A/N: Sadly, chapters will now be more sporadic as I experienced a sudden burst of creativity over the past weeks (which allowed me to update regularly) though it has fizzled out now. It's a shame that muses can be fleeting.

Pre-warning an M rating, I would say for this one-shot to be on the safe side though nothing explicit.


You taught me what it is to trust.

There was a flurry of activity as Sakura had announced that there was to be an impromptu wedding for Sasuke had randomly arrived back in Konoha. He was often away for years at a time due to undertaking various redemptive missions for the city. As a result of this pattern, the couple had spontaneously decided on marriage before he left once more. Sakura had decided on the guestlist entirely as she had more meaningful relationships with people in Konoha than Sasuke did. However, only a select few were invited, and everyone was advised to arrive sporadically to avoid suspicion. The hardest to invite were Hinata and Naruto, as the pair had to create a guise to disappear from their duties without drawing attention.

Presently Ino was frantic as she had been informed less than three hours ago about the wedding, and she was finding it hard to process the surprise. Earlier, Ino quickly arranged her hair into a crown braid and applied simple makeup. While right now, she was throwing various items into her small bag, and the edges of her green dress were fluttering around her knees as she rushed about.

"Sai," Ino called urgently, "Are you ready?"

The irony was that Sai had been ready for some time and was at this moment standing in the doorway to their room watching her. He could particularly see Ino's mind working behind her eyes. It amazed and disturbed Sai in equal measure at the rate at which her brain raced. He was unaware that never did Ino want to slow down in fear that she would have to meet the thoughts or emotions she was escaping from, and to that end, Ino didn't care much for silence either, so she was muttering away to herself.

"I am ready, beautiful," he said.

Ino sharply exhaled then as she snapped her bag closed in irritation at knowing that she had forgotten something but didn't care to worry anymore about what it could be.

She forced a smile before looking up at Sai. "Great," she announced, "We better get going then."

Sai merely nodded as he let Ino pass him; however, the former root member couldn't help but notice her raised shoulders when walking behind her. However, he did not comment as they went on to slip out of their indoor shoes and change into appropriate footwear before leaving the house.

"I think I may have made my braid too tight," Ino complained as she touched her hair while Sai locked the front door.

Due to the time constraints, Ino had made mistakes that she was now regretting.

"I would have left my hair down if you didn't mind it so much," she added.

Sai pressed his lips together at Ino's statement to prevent himself from commenting. Sai knew all too well that he disliked others seeing Ino's free hair as It was a sight he wanted to preserve for himself alone, and though illogical, he would try his best to achieve it. Furthermore, the last person Sai wished to see such a thing was Sasuke as his subconscious felt threatened by the man, for Sasuke represented Sai's fear of being an inadequate substitute.

Ino was too consumed in her own mind to make conversation with Sai, so they walked along together in silence. Ino was too overcome with a sense of constriction and tension that she could just not shake off. It was internal and rampant, but Ino could not find the source. Her shoulders remained perpetually raised as she walked through Konoha, and she and Sai made their way towards the random field that Sakura had selected as the meeting place. Ino couldn't stop herself from wondering if the people that watched her pass by knew where she was going? When would it be that news of the wedding would spread? Ino wondered then if she should even be going. Ino knew that she didn't have to go to prove that she was over Sasuke; however, some part of her feared what people would say If she avoided the wedding. It was funny, but Ino had come to deeply regret acting like such a besotted girl because if she hadn't been so overt in her like of Sasuke, then the majority of Konoha wouldn't have known. However, Ino soon settled for reasoning that her presence was essential as she had to support Sakura.

~ooOOoo~

The ceremony had been quick and ended without much fuss. Everything from the location to the lack of decor to Sasuke and Sakura's simple clothing made it evident to all that the choice of marriage had been spontaneous. Furthermore, It was an average day in terms of the weather, and nothing about the gathering seemed particularly unique bar, everyone being here. The guests were spread out, and by this time, Ino was offering Sakura a fierce hug while wishing her happiness. Despite Sakura seeming like she wanted to speak further to Ino about something, there was no opportunity as the other guests sought her time. To that end, Sakura's attention was next drawn by Hinata.

