A/N: It's been a while. Apologies. I have a poll on my two accounts Wickermayne and VulgarAssassin on FFnet for which stories I should focus on. Please vote if you can. You need to be on the desktop website, the mobile one won't let you see the poll.
"Naruto."
He ignored her, swiftly moving down the stairs and stomping to the exit of the hospital. His sandals making clanking sounds against the metal.
"Naruto!" frustration seeped into Ino's voice as she increased the length of her strides to catch up to the blonde boy.
"What!?" Naruto snapped, finally turning around to stare at his teammate. Anger clouded his eyes and Ino never saw that expression directed at herself before. Despite her understanding the reason, it still wounded her.
"Don't be mad," she mumbled weakly, and she saw the heat begin to fade off his expression. It was still tight, his mouth drawn sharply, but not as unforgiving as a moment ago.
"I'm not mad," Naruto grunted, running a hand through his coarse locks as he stared at the ground.
Ino tentatively stepped closer to him until their sandals nearly touched, "Well, it sure seems like it."
Naruto glared at her for a moment, and he must have noticed her flinch, because his eyes softened right before letting out a defeated sigh, "Just don't interfere next time."
"Don't interfere? You guys could have seriously hurt each other!"
"You mean he would have got hurt. I was going to win, y'know?" he puffed out his chest, slapping it with his comment.
"Oh my god!" Ino rolled her eyes. "You know what I mean!"
"Whatever," Naruto scoffed, taking a step back. A pang of hurt rushed through Ino's chest, and she reached out to him, grabbing his wrist and stopping him. His eyes flickered to hers, but he did not try and pull away.
Ino could feel his pulse bounce beneath her thumb, and she brushed back and forth over it. "Why do you guys always have to fight, why can't you to be nice to each other?"
"Who would want to be friends with that bastard?" Naruto growled.
"Naruto, you don't have to pretend with me," Ino said softly, and she saw a pained expression on his face. He looked away composing himself.
"What was that jutsu you used?"
Ino knew pushing him anymore would not help her, so she answered his question, "It's called Mind Body Disturbance…it lets me take control of my target's body for a short while without having to take over their mind."
He looked at her again, his eyes twinkling with inquisitiveness, "Really? I don't know, it felt more like a zap in my body, didn't feel like I was being controlled or nothing."
Heat rushed across Ino's face in embarrassment, "I-I'm still working on it. Besides, it stopped you two idiots from killing each other, didn't it?"
"I guess so," Naruto's face split into a wide grin and relief washed over Ino's chest, the simple expression almost causing her joy in and of itself.
"So, we are good?"
Naruto rolled his eyes as if Ino said something daft, "Yeah, of course. I was only mad for, like, five seconds."
Ino smiled and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, her fingers passing by the hair pin Naruto gave her. The smile he returned made her stomach flutter with…no nothing her stomach was settling from Naruto forgiving her, that's all.
"I'm going to go home…I need to think about some stuff. Do you want to get some dinner later?"
"I would love that, Naruto," she smiled sweetly at the boy, and he returned a heartfelt grin.
Nowadays fighting with Naruto was like holding her breath underwater and making up with him and seeing that stupid grin was like taking in a gulp of fresh air.
She only hoped her two idiots would make up as well.
Ino stared at her ceiling. Sleep refused to come to her.
She kept replaying the fight back in her mind. Something seemed off about it, but she could not place a finger on what exactly irked her.
Ino closed her eyes again, attempting to fall asleep once more. The heaviness behind her eyes meant she would finally be able to rest…
Sasuke's face.
She almost jumped out of bed, a cold sweat running down her spine. His face when he was fighting Naruto…it was not normal. It reminded her of time he fought that sound boy and ripped his arm out of his socket.
Brutal, unforgiving…uncaring.
An unsettling feeling burrowed its way into Ino's stomach, and she quickly dress and equipped her ninja gear before heading downstairs.
As Ino reached the bottom of the stairs she heard her mother calling out to her. "Ino, where are you going sweetheart?"
"I'm sorry I woke you up mama, I'm just going for a walk," Ino called back, tying her hair into a loose ponytail.
"Okay, baby, be safe."
"I will, go back to sleep. I'll be home soon," Ino promised as she slipped on her sandals and left the shop.
She kept thinking about Sasuke. It escaped her attention at first, but not it was clear as day.
He changed since waking up from the coma.
She knew Naruto annoyed the avenger but to see the distain and anger on his face toward their fellow teammate scared her. What happened to the respect and admiration he had?
