Mission Impossible: Housewife

By KawaiPanda

Chapter Seventeen

A GaaIno Love Story

The councilmen found out immediately and of course they were having a shit fit. After all, what use was I to them now that I couldn't give them Gaara's child.

"You will divorce."

"No."

"W-W-W-" The older man sputtered, shocked that Gaara talked back at him.

"I said no." He stood ramrod straight, arms crossed defiantly. "I married at your insistance, but this is my decision. I will not take any other."

I had decided, regardless of Gaara's decision. I was going to leave and never come back. It hurt, the idea of leaving Gaara, but it needed to be done. The elders were right. I was no use to him in this state - unable to bare him children. When I finally forced him to go back to work almost a month after the diagnosis, because he had practically been camped out in the mansion doing all of his paperwork there, I had some privacy to grieve over the loss of my unborn child and the ending of my relationship with Gaara.

He didn't know it, but tonight was our last night together. And I was going to pull out all of the stops to make it perfect. He left early this morning, wanting to get home before sunset, and I took the time to pack a little bit. Not too much to make it obvious, but tomorrow, I was going to leave soon after he did in the morning for work to get a head start before anyone knew I was missing.

I took my time wandering throughout the house, saying goodbye to various memories.

And before it got too late, I began cooking. I made sure the fridge was stocked up for Gaara, because I didn't know how long it would be before he replaced me with someone else... probably Matsuri. And I knew he wouldn't hunger, not with Temari and Shikamaru travelling here as per their marriage agreement. She would make sure he was fed properly. And they were due to arrive in two days.

Their journey here was what caused me to decide to leave so soon. With them here, I don't think I would have found the time to get away... not that I was running away or anything. And staying here would only make it harder for me to leave later. I wouldn't want to, and I had to. I had to go. This... this was for the best.

I took a deep breath, to ease the shaking. I wanted to cry. To stay, but... I steeled myself and pushed the sadness away. Today was going to be a happy one. After all, it was to be our last.

I forced myself to stop shaking and went through the motions, making his favorite meal. I knew he loved it. He loved everything I made for him, but this he couldn't stop bragging about.

And when it was finished, our plates settles on the table and cooling off, he walked through the door and came straight for me. His lips found mine, and though startled, I responded eagerly. When he finally pulled back, he gave me a small smile.

"It smells delicious." He took a seat and began eating. Taking my own, I nibbled, too nervous to truly enjoy the meal.

"So, how was work?"

"It was fine..."

"Oh." It was awkward for a moment, at least on my part, before he spoke up suddenly.

"You start tomorrow."

Startled, I looked up from my plate and blinked at him. "Start what?"

"At the academy."

"Oh."

"You do still want to teach, don't you?"

"I-I..." I hated lying to him. Kami, it made me feel like shit. But I had to suck it up if I was going to go through with this. "I do. I'm just nervous."

"Don't worry. You'll be great." He finished up his meal and took his dishes to the sink. "That was delicious."

I blushed. "Thank you."

I stood on wobbly feet, but steeled myself by taking his hand. I giggled and led him away, towards our bedroom. We made love over and over again before succumbing to sleep.

XxXxXxX

Gaara had already left for the office by the time I had awakened, but it didn't bother me. I knew he was going to be home earlier in the evenings. But it didn't matter. Not any more. Uneasiness filled me as doubts crept in, causing me to reconsider my plans. But this was for the good of both of us.

He needed a wife who could give him children. And I couldn't. I wasn't worthy. Forcing myself to go through the motions, I dressed in my robes, my purple ninja garb underneath.

I had thought for quite some time now about how I was going to get past the village guards and only one thing kept popping up in my mind. Hinge. They had nothing to be suspicious about, so I knew I would be able to pull it off. And though it had been a while since I practiced jutsu, I could still fool anyone other than a Hyuga. Forcing myself to keep calm, I nodded to the men stationed at the gate, and made my way out of the village. They made no move to stop me.

There was no time for looking back.

Once the village was no longer in view, I ran. I didn't want them to think something was off if I ran as soon as I was past the gates, but when I knew I wouldn't be spotted, I picked up the pace. I had to cover as much ground as I could in as little time as I could before someone noticed me gone. Gaara was being a bit unpredictable lately, and he might drop by the house before dinner time.

Time flew by, and I found myself leaving the desert and reaching the border. I slept uneasily that night, with several clones on guard, the knowledge that he knew... he had to know by now I was gone causing the butterflies in my stomach.

As I awoke, the clones dispelled, and I packed up quickly, barely taking time to eat something.

