Mission Impossible: Housewife

By KawaiPanda

Chapter Eighteen

A GaaIno Love Story

This time of the year, it was always busy and I knew mom at least was running the shop. Dad was probably out on a mission, so I didn't have to worry about him right at this very moment. The thought of seeing her again had me near tears, unspoken emotions tore through me in a battle for control. Anxiety had my heart beating wildly, because once she knew the reason for my presence, I wasn't quite sure how they'd react. Instead of breaking out into a run, I slowed my pace and strolled there casually. It was still early morning, and many were still lazing about in their beds so I didn't have to worry about an interruption for this dreaded family reunion.

Once the building came into view, the breath left me as I stood outside of the glass door, wondering how I should handle this situation. Biting my lip, I pushed the door, the bell ringing cheerfully to alert my mother to my arrival—only she didn't know it was me.

Mom was bent over some lilies, spritzing them with water. There were no other customers inside as it was still early. There was a bit of gray streaking through her hair, but that was kind of to be expected, and in my eyes she was still the most beautiful woman in the world.

"I'll be right with you," she called without looking up. I smiled before clearing my throat and calling, "Mom."

At my voice, she froze, spinning around quickly. "Ino?" She blinked at the sight of me before a bright smile broke out on her face. She had me in her arms in seconds. "Oh! Ino! Baby, I've missed you."

"I missed you too." I snuggled into her embrace. We held each other for a long time, and after she had her fill of the embrace, she pulled back and looked around expectantly.

"Where's your husband?" she asked, brows furled.

I bit my lip and stepped back, away from her reach, a little worried. "... I need to tell you something."

"What? What's wrong?" Her tone changed. She always was the one to know when something was wrong with me, even when I tried to hide it.

I looked away, unable to look her in the eyes as I replied, "I... I left him."

"What? Why?" She sounded confused.

Blinking back tears, I supplied, "I can't have children."

"Oh... Oh Ino." The sorrow and pity was clear in her voice. She took a step towards me, but I shook my head at her advances. I couldn't handle the pity, not from her. Especially from her. Not right now, anyway. "I'm sorry."

My voice broke. "I am too."

She sighed, and we stood there for a long moment, before she asked, "So there's no way possible?"

"No. I'm too damaged from a hemorrhage..." I gave her a bitter smile as I continued, "and I miscarried once already, and that was enough to make it even worse."

She looked stricken at this new information. She didn't bother trying to pull me into her arms again, and murmured, "Oh, baby girl. I'm so sorry."

"There's nothing that can be done about it." I cleared my throat and changed the subject, "So where's daddy?"

"Oh, he's out on a mission with his old team." I thought as much.

Nodding, I replied, "Really?"

"Yeah. He should be back within the next couple of days."

"Okay."

"So... where are you planning on staying?" She asked, knowing I was a little uneasy about bringing it up myself.

Sighing, I rubbed the back of my neck and replied, "I was kind of hoping I could stay with you and daddy... if that's alright."

She nodded. "Oh, that would be fine sweetie. You know your room is as you left it." She gave me a kiss on the cheek. The bell alerted us that we were no longer alone, so she got back to work and I made my way to the house.

Random memories of my childhood plagued me as I walked throughout the house. When I reached my room, I didn't bother to look around, rather I just dropped everything and collapse on the bed for some rest.

Hours later, I was awoken by a touch to the shoulder.

It was my mother. "Dinner is ready, Ino." I followed her downstairs, running my fingers through my hair, knowing I looked a mess but I wasn't trying to impress my mom.

Daddy actually came home just as we started eating. He walked in, tossing his gear as he went, the telltale thuds hitting the floor. "Honey, I'm home."

I looked at mom and she called out to him. "Inoichi, I'm in here dear." It didn't take him long to reach us, and when he walked in the room, the look on his face when he saw me was priceless.

"I-Ino?"

"Hi daddy." I stepped into his outstretched arms, feeling comforted by his familiar scent. I would always be safe in his arms—he was nothing if not overprotective of me, his only child.

