Dogwood Part III
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Ino-Saku-Sai — like how Ino called it — had prepared their attack stance.
Kunai in hands, while their eyes did not escape the slightest possible movement of the enemy who surrounded them.
Kido and Magire still did not intervene, leaving their subordinates to advance first. Surrounding the three shinobi who were standing with their backs facing each other, forming a back-to-back circle is suitable to anticipate enemy attacks that might come from various sides.
Ino-Saku-Sai may be the impromptu team formed by Kakashi for this mission, but they know they can trust and complete each other.
Sai and Sakura are indeed close range ninja types. Their Taijutsu is qualified, while Ino is the opposite. But even though Ino was not as advanced as Sai and Sakura in close combat and taijutsu, Ino was a good strategist — not inferior to Shikamaru.
Surprisingly it turns out that Ino-Saku-Sai has a harmonious synchronization, compatible in protecting one another.
Their enemy finally began to move, and the three shinobi welcomed him swiftly. Some of them try to attack them with sharp objects, kunai and shuriken especially, while the rest attack with their jutsu. Occasionally they will wear paper bombs too.
Most of them are wind chakra users, several times the three of them are overwhelmed by defending themselves, especially the fact that the enemy is now surrounded by the Kyuubi chakra. Of course that makes the quantity of their power multiplies. Sakura still fought with her taijutsu and her deadly fist, while Ino acted as a back up with taijutsu as well as possible. She is now more on the defensive, considering she can't use his ninjutsu for now. With such close combat types, Ino can't just use her jutsu carelessly. It could actually backfire for her.
Honestly, circumstances like this made it frustrating. Especially as she said earlier, Ino was not very good at taijutsu or close combat. Moreover, the enemy does not seem to lose any energy because of the Kyubi's chakra in their bodies.
"If we continue to fight them with just a defensive strategy like this, it won't be of any use," Sai swung a hard fist at the opponent's cheek that was attacking him, by the side of his chouju beasts accompanying the three of them to counterattack.
"What if-"
Before Sai could finish his sentence, Ino's scream cut through the air. Sai could feel his blood run cold for a moment as though being doused in ice water, especially when he saw Ino fall to the ground.
Apparently an enemy managed to sweep the tail of their kyuubi chakra towards Ino's feet until the girl collapsed.
Seeing Ino who lost her self-defense, the two enemies readily seized the opportunity. They planned to attack by brandishing the kunai — ready to stab the girl from two sides.
"Ino!" screamed Sakura. She managed to punch one of the enemies until they bounced toward the rocks, while Sai swung his foot to kick the other enemy hard until he rolled on the sandy floor. Sai reached out to Ino and helped her up,
"Are you okay?" he asked.
"Yes, thank you," she carved a faint smile at Sai. Her eyes moved down and then get rounded when she saw Sai's arm covered in blood, possibly get scraped by a kunai's he had not anticipated. "Bring your arm to me," Ino ordered. Without bothering lisetning to Sai's words pr possible objection, she immediately grabbed the young man's injured arm and placed his hand there, covering it with a warm greenish chakra.
"Thank you, Ino," Sai said when Ino finally managed to close the wound that was originally gaping.
Ino just smiled back.
Sakura, who saw the interaction of two human beings, chuckled. In a teasing tone she reminded,
"Hey! Pack it up, lovebirds. we have enemies to kill!"
Ino stuttered, screeched back. Her cheeks started to turn red. "W-WAT DO YOU MEAN WITH LOVEBIRDS, FOREHEAD! SOD OFF!"
Sakura grinned.
"Well well ..." Kido's voice scanned their eardrums. Ino, Sakura and Sai simultaneously squinted their eyes toward him, 100% alert.
They saw the man clapping. His gaze looked amazed at the triad of Konoha shinobi in front. But they all knew, the highlight of that admiration was clearly just a fake. Kido was clearly mocking them.
"I must admit, you guys are great too, but you still have nothing," he said with disdain.
He took off his top shirt, and it appeared that the Kyuubi's chakra began to gradually encircle his body. The chakra was bigger and naturally folded stronger. Unlike before, Kido has a six-tailed Kyuubi chakra behind his body. He grinned wickedly,
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"Especially you Haruno Sakura. Come and face me. I'll make you pay" he hissed,
"I will make Uchiha Sasuke come to me and make him pay by watching his girl die in my hand."
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Ino and Sai now have to face Magire, the medical ninja Kido loyal subordinates who are now successfully separating themselves from Sakura who took the fight in the forest. Ino prayed that Sakura could overcome Kido, even though she had to fight alone like that. Honestly Ino was worried half to death, but Ino was sure that her best friend would succeed in doing it. She did not doubt the ability of Sakura at all. She knows Sakura is a strong kunoichi.
Whereas Magire now stood opposite Sai and Ino, bathed in the moonlight. The moon and its light that radiates into the universe of filing show the form of the monstrous Magire with its six Kyuubi's chakra.