Now with no one to talk to, Ino came to find herself alone. To her surprise, Sai was no longer by her side, which caused Ino's heart rate to spike as his absence brought further anxiety to an already tense situation. It was then, as Ino turned around to search for him did the groom come into her eye-line instead. Ino nearly baulked at the sight of Sasuke in his trademark black cloak. He was still standing alone but, in spite of this, held a presence amongst the gathering. Ino realised then that she had not yet approached him to offer her customary congratulations. Twisting her fingers together then, Ino couldn't stand still as she knew that she didn't want to speak to Sasuke despite it being necessary. Luck would have it that all the remaining guests were unaware of her discomfort; however, the only one who was aware stood distracted.

From across the field, Sai wasn't fully concentrating on his conversation with Naruto as he couldn't help but keep his gaze trained on Ino. It internally pained Sai when her frantic gaze caught his own and more so when she began pleading with him in a look. Ino's hand was subtly outstretched at her side as she called out to him and his muscles twitched in response. Sai had taken a half step in her direction, and though he yearned to give Ino what she wanted, he knew what needed to be done, so with much difficulty, Sai halted his actions and shook his head. All the while hoping that she understood his intention. The immediate distress was evident to him, but Ino seemed to understand because, despite her screwed up face, she nodded in return.

Sai mouthed to her, "Trust me."

Across the distance, the simple declaration offered Ino a millisecond of reprieve, and she closed her eyes to draw in a breath in response. Ino worked to settle her flaring emotions, and she opened her eyes once centred. While turning her attention back to Sasuke, Ino allowed her newfound courage to envelope her as she gazed at him. Lost in thought, Ino came to an understanding then that this wedding symbolised to her that Sakura's love for him eclipsed all the wrongs the man had done, and this was something beyond her. Ino could never be as forgiving. No, her friend had indeed won the battle of wills, and if this is what Sakura wanted, then it was her reward for never giving up. Whether Ino believed it to be a healthy outcome or not, she would never say aloud. Instead, she had settled on supporting Sakura since they would inevitably fight when it came to matters that involved Sasuke like they did as children.

Ino still had not moved even though hardly any guests had approached Sasuke, which wasn't a surprise, for though he had been pardoned, many in Konoha still viewed him as a criminal. Nevertheless, Ino could not judge the man, for she didn't know the first thing about him, nor had they ever really spoken. All those years ago, she had been contending with the romanticised version of Sasuke that she had created in her mind rather than the real person. She had subsequently developed a childhood fancy for that version of him.

Suddenly Ino's persistent gaze drew the attention of the man in question, and only when Sasuke was staring back at her did Ino finally break out of her thoughts. She started as a result, but, of course, there was no avoiding a conversation now when you were caught staring. Therefore, Ino quickly composed herself and walked towards him.

"Congratulations," Ino obliging said when she eventually reached Sasuke.

To which Sasuke merely nodded and appeared disinterested.

"Is it too boring a sentiment for you?" Ino curtly asked then as his silence and austere air quickly irritated her.

Sasuke regarded her with cool eyes. "No," he stated.

Despite being used to short and straightforward responses from Sai, Ino found herself having far less patience with Sasuke.

Ino worked to find some decorum, as this was very unlike her. "I am happy for Sakura," Ino followed up.

Sasuke's dark gaze mellowed ever so slightly then as he nodded. "She was for you and Sai, too," he reciprocated politely.

Ino found herself reflexively smiling then despite the situation, "I know. Sakura was very supportive of us."

Though the mood became slightly cordial for her, Sasuke entirely upheaved this by getting straight to the point, which Ino had been deathly avoiding at all costs.

"You know it is complete nonsense to like me," he said abruptly to her before concluding, "In fact, delusional."

