Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Closer ❯ Chapter 21

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

Ino was almost afraid to make an appearance for breakfast  so she stayed in the shower longer then she usually did, washing her hair three times in the process. But she knew if she stayed in the pelting hot water any longer her skin would prune and then dry out as soon as she dried her body. So with a sigh, she shut off the water, stepped out into the steaming bathroom and pulled the towel from the rack. Once her hair was sufficiently dried, she wrapped the towel around her body and stepped into the bedroom. Sasuke was lounging in a chair, absently scanning a thick scroll.

“I thought perhaps you had drowned in there.” He mused, glancing up.

Ino fought a blush and shrugged. “I was lost in thought.” She said and then smiled. “You took just as long as I did if not longer.”

He smiled back and then tossed something at her. She fumbled with her clothes in surprise. “We can’t put it off for long.”

Ino pouted. “Fine.” So she dressed while Sasuke waited outside for her. Looking at herself in the small mirror above as dresser, she took a deep breath and left the room, to the daunting breakfast. She didn’t look any different, but it felt like if everyone saw her they would know what had happened. Like it was stamped on her forehead. Ino smiled at her reflection in a secret sort of way. Or on her body.

As soon as she entered the dining room she felt like everyone was staring at her. Orochimaru watched them enter with a small smirk on his pale lips, Kabuto’s lips were pursed in disapprovement and Rei…well Rei looked bored like always. His hair was longer showing her that his true color was dark red instead of the bright orange he had when she first met him.

“A bit late today aren’t we?” Orochimaru’s eyes easily slid from Sasuke to her. “Let’s not make a habit of it.”

Ino slid in her chair stiffly, very uncomfortable. It was hard to keep her face from turning red. She wondered how Sasuke managed to look traditionally aloof. Thank goodness the food was served and no more was said. Scanning the table, Ino absently wondered where that red headed girl was. She looked pretty mad when she left Sasuke’s room earlier that morning. Ino didn’t know where she saw her before, but a memory tugged in her brain.

The food today tasted better than usual and before long, she finished her breakfast right behind Sasuke. She and Sasuke locked eyes, a little smile pulling at her lips. She made sure no one else caught it, and raised her rice bowl for a refill.

“My, my. You two are awfully hungrier than usual.” Orochimaru teased, earning a glare from Sasuke. Ino just ignored him and Kabuto’s moody ‘humph’ and continued eating. Rei seemed a bit amused by the table and leaned into the conversation.

“Must be all the training their doing. Learning new things takes a lot of energy.” Rei quipped. Ino felt seething betrayal stick to her throat by his comment and sent him her ultimate death glare. How dare he join in the razzing!

“This is the breakfast table!” Kabuto protested, thumping his palm on the table. Orochimaru chuckled softly before talking a sip of his steaming tea to hide his permanent smirk.

“Prude.” Rei grunted, finishing his grapes with a sly smile directed at Ino. Ass. She would make him pay.

Kabuto waited for her after breakfast in the hallways with his arms folded in a brooding manner. “What?” She asked, putting a hand to her hip.

“I should have made him leave.” He muttered, looking at her with narrowed eyes. “Do you kids even know what kind of step you made?”

Ino flushed half from anger, half from embarrassment. “I’m not discussing this with you Kabuto-sensei. That’s too gross.” She folded her arms. “If that’s what you want to talk about then—” Kabuto grabbed her arm to stop her from leaving. She hissed when her seal began to burn.

“Come with me. I have something to show you.” He pulled her along, jerking her harshly when she tried to twist from his grip. In the end, she just allowed him to drag her behind him. The more she fought, the more he would make her seal ache. The only way to stop the painful throbbing was to suppress the cursed seal with her own chakra, but she felt drained the more she used it. It was Kabuto’s ultimate way of controlling her. The bastard.

Specimen room five huh? Ino thought as Kabuto opened the door. It was busier than usual with a handful of people fretting over something. She saw the red headed girl from this morning mixed in with them.  Suigetsu’s face appeared in the glowing blue water and he motioned her over. Kabuto let her go when the door was closed and a trusted prisoner stood guard by it.

She glared at his retreating figure, rubbing her arm with a pout as she sauntered towards Suigetsu. “You know what going on?” She asked, putting a hand to the thick clear pillar that served as Suigetsu’s prison.

