Gratitude.

Chapter 8.

Ino caught her breath and Kisame removed his hand slowly, giving her sensitive clit a gentle pinch before exiting her skirt.

He was addicting. Kisame was towering compared to her and the blue hue of his skin took on a darker shade in the early evening glow. The hard muscles of his chest were showing through the opening of his coat and Ino caught a glimpse of a deeper shade of blue on his neck. Her bite had scarred him.

The sight of that healing scar brought her instantly back to her bedroom and in his arms for a moment. She reached up and brushed against his healing skin lightly.

"No one." Ino said suddenly, still a bit breathless.

"No one?" He repeated, obviously confused but amused at what she had chosen to say first.

"No one has ever touched me like you do. Did you mean all that?" Please say yes...

Kisame lifted a large hand and brushed her heated cheek softly..he seemed extremely pleased.

"Every word, Kunoichi."

Then he gave her a smile. Not a terrifying shark grin, not a cocky smirk, but a genuine smile that smoothed away his scowl and intimidating expressions. It took her breath away..again.

"You're all I think about now. I don't want anyone else." Her thoughts poured out of her before she could decide to say the words or not. "I want to keep seeing you..and don't you ever slap my ass like that again!" Her voice suddenly turned sharp as a knife at the end. The shark grin had returned for a moment before his serious eyes looked her over.

"Please go home, Ino. You're safe there. Stop going on solo missions and stay close to your team. I'll find you when I'm close to the village." He paused for a moment to brush his thumb over her lower lip. "I wish to continue seeing you, too."

"I'll go home." Her eyes looked him up and down before reaching for her shirt and pulling it right over her head. Kisames eyes lowered to her chest and then back up to her heated crystalline gaze. Ino kicked off her shoes and slid her skirt and panties down in one swift move before kicking those from around her ankles as well. "But not until I'm done with you."

Kisames eyes lit up as his words were thrown right back at him.

"I'm at your mercy, Kunoichi." He growled.

...

Kisame had been back with Itachi for only a short time but every single thought was Ino. He could get lost in her for days. Weeks. Months, even. She was so damn adorable, storming through those woods so full of emotion..of passion for her comrades. Kisame admired her determination even if she was reckless and he found her on his mind more often than not these past weeks they had been apart.

He had discovered that Ino had another side to her today. She had practically attacked him after they talked..sliding off her skirt and panties before he could even remove his coat, lay down and free his rock hard cock from his pants.

Ino had thrown a long, smooth leg over him erotically and lowered herself until the tip of him breached her heat..he remembered clearly how soft her skin felt under his fingers as he gripped her hips to guide her down the rest of the way. He let her find her own rhythm and explore what felt best for her patiently.. all the while he was getting off on the burning lust in her crystal eyes alone. The image of her above him would forever be burned into his memory.

She rode him until her face turned pink, he had become mesmerized by her gently bouncing breasts until he decided to take over. He had removed his coat to spread out under her and then placed her on her hands and knees. After that all he remembered were her screams of carnal pleasure and the way her pussy tightened around him every time she came and gasped his name. Her high pitched seductive voice had been his undoing.

When they had to dress and part he had kissed her with a sudden passion ..something he thought he never had in him as his lips crushed hers, dominated her in an intense battle of kisses. Once they stepped back she had sprung a question on him. One he was not expecting..perhaps ever.

'So, are we..together?' Ino had asked in a quiet voice. The word seemed so simple and trivial to him..and yet that simple question made his heart rate increase. It wasn't the words but her intentions behind them. Kisame had never considered something so mundane. Not for himself at least. When he looked back at her pretty face he could see her holding her composure but there was a small spark of hope in her eyes.

'Is that what they call it now?' He had grinned. 'Is that something you want?' She had blushed furiously. Adorably.

'Is it something you want?' Ino asked in a quiet, unsure voice..so she did want to put some kind of claim on him. The thought had his chest rushing with emotion. To have her completely belong to him and he to her..it was a thought that sent electric currents of energy through his veins. Ino was beautiful and had so much potential..she didn't even know it yet. Kisame barely had to think about it. He wanted her. He wanted her all for himself.

'Yes.' He had simply said.

Ino had looked down with a small smile gracing her lips and a raging blush in her cheeks.

They had kissed again and that time it had felt..different.

