he hasn't seen a year. Wonderful.

Ino got up to leave, but not without being noticed.

"Ino?" Sakura asked, "Where you going?"

Ino just gave a frustrated shrug of her shoulders, "I've got stuff to do, like reorganizing the medical cabinets."

"Huh? Can't it wait?"

Ino wore a bitter smile. "Nope, very important you see. You two catch up, 'kay?"

"Ino," Sakura called out in despairing tones. Ino was already out in the hall, feeling the claws of jealousy tearing into her heart. Sasuke might be an ass, but the rejection still stung regardless.

God I feel stupid.

MWMWMWWMW

Ino could tell there was scheming afoot, but she didn't know about what. It had to do with Sakura; some kind of job or heist or something. Whatever it was, it smelled of illegality. Not that she really knew. She had avoided pretty much everyone over the past few days. She wasn't in the socializing mood.

Not that she had anyone to really talk to. It wasn't like she was buddy-buddy with Zabuza, or Sasuke. Kisame and her were still resolutely not speaking to each other. And she couldn't summon up the energy to talk to Sakura without getting snippy.

It wasn't fair to Sakura, but Ino couldn't talk to the other girl without having her mind screaming, Why couldn't it be me? What do you have that I don't?

Avoidance was the best course of action. Haku didn't ask, and Ino didn't bitch. It seemed the pilot wanted to stay clean of any possible drama. Good choice, but aggravating, because that left Ino in her current state. Lonely.

It in was the quiet hours in her medical lab that she missed Kisame with his obnoxious attitude and smarmy smile, even his crude, double-entendre comments. He really made life a hell of lot more interesting on the ship.

There was a rapping knock on the doorframe of the medical bay. "You coming for dinner?" Haku's soft voice called out.

Ino sighed, running a hand through her lengthy bangs.

"Come on, you've been cooped up by yourself too long. I insist."

Ino sighed again, "Oh come on, Haku..."

Haku tugged on her arm, leading her away from the medical and toward the mess. "Don't, 'oh, Haku' me, missy. You're going to eat."

Ino didn't resist much. She was craving human company, and she missed the robust energy of the crew eating together. She might get lucky though, and it might not be a full house. However, when they did arrive in the mess hall, it was: all the crew were present minus Itachi.

Just eat your food and then leave. It's no big deal. You just have to sit and stay quiet. No conversation necessary.

She filled her plate, having a quiet conversation with Haku. Everyone else was too busy with the talk at the table to pay her much mind. Out of habit, Ino went to her usual seat, next to the brunette pilot, but a hand at her elbow stopped her short.

"Sit here, there's a spot," Sasuke offered.

Ino was positive her eyes bugged straight of her head. "Uh, sure?" Ino looked to Haku for guidance, but the brunette shrugged and looked just as surprised. Varied levels of confusion seemed to be on everyone else's face. Kisame looked suspicious, and was looking at Sasuke like he was a complicated puzzle. Zabuza was giving Kisame these cautious looks. Sakura, picking up on the mood, looked like someone who didn't know what happening.

Oooooookaaaaaaay... I'm not the only one who's thinking this is a little out of character.

It just kept getting stranger.

"So what have you been doing?" Sasuke asked all polite and considerate. Like a person who genuinely cared.

Cautious, Ino replied, "Good, I guess?

"You don't sound very sure," Sasuke teased. "There must have been something okay about the day?"

Ino shrugged, her attention on her food. If she didn't know better, she might have thought Sasuke was flirting with her. "Not really, it was pretty boring. Kinda quiet, you know?"

"I bet, especially now that I'm not sleeping there anymore. Must get lonely."

"Sometimes?" Ino provided, not sure where this was going. She noticed that Sakura was now the one wearing the look of suspicion, and Haku looked concerned. There was an emotionless mask on Kisame's face, and Zabuza was intent on reading that blank expression Kisame wore.

"If it ever gets too quiet, I could drop by sometime?" Sasuke offered.

Ino couldn't help the exhilaration her chest. Oh, she knew flirting, and this was a case definition of flirting. She wasn't sure why Sasuke was flirting with her, but she did know she certainly liked it. "Mm, sure. I'd like tha-"

The screech of a chair being pushed back cut her off. Kisame grabbed his plate roughly and left in a flurry of dark leather and a bad temper.

What's his problem? Ino wondered.

Sakura sighed; giving a Sasuke a disparaging look before following Kisame out. That seemed to be Sasuke's cue as well, because he excused himself. Not before he whispered in her ear that he hoped to see her around.

"Boy, I'd like a word with you," Zabuza growled, following Sasuke out into the hall. He abandoned his dinner on the table.