His eyes turned red, his lips formed a smirk with sharp teeth, and his body turned slightly higher than a normal human.
Sai and Ino were still trying to stabilize their breath after having to repeatedly avoid the attacks of the six Magire who came in repeatedly. They also have to avoid the poisonous kunai that Magire is ready to use whenever they are complacent. Sai and Ino's various methods were used to counterattack — but nothing had yet succeeded, while their chakra gradually began to thin out.
Magire now grinned reproachfully from across there, aware of Ino and Sai's weakening state. He is preparing to launch a new attack. His tail was heading towards Ino and Sai from two sides, making them forced to separate places.
Ino and Sai tried to keep up and do the best they could, aided by the Sai's animal chouju giga that were darting towards Magire — but quickly destroyed it into an ink-jet. Sai who had lost focus accidentally knocked by the tail that attacked it, making it instantly shaky. A second later, he could see that the tail was returning to him — and Sai could only widen his eyes wide. Suddenly his body seemed to stiffen. Freeze, because he was so unprepared. Horror and tension make his reflexes slow down.
Sai has resigned. He was preparing to receive a fatal blow from Magire's tail — if only there hadn't been a hand that pulled him, holding their arms to Sai's body, forcing him to bend down and fall on the ground.
As Sai looked up, he was greeted by a pair of blue eyes staring worriedly at him. For a moment he ignored the fact that his body and Ino were at this close distance, with Ino's body encircling his body,
"Are you okay?"
"Yeah," he managed to mutter it out. He could feel his body go limp and his heart beating mad from the tension just now, "Sorry,"
Ino shook her head, reaching out to Sai to bring him to sit, "Don't worry about it," Ino turned to Magire, who was still grinning proudly. The look in her eyes sharpened, and she growled low.
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"Let's find a way to defeat him! I have a strategy I want to try,"
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Suddenly Sai could hear the familiar voice echoing in his head. He was surprised, looking at Ino who smiled broadly,
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"From now on we will communicate telepathically so that that jerk Magire doesn't know our plans," Ino said in a voice that echoed so clearly in Sai's head.
Sai was suddenly made nostalgic with these feelings and sensations. The last time he heard Ino speak in his head was during the Land of Silence.
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Sai just realized, he quite missed this sensation.
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"I have a strategy,"
"Strategy?" Sai repeated.
He could see Ino biting her lip now, and the voice in his head sounded uncertain. "I don't know if this will work or not, it might sound like a suicide attempt, but I think this is the only way,"
Sai looked at her earnestly, "I'm all ears, Ino," he replied through their telepathic ties.
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As they still communicated telepaticaly, they were still trying to costantly responding to the tireless attack after Magire's attack too, ehile Ino explained her plans to Sai who tried to listen carefully so as not to miss any details.
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"Okay, I understand. Let's try it," he said confidently. His tone softened at the end of the sentence, "that's really good plan, Ino. You are genius,"
Ino couldn't help but fluttered. She smiled, sheepishly.
"Thank you,"
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They exchanged glances with each other and moved together, throwing several smoke bombs onto the ground simultaneously. Intentionally to hide their existence as well as to disturb the view of Magire.
"You're just wasting time, you stupid kids!" Magire exclaimed, "Take this!" He yanked his six tails toward the smoke that began to billow. He wagged his tail into the air wildly, trying to clear the thick black smoke that surrounded the three of them. But before the smoke completely disappeared, Magire suddenly heard a roar from nearby.
And all of a sudden, Sai's three lion chouju giga were ready to halt it in front of their eyes. They roared and intercepted the attack in that very second.
But unfortunately, Magire moved more quickly.
Twice the Kyuubi's tail made the three lions disappear back to their original form — Magire grinned, but the grin didn't last long.
Because from the moment the lions were destroyed and returned to their ink forms, Ino immediately appeared, ready to charge with a kunai in hand. Sai's three ink lions were meant to be merely bait and distraction. The real attack was Ino with Magire's poisonous kunai that had slipped from his hand.
But Magire still looked calm. His tail swayed and struck Ino in the stomach, sending him flying and crashing into the trees behind him.
Ino looked motionless. She seems to have lost consciousness due to a recent loud attack. Either she just fainted, or worse ...
"Ino!" Sai exclaimed, preparing to attack Magire with a kunai in his hand. Magire tried to defend himself by swinging his tail, but Sai immediately turned into a splash of ink that hit Magire's entire face, making his eyes covered.
God damn it, an ink clone.
"Jerk!" he roared.
The real Sai made use of the state of Magire's carelessness to launch an attack. He managed to scratch Magire's chest with his kunai, but a second later Sai had to let himself be hit by the tails. Angry Magire concentrates his chakra and attacks Sai with chakra bullets that can only be produced by the bijuu. Sai tried to avoid, moving to and fro to avoid the explosion produced by the round bullets.
An accidental explosion hit Sai, making him stumble to the ground and cough. He hissed in pain, noticing the side of his arm that had been slightly burned.