“Mmm, don’t really know Sexy. But they’ve been noisy since yesterday afternoon.” He yawned. “Bitches won’t even let me sleep.”

Ino smiled. “I’m sorry they’re such pains in the ass.” Suigetsu’s deep purple eyes twinkled with amusement and he gave her a toothy grin.

“Thanks Sexy. At least someone cares about my predicament.”

“Quit complaining.” They turned to Kabuto who was beckoning her forward. “Today is the day. Are you ready?”

Ino and Suigetsu shared a look and became instantly suspicious. “Ready for what?”

Kabuto looked a bit dumbfounded. “Ume told you about it sometime ago didn’t she? I had to push it back a week because of your…predicament.”

Ino folded her arms. “Predicament?” She asked dangerously. He was always belittling her cursed seal experience. She hated him for that. He didn’t know what it was like to be forced to submit to his authority. How much it pained her both emotionally and physically to be tied to his corrupted chakra. Kabuto smiled and rubbed the back of his head.

“Haha, I guess it was more than a predicament.” He pulled her forward to the crowded table. “But today is the day for your new ward to arrive. He’s ready to take on this big bad world.”

Ino’s insides churned when she realized it was that floating fetus they were talking about. She backed away. “I never agreed to this!” She protested, sudden panic of having to take care of an infant hitting her like a ton of smothering brick. “I’m not good with kids! They annoy me and babies are worse! Crying mewing things that eat and poop and sleep all day!” She turned around, arms folded, nose in the air. “No thank you.”  

The red head stepped forward tossing a glare at Ino. “Kabuto-sensei, let me handle the baby. I told you I wanted to in the first place! She doesn’t even care about it like I do! I’ve been with Kimimaro Project since day one!” She said hotly, almost desperately.

“Yeah, listen to this psyco chick! She wants to take care of the kid.” Ino agreed with enthusiasm deftly ignoring the girl’s glare tossed her way. Kabuto sighed and waved the eager girl back away from him.

“Back off Karin. I made my choice. Ino, babies are cute innocent things that have so much potential.” Kabuto told her with a tone that Ino didn’t care for. She turned around and saw a flash of greed in his dark eyes. “They can be made into something powerful with the right kind of childhood. Just think of the possibilities.” He murmured, hands caressing the glass tube the full grown baby floated in. It was a boy, with pale skin with a fine downy of white hair. She looked around her at Kabuto’s other faceless minions and saw the same greed in their eyes. It made her insides begin to bubble with sick guilt.

Her internal debate was quick and tiring. In the end she knew what she had to do. “Fine. I’ll look after him.” Ino told them, pushing aside Karin and another one of the medics next to Kabuto. “But just for a little while. Until I find someone suitable to take over for me.” She ignored Karin’s sarcastic mimicking. The girl was so annoying!  

Kabuto’s mouth lifted in a cocky smirk at his victory. “I knew I was right to choose you Ino.” He turned to his medics. “Begin.”

Two older men began slowly removing the feeding tubes. The blood and water solution it had been floating in was being drained away. Kabuto threw a clean baby blanket at her and told her to stand by. He then reached in and grasped the squirming infant with gentle hands, taking the baby out and handing him to her. The baby looked an unsettling blue color. She stood still as Kabuto began suctioning out the child’s mouth. Someone else was rubbing his chest until the kid let out a loud shrill cry. Kabuto was the one to cut the umbilical cord, beaming at her like an expected father.

“He’s alive.” He breathed. “It took fourteen tries, but he’s finally here.” As the baby quieted down all Ino could think was what did she get herself into?

Kabuto gave the honor to himself to name the new baby. After all he said, it was because of him that he was even alive in the first place. Whatever, Ino thought, standing silently in Orochimaru’s personal chambers as Kabuto presented the baby to him in victory.

“He looks healthy enough. Good work Kabuto.” His green eyes looked over the little bundle with the same greed Kabuto and the others had before the birth. Ino pretended to look bored, but inside unease wriggled through her like maggots. She didn’t like being in Orochimaru’s personal chambers.

