Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Closer ❯ Chapter 5

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

This is a nice sound, Ino thought sleepily. The sound of a strong steady heartbeat. Was it hers? She rubbed her cheek on the course fabric under her head and blinked open her heavy eyes. She was laying on her side, resting her head on someone like a pillow.


Then his face popped in her head and she looked down at a sleeping Sasuke, quickly getting off of him. She became fully awake when she remembered what had happened earlier. It was close to dark now. The creek was still gurgling nearby, though the sound was being overpowered by the wind that rushed through the trees. She looked down, at her ‘pillow’ and felt her cheeks heat up in embarrassment.


Sasuke was sprawled on his back, with his arms behind his head. She moved carefully away, making sure not to wake him. She wanted to run, run from him, from what had happened a few hours ago. Sobbing like a little child, clinging to him like…a fan girl. Ugh, so pathetic. Yet, despite all those things, she didn’t leave. She would wait until he woke up then after that? She sighed and brought her knees to her chin, crossing her ankles. She would see.


She came here to be alone, to get away from her stifling house. When she heard the sound of flowing water, she immediately followed it and then as soon as she saw its banks she kneeled and began washing her hands. Whenever she saw or even heard water now she had the unnatural urge to wash her hands. Water could wash away the memory of sticky blood on her palms and between her fingers. She knew it was all in her head, but it didn’t stop her from being so compulsive.


Ino clenched her fists, hating the way new tears were burning her eyes. There was no reason to cry! She told herself harshly. Every ninja has to kill; it was part of the job! They had trained for that day, visited morgues and took class field trips to public executions.


It’s different though. She thought sadly, laying her cheek on her knees, staring at the tall grass in the distance, moving as a wave of wind blew across them. Every time she closed her eyes she could see the dull lifeless eye of her victims. She could still feel the rain of flesh fall on her. She spent four hours in the shower, using all of her bath products to get all of it out of her hair. She even burned her clothes. Bile stung her throat and she coughed uncomfortably. She ran a bothered hand down her face with a little moan. Don’t think about it.


She jumped when she heard him sigh softly. “What time is it?” His scratchy voice made her shiver. She schooled her features and looked back at him. He slowly sat up. It was the first time she noticed that he was dressed in hospital clothes and slippers. This made her frown. Did he escape and then just happen to find her here?


“Does the hospital know where you are?” She asked, cocking her head slightly to regard him.


He raised a brow and looked at his clothes. “They probably know I’m missing by now.” He admitted. They both stood. Ino clasped her hands behind her back. Awkward….


“We should head back then.” She managed to say, steadily meeting his gaze. “Separately.” She added. Yeah, that way all these annoying little bugs wriggling in my tummy would go away. Not to mention, she wasn’t looking her best. She hated to think about that.


“Why?” He asked, utterly surprising her. Why? That was the last thing she expected him to ask. He looked a little offended as well, no, she thought, that was stupid. He wasn’t offended.


“Because…” Because I need to get away from you. I need to get away from those probing eyes that were full of concern just a while ago. I’m not starting to like you! I’m not!! “I’m not going to the hospital. And I looked horrible! Why would I want people to see me look like a puffy eyed zombie? Especially being next to you!” She pouted.


He frowned. “Being next to me?” Okay maybe that sentence didn’t make much sense. She was not starting to babble, she was not getting nervous! No, not her, not with him.


She fell into her happy, fan-girl mode. “Yeah. You’re so pretty! It would make me look even more horrible!” She whined twisting a stand of hair around her finger and giving another cute pout.


Sasuke rolled his eyes and gave her the tiniest of smiles. “Guys don’t like to be called pretty.” He muttered. Ino grinned and pinched his cheek, which made him promptly brush her hand off in annoyance.


“But you are pretty Sasuke. Look how smooth and pale your skin is. And your hair is so soft and shiny. What kind of shampoo and conditioner do you use?” She demanded. She really did want to know.


“I’m leaving.” He said turning and giving her a nonchalant wave goodbye. Yes, when in doubt, be neurotic and unnecessarily bright. It scared him away…this time


As soon as she lost sight of him, she breathed a little better and those annoying bugs crawling in her stomach stopped. Damn it, why did he have to be here when she was at her most vulnerable? Because of that she was being plagued by stomach bugs and nerves. She was never like this before.


