Sorry for the delay guys! We're at that wrapping up point of the semester so school has been cracking down on me. Either way, we're about to go on Thanksgiving break so I did my best to give you guys something to read as a little holiday gift. I apologize if it seems short but I hope you enjoy all the same!

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or any of its characters.


Chapter Seventeen

Damn. This girl sure could pack a punch.

I held the heavy bag as steady as I could as Rin delivered blow after blow to it. Even still, every hit she delivered forced me to stumble back a bit. I couldn't help but believe she was visualizing the bag as my face as she proceeded to beat the shit out of it.

I owed her an apology. Big time.

From the very moment I slipped up and made that rookie mistake by calling her the wrong name, I knew I had completely destroyed any chance of rebuilding our friendship. She had purposefully avoided all my texts and calls. In training, she would weasel her way into getting either Tenten or Tayuya to be her partner when we had peer practice.

I had avoided asking Ayame to let me speak with her because the last thing I needed was someone else in my business. But now, to our dismay, Kakashi had assigned partners for training and had innocently set us up for destruction. Now, all I needed to do was wait for an opportunity for her to calm down before I even dared to speak her name.

We continued like this for several minutes until she had decided she'd had enough. Drenched in sweat, she turned around to snatch her towel and water bottle from the bench. She didn't so much as acknowledge me, no doubt heading to her room to freshen up.

The compelling urge to get this shit off my chest forced my feet in her direction as I followed her out of the gym and into the hall. It was after several series of turns that she realized I hadn't veered off to my own room yet.

Coming to a stop outside her room, she finally turned to face me, her eyes displaying a mixture of annoyance and exhaustion as she sighed, "What do you want, Haruno?"

Haruno? Yeah, she definitely hated my guts.

Leaning against the wall, I calmly answered, "I just want to talk." Her eyes narrowed as she shook her head, "I'm tired, we can do this later." I rolled my eyes, slipping my hands in my pocket as I challenged her, "You and I both know that you won't so much as spare me a glance if we don't do this now."

"Fine with me," she shrugged, twisting the doorknob, making her way inside. Smoothly, I slipped my foot between the door when she tried to close it on me.

I could only smirk at the look of pure irritation on her face as she ordered me to move. While I found her attitude to be amusing, I wasn't going to go testing her patience. After all, the whole point of this was for me to get back on her good side. Besides, I could see she definitely knew how to throw a punch and I wasn't trying to be on the receiving end of one of those.

She was fuming and I was running out of time the longer I fucked around. "Come on," I sighed, "Just hear me out and once I'm done you can tell me to fuck off for forever."

"I'd much rather tell you now and save both of us the time," she mumbled, staring me down before finally taking a step back and allowing me into her room.

I'd never been inside before. Granted all of the rooms were virtually the same but there was always a slight difference in either furniture style or arrangement. Shutting the door behind us, she motioned for me to sit on the loveseat near the window as she sat at the edge of her bed. The air was tense and uncomfortable but it was either now or never.

Drawing a deep breath, I held her eyes as I apologized, "I'm sorry."

"Great. Are we done here?"

"Rin," I sighed, achingly rubbing at my neck, "It was an honest mistake."

"Which part?" she asked, scoffing with a roll of her eyes, "The part when you called me another girl's name or the part when you had me in your lap moaning and begging?" If I were being completely honest? Both.

Rule number one was to never use names. I didn't think I had a list of them under my belt so I hadn't expected for that to happen. Even still, it was a mistake. But what went down with Rin? At the time, it didn't seem like a mistake. I had stopped fucking around with Paige, I was assuming my girlfriend and I were done and at the time, things between me and Ino was still strictly business.

So before, I was more than willing. I had nothing to lose and potentially something to gain.

Who knew? Had I not fucked up, Rin and I might have had something going on between the two of us. It'd be her I had in my bed, whispering for her to keep quiet while I fucked her lest someone here us. Dismissing the thoughts from my head, I answered finally, "I don't regret what we did. I just regret that I fucked up."

There was silence between the two of us once more. She tore her eyes away from me, chewing her lip as she rose from the bed and entered her bathroom.

