Ino jerked behind the tree forcing her breath down. Sweats drop down her porcelain skin. They shouldn't catch her. What would become of her if they found out she was following them?
Slowly she carefully peaked again, Deidara yawned sleepily. Itachi said something to Deidara before starting to walk again.
Thank god they didn't notice her presence. What made her curious was the weird pairing. Usually Itachi and Kisame were a team as well as Deidara and Sasori or Tobi.
For what felt like a few hours she decided it was too dangerous to follow them this far all alone. The fact no one even knows she was following these two didn't help. Stopping in her tracks, Ino catches up her breath. Sliding one last glance at their disappearing figures she turned out coming face to face with sharingan.
Nearly feeling her life escaping her body and only managed to hold herself up when Itachi grasped her wrist not letting her lose her balance.
Fear engulfed her entire being. How far had she come unknowingly she doesn't have a single idea. But with her presence known, all she knew was that it was nearly impossible to get out of their grasp alive.
"Did everyone fail to enlighten you to never follow strangers alone?" Deidara snapped from behind. Her eyes went from left to right to Itachi again. He kept calm, a firm grip on her thin wrist tightened.
"Dear me, once we're done you'll be an expert." Deidara taunted from behind.
Taking the chance she brought a kunoi with her free hand to defend only to feel a sharp pain on her wrist as Itachi punched her wrist, kuoni fell down from the impact she stared wide-eyed at Itachi's sharingan glowing. She was doomed.
Her eyes closed on their own not even sure if something hit her or was it her mind or she was killed. Body shut off to send further signals.
Itachi and Deidara had some nerve wrecking eye contact.
"Why?" Deidara finally asked, pissed.
Itachi, as emotionless as ever,didn't falter with his cold gaze. The stress lines become even more prominent.
"Information." Flat.
Deidara hissed harshly before dropping it. It was Itachi who decided to not kill the girl. And it was Itachi who decided to keep the reason secret with stupid excuse of information. Heck! They probably know more than this useless konoha girl could ever know about her birth place! Now they need to hold the burden of someone he started to feel negative emotions for, great.
Ino moaned lightly, her body aching from the uncomfortable position she layed in. Slowly her lids uncovered her light blue eyes.
At the back sight of S rank criminals she jerked up only to fall down from the tree. Yelling at the sudden event she felt sharp pain on her right ankle as the rope stopped her from falling down. Body upside down hanging with a mere rope from a tree as high as a mountain.
"Applying some rationality to your energy must be a weary load huh, un." It was a flat mockery on her. Deidara, she thought angrily.
For a few minutes nothing happened, neither of the criminals talked and she didn't bother to ask for a little help.
Getting rid of the dazzy view from sleep, Ino sighed, finally feeling fully awake. And when she did she realized her skirt rolled down exposing whatever it was supposed to cover. Great! That wasn't even supposed to be a matter of concern as she could die any moment.
Ino carefully reached her right hand to her weapon pocket only to realize they had taken it. It was getting better and better, you know. Rolling her eyes she decided it was better to fall down and die than be under their mercy.
Ino swung aggressively to break the rope as it cracked and made noises. If she cared enough she would've noticed how Deidara and Itachi ignored all the fuss she made but of course she didn't.
However just when she was about to give up Deidara peeked down at her smirking mischievously. She glared in response. What was he planning by doing this?
It didn't take her long to notice her skirt was up before she could react to this he held the kunio and cut the rope letting her fly down.
Ino screamed, if she landed like this, a few bones would end up broken.
Instead of the ground she landed on something hard, definitely not earth. It was Deidara's bird as he still looked down at her enjoying toying with her. Pissed off she stood up to push him but he roughly grabbed her injured arm. She screamed at the shrill pain trying to free herself.
"Deidara that's enough for now. Bring her up." She could thank Itachi for interfering and stopping this psycho.
"Hmm your knight in shining armor huh but not for long, un." He ungentlemanly pushed her on the tree she just fell from only for her to lose balance ready to fall down.
Itachi pushed her to himself, she balanced herself unintentionally grabbing his thigh. Surprised, she stared up at his face. He didn't look amused at all. If anything he did feel, he didn't show it.
