In the early morning, most of the village was fast asleep. Guards were posted watching the gates, everything was peaceful; until there was a loud explosion.

The noise was so loud it scared majority of the Village; from a deep sleep; to a panic. Most Ninja's woke up and grabbed their equipment; running out of the house. This included Minato and Ino. Both had quickly jumped into action. Getting into their Ninja's gear, and out the door in ten seconds. A huge amount of charkra was located at the front of the gate.

"Minato!" Ino ran beside him "There is a great amount of Chakra at the main gate"

"You noticed that too?"

Jumping from the roof top to the ground, they both came to a stop. To their surprise there was a man, standing at the front gate of Kohona. The man was in white robes, and two white wings sticking out of him. Within a second Inoichi had jumped beside Ino.

"Shinou!" Inoichi yelled getting the man's attention

"Father you know him?"

"Yes" Inoichi's eyes glared at the man "I just don't know how he is out of Gehenna"

"So he was in Gehenna?" Minato's eyes narrowed "How'd he get out?"

"Want to fill me in?" Ino didn't take her eyes of of Shinou

"His name is Shinou, and he is a demon"

"I'll ask more questions later" Ino nodded her head

"well well" Shinou smirked at the three "If it is Minato, Inoichi and..." Shinou had a blank stare at Ino, pointing his finger at her "who?"

"Ino" Ino glared getting a vein sticking out of her head

"Ah, Alright let's try this again" The man chuckled turning on his heel, coughing into his hand. He turned on his heel, yet again. "Well well, if it isn't Minato, Inoichi"The man pointed his finger from one man to the other, and finally resting his finger, to where Ino was. "Where'd she go?"

"Right here!" Ino kicked Shinou's back, knocking him to the ground. Quickly Ino stabbed her Kunai into his back, and ripping from the middle of his back, to the side. Ino didn't even see the move Shinou had made. She was thrown from where she was standing, and caught by Minato.

"What the?" Ino blinked 'when did he?'

Minato placed Ino back onto the group.

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah" Ino glared at the man again "What do you want?"

"Well that's just rude, you ruined my cloths" the man had pouted "I guess its just life, one minute you have great fashion, and next they get ruined"

'what's wrong with this guy?' Ino couldn't help but think

"Well since you three are my welcome party, where is Lady Tsunade?"

"You might as well leave now" Ino glared "Lady Tsunade, is far too busy"

"Well then, she'll have to make time for this" Shinou's relaxed face, turned into an evil sly smirk, he slowly brought up his arm.

Inoichi jumped out of the way of the incoming blast. Turning his head he saw Minato and Ino jump away from the blast. Ino had jumped towards Shinou landing behind him. She swung her leg to hit him. Shinou quickly acted by grabbing her leg and throwing her to where she was standing. Aiming, he shot, while Ino hit the ground.

Ino sat up, to see the blast heading her way. Her eyes went wide, watching as the beam came closer and closer.

Ino was his target.

In slow motion; Ino couldn't move fast enough to move out of the way. There was no way.

Ino then felt herself being pushed sideways, being pushed away from the on coming beam. Slowly Ino turned her head to see someone she cared about shot. Within a second a huge blast was shot to where Ino was standing.

As the dust cleared off.

Inoichi had a huge whole in his chest.

Ino saw her father hit the ground.

'daddy'

Ino's whole world was destroyed. As fast as possible Ino got onto her feet, and ran over to her father. Her knee's hitting the ground, he breath was stuck in her lungs. In front of her, was her Father. His breathing was heavy and there was blood everywhere.

"DADDY!" Ino yelled trying to get him to look at her "hey, you're going to be fine"

"Ino" Inoichi winced "You know i'm-not"

"Dad! Daddy stay with me!" Ino's frantically tried to use her chakra to save her father

"Ino" Inoichi felt his heart slow down

"No no no no!" Ino chanted "SAKURA! ANYBODY!" Ino screamed as loud as she could, trying to get someone to help them. Desperately tried to save her father.

Sakura was knocked out, against a wall. Being tossed by Shinou; she was quickly knocked out.

