Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Closer ❯ Chapter 29

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

In the silence of her room, Ino Yamanaka stared at herself in her full length mirror. Her hair was mussed and tangled, her eyes were sunken and red rimmed. Her nose was raw and her complexion was ashen. She had been locked in her room, away from everyone and everything for five days. Now, she was done. Her lips trembled into the first smile she had since she was separated from Reiko. Her head throbbed, her throat was hoarse and she looked like a complete mess, but inside…inside she felt something akin to peace. Itachi was right, she thought as she stripped out of her wrinkled pajamas and tossed them into her hamper. Crying made her feel better.

Naked, she left to her bathroom and turned on the hot water to wash away the five days she spent in solitude. When she was finished, she dressed and left downstairs in search of food. She stopped when she saw the neat plate of lunch with a blue mesh cover over it. Dad…she thought with warmth and sat down. After, she left to Old Leaf where she had a mani/pedi and facial appointment. The young woman, Hotaru greeted her enthusiastically and immediately sat her down. Two other works swarmed to her side, each taking a hand while Hotaru began filling the water bin to work on her feet. This was getting back to normal and when she exited, she was surprised to see her team waiting on a weathered bench. She felt better, her hands and feet were pretty and her face was clean and fresh. She needed to make an appointment to get her hair done sometime this week she mentally scheduled and gave a smile to her team.

“What are you guys doing here?” She asked, raising a single brow at them.

“We heard you were out of your room so we had to see it for ourselves.” Asuma said, a cigarette perched in the corner of his mouth. “Feeling better?”

Ino grinned and gave a little nod. “Yes.”

“We were worried, but we knew you need some time.” Choji stood. “I’m glad you’re back.”

Ino felt her heart lurch forward. Knowing that she had worried them made her feel a bit guilty, but not enough to apologize or anything. She turned to Asuma. “Remember when you said you would make it up to me?” Asuma blinked and nervously tossed his cigarette to the ground to crush it under his foot.

“Y-yes I remember.”

Ino linked arms with Choji and Shikamaru. “You guys feel like BBQ?” She innocently asked. Choji’s eyes widened and he practically twisted his neck off to meet her eyes.

“Yes! Let’s go!” And then he charged ahead, dragging a giggling Ino and groaning Shikamaru behind him. Asuma hung his head.

They eased her back into duty. Medical duty. Ino had to work here and there in the hospital when she was training three years ago but after she came back from her S-rank mission, she often tried to avoid the place. It reminded her too much of working under Orochimaru and Kabuto. At least Sakura made it a way better experience. She tagged along the pink haired medic as she made her rounds, not so subtly dropping a lesson or two. Ino actively listened, finding Sakura’s way of teaching rather mild. Half the stuff she already knew, having Kabuto’s lesson drilled into her head but she appreciated Sakura’s easy way of explanation. It reminded her of times before that mission, before…

“Here we are. Ino?” Sakura paused at the final room they were assigned.

“Ready.” Ino focused on the present. Sakura studied her a bit and Ino saw the hint of sadness in her jade orbs. “I’m fine.” Ino pressed. Everyone around her stepped on egg-shells when she first emerged. Now, they settled into cautious dance steps, knowing not to bring up Reiko. It helped. So did the weekly photos the Earth Sprits sent her. When Naruto first gave her the camera when they stopped for a feeding, Ino thought he was weird to bring it. But now, she was happy he had been so thoughtful. She waited in anticipation every Sunday morning for the golden hawk that tapped on her window. He looked happy and safe. Fat and healthy and he was growing every day. She cherished that link and showed her dad when they arrived.

The ninja they attended to was a younger one, a new Chuunin who got cocky with his new rank and rushed into battle without proper back up. She and Sakura gave him an overdramatic bitchy lecture that made his cheeks burn with shame. They kept their stern looks in place until they exited the place and then burst out laughing. They were still giggling over it until they saw Yamato standing in front of them.

“Oh? What is it Yamato-sensei?” Sakura asked with concern. Yamato gave Ino a long look before answering.

“Mission. Come with me to the Hokage Tower. We’ll discuss it there.”

Ino turned to Sakura. “That not fair! When will they let me go on a real mission?” She whined.

