Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Closer ❯ Chapter 11

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

“Ino…Ino…baby?” She heard her dad’s voice echo in her head but he sounded so far away. She fought to make her way to it, but the waves of darkness were strong and she was soon tired again. Her whole body felt like it was floating in some kind of pillowed waterfall. Her head was spinning and the sounds around her felt like they were spinning as well.


“She twitched.” It was a female voice, one cool and calming. “Her vitals are good.”


There was some shifting of clothes and she felt hands on her belly. “She’s been like this for eight days. When will she wake up?” Her dad demanded in a worried tone, tugging at Ino’s heart. She didn’t like hearing him like that. She could practically see his pained, worried expression on his thin face.


“It just takes time. She’ll come around.” The nurse insisted.


“Kakashi and Sasuke are in no better shape, and you tell me this?”


A sigh. “Her case is mild compared to theirs. They haven’t moved an inch at all and Ino is showing signs that she’s going to be coming to. Like I told you before, it just takes some patience.” The nurse sternly told her dad. That was a little distressing to hear that. Her father was one of the most patient people she knew. Hey, one had to be patient when dealing with such a wonderful daughter like her.


She mentally winced, feeling a bit guilty for his obvious worry. Since it was just the two of them, she made extra sure and took extra precautions to be the safest ninja as possible. Her dad doted on her in an overprotective kind of way and she owed it to him to come back from every mission alive.


She had been like this for eight days? No wonder her ass hurt and she felt a few pounds lighter. Ewww, eight days since she last brushed her teeth? A bath?  The horrifying thought made her open her eyes.


“Ino!” Her dad’s surprised yell made her wince. His sea green eyes widened and then his face crumbled and he grabbed her head and gingerly leaning in so their foreheads touched. She felt his warm tears drop on her clammy skin and a sob caught in her throat.


I’m sorry.


Ino…don’t ever scare me like that again. Do you hear me baby? Never…


She sniffed back her tears and smiled. Daddy…


Weeks after her recovery, she was never very far from the hospital. It was becoming like her second home. She didn’t like being there at all, but there was only one reason why she stayed around and that was Sasuke. She probably memorized ever inch of his room by now she thought, curling up on a chair near his bed. Nearby, a vase of flowers stood against the pale green paint of his room. A rose from her and a daffodil from Sakura.


He looked like he was in a lifeless sleep. His skin was pasty and there were rings under his eyes making him look gaunt. He and Kakashi had been like this for a while she thought, focusing on his face with a little frown. The doctors said that her case was mild that her exposure to Itachi’s Sharingan had not caused her heavy psychological damage like it did the other two.


Itachi’s Sharingan. Ino lowered her eyes as she rushed through the horrible images she suffered through. But it was only images. Sasuke suffered everything she saw for real. Suffered at Itachi’s hands, she couldn’t help but feel angry. But, why did he come here to Leaf? She overheard her dad say that Itachi was after Naruto and that Sasuke found out and went after him. Was that all then? She found it hard to believe it was. Not after what happened to her. Not after what she felt.

She had gone over it over and over in her mind. All the rushing sensations and chaotic emotions were not centered on just one person. She didn’t know how she knew these things, but she had no doubt about it. Had it been Sasuke and Itachi she felt?


Asuma and her dad asked what she saw and when she came in contact with him. She truthfully didn’t know when she ever came in contact with him. When she would try to think about it, all she could really remember was the color red. She had told them that part but the nightmare she experienced, she kept her mouth shut on that and didn’t tell them. It wasn’t her story to tell. She felt like if she told them, she would have betrayed Sasuke for some reason even though she was pretty sure Asuma and her dad knew the whole story.


But this was different, she reasoned. Emotions were a private thing only privy to those who went though it. It felt a little like she had eavesdropped on Sasuke’s trauma. So she decided to keep it to herself until Sasuke woke up and she talked to him about it. But then again, could she really? Sasuke was so shut about his personal life and then this happened with his brother. What could she really say?


She turned when someone entered, smoothing her face of all her turbulent emotions. Sakura quietly stepped into the room with a fresh flower to replace the wilting one.


“Hey.” She gave her a little smile and then quietly studied her. “You look…tired.” She finally said.