Kisame truly regretted having to leave her there.

"Why are you in such a good mood?" Itachi asked from across the fire..wrenching Kisame out of his mind.

He glanced up at Itachi and his stiff posture. That's what he needed. To get laid by a woman who wanted to and not with money as incentive. Maybe it would take the stick out of his ass.

"Nothing." Kisame grunted, the smirk returning to his face.

...

Ino had settled down to sleep a few hours before going back to the village but sleep evaded her. It was after dark now and Ino suddenly found being in the woods alone nerve-wracking. Her thoughts kept wandering to Kisame and that mind blowing good bye kiss he had given her. They were together now and that thought gave her both excitement and anxiety. Excitement for them..anxiety for her village and her friends...

There was a noise off to her right and she could have sworn it was a quick footstep. She sat up with her kunai clutched in her fist. Even though her desperate eyes scanned the shadows thoroughly she still couldn't see a thing.

"Kisame?" She asked hopefully into the darkness. Maybe he had come back..

"No."

It was Itachi. His silhouette stepped forward slowly.

Ino froze with one hand gripping the knife and immediately looked down. Itachi didn't try to jump or move though..he simply sighed and his stance remained casual.

"Look at me, Kunoichi." He demanded gruffly.

"And get sucked into a Genjutsu?" Ino scoffed. So he could knock her out or put her in her own world of torture, maybe kill her and leave her body here for Kisame to scent in the morning? The thought twisted her stomach.

Strong slender fingers gripped her jaw almost painfully and forcefully made her turn her head up enough to look at him. His eyes were his normal shade of coal but that's not what made Ino gasp in shock. His eyes were bleeding..leaking blood as though they were tears running down his face, leaving dark red streaks in their wake.

"The pain is..intense. Heal me. I know you can." His voice remained flat. Ino jerked her chin out of his hold and tightened her grip on her knife. A gesture he hadn't missed. So he wanted her help before he killed her? How typical..

"Tell me. What compels you to continue seeking out Kisame? I'm sure there are plenty of men in the village who would be more than accommodating to satiate your..needs."

What he said sent a cold shiver down her spine. He was trying to rattle her..and it was working. Her face had to be as red as Shikamaru's got at the mention of Temari.

"I..." Ino was mortified that he of all people were face to face with her and talking about her..needs. She glanced back into his bloody eyes and winced at the ever flowing tears. He paused for a moment, slowly raising a hand to trace a fingertip across his bottom lip as though in deep thought. Then he suddenly spoke..

"Accompany us."

Her breath caught in her throat.

That sounded like an offer..was that an offer? Ino was shocked. Itachi was negotiating with her..those eyes of his must really hurt.

"I don't want a slash through my headband." She whispered. "I don't want to go rogue."

"Your village wouldn't dream of doing that to you. They will assume you've been killed or captured. They will follow your scent..we would have to cover that but there are ways."

"Why are you negotiating with me?"

For the first time she witnessed Itachi giving a cold smirk.

"Kisame and yourself will continue to seek each other out. Either you out here like this or him back in your village. Neither is acceptable. So, come with us." Itachi's tone had gone rough.

"Why do I feel like there's a catch?" She asked with a sigh.

"Clever. For the duration of your..visit. You must heal me when I find myself in this condition."

"How do you know I wouldn't just kill you or Kisame somehow while you slept?" She challenges..dragging out the pain in his eyes as long as she could..a small payback for her friends.

"I was here earlier, Kunoichi. Tracking Kisame after he had been gone too long. Of course, your screams were not difficult to follow." His eyes met hers directly.

Ino turned a few shades darker..had he seen everything?

"Did you enjoy the show?" She scowled.

"When I arrived the two of you were confessing your devotions to one another." His tone suddenly became lighter and full of amusement. "I left when when you were undressing. So no, I don't believe you would harm Kisame at least."

"You threatened to kill me!" Ino snapped.

"I did what I needed to keep everyone distanced and focused. I see now that is not going to work.. and your healing will be useful."

Ino didn't want to go back to the village just to be depressed and bored with her life. She wanted to be free to roam out here with Kisame. Swimming in lakes and being close to him in general..just experiencing that freedom. If she had to deal with Itachi on the side, it was a small price to pay..

