CHAPTER FIVE
Nagato was oblivious of the rain as his eyes gazed out over a rain-blurred image of Amegakure beyond the transparent, glass wall of his office. His mind was awhirl with the shock of the news that had just been relayed to him.
Ino was pregnant, and the baby was his.
That sex with Ino had been a bad idea was a fact that he'd been aware of prior to getting involved with her that evening back in Konoha. Since then, he'd prayed countless time that his lack of prudence wouldn't return to haunt him, or prove to be the bane of his existence that it had the potential to be. Would that he could undo that night, to allow the events to fade into oblivion to be forgotten! But standing now, having heard Ino's confession, it was all he could do to steel himself against the disbelief that floored him. Slipping his hands into the pockets of his jeans, his back remained to Ino as he spoke.
"When did you find out?" He asked in a low voice and heard her clear her throat before she spoke.
"About a m-month now," was Ino's brief reply, and Nagato's lids closed tightly as his heart churned with renewed guilt, for the timing coincided with the night he'd been with her. He slowly turned to regard the blond where she sat in one of the two plush chairs before his desk. Though composed, only the bright glaze of his eyes belied the mask of indifference his features were settled into. Nor had he registered the snug fit of her dress with even a minute of interest, or the way the clingy material rode dangerously high on her thigh to offer a tantalizing view of the exposed, smooth skin as she seductively crossed one leg over the other.
Having checked her weakening resolve prior to arriving, Ino prided herself on her own composure as Nagato pinned her beneath the intensity of his gaze, which was just as piercing now as it had been when she'd met him at the bar that fateful evening. She alone would ever know how close she'd come to backing out of her plan during the short drive over, how close she'd come to instructing the driver to return her to the hotel so she could pack and retreat to Konoha on the next flight out. Yet, she managed to screw up her courage and strengthen her will. She'd really come too far to turn back now, hadn't she? She may as well see her plan through.
Her eyes darted about the Japanese minimalist décor of Nagato's office. From the natural stone walls to the black and sleek finish of the sparse furnishings, the spacious expanse was a contemporary admixture of natural textures and colors that harmoniously blended with one another to achieve an overall effect of peaceful professionalism.
She'd never have guessed Nagato was an architect. His attire definitely hadn't hinted as much that night in Konoha, when he'd been dressed in black leather and looked like a musician, and it hadn't now, either. Her blue eyes raked over him where he stood behind his desk. And here she thought architects were typically bespectacled men in khakis with pencils permanently fixed behind their ears. His image still reeked strongly of musician, clad as he was in a pair of faded jeans and worn, grey, loose-fitting sweatshirt, and she smirked at the acoustic guitar propped against a leg of the drawing table in a corner of the office. Nice to know she hadn't been too far off the mark. His hair at the top and sides had been gathered in a small ponytail at the back of his head. For Ino, not only had Nagato's image and brusque mannerisms belied his profession, but another trait about him that had drew her to him, much like a moth drawn to a flame.
The manner in which he'd worn his heart on his sleeve that night as he sought to drown thoughts of his girlfriend in libation had added to the paradox of his appeal. And when she'd lain with him later that evening, she'd felt the emotion for what it was, his love for this woman unknown to her. She had felt it in his hands as they stroked and caressed her lovingly, in his lips as they pressed against hers tenderly. She'd even recognized it when she heard it as, in a drunken haze, he'd whisperingly affirmed his affections for that woman, and it that woman's name upon his lips when he climaxed. Though Nagato had sex with her, Ino knew he was making love to her, the woman who'd been the true recipient of his lovemaking. And though Ino had never met her, she'd envied her, and her ability to bewitch Nagato. She'd slept with Nagato because she'd wanted to experience again what passion had felt like again. Had it not been a short while ago since she'd wielded a similar power over Shikamaru at one time?
No sooner had the offending thought of Shikamaru formed that Ino immediately shook her head as if to clear her mind. Hadn't she decided she wouldn't think of him? She had, but she'd known better. To think she'd ever be able to truly purge her memories of Shikamaru while carrying the evidence of their union was as futile as it was foolish. He was the father of her child after all, a fact that couldn't be changed. He'd simply represented an obstacle beyond which she was going to have to learn to maneuver if she'd any hopes of truly moving on in both her and her baby's lives. To wallow in any self-pity at this point would undermine her ability to accomplish that. The sound of Nagato's voice tore through the fabric of her thoughts as he spoke. She was shocked when her eyes shifted back to him to find him intently gazing at her. What he said next caused her breath to audibly catch in her throat.
"Considering the nature of our acquaintance, you will understand if I have some doubt regarding the paternity." His voice was low and controlled as he spoke in a tone that brooked no room for debate. Even the glint in his eyes had sharpened to the point where they were downright glossy now, and a nerve pulsed in the stern set of his jaw. It wasn't his intention to be callous or insensitive, but he nevertheless wanted to let her know where he stood. Nagato was many things, but naive wasn't one of them. He'd been all too aware of the games some women played, and in the event Ino had been of that ilk, he hadn't any intention of being taken advantage of.
Ino's chin jutted as she flicked her hair with a toss of her head. Her sky blue eyes had hardened to icy shards of sapphire as they boldly met and held his gaze. His message had been loud and clear. His doubts in regards to being the father of the child stemmed from his perception of her as being loose. She checked the anger that suddenly zipped through her, the anger at having her own indiscretion thrown back in her face. But had he been wrong to draw such a conclusion about her, or to be skeptical? What had she expected? For starters, he really wasn't the father. She realized that aside from their night in Konoha, this was only their second time meeting. They were practically strangers.