"I admit you can too. I appreciate your efforts to defeat me, even though it is clearly in vain," Magire said with a face without expression.
"Oh, I'm quite happy with your compliment," Sai under the shadow of gnawing grime, smiled until his eyes narrowed to sink, "But know that we won't give up that easily,"
After saying that, Sai rose with all his strength that is left. He was still trying to attack Magire with kunai and shuriken which he threw with incredible accuracy and speed.
Magire welcomed Sai's efforts happily, and Sai himself still refused to stop. By ignoring his pain, he still tried to attack Magire with the ninjutsu and taijutsu he controlled.
"You're really stubborn, aren't you," Magire then divided his six tails into three pieces, the edges forming like a palm.
The palm then extended to Sai who began to stagger because of the wound he suffered. Magire caught Sai with three arms and lifted Sai's body into the air.
Sai tried to resist and free himself, but the grip of Magire's chakra was too strong that Sai began to have difficulty breathing.
Magire formed his round bullet again, bringing it right in front of Sai's weary face,
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"This is your end, brat!"
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A second after saying that, Sai saw a crow flying behind Magire.
The crow grabbed a kunai in its beak. He knows what it is.
Magire's poisonous kunai that had fallen.
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It means that...
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Before Magire could notice his presence, the crow moved quickly. Sai saw how the crow had fled and managed to pierce Magire's back deeply with a kunai.
Magire roared, releasing his grip on Sai instantly and letting the young man hit the ground hard.
The crow flew high again into the sky, together with a loud voice, "Kai!" from the place where Ino was unconscious earlier. It was a sign that Ino had succeeded in restoring her soul from the crow to her original body. She hurriedly rose to her feet and approached Sai who was whimpering because of the injury and impact he had received.
"You—" for the first time, they could see Magire trembling, between anger and panic, "You bastards!"
"Its not my fault that you are so stupid!" Ino childishly stuck out her tongue.
Sai grimaced slightly, "You are easy to be fooled. You are strong, but you are quite careless. We deliberately made it look like we attacked you and made you focus again. You did not pay attention to Ino doing her jutsu seal before you hit her with your tail,"
"Heh," Magire chuckled, "Do you think you are so smart, bastard? Who do you think you are? You call me stupid, but you know that someone who uses poison, of course they always have the antitodes. If I use the antidote now—"
"Gosh, I hope your antidote works ~" Ino grinned broadly, looking proud.
Magire who saw her grin looked confused.
Ino's lips still maintained a grin when she explained, "That Kunai is yours. But I replaced the poison with poison of my own concoction,"
"..What? " Magire was stunned in his place.
That is exactly the plan Ino made. When Sai and Ino made a puff of smoke, Sai prepared his ink lions to charge, while Ino exchanged the contents of the poison in the Magire kunai with her own poison which she always carried in her ninja pouch. Typical medical ninja.
Ino's concoction began to show its effect, and it can be seen clearly how the body of Magire began to look trembling uncontrollably.
"You-argh," His body began to lose the Kyuubi chakra which was surrounding him. He then collapsed to the ground, returning to his original Magire.
Sai, who had finished receiving medical treatment from Ino, then grabbed the parchment and danced the tip of his brush up there, drawing two large twin figures — Fujin and Raijin! The two giants approached Magire who lay helpless on the ground. Raijin swung his big legs then kicked Magire's body until he rolled on the ground. Fujin then approached him and took turns raising his legs to be struck into Magire's body, making him scream in pain.
Sai could have made Fujin press his feet on Magire's body and make him die right then, but Ino advised them to keep the two criminals alive.
While Fujin and Raijin overcame Magire, Sai and Ino chose to step aside. They then sat side by side, with Sai being carried by Ino to lean on the tree behind him. The man was still weak after being injured from the fight just now.
Ino cupped her hands together, the green light covered the wounds for wounds all over Sai's body that could be caught in the eye. Ino emphasized her attention on a quite severe burn on Sai's arm. With deft and trained movements she rolled up the sleeves of Sai's clothes, then placed her palms there to begin the healing process.
"Ino ..." called the pale young man.
"Yes?" Ino looked up, staring at the injured young man curiously.
"You are okay?"
Ino blinked, then made a small laugh, "You're the one who get hurt, why are you asking me instead,i stupid?" she shook his head,
For a few moments Sai just paused to see Ino who was still trying to cover the traces of the burns on her hands, while occasionally grumbling. The corner of his lips then raised, smiling faintly, "That was great. You were no less great than Shikamaru in composing a surefire strategy, Miss Beautiful," he said, making Ino unable to stop blushing. Sai, who again found Ino turning red like a tomato, only tilted his head in surprise.
Uh-oh, is Ino angry again? Oh no. Sai didn't mean to make her angry.
Did he say something wrong like usual? He should just keep his mouth shut, then, but there is so many things he wanted to say to the girl right now.
"Ino ..." called Sai once more.
"Yes, Sai?" Ino, who had finished treating her wound, looked up.
