Though she feels the warmth of the alcohol singing under her skin with a quiet buzz, her vision is clear. She cradles the amber-colored whiskey glass closer to her chest as a mother would her child. Mindless chatter surrounds her slumped form but Hinata dutifully ignores it all, shelving them at the far end of her consciousness. She wants to be left alone in her misery. Just as she thinks so, the stupid paper crumbled inside her inner pocket seems to heat up and Hinata becomes aware of its presence.

A cough drives her attention and Hinata notices familiar red tattoos on round cheeks, a fanged grin promising sin and golden brown eyes screaming mischief. It's a sight she has gotten used to, some days expecting to encounter even. His friendship is easy with a dashing smile and a friendly attitude. And yet, seeing Kiba right now, right here, irritates Hinata immensely.

Her world is falling apart and she doesn't want Kiba to witness how low she's falling.

"How did you find me?" Hinata demands before she can take control of her body. The words are out, cutting like shards of glass.

Kiba's expression is strangely guarded with his dark brow pinched. Hinata never imagined she'd ever see the Inuzuka so still. Well, she also never imagined getting wasted in a shadowy corner of a less than stellar bar. Truly, a day of firsts.

"Shino." He says flatly while glancing over at the corner of the bar. A skinny young man is carefully wiping clean a thin glass, wearing an oversized dark hoodie pulled low over his curly hair. The bar lights reflect from his dark tinted glasses and he nods at them as he pours lemon-colored cocktails to tall thin glasses.

Without an invitation, Kiba sits across her. "Look, Doll. I know that you're father is a bit of a stuck up but in the end, he's family. The only one ya get. Blood runs thicker than water, and that ain't a lie. Families fight, God knows how close I got to strangle my sister but eventually, she's my sister. I get one and one only. Same with mom. They are mine as much as I am theirs. Can't run from that." he straightens on his stool and Hinata tries to put on her best tired-and-indifferent expression. "Family is what you lean on when tired, where you run when scared. I'm positive your father loves ya, the dude's just very bad at showing it."

Hinata huffs, her head feels ten times heavier over her shoulders but her tongue works fine. More than fine. "If you're here to lecture me about the holy importance of family, forget it." She glances at Kiba from under her lashes with her lips pulled back in a sneer. "I won't have this wretched debacle n-now. Yes, you were lucky enough to land in a good f-family but that – that doesn't mean that all families are close."

She can't do it. The burning in her eyes is frustrating her immensely and no amount of whiskey manages to clear the ashy taste over her tongue. Hinata wants to crawl under the table and cry as loud as she can but some form of tattered dignity keeps her on her stupid bar stool. She carefully inhales, lets her chest expand as oxygen rushes in. The movement is mechanic and soothing. For a single heartbeat, Hinata has backed away from her problems.

"Doll."

She's back in her body.

"No, Kiba-san." she snaps, the booze strengthening her tongue like always.

There is a good reason why Hinata never takes the stronger stuff. Beer is fine and relatively harmless for a girl that started drinking high-quality sake in stuffy formal gatherings where everyone wore indifferent polite masks while giving praising yet empty flattery. Hinata can easily hold her ground from years of practice of sipping strong liquor to avoid talking with people. The downside is that an alcoholic Hinata is neither shy nor submissive. She is bolder, snappier and a little bit on the rude side.

A combination which her father despised deeply.

Maybe, she's hiding behind the glass to get brave enough to face her problems. It seems to be not working, but, still. Hinata doesn't have the vaguest idea of what else to do.

"I get it. You don't wanna listen." Hinata snorts, sipping more of her drink which makes Kiba frown. "I get it."

"You don't. You just – seriously don't." Hinata interrupts. Her voice is brittle and thin, close to cracking under the pressure of phantom tears so Hinata closes her eyes. She won't cry. She won't cry. She won't.

"Hinata." Desperation must sound like this, Hinata thinks if he's using her actual name. "Please, talk to me. What's wrong? Why are you here?" Kiba asks. His voice is soft like silk and Hinata can pick up the worry hiding under his tone. He somehow caught on that there's more in her plate at the moment.

