Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Closer ❯ Chapter 28

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

It was easy to fall into a quiet life in Tazo Compound. The household was large and everyone knew who she was. As the only daughter of Yumi Tazo, Ino was practically princess in her own right. She didn't have to worry about anyone finding out why her stay with her mother was…lengthened. The servants have served the Tazo since the clan established power. They were born into service so they knew how to keep secrets. Still, Ino knew the servants were one thing and Tazo family was another. Like the Yamanaka Clan, she had to watch her back when it came to certain cousins. Her mother was the eldest daughter born to Hiro Tazo, but he had two younger daughters as well. Ino's aunts Chiho Tazo and Fusa Tazo (both married but refused to take their husband's name) came to 'visit' the compound as soon as they heard about her arrival.

Both women were blonde like her mom, but Yumi was definitely the fairer of her siblings. While her mother had softer features, Chiho and Fusa took after her grandfather with their noble pointed noses and oval faces. They were beautiful in their own way. Chiho was a bit plumper than her sisters and had a warm sunny smile and expressive purple-blue eyes. She like to gossip and doted on her quiet, scholarly husband. Fusa was the quiet one, the youngest with eyes that matched Chiho. She liked her share of the finer things and often bought Ino great birthday gifts. Her husband was never home, but they often wrote lovey-dovey letters back and forth to keep in touch. Her aunts were nothing Ino or her mother worried over, it was the cousins. Always the cousins. Especially Ino's first arch rival. Hoshi Tazo, Chiho's only daughter (she had two older sons).

Ino looked over herself in the floor lengths mirror to make sure nothing was out of place. Not a hair, or a wrinkle or an eyelash. She had to look perfect when she went down for breakfast. She was going into her seventh month, but her lavish traditional robes (her mother always made her dress up when they had to eat) of pale lilac and powder blue hid it well. If she looked at her reflection close enough, she could see the swell of her belly beneath the tight silk belt. Would Hoshi see it though? There was only one way to find out. Ino took a small breath before she nodded to the waiting servant to open the finely carved oak door. She didn't even make it to three steps when her gaze collided with Hoshi's purple-blue ones. She looked like she had spent as much time on her appearance as Ino did. Her flax yellow hair of the Tazo's contrasted Ino's platinum silvery locks. Her face was full and cheeks flushed. Hoshi Tazo was indeed beautiful…until she smiled. If you could call it a smile, more like a sneer. Her robin's blue robes clashed prettily with her eyes and skin tone, but her lipstick. Ughh, she had a thing for pink lipstick that made her look just as cheap as her smile.

"Oh Ino! Breathtaking as always!" Chiho gushed, dazzling her with her smile. She turned to her daughter. "Right Hoshi? Your cousin is gorgeous!"

Ino smirked when Hoshi was forced to nod at her mother's question. Ino faked a humble blush and lowered her eye. "Aunt." She bowed her head and turned to quiet Fusa and did the same. To Fusa's side were her twin daughters who had their father's rich velvet black hair, but their mother's eyes. Ino could tell they were going to be little heartbreakers as soon as they hit puberty. The blinked up at her in astonishment, like they were seeing her for the first time. It had been three years since she last seen them, but they had been five at the time.

"Wow, she is like Princess Juka." One of them said to her mother. Ino smiled, hiding her confusion at their gushes.

"Who's Princess Juka?" She asked politely. Fusa gave a little giggle behind her hand.

"A beautiful warrior Princess in the 'Leaf Heroine" series! Princess Juka kills a dragon to rescue her grandma and then—"

"Darling, lets tell her after breakfast alright?" Fusa gave her energized daughter a patient smile. Ino took her place by her mother's side.

"It's such a rare occasion to see you Ino. Your career must take up all your free time. It must be exciting and dangerous. Its good you're taking a break." Chiho chatted energetically.

"Are missions coming up short? I heard Kunoichi aren't used as often because they lack certain skills." Hoshi said breezily, busying herself with her miso soup.

