Naruto and Ino: Key to My Heart
Summary: Like magnets, no matter how far they were, they would always be pulled back to one another.
"Ino!" the brunette holler fighting against the chains seeing the hurt cross her eyes as she forced herself to look away.
He promised her that he was going to stop that mad woman and in this moment, things aren't going as plan. He gritted his teeth angrily as he turned his head to meet a glare from blue eyes.
"Naruto," he called out only to receive an angry glare.
"Why the hell are you here?" he asked only to have the blonde look away, "... Talk to me dammit! We have to do something!" but he received no reply unnerving him.
"Say something dammit!" he screamed.
Lee had no idea what is going on. He could see from the corner of his eyes that his rough friend was angry and so was his blonde one. Though he could tell Kiba was saying something, while Naruto ignored him. He heard the woman who trapped them in this predicament entered the door.
His breath hitched as she asked the question once again to the blonde princess who wore the chains with bruises and tear streaked face.
"I promise you," she started, "... I only want one dead body and everyone will be freed."
"But why?" the blonde asked, "... Why them? Why show me things that shouldn't be shown?"
"You should know," the enemy assured, "... You trusted them, you cared about them," she looked toward the display of friends, "... But they took advantage of you, therefore someone should learn a lesson."
"But I don't want anyone to get hurt," Ino said boldly, "... I just want to get home."
"My dear Ino," she whispered running her hand on top of her hand, "... Karin learned the hard way."
"What!" Ino's eyes widen at the name of the redhead.
"You're friend," she continued, "... Did not die."
"But she was found dead," Ino said in denial, "... How can you say she is not dead?"
"You were the one," Kabuto spoke up though wasn't heard, "... You took her body from the morgue, but why?"
"She was a smart woman," the capturer said thoughtfully, "... She fooled you all into thinking she was dead," she stated as she walked the room, "... She took a capsule that she perfected causing her heart to stop and froze everything inside her," she smiled, "... Within 4 hours, she would be awake and her body would function normally again," she paused, "... She walked out of the room," she looked toward Kabuto, "... Nobody noticed, but me," she walked the room again, "... I followed her into a small cabin that she prepared for herself," she stopped walking, "... I took her by surprised," she turned toward the blonde beauty, "... And I killed her."
"Wha..." Ino was beyond speechless as the thoughts come back and her mind processes the new information.
"She was over jealous," Torri insisted, "... She lived and breathed to kill you all because of an innocent act," she paused glancing toward the raven haired male and later saw the horror and fear in the eyes of her captive, "... She would've gotten away with it too," she looked away, "... Shin was a good man, loves too quickly though..." she said thoughtfully.
"Torri," Ino gather up her guts, "... We've been through all that please don't let us go through it again," she begged as tears spilled down her eyes.
"Dear Ino," Torri said her name soothingly as her hand wiped the tears from her eyes, "... You should be happy; I'm doing this for you," she paused, "... Every one of them would've died already, but I wanted you to make the decision, not me."
Ino looked away unsure as she thought about what is going to happen. She hated attention when it comes to the last decisions riding on her. She looked toward her friends who looked at her with differential emotions. She scanned them behind the see-through glass. She doesn't want anyone to get hurt and she couldn't help but feel guilty for what she has done.
"I made a decision," she announced sadly as she looked toward the woman, "... Kill me."
"What?" they all screamed, some in shock, some in confusion, some in anger.
What is she thinking? The boy with red hair asked.
She's crazy! His cousin exclaimed.
She cannot do this! The elder called out.
She shouldn't be doing this alone, the best friend said.
She cannot leave us! The bunned woman announced.
What will we do without her? The pale eyed woman confessed.
My life should be taken, the silent one stated.
She is worth too much to be dead, the oldest of her friends said.
My life is worthless without her, the blonde male stated.
Life just wouldn't be fun anymore, the silver haired male confessed.
So many things are wrong, the brunette confessed.
It's my fault,the painter announced.
Why is she the one holding the weight of the world? The raven haired male asked.
She would be missed so much, the pinkette insist.
She still has many youth in her life, the bowl cut male assumed.
She is very brave to put her life for someone else, the lavender eyed male respected.
"You would risk your life for theirs?" Torri asked.
"Yes," Ino clarified.
"Ok," was all she said as a smile lit her face.
What is the smile about?" Ino asked cautiously.
"You are a smart girl dear Ino," she announced, "... You know I wouldn't kill you let alone hurt you," Torri smiled, "... So I chose someone instead."