Sakura shrugged. “I guess—”

“Argh!” Ino promptly took off her lab coat. “Go on Sakura, no time to waste!” Lucky bitch! Being stuck in the village sucked big time! She knew the Hokage thought she was helping by giving her some time away from danger and peril, but she was a ninja! Keeping her cooped up in Leaf was wearing thin on her patience. She had to get stronger so that she could properly protect Reiko when he came back to her. She wanted to use this time away from him the best she could and being stuck in the village was not going to work. She managed to talk Ibiki into some training, but Anko was busy these days and Asuma usually spent his free time with Kurenai. Shikamaru and Choji helped, they brushed up in their Ino-Shika-Cho skills, but there was only so much they could do to help. Besides that, they were being sent on missions with others so their Ino-Shika-Cho team wasn’t together as much anymore. Everyone was getting older, and becoming more independent. Ino knew that Shikamaru and Choji would always be there to help when they could, but when they couldn’t, she had to do things on her own. With that thought, she made a quick stop at home and then left to training ground 10.

Her leather bag was battered, but she had no desire to replace it just yet. Inside, she pulled out all four of her special kunais and went about practicing and perfecting the earth jutsus she already knew. But they won’t always do, the thought, glancing down at the small engraved star in the hilt. She had to develop something new, something powerful. Her cursed mark crawled from its seal, its light glowed against the trees surrounding her. Kabuto gave her this power and she was going to use it now. She would use his own power against him, and she would master it…

Her mission dry spell was finally put to an end when she received a summons. She had just got out of surgery when the little yellow canary caught her attention just outside the widow. She jumped up and down in joy when she got it and immediately changed and went to the Hokage Tower. Tenten and Lee were there. After the briefing, Lady Tsunade leaned back in her chair.

“You’ll head out and support Kakashi’s team who we’ve already deployed. If you understand, keep in mind that the main objective is sealing the Three-tails.”

Shizune turned to them. “Precise chakra control is necessary for the sealing. We’ll have Ino and me as medical ninjas plus Sakura and Hinata, who are already on location, who will act as the Sealing Team.”

Ino nodded. “I’ll do my best.” She vowed.

“Lee and Tenten will take over for Sakura and Hinata. Since the enemy is targeting the three-tails, there’s no question that a battle will break out for it.”  Lady Tsunade explained.

“Leave it to us.” Tenten’s brown eyes were bright with determination. Lee clenched his fist.

“We’ll fight with the full power of youth!”

Pakkun sat in docile politeness on the Hokage’s desk, looking wizened and bored at the same time. “Everyone let’s move out.”

“Wait. Ino, stay back. The rest of you may go.”

Ino waited curiously. “What is it?”

“Ino, this mission was first about a base you told us about. An ANBU sent word that Orochimaru was definitely in the area. If he was then…”

Sasuke. “I see.” She said slowly, heart beating hard in her chest. “And? Were they there?”

The Lady Hokage sighed. “Not anymore. They set a trap that buried the base and everything that was in it. Still, they might be close by. Take extra precaution.”

Ino steeled herself for the task at hand. “Understood.”

She prayed the whole way there that Sasuke, Orochimaru and Kabuto were far away from the lake they were headed too. She didn’t know how she would deal with it if they weren’t. She would lose confidence and be a liability for the mission and that was unacceptable. It had been almost a year since she last saw any of them and so much had happened. One thing was for sure, she had to keep all her thoughts and feelings on Reiko buried deep. Even if they didn’t have mind power jutsus like her, somehow they would find out about him and he would be in danger.

When they got to the impressive looking base, Naruto and Sakura were nowhere to be found. Hinata and Kiba told them that he had gone off alone. When the two teammates returned, Pakkun was collapsed in front of the door, panting that he couldn’t go on. The door opened.

“Is he our reinforcement?” Naruto frowned at Sakura in disappointment.

It always made her fee better when she saw Naruto. His determination and boisterous and unrelenting search for Sasuke always made her warm inside, knowing that he believed that Sasuke would one day return. That kind of faith was hard to come by. She wished she had it. “Naruto, you’re so reckless.” She berated him with folded arms, bringing his attention to her and the others.

“That’s okay! Youth and recklessness go hand in hand!” Lee exclaimed. Sakura’s frown matched Tenten’s.

