Yeah, I know. Fast update. I was amazed, Maybe because I just wanted to give you guys something as I celebrate my nth birthday this Anyway, this is the fifth chapter of my active story to date. Read on and don't forget to let me know what you think.

~Ino Ishii

Kageyama's compound – estate, he would call it – sprawled across a ridge overlooking the valley and the one incoming road.

To the rear of the property, craggy cliffs dropped a hundred meters or so.

Satellite photography had already allowed Special Ops to determine that it would be near impossible to enter the compound from the rear.

From the front or the air would be the most plausible scenario, if an insertion team survived the unavoidable confrontation since there would be absolutely no cover.

The long, unpaved driveway cut through acres of strategically cleared property, negating any possibility of a surprise attack.

In Naruto's opinion, men like Kageyama didn't deserve to live. The simplest way to rid humankind of parasites like him was to drop a smart-bomb and clear out the whole hillside.

But then they wouldn't know the numerous enemies and his horrendous trespasses against society as a whole – the man on the inside who gave him his information.

That one little thing kept Naruto's people from surgically removing the cancer Kageyama presented.

Meanwhile, Ino was too quiet, he decided, turning his attention to the more immediate aspects of his mission. He knew she was struggling to maintain a calm façade. Trying to see things the way she would.

He surveyed ground zero as they bumped up the rocky drive behind their escort. High, secure walls encircled the house and grounds. Ivy had long since overtaken the better part of the massive stone structure surrounding Kageyama's private residence and command center.

Ancient trees, obviously carefully protected from harm during construction, loomed tall over all else. The mansion was built of the same stone as the security wall, and topped with a red tile roof. The man certainly did not want his headquarters to look like the usual Japanese fortress that Yakuzas often use. Intelligence had estimated the house at twenty thousand square feet.

The guest house was across a wide quadrangle that served as a courtyard to the elegant house. Other smaller buildings, Naruto could only guess at the use of, dotted the expansive, well-guarded property.

Case in point, the wide iron gates now opening to allow the two vehicles entrance.

Once inside the compound, Ino sat up a little straighter, peering at the opulent fountain and meticulously manicured grounds. Large windows and arched entryways gave the house the appearance of a grand hotel.

"I never expected anything like this," Ino said, equal measures of awe and surprise coloring her tone.

Naruto braked to a stop several feet from the other vehicle and shoved the gearshift into "park".

"Remember to watch what you say from this moment on," he warned quietly. "The place is most likely wired inside out."

She nodded, her aqua eyes huge, fearful. Not for the first time since this whole thing began.

Naruto wished it didn't have to be this way. It was far too risky. He could take care of himself, but Ino – he let go a long breath – she was a rookie without the proper training.

A liability to the mission…and herself.

And the only hope they had of getting this done.

She swallowed tightly. He followed the movement of delicate muscle along the slender column of her throat.

"I'm ready," she said, her voice wavering just the slightest bit.

He knew he shouldn't, but he just couldn't help himself. He touched her. Reached out and stroked one soft cheek with his fingertips.

"I owe you, Yamanaka."

She sucked in an uneven breath and he had the sudden nearly overwhelming urge to shove the SUV back into gear and drive away as fast as he could until he got her to safety.

A sharp rap on Naruto's window broke the spell he'd fallen into.

"Come on! What the fuck are you waiting for? Want me to carry you inside?" a gruff voice demanded, their escort impatiently waiting just outside of their vehicle.

"Haven't you two got enough of that? Kageyama is waiting!"

Naruto pushed open his door and stood. He shrugged at the impatient brute glaring at him.

"With a woman like this, you'll never get enough." He grinned before striding around to Ino's side of the vehicle. "Ain't that right, Baby?"

"Anything you say, Lover," she purred as she cuddled up next to him.

The man growled something inaudible that Naruto didn't quite catch, then led the way through the main courtyard and onto the rambling terrace.

