Insert obligatory disclaimer about not owning Naruto etc here


A long awkward silence followed when neither of the young women knew what to say. Attempting to change the subject, a fidgeting Sakura began slowly. "So while we have that matter... taken care of... We still have to let Naruto know somehow. This is going to be hard without telling him..."

Ino's face fell, remembering she'd soon be in the darkness of those halls soon again. Carefully considering her, something swelled in her that she could only describe as a Naruto-like faith in his friends. "Well, you'll think of something. I know you guys will get me out of here, too!" The blonde attempted her own shit-eating grin. Sakura nodded slowly, she could see through Ino's bravado but at the same time noticed her friend was in higher spirits than when she first visited.

"Ino, I'm going to see Tsunade this morning. I'll ask her what she has found so far and volunteer to help." With a loud yawn, the Haruno sat back on her bed, glancing at the clock. It was well into the mid morning and she'd be waking in a few hours.

Ino stood up, "I better get back." She pulled her friend into a bone crushing hug. "Thank you for giving me peace of mind. It's so good to talk to someone again." Releasing a gasping and dazed Sakura, she quickly departed home to return Naruto to where he was so that her container would remain none-the-wiser.

She didn't have to squeeze me to death. With a shy smile Sakura then tiredly collapsed on the bed where a deep slumber enveloped her.


Early in the morning Sakura sought Tsunade. She had two missions today. The first to find out what, if anything her master had in terms of restoring Ino to her usual self. Then, she would have to somehow alleviate the confusion with Naruto and let him know that she was ok with Ino occupying his mind at this point. Frankly, she'd rather fight Sasori again.

Knowing the Hokage's schedule, she headed straight to the hospital. Tsunade was making early rounds with many of the overnight shinobi patients she had become acquainted with since becoming the leader of the leaf village. Sakura happily greeted the medic sannin, and prepared herself on the subject of Ino's condition. "Good morning Tsunade-shishou."

The older blonde turned to her, with her brown eyes regarding her student. "Morning Sakura, you're here to see me about something?"

Nodding and continuing. "I would like to be kept up on progress regarding Ino and help in any way I can." The Hokage saw the determination in her pupil's piercing green-eyed gaze and nodded.

Entering a locked room, Ino's healthy - but devoid of vital signs - body lay behind clear locked glass. Shutting the door behind them, the older woman answered. "I have not been able to find much, but I have a start. I am afraid though that this isn't the best of news as you will soon learn. Usual resurrection techniques are kinjutsu for several reasons. Most involve a human sacrifice, or the person performing the jutsu to die. Ino's soul so to speak lies in this world, so it is possible we can avoid that casualty aspect, but that also complicates things. In order to just restart her vital signs is beyond any jutsu I think exists at this point."

Sakura felt as if her insides turned into a block of ice but waited for her master to go on. "However... be it fortunate or not, Naruto's medical records as a jinchuuriki suggest a bijuu could in theory save Ino." Eyes widening Sakura looked hopefully at Tsunade. We can use the Kyuubi to save Ino! "But there's more. The only bijuu we have access to at this point is the Kyuubi of course. Perhaps if I explain what would be needed by the bijuu and the complications presented you'll understand."

"Option one would be an infusion of a large quantity of demonic chakra to regenerate Ino's life functions. This is the riskiest to Ino because demonic chakra is toxic to humans. Jinchuurikies are different because their bodies adapt to their tenants from infancy. The only way this would work safely is if the bijuu itself desires to save Ino. The Kyuubi is a malevolent and vengeful beast, and I don't see it being charitable toward us. Foxes are tricksters by nature, and unless we had considerable safeguards in place he could permanently kill Ino and other people involved easily"

"The second option would be to seal a bijuu in Ino, making her into a vessel. This would normally be impossible. However, if a bijuu that has no current physical manifestation was sealed in Ino's body, it would theoretically merge with her chakra system and make the necessary changes to survive in the human body. Normally this would kill the host before the demon completed the adaption; but Ino is not in her body. If we can keep it properly sealed - Ino can then take the body back. This is probably the safest method but will require many top nins and seal masters including Jiraiya. Also Ino will then forever live a life as a demon vessel akin to Naruto and formerly Gaara, excluding the troubled past however. This goes to the main problem with this method. The bijuus aren't exactly roaming around able to be caught. Of the 9 beasts, we only know the location of Naruto. Akatsuki have attained many. This could be a chance to perhaps take one away from them though."

"The third option would involve Naruto and present a great risk to both of them. We do not know the full nature of the Yondaime's seal or to the extent of the relationship between human and demon. This would be the easiest option for us, and the only one that does not involve something outside of Konoha or making a literal deal with a demon. I was theorizing on whether it was possible for two people to share a seal. If it succeeds, both of them will always be linked. But if it fails..." She grimaced and took a deep breath. Sakura's mind churned from the information. None of these were easy solutions.