“I’m not starting to like him.” She told herself a bit weakly. She sighed and looked at the darkening skies. “I’m not starting to like him” She said again, stronger this time. “I’m not starting to like him!” She yelled at a tree. She felt better, more resolved. Still…


“I don’t like him.” She said softly, her heart thudding hard in her chest when she remembered him holding her as she cried. “Right?”


Things for Ino slowly started getting better. She settled back into doing the boring D and C rank missions, now not so whiny about getting harder missions. Not just yet.


It didn’t mean once you’re a genin you are free from Academy training or influence. The teachers know students well enough to help the team leaders plan training sessions. When you were a teacher, it wasn’t all that you were. They looked over everything you did and their word held much sway with the village leaders.


For a ninja, teamwork was always important, especially for young ninja. When you got older, missions usually became solo.


“But that’s going to be a while. That is why we have these missions.” The Hokage explained, leaning back in his high decorated chair with his hat resting on the corner.


“What kind of missions?” Choji asked. Ino as well as the rest of the recently graduated genin waited for the elderly Hokage to explain.


It was a bit overcrowded in the otherwise huge briefing room as teams stood with team leaders. The Hokage stood from his heavy desk and came around to the front.


“Your teams are always chosen on performance and known history dynamics but there will come times when you have to work with others. These missions are a bit more difficult than the missions you’ve been given, but they were thoroughly investigated so I hope there will be no casualties.” He paused and motioned a mask less ANBU guard forward.  Ino saw some of the genins look more interested, especially Naruto and Sasuke. Everyone leaned in expectantly. Ino had to tippy-toe over Shikamaru and another genin to see. It was a plain rice bowl filled to the top with folded strips of paper.


“Everyone line up.” The ANBU ordered politely.


One by one people started pulling notes. Ino opened her with a big fat number 4 written on it. She glanced to her side at Shikamaru’s whose number was 2 and then at Choji who had a number 5. When everyone had their numbers they were ordered to assemble in their respective groups. She had Kiba and—


“Oh I’m so lucky!” Ino exclaimed out loud, commanding Sakura’s (as well as others) attention. She latched onto a familiar arm with a not so friendly grin. “We are going to have so much fun together.” Her blue eyes connected with wide jade ones. “Guess we have to work together buddy.” She said with a growing smirk. “It going to be so…much…fun.”  Ino had many forms of punishment rapidly building in her head. Sakura’s frightened eyes only fluid her dark mirth.


Choji was in a team with Hinata and some other kid with green hair and Shikamaru was with Naruto and Sasuke. They were given the mission outline. Ino quickly snatched it before Kiba could and read it out loud as soon as they were alone in a far corner. Track and capture a man who robbed a bank in one of Leaf’s sister villages.


“Escorting elderly farmers?!” Ino turned to Naruto’s outraged voice. “Hey old man, can we pick another? We don’t even get to go out of Fire Country! Kid stuff!” He huffed, stomping childishly in front of the Hokage. Ino shook her head. Missions were supposed to be secret and Naruto just blurted it out to everyone in the room. Sasuke didn’t look to happy about it and Shikamaru just stuffed his hands in his pocket with a loud sigh.


She expected the Hokage to lecture him or something, but the elderly man just merrily took a puff of his pipe and waved the irritated blonde back. “No.”


From the corner of her eye, Ino say Sakura puff with irritation so she stepped forward before the pink haired girl said anything mean to Naruto. “If it’s so easy you’ll be the first ones back.” She called out to him with an encouraging smile, blocking Sakura and giving him a victory V. Naruto brightened at that and eagerly turned back.


“If we’re the first ones back do we get a prize?” He asked hopefully with big hard-to-resist blue eyes. Yes, I taught him how to use those just right, Ino thought.


The Hokage chucked fondly. “Maybe.” He answered elusively. Naruto was already charging out the door, not even waiting for Shikamaru or Sasuke.


Ino caught Sasuke’s eye, aware that Sakura was watching her intently. “Good luck Sasuke!” She crooned and blew him a kiss just to hear Sakura growl like a little kitten. Sasuke just snorted, not really caring and Shikamaru rolled his eyes. She didn’t mean for her eyes to linger on his exiting figure and she squished those annoying little worms in her tummy.


