A/N: Welcome back, dear readers and lurkers! I'm glad you're back for another chapter. Please enjoy!

CHAPTER FORTY-EIGHT

Sai Finds Ino at Last

"He denied his involvement, didn't he?" asked Shikamaru the moment Sai shut the door and secured the room with Ink Blot Barrier.

Sai nodded. "Both of them have surface level alibis for the entirety of last night. Shino and I received confirmation of their whereabouts from the bar owners and the servers. However, they could have switched out with clones at any time during the night and no one would've been the wiser. Kiba suggested it was Miyazato who'd ordered others to transform into Ino-clones instead. He also thought Ino may have used a mind technique or a mass genjutsu on our squads."

"Kiba learned redirection from Master Kurenai, so no surprise there."

"How should we proceed?"

"What's done is done," said Shikamaru with a dismissive hand wave. "We won't waste more time or resources on Kiba's hijinks, but we have to counteract any future plans he might form."

"I have Hinata guarding Kiba and Naruto. Once Naruto is on his feet, she'll take him to Intelligence HQ for interrogation. I doubt I'll receive different answers from Kiba. However, with the right motivation, Naruto might be a good restraint on Kiba."

"I'll leave it to you. Take Shino and join the squads where the explosion took place. We've already excavated the collapsed pipeline. Based on the diameter of the crater left behind, three or four explosive tags caused the explosion. While the underground drains are a labyrinth, it is possible Ino got into Konoha through them."

"She wouldn't hide in the wild?"

"I don't see her leaving everything a mess. My guess is she's in disguise but has her chakra suppressed." Shikamaru rubbed at his forehead. "She knows her clan is in control of the Sensing Barrier. Miyazato made the mistake of relying too heavily on the Yamanaka sensors, and he, too, has lost her. Our surveillance team reported his return to the Yamanaka main house several hours ago. No movement since."

"Ino is skilled, but can she elude our collective forces without chakra?"

"To put it simply," answered Shikamaru, "I've sent her on missions where she had to wear a disguise, not a henge, but a physical disguise because the target had sensors on the payroll, and she's never once failed. She could be anyone, anywhere, right in front of us."

Sai frowned. "I'd better take Shino and continue the investigation."

"We have additional members of the Inuzuka and Hyuuga clans on site. If there are clues to be found, they'll find them. Wherever Ino has hidden, she won't stick her neck out until the search activity has died down. Until then, we'll treat this as our last opportunity to track her."

"Understood."

Sai exited the Office, and with Shino at his side, flew an ink hawk to the destroyed landscape north of the village. Thanks to Kiba and Naruto's efforts, Ino had a real opportunity to elude Miyazato's grasp last night. He had honestly thought she'd never attempt to hide in his home, but the location of the exploded manhole showed her intention to do just that. She may have used the water station as an exit point and integrated into the civilian population, but he felt she needed time to recover from her jutsu maneuvers. For now, however, his hands were tied.

The knowledge did not alleviate the impatience, the itch, to rush home to see whether Ino was there.

The day wore on. A member of the Inuzuka clan, a chunin named Kegawa, had been deployed to the area and reported to Sai and Shino, once they arrived, of two strong feline scents crisscrossing the forest. Sai recalled the two prowling jaguars outside the warehouses in Sarutotaun, summonings he attributed to Miyazato. Patrol squads in the immediate area and on the Great Barrier Wall had heard and seen the explosion, but as they completed a preliminary investigation, Ino-clones lured them away. The explosive tags had effectively destroyed the ground, collapsing the pipe, but after earth users removed the rubble, Kegawa and her ninken Ocha immediately smelt blood and the two feline scents inside the main pipeline. They, plus Sai and Shino, tracked the scents farther under Konoha, but the trail faded and not long after, ended. They were not far from the secret entrance to Sai's house.

Lots of water streamed through the pipes, but it wasn't the usual rain run-off as no rain had fallen last night. Water, Kegawa said, might've washed away the scent paths. They could track no further. Shino's kikaichu revealed the remainder of the water to be infused with chakra, so someone, either Ino or her pursuer (Miyazato), had unleashed a water technique. Water had crashed around the pipelines a considerable distance, but the origins of the technique were inconclusive. Without further leads in the pipes, everyone returned to the surface.