"Baby girl, how have you been?" His embrace tightened, and I inhaled the scent that clung to him, basking in the familiarity. "I've missed you."

"I've missed you too." He pulled away and looked between me and mom, unsure of what was going on.

"What are you doing here?" He asked, and with a sigh, I sat back down at the table, picking at my plate.

"Inoichi, we need to talk," Mom said, and I picked at my food, listening to her explain all she knew to him so I wouldn't have to repeat myself. Listening to her explain it was weird. And it made me feel like an ass, for what I had done, for leaving, though I knew that wasn't what she was trying to do.

After it was all over, he looked at me, and began his questioning.

"So are you guys still married? And does he plan on divorcing you, or is he going to come and get you?"

I knew this was only the beginning, after all he wanted to know everything, so he could plan and know what to expect. Sighing, I started answering his questions to the best of my ability.

XxXxXxXxX

I took a couple of days to get used to being back in Konoha before I sought out my friends. I didn't know if they knew I was back yet, but no one had stopped by yet. So gathering my courage, I went to see the pinkette first.

I knew she would be at the hospital, working her ass off like she was known to do. And since I used to work under her myself, I didn't bother asking for directions. The door was slightly ajar, so I pushed it open the rest of the way, grinning at her.

She was hunched over her desk, working on paperwork, a frown on her face. I didn't say anything, just stood there and waited for her to get annoyed from my staring and look up. When she finally did, the anger and irriation melted from her face and was replaced by delight. She stood and rounded the desk. "Pig! Oh my Kami! What are you doing here?"

"I came to see my best friend, duh!" We hugged one another tight before she leaned back and took a good hard look at me.

"I can't believe it." She smirked, giving me a one over. "You're tan!"

I snorted at her obvious statement. "Pfft! Well, living in the desert does that to you."

She giggled, and leaning against the edge of her desk, asked, "So, you and Gaara visiting or something?"

"Not... exactly." So I told her. She listened quietly and when it was all over, and rogue tears were streaking my cheeks, she wrapped her arms around me and let me cry. She was good at that, being my best friend and all.

And when I had enough of being a cry baby, I asked her what I've been dying to know.

"Sakura, who are you dating?" Immediately her face went pink.

XxXxXxXxX

The rest of the week was spend visiting my friends, explaining what I chose and withholding what I didn't want them to know. I even managed to catch Tenten away from my brother in law and explain to her why I was in Konoha. She seemed sad at the news, but consoled me, advising to go back and try to work things out.

I didn't bother asking her to keep it from Kankuro, so I shouldn't have been surprised when he stormed into the flower shop, his anger radiating. I knew he was going to be pissed off. I knew it, but that didn't mean I was prepared for it.

"What the fuck Ino?" He roared, scaring a couple of customers out of the store.

Sighing, I massaged the bridge of my nose between my thumb and forefinger. "Kankuro."

He stalked towards me, his fists shaking with barely controlled rage. "Why did you leave?"

"I... I'm barren."

"So?" He demanded, slamming his hands on the counter as he growled out, "He loves you and you just leave without a word to him."

I shook my head. "I couldn't…. I can't-"

"What possible explanation could you have?" The interruption breaks my flow of thoughts and before I'm able to straighten them out, it's all a jumble.

I blinked at the floor, unable to look him in the eyes as I give him the first clear thought I'm able to grasp. "... I failed my mission."

"Your mission?" He jerked back, sounded shocked, like he couldn't believe what he was hearing. I couldn't believe what I just said myself. He whispered, voice thick with unidentified emotions, "Was that all he was to you?"

"..."

Rearing back like he'd been slapped, he snorted. "You know what? He deserved better than you. I'm glad you ran." He slammed the door shut behind him, the glass shuddering under the force exerted.

It wasn't until he was long gone and my legs couldn't support me anymore that I answered him, sinking to my knees, choking on tears. "I know."