She makes a soft noise, fingers clenching around her half-empty glass and Kiba slides closer to her hunched shoulders, wrapping an arm around her. He pulls her close to his side, strong and firm and Hinata's breathing shakes. She just feels empty, utterly hopeless and to have Kiba by her side right now seems like an illusion her mind has conjured to keep her together.

The hand sliding through her hair is too real to be made up and Hinata sinks into the comfort offered by this fascinating man. Their arguments for the past days turn pointless and Hinata greedily soaks the heat from Kiba's hand.

Talking would mean acknowledging so Hinata reaches into her pocket and wordlessly shoves it to Kiba's chest who has sat back to his own chair to give her space. Uncomfortable tightness wells up her chest as she watches Kiba read the official paper. With every word, his brows draw closer and he ends up snarling angrily.

"This can't be right!"

"It is." Hinata answers. Her stomach turns. She makes the mistake of lowering her gaze. The bold black letters are still the same. "We regret to inform Miss Hinata Hyuuga that the school board has decided to dismiss you from Konoha University, effective immediately."

"I can read that!" Kiba growls while crumpling the dismissal letter. "But who'd do this kinda shit!? Who gets to fucking decide, this is bullshit!"

Her mouth closes so hard that her teeth hurt. Reaching blindly at her drink, Hinata throws her head back and closing her eyes to hinder the stinging. She's not sure what pushes her but the evident worry she hears from Kiba sinks into her chest. He is angry at her behalf and all it took was her getting kicked out of University.

"My father," She spits the word like its souring her mouth. Her fingers itch for another glass of whiskey. "pulled out my registration. I'm no longer a part of the courses and thus, can't graduate. Ah, I'm – I'm also not allowed to send an application for the next semester. Or the one after that."

"What! How can he fucking do that!?"

Hinata shrugs. Her stomach is churning badly and she faintly thinks how stupid she had been to start drinking on an empty stomach.

"Money."

Kiba's fist slams on the table and he snarls, louder than appropriate. "Asshole."

A few patrons turn towards them but the murderous look in Kiba's eyes has them looking away. Hinata tiredly opens her eyes and watches Kiba rant a storm on her behalf. Her lips twitch and she finds it cute that the young man has finally started seeing from her angle and is fast to defend her. Maybe he is late but Hinata can understand a little. Their upbringing is too different.

At least, she doesn't feel like bawling her eyes out anymore. A stupidly inconvenient laugh rattles her chest and Hinata fight it to keep it in. Not the time for hysterical laughs.

"I'm so sorry, Hinata." Her name makes her pay attention. Kiba is leaning over the table, his large hand holding hers. His skin is warm against her own and Hinata feels her cheeks flush a little. "I should've listened ya more. I just can't fucking understand what his problem is! He's your father, heshould fucking support your dreams!"

When Hinata remains silent, Kiba's anger gains volume. "If anyone from our family ever tries to pull some shit like that, mom would snap their fucking legs! Doesn't ya dad see how brilliantly talented you are!?"

"You have to accept that not everyone has stellar families. The Hyuuga are rich, prestigious, envied and respected, yet, every single one of them is a cunning marble statue. They'd throw you to the wolves shall it be seen as convenience for the future of the family."

Hinata makes no move to tug her hand, instead, she boldly curls her fingers between his. There are splotches of black under her fingernails from previous sketches and Hinata's throat closes off with want. She might not see her hands like this again because of her father who trampled over her dream so freaking easily that Hinata inches closer to full-body hysteria.

She never realized how much she could hate another person. Hinata finds it funny that she is even capable of loathing someone at this level.

Lost in her own mind, Kiba keeps swearing and hissing like a drenched cat and she secretly enjoys Kiba's rant more than necessary. His anger on her behalf eases off some of the tightness in her chest. This is it. This is the support she wanted, needed, from Kiba.

