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 8. Stars.
Disclaimer: I don't own anything.
Valuable Asset
It was late into the evening cycle when Ino smothered a yawn with the back of her hand. She was finishing the last of her paperwork. One of the last passengers was due to leave the ship tomorrow and she needed to give him a clean bill of health; some planets wouldn't accept a new arrival if they had a recent history with illness. It was simple enough, but, of course, it was Coalition documents so it was ridiculous in length.
Ino stanchly ignored the sudden warmth she felt at her back. She felt her will breaking when she felt a hand at her waist and lips suckling on her neck.
"How's my favourite medic?" She heard whispered into her ear.
"Kisame," Ino whined, "I'm working."
"Don't let me stop you," Kisame mumbled into her neck, continuing to lavish it with attention.
Ino automatically tilted her head to allow the first officer better access, her eyes closing as Kisame continued to slather her neck with sloppy kisses. "You're making this very difficult to concentrate," Ino groaned.
"Oh, come on, I haven't seen you all day," Kisame pleaded.
The medic felt Kisame's hand trail from her waist to her chest and she gave his hand a light smack. "None of that."
Kisame teased, "You're no fun." His hand returned to her waist, but his fingers were playing with the edge of her shirt, tickling her belly.
"Because," Ino moaned, feeling a little breathless, "Because we both know where that'll lead, and I need to get this done for tomorrow morning. And that's not going to happen at the rate we're going."
"Are you trying to indicate that I'm a bad influence?" Kisame joked.
Ino rolled her eyes, and deadpanned, "You're a terrible influence."
A deep-throated chuckle from Kisame tickled her neck, and sent Ino wriggling. "A terrible, terrible, terrible influence," Ino muttered, her breathing heavy.
The first officer relented, giving a chaste kiss to her temple before moving to the seat across from her. Ino missed the warmth at her back, but she hid it.
Kisame's gaze flitted over the scattered documents, a disapproving look on his face. He was as much a fan of paperwork as she was. Probably less; she at least had the patience for it.
The blonde went back to work, and silence stretched between them. "You don't have to wait for me, you know," mentioned Ino, a bemused smirk on her face.
Kisame shrugged, "Not much else going on. Pretty much everyone has gone to bed. Captain is the only one still awake, and he's in one of his moods so he's not the talking sort right now."
"Well, it is pretty late. Maybe everyone's got the right idea, maybe you should do the whole sleep thing too," Ino commented, stifling another yawn.
A grin twitched in the corners of the first officer's mouth. "Mmhmm, I think you're the one who needs sleep, not me, sweet thing."
Ino waved his comment off. "In a minute, I'm almost done."
Kisame leaned back in his chair, his arms folded behind his head. "I still don't see why you're in such a rush to get them finished. We've never had problems before dropping off passengers at all during this trip."
Ino gave Kisame a glare. "How often do you drop off passengers at Ceres? It's one of the largest Coalition-allied planets this far away from the Inner Sector. And being so far from the Inner Sector they feel the need to over-compensate with their paperwork, of course."
Kisame snorted with derision. "Yes, because the more official you are, the more paperwork you throw at people."
"Exactly," Ino sighed, "Hence the documentation. You're right, though; there shouldn't be any problems with our final passenger getting in. He has all the correct documentation and the proper visa, but still, I doubt you want him back on the ship if the authority on Ceres decide to be pricks about how we didn't dot our 'i's."
"Not really," Kisame grumbled.
"Thought as much," Ino responded with a smile, her focus returning back to her paperwork.
A long silence stretched between them, but it didn't last. "Are you almost done?" Kisame asked, impatience colouring his tone.
Ino rolled her eyes. "Will you quit hurrying me? Seriously, learn some patience."
Both of Kisame's eyebrows quirked up at her statement. "I need to learn patience?"
"Yes," Ino growled, her pen digging into the paper as she wrote more information on the document, "you do."
The medic heard Kisame stand from his seat, but she steadily ignored the measured paces that came closer to her. The hand that came to grip her chin she couldn't ignore.
