Until We All Fall Down Chapter 5, Obscene, a naruto fanfic

Until We All Fall Down

XxMookinexX

I do not own Naruto or any of its characters, I only wish I did. Any and all unrecognisable characters and situations belong solely to me and are not to be touched without permission. I am not making any money off of this and I write with the soul purpose to entertain.

This story takes place when our characters are 18/19 and takes account of everything up to chapter 337 of the manga. Written in Ino's POV.

So, I have exams… for like, my AS… in like… 1 week. AAAH!

Special thanks to Liltle, Lori and Katar who all reviewed last chapter! Oh, and The Untold Tale who rather obscurely reviewed the one before it! Here are the chocolate fudge brownies I promised you last week! What shall we have next week? Turkish delight?

– Chapter Five –

Obscene

It took me a while to realise I was awake.

In fact, the fact that I was awake at all was precisely what shocked me into full alertness.

"Ino!"

My eyes darted left and settled on Sakura's lithe form. She crossed the room towards me and started doing diagnostics whilst I tried to make sense of exactly what was going on. It was the real Sakura, I was sure. No genjitsu could replicate the bags under her eyes or the way she worried her lip as she worked. I gasped as she gently prodded my stomach, tears inadvertently springing to my eyes as it started to throb. It was only then that I realised she was pumping chakra into my wound, giving my cells renewed energy for growth and repair.

"I guess I have you to thank for the reason I'm still breathing," I whispered hoarsely. She smiled down at me.

"And I have you to thank for getting Neji and Hinata to look for me."

While that wasn't exactly true, the irony was not lost on me. Neji and Hinata were supposed to be looking for Tsunade's Will, but it would make sense if they found her – how else would she have made it to me in time?

"You had us worried, Ino," she murmured and I saw the grief in her eyes. "We thought we'd lost you too…"F

How many of us have died now? How many of us are going to die before our time? But I'm glad I didn't. Oh god, I'm glad I didn't.

"What happened to Shizune?" I asked, thinking back to what happened that day. There were many questions I needed the answers too, but the others I could at least guess at for the moment.

Sakura shook her head and I immediately thought the worst, but her words proved me wrong. Her fate was worse than death.

"She's in a coma," Sakura said, stepping back from me and looking intently down at my wound. "I don't know when she'll wake up… or what state she'll be in when she does."

I looked at her quizzically. "What do you mean?"

"She's suffered as much mental damage as physical. The damage to her internal organs was easily repaired, but the genjitsu she was under combined with whatever feelings she'll receive with the knowledge of Tsunade's death and the natural tendency of people to blame themselves…" Sakura trailed off. Perhaps it was better left unsaid. A countless number of unimaginable possibilities existed for such cases, I know because healing the mind is my medical speciality. It complimented my ninjutsu, so it seemed like a good thing to study for a major at the time. Now, numerous varied outcomes bombarded my brain, causing my stomach to churn unpleasantly. It was entirely possible for Shizune to be anything from perfectly normal, to perfectly insane to perfectly unaware when she woke up. Failing the first, the third could be best. But if her amnesia went away she might always end up as the second, which would be worse than going straight to the second for those around her. Such things were better left alone until she awoke. We could only hope and do whatever we could at the time.

"What else has happened?" I asked, hoping that this would be the quickest way to pin down most of my questions.

Sakura took a seat by my side with another sigh, and it was only then that I noticed just how weary she looked.

"How long has it been since you last slept?" I questioned, my medical training kicking in and overriding my curiosity and thirst for answers.

"Two, maybe three days," she replied, looking speculatively up at the ceiling. I saw her wobbling a bit where she stood. "I lost track of it after a while. There's been too much to do." She forced a smile on her face and brightened her voice again to the tone I recognised to be her 'bedside manner' voice. "What would you like to know first?"

"Get some sleep, Sakura," I commanded, shaking my head firmly to show that I would brook no arguments from her. "I'll get someone else to fill me in. You need to rest up. I'm sure you'll be needed over the coming days, and you'll be of more use if you're refreshed."

She slumped, but flashed me a genuine smile of appreciation. "Thanks, Ino."

Time was when she would have stubbornly protested, a pouting expression on her lips. Now we were older, and even if she did still possess that unyielding personality, she listened to the voice of reason more readily than previously.

