Dogwood Part II
.
.
Sakura really tried to avoid making loud noises. She certainly didn't want to ruin the calm atmosphere - of course it was supposed to be calm, this was a freaming library.
Her steps was determined, stepping up the steps, turning — until finally she led herself into the room with shelves lined up with each other. The shelves were tall, made of wood crammed full of neatly lined books. While flanking one book on her arm, the girl with the hair color of her namesake went down one by one shelf, section and then section to open a book with the subject she was looking for.
When she was busy observing, she accidentaly spotted someone who occupies a chair in the far corner of the room. The location is rather cramped and the light is even rather dim.
The figure bowed his head, brows furrowing and his eyes locked into the book in front of him. He looked so focused, surrounded by hundreds of books. He seemed to be really concentrated with that activity.
A smile spread on her lips, and without a doubt Sakura stepped closer to him. One hand stretched out to pat the shoulder with the intention of seizing attention. Her attempt was successful - the man turned his head, his black bead like a pair of charcoal colliding with hers that very second.
"What are you doing, Sai?" asked Sakura. She invited herself to take her seat in front of Sai, then placed her books on the table, right next to the pile of books he had read that had not been touched - well, or maybe he had even finished reading them earlier. Sakura had no idea, she doesn't know for sure.
"I'm reading a book about cloning," Sai answered while shaking the book in his hand. He looked up at Sakura, his expression serious, inevitably making Sakura anxious himself,
"What did you find, Sai?"
Sai sighed, "My trusted informant said that there were several masked ANBU people in Konoha Village who looked to collect blood, pieces of meat and hair around the Valley of the End. At least that happened two years ago,"
"Wait," Sakura closed her mouth, surprised. "You mean—"
Sai nodded, answering an unspoken question from Sakura, "Maybe those people are the masterminds of all this. They deliberately cloned Sasuke from his DNA sample so they could clone Sasuke one hundred percent, absolutely the same, even to the color of chakra and the type that seems impossible to emulate, "
"The enemy must have great abilities, especially in the medical field, so they can make clones like that," Sakura murmured. Next thing you know, the girl kicked the table into a loud clash, making Sai and some of the library's visitors shocked and horrified. Sakura rose from her chair, uncaring even though some people looked strangely at her, "Sai, we must report this immediately to Kakashi-sensei!" she rushed to reach her books, then hugged them to her chest, "You too. You got this important information, why are you still here anyway?" grumbles Sakura.
"The plan is that I will notify Kakashi-sensei after I have finished reading the information about the cloning system. I want to be sure," Sai couldn't help but stand up, his movements causing a loud squeak from a chair rubbing against the wooden floor. He immediately closed his book, determination radiating from his jet-black eyes, "But you're right, I think it's faster and better to tell Sensei,"
Sakura nodded her head in agreement, between being nervous and full of anticipation. As she waited for Sai to tidy up his things on the table.
Watching how Sai's hands moved deftly to rearrange the books scattered into one pile. Sakura waited patiently — until a pink book tucked between the piles caught attention. He took it before Sai could. His eyes narrowed at the title of the book "About Love," with subtitles with smaller fonts forming a sentence "Are you in love?"
Sakura raised an eyebrow, amused. She shook the book in his hand in front of the young man, "Sai, why do you read such a love book?"
"It's nothing," Sai hurriedly snatched the book from her hands. He put it among his other books, then he held his pile tightly to his chest, deliberately hiding it. "Let's meet Kakashi-sensei soon," he said in a tone of voice that he hoped sounding neutral.
Sakura walked first, escorting Sai who walked behind her out of the library to head to the Hokage tower.
.
.
And by the way, Sakura swore, she had seen Sai's cheeks starting to turn red.
Wonder why.
.
.
.
When they entered the Hokage room, they were immediately were greeted by the sight of Ino and Kakashi sitting facing each other, with one hand Ino forming a Yamanaka trademark seal jutsu - Mind Transmission Jutsu, while Ino's head was covered by a machine with large hoses connected to it screen.
Sai and Sakura tried not to disturb, as they entered the room and waited for Ino to carry out their duties. A few minutes passed, until Ino's last sigh cleaved the silence that hit, took off her transmission helmet and looked at Kakashi full of guilt, "I'm sorry Hokage-sama, I haven't managed to trace Sasuke's whereabouts,"
"Tracing Sasuke's whereabouts?" squeaked Sakura, staring at Kakashi and Ino alternately curiously. While beside her, Sai just watched silently, "What are you doing?"
