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: I wish.

Chapter 14

All was peaceful in the quaint room. Purple curtains billowed in the cool afternoon breeze. On a desk, a healthy rose was perched atop an innocent looking red letter. The tranquility was interrupted by an oncoming storm. A flash of yellow bounced about the room, knocking over several things in the process. Clothes were scattered on the carpet, worn ninja tools discarded on the bed and neatly piled scrolls had fallen. The rose was now crushed on the ground.

Ino dashed to her teammate's apartment. Tsunade had summoned them both to her office. Ino had to wonder what it was she wanted to talk about. Their training? The blonde sweatdropped. She was slowly but surely progressing. Hey at least she could heal, albeit slowly.

"Ino-chan?" Naruto said, mouth stuffed with noodles. She didn't even explain as she dragged the protesting teen with her. They were late enough as it was.

"Glad you finally decided to grace us with your presence," Tsunade sardonically said. Naruto shrugged, still munching on his noodles. Her eye twitched. Thank goodness Jiraiya was there to calm the Senju down.

"My apologies, Lady Tsunade," she bowed. "I had some trouble with my master." She wasn't lying either. Her heterochromatic sensei had decided to punish her recent gloominess by trapping her inside an impenetrable glass cage. She'd tried everything—taijutsu, ninjutsu, everything! Then she realized something that made her feel like a total idiot. Misaki's style focused on emotions!

Tsunade cleared her throat, snapping her out of her memory. Ino straightened at the busty Hokage's serious expression. "Word is going around that Sasuke has killed Orochimaru," the older blonde said.

Run to him, idiot! He's waiting for you!

"That what are we waiting for?" Naruto exclaimed, food shooting out his mouth. She sent him a disgusted look. "Let's go meet him right now!"

"It's not that simple," Jiraiya interjected. Tsunade sighed, a forlorn expression settling on her young features.

A black hawk perched on the red roof outside and squawked at them. Beady eyes seemed to stare right through her soul; much like how he used to. A chilling wind burst in through the open windows, sending shivers down her spine.

She sighed as Naruto swore. He could be so naïve it almost hurt to watch. Sasuke wouldn't be back anytime soon, something she'd learned to accept the past couple of days. Her only hope was the returned necklace that seemed cold against her skin. She knew she dropped the accessory back at Orochimaru's base yet it somehow found its way back to her. Who else could have returned it but Sasuke? Don't get her wrong, it hurt that he would choose revenge over them but she knew there was no helping it.

"We need to talk to Itachi then!" Naruto said.

"It's not that easy," Ino remarked. "Capturing an Akatsuki member is really dangerous, Naruto."

"She's right," Kakashi confirmed. "It's either too dangerous or not an option."

"Then what are we supposed to do?" Naruto demanded. Kakashi smiled.

"The only thing we can do," he replied. "Get to him before Sasuke does."

xxxxx

Rain poured down on the leaf, dampening everything; including her mood. Ino stretched as she watched animals scurry into their homes, almost tempting her to use genjutsu on them. But of course she wouldn't do that. Misaki tortured enough people for the both of them.

She really needed to do something about her sadistic urges.

"We sure got stuck with some lousy weather," Kakashi commented. She agreed.

"Let's gooooooo!" Naruto exclaimed. Really. She rolled her eyes at him.

"Cool down will you?" she chastised. He never did let anything ruin his mood. She smiled fondly. His spirit was admirable.

"Sorry," he apologized as they sprinted into the trees. Kiba laughed.

"We'll move in two man teams," Kakashi stated as he summoned his ninja dogs. She smiled at the dogs who chose to go with her. They were small and looked really fast so she had no doubts about them being able to keep up with her. "If anyone encounters either of our targets, flee and return straight here," he said. They nodded their affirmations. "Spread out!"

The thick forest was dreary. Civilians walked to and fro but none of them were her target. She furrowed her eyebrows. Sasuke…

"We've found him!"

Her heart sped up. "Let's go!"

