Teal eyes sparkled as she caught a glimpse of a certain raven-haired teenager walking through her door as a grin formed at her lips. She was quick to leave Sasuke from where they had been having a heated argument while Shikamaru was unfortunately stuck between them. This was so she could run across the room where Uchiha Itachi had entered. Without a thought, she launched herself into his arms, hugging at the waist of the taller boy and felt herself flush in joy when he caught her in his arms.

"You came." She breathed out.

She had just turned 10 and the party her parents hosted for both her and Shikamaru was on full-blast. Children her age were squealing in glee as they played ninja games with adults at the kitchen table, occasionally booming out in laughter when a particularly humorous story had been shared. Except, all that joyous commotion, faded away into the background as soon as the boy walked into the Yamanaka head's home. For a moment, her senses blurred as his scent and warmth enveloped her. Her fingers touched at the soft material of his formal dark blue Yakuta, in contrast with her light lavender kimono.

"Have I ever missed your birthday?" his hand ruffled at her platinum blonde locks that had grown out to her waist again from when she had cut it a few years ago, not long after she had met the Uchiha who saved her.

"No.." she frowned, taking a step back to look up at him. "But you were gone for 8 months. You've been so busy the last two years, I barely see you anymore."

He smiled at her so gently, apologetically. "Life as an ANBU has been demanding, Ino. I'm sorry."

She felt the familiar wave of sadness dim her joy, the same one that seemed to overcome her every time she realized the distance between them. He was one of the most skilled shinobi in Konohagakure, one who had made Jounin at 11. While she was still in the Academy at 10, expected to graduate in two years.

Her dad had explained it was due to the more tumultuous times, the war before a treaty had been formed that had encouraged the more talented of Itachi's generation to graduate early and climb the ranks more quickly. However, Ino knew that Itachi was a prodigy to both the Uchiha Clan and Konohagakure.

She had learned this 2-years ago and first, it had filled her with such a sadness as she wondered whether she would be able to walk beside him one day. He was so far from her and she had found herself questioning whether she could ever catch up. So she had begged her father to speed up both her shinobi and clan training, polishing her chakra control at 7 so she would be able to advance in both ninjutsu and taijutsu sooner than all the other children. She had dedicated so much of her time training while the other kids played.

Although, she was never alone. Her father would either supervise her or Sasuke would join her. He had the same drive, the same goal of chasing after the older Uchiha. One that drew Ino closer to the younger Uchiha as they shared the same goal.

However, despite the same wave of sadness, Ino no longer felt the same hopelessness nor doubt. Just this morning, she had mastered the Mind Disturbance after she had mastered the Mind Transfer the year before. Having both of this under her belt at this age made her a prodigy among her clan and her age group. She had to stay in the academy to form the next generation of Ino-Shika-Cho. However, once she graduates a genin, she would surely climb the ranks so she could finally catch up to her savior.

She smiled back at Itachi. "It's okay. I'll catch up to you Itachi-senpai. Just you wait!"

Itachi had a soft smile as he stared at that child in front of him who looked back at him with such confidence and drive, he could not help but believe her. He ruffled her blonde hair again, chuckling as she puffed her cheeks in irritation as he messed up her hair yet again.

"Oh, is that a promise?"

"You betcha!"

A bright grin filled with confidence met Itachi's soft smile. Her cheeks flushed at the sound of his deep chuckle as he pat her head gently.

"Ino? Inoooooo?"

The young Yamanaka snapped out of her trip down memory lane, blinking at Akimichi Choji as he waved his hand over her face to catch her attention. It was their graduation day as most of them had received their headbands the day before.

"Ya hear that Sasuke!? Hahhh you got beaten by a girl, dattebayo!"

A certain loud-mouthed blonde was quick to exclaimed and her teal eyes snapped straight to the boy in question before it went to Sasuke who was already walking to the front of the classroom.

"Ino, they just announced you as the Kunoichi of the Year who graduated alongside Sasuke, who is the Rookie of The Year. And that you graduated with the highest grades" Shikamaru who was sitting beside drawled as her lips formed an "o". She quickly stood up and made her way to the front of the class where Iruka and Sasuke waited for her with the latter boy glaring at her in annoyance.

She rolled her eyes at the raven-haired Uchiha as she collected the certificate that placed her at the top of the class, turning to face the camera as she stood close to Sasuke.

At her periphery, she saw a fuming blob of bubblegum hair alongside a few other fangirls that glared at her in envy.

A smirk formed at her lips as an idea came up. So she stepped even closer to Sasuke, wrapping one arm around his waist while she forced his arm around her shoulder, leaning her head on his shoulder all whilst they help up their certificate with their free hand. The camera snapped along with the loud scream of protests from the Uchiha's fangirl.

The blonde kunoichi giggled as soon as the photo was taken while Sasuke struggled to hide the heat rising along the back his neck to his cheek, as he stepped away from his over-enthusiastic blonde friend whose teal eyes twinkled so alike his favorite lake in a perfect spring day. And whose melodic laugh echoed as she laughed while her scent of caramel and roses permeated his senses for when she had hugged him for the photo.

And the photo, one where the same blue eyes he loved so much twinkled with excitement and mischief as she held him close with her head on his shoulder as he had looked away in false irritation but still with his arm around her shoulder, remained his favorite for the years to come. All while her next words, marked this memory as one of the highlights of his life.

Her eyes had grown serious as she stared right back at him, determination twinkling like a fire in a furnace as she spoke.

"This is it Sasuke. We will catch up to him finally. Together."

Ino felt confidence in her word as she thought of only one person. Uchiha Itachi. Her only goal. Despite what he had done with the Uchiha clan's massacre, Ino knew in her heart that her savior was not capable of the act out of pure evil. They had a mental bond so the heiress knew, what he had done, he did out of necessity. Because that was the type of person he was, selfless when it comes to the village and those he loves. She would catch up to him so she could unveil the truth.

"Together." Sasuke repeated in so softly his that Ino barely heard him. He liked the sound of that.

His expression changed the moment the kunoichi mentioned him. His eyes hardened as a flash of hatred crossed his eyes. This look did not go unnoticed as Ino held onto his hand in concern. She had voiced out her beliefs on Itachi's action n the past but Sasuke would only ignore her words or snap at her in anger. He would say that she had been brainwashed by his Itachi. The topic would bring up so much pain for the younger Uchiha that the heiress would only end up apologizing for ever bringing it up. It was better if she kept her mouth shut. Sasuke was stubborn, just as she was.

So she bit her lip, tugging on his hand to lead them back to their seats. It would be a discussion for another day.

One day, Sasuke would understand. She knew he would.