Sai's fingers twitch for the nearest brush when he sees the person standing awkwardly and very out of place in his little shop. As an artist, Sai likes to paint and create with black ink the most. However, he does enjoys the play of colors, depending on how well they complement or contrast each other.
It all ends on how captivated he is.
The young man's face is expressionless as he marvels the clashing colors in front of him. Strangely, the sun, instead of accenting the hair to a bright neon yellow color, drowns in the sea of hair and turns into an interesting silvery shade.
There is something about the way the light playing off the long silky blonde hair that inspires Sai to just capture the moment and render it eternal.
Next, his eyes wander to her face. A small nose, plump lips, high cheek bones, large baby blue eyes on a heart shaped face. Aesthetically, she is pleasant to look at with an intriguing play on pastel colors; silvery blonde hair, baby blue eyes, cherry lips, dusty pink skin and purple clothes.
The telltale attraction is there, slowly rooting itself in Sai's thoughts, under the disguise of artistic appreciation.
Then, his eyes take her in completely and his appreciation instantly fades away. He sees the deep cleavage showing off her massive assets, skillfully done makeup, a designer bag, too tight jeans that do nothing to hid her legs and heels that have more zeroes on their price tag than a small family's monthly income.
Rich, spoiled, daddy's girl with a killer body.
Sai doesn't regret it one bit when he kicks her out of his shop.
Later that night, the tattooist sits in front of the empty canvas in his studio apartment and tries to recall the fascinating mash off colors that captivated his inner artist. With paint smeared fingers, Sai's digits begin to dance over the white canvas, relying on his memory, talent and imagination. Colors swirl and mixed; however, none are remotely satisfying.
Frustrating gripping his insides, Sai picks another empty canvas, closes his eyes and allows himself to become lost in his painting. His hands move over the white surface as he tries to capture some of the effortless elegance. He stops over thinking about the infuriating young girl and just feels the colors and paints with them.
This one turns better than the previous one; however, it still nags Sai that this isn't what he wanted from the color schemes.
Six ruined unsatisfying canvases later, Sai gives up on catching a glimpse of his earlier inspiration and decides to sleep it off.
Sighing once again, Sai set down his brush with more force than usual and made his way to the window of his studio. He leans his forehead against the cold glass as he stares at the night overtaking the landscape.
He dreams of colorful threads.
He's surprised yet secretly satisfied when the blonde girl storms in his shop two days later.
Her long blonde hair is up in a ponytail like before and baby blue eyes burn with pure determination as she catwalks inside. She is wearing a frilly skirt the color of dusk and shirt too short to be considered, well, a shirt. However, its color is black which shocks the young man for a second.
She looks charming in black.
His fingers twitch again, and Sai is suddenly filled with the desire of covering her with more black. The tattooist wants the dark colors to absorb her pale hair and light colored eyes.
This train of thoughts scare the young man, and further steels his resolve that they – he mostly – must stay away from each other. It's not even about tattoos anymore.
She is both a distraction and inspiration if the dozens of illustrations hanging in his studio are anything to go by.
The pastel goddess – Ino – shamelessly flirts with him, and Sai can feel his resolve steadily crack. On a whim, he jumps over the counter and picks her up. A natural floral scent tickles Sai's nose as he carries the blonde outside.
Flowers. Indeed, the best and perhaps only scent that can fit the colorful girl.
Sai firmly believes that she won't attempt to come back anymore and so forces himself to let go of the intriguing colors. However, the sweet smell of flowers still lingers, and taunts the young man. The delicate scent of lily of the valley to the heady aroma of wisteria, the soothing jasmine and exotic magnolia. Like a flower haven, just as colorful as she is.
Most of them aren't native and have different blooming seasons, so she either is an outstanding gardener or passes an immense amount of time around flowers for them to leave a permanent smell.
His artistic side takes control and he sees Ino in the middle of a breathtaking flower field, under the bright sun with only soft petals to cover her figure. He rather enjoys the mental picture when Sai's keen ears pick up a shuffle right outside the door. His gaze strays for a second and instantly double takes.
The blonde, Ino he reminds himself, is backed against the door with two scums looming above her, leering and touching.
How dare they defile her before he could.
Only Sai can dull her pastel colors and drown her in black.
