AN: Sorry about the language in this chapter. And there's a bit of violence. The next one will probably have more, but we'll see when I write it. I might have to change the rating of the story to 'M' but I'll try to keep it toned down - it's just such an essential part of the story. Also, I think I like this chapter better than the previous two, so YAY, that means I won't hate this story any more. And hopefully you'll all enjoy it more as well.

On another note I had a reviewer comment on the fact that Ino shouldn't interrogate Sasuke, because that idea is over done. I'd just like to address that right now, in case anyone had similar thoughts. I understand your point, I really do. BUT the whole story hinges on that fact. Besides, I like the idea, and I like reworking overused ideas. My favourite story so far of mine (A Matter of State) is based on an arranged marriage, which is an incredibly overused plot device. I think I pulled it off rather well, regardless. I think it's just how I write. Even my original work tends to be...well, it's hard to explain. If anyone desires an explanation for some strange reason, feel free to PM me. However I don't think most of you care, so on with the story!

Oh, wait, one more thing. It's IMPORTANT. Sasuke is not OOC, ok. I believe that his behaviour is perfectly compatible with what we (well, I, since most of you probably are ahead of me in the story) know of his character and how he would react under these circumstances. He's insane, not out of character. I hate writing out of character, then there's no point in using that character. I mean, he may not be perfect, as I've not written much with him before, but I like to think that both Sasuke and Ino are IN CHARACTER, it's just certain aspects of their characters that I'm drawing on for this story. If any of you still think they are out of character, please review or message me and I'll work on it. Alright? Now that that's out of the way, as well as what is probably the longest author's note I've ever written, please read what you actually came here to read.

Chapter 3:

Ino was not even remotely amused when she was hauled out of bed after only a few precious hours of sleep. Raidou, who had come to fetch her, was greeted at the door by a sleepy, disheveled, and furious Yamanaka.

"What the hell do you want?" she demanded when her gaze fell on the jounin as he fought the urge to cower.

"You're required in the Interrogation chambers, Yamanaka-san," the man said a trifle timidly.

"Piss off," Ino said before turning to resume her sleep. "Whoever it is can wait until morning."

"Afraid not," he said with a small grin. "Hokage says you're to come directly. It seems you were specifically requested."

Ino's mind stumbled over that last piece of information. Why would anyone request her as their interrogator? She must have misheard Raidou. Too tired to really care Ino told the jounin she'd be there as soon as she was ready.

--

Ino stood in front of her Hokage, fidgeting restlessly. Part of her was curious as to who was so important the head interrogator had to be hauled in in the middle of the night. Leaving a prisoner stewing in a cell never did anything but good. Most of her however just wanted to go back to bed. She had some new recruits coming in tomorrow – well, later today technically – and they always required more patience than she generally had, even with a good night sleep.

For her part, Tsunade was just staring at Ino, measuring her. Was the girl really ready for this? Tsunade was tempted to call Ibiki back in, but a niggling feeling told her that if anyone was going to get Sasuke to speak, it would be Ino.

Sighing Tsunade pushed a file across her desk and waited while Ino impatiently snatched it up and opened it. Only to drop it again in shock, eyes wide as she gently shook her head in denial.

"Wh – wh – no!" was all the poor blonde could get out.

"He asked for you specifically, Ino," Tsunade said gently. "Not as his interrogator of course, he had no idea, but he wanted to see you."

"Don't lie to me!" Ino snapped. "I'm not some love-struck twelve year old anymore and I don't want to see that traitorous bastard ever again! You already know he's guilty so just kill him already, what do you need me to interrogate him for?"

"Ino, he came back on his own, as you've probably figured out since Naruto's not here. He wants to rejoin the village."

"What? So you're just going to let him waltz back in after he – it's a trap. It has to be. Orochimaru-"

"Orochimaru's dead, Ino. He killed him. Itachi too." Tsunade was starting to lose patience with the younger blonde. Of course she empathized with her – she knew all about the Sasuke – Sakura – Ino situation from Sakura. At the same time Ino had a duty as a shinobi of Konoha, and she was neglecting this duty. She was also arguing with her Hokage, and Tsunade had a very low tolerance for that.

"Doesn't mean it's not a trap," Ino said stubbornly.

"I know, that's why you're interrogating him."

"Tamaki can do it," Ino said, referring to her second in command.

"No. I need you to do it. This is to important to leave any room for doubt."

"Ib-"

"Ibiki can not do it, Ino. You will make your way down to his cell and you will interrogate him. He asked for you. I don't know why but I wasn't lying. That means you are somehow connected to his return. I don't care what you do to him, but find out what's really going on in his head. If he wants to return you will report that to me and you will not take matters into your own hands. If I find out you've killed him or driven him insane so help me Ino but I will relieve you of your position not only as Head of Interrogation but also of your position as a shinobi. You will be thorough, you will do whatever you think is necessary, but you will not cause any unnecessary harm, am I perfectly clear?"