"Welcome to my life," Hinata mutters. This time a tear escapes and Hinata breathes in her pain. Oh, she's back to sadness. Her anger deflated quicker than she imagined. "…What am I g-going to do now?"

Kiba springs to his feet, startling Hinata out of her spiraling thoughts. His amber eyes are wild and burning intensely and when his large hands cup her shoulders Hinata can only stare.

"Wait here."

"What-"

Kiba is already sprinting through the crowd, power-walking with a single-minded intensity that leaves Hinata confused. Trusting that Kiba would be back the young woman orders another glass of whiskey. Stalling for a second, she also adds a beer for Kiba.

The Inuzuka sprints back inside in less than 10 minutes and flops down with a huge grin stretching his face. Before Hinata could ask where he went, Kiba slaps down a colorful flyer between them.

"This can solve your problems."

Kiba pushes the flyer closer and leans back. His eyes light up seeing the beer in front of him.

Peeling her gaze away from the Inuzuka, Hinata looks down. It's an advertisement for an international art contest. First place award gets a loaded check and a chance to have their painting displayed in the national gallery.

Money and fame.

"Kiba, t-this." Her mouth moves but words escape her. Kiba looks absolutely delighted and takes a swing of his beer. "I c-can't win this." The stuttering returns as another feeling bubble up in her chest. Hinata doesn't know how to react or what to say. This is beyond her imagination and if she can win…

Kiba rolls his eyes, his smirk gentling at the edges. "Doll. I've seen what you can do."

Hinata wants to fight back, excuses upon excuses are piling on her insecurities and she reaches out for her whiskey, the burn helping her overworked throat.

"I'm not… not good enough." She manages to whisper. Her gaze is glued to her pale hands, afraid to look up at Kiba's expression.

Kiba just flicks her forehead as a response. She yelps, hands flying up to cover her face.

"Don't be dull, Doll. Can't hurt to try. I believe you can do it."

Hinata swallows slowly, looking back at the flyer. The theme is serenity and her mind starts going through colors and combinations and she wants to start doodling and start her creative process. She stops her whirling thoughts when pen and paper appear under her hand. Kiba's gaze is warm and welcoming and Hinata feels herself flush under his stare, gripping the pen tightly.

Her confidence is slowly building up by Kiba's wild coaxing and well… Hinata can try. She might even-

"You'll blow this competition Doll. I'll help ya. So, stop doubting yourself."

Her mouth dries up and all the blood rushes up to her face. She always flushed easily but now she thinks she'll never go back to her own skin color. Kiba's friendly and helpful by nature, even though he gets brash and blunt from time to time but he doesn't give empty promises.

He believes in her. Kiba believes that she can win an international contest. The support he shows unashamedly makes Hinata uncomfortable, making her heart pick up speed and her hand's sweat.

Almost…

"Why. Why would you go so far?"

For me, Hinata wants to say but her mouth shuts tight. It feels to forward and bold while she's standing on thin ice. She's not ready for that answer.

"You don't have the slightest idea, do you, Doll?" Kiba asks, huffing, exasperated but strangely fond. His amber gaze snares hers and Hinata can't look away. "I like you. Don't tell me you can't see how amazing you're to me?"

Breathing is difficult, suddenly, oxygen turns into thick and sticky mud and Hinata freezes on her stool. Maybe it's the alcohol seeping into her mind but her vision fogs and Hinata sees a sun-bright smile with expressive blue eyes and it hurts her deeply.

Kiba is not Naruto. He isn't. If so, why does her heart still trembles thinking of her first love? Kiba sits right in front of her and Naruto isn't even in the vicinity. Why can't she stop caring for a person that can't see her?

She wanted to hear those words from Naruto, had so many different daydreams and scenarios but, in the end, it's Kiba.

Kiba likes her. And Hinata doesn't know what to say. She finds him attractive, that much she can admit but more? To have a closer relationship she imagined having with another man?

She takes a deep, steadying breath and shakes her head. It's not fair to Kiba. He's a good friend and Hinata doesn't deserve him.