A quick and direct inquiry into the nearest water station revealed a huge spike in water levels in the early hours of the morning. Nothing if not thorough, Sai unrolled a square of paper and swiftly sketched the approximate area of the water technique. He included the coordinates of the destroyed manhole on the map. The manager at the water station had the locations of the other water stations, which Sai marked on the map as well. In each water station was a short-range radio for each station to communicate, so the manager contacted the different stations to ask about the level spikes last night. Within the next couple of hours, Sai had precise time stamps for when the water levels surged. He jotted the times next to each water station; the earlier the water spike, the closer to the origin of the jutsu the station was. And of course, the water station with the earliest spike was the one nearest his house, which Sai did not care to mention to his team.

He did not yet know whether they would find further evidence at the second water station, but regardless, he and his team traveled to it. Kegawa and Ocha detected no scents to coordinate with what they had smelt in the pipelines. Chakra infused water was found in the area. They explored further into the station along the walkway with various pipes and tubes; Kegawa continued to report no scents from Ino, the jaguars, or Miyazato. Much to Sai's relief, everyone agreed that though the water jutsu had originated from here, they could not conclusively say it was from Ino, nor could they conclude she exited this second water station.

They were back to square one. Sai wondered whether they ought to canvas the area, but a message from Shikamaru for the team to check in with the Office.

After Sai filled Shikamaru in on their findings, Shikamaru said nothing further about it, and ordered Sai to interrogate Naruto's movements from last night, as he had arisen from the night's drunken escapades. Shikamaru kept Kegawa and Ocha at the Office. Sai and Shino dashed off to Intel. Within the muted halls, they entered a barren office populated with one overhead light, one desk and two chairs. Hinata had waited with Naruto. Sai dismissed both her and Shino so he could be alone with Naruto.

Naruto's obviously rehearsed responses corroborated with Kiba's and the testimonies from the bar owners and servers. The timeline wasn't the issue. The issue was that Kiba had persuaded Naruto to help rescue Ino. Kiba had been warned of serious consequences if he stuck his nose where it didn't belong, especially where the Yamanaka clan and Miyazato were concerned. Sai understood why Kiba had involved Naruto, but for their safety, Sai had to convince Naruto to stay out of it and keep Kiba out of it as well.

"When did you and Kiba make plans to go out?" he asked.

Naruto tapped his chin. "The day I got home from the mission. I reported to the old man, who told me to take some time off to rest 'cause the trip was so long. I crossed paths with Kiba on my way home, and he took me out for ramen. We talked then."

Ah. Kiba had not rested on his laurels once removed from the team. "What did you talk about?"

"Training, girls, and mission stuff," Naruto replied, somewhat evasively.

"Mission stuff? Please elaborate."

Naruto's mood switched from bored to cautious. "We talked about what we'd been assigned lately. Nothing much. Why?"

Prior to Naruto's arrival, Lord Kakashi and Shikamaru had compartmentalized the situation with Ino…meaning while her engagement to Miyazato was common knowledge, Miyazato's deceptive influence over the Yamanaka clan (and others) had been kept secret to prevent rash decisions, suspicions, and outright panic. Lord Kakashi emphasized the importance of excluding Naruto from the information, as Naruto, like Kiba, would impulsively confront Miyazato without all the facts. Kiba's strong and deep emotional ties to Ino motivated him to defend her, and Naruto, with his loyal and soft heart, took on Kiba's position as his own.

Sai studied Naruto's big, wide, honest eyes. The first time Sai had met Naruto, he had been drawn into the vivid irises. Paired with the blue eyes, Naruto's whole personality was warm and genuine; he was not a liar, which was not to say he wasn't cunning when necessary, just that forthrightness was crucial to his code. Naruto had the personality, stubbornness, and jutsu to bring positive solutions to many complex conflicts, but Miyazato may wield the Yamanaka clan against Naruto, assimilating him and his dynamics (not to mention Kurama) to the wrong side.

"Kiba didn't inform you? He and Akamaru betrayed his team while on a mission. They were removed from active duty as a consequence."

"What?" Naruto's eyes were even bigger with surprise, but a moment later he shook his head. "No. He didn't say anything about a suspension. How? Why? I don't believe it!"

"He and Ino broke off their romantic relationship a few weeks ago. Ino then became engaged to Mr. Miyazato," Sai replied. "She has resisted the idea, but due to a legal contract, the Hokage is obligated to give her over to Mr. Miyazato. Naturally, Kiba found the proceedings to be distasteful, so when he had the opportunity, he attacked his team to help Ino escape."

