Otaku's Note: I know Ino isn't supposed to act the way she is in the anime. I have the feeling that she's hiding her true potential. Hopefully this fanfiction will give you an idea of what I'm talking about.

And did you guys know that Ino graduated top from the Ninja academy alongside Sasuke and Shino? Cool, huh?

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto/Shippuden... yet.


I'm Ino. Ino Yamanaka.
A fiction by Otakusama Rengette


Sure, she was weaker than Sakura now. She hadn't completed any missions without her teammates and their help for quite awhile too.

Ino knew of the snickers and the gossiping rumors going on behind her back. Every little thing she did set off the rambling mouths of other kunouichi. Be it whether she had been sparring with Kiba or even shopping with Shikamaru, there was always someone there, saying things about her.

"Look at her... the little blonde kunouichi. Pretending to be the little damsel in distress so that Uchiha would come save her."

"It's all her fault Asuma-san died! She's a healer- why couldn't she heal him?"

"She's such a slut! Flirting with every guy she can get her hands on."

"Unlike that blonde whore, Sakura Haruno is an honorable kunouichi and the Hokage's personal student! You should get acquainted with her instead of... that Yamanaka girl."

How dare they! How dare they defame her and accuse her (secretly) of what she hadn't done! She knew she sucked at offence, and even healing. She had been losing to Sakura, TenTen and Hinata at everything since they all became Chunin.

The Jounin all looked down on her and didn't expect anything great to come from her- she would be another watch guard that would get killed first if an invasion happened again, was what they taught.

Even her father... Inoichi Yamanaka; was expecting her to retire from her Ninja career and become a regular, everyday florist at the Yamanaka flower shop.

She hated it.

She bloody, fucking hated it all to the depths of hell.

Ino wanted to prove them wrong; to become strong, so all those who had laughed at her, looked down on her would tremble in her presence with fear. They thought she was a helpless little damsel who needed SASUKE to save her?

The platinum blonde leaped up from her position in the grass in rage. All her thoughts swam around her head- especially the thoughts involving Sasuke. She had gotten over him ages ago! Was it her fault that her younger self was so smitten with the Uchiha, she allowed herself to act like a shameless slut in his presence?

Yes. It was her fault.

But she was going to change all that. She was going to become strong.

Graduating from the Ninja Academy with top honors had helped her analyse what successful ninja did and how they got there. She had let herself go completely after the Chunin exams, feeling that she deserved a break from training.

And before she knew it, she developed a habit of slacking off from her timetable, not studying as hard as Sakura did, and following Chouji to the barbecue joint to gorge out on meat. Disgusted with herself at that very moment, Ino swore to herself that she would get back on track.

"I'll get stronger." She whispered to herself, gazing into the horizon of the rising sun.

oOo

Back at home, Ino had made a list of what she needed to do to get her new image and her new abilities.

First off; her outfit. It was revealing, it was uncomfortable and it wasn't very good for missions, especially when they were required to run through freezing forests. She needed something a little more practical, but fashionable.

Ino was always fashionable. She'd be well-dressed, not like a slut, and not like a hobo either. Just something that represented her.

Taking a kunai from her dresser (Ino always kept them there in case a burglar broke in or whatever), she examined herself in her mirror carefully. Her hair would have to go. Like, most of it. Even if she was proud of her silky and long hair, it was really heavy and hard to manage.

She would cut it off.

"Honey! Your Mom and I are going out for work- We'll be back late! Don't wait up for us!" Ino's Father called from the kitchen. "Yeah Dad, I won't!" She called back. As soon as she heard the slamming of doors, she turned back to the mirror, concentration even more focused at the fact that she would be alone at home for the entire day, and she could probably go out training too.

Snipping it layer by layer, Ino thinned the hair immensely, and cut it short- until it reached just below her shoulders. Piles and strands of platinum golden hair lay scattered around her feet. Deciding to give it a little edge, the kunouichi spiked the layers at the back, making it poof out a little. The side-bangs on her face spiked inwards and outwards her face ever so slightly, and her fringe now reached her eyebrows, instead of covering her whole eye like it did before.

She liked her new hairstyle- it looked so... punk.

