A/N: In which choices made come back to haunt…


My Thoughts Are With You

Ino's dreams had been like a replay of all her past conquests: starting with Yuji when she'd convinced herself the way to win Sasuke was to be irresistibly skilled in the arts of love. It moved almost like she was being passed on from one to the next, she tried to make it hesitate early on, but failed: the brief re-visitation of her seduction of Chouji when they were teens made her want to scream apologies for what she'd done, but in the blink of an eye she'd moved on to her next liaison and even though she could look back over her shoulder, there was no one there. Kiba-Shino-Neji-Izumo and others, had there really been so many?

Eventually she found herself in Kankurou's arms, and she lingered here far longer than before. Edges of pain tempered the pleasure she felt as his dark eyes seemed to reach into the depths of her soul. Then his hands relinquished their hold on her and she found herself momentarily in limbo. She felt a wave of panic ripple through her, This isn't what's supposed to happen, I don't want to be alone.

Her eyes shut as if to fight back tears, when sudden warmth surrounded her hand. At the same time something trailed around her waist. She opened her eyes to see Chouji before her, a smile so sweet she could almost taste it. His large hand encompassed hers with a gentle grip, but somehow she once again felt compelled to look back, and there, about ten feet away, stood Kankurou in the robes of Kazekage. The sensation on being caressed around her midsection continued just a little longer, then she saw a hint of what could only be his chakra strings fading as they went back to his hands. His lips moved; she was sure the words he mouthed were 'You're mine'.

Her head snapped back around the other way. There remained her swirl cheeked teammate, looking at her. He seemed completely oblivious to what she'd just done, let alone how she felt at this moment because of what she'd just seen, it was a thrilling mix of fear and desire. Then Chouji pulled her into his arms and everything seemed warm and safe. His lips brushed the exposed left side of her forehead, just as a hoarse whisper impossibly filled her right ear…'Mine.'

The alarm woke her before she found out what was to happen next. Her head filled abruptly with the realities of her world: A daughter to get ready for school, and then there was her father. I've been such a disappointment to him. That has to change.


Chouji woke to the sound of tapping at his door. As he snatched up a sage colored robe that sort of matched the green pajama pants he'd slept in, he fumbled with the belt as his mind created a little fantasy scenario as to what awaited him. It's Ino, she's come to get her apron…and finish what we started last night.

Twisting the door handle open, he felt his robe slip slightly more open than he wanted it to be. He was confronted with a familiar face that had bangs hanging over an eye, unfortunately it was Izumo.

The Hokage's messenger took in the sight before him. "Expecting someone else, were you?" He could clearly read the expression of the man who'd just opened the door.

"Sorry to disappoint you, but the Chiba clan sent word that they need you at their residence by 11:00." He put a hand on a broad shoulder of the Akimichi and gave a reassuring pat. His other hand held out the orders packet, "Be happy, this should be the last of these missions, February's almost over."

Chouji took the orders and nodded resignedly.

Izumo turned back to the stairs and gestured a goodbye wave, his voice carried back jovially as he descended, "Oh, by the way, nice hickey."

The swirl cheeked shinobi closed the door with a groan. He leaned back against the wall next to it and swore under his breath as he looked at the packet in his hand. What kind of glorified shopping trip am I escorting some of them on this time? Anxious fingers undid the ties on the mission instructions, hurriedly pulling them out for him to peruse. No way! He re-read them twice before he could believe they were true. A look of pure bliss claimed his face, Takarako Town. He slid the packet together and did the seals that would destroy his copy of the mission instruction.

His eyes looked at the clock, I have just enough time to get in a shower and get there before anyone else can see him.


As Sakura stopped by the office at the medical center to pick up some materials for her class at the academy, she caught sight of large figure slipping out of Inoichi's room. A moment later she saw him duck stealthily behind a curtained divider that had been left in the corridor as Yamanaka Misao rounded the corner. Sakura watched the situation unfold, Wants to keep his visit a secret…this could be good.

As soon the short haired blonde entered her husband's room, Chouji emerged from concealment with a giddy expression on his face and hurried toward the exit. He barely noticed the pink-haired medic until she grinned. He froze, head swiveling to look at her.

"Don't worry, I won't say a word," she said softly. "But I'll let Tsunade know that security might just be getting lax around here again…tomorrow."