"So what? I don't see the problem. I mean, he did betray the team, but Ino doesn't want to marry the guy, so she shouldn't have to. Kiba was right. The attack was understandable."

Sai struck at Naruto's vulnerable spot. "Yes, of course Kiba did what he believed to be right, when it meant he had to fight his own team. But, Naruto, our word is our bond and our bond is our ninja way. The Yamanaka clan promised Ino's hand in marriage to Mr. Miyazato. We will lose credibility as Leaf shinobi if we don't keep our promises. Once our word is broken, it can no longer be accepted as our bond. We lose our ninja way."

"I'd never make a promise which would take away someone's choice," said Naruto, gesturing in his anger, but Sai saw the logic of the argument had effectively cornered Naruto. He could not go against the code he'd followed since he was a child, the code he'd promulgated to all and sundry, the code Sasuke was forced to bow to. "I shouldn't have to keep promises I didn't even make!"

"True, you personally did not give your word. However, when you are Hokage," another strike where Naruto was vulnerable, "you must uphold the promises the clans in your village make, and clans are allowed to decide such things. It isn't fair, but it's the village law. We can do nothing about it. You must refrain from acting against the Hokage and the village. Please give me your word that you won't get involved."

Naruto scowled, his fair brows drawn together in sadness. "But...what about Ino? Why doesn't she have a say in anything?"

"Ino has had her say." He didn't lie to Naruto. Ino's arrival to the Office yesterday afternoon was solely to express her refusal to marry Miyazato. "Despite her arguments, she is still expected to surrender to her clan's wishes, to keep the promise to Miyazato, and to follow the law of her village."

"I hate it. I hate it," Naruto repeated. The big, wide, honest blue eyes filled with tears. "Why do we have dumb laws like those?"

Sai did not bear the responsibility to answer Naruto's question, so he didn't. "Please give me your word you won't get involved."

Naruto rubbed his tearful eyes with his black sleeve. He snuffled. "Yeah."

Close enough. A feeble 'yeah' was as binding as an enthusiastic 'yes'. "One final thing. Give your word you'll keep an eye on Kiba and stop any of his schemes to help Ino or obstruct us from our mission."

Naruto hissed as though scalded. "Kiba's my friend. I can't just…" He swept his arm outwards in a futile supplication to Sai. "I think he's right to feel how he does about Ino. About...what's happening to her. She doesn't deserve it."

"If you won't promise, I'll have to take matters into my own hands," Sai said. "We both know my deterrent will be worse than yours." Naruto had an active imagination, so Sai would allow it to conjure what was meant by ' a worse deterrent.'

"I...why don't you get Kiba's word?"

"Kiba is compromised. I can't trust he'll give his word, or keep it if he does, given who is involved, his prior behavior, and the high-stakes situation. You, I can trust."

"Kiba would never break his word."

Sai folded his hands on the tabletop. "Three weeks ago I would have confidently said Kiba would never attack his teammates on a mission. Then he did. With Ino's specific situation, he can't be trusted."

A long pause extended between them as Naruto considered everything Sai had mentioned, until at last, he ducked his head. "Yeah, okay. You have my word."

"Thank you. You're free to go."

Shoulders stooped, Naruto left the room, the door creaking shut behind him. Sai closed his gritty eyes. An awful breathlessness tightened in his chest. He had not played a fair game with Naruto in the argument, but what else could he have done? Limitations to Miyazato's abilities were unknown, and Sai, as a ranking officer in the Intelligence Division, had to keep Miyazato's attention off the village's most valued shinobi. As much as Sai considered Naruto a friend, Naruto was too valuable to Konoha to let him run rampant. When Ino had interrupted them last night, his, Shikamaru's, and Lord Kakashi's conversation had been about the protection of village assets.

"Using Naruto to keep Kiba in place was smart."

Sai tensed. Ino's father was back from the ether or wherever he resided when Sai's mind was occupied with other issues. He had taken the chair Naruto had vacated a few moments ago, his posture casual, his body slanted away from Sai. He continued, "However, each ally you remove is another obstacle out of Miyazato's path. At the current rate, Ino won't have anyone left to protect her. How will you save Ino from Miyazato with no allies and no resources?"

Inoichi's question shuddered through Sai as though ice water had been injected into him. He didn't answer because his answer was too horrific to utter. Inoichi's sea-green eyes flicked to Sai's face. When, in the span of two or three seconds, realization dawned, anger also contorted Inoichi's features. Stark fury rolled from him, a hot, fiery psychic push. Strangely, the push came from within Sai's own body.

