Hellu everyone.
I apologise for the ridiculously long months it has taken me to update this story. I have benmoving out to a new town and looking for new jobs and all sorts so I have been busy if that counts. This chapter is also a lot longer than usual, if that counts too. So I hope everyone enjoys it. I also how you arent all confused by one thing at the end but we'll get to that.
I'd like to thank my kind reviwers for Chapter 13: Gerren, DeiDeiArtistic, SunFlowerIce, and as usual Yuti-Chan. I'm sure there are more reviewers out there, so PLEASE, after reading, click the little review button and leave a comment any comment, constructive crit, praise what not I'd LOVE to hear from you! Thanks also to anyone who added this to their alerts, if you like it please let me know! Id appreciate it, add it to your alerts, drop me a message, review whichever you'd like!
I do not own Naruto, this is purely fan fiction, the concept is not canon and all views expressed are entirely my own unrelated to the manga and Anime x3
Crying; in the still of the night,
A yearning for shelter,
Silence kissing your wounds; soothing your pain,
Darkness; and what do they know,
'Bout losing direction, clutch at a straw
Cherish the hope to make it finally home
The Asylum – Edguy
If she was going to betray Konoha for the time being, it was at least going to be for a damn good reason. If changing herself for the better wasn't that reason then there just simply wasn't one good enough.
Ino left with Hidan and Deidara the following week.
She spent seven days tending to the Jashinist's repairing wounds with gentle care and attention she knew he didn't deserve. She had taken to stuffing something in his mouth; not to shut him up, but to lessen the affect of his constant potty mouth. She admitted she was somewhat square about swearing. She was used to the occasional reference to poo when something went wrong, or when Shikamaru liked to refer to an enemy as someone who was born out of wedlock, but Hidan took the biscuit when it came to colourful use of language. Ino was unsure that some of the words even existed and that occasionally he made up words when he just couldn't think of anything bad enough. Eventually sick of it on the afternoon of the second day, she'd grabbed a damp (and albeit slightly bloody) cloth, held his nose and waited for him to gasp for air. When he did she'd stuffed it full and carried on her business humming a tune she'd heard somewhere before.
She had learned a fair bit, and although unused to the type of medical freedom she was getting; had quickly determined that Katsumi seemed to trust her to improve his health and with this knowledge had secretly experimented on a few new ointments, knowing the opportunity to use a human guinea pig wouldn't come soon enough again. Although with Akatsuki; you could never be too sure. Hidan was also too dumb to think anything suspicious of it, not that it affected the immortal anyway, and it made Ino feel slightly better extracting some, even if it was small, revenge. In Konoha the closest Ino got to experimenting was with dead Hogs and that really didn't achieve the healing results she was after, the fact it was a corpse was the issuing factor she supposed.
Katsumi on the fifth day came to inspect her work and appeared (though Ino couldn't be too sure) to be impressed; deciding readily that Hidan was well physically enough to leave. She even commented on Ino's insight to quieten her patient (Katsumi had already sealed him, so he couldn't move). But what she seemed most in awe was, was that Ino had taken the time and effort to research into creams, ointments and medicines while she was tending to Hidan, even if she didn't say much about it. "You had the consideration to improve your skills whilst following my orders? Good."
Ino didn't reply to that. She just gave a curt humble nod and went to leave the room. She wasn't prepared for what came next.
"You leave on an S Rank mission with Deidara and Hidan tomorrow." The white haired female stated coolly. "I should hope when you return your melee skills will have improved substantially as well."
Ino paused and sucked hard on her cheeks to refrain from saying anything stupid. Instead after a brief moments cooling-off period she nodded. "My ambition to succeed is higher than your desire for me too." She offered, knowing the resolve in her heart was true.
Katsumi nodded, "Prepare yourself."
Ino had left the room quickly and swiftly to return to her quarters. She hadn't much to prepare and before she knew it, she was walking with the two men through a deep countryside full of hills and valleys.
She was certainly glad of the endurance training Tsunade had put her through; years ago she would have moaned and complained of all the effort and energy it took to climb such steep hills, but now there was a spring in her step that only hope could have placed, and she bounded up the rocky trails without so much as a stumble or gasp for breath. She scouted slightly ahead of the two men; who predictably; were arguing between themselves about something completely irrelevant and Ino was glad for the space.
Ino had learned quite simply, that Hidan was a vindictive antagonising little shit. She had known he had a temper and was made of pure venomous evil. But when you were fighting someone and trying to kill them, it didn't leave you much time to get to know them for a variety of reasons. The first was that any information on them could prove sympathetic. Children, a love for abandoned cats, a hatred of war; anything that could falter you from capturing or killing them. Another reason was that there wasn't time to sit down and have a drink with an enemy.
But now Ino had proved that theory wrong, not only was Hidan more annoying than he was before she got to know him, she also wanted to kill him slightly more if that was possible. Having said that, he'd been pretty good about not bringing up her Sensei yet, whether this was because he'd forgotten or because he was too busy having fun winding up Deidara; Ino wasn't entirely certain. But it meant he was leaving her alone, and that was good, she hardly expected him to be grateful to her for saving his pathetic excuse for a life.
