Author's Note:
Okay – a small item of business.
The Naruto Fan Fiction Awards is now accepting nominations of stories you feel deserve some recognition. This is a great opportunity to show your favorite authors some love.
The link is on my author's profile for those interested in checking out the website for or you can do a google search on The Naruto Fan Fiction Awards.
They have different categories you can nominate a story for and yes, you can nominate stories that are not listed on TONFA.
This is the raw chapter and has only been edited by the author. It is subject to revision at a later date. :D
The story is dedicated to Deserter. I am thrilled to hear that you are enjoying the story.
A small note to AnimeGodess1990: Yes, sweetie… I got your message loud and clear. I am working my little fingers raw to meet up with demand.
Special thanks to Inumatchmaker for providing some suggestions to improve my rough draft.
One more thing: I know this chapter is going to cause some uproar on the review board but readers who have been stopping by to read my stories know that I have a surprise or two in store. Yes - the next chapter has been started.
A sentence in italics denotes the private thoughts of an individual.
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or the characters but its fun to play in their world. I also don't make a dime off my fan fiction. I write this stuff purely for my entertainment and your enjoyment.
You're waiting for someone
To put you together
You're waiting for someone to push you away
There's always another wound to discover
There's always something more you wish he'd say
Everything You Want – Vertical Horizon
Chapter 7 - Wrath of the Kikai Wielder
Ino's blue eyes widened in shock as she reached the door and saw the two shinobis preparing to fight.
"Shino...Shikamaru…stop! ...this is not what I want." called out a soft female voice into the dark night.
Both men turned to take in the sight of the ethereal looking blonde standing in the doorway of the restaurant with her long hair flowing and dressed in the delicate Aburame Kimono.
"Ino...is it...true? You're living with Shino?" murmured Shikamaru with a small frown marring his smooth brow.
He saw her give an imperceptive nod and softly reply, "Yes, it's true, Shika...judging from his reaction the other day, my father would never have allowed me to marry him... and I don't want to be with anyone else."
Shikamaru looked down at the ground, more than a little envious of his ex-team mate's absolute commitment to the enigmatic Kikai wielder.
The lazy nin finally looked over at the cloaked figure of the Aburame Heir with his destruction beetles alert and ready for attack.
"You ever mistreat her...your bugs are not going to prevent me from tearing you to pieces...is that clear?" murmured Shikamaru finally, pinning Shino with a steely glare of his dark eyes.
"You dare suggest that I would ever mistreat her?!" hissed out Shino in quiet outrage as his beetles hummed and rippled under his flesh.
Ino's eyes widened in fear as she watched her lover raise one hand and knew that he was preparing to attack Shikamaru.
The blonde quickly dashed over to where the Kikai wielder stood and gently placed a hand on his outstretched one.
Shino looked down in surprise and was shocked when she pulled him close, tugged down his collar and gave him a heated kiss on the lips.
"Shino... please. I don't want you to fight him… can't you see that he's just worried about me?" breathed out Ino as she let go of the tall nin and turned to face Shikamaru who was giving her a half smile.
"What a drag… If I had known that was the best way to subdue him...I would have suggested you do that a few minutes ago." replied Shikamaru with a small smirk as he heard the Kikai chirp lazily at the change of their host's emotional state.
"Shika...this is your fault! You should realize by now that Shino would never hurt me!" hissed out Ino as she pinned her old team mate with a look of disgust.
"You're right, Ino… I am just concerned about the suddenness of this decision of yours." murmured Shikamaru quietly.
Ino mentally commanded her kikai to stay calm as she walked over to Shikamaru and gently touched his face.
"Shika…please understand…I had no choice… I couldn't wait for my father to reject an offer of marriage from the Aburame Clan…I needed to make the decision that was in my best interest and...for my children."
"You're pregnant?!" gasped out Shikamaru in shock as he glanced over at the now calm bug wielder.
"Yes...I thought you would be thrilled for me?" murmured Ino sadly as she watched the shock continue to dance over his features.
Shikamaru reached up and touched Ino's arm in comfort, his lips tilting up in a smile when he heard the audible hiss of destruction beetles nearby.
"It's okay... they won't attack." replied Ino with a soft smile.
Shikamaru glanced back over at the Aburame who stood silently in the shadows before turning back to Ino and murmuring, "Ino...I'm relieved to hear that you have someone in your life and he loves you unconditionally...I'm just sorry that I hurt you the way I did. It was never my intention to keep my relationship with Temari a secret."