Ino noted that Sasuke's expression had taken on mild irritation at being associated with her through gossip, and it was apparent where he was placing the blame, but she was quick to counter.

"You were indeed delusional," came her plain reply, veiling her insult to slight him rather than herself.

However, Sasuke veered the conversation back to her infatuation rather than his shortcomings towards Konoha and his friends.

"You were the one who was so obvious," Sasuke blamed, "It is just lucky that everyone knows it is one-sided because I've never even acknowledged you."

Such a statement awakened a bubbling heat of rage, but Ino swallowed it down because she knew Sasuke had always thought himself superior.

"Fine, I was a silly girl, but at least that is the worst mistake in my past," Ino slighted again, "And you don't have to be concerned anymore. Rest assured, those feelings died a long time ago."

Ino knew there was no point fighting like teenagers as they were beyond that now. Moreover, they had lived through a war, so all this appeared trivial. However, Sasuke's conversation skills were worse than Sai's used to be, and even Ino, who enjoyed conversing, was currently finding it laborious. He was a recluse, after all, so she should excuse him. Yet there was a pressing concern that made Ino's face harden then, and it forced her to stay in Sasuke's presence a bit longer.

"Anyway, all I wanted to really emphasise is that you better treat Sakura right," Ino threatened despite knowing she was no match for Sasuke.

It appeared that Sasuke could see this in her eyes, for the slightest smirk appeared, and Ino was all too aware of his intrinsic condescension towards her. He had very little in the way of time for people he considered beneath him in merit. And though this could be objectively claimed for his skill, his personality and core value system left a lot to be desired.

Ino pulled her marker then and adopted an overtly threatening stance. "You will because if you don't, I can always set Naruto on you if I decide," she declared before leaving.

By this point, Sai was standing alone. He had never taken his eyes off Ino during her interaction with Sasuke, and now he was witnessing the momentary respect in Sasuke's posture from across the field as his gaze followed Ino's retreating figure. There was a slight niggling in Sai's chest at the reaction though this was instantly replaced when his vision became filled with the sight of Ino quickly approaching. Their eyes met then, and Sai held out his arms in response as he pushed himself off the nearby tree. No longer leaning, Sai stood upright and would have moved towards Ino, but she had broken into a jog. It wasn't long before she fell into his open arms, and the force in which she arrived sent Sai's back, meeting the tree trunk once again. Sai enveloped Ino as his arms came to rest around her waist. There was a sigh of relief that Sai heard, so he merely held Ino, and they quietly stayed in the embrace for some time.

Sai soon squeezed Ino in an attempt to quell her shaking.

"Well done, "He eventually whispered.

Sai rested his cheek atop her head and smiled into her hair. You were brave and trusting.

For Ino, there were rising tears at his affirmation, and she gripped onto Sai's waist as she desperately held onto him for support. Wordlessly Sai steered both himself and Ino around to the other side of the tree to ensure that the couple had the proper degree of privacy. Only once out of the direct eye line of others did Sai press his lips to Ino's cheek as he rubbed her back. The sheer showering of physical intimacy proved to Ino that Sai was proud of her. Moreover, he was consciously acting to show his appreciation.

However, one complication arose for Sai regarding Ino's closeness. His body was reacting as there was a heat taking life and soon growing to the point that it became increasingly cumbersome. Sai pulled away then, and that spark in his eyes that he often displayed when inspired to create piqued Ino's interest.

"You trust me, don't you?" he asked then despite having evidence to prove such.

There was an immediate nod of Ino's head, but then she was further intrigued. Tilting her head to the side, she asked while trying to read him, "What are you thinking?"

Sai had something on his mind though he debated whether now was the right time to share. He had contemplated the idea for a while, though he had not known how to bring it up to her. Finally, however, Sai's intuition made him believe that she would need such an experience today. So, after a moment of hesitation, Sai brought his lips to Ino's ear and settled for whispering the proposition.