Ino narrowed her eyes over so slightly. "It's true." She said making Hoshi glance up in surprise. "We're not used on the front lines very often. Our skills are more apt in behind the scenes things. Infiltration, seduction, assassination, undercover work…" Hoshi began to look bored.

"Poisonings." Hoshi had a mouth full of watered down wine in her mouth. "We can slip in a drought without the victim even knowing."

"Does the poison always kill them?" One of her little cousins asked, both acutely listening to her. Ino removed her gaze from Hoshi, giving her attention to the little eight year olds.

"Not always. It depends on what kind we use. Sometimes it can give the person a really bad tummy ache." Ino grinned and lifted her drink, eyes glittering over the rim at Hoshi who had yet to swallow. When Ino lowered her cup, Hoshi finally swallowed. Chiho was giggling a little nervously and Ino's mom gave a small smile, much like Fusa was doing.

"And what about you Cousin? Not married yet?" Ino's innocent wide eyes matched her innocent tone. "You're what? Twenty? Twenty one?"

"Nineteen." Hoshi corrected through her gritted teeth. "Too young to think about settling down with a husband just yet."

"No potential suitors then? Such a surprising thing." Her smirk telling Hoshi that she wasn't surprised at all. As much as Ino disliked Hoshi, she could see that they were alike in some ways. It's not like Hoshi didn't have a line of men standing in her doorway to court her. She was picky and had very high standards.

"I appreciate your concern. After all, it must be a very sad thing to know you're never going to have a normal life. Ninja don't marry much do they? And it dangerous to have children when you have so many enemies. I don't envy your life at all Cousin."

Ouch, that hit a sore spot. She clenched her fist to keep herself from rubbing her tummy. She wanted to feel the tightness of her swollen belly to calm herself. "I knew what I was getting into when I joined the academy." She answered evenly.

Chiho reached across the table and patted her hand. "It takes special people to make that kind of sacrifice. I feel safe in Fire Country knowing that we have a hidden village full of talented ninja."

Ino warmed a little at her aunt's comment and she gave into a real smile. "Thank you."

Hoshi shot a heated glare at her mother but didn't say anything more. After, light chatter filled in the tension and it was lunch when the whole female party saw just how much time they had spent with one another just talking and laughing. Even the animosity between she and Hoshi dissipated a little. The day wore on until night fell softly upon them. The house compound was quiet and her relatives were settled into for the night.

Nights were so quiet and cold. Fall was ending and winter winds were nudging their way in. Ino pulled on a soft cashmere robe and tiptoed from her room down the darkened hallways. Her long silk and lace nightgown flowed softly around her bare feet. Her hair was down and fell heavily down her back.

After slipping on some slippers, she stealthily made her way out one of the doors and into the chilly night air. The cold felt good on her hot skin and filled her lungs. Tazo compound was vast and well guarded so she knew her late night walk didn't go unnoticed by the many many servants. All her mother said to her when she found out was to be careful. When she walked she thought about so many things, about her Dad and Shikamaru and Choji. She thought about all her friends in Leaf. But mostly she thought about Sasuke and her baby. She wondered what he would do if he found out and she feared it more than anything in her life. It often made her sick to her stomach when she recalled Kabuto's words that time when she first tapped into the powers of her cursed seal. She could hear the taunt in his voice and see the shining malice as he told her why Orochimaru was letting her and Sasuke be together.

Companionship… like you just as much as Sasuke…enjoy being an Uchiha…children…children
…

"Stop." She hissed to herself coming to a dead halt. She closed her eyes and banished those dark thoughts from her head with a hard rub to her temple. "They won't know…they'll never know…" Tears burned her eyes. Sasuke will never know…the jerk. The selfish brother hating jerk! Why did he have to make that stupid deal with Orochimaru? He's stupid just like Itachi! Stupid Itachi messed up everything by living a lie! For being hated over a lie! "Stupid Uchihas! You're such idiots thinking you have to do everything yourselves!" She screamed into the clear night skies chest heaving. "Stupid men making me go through this on my own! I hate them!"