"Give me a chance, Hinata." Kiba is close to begging and Hinata's teeth sink into her cheek to ground herself. "Give me a chance to prove you that I can be the best decision you'll ever make."

"It was so easy to fall for you. I'm pretty sure you fucking tripped me but I don't care. I really don't mind falling if it's for you."

It all comes down to what the heart desires. That person you wish to have by your side when your head hits the pillow.

Hinata drops her gaze to the table and bitterly thinks of how cruel undeserved affection can be.


It's strange, Ino thinks while staring down at Sai's face. The mask he has carefully crafted and fitted over his thoughts is cracked and whatever she can glimpse through is difficult to interpret.

Is he being totally honest? Ino can't tell truly but she knows he isn't lying. Still, omitting the important parts is a possibility Ino won't ignore. After all, being awfully misleading is a manipulation tactic that Sai is fond of using.

"You're not a moron," Ino tells him, keeping her voice level-headed and clear. Sai's shoulders hunch up like he's waiting for her to blow up and ran away screaming. "Help me God, if you're purposefully misleading so I'll get the wrong idea-"

"Ino."

"I'm not done talking." Sai does the right thing by shutting up and Ino's inner voice purrs with satisfaction. She has the upper hand.

"As I was saying. I won't be tricked by your clever little games, Sai. We'll sit down, I'll make some coffee and in the meantime, you'll get your shit together and be honest with me. Completely honest."

Sai grinds his teeth, loud enough for her to hear. "I'm protecting you-"

"You're lying to me."

That shuts him up. Again.

Ino tugs his sleeve towards the small kitchen towards the back wall. Sai lets her bully him to a chair, expression closed off and black eyes far away. With practiced ease born from familiarity, she finds the finely ground coffee beans – Jamaican, expensive and rich flavored – add the water and lets the machine do its work. Two ceramic mugs appear near her elbow and Ino looks at Sai's back from under the curve of her lashes.

"I never had something of value that I couldn't replace."

Ino pours generous amounts of coffee; the intense smell of the beverage filling her nostrils makes her eyelashes flutter. Sai slides cinnamon and milk to her mug, warming Ino's chest that he remembers how she takes her coffee while his preferences stay pure and black.

"You're precious to me," Sai mumbles soft and child-like and Ino is not supposed to hear it but she does and her heart painfully clenches. His dark eyes are devouring the light in their intensity.

This is the same guy that admitted to enjoying killing and looking at him now Ino only sees a confused and lost young man, drowning without knowing way.

That gaze is enough to pierce Ino's chest and she aches with the need to reach and touch and to hug until Sai's stable again. He's hurting, obviously, and Ino just wants to help and be at his side.

…this crush… perhaps

"Tell me what you're comfortable with."

Maybe she's too late with her sympathy but she never imagined unsettling the young man so much. She knew from early interactions with the aloof tattooist that she'd have to shoulder their emotional baggage because Sai had the emotional maturity of a potted plant. Being flirty and thoughtful didn't work. Forcing her way in could clam him up even more. So, Ino selects subtle. She sucks at subtle, though. Just like Kiba, she'd rather face something head-on blunt to the core of bitter truth. Damn. She's gonna fuck this up.

"I'm trained to kill people."

His deep voice cuts through her spiraling mind with the ease of a scalding blade. Ino raises her gaze to capture Sai's and only when she has his attention, she lets herself talk.

"I'm not so shallow to judge you for your past." Ino finds herself admitting. "I don't know what the circumstances were back then that you found yourself in this path… I'm curious, Sai. I want to know you. I want to know why you do what you do. I want to understand."

Look at Ino being all understanding and adult-like. Quick, give her a shot of vodka. She needs to bring back her impulsiveness. Sarcasm is a great way to deal with drama, Ino finds, dryly and half-way to an emotional crisis.

Back to the topic at hand.

