Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Closer ❯ Chapter 20

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

His muscles were in a slow, hot aching mess, but he didn’t move from his place in front of the pale, almost lifeless girl. Her breathing was shallow and barely there. A couple of time, when he would take a small break, he would lean over her mouth and listen carefully to see if she was still alive. Every time she was, and he would relax and begin again. He didn’t know how many hours he sat cross legged in the elaborate healing seal he had drawn on the floor with his own blood.

The room was warm and soothing with flowing chakra. With his hands drawn together in silent concentration, Kabuto narrowed his dark eyes and very gradually increased his medical chakra. He watched carefully as Ino arched her body a little in reaction. The forming cursed seal on her right arm was becoming more visible and established. It glowed white, shimmering like milky silver in a intricate tribal like pattern. Its new chakra was mingling successfully with Ino’s personal chakra. He had to stabilize the balance before he could fully activate it. It was dangerous and if not done correctly, it would overpower Ino’s chakra until it drained her. It happened before with the others once they used it for the first time and he really didn’t want her to die pathetically like them. There was no balance. It overrode the body’s internal direction and didn’t stop the chakra drain from emptying its life resources. He wondered if Lord Orochimaru had the same problem when he created the Earth and Heaven marks. It was difficult to create your own and the mark marred on Ino’s arm was a creation of his own.

Kabuto smiled to himself, steadying his mind. There was a point in an apprentice’s life when he would naturally take over for his Master. For Kabuto, that time was coming. Not anytime soon, but it was coming closer none the less. This seal was his first attempts of making it on his own so to speak. While the Earth and Heaven Seals were linked to Lord Orochimaru, this seal that marked Ino was linked to him. It was made from the same chakra concoction and venom as Lord Orochimaru’s seal, but was his will that would bind it. If Ino, no Kabuto thought, when Ino survived she would be the first to inherit the power infused with his new seal. Power that would bind her to him forever, or until his death. But Kabuto had no plans of dying anytime soon and he had no plans of letting Ino die for that matter. Not only would she be tied to him through his seal, but she would probably feel indebted to him when she found out how much time and effort he took to keep her alive.

The task of balancing his seal with her body would have been easier of he had allowed his medics to help him, but he didn’t want that. He wanted to do it on his own. He felt her body temperature shift, and soon, her cheeks began to glow pink with fever. He felt the internal battle wage between her chakra and his. She was fighting the intrusion, fighting the mix. He gritted his teeth, pushing back his instinct to just force his chakra to make her chakra submit. But that would damage the bond, and the last thing he wanted was to damage the bond forming between them. She was his student, his little apprentice and even though Ino despised the idea, and thought little of it, he didn’t. They say you have a special relationship with your first student. He had many under his control, many to do his bidding but he never put much energy in teaching any of them like he did her. She fought him every step of the way, disagreed with everything he was teaching her. But it didn’t stop her from learning, from understanding. She picked up on everything he taught her, used every lesson he instilled. He couldn’t ask for a better, cute little apprentice.

She could hear someone calling out to her in the blinding whiteness. It was a voice she hated hearing. Even in my dreams Kabuto annoys me, Ino thought, struggling to gain her conscious back. Her head felt bloated and heavy. Her mouth was dry and her whole body felt like it was on fire. Even her insides felt like they had been scorched. Am I even alive? Surely heaven wouldn’t feel this painful? Warm tears dripped from the corners of her eyes, rolling down the side of her face into her ears. She didn’t know why she was crying, but she felt scared and confused. She couldn’t even open her eyes and she was hearing Kabuto sound so concerned for her. She didn’t want him to be concerned, she hated him so much! Where was her dad? Where was Shikamaru or Choji? Where was Rei? Where was Sasuke? Her mind convoluted all their names and faces into a messy thought.

Open your eyes. Ino? Wake up…Kabuto coached her with gentleness. He had no right to talk to her in that kind of concern. She wouldn’t allow it! How dare he?! Her anger bubbled inside the pit of her stomach and flared into her chest when memories of what happened to her came flooding to her in a rushed wave. Even though she had been unconscious, she remembered Kabuto and Sasuke talking. Sasuke asked him what kind of cursed seal it was.