It was to be that Sai's arms tightened around Ino's waist to trap her against his chest as he predicted that she would start at his words. His estimation was accurate, and Ino could not control the searing warmth which burst through her face to spread to the very tips of her ears. Her hands then came to her mouth as she looked altogether scandalised.

"Sai!" she exclaimed through her fingers while looking around in trepidation in case someone might have overheard.

The former root member bit his lip to subdue the smile, which was reflectively trying to surface at Ino's irrational response. The couple were so far away from all the other guests that only she could have possibly heard him.

Ino shook her head then while continuing to deeply blush as she argued, "We couldn't possibly do that in the open!"

Sai regarded her with amusement but made his case, "I think it would be a beneficially new experience for us."

Ino kept her voice low while still looking around. "We could get in trouble if we are caught," she explained, "Also, I would rather not scar anyone who accidentally came across us."

Sai acknowledged her concerns. "This is where the trust comes in," Sai explained before adding, "I have scouted a location."

Ino's searching gaze was chaotic now as she couldn't quite fathom what had gotten into Sai. Though it appeared this wasn't a whimsical decision. He must have been contemplating the idea to go as far as consider locations. Ino wondered then why she hadn't yet got used to Sai despite knowing he was an enigma that kept her life interesting.

Deciding to humour him, Ino asked. "Where?"

Sai took the cue and went on to tell her about a hidden forest to the southeast of their current location. It was some miles away, but if they left soon, they would reach there in time for the setting sun, and it was still the height of summer, so the warmth of the air in the absence of sunlight wouldn't be an issue. Furthermore, the area was only accessibly by boat, and the river in question was not fished in, so Sai had assessed that there would be no reason for individuals to venture there. Lastly, the flowers in the forest were not rare but beautiful and covered the entire ground like a wonderful carpet.

Ino found herself quite curious. "It seems like you have thought of everything," She commented.

A faint smile finally surfaced across Sai's lips at the sound of Ino's hidden approval that she would never outwardly admit it. It was an ironic side of Ino where there were moments where she couldn't voice herself for all she talked and at times yelled.

Sai straightened up in response when Ino worked to become untangled from his hold.

The former root member was quick to stretch out his hand then. "Shall we?"

Ino clasped his hand before entwining her thin fingers through his longer ones. Her blush only grew if that was conceivable as she nodded.

Needing no further encouragement, Sai quickly beckoned Ino along, and the couple reappeared.

It was then that, despite being congratulated by a guest, Sakura became distracted when she suddenly spotted the couple. From Sakura's vantage point, she could see that Ino was laughing for the first time since she had arrived at the wedding. Her free hand was on Sai's upper arm, and she dug her heels into the ground to slow him down as if trying to ensure that they were acting normal. It failed, though, for a look of determination was etched onto her former team member's face as he seemed consumed by a mission, and Sai continued to charge forward while pulling Ino along by his side. Then, Sakura found Ino returning her gaze as she looked over her shoulder then. Her friend managed a short wave before mouthing 'thank- you' and 'bye' in time.

Sakura was wholly taken by the look of pure joy on Ino's face, as her smile had been so bright that Sakura had practically felt it from where she stood before Ino had disappeared from view. Surprisingly the bride was experiencing an unanticipated turn in her stomach then. Sakura could not help but hope that Sasuke could offer her that same level of happiness despite his distant nature.

~ooOOoo~

It took the better part of an hour to reach the forest, and ordinarily, Ino nor Sai would ever venture this far unless it was for a mission. By this point, Ino's initial joy had all but evaporated, and instead, she had sunk back into her endless thought cycles. It was primarily due to her conversation with Sasuke, as it weighed heavy on her mind. She had gone back to regretting being so overt in her affection towards him and mainly because she was always ridiculed for it, even to this day, despite so much time passing and they having grown up; still, Ino's infatuation was a running joke to bludgeon her with at any point causally. It wasn't just Sasuke that had pointed it out, and Ino was tired of hearing about her youthful fancy because she wondered if she would ever be able to live it down.

