Ocean Ripples
By Noriellie
Summary: Yamanaka Ino was carelessly tossed aside for a certain Uchiha boy. This was war. What if Ino was placed in Team 7? A lot would change of course, considering the fact that she didn't even like Sasuke, nor did she hate Naruto. In fact, if anyone made her maternal instincts go berserk, it was him.
Warnings: Slight AU, swearing, OOC-ness, character death, slight character bashing, violence, gore.
Disclaimer: Nope, I am still not a guy. Nor am I from Japan.
Chapter 12
Only the sound of dripping water interrupted the silence. Ino looked from side to side. Water encompassed the entire cave; her perfect setting. It seemed that the opponent had noticed this too for his back was straightened and his eyes wandered. He was looking for a trap.
Ino smirked. Sasori looked slightly put out by the fact that his puppet had been easily destroyed by her Giant Fist Jutsu. An eye for an eye, she guessed. They'd been pretty surprised by his appearance as well. He should have been way older than his looks allowed.
Ino formed her seal for the Mind Body Switch technique. Aiming at his head, she activated it but was again surprised by the lack of soul in him. What was this guy? She slipped out undetected. She wouldn't be able to control him, she knew. He was one of those types.
"Since you're not doing anything," he said. "I'll reveal my next favourite puppet. He was a lot of trouble but it was worth it."
He summoned another, more familiar puppet. It was the Third Kazekage. She'd seen his statue before, during Gaara's inauguration. He was said to be the strongest Kazekage the Sand had ever had. But if this Sasori guy was able to defeat him then he was a lot stronger than they'd counted on.
Ino was instantly pulled back when Sasori made his move. She ground her teeth, creating a wall of solid water. If what Chiyo'd said was right then all of his puppets had poison in them. She thanked Kami she was a long distance fighter.
"Watch out!" she cried as the puppet changed its course, opting to attack the older of the two with a barrage of hands. But it was all a decoy as a poison gas shot out in front of her. She held her breath. Strong, firm ropes nearly cut her skin as they clutched onto her. What to do, what to do. There! Ino twisted around, using her hidden tanto to cut the ropes. In a matter of seconds, she was pulled out of the fumes. She gasped, trying to breathe as much as she could. She'd never realized how much she'd miss oxygen. "I'll kill you," she spat. She'd do it for Gaara, for Naruto and most importantly…she'd do it for Sasuke. Well, she'd have some fun before killing him of course. They needed information on Orochimaru after all.
"I'd like to see you try," he taunted as he attacked with several kunai. She threw her senbon, deflecting most of it but some still got through. "Ah, them." Her confusion was answered when she saw what was before her.
"The first puppets you ever made," Chiyo said. "Your parents."
Ino felt a shiver run down her spine. It wasn't the good kind of shiver either. This kid…this kid was sick. She clenched her jaw, trying not to think about it any further. Killing his own parents and making them his puppets…
The puppets joined their hands and created a wire. Ino watched as they cut down the thousands of hands that had implanted themselves in the ground. A battle of dolls, how ironic. She remembered when she had played mock battles with her own dolls at home. This was definitely more exciting.
"Shall I get serious then?" Sasori said. Black sand started pouring out of the Third's mouth. A human puppet, made to contain the living person's chakra. She clenched her fists. This guy was something else entirely.
"Get out of here, Ino," Chiyo ordered. Ino bristled. No way in hell would she back out of a fight! "This jutsu…this is something you can't handle." Underestimated once again.
Ino glared as she stood her ground. She wouldn't chicken out of this. "I'm fighting with you," she declared. She wasn't the same weak little girl anymore. She was Yamanaka Ino of the Yamanaka Clan, apprentice to Hinamori Misaki, Chuunin. No, she wouldn't just abandon Chiyo.
"Too slow!" Sasori cackled as he pelted them with the iron sand. Too slow her ass! She created a wall of water to slow down the sand enough for her and Chiyo to get out of the way. She wasn't some weak kunoichi that needed protecting. Not anymore.
"I'm not leaving," she repeated. Chiyo didn't argue any further. Sasori merely laughed at them, calling them hopeless idiots. She'd show him. She'd show them all.