Ino found herself following the route leading to the entrance of Konoha. The streets were empty, only the wind rustling the trees kept her company. She walked slowly but purposefully, reaching the end of the path which led to the main gates.
The only path in and out of Konoha.
"Maybe I'm just paranoid," Ino muttered to herself. She shook her head to clear her pessimistic thoughts and began to make her way back.
When she saw him, her heart sunk to her stomach like a rock being thrown in a pond.
"Sasuke."
His eyes seemed dead, barely flickering toward her, not stopping his lazy gait.
Ino was unsure what exactly she expected to feel, seeing Sasuke leaving like this. Maybe it should be sadness, maybe fear, or perhaps anguish.
Instead, coarse, burning anger filled her veins, burning underneath her skin.
"Sasuke!" she barked his name like a curse, and he finally stopped, only a few feet in front of her. His eyes flickered briefly with an expression of curiosity, but then it was back to the same dead expression. "Where..." the word came out croaked, "Where do you think you are going?"
"It's late. Go home and sleep," his voice was quiet and controlled, unlike her own. Ino wanted to throttle him. How dare he act so calm when she was on the verge of tears for the bastard?
"How can you do this? How can you just leave us? We all care about you Sasuke-kun, how can you just throw that away? And what for? Revenge? That won't make you happy!"
"And you will? Is that your point, Ino?" he sneered, "I always knew I was different from you lot, and you just proved my point. Maybe, once, I thought friendship could be enough, maybe it was the right path, but I was wrong. For the sake of revenge, for the sake of everything I have done up to this point, I need power. Power that I won't get here. Revenge is my path and my purpose. I can't be like you or Naruto, so forget trying to convince me otherwise."
Ino froze, not expecting such a speech, and Sasuke began to walk past her. A flash of blonde hair and blue eyes in her mind broke her out of her stupor.
"You will break Naruto's heart!" she hissed.
That stopped him, and he had the decency to turn around. Even though his Sharingan was turned off, it seemed like Sasuke could see right through her.
"He will be fine," Sasuke's voice was as gentle as she'd ever heard it, "He has you, after all."
Ino let out a shaky breath, blinking away the unshed tears and calming her heart. Ino was no fool, the time for talking was over. "I'm not going to let you go, Sasuke. As a kunoichi of Konoha, I will stop you here."
Sasuke's mouth twitched into almost a smile, something that would have made Ino squeal with joy weeks ago now made her mouth twist with anger. "You were always the top kunoichi, let's see how strong you've become now."
A breeze brushed past them, shifting the leaves on the trees surrounding them. As suddenly as it passed, the two ninja sprung to action.
When she opened the door, Naruto was already awake, sitting up in his bed, but hunched over. Bandages covered his face and arms almost completely, his blue eyes peaked out, but they were dulled compared to their normally brilliant colour. He started when she opened the door, turning his head to meet her gaze.
"Hi," Ino whispered.
"Hi," he murmured back, a weak smile grazing his lips.
They were silent for a moment, before Ino finally moved toward him, sitting delicately on his bed as not to jostle his body. "Are you okay?"
Naruto let out a brittle laugh, shaking his head, "I'll be alright, good as new soon. I'm not worried about me, how's everyone else?"
"I-I don't know, I came straight here."
"Oh," he swallowed, dipping his head, "Thanks."
Ino hummed, placing her hand on top of his bandaged one, "Did Sasuke-kun…"
"No. No, he's gone. I couldn't—I'm sorry, Ino."
"Oh, Naruto," Ino breathed, before leaning in and hugging him. His body froze against hers, but she ignored it, leaning her head against his neck, trying to hold back her tears. "Don't apologize, you have nothing to apologize for."
Naruto placed his arms delicately against her waist, pulling her harder against himself, soft gulps for air coming for him. "I promised," he choked around the words, "I promised you, but I couldn't—he was too—" he cut himself off, his breathes coming harshly.
Ino rubbed his back, clinging onto him until he calmed down and he loosened his hold on her.
"Naruto," she sat back on the bed, cupping his face and forcing him to look at her. His brilliant blue eyes glossy with unshed tears. "Listen to me, I don't want that…I don't want that promise okay."
"What?! But, you—"
"Listen!" she glared at him, and he snapped his mouth shut. "I want something else, a different promise, one you have to keep no matter what, okay?"
"Anything."
"Naruto, promise me…promise me that we will do this together. You and I will save Sasuke together. I don't want to be left behind, treated like a burden. I swear, I swear I will get strong enough so we can do this together. And I-I need you too, I can't lose you. Okay, together, always together—promise me!"