She didn't shut the door and there was no further sound coming from the bathroom, prompting me to get up and see what she was doing. I found her, standing there as she gripped the sink, eyes downcast. I stepped into the doorway, leaning against the frame as I whispered her name.

"I don't regret it either but...but I wish I did," she finally admitted, her eyes rising to meet my own with tears brimming slowly.

I made a move to step closer but she quickly held up her hand to stop me, taking a moment to dry her eyes. My chest tightened, forcing me to avert my gaze anywhere but her. There was nothing worse than seeing someone hurt and knowing that you were the reason why.

"It's probably stupid but from the first day we met, I knew I'd like you. I wasn't sure in which way but I knew I would. I thought you were cute," she laughed brokenly, hurting me even more. "You were dark and mysterious which has always been my weakness. I hadn't expected you to give me the time of day but when you did, it made me happy."

She paused her story, stepping over to me as she took my chin and ordered, "Look at me."

And I did. I owed her that much.

She dropped her hand but not my gaze as she continued. "I always made the same mistake growing up. I'd let these thoughts cloud my judgement and I'd fuck around with someone only for it to backfire. You would've thought I'd learn my lesson by now."

"It wasn't your fault. You didn't do anything wrong," I corrected her with a tight frown.

She shook her head, torn smile on her lips. "You didn't make me like you Sakura. You were just being you. I just liked what I saw too much to consider the possibility that you were just going to wind up being another lesson for me. That night, all I wanted was for you to fuck me. To give me the illusion that I wasn't setting myself up again but I did," she finished with tug of her lips.

I didn't know what to say.

All I could do was whisper another apology. Another pathetic and useless apology.

"Rin," I began only for her to abruptly cut me off.

"How long?" She asked me, eyes watching me, daring me to lie. It wasn't rocket science and there was no need to play dumb. I knew what she was asking me. "Believe it or not, nothing was happening between us until the night after the party," I admitted quietly, "I wasn't sure why but she just kind of popped into my head. We ran into each other after I left. I fought Sasuke, punched Kiba in the face. Ino helped me get cleaned up. We were drunk and one thing led to another…"

"It didn't stop there though, did it?"

"No," I answered simply. She didn't need to know the details. How often me and Ino messed around was no one's business but our own. Rin nodded in understanding, attempting to leave but I gripped her arm, holding her in place.

"Rin…"

"You should be careful Sakura. Don't worry, your secret is safe with me," she told me with a half smile, "Now if you don't mind, I really would like to clean up." We made our way back to the door, our conversation having come to an end. However, I wasn't leaving until I left with the answer I needed to hear.

"Are we okay?" I asked her.

She stared at me, lips twitching as she stared down at the floor. After moments of silence, she slipped her arms around my neck. My heart began racing, only to slow down once her lips touched my cheek before she pulled away.

With a gentle nod, she stepped back into her room, "We're okay."

Shutting the door softly, I sighed, running my fingers through my hair tiredly. I suppose that could've gone worse but in the grand scheme of things, I was satisfied. She didn't scream or yell or slap the living shit out of me, which would have all been justified.

Even still, I couldn't help but wonder if we were truly okay. I suppose only time would tell.


Dinner with Ino? A perfect evening.

Dinner with Ino and her father? A rather unpleasant evening.

Dinner with Ino, her father and Sasuke? The ultimate fucking test of my already thin patience. What had once started off as a simple evening, Ino and I lying around doing absolutely nothing, ended up with us meeting up with her father for dinner at some upscale restaurant. He had mentioned that a special guest would be joining us. I hadn't expected that guest to be Sasuke.

Much to my dismay, much time had passed and his bruises were nonexistent. Instead, he sat there, his pretty little face harboring a knowing smug look.

Thankfully, he was sitting with her father on the other side of the table. Ino's touch on my leg was gentle as she tried to keep me calm. The last thing we needed was for me to get riled up and make a scene. I'd do my best to sit still, for now.

"Ino, I'm sure you and the Young Lord Sasuke Uchiha have met," Lord Inoichi spoke, an innocent smile pulling onto his lips.