Chouji blinked, swallowed, then replied, "Thank you."


Ino started down the stairs with Ryokou in tow. I get her to the Academy a little early so I can do all the preparation to open the shop. Mom will want to make Dad take it easy for a day or two no matter how much he'll protest. She opened the door to step out onto the back street with her daughter.

"Ino."

The blonde turned her head but her daughter offered the first greeting. "Good morning Uncle Chouji!" She was all sunshine and enthusiasm.

"Good morning to you too, Ryokou-chan," he smiled at the girl. Then he crouched down to her level to ask, "Would it be all right if I talk to your mother for a few minutes?"

The brown haired girl looked back and forth, wide eyed, at the two of them.

"Go inside for a bit, honey. I'll get you as soon as we're done," Ino pulled open the door, shooing her inside.


Ino had opened the shop at its normal hour; it was 11:30 when her parents finally made it home. In had been dead quiet all morning almost as if everyone had heard about Inoichi's injury and hadn't expected the store to be open. To keep busy, she'd begun doing an impromptu inventory of all the fussy little niceties like ribbon and message cards when she heard the back door open.

She greeted them in the back hall.

Her father's expression flicker briefly to surprise, then to a more normal one, "Good morning," he said softly.

"Why do I get the impression you didn't expect to see me?" she asked. "I told Mother I'd cover things here so she could take care of you."

"Ino," he frowned, "you didn't have to do this." His brow furrowed, the movement further emphasized by the flexing of his bandaged injury. If it caused him pain, he didn't acknowledge it as he continued, "You know we've always managed."

Was that disappointment in his eyes? It was the very thing Ino had been trying to avoid by being a dutiful daughter. Did I do something wrong by not coming to the hospital instead? The sudden doubt over her actions made her want to ask what she'd done wrong.

"Hush," Misao spoke in a comforting tone, "just let her work." She took her husband by the arm and led him toward the stairs that went to the apartment above.


As four o'clock at the shop rolled around, the day had proved to be the quietest one ever. Ino had run out of miscellaneous puttering to do and was staring out the window watching people wander by. She was beginning to regret the decision she'd made that morning, especially after seeing her father's comment and reaction to her presence…

---flashback---

Chouji stood there behind the Yamanaka residence, as Ino closed the door leaving Ryokou inside.

"What was so important that you had to stop by at this hour?" the blonde met his eyes.

"The Chiba have called me for the final assignment of my punishment."

"Oh…" her expression showed both regret that he was going away and relief that it wasn't something worse.

"This mission's different," he reached out to take her hands, "we're going to Takarako Town." He seemed strangely excited as he squeezed her hands.

"That's a nice place, good sake, fine dining," she was puzzled about his excitement, since this was a mission after all, "but you're going to be busy, aren't you."

His eyes seemed alight as he spoke, "They said I could bring other people with me as long as at least one was a shinobi. I'm asking you to come with me, you and Ryokou."

"Chouji, I…" Ino seemed genuinely surprised by the request.

"Please say yes," his eyes pleaded as well, "After last night I don't want to be apart from you a minute longer then I have to."

It only took a moment before the blonde shook her head sadly, "I can't. After last night, I need to help my parents out at the shop." She looked up with unhappiness, "It doesn't mean I don't want to go," she shook her head, "but with my father recovering…" She tried to offer him a smile, "Any other time I would have said 'Yes' in a heartbeat." She reached to put her arms around his neck so she could pull up to brush his lips with a kiss.

"You're positive," he asked in a whisper.

"I told you, I can't."

He wrapped her in his embrace, claiming her lips once more.

After almost a minute Ino broke it off, grinning slightly as she said, "I get the impression you're going to miss me."

He pulled her tight to his chest.

Another moment passed and she pushed her hands against him. "Chouji, this isn't going to make me change my mind."

He released her with a sigh.

She looked up to find his eyes still pleading with her. But she couldn't wait any longer. Softly she said, "I have to get Ryo off to school."

"I'll come to see you as soon as I return."

"Of course," she smiled, then gave one last quick kiss. "Good luck with your final punishment. Takarako Town sounds like absolute torture."

---end flashback---

Just think, if I'd have gone, Ryokou and I'd have been about an hour and a half away from an evening at an Inn. I wonder if they have a private spring for couples? She let out a sad sigh, then remembered the promise she made earlier to herself. I promised not to be a disappointment, but from his reaction it seemed like my being a dutiful daughter went against my father's expectations. What is going on?