She turned behind her, to see they were making their way up the path slowly behind her, Ino was inwardly surprised a fight hadn't broken out yet. Hidan's scythe was situated behind his back as usual and Deidara's bag of clay was zipped up tight. They hadn't been allowed to take the clay birds in fear of being found by Konoha or worse. Ino hadn't been informed of the mission, just that she was to accompany them and; as Katsumi had added in a hushed tone for only Ino to hear; to stop them from killing each other. Frankly Ino was really not convinced she could do that, she wasn't prepared to insert her mind into one of them even if she could in the middle of a fight to break it off, she'd wind up dead.
At least she thought she would, she wasn't sure which part of Hidan was immortal, his head or body; and who knew? It might work. The blonde kunoichi was in no rush to find out however.
Unlike Deidara or Hidan, she wasn't wearing an Akatsuki cloak. Considering the hot weather this was a good thing, she assumed the one she had worn in her first day had been on loan and that when she proved herself worthy she might get one. Again; she was in no rush to do this either. What she did have was a hat though, this wasn't an Akatsuki one, just a plain hat for the rice fields that Katsumi had given her to protect her from the sun.
Given the weather Ino assumed they were travelling into Fire country, for all that she wasn't going to ask; as she had the suspicion she wouldn't get an answer if she did.
They made the top of the hill and Ino paused to take in the scenery, it was truly stunning, rolling hills and vast valleys went on for miles into the far off horizon. For all its beauty, Ino did wonder how long it would take to reach their destination.
As it was; Deidara answered this thought without meaning too. "The village we stop at for today is at the bottom of that second hill, un" He paused, "If we continue at this speed we should make it at dusk. Tomorrow you must purchase new clothes on Katsumi's orders." He addressed to Ino.
The girl was surprised to hear this, "Oh? I hadn't though Akatsuki was of the charity giving type."
"It's not, un." Deidara answered lazily, "But they are simple clothes and not sufficient enough to sustain you if they get bloody, ripped or otherwise. Kakuzu handled all the money before, but now it has fallen unto Konan, yeah."
Ino hadn't heard of this member before, and mentally stored it in case it was to become useful. "Konan?" She asked.
Hidan scowled and interrupted, "Don't you tell her too much shit." He snapped, "She's more fucking useless than Tobi, she doesn't deserve to know jack shit yet."
Ino scowled irritably. Whatever Hidan's language, the actual meaning and worked because Deidara refrained from elaborating and Ino secretly wished they were alone; a slight blush spreading her soft cheeks. She turned away huffily and started stomping down the hill regardless of not really knowing the route.
Deidara's step was with her though as he laid a hand on her shoulder. Hidan was goading him into something else and Ino growled, "You'd be better off ignoring the fact he even exists. If you don't argue with him he might shut up. I have no restraining seal for him so we can stuff him full of sock."
Surprisingly, Deidara gave her an amused grin, something of a rarity; usually he was only happy blowing stuff up. "You are strange, un." He spoke, ignoring Hidan's irritated cries at being ignored behind them.
Ino blinked her blue eyes and turned to him as they walked. "How?" She asked.
"I wonder, why they have such an interest in you, yeah?"
"Well, I can't answer that. You don't need a medic, I'm certain they don't want me for spying, I'm not a fighter." Ino answered plainly. "I have come to the reason that I'm alive and as long as it stays that way while I have things to accomplish I don't care... much." She added in a defeated sort of way.
"You have changed in a week, un."
Ino shrugged. "I've been trapped in a hole with psychopaths, something had too."
"No no, un." Deidara replied. "You're more... mature, yeah?" He frowned, "Not because you plan to betray us, un."
"Do I look stupid?" Ino snapped.
"No." Deidara replied not realising she was growing irritated.
His words were true though, maybe it was the accomplishment of something small like the ointments, or the fact she had successfully healed Hidan on her own (after the first bit where she had to help Katsumi). But she noticed through the week, that achieving those things had sparked what she could only really describe as a tiny flame. The flame yearned to glow brighter and Ino had pushed herself. There would be no praise in Akatsuki, but if she knew she was doing something right in her heart it had always spurned her onwards; even if the outcome had sometimes been less than perfect.
"I can gain things I can't anywhere else." Ino added after a while, "The same as the rest of you; you can practice your art here... Hidan can worship his stupid imaginary friend-"
"Watch your fucking mouth about the Dark Lord!" Hidan added over-hearing.
Ino continued as if he wasn't there. "Katsumi can practice her medicines, and I bet half of that is illegal. Kakuzu had money... you all have reasons and don't have to justify them." She sighed, "I'm not entirely happy about it; I'm going to try not to be selfish about it."
"Good luck, un." Deidara replied. "Hurry up Hidan, yeah? We wanna make it by dusk, un."