Clearing away what used to be her hair and dumping it into the trashcan in the kitchen, Ino went back upstairs and raided her wardrobe. She pulled out every single piece of her purple ninja outfits. And, her short skirts and sleeveless dresses, only keeping one or two little black dresses. Putting them in huge trash-bags to give to charity, Ino took out her savings card and the credit card she received from her parents two years ago.

Then, she headed outside to go shopping.

oOo

Ino had purchased and customized a completely new ninja outfit.

It was a black skinny hoodie with dark gold star patterns that hugged her figure- so it wouldn't get caught in branches or whatever when she leaped from tree to tree. The sleeves ended just after going past her shoulders, above her elbows. She decided to use elbow guards (black) like her old fishnets had done for her. Black socks would be hidden in the knee-length combat boots.

She would be wearing shorts to go along with the outfit. They would all be black, she had decided, to help her camouflage while on missions.

To spice it up a little, Ino had also purchased a spiked dog collar, back nail varnish, even MORE black eyeliner and fingerless gloves. She would look more like a punk rocker than a ninja after this; but the look would be great.

oOo

Taking a deep breath to calm herself, Ino stepped into the shady looking workshop that many citizens avoided going into. Only the tough ninjas, rebels and outcasts came here... but hey. She was already considered a slut, so whatever- let the gossiping housewives think what they wanted.

"'Aye, new girl?" The store attendant asked. His face was practically COVERED in piercings. Ino nodded nervously. "I'm... um... here to get a tongue piercing. And some extra piercings on the top of my ear."

"Cool. Ya can go into the workshop now. Akai's free." He nodded his head in the direction of another door. She thanked him and walked towards the door. Knocking on it three times, she heard a gravely voice telling her to come in.

When Ino opened the door, she found a tall and intimidating looking woman smoking a cigarette. She had flaming red hair and a pierced lip and ears. Her eyes were smoky grey and lined heavily with black eyeliner. Ino found herself liking this look.

Bowing politely, Ino started to say what she wanted done when the woman held up her hand. "Chill, blondie. I heard what you were saying to Torris outside. Take a seat, and calm down. You look really nervous." The woman drawled.

Ino nodded and dropped her shopping bags to the side, flopping down in the leather chair opposite Akai.

"Never expected to see Yamanaka Ino here." Ino's head snapped towards the direction of Akai sharply when she heard that. "You know me?" The blonde inquired. "C'yeah. Those stupid old hens minding their children at the sushi store harp on about ya all the time." The redhead replied.

Ino gritted her teeth. Damn them all! Why couldn't they just leave her alone?

"I can see your rage through your eyes ya know. And that's a good thing. Use that anger to become stronger." Akai said, offering Ino a little smile. The platinum blonde blinked, and smiled back.

"Thanks."

"No prob, dude. So. You ready to get your tongue pierced? I'll do that one first, then your ears."

The chunin braced herself as Akai got her needles and whatnot ready. Sticking out her tongue as Akai told her to, Ino waited for the pain and shock to come. She twinged as she felt something similar to an ant's bite on her tongue.

Opening her eyes, she gasped to find a silver piercing already on her tongue. That was it?

"Yup," Akai laughed, as if reading her mind. "I used to be a ninja, you know. I channeled the chakra away from your tongue, so it would become numb."

Ino was impressed- you could channel someone's chakra? Without them knowing? Akai was... definitely something else.

The ears were the same- they hadn't hurt one bit. After her piercings were all in place, Ino turned to Akai.

"Thank you so much for today! I feel like - as cheesy as it may sound - a new person." She beamed. The redhead laughed, throwing her head back as she did so. "Yeah, it does sound kinda cheesy. But yeah, just get stronger and show 'em hens who's boss."

"I will."

"Oh, and if you've got anything or anyone you want me to beat up for you, let me know. I've taken a little liking to you, Ino."

"Yeah, I will. You too, Akai!"

Chuckling, Akai reached into the drawer. "Take this, dude. You can use it for training." Akai tossed a book over to Ino. The blonde caught it, surprised. "Open it when you get home. It'll be useful for sure." Akai winked.

Bowing deeply, Ino thanked Akai once more, said goodbye to Torris and stepped out of the store, into the bright sunshine.

She would definitely be back- someone actually liked her instead of labeling her a slut!

Her motivation to overtake everyone else was definitely stronger now.


The final external transformation of the day; her personality.