"I know that, Shika... I think it was just an unfortunate situation and I honestly don't hold it against you but I don't think we can ever be as close as we used to be... Temari wouldn't be happy about that." countered Ino sadly.
"Is that why you stopped talking to me?" asked Shikamaru, his eyes wide in dismay and understanding.
"Your fiancé threatened to grievously hurt Ino unless she promised to stay away from you." drifted out a male voice from the shadows.
Ino looked over at her lover in alarm and softly gasped, "Shino!"
The lazy nin saw the man give a brief shrug of his shoulders before nodding over in his direction as he heard him respond.
"Ino, he needs to know... Temari's behavior can't continue in this unchecked manner." murmured the bug wielder calmly.
Shikamaru nodded his head as he understood what the other man was trying to tell him – he needed to deal with Temari's jealousy once and for all before someone got seriously hurt.
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"Shino, can we stop by my apartment? I will need more clothes if I am going to stay with your clan for a little while." asked Ino with a small blush, leaning her cheek against his arm as they finally left the restaurant.
Shino gave a small nod as they walked down the dark streets, not noticing the odd stares they were receiving from passers by.
The couple reached Ino's apartment complex and took their time walking up the stairs.
Shino's senses went into alert when he felt the small woman in his arms stiffen up in shock and heard her whisper, "Oh Kami…"
The bug wielder's eyes narrowed as he followed Ino's shocked gaze and noticed that the door of her apartment was slightly ajar.
"Ino, wait a moment… I need to make sure it's safe for us to go in first." Murmured Shino consolingly to the visibly upset blonde as he raised his arm and sent a swarm of Kikai in to investigate.
A few moments later, the small cluster returned back to the couple standing in wait at the end of the corridor.
Ino watched the frown deepen behind her lover's collar and was now expecting the worst.
"How bad is it, Shino?" asked Ino with a small swallow.
"It's bad, sweetheart… they completely trashed the apartment." replied the tall man with a grim note in his voice.
"Oh god…" murmured Ino weakly.
"We don't have to go in… I can get Kiba to come over tomorrow to…" said Shino in reassurance as he felt Ino begin to tremble.
"No – Shino. I want to see what those bastards did to my home." cut in the blond in a tight whisper, her two little destruction beetles now hissing and humming.
Shino nodded grimly as he slid his arm around her shoulders and walked toward the apartment with trepidation.
The Kikai wielder paused in front of the damaged door and slowly pushed it open as Ino reached in and turned on the light.
They looked on in horror as they surveyed the damage the intruders had done to the apartment.
Furniture was overturned and either broken or slashed and spray painted. Ino's personal mementos had been cast to the spray painted floor and crushed into tiny pieces. The glass vase that the blond kept her daisies in was shattered in a corner of the room with crushed and broken daisies in the debris.
The opened doors revealed the same amount of malicious damage done in the young woman's bedroom as well as her bathroom and her small kitchen.
The small cupboards containing her dishes had been smashed in with an object that had also been used on the fridge, leaving large dents in its metal surface.
As the couple continued to pick their way through the room, it was becoming apparent that nothing was salvageable.
They had done a thorough job.
"Ino…" hissed Shino as he took in the spray painted message the vandals had left on the wall in the bedroom.
"VERMIN WHORE" had been written in scarlet paint that matched the slashed and splattered bed beneath it.
Shino felt his destruction beetles hissing loudly as he looked down to see the pain written plainly in Ino's eyes as she placed a hand on her belly.
"They're wrong. I'm not a whore." whispered Ino after a while, her shock slowly turning into another emotion.
Shino nodded sharply as he took in the sight of Ino's underwear slashed and strewn across in the room as his anger intensified.
"They have no right….to pass judgment….on me." hissed out the blonde, her little kikai hissing and flapping their wings aggressively.
"No – Ino, you're right." replied Shino darkly as he raised his other hand and silently summoned the two little kikai over.
Rex and Spike darted over to their host, ready to do his bidding.
"And… when I find the persons responsible for this, they are going to be praying for a swift death." countered Shino grimly as he watched the two tiny Kikai dash out the window.
"Shino…" began the young woman, only to stop as she felt Shino caress her shoulder.
"No – Ino….no mercy. They dared to enter your home and were planning to hurt you. I will not allow them a chance to try again." Replied Shino darkly.
Ino swallowed the lump rising in her throat at that pronouncement and silently hoped that whoever was responsible for this mess wasn't that foolish.