"I need to fucking pray!" He cried.
"When we reach Hidden Village of the Flower, un." Deidara snapped, "Move your ass or I'll blow you apart again, un. That seems to be an efficient way of dealing with you, yeah."
Hidan retorted with more of his colourful use of language using two of his favourite choice words. Ino shook her head in disgust and kept walking.
Thankfully, they did actually make it by dusk, but by that time it was far too late to buy new clothes. "Where do we stay?" Ino asked anxiously as they walked through the placid little town. People were still milling about, closing down stores for the day and pulling their stalls away from the main street. It was a small town, much smaller than Konoha, but it had a pleasant air to it. Ino noticed a lot of people giving nods or tiny bows as they passed.
"This town is one of the few who swear their allegiance to the Hidden village of Rain despite the distance, un." He informed her. "Also, the leader is paid off, un." He added with a sadistic grin.
Ino gave him an uneasy smile; they walked along the dusty gravelled streets until they finally made it to a modest sized hotel and baths. Here a true smile formed on her face, women baths, a warm bed and clean sheets. This she would definitely get used too. They walked inside to an inviting small reception area and Deidara rang the bell on the counter. A young girl appeared from behind a curtain shielding the back room from view. "Welcome to the White Lily hotel!" She said brightly, "How can I be of assistance?"
"We have a room un." Deidara answered a cold look in the one blue eye that was visible.
The girl looked at them and nodded slipping a hand under the counter and producing two keys attached to plastic door numbers. "The usual two rooms on the top floor." The girl answered continuing to smile; she swept her black hair back loosely and lifted the counter top so she could step out. "I'll show you the way."
Ino followed obediently. The walls were painted a walnut cream colour, and there were windows open at every interval to let bright light and cool air in, each with a special net to keep insects out. They climbed two floors and eventually on the third floor there were only two doors ahead of them, rooms one and two. The girl handed the keys to Deidara, bowed politely and excused herself descending the stairs. Deidara held a key out to Ino and she took it grateful she didn't have to share a room with them. Although she was secretly wondering whether it was a good idea for them to share a room, it may have been better for Hidan to room alone; where the only person he could irritate was himself. She hoped Deidara didn't kill him by morning.
"I don't think you're stupid, un." He repeated. "So don't think you can outrun us, yeah?"
Ino couldn't be bothered to argue, so just nodded and unlocked her room.
It was small and cosy, a bathroom was on the left as she stepped in. The windows were open letting in a nice cool breeze and the lilies on the bed side table were gently swaying. There was a bed and a chair with a little desk. Large white fluffy towels were on the chair, and upon the desk was a small leaflet on the hotel.
She lifted the towels and sunk onto the chair heavily, picking the leaflet up which gave her brief directions to the baths. She plopped her bag on the bed and lifted the towels into her arms. Tucking the key into her pocket she exited the room quietly again and heard more arguing from the other room. Giving a small sigh she descended the stairs and made her way to the baths.
The water was hot and soothing. Ino felt every pore open and with the steam could feel the dirt and grime ebb off of her sweaty body. Her towels were at the side, her long hair hanging loosely down her back, half wet; half dry. Slowly she ducked under the water; running her hands through her hair with soft soap, the water felt so good on her skin and as she splashed up she settled back against the side of the baths; closing her eyes peacefully.
Ino had no idea how long she lay there, but eventually she opened her eyes, noticing her skin had a soft peachy feel and that her feet were quite wrinkly. She lifted a hand for her two towels and quickly stood up to wrap one around herself. The other towel she wrapped around her long hair piling it in a coil atop of her head. Her clothes were missing, but a card had been left signifying of the hotel cleaning service. Ino didn't mind she was not about to slip into dirty, sweaty clothes.
As she walked back to her room, clutching the towel tight at her chest. She passed two other women and a man making their own way to the baths in their towels. They smiled at her as she passed. Ino smiled back, they were so free, unlike her.
As she walked up the first staircase and rounded the corner at the top, two men were unlocking their own room. They turned to her, giving a leering smile that made Ino feel uncomfortable, she was certain she recognised the men from somewhere, and that made her deduce in her mind that they may be from Konoha, as it was the only place she had ever been where she might take notice of someone twice.
Since neither of them were wearing headbands there was no way she could tell. Thankfully her hair was still wrapped in the towel and out of her face. She sincerely hoped they wouldn't recognise her. There was no real reason why they should if they were normal citizens. Konoha was a big place; you couldn't possibly know everybody... but if they knew her father. She made it back to her room and slipped inside.
Taking the robe from the bathroom and keeping her hair up in the towel, she opened her bag and pulled on some underwear and loose bottoms and a top to sleep in. Then taking a deep breath she stepped out of the room and knocked on the door besides her own.
"Yes?" Came the answer.
She opened the door slightly and seeing only Deidara sat on the bed playing with a small amount of clay she stepped inside and closed the door behind her. She had an obligation to tell him of her worries even if he dismissed them as nothing.
