Truce
Sasuke awoke with a huge headache. His limbs felt detached from his body and his throat was scratchy and dry. Even when enough saliva was formed, his mouth still felt dry and sticky when he swallowed. He knew he was in a hospital when he awoke because it smelled like one, but he didn't know what hospital he was in, or where he was at all. Fire Thistle was just a minor village that lacked such accommodations so he knew he wasn't there. He sat up slowly, wincing a little as blood rushed to his head. The florescent lights from his room skewered his sensitive eyes.
It was then that he noticed the weight in his legs and he looked to see a bundle of red and black sprawled on her back, sleeping soundly. His heart sped up and he closed his eyes for a moment to make sure he wasn't dreaming. He could still feel her warm little body on his legs. God, he hadn't known how much he had missed her until now. He was getting all sentimental over just knowing she was touching him. He opened his eyes and lightly touched the top of her head. Her black hair had grown longer so that someone was able to gather it into two little cute buns. Her black and red shirt rode over her smooth round little belly and one of her black sandals had fallen off leaving her fat little bare foot tangled in his thin blankets.
He didn't want to move, but his foot was beginning to fall asleep so he very carefully rearranged her until she was curled in a ball right next to him. He reclined on his pillows, just stroking her hair and watching her sleep. About a half an hour later, someone entered the room.
"Oh, you're awake!" A young nurse with red hair exclaimed in surprise. Sasuke shot her a glare. She was loud. When she saw Azami stir, she blushed and bowed in apology. "I'll tell the doctor."
The next person who came in was Sakura. So he was back in Leaf Village. How long was he unconscious? Damn Ino and her damn note.
"About time you came around." She gave a smile and pulled up a chair.
"How long was I out?" He put a hand to his throbbing head as a way to ease the pain. The lights to his room were low, but he suspected that even faint starlight would have the same effect.
"About a week, give or take a couple of days. How are you feeling?" She pulled out a small pen with a brutal light that felt like a knife against his sensitive eyes to check his pupil dilatation.
"Hungry and tired." He admitted. She popped a thermometer in his mouth and did a few more tests before she stood up.
"Lunch is another twenty minutes, but it looks like you'll be alright. I'll come back and check how your chakra is replenishing." She paused and looked down at his lap. She leaned. "Hi sweetie? Did you have a good nap?"
Azami had woken up and she propped herself on his stomach, using him like a pillow. Her hair was mussed and she had a dribble of drool down her chin. Sasuke wiped it with his knuckles and mussed her hair even more with a little smile as she turned to him. "I'll tell Ino you're both awake." Sakura gave a little wave at the door before it was closed and the two were left alone.
Sasuke ruffled his own hair and Azami let out a little squeal and bounced happily on the bed. Sasuke gather her in his arms. "I missed you too." He let her down on the ground after a few seconds Ino came through the door. She was dressed casually in a pale purple, off the shoulder blouse and cargo shorts. Her hair was up in a ponytail with a beret matching the color of her eyes.
"Uh, it's so dark in here!" She exclaimed and took long strides to the window, pulling the heavy curtains apart and letting bright sunlight in. She turned around and leaned against the wall with an annoying smug smile on her lips. "Feeling a little better?"
Her attitude was what he expected and she had a right to her arrogance. He had been bested and punished and it happened with one little note. "When did you create such a powerful weapon?" He asked.
"Before the last mission we were on. Sakura helped me." She pulled out a small silver rectangular object from her shorts pocket and popped open the lid. Inside was a bundle of notes. He warily looked at them in acknowledgement. "I never tried them out. You were my guinea pig so to speak." She closed the box and slipped them back into her pocket. "I worked on the formula a bit more while you were having your nice little nap. They shouldn't be as potent, but I have to check to make sure."
"On me?" He would be peeved if she was considering doing that to him.
She leaned against the wall and folded her arms. "I thought of that, but then thinking of poor Sakura having to work on you so tirelessly made me reconsider. Besides," She grinned, "I have someone else in mind. They should be here soon." She leaned over and picked up Azami who had been tugging on the hem of her shorts while she talked.