There was the barest hint on movement behind her and Ino whirled in alert to it. Her breath caught in her throat when she came face to face with blood red eyes. Their faces were inches apart and in their closeness, she felt her heart completely stop. "Hate…is such a strong word Yamanaka." She felt his warm breath on her cold cheeks. And his voice…it was so smooth like hot coco and steady…controlled…even. Ino dreamed about this moment and played so many scenarios over and over in her head. She thought of what she would say to him, she thought of how she would feel; if she would fight or run. If she would scream or cry. "One I know very well." What did she feel at this very moment with him mere inches away from her? Shock? Definitely. Fear? Not as much as she expected. Anger? It was growing faster than she thought it would. Sadness? That was making the anger rise.

"Hate…I hate that you guys are so stupid!" She shut her eyes and shrieked at him making him wince and step back. Now this wasn't a scenario that she thought about. Neither was her yanking off a slipper and hurling it at him. Her feet caught in the long hem of her floor length nightgown and she stumbled back and fell hard on her butt with a little cry. Itachi stared down at her, looking uncharacteristically surprised as he held her slipper in his hand. She glared at him through the loose tresses of her hair. For a while they just stared at one another and she calmed down enough for her to feel embarrassment rise. She just threw a slipper at Itachi Uchiha! The most wanted man in Leaf Village! She was glad it was dark because she didn't know what she would do if he saw how pink her cheeks were getting. Ino tensed, but didn't break eye contact when he took a step forward and offered her slipper back.

"Get up. You'll catch a cold." He ordered and Ino found herself almost jumping to fulfill his command. She awkwardly got to her knees and maneuvered herself to stand. Even though her belly was little, it still gave her some difficulties. Ino knew she should be trembling in fear and unease at being so close to Sasuke's murderous older brother, but being in his commanding presence wasn't as daunting as she thought it would be. Maybe it was because he kept a polite distance from her, or he spoke in a polite tone as well. Whatever it was she found herself following him like a little puppy into the forest. What would be the point in running anyway? She was so pregnant that he could catch her easily if she did. They were alone, no one knew where she was and if he had wanted to kill her, he could have quietly without her or anyone even knowing he was there.

It was getting chilly the deeper they went into the woods and she folded her arms under her breasts to keep them warm. "Where are we going?" She demanded, finding an unusual amount of courage in his silence. Itachi didn't answer and Ino gritted her teeth. Am I talking to myself? Why was she still mindlessly following him? She was getting further and further from the compound and the last thing she wanted was for a worried guard to come and look for her. "Hey! I know you can hear me!"

Itachi looked over his shoulder with a look much like Sasuke's to silence her. It stuck her how much the two relied on that inbred Uchiha scowl to make people cower. But Ino was unmoved. When Itachi saw how immune she was he stopped.

"It's just ahead." He raised an arrogant brow. "Satisfied?"

Ino pouted. "If it's not too far then yes. I am." Gods it was like talking with a young Sasuke again. How many times did she have to grit her teeth to stop herself from smacking him when he gave her one of his cocky smirks and biting remarks? Just the way he looked at her was making her feel so very inferior. In reality she was, but her pride wouldn't let her dwell much on it.

Soon, they came upon something very interesting. "What is this place?" She breathed looking over the glowing grey stone of a ruin that was being swallowed up by the forest. Tall pillars were leaning against massive trees and fat, thick stone blocks lead into a darkened archway. Beyond the spidery sticky vines she saw an engraving etched proudly on one of the stones as she carefully picked her way around the fallen ones.

"An old hideout from the first Ninja War. The Uchiha Clan has used it several times in the past." He explained absently. Ino noticed how he didn't say my clan. She also noticed the slight glare at the carved fan symbol as he passed it.