"Lay back." Ino said and watched him lean against a tree. "I've never healed eyes before."

"You accept?" His bloody eyes studied her.

"Only if you also promise to not threaten or take my life. Indefinitely." Ino pulled herself to her knees beside him and raised her chakra infused palms to his face.

"Agreed."

Itachi was tense until her chakra touched the sides of his face and then he visibly relaxed. Ino took a deep breath and directed her chakra to the torn tissue of his eyes. It looked..bad..in her minds eye. Really bad.

"You must have been in so much pain!" She gasped more out of shock than sympathy for him.

"Are you able to heal them?" He asked patiently. Ino pushed more of her focus into her chakra, letting it strengthen at a steady pace and the energy flared even higher so dazzling that it cast blue streaks of gleaming light off the trees, lighting the shadows and illuminating their faces..

...

"My thanks." Itachi murmured the second she finished. Her bright hands winked out and the forest blinked back into darkness. Ino halfway fell and sat on her ass to breathe. She had been practicing the last month but that had taken more out of her than an external injury would have.

"There is something different about your medical ninjutsu. Generally, it takes the patient a certain period of time to completely recover and function properly. I..do not feel that way now." Itachi was gazing at her as though trying to see some secret she had hidden deep down.

Ino took a deep breath and chose to ignore his scrutinizing gaze. She was starting to feel hot.

"I could use a swim in that river now."

She stood to stretch, hearing a few limbs pop and she sighed in content.

"I am sure Kisame will join you." His voice remained devoid of emotion and Ino chose to ignore her freshly blushing face. Instead she looked for her bag. Once she slung it around her shoulders, and took a step. Her knees started to buckle but she locked them tight to remain standing. Ino didn't want to look weak in front of Itachi.

Healing his eyes had taken more out of her than she thought. Itachi looked back at her knowingly but didn't offer assistance. Not that she expected any from him..

"I'm good." She said after a few moments and followed him into the forest.

After a few minutes of walking Itachi spoke.

"Kisame seemed quite happy when he returned." His voice remained impassive but he still put Ino on edge even with their little deal in place.

"How does that make you feel?" Ino found her voice.

"Conflicted." He gave her a side glance full of curiosity. "Kisame has indeed changed ever so slightly. However, my conflictions are about you. If you can keep your mouth shut." His tone went icy all of a sudden.

"I won't tell anyone anything. I promise." It was all she could do at the moment. Give him her word and then uphold it. Itachi looked terrifying at the moment..the blood had dried on his face and every so often the shadows from the tree branches would flash over his blank expression. Ino suddenly wondered if that was how he had looked all those years ago..when he murdered every single one of his clan except Sasuke in a single night..

"I care about him. I wouldn't lead my village to him." Ino carefully picked her words..she would never lead them to Kisame but Itachi would never be included in that mercy. Itachi was silent for a few moments until..

"I believe you."

...

Kisame was asleep when Ino approached their camp..the fire was almost out and it cast little dancing shadows across his blue face. Samehada was lying close to him and Ino came closer..aware of Itachi following slowly behind her.

She dropped her bag next to his sword quietly and looked at Itachi. Ino was telling him to get lost with her eyes..

A small smile of understanding momentarily graced the Uchiha's lips and he turned..fading back off into the shadows as though he were but a shadow himself. It was a strange feeling..being on decent terms with him..even if it was temporary. The river was flowing in the moonlight and Ino stripped out of her clothes, already satisfied with the scenery.

...

A warm pressure was suddenly on top of him and his eyes flew open, wondering how tired he must have been to let someone sneak up on him. His vision was met with a nude Ino in the moonlight..hair down, radiant and straddling him.

"Am I still dreaming?" He grunted, honestly wondering.

She leaned down and her lips pressed into his, demanding a reaction.

Suddenly, Kisame realized he wasn't dreaming at all. She really was here..naked on top of him and grinding her bare pussy where his hard cock was straining against his pants. Her mouthwatering scent hit him like a chakra infused punch.

Panic hit Kisame like a tidal wave.

His large hands wrapped around her upper arms and pushed her back up straight. It didn't help the friction any because now she was practically sitting on his dick. Kisame scanned the area but didn't see or sense Itachi near.

"What are you doing here? Are you out of your mind?" Kisame sat up slowly to not completely buck her off of him. To his surprise, she just grinned at him. She was completely carefree.

