Fearless
Chapter 11
Naruto scratched the back of his neck, the nervous tick showing just how afraid he truly was.
" I… Umm, I wanted to see how Ino was," he stumbled over his words before the interrogator, unsure just what would happen if he voiced the wrong statement. Ibiki nodded his head slightly, taking a step forward so he could speak. He didn't want his former student to hear his words.
" I expect you to treat her with respect, Namikaze. Protect her from her nightmares," with that, Ibiki left, knowing the two shinobi needed to speak. Ino was setting on her leather sofa when Naruto entered the room. Her elbows were resting atop her knees, her hands holding her face. He sniffed the air lightly, attempting to see just what it was she was feeling.
Regret, sadness, anger, frustration. Those were emotions Naruto could identify as easily as he could ramen. His footsteps were silent as he moved easily through her apartment, picking his way carefully until he was standing behind her. Ino had felt his chakra signature the moment he crossed the threshold, a kunai knife was clutched delicately in her hand as she waited for the man to attack. He was only three feet away from her, not moving. Ino reacted from instinct, twisting herself until she stood on her knees, her weight sinking the cushions of her sofa as she pressed the sharp blade of the kunai against the man's jugular. Naruto's body had tensed, not expecting this reaction. He released a chuckle, his tongue darting out to wet his lips as he watched Ino's narrowed eyes widen fractionally.
" Is this how you greet all your guests?" he teased lightly, watching as she slowly pulled the blade away from his throat, sheathing it as she slid to her feet.
" Only the ones who don't announce their arrival," was her easy answer as she watched him. A simple black shirt encased his torso, dark wash jeans were slung loosely on his narrow hips. His golden spikes were a tousled mess, his sapphire eyes a mixture of emotions Ino couldn't place.
" Shikamaru was worried. I offered to come check on you," he explained, his own eyes taking in her appearance. Ino's platinum blonde strands were tied together loosely at the ends by a leather cord, her ice blue eyes guarded. A plain white tank top ended just under her bust, revealing her flat stomach, light wash jeans with rips and tears in the legs fit snuggly on her slender hips. Everything about her screamed wild, and that just drew Naruto to her.
" I'm fine. I just haven't been sleeping very well," Ino answered easily, shrugging her shoulders. Naruto nodded, sliding his hands into the back pockets of his jeans as he watched her.
" Good lie, now let's try for the truth," he stated, watching as she looked at him, her ice reminding him of the sharp edge of a kunai blade.
" That's the truth Namikaze," Ino hissed, pressing her tongue against her cheek. She just wanted to sleep, and she couldn't even do that. She was tired, frustrated, yet she wouldn't show that weakness. Not to this man.
" My senses are just as good as Kiba's Ino. I know when you're lying, and right now, that was a lie. I'm not leaving until you tell me the truth," Naruto stated, watching as she turned her head to glare at the opposite wall.
" I'm fine Naruto. I just need some sleep," he shook his head moving around the sofa until he was beside her.
" No, you're not. Ino, for one minute, quit acting as if you're invincible. You might fool others with that bullshit mask, however, I invented it. I can see through it with ease. Quit fucking lying to me," Naruto snapped, losing his patience.
" Why does it matter to you if she's lying Kit?" Kyuubi's voice flittered through Naruto's mind, the question meant to tease him.
" Because, I don't like knowing she's keeping something from me," Naruto had snapped back, his eyes narrowing as he glared at the blonde woman in front of him.
" What mask, Naruto? I don't have a mask," even to her own ears, the protest sounded weak. She yelped in surprise when Naruto's larger hand gripped her shoulders, forcing her to meet his eyes.
" That pathetic mask you pull every time some one walks through your door. You're hurting yourself as well as your friends Ino. Shikamaru is truly worried about the state of your mentality. You don't sleep at night, you throw yourself into your work and disappear for days on end. The rest of the rookies are worried as well," Naruto growled, watching as her ice blue eyes narrowed as his grip on her shoulder tightened.
" They can all fuck off. I'm fine. I can take care of myself," she spat, jerking herself from his tight grip only for Naruto to grab her wrist.
" You think that, Ino, but you can't. You need someone to look after you," Naruto stated, his anger slipping at this stubborn girl. She jerked on her wrist, attempting to free herself, yet Naruto refused to remove his vice like grip, watching her.
" And who's going to look after me? I'm a fuck up, Naruto. It's easier to take care of myself rather than rely on someone who is going to walk away," Ino stated, watching Naruto.
His body was physically shaking as he tried to control his temper, frustrated that this kunoichi wasn't listening to him.
" I wouldn't leave you Ino. I would look after you, cherish you, protect you. Fuck, why do you keep pushing me away woman?" he growled, watching as her eyes widened from his words.
" Someone once told me, the only way to bear the curse of the Kyuubi was to find love, whether it was from protecting the village, or finding someone, it would save me. I found that love, Ino, and it's in you. Will you let me love you?" Naruto pulled her body closer, resting his forehead against her own as he waited for her answer. Silently, he was begging for her to say yes, wishing she wouldn't deny him.
" Promise you won't leave me," she countered, tears brimming her ice colored eyes. Naruto chuckled, his lips brushing against hers as he spoke the words she needed to hear.
" Yamanaka Ino, I vow to never leave. I vow to cherish you, to protect you, to never allow harm to be fall you," Naruto stated, chuckling as Ino jumped up, wrapping her legs around his waist and pressing her lips firmly against her own.
" If you ever break your promise Namikaze, I will make your life a living hell," Ino promised, resting her forehead against Naruto's. He could only smile as he fell backwards onto the sofa, watching as Ino curled like a cat in his lap before sleep finally claimed her.
End.
A/N: And that is the end of Fearless Folks. Give me feed back and let me know what you thought of it. I have a couple other ideas bouncing around my head, so keep an eye for another story. Until than lovelies.
