Fanfic: The Woman Warrior; Chapter 3: Interlude
Title: The Woman Warrior; Chapter 3: Interlude
Author: meepers369
Pairing: Nejiten
Summary: AU. Being a woman warrior is not easy during times dominated by men. A retelling of Mulan.
Read the Previous Chapter | Backup on Fanfiction.net
I am so sorry this chapter was so long in coming yet so short...I promise the next one will be much much longer! It's also already written, just needs a couple of proofreads to get the kinks out. Look for it soon!
...
"Well, well, my lovely Lady Ino. I was wondering if you'd ever grace me with your attention, especially after all those nights spent otherwise. You've certainly spent a lot of time with that little Tiantian."
Ino raised an eyebrow at Kakashi. "That sounded almost bitter."
"Maybe. I could be jealous that you're not spending your usual nights of infidelity with me."
Ino scowled at him. "It's good for my image," she retorted, "To mingle with other men. Not the same ones every time."
"Yes, of course. Other men."
Ino detected a definite crinkle of amusement. "You know about Tian."
"Depends on what I'm supposed to not know. I have certain suspicions."
"And they are?"
"That a certain young soldier is not who he appears to be. And that Gai is a fool for not noticing yet, and a further fool to bring him with our contingency, which is sure to attract attention. Though the Gai being a fool part is not new."
"And do other people have the same suspicions?"
"Well, let's just say my unfortunate loss of one eye has granted me powers of observation other people do not. So the little secret is safe. Probably. The soldier is very good. You can be assured that no one will notice, unless they knew what they were looking for."
"And you? How did you know what to look for?"
"I knew the mother."
Ino thought about this as Kakashi sipped his tea. She casually refilled his cup, then positioned herself to look away shyly. To any faraway observer, it looked like she was confiding in a silly girlish secret to her lover.
"You know, Sir Kakashi, that my spy network extends a fair amount into your army. Shikamaru finds it convenient to be updated on the quality and the potential of the soldiers he must command and direct into battle. The emperor, too, finds these reports highly informative." Kakashi leaned toward her, smiling, the image of an indulging lover. "At your behest, when it became certain that a nobody with astounding weapons arsenal and projectile accuracy was about to be promoted, I sent one of my spies to research his origins. Though he claimed to be an orphan, his swords were much too finely made to be for anyone other than a noble. Starting from the town where this soldier had joined, my spy asked around about the local gentry, until my spy reached a hidden little village nested in the crook of a mountain. This village would be virtually unknown if not for the little-known fact that it is a certain military legend's hometown." Ino leaned really close to Kakashi now, heads almost touching, voice down to a soft whisper. "After asking around, my spy found out that this legendary warrior had retired years long ago after the death of his wife. He never left the village, hardly greeted any outsiders. But he did have one treasure…a daughter, who he raised as a son. Who disappeared, the same time Tian appeared."
Kakashi laughed, breaking their intimate contact. Ino sat back, the image of annoyance. "Sorry. It's highly gratifying to have my suspicions confirmed." Ino turned her head, not looking at him. A lover's spat.
"Anyway. That's not important, unless you think it will be a factor in her coming promotion." Ino looked faraway.
"Tian will do fine. I certainly trust her instincts, though it will be better if others don't find out," Kakashi murmured softly.
"You said so yourself that she was very good. I'm sure she'll be okay; Sakura has been safe all this time, too." Ino sighed. "Speaking of childhood friends...You brought a nice group of people along this time," Ino scowled. "What a strange time it is, when my childhood friends are not only thrust into these wargames but now expected to lead them!"
Kakashi pulled Ino's chin upwards towards him. A gesture to soothe a tantrum.
"You and Shikamaru are no longer children, and neither are your friends. It is high time that their talents are put to use." Kakashi's voice was serious, and hinted at his own childhood.
Ino sighed, pulling back.
"Of course they're ready. They’ve been ready." The two sat quietly, each in their own thoughts. Then Kakashi smiled, the joking twinkle back in his eyes.
"Our new officers aren't all your childhood friends. And even of them are, I hope you were still diligent in your research."
Then Ino pulled Kakashi up, giving him a small slap on the arm. "They're clear. You can trust me. Let's go. Shikamaru should be ready to see you now. The news, I'm afraid, isn't good..." The two left, hand on arm, retreating to Ino's bedchambers.