"Where's Hidan?" She asked looking around.
"Gone to do one of his rituals, un. Don't look for him, yeah?"
Ino shuddered. "Right." Remembering why she'd ventured into his room in the first place she added cautiously. "There are some men in one of the rooms below. I think I recognise them from somewhere."
Deidara looked up, his blue eye fixated on her. He thought about it silently, she didn't elaborate, just waited for his opinion. It was plausible that there were Konoha ninjas that were on other missions that could recognise who she was. Having said that, it had been a week, he was certain Konoha would have moved by now, but would they have been able to track them so quickly? This he doubted. It seemed to him to be sheer coincidence. "Are you sure you identify with them?" He asked to make sure.
"Well I can't honestly think where I might have seen them otherwise."
"We should dispose of them, un."
"No!" She acted out without thinking. Deidara eyes her suspiciously. Ino looked down solemnly. "I'm not used to that yet, I haven't... I haven't cut the ties that bind yet. Please... they may not know who we are, and if that is the case then we would be killing them and provoking them for no reason. I think we should wait for them to make the first move."
Whether she was trying to protect them or not, Deidara knew her battle strategy was correct. She knew she was right too because there was a glint of argumentative determination in her eyes. He nodded in agreement. "We need to avoid pointless confrontation, un. We need to stay undetected, yeah."
"Great." Ino commented dryly. "So whose idea was it to let Hidan loose alone?" Deidara's eyes widened in realisation. Ino groaned in exasperation. "We have to go get him before he causes chaos..."
"He'll be at a bar, un." Deidara advised. "Go get dressed, un."
"They took my clothes for cleaning." She explained.
Deidara left, seemingly ignoring her, leaving the door to swing aimlessly in his wake. Ino stood for a few moments thinking the situation through before stepping out through the door. Deidara reappeared again with a pile of clothes.
"Here, un. Be quick."
Ino nodded accepted the pile and rushed into her room to change into the clean clothes.
She pulled her wet hair into a tight ponytail and elaborately wrapped it quickly into a bun, taking some chopsticks out of her bag to secure it. At least it was less noticeable that it was wet now, and was well out of her face.
She and Deidara left the hotel quickly and he lead her towards the back outskirts of the town. Ino kept a cautious eye over her shoulder out of habit, but nothing was really out of the ordinary, she didn't know why she expected someone to be following them. No one had even seen them leave the hotel the streets were so empty now... the evening was waning on; as of yet there were no signs of trouble.
The area they entered on the other hand was nasty. Drunks were hanging out outside doorways, and at the occasional corner stood or sat a young woman. Ino cringed inwardly, eventually Deidara lead her to a dingy looking bar with an ill-tempered looking bouncer stood outside. He stood aside to let them in, leering at Ino as she passed.
The light inside was dingy and cigarette smoke filled the air. Ino waved it out of her face and spotted Hidan sat with a pretty girl, about Ino's own age. Deidara spotted him too and stomped over, the blonde kunoichi trying to keep up. Hidan lifted his head as they approached and sneered.
"What are you doing here?"
"We need to get back it's an emergency, un." Deidara stated.
Hidan told Deidara to go and do something with himself. Ino looked at the girl who looked slightly annoyed and slightly scared, she took a moment to scowl at Ino and the blonde shook her head pathetically. "He's going to use you for one of his rituals. If you don't want to die, go home."
The girl's mouth hung open as she turned her head from Hidan to Deidara and back again. She stood up, flipped her hair behind her back and left ignoring Hidan's protests.
Hidan swore again before adding, "What's the fucking emergency?"
"We could be being followed, yeah." Deidara snapped irritably, "And you're drawing attention to yourself, un. We need to keep a low profile, un. If you do your ritual tonight and something happens our cover will be blown, yeah. It will only cause trouble, un."
"As soon as this fucking mission is over, I'm performing my fucking ritual on you!" The Jashinist snarled at Deidara. Hidan stood up and stomped off, leaving Ino and Deidara to follow.
"Hey your tab!" The Bar tender called.
"Eat shit, Dickhead!" Hidan retorted over his shoulder.
No one argued as the bouncer bowed them out.
The next morning Ino rose bright and early from a good night's rest. They had made it back to the hotel with no problems aside from Hidan's constant whining. They had seen no more of the two ninjas she was worried about, and Ino dismissed her earlier thoughts happily. In this instance she was glad she had been wrong.
She got dressed and packed up her small collection of belongings and made her way down to the breakfast room where it was agreed they would meet.
Her eyes lit up with delight when she saw the spread before her.
She seated herself down at the table and a waiter came and offered her a napkin whilst she salivated over the food. It looked glorious. Steamed rice lay to her left and miso soup to the right. There was both salted salmon and dried horse mackerel steaming on a plate in the middle. Next to that lay dried seaweed and fermented soy beans for her to take as much as she wished. Rolled omelettes were piled high next to a steaming pot of green tea.