“Ino! Sasuke is—”


Ino spun. “Not yours Billboard brow. Get over it!” She snapped back at the fuming girl. Her flush of irritation masked the real reason her cheeks were pink.


“If this is all I’m gonna hear the whole mission, Akamaru and I will kill ourselves.” Kiba grumbled.


Ino gave Sakura one last glare before wiping her expression clean and turned around, grinning at Kiba, entertained by his attitude. “Don’t be jealous Kiba.” She soothed and gave him a quick friendly peck on the cheek. “See, I gave you a good luck kiss too.” She chirped pinching his pink cheeks with a twinkle in her eye.


“Let’s go.” He said gruffly, ignoring Sakura’s open mouth and Ino’s playful wink.


It was a unanimous vote to let Kiba lead for this particular mission. The police had a few articles that the thief left behind. One was a tattered handkerchief that Ino refused to touch so she made Sakura set it on the table of the police station while Kiba and Akamaru sorted through a bag of tools used to drill under the bank.


Ino took the liberty to talk to the guard and a bank manager to try to get any more information. It wasn’t very much and she didn’t hide her disappointment. Of course the fact that her team was only thirteen and the bank manager and guard were way older served to hamper their investigation.


When they set off outside the village walls it was Kiba who lead the way. The theft happened early in the morning so the scent was easily picked up. From there it was pretty simple.


Not to long into their trek did they stumble onto the hideout. Well, if you could call it one Ino though from her position from the trees. It was an olive green sheet-looking-thing held up by a skinny stick. A little fire flickered far from the tent. The little pudgy thief was snoring loudly in his little hovel, cuddling a fat brown leather bag. It reminded her of the cheap cartoons that she used to watch when she was little. The only thing missing was the black eye mask and the black and white jailbird suite.


“This was pretty easy.” Sakura whispered to them. Ino would have agreed if she didn’t notice the intricate traps that surrounded the small campsite. Trip wires were weaved in the trees like spider webs. The wind was barely blowing but she could smell some kind of accelerant. To her side, a long boney branch was unusually bare. She shook it and turned to Kiba who perked his ears and nodded telling her that he heard the slight clanking of kunai or shuriken hanging like deadly unseen party props.


“Flying kunai trap.” He told them quietly.


“Sakura you go in at the—hey! Sakura!” Ino harshly whispered in shock as the pink haired girl jumped stealthily from their hiding spot, into the center of the rigged campsite.


“Sakura!” Ino hissed in alarm. Sakura looked up, raised a brow as to say, ‘what?’. “Don’t move. Look at where you’re standing.” Sakura’s right foot was pressed against a pressure log. Ino didn’t know how loud she could whisper without waking the thief. She wished Shikamaru were here. With one glance he could tell them how to disarm the tightly woven trap.


Ino and Kiba circled the spot, taking in how each trap were mingled with one another and what kind of trajectory the weapons would take once it was tripped. They doused the points where they could smell the thick oil (where a fire would have been activated) and smeared dirt over it as well.


It took a long time and Ino knew Sakura was growing tired of staying in one place while she and Kiba worked. One line in particular caught her eye. She followed the wire to where it ended, tied to face down scrolls of some sort. It looked unassuming but on closer inspection, she could see that both looked heavy and their placing was flat against the ground. A place had been cleared out for them.


Ino frowned in contemplation, trying to understand the significance. If the trip wire were to be triggered, then there had to be some kind of barrier surrounding the small tent, protecting the thief. Were the scrolls part of that? They were the only things close to the thief (besides the bag). The fire was made at a distance and even his overnight bag was far from his tent. And the tent, it was an extremely cheap one that didn’t cost much money, one that you could easily leave behind if you had too.


“He’s very thoughtful.” Ino murmured to herself.


She and Kiba met and decided on a part where they thought would be the safest to trip it.


“When I count to three, hit the floor.” Kiba told Sakura who gave a nod of understanding.


Ino took her position, kunais fanned out in her hand to deflect a few flying projectiles that would probably skewer Sakura. Her hands were sweaty with nerves. She held her breath, praying that she would get the timing right.