"What are you...?" Ino sniped.
"Testing you patience," Kisame whispering darkly into her ear. Ino opened her mouth for a sharp retort, but she got side-tracked once Kisame continued whispering to her; things that made her blush and sent liquid heat pooling in her belly. Hearing his voice in her ear, and feeling his breath caress her face was one of the most sensuous thing she had experienced. If Kisame didn't have such a firm grip on her chin she would have pounced on him.
"Better finish that paperwork," Kisame singsonged.
Ino reached out to grab his coat sleeve, but he edged out of her reach. "I thought you were waiting for me?" Ino pouted.
Kisame faked a large yawn, "Well, I'm kinda of tired you see. You have the codes to my bunk, you can let yourself in. After you've finished that important paperwork, of course."
Ino glared daggers at the first officer, who had the audacity to wink at her.
"You don't play fair, Kisame Hoshigaki," Ino growled.
"I have no idea what you're talking about, my dear. Now if you'll excuse me, I'll be waiting patiently for you in my dorm for you to finish."
"Oh, no you don't," Ino growled. She half-expected Kisame to childishly give bolt out the door, but he just quirked a brow at her approach. She couldn't help but notice the smirk that was fighting to reveal itself on his face.
"Yes?" Kisame asked, expectant. They were inches apart, and the air seemed to be charged between them.
The growing smirk on Kisame's lips sent heat running through Ino's veins; she could already feel a heady rush as a result.
As coyly as she could manage, Ino asked, "Are you going to bend down or what?"
Still infuriatingly out of reach the smirk finally broke free and was clear on the curve of Kisame's mouth. "Why?"
"Good night kiss?" Ino asked nonchalantly as she could. It was an obvious ploy, but one that Kisame always willingly fell to.
Kisame obliged her, as she expected. But she didn't let him go after he gave a chaste peck on the lips, instead, reinitiating the kiss. Albeit, far less chaste.
"This is cheating, blondie," Kisame muttered against her lips.
Untucking his shirt and letting her hand roam up Kisame's back, Ino replied, "Is that a complaint?"
The first officer gave a throaty growl, his hands traveling south along her back. "No, but I think you proved my point about your impatience."
Ino moaned softly, "I could stop anytime I want, question is, can you?"
"Oh, I could," Kisame challenged, turning his attention to nipping at her ears, "but I think the better question, do you want me to stop? Or can you even ask at this point?"
"The even better question is can you want me to want you to ask you to stop?" Ino retorted hotly, her breathing becoming heavy.
Kisame pulled away long enough to give her a scrutinizing look, "I think you're losing your touch, blondie, because that made no sense."
Ino huffed, "Oh, shut it will you and just kiss me."
"As my lady commands," Kisame teased, bending down from the neck to capture her lips in his. Ino sighed, melting on the inside. The hungry way his mouth moved against hers did crazy things to her. It sparked her own desires, and damn, if it didn't make her feel like she was the most important thing in the world; the sun in his solar system, as cheesy as it was. He made her feel this warm glow. It wasn't lust, but he made her feel plenty of that too. It was something powerful, the feeling he gave her, and she didn't really know what to call it, but she liked the bubbly feeling it gave her.
Ino groaned appreciatively as Kisame roamed her backside. She would have never pegged the first officer as an ass-man.
Her plan had back-fired, but Ino found it hard to complain. "I think we need to continue this elsewhere," Ino hinted.
"What about the paperwork?" Kisame mumbled.
"Fuck it, I'll do it later."
"I like the way you think."
MWMWMWMWMW
It was a bit of a crazy panic the next morning. Ino overslept, and had to wrestle out from Kisame's grasp. The man was a cuddlier, despite how much he denied it. She got the paperwork done just as the passenger was ready to disembark. There was a harrowing moment where she fretted that she had forgotten to fill something out, but the passenger didn't come back and they took off right on schedule.