"Finally, there is the possibility of Ino giving up on her current body in favor of a new one. This would need someone body in a comatose state, but the existing mind and conscience of the person would be absorbed and merge with Ino. This seems even less likely, and who knows what would result long term? There are possibly more options, but this is all I have personally uncovered at this point." With a frown, she patted her student on the shoulder. "I'm sorry Sakura, and I'll keep looking. If I cannot find anything else, Ino will have to either live with her condition or maybe we'll authorize a mission to hunt down Akatsuki. We need to do this at some point; they are too dangerous to leave unchecked. Now I have to finish some rounds, I'll send for you on any developments. Naruto will have to be informed when we decide what to do as well." Ushering her student out of the room, the Hokage gave the Haruno another reassuring pat and moved down the hall.

Sakura mumbled and sat on the bench. Chiyo's words of jinchuuriki extraction rang throughout in her mind. Her knuckles turned white as she gripped tightly to the edge of her skirt. I will not risk Naruto. We have another reason to get Akatsuki now. Knowing the danger, Sakura had already decided in her mind which option she wanted. Her hands shaking, she sought comfort and wanted to feel as if everything would be alright. She knew only one person that made her feel that way, and left the hospital to find her orange-loving friend.


Naruto awoke once again victim to bizarre dreams. First he remembered many glimpses of ramen and Sakura, two of his favorite things. That was normal in itself, but then seemingly out of no where Ino had started stroking his whisker marks under a starlit sky. Somehow this lead to the Kyuubi taking advantage of his confusion where he scared Ino off. Grumbling, he began his morning routine. The final dream he had and could remember only the vaguest impression of was once again wandering around Konoha in his sexy jutsu form wearing a skirt. Somehow this lead up to him kissing Sakura passionately as a girl.

The young teen was beginning to worry and question about his masculinity. This was the second night he dreamed that he ran around as a girl; and the first night had somehow resulted in him displaying Sakura's panties to all present at the training fields. Realizing his potential danger, he sought his person and area for anything that might resemble undergarments of his pink-haired friend, her warning echoing in his mind. Finding none, the blond let out a relieved sigh and enjoyed a hearty breakfast of instant ramen.

Shutting the door of his cozy apartment behind him he left toward the training ground of team 7. Deciding the hard thinking and confusion he's had the past few days did naught but hurt his strained mind, he pushed all thoughts out of his mind and focused on a new task. Becoming stronger. I'm weak. I will become Hokage and protect all of my precious people. I don't go back on my word, that's my nindo. Reaching the grounds, he proceeded in making as many clones as he could.

With a feral grin, he decided he'd try to get rid of his head ache the way Sakura solved hers. Undiscriminating violence. With a signal to his replications, a massive melee soon followed where he practiced dodging and delivering blows against his army of clones.


The free for all continued for almost an hour, as he scored the final hit on the remaining clone. Panting, he fell on his back and unzipped his warm jacket. Naruto was sore now, with his sweat glistening skin covered in bruises and scrapes and his right cheek was swelling up. Grinning despite his self beating, he was victorious against that infernal head ache. Now his entire body was sore, something he was much more accustomed to.

Relaxing in his spread eagled position; he sat back and let his mind drift akin to the clouds floating high above. That was until a shadow loomed over him with an accompanying gasp. Squinting, he turned toward the source seeing his favorite pink-haired girl. "Naruto what happened to you!"

"Good morning Sakura-chan" With a loud groan, he tried to sit up, and fell promptly on his back again. "I was just training."

She hovered over him, activating her healing techniques as she began to soothe his marred skin and scold him. "Naruto, you have to be more careful. What if you seriously hurt yourself? Jeez look at you." He grinned at her lecturing tone; he knew she cared about him. He was always glad to hear the concern laced into her nagging comments about taking things too far.

"I don't need to worry because I have Sakura-chan to put me back together!" She saw the smile touch his wide sapphire eyes, and blushed at her friend. Bopping him on the forehead lightly, she finished tending to his swollen cheek.

Sitting on the trampled grass next to him, she brushed a wild blond lock off his forehead. He saw the thoughtful look on her face, sitting up he looked at her. "Naruto, I need to ask you something" She heaved a heavy sigh. He nodded at her, not liking the troubled countenance of his love. "Have you thought about Ino recently?"