She didn't have time to counter the oncoming rain of sand. Luckily, Chiyo had her puppets protect them with a chakra shield. Only now they were useless as the sand hindered all movement. She ground her teeth. Wasn't she just saying that she'd show them?
"Chiyo-san," she said. "Please use me as your puppet." It may have been a desperate idea but she had a plan. Use water to destroy the sand and get to him. Iron rusted in water, right? She grinned.
She propelled forwards, already coating her fist with chakra induced water. The iron stake fell on her, or at least it seemed that way. She'd been able to flip backwards just in time to avoid it thanks to Chiyo. Sasori had anticipated this, already attacking her with the other piece of iron block he made. She dodged then used her Giant Fist jutsu to make smash it against the wall.
Ino had always prided herself for being a keen observer. It was the first thing her dad had taught her. In fact, of asked she would say that people watching was her favorite past time. This was another one of those rare occurrences where her everyday life crossed over her job. She could already see the attack patterns. So much so that she didn't even need Chiyo's guidance all that much anymore.
Iron sand went everywhere, impaling itself in the wet rocks. She used the water to push Chiyo out of the way but didn't have the time to save herself. The jutsu was a terrifying one, creating a net of bars around her. It was as if she were in a maze of rods.
"Ino!" Chiyo yelled through the dust. Ino swayed. She'd been able to deflect some of the smaller pieces of iron but she'd still gotten cuts. She cursed. Of course he'd put poison inside the sand itself too. She mock fainted as she injected the antidote into herself. Five minutes until the antidote wore off. If only she could get close enough.
Water crawled up her trembling body, cleansing all wounds. While she couldn't heal herself completely, she could at least stop infections. She took out her bandages from the first aid kit in her waist pack. They would have to do for now. Damn she really wished she had proper medical training now.
The Third puppet tried finishing her off once and for all. Tried being the key word here. Her hands were still covered in water. She used this as a way to corrupt the puppet's joints and have them explode. With the puppet gone, there was one less thing to worry about.
"Chiyo-san!" she called. She'd give the other antidote to the old woman, just in case. "I made extra," she explained as she handed the vial to the other woman. Actually, there was only one left. "We have five minutes to end this."
"I will admit that I underestimated you," Sasori said. Woah woah woah, why the hell was he stripping? She choked on her own spit when he revealed his true body. He'd turned his whole body into a puppet. Fear overcame her senses. This guy was really messed up.
Ino dodged the projectiles he was sending her way. What she couldn't dodge was the coil of rope. She cried out. At least she had the antidote. She ground her teeth, sending water to tend to the wound. Her eyes widened as Sasori's true target was revealed.
"Like hell I'd let you do that!" she screamed as she guided the water into the shape of a hand. "Take this!" With the water mimicking her movement, Sasori was swatted aside like a fly. He hit the wall with so much force he broke into pieces. But of course it wouldn't be that easy.
Three minutes left.
Chiyo finally pulled out her trump card. She summoned ten creepy puppets. Ino would definitely avoid dolls after this. And then Sasori had to summon his army of puppets. Ino swore. Great.
"Ino…" Chiyo said. "This will be the last act. Are you prepared?"
"Always."
Two minutes.
Ino stood, shocked. Puppets were scary in more ways than one. An idea cropped up. Chiyo was having trouble controlling her arm because of the sand, right? The blonde maneuvered the water towards the old woman.
"It's just me," she whispered when Chiyo flinched. She worked on removing most of the iron from the woman's arm. It was arduous work but it was better than nothing.
Ino, whilst improving, was still impatient. She formed seals on her other hand. "Water Release: First Wave!" she cried as the water flushed away and crushed a few dozen puppets. It was a mindless jutsu that didn't require much chakra control so it was the perfect way to hide her efforts.
Chiyo was getting old. Her reaction speed was still fast but it wasn't enough to dodge the attack coming from a random puppet. Ino cursed. "Chiyo-san!" she yelled. She had better use that antidote!
"Don't worry about me," Chiyo called. "Take Sasori!"
And Ino did. She used the seal that Chiyo had provided and threw it towards the redhead. Using water to propel it farther, it hit the target bang on. It was over. Just when the antidote wore off too.
