Her body stoned, mind racing with unlimited possibilities of things he would do to her and no one to help or hear. She felt her heart's vibration inside her ears. She hoped he wouldn't wait any longer and get over it because his silence was giving her brain to play gruesome scenes in the most tormenting ways she never imagined before.
He turned her body to face him; indifferently he watched her lips to her nose up to her eyes, deeply memorizing her features then back to her lips. She stilled, body ran cold but she was sure her pounding heart was hearable with the so little distance. His cold hand touched her left cheek. She flinched and pressed herself back at the door to make distance but to no avail, he had pinned her body already and only now she realized.
"Why are you flushed?" He asked running his fingertips on her jawline.
Her lips trembled to say something but fear was far too controlling. His letters, those obsessive words randomly played over taking all chances of regaining her confidence back.
His index finger stopped on her lips to shush unavailable words.
"You're scared of me?" He asked, "Why?"
His question made her understand he was perplexed at her behavior. She closed her eyes, not trusting her senses to do anything.
"I'm sorry," he said, face softening. "I will never call you darling again. I promise."
It wasn't what he said comforted her, his ignorance towards the fact made her relax. Her tensed body shuddered before going limp and he took hold of her arms to keep her up.
"You look like you'll faint, rest a bit and I'll walk you home." He helped her to the sofa and left to bring her a class of cold water.
Ino took the opportunity to feel her heart under her chest. She was okay, and he didn't find out. Was it sheer luck? She was saved for now. If he didn't mention that abhorrent name earlier she would have nothing to make excuses for her actions. Good thing he brought it himself.
And after that she didn't dare meet his eyes. Whatever he said she either kept quiet or nodded without staring up. Playing his game without understanding the situation, or back up wasn't something a sane person could do.
It was around two p.m so everyone was out doing their business. Some ninjas were standing around and making sure nothing out of the ordinary happened. Do they realize Obito was out of ordinary? But when she stared at him he seemed un-bothered. Appeared rather relaxed.
She abruptly looked away when he met her eyes. She curled her fist at being caught staring.
"You two are still out?" She heard a comforting voice and turned around. Obito did too.
"Kakashi sensei!" Maybe she sounded too happy for the said man to widen his eyes in shock, flushed at the unusual excitement.
"What's happening?" He asked.
Ino moved away from Obito's side and swiftly went to white haired man's side. She gulped when Obito clenched his jaw. It was barely noticeable but to her it terrified her and in the end she backed away from Kakashi.
"O-Obito's walking me home..." She uttered. She was scared to make Obito mad.
"Ah, is that so? How about I walk you home? I've some business with Inoichi so what do you say?"
Ino finally made eye contact with Obito. His eyes are dark and face tight. She smiled nervously. "Obito, what do you say? Or maybe you can accompany us if you like?" She knew Obito would say no. To her utter relief he shook his head, smiling tightly at her.
"That's perfectly fine. It's not I was forcing you to walk along."
He roll on his heels walking away. And Ino thought how neither man acknowledged the other.
Wordlessly she walked behind Kakashi thinking back to Obito's words and in his expression. What if he was mad? What would he do?
"Spit out."
Huh?
"Kakashi sensei?"
The man sighed. "I have no business with your father. You seemed uncomfortable around him you so I wanted to help."
He lied to Obito for her sake. She paused. Was she this obvious?
"Th-there's nothing really. I'm just shocked about Mizuki." She lied. Telling him the truth could be dangerous.
"I know you would say that. Let's talk in your room if you don't mind."
"But there's nothing to t-"
"The letters, this strange man and now this? You've been absent minded around everyone. Now if you tell me I shouldn't interfere I'll do as you say but this is getting worse and trust me when I say it'll get worse the more time you waste in hiding it." Kakashi lectured.
Maybe this was what she wanted to hear all along. Maybe from Asuma sensei or her friends but no one noticed or bothered.