They followed the faint scent of their target into a busy town. She kept her senses alert, trying to help locate the Uchiha as much as she could. It was hard, trying to look for a specific chakra signature amidst a mass of people but she knew she could do it. For Naruto.

"The scent is moving away now," one of the dogs announced. Ino cursed. She hadn't felt his signature at all! Where the hell was he?

Run.

A massive explosion on chakra surprised her. Her mouth formed a grin. Found him. "Let's go!" she announced as she sped towards the direction of the chakra. There was no doubt about it; these chakra signatures were Deidara, Sasuke and another unknown person. She hoped she'd get there in time.

The ninja hounds howled as they neared the chakra signatures. Her excitement getting the better of her, Ino forgot all about Kakashi's order to flee. Sasuke's dark aura overwhelmed her. Of course he'd use it. She clenched her fists, willing herself to ignore the ominous chakra. She was so close!

The dreary forest became a blur. She was going so fast even the summons had a hard time keeping up. A battle was definitely happening. Ino cursed as she was blasted backwards by a huge explosion. She blinked, clearing her vision of the black spots. Gathering her bearings, she noticed that she was alone. Where were the ninja hounds? Had they fled? She stood and continued on towards the battle. The tree barks supported her slightly limping body. Her back was definitely full of bruises.

Sapphire met ruby as she stared into those deep, sad eyes she'd come to love. "What are you doing here?" he hissed at her. His voice was still as alluring as when she'd last seen him.

Run.

Ino snapped out of her stupor. "Looking for someone," she breathed. Then she noticed something. Why was the air vibrating with chakra? She gasped as Sasuke grabbed her and propelled them away from the chakra-filled field.

"Stay here," he ordered as he activated the cursed seal and flew off towards a giant bird in the sky. How hadn't she noticed that before? The blonde frowned at her own stupidity. Who could miss such a thing? Especially a sensor!

She definitely noticed this one though.

Run!

Ino sped towards the Uchiha. To concentrate so much chakra into one place…it was suicide! She ground her teeth as she grabbed Sasuke's arm and got them both out of the way. The brilliant light of the explosion blinded her, rendering her sight useless for a few moments. The blonde hissed as she and Sasuke pummeled into a tree. With ragged breaths, she examined the other teen. His chakra was way too low; he was almost completely depleted! She pursed her lips. The cuts weren't a pretty sight either.

Sasuke momentarily closed his eyes. His mind reeled from the recent happenings. The adrenaline rush was a welcome change from the dullness he'd been feeling but why now? Of all times, she had to appear now. She was as he'd remembered her to be. The same silky blonde tresses, the same breathtaking eyes, the same fiery attitude and presence that demanded to be noticed. Yet something had changed within her. His eyes shot open in distaste.

"Are you an idiot?" Ino demanded. He exhaled. She glared at his aloof demeanor.

He looked her over. "You're hurt," he commented. She almost laughed out loud. Seriously, this guy.

"Worry about yourself," she murmured as she placed a hand on his bleeding arm. Her legs were indeed a bit burnt but they could wait. Her hands glowed with a brilliant cyan. Water formed over her palms as she healed his injuries.

He surprised her when he slumped onto her shoulder and nuzzled her neck. "You need to get out of here," he whispered.

Ino rolled her eyes. "Like hell I will," she retorted. He was this close…she wasn't going to lose him again.

"Then come with me," he countered. She froze. Go with Sasuke? That idea was oh so tempting but she knew she couldn't. Oh how she wished she could be selfish and do as he said. "Thought so," he murmured into her neck, sending shivers down her spine.

And just like that, he disappeared. The Yamanaka sighed. Him and his knack for disappearing. She straightened when she felt familiar chakra signatures approaching. She fumbled to heal her burns.

All her efforts were discarded when he came into view. "Ino-chan!" Naruto called.

She smiled at him. "Hey," she greeted. She looked around for her ninja hound companions, relieved when she found them with Kakashi.