Sai had sensed the returning tension in Ino's hand for some time now, and though he did not comment, it still surprised him how stiff Ino had become. She had often commented on her jealousy of his trait of being an artist as to be one was to be free. In turn, Sai had noticed that Ino placed many internal constraints upon herself, which had transferred onto their relationship. One example was that it was rare for Ino not to have a quick look around when they were in public to ensure they wouldn't be seen before she would be affectionate towards him. Sai had always wondered why this had started since she had been free to let people see her past affection for Sasuke.

With renewed determination, Sai entered the trees and walked towards the hidden location, making sure to guide Ino along the way.

It was then that then he finally spoke up. "Will you allow yourself to relax, beautiful?" Sai asked then as he turned to look at Ino.

Only at being addressed did Ino break free from her thoughts. She faced Sai then, and it was such a loaded question that all Ino could do was offer a weak laugh due to her sheer inability to do such a thing.

"I can try," Ino offered in compromise.

To which Sai became more determined. "Trust me then," he advised for the second time that day, "I can help."

Ino closed her eyes for a moment and released a breath of trepidation because she wondered whether he could genuinely help her. Though all Ino wanted to do was find some way of achieving peaceful stillness in her mind.

Undeterred by her silence, Sai encouraged Ino to voice every thought and subsequent emotion that came to her mind as they walked. After some coaxing, Ino obliged, and soon Sai moved on to ask her to imagine them floating quietly downriver when they were sitting in an abandoned boat and venturing across the river. He advised that you couldn't grasp those thoughts when they were gone, after which Sai silently listened. There were times when Ino squeezed her eyes shut and shook her head as despite vocalising and imaging her troubled thoughts drifting away to her distress, they seemed to fight their way upstream to return to her. Therefore, all Sai did was gently remind her of what to do again.

Eventually, the couple reached the other side of the river, and Sai offered his hand to Ino when he stepped onto the grass. She took it gladly as she, too, climbed out of the boat. By now, they were deep into the forest, and Ino tried not to worry about how they would find their way back.

The trees were thinner here, which allowed the setting sun to penetrate. The rouge rays fell between the trunks, scattering shadows and warmth all around. A shepherds sky offered pink and orange hues, which created a beautiful canvas. Along with this, white flowers formed a wonderful carpet beneath their feet which, when lit innocently by the fading light, offered the look of clouds on earth. Despite the beauty, Sai continued to venture until the trees began to form a canopy above them. He guided Ino into a more secluded area as he had finally found the clearing where four aged trees formed a private space in the comfortably humid air. Sai pulled Ino down then, and she joined him despite alarm bells being set off in her florist mind by the idea of crushing flowers.

It was here that Ino sat appreciating her surroundings, and the pair were quiet for some time.

"I didn't realise you were keeping so much inside," Sai acknowledged then as he replayed all of her thoughts.

Ino managed a strained laugh though there was a significant measure of exhaustion. "Yes," she replied, "I think today is the most I have thought in some time."

Sitting amidst the soft sounds of nature, Sai subsequently began to lean in close. "Shall we let go of today then?" he asked.

Unable to meet Sai's eyes, Ino nodded while tucking the long strands of her fringe that framed her face behind her ears. Sai found himself determined to make Ino forget about her struggles and offer a reprieve. Therefore, Sai cradled Ino's face in his hands and brought assured lips to her own. The couple began sharing soft kisses, and Ino followed the ebbing durations until Sai moved his lips to her jaw and neck. Ino found her fingers twisting into Sai's hair as she held the back of his head as her palm rested against the nape of his neck. Ino worked to let go of everything and try and focus on him solely.