Kabuto, her mind growled. It’s his fault she was feeling like this! It was his fault that she was cursed! Her eyes flew open and she saw his startled expression before her fingers wrapped around his vulnerable throat and she propelled him back with a push from her place of rest. She slammed him into the wall, causing him to grunt out loud with pain. Her eyes locked onto his, finding him blinking away his daze.

Tears gathered in her eyes. “You did this to me.” She hissed, tightening her hold on him with newfound strength. Her untied hair was floating around her head, and her skin was glowing with milky white light. She could actually feel her chakra mixing with an unknown source. Her whole body felt tainted with it; with the foreign power she felt coursing through her veins. What kind of curse did Ume injected her with that made her feel dirty but powerful at the same time? Did Anko-sensei and Sasuke feel the same way after they received theirs?

Kabuto saw her mind working and he began to grin at the power pulsing through her. He could feel it in himself as well. Power. Control. Anger. Fear. He instinctively pulled his chakra from her and felt her fingers loosen around his neck, but it took a lot of effort. He was new to this. Then he reached a point where he couldn’t pull any more from her and he knew it was her will that was stopping him. She didn’t know what she was doing, but her primal instincts did and he almost frowned. Was this what Lord Orochimaru felt when trying to control Sasuke? In the past, Lord Orochimaru would give his seal to those he could easily control, but Sasuke was different. Lord Orochimaru had to control him with promises of new jutsus and chakra secrets for Sasuke to listen.

“You’re strong Ino.” He choked out and pushed her away from him with all of his strength. Ino stumbled back, righting herself. “I would expect no less from you. You always seem to surprise me.”

Ino was seething; white and blue chakra was swirling around her in ribbons of power. She was itching for a fight and he was her prime target. But Kabuto always thought ahead of time and prepared something for that. After all, he wanted to see this seal in action as soon as possible. Now was the best time since Lord Orochimaru and Sasuke were out of the base. They would be back soon, so he had to move fast. He jumped back, onto the second floor of the room they were in and pressed a button. Thick iron bars emerged from the bottom of the floor he was on and trapped her below him in a cage.

Ino stood, glaring up into the dim light at Kabuto. He was watching her closely, waiting for her to do something. She heard a door click open and her sensors went wild in warning. To her side, something heavy dropped to the ground and she recognized her bagpack. Why would he…oh. Ino thought when she saw a hulking mass of one on the prisoners enter the room. He was a big thing, looking like a mutated rhinoceros. Before she could even grasp onto the idea that Kabuto wanted her to fight this thing, it smacked her across the room with a long sweep of its hand. Pain exploded behind her head and across her face. Her beautiful, unmarred face! How dare that thing touch its perfection?

Her vanity fueled her anger and she reached rolled away from the monster and dashed for her bag. Inside, she grabbed two of her special kunai and dashed away again before she was smooshed by its wide foot. It was fast despite its size. Ino threw one of her special kunais and it stuck to his charging figure. She made a few seals. She didn’t even call out its name, only murmured it right when it was close enough. Her body sucked in the earth element and she jumped through the muddy soft spot of the monster where her kunai stuck, emerging with a summersault out the other side. The other special kunai was left behind and she created three more seals for that one. Her palms hit the ground and a loud roaring could be heard where the floor split in two. The room rumbled and vibrated beneath her feet and the walls fell around her into crumbling masses. A large plant vine emerged from the crack of the ground and its diamond shaped leafs braced its green, thick mass. A lone flower emerged from its crimson bud, speckled with red, yellow and green. Red eyes gleamed and its head curved. The huge Cobra Lily’s red tongue licked the chakra fused air and reared back it head when it caught sight of the retreating monster.  He roared with outrage, before being devoured in one gulp by the man-eating flower. She felt a keen sense of satisfaction when she heard the loud, wet crunching of bone. Blood dribbled from the carnivorous flower’s munching mouth as it watched her with greedy red eyes. The huge mass of the cursed prisoner slowly made it way down the elongated throat of the Cobra Lily who was taking its time breaking down the body and digesting it.

