SORRY IT TOOK SO LONG! MY NEXT GOAL IS TO GO TO SCHOOL FOR AN ENTIRE WEEK(yea, im kinda a rebel =P) SO, IT MAYEVEN TAKE LONGER NEXT TIME. SRRYZ.

Note: As it says on my profile, I revised The Many Tribulations Of A Flower a little, but don't bother searching for any changes besides the spelling, lol. Still...I plan on adding a extra Gaara scene basically. I'll tell u guys when. But thats for later and this is now...Enjoy! (or not)

QUOTE OF THE DAY: Whoever loves twists shall love me. I think you guys know what that means. Major twisty ahead in the l8ter chaps.

Chapter 10: Lost and Found

"...And that's why we need you." Naruto explained the entire story to the previous sleeping Hinata who just narrowed her eyes towards him. He noticed she was blushing madly, seeing as how everyone was at her door while she only wore a satin gown that stopped at her thighs.

"Plus," Tenten added, "Neji would love your company and I'm sure Ino wouldn't want to see our faces...you and Shikamaru are the only ones that didn't go all 'Anti Ino' on her. We all feel so stupid and childish and...sorry for her. There is no telling as to where she could be. Especially...if she left that night, tons of stuff could've happened. You know?"

Hinata nodded while holding up her hand to her mouth in a sign of worry, "I see. B-But, I have to get my things and change clothes." she saw their nod and started to head back into her room before suddenly stopping, "W-Wait, we have everyone except Sai...is he on this mission?"

They hadn't noticed the man missing. Sakura answered for the group, "Um, well, I'll tell you what. Lady Tsunade hadn't asked for his presence but I'm sure we'll need him. So, I'll go get him wherever he is, and I'll meet you all by the guards, alright?" Quickly, the pink haired woman ran away in a hurry.

Neji watched as his cousin left at that instant as they waited outside the door, "Even though Sakura lied...as I suspected, she still seems concern." he had to admit.

Kiba nodded, "Yea, I noticed that too-"

"Guys!" Naurto exclaimed, interrupting the two men, "We need to find Ino a.s.a.p. And we cant just wait here. We need to do-"

Shikamaru sighed, "I'm the leader, Naruto, calm down." he gave his friend a strong, concentrated look, "I know what you want to do, split up. And I have a feeling that somewhere in this long journey, we will. We don't know where we are going and who will be ahead. But, as for now, we all stay together." he ordered, "The only departure we have for now is Sakura and Sai, who we'll meet up with very soon."

Choji nodded, "Shikamaru's right-" he stopped, seeing Hinata walk out fully dressed and equipped, "Good, now we can go. Though," he added as they all walked down together, "I have a question. Our mission is to bring Ino back who we all know, was extremely hurt before she left. And Ino is really the type to get in a lot of trouble, it just seems to come her way. And...Sasuke," he said his name snake-like, "is the definition of trouble. Her being with him can mess up a lot of stuff...what are we to do if we are in a war against bringing Ino back?"

Lee frowned, "Choji's right. I dont see her as the type to come back calmly."

"But..." Shino commented, "We dont know how she left. She could've been taken as a hostage by-"

Naruto took offence, stopping in his tracks as Tenten, Kiba and Neji accidentally bumped into him. He didn't seem to notice, "Sasuke? Are you saying that Sasuke, our comrade did all of this? He wouldn't take Ino against her will!-"

Tenten found herself sanded, "Who knows? We all really didn't know Sasuke that well. I mean," she softly hit Naruto's shoulder, "you didnt even know he was Mr. Uchiha's brother. So how do you know he wouldn't do anything like that?-"

"Because!" The blond yelled, meeting her brown orbs, "He was my partner. I know him and Sakura like a book! Just like how you know Neji and Lee so well!-"

Shikamaru sighed once again, finally seeing Sakura and Sai approach, "Stop auguring, it will get us nowhere. Though you all have a really good point, we don't know what happened to Ino...any thing could've went down. And with Sasuke as her company, I honestly doubt anything good is going on. Face it, he's just the rebel type. But anyways, you all need to listen to my directions." he stated bluntly, "No wonder Hokake put me in charge. It's a drag but you have to obey my orders. And right now, I say shutup and follow my lead. Are you all ready?" the spiky haired brunette nodded towards the guards, "Let's go."