Soon enough, Sai's slow but purposeful fingers worked to release Ino from the confines of her clothes, and though she panicked at the attempt to remove such protective barriers, Sai kissed and caressed away her concern. It took some coaxing and encouragement to get Ino to relax enough to a suitable degree. Nevertheless, Sai worked his firm but gentle hand like a horse master trying to tame a frightful, wild mare as he was determined to offer her relief because although Ino's mind had slowed since they had arrived in the forest, Sai could tell that she still wasn't completely detached from her thoughts.

Meanwhile, despite there being no chill to the air, goosebumps broke across Ino's skin as Sai observed her. Ino wanted to bring her arms to cover herself, but Sai quickly guided her onto her back. Only the spontaneity of the gesture caused Ino's eyes to come up and meet Sai's finally. His gaze was welcoming and tender but soon became concentrated. Then without warning, he began worshipping her skin with feather-light kisses. Ino focused on his actions with all her attention, and she was soon shakily exhaling as Sai navigated around her body as if trying to memorise it with hands and lips alone. Though Sai merely smiled against Ino's quivering skin and said nothing as he went on to taste her.

After some time, when Sai came up for air did, he decided on the next course of action. Sai requested that Ino undress him in return and the colour that her skin took in response was altogether captivating. The usually boisterous and fiercely loud Ino had been replaced by a gentle soul who fumbled. Sai made it easier for Ino by moving back into the crook of her neck and nuzzling into her in that way, avoiding eye contact. Despite this, Ino remained perpetually flushed as she set about removing Sai's clothes and her usually cold fingers were a welcomed relief to his heated skin.

Once free, Sai's eyes became greedy once more, and he pulled away to drink in Ino's appearance in the fading light while offering her the opportunity to do the same to him. However, Ino took one look before deciding to keep her eyes trained on his face, which caused Sai to work hard to suppress his laughter. He caught it in the pit of his stomach as he did not want anything to upset the delicate mood. However, it was hard when Ino was reacting like a woman who had never been touched.

When Sai had his fill, he returned his attention to Ino's eyes and in the resulting quiet, the couple merely stared at each other as they lay bare.

Sai encouraged then, "Don't think, beautiful, "He advised, "For now, just sense instead. Sense it all."

With a clear focus, Ino worked to stay in the present, so she allowed her vision to move past the sight of Sai's pale form stretched above her to the surrounding background. There was a canopy above him of various shades of green foliage, which were held in place by twisting branches that had formed their shade. Ino noticed then that there was still space for soft lines of sunlight to filter through. Before long, Ino was next taking in a deep breath to smell the clean air that carried with it the scent of wildflowers. Also, her ears became attuned to the distant rushing of water and nearer gentle breeze that whispered through the trees. Ino outstretched her arms then and felt the ground beneath her, and the experience of pure freedom was exhilarating. The release from not only the physical but emotional. Ino could rid herself of her embarrassment, shame, and blame here and now. She could let go of it all and be liberated to enjoy the open air and the feel of foliage against her back and legs as she lay in a bed of flowers and grass.

Exhaling loudly, Ino closed her eyes momentarily, and when they reopened, Sai noticed an altogether different look. It was one of calm tranquillity, as her gaze was akin to a gentle, green sea after a weathering storm.

"Good," Sai encouraged.

There was a resulting breath of amusement from Ino though there was an underlying tension of a helpful sort that Sai wanted to keep, so he moved to maintain it.

"Now sense me," Sai encouraged as he drew over Ino completely and closed the distance between them. Sai pressed his forehead down onto Ino's while closing his eyes and waiting for her attention.

Ino began to press tentative kisses to Sai's lips though from how he latched onto hers when she would try and pull back, Ino figured that only part of his need was being met. With this in mind, Ino pushed her tongue into his mouth to offer a greater degree of contact. As their passion rose, Ino worked to sense Sai, and the first thing that greeted her was his inherent chakra signature which flared in the changing heat of their actions. It was then that Ino brought her hands to hold Sai's face, and soon she sought his jugular vein as she kissed him. Ino found herself relishing in the frantic pulsing beats beneath her finger's tips as he had been increasingly suave during their current dalliance, so Ino was reassured to know that he, too, was affected.