Two days later, Inoichi told Misao that he was sick of being cooped up in his own home, but actually he had another reason for wanting to get out of the house. Better still it worked out that he didn't have to go across town like he normally would to find the man he sought. Akimichi Chouza had been on his way to the Yamanaka residence to visit his friend when they ran into each other at the far end of the marketplace. Serendipity stepped in once more by having this meeting take place in front of a favorite 'watering hole' of the original Ino-Shika-Cho team. In no time at all, their orders were placed and they brought up the topic that was on both of their minds.

"Just before he went off on this latest mission, Chouji snuck into my hospital room to ask me if he had my blessing to ask Ino to marry him." The blond jounin smiled, "I must say you raised a very polite man."

Chouza said nothing he just smiled his contented smile. It was not just because the waitress had brought their sake and the first of three items he'd ordered.

"I almost said to him, 'What took you so long?' before giving him the answer he wanted."

The large man chuckled. "Well, he certainly has been in love with her for a long time."

"Too long," Inoichi filled their glasses, "well, here's to him coming home ready to go from one successful mission to another."

They raised the cups and drank them down.

"You'll be impressed with the ring he commissioned." Chouza started to refill the cups with one hand while popping a few shrimp into his mouth.

"That's right, I forgot your family trades off some of the 'rocks' you dig up from the mountains behind your properties."

"And the best were always saved for dealings with the Ikenoya family of Takarako Town." He red haired man smiled, "Fine jewelry requires even finer materials."

"That sounds a lot like what you say about cooking: 'Fine food must be made from the best ingredients'." His hand wrapped around his cup.

"Here's to us having many more occasions like this to celebrate." Chouza raised his own.

Inoichi brought his to meet it, "Maybe soon you'll finally get to be a gran …"

"Dad!" the voice cut through the air like a well thrown kunai.

Where did she get that voice from? Inoichi's head pivoted to see Ino about halfway across the room rapidly closing on the table. She screams more like Shikaku's wife than mine.

When she was within five feet she started talking again, "The shipment is here and there are some discrepancies. Mom sent me to find you, since you were the once who placed this particular order."

"Right," Inoichi fidgeted for just a second. Then he downed the drink he still held in his hand. He turned briefly to face his friend, "Thank you, I guess until next time then."

The large man nodded and gave the other a friendly slap on the back to send him on his way.


Ino had seen the two men across the room, it was unusual for it to be just two of them, Maybe Shikaku was called away for business. But she also caught the gesture, A toast…to what? She considered asking her father what he and Chouza had been so happy about, but decided maybe she'd better not.


Ironic, here I am spending the last evening of my last mission for the Chiba soaking in a hot spring at a resort. Chouji leaned back against the edge and shut his eyes, I wish you were here. He pictured what he would have liked these past two days to have been with Ino by his side. Then he realized he was getting light-headed from the heat of the spring and the blood suddenly concentrating in another region of his body. I guess it's time to call it a night.


He knew he shouldn't have gone there, but Kankurou sat out on a bench on the balcony of the guest floor. He pulled an object from the pocket of his robe; the flood of memories came over him, Why do I do this to myself? His thumb slid lazily along the surface of it. He tried to regain his emotional equilibrium by repeating his near mantra of resolve, I am the Kazekage, I didn't need anyone, I am the one they need. The one they all depend upon.

"My husband?" a voice drifted like exotic music from behind him.

"Shiori," he turned to regard her, his right eye momentarily narrowed, "I want to be alone."

He gazed upon the woman who stood there in the moonlight, her robe loosely tied; how it displayed her curvy body in a way that seemed to leave no doubt what she came here for. Any other man who saw her would have been aflame with desire. Somehow he was now immune to her beauty and charms. I will not deepen the pain I've already caused her.

She flipped her amber hair out of her brown eyes with a practiced gesture and took a step toward him, "So, you can think about your daughter in Konoha?" She smiled a malevolent smile.


A/N: I know I don't normally do them but, how was that for a cliffhanger?

Thank you to my reviewers for Chapter 28: Awaii, and landing my 100th review overlordofnobodies. If I can get 200 reviews I'll write something for them.