'damn that man'

"Ino, enough" her father spat blood out "I'm gone baby"

"No! you aren't leaving me!" Ino had tears leaving her eyes "Don't leave me"

"You're n-ot" Inoichi coughed "alone princess"

"You're not going anywhere" Ino cried, reaching into her pouch she quickly grabbed some bandages "I'm going to save you"

"I-I-I'm sorry, I-Ino... I-Lo-v-e y-y-you" He took his final breath. A cold breeze went by as Ino felt her father's head fall back.

"DADDY!" Ino screamed "No! No! No! Come back! Don't leave me!"

Ino slowly rested her head on her father's chest.

"Lady Tsuanade!" a Ninja yelled "We got to save our Hokage!"

"Who are you?" Tsunade was standing on the roof, jumping down, she walked over towards

"Lady Tsunade" ANBU ninja's had shown up, all around Tsunade.

"My name is Shinou, and I'm here for you" The man happily jumped on one foot and then the other. "No one can save you, from me" His smile became wider "You see, I have plans"

"How does that have anything to do with me?" Tsunade glared "You have killed Inoichi, and you shall pay"

"You are under arrest" An ANBU had walked over to the man

"You can try to" Shinou giggled placing a hand on the ANBU's shoulder, the ANBU ninja had screamed out in pain, and dropped the the ground. The mask of the ANBU ninja had fallen off, and the face of the ninja was pure black. Blood was escaping his eyes, nose and mouth.

"What the-" Tsunade blinked "what are you?"

"Tsunade you have to leave" Minato threw kunai's at Shinou

"How mean, looks like I need to put you in a time out" Shinou giggled shooting a a bubble out of his finger. Capturing Minato and some ANBU ninjas.

"What the?" Minato tried to pop the bubble

"The only way you get out, is me" Shinou laughed seeing the men "oh poor little babies"

"Let them go Shinou!" Tsunade commanded "You're after me"

" That I am sweet cheeks" He smiled turning his head to the left "Now where was I?" Shinou was next to Tsunade in half a second. Grabbing Tsunade he quickly left the village, with the hokage in hand.

"Hokage-sama!" villagers screams were heard

"Okay daddy" Ino pressed her lips on her father's forehead "You deserve to rest, I'll be back" Ino moved hair out of her father's face "I love you" Ino slowly got up; her eyes were covered by her hair. Slowly Ino walked away from Inoichi, away from the man who raised her. Ino raised her head, with red eyes. Her hair tips were black; with one step her uniform changed.

From the black kimono, to a black crop top; with a turtleneck. Her stomach showing, itself. She wore black short shorts with high black stockings. Around her waist was pouches for her many weapons. Her shoes had small heels; with black tights running up her legs. Up her arms were black gloves stopping half way past her elbow. Ino's eyes were in slits; extending her arm a curse seal was seen on her shoulder.

Within a second; Savage had came right from the earth. As if it was running up to the surface of the layers of the ground. The horse had flames coming from its feet. Weird symbols were running down its neck, and down towards shoulder-blades. The horse from days before seemed to change from a peaceful look; to a more dangerous one. The horse now had armour on; plated on the horses sides, front and on its legs. The saddle was black leather. Ino walked over to the horse, the horse seemed to have grown bigger. Twice the size of its owner. Ino quickly slid herself onto the back of the horse. Grabbing the reins with her left hand. Pulling the reins, she steered the horse towards the main gate. Each step the horse took; the ground started to quake. Flames escaped from the hooves, leaving fire hoove-prints.

"nnnngh!" The horse slammed its hooves on the ground, stomping its hooves on the ground.

"Ino!" Minato yelled from inside the bubble "Where are you going?"

Ino slowly brought her hand up towards the bubble, with a flick of her finger the bubble popped.

"I'm going after them" Ino's eyes glared towards the main gate "Take care of my father Minato-kun"

"Ino! wait!" Minato ran over to her "You don't even know where they went"

"They won't get far" Ino grabbed the reins with both hands "I'll be back" Ino gave Minato a small smile, and kicked the sides of the horse to go. Within a half a second Ino and the Savage was gone.

