Chapter 10: Ino's Forgiveness
(Italics: Thoughts/Flashbacks/Dream sequence. Bold: Title and Kyubi's/Inner Naruto's Speech.)
Tsunade stared at Naruto's eyes in awe as the young Shinobi said nervously: "Hey Tsunade what's up?"
Tsunade closed her eyes for a moment and opened them suddenly as she yelled: "What's up?! You just disappear for an entire month and that's all you have to say?!"
Naruto fell over from shock at his greeting and stood up and brushed himself off as he replied: "Sorry about that Tsunade I was training and I guess I just lost track of time."
Tsunade sighed and said: "I figured… That sounds just like you, care to show me the results of your training?"
Naruto grinned and replied: "You know it!"
Naruto made his signature cross hand symbol and created two Ego Shadow Clones representing Blood Lust Naruto and Light Naruto. Blood Lust Naruto walked up to Tsunade and smiled as he said: "Well, well there are some very sexy Kunoichi in this village, look at the chest on this one! Damn!" Blood Lust Naruto pointed to Tsunade's chest.
Naruto waved his hands in warning but it was too late, Naruto's Ego Clone went flying through a wall and disappeared in a puff of smoke.
Light Naruto sighed and leaned against a wall as he muttered: "Idiot…"
A drop of sweat dropped down the back of Naruto's neck as Naruto explained: "As you can see each one of these clones represents different parts of my ego and if I continue my training I could unlock three more powerful Ego's."
Tsunade sat back down in her desk with a smile as she said: "I see.. So you've finally achieved the first level of your family's Blood Line ability…"
Naruto flashed his trademark fox-like grin as he replied: "You know it!" Tsunade's expression became a little more serious as she said: "Naruto I knew your father and the powers he possessed, you may find levels of power that you and many around you thought unobtainable but keep in mind that you're not invincible, there are enemies in this world that can match and completely outclass the power you have, so stay on full alert at all times, especially since your last encounter with the Akatsuki." Naruto nodded and bowed as he said: "Understood. Thank you Tsunade, now if you'll excuse me I have some training to attend to."
"Wait Naruto there is one more thing I have to say to you before you leave." Naruto turned around and faced the Fifth Hokage as he replied: "Yeah? What is it?" Tsunade nodded and said: "It's about Ino… I know you and her have gotten closer during your last mission and on that topic she's been worried about you ever since you disappeared about a month ago, so just let her know you're okay will you?"
Naruto didn't say a word he just nodded in acknowledgement and disappeared with a small puff of white smoke. Tsunade smiled as she thought: Well it looks as though Naruto's not only progressed in training his body but it looks as though he's been sharpening his mind as well, his level of manners did lack formality like many villagers when it came to addressing her but then again he was always like that, it was how he grew up, so this was quite an improvement of his character…
Ino sighed and took a sip of hot coffee as she stood at the spot where her and Shikamaru were supposed to meet for a training session but he not show up yet, she felt angry but lacked the energy to express it as she took another sip of her caffeinated beverage. After a few minutes she finished her drink and threw it on the ground as she felt a burst of energy, she yelled out: "Shikamaru hurry up you lazy-ass bum!" After about ten minutes a tired looking Shikamaru emerged from behind a bush and took a sip of his own coffee as he said: "Sorry Ino I didn't get that much sleep last night.. Can we reschedule this for later?" Ino was a little angry at his comment but she had to agree with him for once, she didn't get that much sleep as well and to overly exert her body would only bring negative consequences. She sighed and replied: "Sure Shikamaru we'll try another day." He sighed in relief and thanked her before walking home to pass out in his bed once again.
Ino walked to the training area herself to relieve herself of some stress.
Naruto jumped from tree branch to tree branch in search of Ino as he went from training site to training site, after about ten minutes of searching (Naruto has become very fast due to his physical training, and that's with his chakra weights on.) Naruto heard a loud sound in the distance he went closer to investigate and found Ino pummeling a training post as she said to herself: "Stupid Shikamaru! Stupid training! ARRGH!" And with a final blow she smashed the training post to pieces as easily as if it were made of glass. Naruto jumped down from the tree he was watching in. Ino sensed movement behind her and turned around, a Kunai ready in her hand as she came face to face with Naruto. Naruto smiled nervously and said: "Hey Ino how's it going?"