Ino promised herself to prioritize better, but knew deep down she would have still made the same decision. She took what she could get; they were taking the relationship slowly, in a way. They shared the same bed some nights, they messed around, but there wasn't sex; a lot of making out, fooling around and general round of fun, but no sex. Ino knew that it was proper to wait, but she wasn't the sort of person to deny herself. She was the type to order the steak rather than a salad, get seconds of desserts, and she didn't wait for sex when she didn't have to; which was what probably got her into so much trouble in relationships, now that she thought about it. And if it had been any other guy, she might have been concerned that Kisame hadn't tried to push his luck. But Ino knew there were circumstances, so she didn't get into an argument about it. They really didn't talk about their relationship that much. They just enjoyed it for what it was.
Now, though, she had time all to herself. They would be arriving on the planet Shian-ting in a few days, where Ino would receive her new placement. She just had to fill out a huge assessment and transcript papers between now and then.
"You didn't come to breakfast, busy morning?" Haku asked as she breezed into the medical bay. A plate of hot food in Haku's hand had Ino salivating. The medic was sure she would have starved early on in the voyage if Haku wasn't always looking out for her.
"Yeah," Ino said, breaking from the questionnaire she was filling out, "had some last minute paperwork for our last passenger."
"Oh? Here I thought a certain someone might have kept you up late," Haku teased, passing the plate to the medical officer.
Ino didn't answer, blushing too much to really want to try.
"So what you doing?" Haku asked, her curiosity piqued by the mess of paperwork.
"Filling out an assessment questionnaire," Ino replied tiredly.
"An assessment? For what?"
"For my new placement."
The brunette's face scrunched up with confusion. "Oh."
Ino raised an eyebrow, "Oh? What do you mean 'oh?'"
Haku shrugged, looking uncomfortable, "Well, I thought..."
"Thought what?" Ino encouraged.
"Well, have you thought about applying here?"
It was Ino's turn to be confused. "Like what? A full time medic? On the Courtesan?"
"Well, yeah," Haku said, "We kinda need one. You see how much trouble we get into. Besides, with the way you and Kisame have been getting along..."
"It hasn't been that long," Ino mumbled.
"But still," Haku argued, "I've never seen him so happy. I mean he must have asked you, right?"
Ino's stomach plummeted. All her good morning glow due to last night was completely evaporated. "Um, no. He hasn't mentioned it."
Haku suddenly looked extremely uncomfortable. "Well, I'm sure he has his reasons. Maybe he doesn't want to pressure you?"
Ino shrugged the sudden awkwardness off, "It doesn't matter. I mean, I loved, well not quite loved, but... it was nice working on the ship, but... I want to get on one of the larger Coalition vessels, it was the reason I went to the Academy, so I need to get another placement. You get it, right? It's nothing personal."
"Yes, of course," Haku agreed, going with the flow, "I mean, you've been wanting this for forever. So, it makes sense to move on. I'm going to miss you, though. It was nice having you onboard."
"I'm going to miss you, too," Ino admitted, "Seriously, you're the reason that I'm still sane after this trip."
Haku laughed, "I kinda am, aren't I? Anyways, I'll see you later, okay?"
Ino nodded, and waved goodbye as the pilot left the medical bay. A sinking feeling settled over the medic with the absence of the good-natured Haku.
MWMWMWMWWMW
It seemed her last few days aboard the Courtesan were determined to be interesting. The following day, Ino got a very unexpected visitor.
"Sasuke?"
The ebony eyed boy clearly did not want to be there, if the slouch in his shoulders was any indicator. He still had the courtesy to give a nod of acknowledgement; a quick jerk of his chin but his gaze far off to her right.
Ino stared at him, like she expected him to sprout horns and a tail. There hadn't been any words between them since that night they had kissed, or faked-kissed or however one would define it. She wasn't sure if Sasuke stayed away from her because he had the decency to feel shame or if Kisame had threatened to break his ribs if he went near her. Either were acceptable answers in her book. And, to say the least, Ino was still royally pissed. There was still a lot left unsaid between the two of them, a lot of which she wanted to yell out.
