Her heart sank down several times in the span of two hours. Obito took the honor for four of them at least. She thought bitterly tailing behind.

Ino had been worried, so she wanted to apologize on behalf of Kakashi. Obito had kept a professional appearance in front of Kakashi but the moment Kakashi left it was obvious Obito wasn't pleased with the man.

She prepared her question and then instead of asking it, consoled him in a tiny voice. "Don't take what Kakashi sensei said to your heart. He was probably just worried about a lot of things. I'm sorry he provoked you."

Obito had fixed her a stare. She couldn't tell if he accepted her apology or if he was calculating her worth.

"You came back for that?" He was baffled.

Ino sighed in relief. She was scared of making him mad so it was nice knowing he was willing to take it easy. "Yeah of course, when you left fuming like that, I couldn't shake the feelings off."

Obito smiled warmly, with that her worries flow away. "Well, I'm not anymore." He assured her.

"Oh," Ino said, taking his attention back. "And the letter..."

Obito nodded. "I think it should be on the bed. Can you bring it."

Ino went inside and saw it was still in the same place where Obito had thrown it when she handed him. Picking it up, her eyes roamed around the room without its owner. She wanted to know more about him, his personal life. What kind of things he had faced in his life— she needed to know to make him her future.

Obito teared the top eyes observing the words before he passed it to Ino.

'Love, did you like my gift? It took me some time to prepare it. Next time, it will be better than this. I promise.

Your secret admirer...'

She curled her fist then stared up at Obito. What was she going to do now? The stalker probably meant Obito was next. Knowing how prideful Obito was, he won't take the warning. Should she talk with someone? She was desperate, someone nearly lost his life because of her foolishness. If she kept quiet, things were bound to get worse and no one was to blame except herself.

"Guess who's next?"

Ino jolted up. Guess what? He pointed at the letter with his eyes.

Ino deeply exhaled. "I don't hang out with anyone except you. Obito-"

"Scared for me?"

Ino frowned. Was this something to ask? "If something happens to you, who'll protect me?" She sounded selfish but for some reason she didn't feel right to confess her love at this moment. Not when someone was in a life and death situation because of her.

His face turned cold. "Promise is a promise."

He left the sofa entering the kitchen and checked his refrigerator. Ino heard him raise his voice.

"You must be tired running around. Rest in my bed, I'll call you when breakfast is ready."

"No it's okay, I'll help you." She said, walking towards the kitchen. He held his hand in front of her.

"Look," he reached for her hand, sliding his fingers on her shivering ones. "These hands aren't capable of working. Go and do as I say. You need it." Ino's lips trembled. She had been keeping herself together, but around him he always managed to see through her facade. Her shivering fingers which she didn't notice were noticed by him.

He leaned closer and pecked her forehead gently. "I'll call you when it's ready."

Ino shakes her head up and down, before making it to his room. And for total privacy, she closed the door of his bedroom praying he wouldn't mind- if he did mind she was going to fight how she needed that, for comfort purposes.

She climbed the bed, fluffy to the body, smelled like a lily. She smiled to herself, she knew it was wrong but her fingers clutched his pillow. Then slowly dragged it to her chest, inhaling his scent.

That was creepy, realizing this she put it back behind her head properly pretending she never touched it. Her curious eyes are like the ocean taking everything within reach. However, that drawer attracted her beyond words. A peek wouldn't hurt. She wouldn't check anything it contained. Just a peek. But what if Obito caught her? He told her to be a good girl and not touch his belongings. That would be rude.

She turned aside, ignoring the voice telling her peeking wouldn't hurt. And how would he be mad if he didn't find out. If she didn't tell him, he wouldn't know hence resulting in no furious Obito.

A few moments later she ended her torture by locking the door as quietly as possible. If he bothered to knock she would tell him something about fixing her clothes.

Her fingers clutched the knob, sliding the drawer out.

Now Ino had her own share of assumptions about what she could've found there. Some about his next victim, or his killing records and maybe even his diary. If she had come across those stuff, she would've left things as they were. However, she was blank. Her hand moved to grab the photos but she stayed thoughtless.

She brought the photos and sat on the bed eyeing each one but understanding none. Frustration soon builds up and finds its way out through her eyes. Why can't she focus?

Only when she moved her eyes away from them she figured she was refusing to make sense— not that it was complicated to understand the photos. These were her photos.

She stared at them again. These were from the same night that stalker sent to her in the envelope. But these weren't there. She knew, for these were carnal. Deep in the night when the blanket fell and her clothes disheveled to provide cover. And then she saw another one, she had her back to the photo but clearly she was taking the gown off. How did he take her photos like this without her knowledge? Most importantly, why Obito out of all people. Did he play with her? Lying to her on her face as he enjoyed seeing her terrified. So does that mean he was the one behind those letters and Mizuki's near assassination.

