Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or any of its characters, merchandise, TV rights, ect… (I think you get the point.)

Summery

Drabble Series - Two completely different people. Sometimes they are like ships that pass in the night and sometimes their lives are twisted and intertwined. (Sasuke/Ino)

Like all of my work this is just something that happened to float through the empty void inside my head. Like it or hate it please R and R as honest opinions are always welcomed, as are random acts of worship.

Lamb: As always sorry for any bad spelling and if you feel the need to throw things at me please wait until I've hidden behind the sofa kay!?

Dedi: This drabble is dedicated to jin. toshikazu

Muse: On with the fic!

There's no time for us,
There's no place for us,
What is this thing that builds our dreams,
Yet slips away from us,
Who wants to live forever,

Family

How long had it been? Sasuke didn't know. He had been sure that within a few days of his return to Konoha that the blonde female would reappear back in his life, but she hadn't. She was training hard, determined to become the next head of the Torture and Interrogation Department or at least had been at the time of their chance meeting some nine years past, the memory of which still heated his blood. Yet in all the time he had been held for interrogation he had gotten nether sight nor sound of the blonde.

And now almost six weeks on from his return he had finally been released and his one thought now was to find the girl for whom he had returned. Walking briskly through the crowded streets he paid no mind to the hate filled looks that came his way, too focused on his objective to care what others thought. He could see her so clearly in his mind, picture her face as it had been that last time so many years past, when she had lain sensual and relaxed in his embrace.

It had been than that he had promised her that one-day he would come back, and come back for her. He hadn't meant it to be so long, he meant to have been back sooner, but there was so much he had to do before he felt he could returned to village he had once called home. And so for nine years he had survived with only dreams to keep him warm through the nights.

But why was it, that now he was back, now that day had come and he was home she was nowhere to be found? Then through the crowed Sasuke spotted not the flash of pale gold that he longed to see, but the next best thing, a glimpse of cotton candy pink.

"Sakura!" Pushing people aside he almost leapt on the startled pink haired young woman. His relief was almost palpable, for if anyone could tell him of Ino's whereabouts it would surly be her long time friend and rival.

"Sasuke?" A little taken aback by such an emotional display from the normally stoic Uchiha, not to mention the intense burning look in dark onyx eyes, it took all of Sakura's will power to keep from backing away.

"Where is she?" He almost yelled, gripping the Haruno none too gently by the shoulders and shaking her as if by doing so he could sooner get her answer. "Where's Ino?"

"Sasuke…?" The medic-nin stared in horrified wonderment at her one time team-mate, dark and complex emotions swirling in her eyes. "She's… she's dead."

"What!?" So many emotions were conveyed in that one simple word that it almost took Sakura's breath away, she could see the feelings flickering across his face and felt her own heart crack in sympathy.

"N… nine years ago." Tears brimmed in sea green eyes and her face twisted with misery. It was only she who Ino had confide in, in those last few moments when she knew she was dying she had told Sakura the identity of the man so many wished to know. And it had been him, Uchiha Sasuke. "She died – "

But it was too late, for he was already moving. Running as if demons were behind him and her words fell of deaf ears. The village was a blur as Sasuke sped on, weaving in and out of the crowds, as he headed to the cemetery. Nine years? How could it be? When they had been together she had seemed so strong so full of life, sweet sixteen with her whole life before her. He couldn't believe it. It had to be some sort of trick, a genjutsu designed to test him, to find out if his loyalty was true.

But as he entered the grave yard walking past row after row of graves until he reached the palace where those of the Yamanaka clan were buried. He couldn't deny the truth of what he saw. Her name engraved upon the cold dark marble or the date on which she departed this world, just eight months after their fated meeting. And in front of the grave a blonde girl child stood with her head bowed as if in prayer.

"I don't know you." The child didn't turn to face him, didn't so much as raise her head but continued to stare at the grave of the young woman that Sasuke had slaughtered dozens for, ran miles to reach, given everything to be with only to find that he was to late.

"No," The word was more of a sigh, but he could not keep the bitter laughter from colouring his next words. "But why would you?"