Author: meepers369
Pairing: Nejiten
Summary: AU. Being a woman warrior is not easy during times dominated by men. A retelling of Mulan.
Read the Previous Chapter | Backup on Fanfiction.net
I am so sorry this chapter was so long in coming yet so short...I promise the next one will be much much longer! It's also already written, just needs a couple of proofreads to get the kinks out. Look for it soon!
...
"Well, well, my lovely Lady Ino. I was wondering if you'd ever grace me with your attention, especially after all those nights spent otherwise. You've certainly spent a lot of time with that little Tiantian."
Ino raised an eyebrow at Kakashi. "That sounded almost bitter."
"Maybe. I could be jealous that you're not spending your usual nights of infidelity with me."
Ino scowled at him. "It's good for my image," she retorted, "To mingle with other men. Not the same ones every time."
"Yes, of course. Other men."
Ino detected a definite crinkle of amusement. "You know about Tian."
"Depends on what I'm supposed to not know. I have certain suspicions."
"And they are?"
"That a certain young soldier is not who he appears to be. And that Gai is a fool for not noticing yet, and a further fool to bring him with our contingency, which is sure to attract attention. Though the Gai being a fool part is not new."
"And do other people have the same suspicions?"
"Well, let's just say my unfortunate loss of one eye has granted me powers of observation other people do not. So the little secret is safe. Probably. The soldier is very good. You can be assured that no one will notice, unless they knew what they were looking for."
"And you? How did you know what to look for?"
"I knew the mother."
Ino thought about this as Kakashi sipped his tea. She casually refilled his cup, then positioned herself to look away shyly. To any faraway observer, it looked like she was confiding in a silly girlish secret to her lover.
"You know, Sir Kakashi, that my spy network extends a fair amount into your army. Shikamaru finds it convenient to be updated on the quality and the potential of the soldiers he must command and direct into battle. The emperor, too, finds these reports highly informative." Kakashi leaned toward her, smiling, the image of an indulging lover. "At your behest, when it became certain that a nobody with astounding weapons arsenal and projectile accuracy was about to be promoted, I sent one of my spies to research his origins. Though he claimed to be an orphan, his swords were much too finely made to be for anyone other than a noble. Starting from the town where this soldier had joined, my spy asked around about the local gentry, until my spy reached a hidden little village nested in the crook of a mountain. This village would be virtually unknown if not for the little-known fact that it is a certain military legend's hometown." Ino leaned really close to Kakashi now, heads almost touching, voice down to a soft whisper. "After asking around, my spy found out that this legendary warrior had retired years long ago after the death of his wife. He never left the village, hardly greeted any outsiders. But he did have one treasure…a daughter, who he raised as a son. Who disappeared, the same time Tian appeared."
Kakashi laughed, breaking their intimate contact. Ino sat back, the image of annoyance. "Sorry. It's highly gratifying to have my suspicions confirmed." Ino turned her head, not looking at him. A lover's spat.
"Anyway. That's not important, unless you think it will be a factor in her coming promotion." Ino looked faraway.
"Tian will do fine. I certainly trust her instincts, though it will be better if others don't find out," Kakashi murmured softly.
"You said so yourself that she was very good. I'm sure she'll be okay; Sakura has been safe all this time, too." Ino sighed. "Speaking of childhood friends...You brought a nice group of people along this time," Ino scowled. "What a strange time it is, when my childhood friends are not only thrust into these wargames but now expected to lead them!"
Kakashi pulled Ino's chin upwards towards him. A gesture to soothe a tantrum.
"You and Shikamaru are no longer children, and neither are your friends. It is high time that their talents are put to use." Kakashi's voice was serious, and hinted at his own childhood.
Ino sighed, pulling back.
"Of course they're ready. They’ve been ready." The two sat quietly, each in their own thoughts. Then Kakashi smiled, the joking twinkle back in his eyes.
"Our new officers aren't all your childhood friends. And even of them are, I hope you were still diligent in your research."
Then Ino pulled Kakashi up, giving him a small slap on the arm. "They're clear. You can trust me. Let's go. Shikamaru should be ready to see you now. The news, I'm afraid, isn't good..." The two left, hand on arm, retreating to Ino's bedchambers.