"You are unworthy of a bond with her if you sacrifice her for duty!" The words reverberated in the small room. Sai flinched, unprepared to confront Inoichi's hostility, the brutality of a father's love for his one and only child. "She risked her life to save you in Silence. She risked her life to protect you on the Hinokoku mission. You have a bond with her, a sacred connection! Where is your so-called humanity now?"

Sai gasped, breathless from the heat and violence of the emotion, and put his forehead to the cold metal table. Anything to unsee Inoichi's grief and rage. He waited, his blood throbbing in his veins, as he grappled with a sudden compulsion to race home to see if Ino was there. All he cared about was whether Ino was safe. Was she safe? Was she safe?

Inoichi continued, "She is defenseless, adrift, and cornered. You should be concerned about her safety, now and always. What are you doing? Go to her!"

Sai clung to the table, fighting against the madness. Lord Danzo's cold tone rose from the depths of his mind: No! Don't compromise yourself for nothing. Ino will surrender to protect the village, as any good shinobi would. Eliminate your emotions.

The thought didn't do much to convince the compulsion to fade, but it was a thread Sai could grasp. He remembered Ino's grief and wrath and heartbreak over the destruction of her father's flower shop, how she had lashed out at him in her agony and had consequently drowned him in the flood she created. Her taking him with her during a catastrophic reaction had happened once before on the roof of the Hokage's Office when she'd swooped as a hawk into the sky, and several times more. Their bond had begun in Silence and afterwards had strengthened, weaving them together and placing Ino in a position of power over him. But he had power over himself.

After Ino swept him away in the flood of her emotions, Sai had been revived and Inoichi had appeared. Sai had assumed Inoichi was an extension of Ino's astral projection, of their ever-strengthening bond, but while Inoichi behaved in an unique manner in various situations, he also behaved in reaction to Sai's thoughts and emotions. Therefore, Sai's brain projected Inoichi's image to perhaps accommodate or manifest Ino's deep connection to him. Sai had no experience with psychological theories; however, he felt Inoichi was a part of his own brain. He could control his thoughts, so it stood to reason he had control over Inoichi.

Long ago, Shin's sacrifice allowed Sai to live on the condition that Sai overcome his emotions, burying them deep. Shin had learned the practice early in their training; he had taught Sai, but Sai never quite got the knack of it. But after Shin's death, the unimaginable pain…he had turned to Shino's teaching for relief, for peace. Shin's method had helped Sai to strangle out his emotions enough to convince Lord Danzo he'd been a legitimate victor.

Close your eyes. Shin whispered beside him into his ear. Sai's obedience to Shin was more instant than his obedience to Lord Danzo or Lord Hokage. Shin was his brother.

First, pace your breathing. Within the thrash and howl of raw emotion, Sai counted out cycles of his breathing, really thinking about inhalation and exhalation. He concentrated and as he concentrated, his breath became natural, slower and relaxed. Muscles loosened. Space expanded in his chest.

Next, imagine the emotion is a stone in your hands. Sai waded into his imagination. Breathing was steady, calm, and though the unruly emotions sometimes fought for domination, once he concentrated on shrinking them down, they obeyed. He had the power. They would obey him. Little by little, the wild whirlwind shrank into a smooth stone the size of his palm. The stone was heavy, heavier than expected.

Drop it into a pool of water. Sai looked down. At his feet, a black liquid pond spilled outwards. He didn't toss the stone. Instead, he lowered his hand into the cold water, the stone squeezed tight in his fist, and released it so he didn't create ripples.

Let it sink deep to the very bottom of the pool. Although the stone was no longer visible, Sai sensed the heaviness of the stone as it sank, deeper, deeper, into the pool until the shape of it was no longer felt, until it rested with the other stones on the pool's bed. On the surface, all was placid, all was tranquil. I'm fine. Everything's fine.

When he opened his eyes to the empty office, he was stable. Tired, a little sweaty, but clear-headed and calm. Very calm. He rose, gathered Hinata and Shino who'd waited for him, and reported to Shikamaru the conversation with Naruto and Naruto's word to stay out of the Yamanaka-Miyazato situation while also preventing Kiba from bad decisions.