The other blonde eyed her burns. "What happened here?" he asked.

"Sasuke and Deidara…" she frowned at Kakashi. "Seems like he didn't die after all."

"You saw Sasuke?" Naruto exclaimed. Of course that was all he heard. She nodded. "Why didn't you stop him?"

She sighed as she stood, wincing a little bit at the pain. "I tried," she replied. "But he said something I had to refuse." Everyone save Naruto gave her sympathetic glances. The ramen-eating nin simply gave her a look of confusion. She smiled reassuringly. "It's nothing. We should follow him. Sasuke's pretty hurt so he won't be moving very fast. Now's the perfect time to catch up to him."

"Unfortunately, we can't," Pakkun said. "The trail ends here."

Kiba grinned. "I've found him!" he announced. "My nose has gotten better than a ninja hound's these days," he explained. She grinned back.

"Let's get going then!" Naruto said. Kakashi offered his shoulder. She smiled in thanks at her sensei but refused anyway.

Their team followed Kiba through the trees. Her legs weren't very badly hurt but they still stung, especially since she hadn't fully healed them yet. Healing in front of Naruto would make him agitated. No one really wanted an agitated Naruto. And so she played it off as nothing.

"Sasuke's scent split up!" Kiba declared. She swore. He's noticed them.

"He probably has a proper platoon," Kakashi observed. "And one of them is an extremely talented sensor." At that, he glanced her way. Ino frowned. What was he thinking? Oh.

Ino concentrated. Like hell she'd be a useless team member. Her eyes closed, she tried to zero in on that familiar chakra signature. The presences of her companions and other licing creatures were ignored. She was completely focused on him. When she opened them, she sighed and shook her head at Kakashi's questioning gaze. He nodded in understanding.

Naruto used his shadow clones to cover a wider area, hoping to run into Sasuke. She frowned at his reckless use of chakra. If he came across Akatsuki on his own, he'd need every single bit he had.

A hush fell over the group as they waited for Naruto's clones to encounter the Uchiha. Ino fidgeted with her fringe, Hinata fumbled with her hands and Shino kept muttering incomprehensible words. The silence was almost stifling. Kakashi lay a hand on her tense shoulders. The blonde looked into her sensei's warm brown eye. She nodded, calming herself down and focusing on locating his chakra signature. It was the least she could do.

Birds squawked at them as they disturbed their nest. Ino was not to be distracted though. She was focused solely on her target. Her hand sought her sensei's shoulder, using him as support. If she became too focused, she could lose sense of her own self and get lost.

Not even Naruto's announcement broke her concentration. "Found him!"

The swift change of direction had her loose her footing but Kakashi quickly righted her. She nodded her thanks to the Jounin. The group landed on the soft ground with the ease and grace of an acrobat, despite her injury. They followed Naruto as he sped off towards Sasuke's supposed direction. Silence reigned the nin once again. The tense atmosphere was almost suffocating.

She was almost glad for the distraction.

Behind them was a lake of considerable size, glistening in an ethereal way. Lofty trees loomed over them, casting shadows all over the forest floor. On one of those trees was the third participant in the recent fight. His chakra screamed dangerous straight away.

"We have trouble," she hissed at Kakashi. The unknown person had survived after all. He donned the standard Akatsuki cloak and an orange whirlpool mask with a single eye hole. Everything about this person scream dangerous.

His laugh seemed forced. "Eight against one, huh?" he scratched his head like an idiot would. "This is definitely unfair."

Run, you fool!

"He's not on the list that Kabuto left behind," Kakashi noted.

"Oh? That's because I'm new!" the mysterious person chirped. Ah, he was beginning to grate on her nerves already.

Kakashi held Naruto back as the hothead started going after the enemy. She frowned. This guy's aura was one full of deceit and darkness. She definitely didn't like it. Her hand instinctively twitched to reveal her hidden tanto. There was no way this wasn't going to end up in a fight. Sure the guy was outnumbered, sure he didn't look like much but his chakra told her otherwise. The thing she disliked most about his chakra was the similarities it held with Sasuke's own. Just who was he?