Meeting her eyes he said. "That's unpleasant considering you're a ninja."
Ino pulled away from him. She would've loved to retort back but Itachi did seem like the guy she couldn't win in talk, if anything she would be labeled a donkey against his smartass remarks. So she did covered back.
"Pitiful disguise in the name of a ninja." Deidara sighed heavily as if it wasn't his fault for throwing her around.
"What are you planning to do?" Ino demanded an answer, body in defensive mode. She totally knew she looked pathetic in her current situation to them but her brain forgot how to be cool.
"Enlighten us what to do with you. What can you provide for us." Deidara shrugged it off playing with her.
"There's nothing I can benefit you with." She whispered to Itachi's direction, sounding weaker.
Hearing a vulnerable voice of the female captive, Itachi couldn't help but spare her a glance, nearly feeling sorry- But not.
"Craving for demise, are we?" A cold statement.
"She's incompetent, Itachi." Deidara said, eyeing her up and down. "Let's discard the obstruction."
Ino tensed. Holding her breath her eyes shifted between the two criminals. Was death better? Or she might as well try to entertain them in exchange to spare her life.
"I- I..." She started stuttering embarrassingly. Grabbing the hem of her short skirt tightly she felt her cheeks burned up as the two pairs of eyes waited for to finish her sentence. "I'm good at sse-huh or k-ki- damn i mean i could cook you something delicious!" Halfway through she changed the message. She didn't have enough courage to say what she originally planned to say.
A loud boisterous laugh echoed in the forest from none other than Deidara. It was pure shock written on her face when she heard such a shrill laugh out of nowhere. It was humiliating. Degrading but she brought it upon herself. She lowered her eyes down to not meet their judging eyes.
Of course they know what she wanted to offer, changing the words didn't conceal what was already said.
"How far are you willing to go, un." Deidara challenged, enjoying this. A wide grin plastered on his face.
Itachi saw how embarrassed Ino was and even though he totally would want Deidara to humiliate her some more he thought it was enough. She was already pathetic enough so why destroy someone who was already destroyed.
"We're leaving." Itachi announced, marching towards Ino to grasp her forearm forcefully getting her on her feet. She winced at the tight grip.
Deidara and Itachi stared at each other before nodding and heading off.
Itachi had an uncomfortably tight grip on Ino. She tried to shrug his hand off a few times in hope that maybe he would lessen it a bit but he only gripped tighter.
"Ah!" She whined brows furrowing. "Itachi it hurts! Stop!" The complaining fell to deaf ears.
"Damsel in distress or a ninja. A helpless citizen could do better." He whispered disappointed at her crybaby behavior.
Ino closed her eyes. Over and over again she humiliated herself. It turns out she's nothing without Shikamaru and Choji.
How Ino ended up on Itachi's arm she has no idea but after being forced to follow them for what felt like a half day with no rest she wasn't surprised they needed to drag her somehow.
Sky had turned orange mixed with dark blue. Sooner it would turn dark, she was sure the two criminals would stop before that.
As if on cue, they landed down and Itachi, not even giving her a hint, threw her on the ground on leaves. His calm eyes roaming around the place.
She begrudgingly rubbed her backside. A little warning wouldn't have killed him.
"I'll go catch something up alongside some wood, un." Deidara announced. Cocking his head at Ino he added. "Take care of her to your heart's content."
And he was gone. Itachi sat down on the lodge staring blankly at nothing.
Ino shivered at the eerily silence. It was her time to ask some questions. Without Deidara around, questioning will be easy. I mean the worst answer from Itachi would be quietness. No mockery or smartass remarks like the blond dude out there.
Fisting her hand, she inhaled slightly before her voice echoed in the quietness. "Why am I not dead yet?"
No answer.
Feeling a bit more courageous she again voiced her thoughts out. "You could've killed me like how you always do. Then why me?"
She waited, a single move from his side would satisfy her but he showed no mind to her existence. "The least you could do is explain why I'm held hostage, what use am I to you?!" She got a bit bolder. It was adrenaline. Maybe she was desperate for him to acknowledge her presence so she did the stupid thing she could. Not like it would work but to see him paying her a bit of his attention.