"Wait! You said it was my decision! I choose me!" Ino called out scared that someone she cared for was going to die.
"That was before," Torri said holding up a device with switches, "... Now, is different," she finished as she flipped the switch.
Ino held her breath as she wondered who the unlucky person to receive such fate was.
A scream, so loud and frightening was nothing but a small noise emitting itself into the room. Ino didn't need to hear it. She could see from the pain on his face that he was the unlucky one.
"Stop it Torri!" Ino screamed toward the woman, "... Please stop it!"
"Why would I do that?" the female questioned with a quirk of the eyebrow.
"I hate you!" Ino admitted, "... I hate what you have become!"
Torri stood shocked as a feeling of anger washed over her and the next thing she knew, her fingers flipped up all the other switches. A union of screams was almost muted and the pain was just inevitable to escape.
"Torri!" Ino screamed loudly hoping to stop her, "... I'm sorry, I didn't mean it!" she tried, "... Please stop!"
"Look what you made me do," Torri said nonchalantly, "... Now they all are being punished..."
Ino screamed out and cried hoping that maybe she would stop, but to her dismay the enemy just stared blankly at those behind the glass.
What can she do? Is she meant to see her friends die before her? Was she supposed to not care for anyone? What did she do to deserve such a fate?
"Torri!" she screamed out once more, "... What happened to you!"
This caught her attention as she flipped the switch back down resulting in a union of relief and groans. She turned toward the blonde and smiled sadly.
"So many things," she stated sadly as she stared back at those panting for breath, "... Too long ago..."
Ino waited for her to continue, but nothing came. The blonde beauty stared and stared as she turned toward her friends and back to her capturer.
"Torri," she started, "... I'm sorry," she apologized, "... You were always there for me, but I didn't see it..."
"No need Ino," the carrot head smiled, "... I already forgave you."
"Then..." she started unsure, "... Why do you want someone to hurt if you forgave me already?"
"Ino," Torri breathed out slanting toward the right, "... For you."
"But..." the victim started confused and was at a loss for words.
"The promise," Torri said it so clear and Ino had to blink a few times.
"Promise?" She asked for clarification.
"Yes dear Ino, you do remember it, don't you?" Torri asked innocently.
"Yeah I do..." Ino admitted looking a bit enlightened, "... you don't have to Torri... Not anymore..."
"Yes I do," she answered running her hand down her jawbone, "... I promise not to hurt them all if you tell me who you will sacrifice."
"Torri," Ino started, "... You did protect me from those who hurt me..." She paused to look up to her, "... Thank you."
A silence fell between them and those behind the glass were confused yet interested in what will unfold. The capturer reached down and gave the blonde a hug, something sisters would give to one another.
"I'm going to grab some food, what would you like?" She asked softly.
"Something soft and yummy," the beautiful blonde replied with a smile.
"I will be back," Torri announced and took off leaving her captives alone.
Her footsteps left and the door slammed shut behind her. A few breathing moments later and the one chained on a chair spoke.
"I'm sorry," she apologized, "... for this..."
"Honey, it was not your fault," her father spoke, but nothing heard.
"I honestly do not know why this always happens," Ino admitted, "... But nothing was intentional."
"Ino..." Hinata whispered.
"It's time that I am honest," she started, "... Bare with me," she smiled, "some things happened so long ago... whether you say something isn't true, I cannot hear you, so I suppose it's an advantage for me," she breathed.
"Ino you don't have too..." Shikamaru said softly against the enclosed glass.
"Sakura," the blonde beauty started with the first starting on the left, "I never really liked you, not until I realize that you were like me, determined I suppose.
"Lee, always happy and kind, something I truly envied..."
"Neji, a man of loyalty and grace... I had a crush on you when I first met you. Must've been when we were 5.
"Tenten, one of my best friends, you are my sister and I am truly thankful for everything you have done for me. You always care about me and that is why I love you so.
"Sasuke, I am sorry that you are in this mess. I lied about it for awhile, but the kiss was intentional and I do not regret it," paused with a smile,
"Hinata, I love you so much, so sweet and thoughtful. You are and will always be an angel left on Earth to help people like me cherish life.
"Shino, protective and quiet. You always want the best for me and I love you for that.
"Gaara, you were never a talker, but your eyes say more than you know and I find that mildly attractive," She giggled quietly.
"Kin, my oldest friend. You have experience with so many things in life and I would like to have those experiences as well. You are my role model.