"Take the antidote!" Ino shouted. If Chiyo took the one she'd given her then they would still have one left over. Her breath caught when Sasori revived in another puppet. His blade poised to strike, he ran towards Chiyo's crippled form. Ino quickly injected a vial into her system once again. It was such a waste but she got over it quickly. She took the blade intended for the old woman. Ah, man. Did she have to be such an impulsive person?
"Chiyo-san…" she croaked. "I still have the antidote in me. Hurry and take yours."
She didn't know why she lied.
Ino awoke in somebody's arms. It felt nice…being carried. Maybe this was why babies liked to be carried? It felt so warm in these arms. She opened her eyes. Sky met darkness. She blinked a few times, unsure if this was a dream or not.
"Sasuke?" she whispered. This was probably just a hallucination; a side effect of the antidote maybe?
But the voice was too real. "What have you gotten yourself into?" It was enough to have her in tears. Sasuke…did he save them? Ino scoffed. Like he cared about her anymore. It had been years, who knew how much Orochimaru had corrupted him. He'd probably forgotten about her already.
"How do I forget about such an annoying person?" he asked. She froze. He'd heard her? "Yes."
"Beyond creepy," she murmured into his shirt.
"You're the one inside my head," he shot back.
She felt chakra coming towards them. "Where's Chiyo-san?"
"Dead." Ino stood. Dead? "Gave her life for that Gaara brat." But Gaara wasn't dead yet, there was still hope. There was no way she could have died.
"No way…" she muttered. "No way…"
"I don't have time to explain to you," he said as he stood. She knew that stance. He was planning on leaving her here? Like hell she'd let him! "Tenchi Bridge, ten days from now at noon. Be there."
Run.
With that he disappeared. She had no energy to go after him; her wound had reopened. She fell back to her knees. So close yet so far. Tears fell down her face. Why did fate have to be so cruel?
"Ino-chan!" Naruto's comforting voice called. She wished she'd faint again. She didn't want to face him right now.
"Yamanaka-san," Gaara's very alive voice broke through her thoughts. Fresh tears fell. He was alive but at the cost of another. A hand touched shoulder, finally making her look up into the eyes of the Kazekage. "She needs medical attention!" he observed. Oh yeah she did. She felt like a dead man.
"Gaara, I'm sorry," she whispered. He looked genuinely surprised. She allowed herself a small smile. This was the first expression she'd been able to pull out of him.
"Ino?" he asked. He even called her by her first name! Tell her that wasn't a success.
"There's no antidote left," she said. "I only had two with me. I lied to Chiyo-san. The last vial was to stop the bleeding."
Now Gaara looked scared, not surprised. Hah, it was priceless. She wished she could say that it was all a lie but she couldn't. She really wished she was only acting.
"Check her!" he ordered. "Get the poison out of her!"
She smiled as she leaned her head on his shoulder. So he didn't think that she was just a nuisance at least. He didn't want her to die. That in itself was enough for her.
xxxxx
Ino awoke inside a sterile white room. She knew what this was but she couldn't believe it. She was supposed to be dead, right? Had they found the last vial of antidote? But she was sure she dropped that in the forest on the way to the Akatsuki hideout. Or was this the afterlife?
"You gave us quite a fright," the Fifth said. Ino tensed. "Be glad I was already on my way here for a meeting."
So that's who'd saved her. It all made sense now. "Thank you," she murmured.
Two days passed with her stuck inside the medical ward. To be brutally honest? It sucked and she needed better entertainment. Sure people came to visit her and all but they couldn't always be there. When would they let her out of this place? It's not like she was still dying anyway!
It was with that thought that she defied orders. She sneaked out at night and went to the village graveyard. It was a chilling place that reeked of soil and death. The slabs were well kept, despite the weather. She admired the care the people of the Sand gave their dead.
Ino skimmed through the names, hoping to find Chiyo's. She'd at least apologize for lying to her. "Defying orders?" Gaara's monotone interrupted the silence. He'd always been able to hide his chakra signature from her.
"For good reason," she sniffed.