Panic filled his mind grinding any attempt at coherent thought to a halt. How do I answer her! I can't lie to Sakura-chan! Nervously swallowing, he gripped his hands tightly and looked down at the mangled grass in front of him. I hope she doesn't hate me for this. I just have to tell her. "I've had some weird dreams about her, and I can't seem to get her off my mind."

He was slightly surprised when she nodded slowly. She seemed tense, and troubled - but not angry or sad he noted. "And what do you think of her?"

That floored him. His mind scrambled for anything. What did he think of Ino? "I um, still don't know her that well. I mean, I like her and she's well uh..." He trailed off with a slight blush adorning his face. "But it's you that I love! I'm sorry Sakura-chan, I don't know why I had these dreams. It's so frustrating! I haven't even seen her since that day..."

He looked at the ground, and prepared himself mentally to get socked by his teammate's right hook. She's going to kill me now. Then she set her hand on his shoulder spooking the Hokage-to-be. "It's ok Naruto, I don't mind. You don't need to worry about me and Ino." This can't be right. It's like Sakura-chan knew about my dreams already. Come to think of it, it was Sakura that told him Ino wasn't dead. He knew he was one of the worst ninjas of seeing underneath the underneath, but ever since he returned home from that mission his entire life seemed decidedly more confusing. Somehow this involved Ino, and Sakura seemed to know about it. With his brow furrowed the confused blond came up short on answers. Were there more to these dreams than he knew? Here Sakura was telling him not to fret about fantasizing about her best friend. This was not normal.

He had to find out. With the most serious expression he could muster, he met her green eyes. "Sakura, Is there something you aren't telling me?" Worry tinted her eyes, as she averted her gaze. She knows something. Before he could press, the hairs on the back of his neck stood on end. Every part of his body screamed action, and he instinctively grabbed Sakura tightly and forced chakra in his legs catapulting them backwards. Sakura reflexively clung to him with a startled yelp. She stared at him with a bewildered expression, pondering on whether to hit him for ruining the serious moment when she saw his focus on where they were. She followed his eyes and gasped when both teens saw several foot and a half black poles jutting up from the ground.

I recognize that attack! Didn't I kill this guy? He stood up, still partly exhausted from his rampant training session earlier, and pushed Sakura behind him. She was already on her feet glancing around in battle mode. His voice grew cold and angry. "Sakura, get away! This is the guy who attacked Ino." Rage filled the demon vessel as his whiskers darkened and eyes grew dark red.

She shivered at the maliciousness in his voice, but stayed firm. Worry and anger filled her voice. "I'm not going to leave you to fight him alone, Naruto." Damnit, I can't let Sakura-chan be hurt by him! He turned to her, about to make a desperately plea that she escape; but their conversation was cut short as more sharpened metal rods came from several directions towards them.


Staring into the familiar pool that linked her to Naruto's senses and mind, Ino collapsed to her knees. Even for an emotionally trained shinobi, seeing someone attack who had killed you before was proving traumatic. She shrieked desperately at the oncoming metal spikes that Naruto saw, and was thankful when both her precious friends dodged the onslaught of black metal. Please live both of you. The battle had only just begun.


A/N: Tsunade's monologue revealed the basic ideas I had come up with originally before I started writing this fic as a resolution to fixing a 'dead' body. I don't think it's as simple as healing it, or having her 'reoccupy' it. Keep in mind, I didn't write this to come out with a power-demon Ino either. The whole bijuu fixation came as an afterthought as a fix, not the goal. Anything is possible at this point, however, if I see it reasonable and fits with my story. Also, I do want to avoid anything with a 'shinigami' etc. This lead my train of thought down the path of using the restorative self-preservation properties of the greater demons. I have not set my mind on either of these options yet. Also, this is perhaps the one time where if you prefer to see one option happen over another to let your opinion be known. This isn't a poll by any means; I will read all reviews and if anyone has a strong argument for one option over the others (or presents a brand new idea which I like) I will strongly consider working the story around that path of action. The decision itself won't take place likely for several more chapters so there is definite time to think and change opinions based on a few things I have planned. Also, keep in mind certain characters may prefer different solutions (ie, an over protective and vengeful Sakura would rather go beat the shit out of Akatsuki and steal a bijuu), and the collective decision may be to attempt one but end up changing to another due to developments. We'll see!

Also a big thanks for the few of you who have continually reviewed. Your words have been an inspiration to my daily updates. Without them, I don't think I'd of looked forward to writing quite as much and would have continued to doubt my ability as a writer. It's good to feel that I must be doing something right ). Also, I almost have as many alerts as review now. Though the number is far below other fics, perhaps if people have ideas I may get more :P Maybe if this was involved in more c2's… Anyway enjoy! And unless I write another one tonight, I may not get to the next chapter until Tuesday – I have plans tomorrow.