Ino snorted. “Liar.” She probably looked horrible. She wasn’t dressed in her best, just white sweats and a lavender tank top. “Visiting Kakashi and Lee? You spend as much time here as I do.”


Sakura shrugged lightly went around the bed to replace the flower. “When did you get here?”


She spent nights here much to his father’s protest but she couldn’t bring herself to move from his room. “Early in the morning.” She murmured, bringing her knees to her chin and watching Sakura change out the water as well. “How’s Lee?” She quietly watched Sakura’s ritual, arranging the two flowers side by side.


Her friend sighed and jumped on the wide window sill to sit. “The doctors and nurses are having a hard time keeping him in his room. Sometimes Guy can’t find him either. Every time I visit I see him slipping more and more into depression.” She clasped her hands together nervously. “I really miss the old Lee.”


“Yeah.” Ino said with a sad smile. There was a thoughtful silence that Sakura broke with a fake smile, hiding her worries.


“Any improvement for Sasuke? Kakashi is still the same.”


She looks tired too Ino thought. She shook her head, staring at the sleeping boy. “Nothing.”  If Itachi used his Sharingan on Sasuke, what kinds of things did he make him see? To do that with Kakashi as well, one of the most revered ninjas in the ninja world. What kind of person was Itachi? Does Naruto even stand a chance against someone like him? The thought made her feel scared for him. Where was Naruto? Was he alright? Who was he with? She asked Sakura.


“He’s okay. He’s with someone who can keep him in check. Actually he went to retrieve someone. Haven’t you heard? There’s some commotion in the village. The person he went to get is someone very important. Things in the Hokage Tower have picked up.” Her jade eyes sparkled, matching her light hinting tone.


Ino’s interest perked and she leaned forward, hugging her knees closer. “A new Hokage?”


Sakura nodded. “I don’t know her name, but she must be good if she’s to become our new Hokage. I’m kinda surprised that it’s taking so long. Hokages are picked almost immediately after their predecessors retire or die.” They both knew why. An invasion was the farthest things in their minds. Leaf was getting to comfortable in their peace and power.

“Anyways, Guy-sensei told me she’s a great medic and that she coming by the hospital later to see the patients. I’m sure she’ll come here to see Sasuke and Kakashi. Even Lee. ”


Ino felt the room brighten with the thought. “Really? You think she can help them?”


Sakura nodded in reassurance. “I think he’ll be okay.” She paused and then jumped down. “I’m getting something to eat in the cafeteria. Want to come?” When Ino didn’t make a move and sighed out loud. “Fine.”


“Can you bring me some soup?” She asked cutely, batting her eyes. Sakura rolled her eyes but agreed in the end. Ino was pleased. So it works on girls too huh? It became quiet again with just Sasuke’s steady breathing. About two hours later she heard someone running down the hall.


“Sakura! Sakura!” Naruto pushed the door excitedly open, looking at her. “Oh! Ino! Look who I brought! Someone incredible to help Sasuke!” He beamed. She drank in the sight of the heaving blonde, realizing quickly how much she missed him. Naruto stilled in surprise when she unwounded herself from her chair and hugged him. He chuckled nervously and hugged her back.


“Idiot. Tell me where you’re going next time.” She scolded him without much heat. “I don’t like being worried.”


“Sorry.” He apologized and she let him go, hitting him on the shoulder with a little glower.


Someone cleared their throat. Behind him, a tall beautiful young women stood in the doorway. She was blonde with light caramel colored eyes and an envious chest. The light from the hallway made it seem like she had a halo around her. Ino straightened her shoulders automatically, finding that this woman oozed respect and authority.

“Hello.” She greeted walking into Sasuke’s room. Ino self consciously ran a hand down her hair.


“H-hi.” Gods, was she blushing? Why? Because the lady was hot?


“Sasuke’s going to be okay. Old Lady Tsunade knows what to do.” Naruto told her, putting a hand on her shoulder. Ino choked a little on her spit when Naruto call the young lady moving past her old. Naruto just grinned, like he knew what she was thinking. Tsunade looked like she was in her twenties and Naruto was calling her old?