Sai's whole body fuels with cold anger and he is out with a gun before any sort of rational thought could stop him. The delinquents flee instantly, though they stay long enough for Sai to memorize their faces.
He'll deal with them later.
Right now, Sai is trying to control his temper and failing with the blonde pressed tight against his chest. The flower scent intensifies and her skin is soft and warm under his cold fingers.
The dark instincts Sai believed to have gotten under control long ago easily slips through the chains binding them. Ino also tests his limits with her teary eyes and shaking lips.
Like a rabbit before a wolf, she trembles and her fear satisfies the inner beast of the dark haired man.
She shouldn't have returned to the beast's den.
Ino twists in his grasp until she is face to face with the young man and freezes.
Almighty God, the beauty you bless us with.
Shaped brows slightly knitted together, thinned lips, a strong clenched jaw, and long eyelashes framing charcoal eyes burning with cold fire.
His eyes are blades and his hair is the night.
His shape is frightening yet beautiful.
Ino isn't ashamed to admit that she's been staring too long to be considered polite.
There is tension between the duo. It's as if a high voltage electrical current has suddenly diverted through the little shop. It crackled, sizzled and threatened to leave them both singed.
"Sai?" The name unintentionally comes out like a low whimper and dark eyes narrow, flashing in an emotion Ino is all too familiar with.
Lust.
His large hands resting on Ino's waist slide down to cup her butt and lift her up in a single fluid motion. Ino yelps in surprise and her long legs instinctively wraps around the tattooist's middle to balance herself. His body is cold under her hands clasped on his shoulders for balance. Ino absentmindedly wonders if his lips would be cold too.
He easily carries her over to the marble counter.
"Stubborn." He whispers the strained words right above her sensitive neck. His breath is chilly and makes her shiver slightly. "I told you not to come here for a reason."
And before Ino could protest or react at all, Sai crushes his lips to hers.
And just how she imagined, his lips are cold against her own. However they are very skillful at delivering steaming passion.
This kiss is aggressive and demanding so that Ino feels as if it's her first kiss. She clumsily tries to respond, not sure why she is responding at all. The mysterious man had a gun seconds ago, Ino should push and leave the obviously dangerous Sai. But the way he kissed made the blonde curled her toes and made her sigh in content. Ino has the sudden feel that kissing Sai is a natural thing and why stop?
"Is this what you came back for?" murmurs the young man, when his lips retreat and gives them a chance to breathe.
Ino's head is foggy and she had to rephrase the question in her mind a few times to get the meaning.
"No!" she exclaims loudly, baring her teeth and narrowing her eyes. Yes, this is more like her, and not the one that gets all mushy just from one kiss.
Sai's black eyes are impassive as he tilts his head to the side. "Oh really? If it's so why is your body so…" Sai lets his words trail off, swiftly sliding his fingers under Ino's short shirt and cups her breasts. Ino's protest dies in her throat as she arches her back instantly and bites her tongue to swallow the needy moan.
How? How can this boy find her every single sensitive spot right in his first try? Ino dated man that couldn't even get her excited after a month long relationship.
The boy snorts softly at Ino. "So prone to respond." He shakes his head and dives onto her cleavage.
Ino's fingers shoot up and wind themselves in his hair. The sensation is so great that Ino can swear she sees stars as her pale digits curl around the silky strands. Sai growls under the long nails scraping his skull and if possible, his tongue gets even greedier.
So good. Ino feels like her whole body is curling with pleasure. Hazily, she opens her glazed eyes to see Sai, black hair disheveled and gaze hungry like a predators. That one look, sends jolts Ino's insides and she feels more warmth pool in her lower half. The blonde have never meet man that looks at her like she is prey and the idea of being hunted, surprisingly excites the girl.
In her pleasure hazed mind, Ino hears ripping and then cold lips on her heated flesh.
Blue eyes shot open – when did she close them? – and there, on the floor Ino sees her tank top and bra, cleanly ripped in two to free her bosom.
She glares at the colorful fabric of her bra and shifts her glare to the young man. Slowly, as if the words were difficult to pronounce, Ino says, "I liked that bra. A lot."
Sai blink and his eyes look down at the ripped bra then up at the seething blonde. He can't help the slight twitch in his lips but manages to hold his laugh in.
"I'll buy you a new one," Sai promises, amusement seeping at his tone.