Maybe he’ll like being an Uchiha…

Kabuto’s echoing words still sent shivers through her soul. She would die before that happened. Fortunately, word came through that Sasuke was finished with a particular training session and was waiting for Orochimaru so she escaped the confines not long after they entered.

“An exciting day huh Ino? Little Mamoru’s birth was a grand event in the making. That’s why I sent for Karin and the others so they can share in this moment.” Kabuto said happily, still cradling the baby in his arms.

“Karin said something about Project Kimimaro. What is that?” Ino asked, slowing as he slowed his steps.

“Ah, Kimimaro. If he hadn’t been so sick, he would have become Lord Orochimaru’s next vessel. But he died in battle.” Kabuto said vaguely. Ino looked at the little bundle.

So when he grows old enough will he be the next one? She learned that Orochimaru always choose strong vessels, usually with a rare bloodline limit. What kind of blood limit did little Mamoru have? “So…he’s a clone?” Ino asked in disbelief. Cloning was a forbidden in the ninja world.

Kabuto stopped, looking at her with a small smile. “A perfected vessel for Lord Orochimaru in the future.” He corrected. Ino bit her tongue and slid her eyes away from him. Not if she could help it.

Ino choose her punishment for Rei in the form of babysitting. Orochimaru had halted whatever missions he was sending Rei on and Ino took full advantage. The only time she ever had to watch the kid was when Karin was busy. Kabuto had the red head and the rest of the medics in a frenzy these days. When Ino was on rounds, she overheard the reason why they had been so busy. They were packing all the sensitive medical records and experiments which only meant that they would be moving again. Kabuto wouldn’t tell her and Sasuke said he didn’t know where they would be going next.

“He never tells you?” She murmured, kicking off her shoes and sinking onto the bed. Because most of the medics were packing, it was left up to her to take over their shifts in administering to the prisoners so she was more tired than usual.

Sasuke was lying on the bed, arms behind his head just watching her. “I don’t really care where we go.” Of course not, your mind is focused on one thing Ino thought sadly. As long as he became more skilled and more powerful, Sasuke didn’t care about anything else. It took a lot of willpower to be so focused on one thing. Ino couldn’t help but to feel a bit of admiration for that. Flashes of her dreams picked at her brain. She was lucky so far that nothing triggered in her brain since she was here. If she had another dream induced coma, she didn’t know what would happen. Her last one had been two years ago, but they always stayed with her. Images of blood and screams, feeling so much sadness and anger. How could Sasuke live with it for so long?

Foolish little brother…

Itachi’s tear filled voice would forever haunt her. And confuse her.

“Do you think it will go away?” She suddenly asked, putting a hand on his leg and meeting his questioning eyes. “Once you kill him, do you think it will go away?” She didn’t have to explain what she meant. He knew.

His eyes hardened and he sat up. “They will all be avenged.” He said with pain and anger laced in his tone. “I don’t care if it ever goes away, as long as I destroy him. That’s all that matters Ino.”

Kabuto’s office was quiet and empty. Ino sat on one of the hard wicker benches with little Mamoru eating noisily in her arms. She had to practically pry the kid from Karin. Ino didn’t really care for the tough spoken red head, but even she knew Kabuto and Orochimaru would do something unpleasant if Karin got too attached to the baby. It had only been six days since his birth and Karin had spent a lot of time with him. Kabuto asked her why she was letting Karin have the baby so much. She had barely met her and she already liked her better than him?

“Anyone is better then you.” She snapped back. He just waved her glare off with one of his boyish smiles. Rei even asked her why. Ino wiped the milk from Mamoru’s little chin and threw a blanked over her shoulder before she burped him. Why…because she finally remembered her. A certain kind of fondness crept through her. Not the I’ll-be-your-best-friend-for-life kind of fondness, more like we-were-in-the-same-kind-of-boat-at-one-time-so-I-understand-you kind of fondness. Ino remembered the way Karin tried to help the pleading mother escape before Kabuto found her three years ago.

Sasuke told her that Karin was a very sensitive sensor nin. Ino was certain that Karin had felt her and Shikamaru’s chakra that time (maybe even Choji’s and Asuma’s), but she didn’t say anything to Kabuto as they passed. And the way Ino caught Karin’s sad expression when Kabuto placed Mamoru in her arms made Ino see Karin in different light. Karin was an annoying Sasuke fangirl but she wasn’t heartless. She found some pleasure in knowing that Kabuto didn’t break her.