The place was even bigger than it had looked in the satellite photos Naruto had studied. Analysts had estimated the interior layout as best as they could with nothing to go on but the exterior structure. It would be interesting to see how accurate their estimations were.

Ino stuck close to him. He kept his left arm firmly around her. To make her feel more secure, he told himself. It had nothing to do with the way it simply felt right to hold her.

He remembered Izumo's warning. He had to use this distracting physical attraction to his advantage. And that's all it was, basic biology…chemistry at its best.

It wasn't until they actually entered the house itself that Ino felt even remotely at ease.

There was something about the dozen or so armed soldiers stalking the grounds that put her on edge.

Kageyama's private army.

She had to admit that they were the best-dressed soldiers she'd ever seen. Some sported elegant suits, and of course, wicked looking guns. Others were dressed in camouflage, also possessing heavy firearms like machine guns.

She forgot all about security or anything else when their escort delivered them into the parlor. She'd known from the lavish exterior that the house would be beautiful, but she would never have imagined how beautiful.

The arched doorways were repeated inside the house. The wide entry hall that had brought them this far was tastefully decorated and well lit by the expansive windows, which continued throughout the house.

But here, in this room, it was the splendid artwork, exquisite paintings and lovely sculptures, which established the ambiance of richness, of pure elegance.

Kageyama certainly had taste, if nothing else.

"Ah, Mr. and Mrs. Namikaze!"

A booming voice startled Ino from her avid interest in the décor.

Fear, dark and foreboding, stole through her when she faced the man who could select art with such a discriminating eye and yet who thought nothing of killing hundreds, thousands maybe, with his illegal drugs and weapons.

He wasn't as tall as Naruto, but he looked fit. With gray peppered raven hair, Kageyama Ryuji must've been in his late thirties, as Ino would guess.

Ino also took notice of his equally black eyes. Crystal clear and far too seeing.

Even had Naruto told her anything about Kageyama Ryuji, Ino knew instinctively that this man was to be feared.

Naruto extended his hand. "Kageyama-sama, we appreciate your hospitality."

He shook Naruto's hand, but quickly turned his formidable attention to Ino.

"I trust the two of you enjoyed your honeymoon?"

Ino resisted the urge to move closer to Naruto under the man's fierce analysis. He looked at her like those men at the bar, as if she was his for the taking, and made no attempt to hide his blatant sexual hunger in those black eyes of his.

"We loved every minute of it, didn't we, Baby?" Naruto pulled her close against him.

Whether the move was simply to lend credibility to his act or from instinct that she needed him to do it, Ino couldn't say. She was just glad Naruto had done it.

"We have much to discuss," his expression all business now. "Daisuke will take your lovely wife to Maiko, one of my other guests. Maiko will show her around and assist in settling the two of you in your rooms."

"Sounds good," Naruto dropped a quick kiss on Ino's forehead. "Be good, Baby."

He released her then and, without a backward glance, followed Ryuji from the room. Leaving her completely alone with their armed escort, Daisuke.

"This way, Baby," Daisuke urged, his tone mocking.

Her heart pounding, her palms sweating, Ino ignored his remark and followed him back into the entry hall.

Outside, he wound around the house to the east side. The generous terrace, its timeworn pavers lending a gracious antiquity, completely encompassed the house with wide wooden doors leading into the bordering rooms. She tried not to wonder where they were going…or what would happen when they got there.

Just up ahead, the first woman Ino had seen in the compound sat in a thickly cushioned chair at a patio table beneath a huge tree. The tree shaded the area beyond the terrace and dappled light over the woman.

Thank goodness for small favors, Ino mused. She'd be much more comfortable in the presence of another woman. Especially one who didn't appear to be armed.

Daisuke glanced at the seated woman with blatant disdain.

"Kageyama said to show her around." He promptly did an about-face and left.

The woman, whose name was Taniguchi Maiko, shot Ino a look that was about as friendly as a pit bull. "So you're the new girl, huh?"