After all who was there now who knew him? Who knew him for who and what he really was? The answer was no one, for the last person who had held that distinction, who had known him inside and out was now lying alone in a gave at his feet.

"I know nearly all of Konoha's ninja as well as many of the shinobi from the villages of our allies." The child sighed and bending placed three yellow roses on top of the grave, their colour so deep as to be almost of a golden hue. "Did you know her?"

"Yes. I knew Ino-san well. Very well." He felt nothing, no pain, no sorrow just a hollow emptiness that seemed to start at the very centre of his heart and spiral out until it filled every corner of his soul. Sasuke watched as the small blonde dipped her head in acknowledge meant of his words. "Did you know her?"

"No, she died before I could. But I have a picture." Standing once more the girl hugged her arms tightly around her torso, as if she was hugging something precious tight to her heart. As she tilted her head Sasuke could see the way her hair parted slightly over the knot that scurried her headband in place, from the back she looked barely ten if that and yet she had already graduated from the academy.

"I'm sorry for that. She was a very kind and beautiful person." And Sasuke felt something in his heart crack and splinter in to a thousand fragments. If only he had been able to see what she was sooner, than maybe things would have been different. Maybe he would have stayed, and maybe then she would not be lying under the cold hard ground. "But if you didn't know her than why do you come here?"

"If I don't then who else will?" There was a slight sadness in her voice, which Sasuke could not place. The Ino he had known had been well loved, if not always well liked, and he could see no reason why her loved ones would not come to see her now she lay at rest. Or why this exceptional girl, for she must be to have graduated at such a young age, would feel the need to come and pay her respects.

"I came." He almost whispered the words his voice cracked and broken and he could feel the warm heat as the first tears slowly began to wend their way down his cheeks. But in the back of his head he could already hear the voice scolding him, the voice that in years to come would blame him for that fate that befell her.

Yes you came, but you were too late weren't you? Nine years too late. Like the stupid arrogant fool you've always been you just assumed she would always be there for you. Never once did you stop to think that she, just like everyone else you ever tried to get close to would one day be gone. You waited too long and now we've lost her, and it's entirely your fault. We've lost Ino!!

"Yes, you did. Whoever you are." There was not a hint of curiosity in her tone, as if things as trivial as his identity were of no consequence to her. But he supposed that in her scheme of things the names of strangers who stood at the same gave side she did was not something of vital importance.

"My name is Uchiha Sasuke." The dark eyed man was curious as to what reaction his name would get from the young blonde.

"Uchiha?" She said as if tasting the name. "I have heard Sakura-san talking about you. You were her team-mate as well as that of Uzumaki Naruto, the sixth Hokage. You betrayed the village. Turned your back on those that loved you so that you might have revenge on one that hurt you. He, like I, was exceptionally gifted and there is always the risk of pushing those who are talented further than is wise. Pushing them to the point where, if not left alone, they will snap."

Sasuke was unsure how to respond to the statement for her words were without anger or hatred, a mere statement of fact with no trace of arrogance. He nodded his head, though why he didn't know for the child could not see since she was still standing with her back to him. But she seemed to take his silence as answer enough for it was almost five minuets before she spoke once again.

"I should be going now, my grandfather will worry." One small hand reached out and briefly caressed the cool stone of the monument that stood guard over the rarest flower Konoha ever grew.

"We can't have that." Sasuke said vaguely wondering why the girl did not say her parents would be worrying about her whereabouts. "But one thing before you go. What's your name child?"

"My name?" And for the first time she turned to look at him and he was caught in the intent gaze of a pair of impossibly large onyx eyes. Eyes that were so familiar, so well known to him even down to the tears that simmered in their inky depths, that they caused Sasuke's heart to skip erratically in his chest.

From under the headband, which bore the symbol of The Hidden Leaf Village, his own eyes stared back at him. "I am Katsumi of the Yamanaka clan. And Ino-san is my mother."

(A/N) Katsumi – a Japanese name meaning 'victorious beauty'.

Please R and R I'd love to know what you thought.

Big love and inspiration

Lamanth