Sai did not say anything, he just looked at her in the trap of his dark night orbs - making Ino instantly speechless. What is he thinking now? Sai still has an expression that sometimes can not be read easily.
Sai was still comfortable staring at Ino, and suddenly in this close distance, he had the desire to touch Ino's platinum yellow hair. He tugged his fingers to the ends of her hair then crept up to touch her bangs. Sai had heard Ino's breath suddenly hitched.
The young man took the initiative to uncover Ino's long bangs that covered her right eye, freeing two expressive aquamarine orbs that lately always appeared in his head.
"Ino ..." Sai called again. "I-"
Sai's lips parted open, but then his brows furrowed deeply.
Sai really wanted to say a lot of things.
He wanted to say something — something about the confusing things he had felt lately. Heart palpitations, bodies that seemed to warm up every time he realized the girl's presence, it was difficult to sleep. What are the symptoms of a deadly disease? She is medical ninja, maybe she can help him and make pain-whatever-what is now wrecking Sai go away.
But unfortunately, somehow now his tongue froze. His mind turned into a mush. Sai was once again drowning in silences and uncertainty.
Sai just wants an answer.
Sai just wants an answer why he is like this. Is he really sick, Ino?
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"Ino — I—"
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For the umpteenth time, Sai could not speak.
But this time the reason is different.
He could not make it happen because something had already blocked his access to talk.
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Something as in- Ino's lips.
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Everything happened so fast, before Sai even managed to blink.
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Next thing he knew, the nape of his neck was pushed forward, and Ino's lips immediately welcomed him.
The touch of both lips feels soft, moist, and addictive — like forming melodic rhythm. Cause euphoria that is bubbling in the veins. Her lips moved, continued to explore futher for a bit longer.
Before Sai could react any further, Ino had already let go of their lips.
Sai suddenly had a great desire to chase where that lips went. He already missed the unique sensation she brought.
H-huh? Does that makes sense?
Why did his body became weird now? Like its suddenly feel so hot, dizzy, and just... weird. Everything is weird.
His head felt like spinning. Sai could only blink, silent - unable to say anything. His pupils were still enlarged, his breathing was rough, while his mouth kept opening and closing. Sai can even taste the sweet taste left there. Sweet as — eum ... strawberry? Could it be because of the lipstick Ino used?
Can Sai say he wants more?
From this close distance, Sai could see Ino's cheeks that were again turning red. It's almost all of her face turning red now— okay, was she really angry? But she was the one who did that to him? So why is she angry? her lips also looked brighter, pomegranate-red and more moist.
Sai sometimes does not understand Ino.
She is so confusing for him.
She really made him feels so many things at once.
Yet.. he craves for more.
After taking a few moments to breathe, Ino finally ventured to look up her head. Sai could only stare straight at her, her expression unreadable. With slightly trembling lips, she forced her voice out, "Sai, a—"
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"SAI! INO! ARE YOU TWO OKAY?"
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The attention of the two shinobi was snatched quickly toward the source of the sound, finding Naruto and Hinata who ran behind them.
They then stood up, with Ino helping to support Sai's body.
Sai just kept quiet, watching how Ino painstakingly put Sai's arm around her shoulder and wrapped his arms around his hips to help him stand straight.
There was warmth without permission that crept into all of his body, realizing how Ino Yamanaka always gave him affection.
Ino is always like this. She is so considerate and so kind and just really nice to him.
Sai always felt that he never deserved that much attention from this girl, but Ino was always so caring.
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What ... what do you see from someone as broken as me, Ino?
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"Naruto! Hinata!" Ino exclaimed beside him, making Sai finally have to look away from the girl for a moment, "How did you get here?"
"Kakashi-sensei asked for our help. He has a feeling that you guys are in trouble. It turns out that his hunch is always right," Naruto gave his eyes a look of worry, "Where is Sakura-chan?"
"She's on the side of the forest over there!" Ino shook her chin to the place where Sakura took part in the battlefield, "We must help her immediately!"
"Sai-san, are you alright?" Hinata's voice flowed softly, her face looked worried seeing Sai who was standing with such support, "Are you hurt so badly that you can't stand up?"
Ino who heard Hinata say that was immediately hit by the realization that she was still 'hugging' Sai. Gosh. She finally took the initiative to release her grip from Sai's body — but Sai stopped her hand instead.
The young man put his hand on hers, holding her back from letting go of her arms on his waist. Ino's eyes blinked, staring at Sai in surprise, asking for an explanation.
"Why are you letting go?" asked Sai, he seemed surprised a tad bit offended. He really didn't see any problem with Ino hugging him like this. With a too plain tone he said,
"don't let go. I really like this position,"
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Naruto raised his eyebrows, Hinata blushed pink - while Ino's heart is ready to burst.
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For God knows how many number of times that day she make her had heart attacks!
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Hell yeah, How can I fall in love with this innocent man, Kami-samaaaaaaa? He is really not good for my heart. GAH!
