A/N: If someone's is still reading this crap, I have some news. Right now, I'm totally into my newest fic (which is, by the way, turning out pretty nicely) but I will finish this one. Maybe even sooner than you expect...Anyways, please review and check out my fic 'Shinobi's Life', it's still fresh so I need some encouragment!

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto


The atmosphere was humid and dark. The only source of light was a dimly lit candle on the wall. The glow of the fire reflected in sharingan eyes. Those same eyes that were now cold and unfeeling were so different from the black orbs, once mixed with emotions she saw not long ago...

This is my safest mission since Shika wasn't here to protect me...

"Sasuke...I'm Yamanaka Ino. Hokage-Sama assigned me to get all the information you possess about Akatsuki."

"...Are you going to torture me?" smirking, Sasuke imagined the blonde trying to do so.

"No...I'm going to break into your mind, using my family techniques. But first...Why did you make Sakura cry?"

"She's weak. And annoying. She cries even when I'm not saying anything."

"She's crying because you're not talking. Talk to her, Sasuke. You owe her."

"Owe her!" snarled Sasuke, eyes glowing with a merciless flicker, "I saved her life, I supported her, and-"

"She saved your life more than you can count. When you were gone, she still believed that you would come back to us- to her. She waited...and h-hoped..." feeling the lump in her throat rising and unable to continue, Ino automatically blinked back the tears and bowed her head.

For a moment, there was total silence.

"...How about you?" Sasuke's quiet voice echoed in the room.

With her head still bowed, the lump slightly fading, Ino managed to whisper, "I lost all hope years ago."

"You hoped about me?" his heart started to beat unnaturally fast. He had to know the truth; maybe then, Itachi was right...maybe he really was...

"I hoped for return." Not only yours, she added in her head. "Just please, talk to Sakura. She still loves you. She always has. I...I...owe it to her, to help her be happy." A brief memory of many sleepless nights, crying into pillows and comforting words of Sakura that helped her shake out of the depression she had...and suicidal thoughts.

"If you ask me, then maybe I will." But he still had to ask, he had to..."Didn't you love me too?" his voice was carefully cleared from any excitement, only quiet curiosity and disinterest. A memory of her arms around his neck, her breasts pressing to his back and her flowery scent lingering on her long hair...

"I don't know if it was love. But I know that I don't feel it now." Ino stared at him blankly, an unemotional expression on her face.

Neither of them said a word as Ino performed the proper hand seals to break into his memories, Sasuke's eyes watching her every movement.

---

"Here's the report of my first meeting with Sasuke Uchiha," said Ino, throwing a pile of papers on Tsunade's desk.

"Thank you, Ino. Have you seen anything..." Tsunade paused, looking for a better word but with no success. "...that interests you?"

"Of course, Hokage-Sama," Ino looked at the older woman with surprise, "everything is fascinating about Akatsuki plans. I'm sure that this knowledge will help Konoha a lot to avoid a new war."

"Ah. I see." So she hadn't seen this part of Sasuke's past...did he managed to hide it? "I still wish for you to see the Uchiha. You have to be sure that nothing, I repeat, nothing is hidden."

"I shall do it, Hokage-Sama."

"Good. Dismissed."

"Why are you here again? I thought I already showed you everything." Sasuke's voice was uninviting, totally different from his real feelings. If you sat all day in a dark cell, alone, everyone's company is welcomed. Though, for some reason, Sasuke suspected that he would never find Ino's company not welcomed.

"Tsunade wants to be sure that you didn't hide anything." Ino's cold, blue eyes watched carefully his reaction.

"There's nothing." Ino caught the slight flicker of panic in his eyes.

He knows something.

"Nevertheless, I'm going to try until Tsunade dismisses me."

She knows, Sasuke thought. The old hag knows that...that...

"Have you thought about Sakura?" Ino's voice interrupted his thoughts. He winced. Is that pinky wimp everything she thinks of? Are they so close? What had she done for Ino that she feels so much in debt?

It would be fun to know...

"When you're ready, I'll bring her here. I want you to talk to her. I want you to b-be with...with..." That's not what I want, Ino suddenly realized, I want him to...

Her heartbeat quickened...

I want him to...

Her mind filled with memories of cold lips and dark eyes...

I want him to be...

His eyes stared at her, filling with emotions once more...

I want him to be with...

Shikamaru's face appeared and disappeared in her mind...

I want him to be with...me.

When the realization struck her, she gasped. Could it be that she...she was, once again...?

No! her mind cried, I won't betray Sakura like she betrayed...me?

Yes, she did. She betrayed me for him. So, why wouldn't I do the same?

No. I don't care anymore. She can have him. Sasuke should make the decision, anyway. I won't be the same stupid twelve-year old. After what happened...I won't do anything, I'll just wait...for someone to make things right for me.

Besides, Sasuke is a traitor. For now, at least.

She could swear that she heard Shikamaru's voice in her head.

Don't make the same mistake, Ino.

When she looked at Sasuke again, she was struck by the expression on his face. It was...amazing, full of...warmth and care.

Ino I want to be with you too... Sasuke thought, thanking god for his sharingan. He managed to remember the seals Ino used and he could now use them to break into her mind. He knew that...that...

She has to know.

If I want to be with her...even if she doesn't care...I have to show her the truth. One of the reasons why my family is dead. The reason I want to be with her. The reason I HAVE to be with her.

He waited patiently for her to break into his mind. Then, he uncovered one of his most recent memories: The encounter with Itachi.

Ino saw Itachi's face, speaking.

This is something new.

"Dear brother. Can't you understand that you won't defeat me? Never. Someone else is bound to do this. You haven't heard the fate of our clan? Well then, let me tell you the story of it...

I'm sure you know the Yamanaka clan. Some of their ancestors had the ability to foresee the future. One day, many years ago, they saw the end of Uchiha clan. They predicted the birth of a child who will kill his parents, leaving only his younger brother alive. Sound familiar, dear Sasuke? I'm sure it does. But they also predicted...that one day, from Uchiha and Yamanaka union, a child would be born. A boy, so strong that he would surpass everyone and become the next Hokage. A true genius, mind walker shinobi with sharingan...

As you can see, I couldn't allow it. That's why I slaughtered everyone. And I left you alive because, well...how can someone THAT weak, create a child who will be so strong? Answer: there's no way you can do it. That's why you weren't a danger to me...but, I guess, it won't hurt killing you now, right? Prepare to die, younger brother...

Everything started to fade...she suddenly felt weak, very weak...both from shock and using her technique...she fainted, right into Sasuke's arms. The last thing she saw were his concern-filled eyes.