There was the smell of clean unscented soap then, which only Sai used, and it became more apparent when he leaned into her touch. Compelled, Ino moved her hands down Sai's broad shoulders to his chest while trying to ignore that he was already at attention. Though his need demanded it, so Ino purposefully decided to toy with Sai, where she knew he was most sensitive, to which a sucking breath followed. After a diligent amount of time, her travelling hands moved past Sai's flanks and later went on to discover various scars that she had never known existed across his body. Only now, by purely focusing, did Ino truly feel Sai's skin, and she tried to read his imperfections to decipher the history they told, which he did not remember.

"Ino," Sai eventually called out in such strain.

A haggard breath escaped him despite trying to quell it, and Ino smiled then as it appeared Sai was too far gone to continue as they were.

"Of course," Ino encouraged, offering Sai the consent to proceed.

It had been a while since the couple had engaged in such intimacy due to their busy and time-consuming work lives; therefore, Sai disregarded his strong need for a moment and instead gently navigated his way inside Ino; all the while, she let out short gasps as she tried to aid him. The couples teamwork allowed them to become one eventually, and the union brought with it murmurs of approval.

In the seclusion of the environment, Ino never felt the need to be vocal. She knew Sai never was, but she could be at times. However, the vastness of their surroundings and subsequent lack of social constraints did not compel her to be overly noisy. On the contrary, the setting made their sex intensely more intimate, and only their soft, laboured breathing, and occasional moans of encouragement were new to the soundtrack of the forest. Even then, they complimented the calm river and the occasional calls of wildlife in their decibel. It was a perfect representation of inherent nature.

All the while, Sai put his energy and focus into ensuring that Ino stayed with him in their presence. He ensured his movements continuously changed, so there was no time for Ino to get used to anything so her mind could not stray. At some point, Ino desperately whimpered words that made Sai realise that she wanted to be absolved from her day, to be purely free but above all to simply have her affections reciprocated. Sai willingly obliged and gave her everything and more by uncustomarily taking to speaking during their coupling. Sai offered words of affirmation regarding Ino's beauty, her character, and his fondness of her, and Sai was surprised to find how much it stoked Ino to new heights of sensitivity and reaction. He decided to continue this way until Ino suddenly gripped him internally as she let out a choked breath. It appeared that Ino was unable to withstand teetering on the brink. A pained gasp escaped Sai in response, and the couple's bodies were straining beyond belief from the swelling tension.

"Please," Ino absentmindedly whispered as she clung onto Sai and implored him to seek completion, "Please."

Sai renewed his efforts towards the inevitable; however, something within him rose to confront Ino abruptly.

"You do want to be with me, right?" he asked unexpectedly in a strained breath and with screwed-up eyes from the impending release, "Here and now, are you thinking of me?"

It was to be that Sai's movements became stuttered in reaction to the sheer shock of registering the words from his mouth. The questions had surfaced unannounced from the very depths of his heart without warning and escaped so without permission, perhaps due to the unconfined environment. The sheer pounding of his heart was nearly painful due to the earth-shattering vulnerability Sai now experienced. He did not know whether heightened due to being bare and deeply connected to Ino or the words themselves, but Sai could hardly breathe past the emotion. What hurtful irony was it that all the while, Sai had believed he was solely working to reassure Ino through their intimacy, that he had never stopped to contemplate he may require just that from her?

Despite being entirely dazed and with her head thrown back against the unyielding ground, Ino registered Sai's childlike fear and understood the unspoken reason for his insecurity for how she must have troubled him with her widely known infatuation with another.

"Only you, Sai," Ino immediately and breathlessly reassured while wrapping her arms around Sai's back to hold his violently trembling body against her, "Only ever you."