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Ino-Saku-Sai was finally officially disbanded once the mission was over.
Kido, Magire and his cronies will be tried to take responsibility for their actions.
The fake Sasuke terror was over. And the reputation of Sasuke who had smeared it could also be restored.
The Uchiha had not yet returned to Konoha from his penance, but the man quietly helped them by killing Kido's men who were about to attack Konoha when Ino-Saku-Sai along with Naruto and Hinata were not in the village. They only learned that fact when on their way home, they accidentally found a group of Kido's ninja who had been lying on the ground in a state of unconsciousness.
The location was not far from the gates of Konoha - and they were all surrounded by a fiery black flame. Who else if not the culprit Sasuke right?
Sasuke really transformed into a hero in the shadows of the village of Konoha - a hero to Sakura too, of course.
Now the three of them — Ino, Sakura, and Sai, who had only recently been officially disbanded by the Hokage, set foot to get out of the tower complex. Exchange of stories, jokes, and laughter in relief as euphoria from a successful mission. Of course Sakura and Ino were the ones who dominated the conversation more, Sai would only chime in occasionally.
They let their footsteps bring them to the crowd of people passing by, they had plans to have lunch together. The three shinobi were just about to reach the face of the road, when he heard someone's voice from a distance, making them stop the step and refuse simultaneously.
"Sakura-senpai!"
The three of them saw a young brown-haired kunoichi waving towards them. She then jogged to approach — and from a closer distance like this, Ino only realized that the girl was the same girl who had been the presenter at their meeting some time ago.
"Sakura-senpai, I apologize for interrupting," she bowed repeatedly to Sakura, Ino, and Sai, before her attention returned to the idol, Sakura. "Senpai, the Sunagakure medical ninja came here to ask questions about our hospital. They want to conduct a comparative study,"
"Is it true?" Joy immediately colored Sakura's face — and so did Ino, "Alright, I'll meet them,"
Ino interrupted, "Do I need to accompany you?"
Sakura wanted to say yes, but seeing Ino and Sai who looked 'enthusiastic' - Sai just smiled as usual anyway - with their lunch from earlier had made her waver. "Mm, no problem. I'm fine,"
"But—" Ino began to protest, but Sakura immediately leaned closer to her best friend, whispering in her ear, "Psst ... it's fine. You calm down. You go to lunch with Sai alone,"
"Hey!" Ino hissed, as she tried to hide the heat that was starting to run down her cheeks, "This is just an ordinary lunch! Don't think of weird things!"
"Geez, Ino pig!" Sakura hissed back, "Are you the Yamanaka Ino that I know or not? The Yamanaka Ino I know will certainly take advantage of this situation as much as possible. Moreover, maybe you would not have much chance for the two of you right?" she winked, her voice still whispering low, avoiding the possibility that Sai would listen to this sneaky plan, "If it's just an ordinary lunch, make it a great lunch! Date, pig! Take advantage of your opportunity!"
Ino seemed to be starting to think hard about Sakura's suggestion, making the pink-haired girl grin in satisfaction. Ino finally nodded her head limply, giving up with a frowning face - but Sakura knew in her heart, Ino must have been happy to play along too.
Typical Ino piggy.
Ino herself also knew that the opportunity to be alone with Sai was not always a lot - after this they would certainly not be able to spend enough time alone, maybe even it would be difficult to meet because of the multiple jobs of Ino - deputy director of the hospital, medical ninja, interrogator, and florist - and Sai's promotion who will soon be appointed as the Chair of ANBU.
"See you then, Forehead!" She nudged her stomach, "If anything, please tell me, okay?"
"Okay!" Sakura held up her thumb, smiled broadly, "See you soon Ino-pig!" She then waved her hand at Sai who was standing behind them, waiting patiently since earlier, "See you soon, Sai!"
"See you later, Sakura," Sai replied with a smile.
After saying goodbye, Sakura and the young brown-haired kunoichi beside her began walking in the opposite direction from the two friends.
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Just taking a few steps, Sakura finally turned her body back — glancing at Ino and Sai who were walking side by side, shoulders close together
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From where she was now, she could see them exchanging smiles and small smiles and giggles.
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The smiles of two people who were in love were contagious, because Sakura involuntarily smiled as she made. Her heart felt warmer because of them.
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Lavender or dogwood.
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Ino said she did not know which one to choose to express her love for Sai, but Sakura felt that Ino would soon make her choice in the near future.
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Ino-pig, good luck to you!
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Twilight had welcomed the day, bathing everything underneath with a beam of orange light that spoiled the eyes, also spared two people walking down one of the district alleys below.
Sai and Ino walked in a comfortable and pleasant silence.
Enjoying the shade of sun that flushed their faces before it returned to its place.
Unaware the day had started to get dark, as soon as they finished their lunches, Sai who wanted to draw made Ino feel compelled to take him to the wisteria field located at the foot of the hill. Not many people know this place, indeed. She found this place incidentally when she traveled around the village alone. Since then, this place has been used by Ino to reflect and calm down.
