Hey guys! I'm back with another chapter.

I'm sorry if things don't exactly make sense right now. I've hit writers block for this segment of the story. This was difficult to write as well. I wanted to pump out another chapter before I went brain dead. It prolly isn't the best at the moment, but I can edit if you guys think I should. I dunno. Let me know.

I hope you like it! I don't own Naruto!!

Thanks to all my readers and reviewers!!!

inoblueyes2: Sorry if it was confusing. It was really difficult to write. But read on, and it will explain everything.

L0stL0ve: ^_____^ I agree!!! More flashbacks are to come, don't worry. And with her Clan Jutsu's, I'm finding an exact place for it in the story. ^__^ Thank you. I'm not fond of the snake or Sasuke either. As for age, I decided to put them at around 19 or 20, depending on when ther birthdays were. It doesn't really make sense, but yeah. Au. XD And Oh the possibilities!!! And thank you. Ino has yet to show more of her actual personality, because of the loss of her comrades and village. But don't worry! More to come. And yes!!! They so belong together. Like pb and j. OMFG THAT FITS. Pb is like the color of sand and J is usually purple, Ino's color!! Woot. And man oh man, you're so nice. Thank you thank you thank you!! I appreciate your critique very much!!!

Gaara'sbutterfly: Why thank you! I'm glad you liked it. And possibly. I tried to chose someone to use that might possibly be able to fit right. I know he's dead, but you know. AU.

Hanari-chan: Haha, once again, I could almost hear you say that! ^____^ Just reading it makes me hyper.

THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH!!!

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Chapter 10: Pain

"Kidomaru failed?!" Sasuke's fist came down on the metal table, creating a large dent. "Why did he fail to kill her?! How?! What happened?"

Kabuto began to pace slowly. "We sent someone to verify what had happened. Apparently, she had someone with her."

"Just say it, Kabuto! All of it!" Sasuke spat, glaring at the grey-haired man.

"Sabaku no Gaara was with her. It had been reported that Kidomaru acted of his own accord upon seeing him. When he left, he did a henge of Gaara in order to get in close proximity to her without problems, then had gone to kill her with the given kunai. However… Gaara had returned before he could eliminate her soul."

By now, Sasuke was seething, turning on his heel to glare daggers out the window. 'Why is she so difficult to snuff out?'

"Did he manage to puncture with the kunai?" He asked suddenly, looking over his shoulder. Through his rage, he managed a smirk at Kabuto's nod.

"Indeed, although he had missed the jugular when Gaara had returned. This will slow the process quite a bit, and greatly lower the chances of success." At this, Sasuke frowned.

"Nonetheless, with the process slowed, she will suffer greatly throughout it if it remains undetected." Kabuto added, watching Sasuke grin cruelly as he turned back to the window.

"What kind of pain will she be in?"

He heard Kabuto almost laugh behind him.

"Since she is still among the living, it's worse than being burned alive and being drowned at the same time, to put it simply. During the first few hours, the pain will come on gradually, increasing slowly. She will first feel the burning. After, she will realize that it's difficult to breathe; like she can't pull in enough air in just one breath. That will cause her breathing to speed up, increasing the speed of the heart as well, making the poison spread faster. Then, after time, it will feel like her lungs can't hold enough air to sustain her. And eventually, that will be the case during the final stage, where both pains collide and take her life. Do you want more information?"

Sasuke was quiet for a long time, staring out into the bright day before them, the sunlight playing on his tense face.

"And if it's detected?" He asked softly, not moving his gaze. Now it was Kabuto's turn to be quiet as he worked out a way to put his words. After a few moments, he spoke, explaining carefully.

"It's similar to cancer, in a way. The sooner it is found, the easier it will be to remove. As the days infected increases, so does the difficulty of removing it. If left for too long, it will be too late."

"Leave." He muttered, reaching up to rub his temple. "Now." He added harshly, hearing Kabuto about to protest. It was silent for a moment. Sasuke turned around, walking across the now empty room and closing the door. He needed to think. He returned to his place at the window, perching himself in the sill, leaning against the side as Kabuto's words replayed in his head.

"Since she is still among the living, it's worse than being burned alive and being drowned at the same time… …Then, after time, it will feel like her lungs can't hold enough air to sustain her. And eventually, that will be the case during the final stage, where both pains collide and take her life."

Where both pains collide and take her life…

Take her life…

Eventually take her life…

He felt himself grow livid again at the thought. Why couldn't she just die now? Why couldn't Kidomaru finish the job as ordered? His hands clenched into fists. He couldn't exactly figure out why this bothered him so much. Was it the fact that he had been wrong so far in all of his predictions? That she proved him wrong without realizing it? He leaned his head back against the wood, closing his weary eyes.

"Yamanaka… If I could crush you with my hands right now, I'd be a happy man…"

[* * * * * * * *]

"Just a few more miles and we'll arrive in Suna."