Biting her lip, she nodded, "We have. It's good to see you Lord Sasuke." He nodded, taking a sip of his drink as he flashed her a perfect smile, "You as well my lady. You're looking lovely as ever." I suppressed the urge to roll my eyes as the smallest scoff left my lips. Ino's hand squeezed me tighter, forcing me to bite my tongue.

Her soft thanks was clearly fake but he bought it all the same.

I managed to suppress my irritation long enough for Lord Inoichi to catch the table's attention with a clear of his throat. "Now. My darling daughter, I'm sure you're wondering why I called Lord Sasuke here to join us," he stated, folding his hands neatly on the table. She nodded slowly, shifting uncomfortably and through her tensing grip on my leg, I could feel the unease radiating off her in waves.

He looked at Ino, a genuine smile forming as he reached over to take her other hand in his. In a steady voice, he managed to shatter any chance of peace as he told her, "We're here to discuss the terms of your engagement. Lord Sasuke has asked your hand and I gave him my blessing. The two of you are to be married."

My eyes shot to Sasuke's immediately who was already staring at me, his brow arched as a smug little smirk rested on his lips.

I swallowed the curse that was dancing on the tip of my tongue to chance a glance at Ino. She was completely dumbfounded. Her lips parted and closed in a set of many attempts to say something, only to come up short every time. Shakily, she looked to Sasuke who flashed her a perfect smile in turn. Her hand completely dropped from my thigh, moving to clench her seat tightly.

You had to be fucking kidding me.

I didn't think her own father would be so damn selfish that he'd accept a marriage proposal that she had never even received on her behalf. But of course, his love for power and wealth were far more important that the love for his own daughter. "Well," he asked slowly, "Are you happy?"

Her eyes shakily met mine and I could see she was fighting back the urge to cry. I swallowed nervously, wanting nothing more than to get her out of here and knowing that I couldn't help only made me feel worse. "I…" she began softly, tugging her lip so roughly I thought she'd bleed, "That's wonderful news. C-could you excuse me?"

She didn't even wait for an answer as she rose from her seat and headed in the direction of the restroom.

I moved to follow suit but her father's hand paused me as he ordered me to sit. Forcing my tone to remain as calm as possible, I bit out tightly, "My lord, don't you think such matters require the agreement to be made by both parties?"

Leaning back in his seat, he took hold of his drink, swirling it around before gulping it down in one go. With a sigh, he gave me a stern look and replied, "She's too young to make such decisions for herself. Of course she would say no, I'm no fool, I know my daughter despite what you may think. However, I don't have another eighteen years to wait for a son to take over and Ino's stubbornness wouldn't serve me any better. Sasuke will make a fine husband and an even better leader to rule over Sector Iota."

"She doesn't love him," I hissed, losing the last bit of restraint I had.

His frown was deep as he leaned forward. I could smell the liquor on his breath along with the familiar scent of the cigars he was so accustomed to indulging in. "She doesn't need to love him. She just needs to marry him, have his children when the time comes and look happy for the press. You may think me cruel but I assure you, this is the way the world works in such a hierarchy. Her mother was the same way. Stubborn. She didn't love me either but she did what she had to do just as Ino will learn to do," he finished.

I couldn't believe this bullshit that I was hearing. I didn't bother masking the look of pure loathing on my face, wanting him to see just how much I hated his fucking guts.

It was Sasuke's turn to speak, clearing his throat in a similar way to catch my attention. "Sakura, I don't expect someone of your upbringing, to understand," he began, already pissing me off with just that one line. "Lord Inoichi is right. This is how our world works. Love. Happiness. There's no room for such things. Our role is to rule. We are simply born, we live long enough to procreate, raise our children to become rulers and then we die. This way, we ensure the successful prosperity of our sectors."

"She's been through enough," I spat out coldly, redirecting my attention to Lord Inoichi, "As her father, I'd expect you to have some sympathy for her."

Smirk on his lips, he teased, "You care an awful lot for a royal guard. From our first meeting, I thought it was clear that the two of you weren't fond of each other. Things have changed since then. Is there something you wish to tell me?"

The tone in which he asked made me wary. Was he suspecting something or was this just a way to bait me into spilling it on my own?