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The men in the back room could hear the whispers filtering through the restaurant get louder.
"Lah, I wonder what is happening in the main room? They seem rather chatty in there." asked Choza idly as he reached for a sliver of meat from the barbecue.
"Who the hell cares!" griped Inoichi morosely as he picked up his cup of sake and took a sip.
"Relax, Inoichi… he will show." replied the Nara with a smile.
"That's easy for you to say, Shikaku… you're not the one waiting on pins and needles here. I am still not convinced he will show despite your reassurances to the contrary." responded Inoichi with a bite in his tone.
"I was surprised to see a contract offer so soon… could it mean that you truly care for your daughter after all?" murmured a quiet and commanding voice amidst the whispers still coming from the main dining room.
The three men looked up to see a tall imposing cloaked figure standing at the entrance to their private room.
"I see you still know how to make an entrance, Aburame…that explains the noise in the main dining room." murmured Shikaku with a smile.
"Mah – anytime I venture forth into a public place seems to cause a stir. Our clan are used to the whispers by now." returned Shibi with an easy smile of his own, hidden behind his collar.
Inoichi bit back the retort that was at the tip of his tongue and instead, nodded curtly before gesturing to the vacant seat at the table.
"You're a lucky man, Yamanaka ...to have such beautiful women to grace your life." murmured the Aburame Clan Leader in unabashed admiration as he took a seat at the table next to a delighted Choza.
"You met my wife?" asked Inoichi in shock.
"Yes – she came over to check on her daughter and stayed for tea… lovely lady." replied Shibi with a smile behind his collar.
"Is she still upset with me?" asked Inoichi in concern.
A soft husky chuckle rustled out from behind the collar as the Aburame Clan Leader replied, "Not any more…she's pleased to hear that you've come back to your senses so quickly and she says that Ino better have a large ceremony or there will be hell to pay."
Inoichi smiled and nodded, looking visibly relieved that his wife was back to her good humor.
"I was intrigued by your offer, Yamanaka… I'm impressed that you would be prepared to make such a sacrifice – especially, since your clan is rightfully entitled to ask for one of the boys to train in your clan's unique abilities." murmured Shibi.
"It was pointed out to me that keeping the twins together would be in the best interests of the two clans." countered Inoichi.
The Aburame nodded in the direction of Shikaku and replied, "Yes, the Nara is correct… and I imagine that he has already told you that I would be prepared to negotiate a suitable agreement to prevent the boys from being separated from each other?"
The large blonde man nodded and murmured gruffly, "Yes…what are your terms?"
"My clan will be responsible for the twins' training and they will accept their breeding pair when the time comes…" said Shibi, a hint of a smile peaking out from behind his collar.
"Agreed…but in exchange… we request the next child from the union to be exempt from the kikai ceremony and given to the Yamanaka Clan to be raised and trained in the family jutsus." responded Inoichi.
"I don't perceive that being a problem but I want to see the child back at the compound every night for dinner." replied the Aburame.
"You wish the children to be brought up together?" asked the Yamanaka in surprise.
"Of course… they are a family, after all…One moment." replied the Aburame Clan Leader with a frown as he suddenly stretched out his hand.
"Is something wrong?" asked Choza in concern as he saw two hissing Kikai drop down onto the man's finger.
"Yamanaka… we will continue this conversation at a later date. Right now, I am needed over at your daughter's apartment." murmured Shibi.
Inoichi stood up and countered, "I am coming with you… what happened, Aburame?"
"Someone has broken into her home and destroyed it… it seems that the news of your daughter seeing my son has not been received favorably by some." hissed out Shibi in disgust as he mentally told the two little flying demons to show no mercy to the bastards that tried to hurt their mistress.
An evil little grin flickered on the clan leader's face as the two kikai howled their outrage and flapped their wings aggressively in reply.
"Shikaku, Choza…can you go and inform the Hokage that my daughter's home has been vandalized? I will try to meet up with you two later if I can," murmured Inoichi, pulling out his wallet to pay for the meal.
Shikaku nodded as the two men dashed out of the restaurant.
"Who would be stupid enough to do something as dumb as that?" asked Choza in bewilderment.
"Someone with a death wish…come on, Choza…we need to go and see the Hokage." replied Shikaku as he stood up and walked over to the exit.
---------------------------------------------------
"Ino, are you okay?"
Ino turned quickly and ran over to the doorway where her father stood with a concerned look on his face.
"We came as soon as we got the summons." replied the second figure behind Inoishi.
