Another chapter for you, my loyal readers. Thank you.
The rain continued to pour down on the bustling city. People were rushing about on the sidewalks trying to get out of the rain quickly on their way to jobs, schools, shopping malls and homes.
Ino had always liked the rain, not in a mopey 'life is miserable' way. She just liked the idea that the rain could come down and wash away all the unpleasant things. And now, sitting here with Gaara and just talking, she hoped it wouldn't end. It felt nice having someone, other than Sasuke, that she could be so open with. She wasn't sure why but she just felt completely comfortable talking with the quiet, mysterious red head.
"When I got to the bus station I felt excited, and terrified and so alive. But most of that was overshadowed by my nearly crippling fear. Fear of being caught. Fear of getting away." Ino began as she got lost in the memories. "That fear nearly beat me too, until I met Sasuke…"
Five Years Ago…
"I'm Ino." She said with her hand outstretched. He took it and shook.
"Sasuke." He replied. She smiled at him before pulling her hand back.
"So what's your plan?" She asked.
"Well that depends. How far are you willing to go to get on that bus?" Sasuke asked seriously.
"I'll do just about anything to get the hell out of this town." She replied. He smiled and nodded.
"All right then. First, how are your acting skills?"
"Decent." She replied. He thought it through for a moment then nodded.
"All right, here's the plan." They went over the plan a few times until they were satisfied that they knew it well.
Ino walked by the ticket window and stopped in the middle of the waiting room. She glanced over at the window where the woman was sitting and reading a book. She let out a convincing cry and fell to the ground. Immediately everyone in the room rushed over to see what the matter was, everyone including the ticket lady.
As the door was swinging shut Sasuke, who was waiting behind the ticket booth, reached out and stopped it. He got inside and quickly went to work printing two tickets for the next bus out of town. He glanced out the window nervously as the tickets were processing. Ino was playing her part well.
Once the tickets were done he grabbed them, snatched a few bucks from the cash box and hurried back out of the booth. He got over to the crowd just in time to see Ino "wake up".
"Excuse me! Please let me through!" He said, dramatically pushing past the four people between him and Ino. "That is my cousin." He reached down to help Ino to her feet. Then he wrapped his arm around her waist to support her.
"Is she OK?" One man asked.
"Oh, yes, of course. Sometimes she just gets overwhelmed. I think she just needs some fresh air." He helped her over to the door and they walked outside together. "Nice work in there." Sasuke said, truly impressed.
"Well thank you." She replied happily. "How did you do?" He showed her the tickets and watched her eyes light up. "Thank you so much!" Without thinking she threw her arms around him. He didn't exactly return the hug but he didn't push her away either.
"So, where are you heading?" He inquired as they walked over and sat down on a bench.
"As far from here as I can." She said with a sigh.
"Yeah, me too. Is this your first time running away?" She looked shocked then blushed slightly.
"Is it that obvious?" she asked.
"You'll learn. All it takes is time." He glanced down the road. "Here's our ride." They stood up as the bus pulled into the station. Soon they were rolling down the highway and away from their troubles.
Present Day…
Sasuke was completely lost in the memories as he spoke.
"It wasn't a very sophisticated plan but we worked well together. We decided to keep each other company until we made other plans. So after the bus ride we got a couple train tickets and just kept going…"
Five Years Ago…
"So," Sasuke began. Now that they were on a train speeding farther and farther away they finally felt safe. "What's a girl like you got to run from?" She turned from the window to look at him. After a moment of hesitation she replied.
"My father."
"What'd he do? Beat you?" He asked, becoming visibly upset.
"No, he was just really controlling." She explained causing him to relax and chuckle.
"Aren't all fathers?" At this she frowned.
"Yeah, well, not all fathers have the police at their disposal. My dad is a cop." She said bitterly. He looked at her with a surprised expression.
"Small world. My dad is a cop too." Sasuke said every bit as resentfully as Ino. "So trust me, I totally understand what you mean. When my old man wasn't belittling me or forcing me to train for the police exam, he was ignoring me." Ino gazed at him with a new appreciation.
"That sucks. My father was always overprotective. I just thought that was normal, until my mother left him. Then he became almost psychotic about "protecting" me." She explained. "Then when I'd try to go out and have a life he would have his officers arrest me and bring me home. I just couldn't take it anymore. I used to resent my mother for leaving us, but now I understand." Now Ino had tears in her eyes which she tried to hide. He reached out hesitantly then drew his hand back and handed her a handkerchief.
She wiped her eyes and took a deep breath. After a moment of silence her companion began laughing. She frowned at him and demanded to know what was funny.
"What a pathetic pair we make. Your dad cared too much and mine didn't care enough." He said with a chuckle. "Must be fate that we met tonight." She smiled warmly at him.
"Must be." She was about to ask him another question but she paused.
"What is it?" He inquired after seeing the look on her face.
"I-I was just wondering what your plans are after the train stops." Ino said quietly.
"Well I figured I'd find a place to crash first." He said. She looked away sadly and nodded. "I think we should stick together a while longer. If fate brought us together there must be a reason. That is, unless you have other plans once the train stops." She shook her head enthusiastically and beamed at him. "Then it's settled, once we get to the city our new destiny begins."