"I can understand that your heart is in the right place but you're taking my choice away from me." She tries again and again and again. Hoping to breach whatever wall he stubbornly builds so she could at least stop repeating herself.

It actually fucking works.

"I have a certain gift," Sai says. "I've always been quick and silent. Unseen, in and out without raising a single alarm. They noticed it and trained me to be better, and with every mission my… skills were being recognized."

Ino's tongue burns with the need to ask about 'they' but she swallows the words with great reluctance.

"I was trained to be an assassin, Ino. One of the best they managed to cultivate. The results I brought in justified their methods and I was being praised left and right for my work. The people around me respected my work, others were encouraged to be like me." His voice is bored, almost monotone and Ino can feel her eyes sting.

Ino licks her lips, and slowly asks, "What happens if you don't follow orders?"

"Why shouldn't I? I was given a purpose, a place for myself. I wasn't the weak street orphan anymore. I'm recognized and respected because I'm an excellent soldier. It's thanks to the training that I'm here today."

Ah.

Ah.

Ino starts to see where this is going.

Sai mentioned orphans. Basically, people who'd have no one that would search for them. Replaceable. Abandoned kids who don't know better, who are susceptible to emotional manipulation, eager to please the hands that feed and clothe them.

Scheisse.

Ino inhales the strong scent of the coffee sinks into her lungs. She waits until she can catch Sai's gaze with her own.

"Did they – were you told you should enjoy…?" she trails off, feeling unnecessarily awkward. It shouldn't be this difficult to ask but Ino can't formulate her sentence in a way that it doesn't come out rude or judging.

Thankfully, Sai understands what she wants to know. "I'm good at it." He responds, voice shaky yet familiar on his tongue. Like he spent a better part of his time repeating the same sentence over and over again until he believed the lie he was fed.

"What you do doesn't define who you are. You can still be kind to elders but be an asshole neighbor. People are walking contradictions."

With great difficulty, Ino bites on her tongue in case she says more. She can't force Sai right now. He has to come to his own conclusions and Ino can't take the gamble and twist his views too blatantly. She's a Yamanaka. She knows the fragility of the human mind and the dangers of unstable sanity. There's damage there, in Sai's mind that affects the way he perceives the world, closer to immorality with the lack of proper guidance.

He's made to be like this. A perfect soldier. A tool to be discarded.

Ino's shoulders drop with the realization. Her chest feels small for her clenching heart.

As a distraction, she sips more of her coffee. Sai is silent but she can pick traces of speculation laced with confusion at the corner of his charcoal eyes. Ino lets him work through it on his own while she repeats their past interactions.

Sai never seemed unstable to her. He could be hiding it very well if he had been instructed since childhood. The only time he has slipped was at his apartment and Ino chastises herself for how much more elaborately she could have handled that. Apart from that one time, Sai has been a gentleman towards her, teases and flirts back, isn't shy to call on her bullshit or redirect the conversation when she gets close to touchy subjects.

She doesn't remember any red flags – the possession of firearms notwithstanding – Ino actually trusts him. She trusts Sai and that's the revelation that started her need to help him and be close to him.

Verdammt.

Crush sounds awfully childish.

A flicker of movement gets her attention. Sai's running his fingers through his long bangs and Ino sees the silver leaf earring for a second before dark hair covers his ear. Ino's blatant staring forces Sai to uncomfortably shift and clear his throat.

"I met Shin at the institute."

Ino breathes in slowly. Okay. He's opening up more instead of shutting in and Ino reins in her victory dance miraculously by the teeth. Instead, she cradles her mug closer and takes slow sips to occupy her mouth so she wouldn't point out how he shifted the flow of the conversation.

"From the outside, it seemed to be a private orphanage. Completely normal, paperwork legitimate..." Sai admits faint but detached. "In reality, the institute is a medical research facility. The children. They are the test subjects."

She heard that wrong… Right?

Ino locks her muscles with great difficulty. She won't react. There is an organization out there that is experimenting with children and Sai is/was a part of it. Scheisse. Gossip of the day.