"I have sent a Kikai for Kiba and Akamaru…hopefully he will be here shortly." murmured Shino with a nod to his father.
"How bad is it?" asked Shibi as he walked into the apartment surveying the damage as he strolled over to his son's side.
"Pretty bad…" countered Shino with a nod towards the bedroom wall.
Destruction beetles hissed and rustled loudly under the Aburame Clan Leader's skin as he took in the words scrawled across the wall.
"Is she okay?" asked Shibi after he finally got control of his Kikai.
"She's mad as hell… they smashed her favorite vase. Do you blame her?" responded Shino sourly.
"No, son… not at all." countered the Aburame with a small hiss.
"What do you want to do, Aburame?" asked the voice of the Yamanaka behind the two men.
"I will be in the other room with Ino if you need me, father." murmured Shino as he glanced at the large blonde man standing in the bedroom entrance before he walked past and out into the living room.
"Shino has sent for the Inuzuka to assist us in finding who did this. I'll get Shino to take Ino back to the Aburame compound and then…we're going hunting." replied Shibi coolly.
"Daddy…it's not true… what they wrote." murmured a female voice softly behind the two clan leaders.
Inoichi turned and looked at his daughter with a miffed expression on her face in the arms of Shino Aburame.
The sound of destruction beetles humming filled the air as he continued to gaze at his child in understanding before finally replying, "I know, sweetheart…"
"Why would someone write something so vulgar?" countered Ino with a hurt expression on her face.
"There are a lot of narrow minded people out there, Ino and not everyone is going to be delighted with the news that you wish to be with my son." murmured Shibi.
"The Aburame is correct, sweetheart and I am ashamed to admit that I had initially thought similarly…but thankfully, I had some sense talked into me." replied Inoichi, a ruddy blush on his face.
Ino looked at her father with wide blue eyes as he cleared his throat and gruffly said, "I'm sorry, Ino…I can see now that Shino is the man for you and I just hope that you can forgive me for being so damn stupid."
The blonde was about to reply when the small group heard a sound just outside the door.
Ino mentally told the boys to check it out before she turned and stalked out of the apartment.
A couple of moments later, a blood curdling yell echoed out into the narrow corridor, "HOLY KAMI!!! CALL THEM OFF!! BITCH! GET OUT OF MY HEAD! ARRRGHHH!!"
Inoichi shot the two Aburame males a look of alarm before dashing out the door, muttering a curse word under his breath.
Shino and his father stepped out in the hallway to see a couple of curious neighbors had opened their doors to investigate the noise, only to slap them shut in alarm at the sight of the man on his knees, blood starting to drop from his nose and large red welts suddenly appearing on the man's skin.
"No – you will tell me what I need to know ….and now." countered Ino curtly, her fingers locked firmly into position in front of her body.
Inoichi watched in horror as the man let out a low moan and knew his daughter was doing what she did best – interrogating him.
"Should she be doing this in her present condition?" asked a male voice behind him, the concern lacing his voice.
Inoichi turned to see the two Aburame males watching the scene with more than mild interest.
The male fell forward onto his hands and knees as the blood continued to slowly trickle out of his nose unimpeded and the welts on his body increased with an alarming rate.
"Ino……" murmured Shino gently.
"Shino…no. He either gives me the information I seek ….or I fry his brain." replied the blonde woman, her blue eyes trained on the man in front of her.
The welts were now open bleeding sores and the man was starting to froth at the corner of his lips.
"Ino…Ibiki is not going to be too pleased if we show up with a vegetable for a prisoner." said Inoichi with a warning tone in his voice.
"Dad…you know Ibiki Morino doesn't give a rat's ass as long as we file a full report." growled Ino as she continued to work on the man at the end of the hallway.
"Shino…retrieve those two…I believe they have inflicted enough damage for the moment." murmured Shibi.
The Aburame Clan Leader watched with a small twitch to his lips as the two destruction beetles loudly howled and hissed in protest before flying back to Shino with their tiny wings flapping erratically.
"Yes… I know you two weren't finished…still, you shouldn't overdo it…you don't want miss out on the hunt for the others…" murmured Shibi as the beetles dropped down onto Shino's outstretched finger.
The Aburame Clan leader felt a small smile appear on his lips as he listened to the kikai beetles report and felt his own kikai rustling under the surface of his skin in anticipation of a chakra feast.
"Okay… I got what we need, dad." Murmured Ino as the Aburames observed the man collapsing to the ground with a groan as the blonde turned to her father.