Gaara hummed as he took her arm and led her to the grave she'd been looking for. "I have a message to deliver," he said as he let go of her. "You will become a great kunoichi that generations to come will look up to."
It was sweet, really. She felt the moisture fog up her eyes once again. She curled into a ball and sobbed. Time passed, she didn't know how long, and soon the sun began to creep up. She didn't even notice the cloak that Gaara had placed on her before he left. A smile etched itself onto her face as she fingered the piece of cloth. He was slowly but surely changing…
Another example of that came when they were finally allowed to go home. She watched as Gaara and Naruto shook hands. Pride swelled within her. As a mother would, she cried tears of joy at their progress. They were like her little chicks now.
"Don't get all sappy on me now," Tenten warned.
They said their farewells and off they went. The desert was particularly pleasant, not at all burning hot. She paled when Guy started carrying Kakashi on piggyback. That was something she didn't want to see ever again. She laughed when Lee offered his back to Neji though. Hey, that was hilarious. Especially Lee's look of utter disappointment when Neji less than politely declined.
xxxxx
Ino studied the newcomers. Their chakra told her that they were strong but she couldn't know precisely. She was once again the weakest member of the team.
"Y-You!" Naruto exclaimed.
"You know this guy?"
"I'm sorry, I only wanted to gauge your capability," the dark haired nin said. "I just didn't know how much I'd have to look after the little prick with no balls." Ino laughed out loud at that. She didn't even stop Naruto from trying to attack the new member, leaving it the other new person. She already liked this guy.
She stepped forwards and clapped him on the back. "I like you already!" she announced.
"I also dislike friendly crones like you," he said with a fake smile. She blinked. Ah that hit a spot. She held him in a headlock.
"Care to repeat that?" she threatened.
He hummed. "At least you are stronger than him," he said while pointing at Naruto. They'd definitely get along. She let go.
"Name's Yamanaka Ino," she introduced. "You?"
"Sai," he replied. She waited for a last name but none came. That was it? Just Sai? She frowned but didn't comment on it any further.
"Uzumaki Naruto," Naruto grumbled.
She listened attentively as their new leader announced the new mission's details. They were going to Tenchi Bridge. Butterflies fluttered in her stomach. She would get to see Sasuke again.
She walked to home with Naruto. He seemed to be in a very bad mood. "What's wrong?" she asked.
"I just can't believe that someone like him is replacing Sasuke," he grumbled.
She laughed. "He's quite the potmouth, isn't he?" she said. "But if you really think about it, he's a lot like Sasuke; the voice, the looks…"
"Not at all! Sasuke's way cooler!" Naruto defended. She chuckled at that. He'd never say that if Sasuke were here. She decided to tease him a little further.
"You're right, Sasuke does somewhat seem a bit cooler than Sai," she said.
Naruto gaped at her. "What do you mean 'somewhat'? He's way better!"
"Yes, yes," she dismissed. "Totally better."
Naruto huffed. "You were the one with a crush on him!"
"Don't be bringing that up NOW!" she yelled as she made to punch him. He dodged and leapt onto the roofs.
"See ya, Ino-chan!" he called as he left. She watched his retreating back before heading off to her own home.
Ino didn't show it but she was genuinely worried about the mission. Not just because of the fact that they might be falling into a trap but also because of Naruto and Sai's animosity. It didn't help the teamwork that Kakashi had instilled within their minds from the very first time they he met them.
She says that but…
"I wouldn't be likened to the weak shit-for-brains Orochimaru clone that ran off for power and betrayed Leaf," Sai said.
He was making it really hard not to hate him.
She coated her fist with water. "Naruto said too much, please forgive him," she laughed.
"At least one of you is reasonable," Yamato sighed.
She surprised them all when she punched Sai into a tree. "On the other hand," she continued. "You don't have to forgive me."
Sai wiped the crimson blood off his chin. "You fooled me completely…" he muttered. "That fake laugh just now."
She clenched her jaw. "If you bad-mouth Sasuke one more time, I won't hold back," she warned. It wasn't a good idea to rile her teammate up, she knew, but she didn't have the patience that holding back required.
"I understand," he replied. "I will also be mindful of your acting."