Kakashi had led her to the practice ground. A huge waterfall at one side. Kakashi said no one would eavesdrop on them here. Only team seven practiced here but right now they were on a mission with Yamato.
"I need you to keep it a secret from everyone. Even from Sakura." Ino started. She still didn't want anyone to find out. That would only make her appear a helpless loser.
"Fine."
"And you shouldn't do anything about it unless I say otherwise. I'm telling you this... Maybe in the near future I might need your help but not right now. So promise me."
Kakashi sighed in distress. He didn't like how Ino was being secretive. For her sake he ends up promising her.
And she told him how the letters started and when they got creepy so someone recommended Obito— she didn't say she went to find a thug to help her. Just by luck she was recommended to a thug so she signed a contract without knowing and later found out he was a criminal. Now because of contract she can't back out and she found her photos in his apartment or he was the stalker. She didn't say anything to Obito about this... She also didn't say anything about the gift box or whether she had been spending time in his apartment. She was glad when Kakashi remained calm.
"That's messed up."
She nodded, however she waited for him to assure her he wouldn't interfere. He just wanted to know so she told him. He better keep out of it.
"I'll watch from the sidelines. But he's not the kind of guy you could fool."
"Then I'll learn. If I didn't take my revenge from him for tormenting me like this then I'll live forever believing I'm a pushover coward."
She left him no choice but to agree. Besides he liked when people deal with their own drama and grow. He would like to see what change it would bring to her or maybe destroy her further.
Ino closed the curtains, checking twice they were covering the window and laid down on her bed. It had been one long and exhausting day. She dared to not think what terrible news tomorrow would bring to her. But she prepared herself. How could she fool Obito? How can she take her revenge? She had been thinking about it but she was clueless how to achieve these things. Fooling Obito demands her to be a good actor. Her compassion was always available for everyone so maybe around him she should forget he's her stalker. If she ignore this fact her compassion would be easy to come for him.
For revenge, she knows nothing about him. For starters she must study him. Study him deeply, learn more about him and make him believe her. It won't be easy but he was probably too arrogant to take her for a threat so she'll take advantage of it, play the damsel in distress he wants her to be and then pretend to be a fool so he would reveal more about himself underestimating her.
She prayed for luck to be on her side.
"Do you've friends?" She asked. Once again in his apartment.
"Why?"
"I want to meet them." She said smiling.
Obito placed the paper he was holding down. "Meeting thugs like me? You sure?"
Ino nodded. She was ready to beg.
He smirked. "On one condition, I want to meet yours too."
Ino nodded. Nothing was wrong with him meeting her friends. This was her chance to gain his trust.
"So did you find out anything about the stalker?" She wanted to hear what he had to say. His lies.
Obito crossed his legs, a cigarette hanging between his lips.
"I was wondering when you'll ask. Was beginning to think you don't care about your stalker anymore." He pulled the cigarette away from his lips and chuckled. His eyes lightened up. Ino wasn't sure what was amusing him.
"I trust you Obito. I believe no one could harm you if I'm around you."
Ino wanted him to be flattered at her compliment but his gaze darkened like a darkest night.
"Situations will prove how much you trust me." He released the cigarette and it fell down before he smashed it with his shoes.
Ino said nothing. His habit of turning cold out of nowhere was hard to adjust. He spoke like he knew she found out he was the stalker, but why would he keep quiet. Why won't he get her or lock her in his apartment? And then his next question was a slap on her guts.
"What if I'm your stalker, Ino. What would you do?"
She laughed nervously. She did her best to think how much she used to like him. His gentlemanly behavior.
"That's not possible. If you were my stalker, I wouldn't be so free living my life." She said confidently. She made herself believe Obito wasn't the stalker. She manipulated her thoughts.
"But do you really trust me for this?" He asked, frowning.
"With my life."
"Good."
A sinister smile playing on his lips.
Her stomach crunched. He made her uncomfortable.
"I've find some clues. Introduce me to your friends first. I've to make sure of something before I can say for sure."