 Mamoru let out a loud belch and soon, Ino felt something warm touch her bare back where her purple uniform shirt ended. So much for the throw-up blanket, she thought in distaste, wrinkling her nose at the smell. At least it didn’t get into her hair.

“So, have you read the scrolls I gave you?” Kabuto turned to her and Ino froze, a sudden chill creeping down her spine. The scrolls, the ones he said she would bow to its power. “I take it from your silence that you are in awe of them. Did you ever think such a feat was possible?” His voice turned dark with reverence. “I’ve only used it twice. It takes a lot of chakra. When I first gave them to you I just wanted you to see what kind of power Lord Orochimaru was capable of. But now…” Her seal burned lightly and her arm twitched. “Things have changed.”

“Those jutsus…they really work?” She managed to ask in a clear, steady voice. Soul and Body Exchange….even the name of the jutsu made her think of so many possibilities. “If they work, then why does Orochimaru use his Soul Transfer jutsu?”

Kabuto’s lips thinned. “Lord Orochimaru.” He corrected. “You can only make the exchange once. The deal with the God of Death is only good for one soul and one body. There is no second deal on a soul.”

She wanted to ask more, to explore the jutsu, but she was afraid. If someone was close to death, if death was inevitable, one could make a deal with the Death God and he would take another soul in the dying person’s place. They would exchange bodies and their soul would be saved. Her stomach clenched uncomfortably and little Mamoru was beginning to whimper. “It sounds too simple. What’s the catch?” She began rocking back and forth to calm the baby. “Why isn’t it used more often?”

Kabuto leaned against his desk, crossing his ankles with his dark eyes glittering behind his wire frames. “Beyond the fact that it uses so much chakra to the point of death, there is a catch.” He folded his arms, leveling his gaze. “Sometimes the soul doesn’t want to be exchanged. They have to be willing to give up their body to the one who is dying. If they don’t, then the Death God takes the soul of the jutsu user. Finding people who are willing to die in the place of another is hard in itself.”

Ino shook her head in disbelief. That was a big catch. “You’re not going to make me do that jutsu are you?” She asked with a trace of fear in her eyes.

Kabuto gave her steady look. “No, I won’t make you do it.” He finally said. “I’ll let you make the choice.”

Ino’s jaw tightened. “I won’t do it.” She told him stubbornly. There was no way she would ever make that decision. There was too much risk.

Kabuto smiled secretly but said nothing. It only made her more uneasy.

It took almost a week to travel to Grass Country. It was an uneasy trip for Ino because the group they had usually traveled with went the opposite direction. Only she, Orochimaru, Kabuto, Sasuke, Rei, Yasuo, and Mamoru arrived at the new base. It was a huge, empty place that had too many rooms to count. The surrounding area was desert like with huge boulder mountains. A heavy door creaked open, letting in light that was quickly swallowed up by the underground darkness.

“It’s one of the newer bases.” Kabuto told them as the door closed shut. Orochimaru did a quick jutsu and rows and rows of candles lining the walls flickered alive. Still, even that light couldn’t fully penetrate the inky darkness surrounding them. Little Mamoru was wide awake in her arms and she tightened her hold on him.

“Where can I feed him?” She finally asked, turning slightly in Kabuto’s direction. Kabuto smiled, running a fond pinky down Mamoru’s soft cheek. Ino resisted the urge to smack his hand away.

“He has a good temperament. He never cried once on our journey.” He said, beckoning her to follow. From there, the group parted ways with Rei going with Sasuke and Orochimaru and Yasuo accompanying her as she wandered the new base with Kabuto. Through the whole trip, she took efficient mental notes about the layout. It was difficult to do because the whole place was like a labyrinth of long curving, dark hallways. There were a billon rooms too and Kabuto had keys to each one.

“Sasuke already picked his. I assume you’ll want one close by?” Kabuto asked dryly. Ino kept her little smile hidden from him. Like she stayed in her own room at the last base. The rooms were very Spartan and cold. At least her bed was a little bigger and she was grateful that Mamoru was a little guy and wouldn’t take much room. Ino stood in the middle of the room, looking around with a frown.