She stood up and ran. Like... Really she ran away.
She kept running and yet no one came to get her. Itachi was nowhere around. What was his deal! It's like he doesn't care at all. Oh well good for her she can escape peacefully- not.
A hand grasped her arm in a painful grip. Instantly she falls down wincing at the scratches on the legs colliding with ground.
Warm breath brushed against her ear. She didn't have the courage to open her eyes to meet her captives.
"Try that again, try that and my face would be the last of what you see." Deidara harshly lifted her from her arms.
Tears build by the corner of her eyes. Harshly shaking her face she got rid of them as soon as they formed.
Deidara pushed Ino down beside Itachi. This time it did hurt Ino as she winced sorely glaring at the blonde who stared down at her with his chin up, challenging her if she had enough guts to fight him.
Ino clenched her jaw as strongly as she could to stop the tears. She won't let him witness her weak self.
"Itachi, next time i see her wandering around i won't hold myself back. You better do your job right, un." And with that he walked in the forest.
It was truly pathetic how they keep throwing her around here and there- like a failed rag doll. She was a ninja you see and it did hurt her pride when they didn't take her seriously.
"Foolish little girl. I'm disappointed at Konoha, their methods are failing miserably." Coldly Itachi glared at Ino who was still in her same position where Deidara threw her with her elbow supporting upper body glaring at him.
"Pathetic." With this he stood up taking his akatsuki cloak off and started to organize the place a little. They were going to spend the night here so a bit of fixing could help.
Ino frowned so hard and just let herself fall down on the rough ground. She can't let herself be made fun of like that. Talking with the criminals is no use, they do as they please and they are far too arrogant to start a conversation with. Damn them.
That's right she needs rules if she wants to survive. Since they're not taking her seriously yet, it would be wise to use it against them. First she will keep quiet. Second she will not show emotion and most importantly will do as they ask of her to make them believe she was hopelessly a failure.
Ino's eyes observed Itachi's movement. After sometime she decided she might as well take a better position to think straight. All this time without a word to the Uchiha murderer.
Deidara was cooking the fish when he eyed Itachi cocking his head at Ino quietly questioning the sudden change of mood.
Itachi gave him a long gaze then kept bothering about his fish.
"Here pig out, un." Deidara offered Ino a fish he just cooked.
Ino exhausted and hungry slowly reached for the fish in his hand. Her blue eyes are sad and helpless. Her limbs shivering as she moved towards him. It nearly stings Deidara for seeing the poor female in such a state.
"Ninja way isn't for everyone, un. It's unsympathetic." He offered a word closer to sympathy.
Ino met his eyes, reminding herself of the rules. She shrugged to acknowledge his thoughts and meekly started to eat from her fish. She was so damn hungry but class would help her conceal her desperation.
"Quiet a revolution there, un. What's with the sudden harmony?" Deidara voiced. Ino felt how pleased he sounded with her new attitude. Jerks, criminals like him prefer broken pieces just to feel superior.
She quietly finished her fish and sat a little away from them. Waiting for them to finish to see what yet has to unfold after the meal.
"Yamanaka will shower before me so i make sure she don't do anything stupid, un." Deidara said as Itachi went to the lake that was half a mile away. Stripping the garments, briefly stared right at Ino who for some reason was observing him.
Caught off guard, Ino gaped blushing furiously as his red eyes judged her quietly. She quickly faced opposite directions, shivering slightly at being exposed openly staring. Great, now he would think she's a pervert! Ah this was no good. But again... This was Itachi Uchiha, his supreme build from years of working hard to keep in shape and muscles bulging from strength did things to her mind. How could one ignore such a being, she was merely a human.
Curiously she casted another brief look at where Itachi was. He had sunk down in water, his hair lying openly. She gasped, cheeks burning in a new crimson level. Her heart palpated in desire. Shut up! She told herself forcefully, tearing her gaze away. If she got caught again it would be truly humiliating.