That particular information brings her closer to insanity than Sai's admittance of liking murder.

Great. She needs a morale check. Quick.

"I can't tell you more about it. The institute didn't survive this long without taking drastic precautions. They have connections everywhere. There's no running or hiding. The institute is absolute."

Fear is a weapon. Disguised as misplaced responsibility the children have against this institute.

His voice hitches, resembling desperate begging. "Ino, whatever I say to you, right here right now, you can't ever repeat. It's for your own safety and anyone who knows you. I get more leeway because of my status inside the organization but you're an outsider. You don't have the privilege or importance – It's so easy to erase a person and Ino I can't let them… not you."

In Ino's mind, the situation unfolds like a murder mystery from a cheesy novel.

She goes back to the elective courses of psychology she took because Yamanaka's have always been fascinated with the way the human mind worked and Papa Inoichi poured his time to profiling criminals for the Konoha PD.

Conditioning is one of the topics of psychology Ino enjoys reading about and can get dangerous if applied cleverly while also being difficult to curb out. Human behavior can be learned by establishing patterns and have reoccurring behavioral responses to the same stimuli. Pavlov's dogs are a prime example. Skinner's negative and positive reinforcement. Reinforced behavior tends to be repeated while undesired behaviors can be erased by weakening. If Sai gets praised for his completed tasks, it's natural that the end result gets priority over the morality of the situation. There are layers of emotional manipulation and deep-rooted mental conditioning that added up in years and Ino's intimidated.

Had she pursued the default Yamanaka carrier in psychology, maybe then she'd notice his state sooner or at least have a sound plan to help Sai towards a healthier mental state but what's Ino supposed to do now? It's so much bigger than her and she can't ask for help. Not when Sai has trusted her with his identity and certainly not when the wrong whisper could get her killed.

Would they send Sai after her?

Would Sai follow through the order? Either way, it will break him. Ino sees it clearly.

Sai's avoiding looking at her eyes and Ino can't really blame him. Her fingertips tingle, drawing her attention to the half-full mug she's squeezing because of her nerves.

Breathe.

Inhale. Exhale.

"I won't," Ino promises, trying to sound confident and in control. "I'm not – I won't betray you. Sai, I pushed you for the truth because I want to know what I have to deal with. And. I was honestly preparing myself for some – some…" words escape her, because, hello someone is playing Frankenstein with minors. Ino will have nightmares.

You chose this. You wanted to know.

Ino has to roll with it. Unclenching her deathly grip takes her a heartbeat and instantly she reaches for Sai's pale hands. His skin is cold, like always, and he doesn't slip his fingers between hers but, at the least, he isn't pushing her away.

Small victories.

"So, Shin too?"

Sai jerks his head, the thick tendons on his throat visible with tension. Honestly, Ino's not surprised. Shin seemed the more unstable between the two, gearing towards a personality disorder with his bipolar state.

"He was assigned as my mentor. We… didn't get along at first. He looked after me because he was ordered to do so and someone had to make sure the medications were working."

Medications. Sweet Jesus.

"And these medications, what was their purpose?"

Ino's going to hate the answer, she's sure of it. Still, curious cat meet your death.

Sai shoulders tense, forcing Ino to swipe her fingertips over his cold hand. It doesn't work.

"Some sort of enhancer," Sai whispers lips bloodless and thin on his pale face. "Most children aren't compatible with the drugs. Those who survive show different side effects but it means the medication isn't rejected by the body."

Ino finally understands why Sai had been insistent in driving her away. Verdammt. She'll need shit ton of vodka to get rid of her nightmare materials.

Ino's heard enough. She certainly doesn't enjoy the blank look in Sai's gaze which makes her feel far away from him. She craves to be closer and so, she stands, goes around the table with strong clicks of her heels and drops on Sai's lap. Without much prompting, strong arms wind around her middle as Sai digs his nose into her shoulder like a child hiding from a nightmare. Her hand cards through his soft hair, slow and affectionate until her fingers curl around his pale neck.