She poured herself a cup as Deidara and Hidan entered the room and pulled chairs out to sit with her. Hidan ate like a pig, piling food high on his plate and getting it everywhere. Deidara was slightly more refined; Ino ignored both as she savoured every delicious morsel that passed her lips. It was almost as good as her mothers... it seemed even this food couldn't take away the taste of home.
They finished quickly; another day of walking ahead of them, and Ino also knew that she had clothes to get as well. Deidara ushered her and Hidan out of the Hotel soon after, leading them down a windy street. Unlike the day before, this time the town was hustling and bustling with daily life. Stalls were already set up, friendly tenders calling to them and waving about their goods. The tall blonde stopped in front of a small shop on the corner of the street and addressed Hidan. "Keep watch, un."
Hidan growled and looked away irritably as Deidara pushed Ino inside. Incense was burning, leaving a musky vanilla scent in the air. The door had a small bell hanging from it and the chime had attracted the attention of what was obviously the owner, a tiny man with a moustache that made him look like a rat poking over a toothbrush in Ino's opinion. "Deidara" He cried waddling towards them excitably. "I thought you were dead!"
"You thought otherwise, un." Deidara replied. He placed a hand on Ino's back and pushed her forwards. "She needs new clothes. You will be paid the usual way."
A smile erupted under the little mans facial hair and with strength Ino didn't think a small man could have pulled her forward and up onto a pedestal while he took measurements.
"Good height." He mumbled away to himself as he continued, making Ino slightly angry. "How old are you?"
"16." Ino answered, not elaborating.
"Mmmm," He said still continuing with his tape measure, "Good posture, strong muscles from training, smaller bust than expected-" Ino felt herself turn crimson and glared at him furiously. He stopped measuring and pulled back. "Yes now I have some questions for you, What is your favourite colour and what skills do you possess?"
"Oh." Ino's anger waned and she shrugged, taken aback by the question. "I'm a medic ninja, with good chakra control and... mind control... and violet I suppose."
"I see." The old man commented, with that he wondered off behind the scenes, soon returning with some items of clothing and two boxes. "You seem to need something that will keep you inconspicuous, with enough comfort for you to move quickly... much unlike Katsumi or Konan..." he trailed off and started handing her the garments. "Go and get changed behind that curtain." He instructed waving her off.
Ino did as she was told. She pulled the curtain too and started undressing. The clothes were extremely light. She knew this was so she could move quickly without being dragged down. Firstly she pulled on the undergarments. A short sleeved fish-net shirt and fish-net shorts, next; a bandaged vest to wrap around her middle... reminiscent of her younger days, her eyes saddened. The top was deep violet, she pulled it on, it had short cute off the shoulder sleeves and with it came some fish-net arm protectors like she usually wore. She pulled these on before pulling the deep Violet skirt up and securing it at the waists. In the middle of the back and front a longer drape of fabric hung loose. Finally she opened the one of the identical boxes and saw the shoes. A pang of regret again, they were identical to the ones Tsunade wore.
She slipped them on and pulled open the curtain. The mirror on the other side of the room showed her that she looked beautiful, and the clothes were comfy and convenient. Deidara nodded in approval. "These are sufficient, un?"
"Oh yes." Ino replied, securing her small sword and medical pouch at her waist.
"We'll be leaving then, un." Deidara turned and without a word of good-bye left the shop the bell chiming.
Ino gave the man a short bow and hurried after Deidara. On her way out she heard him call, "I shall have the second set sent to the usual place!"
The door closed behind her and Hidan sniffed. "That's what took you so fucking long?"
"Yes." Ino said and left it at that. She wasn't going to argue with him, they had to be on their way. With that last errand sorted they left the town behind them for a second day of walking. Ino knew the heels might not last long, and was glad for her normal kunoichi boots in her bag.
The day wore on with more bickering and arguing between the men, and Ino was glad when they stopped for a short break roughly fifteen miles what she thought was south of the town. They stopped in a clearing near a spring and she went to refill her small water bottle with water. Their pace had been brisk, but she was enjoying the cool air and breeze with the walk. She loved the outdoors especially when it was sunny.
She didn't think anything untoward was occurring until the explosion sounded behind her. She span around expecting Hidan to be blown to pieces, Deidara finally sick of his attitude, but the smoke was too thick to be anything of Deidara's. Her eyes widened and in the confusion she dashed into the bushes to survey the situation as the smoke cleared.
Hidan burst into peels of maniac laughter. "I told you we were being fucking followed!" He yelled gleefully as the smoke dispersed. There was a wide grin on his face as he unsheathed his triple bladed scythe. "Looks like Jashin gets a fucking sacrifice after all!"
Deidara coughed waving the remnants of the smoke out of his face. He quickly looked around for Ino and was certain when he saw nothing that she was hiding. Good, he figured. He unzipped his clay satchels and cast his eye around for the perpetrators.