"Quite a show huh?" She jumped back in surprise. Deidara smirked. "What? I admire his physique too, un." He teased breaking into boastful laughter. "I could swear your body begs for him."
Ino shamefully in her heart admits however she furiously stood up to push him away from teasing her, though he grasped her wrist, forcing her against the tree as he stood in front of her. His tall frame covers hers.
"What?" He breathed. Ino shut her eyes off. Calm down. She needs to control herself. Deidara was doing this only because he caught her having this bodily attraction for Itachi. He would stop if she stopped behaving so needy.
Tears brimmed, she lowered her eyes mustering a damsel in distress look. She needs to act this way so Deidara would give up teasing her.
Deidara's face fell to tears, carefully he pulled away. Slowly his palm rested on the back of his head, rubbing his hair awkwardly.
As Deidara moved away from her vision, Itachi was a few steps behind. Confused at their closeness, though once his eyes met Ino's fake teary ones he stiffed.
"I'm done," Itachi spoke quietly. It felt like he wanted to say something but halted.
"Yamanaka, go ahead." Deidara cocked his head at the lake.
Ino tensed. Her eyes landed on Itachi who was staring back. She wanted to plead to protect her but remembered how she ogled at him. Can she even ask him to respect her privacy and protect her?
Itachi got the message, he had great urge to scoff and mock but he knew better than to make her more uncomfortable then she was. He sighed, spoke not even a word.
Ino helplessly walked towards the lake still wondering how to do everything fast without unnecessary exposing herself.
Deidara was about to follow until Itachi said. "Deidara, there's no need for you to follow her."
Deidara laughed. "She might try to run away. Then what, un?" He was too smug.
"Then go after her naked or not, won't be her concern." That's right. They were S rank criminals but that doesn't mean they were famous for being perverts. They still hold some morals. And peeking at a woman who doesn't want it wasn't in their list to do.
Diedara slumped down and Itachi followed suit. Though Itachi told him not to check the girl, Deidara couldn't help himself as curiosity got the best of him.
He eyed where she was from the corner of his eyes, she was inside the water washing her blond locks. Her back towards them. Her skin glistened under the moonlight.
Deidara gulped. This wasn't right. Whatever this feeling was, they weren't good. Fisting his palms tightly he snapped his face at the side frowning.
Unknown to him, Itachi had caught him peeking at her. Didn't voice out since he had his own eyes on her back. To his defense, she did check him out.
"Crybaby, how long are you gonna take? I still have to shower too, you know." Deidara yelled.
Ino huffed, she needed to get out even though it felt amazing. She was thankful that Deidara didn't turn around. And for some reason she trusted Itachi enough to think he would check her out. Deidara was her problem. From the beginning he had this sneaky attitude, unlike the Uchiha who didn't even acknowledge her presence.
She turned her head back at them, more on Deidara before hastily coming out of the water and butt naked took her clothes behind a tree to wear. Just when she thought she saved herself, she smiled, taking one last glance at the criminals. Deidara! His eyes shamelessly moved up and down- no care how she would feel about it. She shrieked. That pervert! She would murder him.
Deidara laughed when he heard her, only to gulp awkwardly hearing Itachi huffing, moving away from him to sit closer to the fire, totally annoyed at Deidara.
Shrugging he went to shower as well. Itachi was mysterious as always. Unpredictable too.
Ino was laying a bit far from the two, her hands and feet bound by rope, just to make sure she wouldn't run away. Worst was that the hand rope was in Deidara's control. After the shower she tried to avoid the two. It worked on Itachi but Deidara was some other creature who seemed like was having fun in her torture.
Faint sound of explosion stirred Ino up from her peaceful sleep. Sun shooting lasers upon her. Groaning, she covered her eyes. Staying a moment quietly.
Something exploded a mile away. Smoke spreads out on all sides. Shocked at the sudden disaster, Ino jumped up noticing no one was holding the rope like last night. No Itachi or Deidara.
It was her moment to run away. Unwrapping the rope on her wrist with her mouth she sighed in relief. Hastily unwrapping it from her ankles too. Her eyes roamed on all four sides before deciding to go from a more peaceful direction.