"It's okay, Ino, you've tried," Kakashi said, patting Ino's shoulder to calm her, only then he turned to his student who seemed impatient to find out what was going on, "Ino offered to try to contact Sasuke through her jutsu, remembering until now we couldn't find where Sasuke was located— "
"—But I failed to do it," Ino grumbled, her shoulders dropped and her head bowed listlessly. She seemed disappointed with herself.
Her head spontaneously lifted as she felt a palm land on the top of her head, instantly making Ino look up.
Finding Sai was looking down at her. His face was on the verge of flatness, but the look in his eyes was another story. But, Ino could not guess for this one. What's written on his black eyes is sometimes still difficult to read.
"You tried," his voice was flat, of course, but it gently slipped into Ino's eardrums. Sending a feeling of excitement that tickles her whole body in ecstacy, "Don't force it,"
That sentence could not be prevented to make Ino somewhat moved. The warm sensation surrounding her body was no longer unstoppable. She sent Sai a grateful smile, lowering the sentence "Thanks" to the man. Sai just nodded back.
"So what are you all here, Sakura and Sai?" Kakashi, who returned to his seat, turned to pay attention to the two students, his eyebrows raised curiously.
Sai and Sakura immediately explained the purpose of their arrival. Sai explained what information he got from his trusted people, while Kakashi and Ino listened carefully.
"So hair, blood or flesh?" Kakashi mumbled, his eyes wandering. He supported his chin with one hand while his other hand crossed over his abdomen. "Well ... I guess that's quite reasonable,"
"But that's just our theory, sensei," Sakura quickly added, unwilling to be careless, "That still doesn't explain why Sasuke's clone could go anywhere without being detected by the real Sasuke,"
"A hypothesis is still a hypothesis," Kakashi smiled from behind his mask which covered most of his face, "What is clear, the enemy making fake Sasuke does want something from Sasuke,"
"I suppose so," Sai nodded his head. Meanwhile, Ino next to him frowned, "But what do they really want?" he murmured faintly, his voice wandering. As if the question was deliberately told only to himself, not hoping for a definite answer. Ino still did not understand the motives behind the fake Sasuke terror incident. Too confusing.
"It also makes sense that they succeeded in cloning Sasuke because they took Sasuke's blood or real hair," Kakashi chimed in again, now dropping a glance at Sakura, "I'm not a medical expert, but isn't that a rather troublesome job, gathering parts of the body from the final valley? "
"Yes, of course. It takes a long time and process to get a perfect clone," Sakura confirmed, her brow furrowed in such a way, "That's why it's only natural for them to move now, even though it's been two years since Sasuke and Naruto fought in the valley. end,"
The sentence that came from his lips forced her back into nostalgia. How Naruto and Sasuke fought with all their might — even willing to die to keep their word. Her two favorite idiots fought until they finally lost each of their arms. Even though they were bathed in blood, they could still smile and apologize to Sakura. Sakura was helplessly crying out loud, while Kakashi from the cliff smiled at the three of them. Finally. After all, Team 7 can regroup.
Sakura hypothesized, surely those people were taking blood, hair, and organs scattered because of Sasuke's fight with Naruto right after Team 7 left. A clone will be more perfect when the DNA sample of the person to be cloned is still fresh.
Sai finally spoke again, now looking at Kakashi with immeasurable sincerity. "Ah, I just realized. I guess that's why the people who attacked me yesterday were covered by the Kyubi Chakra,"
"So you mean they don't just imitate Sasuke's chakra, but also Naruto's chakra?" Kakashi wondered who got a sure nod from Sai,
"Doesn't that make sense? Not only can they get Sasuke's DNA samples, but also Naruto, don't you think so?"
"Wait wait," Sakura interrupted, her eyes shifting with the teacher and her teammates, eyebrows furrowed in confusion, "What are you talking about? Who is coated in the Kyuubi's chakra—"
"—And you said you were attacked?" Ino continued her question by looking skeptically at Sai. A second later the look turned into a worried look, "Are you OK?"
"Yes, I'm fine," Sai answered plainly, then he explained to the two beautiful Konoha kunoichis in front of him about the attempted murder by two ANBU masked men covered in Kyuubi's reddish chakra. Sai was safe at the time, and the two men failed on their second mission of killing. Before Sai could interrogate and bring their bodies back to the village, the two bodies exploded immediately before his eyes. The enemy seems to really not want to risk the leak of information about their plots and plans.
