Started on December 1, 2016| Philippines| 23:31 hours

So here is the next chapter, and I think I might have an unexpected chapter, but that's for you to decide.

By the way, to the guest reviewer who said there was too much drama and said it could have been a good story? Without the drama? I don't know if you're still reading this, but if you are, I hope you understand that this is just how I write this story. I am still 17, and am still an amateur. Still, thanks for the review, even if it did sting a little. I plan on improving my writing and maybe that review is something I can base my future projects on.

Anyway, I plan to create only one or two more chapters after this, or three to four if it can't go as planned. Hopefully in this chap, I can answer some review questions I saw while reading your reviews.

Also, as you saw in chapter two, I wasn't that good in action since I didn't focus on it in this fic. That being said, since it was important for the character build up, I added it anyway. Still, since no other actions sequences have come to mind for their relationship development, no more actions scenes.

Let's get on with it, shall we?

(Finding Love)

It was midnight in Konoha, and in a single hospital room was Ino Yamanaka. Earlier on during the week, she woke from a coma, which she found lasted for two months. Now, she could finally move, albeit slowly, but it was progress. However, she didn't really care.

How could she?

Because of her, the person who she really loves… vanished. When Inoichi saw her, they didn't talk much. The only conversation that they talked about was why Inoichi was lifted from his suspension.

Ino grit her teeth as she held a blanket around her to keep her warm from the cool night air. Anger rose within her as the memory of the conversation she had with her father appeared again.

That damned Sai. He was a ROOT agent, a man assigned by Danzo to keep Naruto in line by any means necessary. She scoffed. The mission was a complete failure by someone who wanted power. She didn't bother to listen to any more details her dad told her; only that Sai was dealt with, permanently, during the two months she was in a coma. It pissed her off a little, she wanted him dead, but as long as she didn't see him again, all would be well.

She sighed as she stood by the window, the moonlight illuminating her and parts of the room. The night was calm, the air was cold, and the wind was gentle. "Naruto…" She mutters to herself before walking back to her hospital bed to get some sleep. At the foot of her bed, she froze.

She immediately tried to turn and subdue the intruder who she could sense was right behind her.

But her hand was stopped and her eyes widen.

"Student's like you shouldn't hit their teacher when they aren't sparring."

It took only a moment before Ino smiled as tears began to build, and she jump the man who she tried to attack only a moment ago. She couldn't say anything as she cried into him while trying her best to hold him close.

In turn, the man smiled. He hugged her close and just kept silent.

No words would need to be said. Not between them. Not right now. Not until this moment passed.

And it did.

Ino looks up and gives a chuckle as her eyes meet his. Those cerulean eyes…

"Sorry, I—"

"I know…" Ino cuts him off. "I'm the one who should be sorry… Naruto…"

Naruto shakes his head before gently pushing her off him and making her sit on the bed. "You didn't know. I can—"

"But so did you. I… let's just… keep quiet for now…" Ino cuts him off. She smiles when Naruto nods at her suggestion. And for the first time, she gets to see Naruto in his ANBU attire. No cloak to cover him, no mask to hide him. He was practically naked now, in this uniform he considered to be the real him.

Naruto sighs before sitting beside Ino. After leaving her for two months, he doubts it would be right to place an arm around her. How could he? He doubts they were as close as before.

Finally, time passed and dawn would be arriving soon.

Naruto turns to see Ino still awake, resting her shoulder on him with a dead look in her eyes. "I have to go." He says and tries to stand, but stops when Ino clings onto him. "I'll be back." He says with a warm smile, but it vanishes when Ino shakes her head pleadingly. It turned into a look of concern. "Something wrong?"

"I don't… I don't want you to go." Ino says as she looks him in the eye. "What if this is all a dream and—"

"You'll see me again." Naruto says. He knew full well where Ino was going with that sentence. He gives her a warm smile before hugging her. He couldn't kiss her. While it is true, now seemed like a good moment, he couldn't. They would be doing it in the heat of the moment, and in truth? They might end up regretting it in the end. He didn't want to risk it.

And she didn't either.

Ino chuckles lightly. This time, she was the one to break the hug. "I think I know what you're thinking… and I agree."

"I'm glad to see that training's paying off." Naruto says with a chuckle before going to the window to leave. "I'll be seeing you… I just have a few more businesses to attend to."

Ino nods and waves him a good-bye. When she saw him smile at her, she smiled back and settled back into her bed with a warm smile on her face. Things were finally turning around, or at least she hoped.

Only a few blocks away was Naruto. The blonde man hoped that Kakashi was doing well. He'd be going in and bringing in a shit tone of papers for the man, and he'd sure as hell not want to handle that shit. Plus, a proposition he had in mind.

(TBC)

Oh? So that's it for this chap? But of course! Hopefully I can make two more chaps since I don't want to have to extend this more than twelve, but maybe 15 chapters max, prologue included in the 15.

Anyway, here is something important. (Read until the end)

The reason why I rated this M was not because of any lemons or gore, or even the language used. No, I rated this M because I want more mature audiences since I don't have to explain a shite tone of things. I mean, yeah, I'm still in high school, so no, I do NOT expect adults to read this, but if any of you are, cheers to you.

Seriously though, I want my stories for people who can piece together things. I don't want to just give you this then be like, "BAM! There, all on the table." No. In fact, my targeted audience is actually from young teens who are either mature, or maturing, or young adults in the same category because let's face it, there are those who are still like children even when they're 30.

And when I say mature, I'm not talking about attitude, but understanding. Both of fiction and the real world. Both of the things written, and the things kept in the shadows for you to fill out.

Still, if you will ask about something because you're one of those who aren't in the in the target audiences, or you are but want to clarify, I'll answer as long as you have an account. If you're a guest reviewer, then you'll have to rely on the story for your answers, except for the one mentioned above because it was a highly important point that could not be addressed in the story; and in all honesty, I love reading both, but I can't simply waste a page just to address your questions since most (when answered) are leading to spoilers.

Anyway guys, tell me what you think. Review, guest or not. Ask questions, guest or not. I'll answer those with accounts through PM, and guests through the story progression.

That's all for now!

^_^ Peace out! ^_^

Finished on December 6, 2016| Philippines| 20:50 hours

BONUS FACT: I can finish this within 3 hours in the least, but quality always surpasses quantity.