Title: Protection

Pairing: ShikaIno

Summary: Shikamaru's on edge because of a recent mission assignment. Why? And what does it have to do with Ino? ShikaIno

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto

"No." His voice was solid, and displayed his conviction so strongly that Tsunade unconsciously moved back.

"What did you say?" Her voice was strong and stern, which was a clear sign of her incredulity. "Do you realize who you are talking to?"

Shikamaru bowed his head in respect before raising it again. Even he had to admit that he couldn't blame her for her disbelief. Out of his entire career of being a leaf shinobi, he had never once turned down a mission. Even with being the laziest ninja they had, he would soon enough go on a mission before arguing out of it. Confrontation was troublesome, and if there was one thing everyone knew about Shikamaru Nara, it was that he would do whatever it took to avoid being associated with that pesky word.

But this was different, because it wasn't just his mission. There was one other person- a person who played an integral part in the mission- that he was not willing to involve.

"I'm sorry, Lady Tsunade, but I cannot accept this mission. Not under these terms."

"And what terms would those be? The overall mission itself, or the team I've chosen to complete it?" She asked, raising an eyebrow. She already knew the answer; it was plain to see all over his normally stoic face. However, it couldn't be helped. This mission required her skills, and more so her beauty. There was no one better for the job.

"I thought I was doing you a favor by making you squad leader for this assignment." She continued, placing her hands underneath her chin. "I thought for sure you wouldn't trust anyone else with her protection."

Frowning slightly, Shikamaru steeled himself.

"Lady Hokage, I have no control over any of the shinobi in this village. They, as well as I are under your strict orders to complete any assignment you give us for the good and the safety of this village and its people."

He paused, gauging her reaction to his words. He wanted to make his intentions clear to her before he said anything else. She waved a hand for him to continue.

"That being said, this mission that you have assigned me to has absolutely no bearing on our village. As you have described it, it is a simple escort mission that will turn into a reconnaissance. Afterwards, we will report our information to the ANBU Black Ops, who will eventually take over. Am I correct?"

She nodded, confirming that all of the information he recited back to her was indeed the truth.

"I understand why I was assigned for this. Though simple in nature, the reconnaissance portion does in fact require a strategy, and more than likely may turn into something complicated depending on what we find out. I am more than prepared to do that. However…"

He took a deep breath, turning his eyes away from his superior for a few seconds before looking back.

"…I believe I can assemble a more efficient team."

Her eyes narrowed, and her voice became tight. "I'd like you to explain to me how any other ninja in this village could possibly be more efficient in what I need than the one I assigned to you."

He remained silent, knowing he didn't have a good enough answer. She was right. He didn't know of any better ninja because there was no better ninja. The client they were assigned to escort was an older male who was known in his tiny village to be considered a pervert of sorts. The man, Hiroto, dealt with men just fine, but preferred the presence of females, especially blondes. Considering that the second part of the mission was to do recon on some of Hiroto's activities, having a kunoichi there, especially one specializing in mind jutsus, was the most powerful weapon in their arsenal.

The problem was that it was almost too perfect. The one thing Shikamaru was always cautious about when planning strategies was not so much how high the success rate was, but more so what was at stake if things did not go accordingly. Best case scenario, everything worked out perfectly and they finished the mission in as little as 48 hours. The worst case scenario, however, was something that even he was not willing to risk. Not with his fiancé.

Just as he was about to offer some explanation to the Hokage, a knock was heard and he turned to see Ino walk into the room. She looked nervous as she glanced at him and then to Lady Tsunade. He couldn't blame her, honestly. She'd just interrupted a rather tense conversation, and the silence that followed her arrival was not at all welcoming. Regardless, Tsunade waved her in.

"I'm sorry to interrupt, Lady Tsunade. Shizune told me to come right in." Ino apologized with a bow. As soon as she walked through the door, she sensed something was different. Not knowing whether the irascible atmosphere was because of their discussion or her unannounced entrance, she stayed near the door.

"No need to apologize, Ino. Do me a favor and lock the door behind you, will you?" She asked, continually staring at the lazy ninja in front of her.

"Of course." Ino replied, and while she turned around to complete the task, Shikamaru's eyes followed her movements.

After locking the door, she walked over to stand beside him. Tsunade looked at her briefly before returning her attention back to him. "I'm still waiting for you to answer my question, Shikamaru. Who would you replace Ino with for this mission?"

Shikamaru stared heatedly at Tsunade as he racked his brain for an answer. Tsunade just took in his stare, but allowed a small smirk to grace her lips. She knew asking him that question in front of Ino was a dirty move, but it was the only way she could get an accurate answer and observe them at the same time.