Ino felt proud when she showed this place to Sai. Especially when she could see the sparkle of awe in Sai's twin irises as he circulated his gaze to the whole corner of the purple petals in front of him.
They spend all day there. They told each other stories — of course Ino told the most, while Sai just listened or chose to paint anything that caught the artist's eye.
They now walked towards the residence of the Yamanaka's heiress. Ino could actually have gone home alone, considering Sai's apartment was on the other side. The young man have to take a detour if he has to accompany her to her home first.
But Sai insisted, because based on the information he had obtained from his book, it was not right to let a girl walk alone at night.
Ino still refused at the time, arguing that no one would dare to mess with her because she was a a strong kunoichi-which Sai agree- but Sai was actually quite stubborn. Not that he underestimated Ino's ability, he just wanted to be a good guy. He also said that if he allowed something to happen to Ino — he would definitely be killed by Shikamaru and Choji, his mother, and also Sakura — and of course, Sai would not forgive himself if something happened to the girl because of him.
And well, Ino just sighed defeatly and gave up. Sai can be quite stubborn and the young man can be dramatic too, sometimes. It was quite endearing to see him like that.
Their steps like a rhythmic, knocked along the paved streets with their ninja insoles.
The Yamanaka flower shop was already visible— they were getting closer and closer. Sai realized that his time with Ino today would soon be near its peak. Soon they will have to say goodbye to each other.
Sai glanced at Ino beside him, hurriedly looking away when Ino also turned her head to him.
Sai knew that his brain could suddenly stopped working when her ocean blue eyes were intertwined with their soot — so he tried to avoid that.
There are many questions that want to be expressed, one of which was a kiss from Ino two days ago - Sai had read in a book if the action-let's stick-lips-one-another-it was called kissing-and usually it is normal for a pair of lovers.
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So they are now...What?
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Sai automatically touched his lips, touching them with his fingers. Even the sweet taste left by Ino there is still felt. Does that make enough sense?
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It somehow felt ticklish. but Sai likes it.
So so much.
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"So ... we've arrived,"
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Sai seemed to be too deep in thought to realize that they had reached their destination. He looked up, and sure enough, in front of him, the Yamanaka flower shop stood with all its beauty, surrounded by flowers like a set of colorful allegory.
"Ah... you are right," Sai muttered, ervently.
Once again the silence struck, created between two human beings who were equally made confused by what must be said.
"Ino ..."
"Yes?" Ino looked up, her eyes were turning hopeful but Sai seemed oblivious of it.
"Ano ..." Sai still touched his lips for a few moments. His saliva was gulped, felt his heart pounding abysmally, as if his heart was trying to break his ribs. His hands then shifted to the side, only ended up scratching his cheeks which actually did not itch, "Eum ... ah, no. Nothing."
"Oh," Ino murmured, looking down to play both of her fingers. Honestly a little disappointed too Sai did not say anything to her, "All right. Then I'll go in first," she threw Sai a small, final smile.
Sai's head just nodded, responding to Ino who was now waving her hands, and then disappeared from behind the door.
As soon as Ino was no longer visible in the field of view, a long sigh slid out of his lips. Sai leaned his head up toward the expanse of dusk which was starting to fill with stars. He let his bangs cover his eyes while he stared at the starry night.
Sighing once more, Sai then twisted his body in the direction from where he walked. Indeed, he must be willing to take kinda far route because his house with Ino has a different direction, but that is not a problem. If he can spend more time with that girl ... then its okay.
He just finished taking the tenth step on his journey to go home when he heard the sound of the door opening and followed by Ino's cry that shrieked,
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"Saaaaaaiiii!"
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Sai turned around, staring at Ino in confusion as the girl suddenly jogged toward him. Sai caught some pink or white flower stalks in her grasp. I don't know, it's not too clear from this far.
Ino finally reached where she was standing now. Her gaze was fixed on Sai closely, then her hand holding the flower immediately extended right in front.
"Are we playing our game now?" Sai blinked in confusion, "I have to guess?"
"No," Ino shook her head quickly, "This is for you,"
"What-"
"This is called a dogwood flower, I have never told you the meaning of this flower," her lips were gnawed slightly, obviously he was nervous, "Just accept it! If you have found the meaning please give me an answer. Whatever it is. I will accept it. G-Good night!"
Bowing, Ino immediately pushed a bunch of dogwood flowers to his chest. Before Sai could even utter a sentence, the girl had already entered her house.
Sai could only look down, letting his eyes be spoiled by the white clad flowers with a pink tinge. The petals are small, exposed and smooth as a heart metaphor. Looking at him for a long time made Sai unconsciously smile to himself.
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"Hmm ... dogwood flower huh?"
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The lips murmured, his eyes could not stop staring at the beautiful flower in hand.
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The night wind suddenly blows, bringing an addictive sneak into the recesses of the heart. Unconsciously his grip tightened, along with determination and curiosity that broke down strongly
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.