Haku raised an eyebrow at Ino, and the blonde just shrugged.

What the hell is going on?

MWMWMWMW

Surprisingly enough, Sasuke kept his promised visit. And the one after, and even the one after that. It actually started to be a ritual; before dinner, Sasuke would drop by and they would walk to the mess hall together. They typically also seem to have conversations long into the night in the mess. Ino almost was tempted to call them dates, but other people were always around, typically Sakura working like a busy bee on her 'project.'

From the bits and pieces Ino was able to glean, it sounded like a bank job, or possibly a high stakes robbery. It sounded dangerous from the hushed whispers and the meticulous planning. Tensions seemed to be rising on the ship.

Not that Ino really noticed much, she was in seventh heaven. Sasuke was interested in her! Well, she was pretty sure. He was always being nice to her, taking time out of his day to see her, and flirting with her. She was pretty sure that things were developing to the point that he might actually kiss her. He still was arrogant, but the attention he was lavishing on her was making her forgive and forget. The dark smouldering looks he would give her sometimes helped with the whole forgiving and forgetting, too.

Mmm... this is niiiiiiice, Ino thought, snuggled up to Sasuke's side as he explained something technologically difficult. Something to do with wave lengths and alpha density in comm links. Way over her head. She had barely passed basic physics back at the Academy. It didn't matter, because Sasuke's voice had measured even tones, and it was just wonderful to listen to him.

"I think it's time for me to go to bed," Sasuke yawned while stretching out. Sakura had left easily an hour before, too, and it had been nice for them to get some alone time.

"Alright, night, Sasuke," Ino said, looking at him with doe eyes. She was snuggled close to his side, with his arm loosely draped over her shoulders. They were sitting on of the inset couches in the walls of the mess hall, and the lighting added (dare she say it) a romantic atmosphere. Their faces were inches apart, and she could tell that Sasuke had the darkest eyes she had ever seen. And those beautiful eyes of his were looking into hers, and her stomach was doing little flip flops of anticipation. This is it! The moment!

Sasuke leaned back with a smile and gave her a short wave before getting up to leave for the crew dorms.

Ino sighed dramatically, wilting in her seat when Sasuke left. That did not go as I had hoped.

Ino got up wearily from the couch. Any other guy would have kissed her; of that much she was positive. Is it me? Or is he just shy?

Ino trudged down the hall, puzzling over the enigma of Sasuke. She really couldn't figure him out, or why he had changed his mind about her. He had been such an ass, but now he was acting like a sweetheart. She was sure her old medical school friends would have told her she was asking for trouble. That it was stupid. But Ino knew herself, and understood that a part of her was shallow. She always fell hard and fast for attractive men, regardless of their personality. She had dated some real assholes before she had smartened up, but she still fell into the same pattern.

But it's not the same, Sasuke was a twit before there was anything between us, not after. And he's been nice to me since he's shown an interest. Sure he talks over me sometimes, doesn't seem to always listen to me. He's also so serious all the time, and Kisame has a better sense humor than him, which is sad. But nobody can be perfect, and he's been so nice...

She noticed the lights were on in the medical bay, distracting her from her thoughts. That was strange, and she wondered if she had forgotten to turn them off.

Sighing at her forgetfulness, Ino waltzed into the medical bay, her hand flinging out to hit the switch.

"Oops! Sorry, I didn't think there was anyone in here," Ino instantly apologized.

Itachi was sitting on the medical table, his long hair loose. Sakura stood between his legs, a hand cupping his face. And they were very close, and it was clear to Ino that she had interrupted something.

Sakura quickly stepped away. "That's alright, we were just finishing. I actually wanted to talk to you, Ino. That is, if you don't mind?"

"I don't mind," Ino shrugged, shifting her weight nervously. Itachi hopped off the table, and left, but not before giving a Sakura a significant look.

"I'll see you later," Sakura said with a smile as he left.

Ino noticed Sakura was putting away tools, optometry tools. I think I missed something here. Were they having a moment or was she giving a check up?

"So what's up?" Ino asked, trying to be casual, "what's with the eye doctor stuff?"

Sakura shook head. "Nothing really. I don't know if you know this, but Itachi has eye problems. He hates checkups, so I know he probably hasn't had them checked since I left. Idiot."

The blonde accepted what Sakura said at face value. There was more going on, but it really wasn't her business, now was it? "Mhmm. So what did you want to talk about?"

Sakura put away the last tool and grew silent. Cleary, she was thinking how to phrase what she wanted to say. "So you and Sasuke have been getting close?" Sakura commented. It was obvious the other medic was trying too hard to sound casual.