Shikamaru acknowledged the information. "We've had a pretty long day and a longer week. You three head home. Eat, shower, and sleep. Report tomorrow morning at 9 AM sharp. Understood?"

They said their goodbyes, going their separate ways once they'd left the building. Sai made a beeline home. He could not get Ino's face out of his head as he shut and locked the door behind him and tore off his shoes, and dumped the scroll into a corner. The walls of his house were white, but paintings and sketches he'd done over the years were framed and hung in neat, tight rows. He hardly had any space left to hang his art. Along the hall were paintings which had been with him for a long time; they were old friends who greeted him each time he came home, but today, they went ignored. He opened his bedroom door. No Ino. He opened the guest bedroom.

There she was, asleep, bundled under the covers, her hair a splayed river of yellow on the white sheets. Exhaustion rimmed her eyes with shadows.

Relief and joy and passion burst free. He rushed to her side, but a fraction of an inch before he touched her, he withdrew his hand. She had fought for her life last night. No, he wouldn't wake her. But within him, he soared with the kind of excitement he felt when rushing through the air on a hawk's back. Without alleviation, his heart would erupt. The excitement raced from his chest, gushing into his shoulders, lighting points in his upper arm, elbows, wrists, and finally, sparked from his fingertips.

He must paint. He must paint. He must paint.

The art studio was through the kitchen up a flight of stairs and spanned the entirety of the second floor of the house. No dividers broke the room. Skylights brought in natural light, but he had installed strong overhead lighting. At one end of the room was a cozy window nook. He had drawers and a sink, and a closet with cleaning supplies and canvas. Completed paintings were leaned against the walls, there being no room on the walls to hang them. Sai unzipped his shirt and removed his trousers, hanging the clothes on a hook near the sink, as clothes inevitably became victims of his aggressive painting style.

Already, his mind was outside his head to allow creativity free rein. He grabbed the nearest canvas, set it on the easel, and went about setting his station with thinner and utensils. Bright cascades of light sizzled in his hands; he couldn't stand still, couldn't hurry fast enough to get pain on the palette and mix it. Once he had the brush in hand, Sai, the killer, the soldier, the ex-Root member, was no more. That structured consciousness had faded into obscurity. In its place was an unfettered emotional drive, a physical embodiment of color, texture, shades, and shapes. The being became a conduit for art. His outpouring would continue until the well ran dry.

Maybe minutes elapsed. Maybe hours.

Sunlight hit him full in the face. Rousing, he winced from it, lifted his hand to save his retina, and knew at once that the solid floor beneath him had stiffened his limbs. Joints popped in sequence when he stretched and kneaded a crick in his neck. Sometime during his fugue state, he'd toppled over with exhaustion and had slept on the floor. What had he painted? He didn't remember...

Sunlight had also struck the canvas. He'd painted with broad strokes, mostly in hues of yellow, and so thick that layers of paint had crusted over, leaving a textured, nuanced picture. The yellow cascaded in waves, danced and played in swirls and eddies, and had life in it. Flowers. Birds. Fish. Other cute, fuzzy creatures peeking through the yellow falls. He didn't recognize what he'd meant, so he cleaned and washed the brushes in the sink, disposed of the globs of paint on the palette, and put on his clothes.

When he stood at the top of the steps, he heard a singsong tune hummed from the kitchen. A clatter of pans. The refrigerator opened. Ino must be awake. The thought zoomed hotly down his spine and crackled lightning into his gut. So awoke Lizard Brain. Sai descended the stairs two at a time and at the bottom, he jerked to a stop so he could stare, heart swollen with happiness, at Ino in his kitchen. Her back was turned to him, her hair undone and loose as she grabbed ingredients from the fridge. He watched as she paused and her shoulders stiffened. Then she turned around. She sensed my presence.

She wore a black t-shirt with 'Konoha' printed in white letters across the chest and a pair of his briefs, both pilfered from his dresser drawers. They said nothing for a long moment as they soaked in the sight of the other. She set aside a carton of milk and the butter. Together, in total sync, they flew into each other's arms. In the center of the embrace, their mouths united and Sai melted away into complete and total passion. When he cared to register reality, he found Ino had cornered him against the counter and because he hadn't zipped his shirt, she nibbled a glorious trail of open-mouth kisses down his chest.