Present Day…
"We just talked for the rest of the train ride." Ino explained happily. "I told him all about my life, my old friend and my crazy father. And he told me all about his life." She stared out the window thoughtfully before continuing. "I think I was the first person he had ever spoken so openly with." She was so lost in her story it almost seemed like she had forgotten the red haired man who was listening intently to every word she said.
After a few moments of staring at the rain, which had faded to a soft drizzle, she shook the daze and glanced over at Gaara and smiled.
"So that's really our whole story." She concluded.
"Ino?" Sasuke called from the bottom of the stairway. She glanced over at the door then stood up and began walking away. She paused in the doorway and turned back to Gaara.
"Thanks for listening to my boring story. I think I really needed to tell someone." She said appreciatively.
"Thank you for telling me." He replied with a small smile.
"Will you come down with me?" She asked. He nodded and followed her out of the room.
Sasuke was waiting with Temari and her friends at the bottom of the staircase as they descended. Once she got down she threw her arms around him and hugged him tightly. His arms wrapped around he tenderly and they just stood there for a minute.
"Thank you for all of your help." Ino said after they broke apart.
"We truly appreciate it." Sasuke added.
"But we really do have to go now." Ino finished.
"We understand. If you're ever in the city again feel free to come visit. Maybe we could work together next time." Temari said with a mischievous smile.
"Yeah, and sorry about the bad first impression." Kiba added. Shino nodded silently.
"Me too. I totally respect you, bro." Kankuro said.
"I don't really know you two but I like you already!" The bug eyed man known as Lee said overemotionally.
Finally Ino turned and gave Gaara a hug. He whispered something to her before she let go. She looked startled but managed to smile and say goodbye to everyone else.
"What did he say to you?" Sasuke asked after they had shut the door behind them.
"Nothing, just, you know, be careful." She said absently. He stared at her skeptically but did not press the subject.
"Let's just find a ride." He said looking up and down the street.
"Ah finally this wretched rain has ceased." Hiashi said as he glanced out the window in his office. "Has your cousin returned from lunch yet?" He asked. Hinata stood completely silent by the corner of his desk. At that moment the door opened and the dark haired man from the pub walked in.
"Yes Father." Hinata answered quietly. The old man turned around to face his nephew.
"Ah, Neji, I trust you had a nice lunch." He said pleasantly to the younger man in front of him.
"It was fine." Neji replied blandly.
"Yes, well then, down to business, shall we?" Hiashi nodded to Hinata who produced a folder and set it in front of her cousin. "I need you to find this woman." He began. Neji opened the folder and took out the picture. In it was a young woman with long blonde hair. The image was obviously a cleaned up security camera screenshot. "Find out who she is and who she is working with." The younger Hyuuga looked at his uncle.
"Is that all?" He inquired.
"No, I also want you to find her and her associates and persuade them to leave the city immediately."
"What am I to do if they refuse?" Neji asked.
"For now, I suppose you should turn them in to the police." Hiashi replied then, noticing the surprised look on Neji's face, he added. "I know, it is quite boring, but we must play nicely with the law. Or they will not return the favor." Hiashi smiled, but it was a cruel and ominous sort of smile. Neji bowed politely to his uncle then took the folder and left the office. "You are dismissed as well, Hinata." He waved his daughter away and returned to his desk.
In the hallway Neji walked at a brisk pace back to his own office which was located one floor below his uncle's. As soon as he walked through the door he was greeted by the brown haired woman he'd had lunch with.
"Tenten, what are you doing in here?" He asked as he brushed past her to sit at his desk.
"I thought I'd come visit you." She replied joyfully. She walked over to him and kissed him on the cheek. He glanced at the door nervously then moved away from her.
"You shouldn't be here if you don't have a reason to be." He said coldly. She watched him sadly as he moved about the room. He glanced at her and reacted to her miserable expression. "I'm sorry, but you know the company policy about inter-office dating. Especially when it comes to people in the family." She continued to pout but eventually nodded.
"I know and I don't want to get you in trouble. This place sucks. I wish we could just run away together and never look back." Tenten said dreamily. Neji smiled a little then frowned.
"I can't leave. They may be horrible people but they are still my family." He walked over to her and held her hand. "One day things will be different. I promise you we will be together." He kissed her hand and smiled at her. "The old man can't live forever."
"Knowing him he probably will. Just to torture you." She said, only half joking. He grimaced at the thought then laughed.
"You should go. We don't want to get caught." Neji said sadly. He glanced at the door then gave her a quick kiss. Tenten walked to the door and, after one last glance at the Hyuuga that she loved, she left.
"How about this one?" Ino stood beside a fire engine red sports car, eyeing it eagerly.
"No, it's too noticeable." Sasuke replied as he walked around the parking structure.
"I know, but a girl can dream can't she?" She moved away from the red car and stopped by a little black four door sedan. He stopped and looked over at her.
"When we get out of this I'll buy you any car you want." He said. Ino walked around the car and wrapped her arms around his neck.
"I don't need a fancy car." She kissed him lightly then grinned. "I only need you." He held her close and kissed her again. It was warm and tender and she never wanted it to end. Then they both heard the sound of a gun cocking and broke apart.
"That's the sweetest thing I've ever heard." Dosu said sarcastically. Sasuke moved in front of Ino instinctively, blocking her from the gun. He was silently planning their escape until two more people appeared behind them with guns.
"Don't even think about running." Zaku said threateningly.
"It's time you came home, Sasuke."