Kiba sliced though the thin wires with one stroke yelling “Duck!”


Ino counted to two before throwing her kunias. They slammed against the shuriken that flew at Sakura’s big forehead, perfectly deflecting them just as Sakura ducked to the ground in safety.


All the noise startled the thief. He woke and moved fast for a pudgy midget, grabbing the loot and flipping over the scrolls. The paper smoldered and glowed blue. One was like a chakra geyser, bubbling from the bold black seals on the scrolls.  The other scroll sparked to life, sizzling and snapping like a snake. A lightning snake. It was like seven feet tall with yellow slit eyes. The ground vibrated widely under their feet like an old man’s snore.


“The chakra scroll is feeding that thing!” Sakura yelled at them, flipping into the trees for safety.


The snake didn’t move very far from the scroll, but it wasn’t saying much considering how small the camp was.


“Let’s just go around it. If it can’t move then it’s just a distraction.” Ino said.


“A cool distraction.” Kiba commented receiving an agreeing bark from Akamaru.


The team backed away. Ino looked back at the snake and gasped, almost falling from her branch. The snake grew bigger, sucking the last of the chakra from the scroll before melting into smaller snakes. They fell like skinny maggots, shooting after them with unnatural speed.


“Go!” Sakura screamed at them, grabbing Ino’s wrist and yanking her hard to move. The little snake moved just as fast as lighting, slithering over trees like slugs leaving scorched marks on the rough bark. One nipped at her heal, another flew at Kiba, grazing his arm with an angry hiss before evaporating into chakra fog.


The group started throwing weapons at them, while hundreds more slithered ahead of them. The remaining lightning snakes purposely shot pass them and began gathering back into a single snake. It was smaller this time around. It reared its cobra like head and shot sharp spikes of electricity at them. The attack was spread out so everyone was pretty much on their own, dashing, ducking, and flipping away. Ino spun to her right, wincing as one nipped her ribs. She ignored the pain, though it was hard to do. It felt like her whole side was on fire.


“If we separate, it will probably break into little ones again!” Sakura yelled, hitting a missile away from her with a gnarled tree limb she found. Ino listened. Sakura was always a sharp one. She was the second smartest in the class next to Shikamaru (though he was so lazy and always slept in class no one really knew it).


She caught Kiba’s eye and nodded to him. He got the picture and left to the west, Sakura left to the east and she, to the south. Sakura was right, she snake melted into little ones again. She only had a few more weapons left so she veered back to the camp to get the discarded ones that fell to the floor. She destroyed a few dozen, but there were still so many that it looked like the forest ground was alive. She looked closer at the snakes and saw that their color, which was one a vivid blue, was beginning to fade. Did they exhaust their chakra? Her eyes wandered to the chakra scroll. The seal in the crisp paper was fading. After a few more were extinguished, the lightning snakes were beginning to fizzle out, each popping into extinction like a cheap firecracker.


Sakura and Kiba joined her back at the camp. “That stupid jutsu just helped the man get an hour head start!” Sakura fumed.


“You can still track him, right Kiba?” Ino asked a little breathlessly.


“He couldn’t have gone far. I’ll pick his scent back up.” He vowed. True to his word, they were back on his trail. By this point, Ino was pretty angry. Her burns stung like a mother and her side ache was getting worse and worse. She was pretty sure she was cut there, though her wound was slow to bleed. It was a good thing she tied her bandages to tight. Still, the more she moved, the more she knew it was likely that it would open more and begin to bleed. Hopefully they take the troublesome thief into custody before it did.


It was quiet, but Sakura spoke because Ino know Sakura hated deafening silences. “You know this guy is really—”


“Prepared.” Ino finished.


“He might be a professional. Maybe this job is just one of many he did.” Kiba suggested.


“Yeah, but we’ll find him.” Ino said, clenching her jaw. Three hours later and an unremarkable take down happened. It was true the thief was pretty thoughtful, but it must have been his first robbery in Fire Country or something because they found him cornered by three really fat tree slugs that had attached themselves on him. Everyone in Fire Country knew about tree slugs!