A ninja was in front of him before he could blink, his reflexes kicked in and he jumped back, the kunai nicking his cheek as he did so. He licked at the blood and paused staring the other ninja down. He spared a glance at Hidan who was throwing his scythe with such brutality; Deidara was certain he'd get hit at some point if he didn't move elsewhere.
"Akatsuki, we are here to arrest you!" The one man called in front of Deidara.
"This is our territory." Deidara answered simply.
"Within Fire country and its Konoha's duty to reprimand you S-Rank criminals."
Ino's eyes widened, her theory had been right. They were from Konoha, she had recognised them. Damn, what was she supposed to do now? The last thing she needed was to get caught, they'd take her back and interrogate her and she was sure Akatsuki would come after her to shut her up. She needed to stay hidden... at least till she was sure she could do something worthwhile.
What would Shikamaru do in this situation? Ino-Shika-Cho formation only really worked well when they were together, how could her mind technique help her this time?
"We've already called for back-up from others stationed near to this area." The man added, "Don't try to run."
"I'm not fucking running!" Hidan yelled in delight. "I need a good fight! Bring it on pussy!" The white haired man ran forward throwing his scythe as he went, one drop; just one drop was all he needed...
The scythe slashed at the air as the second ninjas shadow clone disappeared. Hidan growled angrily, he hated being fooled by such cheap tricks. He span around and narrowly missed the shower of shurikens thrown at him. He knew he could take them without any huge damage but he wasn't prepared to take a hit for no reason.
His scythe flew back to him and he paused analysing his surroundings. Usually he wasn't one to do that, but Kakuzu and Katsumi wasn't around to repair him if anything happened and after his last fight he refused to get incapacitated twice. He concentrated and sent the scythe out towards his opponent again, running at him with the force of a mad man, again the scythe missed as he ducked under it, flying backwards before Hidan gave a hefty tug and it changed direction sailing back towards him. This time he had been too quick. This time the highest blade ripped through the man's sleeve and with a yell he fell back, recovering quickly and glaring back.
Hidan caught his weapon deftly and held it too his face. He took a good sniff and smiled euphorically, before slowly poking out his tongue to lap up the coppery tasting bodily fluid.
The man didn't seem shocked, they never did, and they usually just thought it was him acting disgustingly cannibalistic, but he knew better. He pulled his own knife, bending down quickly, he zipped the blade across the bottom of his leg, and waited for it to dribble down his foot.
"You're insane!" The Konoha ninja yelled.
Hidan only laughed as he began to draw the circle with his foot. "I hope your back up is close because otherwise you're as good as fucking dead!"
Watching Hidan turn skeleton like only bought back haunting memories for Ino. She fell backwards, tears brimming at her eyes and her legs shaking like jelly. She tried to take deep breaths but knew from her medical training that she could ebb into shock. She couldn't close her eyes or the images of Asuma dying penetrated her mind, she couldn't stare at the fight because she couldn't take Hidan's evil.
She placed her face in her hands and wept silently for a few minutes, and eventually when she felt no more tears would come she lifted her head and began to use her chakra to calm herself. It took a while and by then she could hear that reinforcements from Konoha had arrived. She prayed hard there was no one there that she knew personally, she already realised they were probably going to die and she was probably going to have to help.
But to keep Shikamaru and the rest of Konoha safe she had to do it for the greater good. She stumbled up and held a chakra infused hand over her heart, where she began to calmly regulate the beating a bit better. She felt her lungs open to take in deeper gasps of air and eventually she felt better to return to look.
Deidara was surrounded, and kunai's were being held at his throat, his arms pinned behind his back. There was no way he could move without inducing one of them to strike him, his clay bombs were useless, unless he could get clay to the mouths on his palms. Ino was surprised Hidan hadn't told them they were being followed, if he had, Deidara surely could have prepared an ambush. Hidan was an idiot, Ino realised he hadn't told them because he was ready for a good and bloody fight. She swore uncharacteristically, adding maiming him to her list of things to do when this was over.
Hidan as of yet had been unable to issue any form of sadistic punishment to his own body when Deidara was being held captive.
"Where's the girl you were with?" The Konoha leader asked glaring at Deidara.
"What girl, un?" He asked lying.
"You were with a girl, she's been with you since we were following you and I saw her at the hotel last night... headquarters have reason to believe she's being held captive."
"If she was, she would be here now, yeah?" Deidara answered simply. "But she's not, un. She was just a girl we picked up for a good time, un."
Ino cringed but remained silent. Hidan, she noted was furious. Unable to do anything but stand there because Deidara wasn't immortal. Working with Kakuzu had sucked, but this was a lot worse. "Get out of the circle." One of them snapped at him. "We have the information on you Hidan, and your spell only works in the circle, so get out of it or we kill the other one."