"How's it going!?" Ino repeated angrily as she approached Naruto, Naruto puts his arms up in defense, he put his arms down a moment later as he said: "I'm sorry Ino I just got caught up in training these eyes of mine." Naruto pointed to his eyes and Ino looked in awe. The next thing Naruto knew he was slapped hard across the face, Ino looked as angry as ever as she yelled: "Did you have any idea how worried I was about you!? You're such an Idiot Naruto! God sometimes you just drive me fucking crazy!"
With those words she dropped down to her knees and began to cry into her knees, she looked up and made eye contact with Naruto as she said through teary eyes: "Naruto don't ever disappear on me like that again… I was worried about you." Naruto pressed his hand against the place on his cheek Ino had slapped as his eyes widened in realization and he thought: She actually cares about me…
Naruto took a step forward pulled her into an embrace and said softly: "I'm sorry for leaving like that Ino, next time I'll talk to you before I go anywhere alright?" Ino wiped tears from her eyes as she nodded and embraced Naruto tighter. They just stayed like that for what seemed like hours but in actuality it was more like ten minutes. After a few moments of silence Naruto broke away and said: "Come on Ino I'll buy you breakfast." Ino blushed and looked down as she replied: "You don't have to… I can pay for myself…" Naruto flashed his trademark fox-like grin as he replied: "It's fine Ino I insist." And with that final statement Naruto and Ino walked back to the village together.
Naruto and Ino ate at this breakfast place that had just opened in the market district of Konoha and after the meal Naruto had entertained Ino with stories of when he and Jiraiya traveled all over the Shinobi world for his training. Ino was amused and laughed at many of his stories and after Naruto had paid their check it was almost noon. Naruto and Ino were walking side by side in an uncomfortable silence, Naruto wanted to say something and felt slightly embarrassed by it, he closed, his eyes and took a deep breath and thought: Alright Here I go… Naruto opened his eyes and said: "Hey Ino?"
Ino looked up at Naruto curiously as she replied: "Yes? What is it Naruto?"
Naruto blushed and watched where his feet were going as he said: "Well I was wondering… If you're not busy later that maybe me and you could… I don't know go somewhere and hang out together I guess…"
Ino giggled at Naruto's attempt to ask her out and she said: "Naruto Uzumaki are you asking me out on a date?"
Naruto's blush intensified and all he could do was nod as his final answer. Naruto looked up and asked: "So is that a no?"
Ino shook her head and giggled again as she said: "No Naruto. I'd love to go out with you tonight, what time?"
Naruto spaced out for a moment as he thought: Damn I should have thought about this ahead of time!
Ino snapped Naruto out of his trance and waved her hand in front of Naruto's face as she said: "Naruto are you alright?"
Naruto nodded quickly and said: "How about we meet at the entrance to Rosemary Park at eight?"
Ino nodded and smiled as she said: "Sounds good."
Naruto and Ino said their goodbyes as Naruto went home to change his clothes and wash the clothes he was in now. Ino went home and decided to wash up for her and Naruto's dinner date. She felt comfortable around Naruto and decided to not wear anything flashy or anything like that, she would just go as herself and wear what she normally did.
Naruto was in his bedroom lying down as he stared at the ceiling, his trademark smile was spread across his face as he thought: How lucky am I? I have a date with Ino Yamanaka the prettiest, young Kunoichi in the entire Hidden Leaf Village!
His thoughts were interrupted however as a sinister laugh echoed in the back of his mind, Naruto's train of thought came to a screeching halt as he asked: "What do you want you stupid Fox?! The sinister laughter died down and a demonic pair of eyes glowed behind the Fourth Hokage's Seal as the Kyubi said: "My, my aren't we in a good mood today Kit? I was merely going to congratulate you on getting together with the Yamanaka girl, may you have many kits."
Naruto stared at the imprisoned demon in disbelief as he replied: "Umm alright then…" Naruto shut his eyes and felt his consciousness drift back to his body. When Naruto opened his eyes and he was once again back in his body, he had a puzzled expression on his face as he said out loud: "Damn that Kyubi is one weird fucking Demon."
A/N: So did you guys like the Naruto/Ino interaction? I had to completely rewrite a part of this chapter because it got too cute and out of character but I feel as if I did a good job fixing it, anyway I know the last part was a bit weird and pointless with the Kyubi but what the hell? Anyway as I've said before I will go slow on Naruto and Ino's relationship but this is the 10th chapter so expect something to happen within the next few chapters, it'll kind of be them getting to know each other better and getting closer but it'll be more romantic than sexual so keep that in mind, REVIEW if you care, peace! - DemonicLove555