Ino crossed her arms over her chest, feeling a little smug. "Yeah, we kind of are."

Sakura matched Ino's pose. A pink eyebrow quirked. "Is it serious?"

Ino shrugged. "Maybe. We'll see."

"Do you like him?"

Ino didn't hide the smile on her face. "Yeah, I do. And he likes me. It's nice. Why the curiosity?"

Sakura hesitated before she spoke. "Just... just be careful."

Ino quirked an eyebrow of her own. "What the hell does that mean?"

Sakura wore a careful expression. "Exactly what it sounds like. I don't think Sasuke is good for you, Ino. Just trust me, okay?"

"Oh?" Ino hummed, placing a hand on her hip. "And you know this how exactly?"

Sakura was starting to look exasperated. "Look, I know this how going to sound to you, but I think Sasuke is using you. We had a thing when I was still on the ship, and I think he still holds a torch for me."

Both of Ino's eyebrows rose, "You're right that sounds exactly what I think it does: a jealous ex-girlfriend."

"It's the truth, Ino."

Ino stifled a snort. You're just jealous that he likes me over you, forehead. "Thanks, I'll keep that in mind."

"I'm serious, Ino. I think you're just going to land up getting hurt if you pursue this."

The blonde rolled her eyes. "Like I said, I'll keep it mind."

Sakura squeezed Ino's shoulder as the pinkette passed. "Please do, you're not the only one whose feelings are going to get hurt. Good night, Ino."

What a night. I'm ready to crash before something else weird happens. Ino didn't even get out the door out of the medical bay before a looming figure blocked her path.

"Zabuza?" Ino asked, her voice going shrill with shock. Last person she ever expected to see.

"Good, I've been hoping to catch you when the kid wasn't around." Zabuza backed Ino back into the medical bay.

"Me? Really? Why?" Oh, I just had to jinx it didn't I?

Zabuza glared down at her. "What games are you playing at exactly?"

"Excuse me?" Honest surprise colouring Ino's voice. Games?

"You heard me. And don't play innocent. You might have Kisame convinced that you're this sweet thing, and have Haku believing you're a decent person but you don't have me fooled. I see your type all the time; girls that string a man along 'til a richer or prettier one comes along. Itachi should have taken the first opportunity he had to get rid of you."

"I honestly have no idea what you're talking about," Ino said, completely flabbergasted.

Zabuza gave her a nasty sneer. "Sure you don't, and I'm sure you haven't noticed Kisame's hasn't been tagging along behind you either."

Ino's eyebrows drew together in a frown. "What does Kisame have to with this?"

Zabuza gave her a nasty glare. "You go ahead and pretend you don't know. I'm done." With that statement the looming engineer left, leaving Ino alone in the medical bay.

Crappiest. Night. EVER. Ino thought. She suddenly felt everyone was playing a game and she didn't know what the rules were, let alone what the name of the game was. It was an unpleasant feeling.

MWMWMWWMWMW

They were sitting in the little inset alcove couch in the mess hall, as was becoming habit. Ino was still weirded out from the other night and the confusing conversations. She was quiet, not that Sasuke seemed to notice. He was droning on about A.I. harmonics.

She was kind of hoping Kisame and Sakura would show up for the usual late evening scheming sessions for Sakura's top-secret mission. It was the only time she ever saw Kisame. As much as it made her reel at the thought, she missed the six-foot alien lug. He hadn't dropped by the medical bay since the day he had left the mess hall in a huff. And the conversations they had were stilted. Which was made all the more awkward by the fact that Sasuke always seemed to get clingy when she wanted to talk to Kisame. Or Sakura. It was getting annoying.

And things had gotten awkward between Ino and Sakura as well, which was frustrating. Sakura tried to be nice but Ino was getting the vibe that Sakura was being condescending, made only worse by Ino's slight jealousy.

"Sasuke, I talked to Sakura the other day. She mentioned you guys had a 'thing.' What did she mean by that?" Ino interjected. As bad as she felt interrupting Sasuke's not very interesting conversation on A.I. systems, she wanted the matter put to rest.

However, it seemed to perk Sasuke's interest incredibly. "Really? What did she say?"

Ino shrugged. "She was extremely vague. But it sounded serious. Was it serious?"

Sasuke wore a bit of a smirk. "Well, yeah, I guess. She's pretty amazing."

Ino hated how the jealous part of her focused on the fact that Sasuke had used the present-tense. I'm over thinking this.

"Oh, that's... nice, I guess." Ino found her hands folded in her lap suddenly very interesting.