“They like the smell of cheese.” Kiba told that man after rescuing him and tying him up. The man made the mistake of trying to catch a quick snack before hitting the road again. Ah, all his masterful planning came crashing around his feet because of cheese. Ino was never going to brag about this mission.


They took their time heading back to the Village and camped overnight in a known camping spot. It was an uncomfortable sleep because of her festering wound, but she didn’t want to take off her bandage to look at it because she didn’t want it to get infected. The only comfortable position was her sitting up, leaning against her bag. The sooner they get back the sooner she could go to the hospital and rest! Working in pain drained more out of then she thought.


She knew she had to get some sleep. If she was a walking zombie in the morning she would slow down her team. She would be damned if she let Sakura rub that weakness in her face!


“Pride makes me suffer.” She murmured with a sigh, leaning her head back and closed her eyes.


The next morning she awoke with a start. She could hear loud arguing outside her tent and she sleepily stumbled to her feet. In the bright morning sunlight, she saw another team.


“Choji?” She called out to her friend who was sitting on a log, munching on a granola bar. He nodded in acknowledgment.  Kiba was on the ground, groaning in discomfort as Hinata smeared some kind of cream on his burned arm. It wasn’t arguing, it was just Kiba acting like a big baby.


“I-I’m sorry Kiba, b-but this will r-really make you feel better.” Hinata soothed him. The green haired guy they were with was helping Sakura pack up her things. Was he flirting with her?


“Great, more guests.” Kiba growled. “Did everyone finish their missions at the same time?”


Ino looked around in confusion, but then she heard a familiar laugh and down the well worn path, she saw three guys approaching. Naruto was in the front, his orange outfit glaring at her. He and Shikamaru were talking and Sasuke was listening quietly.


“Sasuke!” Sakura left the green haired kid by her stuff and ran to meet the three boys with a big smile especially for Sasuke.


“Hey! Ino!” Naruto waved at her and picked up his pace. Ino didn’t miss the way Sakura’s face dropped a little when Naruto called out to her first. Is she beginning to miss Naruto bothering her? For some reason, Ino felt a little smug about it. Serves her right for having such a big head and being so choosy about who she wants hanging around her. Ino felt like taking it all away from her. There was really no end to her bitterness where Sakura is concerned. Pushing everyone away just so she could make sure Sasuke could only see her was petty nonsense.


When he stopped in front of her his eyes widened and he pointed at her. “You’re bleeding!”


Ino looked down and saw a small oval of blood, bleed through her bandages. She winced and touched it, finding it wet. “Oh.”


“Let me see.” Startled, she looked up to see Sasuke pushing Naruto aside. Ino stiffly stood there, wide-eyed at his troubled frown as he touched the blood. “When did this happen?”


Ino got over the initial shock of his unhidden show of concern on her behalf. Part of her wanted to push him away, and part of her wanted to just smile. “Yesterday. I’ll be fine once we reach the village and I go to the hospital.” He looked hesitant. “It just started bleeding.” She said quickly to assure him as well as the others who had gathered around.


“Let’s hurry then.” He said.


“Yeah.” Ino detected the subdued tone in Sakura’s voice and beamed inside. She noticed the change in her and Sasuke’s acquaintanceship. Good, maybe she might work a little harder instead of just fawning over him all the time.


The thief was handed over to the police and when she started heading to the hospital, Sakura followed. “What are you doing billboard brow? Think I’ll get lost?” The pink haired girl just gave a fake smiled, not mission one step.


“No, but if I walk with you, maybe Sasuke won’t feel inclined to do so. Don’t think I don’t know what you’re planning.” She shot at her.


“Oh?” Ino raised a brow. “What am I planning?”


“Using the damsel in distress thing to make him feel like he needs to rescue you.” She accused.


Ino snorted. “Because it works so well for you.” She bit out sarcastically and stopped.
“You’re the one who wanted this Sakura. Pure, unbiased rivalry. Are you regretting it now that you’re losing?” She put a hand to her hip.


Sakura was a bit shorter than her, something that Ino enjoyed as well. “I haven’t lost yet Ino-pig!”


Ino narrowed her eyes. “You’ll lose soon enough you big cry baby.” She sneered and stalked ahead of her only to be stopped by someone grabbing her arm. Startled, she looked to her right to see Sasuke. He had just exited an outfitters store and saw her.