"Good luck Ino-chan" Minato frowned, turning his head back he saw Inoichi. Walking towards him, Minato frowned "You did good sir"

~Meanwhile with Ino~

"SHINOU!" Ino yelled, as the horse quickly caught up with the man and the hokage

"Ino?" Tsunade blinked

"ahh, so you followed us huh?" Shinou gave a small smile "Beautiful stallion"

Without a word, Ino slowly brought her hands together, and slowly pulling them away. A Katana blade showed up, pulling it back towards the rear end of Savage, and quickly swung the Katana to slice Shinou in the back. Surprising it, the man grunted , releasing Tsunade. Ino quickly reached out to Tsunade, grabbing her hand.

"Hold on Hokage-sama" Ino had command Savage to slowed down, turning around. Savage had started to run back to Kohona. Within minutes Ino and Tsunade could see Konoha.

"ROOOOOAR!"

Ino turned her head back to see a huge black dragon, roaring towards the sky. Dark clouds were starting to form above.

"Tsunade-sama"

"What is it Ino?"

"I'm dropping you off at the main gate, prepare the barrier"

"Consider it done"

Within a couple seconds, Savage slowed down towards a trot. Tsunade had jumped off, and ran into the village.

"Get the barrier up now!" Tsunade ordered

Pulling Savage away from the main gate. She faced the black dragon who was now a couple fields away.

"Ready Savage?" Ino patted the neck of the horse.

The horse responded with dragging its hoove across the ground. "Neeeigh!" slamming its hooves on the ground.

Pulling the reins so Savage would trot in front of the main gate, Showing Shinou she was in his path.

"YAH!" Savage had pushed itself from where it was standing. Running at full speed.

Shinou the dragon, had pushed itself from where it was sitting. Running towards the horse and the rider.

"Let's go!" Ino yelled, making Savage's flames go higher and higher. As soon as the horse was close to Shinou, the he tried to swipe at the horse. Quickly Ino Jumped off Savage, as the horse phased through the ground. Ino had jumped and grab one of the wings of the black dragon. Pulling her arm up, she summoned a Katana blade; quickly stabbing the dragon's wing.

"ROOAR!" It cried in pain, slamming its feet into the ground. Ino quickly pulled her Katana blade down; she ripped the wing right off. Quickly Ino jumped out of there, and landed on the ground, extending her hand out; Savage phased from the earth. Ino jumped onto the horse.

"Insolent brat!" Shinou roared and picked itself off of the ground, running towards Ino. Ino had jumped off Savage, and sliced off his other wing. Within a couple seconds of slicing it off. Ino felt a sharp pain, in her stomach. Shinou had transformed into his human form, and twisted himself around to stab Ino. Pulling the sword out, Shinou pushed himself away from the beautiful blonde haired girl. Falling to the ground Ino grunted in pain.

"Ugh" Ino was laying on the ground, turning over she placed her hand on her wound.

"I'm going to rip out your eyes, doll face" Shinou pushed himself off the ground "You little bitch"

"You can try" Ino narrowed her eyes in pain. As soon as Shinou was a foot away from her, Ino quickly jumped up, with her Katana in hand, stabbing the tail Shinou forgot to 'put away'. Getting kicked into the wall of Kohona; Ino was face down on the ground.

"I'm going to enjoy ripping that head off of you" Shinou had a creepy smirk on his face

"Neigh!" Savage phased from the ground, and slammed into Shinou; pushing him away from Ino.

"of course" the man sighed "That damned horse"

"Savage NO!" Ino cried trying to get the horse to stop charging

"Neigh!" Savage charged towards Shinou, only to get a slash through it; making him disappear.

"You bastard!" Ino slammed her fist into the ground. Pushing herself off the ground. Slowly Ino had got herself onto her feet.

"You can barely stand up" he giggled at seeing her stumble "You think you can take me on"

"no restraints" Ino whispered, pulling her black gloves. Re-veiling all of her curse marks. The curse-marks ran up and down her arms, they started to change shapes, and the colour of the curse-marks were red.

"This is the end of you" Shinou had a cocky grin on his face "Mortal"

"Really cause this is the end of you!" Ino's eyes became slits. Her right arm was glowing a neon red. Forming a sword "taste my blade!"