“If you’re still hungry, I know of someone who would probably taste even better.” She said quietly, ignoring the shake in her chakra coils. She glanced up to see Kabuto watching her with a shocked expression on his face. “You wanted to see didn’t you?” She yelled out to him in challenge. Then all of the sudden, her arm spasmed so painfully that she screamed and dropped to her knees, clutching the glowing mark on her arm.

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…

Her eyes widened with the memory of Sound Four’s Tayuya’s declaration to Sasuke so long ago. But Orochimaru wasn’t even here, she thought in dismay, scooting back away from the Cobra Lily before it took advantage of her weakness. Even she understood that the Cobra Lily held no loyalty to those who summon it and would gladly devour her just as quickly as it devoured the Cursed Seal Prisoner. She quickly withdrew her chakra and the monstrous flower poofed away with a loud hiss. Above her head she heard the bars retreat back into the second floor. Kabuto landed not far off and walked slowly to her.

“You didn’t even get to go into second stage with that one. Guess I’ll have to find someone stronger next time.” He said in amusement, kneeling in front of her. Ino was paralyzed in pain so she couldn’t move when he pushed her hair behind her ear. “You’re angry huh? Yeah, I would be too if someone cursed me but don’t think about it like that. Think of it as being on equal terms with Sasuke now. If anything, this power will assure you a place beside Lord Orochimaru in the future.”

“What are you talking about?” Ino asked, not sure if she really wanted an explanation.

Kabuto gave a mad man’s grin. “Don’t you ever wonder why Lord Orochimaru decided to keep you around? It’s true that if he or I killed you, Sasuke would probably kill us in return before Lord Orochimaru takes over his body.” He chuckled. “That boy cares a great deal for you. But I think there is another reason he keeps you around.”

“And that is?” The pain was slowly lessening in her arm.

“Companionship.” He said slowly, deliberately.

Ino’s blood drained from her face in a mix of horror and repulsion. Kabuto’s cheshire like smile only grew. “When he takes over Sasuke’s body there will be a mild consciousness of the original person. Because Sasuke has such strong feelings about you, so will Lord Orochimaru. He will like you just as much as Sasuke likes you.”

She began trembling at the thought. What kind of feeling could Orochimaru be capable of? “Shut up.” She whispered, clutching her chest. Her heart felt like it was in some kind of vice, slowly squeezing it into insanity.

“Lord Orochimaru might like being an Uchiha. Maybe one day you’ll have children and they will become new vessels for him.” Kabuto drawled with a wicked gleam in his eyes.

“Shut up!” She screamed, lifting herself from the ground and bolting out of the destroyed room. That could never happen! Never! She and Orochimaru? Children? She would die before that happened! Her bare feet slapped against the cold, grainy floor. She bolted up a ramp and rounded a corner and then another stopping short of her bedroom door. She yanked it open and bolted the lock, sliding down the smooth wood of her door , putting a hand over her heart to calm its rapid pumping. Kabuto’s cruel, teasing voice made her skin crawl and she hugged herself tightly. Tears slowly dropped down her cheeks and she rested her head on her knees. She wanted to go home. She wanted her dad. Being here hurt too much and for the first time in a while, she was terrified for the future.

“Sakura…” She whispered to herself. “Naruto, hurry and come.” Ino stood slowly and crawled onto her bed with shaky arms. The weight of what had happened in the past hour came crushing down on her and she curled into a ball, clutching her aching seal with trembling fingers. She could feel the raw, untapped power churning deep inside of her and it scared her more. She didn’t want to think about anything, she didn’t want to feel anything. All she wanted to do was sleep away everything. So she got lost in her dreams and didn’t wake up until her door shuddered with a knock. Dragging herself from her bed, Ino unlocked the door and opened it and let herself be pulled into Sasuke’s warm embrace. She rested her chin on his shoulder, instant tears stinging her eyes.