Naruto cried as his clone charged at the Akatsuki member from behind. Said Akatsuki member's chakra shifted yet he didn't make any signs. What in the hell? From her position it almost seemed as if the attack had connected but somehow, Naruto seemed to phase straight through him! Her mind hurt from the chaotic questions she knew she wouldn't be able to find the answers to. This guy was something else.

Naruto fought the Akatsuki member, trying hard to make the enemy reveal his true power. She knew it wouldn't happen. Even if he did show some of his power, something told her it wouldn't be all he had. His chakra was that of an ANBU, much like Kakashi and Yamato's. She was sure the other Jounin had noticed it too. On the positive side, they had a hotheaded Genin with them. That was more than enough.

"We don't have the time to screw around with you!" Naruto growled.

At Kakashi's order, they went into Formation B and attacked relentlessly. She was a bit useless on her feet but the immense amount of water the lake provided made up for her lack in speed. Naruto snarled as he used his numerous clones to continuously pummel the man. None of the punches connected. Hinata gasped, as if she realized something. Not that it was anything she didn't already know. This guy had a technique that could make anything go straight through him. Damn his technique was annoying.

Shino summoned his numerous bugs. The swarm made him look incredibly terrifying yet cool at the same time. The bugs surrounding the enemy nin, giving him no option to dodge. He couldn't avoid the bugs if they surrounded him. The Akatsuki was covered in insects in a matter of seconds. That must feel really uncomfortable.

Yamato used his wood release and had the planks race upwards. However, just before the attack connected, the enemy disappeared. It definitely wasn't a teleportation jutsu. Teleportation jutsu was simply high speed that Shino's bugs would have easily caught on to and prevented. This was different. His chakra had simply vanished. It should have been impossible, really, yet it happened. She blinked when his chakra reappeared again.

"Up there!" Hinata called.

But she wasn't listening anymore. What was this ominous feeling? She shouldn't have but she squeezed her eyes shut, wishing nothing horrible had happened. She really didn't like this. Fate had other things in store though. Silent tears fell and slid across her porcelain skin.

The darkness was accompanied by the feeling of being rapidly transported somewhere.

I told you to run.

xxxxx

Water dripped onto a puddle, creating the only sound within the cavern. All around the two sitting figures was nothing but rock. The place didn't seem to have any exit nor entrance. So how had she gotten here?

Blue and red stared at each other. One with confusion and dread, the other with silent contemplation. As if the eyes' owner was debating with himself. Thinking she might as well, she examined the man before her. The uncanny resemblance was slightly unsettling but whatever. She noted that he was (and dare she say it) attractive. She remembered him from her days as a child. The infamous Uchiha Itachi, genius child. He was her idol back then. Someone whom she looked up to. Still did actually. Because no matter how wrong his actions were, there was no doubt in the fact that he was a prodigy that could best even Kakashi himself. He was what she'd wanted to be like. Strong, smart and looked up to.

She might have had tiny a crush on him too.

Yet something was amiss. His chakra seemed really low. Despite the fact that this person was probably just a clone he'd created to kidnap her, it was still kind of sketchy. The way he wavered was an even greater indication of the strain the main body was experiencing. Did this mean Sasuke was winning his fight? She hated to say it but she'd secretly been hoping he'd lose and realize his mistakes.

"My time here with you is rapidly decreasing," he finally spoke. She knew that. What did he think she was? A dumb bimbo? "We must be swift."

"Swift with what?" she inquired, genuinely curious.

He stood from his perch and crouched in front of her. His intentions were still unknown at that point but the way he looked at her was unsettling. It gave her a terrible feeling of uselessness. As if he were looking down on her. It was surprising when he smiled. Completely taken aback, she spluttered and blushed. What in the hell?

"Be free," he murmured.