It came then without warning as Sai spontaneously broke apart, and with gritted teeth, Sai managed to use his last reserve of strength to bear down on Ino one final time. To which she successfully became undone with his unrestrained weight as Sai collapsed on top of her. Soft exhales of relief reverberated in the now dark air as the unmoving nature around the couple witnessed the completion of their bliss and Sai and Ino remained intimately connected.

~ooOOoo~

Deep into the night, the warmth had tapered off, so nearby there were the remnants of a burnt pile of wood as a dying fire crackled in its depths. The embers were still rising into the air and flitted like fireflies as they brought with them a distinct smell of smoke. Amongst the nocturnal sounds of wildlife sat Sai with his back resting against a felled tree trunk. One leg was lazily drawn towards his chest to support a draped open scroll, while the other remained outstretched. The artist had been unable to sleep for creativity had called, and no one could quell such a force. There was energy bursting from Sai's fingertips, and he was deeply indebted to his habit of carrying a miniature scroll and brush to release it. Sai drew every inspiration that surfaced and was driven by his need to capture them and fear of forgetting even one. The source of his muse was the meaningful intimacy that he had shared with Ino as it had been profound, likely due to its fleeting beauty.

However, while drawing, Sai could not help his forehead from creasing when he reflected on how quickly Ino had returned to her fast cognition after their moment. Also, barely had they recovered from their intimacy before she had begun wriggling to escape from beneath him. Sai had not taken it personally as her urgency to cover herself and retreat was due to the sheer constriction in which Ino lived. Sai's wrists flicked then as his brushstrokes turned sharp in his quiet agitation towards Sasuke. However, Sai wondered if it was fair to blame the man so vehemently when Ino admitted that it had been her imagings that had scarred her. Nevertheless, it appeared easier to blame another.

Sai looked down then to see the sleeping figure beside him. She had shifted like a magnet in her sleep to draw closer to him. Ino lay on her side though her face had become pressed into the side of Sai's leg, as her hands had clutched around it. This was the primary reason why Sai had not to been able to use both his legs to create a better makeshift table to draw on. Regardless Sai sacrificed this convenience for Ino's comfort as she had sought out him out in her unconscious state.

Though Sai was nearly finished with his creative outlet, he stopped mid-flow because watching Ino now had compelled him to bend down towards her. Sai craned his neck then as he brushed his lips against her forehead. Sai found himself glad her forehead was relaxed instead of being marred by the dominant creases created by years of thinking. Then, with an initial caress, Sai went on to stroke his fingers against Ino's head as he peppered her with delicate kisses while he took to playing with her now free hair. His heart had not stopped swelling at the mere sight of her since her admission. It was altogether overwhelming as Sai found himself more bound to Ino than ever. The realisation that he was so fearfully and helplessly captivated by another. Such an unfathomable concept, and yet here it had materialised.

While caught in his contemplations, Sai remained unaware that Ino was beginning to stir underneath his persistent touch. She was drifting along the lines of semiconsciousness; therefore, her eyes remained glued shut, so she reached blindly for the man in both her dreams and reality. He answered her call by stopping his ministrations and catching her fumbling fingers.

"Sorry for waking you," Sai whispered while kissing her fingertips.

Ino merely shook her head before pulling his hand, "Join me," she urged.

Sai wanted to protest as he wasn't finished with his fleeting muse. "I'm not tired," he lightly argued.

There was a faint smile then as Ino refused to let go despite hovering on the edge of slumber. "You will be tomorrow and then unable to draw because of it," She murmured before adding, "Trust me."

The sentiment he had so frequently uttered recently was utilised against him, so what could the former root member do but acquiesce in fairness? He quickly moved aside his brush and scroll before joining Ino, who entwined herself around him in response. Breathing in deeply, Sai gathered the woman to his chest and thanked the universe that she had ended up with him rather than another.

Meanwhile, Ino sighed in content, and before she drifted off internally, she thought.

You taught me what it means to trust.

The End


A/N: My poor heart can't take it, so I blame Sai and Ino, but for you readers, feel free to blame me.