“I was worried for a second.” Sasuke murmured in her hair. Ino bit her lip to keep if from trembling.

“Just a second?” She tried to joke. But there were tears in her voice and he tightened his hold and a sob nosily caught in her throat.

“Don’t cry.” He told her gruffly. Ino knew her crying made him uncomfortable, but she couldn’t help it. She was so scared and confused. This place was getting to her and Sasuke wasn’t enough to keep her happy anymore. She was afraid that Kabuto was finally breaking her. How much longer until she was completely shattered?

Kabuto watched her with a critical eye as Ino stood in solitary pride in the center of the training area. It took a lot of convincing for Lord Orochimaru to let him have this place and it was harder still to wretch the girl away from a possessive and angry Sasuke. He supposed he deserved the boy’s ire; after all it was partly his fault that Ino was put in danger in the first place. Who knew Ume was such a psycho? He only slept with her twice and then she began to get all clingy. He knew when he had to end it. He didn’t mean for Ino to get caught in the middle. Oh well. What’s done was done and he couldn’t take it back.

For a few days after Ino’s seal first stabilized, Sasuke made sure she stayed away from Kabuto and kept her within arms length. She even went with him on his training. Kabuto was surprised that Lord Orochimaru let her. Sasuke’s training had always been so hush hush. When Sasuke wasn’t able to be with her, the other Leaf ninja Rei would stick by her side. But after a few days, he managed to get her free from them. Lord Orochimaru was curious about her seal and Kabuto could tell that Sasuke was as well. Kabuto wasn’t one to let either of them down. So there she stood, dressed in her purple ninja uniform, long blonde hair blowing in the wind as she waited to be put on display. He could feel her anger and fear feeding though their bond. Her ice blue eyes were dead set on him, not hiding what he was feeling from her. Murderous intent of having weaseled this display from her. Helplessness of her position. Nervousness for the spectators watching her closely. Kabuto’s lips pulled into a satisfied smirk as he pressed the release button. Ino tensed as the loud metallic clang of the bolt lock was lifted from the cells. Lord Orochimaru and Sasuke had passive expressions on their face as one of the prisoners stalked into the open arena.

His blonde apprentice wasted no time in giving them what they wanted. Her seal flared to life, crawling from her arm across her warm skin like milk. Unlike the Heaven and Earth Seal Lord Orochimaru created, Kabuto’s seal didn’t twist her features into some grotesque monster. Instead it made her eyes glow electric blue and her flesh glowed like it was bathed in moonlight. Unlike the Heaven and Earth seal, the enhanced chakra wasn’t dark. It was light. Blue and white chakra that rivaled the power of the Earth and Heaven seal.

The lone Heaven Seal prisoner activated his level two and Kabuto felt Ino hesitantly reach into her new power. His chakra coils clenched in anticipation. Kabuto’s eyes slid to Lord Orochimaru who had a small frown on his face. Kabuto had to back away his chakra so that Lord Orochimaru didn’t suspect his tampering. To the great Snake Sannin, messing with his cursed seals was sacrilegious in a way. Kabuto didn’t want Lord Orochimaru to find out about his involvement with the new cursed seal. If he knew it was linked to Kabuto’s chakra, there would be hell to pay. So Kabuto had to grit his teeth and share his bond with Ino with Lord Orochimaru. For now at least.

The battle itself was drawn out and long. Ino didn’t fully utilize her new power like they expected. Not until Kabuto let one more Heaven Seal prisoner out. By doing that, he forced her to draw out more power. His coils trembled warmly as her seal glowed even brighter. The milky white tribal marks ran down to her legs. Power swirled around her, raw and dangerous and she quickly ran through some seals. Black characters emerged around her left wrist and a summon portal opened up. Water fell from the sky and dripped between her fingers. Lamplight glinted off the deadly looking scythe that she effortlessly twisted in her small hand. But the summon portal didn’t close. More and more water dripped from it, like a small waterfall. He knew her logic behind it. Both Heaven Seal prisoners were fire elementals. A fire ball was lobed at her by one of them and she spun her scythe, creating a water shield. The other ran behind her and she swung her scythe, whipping it around her effortlessly, slicing his middle. He jumped back while the other took advantage of her defenselessness and blasted her with another searing hot fire ball. Her blues eyes widened, but then her whole body evaporated into steam and water.