They stared at one another in silence until a soft knock broke through. Sasuke turned to see the white metal door open and someone walk in.
"Neji! You came!" Ino rushed to him and gave him a hug. Before Sasuke could even open his mouth to warn the young man, a note was placed on his forehead.
"What the--" The purple note glowed blue and the hue encompassed the Hyuga in mere seconds. He fell to the floor with a heavy thump. Sasuke tried to get up, but he was still hurting and weak. He clenched his teeth and grudgingly fell back against his fluffy pillows.
"Woah, I didn't expect it to work so fast." She squatted with Azami on her hip and turned Neji over on his back. Some nurses and Sakura came into the room in a hurry.
"What happened?" One of them asked as they began to run their medical chakra though his body so see if he was alright.
"Ino, what is this?" Sakura ripped the blackened note from Neji's head and held it up to her between her two fingers. Ino's big blue eyes became round with innocence.
"The wind must have blown it from my pocket and attached itself to his head." It was such a stupid and outlandish lie, Sasuke felt like groaning and slapping his forehead.
"The windows need to be shut for now on Ino. We don't want accidents like this to happen again." Sakura looked serious and she motioned the nurses to help the Hyuga to a bed.
"What?" Sasuke looked from the two of them in astonishment. There was no way Sakura would…unless…
"Did you say something?" Ino raised an eyebrow in his direction as she stood. She and Sakura looked at him like they expected him to say more, but he didn't. It was better not to mess with them when they were teamed up together. He wanted to get out of the hospital and for that, he had to keep his mouth closed or else Sakura would never release him.
Azami yawned and whimpered a little. "Still sleepy?" Ino asked her and kissed her temple. "We better get going. They need to recover and Azami needs to eat before she takes another nap." Ino said. Sasuke felt panic well in his chest. She was going to take Azami? They barely spent any time together and who knew when he would be able to see her again.
"Wait!" He called out when they opened the door. They both turned around. He felt uncomfortable with the way they were looking at him, but he ignored the feeling for the most part and kept his eyes on his daughter. He drank in every ounce of her face just in case…
"We'll be back for dinner Sasuke." Ino's voice sounded like it trembled. Maybe it was just wishful thinking, but he could see some darkness in her eyes. "Sleep. We'll be back, I promise." He never knew how much he was hoping she would say something like that. He knew she was still angry, but he also knew that Ino was not a spiteful person by nature. She would never keep Azami from him. They only thing that kept him away from his daughter for so long was his stupid, arrogant pride. His wounded ego was more important at the time. But now…
"Alright." He conceded and watched them leave. But now, he had a lot to think about, he had a lot to work out. He settled himself back under the heavy blankets and sighed out loud when his head hit the pillow. Neji's shallow breaths made him turn. He smirked to himself. Well, at least he wasn't the only one at the end of Ino's revenge. He almost felt bad for him…
XOXO
Ino felt a little nervous as she made her way down the brightly lit hallways of Leaf Village Hospital. The wicker picnic basket seemed to feel heavier and heavier in her hands the closer she got to his room. She didn't really know why she should felt like this. She and Sasuke were beyond the parts where you were still getting to know one another; therefore, apprehension would still be a present factor. They kinda skipped that part when they got drunk and she ended up pregnant because of it.
She sighed and leaned against the wall a few doors down from his room. Azami stopped as well, but didn't seem to really care because she was playing with a little blue ball. Maybe it was because four months had passed since they were really alone together. But still, it shouldn't feel this awkward. She closed her eyes and took another deep breath before she left the wall and knocked on his door. She didn't wait for him to answer before pushing her way in.
"Hey!" She sang, masking her earlier feelings as she sat the basket on a rolling metal tray. She went back outside the hallway to retrieve Azami, taking a deep calming breath while she was at it. Back in the room, she saw that Neji was awake. His smooth pale skin looked even whiter than usual. He silently glared at her, but Ino just smiled back with a little wave.
