Can't Be Good:
Epilogue
Six long months later, Ino found herself faced with the familiar façade of Uchiwa Inc. Her job had been long finished and she had tied up all loose ends, except for Sakura, but the rose-haired woman had gone underground. Last Ino had heard she was with Kakashi scheming revenge. Good for her.
Removing her sunglasses as she entered, the large windows caught the last rays of the dying sunlight. Ino seemed to glow and the receptionist stared in shock at the sight of the tall blond. Her swagger was more relaxed and confident. Ino nodded to the receptionist and swiped her card in the elevator.
It still worked and she rode the elevator up to the top floor. Her hair was loose and one blue eye still peeked out from behind the bangs that sat over one eye. Ino's hair was not as long as it had been, but still reaching past her shoulders. A bright blue dress was worn over sky high heels and she wore a leather bomber over it.
Heels tapping like keyboards sounded like music to her ears. A smirk started in the corner of her mouth as she nodded to Hinata who was staring at her, wide eyed. Waving, she strode past, one envelope in her hand with all of her keys and cards and passes in it. Yamanaka Ino was about to be freed from her binds.
Noting that her desk had clutter on it that was not hers, she assumed her personal belongings were in boxes in the storage area. Ino could charm the guards into getting her stuff for her. The smirk widened as she recognized the belongings of two other people who occupied the new addition of desks in the area. Hebi and Uchiwa must be working together, she mused.
Continuing across the floor was a sort of liberating experience. For once, she was not following Itachi trying to hand him a report or giving him a rundown of something. It did amuse her, however, that it took three people to do her job.
She heard Hinata call out, "I-Ino! You can't go in there! He's with –"
Knocking once, to let them know she was coming, Ino opened the door. Itachi was sitting at his desk with Sasuke sitting opposite him, Karin sitting next to him, and Suigetsu sitting lackadaisically in a couch.
Several pairs of eyes widened at her arrival. Ino smirked, so maybe he'd been right. It was a good idea to dress her best.
"Hi Itachi-san," she smiled and put the envelope on her desk.
Karin sputtered and Itachi sat silently. Both Suigetsu and Sasuke seemed to be amused with her display of cheerfulness.
"The envelope contains a rather detailed mission report, considering I've had six months to work on it, along with all my tags, key cards, and a letter of resignation. Good-bye, Itachi-san," Ino smiled. Giving a short bow she left, feeling like she had been emancipated, but something kept tugging at her.
Here we are now
Entertainers
Hinata watched Ino leave and entered Itachi's office. They all looked shocked, except for Itachi, whose expression confused Hinata.
"She's gone?" Hinata whispered, looking at the envelope on the desk.
Nodding, Itachi regained his composure and told Karin in a clipped tone, "tell HR to disable her account and cards, now."
The red head pushed past Hinata and glared at her. Shyly leaning against the door, the purple-haired woman watched as Sasuke snapped back into action and pointed at Suigetsu, who was lazing on the couch.
"Go stop her, now," he said. Suigetsu flew out of the room and Sasuke followed a few moments later. Hinata stared at Itachi who still sat behind his desk unmoving. Seating herself in the chair in front of his desk, she sat motionlessly.
"She is gone from our clutches, but not our view," he said, fierce eyes cutting into her. Hinata nodded and wondered how long it had been since Ino had been home. Too long.
Remembering that this whole thing was his fault anyways, Hinata strengthened her gaze. He had been the one to keep her there for so long. Even after many reports saying that she was done there had been no summons from Itachi for a long time. After a while, the e-mails stopped coming frequently and Neji had been up in Itachi's office many a time.
"Yes, Itachi-san," the heiress mumbled, "should I call back your brother and Suigetsu?"
"No, let them. I have a feeling, you should find the Interrogation Sector members who are leaving for positions elsewhere…" he eyed her, her blatant look of surprise.
Hinata left the office when Itachi's voice cut through the stagnant air, "do you know where she's going?"
Without turning back she told him, "I'll look into it."
An albino
A mosquito
Balthazar smiled at the blond coming towards him. He offered his arm to the long-legged woman and she smiled politely. Her cerulean eyes were like gems in a masterpiece. Taking her through the hallways of the palace he felt as if she was just mocking him, her steps as direct and pointed as his.
"You know this place, oui?" he asked.
"Yes, Balthazar, I do."
Rapping upon the most regal office in the palace, he let her stand before the Empress of Yuki no Kuni. Ino gave a low bow to which Balthazar dipped even lower. His black hair curled down his neck and he backed away until he was around the corner.
A soft voice, more demure than even Hinata's called her in, "Ino-san, let us converse about your new position."
"Hai, Kazahana-dono," Ino obliged, sitting on the stiff, but comfortable settee.
The dark haired woman wore a kimono that was far more traditional than Ino's day-dress and leather jacket. Her regal temper was legend through out the countries.
Stirring her tea, the Empress took a sip, "your new sector shall be made up of several of my own officers as well as any one else you and the counsel see fit."
Taking the other lukewarm tea cup, Ino stirred it, "I have already compiled a list of people who are coming with me from Uchiwa, Kazahana-dono." Ino was not sure where the Empress was going with it, seeing as she had already seen and reviewed the list.
"I know, but is there not one more addition?" the Empress hinted.
Ino smiled, "of course, Kazahana-dono."
A mysterious smile appeared on the dark-haired woman. Her eyes were still dignified, but held a certain look of mischief. "Yes, your summoned protector. He is most uncouth, though."
"I can handle it, Kazahana-dono," Ino responded respectfully. Her blue eyes danced with mischief. Bowing one last time, Ino bade the Empress good bye and walked out backwards. When the doors closed Balthazar appeared again.
His sharp, pale green eyes took in her form, "Miss Yamanaka, Kazahana-dono wishes me to show you to your rooms."
"Of course," she consented and walked beside him. Balthazar had pale green eyes with a mess of dark blue hair. He led her to her rooms and Ino smirked. It was a room she knew very well. Waving Balthazar off, Ino fell backwards into the plush sleigh bed and sighed.
I'm seeping into the lava
and I'm trying to keep from going under
Uchiha Itachi had never seen so many resignation letters on his desk ever. Usually he fired people. Locking the door, he put on a pair of reading glasses and sat down. Ino's termination lay shredded all over his desk while Ibiki's sat on the desk without an envelope. Just a single piece of paper with his pass key stapled to it. Neji's was in a tightly sealed envelope. Also, there was one from
Sasuke and Suigetsu had come back empty handed. The security tapes only taped her leaving to the west. Itachi flipped through her dossier and groaned. There were two places in that direction she could have gone that would give her protection from him, the Kazahana Palace or gone deep into Hi no Kuni.
"Hinata, send a squad to go watch Hi no Kuni borders," he spoke into the intercom. Red eyes flashed as he smirked.
"And could you send Genma to Kazahana Palace. Tell him to call upon the Empress and request an audience," Itachi smirked widely. He was going to get her back at all and any cost. He wasn't the most influential man in the continent for nothing.
FIN
AN: Haha! I'm dooooone! As soon as I'm done school I"ll be right back on the ball working on the sequel. You know, where Itachi actually gets Ino?