I felt some chakra coming towards me, so I quickly masked my own and hid. It wasn't too long before I heard voices. And I wasn't surprised when I saw who it was, either.

"What do you think the name... Kenji." She asked him suddenly, as they walked under the tree I was in.

"No." Brief and immediate. Just like him.

"Rui?" She sounded a bit hopeful at this one, rubbing her swollen belly.

"No."

"Yami?"

"... Hell no." She giggled at his response, snuggling into his embrace.

"I love you Shikamaru."

"I love you too, Temari." He kissed her, and before they got too carried away were off again, headed for Suna.

I waited until they were long gone before unconcealing myself and continuing on my way. I didn't sleep at all this time, and instead carried on until I was within walking distance of the village. I was exhausted, and worn out, but I made it a little after sunrise.

I took my sweet time as I crested the hill and the massive gates came into view. I could see a few of the taller buildings, and the mountain side with the Hokage's faces carved into them. Next to Tsunade's was a new one. But I knew who it was immediately.

"He did it." I smirked, and continued to the gates. Two younger ninja I haven't met before stood there, bored but upon spotting me, became more alert. One came and met me just outside of the gates.

"Name?"

"Saba-erm... Yamanaka. Yamanaka Ino."

He furled his brows in confusion. "Okay... I have to escort you to the Hokage's office."

I nodded in compliance. "That's fine." He turned and led me into the village, keeping a close eye on my every move.

There weren't many people out. Not this early in the morning. So I wasn't being stared at, and it was nice. But I knew once it was public knowledge that I was back, the staring and whispers would begin. If they had even stopped that is. I briefly wondered what forehead was up to before pushing the pinkette out of my mind. I would see her soon enough. And I would know who the mysterious lover of her was before the end of today, come hell or high water.

We made it to the Hokage's tower quickly. As he led me inside, I took charge, leading him up the staircase and towards the highest level where Naruto's office would be. A startled Hinata gapped at me like she was seeing a ghost, her current task put on the back burner.

"I-Ino?" I quickly rushed to her, wrapping my arms around the purple haired beauty. She hesitantly hugged me back, unsure that I was even there.

I giggled. "Hinata, lovely weather, ne?"

"I... I guess. What are you..."

"I'll tell you about it later."

My escort cleared his throat, demanding our attention. "Please inform Lord Hokage of her presence."

"Yes." Hinata hastily did as he said, and was soon ushering me into his office. The door clicked shut quietly behind her, leaving us alone.

"Ino."

"Naruto or should I say, Hokage-sama. Congratulations on your promotion."

"Thank you." He sighed and scratched the back of his head. "Why are you here?"

"Truthfully?"

"Yes."

"I... I cannot give him children. And the Elders would have eventually dissolved our marriage, so I figured I would save both Ga-the Kazekage and I some heartbreak by pretending everything would be okay and just left."

He cocked a brow at me. "So you gave up and ran away."

I bristled. "No, I did not run away, Hokage-baka."

"But you did give up?" Before I could chew him out, he continued. "I won't force you back. But if he sends for you, I cannot keep you here. I will not start a war with Suna."

"Understood." I crossed my arms. "And if he doesn't?"

"Until your marriage is dissolved, I cannot reinstate your citizenship, or allow you to be in the ranks of my ninja. And you will not have the access you used to."

"I knew that. I just don't know how long it will take." Damnit.

He was quiet for a moment before a look of horror crossed his face. "Does he even know you're here?"

I lifted my brow at him. "I should assume he does by now."

"You didn't even tell him you were leaving?"

At his startled look, I snickered. "Um... no." Duh. Because then I wouldn't have been able to leave, and he probably would have had guards assigned to me.

"Damnit Ino." He grabbed a clean sheet of paper and a pen, glaring at me.

"What are you doing?"

"Damage control. I can't have him thinking we were in on your plan." He was writing fast, and in chicken scratch. I snatched up the paper, and ignored his cry of outrage as I threw it into the garbage can.

"Calm down Naruto. He's not going to think you had something to do with my decision." I gave him a small smile. "He knows you better than that."

He sighed. "Still, I would feel better if I wrote him and let him know you arrived safe and... that I'm not entirely sure of your sanity."

I snorted. "Ha ha, very funny Naruto."

He shrugged. "Well, I'll let you know if I hear anything from him."

"Thanks."

He got a clean sheet of paper. "Now, get out of my office and send Hinata-chan to me."

"Hinata-chan?" I teased, and his face went red.

"Out." He shooed me away.