"You're pretty amazing too, you know," she heard whispered into her ear. Sasuke's fingers angled her face towards his, and then he was kissing her.

Finally, she thought as she released a blissful sigh. Sasuke was as good a kisser as she had expected; he sent her body humming in a very very nice way. Not the sparks or fire she was expecting, but the kiss was more than pleasant. There were definite tingles, to be sure.

She brushed Sasuke's cheek with her fingertips, and he deepened the kiss in response, his hand gripping her at the waist. It didn't take much for them to further in tangle themselves in each other. Ino was thoroughly enjoying it and she had a good inclination that so was Sasuke, but there was this little niggling doubt that there was something off.

This is nice, but that's all it is; nice. Fuck, does this mean I don't like him as a much as I thought? Maybe I just need to give this more time?

Ino was pulled out of her thoughts from a sudden noise behind them, and Sasuke broke the kiss to look.

It wasn't a happy sight.

Sakura was staring at both of them with a disapproving glare. Ino noticed out of the corner of her eye that Sasuke looked sheepish, but there was a gleam in his eye that the blonde didn't trust. Sasuke disentangled himself from her quicker than Ino could blink.

"Sakura, I can explain," Sasuke started.

"No need," was the answer, but it wasn't Sakura who spoke. It was Kisame. And the look he wore was tearing into Ino.

She was pretty sure that she had never seen the man so pissed and miserable at the same time.

"None of our business what you do on your time, just keep it to your quarters will you?" Kisame spat out, his voice tightly controlled. Ino couldn't help but notice that the first officer refused to look at her.

With that Kisame left, his heavy jacket flaring out behind him, the heavy thuds of his boots the only indicator at how mad he really was. Ino's heart sank with every step that was fading away and something dark and heavy was brewing in her chest.

Sasuke seemed to be little moved by the first officer's clear distress. The boy's attention had hardly waivered from the pink haired medic. Ino could hear him spewing apologies, she was pretty sure he said that the witnessed kiss didn't mean anything.

The blonde couldn't bring herself to be mad. There was just cold realization that she just got used. She was a ploy to get Sakura jealous. It stung, but she couldn't get the look that Kisame had been wearing out of her mind. And how he wouldn't look at her hurt far more than anything Sasuke could say.

"I'm sorry," Sakura's voice settled over her. Ino vaguely remembered Sasuke leaving – he must have because it was just her and Sakura in the mess hall now.

"I did try to warn you," Sakura soothed, settling onto the couch cautiously. "I am really sorry, Sasuke's a smart guy, but he's an idiot when it comes to other people and their feelings."

Yes, and you warned me I wouldn't be the only one hurt, either, by this game. Another realization was sinking in.

"How long did you know? Does everybody know?" Ino asked, her head in her hands.

Sakura looked hesitant, "I didn't really know, I just thought it suspicious, especially when Haku told me that you two hardly ever spoke before."

"Not about that," Ino responded shortly, "About Kisame. And him... liking me..."

Ino's thoughts were running through her head, trying to figure it out. How long had he had feelings for her? Ino tried to classify every encounter, every conversation, every touch. When had it transformed to Kisame from being a smarmy ass to flirting? Had it always been flirting? But that didn't seem right.

Sakura chewed on her lip in apprehension before answering. "For those who know him, it's kind of obvious.

So everyone did know. Except her. "He knows he never had a chance, right?"

Ino was Coalition; he had made it obvious enough his view on that. She had also made her position clear on how the whole piracy thing as well. It'd never work. There was also the whole completely different species thing. All-in-all, it was stupid for him to invest feelings in her. She wondered if he had been leading him on accidentally. Or maybe intentionally. The memory of that kiss in the rain on Calor still sent hot waves through her.

"You can't help liking who you like," Sakura commented, her gaze distant. "Question is; how do you feel about him?"

"He's a pompous ass," was Ino's instant response. It was truthful, she really did find him to be exactly that. But it was more complicated than that, she was realizing. The memory of that kiss in the rain on Calor, and the fact that she bothered to remember it, was evidence enough. The simple act of his mouth over hers had given her more a physical reaction than the artful kiss Sasuke had given her.

Ino heard Sakura sigh and get up from her seat on the couch. "I'm sorry to hear that, Ino. Anyways, we have the job tomorrow. I won't be coming back onto the ship when it's done, so in case I don't see you before I leave... bye, and good luck."

Sakura patted Ino on the shoulder and left, leaving the blonde alone to her thoughts.

A/N: Sasuke, you're such a jerk, honestly. You just have to drag everyone else into your drama don't you?