The blonde scowls harder, so to redirect her mind, Sai ascends on Ino's pale skin and skillfully tastes her flesh.
Ino's head falls back a second time and this time she can't hold her moans in. One after another, the greedy sound spills from her lips and her cheeks turn redder with shame.
This isn't me, she realizes. I never get so worked up from a boy that's not Sasuke-kun.
The name brings a single moment of clarity but instantly vanishes when Sai's cold lips enclose around her pink bundles of nerve. As if possible, Ino arches her back further and using her hands intertwined in his hair to pull him closer towards her aching chest.
Sinful. What Sai's tongue does is downright sinful.
The black haired man complies with her wordless request and grasps her hips and smashes his body to hers. It's exactly what they both need as Ino lets out content huff and Sai growls in appreciation.
Slowly, lips made of ice travel up, leaving snowflake like kisses behind. The aggressive aura both had moments ago is gone and Ino gets her act together. Right now, they are face to face and Ino blurts without thinking, "No guy should have eyelashes like that."
Sai blinks, once then twice. In his lust darkened eyes, Ino catches the tiniest bit of amusement before it's gone. He huffs a dry laugh and untangles himself from the blonde girl, forcefully keeping his eyes away from her.
"Stay," he orders. The blonde stiffens under the command and Sai feels like hitting himself. "Wait here," he adds with a gentler tone and the tattooist is pleased with himself when she relaxes.
What am I doing? Sai thinks while searching for a shirt for the half-naked blonde sitting on his marble counter.
I kick her out, save her from scums who are about to rape her, then I grope her inappropriately myself, rip a bra she apparently liked a lot and now I'm looking for a substitute shirt.
The boy sighs silently and squishes down the voice saying that she wasn't wearing much to begin with.
Sai finally finds a sleeveless black shirt in one of his drawers, short and modest enough to fit the blonde. He returns to see that Ino didn't move an inch, just like he told her to, though her delicate arms are covering her generous chest.
There is another wave of amusement playing in his eyes when he hands her the black clothing. The blonde nods as a thanks and swiftly wears the shirt. Sai cringes at her swift movements, she has every right, I did molest her.
Ino intently watches Sai expression darken. It's not the darkness brought by loss or…of anger. Another feeling she can't really name. The blonde, intent to gain back her footing, says, "Thanks inkman, I'll try to ignore how this shirt clashes horribly with my skirt until I go home."
"Be grateful beautiful." The compliment easily slips from Sai's lips, startling both of them.
The dark haired man clears his throat and tentatively offers, "I'll give you a ride home. No matter the hour this place is never safe, especially for girls with skimpy clothing."
"Skimpy?" Ino retorts, eyes widening a second before narrowing. "Let me inform you that these are the latest fashion and also that you owe me a bra and a shirt."
Sai, ignores the jab with ease and dangles a set of keys in front of her face as a silent peace offering. The curvy girl hops down the counter and the tattooist averts his eyes from the flexing legs.
As to regain some of her cool, Ino demands with her hands on her hips, "I only ride in expensive cars," cold indifference colors her tone. "I do have a reputation to hold."
The tattooist rather enjoys the blonde's cocky behavior, mostly because she is in his slightly big shirt. "Don't worry," he says. "I only ride the latest model."
Disbelief marring her pretty features – Sai also avoids looking at her swollen lips, even if it strokes his manly pride – Ino follows the dark haired man through the metal door behind the counter. As Ino expected, the door leads to a studio with a black leather chair – like the ones in a dentist's office – and several sharp needles and more tattoo samples on the walls.
Sai keeps his pace to another door right across the leather chair, and Ino finds herself in the back of the shop. Her curious gaze instantly zeros on the sleek black motorcycle casually parked and comically looking out of place.
Of course Sai would ride a black Ducati with some personalized touches – Ino knows because Kiba has the same damn thing and her experienced eyes could pick up the subtle differences.
Like the claret red vines crawling around the lights, the leaner bars and extra saddlebags to the sides.
"The engine looks…" Ino trails of, pouting her ruby lips.
"It's composed from various parts. I like to work on her when I have the time and parts," sounding surprised that Ino could catch it, Sai extends a helmet to the blonde girl. "I don't usually have guests so we'll have to do with what we have."