She smirked her Misaki smirk. Yamato sighed as he created a wood cage. She blinked. Only the First was able to do that. Poking the sturdy wood to make sure it was real, she eyed their new captain. Just what was this guy?
xxxxx
Ino sighed as she relaxed into the hot spring. There was something about the heated water that always calmed her nerves. Or maybe it was just the fact that it was water? Nonetheless, it sure felt good. That relaxed state was ruined when Naruto started yelling about the male organs. That idiot really didn't know how to keep it down.
She went to bed in an extremely good mood. Not only was her room cool, it had a nice view and the futon was really comfortable. She wanted to cocoon herself in it forever but she knew that wasn't possible. She had a mission to do.
Ino awoke to the sound of chirping. She smiled at nothing, her good mood from last night still intact. She went about her usual morning routine. As she combed through her hair, she spotted Sai. Thinking that it was as good a time as any, she headed out to at least be on better terms with him.
The halls were neat and tidy with a few plants every so often. She hummed, in an ever better mood. It was still early though so she made sure not to be too loud; the patrons and Yamato would kill her.
She reached the platform that Sai was sat on. It overlooked the dense forest ahead. Continuing her humming, she sat next to the tense Sai. She nearly laughed at his rigidity but controlled it.
They continued like that for a while; one drawing, the other humming. Neither acknowledged the other. Ino waited until her song finished before she finally turned towards her team member. She watched him work, liking the way his face looked when he concentrated. He looked a lot better without the fake smile.
"You're pretty good," she complimented.
"Your voice is also good," he replied.
They stared at each other for a while before she broke out into a full out grin. "I really do like you, you know," she said. "Especially since you speak your mind."
Sai looked genuinely surprised. "I…am not sure about my feelings towards you," he said.
She laughed. "That's fine," she said. "Just make sure you don't say anything bad about Sasuke around Naruto, 'Kay?" she warned. He nodded.
They talked for a while after that. He was a pleasant guy if you ignored the permanent fake smile on his face. Their time was interrupted when Naruto came to get them. She sweatdropped when he insulted Sai's drawing. Boys.
Ino helped him pack his stuff since she'd already packed hers last night. She noticed something; a picture book! It wasn't printed so it meant that Sai had made it himself. She asked if he would show it to her sometime. He'd responded with a negative, stating that it was still incomplete and that it was his brothers. She'd have pressured him into showing it to her anyway if she hadn't noticed the solemn look on his face.
They met up with Yamato outside the lobby. Her good mood slowly failing the longer they walked—WALKED!—she sighed. The scenery was boring and there weren't even any animals to distract her. Not to mention the fact that all attempts at civil conversation failed. Either Naruto would spout something insulting or Sai would. It was quickly getting on her nerves. And so, they walked in silence until evening.
"Here's a good place to camp," Yamato said as he erected a freaking MANSION. Camp her ass.
They sat around the fire as they discussed their plan. Yamato would disguise himself as Sasori and restrain the target and if he were to fail, he would signal them for battle. If that were to happen, then they would fight with a partner. She was paired with Yamato whilst Naruto and Sai were the other pair. She had her doubts about the pairings and quickly voiced this.
"You're the only one with at least some knowledge of medical ninjutsu," Yamato explained. "To reduce the risks of you getting injured, I will be with you."
It was a reasonable enough explanation but she had a feeling there was something else at play here.
xxxxx
She watched the battle progress. Oh, Naruto. He had to go and use his own jutsu while still hedged as Sai? She sighed. It was clever at first but he'd sabotaged it in the end.
She listened to Sai's criticism that eventually led to bad mouthing Sasuke. Hadn't she warned him not to do that in front of Naruto? She fingered her hidden tanto. If it came down to it, she'd have to stop him.
"If it's to save a friend, I'll do anything," Naruto said. "Even work with you."
They watched him walk away. His chakra reflected his bad mood, dampening her own. Sai turned to her with a confused expression.
"Why does he still care about Sasuke?" he asked.
She looked down. "To him, Sasuke's like a brother," she said. "You should understand. You have a brother too, don't you?"
"No, not at all," he replied. "I have no emotions."
She saw Naruto scratch the tree bark as he picked up his bag. She eyed Sai. "But you said you had a brother…you can at least imagine how you would feel if he were to disappear."