“I’ll go with you.” Ino looked to the side to see Sakura jog to them.


“Sasuke, I was taking her. You don’t need to be bothered.” She said brightly, grabbing Ino’s other arm.


“I said I would. You can go.” He told her with a little pull.


“But—” Sakura protested, pulling her other arm.


“Really Sakura, you’re too kind. But I want Sasuke to take me.” She said with a deceivingly polite tone. “Go get some rest yourself.” She said and gently yanked her arm from Sakura. Before she lost sight of her, Ino turned around and gave her a victorious smile. You’re losing bad Sakura…yes keep watching us leave together.


But Sakura just clenched her teeth and Ino read the message loud and clear. I’m not giving up! Good, Ino thought, now she was getting it.


At the hospital, Sasuke sat with her in the small room while her cut was being cleaned. The nurses assured her that it would not scar and told her to quit asking. She just wanted to make sure. Ruining her perfect skin would be really bad.


“You don’t have to stay.” Ino told him, leaning back in on her hard bed. Sasuke was slouched in a chair, reading some kind of scroll.


“I want to.” He murmured, not looking up from his reading. Ino saw the young nurse raise an interested brow, though she didn’t take her kind grey eyes off of her cleaning duties.


“All done Miss Yamanaka.” The nurse said after cleaning up the gauze wrappings and iodine pads. “It was pretty deep, grazing the meat of your ribs, but you’ll be fine.”


“It won’t scare right?” Ino demanded again.


“You asked that four times and the answer is always the same.” Sasuke muttered, still not looking up.


“I’m making sure.” Ino instinctively pouted.


“No scars.” The nurse said nicely, patting her knee. “Make sure to sign out.”


Ino waited for Sasuke to pack up his things before they headed out. It was early night, but she was exhausted and couldn’t wait to snuggle into her warm comfy bed. Asuma said that he had to tell her team something tomorrow and she was really curious to know what. All around her, she could feel people stop and stare. Especially the female population and of course, Ino loved it.


“Wanna get some dumplings for dinner? Or do you have to head home?” She was hungry and she didn’t like eating alone like a loser. None of her other pals were around so she had to ask him.


“I suppose. Take out though, I don’t like sitting in restaurants so late at night.”


“Why?”


“Bugs get into your food.” He answered simply making Ino smile.


“Okay.”


Ino didn’t miss the shadowy figure following them. They were pretty good at hiding, but Ino knew who it was. Wow, succumbing to stalking huh? Hope she has fun. Maybe it could be considered as practice?


Walking and talking with Sasuke was surprisingly easy. He answered all of her questions and gave more than just, yes, no, hum, tch as answers. He even smiled once when she talked about things she foolishly did as a kid. Though he didn’t talk much about his own family, Ino didn’t press. She knew that it was still a really painful subject and the last thing she wanted to do was make him clam up again. She liked the friendly, warm Sasuke that was walking her home after buying her a roasted yam.


Their stalker was still in the shadows, observing them. “Thanks for to food Sasuke. And for walking me home. You didn’t have to.”


He sighed. “It wasn’t a big deal.”


Ino smiled in the soft porch light of her house. She then leaned in and hugged him, almost stiffening when she realized what she was doing. She was afraid that he could hear the loud beating of her heart, or feel her tremble a little. “Thank you. Good night.” She tried to ignore the waver in her voice, praying that he didn’t hear it either.


She let go, and didn’t meet his eye as she turned to the door. Her hands shook a little when she tried to stick the key in the locked bolt. It seemed like it took forever for her to finally open the door, and Sasuke stood there the whole time. Before she closed it he cleared his throat. Ino peeked out, hoping the shadows were hiding her blush.


“I’m…glad it wasn’t bad. Get better.” And he ducked his head, leaving her watching his retreating figure. She quickly shut the door and ran upstairs. She felt better in her room for some reason. Just the other day, she had hated in there, but now…


“I’m not starting to like him.” She whispered to herself, sinking on her bed, trying to calm her hammering heart. “I’m not starting to like him. No. I’m not.”


God, she was scared! Why was she scared? Why…