"That's right," without waiting to be asked, Ino settled into one of the chairs facing the woman. She had the distinct impression an invitation would not have been forthcoming.

Up close, Maiko looked every bit as mean and cutthroat as the armed guards. After further consideration, Ino was pretty sure Maiko wouldn't need a gun to do damage.

Her long bloody red nails and hate-filled eyes looked plenty lethal all on their own.

Maiko stood up and glared at Ino. "Just remember that I was here first. Rank has its privileges. Don't you go thinking that just because you're new, you can move in on my territory."

Ino frowned, hoping to look innocent rather than confused. "I'm not sure I'm following you."

Which only seemed to infuriate Maiko all the more.

"I'm Kageyama's favorite." She smiled, an exceedingly unpleasant gesture. "Other than his own sister, I've been the only woman living here for over a year. Don't go thinking your presence is going to change anything." She waved her hand in dismissal. "You won't last a week," she predicted.

The distant hum of fear in Ino's ears didn't help. Thankfully she managed to maintain a fairly calm exterior.

"Great ring," she said, instead of arguing with the woman. Changing the subject seemed prudent and Ino couldn't help noticing the large rock on Maiko's left ring finger when she started waving her hand. The narrow accompanying gold band was rather plain next to the huge diamond.

"You're married?" Ino went on. Whoever was saddled with this Class A bitch surely lived a life of misery. Then again, considering the sort hanging out around this place, the two probably deserved each other.

"Of course," Maiko adopted a smug face. "His name's Tetsuya. You'll meet him eventually." She patted her thick red mane. "He has a thing for redheads," she glowered at Ino. "Yours sucks, though."

Ino shrugged and decided to play Maiko's game this time. "I don't really care that much if my hair color's fashionable or not, but we all know that blondes do have more fun," she smiled. Totally smiled.

Maiko rolled and eyes and blurted out, "You really are stupid, aren't you? Do you really think blonde hair is the only criteria for seducing a man like Ryuji?"

Before Ino could think of an appropriate comeback, Maiko turned around and started to walk away.

"Come on, I'll give you the grand tour. Though I doubt you'll last long enough to need it."

Ino followed the redhead, whose short skirt was tight enough to cut off the blood circulation to her legs. She also wondered how Maiko could walk in those killer heels.

Her red hair bounced around her shoulders and every so often it flew around like a wild horse's mane.

Ino noticed that Maiko did that little number whenever they passed a group of guards just to get their attention.

Not that it was really necessary.

The woman was fashionably tall and had one of those model thin figures. Ino, on the other hand was not as tall as Maiko, but she'd like to think of herself as proportion, in terms of height and weight.

"This is the guest house," Maiko explained disinterestedly as they approached a small two-story building that looked older than the house. On the other hand, the ivy-covered stone lessened its ominous appearance.

"You'll bunk here," Maiko added as she opened the door.

Inside, a wide stairwell led up to the second floor. Two doors flanked each side of the stairwell, downstairs and up.

"This one's yours." Maiko gestured to the first door on the right, then walked over and opened it. "Your bags are already here."

Ino followed her inside and, sure enough, the two duffels were lying in the middle of the floor. She knew instantly that they had been searched. The careless lumps and bulges left by the search were hard to miss.

"Most of the security guys live in the barracks." Maiko walked over to the front window and pointed across the backyard.

"There's ten. You'll meet them all at one time or another around the dinner table." She turned back to Ino, arms folded over her store-bought bosom.

"Ryuji insists we eat together as often as possible. You'll find he has a few other quirks, but I'll let you discover those for yourself."

Maiko started toward the door. "Let me know if you need anything else," she tossed over her shoulder. "I'm upstairs and across the hall, front apartment."

At the door she turned back to Ino and studied her for one endless beat.

"I don't like you, Baby," she all but ground out. "Stay out of my way and we'll get along just fine."

She slammed the door behind her.