His eyes glowed, his lips parting in awe, she could tell. "Y-yeah, I promise, I swear. You and me, Ino."
"Good," she stared at him, this close she could still she he was bruised, a faint purple patch on his jaw. She nearly growled, "Again? They didn't heal you properly? What's wrong with these stupid medic-nin!"
Naruto laughed, maneuvering out of Ino's grip, "Really, Ino? They're busy!"
"They can't do their jobs properly you mean!" Ino grabbed his face roughly this time, forcing a hiss out of her fellow blonde. "Have to do everything myself huh?"
"Fuck, Ino, watch it!"
"Shut up!" she snapped, before performing a seal and healing the bruise, a soft whimper leaving Naruto's lips, causing Ino's heart to twist with anguish. This small bruise caused him pain and he was bandaged head to toe. How could Sasuke do this?
"Not bad, you're little Inoichi's kid, right?"
Ino nearly jumped off the bed at the Hokage's voice, turning around to greet her with a bow. "Godaime-sama! Thank you for coming."
Tsunade waved her hand dismissively, "Frankly, I haven't known many Yamanaka members to dabble in healing arts, especially this young."
"Ah, well, I needed to…for um…" Ino could not help herself and her gaze flickered back toward Naruto.
"Oh, I see, this brat would dead without you, huh? I hoped you've shown some decent manners toward her, Naruto!"
Naruto snorted, "C'mon granny, I'm the kindest, politest boy you know."
Tsunade let out a dry chuckle and Ino tried to not let her jaw drop at the casual banter between their new Hokage and her teammate.
"I heard you got pretty battered up, but you're looking well," Tsunade nodded at Ino before heading back toward the door, "Get plenty of bed rest, you hear, Naruto?"
"Yeah, yeah."
"One answer is enough!" Ino hissed at Naruto, and he cowered under her glare.
The Hokage laughed as she left the room, and Ino only hesitated a moment before following her out.
"H-hokage-sama, please wait! I was just wondering—if it was possible—I know you are busy, but I—"
"Calm down," Tsunade placed a hand on Ino's shoulder, grounding her, "What is it you want to ask me?"
Ino took in a big breath of air to calm herself before pleading, "Hokage-sama, please train me as a medical ninja!"
Tsunade tilted her head, dropping her hand, and she observed Ino for a moment, "It's not something easy, you know, it is hundreds of hours working on the craft, using practicality when medical ninjutsu won't work. It takes quick thinking and wit. It is not a life of glamour."
"I know! I know that. Give me a chance, Godaime-sama, let me prove to you how much I want this."
Tsunade crossed her arms, tapping a finger against her forearm as she contemplated her decision. After a moment she spoke, "We are still recovering and I have many tasks to attend to, especially with Sasuke essentially defecting. In one week, I will start a trial, to see if you have what it takes to be trained by me."
"I…of course Hokage-sama!" Ino beamed, a giddiness exploding into her chest at the thought of possibly being trained by Lady Tsunade.
"I will see you, in one week. Be ready," Tsunade smiled at Ino before turning and walking away.
Ino let out a breath in excitement. This was a once in a life opportunity, to be trained by one of the legendary Sannin and she was not going to mess it up! She would train, become strong, as strong as Naruto and Sasuke, and she would make their team whole once more.
"Here, vanilla pudding, right?" Naruto handed her the small pot, Ino beamed at him as she took it before settling her back against the tree they were sitting under. Shadow clones were sooo useful!
"Of course, Naruto! Only a heathen would eat pudding in any other flavour."
"Dunno, I kind of like this chocolate one."
"That's because you have an undignified palate."
Naruto stuck his tongue out at her before sitting next to her and tucking away into his pudding with gusto.
Ino took her time, letting the delicate flavours seep against her tongue. The two ate in silence and Ino enjoyed the mild breeze that tickled the grass and her cheeks as she enjoyed her treat.
The duo had spent the day just talking and…playing. It felt like it had been a long time since Ino had enjoyed herself as much as she had today with Naruto. Her teammate almost never spent a day after Sasuke leaving not training until he nearly collapsed from exhaustion. She was busy too, preparing for her meeting with Tsunade-sama, but she still missed the time they used to spend together. Ino was not sure what made him reach out to her for a day of much needed relaxation, but she was grateful.
Once she finished her pudding, Ino reached out and grasped his hand in her own, squeezing gently. The sun already began to set, and an orange hue basked along them. Naruto's eyes shined particularly brightly in the lighting.
"Thanks for hanging out with me today, Naruto, I know you're busy training and all, but we should do this again soon!" she smiled brightly at him, expecting his beautiful grin right back, instead his brow furrowed slightly, and his mouth twitched into a weak imitation of a smile.