Taking the safe route, I mumbled back, "My job is to protect your daughter from anything or anyone, who would seek to harm her. Despite what you think, that includes physical, mental and emotional attacks as well, my lord." Sasuke scoffed, rolling his eyes as he challenged, "She's not a child. She'll be just fine. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have exams to prepare for."

Slipping from his seat, he rose and shook Lord Inoichi's hand firmly before tossing me a smug look as he left us alone.

Teeth clenching painfully, I looked up into Lord Inoichi's eyes once more. He sighed, motioning for the server to bring him another drink. His aura was serious once more as he sighed, "I love my daughter. Despite Sasuke's words, we're still human. My wife hated me and I hated her but we loved our daughter equally. I asked you before to ensure that she accepted an offer from him but you couldn't handle that. I suppose it's not entirely your fault however."

He took a sip of his drink, angling his wrist to check the time on his flashy watch. "You'll both come to see soon enough that I'm not the bad guy in all of this. And neither is Sasuke. She can hate the both of us all she wants but her safety is still my top priority. The Uchiha's are strong, he'll be able to keep her safe long after I'm gone."

"I can keep her safe," I rushed out, mentally berating myself for allowing that to slip out.

However, his broken smile threw me curveball. "I know you can," he answered in a quiet voice, "That's why I hired you. Still, when the time comes, you'll be put to the test. I can't say when that will be for even that is beyond my knowledge, I only need to know that I can entrust her to your care when I'm gone."

We sat, eyes locked as I tried to decipher his words, and he tried to study me. Even still, I knew my answer. With a nod, I agreed, "I swore an oath my lord. Until the day I die, I'll protect her."

And for the first time since I'd known him, he looked me in my eyes and told me, "Thank you."


I awoke to the sound of Aris barking incessantly, driving me mad.

Ino had decided to sleep alone tonight which I didn't approve of but agreed nonetheless. She had kept Aris with her, so to hear him bark and whine so loud, it left room for concern. Swinging my legs out from under my sheets, I swung open my door, wincing at the freezing cold floor.

Ino's door was open and one quick peek inside confirmed that she wasn't in her room. Switching to high alert, I returned to my room, grabbing my gun as I crept back around the corner slowly. I followed Aris' barking into the kitchen, looking around nervously to see if there was anyone else around.

I found him, scratching at the door to the balcony, halting just long enough to see me approaching. "What's your problem?" I asked, receiving another bark in response as he whined and scratched at the door. Looking around, I scowled upon realizing that I didn't see Ino anywhere.

Confused, I opened the door to the balcony, shutting it behind me to keep Aris from making even more of a ruckus outside.

I turned around, my body moving instinctively once I saw Ino sitting over the rail. In a split second, I was behind her, gripping her by the waist as I pulled her back.

"Have you lost your damn mind! What the hell were you thin-" but my words died in my throat as a single sob choked past her lips as she snatched me by the collar of my shirt. I felt my heart shatter just like that as she sobbed and screamed into my shirt.

"I can't do it...I fucking can't…"

A light flickered on on the balcony beside us as someone came out, urging us to keep quiet. I boldly told them to fuck off, hoisting Ino up as I brought her back inside. Aris was at my heels but I didn't need him in the way right now. I took us back to Ino's room, moving to her bathroom as I sat her on the counter.

I tried to pull away but she wouldn't let me go, soaking my shirt as she screamed curse after curse into my chest.

"Ino," I called softly, swallowing nervously as I rubbed her back, "Please. Look at me."

I managed pull away just enough to see her tear stained cheeks as a wave of tears continued to fall. Using both hands, I cupped her cheeks and immediately she clawed at my hands. "I can't do it Sakura...I fucking can't," she choked out again, "I can't keep doing this...I just can't."

For fucks sake.

I had seen a lot of heartbreaking shit in my lifetime but this? This took the fucking cake.

Her whole body was trembling and I couldn't help but be grateful that I had heard Aris and gotten up when I did. Otherwise, I might not have made it in time. Marrying a prick like Sasuke definitely wasn't the best case scenario but Ino had been through enough shit and being forced to do things that you'd think she could catch a fucking break.

I just...never her expected to be at that point. She always seemed so happy when it was the two of us but that only meant I was shit at picking up signs.