The method of self-explosion is one way to erase traces. Sai as a former ANBU Ne understood very well about the protocol. ANBU especially ANBU NE, are asked to kill themselves rather than having to let the slightest information pass to the enemy.
"Well," Kakashi patted his two hands wrapped in gloves, looked at the three shinobi in front of him with glittering eyes, "I think it can be decided that you will become a team in this mission,"
"What?"
"Hah?"
Sai was just silent, he did not give any response like the other two colleagues. Not even surprised. He even commented with his calm voice like water, "That makes sense considering we seem to face the same enemy. It would be better to exchange information and work in teams rather than individually,"
"The same enemy?" Sakura murmured, "So it's true that you all think this is the same person. What is Kido doing?" he wondered, nodded by Sai and Kakashi.
"Tsumiki Kido, who was also originally from Anbu," said Sai, "and also Magire. A medical ninja. His accomplices, who may have been the masterminds in making Sasuke and Naruto's Kyubi chakra. My targets are these two people,"
Kakashi, who sat behind the Hokage's desk, nodded his head, agreeing to Sai's words.
"Okay ... let me get this straight," Ino bent her arms in front of her chest. He took the attention, trying to make a summary of the theories discussed earlier, "So this person, Kido and Magire, along with their men, collected blood, flesh, hair or whatever, in the Valley of the End, then they didn't just make clones Sasuke, but also imitate the Naruto Kyubi chakra? "
"Yes. Do you remember when Naruto gave us the chakra? That's it. Those two enemies were covered with Kyubi chakra, even though they didn't have 9. All I saw was that they had only one tail, but their strength was already that strong. Honestly, I was overwhelmed at that time." Sai narrated, which made Sakura and Ino think hard again.
"Ah, look at you guys looking so good and fit to work in a team," the cheerful voice of the sixth Hokage who suddenly changed the subject made the three of them turn their heads together, "I didn't make the wrong choice," he said proudly.
Ino narrowed her eyes, "Please don't make fun of us, Hokage-sama—"
"I told you not to call me Hokage-sama—"
"—And also though this team was made suddenly, from the very beginning Sakura and I were in a team, but this is the first time I have been paired with Ino,"
Sai chimed in. His eyes now shifted to Ino, and his smile raised itself,
"But I don't mind a team at all with you, Ino. I'm sure we'll be a great team. Isn't that right?"
Ino, who didn't expect her name to be called by Sai, blushed red. Her cheeks reddened like a pomegranate in an instant, "O-of course!" she squeaked in a choked voice.
.
Whether it's just her imagination or not, but Sakura swore she could tell that Sai seemed 'happy' at the fact Ino would be added to their team. Well, even though Sai's happy expression was also not explicitly seen on his face, since he was not the type who jumped around happy like Naruto. He still lacked expression.
.
But Sakura, who had been friends with him for three years, felt something was different.
How Sai smiled at Ino, talked to her, or just looked at her.
.
.
'So, apparently your feeling isn't really one sided, eh, Ino-pig?' Sakura giggled silently.
.
.
Sai, who had just finished washing his hair from the leftover of his shampoo, accidentally caught the faint sound of the door knocking on the outside, along with a familiar voice that floated from behind it.
Ino?
Her voice sounded full of urgency, making Sai quickly put on his underwear. Not to forget he grabbed the towel that was slung behind the door. His hands rubbed his mane still wet, trying to dry it swiftly. When Sai had just reached the kitchen, the knock and Ino's call came clearer and frivolous. It seems like something happened.
His heart could not help but be racing fast, as hard as the knocking sounds that increasingly craze. Did something happen to her?
So Sai accelerated his steps towards the door. He spread his towel over his sturdy and broad shoulders, leaving his upper body uncovered by any string. He also did not care about the state of his naked body that was wet, letting drops of water flow freely.
When Sai finally unlocked and pulled the door back, sure enough — that was Ino.
.
"Sai! It's bad, something's been - AHHHHHH!"
.
Ino gave a hysterical shout, shocking Sai and possibly some other apartment dwellers as well.
Ino's voice is an ultrasonic equivalent.
.
Sai tilted his head, staring at Ino whose face was now completely red. The heat and color ran through Ino's face, instantly, even to the end of her ears. Her face is all red.