"If you fucking kill pretty boy, then what will happen?" Hidan raised an eyebrow and laughed evilly, "It'll be a fucking free for all! I won't have jack shit to lose-"
He was cut short by a sharp kick to the stomach. Careful not to hit anything vital, the ninja he had ingested blood from had kicked him so hard in the gut Hidan flew several feet. The pain for the ninja was brief, as Hidan was only in the circle for a few seconds. Coughing Hidan looked up as the other ninja advanced on him.
He had landed several feet away from Ino and too far away from the circle to do any damage.
This was surely what she had wanted? Both men to be incapacitated; captured, taken back to Konoha and tortured, she would be able to see her family again... Sakura, Shikamaru, Choji and Naruto. Her girl friends Tenten and Hinata, her Sensei's Shizune and Tsundae... she lifted a hand into her pouch and pulled out the ointment she had created.
Staring at it she frowned. She had never had to make a more horrible decision before. Even leaving Konoha was not as big a betrayal as what she could feel herself about to do. If she returned to Konoha what was waiting? More hopes and aspirations but no good to ever come of it. She wasn't strong enough to go back to Konoha yet.
She stuffed the ointment back into her pouch and stood up forming a special seal with her hands. She truly hoped it worked as she wouldn't have much time. The ninjas turned to her but it was too late for that now. Her mind left her body and travelled straight, at the one target they would least expect.
Being in Hidan's body was more disgusting than she'd anticipated. She didn't feel anything whatsoever, other than the creepy feeling that someone was in the body with her, someone that wasn't Hidan. She really hoped the idiot could figure out what she was thinking. She had no time to ponder however, because the next moment her new attacked launched a barrage of kunai at her. Unable to move Ino closed her eyes and waited for the impact.
The pain was excruciating. She had never been attacked or injured so badly before unable to contain it, she let out a roar. Her left leg, left forearm, stomach, right chest, right foot and shoulder had been struck. She had been expecting it, the moment she made her plan she knew it was going to happen. She cried out again in anguish, throbbing and stinging from the agony of it all.
The assailant looked confused at first, wondering why on earth Hidan was yelling in pain when usually he loved the feel of it. The enemy had no idea what she'd done. Her own body had fallen backwards to the floor seemingly unconscious, glancing at her quickly to make sure she couldn't move... or to make sure Hidan couldn't move; he peered quickly over to the bushes but her body didn't stand back up.
He bent back down to her and forcefully grabbed the kunai in her shoulder and twisted. This time Ino was slightly more ready and she gritted her teeth, sounds still emitted from it. Horse throaty muffled yells.
"I thought you were supposed to enjoy this, you freak!" He stated. He turned back to the bushed again and shook his head. "Well at least we know where she is, but she's fainted at the sight of all this so she won't be bothering-"
Ino watched her body stand up, seemingly of its own accord and start laughing ridiculously. Through the suffering she closed her eyes tight. He made her look ridiculous.
It was at this point Deidara started paying attention. He had seen Ino stand up and faint, but hadn't actually realised she'd done anything... other than faint. Sure he had been slightly surprised when Hidan had yelled out in pain, but now he understood. He couldn't believe it, the plan was ingenious.
Hidan eventually got the point, he started running, and not away from the battle but in it. He passed his own body managed to kick the fully grown man away with the girl's strength. It wasn't much more than he expected but it gave him an opening. He reached his destination and laughed more maniacally.
The other ninja had no clue what was happening. They advanced towards him but he held a kunai to his throat. "No closer." He warned. "No fucking closer or I'll slit it you hear!"
They stopped abruptly and grimaced. The plan was perfect, he couldn't believe the stupid girl had come up with it, and it was working. His immortality was transferred also through his mind and it was keeping her body alive. He knew her technique. If the body she was in was killed or wounded the damage was done on her own body. But there was nothing, not one scratch.
The distraction was all Deidara needed, the next moment there was another terrific boom. The Konoha ninjas surrounding Deidara were blasted backwards with agonising yells. Deidara's smile grew as tiny little spiders scuttled away from him. Spiders were always his art of choice; they were small and extremely good at remaining undetected. Even now, the ninjas barely noticed them as they began to stumble up holding their wounds.
Deidara turned away as they began to climb and latch onto the enemy. With no more thought about it he headed towards Hidan and Ino, he clapped his hands together once more satisfyingly and grinned wickedly. Moments later a series of smaller explosions sounded this time the screams were brief. The ninjas stopped moving.
From Hidan's body, Ino felt slightly sick, she hoped they were still alive, Their faces were contorted in pain, she could sense that some were still breathing with her medical skills but there was no way she could aid them now. She gripped at her side and bracing herself reached over to pull the kunai out of her shoulder. She gritted her teeth, or more correctly Hidan's teeth and pulled. It felt like she was pulling out barbed wire, and threw it aimlessly to the side. Looking down uncomfortably she reached for the next one in her chest and yanked it out hard and quickly. Again she gritted her teeth and growled hoarsely.
Hidan was still holding the Kunai to her throat, but with Deidara walking towards them he grinned proudly. "You should have killed me when you had the chance." He stated.