"Damn it, Ino… you're always taking it to the wire… I'm going to have a chat with Ibiki tomorrow about limiting your time in the cells." growled Inoichi, trying to cover up how worried he was about her.
"Your family specializes in interrogation? How intriguing… I can see why you would wish to negotiate for a child to be exempt from the ceremony… it is certainly a fearsome and impressive technique." murmured Shibi in admiration.
"You sent the Aburame Clan a contract?" asked Ino in surprise to the still figure of her father.
"Yes. I know that I have screwed up, Ino…and I'm sorry, baby. While there is nothing I can do about the Sanctuary agreement, I can still make amends." murmured Inoichi, feeling foolish over his initial objection to this union between the two clans.
"The Yamanaka has requested that your next child be exempt from the Kikai ceremony….amongst other things." murmured Shibi with a small smile behind his collar.
"The next child?" asked Ino with a blush.
"Ino – I am well aware of the fact that my son is unable to keep his hands to himself when he is in your presence…so another child a couple of years after the birth of the twins or even sooner is most certain." replied Shibi with a knowing chuckle.
"I don't see you too broken hearted over the prospect of having more grandchildren to spoil, father." countered Shino dryly as he walked over to Ino and wrapped his arms around her.
"Nope, I'm one happy old bug nest." said Shibi with a broad grin peaking out from behind his collar.
Inoichi felt a smile come to his own lips as he contemplated a future of sharing his grandchildren with this man.
Shikaku and The Hokage were indeed wise…Yes - it was best to have this man on his side than against him.
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She had spent the last hour just walking and trying to think of a plausible reason why her man would be touching that blonde bitch in such a familiar way in front of that restaurant but it was no good.
Temari felt as though her heart had shattered into a million shards and in a way it had because it was obvious to her that Shikamaru still loved Ino.
Bastard… utter bastard.
No matter what she did… it seemed that she couldn't replace Ino in Shika's life…
"The little bitch! Shika…damn you!" muttered Temari brokenly under her breath, feeling the hurt and jealously boil and churn inside her as she stalked down the road towards the apartment she shared with the lazy genius.
The hot salty tears now falling freely down her cheeks clouded her eyes as she continued down the road, not noticing the concerned look of one of the shinobi she rushed past.
"Shikaku….wasn't that…" murmured Choza apprehensively as his friend continued to watch the retreating back of the blonde.
"Yes…it seems that I will need to apologize to Yukino later…but I have a feeling that she's not going to be too upset about this particular delay somehow…" murmured the Nara as he left his old team mate to follow the young woman.
"It must be a full moon this evening…" remarked Choza softly before he shuffled off towards his home.
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Temari slammed the door behind her and stalked over to the little walk in closet in the bedroom.
She pulled out a heavy back pack, throwing it onto the bed before crossing over to the chest of drawers.
"Where are you planning to go in such a hurry, daughter of my heart?" asked a lazy voice from the bedroom door.
Temari's eyes widened in shock as she realized who was standing behind her and felt the pain knife deeper into her soul at Shikamaru's betrayal.
The fan wielder opened the drawer, pulled out a pile of clothes and walked resolutely over to the bed.
"I'm heading back to Suna. I don't have anything that requires me to stay in Konoha any longer." replied the blonde in a dead voice as she opened the pack and placed the bundle inside before walking back over to the chest of drawers.
"Indeed? What about Shikamaru? I thought he was worth staying in the leaf village and fighting for…" asked Shikaku from his spot at the door, his keen eyes not missing the visible pain on the young kuniochi's face at the mention of his son.
"He's never going to give up Ino…and I am tired of dealing with the ghosts of old relationships." returned Temari sadly.
"How do you know this? Temari – not everything you see with your eyes is a betrayal of the love he has for you." murmured the elder Nara.
"I saw Shika touching her with affection in his eyes… not once has he told me that he loves me….so – why should I discount the evidence in front of me?" cried out Temari as she turned to face the shinobi.
"My son has never been one for verbal expressions of deep sentiment but I know that he does indeed love you." countered Shikaku.
Temari turned back to the open drawer and slumped forward, clutching the edge with white knuckled fingers.
Kami…she truly wanted to believe that…
"It's been almost a year since we've been engaged, Shikaku-san….and we were dating for a few months prior to the announcement. Are you sure that is indeed the case? I used to think that as well, Nara-sama …but now, I am not so sure anymore." replied Temari quietly.