Heh, now there's a thought. Me, the voice of reason. But it's a role I seem to have taken upon myself since I first woke up from that naïve dream that maybe me and Sasuke could still be together some day. To be honest, it makes a nice change from constantly dieting and trying to make myself seem attractive. Once I gave up appearances, I guess people were more willing to accept that I could be sensible too, and that made me believe in it myself. Believing in myself – that I can be attractive even without the constant maintenance I used to shower on myself. Perhaps that's what has changed the most. But that doesn't mean I've given up looking nice or that I'm going to do a total 180 and stop washing or anything. I still like to look nice when I have time for it, but my priorities have shifted a little. There's no-one specific that I'm looking to impress, which gives me much more freedom to focus on the really important things in my life right now. My friends, my family, my promise… Missions are a mark of responsibility… a responsibility I intend to earn.

It's not that I feel I need to prove myself, I just feel like I want to. And that's a very important difference. Because I want to give something back to Konohakagure – the place that has sheltered me and the ones I love since birth. I want to protect them, and I want to protect it. I wonder why… it's almost as if I've been in deep meditation about this since that fake Sakura pierced my stomach and I thought I was going to die. Maybe those few moments of sheer terror made something click for me. Maybe I've resolved some things without knowing it? I certainly feel more at peace now than before.

"Sakura…" She paused at the door to look back at me curiously. "I love you, you know that?"

She blinked, startled by the words. It wasn't something we'd ever felt the need to say to one another before. We were best friends. It went without saying. But I feel like she should know that. That all the ones I love should know that. Just in case. So I can say that I said the things I wanted to say before it was too late. Sakura smiled softly, an almost maternal expression in her eyes.

"I love you too, Ino. Look after yourself."

I nodded, and she left the room, sliding the door shut behind her. I blew out a sigh, amused as I watched my fringe defy gravity for a few seconds before spewing all over my face again. Two or three days, huh? I must look like shit. I sniffed the air suspiciously, but realised with a start that if I did stink it was masked by the scents of a dozen or so different flowers to my right. I smiled softly. It's nice to be appreciated…

I wonder where everyone is.

If there's something I've learnt over the last few days it's that near death experiences really bring people together. Although they bring many disapproving lectures with them also. Seriously, I don't think I've ever seen Shika so angry in all my life. He just kept ranting on and on, pacing the room with energy I wouldn't have believed possible from him of all people. I was forced to look on in a strange mixture of stunned apprehension and flattered disbelief. Eventually when he'd calmed down and got all that pent up tension out of his system, breathing heavily I might add, he said 'hi', having burst into the room to start raving without even greeting me, and gave me a hug before telling me to never, ever do that to him ever again. It was quite sweet really. I guess it shows he cares.

As for Chouji… if anything I was dreading his visit, if only because of all of the stories of him going berserk once I'd been injured my visitors had insisted on telling me. Or at least, Sakura (after a good night's sleep) gave me a full account in graphic detail, whilst Shika shrugged it off with a slight smirk, saying that Chouji went spare. But Chouji didn't say a word when he saw me again. He simply stared, his skin turning this strange ashen colour before he enveloped me in one of the most bone-breaking hugs I've ever received in my life, practically dragging me off the sick bed as he did so. After I complained that I couldn't breathe he loosened his grip a little, but he didn't let me go till fully five minutes later. Again, I was surprised at the reaction, but I guess Shika and Chouji have a knack for telling me how much they really appreciate me without using words. The ranting from Chouji came later throughout the course of seven packets of crisps and an apple or two. Maybe it was comfort food?

To my surprise, Sasuke of all people stuck his head round the door one day to say that he was glad I was okay, before he was gone again, but it was the thought that counted. At least he'd made some effort to say hi. It was more than I'd expected after the lecture I gave him the last time we were alone. But I guess it's good this way. It made me smile, and that's what's important.

Various others drifted in and out over the coming week, offering condolences and their own variations of the events of that night.

Apparently the intruder was a rogue shinobi, probably from the mist judging by the jutsu he used to escape once his attempt to kill Gaara had failed. The Sixth Hokage had sent a squad of ANBU members to hunt him down, but they lost him at the first town they reached. Apparently he was a master of disguise, evidenced by the fact that none of us realised he wasn't Sakura until almost too late, too late in some cases. There was a price on his head, but since no one knew what he would appear as from this point on, there was little hope that he would be turned in.

Things in the village had quietened down after the election of the Sixth Hokage had been announced, although apparently there had been some trouble convincing various elements within Konohakagure itself to agree with the appointment. But I guess that's not too surprising. In fact I expected as much. At nineteen years of age Naruto was still relatively green around the ears in comparison to people like his senseis – Kakashi, Jairaiya and Yamato.