Another explosion, then another but they were away from her side. Ino tried her very best to run, to avoid meeting them again or anytime soon.
Her nervousness must have clouded her vision, for she just bumped into a hard chest who didn't let her fall down instead pushed her to the tree and covered her with his being. So close to the person. A hand crept up and concealed her mouth. Her eyes widened as the recognition hit her.
Itachi coldly stared back.
Ino for a few seconds gaped, then automatically used a brute force- tried to push him away. Which resulted in her being forced to the tree, his body pressing against her curves. She tried some other tactics but he had her limbs smashed between himself and the tree. She wasn't strong enough to fight him.
"Why are you doing this?" Ino cried. Her eyes not meeting him in fear he would use his genjutsu on her. He let her go before, he didn't bother about her. He ignored her existence for as long as she was under them but now? Now that finally Deidara was busy to get her he came and snatched her freedom. It was unfair. This entire situation was unfair.
"You're still a hostage. What makes you think I'll let you go." He wondered. Blood colored eyes rested on her.
"You didn't before." Ino sobbed, tears of frustration rolling down.
Itachi sneered. His hand moved up to her cheeks. Caressing the soft skin, feeling the smoothness of it under his rough palm. "I had reasons." Aggressively he turned her chin up forcing her to look at him as he glared down. "You're a konoha girl. You must survive to go back to your village and some other reasons I can't tell you." He explained harshly against her ear, so close to her she could feel his breath mixing with hers.
It confused her even more. So why now? If he wanted her to escape which was strange so why was he stopping her now?!
Itachi was smart, he could see the question in her eyes. It was not hard to understand a simple confusion.
"Don't misunderstand." His eyes softened, which Ino didn't fail to notice. "If I let you go easily, Deidara would know. You must force your way out. Hurt and pained."
Ino laughed harshly. The only thing she got was Itachi wanted to help her without Deidara knowing. For that he was asking her to fight him. Was he mocking her? "You think if I could fight you I wouldn't?"
"Then death it is." He flatly stated.
Ino gave up at this point. He was just playing around with his prey. Showing her sympathy as if he cared but the outcome was the same. It was insane- fight him, he said. Fight the guy who vanished the name of the strongest clan of konoha in a single night, all alone.
"Kill me." she too, stated flatly.
Itachi tsked. "You've no will to fight for what you want. This is the kind of failure I can't forgive. Weaklings like you shouldn't dream of becoming a ninja, let alone dear Konoha's." He spat furiously. Pushing away, his hand curled around her neck squeezing it showing no mercy. Emotionless. Cruel.
Ino closed her eyes in utter pain, waiting for death, crystals rolled down her cheeks.
"Itachi! Stop this!!" Someone pushed Itachi and the two bodies rolled away. Ino fell on her knees coughing, her fingers curled around her throat to soothe the pain. Without a fail she watched her savior in surprise.
Deidara hissed dangerously at Itachi. He was raging. Loudly he yelled some curses at Itachi she couldn't understand.
"You like her?" Itachi hissed back, in no mood to play games.
Deidara was shocked, uncomposed for a few moments before throwing his hands up. "You said you need information from her! It was you who saved her when I wanted her dead! So what is wrong with you now huh, un?!!"
Scoffing at Deidara, Itachi stands up straight. "You foolish, how dare you have grown feelings for her."
Deidara wasn't having any of it. But he blabbered what came on his mind. "I don't, I'm just making sure you don't forget the reason you saved her from me before. Remember that, un." With that Deidara picked Ino bridal style not sparing either of them a look.
Itachi curled his fist. He was so close.
Deidara carefully put Ino down. Not a very kind expression but he did seem annoyed.
"Why did you save me?" She questioned. This morning was chaotic. From the moment she opened her eyes nothing made sense.
Deidara slumped down beside her. Lazily playing with clay. "I'm more confused because Itachi wants to kill you." He shrugged. "Did you do something to piss him off, un? He's not usually like this."
"Then why did you save me?" Ino repeated, still not getting the reason why he would save her.
Sighing, Deidara muttered under his breath. "Just because."