“Water clone.” Kabuto mused. The portal closed, but not before turning the arena into a small lake deep enough for her to disappear into its dark depths. The two prisoners were on guard, acutely listening to everything around them. Then one was pulled down into the water with a strangled cry of surprise. Kabuto leaned in closer, trying to see what was going on under the water. There was loud thrashing and grunts, but then everything calmed down and a dark spot of blood began bleeding into the rest of the water. Kabuto reached out just briefly to make sure Ino was still alive. A body floated to the top.

“Vicious isn’t she? She reminds me of someone.” Lord Orochimaru commented, his green eyes glittering with interest. Sasuke had his Sharingan on since the beginning of the fight. His eyes narrowed, but he didn’t move an inch. The water around the remaining prisoner began bubbling and five Inos emerged from the rust colored water, surrounding him. Her weapon was gone, but her hands were held in a familiar seal.

“Mind Body Disturbance jutsu!” All five Inos called out. The man became paralyzed for the briefest of moments before he began moving to the floating body. A kunai was withdrawn from the dead man’s weapons pouch. Wide eyed, the controlled prisoner whimpered as he was forced to bring the weapon to his throat.

“Please!” The man begged, looking at one of the Inos. His hand shook and Kabuto lowered his chin, forcing a command to her. Do it. She resisted. Do it. Kabuto‘s gaze connected with hers, daring her to defy him. All five of her gazes hardened and all of the sudden, the kunai that the prisoner had poised at his throat, was flying at him. Kabuto moved his head to the side to avoid it, eyes wide.

Both Lord Orochimaru and Sasuke were looking at him. Sasuke was glaring and Orochimaru looked amused. “She really doesn’t like you.” The Snake Sannin commented with a smile. “But I’ve seen enough. I can feel her struggling with the power. Perhaps she should take the spring treatments as well. Do you agree Sasuke?” Sasuke gave a small nod, red eyes never wavering from Kabuto. He knows, Kabuto thought with a small lick of dread crawling up his neck.

“Kabuto, prepare it for her.” Lord Orochimaru stood. “I’m going to rest.”

Ino, dressed only in a simple grey robe looked wearily around the new place she had found herself in. It was like a hot spring, only it wasn’t. Maybe it was Orochimaru’s personal bath or something. He had a thing for snakes. In fact, a carved snake’s head had steaming water flowing from its mouth into a large basin.  Candles were flickering in the snake’s hollow eyes and more floated on water lilies. It almost looked beautiful.

“What am I doing here? I’m tired.” Ino complained to Kabuto. “I did what you wanted me to do. Why can’t you just leave me alone for a while?”

“You’re such a grumpy gus when you’re tired. Quit being a spoiled baby. You’re almost as bad as Sasuke is when he gets up.” Kabuto told her, waving her to follow him. Ino sighed. She was too tired to really argue. Her whole body ached from her battle and stupid Kabuto wouldn’t even give her aspirin. Only forced some ‘vitamins’ on her. She watched passively as the detestable white haired man poured some oils and herbs into the water. He even tested the temperature for her.

“Why are you being like this?” Ino asked him suspiciously, pulling her robes closer to her body. He noticed the action and smiled.

“I’m sorry Ino, but you’re not really my type.” He said. Ino raised a brow.

“Really? That’s hard to believe.”

Kabuto chuckled. “Why is that?”

Ino lifted her chin. “Because I’m everyone’s type.” She told him haughtily.

Kabuto shook his head. “You’re too young. Besides, I like dark haired girls, not blondes.” He dusted the reaming herbs from his hands. “Tell me, how is Anko doing these days?”