A change occurred within her. Her shoulders seemed to have become a lot lighter and her mind became clearer. Never before had she felt to at ease. It was wrong to be feeling as such in the presence of the enemy but she was comfortable and she wasn't going to interrupt the temporary silence. She hadn't told anyone but she'd been hearing voices lately. It didn't usually bother her since it was mostly Naruto's thoughts but something else had been there, whispering, taunting, ordering her around. It was an unknown voice, one she couldn't quite place.

Both of you! Run, damn it!

There it was again. Her mouth formed a frown as her moment of silence was disturbed. This voice was annoying. Her moments of silence were close to nonexistent nowadays. The voice was like the annoying fly that kept buzzing in your ear that you can't get rid of. Oh how she wanted to snap at it and scream.

"I can hear it too," the older man whispered. Her eyes widened. Someone who could hear this voice? "You must never listen to it," he continued. "Unless it tells you to run."

"It's been telling me to do that all day," she whined. His chuckle was a soothing sound. It was in this moment she noticed that he was a lot like the older brother he had once been. Why?

"Is it still telling you to do so?" he asked. Her response was a solemn nod. He hummed. "The voice is something you can't get rid of. It is somewhat of a conscience at the back of your mind that is not truly you. It resides within everyone but only a chosen few can truly hear it. I believe your mentor can too."

"Misaki?" she gaped. He smiled, amused.

"What does the voice tell you?"

"It's always different. Sometimes it's just a simple 'run' then other times it's 'run away' then sometimes it swears at me and then it just insults me for not running,"

"That is all it tells you? To run? Nothing else?"

"Nope."

Itachi sighed. "You will meet a woman," he began. "Hinamori Misaki's sister is said to be able to hear the whispers of the past, the present and the future. She resides in the land of the owls, where they keep her safe from greedy humans. Request for an audience and she will do the rest." She nodded, still unsure about it all. His disarming smile was all she needed though. In the past few seconds, he had just shown her the love of an older brother would give his younger sibling. It was almost hard to believe that this guy had killed his entire clan. He didn't seem cold at all. "I will have to do for now," he murmured.

The same warm feeling overcame her once again and she was free. No burdens, no obligations, no voice. Oh the bliss of ignorance. Her eyes fluttered until she was pulled into the welcome warmth. It felt as if she was lying out in the field with the afternoon sun shining down upon her. She could almost feel it. The soft wind caressing her cheeks, the soft ground underneath her and the smell of flowers all around. Paradise.

She was brutally pulled out of the illusion and back into the real world by a loud bang. Itachi was gone, leaving her alone and cold on the cave's damn floor. To her left, the wall cracked. Shouting could be heard from the other side. She recognized the voice almost instantly but it didn't mean she welcomed it. She liked her fantasy, thanks!

Foolish girl! Now look what you've gotten yourself into! Run!

"Oh my," a masculine voice cried. "They sure are loud, ne?"

Ino's mouth formed an 'o'. How had she not noticed him? Itachi's words rang through her mind.

Run!

And she did. The cavern was small but she made sure to put as much distance as possible between herself and Tobi. His dangerous aura had only become a lot scarier this close. Naruto had better hurry up and smash that god damned wall. She eyed the dripping water. If worse came to worse, she'd have to fight this guy alone. Damn it.

Break the wall yourself.

Never listen to the voice unless it tells you to run, Itachi said. It was hard not to when the thing made so much sense. She groaned in frustration. Listen to Itachi or to the annoying voice? Ah, well.

Ino smashed the already crumbling wall with her leg that had miraculously healed. Had Itachi done that when she was out? She laughed. He'd gone through all the trouble and healed it for her and here she was, kicking a wall. Thank goodness the thing wasn't as hard as she thought it would be and came down easily. Debris flew from the impact. The blonde leapt away when Naruto came crashing through with his rasengan still activated. If she hadn't felt the chakra through the wall, she would have been hit square on. Never listen unless it tells you to run, huh?

"Ino-chan!" Naruto exclaimed. He looked pretty relieved.