"You're always cold," Ino mentions after thinking a while.

"I don't feel the cold." He corrects. "The perks of having a slower heart rate and lower body temperature, it makes it easier to avoid heat detectors."

"Ah, so coats aren't above you? Good to know. I was getting worried about your winter fashion statement. Spoiler alert, it's nonexistent."

Sai snorts into her collarbone, making Ino squirm over his lap because her neck's a sensitive area for her. Sai notices and takes shameless advantage of it by rubbing his ice-like nose over her throat.

"I'm also very fast." His tone is lighter like a great weight has been lifted from his shoulders. If she squints very hard, Ino could imagine herself inside that scene from Twilight.

Ino soaks up Sai's presence curled around her for a long minute before she dives back in. They still have more to talk and Ino won't stop until Sai asks to. There's a possibility that Ino might not get another honest shot at picking Sai's brain.

"I can only imagine the life you had but ignoring it doesn't make it disappear." She stops to observe. Sai's arms remain around her as he hides his face under her chin. "Do you want to keep working for the institution?"

"Shin believes that I can retire. Permanently." Sai's tone suggests the opposite even muffled against her neck. "A fool's dream. My skills are too valuable to be discarded. I'm tired of it." He admits.

The blonde hums. A difficult question curling around her tongue. "Since we met…did you take any jobs?"

"Not officially."

Strange wording but obviously deliberate. Even by not telling, Sai gives her information. Her suspicions just need to be confirmed. "The last time I went over to my dad he was working on a possible murder case. Two delinquents. Really familiar with signs of torture. Was it you?"

Sai pushes his head back and Ino can finally look into his gorgeous eyes. She's ensnared by his gaze. His long lashes and thick dark brows, the pretty face with the strong jaw and thin lips. Ino's mouth dries while her stomach churns with the need to get close. Not even Sai's past has managed to curb her deep want for the young tattooist and Ino's scared of the intensity of her own emotions.

This complicated man pulls her easily into his web and Ino lets herself be pulled.

She'll accept. Whether he denies or confirms, lie or truth. Ino'll accept it.

"Yes." He keeps eye contact, stubborn and grim. "They returned to the shop much later, with bruised pride and loaded guns." Something cold and ruthless seep into his dark irises and Ino shivers. "I planned to rough them up a bit but then… they mentioned you. They were hoping to find you inside."

Her long nails clutch Sai's wide shoulders. Sai pulls one of her hands close to his mouth and leaves a feather-light kiss over her knuckles.

"I snapped."

"Does… does that happen a lot?" she asks, breathy. Her heart picks up speed and she's aware of how close they are. The shape of his lips imprinted over the curve of his. She can lean into his hard chest if she wants, or slide closer to his lap and find out if he's interested in her as she is.

He must be if the burning hunger in his eyes can be interpreted as anything else.

Sai's stare remains on her. Ino's steadily losing her ability to put words together, not that it matters when Sai's this intense and leaves Ino absolutely aware. His presence, the overwhelming closeness leads to anticipation edged with faint fear.

Ino waits, watching with morbid fascination. Something is about to happen, it shimmers at the air between them, a warning and a tease at the same time and Ino licks her lips while Sai tracks her tongue with intense focus. He hums, rubbing his calloused thumb over the delicate skin of her wrist. Sparks ignite all over her arms and she shivers again. Those are the hands of an assassin and Ino's eyes trace small silvery scars carved out across the bare skin she could see.

Disgust is the last thing in her mind.

Her body, when Sai's involved, has always been eager and ready. Her heart, however, is a pleasant surprise.

"I had so many theories," Ino admits, a distraction that semi-works to bring her focus on the matter instead of her rising libido. Bad hormones. Down girl. "Like you were the son of a mafioso. Very the Godfather."

One of the hands-on her waist slowly traces her spine and Ino arches minimally. She wants her stupid sweater out of the way, to directly feel his cold skin over her sensitive flesh. Ino's edging closer to impatient and wonders who'll pounce who first.