"Hai!" They all shouted simantanesouly, leaping into the forest.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Did she hear that right? The word. The most important word that could be spoken from anyone. She didn't want to admit to herself that she did, that she did hear the word. She couldn't have. The puking must have caused her to go into some illusion. She was so shocked and too afraid to even move from her knelled spot on the clean bathroom floor. But she instead kept her head bowed in the toilet, seeing the disgusting remains swirl down in it. But this, wasn't what she was suppose to feel after hearing him say that. She was suppose to be overfilled with joy. But only more confusion filled that spot. She was not worthy of the words in her mind, after her cheating and having another relationship on the down low, how could she be? What was she suppose to say or even do now?

Sasuke felt a small bit of him worry. He didn't know much about relationships but he knew that when one said the words, the other was suppose to say it back. It was just how it went. Right? Frowning to himself, he realized he was questioning what he had said. Should he take it back? Could he take it back? If that was out of the question, then what was next. There could only be one option, the obvious reason as to why she hadn't said anything. He took his time to watch her wash her mouth with a towel and gulp half of Kisame's mouth wash down. Even he, Sasuke Uchiha, felt nervous. "You're not responding..." he pointed out slyly.

Ino felt herself shake nonstop as she set the mouth wash down loudly, staring at her reflection. She felt as if it was too hard to look him in the eyes, so she looked at him through the mirror, taking in everything that showed on his face at the moment. He looked desperate to know her answer and almost sad. She sighed, shutting her eyes, "...W-Why do you have to be so good to me?"

Sasuke shrugged, approaching her, "Hn...because thats what boyfriend's do. At least, that's what I heard."

Ino sighed once again, trying to move somewhere else but was locked in by time he made it by her. She felt his warm hands come around her waist, hugging her from behind, "..."

Sasuke narrowed his eyes, "That was a joke..."

"I know." she commented while trying to pull away from his grasp, but couldn't. He held her so tight but never really too tight. It felt just right, she felt safe and secure in his arms, "But, I look like crap, I have a huge headache, and I disobeyed you. Why would you say something like that, at a time like this?"

The man didn't let her go, "I dont care how you look at times...Y-You're always...beautiful to me." It was weird that he couldn't barely say 'beautiful', but he could say 'I love you'. It just didn't sit right with him, it made him feel less of a man. But for her, as always, he would let it pass, "You should respond back...it's rude to have someone on edge."

This was so easy, but so difficult. Just days ago, she hungered for the day he would confess to her, or when she was going to confess in him. And now, since Deidara appeared in the picture of her love life, the three words were so mind boggling. So hard to respond to, so not true. Saying I love you back to someone who always had her back, but her lying to him, wouldn't be true. This...wasn't true, "...Sasuke." she finally spoke back as she eased her way out from his grasp, "I have something to say also." she struggled to speak again. What she wanted to say was how she had secretly been dating someone else, the man he disliked the most, Deidara. But she couldn't tell him that, it would break his heart and hers. Was it selfish to want two men? How was it when they were both so great...it made it hard to choose. And choose, she wouldn't want to do. After several blinks and long sighs, Ino decided to speak, "...I-I only have to say one thing." Without looking in his eyes, she confessed the truth, "You're my shining armor, my rock, my protector...and there's no doubt that..that..I love you, Sasuke Uchiha."

He fondled his hands over her once again at that moment, "Hn. I knew you would say that..." A part of him felt like a wuss, confessing love to a woman who hadn't done anything for him. But that part was wrong. She did so much for him that that part didn't realize. She helped him cope with the death of his clan, his mother. She made him see that he wasn't alone, she made him happy, and most of all, she loved him. There was so much more he could've said and admitted to but didn't find it coming out for some reason. Still, this would do. Having her in his arms, would do.

She felt horrible and glad. Horrible, for cheating on him and not wanting to end it with Deidara, and glad that he had said those words. She meant what she had said for she had loved him deeply. So deeply. Dangerously deeply. But she didn't deserve him. Never had she thought she would say this but, he was too good for her. But she still wanted him. To herself. She couldn't see herself leaving him, "Sasuke," she spoke in a questioning tone. She had to know something, "I-If I were to do something...really stupid, would you still be there?"

"...What do you mean?"

Ino sighed, "Please Sasuke, it's a yes or no question. We've been through these before."

Sasuke let go of her, turning her body around so he could see her face. Clearly, she was disturbed, as usual, "Something stupid?" he asked, getting ready to go into deep conversation again but stopped, "I made a promise to Itachi that I would be there for you. So thats what I'm about to do."