Tenten scowled. “Hey! Don’t patronize him!” She scolded Lee while Shizune just looked amused.

Naruto beamed up at them. “It’s you guys!” From there, everyone split. Naruto and Lee high-fived in greeting with Tenten clearly annoyed with them for leaving her out. Ino strolled up to Sakura saucily (mostly for Sai’s benefit). “Well, you can relax now.” She shot at her.

Sakura smirked. “Confident as always I see, but I wonder if you even managed to master the basics of medical ninjutsu yet.”

Ino pretended to look insulted, enjoying their on again off again rivalry. “What was that?” She took a step forward. “Don’t get cocky just because you got a small head start on me.”

Sakura’s eyes flashed. “Well at least I didn’t start yesterday!”

Ino snorted. “I guess there needs to be a handicap, or else it wouldn’t be fair.” She said sweetly. “Billboard Brow.”

Sakura’s mouth dropped open in shock before her temper snapped in place. “What a nostalgic thing to say! Ino-Pig!”

That nick name always hit a sore spot with her, but Ino knew the Billboard Brow always hit the mark with her arch rival as well. “What was that?” Ino demanded. They got distracted from their little fight by Sai’s mutterings and note taking as he actively watched their verbal duel. They exchanged looks before twin conspirator smiles formed and they socked him in both eyes. They were the only ones who could use those nicknames!

He was twitching on the floor. “What…did…I…do?”

The room they settled in was on the top floor. Sakura and Hinata’s things were already in it and Ino picked a nice spot by the window to bed down for the night. Her thoughts were on the sealing tomorrow morning.

“Have you seen this tree-tails Sakura?” Ino slid her legs under her blankets.

She shook her head. “No, but I’ve felt its power. You can too right?”

Ino nodded. The whole place was filled with that wild, old and powerful chakra. She could practically breath it in. “It’s making the fog right?”

Hinata nodded. “That’s why is safer to wait until morning. One can get lost in it.” She said softly and yawned delicately behind her little hand.

“I was glad to get out of training. Lee and Guy-sensei have me at their mercy now that Neji isn’t around as much.” Tenten said, rolling out her bedding with her bare foot by the door.

Ino looked out the window to see Kakashi leave into the woods. “Naruto seems distracted.” She murmured. Sakura nodded and stood.

“He is. He’s thinking about Sas—” She stopped suddenly.

Ino smiled softly and lowered her eyes. “Lady Tsunade told me.”

There was silence, until Sakura opened the door. “I’m going to look for Naruto with Sai. You guys should get some sleep. We have a briefing in four hours.”

Her sleep was restless to say the least. Four hour later, everyone was downstairs listening to Shizune and Kakashi give them the low down on what was going to happen and what was at stake.

“The Hokage’s new orders are to seal the three-tails and to protect the child who is somehow connected to it.” Ino perked at this. A child was involved? “Not only is Akatsuki going after the tailed beast, but if a tailed beast appears without a Jinchiuuriki, other countries are likely to go after it as well.”

“That kid was brought here to become a Jinchiuuriki, isn’t that right Naruto?” Sai asked.

Sakura tensed. “Sai!”

Sai blinked a couple of times in confusion. “Oh, that’s right. Naruto’s a Jinchuuriki to isn’t he?” Everyone stared at him, unsure if talking about that was taboo or something. Truthfully, Ino never talked to him about it before so she didn’t know how he felt about it. Naruto just hit him in the chest dismissively.

“That’s just like you to speak without thinking first.” He sighed. “Still, what you’re saying is right. We have to seal the three-tails to protect that kid so we can prevent a repeat of what happened to me and Gaara.” Ah, Ino thought. He isn’t particularly fond of being a container. And who would be? People treated him badly because if it.

“Capturing the three-tails isn’t our goal.  We’ll seal it to a place were it can never be found by anyone. That is our Hokage’s goal.” Shizune explained sternly.

Kiba became concerned with how they were going to seal it if it was a huge mass of chakra. Shizune explained that she, Sakura, and Hinata had precise control and would be doing the sealing. The rest would be under Kakashi’s command and would protect the Sealing Team.