Sai thinks that right now, Ino really looks like a fresh tomato.
.
Well, a fresh tomato that's apparently is very angry right now? Before Sai tried to ask why, one second later, Ino shrieked again-
"AHHHH!" Ino covered her face with her palms. "WHY DON'T YOU USE YOUR CLOTHES?" Ino grunted with all her might.
From between her fingers, Ino tried to peek to look at Sai who was still confused. She tried hard to focus only on the part of Sai's face, and did not try to shift her gaze downward — towards Sai's broad chest and perfectly carved abdomen.
Not to mention added with drops of water flowing.
His stomach is so chiseled. Perfect.
Like a white chocolate pack that is usually Ino's favorite food.
The devil in her brain began to whisper. I wonder if it tastes as good as your favorite chocolate, eh, Ino? —Not to mention if she tried gaze drops further down. Considering Sai only wears underwear when — ARGH. SHUT UPPPP.
Not the time to think dirty, stupid!
"Sorry, I just took a shower," Sai replied innocently, now one hand was pawing at the towel on his shoulder, rubbing back his wet hair.
Honestly, he thought it wasn't a problem meeting guests in a bare chest and only wearing underwear like this. Besides, he really just finished bathing. It was Ino's mistake to come so early and suddenly like this. Ino should have expected that Sai could have appeared in a situation like this, right?
But it seems that in terms of norms and ethics, this is not a good thing to do.
Sai honestly was quite confused. Not to mention that Ino seemed to look angry, her face turning red and not fading. She also still covered her face and refused to face Sai. She must be so angry that she doesn't want to see her face, huh?
A flash of thought somehow made Sai a little sad.
"By the way, why are you suddenly coming here? It's still too early,"
It was only after Sai said that, Ino seemed to have begun to gradually gain control. She lowered her palms and just looked at Sai now - thank God - even though her face was still ruby like a fresh tomato - At least she wasn't as angry as before, right?
And though she still blushed, Ino's eyes radiated an immeasurable seriousness that made Sai feel instantly alert. Especially when Ino finally said—
"Sakura disappeared,"
"Sakura?" One hand that had been busy drying hair at once stopped. His heart began to beat idly. Sai focused his ears, trying to listen to Ino carefully.
"I went to the therapy center this morning because Sakura and I had to finish some work. But for 2 hours waiting, she didn't show up. I checked into her house and she wasn't there. I also tried to detect her chakra but couldn't find it either, "
Sai sighed heavily and closed his eyes for a moment. He could feel dizzy suddenly stopped by the head, "Most likely this must be the work of Kido and his cronies,"
Ino nodded, grimly, "I thought so too,"
"Then let's find Sakura and find her," Sai said, full of determination that made Ino spontaneously agree. Sai then invited Ino into his apartment while he entered the room to wear his mission uniform. He also did not forget to take parchment, brushes, ink, kunai and shuriken which he then put in a pouch and mission gear wrapped in his feet.
When Sai was finished with his preparations, he walked back to the living room and found Ino is staring at a Wisteria flower painting. The flower was indeed given by Ino to him yesterday afternoon after Sai accompanied him to stand guard at the Yamanaka flower shop.
As usual, Sai would stop by Ino's flower shop, and the girl would let him stay there for a while. Let Sai draw as he pleased, while the girl served the customer and was busy making bouquets of flowers. If the shop is crowded, usually Sai will end up helping too. Sai, who likes art and beauty, certainly did not mind when he had to make flower bouquets. Discover how to arrange flowers that are suitable to have aesthetic value.
From Ino, she not only learned the emotions and language of flowers, but also learned about how to arrange beautiful bouquets and the art of ikebana.
"Did you tell Kakashi-sensei?" Sai asked the girl, while he tied his headband to his head. He deliberately let a few strands of his bangs cover his forehead.
Ino shook her head, "Not yet."
"Can you contact Kakashi sensei with your Mind Transmission jutsu? Sensei must know about this," Sai suggested.
Ino nodded in agreement. She deftly formed her jutsu seal, connecting herself and Kakashi with her extraordinary telepathic communication.
They both told Kakashi about the incident of missing Sakura without a trace and promised Kakashi that they would bring Sakura in full and safe. Kakashi gave permission for them to move, he also apologized for not being able to participate because of diplomatic matters. The Hokage also requested to be immediately contacted and notified of any information developments. He also did not hesitate and was ready to send help if there was an uncontrolled situation that might occur.