"Take off your clothes and meet me in the river." She said firmly. Ino rose off of him slowly and for a moment he was eye level with that tempting mound between her thighs. Kisame was tempted to capture her and bring her sensitive pussy to his mouth.

Then she turned and her perfectly shaped ass walked away from him and to the river. Her long beautiful blonde hair cascaded down her back and he found himself watching for a dazed moment.

Kisame looked down at his raging erection and shook his head in disbelief. He was starting to believe she was insane. Feisty, sexy, and insane.

...

Ino dunked her head under quickly once she reached the water. It was freezing but she wanted to wash from earlier and explain everything to Kisame.

His large naked silhouette approached and he dipped into the water, wading to her just like a shark until they were pressed together..skin to skin. Ino wrapped her legs around his waist tightly and her fingernails played with the hair at the nape of his neck.

"What are you thinking?" Kisame asked and looked around them again, searching.

"Itachi and I struck a deal."

Kisame looked down at her then, concerned. A deal with the devil..

"What kind of deal?" His hands roamed up and down her back under the water as though he couldn't get enough of her.

"A deal in which I get to stay with you at the price of healing his eyes."

He pulled her closer..

"And what about your village? Your friends?" He asked carefully.

"I love them..and the village but after getting a taste of the freedom you have and..spending time with you. I realize..I want that all the time."

His lips had lowered to her throat while she spoke..biting and nipping along her skin.

"And..this way no one has to get hurt. No more getting caught sneaking around." Her voice had turned into a slight whimper. His large hands gripped her ass tightly to stroke his hard length over her clit and further to hover at her entrance. He slid inside of her slowly.

"Your company is always welcome, Kunoichi." His voice came out in a rough gravelly tone and then he buried himself completely inside of her.

...

Kisame had restarted the fire after they dressed and Ino had immediately snatched her small hairbrush from her bag. Kisame glanced up at her while she was furiously battling her tangles. Ino hadn't bothered to care what she looked like before because..well.. they were something now and Ino felt a sudden need to be groomed and look presentable for him. A gesture he noticed immediately.

"You look lovely, Ino." He smiled that pure smile at her again and she melted at the words of Kisame Hoshigake. His voice sent a spine tingling pleasant shiver down her body.

...

It was hours later when Itachi finally arrived. Kisame slowly unwrapped Ino's body from around his where they had been laying together. She stirred slightly but sighed and went still again.

They sat by the fire and Itachi suddenly offered him a bottle. Sake? Kisame took the bottle from him and swallowed a few gulps. It burned pleasantly all the way to his stomach.

Kisame handed it back and watched Itachi take another drink. They would occasionally partake right after a mission had been completed.

"Aren't you going to ask about the deal? About her joining us?" Itachi asked with a light tone. Kisame shook his head.

"She told me everything before she fell asleep. Every detail." Kisame watched her peacefully sleep over the fire. "That you were there."

"I did not stay to watch." Itachi handed him the bottle back and Kisame thankfully took it from him.

"She has the potential to be so much stronger if only she had the right teachers." Kisame muttered moreso to himself than to Itachi but what he said had caught the Uchihas interest.

"You mean yourself. Why?" Itachi asked bluntly.

"She..asked if we were together today. In a relationship..or something like it." He paused for a moment and then he decided to tell the truth. "I want her to be safe."

Kisame took another long drink from the bottle before handing it back.

"Are you?" Itachi asked and Kisame couldn't predict if telling him the truth would be more positive or negative.

"I told her yes." Kisame studied Ino again and he didn't have any regrets or second thoughts, just an overwhelming urge to be close to her..to protect her.

"I see." Itachi took another drink. Kisame couldn't detect any sarcasm in his tone.

"You brought her back here..I was doing the right thing by sending her home." Kisame said.

"It makes more sense for her to be with us at this point. You'll get caught sneaking in or out and she will end up running into stronger ninja alone wandering the lands in search of you."

"What does it matter to you?" He was truly curious.

"You're like a brother to me."

Kisame was starting to wonder what was in this alcohol to make them talk this way.

"That means a lot." Kisame laughed, thinking of the younger Uchiha and what Itachi had put him through.

"It means..everything." Itachi replied quietly.