Ino followed close. Some 'hideout'. She knew this place would have been huge in its glory days, unhidden in the trees. A low fire had been waiting for them on their arrival in a cleared area. She saw a small bag of Itachi's gear near a stone and fallen column. Ino rushed to the fire with a little shiver. Its heat made goosebumps prickle her legs and arms. Her nightgown and robe gave her little cover against the night elements. Even her toes were beginning to grow numb. Soon her vision was filled with black and red.

"Take it." He told her. Ino looked up with a little frown. He wanted her to wear that cloak?

"No thank you." Like hell she would wear that! She could just picture Naruto seeing her in it.

He tossed it over her head. "I wasn't asking."

She fought with the heavy fabric, freeing her head from it with a little huff. She would have loved to throw it into the fire if not for his tempting body heat lingering on it. And she didn't really want to anger him by burning it so she slipped her arms into the wide sleeves and pulled the fabric close to her body. She settled herself on a smooth rock and looked across the blazing fire at Itachi. Now what?

"Aio filled me in on the latest…development."

Ino glanced down. "A kink in your plans I take it?" She asked, touching her belly. Now that she was getting warm, the little thing was beginning to waken. It always liked late nights and keeping her up as well.

"Yes." He didn't even wait a second before answering.

Ino smirked. "Yes, well it's a kink in mine as well. One I have to work around."

Itachi stretched his long legs out to the fire in careless grace, looking comfortable but alert. "Plans don't always work out the way we want them too. Things change. People change."

"Like Sasuke?" She asked quietly, looking into the dancing fire. "I'd like to think he hasn't changed much."

Itachi locked eyes with her. "And you'd be wrong. I thought I knew my brother well, but he always has a way of surprising me and I find myself underestimating him. He is strong. He was always strong but he is also…easily influenced. It was something I used for my own purposes. I pushed him into becoming stronger, to use hatred as his fuel."

Ino couldn't help but glare at him. "You'll be glad to know it worked. Sasuke despises you and is dead set on obtaining as much power as he can. I don't have to tell you exactly who he went to right? I don't have to tell you what kind of deal he made right? I don't have to tell you—"

Itachi scowled. "Don't you ever shut up?"

Outraged Ino stood up. "No! Not when you made a stupid mistake like this! Thinking you have to do everything yourself and setting him down this path in the first place!" She put a hand to her hip. "You showed me all these things for a reason but I know it's not all of it! You gave yourself away when—ugh!"

He was fast and angry. He pushed her against the wall, holding her shoulders with a solid grip. His eyes whirled and Ino quickly looked away from them and fervently began putting up mind shields. "Sasuke taught you well Yamanaka." Ino squeezed her eyes closed. "You have no right to speak to me like you know everything." He began in a silky dark voice, trembling with fury. "I showed you what you needed to know. I don't have to defend my actions to you little girl and I don't have to hear what you think about them either. What I do, I do for Sasuke. For Peace. You are but a means to an end got it?"

Ino gritted her teeth and fisted her hands. Partly from keeping them from shaking, partly to calm her anger. If this was Itachi when he was all angry and emo then she didn't want to deal with a murdering clan killing Itachi. She reached out tentatively with her chakra to see if he was still in his Sharingan mode but found that his chakra was calm and steady. His grip on her shoulder was still hard and she could still feel his body pressing against hers. The thick tenseness she found herself in was interrupted when she felt the kid squirm and kick her insides. Itachi was pressed close enough against her belly to feel it. He tensed, his hands finally easing up on her and backed away. Kid, you're such a life saver Ino thought feeling safe enough to slowly open her eyes. Itachi looked pale and his eyes were locked on her.

"I…apologize Yamanaka." He said slowly. He's just like Sasuke. Ino felt a painful tug in her chest. His anger clouds his actions and he snaps so easily. She always had to tread carefully when Sasuke had one of his gloomy mood swings and she learned fast, what subjects were best left alone and unsaid. Now she knew what not to get into with Itachi. Gods Uchiha men were so sensitive!

"Now what?" She asked softly. "Now what? Are you going to die over this lie? Are you really going to let Sasuke kill you?"