Surprisingly civil she asked, "Can I help you?"
Sasuke gave a little bob of his shoulders. "My brother wants to speak to you. He's at the observation deck."
"Okay, thanks, I guess?" Ino answered. She didn't move to the door though, because it still looked like there was something on Sasuke's mind. It was the way his jaw clenched together that was the clue.
Silence pervaded though, and Itachi was waiting. Whatever Sasuke wanted to say was either going to have to wait or remain a mystery.
"Well, I'm gonna go see what the Captain wants then?" Ino forced casualness in her voice but it was plainly obvious how uncomfortable she was.
"I'll walk you there," Sasuke offered. Ino didn't know whether to check his temperature for Aerialian Mudtick fever or throttle him. She really didn't want Mr. Awkward Silence to be her companion as she went to meet the captain. The conversation with Itachi was going to be painful enough, if past experiences were any indicator.
Sasuke attempted some form of awkward small talk as they made the short journey. Ino would have rather listened to the rattle of their steps against the grated floor, but, no, Sasuke had to talk. "So, you've been... well?"
"Mostly," she answered, her tone full of dismissal. Hopefully he'd clue in that she wasn't in the mood for a conversation.
Sadly not.
"You and Kisame have been getting close?"
Ino narrowed her eyes, already feeling defensive. "What about it?" she said more sharply than she intended.
The twitch of an eyebrow was the only clue that she had cracked that infallible mask of distance he constantly wore. She mentally dared him to mention her attitude. She was looking for an excuse to bitch out the little bastard.
Sasuke fluffed his hair a little before trying to pick up the thread of the conversation again. "Nothing really, just noticing. He's treating you well?"
Ino did nothing to hide the venom in her voice, "Better than some, I have to say."
She saw him scowl out of the corner and that made her want to grin evilly. Oh, is Sasuke not used to having a girl not hang on his every word? It must be a bitch to get that obnoxious attitude thrown in your face when you don't want it, huh?
Sasuke continued to surprise, though; most guys would have snapped right back at her, but Sasuke retained his aloof, mellow attitude. "Good to know."
"Uh huh. Well, looky here! We've arrived. Thanks the company, Sasuke," Ino said in a rush. She slipped into the observation deck and closed the door before the younger Uchiha could say another word.
Whew, safe, Ino thought turning around. The observation was dark, and Itachi was seated in the pilot's chair, looking dark and brooding with his back to the door. Not to mention scary. Safe might have been the wrong word.
Ino fidgeted, waiting for the captain to notice her. He didn't turn around, though, or give any indication that he knew she was there. He just stared through the large reinforced glass panel of the observation deck.
After several long moments Ino dared to ask, "You asked for me, sir?"
Ino heard the springs in the chair squeak as Itachi shifted his weight . He beckoned her with a hand, but his focus was still on the deep black of space.
"Yamanaka, tell me what do you see?" he finally asked when she was close enough.
"Stars?" she replied, her voice unsure.
"Look," Itachi prompted, "and tell me what you see. Not what you assume."
Ino gave the captain a cautious look from the corner of her eye. She still did what he asked. The medic let her gaze rake over the view. A small gasp escaped her when she saw it.
"A nebula."
It was a faint thing, a ghostly silhouette of pale light. But it was beautiful. And it was close (well, if you used star miles to the power of ten) by the fact that she was able to spot it with the naked eye.
"I didn't know there was a nebula system this way," she admitted. There were so many star systems, especially unmapped the farther one went from the Inner Sector, that it wasn't surprising that she wouldn't have known. She was a medical officer, not a planetary researcher or galactic pilot. It wasn't expected of her to know it.
Ino snuck a look at Itachi; his entire posture was relaxed and at ease. His chin rested on one hand, and his focus was out to the black. Distantly, Ino remembered Sakura mentioning that Itachi was having eye problems.
What would happen if he was to go blind?
There weren't many health problems that the New Galaxy Coalition wasn't able to treat. But would Itachi be eligible for treatments, and what if the problem wasn't fixable?