Ino's personality was probably what got her into rumors and slut-gossips the most. The way she talked to guys made it seem as though she was flirting, the way she walked and the way she smiled at everyone made her seem like a stuck-up bimbo. Even the way she talked gave the impression of a drama queen.

She knew that all the strong people (A/N: this story takes place like, awhile after Asuma dies, but the story doesn't really follow the war and stuff) Sasuke and Neji had stoic attitudes. So, she had to become somewhat serious and stoic? Maybe a little more mean like Sasuke but with added respectfulness like Hinata, and intelligence like Neji.

Her personality would be a mixture of seriousness, sarcastic sniping and intelligence. Kind of like Akai.

Facing her mirror, Ino tried to morph into a serious expression. But no matter how hard she kind of twisted her features, she just looked... constipated. Ugh. Ino tried to think of some ideas that would help her- maybe some tips from actors in the magazines?

"Whenever I act, I always bring up memories that suit the emotions I'm supposed to display. Like, sadness for example. I think of the time when my parents passed away, or the time where I lost a good friend. The tears come springing right up." Says Fujiko Narumoto from Konoha Female Weekly.

'Now that is some good advice.' Ino thought to herself.

So then; she thought of all the times she had humiliated... the whispers and snickers that were aimed at her... the doubtful glances Lady Tsunade, Kakashi and Kurenai gave her when she went on errands... small missions, even! And those hidden smirks and pity Sakura, Hinata and TenTen gave her. Kiba and Naruto raising their eyebrows at her when she said she wanted to join them during training.

She looked in the mirror.

Her expression was beautiful. Her mouth twisted into a malicious scowl, eyes narrowed dangerously and glinting. Her teeth were bared fiercely- Ino quickly grabbed a file and sharpened her teeth. They now somewhat resembled a vampire's, but less sharp. She looked like someone who had stuck their middle finger to the world. Someone who was angry, and furious and just dying to prove to the world what they could do.

She liked this expression. She was going to use this.


Taking out the book that Akai had given her, Ino scanned the first chapter.

Choose a ninja art that suits you the most. If you insistently focus on doing something that you are not naturally talented at, it would take a harsher and more challenging process to accomplish mastering the skill.

First, find out what element you are suited to.

There were a few pieces of paper that were attached to the first page. She was supposed to channel her chakra through a piece of paper. Wondering what might happen, Ino took a piece in her hand and focused her chakra through it.

The paper suddenly combusted into flames and dissolved into ashes. She gasped- after referring to the book; it turned out that she was a fire-type.

Flipping over to the fire-justu sections, Ino decided to practice on this one: Sword of Fire. It wasn't even a justu, really. It was something much better. She would require a sword, and after gaining it, all she had to do was channel her chakra through the blade and focus on bringing out the element.

The sword would be enveloped in flames and she could use it as she willed. Kunai and shurikens were not really suited for her. She preferred something big and long-range so she could use long-range justsu.

Maybe a scythe would be better? Ino knew she had a scythe- her father had given it to her after returning from his trip to the Bear country. She had never used it though, even if it was a really expensive and well-made one.

Rummaging through her storeroom, Ino found the dusty old scythe and went to the kitchen. Wetting a cloth with soap and water, she began to clean down years of dust that accumulated on the blade and handle.

Grabbing the polish her mother used for the silver, Ino began to rub down the blade's faces furiously. Slowly, the blade's beauty was restored, back to the glorious gleaming weapon it had been when she was only five.

Also, Ino used a sharpener and began to sharpen the edges. The blade was now at it's full-beauty and strength. Ino rubbed away the metal fillings and cleared away all the cleaning items.

Then finally, she lifted the blade into her hand. It was the perfect weight, and suited her height perfectly.

It was like... this blade was made for her. And how ironic too; a scythe was what that Akatsuki member used as a weapon. The one who killed her sensei.

Amazing.

Leaning the scythe against the bedroom wall, she realized with slight surprise that it was already 11pm at night. The day had gone by quickly- and tomorrow her real training would start, and she could finally began her journey to becoming stronger than Sakura and Sasuke.

God, her blood boiled just THINKING about the two of them.

Washing her face and brushing her teeth - careful not to dislodge her new tongue-piercing - she changed into her night-wear and flicked off the night light.

Tomorrow, her journey would begin.