"Are you going to eat with us?" She innocently asked as she closed the door. His pale lavender eyes glittered back in answer. His long dark brown hair was spread all around his head and they had changed him from his normal clothes to a hospital gown that made him look totally harmless. Ino wasn't sure how long he would be out of commission, but it shouldn't be as long as Sasuke's immobility.
"What did you bring? Is it edible?" Sasuke demanded as he sat up. Ino stuck out her tongue.
"You shouldn't be picky. After all, the nurses won't bring you anything else since they knew I was supplying you with dinner." She began unpacking the basket, pulling out some heavy plastic bowls and eating utensils. The food was packed in wooden boxes that included some sushi, fried shrimp, curry rice and pickled vegetables. She wasn't sure how much he could eat, so she only made a few things, plus, Ino hated cooking. When she was growing up, her dad would cook for her, or if he was gone on a mission, he always left money for her. Usually she just went to Sakura's house to eat since Sakura's mom was a great cook, even when she and Sakura weren't on talking terms, Sakura's mom would make Sakura drop off a box of food for her when she knew her dad was out. If she need to, she would cook, but she would cook (or buy) easy things that would be finished in an hour or two.
She laid out the whole meal on the tray and gave Sasuke a plastic tray she snatched from the cafeteria. She turned to Neji and offered another tray, but he ignored her by turning his head and folding his arms childishly.
"When did she learn how to catch a ball?" Sasuke watched Azami drop her ball, let it bounce and catch it in her small hands. Ino leaned back in her chair and spooned some rice curry in her mouth.
"Like two weeks ago. She was playing with Toru and just picked it up. She has pretty good hand-eye-coordination for her age. The pediatrician said she has sharp eyes."
"Can she say anything?"
Ino shrugged. "No, not really. Just little things like 'hi' or "Ma' when she wants something." Her tension was easing a bit. "She doesn't sleep through the night like she use to because she knows that if she cries, someone will come and get her. I usually let her skip a few naps because it'll make her more tired when it's time for bed, but sometimes she still does it. That blue ball is her most favorite thing, if anyone tries to get it, she gets mad and throws a little temper-tantrum until they give it back." Ino laughed. "I think she might hide it or something because I find that thing in the weirdest places!"
"It looks like she gets into everything." He mused. Azami's ball bounced into the trash can and when she looked in the little basket, she found a couple of discarded papers and began crumbling them loudly.
"I had to baby proof the whole house, but she still manages to get into certain places." Ino gave Sasuke some more pickled vegetables when she saw that he was almost out. "She likes the color blue. Whenever we get a new toy, it has to be blue or she won't play with them as much."
"Picky." Sasuke murmured and finished the rest of his fried shrimp suspended between his chopsticks.
"Neji, are you sure you don't want anything?" She pointed to the leftover food on the tray, but he again, stubbornly ignored her. Ino put her bowl down. "Azami, come here." He held out her arms. Azami dropped her papers and smiled brightly as she came to her. She stood up and lifted her to speak in her ear.
"Uncle Neji, please eat some yummy food. Please?" Ino said in a little playful voice.
"'weese?" Azami mimicked.
"That is an underhanded tactic." Neji bit out. Ino could see his chin lower a bit as his eyes wandered up to Azami's little face. Ino whispered to her again.
"'weese??" She asked again. Sasuke had to admit that was the cutest thing he ever saw. He had to bit his inner cheek to keep a smile from his lips.
"Yeah, would you like to eat?" Ino asked Neji again with a big grin as she sat Azami's little feet down on the ground. With her part, done, Azami wandered back to the crumpled papers and resumed playing on her own. She quickly made him a dish and gave it to him. He looked down at the tray hesitantly before picking up a spoon and eating some curry rice.
"This doesn't mean that I forgive you." He said after swallowing. Ino smiled lightly.
"I know, but you'll get over it."