When morning came, everyone was ready. It was a clear day and the fog had lifted considerably. She could still feel the charge in the air from the tree-tails. They stopped by the bank to look at elaborate scroll that detailed the four barrier seal. One by one they unrolled their own scrolls, each taking a corner. Her output was good, her control was good until…until her cursed seal began to twitch in warning. Her eyes widened and she lost control of her concentration. She frantically began searching their environment, trying to pin down the pull.

No…no…not him…please not him! How come no one told her that Kabuto was one of their enemies? He was supposed to be with Orochimaru and Sasuke! Not here, not close by! This jutsu was leaving them unprotected and he could swoop in a take her back. She shuddered with the thought. She couldn’t go back. There was so much more at stake if she did. Reiko…

“You’ll be fine Ino.” Sakura coached her. Ino looked at her. She didn’t understand, but if she told them then they would be worried and wouldn’t be able to concentrate as well. “I know you can do it. Chakra control is a basic to us right?”

Control…yes, she had promised herself that she would start to be in control of her seal, not Kabuto. It wasn’t aching like it did when she knew he was close, so maybe he didn’t know she was here. Still, he’ll find out sooner than later. And then what? She was surrounded by her friends and he wasn’t one to take on all of them by himself. She found a little comfort in that. With that, she directed herself to ignore the danger.

“Don’t belittle me.” She shot at Sakura. “I know I can do it.” Very carefully they walked onto the wavy water. She had to make sure her chakra was divided at a 5:95 ratio to keep balance on the water and concentrate on keeping the barrier. Sakura, Shizune and Hinata were doing better than her, but she wouldn’t let her difficulties show. She had to trust the rest of her friends would keep them safe from the enemy.

Three hours into they finally found where the three-tails was and they changed from search to bind. Her chakra shifted when Hinata looked behind her. There was someone charging at them! Ino stiffened. Was it Kabuto? No, her seal remained the same. It was someone else. She didn’t recognize him, but there had been so many prisoners that she didn’t learn their names. Luckily, Lee and Tenten intercepted. She continued to lower the barrier.

Kabuto followed Guren closely, looking back at Yuukimaru’s happy little smile. He couldn’t help but feel smug. When he first met the woman Orochimaru sent him after, she was cold and independent. Not afraid of him at all. But learning to care changed people. Children like Yuukimaru change bitches like her. Now, he was in full control of the situation now.

He narrowed his eyes. Leaf was here to seal the three-tail and that would seriously displease Lord Orochimaru. He didn’t need a temperamental Snake Sannin yelling at him. Not only that, the prisoners Guren had chosen had gotten beat quickly by a bunch of kids. Seriously, this whole escapade was a big pain in the ass!

They arrived high on top of a hill, overlooking the lake just between the trees. In the distance, he could see the glowing blue and red of the sealing barrier that settled over the water above the three-tails. The lake was huge and they found it so fast?

“So that’s the seal for capturing the three-tails?” Guren asked, following his gaze.

“This is bad. Their operation has advanced considerably.” Maybe they could do a rush attack and just kill them off? No, Kabuto grimaced mentally. He didn’t like getting Leaf blood on his hands if he could help it, but there were a few tools left in his arsenal. He pulled the glass jar of specialized pills from his back pouch.

“Now, Yuukimaru.” But the soft spoken boy cautiously hid behind Guren. Kabuto gritted his teeth at his disobedience. He was so much easier to handle before Guren. “I told you we’re short on time!” He snapped. “Guren, do something about him!” When she didn’t move, he moved fast and yanked on Yuukimaru’a arm to bring him to his side. He poured a generous amount of pills in the boy’s hand only to have Guren slap them from it.

His temper ignited. “Are you betraying me?” He warned, glaring daggers at the troublesome woman. He didn’t know why Lord Orochimaru wanted this one where there were plenty of others. He was itching to kill her.

She didn’t break eye contact. “I’m not opposing you, but that jutsu causes too much damage!” She protested. Kabuto resisted the urge to sigh. This again? “So please, let me try one more time!”

Kabuto smirked. “You want to fight them again?” He mused, looking over her while pushing his glasses higher up his nose. She was weak and almost out of chakra, but she wanted to fight them again? He had to admit, the woman had willpower.