"Itachi? He's the one that told you to be there for me?"

Sasuke nodded, "Yeah, but I do it also because unlike Itachi, I have you."

Ino grinned, "Right." She loved how romantic he could be at times, and how serious he was when it was needed,"Since we are talking...alone. I have something else to ask you once again," she prepared herself, "Why is it that when I'm with Hidan, you don't say much? But, with Dei-"

"I dont like him." he interrupted, "No, I dont like any of them. But by the looks in your eyes," he focused deeply on her shining orbs, "I can see that with Hidan, you are more relaxed and calm. But when you're with Deidara, you're nervous." he saw her eyes shift, "You know I know you...and when you're nervous, thats a sign of-"

Ino covered his mouth with her hands, "Some kind of worry of not being perfect around him, thinking that he wouldn't like me if I wasn't what he wanted?" she knew she took the words right out of his mouth, "Kami, you're a good observer. But, no worries Uchiha, you are mine and I am yours. And thats all that matters...right?

"...Right, Blondie-" Sasuke stopped, hearing the door being constantly knocked on. He sighed, "Stupid ass Kisame.."

Ino panicked, "D-Did you think he heard anything?"

Sasuke shrugged, "Who cares? Just stay behind me." Letting her loose, he walked over to the room's door, opening it and seeing a bluer than blue Kisame, smirking with red eyes, "...You're drunk..." he pointed out casually, "So, what do you want?"

Kisame looked behind Sasuke, "Blond woman...hi. I-I-I need," he tiped his head over a bit tiredly, "t-to." he suddenly covered his mouth.

Ino gasped, "Sasuke...go, he's going to throw up." Pushing her and Sasuke out of the room, she closed the door behind the drunk Kisame while laughing, "Good thing mostly everyone's drunk.-"

"Sasuke." Sasori called out, "Night Mission. Come down here, now."

Ino sighed, hanging on to his arm, "Mission? Again...kami, why does the leader of this group always want you and not me?" She suddenly started to question her presence in this group. It was like, they let her in, on a whim. For...him, it seemed, "I don't want you to leave me-" she whispered but it soon ended as she heard a door being opened from behind her.

Sasuke grunted as he saw the Blond man, "Hmph. Well, I'm off."

Ino tried her best to smile, "You mean," she looked behind her, seeing Deidara while she loosened Sasuke's arm, "all of you are off...leaving me here alone? But, I dont want to be alone-"

Deidara apporached her backside, "No worries, I'm here, mmm."

She didnt know if she should look at Sasuke or at Deidara, but she knew that if she acted nervously, Sasuke would suspect something, "Ok." she commented calmly, "well, I'll see the rest of you later." After patting Sasuke on the back, she decided to walk down the stairs to the rest of the gang. The pressure of both of them being around each other was too much. And, she wanted to straighten something out that she had just now remembered. As she looked around, she saw the only person in the Akatsuki, beside's Deidara, who she liked as a person, "Hidan." Ino smiled, "Hi."

Suffering from a too soon of a hangover, he grunted a bit before grinning, "Hey...you all better?"

"Yea." she nodded slowly, "Though, before you go, I have some questions to ask you. A while ago...well, this is embarrassing. I remember almost-"

Hidan haulted her, "No worries sexy. Nothing happened...nothing ever will." he muttered to himself as he walked off, joining the rest and a almost too late Kisame.

"Thanks Hidan..." she watched as they all went out the door, focusing on Sasuke. Although it wasn't true, she felt that every time he went out that door, he wasn't going to return. She hated that feeling. It reminded her of the many times her dead father would leave and this time, didn't return to this world. Something bothered her completely still. Something about them she didn't like, they all were in a way, cunning. It was a lot of things they hadn't told her and from her point of view, if anyone asked her about her time in Konoha and Akatsuki, she couldn't barely say anything. But she knew Sasuke could. She took hold of her mother's necklace that was hiden in her cloak's pocket, preparing to put the piece of value in her shared room. As she turned around, she bumped into another figure, "Oh, Dei...I already forgot you was still here..." she tried to chuckle but failed. Her goal was to try to avoid the blond the best way she could. She had to get over her silly obsession with hugging him, confiding in him, kissing him and almost started to begin...Washing away the comment inside her head, she attempted to speed past him but once again, failed.

"...Why the rush?" Deidara questioned, staring the slightly shorter woman down, "It's as if you're trying to avoid me...mmm."