Itachi regained his wits and managed a smirk. "You almost sound concerned."

Ino liked that smirk because it was so much like Sasuke's. "You didn't answer my question." She shot back, shaking off the magic that came with that smexy quirk of lips. Damn hormones!

"Yes. He has to. I have things to tell him. To warn him about. This was always a part of my plan. He needs to unlock—"

"His Mangekyo Sharingan." Ino whispered.

"Yes. After…I need you to tell him about what I showed you."

Ino's eyes widened. "What if he won't believe me?"

Itachi sighed. "He will. I have a feeling he will. You have to get to him somehow, after my…death. It was fortunate he grew close to you. Your clan abilities will help you show him what I've showed you."

Ino hesitated. "That's all?"

Another toe curling smirk. "It won't be an easy task Yamanaka. Don't fail."

Ino sighed and slumped on the stone next to the fire. "Yeah. No pressure. I'm not pregnant or anything and you're dropping this bomb on me. Thanks." She pouted, thoughts on the future.

"Yes, about that. Aio has informed me of your plans. Your friend Shikamaru is right. This is for the best."

Ino dropped her head, a hand rubbing her belly. "I know it's the best thing to do, but it doesn't make in any easier." She murmured. Only three months to go and then…and then…

"Of course not. Sometimes the best things are the hardest to do Yamanaka."

Later, when Ino was snug in her bed, she wondered if Itachi thought turning Sasuke into an avenger was the best thing he could think of…

Three Months Later…

It was time and Ino was petrified. Her mom called the best delivery doctor in and a hand full of midwives but it made her even more scared. Why were there so many people here? Can't a screaming girl have any privacy?

"Oh my Gods it huuurts sooo much!" She shrieked, clutching her pillow in a death grip and biting the corner. She was on her side, huffing through her contractions. Lady Tazo looked just as frightened and was sitting on the edge of her seat with anxious eyes on a moaning Ino. Her pain began early that morning and continued to grow in strength as the day wore on. They were like period cramps from the depths of hell! Then, when she was going down the stairs to talk with her mom, warm liquid gushed down her legs. At first she thought she had wet herself, how embarrassing! But then her mom saw and began freaking out. She was helped into her prepared labor room and was told not to move until the doctor and midwives came. Five hours into her labor Ino was beginning to think it would never end and that she was going to suffer like this forever.

"Ino!" She heard someone yell her name outside her room and then the door was bashed in and hit against the wall. Her Dad stumbled in with a wild and concerned look on his tan face. He was breathing hard and was by her side in an instant hovering over her. "You're alright? Still holding on? We came as fast as we could."

"We?"

There was a polite knock on the door and she saw her team standing by. Even Asuma-sensei is here…

"Yo." Shikamaru greeted with his hands in his pockets. Choji looked wide-eyed on her and Asuma…well he looked pretty surprised. She wondered how he acted when they told him her news. She lovingly took in his appearance, her mind briefly going back to the Akatsuki mission and his badly burned face. He looked like his laid back self and she loved it. If memory served her right Kurenai-sensei would be showing about now and was well into her sixth month.

"You guys came." She breathed, buzzing with happiness and fatigue.

"We couldn't miss out on this Ino." Choji grinned. Introductions were made and it gave Lady Tazo an opportunity to finally meet her Daughter's team.

Ino found out that labor was exactly that. Labor. And it was a loooooong process. Nine hours into it she finally succumbed to sleep after the Doctor uped her fluids. An hour later a brutal pain snapped her from her rest. She whimpered and blearily opened her eyes. In the soft darkness she saw Shikamaru off in the corner of the room with his arms folded and his head bowed to his chest. Ino sat up, the rustling of her sheets woke him.

"What?" He asked sleepily rubbing his eyes with his fingers.

"Where are the others?" She asked, tensing when another contraction hit her. "They're getting closer together."

"I'll go get them." And not five seconds later, her room was beginning to fill with people. The doctor checked her and then things began to move by fast. Her mother fretted over her, soothingly running her fingers through Ino's damp hair.

