Dinner with a Side of Distraction
A/N: Sorry for the delay, I guess that's what happens when your Beta becomes a busy college student…
Disclaimer: Because I haven't done one in a while. Naruto is a creation of Masashi Kishimoto who retains all rights from his creation.
I only get to offer up my story as entertainment without monetary gain, however I am looking into retaining all the lefts from these strange ramblings.
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It was 11:00 in the morning, and Chouji found himself in the most ordinary of jobs. He'd been stationed at the main gates as a last minute substitute, because Aoba had been called away by the Hokage to serve on a mission at the last minute. As far as he was concerned the most tiring part of this duty was the brief effort of sensing the chakra signature of those coming in. Fortunately the man at his side was a specialist at such arts; however, that man was Tsunakaiten Yuji. He always felt a little uncomfortable around this shinobi whose primary skills involved ropes and today was no exception…but for a different reason.
"Good morning!" Ino cheerfully wandered up. Her gaze was fixed firmly on her teammate.
"Good morning to you too," he replied casting a glance at Yuji to see his reaction to what Chouji had feared was an unavoidable incident. He shouldn't have worried.
"Hi Ino, how's it going?" The one- eyed shinobi smiled at the blonde, his loquacious nature taking over with ease.
She almost seemed to have forgotten that there was anyone else there. "Oh," her attention turned, "hey Yuji, long time, no see. I'm fine." Her body language showed that she still felt awkward talking with this particular ex-boyfriend, so she offered up small talk, "How are Mika and the kids?"
"Good," he replied, "Yusuke is really enjoying the academy."
"It helps when you have a friend when you start," Chouji nodded, he knew that Tsuzuki was best friends with the boy because they lived near the Nara family. It made him reflect what a saving grace having a Nara by his side had made to the shy chubby boy he had been so many years before.
"Or a good rival," Ino laughed.
"You maybe," Yuji replied, "I'm glad my boy's got friends." He leaned forward, adding in a lower tone, "And possibly even a crush. You should hear how he talks about the Uchiha girl."
"Now there's a child who needs every friend she can get," Ino said with a sly smile. "People were quick to label her a tragedy when she was born with those eyes. In spite of everything they're taught, young kunoichi can be pretty vicious about judging people on looks."
"Then I better have a long talk with Yukoto when she's old enough to go to school," the one-eyed shinobi grinned. "I don't know if her mother's set a good enough example."
Both Chouji and Ino chuckled.
"Well anyways," Ino said after a moment, "I came out here to give you," she looked pointedly at Chouji, "one last chance to declare what you want me to make you for dinner."
"Ooooooh," Yuji sounded off in a joking manner.
Chouji actually felt a slight flush of embarrassment before stammering out, "I-it's okay, just surprise me."
A broad grin took over the blonde's face, "You're certain."
The swirl cheeked head nodded.
"Perfect," she clapped her hands together. "See you later," she blew him a kiss and set off toward the heart of Konoha.
It was Yuji's turn to laugh, "Oh man, I think you just made her day."
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Later that day, when he opened the door that led to the stairs up to his apartment, Chouji instantly savored the aromas that filled the passageway. You evil temptress, you deliberately left the door open. This alone added fuel the fantasies of wishing to spend the rest of his days by her side. Then he got to the landing and he took his first look at her.
Ino stood with her head bowed before him, in a short sleeved lilac colored dress with mid-thigh length swingy, full skirt. Over it she wore a ruffled full apron. The only thing that kept her form looking like she was wearing a maid outfit was the lack of a crinoline to pouf the skirt out even further. Well that, and no little ruffled cap. Instead her hair was loose, except on the left she wore two little decorated bobby pins crossing in an 'X'. To his surprise these too were perfect, (even though he suspected they were borrowed from Ryokou due to their cute style) one was had a red butterfly and the other a pink pig.
He gazed at her for a moment totally lost for words.
She raised her head slightly to look at him and with a slight curl on the right side of her lips she spoke in a velvety tone, one perfect word: "Hungry?"
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Ino looked at Chouji across the table. "I didn't work this hard on dinner so you could inhale it in five minutes. Slow down."
He stopped and regarded her. "Sorry," he apologized, a sheepish expression spreading across his broad face, "but it really is excellent."