"Orphan," Sai replies, tone low and attention on her neck.

If Shin can be counted as family. Ino wonders about friends. Other assassins broke and fit together accordingly to the wishes of their deranged boss, getting together to grab a beer exchanging tips on getting blood stains out of their clothes.

The picture it paints is either horrifying or extremely cute. There's no in-between.

To contain her laughter she shifts, bringing herself closer to Sai unintentionally. "Oh." The urge to rub her thighs is strong. And they are getting awfully sidetracked here. "Or some arms dealer." She lamely finishes.

When Sai's arms around her tense minimally, Ino's head jerks up, the haze of lust clearing enough. Locking up at the carefully blank gaze she catches the faint tremble of his lashes.

"You are?!" she tries to contain her tone but.

"When I'm out of commission in my downtime, I handle the guns for my… group."

Assassin and arms dealer. She shouldn't be surprised anymore.

"Drugs?"

Sai just shakes his head in negative. Finally clearheaded – for the moment, at least, Ino will bet that an innocent sigh can push them over the edge and rut like animals. The tension managed to build up for weeks and Ino wants her hard-teased firework-like orgasms, today, if possible.

Screw the stupid tattoo and stupid Sakura with her Ice prince boyfriend.

She slides her long fingers around his neck and uses her thumbs to push Sai's chin up. Ino straightens her spine, fitting better on Sai's lap.

"I don't mind. If – if you taking jobs means we can be together, then, it's okay."

Sai turns his head incredibility coloring his expression Ino finds him adorable with his face nestled on her palms until something shifts in his eyes. That something grips Ino's heart in a vice with the way they seem tormented.

"Sai?"

"I have many faults," Sai mumbles like he's wondering whether he's daydreaming or finally gone mad. "My temperament is milder then Shin's but they last longer. I can't promise you that I won't hurt you. Or that you won't find me blood-soaked and digging bullets out of my chest. I'm hard to get along with and won't share a single thing I'm ordered to do. Secrecy is a big part of my life, along with paranoia."

"I'm not stable, Ino. That's not fair to you."

Ino swallows around a lump in her throat. It's damn difficult to get her bearing with the way Sai just – he just –

He's letting himself be vulnerable.

So, Ino should be a bit vulnerable too.

"I feel safe with you." She sees Sai open his mouth to argue and Ino slaps her hand gently over his mouth. "Maybe it's an impossible concept for you to wrap your mind around it; however, that's the truth. At the least, believe me, that I've never wanted something more from someone. You think I enjoy having my world tilted? Cuz I don't."

"Have you forgotten what happened in my apartment?" Sai's losing his bite, sounding mellower with every word. "I won't allow you to be hurt again."

"Good. Keep that up and we'll be great."

The stubborn glare of Ino's met his own and Ino refuses to back down.

"You say it's okay. Is it really? Being okay with the idea and being okay with the action are different things, Ino. Do not give up your morals for me. It'll change you immensely and I'm not worth that." Sai says.

"We're going to talk about your crippling self-worth later. The issue, now, is that we both enjoy being together. No arguments there. So the logical step would be to find a way that lets us be, well, us."

"Ino, I won't burden you." His voice curls right into her ear and Ino surpasses delighted shivers that spark all over her belly. "I've given you many chances. Every single time, you came back without fail. Makes me feel greedy like I can keep you with me and that's dangerous, Ino." The chaste kiss to her chin is unexpected. "I'm hooked. So much that the absence of your presence bothers me greatly. I can't handle this any longer."

It's not phrased as a question but Ino reads between the lines easily.

I want to be by your side. Just like how you want to be with me but that's not the safe option.

They stand close, Ino lovingly stroking his hair and shoulders while Sai rests his forehead on her shoulder blade. For the first time since they met, Ino feels extremely close to Sai's core. Something fragile and vulnerable forced him to hide behind his indifferent attitude. Defense mechanisms vary from person to person and Ino sincerely hopes Sai won't regret letting her in.