"Where are you going?" She practically yelled when her Dad and her team began exiting the room. Inoichi looked thoroughly stressed, Asuma was rubbing his lips with his fingers (a sign that he was in desperate need of a smoke) and Choji looked like he was going to faint. Shikamaru was the only one who looked calm in the situation. Ino quickly latched onto his arm (because he was the closest) to keep him in the room with her.

"I-I'm sorry baby but…"

Lady Tazo snorted. "Still a sissy?" She looked at Ino. "He did the same to me when I was giving birth to you. You would think being a hardened ninja would…"

"You would think." Inoichi growled at his ex-wife. He looked back at Ino with some apology in his sage green eyes. "I just can't."

"I don't want to see! I would have nightmares about it for sure! Ino you know me, I'm not such a tough guy." Choji practically pleaded before ducking out.

"I'll make it up to you!" Asuma followed and Ino tightened her hold on Shikamaru's arm almost frantic with the thought of only having her mom as support. Yumi Tazo looked brave, but her hands felt cold against Ino's forehead. She was just as frightened as Ino.

"Shikamaru please! Don't go!" Tears expertly sprang to her eyes. His eyes darted to the door but Ino knew she had captured him.

"Damn it!" He sighed. "Fine, but…I don't want to see…anything."

Ino flushed vividly. "I don't want you to see anything either!" She was already growing uncomfortable with the way the doctor was preparing for the emanate delivery by spreading her legs. For a second, she wanted to just kick Shikamaru out too.

"Ino sit up and you…Shikamaru was it?" Her teammate nodded. "Just climb behind her and support her from there." The doctor instructed. Ino slapped his arm when he hesitated.

"It won't kill you to do as she says!" She snapped, before it turned into a groan of pain. He scowled and rubbed his arm before climbing behind her. She had to scoot down the bed a bit for him to fit, but soon his long legs were on either side of her.

"You owe me big for this Ino." He mumbled behind her.

"You have such a great friend." Lady Tazo gifted Shikamaru with a bright smile Ino was blinded by it.

"Its time." The doctor said in a warm comforting voice. Ino followed the doctor's directions to the tee, bracing herself and holding her knees while she pushed. It was hard work and with all her heavy breathing and the effort it took to push, the strain was dizzying and it swamped her.

"There, it has crowned. We're almost there. Keep doing what you're doing." The doctor coached. Ino just wanted it over with! One final push later, her whole body felt tremendous relief. She let out a sob and fell against Shikamaru, exhausted and weak. Then a beautiful sound made her open her eyes and she looked down.

Ino blinked a couple of times before she gathered her bearings and began to giggle. "He looks so gross." She said watching one of the midwives wipe him down with a baby blanket. Her heart began to beat hard. I can't believe he's finally here, that the little thing that was growing inside of me was breathing and living on his own…Everything seems so real now…so scary and exciting.

Shikamaru chuckled behind her. "And bald." He added.

The doctor smiled and one of the midwives wrapped the squealing bundle tightly in a clean blanket and handed him to her. "He's not bald. See the yellow fuzz?"

He was blonde, like her. His milky eyes had yet to show her what color they would be, and his face was so tiny that she couldn't see much of herself or Sasuke in him. Is it okay to be immensely relived that he doesn't look like an Uchiha? She asked Shikamaru telepathically when she touched his knee. She and her dad could telepathically communicate without touching across great distances, but she could only communicate with Shikamaru and Choji when she touched them. Her dad said that she was very skilled to share that bond with her teammates. Even he never really did it that often with his old teammates because it was difficult.

Shikamaru stiffened behind her, still getting used to having his mind invade with her thoughts unexpectedly. I was worried that he would. He thought back. Its better this way.

Ino had to agree. Maybe when he got older she would be able to see some of Sasuke in her little son, but for now, for the sake of their dangerous situation they were in, she thought it was better as well. He had quieted down; blinking into the lights of the environment he was in. Ino gently touched his red little cheek, rubbing her knuckle up and down.