It had been a while since Team 10 worked together, what with the death of Asuma the year before and Shikamaru, Ino and Chouji having their own responsibilities as chunnin. Still, their chemistry was as effective as ever when they were asked to complete missions together. Even when Shikamaru and Ino began dating- and after their recent engagement- she saw nothing but excellent results from them. She didn't think this mission should have been any different, but apparently Shikamaru did, and she needed to find out why.

Ino moved a few inches closer to Shikamaru and saw that his shoulders became a little tenser. Not expecting that reaction, she made no more attempts to move near to him, and instead remained still. She wasn't sure what was going on, but she knew that it had more to do with her than the question implied.

She looked from the Hokage to Shikamaru next to her, silently studying them as they continued staring at one another. For a while, she didn't think they even remembered she was in the room. Tsunade wore a frown as she continued to stare at Shikamaru, and it was to the point where Ino felt uncomfortable watching them anymore. If anything, she felt herself growing perturbed at the way the older woman seemed to be scrutinizing him. After a few more seconds, she could no longer stay silent.

"Lady Tsunade," Ino finally spoke, watching as they seemed to snap out of their staring contest. "Am I no longer needed for this mission?"

The older blonde gave a frustrated chuckle. "That depends. If left up to me, then yes, you are still needed. However, Shikamaru seems to disagree. I'm just waiting for his reason as to why."

"Shikamaru?" Ino turned to look at him, but he kept his head straight, continuing to look at the Hokage.

The room was silent again as he continued to think over every possible alternative to completing the mission without involving the blonde kunoichi. However, even he knew that the attempt was completely futile. It looked like he had no choice but to tell the truth.

"I don't know." He finally spoke, and Tsunade couldn't help the smirk that graced her lips once again.

"So, you recognize that having Ino as part of your team would produce the best possible outcome with the highest success rate for this mission?"

"I admit that her specialized jutsus would be of greater assistance to the mission than that of any other kunoichi." He paused and took a breath. It was a long shot, but he had to at least try. "However, I can name quite a few other shinobi whose skills would also produce the desired results as well."

"And considering that they have their own missions to complete, can you offer any other alternative?"

He sighed. "No."

"Then give me the real reason why you don't want her assigned to this mission."

Ino looked at Shikamaru and saw a look akin to pain on his face before he quickly replaced it with his usual bored expression. That alone caused her to frown, and she had to physically stop herself from giving the Hokage a less than respectful look. Shikamaru had been acting unusual the entire day, but even more so when it came to her. His normal nonchalant behavior and sarcastic words were replaced with mannerisms that she was not at all comfortable with. Seeing now how he and Tsunade were acting, it wasn't hard for her brain to work out that the older woman was indeed the cause for his change in demeanor.

"Lady Tsunade?" Ino stepped forward determinately, gaining the attention of the other two occupants again. Shikamaru opened his mouth to silence her, but she merely raised her hand to him and continued looking straight. "I'm not quite sure what's going on here, but if Shikamaru doesn't think I'm properly suited to fulfill the requirements this mission entails—"

Lady Tsunade let out an amused laugh.

"Don't be fooled. He knows you are perfectly qualified. If that weren't the case, I wouldn't have assigned you to it in the first place. Shikamaru has a reason why he does not want you on this mission, and unless he tells me why, you two are still set to leave by this afternoon."

Giving Shikamaru one last look, Tsunade lowered her head to study the papers in front of her. Gathering a few, she gestured for Ino to take them. Walking up and picking up the folder, Ino was stunned as the documents were immediately taken from her hand.

"Shikamaru, what is going on? What is the matter with you?" Ino yelled, no longer able to hold back her frustration. He was acting strangely, and had refused to talk to her or even look her in the eye since she walked into the room. It was so unlike him, and it was putting her in even more of a foul mood.

"You want the real answer? Fine." Walking up to her desk, he gently placed the order papers back in the pile they had originally come from. "I don't want her on this mission because I don't want her hurt, and based on Hiroto's reputation, there is a high chance that he will hurt her."

Tsunade nodded, satisfied with the answer he gave her.

"Fine. Fair enough. The both of you are dismissed. I am going to contact Hiroto and postpone the mission until tonight to give you both time to talk this over." She stood then, walking over to the two ninja. "Shikamaru, regardless of Ino's involvement in this mission, you are still assigned to it, and it will be up to you to find a suitable replacement and have the strategy you will be implementing on my desk before you head out if she chooses to withdraw. Is that clear?"

"Yes. Thank you, Lady Tsunade." Turning on his heel, he moved briskly toward the door, not even sparing Ino a glance.

Turning to give Tsunade one last look, she too exited the room, fully intent on finding her lazy fiancé and demanding him to tell her just what was going on.