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"... I wonder what that means,"
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Oh.
If only you knew, Sai.
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.
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Omake.
The room where she performed this art therapy seemed to turn into a source of Ino seeking the peace she desired, other than in the wisteria he frequented.
The room was dim, the light only came from the sun that was about to return to the throne. Twilight again.
Ino walked past the easels in the corner of the room, next to it were lined with canvases sharing a size that had not been splashed. Whereas a set of brushes are deliberately arranged into one used can.
Ino turned her eyes to the entire room, observing one by one the canvas and paper attached to each corner of the wall.
The paintings became an eye patch - some were drawing inanimate, living objects, and some were just scraping their brushes into an abstraction. All caught into a beauty, contained in an eternal memory. Among the colorful pictures, there is one picture that accidentally caught his eye.
That picture is different.
Other than others.
If other images are scratched by color and gradation, they only have two colors — black and white.
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Ino knows clearly who owns this painting.
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That painter is familiar.
Too familiar, because almost every day Ino always ends up thinking about him, even if it's just one second.
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Him.
Sai
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Sai whos noww had disappeared somewhere.
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It's been a week since Ino met him.
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Did he deliberately avoid me?
Is he alright? Could it be that he is sick? Is he eating properly? Is he still having nightmares again?
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Then...
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Does he ... does he already have an answer for Ino?
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Ino knew it was not the time to think about this.
She should not be a woman who only keeps thinking about romance and turmoil. Whatever the answer and whatever Sai will answer later, Ino will accept gracefully.
Ino walked to the large window in the room. Her head looked up, letting herself be lulled by the sun's rays that were about to stop in the western horizon.
Dusk.
Dusk reminded her of those days. The day she brought Sai here.
And also the day she finally revealed her feelings to him.
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Her eyes suddenly frowned, squinting when she saw something fly toward her - a crow.
But what makes her stunned for a moment is because the bird is unique. The closer, and Ino increasingly clearly see if indeed the bird is not an ordinary bird.
The crow is made of black ink.
Ino took the initiative to open the window, giving way for the bird to slip in.
Ino extended her hand, letting the bird rest her feet between her two fingers. Ino brought her close, realizing that a bird — like the crow — carried a paper fold and a withered dogwood flower in its large, pointed beak.
Ino tilted her head, and the funny thing was, the bird also tilted her head to the side, imitating Ino's movements.
Ino chuckled. She opened her free palm, letting the bird put a sheet of paper and the dogwood flower stalk there. The bird quickly flew back into the vast sky, leaving Ino by the window with a piece of paper and a flower in hand
Ino could feel her heart begin to pump faster, roaring with anticipation. The hand gripping the paper and the dogwood flower began to tremble.
With mixed feelings together, Ino slowly unfolded the paper. Her blue eyes were perfectly round when she saw what was scratched there.
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That is a painting.
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A painting of two people.
A man and a woman holding hands-and they both are smiling. Right at her. The two people seemed so happy holding hands like that.
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Her throat then choked, because Ino knew very well who the two figures in the painting were.
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That is her and Sai.
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Ino remembered seeing a picture like this before. She had seen this painting of two people holding hands in one of Sai's books.
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A painting between Sai and Shin.
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Shin — Sai's adopted brother who died of illness. Shin was the first person who meant the most to Sai as long as he lived in this world.
The painting was painted the same way, the same happy expression — and the same feeling.
What is different is the fact that this time Sai's painting is not only composed of two colors, black and white as usual. There is something different.
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This time Sai colored it.
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Bathing the two figures who were holding hands and smiling there with a beautiful spectrum of colors.
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This was the first time Ino saw Sai wanting to color her painting. He once told Ino that he never found any encouragement or reason to bother coloring his paintings.
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What now, does that mean he has found that urge? Is it possible...
Is it possible...
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Can she has that hope?
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"I've read the meaning in the book,"
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The voice came from behind her back, softly greeting his eardrums.
Ino bit her lip. She clearly knew who was coming.
Taking a deep breath, she ventured to turn around. Finally bringing the two eyes colour together - black and blue - to clash with each other.
"You saved me in the Land of Silence. You entered my mind. You made me realize that I was valuable - though until now I have often felt that I was unworthy,"
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Sai chuckled with sorrowful tone.
Ino accidentally saw Sai who was also holding a sprig of dogwood that began to wither in his hand. Realizing where Ino's eyes had fallen, Sai tried to explain, "Sorry, the dogwood is wilting a little. Don't be angry. The day after you give this flower, I have to go on a mission," He looked up, exchanging glances with Ino who was still stunned across there.