Once Ino ended the communication between the three of them, Ino then turned to Sai to ask for an answer, "But where are we going to look for it?"
"I've been watching Kido for ten days," Sai said as he carried them out of his apartment and locked them tightly, "I know a few places where he will go. We can start there,"
Ino frowned, hesitated. "But don't they already know you're watching them? There's no way they made it that easy for us to find Sakura,"
Sai nodded, Ino's words did have a point. "I have an idea. But to be honest, it's a bit aggressive and sadistic,"
Ino who heard it suddenly froze.
Sadistic, huh?
Ino gulped.
What is he gonna do, oh my god. I'm screwed.
.
.
Together with Sai, Ino goes to the Konoha village's weapons storage area.
According to Sai, whos been spying on them for a while, this place is one of the headquarters of Kido and his cronies. This is also where they are usually found interrogating and detaining their illegal prisoners.
Sai and Ino were now hiding behind a large barrel that ran across, making the place a perfect hiding place for the two of them. They both peeked toward the wooden house located opposite, guarded by a ninja with Anbu mask covering his face.
"Luckily there was only one person standing guard there," Sai said, "How stupid," he added. As always, Sai was so blunt. Ino snorted softly.
"We will attack him," his latest sentence broke her. Ino who heard the ultimatum gulped. Before coming here, Sai had said that they would use an unusual method - a more sadistic and aggressive method.
Are they going to kill him on the spot in a sadistic way like Sai said? Like at ANBU, is that so?
"So what? We attack him right now?"
"We will use a quick attack. There is no gap. Enter his body with your jutsu, keep him open," Sai ordered, his observant eagle eyes watching the guard who was busy pacing back and forth in front of the door, "Then get out of his body before I launch my attack, "
It was an ordinary combination attack. Often used by him in the Ino Shika Cho formation. Although this was the first time she was working with Sai, Ino had great confidence that they would have good coordination in sending attacks.
"Okay," Ino said. She formed her fingers into a triangle and pointed them right at the guard at the door. As soon as she got the lock on, Ino chanted,
"Shintensin no jutsu!"
Her body swerved backwards, which Sai immediately caught the second. Carefully Sai lulled Ino's body from behind the barrel, hiding it as best he could from the enemy. He drew a few lions to watch over and guard Ino's "empty" body. Only then did Sai set up his position to attack.
Ino had also managed to enter the guard's mind, making him stand stiff and completely open to attacks. Ino could see Sai plunge with both hands clenched, preparing to hit the guard's face. Sai moved, and before the fist hit her, Ino shouted, "Kai!"
But she had found himself returning to her body which was hidden well behind a metal barrel, guarded by Sai's two chouju giga lions.
Sai managed to hit the guard's face with his strong fist, making the guard's body retreat backwards until it hit the wall. The guard sent a counterattack, but always missed. Sai took the opportunity to hide. When the man was confused looking for his whereabouts, Sai attacked from above. He then launched his final fist at the back of the man's neck, causing him to collapse to the ground with a cry of pain.
No longer helpless, Sai finally carried the man to his shoulder and glanced at Ino, who was walking closer, and thought, Wow, his body is thin but he's strong too. "Let's bring him inside and ask him. Everyone,"
Once they went inside and Ino made sure there was no one there besides the three of them, Sai jerked the guard's body to the ground like a big sack. Ino could only frown. Ouch It must hurt.
Sai dragged the guard by grabbing his hair, forcing him to position himself on the wooden wall behind him. Sai then took a rope that happened to be around him then wrapped it around both hands of the guard tightly, as well as his legs and knees, leaving no gap to escape or move.
Ino who could only pay attention to Sai's treatment from behind was made to gulp, once again.
Could this be what Sai meant as a sadistic and aggressive way? So they will whip him or skin him? Or what? What will Sai do?
"Sai you— "
"Be quiet for now, Ino," Sai pleaded. He forcibly snatched the man's mask from his face, showing an angry face behind it. The man looked quite old, maybe around 30 years or more. The ANBU member is currently glaring hatefully at them.
"I don't really want to be seen as rude by hurting an old ninja," Sai said in an overly cheerful tone, clearly made up. He smiled, so fake. Just like the smile he often showed three years ago. Ino now only really realized how significant Sai had changed since they met first.