Sai pondered this for a while. "I guess I can," he relented. "Since my brother's already dead."
She sighed. Talk of dead people again. She didn't know why she did it. Maybe she felt sorry for him? Or maybe she was just insane. She stepped forward and pat him on the head, much like she did to Naruto.
"I'd warned you not to bad mouth Sasuke around Naruto," she said. "But I'll forgive you just this once."
The blonde kunoichi spun around and started walking towards the path. There was no use stalling like that anyway. If they were late then all they'd done was for nothing.
She bid their new captain good luck as he walked, or rather HOBBLED, towards the spy. They watched the exchange as calmly as they could. Well, her and Naruto at least. Sai was as calm as any.
Ino nearly blew their cover when Orochimaru appeared. She calmed her beating heart; he could probably hear it over the wind! Well, plan ruined. Kabuto was with Orochimaru all along! She waited for the signal. Come on already! She nearly whooped when he finally did send them the signal.
"Oh my…" Orochimaru said. She ground her teeth. How dare he talk like he owned Sasuke! In her rage, she didn't even notice Naruto's chakra shift. It was too late when she did as she was pelted by debris. Just the aura was mind-numbingly terrifying.
Fear had her petrified when Naruto attacked Orochimaru with a beam of pure, devastating chakra. Who was this Naruto?
Kill…I must kill him.
Ino trembled at the sheer killing intent rolling off of her teammate. She half-listened to Orochimaru babble on about Yamato being his test subject. Well it certainly explained why he was able to use the First's techniques.
She gasped as Naruto lost all self control and sprouted another tail. Even the wind itself hurt as it lashed against her. The chakra was immense! "Naruto!" she yelled into the howling wind. She knew it was no use but she tried it anyway.
Amidst the chaos, Kabuto had somehow gotten close enough to Naruto to elicit a wild attack. She leapt out of the range of the devastating chakra. If he was able to cause so much damage with just chakra alone…
She screamed as she lost her footing and fell into the newly formed gap. Just her luck. She formed her seals, hoping with all she had that there was water down below. Lady Luck finally sparing her, she managed to create a blob of water that she could safely fall into. She guided it up, propelling her back to the battle. Sai didn't even try to help her!
She landed beside a worried Yamato. "Sorry about that," she apologized. He sighed but smiled at her anyway. Ino froze. "Taichou…" she croaked. "Something's happening to Naruto."
"How did you—"
"Sensor," she gasped. This chakra was too much for her to bear! She clutched her head, already feeling a massive headache coming. Great, just great. She was about to pass out when Kabuto spoke. She didn't really listen, she could care less about what he had to say at the moment. Besides, it wasn't like she'd be able to hear him anyway.
A shockwave interrupted all speech.
The chakra released was enough to make her see stars. She swayed. It reeked of malice. She jumped when Naruto landed near her position. The pressure finally becoming too much, she slumped against Yamato. She'd have to do something about her sensitivity to Naruto's chakra.
But Naruro's anguished cry was enough to send her careening towards him. Such a sad, lonely sound…no one should have to go through so much pain. She couldn't hear what Kabuto or Yamato said but she did hear Naruto's pleas.
Sasuke…I must save Sasuke…Kill, kill, kill…Ino-chan?
Ino lay in a heap, blood running down half her head and left arm. This thing wasn't Naruto anymore but he was still there somewhere and she would get him out! She grimaced as pain encompassed all other senses. Man this sucked.
Kabuto's foreign chakra healed her wounds. Not that she wasn't grateful but it felt like she was being violated for some reason. She groaned. Why did he heal her?
She watched as Yamato somehow sealed the chakra away. Just how had he'd one that? She gasped as she stood. The headache was still there and Kabuto hadn't been able to heal her arm completely. This was going to be bothersome. She kneeled in front of her teammate's body. She summoned the nearby water to cleanse his wounds and speed up the healing process. She still wasn't as good as a medic but it had to do. They watched as he reverted back to his normal self.
"Ino-chan?" Naruto murmured as he woke up. She laughed and hugged him tight.
"Never again, you hear me?" she whispered. "Never again."