"What's his name?" Her mother asked, peering down at her new grandson with shining blue eyes. Ino laughed lightly.

"I don't know yet!"

Ino was only given a week to recover. The doctor had come and visited every other day to expedite her recovery and Ino helped it along with her own medical skills. Her team didn't leave and for that, she was greatly grateful. She and Asuma had a chance to talk as well. He acted much like her father did when he found out, growling about wanting to throttle the 'little prick' and then turning around and asking about the experience she had to go through. The idea that in a few short months Kurenai was going to have his child was making him freak out. Choji told her that he was going through two and a half packs a day! She didn't know if what she told him would help at all.

At the end of the week, when all her things were packed and she said her tearful goodbyes to her mother, Ino, Inoichi, Asuma, Choji and Shikamaru started off to Earth Country. It would be a long trek since the Earth Temple was in the heart of Earth country. They were all dressed down in civilian clothes with hidden weapons just in case. But the road they traveled was often used for pilgrimages to the different temples in Wind, Water, Fire and Earth countries so they didn't expect any trouble.

Up ahead, she heard someone yelling and moaning. She slowed her steps, looking questioningly at Shikamaru and then to her dad and Asuma. "Its that…Naruto I hear?"

"The Hokage sent them just in case." Asuma told her. Team Kakashi waited by a small road marker. When Naruto saw them his face brightened and he waved at them.

"Oi, Ino!" And then he was standing in front of her and her team talking a mile a minute. Sakura and Sai stayed behind but Kakashi joined Naruto. They both looked at her like she was disfigured or something.

"You look the same." Naruto said.

"So? What were you expecting? Me to be fat?" At his flush, Ino huffed. "You were weren't you? Let me tell you one thing, Ino Yamanaka will never be fat! Ever!" She then hit his chest with a solid punch. Naruto stumbled back with a silly little grin.

"Your attitude hasn't changed either. Good." Naruto laced his fingers behind his head.

Her dad moaned. "We're wasting precious time here. Is your team ready?" He asked Kakashi.

"We are. Shall we?"

"Hey, where is it? Where's your kid Ino? Can I see? Can I?" Naruto excitedly latched into her arm.

"Dad has him. He's sleeping right now." Ino said softly, looking at the bundle cradled close to Inoichi's chest in the baby carrier she used for little Mamoru.

Naruto's wide eyes followed her gaze. "Wow, you really had a baby." He shook his head. Ino blushed, wondering what the heck was going through his mind. She flicked him in the forehead.

"You'll see him later when we he screams to be fed. Promise." Two hours later, Team Kakashi had a chance to meet him. Her dad was quick to stuff a bottle in his mouth and her team breathed a sigh of relief having experienced Reiko's feeding demands before.

"He has his mother's lungs." Shikamaru muttered in which Ino sent him a prompt glare. Team Kakashi surrounded him, watching him eat with his eyes wide alert to the different sounds around him. After burping him, they started off again. Days went by and once they entered Earth Country, everyone was on alert.

The trip to Fuji Spring was a quick one and she went thought the cleansing ritual without a word. When she was ten and her dad took her to get her Earth Brand tattoo she had to go through the same ritual. Bathe three times in the water, each with a specific plant or flower extract added to the crystal clean water. And then her body was rubbed with oils, different oils for each limb. Reiko didn't like it at all and the Earth Temple Monks seemed amused by it. Finally, the crowns of their head were sprinkled with a special red pollen and only she and Reiko were escorted into Earth Temple.

"What do we do now?" She heard Naruto ask her dad.

"We wait."

The heavy doors shut soundly behind her and her bare feel made no noise against the polished wooden bamboo floors. She was dressed in her cleansing ritual robes of brown and green tied around her neck like a halter toga. Reiko was swaddled in a soft green muslim blanket. Wordlessly, she followed a quiet bald monk down stairs, underground. He stopped at the top of the final stairway and motioned her to continue onward without him.