Fuck man. I didn't have any power to change things. How was I supposed to make her feel better?

I pulled her against me, allowing her to empty out everything she had bottled up. Ever scream, every sob, every curse that she produced, I sat there and listened to it all. Suddenly, a rather repugnant scent caught my senses, one that I recognized far too well. She'd been throwing up too it would seem. I couldn't find anything but I feared the worst. Leaning into her ear, I asked, "Did you take something, Ino?"

She nodded against me, her sobs fading into soft little hiccups as she clung to me. "My sleeping pills. I threw them back up before I could take too many. I got scared and chickened out. I didn't plan to jump at first. I just…" But I shushed her, resting my chin atop her head. She didn't need to say anymore. But it would seem that she still had more to say.

"I miss her Sakura...I miss her so much," she whimpered.

"Your mom," I stated, already knowing what she was referring to.

She nodded against me. "I didn't get to have her long but I still miss her. The way she'd hold me during storms. I miss the way she'd sing to me when I couldn't sleep. She always knew what to say when I was sad. She's been gone for years and I still feel just as miserable as the day it happened. Things are so fucked up now I...I just don't know if I can keep pretending like this. It makes me so fucking sick," she choked out, forcing me to press my lips to her cheek as I repeated over and over that it would be okay.

But I knew better.

I wasn't so naive to think that this would just blow over after some time. It wouldn't be okay. Not now, not ever.

But I had never hurt so badly for someone the way I was hurting for Ino right now. She needed more than I could give her right now and knowing that made me feel completely useless. "I'm sorry," she told me in this broken little voice, "You have your own problems and you shouldn't have to listen to me complain like this."

I shook my head, reaching my hand up to run my fingers through her hair, "Your problems are just as much mine as they are yours, Ino. You don't have to deal with this by yourself." Her grip on me tightened as she mumbled something inaudible into my shoulder. I asked her to repeat herself, unable to guess for myself what she might have said.

Nothing, and I mean nothing, could have prepared me for the words that she uttered just seconds later.

"I said...I think I'm falling in love with you."

My throat ran dry in an instant and I was grateful we were like this so that she couldn't see the complete look of shock on my face. "Ino," I whispered, voice raspy. She tightened her grip on my neck, whispering, "I know...crazy right? We've only known each other a short time and it's not fair to do this because I know you still love Reika. Still, you've given me a security and peace of a mind that I haven't been able to find in anyone else but my mom. I can't pretend that you're not the best thing that ever happened to me."

"Ino," I breathed out, "You almost…" I paused. Unable to bring myself to say the words out loud. She pulled away just enough to press our lips together. Tugging back, she smiled brokenly, "I know. I'm sorry. You deserve so much more than someone as unstable as me but god, I've never wanted to be so selfish. I know everything about it is wrong and it's not allowed but everyday it's like I care less and less. I can't help it. I hate Sasuke. I hate my dad. But you?"

She pulled away again, this time pressing our foreheads together as she shut her eyes, "I love you so much that it hurts. I don't have to hear it back I just need to know something. It's selfish of me but I just have to know. Will you stay with me? Not just for forever. Forever isn't long enough anymore."

Gripping her waist, I pulled her flush against me. She bit her lip, tears still stinging in the corners of her eyes. Reaching up my thumb, I wiped them away, dipping my head to capture her lips as I breathed into the kiss, "Always, Ino. I'm not going anywhere."

And for the first time in a while, there was nothing else involved. I placed her in bed and I held her tight. Long after her breaths grew steady as she clutched my shirt, I remained awake. I was too afraid. Afraid that this might be the last time I saw her. Tonight was a quick yet brutally painful reminder of how fragile this girl really was.

And knowing that only spelled trouble because as of tonight, I knew that I'd give her whatever she wanted. Whatever she wanted.


Alrighty, there we go. A little depressing I know but things can't be happy all the time lol. Either way, I'm hoping to put out another chapter for you guys while I'm on break because the last two weeks of school are going to be demanding as hell. Hope you all enjoyed and remember to feed me a review on your thoughts and opinions on the direction of the story. Until next time! Kat love you all!