“Even now, you’re unwilling to use Yuukimaru when you’ve lost most of your subordinates. You’re beaten up yourself. Can you really put up a proper fight like this?” Guren’s eyes narrowed. “The least you can do right now is…Well, there is a way to do it without using Yuukimaru.” He offered convincingly, knowing she was going to latch upon it without hesitation. He loved being in control. If she wasn’t going to comply, then he would just have to use Yuukimaru’s affections for Guren. One way or another, that barrier was coming down. He twisted closed the cap on the bottle of pills. “But you’ll have to settle everything quickly. And it’s on the condition that you will completely follow my plan.”

She nodded. “I understand.”

Too easy. “If you show even the smallest hint of defiance or if you fail I will have no qualms about using him.”  He warned.

She looked subdued. “Okay.”

“I’m glad we agree.” He pulled the kid close to him. “Come Yuukimaru.” He smiled at her worried frown. “Don’t worry. I’m just taking him to a place where he won’t get caught up in this.” He soothed with his practiced and deliberate good-guy expression.

“What’s the plan?”

“I’ll tell it to Rinji. Just follow his instructions.” Then he left her and took Yuukimaru to an overhanging cliff close to the lake. There were four people doing the sealing and two others who were guarding them. “The three-tails power shouldn’t reach you here.” And you’ll have a perfect view of Guren’s struggles he added silently.

“I wonder if Guren is okay?” Yuukimaru gazed out across the water with sad amethyst eyes.

“She was the one who wanted this.” Kabuto explained. “She’ll do it, even if it means her own death.” The kid’s shoulder slumped. “Stay put here.” He ordered. And watch. The battle went how he expected and the barrier collapsed. Now, without the humming chakra of the barrier in the air, he could sense something very familiar. He squinted and looked across the water. The fig began to thicken once more. Instinctively, he reached out to touch that long unused bond. His whole body froze for a second when he felt it there, that powerfully infused chakra. It was like pure light to his sensors and that bond began quivering with recognition.

Ino.

Laughter caught in the roaring winds the three-tails created. It didn’t take him long to realize that it was his. He quickly left Yuukimaru and started down the sloping mountain, letting his chakra guide him through the raging tantrum of the three-tails. The lake was in a riot and he could see the Leaf ninjas being separated by the massive waves. Distinctly, he could hear her screaming as she was tossed underneath. Cursing, Kabuto ran into the lake and dove under water. He surfaced a few times before diving back under and spotted her unconscious in the dark depths. He grabbed her arm and pulled her close before breaking water. Her head lolled under his chin and her hair was sticking to his arms. With chakra induced kicks, he quickly separated them from the others. It was chaotic, so no one saw him disappear into the fog with her.

His clothes felt like they weighted a ton when he emerged from the water and stumbled onto the rocky shore with an unconscious Ino in his arms. He staggered to the softer dirt and laid her flat on her back before lifting her chin and settling his mouth over hers to breathe air into her. Her chest rose and then he pumped it a few times, breathed into her again before she sputtered and coughed up water. Her eyes fluttered open, but her lid stayed low.

“Not you.” She whispered weakly. Kabuto couldn’t help the grin that spread across his face.

“Aww, I missed you to.” He murmured, stroking her forehead. She whimpered in despair and passed out. “One way or another, I knew I would get you back Ino. One way or another.” He grabbed her arm and frowned at what he saw. “You sealed it.” It looked like Sasuke’s seal which meant that it would be hard to remove. “Ah, how disappointing.” He sighed and placed his hands over her shivering body to heal her. She still had some water in her lungs, and the strain of performing the barrier seal was evident in her chakra coils. Not to mention she had a few good bumps and bruises.

He finished his emergency treatment and left her to see what was going on. The fog was dense, but the chakra rage was calmer now and he could feel another kind of chakra in the air. It was Yuukimaru and he was controlling the three-tails without the pills. “So, when Guren was in danger it trigged his power huh?” He looked back on Ino for just a second before turning back. “Now this is worth testing.” But first he had to get Ino somewhere safely away from the others, and then he had to find Rinji and the others. As much as he loved being reunited with his cute little apprentice, there was still the three-tails to deal with.  

Ino groggily came to feeling like she had just been beaten to a pulp. She coughed, finding an unsettling little rattle in her chest. She felt the warmth of a fire on her bare flesh, and she tried to move only to find herself tied snuggly to a rock.