This is it…Ino thought with growing sadness and hesitation. She tightened her hold on her sleeping baby, unable to look at him right now. If she did, she would have just runaway from this exchange. She had mentally prepared herself for this, she had thought she was going to be strong enough to just let him go. Her first step down the stairs, and tears rolled down her cheeks. Another step and another…by the time she passed the familiar barrier into the Earth Spirit Realm, she was sobbing quietly, clutching Reiko close to her chest. Ahead of her, soft light streamed into the narrow hallway and she could hear the sacred humming of the Earth spirits. It washed over her like a mother's embrace and calmed her, soothed her fears. Where did these feelings come from?

She stepped into the warm light and her lungs were filled with the freshest scent of air and dirt. Her skin pricked with the amount of chakra that was in this realm, the amount of power. Even her cursed seal throbbed in sync with the pulsing power in this, old mysterious place.

"Welcome." Ino turned to the rich voice, mesmerized by it. He was tall and slender, dressed in rich robes with intricate stitching and folds. His flesh was as white as snow and his eyes were the brightest shade of lime green. He looked young, but the wisdom and age in his eyes was apparent. His features were sharp and defined, not handsome, but striking nonetheless. "Be at ease." He held out an elegant hand and beckoned her to follow with a long finger.

Three days had passed and there was no word from Ino. Naruto wanted to barge into the temple and demand to know where she was but Inoichi stopped him. He appreciated his concern, but yelling at Earth Monks was a big no-no. He had expected this after all. The chilly evening air made him hunch his shoulders and fold his arms to keep warm

Truthfully, he wanted to do the same. He was concerned like any father should be. The thought of giving up a child was…

It's for the best.

Still…

Ino silently walked up the cold wooden stairs numbly. She didn't acknowledge the sympathetic looks the Earth Monks shot at her, or the low murmurs from them. She didn't feel the cold rush of air around her when she exited the temple. She just felt empty and cold. The moment she left Reiko in the Earth Spirit Realm, she had wanted to disappear or forget.

"Yamanaka." Ino blankly stopped shuffling her feet and lifted her eyes to whomever was addressing her. At first she didn't register the face, but his eyes…his red eyes…

"Itachi?" No, he shouldn't be here. Her team was here. Naruto was here and…he shouldn't be here at all! Just looking at his red eyes, knowing that Reiko had the same kind of eyes he did…

Finally, she snapped out of her daze and looked around her. She was a good distance away from Earth Temple now, her subconscious taking her to the camp she was supposed to meet the others at. The adults were gone, and her team and team Kakashi were slumped over unconscious in camp.

"What did you do to them?" She cried, rushing to Choji's side since he was the closest one to her.

"Genjutsu." He told her, looking unconcerned. Choji's vein in his neck throbbed steadily and healthily against her fingers. Ino sniffed, trying to hold back her tears. She didn't want to cry in front of Itachi. She wanted just to go home and cry in her room until her throat was raw and her eyes were swollen. She didn't want to be around anyone right now and she was temped just to leave everyone behind and go back herself. If she got further and further away from this place, she might feel better. "It's for the best."

Ino flinched at that. She kept telling herself that over and over that it was beginning to lose its meaning. "Right." She rasped.

"You can cry if you want. You should cry." He told her making Ino regard him in surprise.

"Sasuke always tells me not to." Don't cry…Don't cry…

"I'm not Sasuke." He bit out.

"Ninja aren't supposed to cry." She whispered in reason. When they went to avenge Asuma that day, Lady Tsunade said something similar. That they had to grow up…

"Don't be a ninja right now. Be a mother."

Mother…that strange word has so much power over her now. A mother would never leave her child, a mother would protect their child…

Ino curled her fingers into Choji's shirt, eyes swimming now. Even if she had to suffer through her guilt, suffer through her loneliness and emptiness at least she knew Reiko was safe.

"It'll only be for a little while Ino." She bowed her head. Only a little while… was the last thing she heard Itachi tell her before she completely fell apart…