"Are you over it?" Sasuke shot at her. Ino turned her head to see him gazing steadily at her with unreadable eyes. Ino heard Neji place his spoon on the tray as he waited for an answer as well. She knew they would get to this sooner or later and she had been thinking about it every since they returned to Leaf Village. This was the first time, she, Sasuke and Neji were together since she had left. There was really no tip-toeing around the question.
"I'm over it." She finally admitted. Her heart raced a little one she said those words. "But I'll never forget." She gave both of them a reproachful look. "And you shouldn't either." She was glad that both of them looked a bit ashamed. They didn't say anything further, but the room was much more relaxed then when she first came in. After about an hour and a half, Ino gathered the basket and her daughter and left both of them to rest for the night.
XOXO
Sasuke was gathering his things when a loud bellowing laugh outside, down in the village streets, caught his attention. He opened his window as saw a tall lanky man with long brown hair drop to his knees and hold out his arms. A little toddler ran into them with a happy little giggle. He narrowed his eyes at the scene, dumbly dropping his duffle bag when he saw Ino hug the man who had Azami in his arms. Everything else around him spun in a black, static-y mess around his head. He didn't know he was shaking with anger until his tightly balled fist hit his thigh. His chest felt tight, like it would burst open if he held his breath any longer. The man slung an arm around Ino's shoulders and she wrapped her arm around his waist as they slowly walked down the narrow streets.
"Do you remember him?" Neji's voice barely managed to pierce his storming angsty cloud.
"Who is he?" He didn't care if Neji heard hot boiling jealousy in his question.
"Seiya Yamada. He was the one Ino healed when we were in Noodle's Country."
Sasuke stiffened even more. Yes, he remembered the bastard all too well. At that time, Sasuke couldn't believe that he had the nerve to pick up on Ino when she was obviously pregnant. He saw the softness in his eyes when he offered to help Ino's workers return safely to Leaf Village. "What is he doing here?"
He didn't move from his spot by the window as Neji spoke. "He's a trader. I heard that he was in Fire Thistle when Ino was there. Tenten told me that they spend a lot of time together. Azami really likes him as well." Sasuke turned back to him with death gleaming brightly in his eyes.
"How much time?" He demanded angrily. He grabbed his shoes from the neatly made bed and pulled them on.
"Enough to make people start thinking unnecessary things." Was all he said. Sasuke didn't care what people thought, or what they said. They didn't need to know his business. Azami's little giggle was all that was going through his mind when he left the hospital to go and find the three. It didn't take him long. They were at a flavored ice shop. Ino had Azami on her hip and the bastard Seiya was buying them their dessert. Azami's greedy little hands took the paper cone and Seiya laughed and kissed her forehead. That was the breaking point for him. With four of long strides, he grabbed Seiya, spun him and punched him as hard as he could in the face.
"Sasuke!" Ino screamed. Sasuke felt immense relief after that one hit that he didn't need to hit him anymore. A large crowed circled them with muted whispers and shocked faces. Three people pushed their way to the front. It was Naruto, Lee and Choji. Ino handed Azami off to her former teammate and kneeled by Seiya's side. The man was groaning on the ground, holding his chin.
"Let me see." Ino ordered. Sasuke tried to ignore the bubbling anger and newfound jealousy that spike within him, but just couldn't. He moved to grab Ino's arm but Naruto restrained him while Lee tried to disperse the crowd.
"Let go!" He growled, but Naruto created two clones and together, they backed him away. Sasuke struggled, but soon allowed himself to be led away, out of the streets into more subdued place like the alleyway next to the Hokage Tower.
"Sasuke, you totally kicked his ass!" Naruto exclaimed with a silly grin. Sasuke glared at him, knowing that it was just a way to distract him from his anger. The blonde's wide grin faded into a little knowing smirk. "Although, I don't think Ino would appreciate you beating up her friends."
"Friends? Is that all they are?" He sneered at him. Naruto looked confused.
"What do you mean? Ino and Yamada are just friends."