Ino exhaled a shaky breath. She'd been here barely half an hour and she'd made an enemy already. And wow, what a grand tour.

She peered out the window and for the first time allowed all that she saw to sink in.

A couple of guards paced the eastern perimeter of the house, their lethal machine guns swinging from shoulder straps, while a turret of sorts jutted above the rooftop on the west side of the house. It didn't take a military strategist to figure out that it was a security station.

From that level, one would be able to see for mile out over the valley below.

Kageyama would know of any unexpected presence, ten or fifteen minutes before anyone arrived at his gate.

More guards were stationed at the massive gate. Everyone inside these walls was, in effect, a prisoner.

The walls immediately began to close in around her.

She hugged herself and squeezed her eyes shut, fought the fear and the vertigo that always accompanied one of her bouts with claustrophobia.

She battled the urge to run out the door.

"No wrong moves." Naruto has always reminded her that appearances were everything.

Ino took long, deep breaths until she got the wave of panic under control.

When the shakes had subsided, she opened her eyes once more. All she had to do was keep it together and Naruto would take care of the rest.

She didn't actually have to do anything at this point. Just keep up the appearance of the loving wife.

A new kind of shiver rushed through her at that last thought, but she stiffened her spine against it.

She had work to do.

Putting the reality of her circumstances out of her mind, she decided to familiarize herself with their temporary living quarters.

She could unpack and maybe take a walk around the grounds if it was permitted.

She hadn't thought to ask Maiko about that. Maybe she'd just ask one of the guards because she felt that avoiding Maiko is the wisest thing to do.

In the main room, there was a large, overstuffed sofa and matching chair. A couple of tables, a painting, a television and a DVD player occupied one corner of the room.

A bookcase with unbelievably, a number of hardback books on its shelves filled the other.

Between the two was an adobe fireplace that made the room cozy and even welcoming.

Ino almost muttered something negative, but caught herself.

Naruto warned her that their room would likely be bugged.

She suddenly wondered if there would be cameras, too. She shuddered at the possibility. Looks like this little adventure might turn out to be worse than prison.

An efficiency kitchen and small dining room lay beyond the front room.

There was nothing spectacular about either. Just simple and neat.

She opened a few cabinet doors and then the fridge. Well stocked, she noted with surprise.

She located the bathroom and bedroom next.

The bathroom was a bit more luxurious than the kitchen.

There was a large whirlpool tub and a huge walk-in shower.

The bedroom, though certainly comfortable enough, had only one large bed.

She sighed and dropped onto the foot of it. She and Naruto were supposed to be man and wife.

She glanced at the narrow gold band on her left ring finger. Except she wasn't sure she could deal with sleeping in the same bed with him.

Then again, it wasn't like she could refuse. It would look strange, and they couldn't risk that.

No point fretting over the unavoidable, she reasoned. She might as well get past it.

With that firmly resolved in her mind, Ino dragged the duffels into the bedroom. First, her own, then Naruto's.

She was about to arrange their things when she heard a rapid succession of automatic gunfire in the distance.

Ino was sure she almost felt her heart jump out of her chest. She could scarcely breathe.

Where was Naruto? Where had those shots come from? Did something happen to him? Did Kageyama already know the truth?

Fear snaked its way around her throat.

She immediately ran outside the room as she thought of Naruto.

"You must return to your quarters."

Ino spun toward the unfamiliar male voice.

"Where's my husband?" she demanded, thankful that she uttered the sentence convincingly.

"Go back to your quarters. Now." The man ordered, his tone lethal.

No fear. She had to stay in character. Ino had to prove to Naruto that she could do this. She had to prove to herself that she could do it.

Ino squared her shoulders and lifted her chin.

"I'm not going anywhere until you tell me what's going on!"

He was too fast for her. She felt the blow, but her brain couldn't quite assimilate what she saw.

One second he was glaring down at her, the next the butt of his weapon was coming at her.

And the world went unexpectedly black.