Ino's eyes widened, he wouldn't surely be so stupid to...
Hidan flicked the kunai another way and thrust it backwards towards him, stabbing himself in Ino's body, right where her kidneys lay, and he was within the circle too. The other ninja stumbled and fell forward in pain. Tears streamed from his eyes as Hidan began playing with it. Blood started to seep through Ino's new clothes. From Hidan's body she grimaced, he was such a stupid selfish idiot!
Deidara; stopped by her side and held a hand out to her. She took it, and he pulled her up. Ino winced gingerly at the pain and stumbled towards her own body that Hidan was still occupying. She cast a look down; the Konoha ninja was already dead. Hidan had missed vital organs she assumed, but it didn't matter, he was gone. Ino prayed he didn't have kids.
"It's better this way, un." Deidara stated."No one can report you were here. Or that you helped us, un."
Ino nodded miserably. That was great, but she couldn't help feeling the guilt.
"Can I have my fucking body back now; I want to do my ritual." Hidan snapped, pulling the kunai from her stomach and sucking on it.
"Stop that, it's my blood you fool." She snapped. "Get out of the circle, I need to heal you... me, before I can go back. Your immortality is keeping us both alive right now, I don't think it will when we transfer back."
Hidan made a disgruntled noise and stepped aside.
Ino dragged her feet towards him and using as much energy as she could muster lay Hidan's hands on her stomach and began to try and heal herself. It was easier than she had anticipated, obviously Hidan's immortality was aiding her, and she noted that he had a lot more chakra than she did in her own body. She concentrated with her eyes closed, and felt her way to heal what he'd damaged.
He had missed her vital organs, though very narrowly she noted duly. He obviously didn't care much for her body, she wouldn't be switching minds with him again anytime soon, but the fact was, it had worked. It had worked and she couldn't believe it. Deidara seemed surprised as well as he addressed her, "How did you know you would live, un?"
"I didn't." She admitted. "It was a chance, you were in trouble... you let your guard down, we need to be more careful."
"What do you mean you didn't know it was going to fucking work!" Hidan cried, "I could have lost my fucking immortality in this shitty body!"
Ino scowled at him. "I knew you would be ok!" She cried, "You spent months in pieces at the bottom of a cave with rocks! It was me I worried about!"
Hidan shut up, and within moments she was finished. "I'm done." She said, and without a moment for him to comment, she released her special technique and thrust his mind out of her body. The pain ebbed away instantly, and blinking her blue eyes, there was just a soreness emitting from where he'd stabbed her. The wound was deep but healed, she thought it might scar a little bit, but she cast a hand into her pack pocket and extractedone of the special creams she made, and began to rub it on liberally.
Once satisfied she stepped towards the stream to wash her hands.
Hidan had taken no time whatsoever; to lie in his stupid circle and stake himself with the metal rod he carried around with him. His eyes were closed and he was mumbling some chant under his breath. He was still black with the skeletal appearance. Ino sat down turned away from him and sadly looked down at her ruined new clothes.
"It will happen quite often, un." Deidara approached her and sat beside her. "You have more, un."
Ino nodded in agreement.
Deidara continued. "That was brave of you, yeah." Ino realised it wasn't a compliment. He was shocked she'd had the idea and the courage to follow through with it. "You withstood a lot of pain, un." The young girl couldn't answer; she thought back on it and cast a look around at the scattered bodies that lay around them like dead flies. Deidara had been brutal with the bombs, there were limbs unattached from bodies, and blood was everywhere.
"What do we do now?" She asked.
"Can you sense anyone around here, un?" He asked.
She closed her eyes for a minute then shook her head. "No."
"We should be ok to stay here until he finishes his ritual, un. Then when we have cleared the area we will have to report to leader-sama, un."
Deidara was mildly confused, she seemed miserable, and he couldn't understand why... she had done a great job, and had saved them both. Although he was certain they would have been able to handle the situation even if she wasn't there (they were Akatsuki for goodness sake); she had taken the initiative to act on her own, without knowing of the consequences... Acting like that was the key to making your own techniques and succeeding. Putting your body on the line was one of the main ways to test your techniques.
Whatever Leader-Sama, did have in store for her, the doubts that were in Deidara's mind abated slightly. Although she didn't exude confidence and arrogance now, as she sat quietly, silent tears dripping down her soft cheeks, the determination was there. Perhaps there was something worthy in there after all.
So hopefully Ino using mind body switch to SWITCH places with Hidan wasn't too complicated. She had more growing to do in my story so this is really the first of one of the new tactics she may use and improve on.
Thanks everyone for reading, you'll be pleased to know I'm eating lunch and writing the next chapter. So I won't promise to get it up soon especially since I travel to Germany next week for a few days. Literally; ANYTHING TO GET AWAY FROM THAT POXY, OVER PRICED, RIDICULOUS, OVERBEARING ROYAL WEDDING. So next week I shall be acting as though I live in a cave... a German one.
Much Loves!
Wiggle xxxx