“Who—” Kabuto that’s who! She thought she had been having a nightmare but it had been real. With a strangled cry she fought against the restraints, making the coarse ropes rub against her skin. There was no way she was going back! No way she was going to be under his control again!

“Ah, I see you’re awake.” Ino snapped her attention to the dark figure approaching her slowly. She put up her guard and warily eyed him. “I wondered why he’s keeping you away from me. Kabuto is so secretive.” He was tall and had a shrewd handsomeness about him. His hair was dark and so were his eyes. “I’m Rinji and you?”

“I want to get away from here.” She shot at him. “Do you work for Kabuto?”

He frowned, crouching in front of her. “I work for Lord Orochimaru not Kabuto.” He said angrily. He studied her for a little while before she saw his eyes brightened with recognition. “I remember you. You hung around Lord Orochimaru’s protégé Sasuke a lot.” So he was a prisoner, or a ninja from one of the bases she concluded. “And you were Kabuto’s apprentice. Ah I see now.”

“You don’t seem to particularly care for him.” Ino observed. Maybe she could use that to her advantage. “Maybe we can work something out?”

He blinked in surprise at her suggestion before smirking. “Even I know better than to mess with Sasuke Uchiha’s girl.”

Ino flushed. “That’s not what I meant and you know it.”

He chuckled and shrugged. “A guy can dream right? What do you have in mind? Let you go?”

“Why not? Kabuto is gone away from here and he won’t know you let me go. He’ll be pissed once he finds me gone.”

He looked skeptical. “That’s a petty way of getting back at him.”

“But it’s a way.” Ino said quickly. “Besides, when will you ever get an opportunity like this?”

Rinji was thoughtful. “Well, I do want to see him pissed.” He smiled. “But if I do this for you, you have to tell Sasuke about it. And don’t give me the ‘I won’t ever see him again so I won’t be able to’. If Kabuto can capture you, Sasuke can too.”

When we meet again, I won't ever let you leave me

“Fine. Just release me.” And he did. They parted ways quickly after. Ino nervously made her way back to the base, on constant look out for Kabuto. He knows I’m here now. This is bad, but should I tell the others? There was a rustle in the trees and Ino complete stopped and hid, blotting out her chakra signature. He couldn’t have found her so quickly, she thought in dread. Please let it be a rabbit for something not a psychotic medic nin.

“Did you hear that?” Her heart thudded in relief. That was Lee! She let out a shaky breath and removed herself from the trees.

“Guys?” She asked cautiously, suddenly very exhausted.

“Ino! There you are! We were searching for hours!” Lee bounced in front of her with Tenten at his side.

“Sorry, I got pushed far back away from you guys.” She climbed onto his offered back, grateful for his warmth. “Is everyone else okay?”

“Yes. Kakashi even managed to get the kid.” Tenten said happily.

“That’s good.”

“Tenten.” Lee scolded her. Ino raised a brow at her flush. Lee could be serious time to time, but it was still weird.

“Okay, maybe not everyone is okay. Naruto is missing.” Tenten explained apologetically. “We were searching for him too. We should get back. Maybe they found him by now?”

They didn’t. Sakura gave her a hug when she saw her, murmuring that she was glad she was safe and that she had been worried as well. Ino pushed back the incident with Kabuto, knowing that if she freaked out about it, it could cause more stress and trouble on this mission. She was away from him now and he wouldn’t dare come after her with so many people around her. She had to make sure she stuck close to everyone so he wouldn’t have another chance at her.

The kid, Yuukimaru was a pale frail looking boy with big expressive eyes. When did Orochimaru find him? She couldn’t help but wonder if she could have helped him escape if she had still been there. He fell asleep after Sakura tended to him. Now, she sat outside with the rest as evening began to tease the sky. Lee was doing fervent push-up and Ino leaned back on her hands next to him.

“Lee. No matter how tough things get, or how much you sweat you always move forward right?” She asked fondly. “I can’t do that.”

“This isn’t sweat.” He grunted, halting in his exercises. “These are tears of regret!” He sniffed, eyes watery. “This time I wanted to be useful so I made perfect preparations!” He moaned leaning into her personal space with running eyes and nose. Uh, eww.

Ino warily shrank away from him. “I totally understand.” With a huff she turned away. “I feel the same way.” But Kabuto still had sway over her and still affected her. She looked totally weak in front of the others! Damn him!