It was Sakura who told me, a strange gleam of pride in her eyes as she did so. I've never quite worked out what she feels for Naruto. She loves him. That much is certain. Perhaps, if Sasuke had died he would have been the one to comfort her and from there… who knows? But Sasuke did come back… It took me a while to work it out – why she had waited so long to be with Sasuke, but I think it was precisely because she loved Naruto that she didn't. I think she cares for him deeply enough to let him know she wasn't toying with him in Sasuke's absence. To let him know that just because he was back, it didn't change their relationship. But these are mere guesses. I rather think that it's something Sakura envisions keeping to herself for a long time to come. And perhaps, we'll never know.

Hinata dropped around unexpectedly on the third day. It was a surprise, because I'd never been overly close to her, even though she was in my class. She was always so shy that I never took much notice of her… I regret that now. She gave me a somewhat watery smile and said the usual 'I'm glad you're not dead' routine before turning to go again, and I had stopped her. It's funny… sometimes reaching out to someone is insanely hard, even if you've known them practically all your life, even if they were only in the background. Hinata's a lot stronger than I gave her credit for, and that makes sense, really. You're bound to end up strong when you decide to prove yourself, even if you don't immediately recognise the change yourself. That's the funny thing about growing up… you don't notice the change till you look back on who you used to be and belittle yourself for ever being so stupid. I guess that's a curse we're bound to live with. The constant change will mean that you are never as great as your full potential, because by stretching yourself, your full potential is stretched as well and the distance between the two remains the same.

Hinata had smiled, not shyly so much as kindly – she's very kind – and settled herself gracefully on the seat beside my bed. That if anything made me sit up and re-evaluate her. No longer did she appear awkward with her body, rather she seemed to have accepted it and somehow that simple fact made her seem more at peace than she ever could have been.

'I haven't seen you in a while,' I had said, conversationally. To which she had smiled, with no rebuke in her tone, and replied, 'you've been busy. We all have. It's been a long time since we were rookies together.' I had nodded, trying to fight off the sudden twinge of guilt and regret that came with those words. There comes a point when you have to consider just how childlike you're prepared to be. I suppose that was mine. 'I want to say sorry… we could have been great friends if I had been less arrogant and overbearing.' She had laughed, like the tinkling of a bell, and replied, 'we could have been a lot of things, had I had more confidence. We could have even been rivals. But then, if there had been three of us, who would have been there to admire Naruto? I do not see that my life has been particularly regretful. If we had to start all over again, I would still make the exact same mistakes. Loving Naruto was part of who I am, watching him was what made me believe in myself… I'm sure you thought the same of Sasuke. They have attained their dreams at last… don't you think it's time we do the same?'

In some ways, Hinata is very wise. In others…

'You're right,' I had marvelled, realisation hitting me like a fish to the face. 'I have been regretting that it took me such a long time to get to where I am now… but perhaps I need to look through your eyes… and see what I gained from it, and not what I lost in the end…' I straightened up to stare at her, grinning like the girl from my youth. 'Make me a promise' I had exclaimed. Frowning I had seen her nod, somewhat uncertainly, but not as uncertainly as she had once been. 'Promise me you'll tell Naruto how you feel, and I promise you that I'll not give up on love in return. I promise that I won't regret the past anymore as long as you don't shy from the future. You could be great, you know?' She had stared at me wide-eyed, then having already agreed to it before I had specified what it was; she had deflated slightly before shifting and looking up at me with a determination in her pure white eyes that reminded me of Naruto…

They're really much more alike than either of them knows. But I guess that's what happens when you admire someone… you start to take after them. We'd passed several more minutes reminiscing about the past before Kiba had come and dragged her away from me. It's a pity, because I was quite enjoying her company. She's interesting – and coming from me, an outspoken, bi-polar, proactive blonde… that's one hell of a compliment.

Even so, of all my visitors, I'd say the strangest one was none other than the Kazakage himself. Or Gaara… I've been thinking of him by his first name for a long time, but suddenly it seems like a foreign land. Since that was one of the first things he said to me – that I should call him Gaara - barring the whole 'I'm in your debt' speech which basically resulted in him telling me to come to Sunakagure whenever I wanted something. Very strange… and while I sat there unintelligibly gawping at him he walked away as if there was nothing at all wrong with what he'd just done. And in a way there wasn't… but it doesn't change the fact that I felt it was out of character. To my knowledge Gaara doesn't like speaking… but that was before I saved his life… before I probably freaked the hell out of him by going completely monkey-poo on everyone that day… maybe I reminded him of Temari? Whatever it is, apparently I've proved myself to him.