Not my problem, Ino thought distantly. Soon, nothing on the Courtesan's Fan would be her concern.
"That's enough stargazing for one evening," Itachi said, his voice as delicate and fragile as paper in the awed silence of the observation deck. "Do you know why I requested you here, Yamanaka?"
Ino shook her head mutely. Then remembered her manners. "No, sir, I don't."
Itachi stood carefully, resting his hip on the pilot's console. "I do believe your placement with us will be terminating soon. Am I correct?"
"You are, sir."
Itachi seemed to get in lost in thought for a moment. "Hn. Have you given thought for your application for your next placement?"
Ino shrugged, inquisitive of Itachi's interest. Maybe he's just being friendly?
"I've indicated my interest for a placement on Coalition spacecraft. Whether I am accepted or not is another matter."
Ino had initially thought about extending her interest to include placements planetside. Her time on the ship had changed her mind, though. The blonde found herself suited for interstellar travel. Some people became terribly nervous at the idea of being stuck in some metal box in the vacuum of space. If something went wrong on a ship, it could go downhill quickly, and that got some people paranoid. It didn't bother her that much. Not to say she didn't get restless. She missed the breeze and the smell of dirt, even bad weather like everybody else, but there was something alluring about space travel. It was a feeling she couldn't explain.
"Have you considered requesting to stay here, on the Courtesan?"
The question was unexpected and threw Ino for a loop. She would have been sure that Itachi would have been glad to be finally free of her. It had to make him cautious to have Coalition officer aboard his ship of pirates. But maybe that was part of the reason; he wanted her close so he could an eye on her.
"Sir, I don't know how much clearer I can say this, you don't have to worry. I saw nothing, heard nothing and know nothing of what may or may not have occurred on this ship. I swear on my grandfather's grave."
Itachi probably had the power to keep her on his ship, indefinitely, if he wanted to. Ino was starting to suspect that he had some pull somewhere in the Coalition.
"No, that's not it," Itachi assured her. If she didn't know better she might have guessed there was some amusement in his voice from her earnest response. Yeah, right.
"You've proven yourself to be a capable medic. I find that a valuable asset on a ship like mine. I also don't want to break in another medic should my ship need to take on passengers again."
"And if I say no?" Ino suggested nervously.
Itachi gave a minute shrug of his shoulder. "Then I will respect your decision. But I hope you will reconsider my offer."
"I'll think it over, sir."
Itachi gestured to the door as he spoke, "You're dismissed then."
Ino wasted no time escaping the dark observation deck.
MWMWMW
Ino had decided to reject the Captain's offer. She expected relief but it felt like something was clawing at her stomach, and a heaviness was choking at her heart. She recognized it as anxiety, but she couldn't understand why. Her last day on the ship was tomorrow. They would arrive at Shian-ting's capital, Charlotte, late in the evening, and that would end her placement on the Courtesan. No more illegal piracy, no more people getting shot. She would have a legal and safe Coalition placement. Hopefully, on a Coalition vessel. She should be happy, not panicking. Her first placement had been such a nightmare.
But she had come to see the Courtesan as home and the crew as some dysfunctional family. And when she thought about not seeing a certain member of the crew that she had become extremely attached to... it felt like iron chains constricted her lungs. The fact that Kisame hadn't asked her to stay or even mentioned her leaving at all got her stomach in knots. He was the first officer. He must have known what Itachi had offered her, but he decided to stanchly not to mention it.
She couldn't sleep because of it. It was late, Kisame had his arms securely wrapped around her but she couldn't sleep. As Kisame snored into her hair, she couldn't help but feel panicked and sick. A part of her felt used, and felt everything that had happened with Kisame was just a repeat of the disaster with Sasuke. Another part of her worried that he just didn't care enough to be bothered.
She wriggled out of Kisame's bed, feeling twisted with anxiety, and headed to the mess hall. It was in the middle of the night, but she made herself a cup of coffee anyways. It wasn't like she was sleeping anyways, so the caffeine wouldn't hurt.