"Kiba, I believe I can call you a special friend, my special friend. You didn't have to help me, yet you did in spite of your outing with your girlfriend and the fight with your best friend. You were still willing to protect me and that makes me very, very happy.
"Naruto, you might be mad at me for what I did, but I do still love you. I smile everytime I think about you and I still get butterflies in my stomach. I know we have differences, I love you, don't ever forget that," a soft sniff and a present smile returned,
"Kimi, you love him. I can tell by the way you look at him. I can see why you love him and so I respect you.
"Kabuto, so smart. I know I can get a bit rude when it comes to you, but it's not because I don't like you. You're just too smart and logical that in a way, I'm jealous.
"Daddy, I love you. I know I can get bossy and I love you for taking care of me for all these years. Protecting me from what happened before and being my rock. I love you daddy," tears started to fall but she pushed herself to continue,
"Shika, don't be sad about what you did, it was ok. I deserved it. You're my first best friend. You put up with me through everything. I love you, you know that already and nothing will change it.
"Temari, you changed him you know. He is more patient now and happier. You love him, I can tell. I know you will always take care of him and will always be by his side."
A short pause as everyone spoke their minds creating a small rumble upon the large room.
"What I saw today on the screen," the rumble quieted down, "... Doesn't change what I think about you," she smiled and as she saw others smile back, she knew she got her point across.
"That was sweet dear Ino," the voice returned and everyone turned to face her.
"Torri," the blonde started, "... If you must kill someone, let it be me."
"Ino..." The woman started but the one tied down spoke again.
"I finally see it now," the blonde beauty smiled softly as her head faced the ground, "... It's so clear now."
"What is dear Ino?" Torri asked confused.
"I'm the one," Ino looked to her, "... Who's been hurting myself..."
"Ino, that is not true," Torri tried, but couldn't get through.
"I've been using everyone for my selfish reasons," Ino admitted, "... I knew you cared about me, so I made you promise to never let anyone hurt me so I never felt pain..." She breathed looking away from the woman, "... I knew Karin loved Sasuke, yet I kissed him in front of her because I wanted him to be my first..." Ino continued undeterred from soft rumbles, "... I knew they all cared about me," she looked to those behind the glass, "... So I took advantage of it..." She looked to Torri, "... Do you see now, everything that happened was because of me."
"Stop it," Torri spoke, "... What you did was not your fault..."
"But it is," the blonde started again, "... We are in this predicament because of me. If it wasn't for the promise, this wouldn't happen. If it wasn't for the kiss so long ago, Karin would still be alive... I've been hurting myself Torri, you know what must be done," Ino looked at her not with fear, but something of courage perhaps.
"Yes, I suppose I do," the carrot head answered with a nod.
She grabbed the contraption where the switches lied and grabbed a rope hanging off the side where the television was and pulled it.
A loud sound was heard as if something was being dragged. The shines of the steels shown as it neared causing everyone to stare.
"It's beautiful isn't it?" Torri said aloud.
Ino said nothing as she knew this thing was going to end her life. She watched her childhood friend unchained her wrists and then her abdomen. Her ankle was next and for a slight moment, she could break free. She could kick the carrot top down and run, but what about her friends and her father? Maybe she could run to the switches and open the glass and free them, but it would take too long, plus she doesn't know which switches to switch.
"Let's go Ino," her voice entered her ears and she stood.
She was led to the machine where she was once again chained against the coldness of the steel.
"You promised to let them go," Ino managed to say as she was pressed against the machine.
"Yes, only one will be sacrificed," Torri repeated taking a few steps back, "... Goodbye dear Ino," she smiled sadly holding the control close to her.
All the blonde beauty could do was smile as she closed her eyes waiting for the light to fade.
Torri pushed the button and the cone shaped spear closed in against the blonde's neck. She could hear loud rumbles to her left side and she pushed another button. Letting them free now may not be a good thing on her part, but it was already too late. She heard breaking of glass and she dropped the control. Footsteps were nearing and she smashed the control with her foot creating no way of stopping the machine as it pierced the blonde's skin. Roars of screams and yells echoed the room and she was pushed aside. Watching those who were once behind the glass try their best to stop the machine caused a smile upon Ino's lips. Blood dripped from her neck and down her lips, yet she still managed to smile in spite of death nearby.
"Goodbye dear Ino," the carrot head repeated as the blonde's lid fell and hers followed soon after.