She glided around the table, wrapping her slender fingers to take the chopsticks out of his much larger hand. Then she gestured for him to slide his chair back and settled herself on his lap. "Just think how good it's gonna taste if you take your time." Her voice implied something more as she turned and used the utensils to pick up a strip of beef and began to feed him.
He opened his mouth to willingly accept her offering. A contented smile took over his face while he played by her rules; he completely masticated the piece before swallowing.
"That's a good boy," she whispered, stroking his hair with her free hand, she then reached for another piece to offer him.
They continued at this leisurely pace until the plate was empty, it was Chouji's idea of heaven: Ino's undivided attention and a positively delicious meal.
The blonde had been planning her next move carefully; she could tell that her partner accepted her position and attentions up to now. But I want some attention as well. Ino stopped and settled the utensils down. Then she shifted her position to straddle him and then gently brushed her lips against his. "So," she said in a sultry tone, "do you want to think about dessert?"
"Are you talking about what I'm getting now?"
"Oh no, something much better," she pressed herself against him enticingly and traced his lips gently with the tip of her tongue before kissing him.
There was a surge of delight at the taste and sensation of her tongue as she gently nudged her way between his lips. Suddenly, Chouji started running all the lines he could use to finally propose to her through his mind, but somehow they all came out really lame like: You're a terrific cook, what a splendid wife you'd make…wanna be mine? or While on the subject of desserts, do you want to sweeten the deal by marrying me? So he kept trying to come up with something better. When he resigned himself to the fact he couldn't, he thought, Besides, I don't have the ring yet.
"I think you want something special." She slid back off his lap, still pressing her lips against his, so he couldn't quite see what she was up to. He felt her brush against the side of his leg briefly, then after a moment later another slight pressure against him. Finally, she once again slid her legs to either side of his and she did something he didn't expect. He felt her hands fumble with the fastenings of his pants.
No…yes…no…Yes, his inner voice was already arguing as he pulled his mouth from the warmth of hers to attempt to voice a protest.
"Hush, it's all right," she almost purred, "it's been such a long time." She aggressively replaced her mouth over his, but inside she was pleading, Oh please give me this…
"Mmmnn." The sound was lost in her mouth. He closed his eyes, a part of him wanted to panic, another was willing to let her continue. It would be easy for him to grab her by the waist and lift her off, but after a moment of the unexpected attentions of her touch, he decided to give in to her. The shiver that took him was half excitement/half fear; his eyes pinched even tighter shut as his mind screamed for caution. Another moment and her hands settled softly on his shoulders, and he experienced a very different kind of caress. Her mouth held to his as they shuddered near gasps into each other.
Her lips pulled away from his again and she spoke in a hoarse whisper, "Don't - Move."
How could you even think of suggesting something like that? Now that we're in this position, that's all I want to do. He tried his best to maintain their current situation. "I…Ino…how can…"
"I want to see how long I can stand it," the smile she gave him was positively wicked. "Just try to synchronize your breathing…and just your breathing, with mine."
They somehow managed to make it through a few moments in their situation, then Ino leaned forward slightly and the change made Chouji gasp. She whispered again, "Patience, now, let's see how long we can take being this close while just kissing." She continued her approach pressing her lips against to his once again.
I didn't plan on us ending up like this tonight, but I want you so very much. He tried to express it in the way her returned her kiss. He realized that maybe this was the craziest thing she'd ever suggested in her whole life. I'm trying to enjoy the feel of her mouth, but I'm concentrating on trying not to move anything else…no matter how badly I want to. But this searing need…my heart is racing, I've never heard my blood pounding in my ears like this…I want…I… dammit Ino. He made ready to slide his hands to a position where he could take control of the situation. Maybe that's what she's waiting for: My move. He shifted ever so slightly, adjusting his grasp; should I try to take this into the bedroom?
"Don't be afraid…" she pressed forward against him, "it's our night."
His breath came out raggedly as he echoed the sentiment, "Our night."
"Just follow my lead," her voice couldn't help but express the overwhelming need she was experiencing, I haven't felt this alive since… She pressed her lips to the base of his throat and was delighted by the sound he made in reaction. This only made her more excited to continue. The feathery glide of his hand trailing down her back seemed to confirm that he'd accepted the situation.