Ino’s hackles rose in defense of her sensei. “Not in a million years.” She hissed at him.

Kabuto raised his brows. “I take it from your reaction that you’re close with her.” Ino said nothing and he continued. “Lord Orochimaru did say you reminded him of someone.” The door to the room swung open and hit loudly against the wall.

“That’s enough Kabuto. You can leave now.” Sasuke held open the door for him. Kabuto’s lips pressed together in a thin line. Ino welcomed the sight.

“I don’t think you should be in here as well Sasuke. It is inappropriate.”

Sasuke smirked. “Are you going to make me leave?” He challenged. There was a short standoff, before Kabuto gave up with a smile. A fake smile.

“Fine. You win.” He gave Ino a little sigh before leaving. Alone together, Ino watched as Sasuke approached her. She pouted.

“I don’t want to go in there. Who knows what kind of stuff he put in the water.” She said eyeing the churning surface. Her seal burned and she put a hand to it to ease the pain.

“It will make it feel better.” He told her. His footsteps echoed in the dim room. “You’re probably aching all over. Using the seals power can be overwhelming. It takes getting used to.” Ino looked away from him.

“I don’t want to get used to it. I don’t ever want to use it ever again.” She murmured, digging her nails into the seal on her arm. “Power like this…changes people.”

Sasuke stood closer to her, so close she could feel his body heat radiating off of him. “Like it changed me?” He asked her. Ino looked up, only to meet with hard-to-read eyes.

“Not just you.” She told him. “Naruto too.” Sasuke’s eyes hardened so fast, Ino almost shrank away. But she didn’t. “And Gaara.”

“Are we going to reminisce about the past then? It will only make me angry.” He cautioned. She ignored it.

“You never think about it? You never think about them?” Ino pressed. “They think about you all the time.”

Sasuke’s jaw tightened. “It’s foolish to linger on the past.”

“But that’s what you’re doing every day.” Ino lowered her head. “So you can understand why they do.” She finished softly. No matter what, she could never get through to him. Everything else she could, but not about Naruto and Sakura. He had hardened his heard so completely against them, Ino felt frustrated.

An awkward silence followed. She could feel his anger slowly simmering away. “Get in the water.” Sasuke finally said. Ino gave in and nodded. She sat on the edge of the basin and lowered her feet in then her legs. She hiked her robe up to her thighs and then completely removed it, sinking into the hot water with a gasp. She had her back turned to Sasuke so he didn’t see anything, but he had watched her the whole time. The water smelled nice, like…freesia. The pain in her body completely drained from her, leaving her even more tired. She didn’t ever want to leave the water, but after an hour or so she was getting wrinkly.

“Sasuke? I need a…” He dropped a fluffy towel on her head before she even finished. It was warm, like it had just been taken from the line. Sasuke turned around respectively as Ino exited the water. She slipped back on her robe and sat on a sturdy ironwood table and toweled her hair dry. She must have taken a long time because Sasuke felt the need to help her out. She stood still, amused at his impatience.

“You take forever doing simple tasks.” He muttered, roughly finishing. Ino’s hair fell in wet disarray around her face. Beyond the tangles of her blonde tresses, their eyes met in a heated, intimate moment. Ino couldn’t help the tempting smile that came to her lips, and her heart hammered hard in  her chest when Sasuke pulled her bare legs around his hips. She tightened her knees around him when their lips met in a hot, bone melting kiss. Her mouth softened under his, and she moaned, arching her chest toward him. He buried hands his hands in her damp hair, pulling it so that she tipped her head as he trailed nibbling kisses down her neck and collarbone. Her robe fell from her shoulders, barely covering her breasts. Goosebumps emerged one her arms and legs and she shivered when he bit her neck.