Shikaku's eyes widened in shock at that statement before countering with a frown, "Have you asked him if he loves you?"
Temari gripped tighter onto the smooth surface of the drawer with a small curt nod and replied in a tight voice, "He always says the same thing…what's the point in using mere words when his actions speak stronger?"
Shikaku's brows slashed down ominously on his face as the fan wielder continued, "I feel torn up by jealousy… I can't help it. When he used to meet up with Ino at the Flower shop… his eyes always held such tenderness and affection… I always wanted him to look at me like that…"
"Is that why you don't like Ino?" asked Shikaku quietly.
"Yes… I know that I have acted badly towards her…but Shikaku-san…every time I see her… I see the one person who has the potential to take away the one man that I ever needed… I try hard not to hate her but…it's difficult." admitted Temari, her shoulders slumped in defeat.
"Temari… I just ask that you wait to speak with Shikamaru first before you decide to head back to Suna." said Shikaku quietly, more than a little concerned by her silence.
The sound of muffled crying prompted the elder Nara to step fully into the room, walk over to the still figure unmoved in front of the piece of bedroom furniture and enfolded her within his arms.
"Shikaku-san…you ask too much of me... I can't bear the thought of watching his face as he tells me that he wants Ino." replied Temari brokenly.
"Temari…please, don't run from this! I know there must be a satisfactory reason for what you saw." countered the Nara, holding her tightly and feeling the shudders wrack her smaller build and continued, "Ino does not want Shikamaru and will never take him from you…it's clear by her decision that her heart belongs solely to the Aburame Heir."
"Shino Aburame? Ino is seeing him?!" asked Temari aghast as shock replaced her heartbreak.
"Yes and I am sure if you decide to stay long enough to ask my son, you will find out that Shino was most likely with Ino and Shikamaru." responded Shikaku persuasively, privately hoping to hell that the young woman would listen to reason.
"Ino could change her mind…" began Temari, still not convinced that the situation was indeed innocent in nature.
"The Sanctuary of the Kikai is a life bond. Ino made the decision of her own accord to take Shino Aburame as her life mate… she would never leave him for another man….not even yours." murmured Shikaku softly.
The Nara Clan Leader held his breath as the fan wielder gave his words careful consideration.
"Okay, Shikaku-san….I will stay long enough to listen to Shikamaru's side….but I am not planning to stay here this evening." said Temari in a small hurt voice.
Shikaku felt vastly relieved by the blonde kuniochi's change of heart and replied, "You can stay in our home tonight. If you still wish to leave after you and Shikamaru have talked…I will provide safe passage for you back to Suna. Is this agreeable to you?" countered the Nara.
Temari closed her eyes briefly as she felt her heart give a lurch as the idea of turning her back on Shika.
"Yes, it's agreeable." murmured Temari finally.
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The Yamanaka frowned thoughtfully, trying to analyze the information his daughter just transferred into his own mind.
"Is there a problem, Yamanaka-san?" asked Shibi, watching the various emotions drift across the clan leader's face.
"What's up? I got here as soon as I received the summons." asked a third voice.
The two clan leaders looked up to see the Inuzuka walking down the narrow hallway, his large canine companion following closely behind him.
"Ino's apartment got vandalized…" replied Shino quietly as he watched Ino patch up the prone figure on the ground, now bound tightly with chakra enforced rope.
"Spike, Rex…where are you going?!" exclaimed Ino as the two Kikai suddenly darted off down the hallway and around the corner.
"Call them off my ANBU, Aburame. The Hokage has sent us to investigate this matter." drifted out an authoritative voice.
"Ino – call them back." Intoned Shibi with a smile, as the head of Torture and Interrogation appeared at the end of the corridor with a team of cursing ANBU.
The two destruction beetles immediately stopped attacking and flew back to their mistress, cooing and chirping as they settled back in their hiding spots in the hollow of the blonde's collar bones.
"Morino-sensei…my apologies… they are normally well behaved but tonight's business has made them more aggressive than usual." said Ino contritely to her boss, trying to ignore Shibi's knowing chuckle.
"My daughter is expecting, Morino-san… the Kikai were given to her by her future husband as additional protection." responded Inoichi as Ibiki walked over to where Ino was healing the prisoner.
The Interrogation expert surveyed the untreated open sores on the man lying bound and unconscious for a few moments before finally murmuring, "I see these two are going to be formidable down in the cells."
"They certainly have the disposition for it." replied Shibi dryly.
