It had taken a couple of weeks for her to turn aside her willful attitude. Slowly, but surely she was coming around for the better. It was Deidara who saw to her daily need for nutrition, while Sasori was the overseer of her assimilation into the practicality of an Akatsuki medic.

She was adjusting just as he had expected her to, if not even better. Because of her progress, Ino was given more room to breathe within the compound. She had been since moved from the basement, up into a room. She hadn't met the other members and her door was still to be locked when she wasn't being shadowed, but there was less scrutiny on their end. Except from Sasori; he always watched her.

He was still observing her, adding everything he had gathered into his notes. It would be by his hand that she would be ready before being given the 'OK' by their Leader.

He had to admit, she was an riveting woman. He could understand why she held Deidara's consideration.

. . . . . . .

It had taken a bit of time to admit to her red-haired captor being right. What he said about being irrelevant to Konoha had stuck with her from day one.

She had loved and respected Sakura. It wasn't until she had become sick of feeling inferior to her friend, had she finally took the necessary measures to trying to play catch-up. She worked, tirelessly, training day in and day out. Constantly was she chasing after her own Sensei, until his death, pushing herself to chase after Sakura.

But it was still not enough. Sakura was definitely more powerful and functional. Ino felt like she was bringing shame to Asuma every time his dying words entered her mind. Maybe it was with the Akatsuki, Ino could finally make a difference to anyone.

Tucking a wisp of the blond tresses behind her ear, her attention was pulled back to Deidara, who actually seemed to be studying her. "What?"

"You never finished explaining to me how you became a medical ninja, hm."

His question was the reason she had started on that whole tangent within her mind. She was only half concentrating on answering his question; the other half was concentrating on him. "I was taught by Tsunade-sama."

"Why?" He knew how to capture and hold attention; he had always been a pro at captivating the female masses, even before becoming apart of the Akatsuki. They were usually like unsophisticated sheep, unknowingly allowing a wolf to blend in.

She paused, again, causing him to roll his eyes in exasperation, "Are you that much of a blonde? Christ, un." It gave him much pleasure to poke as much fun as possible at the woman in front of him.

Ino could feel the heat practically radiating off of her face. She was most likely as red as a tomato right about now. "Hey! You're just as much blond as I am!" Was it wrong of her to have felt a tinge of embarrassment at the hands of an Akatsuki member? Was it wrong of her not wanting to say something stupid in front of him?

"I most certainly do not act like it, hm." He responded, never missing a beat. Deidara was extremely amused by her responses and reactions. Ino was completely innocuous and enchanting. With penetrative blue eyes and a cute upturned nose, but it was her spirited determination not to be appear overwhelmed by her new surroundings that kept him fascinated with her.

Why was he always teasing her! "Well! Why are you an Akatsuki member!?" Deflecting the attention off of her, she threw him a question.

"You wouldn't believe me if I told you," He threw her a smirk. He knew how much she had hated for him to deflect her questions or answer her with another question of his own. It were as if they were playing a game to sate curiosity. Of course, we all know at the end of this game, everyone knew what was to be killed.

The blonde wisp of hair flew upward, as Ino simply blew out air in exasperation. "You are no fun," That was a lie, of course. Ino found him to be simply captivating. When she first began asking him question, it was to try gathering more information about the Akatsuki, for when she made her escape, but that all changed. Now, she actually wanted to get to know the man in front of her.

To be honest with herself, it scared her how comfortable she had gotten with the Deidara, and even Sasori, himself. Every encounter unnerved her, slightly, but she was starting to get used to his eccentric nature. Though they were furthering their own goals, they were exceedingly candid with her about her role with them as well as what they had to offer her. The proposal of a symbiotic partnership with a criminal organization, was something Ino would have never imagined for herself.

"Sasori-danna, hm?" Deidara's announcement of someone other than herself, brought Ino out of her own thoughts. She had not noticed Sasori entering within the vicinity to her room.

He nodded. "Ino, come with me." He murmured. He waited by the door for her to gather herself from the couch. With Deidara making up the rear, Ino followed Sasori through the hallways of the hideout. They finally came to a stop in front of two large hazel colored doors.

They seem to suddenly come to life, beginning to open as if they sensed their presence. Pink lips parted, the look of awe plastering itself to Ino's face. She was nervous, entering the darkened room.

The table was elongated and rectangular, created out of wood. Seated around it, were the other Akatsuki members Ino had yet to be acquainted with.

Uchiha Itachi. Hoshigaki Kisame. Kakuzu. Hidan.

Akatsuki members, Ino had recognized from past encounters and word-of-mouth skirmishes.

"Yamanaka Ino." She nearly rose a foot in the air. The voice came from a holographic form seated at the head of the table. She had not even noticed him, watching the tangible members. Deidara nudged her in the ribs, prompting her to give a response. "Y-Yes..?"

The ringed gaze of the Akatsuki leader was severe. The gravity of her presence within this meeting was obvious. She felt his stare, lifting her eyes to his form, but her gaze did not reach his eyes. It was her sign of respect, in which it intrigued Pein.

"Welcome."

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Several weeks had gone by, but there was still no sign of Ino.

The first couple of days, they thought she had taken a few days away from the shop. When days had turned into a week, at Shikamaru's pestering, Tsunade deployed an ANBU squad to track her whereabouts.

The trail had gone cold just before the border out of the Land of Fire. They came back empty-handed with no idea as to where she could have gone. Of course, the news was harder on Shikamaru than anyone else. He had refuse to accept the results of their search.

There was something special between them. Ino had meant more to him than a friend. A hint of something more than friendship; fervent touches, intense glances between them. He was crossed between making a move or staying silent.

He hadn't wanted to just have concocted the whole thing, which would only complicate and make things awkward with their trio.

"This isn't like Ino to just have up and disappeared! There has to be foul play involved!"

"I don't want to believe it anymore than you do, Shikamaru, but you know what Lady Hokage said! We have to drop it!"

"Drop it?" The man could not believe his ears. What was Sakura saying? She was apart of their academy class. They had all grown up together. Why would just she drop the search for Ino, when that was supposed to be her best friend?

"Of all people, Sakura, I would've thought you would understand." Chouji did not speak to add his input, but he whole-heartedly agreed with Shikamaru. She could feel her stomach sink, wracked with guilt as the emerald hues watched Chouji shake his head in near disgust. Sakura had not wanted to stop pursuing the search for Ino, either, but she did not want to air her grievances with her Sensei.

Damnit, Ino. Where are you?