“What’s wrong Princess? Are you depressed that there is no purple? Or ruffles?” Yasuo teased when Kabuto let them be. Her lips lifted in a small smile. His eyes were golden brown now, piercing and intriguing. When she was at the last base, Yasuo was always gone. Sasuke said that he was training a new team since she killed his last one. Yasuo shook back his dark hair and dropped her bag on the table, dusted with red clay. “It’s been four, no, five months and you’re still here. What happened to your escape plan?”

Ino placed a slumbering Mamoru on her bed and stretched her arms. Carrying a new born made her arms ache. She almost wished Karin came along with them so she could tend to the kid. “I’m bidding my time if you must know.” It was a way of saying she was waiting. All the info she and Rei gathered had been sent in painstakingly secrecy. She didn’t even know if the information was received. She would only have to believe it was. She had to count on Lady Tsunade to direct Naruto and Sakura to her.  

Yasuo regarded her closely. It made her a bit uncomfortable and she pushed her blond bangs from her face, blue eyes meeting his, unafraid. “Have you changed your mind about leaving this place?”

He didn’t believe her. “No I haven’t.” She told him stubbornly.

“Is Sasuke not enough to keep you here anymore?” He asked softly, in a tone she never heard before. It was a touchy subject for her because she didn’t know what to think anymore. She looked away, hating how easily Yasuo was reading her expression.

“He knows I never intended to stay.” She murmured, busying herself by going though her bag. Yasuo said no more.

Something was up, but Ino didn’t know what it was. There was a kind of nagging pulling at her sensors, but whatever she was feeling was too far away. Kabuto and Orochimaru were nowhere to be found and that was shocking in itself. Not to mention the fact that Yasuo was a bit meaner than usually and wanted her to be locked in her room. He did it with Rei, and Rei had Mamoru for the day. To be stuck in a room with a newborn. She almost felt sorry for Rei, but he was still being punished for that incident at the breakfast table.

Sasuke didn’t even know where they had gone but he dismissed it and went about his training like usual. No knowing what to do with herself, she followed him into the training area and watched him, half interested, half distracted. Where could they have gone? Both of them? She could understand if one or the other was away from the base, but not both of them. Something big must have cropped up for them to leave in such secrecy. To take such a risk of leaving her and Rei with Yasuo and Sasuke.

Ino narrowed her eyes slightly as Sasuke’s Chidori crackled around his tense body in the distance. He turned to her, eyes glowing blood red. He smiled and lifted a brow at her before slamming his hand down and creating a jagged edged mini crater. Ino lifted herself from her place off to the side. She knew that look.

The blonde lifted her hand and her summons portal opened, dripping water from the swirling cloud. She stepped in the crater, filling it up to her ankles before fisting her hand and closing the portal. Her hands came together in quick succession. Water orbs lifted from the water in trembling control before she began tossing them all around her like golf ball confetti.

Sasuke moved with acquired lightning fastness, slicing and blasting the orbs with Chidori attacks. Each time an orb was broken, they were reborn from the falling water into smaller orbs until ten minutes into the exercise the whole training area was bathed in cool mist. Ino lowered her arms, loving the feel of the mist kissing her flesh and dotting her hair and uniform. Her sensors easily picked up on Sasuke’s unhidden chakra as he approached her. She saw his eyes materialize and then her whole world tilted. She didn’t fight her fall into his Sharingan. She felt safe and special in the world he created. Her whole body tingled with anticipation.

“You want it this way?” She whispered to the red sun glowing in the dark sky of his Sharingan world. Suddenly she was pulled out of it, and found herself pushed snugly against the wall with both of his arms on either side of her. His body heat was pressed against her, bleeding through her uniform. The air was still sizzling with both their chakra, adding a unique air of intimacy. They didn’t remove their eyes from each other when he slid a leg between her knees. His hands slid down the wall, and then around her hips, still she didn’t move. She was beginning to throb and her heart was hammering a mile a minute, still she didn’t move when he hooked his long fingers under the waist of her black shorts and began peeling the tight fabric down her hips and thighs. He expertly rolled them until they fell around her ankles. Her silence was broken she he slipped his fingers inside of her.