“Come on, I could use your help with the kid.” Sakura touched Ino’s shoulder and she got to her feet and followed. They kneeled on either side of him. “Listen, I know this is right after we tried to seal the three-tails and that we’re both really tired but we have to be extremely careful with our charka control.” Sakura coached. Ino knew she was just saying that to be supportive, but it felt like she was belittling her. If only she knew why…then maybe…no. She couldn’t resent Sakura for not knowing that Kabuto was around.

“I know. I’ll redeem myself.” Ino said strongly, trying to hide the anger in her casual tone. “I’ll definitely save this child.”  

Tenten and Lee left the room and only Shino stayed behind to watch over them. He was quietly leaning against the railing with his bugs falling at his feet muttering that they were weak from the three-tails chakra. After a little while, the kid stirred and she and Sakura perked and waited for him to open his eyes.

“Where am I?” He murmured, reaching into the folds of his robes. He bolted up.

“It’s okay. We’re going to protect you.” Sakura soothed trying to push him back down.

“It not here!” He said croaked softly, and then crawled across the room. “Where is it? It’s not here!” He pulled and tossed blankets frantically. What was he looking for?

“What’s wrong?” Sakura asked. Yuukimaru stood and something fell down. He picked it up with delight.

“It’s here! I found it!” He held out the pink thing for them to see. “Look!”

“That’s a pretty crystal.” Sakura commented and Ino nodded in agreement seeing the Camilla. She like the raw life and innocence in his eyes. It reminded her of little Mamoru and Reiko.

“It’s not cracked either.” He said looking lovingly at the fist sized crystal. Thank goodness. Guren is safe.”

Ino and Sakura shared a look. Guren? He then jumped up in delight but then fell, giggled it off and stood only to fall again. Ino frowned. What’s up with him? She kneeled and let him rest on her knees and thighs as he held up the crystal to the light. She stroked his hair absently. I wonder if it would be like this, with Reiko cradled in my arms laughing and giggling with bright eyes. She could imagine herself stroking his blond hair and kissing his soft little cheek. Her heart ached. She missed him so much.

“Ino?” Sakura asked when Ino carried the boy back to bed. “Are you okay?”

Ino gave a small smile. “I’m going to get some air. You’ll be okay with him right?” Sakura nodded eyes dark with sympathy.

She left to the balcony, next to Shino. She closed her eyes and cleared her mind. You can’t think about him right now. He’s safe away from Kabuto and that is how it was. She would spend hours looking at his pictures when she got home, but for now, he had to stay buried in her heart.

“Shino, Naruto’s alright isn’t he?” She asked softly.

He silently turned to her. “He won’t die so easily. He’s a Leaf Ninja.” He assured her. Ino smiled. Of course he would remember her asking him that on the Kamia Mission. Shino was quiet and weird, but he had a good memory. “And I know why you failed with your concentration.”

Ino’s eyes widened. “You do?”

“The others might not know, but my team knows. And we all know about your seal. Kabuto is pulling a lot of puppet strings.” They knew? She touched her arm.

“I can handle it. I know I can.” She told him. “When we begin sealing the three-tails again I won’t let him distract me.”

“I know.” He said softly and left her alone. Later, the large group met again and Yuukimaru told them that he would be able to find the three-tails and that Guren and Naruto were inside of it. Ino could only imagine how that was. Kiba gave her a food pill and she paid his standard price with a kiss on the cheek. Once they started out again, she was recovered enough to do the sealing jutsu. They rowed out to the middle of the lake with Kakashi, Yamato and Yuukimaru until they settled over it, hidden in the depths of the lake. The kid wanted them to bring him lots of camellias and Sai went about the task while Kakashi and Yamato dove under water. A little time later they popped back up and the water began churning under their feet. Ino could feel the placid power of the three-tails pitch violently.

“Hinata, can you see anything?” The worried Hyuga was frantically searching the water but shook her head sadly. Ino only felt the three-tails power and felt nothing of Naruto. The whirlpool grew in size and Shizune called their sealing team into action. She bit her thumb and ran her blood across her scroll to activate it. She was in control, not Kabuto. Or so the thought. Maybe part of her always knew she would be at his mercy as long as his seal was imprinted on her flesh like a brand. Her shoulder twitched sharply when her seal began to burn achingly. She bit her lip and ignored it, focused on keeping control and even when the fog thickened and began choking them. So he wanted to play it like that? It was just like him to cowardly control her without even touching her. She hated him for that! Hated her weakness and hated how he was sapping away her power.

