The moment Ino woke up, she had been playing a different scenario in her thoughts. A date in shops, eating at a barbeque restaurant, him as her sensei teaching her taijutsu and even a family dinner. It was Obito's face engraved instead of Sasuke.

She used extra body mist to smell great, she wasn't going to practice with Mitzuki today. One day off was fine. It's not like she was doing great anyway.

She skipped downstairs, the thought of his lips on hers left her giddy. This was the second time he kissed her, he must feel something for her. It was impossible for him to kiss her like that and not feel anything. He had initiated it, he had been complimenting her— of course except when he was in a grumpy mood but that was part of his personality. He loved her just as much as she loved him. She was excited to meet him and she thought nothing could ruin her day- only the envelope and a box on her doorstep did.

She froze, her eyes roamed at her surroundings. Carefully she picked the envelope, rammed it inside her pouch and then bent down to lift up the box. It was light, almost empty. She shook it a bit to hear the echo but nothing was made. Pinching her eyebrows, she decided to visit Obito. Yeah it was early morning and the sun was still hiding but Obito might be curious to see what was inside. She had no intention of opening it alone. Obito had been opening the last letters since the day he promised protection.

She knocked on his door. No sound. Again she knocked but no response. She started rapping her knuckles until the grumpy man opened. He looked pretty pissed. His glaring eyes stared at her as he snapped what was her problem this early.

Ino shoved the box on his chest, "He left a box this time. I was nervous to open it alone." She mumbled not meeting his bloodshot eyes anymore.

He huffed and took the box. She followed him and halted as he went inside his bedroom and dropped his body on the bed.

She stayed awkwardly out in the living room, how was she supposed to enter a man's bedroom? That would be too intimate.

"What? Get in!" He snapped.

He was still moody, so instead of pissing him off she went inside, and carefully sat at the edge of his bed while he was laying on it, box lay by his side.

"You can sleep later, open the box first." She said when he nearly fell back to sleep.

He opened one eye at her. "I'm not falling asleep, I'm thinking."

Ino was sure he was falling asleep.

She muttered under her breath and blamed her excitement for coming to him this early. Suddenly a thought crossed her mind. He was sleeping, she could take a tiny look around his room. Just a glimpse. That way she could understand more about his personality. Personal objects are a window to souls.

Carefully lifted herself up without making noise and walked to his table. Nothing much other than a few files stacked, everything was clean. His floor was clean. She decided to open the drawers. Her fingers slide on the knob—

"What're you doing?" His firm voice catch her off guard. She stepped away instantly.

"I-I was just-"

"Don't go through my stuff. I won't repeat myself." He was mad. Ino gulped and playfully raised her arms up.

"I'm sorry- I just wanted to... It's not like I was stealing something." She went back to the edge of the bed.

He might've noticed her voice shaking in fear he sighed. Ran his palm over his face. "Sorry, I just hate it. Are you okay?"

He changed his attitude.

Ino nodded, he sat up and threw a smile at her. Ino didn't smile back. His booming voice nearly snatched her soul. Why was he defensive anyway? She wasn't the one with the criminal record here.

He got up and told her he was going to wash his face quickly and come back. He also said 'be a good girl and obey me'. She didn't dare move and kept her eyes down waiting until he returned.

"Only this box? No letter?" He asked, moved the box side to side.

Ino pulled the envelope and handed it to him. Since both were more curious about the box, Obito lifted the top. He pinched his eyebrows.

Ino came over to see. Bundle of blue strings wrapped with red ribbon. She opened her mouth to ask what it was.

He shook his head, decided to lift the bundle and as higher he brought it, his face turned stoic. Wordlessly he handed over the strings to Ino to find out what it was.

The moment it touched her fingers she yelped letting them fall on his bed as she backed away standing up eyes wide.

She was shocked. She didn't want to believe what it was, so she searched for Obito's eyes to prove her wrong.

He sighed. "Ino, calm down."

"This- this... Mizuki's hair!" She yelled her hand covering her eyes as she slump down on her knees.

"Mizuki who?"

She didn't reply, standing up again she rushed out of his room slipping her feet in her shoes again.

Obito followed her out and grabbed her arms. "What're you doing? Why are these hairs related to Mizuki?" He firmly asked, forcing her body to stay still.