Her gasp was caught by a bruising kiss as he pressed his digits deeper and faster inside of her. She was almost panting with a budding orgasm when he stopped all of the sudden. Her eyes widened in horror. She had been soon close and he just stopped? She was about to complain, but he pressed the same fingers in her mouth to quiet her. She tasted herself and shuddered when a new wave of heat pooled in the pit of her belly.

Sasuke pulled at the knot of his belt and then lifted one of her legs around his waist, angling himself before jerking his hand from her mouth and lifting her harshly by the waist. Her feel left the ground and she desperately wrapped her long legs around his waist, her ankles locking in place. He didn’t even let her hold onto his shoulders when he penetrated her with a hard, hasty thrust. Instead, Sasuke pinned her wrist above her head with his strong hands, only using his hips to communicate when he bucked against her. It was like teamwork on both parts with his hips setting the pace and jiggling her upwards. She had to use her legs, pushing herself upwards, timing it just right with each thrust. Desire spiraled through her insides, blotting of the harsh rub of the wall against her back, or the soreness of her wrist in Sasuke’s grasp. Her legs tightened in warning at the beginning of her blossoming orgasm, but she forced herself to keep moving, to keep their pace even though her body was screaming to finish, to let it have its peak of pleasure.

His mouth was covering hers, their tongues wrestled against one another. Their breathing was harsh when they broke apart, only to come back together seconds later. Sasuke loosened his hold on her wrists and her hands fell onto his shoulders as his found their way to her pumping hips. Their pace was in a frenzy now, free of control. Sasuke was picking up the pace, hitting her special spot rubbed swollen and raw. Ino felt him throb inside of her and she reached between their joined bodies and stroked herself falling into a powerful organism that was joined by Sasuke finding his own release. Her legs trembled around him, but her ankles didn’t unlock. Not until Sasuke gripped her thigh and gave it a squeeze. She giggled between caching her breath and leaned down to nip his swollen bottom lip. She was glad she didn’t fall over on her wobbly legs when her feet touched the ground.

Even as sated as she was at the moment, the way his lips moved across hers had desire once again swirling in her blood. And then she felt it, a trickle of familiar chakra rolling across her sensors. She stiffened and broke away from Sasuke.

“What?” He asked when he saw the look on her face. Ino met his eyes, desperately hiding the thoughts developing.

“You don’t know where Kabuto and Orochimaru went?” She asked again, grabbing her black shorts from the ground and shaking them out. “I felt…” She couldn’t say she felt Naruto’s Fox demon’s chakra. Her sensors were still humming with the massive wash of power. She was still shocked that she had actually felt it. It had been so long since she felt the old, powerful chakra. Her sensors recognized it instantly. “I felt Orochimaru use a lot of chakra just now.” She finished. It wasn’t a lie because she really did feel it to. It wasn’t as powerful as Naruto’s chakra but her sensors still picked up on it.

Sasuke frowned a little while he finished tying his purple weaved belt back in place. “He said he had to do something, but he didn’t tell me what it was.”

“Kabuto said the same thing.” She murmured absently, a million thoughts running through her mind. “Do you think…”

“No.” He cut her off. “We’re not going to see.”

“But—”

“What? Are you worried about them?” He slightly raised a brow. Ino flushed.

“I’m not worried about them. Can’t I be curious about what’s going on?” She demanded, fighting the urge to fold her arms and pout. Calm down Ino, you’ll give something away if you continue to act like a paranoid freak. But feeling both Naruto and Orochimaru’s chakra was freaking her out. Something was happening and she was being restrained by Sasuke’s annoyed glare and aloof attitude. Not to mention she was still recovering from what had happened between them a little while ago. Could she be in a more messy state?

Naruto forced himself to look away from Sakura. His heart still ached from finding out that he had gone all angry demon and hurt her. His whole body still felt like it was on fire and he was feeling more than a little weary from the battle with Orochimaru. On top of that, the weirdo Sai had gone and betrayed them and now they were on a search for him. Yet beyond all the bad things that were happening, he was growing taunt with nerves and anticipation. Sasuke was so close. They would bring him back, no doubt!

He stuck close to Captain Yamato and his wooden clone but kept a close eye on Sakura as they made their way through the forest to a wide, desert like clearing. Naruto scanned the desolate area.