Tsunade…er…no…since she was becoming the new Hokage it had to be Lady Tsunade Ino figured in her mind. Lady Tsunade glanced over Sasuke for a second before putting a hand over his clammy forehead. Her medical chakra glowed an astounding emerald color. Ino anxiously waited beside Naruto, silently praying. Her breath caught in her throat when she saw him stir. It’s been almost three weeks, she thought in awe, and Lady Tsunade was with him for a minute and he was opening his eyes and shakily lifting himself to sit up. The most beautiful thing she saw was his bleary dark eyes lock onto hers.


“Sasuke!” She didn’t mean to throw herself at him, but she had waited so long for him to wake. His hair was a little oily and he smelled like the hospital laundry detergent, but she didn’t care. Her heart shuddered happily when she felt his arms encircle her waist. Everything else melted away around her as she cried silent tears of relief.


“Don’t cry.” He told her softly when they were left alone.


“I’m not.” She lied, murmuring against his shoulder. “Its allergies.”


“Tch. You don’t have allergies.” She liked the way his chest vibrated against hers when he talked. She pulled back slowly, instantly missing his warmth.


“I was really worried. Excuse me for getting a little emotional.” She bit back, quickly wiping her wet cheeks.


“Just this one time then.” He said with his usual arrogance. Ino smirked right back, playfully pushing at his shoulder.


“Meanie.” She pouted, but it quickly faded into a smile. She carefully watched him as he gingerly stood up. He briefly glanced at the flowers on the stand but said nothing. He slowly walked around the room before turning to her.


“How long have you been here?”


Ino blushed a little. “Since early this morning.” She admitted but didn’t look away from his eyes. “Didn’t you hear me say I was worried?” She defended.


His lips quirked. “I heard.”


Ino stood, not knowing how she could approach her next thought. Should she tell him what had happened to her? It was a short debate. No, it would only burden him Ino thought. He just woke up! She wanted him to regain his strength and to do that, he needed a clear head. She had no doubt that when he was alone, he would think about his brother and the pain of the massacre. Why add to that?


A few nurses came in to check on him and she smiled at his annoyed expression every time the door opened. After a little while he settled back on his bed. Ino stood to give him room. “Sakura was going to bring me some soup but she’s taking too long.” She pouted casting a glare at the door. She clasped her hands behind her back. “I wonder what happened to her.” She wondered out loud. The mere mention of food made Sasuke’s stomach growl and he put a hand to it. Ino giggled. “Would you like to go down to the cafeteria then?”


He rubbed his belly. “I suppose.” He finally said and they left out of the small room, into the brightly lit hallway.


Over the next week, things started getting back to normal. She and her team would have to do missions without Asuma-sensei because the village was short on Jonins. The missions were usually alright, but some b-rank ones managed to sneak in every once in a while. Not that they couldn’t handle it. Her team as well as the other teams were all so busy so she didn’t get to see her other friends as much as she wanted, including Sasuke. Once they would get back to the village, they would get a day to rest and recuperate before being sent out again. Everything else but missions were like a blur to her and because of her busy schedule, she didn’t really have time to think about Itachi or Sasuke.


Though, there are always times when the suppressed images managed to filter though her mental blocks. Like when she dreamed. Itachi’s voice always made her shiver. More than once Choji or Shikamaru would have to shake her wake. They would always ask her what was wrong, what she dreamed about but she guiltily avoided the question and thanked them for being concerned. It was not the answer they were looking for. And they weren’t the only ones who thought that. Kakashi had asked, even Sakura would bring it up time to time. But she couldn’t tell them. She wouldn’t.


“Ino!” She immediately came from her thoughts and watched as Choji came rushing into the flower shop. She finished organizing a barrel of daisies and wiped her wet hands on her apron.


“You seem excited about something.” She said, putting a hand on her hip.


“It’s Shikamaru! He was the only one to pass! He’s a Chuunin now! Asuma wants us to me them at the BBQ restaurant.” He excitedly pulled on her arm.


“Choji? Are you serious? Shikamaru? A Chuunin? Really?” She quickly removed her apron and tossed it behind the counter waving a hasty goodbye at the flower worker Mai as she left the shop.


His cheeks were flushed with contagious enthusiasm. “Yeah! I was surprised too! Come on!”