"I would have liked to believe you, but Seiya's actions just seemed too friendly for my liking. Azami totally idolizes the guy and Ino was letting him hang all over her like they were some sick lovey-dovey couple." He spat in irritation. "She can't do things like that when she's with me!" He ranted and then reared back in shock at what he just said. Naruto's mouth opened like a limp fish.
"Are you saying what I think you're saying?" He asked in cautious, knowing humor. Sasuke stared blankly at his friend, not sure what to say back. He wasn't one to open up and tell anyone his fears and deep thoughts, even if it was his best friend. He groaned softly and rubbed his temple, allowing his temper to temporary recede. He felt tired all of the sudden and braced himself on one of the ally walls.
"Did Sakura even release you Sasuke?" Naruto demanded in a worried turn. Sasuke waved that off.
"I'm fine." He straightened, pushing his hair from his face.
"Ino! Calm down! He just got out of the hospital!" He heard Lee's voice bounce off of the walls.
Naruto and Sasuke left the narrow ally to see Ino take an annoyed swipe at Lee, who easily moved to avoid it. Her eyes zeroed in on him, her cheeks were flushed with anger. Choji trailed behind her with Azami in his arms.
"What the hell was that? You just punched him for no reason! In front of Azami!" She yelled, pushing him hard in the chest. He rocked on his heels, but didn't move from his spot.
"We'll be leaving." Naruto said a bit hesitantly, and grabbed Lee's arm and motioned Choji to follow him. Sasuke was glad that there wasn't too many people around because he detested being in any kind of scenes.
"He was overstepping his boundaries and I made sure he knew his place." He replied evenly, not too sure how to explain himself without sounding dumb in his opinion.
"What boundaries? He was just buying us some dessert before he left back to his hometown. Seiya is just my friend." Ino calmed down a bit, but he still heard the laced venom in her soft words. "He was there for me when I was in a place I knew nothing about. He would watch Azami for me when certain things came up, that's all."
"I saw the way you two were walking together from my window. It didn't look like that was all." He shot back in an emotionless even tone, knowing it would infuriate her.
"Well it was all." She snapped. "Seiya has his own family and he wouldn't do anything to lose them. I admit, there was a time when he had a thing for me, but let's be honest, I'm pretty hot. We had a little chat, and I explained to him that a sizzling, lust filled affair was a stupid thing to lose his family over. He agreed and settled for just being friends." Ino gave a little smile, her eyes traveled to his eyes and he stiffened in caution.
"It's nothing to get jealous over." She taunted. After years and years of emotional training, Sasuke's gaze didn't waver, but he felt his cheeks heat up on their own accord.
"Jealous?" He echoed.
Ino's little coy smile made her ice blue eyes sparkle. "Umhum. Jealous." She left him there as she cockily sauntered away. Her blonde ponytail swayed just like her hips swayed. Sasuke moved back into the shadows and allowed a smile to grow on his face.
XOXO
Three weeks later, under the warm early summer sun, a small troupe of people gathered on a green, gently sloping meadow. White and red balloons bobbed on their matching strings. Low chatter occupied the white fold-up picnic chairs. Caterers and planners weaved their way their way through the wedding guests, preparing for the upcoming nuptials.
"Such a wonderful atmosphere…"
"Can't wait to see the bride…"
"I heard she's expecting…"
"The groom looks very dashing…
She heard almost everything around her. The white tent walls were thin, and even though the guest couldn't see her, she could see them. She nervously smoothed out the used handkerchief her mom had given her and glanced at herself in the mirror.
Everything was perfect, her make-up, her hair. The jewelry was simple and exactly matched the cream silk of her wedding dress. Her eyes were bright, displaying her excitement and unease all at the same time. It wasn't that she was uneasy about being married, no, it was because there were so many people. She was afraid of ruining such a perfect day, in front of the most perfect man she had ever met. What if she tripped on her shoes and broke her ankle, or what if she messed up her vows and said something totally lame, or what if she…
"Cam down, you're stressing too much over trivial things." She jumped at her Maid of Honor's voice.
"What are you wearing?" She blurted out and stood up in distress. The woman looked down at her ruby red dress with a frown.