Ino slid her arms around his neck, lacing her fingers in the hair at the nape of his neck. She forced him to meet her lips and in her eagerness, she bit his bottom lip hard. She tasted his blood, mixing with their saliva. Her hands pushed his loose white shirt from his shoulders, and it fell to his waist. She always loved the feel of his warm skin under her fingers. No matter how much she touched him, or how close their bodies pressed together, it was never close enough. She wanted more. She sucked his bleeding lip making Sasuke give a little groan. He violently yanked her sash from her robe and pushed it aside, revealing her nude body. She broke apart and pulled his belt lose with a couple of tugs. His pants fell away, and with them, he toes his shoes off with lightning speed. A warm flush stained her whole body, desire was drunkenly running through her veins. Their kisses, pants and moans echoed in the dim room. Steam caressed their skin, warmed her bare flesh and the sound of the falling water invaded in her hearing. Candlelight flickered over both of them, bringing teasing light to their groping hands.

Ino trembled when Sasuke’s callused hands brushed gently across her sensitive breast, scratching her flesh. The rosy pink buds hardened under his exploration. Downward his hands wandered, under the soft mounds, down her ribs to her hips. He parted her leg around him moving their bodies even closer until she felt him press against her lower belly. She arched her body, rocked her hips against him in dizzy want. This was way beyond the point of no return. She knew what was going to happen. Her whole body seemed to brace itself when she felt his breath hiss from his swollen lips. They locked eyes, never wavering as he began penetrating her wetness. She stilled, tense, opening her legs a little wider so that he could move more freely.


She heard stories from people (Anko mostly) about sex and what to expect. Anko had her share of partners, never really interested in a long term relationship. She told her that every person was different when handling their first time. She told her traumatizing stories of her first over and over. Ino thought she would be prepared to scream in agony from the intrusion, but when Sasuke quickly impaled her with one move, she was surprised that they actually fit together and there was only a small ache. Her pains from the after battle were worse than this, still it felt strange. Ino shifted her legs, knees tightly pressing against his hips and Sasuke’s hands gripped her hips with surprising strength.

“Don’t move.” He whispered, closing his eyes. Ino froze, not knowing what to do. Her body was urging her to move, to rock against him, but he looked like he was in pain. The more they stayed in one position, the more the ache in her belly grew. Her inner muscles were beginning to clench around him and he groaned, finally pulling back and then hastily bring them back together with a strong, controlled thrust. The sound of their bodies hitting together made the fire in her blood turn to greedy lust. Young passion raged like a storm between them, making them move faster, making him thrust harder, and making her moan louder. The table groaned under them and hit the wall with steady rhythm. His name was like a chant, encouraging him to keep moving, to keep the pressure building between them. Something unknown was clawing to get free. Her legs tingles with nerves, so did her belly and spine. Then Sasuke did something amazing. Ino didn’t even know if he knew what he was doing, but he pulled her to the edge of the table, altering the angle of his thrusts and hitting that sensitive swollen mass of nerves that had been slowly building. Ino’s eyes widened and she hugged him closer to her, riding the wave of exploding pleasure.

“Sasuke!” She screamed his name, burying her face in his neck. She felt him pulse in anticipation deep inside and she closed her eyes as he moved even faster and harder, finishing with a bit to her collar bone and a heavy shudder. Ino felt something warm and moist coat her insides. Sasuke was breathing hard, sweat rolled from his temples and his pale face was flushed. Even in the dimming candlelight, she could see that his eyes were wide, as if amazed by what had just transpired. Ino was still throbbing with the aftermath of her orgasm. She didn’t dare let go of the death grip she had on Sasuke, afraid that she would turn into a quivering mess on the table. Almost all of her energy had evaporated. When she was sure she would be okay, Ino finally let him go. He was still buried inside of her, but eased out with a few slow, soft kisses to her shoulder.

Her robe was pulled closed and tied and he slipped back on his pants. Ino was too drained to move but climbed obediently onto his offered back. The hallways were empty except for the low burning lamps that made everything orange. His room was just off to the left, a few feet from hers. It was dark when they entered and she dropped to his comfy bed as he lit a half burned candle. He tossed her one of her many nightgowns that she had left in his room. It was ice blue satin that matched her eyes. He stopped her from slipping it over her head.