It's been five days since I woke up, and each day he's come to see me, always with a perfectly rational excuse, sometimes with Temari, sometimes on his own… each time leaving me more confused than I was the day before, if that were even possible. Gaara's a strange person… it took me a while, but I think I've finally managed to decipher that wry humour of his. No-one talks like that in Konohakagure… maybe that's why it felt like I was being smashed continually around the head with a sack full of bricks every time he left...? It's worrying, but I almost felt bad about myself the first time. Somehow he'd left me feeling like an idiot, like a school girl with a crush. And I thought I'd decided not to act that way anymore? Needless to say it's frustrating… Gaara frustrates me to no end. Partly because it seems like I get an inch when I've given him a mile. Do you understand? Like… he barely reacts to what I say other than a brief flicker of emotions in his eyes, whereas I'm a very emotional person… I have an explosive personality, and I happen to like being this way, but it… it pisses me off that I don't know what he's thinking when my emotions are completely readable on my face… it's like being naked and having someone watching you through the shower curtain… I mean sure, you're covered, but they can still practically see everything 'cos of the shadow… does that make sense? Do I make any sense whatsoever anymore?

And I know what to blame, too! And the fact is that I can't do anything about it 'cos it's his damn sand that covers up his expressions. Maybe I could understand him or attempt to do so without feeling like my brain's been shoved into a cement mixer if it wasn't there. But he loves that god damn gourd. Anywhere he goes it goes too… so I figure I'm stuck with it if I want to keep talking with him like this which irrevocably I find that I do. Maybe when I know him a little better I can ask him to leave it behind? It isn't fair that he can hide away from me when I can't hide from him…

Ick… this really isn't something I feel comfortable even thinking about… maybe because I think, no, I know I might be a little too aware of him… like I'm dangerously close to crushing on him. It's gotten to the point where I'd probably miss him if he went home. And that's not good, because he rules Sunakagure – he has to go home sooner or later. And that's earlier than I would like. Isn't that awful? Here I am, Yamanaka Ino, just recovering from heartbreak and I've set myself up to do it all over again.

I should win an award.

I'm just that clever… but it's not like I can help it. When he goes out of his way to talk to me like this… I can't help but wonder if he feels even the slightest twinge of the same… and then I feel that fluttery sensation in my stomach and my face burns up 'cos it's so damn embarrassing for me to be having idealistic overly-romantic dreams like that when there's no way that it could ever be true. Maybe one day, if he gets to know me, 'cos I'm sure he could love me… but for someone like him… I don't think he would love someone so easily. So I've decided to leave it as a crush… deciding that I love him would make things inconvenient for us both, so I won't. Besides, it's not like I'm ever going to be in love with him… Being in love with someone doesn't make sense to me. How can you love someone more than your own family? More than the friends you've made your family? I love my friends… and when you're in love that person becomes more important to you than anyone else. To the point where you'd want to start a family with them. Which is why, I suppose, I believe Temari might be in love with Shika, and him dangerously the same with her.

And that's why the rule Gaara explained makes so much sense. That for Temari to live in Konohakagure – for her to be with Shika – they need to start a family together first, because it's that kind of dedication that will last. It's that kind of dedication that's worth throwing your life away for.

I have a great deal of respect for them now. More so than they will ever know. Sitting in this bed has been a real eye-opener for me. Getting myself almost killed has been one of the best things that's ever happened to me.

A knock on the door drew my attention out of my thoughts and projected it into the real world again.

"Come in?" I called, unable to suppress the slight flutter of anticipation in my chest, or the soft smile and that weird fluttering in my stomach that developed when he entered the room. Unlike before, however, he just stood by the doorway, not venturing in further to sit beside me. There was something solemn in his gaze that made my heart sink.

"Hey," I murmured, frowning slightly. "What's wrong?"

Slowly Gaara's aquamarine gaze met mine, "I'm leaving for Sunakagure today."

And this, I suppose, is how you break your heart – piece by piece, until there's nothing left.

Nothing at all.

Chapter five… YAY! I finally actually wrote the semblance of the beginning of a relationship! FINALLY! I couldn't work out how to start it, so I ignored the problem and move on. I'm sorry there wasn't much dialogue in this chapter… the second part was mainly reminiscing, but having all of those things I wanted to cover in the present tense would have been extremely tedious for you to read. Please review people! I love knowing what you think.

To be continued HOPEFULLY next Monday, provided that I haven't killed myself yet 'cos of the AS exams, but I really can't make any promises. If I'm freaking out about exams, I won't update, it's as simple as that, but this should be a relatively easy week out of the next month worth so it should be up… you'll have to wait and see.

Luv ya

XxMookinexX