Dislaimer: I don't own Naruto
It was the same dimly lit cell, yet something had changed. The silence wasn't as deafening as before. Instead of one person's quiet breathing, you could hear a another one joining it. Both breaths were coming slower and calmer then before. The light wasn't flickering only in black orbs, but also in blond hair, spilled over a muscular arm and almost touching ground. The hair owner's head was also resting in the same arm, the rest of her body lying in the boy's- man's- lap. The cell was cold, but the young femme didn't seem to realize it as she lay in Sasuke's protective embrace, with his arms encircling her body. Though she wore very little clothing, her cheeks were rosy as she breathed on Uchiha's chest.
His eyes were fixed on Ino. A slight frown made its way onto his face.
Why did she see Nara's face when she was thinking of me? Once again, he performed the hand seals, using her family technique to break into her own memories.
Floating in her mind, he saw the plump ninja telling her about Shikamaru's death. He saw his funeral, how she cried, locking herself in her room not sleeping, not eating for days...
He saw how Sakura comforted her, how she trained furiously until she became an ANBU so she could take more dangerous missions. He read her thoughts about suicide and felt her longing after the lazy ninja...
He felt anger. Naturally at first, it was directed at Shikamaru, then redirected at himself for not being there for her, for not protecting her...anger, that he chose power and strength instead of friendship and maybe even love.
He failed to see her dreams about cold lips and warm body which carried her through the forest...
Suddenly, the sentence he read before in her mind, didn't seem so important. The same words that made his heart beat faster and a wave of warmth spread through him, now seemed to create only a dull ache in his chest. Ignoring it and wincing even more, he took a paper from his pocket. A letter that Tsunade let him keep...Nara, you were so wrong.
Uchiha,
We've never been close, so I'll be surprised if you recognized me. Before you read next parts, be sure that no one except you is reading this.
If any Akatsuki member laid his hands on it, things wouldn't be so nice for the both of us.
I managed to see through your plan. Quite sneaky, indeed; pretend to be Orochimaru's faithful slave so that you can get closer to your brother. Smooth.
I'm not stupid, Uchiha, in case you haven't been informed. I know your abilities as a ninja and you should be able to defeat Orochimaru one day, if you just train enough. I know that you'll come back someday.
I think you owe me something, don't you? No, you probably think you don't. For your information, I was the leader of the team which was assigned to bring you back. Two members, including my best friend, almost died. I think it's more than enough to expect a favor from you.
There's someone I like very much. Actually, I think it's beginning to transform into true love- if it isn't already. I have no idea, I was never good with girls.
You know her well, Uchiha. My teammate, Yamanaka Ino.
As long as I can, I will protect her. No matter how troublesome it is; with my life, if it's needed. I want you to promise me- of course, just in your mind, because we can't meet- that you'll do the same. When you'll come back, maybe it'll be your turn to save her.
That's all I ask. I know from experience that you can't force your heart into something you don't want, so I'm not asking you to love her. But you could show her some attention. We both know how much she...admires you. Since you left, she was very distant to everybody, but thankfully, I never saw her cry.
And admit it Uchiha, you have something for her as well. I don't blame you- she's worth it. Don't you think I ever noticed how you never shook her off your back or arm? I also noticed the almost-invisible blush on your cheeks- very slight, but it was there with no doubt. So, just be true to yourself. I only wish to see her happy, all the time. Then my life won't be as troublesome like it has been for the past few months.
I don't think I have to remind you to never show this letter to anybody. The life of a shinobi is troublesome and risky. I don't know if we'll ever actually meet, so I bid you farewell.
Signed,
Nara Shikamaru
She loved him...and she still does, Sasuke thought grimly, his hands tightening. I wish...I wish I could turn back time, when she was still...No. I want to be with her no matter what. I have to have a son with her to defeat my brother. That's the only aim of my life. That's the fate...oh.
Do I want to be with her only because of prophecy? Can I love her like she deserves it because of that? A smiling Sakura face briefly appeared in his mind as she was looking at Naruto with warmth...
Can I look at her like that? Would I be cheating if...No. She fascinated me even before I knew about the prediction. Firstly, it was just slight respect and annoyance because of her loud ways but now...
Another face appeared in his mind. A blond girl with blue eyes, staring at him blankly, saying; "I don't know if it was love. But I know that I don't feel it now."
I do, Sasuke thought, stroking her head with one hand, I know.
No matter how much he tried to deny it...
No matter how much he tried to hide it...
No matter how much he tried to ignore it...
I love her. I don't care if it is fate or prophecy or some other shit.
Shikamaru, I guess you were a genius after all...
---
Ino ran. She ran as fast as she could, trying to think about anything. She concentrated on her steps, blocking the feeling of warmth and comfort, so alien to her since Shika's death...
Run! her mind cried, Don't think!
And as if her own mind was betraying her, she saw warm black eyes, sparkling with a certain feeling...
The feeling of his chest, his scent...the way she wanted nothing more than wrap her arms around his waist, feel his cold lips once again on her body and never let go...
Suddenly, her imagination created such a scene...she could almost feel his tongue in her mouth and on her lips...his arms wrapping around her frame, unbuttoning her shirt...
She blinked hard, trying to force the disturbing images away. Suddenly, she realized that she was sweating, her cheeks were hot and her breaths were coming out fast and rapid...even though she hadn't run that much. Her legs were trembling and she had to use all her power and will to run again, until she reached her destination.
"Tsunade-sama, I need a mission, now!" she gasped, trying to force pale lips from her mind, just like a certain pale face...and concentrate only on the older blond in front her. She succeeded only a little.
"Why?" asked Tsunade; though she already suspected the answer.
So, you do understood Ino...Nara Shikamaru, you truly were a genius...
"Never mind, an A or even S-rank! Just let it be now and far away from here!" Ino replied. I need to get away from everything...
"I'm sorry Ino, but..." Tsunade started.
"I SAID I NEED A MISSION, NOW!"
So, she's finally back...the Ino before Shikamaru's death, the original one. Sasuke, was it your doing? The Hokage asked herself.
"Alright then, here you go. 5 chances of success, A-rank. Departure time in one hour. Next time, I won't tolerate such shouting...but just this once..."
"Great!" Ino growled, snatching the scroll and dashing through the door, almost knocking poor Shizune off her balance.
You can run Ino, but you can't hide...
A/N: Please review and check out my other fics too! i'm having kind of breakdown...sorry for my ramblings.