"Ino ... you're always ... always there for me. Made me spend time with you until I start to miss your presence when you're not there," Sai lowered her head, gripping the dogwood flower in his tight fist. His eyebrows dived sharply, looking rather frustrated. "I'm bad at this. I know I make you angry and cry more often. I'm a nobody, Ino, and I don't understand why you like someone like me,"
Sai looked up, the corners of his lips carving out a smile that managed to rip off a soul. He raised his hand and looked at the flower with incomparable tenderness, "But looking at this flower - after I read the meaning, for some reason there is a pleasant feeling here, knowing that you like me," he reached for his shirt, clutching at the chest. "I don't know what this is. All I know is this feeling ... this pleasant feeling that can also be troublesome is getting worse,"
"That feeling is so big and makes my chest tight," he finally looked at Ino, who was starting to feel her eyes shattered by tears, the seriousness emanating firmly from the two obsidian stones across there,
"You asked me for an answer, but I actually don't know how to answer it. But one thing I know ..." He opened his lips several times and pursed his lips. His pale cheeks began to turn pink,
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"... what I know is ... I really want to paint you, Ino. Paint you in full color. Paint us both. You and me, holding hands. Just like those I read in a book. Forming a bond. Like me and Nii-san. Like me and Team 7, "
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Sai smiled calmly, looking at Ino without hesitation now.
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"But I want more, Ino. Can I?"
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The man still smiled. His cheeks flushed, even though the look in his eyes never wavered even a little bit.
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Ino closed her mouth to muffle the sobs that were about to come out.
Sai who heard it then looked up, his eyes widened to see Ino who was crying. He moved closer, but a feeling of doubt struck, instantly stopping him in place before he could touch his hand to her shoulder. "Sorry. I made you sad again—"
"Baka!" Ino rebuked him, her hand rubbing her eyes that were still in tears that seemed to not stop. Among the sobs, Ino shouted again, "This is called happy tears, ou know!"
"Happy tears? So people cry because they are happy too?" Sai tilted his head, "Weird. But you always act weird anyway," he murmured softly.
"I'm going to pretend I didn't hear that so I don't have to hit you," After rubbing her tears roughly, Ino could now look at him more clearly. She brought herself closer to Sai and stretched her arms.
Sai gasped in surprise when Ino bumped into his body and did not wait long to wrap her arms around his body.
Sai could feel his body tense up, feel the beautiful girl resting her golden-haired head on his chest. With a position like that, the girl could definitely hear his heartbeat going crazy.
"Ino, what are you doing—"
"Shhhhh," Ino hissed, telling him to be quiet. "Didn't your book say that one way to calm a crying girl is to hug her?"
"Yeah—"
"That's why," Ino continued, giving Sai no chance to reply. She prefers to tighten her hug instied.
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"Be quiet, and hug me instead," she commanded with absolute certainty.
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Even though his movements were still stiff, Ino could slowly feel his arms encircling her body, placing them on her back and waist.
At first the arms around her were still tense, but over time Sai learned to loosen his muscles. Sai was more relaxed now, even he began to dare to bring their bodies closer and closer.
"It feels warm, like I'm wrapped in a blanket. It feels the same as when you hugged me in the Land of Silence at that time," Ino heard the man muttering to her hair,
"But this is thousand times better,"
Ino giggled.
She has absolutely no intention to move. Ino just uses the time to increasingly bury her face futher in Sai's chest,and relax herself there. Maybe this will be her favorite place to rest from now on.
She also enjoyed the sensation of Sai's musky scent - mixed with the distinctive scent of ink which get her addictive.
Ino could also feel more clearly the man's strong chest carving from behind the black fabric. Even heard the sound of his heart beat, rhymed steadily. The heartbeat in her ears was like a lullaby. Convincing her that the feeling does exist. Convincing herself that Sai was indeed here - in front of her. With her.
Ino sighed in joy.
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"Ino ..." Sai then called her name.
"Yes?"
"Eum ... if you allow it. can we do it again?"
Ino frowned, didnt really catch what Sai meant. "Do what again?"
She was forced to leave her comfortable position to ask for an explanation from the man. Her head looked up, staring in shock at Sai whose face began to turn red.
Sai seemed to calculating his actions. He looked kinda doubtful, but then Ino saw him begin to purse his lips.
OMG. SO CUTE, she couldnt help but thought.
Ino saw how Sai then raised one hand to tap his pursed lips. He did that repeatedly.
It took a few seconds for Ino to understand the meaning of Sai's nonverbal gestures.
The effect was automitaclly. Ino went into blushing mess. Both her and Sai They were looking like a pair of boiled crabs now.
So... he just wants a kiss, eh?
Ino bit her lip to hold a smile. Her hands began to reach out, altough timidly. She grabbed Sai's shirt tops and brought his handsome face closer by pulling Sai's collar.
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With them staring at each other and so close like this made Sai could feel the breath of Ino that collided with him. Her warmth breath were sweeping Sai's face.
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The girl whispered, pulling Sai's collar closer and closer until their noses collided.
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"With pleasure,"
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A painting and the sky which starting to darken became a witness, how their lips finally molded and become one.
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3/3.
End.
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Again thank you so so so much for veeganburger. Im sorry it took so long because I kinda get swamped with works. Thank you for all the help and your dedication.
Also for the readers, tank you for reading this fic.
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