Nursing her cup of coffee, Ino tried to rationalize with herself. What did it matter if Kisame didn't ask her to stay? She didn't want to stay did she? She had her career ahead of her. She didn't spend so much money on tuition and years of her life to be the medic on some small pirate vessel.
She didn't know how long she sat in the dim mess hall, but Kisame eventually come looking for her. It was then she realized her coffee was stone cold and mostly full.
"Hey, sweet thing, what are you doing awake?" he mumbled, his voice drowsy. He blearily rubbed at his eyes. The first officer was just wearing his boxers and his hair was mussed; it was obvious from the way he swayed that he was still half asleep and for whatever reason, Ino felt it was a precious moment. She also realized that this was probably the only one she would ever get with Kisame. She felt a pang pierce her heart. It was like the powerful warm glow Kisame gave her when he kissed her, but sharp and aching. Almost like her heart was breaking.
Ino shrugged, too confused with her emotions to know how to answer.
Kisame yawned, "Well, come to bed, it's late you know."
"I can't sleep," Ino admitted softly.
"Why?" Kisame asked, sleepiness giving a drawl to his voice. Ino felt the pang strike her again.
"Nervous, I suppose."
"Hmm? What about?" Kisame asked, settling in the chair next to her. He was starting to look less sleepy and she could see the calculating look starting to dawn in his eyes.
Ino fiddled with her fingers before she forced them to be still. "I leave day after tomorrow. My placement is ending."
Surprise was obvious in Kisame's expression. "Oh, I guess you're right. But what do you have to be nervous about? You'll be fine."
"I guess," Ino agreed, "I've just gotten used to it here, I suppose."
A thoughtful expression flickered on Kisame's face before it disappeared. "I wouldn't worry about it." Ino couldn't help be a little disappointed at his reaction; she wasn't sure what she had expected but she thought there was going to be more of something to the realization that she was leaving.
Kisame stood up and made to leave, a wave of his hand inviting her to follow. When she didn't, he gave her a cautious look.
"Itachi offered me a position on the ship," Ino's eyes flickered to meet his, "Did you know that?"
Kisame shifted his weight nervously before he finally answered roughly, "I knew he's been thinking about it for a while."
"And you've never thought to mention it?" Was Ino's blithe comment.
Kisame shrugged, not meeting her gaze.
"Kisame, can I ask you a question?" Ino asked, suddenly feeling tired.
The first officer seemed to hesitate before nodding. "Sure."
Ino took a calming breath, but it felt like her heart was in her throat. "What is this?" she asked, gesturing to herself and him.
There was a flicker, a fast change of emotion before it was masked, in Kisame eyes. He knew exactly what she meant. "What do you mean?"
Ino's gaze was anywhere but the first officer's face. Her stomach felt like it was doing acrobatics, and her heart was beating so fast she was sure it was going to burst. She always sucked about talking her feelings. She was more of a go-with-the-flow person. The only time she had serious relationship conversations was when the old spark and vibe had gone out and it was time for that dreaded 'talk.' In the back of her mind, Ino realized she was better at ending relationships than working at them. Maybe that was why she was so willing to let the subject of them lie still for so long.
"This," she gestured at the space between them again, desperate to get her point across. At Kisame's careful expression Ino continued, "You and me. What would we call this?"
"What would you call it?" hedged Kisame.
The medic released a growl of frustration. "I don't know that's why I'm asking! God, forget it. This is stupid. I'm going to bed. My own bed." Ino stood up in a huff, and roughly brushed past the first officer.
She didn't expect to get very far, and Kisame didn't disappoint. One of his large hands had reached and snatched her wrist. Different parts of her were warring over whether this was a good or bad thing.
"Don't snap at me, woman. It's so fucking late in the night it's early," Kisame grumbled, a harshness in his voice indicating that he was having difficulty keeping his volume at a whisper.
"Then don't avoid the question!" Ino sharply retorted.
"I don't know the answer! But clearly you do otherwise why would you be getting so damn upset!" Kisame accused.