The sighing Ino pushed passed him, glided up the stairs and hid the necklace in her bag. She sat on the belly of her bed, Indian style and began to try to self meditate. Every moment she would even see his beautiful eyes and hair, she felt like she couldnt control herself. Mediating might bring off some good. Maybe. She hoped.

Deidara matched her sigh, entering the room, "Anything wrong? Is it that time of the month or something, hmm?" he chuckled.

"No...I just want to um, be alone." Which wasn't true. She wanted someone to hold her in their arms without letting go.

The Blond man grunted, starting to get use to her weird mood swings, "Alright. Well, I'll be downstairs I guess..." he said as he walked out.

Ino waited for a while before giving off a heavy sigh. She didn't want to anger him or make him feel like he was doing something wrong, when he clearly wasn't. He was doing everything right, and that's what bothered her. Ever since day one she felt a small attraction to him which was usually figured out within weeks or months when it came to her, but she had no idea what to do now. It was either wait up in the room until Sasuke and the rest came back or just relax. She felt so tensed up even while meditating. Getting up from her spot, she slowly walked over out the door and down the stairs. She was surprised to see the front door open as she curiously stepped outside. Just inches away from her, she saw Deidara 'experimenting' his clay. As she heard the loud explosion, she somewhat jumped but then calmed down, watching his 'work' from behind him, "Something more quiet will be pleasant." she tried not to say bitchy.

Deidara smirked, "Sorry. Did I disturbed your sleep or something, mmm?"

With crossed arms, she walked next to him, keeping her eyes ahead, enjoying the beautiful colors and the way it went down like fireworks, "No, I just thought that someone may hear you." she noticed his nod and not surprisingly, he obeyed her and stopped, "Sorry about earlier, I just wanted you to know that nothings wrong with you. Not at all." she smiled.

Deidara nodded, "Its ok princess, really, mmm." he sighed loudly, "I'm just fuckin' bored..."

Taking his hand, the woman led him inside the house and closed the door behind him, "We can talk." she reminded him as she sat on the couch, "I really do have some questions."

He took a seat next to her, "Uh, ok...mmm."

She tried to stay calm and settled as she took a deep breath, "So, I know you all are like probably rookie criminals and outcasts. So, is this Akatsuki some kind of group for people like us, who are not accepted? And like..." she tried to make some sense, "We kill because we don't fit in or something?"

Deidara chuckled, wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her closer, "Something like that. We are kind of like a dsynfunctional family, mmm. I guess. But we don't just kill for the hell of it... its a reason-" he paused, not sure if he should tell her or not. It was no doubt that he liked her and trusted her, but still, her heart was delicate and he knew for a fact that Konoha hiden so much information from the 'children' there, "Just..." he added, "don't worry about anything. I have your back like no other. Nothing will happen to you-"

"I know that." Ino interrupted, "But, I want to know something Dei. All my life, I went without knowing really a thing except for the basics. I dont know why my mother was killed, who my father was killed by...and, I'm scared. They can be coming after me and I have no fucking way of knowing a thing about them! Don't you know how stressful that is for me?"

"Yea, I do unfortanutely. But if you worry about it, what good would that bring?" he questioned.

Ino snuggled into his warm embrace, lying her head on his chest area, "...Dei."

"Yea, hmm?"

"Do you think that...Sasuke is hiding something from me? I'll understand if you were because, you're a part of this group officially. But if my friend, Sasuke, were to hide something...it would hurt. We both entered here together." she commented angrily, "But I don't think he would..." she suddenly glanced up, "O-Oh, I'm sorry. I'm just going on about your worst enemy," she chuckled, "If you-"

Deidara shrugged with a blank look, "You can continue."

She was shocked, "Y-Y-You mean it?" she asked, lifting up a little, "Are you actually giving me an opportunity to talk about...Sasuke?" It was so new to her since Sasuke would usually give her this deadly look and grunt if she even mentioned Deidara's name. And a weird way, his loyalty was a turn on.

"I like you, a lot, mmm. But that doesn't give me the permission to take away your friend." he sighed, "I dont like Sasuke one bit, he's a stupid, low life, dark, talentless jerk who depends on his eyes for everything...but, I'll put up with him, for you." he smiled down towards her, surprised to see her cheeks burning red, "I-Is Ino blushing?" he mocked, "You're usually tough...I like it though. It's rare. At least, to me."