Perched almost precariously on their chair they ardently continued to maneuver against each other.
Chouji knew he had completely relinquished control of the situation to her, There's no turning back now… He felt strangely giddy as she kissed him fiercely, and then the thundering in his ears seemed to grow louder…
Ino's head snapped away from his to face the door. "Do you hear that?" she half-gasped as the twisting made her weight shift ever so slightly. Then she groaned in near anguish, "Not noooowwww."
There was a definite sound of footsteps running up the stairs.
She pushed herself up and away from him. The sensation of it left Chouji painfully enraptured for the briefest moment.
A loud bang on the door, "Ino, Chouji are you in there?!" It was Shikamaru's voice.
Ino whispered "Quick, go to either your bedroom or the bathroom. I'll pretend I'm cleaning up here."
Chouji watched as her fingers deftly pulled something out of the apron's pocket.
"Sorry to interrupt but this is an emergency!" Their friend thumped heavily on the door again.
Ino jumped up, pulling very scanty, lace edged, violet colored panties back on while she was in the air. She landed almost soundlessly.
He couldn't help but gasp with appreciation of the show, Oh-My-God that was glorious. However, it almost made his current situation even a bit more awkward than it already was.
She glanced back over her shoulder and hissed softly, "Chouji, you're in no position to be seen…go." She waved a hand behind her to flag him to move.
With a groan, he lurched uncomfortably to his feet, trying not to trip as he held up his pants with one hand and ducked out of sight.
Ino opened the door and made a show of taking off the apron and throwing it on a chair.
Shikamaru stood there. "Ino, there's been an accident. Your father's been injured and Ryokou's hysterical because she was out with him at the time. They're on their way to the hospital."
"Chouji, did you hear us?" she called out. The tension she felt changing to a different kind.
"You go. I'll be along as soon as I can." His strained sounding voice seemed to be just muffled enough that he must have put himself to the other side of a door.
"Take me to them." She held out a hand to Shikamaru and they rushed off to the medical center.
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When they arrived, Sakura was waiting at the main lobby with Ryokou. The girl saw Ino and ran to her mother's arms "I was so scared. It all fell toward us and grandfather got hurt and blood ran down." As she spoke she started to cry and her voice pitched louder and higher.
"And I just got her to settle down," Sakura sighed.
Ino gently pushed her daughter's chocolate colored bangs out of her red-rimmed eyes. She looked at her with mild concern, "Ryokou, you are going to be a kunoichi some day. I know it's hard after what happened, but please calm down." She bent to give her daughter a kiss on her forehead. "You know this isn't proper behavior at the hospital."
Ryokou blinked back her tears and nodded to her mama. She rubbed briefly at her eyes, but made a noticeable effort to regain her self-control.
The blonde picked up her daughter, "I think we're ready to see him now." Ino looked at Sakura.
A moment later they followed Sakura down the intuitional cream painted hall. "Inoichi will be kept overnight for observation because he had been knocked unconscious by the head injury." The pink haired medic informed her long time friend, "Since your family's specialties involve the mind…"
"…it's standard procedure." Ino finished the thought.
As they opened the door they could see that Misao was already there sitting with him. Overall, it looked nowhere near as bad as the child's panic made it out to be. Ino was reassured by the fact that there were few monitors in the room.
"I'm just glad Ryokou didn't get hurt when that sign collapsed." Inoichi smiled as he looked at his granddaughter safe in Ino's arms. His head was bandaged primarily on the left hand side; his golden hair was forced around awkwardly by the wrappings. "She was right under it when it gave out. I was worried I wouldn't get her out of the way in time." He paused before adding, "I guess I'm not as fast as I used to be."
"Is this you admitting you're getting old?" Ino chided, "I never thought I'd see the day."
"Ino, that's not nice." Her mother said, but she put her hand up in front of her face like she was hiding a smile.
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Chouji was waiting for them when they left the hospital room a good hour later. Under the clear moonlit skies, he escorted three generations of Yamanaka women home. Ino stayed with him while the other two went inside.
"I guess tonight didn't turn out the way I wanted it to." Ino touched his hand almost shyly.
"Well, thank you for dinner," Chouji smiled sweetly at her, "it was wonderful." The change in her behavior this evening was not lost on him.