Unbelievable! Shikamaru? A Chuunin? He was so lucky! Ino quickly followed Choji to the restaurant where he had already made reservations. They were quietly discussing the news when the bell rang and Asuma and Shikamaru entered. Her eyes widened. He looked so different with that vest on! As soon as Shikamaru saw them he paused. He looked like he was ready to run away. Asuma-sensei just shoved him forward and maneuvered him in the seat across from her.


“Ohhh.” She and Choji began leaning forward. Shikamaru looked so uncomfortable under their pride it made her want to laugh.


“Even though you lack the will to do anything, you look a little more serious now.” She commented nicely making him blush.


Choji chuckled. “It doesn’t work for you!” He mused with a huge grin. Shikamaru slouched on his arm with a mild glare.


“Stop laughing.” He told them gruffly, trying to sound like his old self.


“Well for now, let’s toast to Shikamaru’s promotion to Chuunin.” Asuma said with a fond look on his face as he stared at the sulking boy. Food was quickly served and Choji expertly arranged the salted pork on the table grill. He greedily watched the thin meat brown before grabbing some and shoving them still hot in his mouth. Ino winced mentally. Didn’t he burn his mouth?


“Choji! Don’t start eating before we have our toast!” She scolded.


“Well we don’t want it to burn.” He defended with a loud swallow. Ino sighed in irritation.


“There is plenty of meat so eat up.” Asuma told them merrily, putting out his cigarette and grabbing his chop sticks. Ino humphed and took a few grilled vegetables from the grill. Boys.


When Ino was waving goodbye to her teammates, she saw someone running to her with tears in their eyes. She looked like she had been crying for a while. When did Sakura’s team get back?


“Ino!” Sakura sniffed, gulping back a sob.


“Hey! What’s wrong?” Ino asked, putting her hands on Sakura’s shoulders with a concerned frown.


“N-Naruto and Sasuke got into a huge fight! T-They looked like they were really going to kill each other! If Kakashi-sensei hand shown up they both could be really hurt! Why? Why are they like this? I thought our team was getting along just fine but after the last mission…Sasuke went into one of his moods. Ino, can’t you talk to him?”


“Where is he now?” She asked hurriedly.


“I don’t know. He left the hospital after Kakashi-sensei stopped him.” Sakura hiccupped.


Ino jumped to the roofing, wasting no time in her search. Her first stop was his place, but she knew it would have been a long shot. She then checked his favorite training spots and food places. Nothing. Two hours into her search and she was getting thoroughly frustrated and worried. Okay…calm down she coached herself, stopping on a bookstore balcony. Her sensory skills were not that good, but she had to try. She steadily gathered her chakra and closed her eyes but before she let it wander someone tapped on her shoulder.


“Gah!” She spun and stared into one crinkled eye. “Kakashi-sensei!” She breathed. “Do you—”


“Over there.” He pointed but then his face seriously fell. “Remember when I said we needed to talk?”


Ino nodded. “Can we do it later?” She begged looking back at where he pointed to try see is she could spot him.


“I suppose.” He said and began backing away. Ino nervously took a deep breath. She found him easily enough on a huge secluded tree in quiet brooding. He looked a bit tired, but mostly he looked confused.


“Sasuke?” She cautiously approached him, not sure if he heard her or not. “Are you okay?” She kneeled in front of him but gave him space.


“Sakura tell you?” He asked in a void tone, not even looking at her.


“Sasuke…”


“What have I’ve been doing all this time? It feels like I lost sight of my purpose.”


Ino held her tongue. She knew what he was talking about. It’s not like she hadn’t thought so many times about it. She remembered what had happened in the Forest of Death when he said he was an Avenger. Avenging meant revenge. Revenge for his clan and family. If it was her, would she be able to do the same? She knew that the problem with him beginning to feel inferior to Naruto was far from being resolved. If it had, then they wouldn’t have had a fight in the first place. It seemed like he was feeling more mediocre and useless.


It was true Naruto was getting stronger and Sasuke was right. To develop so many skills made even her, the top kunoichi feel a little inadequate. She could understand what Sasuke was feeling and then again, she didn’t. Itachi was strong. Much much stronger than Sasuke was now. His purpose…she knew what he thought his purpose was. Maybe she knew what had happened during the massacre, but she didn’t have to live though it like Sasuke did. It wasn’t her family that was killed before her eyes. She didn’t have a brother that she had looked up to, betray her.