“Put it on later.” He murmured and pulled off his clothes again. Ino smiled, new energy sparking to life as soon as their lips met in a hungry kiss. They finally slept, just as the candle burned to its nub.

She loved cooking and was glad that Lord Orochimaru was thoughtful enough to have a kitchen built in the bases. It was early in the morning, but the base was already waking up. One of the stern looking servants came in and glowered at her.

“What are you doing?” The hefty middle age woman asked with a hand on her ample waist.

“Cooking a breakfast of love.” Karin gushed, tightening the knot of her apron around her waist. “They say the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach. I know Sasuke will love this meal I’m preparing. He’s been training so hard and I know the slop you make doesn’t satisfy him one bit.”

The servant bristled. “You’re going to clean up this mess! Look at this? Four bowls to make two crepes? Some kind of cook you are!”

Karin sniffed in insult. “That’s your job.” She scooped out the perfectly made green onion omelet and carefully arranged it next to the perfectly rolled strawberry crepes and crispy bacon. With the spicy ketchup she dews Sasuke’s name on the dish and put hearts on the omelets. Two sun-carved orange slices later and the redhead was wandering down the hall with the tray of food and a hum.

“Kekekeke. I wonder if he’s in the shower. And then I walk in am I’m like ‘Oh Sasuke! I’m so sorry’ and he’ll be like ‘Karin, come and wash my back’.” Karin put a hand to her mouth. “And then he’ll eat my wonderful food and fall in love with me.” She giggled again and stopped abruptly in front of his door. She tested the knob and found it open. With another giggle, she opened the door quietly. Looking around his room, Karin smiled and placed the tray on the nearby table. “He’s always so messy.” She murmured and began picking up the clothes strewn about. His scrolls were in a mess so she quickly organized them in a neat pile.

She gazed at the big mess of sheets and blankets piled on his bed. Still sleeping, gah, he’s so cute when he’s sleeping! If I wake him up now, he’ll be mad. Kabuto-sensei always scolds him for being grouchy when he wakes up. But he’s soooo cute when he’s mad. Karin tip-toed to the bed and began pulling off the layers of blankets.

“Sasuke….its morning. Time to rise and shineeee.” She cooed down at him, gasping when he bolted up. Karin froze, noticing how the sheets were barely covering his lower half. She mentally drooled. Was he naked? His dark hair was tangled sexily and his dark eyes were slowly coming into focus.

“Karin?” He croaked. Thrill shot down her spine and she melted a little. He even says my name sexily Karin thought dreamily. “What are you doing in my room?”

“I made you breakfast! I know you’ve been working really hard with Lord Orochimaru.” She said sweetly, batting her eyelashes and folded down more blankets. “It’s not like you to sleep so late Sasuke. Did you go to bed late last night?” She whipped another blanket off and froze. Her magenta red eyes traveled up another pair of legs. Long pale legs that weren’t Sasuke’s at all. It was…a girl? Karin’s eyes widened. A naked girl in Sasuke’s bed? The bed sheets were twisted around her hips, covering her bottom. She was on her stomach and her long blond hair was covering her face. Please don’t let her be prettier than me. Karin begged when the naked girl began to awaken. Karin stepped back, watching as Sasuke yawned and waited for the other girl to open her eyes. Blue. Karin thought when the girl lifted herself from the bed, clutching the sheet to her body. Her eyes were blue.

“Sasuke! What the hell!” Karin cried out, jealously finally bursting forth. The blonde winced at the sound. “I go through all the trouble making you breakfast in bed and you’re in here with that tramp?! Does Lord Orochimaru know about her?” Karin picked up the tray and yanked open the door. “I’m going to go ask him right now!” And she stormed out, down the hall.

“Who was that?” She could hear the girl ask Sasuke. He just grunted and the girl giggled. “Fangirl huh?”

So she was a new rival? Karin thought fervently, dumping the tray in the sink as soon as she reached the kitchen. Well damn it all to hell! She wouldn’t lose to that blonde bimbo!