“Right here?” Yamato Clone said.

“The entrance is right in front of use, beneath those boulders.” Captain Yamato said to them, his attention on a group of smooth bulky looking rocks in the distance.

Naruto’s anticipation and nerves swelled. “So right beneath those rocks, is where we’ll find Sasuke?”

“There’s a strong chance.” Sakura agreed with her jade eyes bright with determination and a touch of hope. Naruto knew exactly how she felt. It had been almost three years and this was the first solid lead then had got. Orochimaru and Kabuto’s presence was a key factor.

Captain Yamato turned to the pair, his face giving away nothing. “At the very least, there’ll be some very important clues there.”

Naruto closed his eyes and took a calming breath before opening the blue orbs. “Okay. Lets go.”

Yamato halted him. “Wait a sec.” He looked at them both. “There is something else I must tell you before going. The Hokage didn’t want me to say anything until we were sure of Sasuke’s whereabouts.”

“Well?” Sakura prodded before Naruto had a chance to ask.

“It’s a search a rescue mission as well. We must find and bring back Ino Yamanaka.” He told them. Naruto stilled and his eyes grew wide. He and Sakura shared a look.

“What? Ino’s was with Sasuke this whole time?” He finally exploded. How long had Hinata said Ino was gone? Four months? And he has asked a while ago!

“So that’s why she’s been gone for so long.” Sakura lowered her lashes, hiding her eyes.

“She’s the one who’s been sending us the information on Orochimaru’s bases. We just came to meet with an Akatsuki informant, but then this whole thing happened with Kabuto and Orochimaru. If Sasuke is here, Ino will also be here.” Yamato told them before turning to his wood clone and absorbing it into a small seed. “Also, I need you to swallow this.” He held out the seed to the blonde.

“She’s okay right? If she’s with Sasuke she should be okay.” Naruto said absently, taking the seed.

“We’ll get her back too. She and I have a lot to discuss.” Sakura said, raising her chin. Naruto heard a trace of the old rival Sakura.

“Here, you too Sakura. This way I’ll be able to find out here you are if we get split up.” Yamato gave her a seed as well. “There like transmitters that only resonates with my chakra. I put one in Sai’s food and clothes back at the spa.” Naruto frowned at the little brown speck in his palm. Ingesting a little part of Captain Yamato was not very appealing. He warily watched as Sakura swallowed hers first before he winkled his nose and did the same.

“Good. Lets go.”

Together Ino and Sasuke waited for Orochimaru and Kabuto to return in what Ino would consider a lobby. They sat on the edge of a huge snake statue, not speaking. It was a comfortable silence, one that she was surprised she got used to. When she was younger, she hated dead silences. Shikamaru wasn’t one to talk much because it took too much effort on his part and Choji usually had his mouth full with food. A familiar ache grew in her chest, but it was chased away by the two people she knew weren’t far away. She couldn’t feel their chakra, but she knew deep down inside that they were on their way. Her eyes slid to Sasuke’s still, shadowed form. Her heart ached for a different reason. Leaving…would not be easy. She wanted to touch him, to kiss him at that moment but she held back. She had to distance herself from him now. If she did, then maybe her heart wouldn’t crumble into sorrowful dust.

Her sensors perked. “They’re coming.” She frowned, feeling a new chakra signature. A quiet, dull signature that was hard to read. She didn’t have time to tell him. The door to the base cracked open and light spilled into the darkness. Ino didn’t move from her spot, but Sasuke tensed in curiosity when he saw the new person. In the light she saw a Leaf headband on his forehead. As they stopped, Ino lifted a brow. He looks like Sasuke. Cute.

“You’re late. You said you’d teach me a new technique this afternoon, Orochimaru.” Sasuke said.

Kabuto scowled. “Again with the rude tone.” He tsked in irritation.

Orochimaru smiled a little. “Take it easy. I picked up a little present to make it up to you.” His green eyes slid to the teen in the middle. “He’s a Leaf  ninja just like you.” He mused with sarcasm. “I thought you two could reminisce about the good old days in the village.” Ino was annoyed by that comment. It was meant to irritate Sasuke and hurt her. He always chose his words carefully.