They sat there freely talking and drinking for awhile longer.

...

Ino woke by the fire to Itachi and Kisame talking. She didn't move or give away that she was awake just yet. Instead Ino listened..too curious about what they were saying.

"Kisame, what have you gotten us into this time?"

"Nothing I regret or wouldn't do again." Kisames reply was light.

Itachi gave a short humorless laugh. It was strange..Itachi showing some sort of emotion but he was speaking in front of Kisame. They had been a team for a long time. All they had to talk to was each other. It made Ino see the men as..friends to each other. She just couldn't imagine the Akatsuki having friends..or girlfriends. The thought that she could technically call Kisame her boyfriend now just seemed silly. That word was just too..delicate of a word for him.

Her lover. That sounded better..way better. She thought back to thinking of him as her boyfriend for a moment and it was just so funny that she actually let out a high pitched tinkling laugh.

They had stopped talking immediately and Ino didn't bother to pretend to sleep anymore. She opened her eyes and sat up to the sight of them sitting a few feet apart and passing back and forth a bottle of sake. They drank alcohol? Ino couldn't quite picture that either but the picture was right in front of her eyes.

Ino briefly looked over Itachi and he seemed relaxed. Not in a good mood perhaps but certainly not in a bad one. Her blue eyes rested on Kisame next who was looking at her with a smirk on his face.

"What's so amusing over there?" His tone said he was feeling that alcohol but he wasn't wasted. Her heart had sped up at his intense gaze on her.

She smiled. "Nothing. I didn't take you guys for the drinking type."

Kisame offered her the bottle and Ino shook her head.

"No..I don't drink. I've never had alcohol." Ino blushed a little, feeling naive and inexperienced next to these men.

"Try a sip." Kisame was still holding it out to her. "It'll help you relax." Her eyes quickly glanced at Itachi again who was watching them with those dark unnerving eyes of his. Ino took the mostly empty bottle and lifted it to her lips. She quickly swallowed more than she wanted to and then her throat was on fire!

"No." Ino started to cough a bit and shake her head. She shoved the bottle back into Kisames hand and once she had stopped coughing and got a breath down, she realized Kisame was laughing and even one side of Itachi's mouth had lifted into a small smile of sorts. They found her amusing.

That one swallow went straight to her head. Made her..dizzy. How the hell had they pretty much split a whole bottle?

Ino grabbed her bag and pulled out her small water bottle. After taking a full gulp the fire in her throat subsided. She was placing her bottle back in her bag when her hand brushed her container of pills. Tomorrow would be day seven. She had been gone from the village for almost a week now. Those deliveries had been far apart.

She might as well take one now. It would be smart. Ino dug out the small metal container and removed the lid. She would have three left after she took this one. Ino placed the pill on her tongue and tipped up her water to her mouth. After she swallowed and lowered the bottle she met two pairs of eyes on her.

Ino suddenly felt like she was under a spotlight.

"What?" She asked casually putting her items back in her bag.

"Do you have a medical condition?" Kisame asked and Ino realized they knew nothing about each other..not really.

"No..I'm just being responsible." Ino stretched her stiff arms for a moment.

"What was it?" Kisames voice had lost all tease now and the light expression on his face changed to serious. What was with the change in his attitude? He didn't need to snap at her..

"They're contraceptives, Kisame. The girl isn't hiding a medical condition from you." Itachi said, quite amused. Ino turned red. Apparently, Itachi was right up there with Shikamaru on that subject.

"Like I said, I'm being responsible." Ino put her bag back in its place and looked back at Kisame for a moment. Ino laid back down then, determined to get a few more hours of sleep at least.

Kisame handed Itachi the bottle and the Uchiha tipped it back the rest of the way drinking the last of the contents. Kisame stood and came up behind her. Ino's heart was pounding at him coming so close..he just sent her heart into a frenzy sometimes. He laid down next to her.

Kisame placed his arm under her head as a little pillow and the other arm over her waist..pulling their bodies as tight together as he could. Ino immediately relaxed and breathed in the ocean.

"I'm sorry for snapping." His quiet voice said in her ear. "You..worried me."

"I wouldn't hide something like that from you but we don't know anything about each other yet." She whispered back.

"I plan to change that." Kisame placed a firm kiss on the side of her neck.