Sai then continued with the same tone, even he bowed his head. Pretending to show respect to insult the ANBU shinobi, who inevitably made the man grow furious.
"But we don't have time to play around, so please, old man, answer our questions,"
The guard still refused to talk. He remained silent and chose to look away, not willing to exchange glances with Sai who looked so relaxed, no burden at all.
"You kidnapped someone yesterday, correct?" The pale young man tilted his head to the side, pretending to be pretentious. "Tell us, where did you hide it?"
With his face still turned to the side, the man kept his mouth tightly shut. Sai was still patient and maintained his neutral expression.
"Don't want to answer me?"
Sai again acted innocently, making his face look disappointed, like a child who sulked because someone did not obey his request. This might sound like a funny and ridiculous sight, but it made Ino shudder at it.
Sai would have been an expert on this. He also turned out to be good at acting.
"I know you are Tsumiki Kido's crony," began Sai, the fake smile again on the surface, "Now tell us, where is your boss hiding Haruno Sakura?"
The man was stubborn and too loyal, Ino had to admit. Even though his position is now clearly squeezed.
"Hmm, still don't want to talk huh. In that case, we might have to use rude methods,"
"What?" The man finally turned his head, staring at Sai with a sharp knife, but not once Sai was made unsteady and discouraged. The guard hissed, "Do you want to torture?"
Sai nodded cheerfully, instead looking pleased with the answer on target to his captives. "Yes. I was an ANBU too. I know several ways to make you open your mouth,"
"Yes, then?" The tip of the guard's lips twitched, forming a mock grin. His eyes that were originally foggy with hatred are now disguised by a challenging look, "I am also an ANBU, you jerk. I also know how to deal with your torture,"
"Ah, then that's fair isn't it?" Sai pulled one kunai from his gun pouch, then danced his pointed tip at the surface of the merchant's face, "You think that would be useful huh?" The tip of the kunai he pulled increasingly down. Then without a moment of hesitation, he tore the prisoner's clothes, exposing his body to the cold of the night.
Ino, who was behind Sai, was getting more and more nervous.
So Sai will really skin him alive or what ?! Ino was naturally quite familiar with torture methods to make captives sing and give the answers that are needed.
Ino was also sometimes forced to do so when she served as an interrogator at T&I.
But their type of torture was certainly different - the T&I Division under Ibiki never used physical torture. They torture through the mind, and they are also still limited by a binding code of ethics.
While at ANBU - an organization known for its assassin missions - who knows?
Ino knew that Sai often did underground work — he had said that in one of their therapy sessions. Sai, who often had nightmares because he began to be haunted by guilt since he could rediscover his emotions. Sai who was once willing to dirty his hands with the blood of his prey. He didn''t know how many. He could not remember because there were already countless numbers.
Ino did not blame that on him at all. She understood that Sai had a dark past. Everyone also has a past. Post involvement in the great war of the ninja world opened Ino's eyes that the shinobi world was as hard and dirty as that.
Her attention was brought back to reality when she saw their enemy growl. Feeling anxious, she saw Sai begin to pull out his brush and parchment, then prepare them. Still with his voice as calm as the rippling water, he said "Ino, you better not see this,"
Ino, who was told that, made her nervousness even worse.
Seriously, what will Sai do with his chouju giga? What will he draw? Is it possible that he will make an animal and let the animal tear the man apart? Or maybe a giant snake to wrap his body out of breath?
Ino's imagination went wild, imagining a bloody scenario that might greet her soon.
.
Ino might have overestimated too much, so she had no idea when Sai finally danced his brush — not on parchment as usual — but on the man's naked chest.
.
"Kuchi Kuchi Kuchi ~"
.
Sai hummed, cheerfully.
.
While Ino was leff... dumbfounded.
Her jaw seemed to be ready to hit the ground.
.
Sai committed torture by ... tickling him ?!
.
Tickle-WHAT?
WHAT THE ACTUAL HELL-
.
He just tickled his prisoner with a brush hair in his grasp.
.
All of the bloody screnarios in her head. All of the screams.
The screams imagined by Ino were originally sounds of someone in pain begging for mercy — not the laughter that echoed throughout the armory. Like what happened right now.
.
"PFFFFT! Ha ha ha!"
.
Are you fucking kidding me?
Tell me this is a joke.
.