Ibiki felt the smirk tug at the corner of his mouth at the Aburame Clan Leader's comment before turning and looking at the Yamanaka with a quirk of his eyebrow.
"It seems that a small band of thugs were hired by three clans to scare Ino." murmured Inoichi grimly.
"Did Ino manage to get the names of the clans?" asked Ibiki with a knowing look.
"She managed to retrieve two names but the man was unable to give her the third…it seems that he truly doesn't know." replied Inoichi with a frown.
Ibiki glanced over at the prisoner briefly before turning his eyes back onto the three clan leaders.
"I see. I suggest we round up this band and see what else we can find out that will lead us to this mysterious third clan. The fact that they have chosen to hide their identity indicates that they are aware of Ino's unique ability." said Ibiki.
Kiba gave a curt nod before walking into Ino's trashed apartment.
Ibiki watched Kiba disappear into the apartment and addressed the two clan leaders, "We are going hunting. When we get back, I want a list of clans who have recently approached your respective clans in view of an alliance through marriage."
"There have been offers?" asked Shino, mildly surprised as the two little kikai started hissing in reaction to Ino's jealousy at the thought of other women wanting her man.
"Yes, Shino….there have been many offers…but I refused them when I had found out that you had chosen a life mate." countered Shibi with a nod towards the blonde kneeling on the floor.
After a few minutes, a voice called out, "I've got a lock on their scents… we're ready to go hunting whenever you give the word, Ibiki-san."
"Bear – I want you to escort the prisoner to the cells... Heron – I want you to escort Shino-san and Ino-san back to the Aburame Compound." said Ibiki.
"Shino, I want you to alert the elders of the situation and tighten the patrols around the compound until we find the clans responsible." countered Shibi.
Shino nodded as he helped Ino to her feet and walked towards the ANBU wearing a Heron mask, waiting for them near the stairs.
"Ino... I think we have another one of those heavy crystal vases down at the shop. I'll ask your mother to track it down and bring it over, okay?" murmured Inoichi.
The blonde looked over at her father and smiled softly, "Thanks, dad…I would appreciate it."
The group watched the couple follow the ANBU down the stairs and waited until their footsteps receded into the darkness.
Ibiki walked into the apartment and surveyed the damage in silence, not missing a single detail in his visual sweep.
"Yamanaka…it's obvious to me that this group was hired to more than just give your daughter a scare." remarked the scarred man after a while as he took in the words scrawled across the bedroom wall in red spray paint.
The Interrogation and Torture Expert strolled leisurely out of the apartment and addressed Inoichi.
"I will get Iruka-san to assign a couple of Genin Teams to clean up this mess but your daughter won't be allowed to return here… it's been compromised."
"She will be perfectly fine amongst my clan. No one would be foolish to try to infiltrate a compound surrounded by Kikaichuu patrols." replied Shibi.
"Yes – I'm sure those destruction beetles of hers will provide a deadly final line of defense." countered Ibiki dryly.
"Yes – those two are vicious…even by our clan's standards." murmured Shibi with a smirk.
Ibiki turned to Kiba and asked, "Well, Inuzuka…where do we start our search?"
Kiba gave the man a decidedly wolfish grin and responded, "We go west."
The Torture Expert looked over at the two remaining ANBU and barked, "You heard him…let's go hunting."
Kiba hopped onto Akamaru's back and the group disappeared with a flicker.
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Yukino opened the door to find a red eyed Temari and a solemn looking Shikaku standing on the porch.
"Yukino, Temari will be staying with us this evening. Could you make her comfortable in Shika's old room?" asked Shikaku as he gently ushered the blonde woman into the house.
Yukino nodded and took Temari by the arm as she led her to a bedroom at the back of the house.
"What's going on, Shikaku?" questioned Yukino, not bothering to get the worry out of her face.
"There has been a misunderstanding. Temari feels that our son doesn't love her and will leave her for Ino." replied Shikaku with a sigh.
"The Yamanaka girl? She avoids Shika like the plague…besides didn't she disown her clan for an Aburame lad?" murmured Yukino before she walked over and put the kettle on to boil.
"Temari – I'm making some green tea…would you like a cup?" called out Yukino.
"Yes, please…." drifted out a voice.
"Not any Aburame lad, Yukino… It's Shibi's boy….anyway – Temari followed him tonight and saw him with Ino…. She was planning on leaving to go back to Suna but I managed to convince her that she should talk to Shika first."
The couple looked up as they heard a door open and watched Temari walking towards them.