She shakes her head as if to tell him he won't understand. "The stalker! He threatened to kill! I must see if he's okay! Let me go!" She tried to pull her arm out but he gripped harder.

"Are you a fool? You can't go out like this! It could be a trap."

"I don't care, I just need to see he's okay." She wasn't going to get peace until she checked the man was safe and sound and these hairs were just put in there to creep her out.

"Hold on, I'm coming with you." He said squeezing her arm in order to make sure she won't leave without him.

He came back fast with his usual attire and both of them rushed out.

If you ask Ino where she was going to look for Mizuki she wasn't sure. His home? Their practising ground? Or academy?

However instead of these places she finds herself knocking at Iruka sensei door. No one opened so she dashed across other doors. None answered until she knocked at the end and Kurenai sensei opened.

"Ino, what brought you here? Come inside." She kindly invited but Ino declined. "Where's Iruka sensei? Where are the other sensei?"

Kurenai's eyes slitted. She sighed heavily and leaned on the door. "He was called for something urgent alongside others. Apparently something terrible happened in the village. You should take care of yourself. Don't hang out late or alone."

Ino thanked her and noticed Obito didn't come up. Maybe he was uncomfortable, so she shrugged and went down the stairs.

As she rushed through the streets of Konoha Obito on her tail she was thankful Obito didn't question her. What should she tell him if she wasn't aware of herself.

She asked around about Iruka; however, as she turned to the corner, her face slammed against someone's chest and she fell down on her butt.

Obito came by her side and offered a hand she took hastily. She had all intentions to apologise and leave but it was Kakashi!

Relief and worry washed over her flushed face. "Kakashi sensei! What happened? I- I heard something." She lied. For if she told him the source then she had to expose everything.

Kakashi heaved deeply, scratching his head. "Well it seems like everyone find out. Someone tried to murder Mizuki. He's in a coma at the moment and is supervised by anbu. Tsunade' order."

Ino covered her mouth, the stalker got his hand on Mizuki. Now what? Should she tell Kakashi? If the stalker could do this to Mizuki then the next target is Obito! Should she expose this entire scheme? But Obito's life mattered more to her.

She looked up anxiously but Kakashi had his eyes behind her. She turned around to see Obito, his eyes cold staring back at Kakashi.

"Th-this is Obito... My new friend..." She mumbled.

"Ah, I see." Kakashi said, faking an eye smile. "Nice to meet you Obito. However I'm a bit busy so I'll leave."

Obito smirked. "Have a nice day."

Kakashi turned to Ino, an unexplainable look in his eyes. "Don't walk alone. Stay with your teammates better than someone you don't know about."

And he left. Ino was confused, she turned to Obito, his lips curled down from the corner. She wondered if he was provoked by Kakashi sensei' words.

"We're going to the hospital... Do you want to come? I mean there's probably no danger since ninjas are roaming around so I'll be safe."

Obito nodded, his neck veins straining out visible blue lines shaking and wordlessly he turned around. Ino felt heat from him- as if anger was ready to burst out of him if he stayed around any longer. She could ask later as she ran to the hospital.

--

Visitors weren't allowed so Ino stood out, anbu feeding her information she needed.

"Where was he found?"

"We were in the forest when we found him bleeding. His death looked certain but Tsunade sama did her tricks and now there's a high chance he could survive but no ones still sure if he could."

Ino trembled. "Did you find out who did it?"

"Pretty hard to tell. Someone pretty skilled though. It's too dangerous to roam around at a time like this. Stay indoors." He ended up advising her.

Ino nodded, her feet dragging her away dejectedly. At least the anbu still treated her with respect, she was sure people treated her like a civilian but anbu weren't allowed to give these details to a civilian.

Mizuki had to suffer like this all because she didn't keep her distance from him. Other than him and Obito, who else was she speaking to? Kakashi or Iruka? She's Iruka's assistant so there's no way she could break ties with him. Kakashi? She believed he was more than capable of self defence. And besides she wasn't really talking to the white head sensei intentionally, he just happened to be around her these days more than ever.

She stepped inside a store and bought herself water before making her way back to Obito's apartment. She had panicked when she saw the hair, and Obito left her unrested upon his retirement. Besides, she hadn't opened the envelope yet, so Obito had to do that.