“It just takes time.” She finally said making him glance sharply up. “Revenge has to be planned carefully.”


“Ino…”


She smiled a little and settled cross-legged. “You have to work out a plan hundreds of different ways and make sure the timing is right.”


“Ino.”


“And then when it happens and something goes wrong you have to have a quick back-up plan. You have to anticipate how all your little pawns will act and find out every kind of weakness your opponent has. When you do, you have to bid your time, make them think that you’re not up to anything and when they least expect it, strike. Your blow has to be quick, with no way for them to escape.” She sighed and then smiled. “So much work.”


He smirked, leaning against the tree. “I take it you had your share of revenge. You sound like a pro.”


She shrugged. “You think I retained my power among the school girls by being super cute and rich? Sometimes…secret tactics had to come into play.”


Sasuke snorted. “Girls are devious things.”


“Mmm. We can be.” She said mused.


“They can also be liabilities.” Ino felt something warm and sticky shoot around her arms and she was ruthlessly pulled back with a strangled cry of surprise.


“Ino!” Sasuke shot to his feet. Someone slid their arms around her throat, keeping her from saying anything or screaming. Three strange looking men surrounded him. Ino didn’t have to turn around to know she was being held by a woman. “Who are you?”


Yeah! “We are the Four Sound.” A guy with a huge bulbous nose introduced cockily. Then they each introduced themselves accordingly. Strange names to go with strange people Ino thought struggling in her bonds.


“Don’t make me break your pretty little neck bitch.” The only girl in the group, Tayuya told her and tightened her hold to make her point.  The other three surrounded Sasuke with amazing speed, but Sasuke was itching for a fight. Plus, they totally ruined her and Sasuke’s time together! Jerks! He was holding himself back and she felt like the Four Sound were as well because the fight seemed more like an annoyance. Then he got a little serious and Ino excitedly watched him do his Lion Combo on the pale skinned guy.


“Hump. He’s such a weakling.” Tayuya snorted, breathing close to her ear. Ino’s eyes slid to the side. Weakling? What was she talking about? Didn’t they see the same move? “Come on.” She yanked her down to the broken building where the pale dude had Sasuke by the ankle. Ino’s eyes widened. No way! She knew every move he made connected with that guy!


“Why does Orochimaru want a weakling like him? Kimimaro would have been a better choice.” The pale man said in belittlement. “Well, as long as you stay in this shitty village you’ll be no different from an average person. You won’t get any stronger.” He taunted, capturing Sasuke’s full attention.


“Come with us.” Tayuya said, loosening her hold on Ino’s neck. Still, there was no way she couldn’t get free. “That way Lord Orochimaru will give you power. It’s pointless if we force you to come. You must decide.”


Ino squirmed in protest. They knew exactly what to temp him with. “So? Are you coming?” The pale man threw Sasuke against the wall like he was nothing but a sack of flour. “Or not?”  Ino was pulled back when she choked out his name in panic. The air grew chill and Ino stiffened.


“I feel like killing this weakling for being hesitant.” Bulbous nose commented in a bored tone. Ugh, she still couldn’t get over the fact that he had four arms. Was he born deformed or something? Who would want to look like a freak?


“Try it!” Sasuke roared and charged after pale face with his cursed seal crawling over his skin. But even with that power, he was pushed back with a swift kick to his chest.


“You’re not the only one Lord Orochimaru likes.” Pale face proudly showed him his own black marks on his face. Inchworm looking kind that made her a little sick. “You shouldn’t be using the curse seal so carelessly. It looks like you can’t even control it. If you stay in the released state for too long the seal will eventually consume your body. It seems like you’re still in the first stage so the growth is slow. Once it completely takes over your body, you will lose yourself forever.” Sasuke’s black flames slithered back to his shoulder quickly.


“In return for gaining power through the cursed seal you will be under Lord Orochimaru’s control. We have no freedom. In order to gain something, you must throw something away.” Tayuya told her, stroking Ino’s hair with a smirk. “What is your purpose? To stay in this joyful village and lick each other’s wounds? To forget everything about Itachi Uchiha?”


Ino’s brain shuddered at the name. They knew exactly what to say. How could they know so much? She thought in panic trying to twist herself free. Orochimaru couldn’t know everything about it could he? Even about her? Tayuya hissed menacingly at her, digging her long fingernails in Ino hair and yanking her to compliancy.