“Shizune-sempai!” She whimpered, trembling violently while her chakra emptied from her coils. Her belly clenched and her throat seemed to squeeze itself shut. Stop Kabuto-sensei…stop…

“You have to endure it Ino!” Shizune cried out to her. She couldn’t…she couldn’t it was too much…

One way or another, I knew I would get you back Ino... One way or another…

Then something warm and squishy landed on her shoulder and her eyes popped open to see little beady eyes staring back at her. She could feel its slime glue itself to her shoulder and her chakra renew itself.

“Ahhh! What the hell! An enemy jutsu?!” Ewwww! So gross!

Hinata looked uneasy as well, looking at the fat white slug on her shoulder with big lavender eyes. “S-slugs?”

Sakura looked completely calm. “Its Lady Tsunade’s summon, Katsuyu.” She explained, still maintaining her complete control.

Ino blinked. “Oh.” She looked to the slug. “Sorry.” She and Hinata chorused.

“Why are you here?” Sakura asked her slug.

“Lady Tsunade has been worried about whether or not the sealing jutsu you used last time would be effective enough to hold a tailed beast so I’m carrying chakra with me for you to use on the jutsu.”

Ino breathed better now. Her seal was still aching, but not like it was before. But she was worried that the poor little slug would get sucked dry too. “I will start distributing it now.” She said and Ino tensed. Strong, steady chakra flooded into her and…and…stayed constant. If she could have, she would have laughed. The barrier strengthened and her confidence returned. She closed her eyes and relished in the feel of untainted chakra. The beast raged below them, battering against the sides of the barrier angrily.

“Don’t rush it. Keep focused.” Shizune urged all of them. “Remember, we’re doing this for Leaf, to keep its power from harming people. To keep Orochimaru and Akatsuki from obtaining its power.” Then…everything fell apart and the water wildly churned under them, dragging them all down. Ino held her breath and clawed her way to the surface using Katsuyu’s chakra. She thought that the tree-tails was tiring itself out. How could its power have multiplied so fast?

The kid…Something must have happened to the kid for the three-tails to have reacted so violently. The enemy must have got a hold of him. Gods, she hoped he was alright. Air bubbles escaped her mouth and she kicked harder, frantically to the top. She took in a deep, lung full of sweet, foggy air. The water was still roiling around her and debris littered the surface. A huge tree trunk that was yanked from the shore hit her in the arm and she cried out, pushing in vain against the heavy wood.

“Ino! Are you alright?” Hinata swam to her and helped her push the broken trunk away.

“Yeah. Overall.” She winced. Together they made it to the ruined shore, collapsing on their knees weakly. That took a lot out of her. The little slug was gone from her and Hinata’s shoulder.  “Let’s meet back with the others.” She held her cut arm, warm blood seeping through her fingers. They met Shino and Sakura on their way back.

Everyone looked tired and angry when they all sat in the base looking expectantly at Kakashi, Yamato, Shizune and Katsuyu. Sakura had healed her arm the best she could in their situation and Yuukimaru was unconscious in the other room. The poor kid looked like he had been through three wars and lived to see everyone’s death.

“Lady Tsunade has instructed us to return. The mission ins suspended as of now.” Yamato told them.

What?

“Hey hey! Is it really okay to just leave the three-tails like this?” Kiba asked.

“”It will be okay for now. They’re sending another team of ninja to keep watch.” Yamato assured him.

“But—” Kiba protested. Ino was going to object as well when Shizune spoke.

“Even so, there’s not much we can do by staying here. Everyone has sustained a lot of damage. That’s why Lady Tsunade thinks it’s better to withdraw with what we’ve learned to devise another plan. ”

Kiba folded his arms in a pout. “We’ll head back in the morning. Every one of you should get plenty of rest for tomorrow.” Kakashi stood, ending their meeting. That night, when everyone was snug in their beds, Naruto wasn’t the only one who left the base in search of someone.