"Temari…I have some fresh dango…that should cheer you up." Said Yukino with a hopeful smile.
"That would be lovely…thank you." murmured Temari softly as she sat dejectedly at the table.
"Temari….every couple has problems…How they deal with those problems depends on the bond of your relationship." Said Shikaku in a quiet undertone.
"Have you tried talking to Shika about your concerns?" asked Yukino with a frown.
Temari bit her lip and nodded.
"Every time I tried to broach the subject, he puts his hand up to his forehead and starts rubbing. He just doesn't wish to deal with something he feels is too troublesome." Sighed the fan wielder sadly.
Shikaku exchanged a knowing glance with his wife before turning to look at the heartbroken young woman staring a hole into the kitchen table.
Yes – that was a big problem.
Shikaku stood up with a sigh and turned to walk out the door.
"Where are you going, Shikaku-san?" asked Temari as the elder Nara opened the door.
Shikaku glanced over at his wife before looking back at the blonde.
"I'm going to go and wait for my son's return… it's time some one pointed out some home truths to him." replied the Nara Clan Leader dourly before exiting the house quietly.
"What's he going to do to him?" asked Temari, more than a little concerned.
"Nothing that the lazy baka doesn't deserve." replied Yukino before reaching into the fridge and pulling out the dango.
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Shikamaru pushed open his front door and frowned perplexed at the sight of his father sitting there on his couch reading a book on traditional medicine.
"Father, what are you doing here and where's Temari?" asked the lazy nin looking casually around the apartment as he closed the door behind him.
"You're out late, son…She's staying in our home this evening…" replied Shikaku, not bothering to look up from his book.
"I was talking to Shino and Ino for a while…Why is she staying at your place?" asked Shikamaru with a frown.
The elder Nara sighed, put his book down and stared at his only child, slightly aggravated by his clueless ness.
For a genius – he had no clue when it came to matters of the heart.
"She saw you with Ino and is convinced that you will leave her." Returned Shikaku bluntly, watching his son's face closely for signs of emotion.
"Man, what a drag…I don't see why everyone is so concerned about our relationship….she's just over reacting again." drawled Shikamaru reaching up to rub his forehead.
"I don't believe so, son… the only reason she's staying at our place and not on her way back to Suna is that I managed to persuade her to wait to talk to you first….but now, I am beginning to think that maybe I should have let her go back to her own village." replied Shikaku in a dark undertone.
"She was planning to leave me? Why?" asked Shikamaru in disbelief.
"She thinks that you don't love her." countered the Nara Clan Leader, a hint of frustration in his tone.
Shikaku saw the blank expression on his son's face as well as the pain and confusion.
The Nara stood up with a long sigh and walked over to his son, grasping firmly onto his shoulders.
"Shika… if you truly love Temari as you claim…you need to tell her so. I can tell that she loves you but the uncertainty of where she stands in her life is hurting her and your reluctance to address her concerns is only making the situation between you worsen."
Shikamaru pushed a hand through his hair and sighed, "Tsk, troublesome…"
Shikaku looked at his son aghast before murmuring darkly, "Hmmph, you think it's troublesome to admit that you feel more than mere physical lust for Temari? If that is indeed the case…then maybe you truly deserve to lose her to a better man who will appreciate her."
"Father, you don't understand how frustrating it is… being constantly asked whether I went to see Ino. I don't want to fight with her over this." replied Shikamaru with an aggrieved sigh.
"So…you let her twist in the wind and allow her insecurities over her relationship with you mount up and feed upon themselves… You don't see that as a problem, son?" countered Shikaku.
"You wouldn't understand…. You let my mother nag you and you seem content in that type of relationship… I see Temari's questions as a form of nagging….and I don't want to deal with it." responded Shikamaru sourly.
"So you ignore her concerns because you would rather be a coward than confront your problems head on…. I'm disappointed in your attitude, Shika. Your mother may wear the pants in my marriage but she sure as hell knows that I love her…she never doubts that, son. Temari has no such reassurance. I would rather be hen pecked than be in your sorry position." retorted Shikaku with a smirk.
Shikamaru watched numbly as his father walked over to the door and glanced back over his shoulder.
"Maybe a night of sleeping in a cold bed will put some sense in your head… its funny what you miss when it's not in your life anymore." said Shikaku quietly before he opened the door and walked out into the night.
Shikamaru continued to stare at the door and tried to imagine a future without Temari in it…and felt his heart breaking.