"Die!" Both screamed as a bright light was formed; blinding everyone who was watching them.

Within seconds the light disappeared. Showed Ino facing Konoha and Shinou back was towards Konoha. Within seconds Ino fell to the ground; blood gushing from her stomach. Ino slowly turned her head to see Shinou's body slowly slump to the ground; headless.

Ino had won the battle; but the war had just started. Looking up at the sky; the once blue sky was now a dark crimson. Ino slowly raised one hand; up into the sky. Slashing her arm across the sky; Ino's curse-marks was glowing green. A dancing light; made its way across the sky.

"Aurora borealis" Ino felt light headed, seeing the dancing light change to shades of blue. Ino slowly walked back to Konoha's gate, walking in She walked back to her fallen father. Landing on her knee's; she couldn't grieve anymore.

A bright yellow light came from Inoichi; as Inoichi's spirit was lifted from his body.

"Daddy" Ino looked up at the transparent version of her father. "Don't leave me"

"You did good, princess" Inoichi looked down upon his daughter

"I could have done better" Ino couldn't take her eyes off of him

"You did it baby girl" Inoichi had a smile on his face

"But at a great price; I lost my hero" Ino saw her father try to cup her face; only to go through it

"You're a hero now baby. You were always my hero" Inoichi saw tears escape from his daughter "I got to see you grow up; into the beautiful flower that you are" Inoichi got down onto one knee, and looked his daughter in the eye "Don't cry princess, you are too beautiful for that"

"Oh daddy" Ino wiped her eyes "I promise I won't cry in front of you; the garden of Eden is waiting for you"

"It's so beautiful Ino..." Inoichi remembered him telling her the story his father told him. Within his eyes he could see the beautiful garden; that had so many pretty colours, different flowers.

"Inoichi" Shikaku frowned as he witnessed his best friend die before him

"rest father" Ino moved hair away from his face " You deserve it"

"Can you sing; one last time?" Inoichi closed his eyes listening to his daughter

"Okay father" Ino hummed a melody

Lost in the darkness
Hoping for a sign
Instead there's only silence
Can't you hear my screams? Ino saw the light starting to fade along with her father

Never stop hoping
Need to know where you are
But one thing's for sure
You're always in my heart. She sung holding her fathers hand within her own squeezing his hands.

I'll find you somewhere. On the other side of Inoichi was his teammates, Shikaku and Choza
I'll keep on trying
Until my dying day
I just need to know
Whatever has happened
The truth will free my soul. Minato sat beside her rubbing her back as they all watched Inoichi fade into nothingness

Lost in the darkness
Tried to find your way home
I want to embrace you
And never let you go. Inoichi's hands started to fade, Ino tried to grasp what was left of his hand but saw his face looking at hers, she wasn't going to cry. 'not now'

Almost hope you're in heaven
So no one can hurt your soul
Living in agony
Cause I just do not know
Where you are. Memories flooded Inoichi's mind from the first time he met his best friends, to when he held Ino for the first time, and the last time.

Wherever you are
I won't stop searching
Whatever it takes me to know. Ino cried out the last part as Inoichi was gone the light vanished into the sky.

~I'm sorry for what I put you through. I love you Ino Yamanaka. You have grown into a fine young lady. Take care of yourself. I love you~

~I Love you too Daddy~ Ino turned her head into Minato's embrace, she cried.

"shh Ino" Minato whispered into Ino's ears

"He's gone; my father... he's gone" She cried

"Come on Ino" Minato tried to get her to come back to his place "I'll be here for you babe"

"I just... need some space" Ino looked at him "I need to make peace with myself"

Ino frowned walking away from the crowd of people who wore sad faces.

"Poor little dear"

"Not Inoichi"

"I'm sorry for your lost"

As Ino walked by, she started to make her way home.

Ino ignored all of them and immediately went home; opening the door, there was nothing.

A cold breeze entered the home, This place would never be the same.

Slowly she made her way up the stairs and headed to her fathers room.

She just wanted to hear it one more time;

"Welcome home Princess"


This chapter made me cry when typing it out

Then had to go back and re-read it.

Kills me every time

T _ T

Decided to post this chapter, even though I'm on a break.

Sorry everyone!