She didn't know what to do. Lot of things are going through her head but she understands nothing that it tells her. Obito has been playing his dirty game since the moment she met him. It's probably something he planned and she had no choice but to fall in it. Now she was alone in this apartment with her stalker. What was the wisest thing to do. Ask him why he did that? She scoffed bitterly, lips trembling in frustration. He enjoyed her miserable state. She would be feeding him his meal if she went out like this. He doesn't know that she went through his stuff. For all he knows she was sleeping.

Her eyes darkened. He won't get away with this. For now she needs to pretend like she knows nothing.

Giving the photos one last look she placed them in their place and unlocked the door before sliding across his bed, waiting for him to call her. If he had been feeding on her weaknesses, she'll make sure he choke on it.

Door opened and Obito called her out.

She stared at the pancakes, eggs, toast and the green tea. Then stared at Obito. He was waiting for her to try them.

Ino smiled. She realized how impossible it was to believe he was her stalker. He looked lovely and sad. If those photos didn't exist, she wouldn't have listened to anyone claiming such a thing.

"Obito," she tried his name. It surprised her how her voice came out strong, dominant and fearless. He hummed, now ignoring her existence. Was he always this cold? "I like it."

He raised his one eyebrow, casting a look. "Like what? Breakfast is like everyday."

"I meant you." Firmly those words rolled out. Her expressions are solid. Darkness glowing in her eyes.

Obito was quiet, unable to figure out the situation. She wasn't this forward with him before.

"How sweet. Now stop talking." He snapped.

And at that moment something cracked inside her. This man had played with her feelings, she trusted him with her darkest secrets and he had pretended sympathy while loving all her down moments. He had kissed her last night, and today attempted a failed murder on Mizuki all along running around and helping her— to make sure her safety won't be a matter of question and she believed him. She wanted to see how far he would go. The next target was him after all. Would he attack himself for the show?

"I'm scared." Cold words without emotions.

Obito had enough for he left his food and slumped back, now eyeing her in a suspicious manner. Ino gulped. Maybe she needs to act better before he finds out.

"Good."

Did he...

"How could you?" She asked.

"I do as I please." His eyes glistened in danger. Was it the right thing to play his game? His replies indicated he found out.

"What do you mean?" Her voice wavered at his sure tone.

"You're in my apartment, Ino, rest assured. I won't hurt you." And for the first time his smirk wasn't behind her back.

Ino was desperate. If he finds out she knows, she would be done. Act for her life.

She smiled, a cheerful one as tears of terror build up. "Obito... I'm not sure what to think... I'm so scared."

Obito had to quiet down. She was playing mentally unstable person and hoped Obito would pretend sympathy like he did all those times.

He moved from his place and sat by her side. She flinched at their closeness. "Ino, I got you."

She draped her arms around his neck, pulled her face in his chest.

His muscles tensed, that didn't stop him from rubbing her back. Ino gritted her teeth. He won't get away with this.

"Send me home, I'm afraid the stalker will come after me." She said, eyes wide feigning innocence. They had been doing nothing for half an hour.

"What's with the change of attitude?" He asked, picking up the cigarette pack and pulling one stick out.

She pouted. "You don't like it?" Bold.

He scoffed at her, inhaling the poison eyes shut off in ecstasy. "Nah, I love it."

She grinned. "Good, I think we'll get along well from now on. Seeing Mizuki like this," of course she had to bring up his name. In a way she was using Mizuki for her situation.

"Let's see where this will end." He muttered, watching her through his half lidded eyes.

"Why do you say that, Obito? Why should this end?" It was adrenaline. Her face flushed up, she grinned her teeth.

"I meant your attitude," he stubbed out his cigarette on the ashtray.

"You said you love it." She whispered.

He laughed and Ino noticed he was mocking her. "I do, this is why I'm letting you have your way, darling."

Fear creeped up, his eyes confident and strong. He held that dominance like he had figured out his life. No, she won't be his prey.

"Obito, I hate these names." She hissed.

"Reminds you of your stalker? My bad," he grinned. It was the first time he had grinned at her.

She forced herself up. She would make a fool out of herself if she didn't leave. He was a veteran in deceiving games, she was a noob. She had to pray for luck and a lot of help.

"I'll be leaving then." She rushed to the door and before she could understand, a hand slammed the door prevented it from opening.

She widened her eyes as his hot breath hit her neck. He was closer, his chest nearly brushing her back. Her heartbeat raced. Did he find out already?

"Darling Ino, I didn't say you could leave yet." He breathed out.

Her heart dropped.