"Too bad about dessert," She looked at him with a blush coloring her cheeks, "I'm sorry that I left you in that state, maybe next time?"
"I'll settle for a little of what I can get here." He drew her in for a kiss, but somehow what had nearly happened between had them had both a bit more excited than usual, Chouji hadn't realized how much, until he experienced her touch again. He pressed her back against the wall, feeling her force herself against him just as aggressively. He backed off slightly, scared by this rush of desire. They entwined in each other's embrace restlessly, knowing that there was no way that the sudden need they felt was going to get answered here and now.
A moment later they came up for air. "I guess this is goodnight then." Ino pulled her fingers back from his hair; a heavy sigh escaped her as she looked up at him.
"I guess," he gazed into her eyes a moment longer, then, before he got completely lost in them, he turned his head slightly, "Goodnight Ino." He began to walk away then after three steps he turned back to see she was still watching him. "Ino I…" he paused, taking in her bright eyes as they waited on his next words. I can't do this right now…at least tell her you love her…you don't have to ask her for anything more…. "I…I…never mind." He felt nervous, not sure if this was the right thing to have said, but he was at a total loss. So he waved and went on his way.
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Chouji looked back at the Yamanaka residence. He'd only walked about two blocks since his last hesitation. Go back and ask her. But I swore I wouldn't say that I loved her until I was absolutely sure she felt the same way. He saw a light go off in the apartment. No, I want it to be perfect, a special evening, a ring and the right words. Another light went out, with a sigh he continued on his way home.
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Ino got Ryokou settled down for the night then lay down to sleep herself. Her head was full of thoughts that wouldn't go away. Somehow she got thinking about how they'd finally started dating again after two and a half years. Am I just settling for him because he's always there for me? No, I care about him, enjoy his company and know that he always seemed to have as much fun as I do when we go out. Furthermore, there is no doubt in my mind that Ryokou adores him and that he cares for her just as much.
She smiled when she thought about when she'd kissed Chouji during dinner. It was nice; I never have any complaints about the way he kisses, but at times he's so remarkably gentle it's almost unreal. It was so funny how I got to taste my own cooking off his lips. I did an excellent job tonight, she smiled. She stared upward and thought about how things had gone this evening up until the point where Shikamaru had come to get her. Maybe I shouldn't have teased for so long, it was feeling pretty good. I like how he responds to my touch, although it might have been nice to see some the responses he'd have to me touching him different ways.
Her mind drifted to their farewell tonight, I do enjoy twisting my fingers into that mane he calls his hair. And I certainly have no doubt that he wouldn't have minded something more. But is this that deep love they talk about, the kind that make one feel complete? I'd like to think so, but why am I so unsure? She hugged her pillow to her chest, taking in the lavender scent she used to help her sleep.
That was the worst part, from the time she was sixteen, until she'd met Kankurou and gotten pregnant with Ryokou when she was twenty, she'd had a fairly active and mostly safe sex life. Sometimes she missed those adventures, but she also knew she had a responsibility to her daughter. Dammit, I've gone without it longer than I had it. Why does something always happen to stop me from taking that step again?
Another little thought nagged at the back of her mind… then she looked at her calendar, February 24th. A moment later, she'd gotten out of bed, dug to the bottom of a chest in the back of her closet and pulled out a nearly forgotten diary…February 24th. I did it to him again…on the same day too…I'm soooo sorry. I'm so impatient, why do I always have to force things…? She closed her eyes, feeling like she wanted to cry. Why does this happen to us? She climbed back into her bed and tried to do some relaxation exercises to clear her head of her guilt so she could sleep.
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Chouji knew it was silly when he did it, but somehow he couldn't resist it when he found the apron. He picked it up and hugged it to himself. He continued to hold it with one hand while he held out one of the ties in his other hand. Then he danced a waltz around his apartment. I've always wanted to dance with you, Ino. That's what I really would have like to do with you after dinner. Something sweet, you know, kind of romantic. He put the apron back down on the chair feeling slightly disappointed. Maybe you shouldn't have awakened that desire for something more…selfish…in me.
It turned out to be a very restless night.
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A/N: Okay, maybe I bent my rating a little around the edges this time, but I don't think anything got broken. Thank you to Awaii for taking the time to review.
