Kumo turned the key and stepped into his apartment, the sound of water running in the bathroom informed him he had a special visitor. It wasn't uncommon for Ino to drop by unannounced but the bag of groceries on the table told him she was planning to possibly stay the night. He wasn't surprised, he hadn't seen her since he had tested his Genin squad so they were more than a little overdue for some couple time.

Kumo activated his Byakugan scanning the apartment, he ignored the distracting sight of Ino in his shower cleaning off after what he could only assume was a long day. It seemed the rouge ANBU had left a few bugs in his walls listening to him. About eight he counted but since the enemy had a sealing ability that hid things from his Byakugan he could only assume an unknown number were in the walls truly hidden from him, the visible one more than likely were placed to distract him and make him feel secure in his home once he had removed them or possibly they made the bugs visible just to let Kumo know they were listening, just another tactic to put the pressure on. It'd possibly work if Kumo hadn't already formed a plan, all he needed to do was wait and talk to his Fiancée. He checked the area around the bathroom. The walls were nothing but tile and brick, even if the ANBU placed sealed microphones in the walls he would be able to see the empty space, and everything looked solid as usual, the running water would dampen noise. Right now would be as good a time as any.

Kumo untied his leather skullcap and goggles and pulled them off his face, he shed his layers and stepped into the bathroom.

"Kumo!" Ino said peeking out from the shower curtain, her face was slightly pink seeing him naked as he slipped into the shower with her ignoring the stream of hot water. Kumo didn't say it but Ino could be quite bashful when they were alone together, cute wasn't a word Kumo used often, but he honestly couldn't think of a better word for seeing her act timid during their intimate moments.

"Damn," She pouted draping her arms over his shoulders, her fingers lightly pulling and playing with the short hair on the back of his neck, "I was planning to have dinner ready before you got home," she said, "Lady Tsunade said you were going to busy chasing that damn cat Tora, I thought I'd have plenty of time to shower and cook," she explained. That was just like Ino

"My teams better than expected," Kumo said, "I expected that cat to give them a run for their money."

It was true, seemed after spending hours crawling through the snowy forest disarming his traps seemed to teach them a thing or two about building elaborate snares, after an hour of chasing the damned cat they managed to trap it. "I'm actually proud of the little amateurs," he confessed.

"Well," Ino said biting her lower lip, "I guess this isn't so bad, I do love sharing the shower with you."

Kumo put a hand on her shoulder lightly pushing her away from him and holding her at arm's length, "What's wrong?" she asked.

"Be quiet," Kumo whispered barely loud enough for her to hear, "The apartment is bugged and we need to watch what we say, we should be safe if here if we keep our voices low."

Ino didn't need to be told who would try spying on them, she didn't believe they were finished with the rouge ANBU, she had simply hoped to finish their wedding and honeymoon before dealing with them again.

"They spoke to me," Kumo explained, "They have her."

Ino felt a lump form in her throat, she had an idea who this 'her' was. "Your mother?" She asked.

Kumo nodded, "I didn't expect them of all people to tell me she was alive." He said.

"I'm sorry," she said averting her eyes, "I wanted to tell you but she wanted to tell you herself," she confessed, "but after our escape she was gone possibly dead and I didn't know what to tell you."

Kumo placed a comforting hand on her cheek, "Let's not worry about that now," he said, "But I'm going to get her back."

Ino nodded, "What do you need me to do," She asked determined to aide her fiancé in this task.

"Nothing," Kumo said, "Just stay here and stay safe," he said, "They want to make a trade, Nenshō for my mother, and I'm going to make it?"

"You're going to trick them," she said it wasn't a question, she knew Kumo, she knew the lengths he'd go to for his comrade, he'd been torched barely a month ago defending him, she knew he wouldn't simply give into the enemies demands, not without a fight.

Kumo nodded, "I've told Ibiki our plan, Nenshō is preparing for whatever comes next."

"So what is the plan what part do you want me to play?" she asked.

"I don't want you to do anything," Kumo said, "Just stay here, I told Ibiki to do the same thing," he explained, "This is about me and Nenshō there's no reason to put the rest of the villager's life on the line just to save my mother, she isn't even a member of the village, then again neither am I."

Ino bit the inside of her damp water drop speckled cheek ,"Don't talk like that you've given Konoha your blood sweat and tears same as anyone else you've as much right to be here as anyone else."

"Maybe," Kumo said, "But I can't risk you or anyone else getting caught up in this, besides Nenshō and I work better when it's just the two of us, so for now just put the wedding on hold."

"When are you going to leave?" Ino asked.

"Tomorrow," he said, "Early in the morning we'll meet with the ANBU, it's been decided."

"Then can you do me a favor?" She asked.

"Anything," he nodded.

She reached her hand out and grabbed the washcloth on the rack, "Wash my back for me," she said with a smug smirk, "And don't tell me to put the wedding on hold," she said turning around and putting her back to him, "It's going to take a lot more than that go get out that commitment."

Kumo took the damp cloth and ran it over her bare back, He bent forward and placed a kiss between her shoulder blades, his lips moving up her wet spine to her throat. "Thank you Ino… for everything."