"You're amazing." Once again, Deidara made her feel special and she couldn't help but smile. Even when she thought of ending it with him, which she didn't think of completely, she couldn't. Although she loved Sasuke with all her heart, she just couldn't see herself breaking up with Deidara. She was interested in both of them but in different ways. As said before, Sasuke was her rock and her protector who she needed. But Deidara was the sweet, sensitive guy who made her actually feel like an angel. The combination of both equaled the perfect guy. She didn't know how she was going to choose but she knew she had to, one day. But as of now, she wanted to seize the moment, "...and you really are one of a kind." the blond woman found herself suddenly climbing on the male's lap, adjusting both her legs around his waist. Something in her wanted to show him her gratitude of his presence. She took a moment to look into his beautiful, honest eyes. He really wasn't like any other man and she knew that. He was special in his own way. Without saying another word, she pecked at his lips a few times. Eventually, they were both in a steamy session of tongue kissing. Not having a lot of lessons on it, she followed his lead, moaning as she did so. Deciding she wanted to be comfortable, she pulled back, "Dei...come." she ordered as he followed her up into the room. It was no doubt that she was nervous and scared as she sat on her bed, waiting for his arrival.

Deidara approached the blond woman, examining her bedroom eyes. She was beautiful. Being a man, he couldn't help but devour her in kisses. he hadn't known how long they were at it until he noticed she was pulling off her cloak and shirt, throwing it down to the floor as his hands rubbed on her smooth belly.

That was it, she had enough of teasing. His kisses were magical but it was something else she was craving it seemed, "Dei..." she moaned in a questioning tone as he simply opened his eyes, "I-I really do care for you. And," she blushed once again, "I-I think I'm ready...to go all the way"

Deidara gasped abruptly, "Y-You mean...allthe way, mmm?"

Ino nodded, "...Yea."

"But. You're a virgin. So it-"

Ino grunted, "Yea, I know. And that's why I want to get rid of it. Being a virgin is good and all but, I want to be bad. At least, for once in my life."

Deidara shook his head as he pecked her lips once more, lifting off of her, "No, princess. I'm not willing to take something that precious away from you. You're practically still a baby, un." he chuckled, "Plus, I care for you too much to do that to you. Especially here...the whole process...is sometimes painful."

Ino rolled her eyes, "Yea, I heard about it." Not getting any action suddenly started to anger her, "Why are you such goodie two shoes? I thought men were the ones to pressure women into this kind of thing. And, I'm offering it all to you but you still reject? Really, am I that horrible?"

"No, un." Deidara chuckled, pulling her close, "Men who actually care about their women are the one's willing to wait. Princess, do you really want to risk the guys walking in or worst...getting pregnant."

Ino shivered suddenly. The word. She had never even thought of that. Having Deidara's baby. Somehow, it seemed cute but it was wrong. Right? "...Uh, yea, preg..nant. No one wants that." the blond took a sigh of relief, "I'm sorry...sometimes, I guess I just go crazy as you know. As everyone knows."

"No worries again, Ino." Deudara decided to admit something he had been wanting to say for a while now. She really was irrestible and it wasnt how liking her. Now, he felt something even more. Even deeper. "I-I think what I'm really trying to say is, I care a lot about you, hmm. Never had I really liked a woman for her. Ever since leader let you join this group, I always knew something was special about you." he paused, "Damn...this sounds so corny. But, it feels like I've known you for years. I-Ino...I think I'm in love with you."

"I'm in love with you, too." the statement came out on it's own in some sort of rush. She sensed that he was going to say that. And what bothered her was that how quick she was to jump at those words. And...in love, was so much more than just love. Being in love with the person was deeper, so much more harder to get out of. This was wrong and she knew it. Everything they had was wrong. But, why was those words so true? Why did it feel so right?

Shoutouts: I looooove all of the reviews I get, even the bad ones. Well, if they're telling me something I need to do to better the story then hell yeah, thanks. But the bitchy ones that just say horrible stuff for the hell of it, na. But so far I haven't gotten any bad reviews. The people that review, are wonderful and you know who you are. But, I still have something to say to one of my fav authors, Lady Crack. For my next story, I plan on putting Hina and Sasuke together because of her wonderful story on them. And she leaves one of the most awesome reviews ever, every time. She gets exactly what I be trying to portray, so thank you so much for the support. And also of course, one of my besties Valkyrie, love you and I hoped you had a great birthday!