"What are you talking about? You picked them out!" She huffed.
"I know, but you look really sexy in it! It takes attention away from me!" She protested.
"Everything alright?" Hinata entered the tent and the bride gasped loudly.
"Oh my god! You too? Look how good your boobs look compared to mine!" She wanted to cry, but her Maid of Honor flicked her in the forehead.
"Calm down or you'll ruin your make-up. It's just wedding day jitters. You look just as beautiful as you did when you first picked out that dress." Hinata blew on her face, cooling her cheeks.
"Twelve different stores all over Fire Country!" Tenten came in with her arms full of rose and daisy bouquets. "I never want to do that again. You're lucky we were so indulgent." She gave Hinata and Ino their flowers.
"It's almost time." Lady Tsunade and Shizune entered the tent, dressed beautifully as well. Sakura bit her tongue to keep her self-conscious protests from slipping.
"You look gorgeous! Let's take a picture!" Shizune exclaimed and everyone surrounded Sakura and smiled as the flash went off.
"Let's get going girls!" Naruto's loud voice made Sakura's nerves prick once more. She did a quick once over with the brush and applied some more lip gloss. Ino clucked over her, lightly spraying some perfume on Sakura's dress.
"Are you ready to become Mrs. Kiba Inuzuka?" She leaned in close and straightened Sakura's pearl headband, and pulled her veil down. Sakura took a shaky breath and nodded with a soft, loving smile.
"Then let's get this show on the road!" Tenten exclaimed and opened the flap.
XOXO
Ino was the first out, dressed in a tight knee length dress with a sweetheart neck line and red pumps. Her hair was up in a ponytail, curled nicely with baby's breath in her matching ribbon. Her escort was Shino. He looked rather cute with clothes that didn't cover his handsome face. He still wore his glasses, but they matched well with his black tux and white vest. He even smelled good, so she stood proudly by his side as they made their way down the aisle arm in arm. Hinata and Naruto followed then Tenten and Shikamaru, and finally Shizune and Choji.
Kama was the ring bearer and he rode on a clean, fluffy Akamaru. (Of course Akamaru would have had to be included in the wedding.) After Kama took his place beside Choji, the Wedding March began and everyone stood. Ino held her breath as Sakura appeared at the end of the aisle with her beaming father by her side. The cream, off the shoulder princess cut dress enhanced her shiny pink hair and pale skin. Even from her place by the alter, she could see Sakura's jade eyes glimmer like emeralds in a dark cavern.
A ripple of murmurs reached her ears, and she turned to Kiba who stood transfixed. His hair was tamed down and his red vest matched the color of his clan tattoos on his cheeks. His usual cocky, wolfish smile was gone, replaced by an astonished open mouth. Ino giggled behind her flowers. She was so happy and excited and it wasn't even her wedding!
They only had eyes for each other throughout the whole ceremony and tears were shed when they finally kissed and introduced as Mr. and Mrs. Kiba Inuzuka.
Later, during the dinner, Ino escaped the crowded tamarack, glancing at her parents briefly to make sure Azami was still asleep. It had been a long day and the noise was getting to her. Despite her weariness, she didn't really want to go home. It had been such a long time since the Village celebrated anything. Sakura's status was one of prominence, so everyone celebrated with her.
The cool night breeze teased the hair from her face and sent goosebumps down her arms and then warm arms wrapped around her shoulders and she relaxed against him and exhaled happily.
"Getting a breather?" Sasuke asked.
"Umhum. You?"
"Hn."
"I'm glad she happy. It makes me happy when my friends are happy."
"She looked very happy."
"Are you happy?" When Sasuke waited too long to answer, she elbowed him. He chuckled.
"I'm happy when my friends are happy too."
"Friends?"
"Umhum…even my friends with benefits."
Ino laughed and turned to him, kissing him softly on his lower lip. "Let's get back." And they left, hand in hand…
XOXO
AN: Don't be mad! I swear, I have one more chapter to write!