Ino glared at her Hokage defiantly for a moment longer before lowering her gaze and sullenly nodding her head.

"Good. Now go get started already." Tsunade said dismissively. "Oh, and Ino," the Hokage added before the interrogator had reached the door. "Just because you have to keep him in one piece doesn't mean you have to be nice about it."

Ino grinned wryly at her Hokage before exiting the room and making her way to her own domain – which she had a feeling was about to become her personal hell.

--

Sasuke looked up wearily when the door to his cell opened. The sight that met his eyes shocked him and filled him with a strange sense of unreal joy. Had she actually come to see him in this horrible and desolate place? She must still love him!

"I-Ino?" Sasuke croaked as he took her in. She was taller now, obviously. It had been ten years since he had last seen her. She had developed very nicely, and was curvy in that lean, kunoichi way. And her hair, it was still the same beautiful blonde. He felt like sunlight was penetrating his dark cell. And more importantly the golden locks were still long. A smile tried to form on his face, but it was too unpracticed and died before any signs appeared other than a small twitch. He remembered the rumour that had gone around in the Academy days – that he liked girls with long hair. He had no idea how that rumour got started – he actually wouldn't have been surprised to hear Ino had started it herself – but that didn't make it any less true. It seemed she had kept her hair long, and a part of Sasuke was convinced it was for him. What other reason could there be? It was completely impractical.

"Uchiha," Ino nodded her head coldly at him, stepping aside as Tamaki followed her into the room.

Of course, Sasuke realized, eyeing the man warily. They wouldn't just let her in here without a guard.

"Tsunade said you wanted to see me?" Ino asked, deciding to try the easy way first.

Sasuke nodded slowly, still staring at the man on Ino's right.

"Why?" the blonde asked bluntly.

"I-" Sasuke tried to say but his throat was to dry. Ino signaled and the man next to her stepped forward and pressed a glass of water to Sasuke's lips. He would have hit that man away and done it himself, but he was currently tied to a chair. Breaking free might scare Ino, and he didn't want to do that.

"I won't hurt you, you can send the guard away," he said when he was finished drinking. His voice was unemotional, but his eyes were almost pleading.

Ino bit back a barking laugh. "He's not here to guard me, and he stays."

Sasuke was startled. Why else was the strange man here…unless he was her boyfriend. Jealousy and anger seethed through him and he immediately wrenched free of the bindings and started towards the door – towards Ino and her lover.

At least, until laughter, not gentle but cold and mocking, filled the air again.

"You really have slipped Uchiha, I can read your emotions like an open book, even without slipping into your mind. Tamaki is not my lover. He's my assistant."

Sasuke froze, confusion painted across his face.

Ino laughed for a third time and decided that Sasuke was clearly not in his right mind, so she wouldn't be believing whatever he decided to tell her now anyway. And as fun as tormenting this new Sasuke was, there were so many ways for her to get to him, she might as well start treating this like a standard interrogation.

"Tamaki, if you could get measurements," Ino said, and Tamaki nodded and pulled out a measuring tape. Health of prisoners had to be carefully monitored – especially those under interrogation. Tamaki approached Sasuke, but as he reached out the tape Sasuke pushed Ino's brunette assistant harshly away and was suddenly on the other side of the cell.

Sasuke had no idea what was going on, but he wasn't going to let some random anywhere near him.

Tamaki, after picking himself up off the floor, looked at Ino for more orders.

"Don't worry about it Tamaki, I'll deal with him. You go run the rest of the office for today, alright? Those new recruits should be here in a few hours. Settle them in and try to weed out some of the weaker ones."

"Are you sure?" her assistant asked, concerned for his boss' well-being.

Ino turned her analytical gaze from Sasuke to Tamaki. "Why, do you think I can't handle him?" she asked, arching an eyebrow at the brunette.

"N-no. But well, h-he's," Tamaki stuttered, torn between a desire to protect his boss – who he respected very much, but still – and his fear of disobeying her and thereby incurring her infamous and formidable wrath.

"I'll be fine Tamaki, I promise," she said gently, appreciating his concern even if it was misplaced. "Just don't let anyone disturb us today, all right?"

Tamaki nodded and headed out the door.

Ino stood still for a moment and looked Sasuke over once more, trying to figure out what exactly had happened to the arrogant, self-confident, and oh so attractive twelve year old boy she had known. Not that he wasn't still attractive, Ino wasn't foolish enough to deny that. He just seemed so…broken. And if the brushes she'd made against his mind were correct, there was a large possibility that he was completely insane, or at least deranged. What was she supposed to do with him then?

"If I come to do your physical you're not going to throw me across the room as well, are you?" she asked bluntly.

Sasuke hesitated for a second, and then shook his head no, wide-eyed.

Ino quickly and efficiently crossed the room, giving him a thorough physical examination as she measured his height and width, copied down his weight, and scanned his body with her medical chakra to check the nutrient levels in his body.