"Yeah, I had an awesome time today, Ino."
"What is it? What are you hiding from me?" Ino demanded, being able to read Naruto like a book at this point.
She saw Naruto take a deep breath, his face falling into a sheepish expression, and he began rubbing the back of his head like he was wont to do when he was nervous.
"Listen, Ino, I'm…" he paused.
"What?" Ino breathed, squeezing tighter on his hand, the skin blanching under the pressure, but he only winced slightly.
"I'm going on a training trip tomorrow!" Naruto finally blurted out, his eyes wide.
Ino stopped her death grip on his hand and leaned back, letting out a chuckle. "Is that all? What did you get in a tizzy for? When are you coming back, next month?"
Naruto closed his eyes and mumbled something.
"Speak clearly Naruto, gosh," Ino huffed.
Naruto did not meet Ino's eyes when he spoke, "Two or three years…"
Ino snorted ungracefully and then slapped him on the shoulder, "That is not funny, Naruto."
Finally, he locked eyes with her, his gaze filled with regret, "I'm not joking."
Ino's stared at for him a moment, mouth agog, before she shrieked, "Th-three years?!"
"It might be two," Naruto offered with a cheap, placating smile.
Ino removed her hand from on top of Naruto's and curled her knees against her chest. "I-I can't believe it. Why can't you stay here and train?"
"Pervy sage is gonna teach me, and he needs to leave the village y'know…"
Ino could not help the tears that formed in her eyes at his proclamation, sniffing to try and stop her nose from running.
"Ino, I'm sorry, please don't cry. I'll be back before you know it," Naruto murmured, placing his hand gently on her shoulder.
Ino let out a wet chuckle, "Isn't it funny, Naruto? A year ago, I couldn't stand you…and now I feel like a piece of me is going to be missing for the next three years."
Naruto reached over, gingerly wiping her tears away before grasping her face and making her look at him. His face burned red, but his eyes glistened sharply. "No, it's not funny, Ino, cause I feel the same, maybe more so. You've become my best friend, you know? I don't know if I ever told you that, I'm not so good with shouting out my feelings…but you mean the world to me."
Ino sobbed, her heart soared at his declaration and fresh tears spilled from her eyes. She threw herself at Naruto, knocking him over and hugging him fiercely. "I-Idiot, you've gone and made me ruin my makeup!"
She felt the vibrations of his laugh against her chest, and he rubbed her back soothingly, murmuring an apology in her ear.
"You'd better come back to me as soon as possible," Ino demanded, looking up at him through bleary eyes.
He replied with a breath-taking smile, the one her heart claimed as hers, "It's a promise."
Ino was confident she passed. The healing technique took some time and effort, and a lot of sweat and frustrated tears, but she was able to perform it within a week of starting the trial. She saw that glint of intrigue in Tsunade-sama's eyes, so yes, this must be the meeting where the Hokage told Ino she would be her apprentice.
Despite that rational reasoning, Ino still felt a flurry of butterflies beating tornadoes in her stomach.
"C'mon girl, she's going to say yes, and then you will get some bad-ass training and help Naruto save Sasuke!" Ino whispered to herself fervently before opening the door to the Hokage's office.
"Ino?!" Sakura gaped at her, the pink-haired kunoichi stood tautly in front of Tsunade-sama, but her jaw dropped in disbelief.
"Sakura?! What are you doing here?"
"I should be asking you that! Tsunade-sama called me here of course."
Tsunada-sama interrupted them with a sigh, "Yes, yes, you two, stop squabbling, obviously I called both of you here."
Ino walked next to Sakura, her heart pounding viciously in her chest, threatening to break free. Fucking Sakura, of course Ino was not the only one who would try and apprentice under the Legendary Sannin.
"I really don't have time for apprentices, it is a turbulent time with my succession due to the murder of the Third…"
Ino sensed Sakura wilting next to her and it took all of Ino's efforts to not appear the same way.
"…however, it has been a while since I've seen talent such as both of yours. I won't be an easy teacher, I will push the two of you to the brink. Do you accept?"
Ino glanced at Sakura, who turned her head at the same time. Sakura's eyes burned with a passion Ino had not seen in ages, and she was sure her own were similar. They both traded curt nods.
"Yes, shishou!"
A/N: Sometimes I feel my skills as a writer have deteriorated a lot and I struggled greatly with this chapter. Please let me know what you think about it. I hope, at least somewhat, it was worth the wait. I'm glad I can finally move on to Shippuden now lol.