Responding as expected in situations involving Ino and deep, tongue-filled kisses, Sai's penis demonstrated a similar passion experienced in his heart. He ached, he throbbed, he flexed. He murmured to Ino because he needed more kisses, but she had discovered he'd only zipped his trousers and not snapped them. With a single, fluid motion, she dropped to her knees and was face to eye with his erection, his trousers and underwear crumpled around his ankles. Her hands stroked his thighs.

"Miss Beautiful?" She flicked her sky-blue eyes at him; she had a smirk on her face. Sai gripped the cold counter behind him. On some primal level, he prepared for ecstasy. "What're you...ah…ah…"

She had her mouth on his sensitive flesh and seemingly swallowed him whole. Again, he had heard of fellatio through erotic literature. While words like 'slurp' and 'suck' and 'lick' were used, he did not associate them with feeling. Now he understood. Sweet tension rippled through him. He shot toward the sun again. Ino's head bobbed, her suction on him unbreakable, and before he had a chance to enjoy her skillful tongue and lips, a fast and hard orgasm tore him asunder. Then it was over.

Sai did not loosen his grip on the kitchen counter. He thought if he did, his legs would give out. Ino hiked his trousers to his hips, zipping them so they stayed in place. Meanwhile, Sai floated on a warm cloud which hazed his vision. Contentment suffused his torso, his limbs, and spread up his neck to his face. He felt incredible.

"We call that a blowjob," she said, kissing him with moist, reddened lips.

A blowjob? But she sucked? He was in no position to argue semantics. "I liked it."

"Most men do."

Sai trusted his legs to hold him, so he could caress the nape of her neck. Her hair was thick and golden over her shoulders. They were in no hurry, but despite the lethargy, Sai's tendency to clean and neaten nagged at him. He glanced at the floor but did not see where his fluid had spilled. "Did you swallow…?"

"Hm-hm."

"Will you get sick?"

She laughed. "No. Ejaculate is just a tablespoon of protein. It's fine."

They kissed again, their tongues together in a beautiful slow dance. Sai stroked his hand around her hip, under the shirt's hem, and coasted along smooth, bumpy ribs. He fondled her heavy breast, remembering to be gentle, and when he brushed the outside curve of it, Ino moaned from her throat. Lizard Brain thought ahead to her spread legs, the pink womanhood, and her heightened color as he pumped inside her, his name falling from her lips over and over. She squirmed and blocked his hand.

"Enough," she said after she broke from their kiss. "We have to wait. Please."

He released her breast, and as Lizard Brain threw the equivalent of a hissy fit, he let her scoot away from him. Had he done something wrong? Hurt, he watched her adjust her clothes, but instead of anger or upset, she smiled at him.

"I'm not fully recovered from chakra exhaustion, which means I can't protect us during sex, and I'm still sore, so I won't enjoy it as much." She brushed his bangs from his eyes. The loving gesture sent a hot shock into his gut. "Can you understand?"

Oh. He should've realized sooner what her feelings would be. The sting faded and was forgotten. "I understand perfectly. I apologize if I pushed you too hard."

"No problem. It's why I said something. Communication is important in a healthy relationship." She trailed fingers along his jaw; his penis twitched to life. Lizard Brain flashed lewd images inside his brain. "I'm about to take over your kitchen to cook breakfast. I thought simple might be better, so do you mind eggs and rice?"

"No, not at all."

He was not inclined to leave. Inoichi had been in his head and wasn't real. It wasn't beyond possibility that Ino could be an imagined experience as well. Real or imagined, Sai never wanted the moment to end. They stood, in the middle of the kitchen, and stared at each other.

Ino gestured with her thumb. "I should get started."

"Okay."

Still, they stared at each other, neither moving. Annoyed, Ino huffed. "You need something else?"

"I'm afraid when I leave you'll disappear."

Her annoyance softened to compassion. "I won't disappear."

"Do you promise?"

"I promise," she said. "I'll be here when you get back."

He must accept because they couldn't stand and stare at each other forever, so he was the first to make a move. He kissed her once more to seal the promise, and left her to cook breakfast while he bathed and dressed in fresh clothes. Lizard Brain rustled around, stirred up and unsettled, but Sai ignored it. Later, after Ino had time to heal, Lizard Brain would have a turn but until then, it would have to control itself. When he was ready, he returned to the kitchen. He could not help but beam with happiness. She had not disappeared, which meant, for the foreseeable future, he had her all to himself.

A/N: Thank you for reading. I'm not an expert at writing Naruto, but I tried to keep him earnest while also maturing him a bit. I'll see you next week for chapter 49!