“Don’t forget your purpose. This village is nothing more than a shackle. You should just break such a useless bond. That way, you can gain an even greater power.” Pale face said. Sasuke looked at her with unreadable eyes. Was he actually considering it? Trading the village for power? Trading her? Tears pricked her eyes.


I’m an avenger. I must obtain power no matter what, even if I must let the devil take a hold of my body


Pale face saw the softness in Sasuke’s gaze and he turned to her with an unreadable look on his face. “I know you could never trade her, but with your current power, could you really protect her from Itachi? He hurt her once. Will you allow it a second time?”


“What?” Sasuke sucked in a breath looking intensely at her for an answer. A tear rolled down her cheek.


“Oh? You didn’t know?” Tayuya asked innocently. “Then you both have a lot to talk about then.” She pushed Ino forward and the guy with the four arms put a hand to the sticky bonds and they loosened.


“Remember your purpose. If not for yourself, then for the girl.” Pale face smirked at her meaningfully telling her without words that he knew he pulled the right strings. Then the Sound Four jumped into the air disappearing into the darkness. Ino yanked the sticky bonds off of her arms in disgust. She felt her earlier words cave in, burying her under the irony.

You have to anticipate how all your little pawns will act and find out every kind of weakness your opponent has.


“Ino. What were they talking about?” Sasuke demanded, pulling himself up the cracked concrete wall to stand. “Ino!” He boomed angrily when she didn’t answer.


She didn’t want him to be angry at her! She didn’t tell him for a reason. “I don’t know what happened!” She cried. “But…I saw.” She finished quietly.


“Saw what?”


She fell to her knees, not knowing if she could really stand for this. “That night.” She croaked, tears blurring her vision. “The night when—when he killed them.”


“What?” Sasuke’s eyes widened. “You saw? How?”


Ino shook her head. “I don’t know how. That day when we went to Kakashi’s room something in my head clicked and then I could hear screams filling my head.” She felt her emotions break down in such a rush. “All the blood and anger and hatred, I felt it all!” She began crying. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you! I thought that you had enough to deal with! I didn’t want you to worry!”


She felt his arms slid around her trembling shoulders. “Don’t cry.” He ordered softly.


 His hospital shirt was soaking up her tears. “Sasuke, don’t leave. You don’t need them to get stronger.” She pleaded, wrapping her arms firmly around his waist. There was no way she could stop him, she knew that. Even if she screamed her lungs out, he would be gone before anyone came. “I know you’re thinking about it.” She closed her eyes tightly, not wanting to face the reality of what was happening. It was too tempting, she knew. Power. It was ripping him from her arms. How could she compete with that?


“If you saw, then you know better than anyone why I have to.” He told her quietly with unhidden anger in his voice.


“Sasuke!” She pulled from his arms to see his face, to see his endless night colored eyes.


“You can’t change my mind.” He harshly pulled her closer to him as if unable to stand her tears. “He took everything away from me. He can’t take you too. I won’t let him.”


She had wanted to hear those words so bad. They melted her heart and made her world spin out of control. It took this to make her realize that she had fallen in love with him, and now…he was leaving. The bright light those words momentarily brought was chased away by dark clouds. She didn’t want to let go of him, but she felt him pull away from her. Her mouth trembled and she was unable to say anything. All she could do was stare into those plea filled eyes that were begging her to understand. But she didn’t want to. She wanted this to go away! She wanted him to be here! Forget about revenge, forget about power! She wanted to scream those things at him, fall to her belly and beg him to stay.


“Don’t leave. Stay with me.” She whispered desperately. He cupped her face with bittersweet gentleness and then lowered his head, kissing her so softly it felt like a dream. It only made it hurt more. It only made her heart break faster when he pulled away. She fluttered her eyes open, staring into dark warmth.


“When I see you again, it has to be like this. Promise?” His fingers fell to her neck, pressing on a sensitive spot just above her collarbone. There was a rare smile pulling in his lips as he lowered his head one last time to kiss her. Her heart shattered at the fleeting tenderness and she didn’t fight her fall into unconsciousness. Rather she went willingly because it would hurt too much to watch him walk away…