How was he still standing?

"When was the last time you ate an actual meal?" she asked bemusedly.

Sasuke shrugged, he really didn't remember.

"I'll be right back," Ino said, sighing. She wouldn't be able to get anything from him until he was at least a little better.

But before she could get out the door, Sasuke was in front of her, blocking her escape.

"Where are you going?"

"I'm going to get you something to eat," Ino said briskly in an attempt to stay calm. He moved faster than anyone she'd ever seen – and that included Lee.

Reluctantly the ex-avenger stepped aside, his longing eyes following her until she'd shut and locked the door behind her.

--

Ino was relieved when she decided that Sasuke was well enough to actually be interrogated. The baby-sitting was really starting to get to her. She'd spent all day, every day for the past month getting the Uchiha to an acceptable level of physical health. His emotional and mental states seemed marginally more stable, but he wouldn't let anyone but her into his cell. It was emotionally and physically exhausting for Ino, and the stress was starting to get to her. No one aside from her, Tsunade and a few select ANBU even knew that Sasuke was back – Tsunade wanted it kept a secret until she knew for certain that it wasn't a trick. Sakura and Tenten, her two best friends, knew something was going on at work, but they remained oblivious to the real reason behind her stress. She hadn't seen them in three weeks, and the same was true of Choji and Naruto. She saw Shikamaru sometimes on her way to or from work, but right now her life consisted of sleep and Sasuke. It was almost ironic, she reflected bitterly. As a child she'd wasted all her time worrying about what he thought of her, and her neglect in training had cost the life of her sensei. Now she was wasting all her time worrying about the bastard's health of all things, and it was probably going to kill her. A small part of her whispered that at least then it would all be over, while another, in an even quieter voice, told her that she should just be glad he came back at all. She brutally stomped on both voices, refusing to succumb to weakness or emotion. She was a kunoichi, a tool, and she was strong.

Ino strode purposefully into Sasuke's cell that morning, intent on establishing the true nature of their relationship now that she was assured that he wasn't going to die from malnutrition before he told her what she had to know.

Sasuke, for his part, perked up considerably when the door opened. She'd come back to him, just like she had every morning for the past month. A part of him wasn't entirely certain why she was allowed in here – he'd decided she must be his medic or something - and why he wasn't released if Tsunade was never going to send an interrogator, but he was not going to complain about time spent with Ino. Sure, she seemed different than she had when they were younger, the freely given affection she'd showered on everyone was replaced with a cold-eyed wariness, but Sasuke was convinced that that was only because she wasn't sure why he was here. Once she knew that he'd come back for her she would embrace him and cry tears of joy…or something like that. Truth be told he was a little vague on exactly how that whole scene was going to go, but he was convinced it would be happy, and then he could finally move on in his life.

He was not prepared for Ino marching up to him (he'd been retied to his chair the previous evening, and he'd stayed put this time) and asking in a very no nonsense tone of voice just why exactly he'd come back.

"To see you," Sasuke explained, wondering why she seemed so different – so much less gentle – than she had been just yesterday.

He was definitely not prepared for a chakra laden fist crashing into his stomach.

"Try again," Ino said in a cold voice as she stepped back, admiring her work as he sat hunched over in his chair, coughing up blood.

"Wh-why are you doing this?" the confused man asked.

"I don't think we've been properly introduced. I'm Yamanaka Ino, Head of Konoha's Torture and Interrogation unit. You are Uchiha Sasuke, missing-nin and enemy of the Fire Nation. Does that make everything more clear? Good. Now tell me why you're here!" Her fist swung around again, not reinforced with chakra as she smashed it into his face as she needed him to be able to speak.

In that instant Sasuke's mind was only filled with one horrible, world-wrenching thought. She doesn't love him. In fact, she hates him. She's only been here because she's responsible for extracting information from him. Tsunade's words before she knocked him unconscious suddenly took on a whole new meaning.

Despair filled Sasuke as he recognized the hopelessness of his situation. He could tell her what she wanted to know – what he'd already told her and she refused to believe – and then she'd leave and he'd probably never see her again. Or if he did it would be from a distance, and she'd stay as far from him as she could.

Alternatively, he could refuse to tell her anything. She'd keep beating him and torturing him for information, but he'd get to see her every day. In fact, she wouldn't be able to see anyone else, all her time would be spent with him. She'd be close to him and he could look at her, and smell the faint scent of flowers that lingered around her form…

For Sasuke's childish and deranged mind, the decision wasn't difficult.

--

Wow, those two are screwed up beyond belief. All well, it entertains me. I hope you enjoyed seeing more of their insanity. Reviews would be wonderful, especially about things from the Authoer's Note at the beginning, for those of you who read it (I know, it was horribly long forgive me).

This story is just a little out of my comfort zone and I'm trying to figure out why. Well, I know why the next chapter is - brutal violence. I've never written a torture scene before. It should be...interesting.