The teen gave a transparent fake smile. “Hi, I’m Sai. You must be Sasuke—”

“Shut up.” Sasuke told him dangerously in a low warning tone. Ino stiffened a little when she felt his chakra spike next to her. His Sharingan was already active, but he was preparing an attack.

Sai lost his smile, but then sighed. “Even if I force myself to smile, I guess I’m just easy to hate. Naruto hated me right from the start too.”

Ino sat up straight and Sasuke grabbed her wrist to keep her still. Kabuto noticed and her seal began to burn in warning. So Sai knows Naruto? Orochimaru and Kabuto were watching both she and Sasuke closely, letting Sai continue to bait responses from Sasuke.

“Though, between the two of you I think I’ll get along better with you.” Sai finished. Sasuke finally captured Sai in his Sharingan and the teen took a few steps back before falling to the ground between Orochimaru and Kabuto.

“Sasuke!” Kabuto protested and all at once, Sasuke let Sai go.

Orochimaru look too pleased. “I wouldn’t bother Sasuke if I were you. His temper’s even worse than mine.”

Sai’s eyes hardened in alertness at the warning, seeing the truth in it. Sasuke stood up, pulling her up as well. His hand tightened around her already bruised wrist. “I’ve got nothing to say to this loser. Train me now Orochimaru.”

Sai stood up. “I’ve heard a lot about you from Naruto.” He said, making Sasuke stop again. “He’s been trying to find you this whole time. For the entire three years.”

Ino’s heart sped up with the little hints Sai was giving them. She wanted to ask question. They were burning her tongue, but the pain from Sasuke’s grip and her burning seal reminded her that she was still under their control.

“Yeah, I remember him.” Sasuke said. “Let’s go Orochimaru.” Away from his memories. Ino looked at Sasuke’s profile.

“Naruto truly thinks of you as a brother. Sakura told me that.” Ino flinched at that name, her attention now completely focused on Sai now. Sakura was close by. Did she know that she was with Sasuke this whole time? Sai didn’t even say anything to her so Ino assumed that she didn’t. Sakura…she missed Forehead soooo much!

Sasuke turned angrily to Sai, yanking her arm in the process. “I only have one brother and all I care about is killing him.” Sasuke finally looked at her with unhidden fury. Ino paled. Did he know? He must have had an idea the whole time she was here she reasoned. Sasuke was smart and he knew Naruto wasn’t one to give up on him. “Kabuto.”

It was an unsaid order. He wanted Kabuto to do something about her. Her eyes widened and she began tugging her arm. “Understood.”  The white haired young man said, locking eyes with hers.

“Sasuke—” He pulled her close to him and jumped from the lobby to the second floor in one bound. Ino’s air wooshed out with his landing. “Let go!” She stumbled back, but he pulled her back to him, red eyes narrowed.

“So this was your escape plan? Wait until they came?” He demanded.

“Don’t look so surprised. Even if I never said it, you had an idea that this was going to happen.” She said, wrenching herself free only to be pushed back against the wall with his tall, lean body hovering over hers in a domineering way. “I told you guys not to underestimate me.”

He was silent, glaring down at her like he was trying to burn her with his glowing red eyes. “You want to leave me?”

Ino felt her chest tighten and tears burned her eyes. “You left me first.” She thickly whispered. Sasuke looked like she had slapped him and he gave her a little more space as if recoiling from her bitter answer. “I begged you to stay but you left anyway.” Tears streaked down her cheek.

“You want me to beg?” He asked in a low voice, a hesitant hand touching her hot cheek to catch the rolling drops.

Ino shook her head. “No.”

His eyes softened. “Then what do you want from me?” Ino settled her hand over his, peering up at him with a plea.

“You know what I want.”

Sasuke sucked in a short breath. “I can’t. Not yet. Not while Itachi is still alive.” He hissed. Ino opened her mouth to say something but then she grasped her arm, digging her nails into the glowing seal. They both turned to see Kabuto and Sai round the corner.

“I got her from here. Lord Orochimaru is heading to the training area right now.” Kabuto told him. Sasuke gave a nod and then turned back to her.

He rubbed his thumb over her chin, eyes unreadable now. “Take good care of her Kabuto.”

Ino’s eyes widened. “Sasuke!” She called out, but he was gone, leaving her at Kabuto’s mercy…