Ino tried to jerk her wrist free, but it wasn't happening; Kisame had too strong a grip. She didn't want this conversation, and she was regretting that she had brought it up. And all just because she wanted to understand, to know, and not be left wondering what could have been when she left. She should have just have kept her mouth shut and dealt with the wondering. "Fine, let's keep this simple then. Do you want me to stay?"
There was a long moment of silence. With every panicked heartbeat Ino felt the dread fill her, almost suffocating her.
"It's not my place to ask you to stay," Kisame eventually answered, his jaw clenched.
Frustrated, Ino corrected him. "I'm not asking you to ask me to stay, I asking if you want me to stay."
There was another long silence while Kisame deliberated his answer. Finally, he ground out, "Yes." From the sullen look on his face, it was like she was pulling his teeth!
"You don't have to look so damn miserable about it," Ino snapped. She had no idea why he had responded with yes and look like it was his death sentence but it bothered her immensely.
Kisame snorted impudently. "I don't know why we're bothering with this conversation. You said yourself; you're leaving tomorrow. Why does it matter whether or not I want you to stay?" Ino could tell that Kisame was doing his best to keep his voice even, but she was still able to detect disappointment and hurt in his tone. She wondered how practiced he was at hiding those emotions.
"Because," Ino started, feeling her throat go dry from nervousness, "Because it might influence my decision. Just a little."
Peeking from under lashes she saw Kisame giving her a blank stare. "You'd stay? Why?"
Ino nervously played with the long sweep of her bangs. Butterflies danced in her stomach. "Because, you know, I like you. Alot," she answered, her throat feeling tight.
She expected some sort of response from Kisame. Not his stunned silence.
Not very promising. Fuck.
Ino let her fingers drag through her bangs a final time before she sighed, "And clearly I'm an idiot and you don't feel the same." Maybe there was another reason why he hadn't slept with her.
Kisame hesitated before he spoke. "I don't like talking about myself, even less about my feelings. Never have. But there's an old saying, 'actions speak louder than words,' and I try my hardest to follow that."
"And what's that supposed to mean?" Ino demanded, misery colouring her tone.
A nervous smile, just a simple upturning of the corners of Kisame's mouth, was all she saw before she felt his lips press against hers. She relented almost immediately, responding to the kiss with equal fervour. It was hungry and needy, and Ino felt the heat curling in her belly and spreading throughout her entire body. She let her hands wander; over the planes of his naked chest, giving his biceps an appreciative squeeze before lacing her hands together behind his neck.
Kisame pressed her closer, weaving his fingers tightly in her hair. She felt him bite her lower lip gently, the points of teeth adding a thrill to the sensation.
The kiss eventually slowed to a natural breaking point, leaving both of them out of breath.
"That answer enough for you?" Kisame asked darkly, his voice deep and husky. It sent wonderful thrills through Ino.
"I'd still like a translation," she asked, cuddling closer. "That is, if you don't mind?"
Kisame rested his chin on the top of her head with a sigh. "That I like you. God knows why. You're such a pain."
Ino lightly smacked him, recognizing the ribbing for what it was. "Jerk." She cuddled closer, her cheek resting against his collarbone.
"So, now what?" Ino asked softly.
The first officer muffled a yawn with the back of his hand. "Time for bed. We'll figure out your paperwork in the morning."
"But I'm not tired," the medic pouted. It wasn't a lie either.
"I know the best way to fix that," he hinted. Ino couldn't help the giggles as Kisame gave her neck wet kisses. He knew all her ticklish spots.
Ino opened her mouth to respond, a challenge in her eyes, but sudden pandemonium struck. The emergency warning lights were flaring red and white, and a klaxon was blaring loudly. Not even a second later, the ship shuddered violently. If Kisame hadn't had a strong grip on her, Ino would have been tossed to the floor.
"What's happening?" Fear trickling into Ino's voice. Had they hit something?
Kisame wore a look of concentration and one of worry. In the distance there was some kind of thudding sound.
"I don't know."