Before she could press more, Itachi arrived, started to pack everything without speaking to them. Yep he seemed pretty mad.
Deidara too wordlessly started following Itachi in cleaning up to leave.
Ino accidentally met eyes with Itachi who turned away. Ino frowned. What was his problem!
Deidara came from behind, strictly pulled her hands behind her, wrapping the rope tightly around her thin figure. Itachi left and Deidara picked Ino to follow Itachi.
Once again darkness spread through the sky. Though it's been two hours since they prepared for sleep but seems like two criminals couldn't sleep. Seems like the morning events kept them awake.
It was Deidara who broke the silence. "Why did you try to kill her, un."
Itachi didn't move, certainly was thinking about the same situation. "She tried to escape. Didn't you tell her the next time she pulls such a stunt you'll kill her?"
Itachi was right, Deidara did warn her. It's just that he didn't expect Itachi to do it. "Why did you save her?" Itachi asked. Still bothered about this certain thing. He feared if Deidara truly did grow fond of the defenseless girl.
A huge sigh slipped through the blonde's lips. "It was instinctive. I have no value of her life, I was caught off guard that you wanted to kill her so easily, man. Didn't you have some unfinished business with her?"
Itachi sat up to face Deidara who turned his gaze to meet Itachi. Finally facing each other. "I doubted you might've liked her. I'm relieved to hear there's no such a thing." Clearing his throat, Itachi continued. "Since I've still unfinished business with her, you should go ahead without me. Once I'm done with her, I'll kill her and follow to the hideout."
Deidara cocked an eyebrow smirking. What was that unfinished business? It did sound more than taking information from her but Diedara could care less. Yes, he did feel slightly pity for her but what can he do? It was what it was. "Sounds like a plan, un. You do that man, I count on you."
Ino slept peacefully that night. Probably from exhaustion.
In the morning Deidara was left alone. Itachi waited for a few hours till she woke up by herself.
Ino's heart started beating faster. There was no Deidara in sight, only Itachi. She was avoiding him at all costs but now?
Not questioning him anything she sat up and did nothing but stare blankly, though fear could be smelled and Itachi was no noob on scents.
"Follow me." Itachi ordered.
Ino panicked inwardly. "W-where's Dei-Deidara?" Her voice was shaky. Who'll protect her from this merciless human.
"He's gone, we agreed on something. Now follow me quietly or you won't like me forcing you." He was still as cold as ever.
She did as he said to not piss him off. But if things come to a fight this time she won't let him have his way easily.
They stopped. It was kind of a familiar place. She wondered what Itachi was planning. They were close to her village. So close. It was most likely a dangerous place for him.
"Deidara trusted me to kill you." Itachi started slowly. "This is your only chance. Begone." He hissed.
Ino was puzzled. She knows she needs to run away but didn't he want to kill her?
"I don't unde-"
Itachi stood right in front of her, his eyes had this unexplainable feeling she couldn't point out. His hand forced their way around her exposed lower back, firmly resting there. Ino panicked, bringing her two fists to his chest to push him away. He was stronger, and didn't budge at the weak attempt to push him away.
Lowering his face to her level, his lips mere inches away from kissing her. "Ino," he breathed, for the first time calling her name. In a way that didn't seem like he had pure intentions. "Stay away from mens like Deidara." He warned, his eyes boring into her, she felt so exposed. "They seem fun, but when fun stops you're left with nothing to pick up. So stay away. For your sake. Purity and innocence, keep them well."
He leaned some more and Ino closed her eyes thinking her first kiss was going to the greatest criminal. Instead she heard him pulling away. Mouthing her a goodbye he vanished.
She did stand alone. So many questions. So many thoughts, so many feelings. But nothing can stop them. He tried to kiss her but didn't. He tried to kill her but didn't. He... Warned her from men like Deidara... Why? He was too touchy with her. He grabbed her in a place where she was sensitive. Could it mean he liked her? Or was it his mere body need? So that's why he stopped in mid way- to not take her defenseless beings advantage.
She was lost.
It ends here. I mean it's not worth reading but I just wanted to write something.