Ino looked up, slightly startled. "O-oh, okay." She replied softly, grinding her teeth together as they jumped through the trees. She pushed herself faster, knowing that she was going much slower than her usual pace. Gaara didn't complain. Though, he hadn't really even said anything at all.

Clutching her neck, Ino pressed her lips together, silencing any sort of sound about to come out. The pain had lessened, of course, but only slightly. She was glad that she was behind Gaara, so he wouldn't see her stagger in her gait every so often due to the sudden throbs of pain. She didn't want him to know just how much it hurt.

After their confrontation with the fake Gaara, the real Gaara rewrapped her shoulder and neck. They had a quick meal and simply headed out, none of them saying a single word as they ate, nor as they traveled. She didn't exactly mind the silence so much. It gave her some time to think without interruption. She still had a difficult time believing that she was actually still alive. The agony of her newly acquired wound kept her from the brink of insanity.

Even with her contradictory thoughts, something else edged in the back of her mind. Something she still couldn't believe.

Ino watched his hands as he carefully wrapped her shoulder, maneuvering the roll slightly as he changed the course, covering up the new wound on her neck. She avoided his glances, keeping her eyes down as his eyes bored into hers. She took a deep breath, then blew it out, not taking in another as she held it.

She waited.

Then frowned as her test failed again, pulling in a breath to relieve her lungs.

Why did she still need air?

Why was her heart still beating in her chest?

She bit the inside of her lip, then gasped quietly, cringing as Gaara pressed the bandages into place. He stared at her for a long time, eyes unmoving from her face.

"Does it hurt?"

She looked up at him, forcing a smile. "Only a little bit." She lied, trying to keep her face as smooth as possible. In truth, she wanted to scream, find something, anything to stop the torture.

"Are you certain?" He pressed, his eyes slightly narrowed. She nodded, still smiling for a minute, then she looked down. It was silent for a moment.

"Gaara?"

"Yes?" His careful eyes watched her, still looking away from him. She clasped her hands together, squeezing tightly.

"I… I have a question." He waited in silence for her to continue, not looking away for even a moment, studying her every move.

"How… How am I… Still… Still alive?" She asked, her voice barely a whisper. "I mean… I was dead. I remember it. I saw my team… So if I died… How can I still be living?"

Gaara was silent for a long moment, his eyes taking in her confused expression. Almost five minutes had passed of complete silence, both of them sitting together, unmoving.

"Maybe you're here for a reason; one of those who have a true purpose in the world. Perhaps you were given a second chance because there is something you still need to do." He said at last, watching as her eyes darted to his.

'What did he just say?' She stared at him, unbelieving that those words just came out of his mouth. He simply stared back for a moment, before standing and walking away to make breakfast.

Finally, the slit in the cliff face had come into view, marking their arrival in Suna. They were immediately greeted by the village guards, staring undoubtedly at Ino as she stumbled along behind him. Just in front of the Kazekage building, the door burst open as a girl with blond hair pulled up in four pigtails ran out, eyes wide as she stopped short, staring at Ino as well. She recognized her as Temari, Gaara's older sister.

"Gaara… What happened..?" She asked, her eyes darting from Gaara's face to Ino, then gliding down her body as she took in her condition, then returning to Gaara. Ino watched the two as they talked for a few quick seconds, Temari's eyes wide. She couldn't catch anything, but she knew exactly what they were talking about.

She gripped her neck tighter, trying to keep her face composed as she waited patiently for them to finish. She cursed silently as she widened her stance, feeling her world tilting once more. 'Don't you dare go down, don't you dare go down, don't you dare go down! You're Yamanaka Ino! You can handle this!' She screamed in her head, struggling to stay up as the center of gravity moved again, trying to pull her with it.

After only a minute of talking, Gaara stepped back, eyeing his sister. Her expression had changed suddenly, looking confused and freaked out instead of her once horrified expression.

"Gaara!" She cried, watching something behind him. He narrowed his eyes. What is she freaking out about? He followed her gaze, turning his torso.

And he froze, eyes wide as Ino fell to the ground in a crumpled heap, her body trembling as she held her neck. Immediately he was at her side, his hands around her shoulders. Temari had run off, calling for the medics.

"I-I'm f-fine… G-Gaara…" Ino muttered quietly, her grip tightening around her wound. "J-just lost m-my balance is all…" She assured him, trying to force a smile again as she glanced up at him.

"Don't lie to me, Ino, it hurts, doesn't it?" He asked quickly, his voice low and sharp.

She remained silent for a few minutes, taking a few ragged breaths, eyes closed. Medics had arrived, swarming in around the two on the ground.

"F-fine. It hurts… It h-hurts like hell… H-happy?" She groaned, lowering her head again. Suddenly she felt herself being lifted up, and she opened her eyes to find herself being laid on a stretcher.

Gaara stood, watching her being carried away, his eyes carrying a strange emotion.

"No, Ino. I'm not."