You're free. Now run!

"Where's Itachi?" she asked. Tobi had disappeared. The other blonde furrowed his eyebrows.

"Why?" he asked.

Run to him, girl!

"I need to see him," she stated before leaping away.

Her senses seemed heightened now. She was hypersensitive to all chakra around her. Her own chakra buzzed with the euphoria she was experiencing. Such an occurrence would normally overwhelm a ninja but she only felt revitalized. It was as if she were feeding off of the ambient chakra within the organisms in the forest.

Run faster!

And so she did. She aided her steps with chakra, racing with all her might towards that wavering presence that would soon leave this world. She had to get there before it really did happen. The adrenaline rush she suddenly felt was welcome. Her speed increased once more, she arrived at a rather heartbreaking scene. There, lying next to each other, were the Uchiha brothers. The last remaining survivors of the Uchiha clan. Her heart went out for both of them.

Ino kneeled in between the siblings, facing Itachi first. She sniffled. "...cryi..ng?" he coughed.

She huffed. "It's the rain!" she defended. Her idol was dying right in front of her eyes. "And don't speak so much," she chastised. "You'll make it worse."

He smiled. "I am already," he paused. "Dying anyway."

Her hand glowed azure. "Not yet you aren't," she said. "I'll keep you alive."

His hand covered her own. "It's no use," he murmured. "I must die... for him."

Keep him alive! Don't let him die! Kami forbid you let him die!

"No you don't!" she protested. "You don't have to die!"

"But I must," he insisted. "I will become Sasuke's...eternal light."

"What the hell are you talking about?" she hissed. Eternal light?

"You will...understand," he replied. "Soon.. enough."

Keep him alive!

"I can't let you die," she cried.

"I thought... I told you not to... listen to the voi..ce," he muttered. His breath was haggard now. She knew she couldn't heal him, his organs had been completely ripped to shreds. His lung was probably collapsed and it seemed like he had a few broken ribs.

"I know but," she paused. But what? Why was she showing so much compassion towards the enemy? Perhaps it was the way he made her feel in that cavern? Then again, just what had he made her feel? Cared for? Safe?

"Your affection is...misplaced," he remarked. "Sasuke..care for him. He does not have... anyone else."

"Okay," she whispered.

"Take my...eyes," he ordered. "Implant them...into him."

"Okay," she agreed. It was all she could say at the moment. He smiled at her. It was a smile that tore her heart to pieces.

"Absolutely...don't," he wheezed. "let him...near Sasuke."

"Okay,"

"And," he poked her forehead with two fingers. "Never listen...unless it says...run."

The hand on her forehead fell onto her lap. She knew what he was commanding her to do. Run, run and take Sasuke. Ino wiped her face, closed Itachi's eyes and then turned to the other Uchiha. His hair stuck to his forehead and blood covered his skin. She wiped the stains on his handsome face away. She loved the way he unconsciously leaned in to her touch. A smile quickly found itself forming.

She jumped when she felt the him behind her shoulder. "Quite the good looking kid, isn't he?" he murmured into her ear. It sent shivers down her spine.

"I'm not letting you take him," she declared.

"Too bad you haven't got much choice," he sighed for dramatic effect. "Two-against-one with Akatsuki is never a good thing."

A plant looking thing appeared out of the ground. There was a clear separation running through the middle of his body. Half of him was white and the other was a pure black. He was really creepy. "How'd you know?" it asked. "Yeah, how?" the other side agreed. Way creepy.

Tobi ignored the weird guy. "You're going to have to hand them both over."

Ino stood her ground. "No, thanks!"

She used her mind disturbance jutsu on the plant looking guy and had him completely come out of the ground. Tobi chuckled then pressed a kunai to her throat just as she had the plant guy throw a shuriken. He easily deflected that one and leaned into her. "You'll give them both to me whether you like it or not."

She really should have ran the moment Itachi gave the order.

A/N: Uh. Yeah. Sorry? ;-;