"So that's what you call torture?!" Ino screamed, exasperated and annoyed to death. "YOU MAKE ME ALMOST HAVE A HEART ATTACK, YOU KNOW!"
Sai still had a bright, cheerful expression. And Ino did not detect guilt at all in his sentence. "This is an effective way to get your prisoners to talk if you don't have much time," he said in a carefree tone.
"Is it true?" Ino asked full of sanctions. She bent her face and hands, still upset. So her worries were in vain, HUH ?!
"Yes, I read it in a book," he said, "Oh, and I've also seen something like this in cartoons,"
Ino could feel her elbow suddenly land on the corner of her forehead. Geez, Sai, really!
They were still chatting with Sai who tickled the body of the man who was laughing amused. The man struggled, trying to avoid being struck by Sai's brush strokes which made him amused to death.
Sai was still anxiously tickling him, until the man was almost out of breath, and his laughter began to turn into ringing and crying for forgiveness to end his suffering.
"I - hah - hahaha - okay I will say it - t-please stop - FRUIT!" beg the man with all his remaining energy from laughing too much. Ino who heard it raised an eyebrow, amused. Although ridiculous, it turns out Sai's way too.
"If only you had been talking then things would have been easier, wouldn't they?" Sai finally pulled his brush, his cheerful face instantly turned 180 degrees.
His eyes radiated sharply, like a dagger ready to stab. The jaw is firm and the tone is agile, demanding an answer,
.
"Tell me where you hid Haruno Sakura,"
.
.
Once they got the answer about where Sakura was hidden, Sai and Ino hurried over.
Without buying time, the pale young man pulled out his parchment and drew a large bird that would transport him and Ino to their destination.
Sai immediately jumped to climb on the back of his wide bird, followed by Ino behind him. Once they felt ready, they finally stomped the earth and flew through the air.
Ino doesn't really like heights. She tried to stabilize the work of her heart that was pumping faster, adjusting the rhythm of her breathing and trying to calm down by looking at Sai's stern back.
Ino desperately tried to control herself so as not to be dominated by phobia. She focused her chakra on her hands and feet to maintain balance. But maybe so nervous, Ino almost lost her balance when Sai's bird took a sharp bend.
"If you're afraid, just hug me," Sai glanced at Ino over her shoulder. "I've seen it on TV when a girl is scared, the man tells his girl to hold on to him, one of which is by hugging his waist,"
W-wait a minute. What did he say ?!
.
HUG? AND EXCUSE ME, THE GIRL PART?
DID HW JUST SAY HIS GIRL?
Hell yeahhhhh.
.
His innocent words were able to send millions of sensations that ambushed her body and heart at the same time. The sensation is tickling but fun.
"N-it's okay. I'm fine," she forced laughter out of her lips, covering her nervousness. Especially when the ebony-haired young man gave him a final smile, before then his head turned to face the front again.
Ino exhaled, relieved.
Because if Ino agreed to Sai's suggestion, she might die of heartache up here.
"Ah I see it!" Sai exclaimed, his index finger pointing at 2 o'clock, to the place where a house with an ancient design was seen, exactly as described by their captive earlier Ino was again concentrating, trying to detect Sakura's chakra from a height so far.
Her eyes widened, exclaiming with excitement, "I managed to detect the chakra! Sakura is in that house, Sai!"
As they approached and Sai deliberately made the bird fly low, several kunai and arrows rushed in at them - fortunately, their reflexes were good and Sai was agile in controlling his vehicle.
The birds they rode on took a sharp spin between the expanse of blue sky that stretched, without any streak of speeding like a lightning that was about to grab.
Ino could not help but hold on to both sides of Sai's clothes, gripping him tightly while Sai launched a counterattack with his chouju-giga on a group of ninja down there,
.
.
Ino screamed, as lous as she could.
.
"SAKURAAAA! WAIT FOR US. WE'RE HERE TO SAVE YOU!"
.
A second after Ino shouted that sentence, a loud roar was heard.
Ino and Sai could only gape at the sight of the house where Sakura was being held captive, collapsed, broken, merged with the ground. From behind the cloud of smoke caused by the collapsed building, Sakura was seen standing tall, fist raised high in the air.
.
"Weird, shouldn't we save her?" Sai murmured innocently, "She saved herself instead,"
.
Behind him, Ino could only snort loudly.
Damn. Typical forehead!
.
.
Tbc.
2/3