Ino knits her brows as she takes the safety measure, and then she sees that the bike had only one seat. It seemed that the bike had another seat once but Sai probably removed it for more supply space. Throwing a skeptical look at the only seat, albeit large and could accommodate both, if Ino basically flushed her body against Sai's board back.
Showing down her protests, Ino wears the helmet and holds the extended hand before she can change her mind. She ignores her heart picking up pace and her churning stomach, focuses on the roar of the engine and wind whipping her hair.
The blonde stops Sai one block away from her house. Her legs feel a bit wobbly but she doesn't falter.
"For the last time, I'll warn you." Sai's voice is stern enough to beat any upcoming arguments. "Don't come to the shop, I might not be able to save you next time."
Ino scowls as she gives the helmet back to the tattooist. Hooking her index inside the collar of her borrowed clothing, she prompts, "No can do, inkman, I'm sure your shirt would like to get back to his owner."
"Perhaps my shirt is very content on covering your bare chest." Sai counters and he enjoys the twitching blue eye.
Never one to be denied – heaven forbid, someone would dare to cross road with her – Ino says, "If I can't come, you will. I spend most of my time in Konoha Collage campus."
With a playful wink, she turns and hums along the way to her apartment. Ino is satisfied with having upped the tattooist once, and the suffering-yielding sigh she hears is just the icing on the cake.
Though the curvy girl expected inkman to drop by at her campus, she didn't expect him to show up only two days later. Ino didn't even have had the time to wash Sai's shirt and she certainly didn't have the said article with her.
Ino is busy staring at Sai's moving lips and remember exactly how they clouded her mind, and left cold yet burning marks on her skin. So she completely misses what the dark haired man said.
The young man is staring at her expectantly and Ino feels the blood faintly color her cheek. "Can you repeat that?"
"Would you like to have lunch?" Sai repeats once more, faint hope edges in his voice. Almost inaudible, had Ino not learned to read human speech and body since she was six.
Ino's heart misses a beat and she lies through her teeth. "I've already eaten."
The young man hums and glances away. Ino licks her lips as she tries to reign in her unstable emotions. She has many questions, about the gun and about his stern refusal and the heavy make out she very much enjoyed. The blonde wants to have a lunch with the dark haired man and learn more and solve the mystery that is Sai. However her rational side recognizes the tattooist as dangerous and not to be messed with.
The blonde's stomach growls.
Ino feels even the tips of her ears turn cherry red.
"I understand," Sai says monotonously. "You have every right to be afraid of me, and it's also sensible for you to not want to be in my presence."
There is a hollow detachment in the tattooist tone that clenches Ino's chest in an uncomfortable manner. The blonde, squishing down her rational voice, declares, "I want steak with ridiculously overpriced red wine. You're paying and you better have a car."
The tenseness melts from Sai's shoulders as he responds, "Deal," a small yet mischievous smirk appears. "And sorry but you'll have to ride on my bike again. If not you can always take the bus."
Ino glares holes with her narrowed baby blue eyes. "You invite me to dinner and then expect me to walk? Men, chivalry must really be dead."
Sai lets out a small, low chuckle that hits Ino's nerves like an electric current. The blonde hates that she can be so easily affected by a guy. Sai gives Ino a helmet and extended his hand to the blonde. "Coming?"
"The wind will make a mess of my hair." She whines half-heartedly.
The dark haired man points out, "That's why I gave you a helmet."
"Great." Ino huffs, rolling her eyes. "Not only messed but also flattened hair. You are doing this on purpose."
"Perhaps," Sai says cryptically.
The tattooist takes Ino to an above average diner, much to the blonde's complains, which falls instantly silent at the first bite of steak. Sai hides his victorious smirk behind his wine glass.
"Will you give me a tattoo now?" Ino hopefully asks. She hadn't forgotten her original motive, although strayed a bit, her objective is still Sasuke-kun.
"No," Sai responds automatically. A tad too fast for Ino's taste.
Blue eyes narrow as the blonde tilts her head, causing her long fringe to slide and stare at Sai with both eyes. "I'll pester till you do. I'm told that I'm very good at giving hell."
A strange emotion flickers in his black eyes so fast that Ino thinks she might have imagined it.
"I'm sure you're capable of such, Ino," Sai muses.
Ino takes a huge gulp of her own wine, trying to ignore the effects of her name in Sai's lips. "I have no intention to give up." Ino declares, tilting her chin stubbornly.
"I was afraid of that."
Sai is always wistful when he finishes a piece. Of course there is the feeling of accomplishment; however, the bitterness always follows close behind.
Perhaps it the void of having the project he worked very hard, completed and that it doesn't need his attention anymore. Sai has absolutely no business with a finished piece and perhaps that loss of commitment is what causes the wistfulness.
However, drawing Ino, completing an artwork of hers – is anything but bitter. Sai can't get enough. The curve of her jaw, her cascading hair, the shape of her eyes, the curved built, tempting lips… no matter how many times he draws or paints the same lines over and over, Sai can't be satisfied and instantly starts again – with a diverse angle, another style, different expression. A stubborn glint, a challenging grin, confident air, seductive pose…
It quickly becomes a pleasant pastime for the dark haired young man, against his rational side hissing to stay away from her.
Sai stares down at the screen of his phone as if the intensity of his gaze would magically light it up with his brother's name flashing irritably. However, the screen keeps its dark state with no news about Shin's so called easy task.
Had it been anything else Sai wouldn't have cared, Shin is an adult – at least he pretends he is – and presumably can take care himself. But his unrefined brother is at a mission, given from him nonetheless, and even if Sai washed his hands off from the organization, he knew how split second carelessness or a single misinformation can turn things for the worse.
The tattooist is in no way a mother hen – that's Shin – but no cringingly loud voice messages, texts full of typos or even an annoying tweet. So Sai feels it adequate to feel just a tiny bit of worry, it had been almost two weeks now.
The lack of anything about his current state, grates Sai's nerves and he almost snarls with his pent up frustration at the new comer into the shop.
A russet colored oversized hoodie manages to conceal her curves along with golden blonde hair, although the fitted, designer sweatpants gave away her gender easily. A Chinese takeout dangled from tangerine painted nails and an inviting smirk graced her peach hued lips.
"I brought a peace offering." Ino says, presenting the hot food with a mock bow.
Sai stares carefully at the delicious smelling take out and Ino fishes another package from inside her hoodie. "And this is your shirt; I personally ironed it by the way. You may feel honored."
The moment Sai takes the shirt, Ino bounces away to the small table sandwiched between the leather chairs. The blonde takes of the hood covering her head and a simple French braid falls to her chest.
"You coming or not?" Ino asks, chopsticks already in her delicate hands. "The fates of your fried shrimps are at my mercy and I can't promise they'll wait for you."
The dark haired young man sighs. He's sighing awful a lot lately and the reason is sitting cross legged across from him eating stir-fried noodles. He sits with his own box (beef chow fun) and lets the smell of hot food cloud his strained emotions. The whirlpool of worry, annoyance, anxiety and irritation that had him trapped, eased his sharp clutches and Sai feels his tense shoulders relax slightly.
"You should get your ears checked," the tattooist says calmly after a peaceful minute. "I remember clearly telling that you should not return here. Seeing that I've done my part means the problem resides in you."
Her grin melds into an almost innocent smile. Almost. "Oh really? It must have slipped my mind." At the deadpan stare she gets, Ino laughs, a merry peal of rich amusement. It's contagious and Sai feels the corner of his lips twitch. He wants to accompany her laughter but manages reign into his silly emotions.
"I had to give your shirt back, I never keep something a boy gives me. And also I had to repay for the diner thing. I can't believe you took me to a diner."
"You should feel ashamed to made me drink that piss that they so called wine." Ino sniffs in disgust at the memory. Although the steak was good – excellent even – the red wine was better left unmentioned.
The blonde cringes her little nose and he almost snorts. Rich girls.
Examining the take out with way too much interest, the dark haired man says, "This doesn't look five star materials, Ino."
Sai quirks a brow, silently mocking her efforts. Ino gives up with a brief eye roll and tries a different strategy.
"Okay, it was the closest place and I didn't want anything to get cold." Ino confesses and stuffs more of her noodles into her mouth. Maybe with her mouth full she won't admit another embarrassing thing.
Time passes swiftly, and Sai learns that Ino can outtalk any other living being on earth. From classes to her annoying neighbor, her new nail polish, and the last book she read, Ino blabbers about everything. Strangely, Sai finds himself listening attentively instead of letting the conversation pass through him.
She neither brings up her tattoo request nor does she asks about the gun.