Her breath released on a deep sigh as her lids momentarily drifted closed. When they reopened, they had lost much of their fiery brilliance. Nagato had reserved the right to question not only the paternity, but her morality as well. She shifted her glance back to Nagato. "I understand," was her sole reply.
From his position, Nagato witnessed a series of emotions play out in successive order on Ino's face as she processed what he told her: surprise, anger, and finally acceptance. He was only grateful that she had received it the way she had. The last thing he wanted was for this already awkward situation to become any more unpleasant than it already was. Of course a paternity test would have to be conducted before they could proceed any further. His eyes narrowed. Could a paternity be established when a woman was still pregnant? He really had no idea about these matters. He'd never impregnated a woman before. He sighed. Whatever the outcome, he preferred they both remain civil in handling this matter, he thought. His eyes lowered to his desk where a set of blueprints had been spread across its surface.
The drawings were of one of the country's government buildings that had been destroyed during the country's civil war. No edifice had been sacred as many homes, schools, businesses, and government buildings alike fell to the looting and pillaging that had ensued. Although the country had survived the long and arduous trek from anarchical lawlessness to the structured stability of its current government, much damage had been done.
Nagato's firm had been singled out by the country's officials with an offer to assist in the effort to restore some of Amegakure's historical landmarks. That such an opportunity should ever be presented to Nagato's firm had been a dream of his, and his sense of pride for his homeland whetted his enthusiasm. He practically sizzled with a desire to share the awesome news with someone else and immediately thought of Konan, when his mind suddenly and momentarily went blank. He'd confidently discarded his previous fear of losing Konan as it had no longer posed a viable threat. That they were living together now was proof of their joint desire to move beyond his indiscretion with Ino. But now, with the news of Ino's pregnancy, the fear had resurfaced and stole over him with such aggression that he almost swayed where he stood. How would Konan react if she were to ever find out about this? Nagato's eyes assumed a far off gaze as they lifted to stare at some unfocused point in the room. He marveled at the unexpected turn of events. To say that he was surprised was an understatement. Of all the things he could have factored that Ino wanted to discuss with him, he hadn't considered this one. Though Konan had been willing to forgive him about Ino, he wasn't confident she'd respond as amicably this time. He scoffed. Nor would he expect her to. He was possibly a father now, which would change the course of everything. Nagato raised a hand to massage his forehead as he bowed his head.
When Konan breezed into the building of Ame Architectural Consulting, she felt she as giddy as a child on Christmas morning. Though she wasn't the one receiving a gift, she was nonetheless excited as she anticipated Nagato's reaction to her news which she was now confident would be favorable. She paused to close her umbrella before confidently striding to the elevator and selecting the button for the desired floor of Nagato's office on the very top level. Though she'd visited Nagato in his office many times, she suddenly wished he had an office on the ground floor as the elevator lurched upon its upward ascent. The action caused her head to spin with increased dizziness. She pressed her eyes closed against the woozy sensation again. She leaned against the wall of the elevator for support where she remained for the duration of the elevator's ascent.
She was grateful when the car finally reached the floor. Despite her wobbly legs, she managed to make her way to the familiar face of Nagato's secretary whose own friendly smile greeted Konan as she approached.
"Good afternoon, Konan," Shiho initiated in her bubbly voice. Her eyes narrowed behind her glasses as she noted Konan's countenance. "Are you okay? You don't look so good," she pointed out. She pressed her glasses back up the bridge of her nose with a solitary finger.
Konan chuckled against her dizziness. She had always liked Shiho for her friendly yet straightforward personality. Despite her mousy appearance, she was a very competent employee and had instantly agreed when Nagato had promoted her to his executive assistant from her previous position as a file clerk. "Good afternoon, Shiho, and I'm fine; just a little dizzy is all. Is Nagato still in?"
"Yes, but he's in the middle of a meeting now." Shiho paused as she frowningly gazed at the closed door of Nagato's office. The action hadn't gone unnoticed by Konan, who registered the gesture with a quizzical lift of her brow.
"You're more than welcome to wait here," Shiho continued as she quickly turned back to Konan. Her smile almost seemed apologetic in nature, as if she'd somehow betrayed a trust. She gestured to the seating area reserved for Nagato's visitors. "His meeting should be adjourning soon, and his schedule is free after that." Her face assumed a dreamy expression. "I'm sure he'll be more than happy to see you," she assured.
"Thanks," Konan said and smiled. Shiho was a hopeless romantic, Konan thought affectionately. Konan turned and took a seat on the end of a small leather sofa and set her basket atop the end table next to her. She thanked Shiho when she appeared with a mug of hot, peppermint tea she prepared. Konan settled against the back of the sofa and silently sipped the tea. Her eyes lifted to gaze at the closed door of Nagato's office. She replayed Shiho's frowning expression and gleaned that Nagato must have been in the middle of an intense business meeting. Konan mused. Though Nagato had often discussed certain aspects of his business with her, he'd failed to mention anything very serious. A sudden realization dawned on her, that perhaps the troubled manner in which he'd been acting the past few days had been business-related after all. She sighed, suddenly guilty of mistrusting Nagato. This pregnancy must really be doing a number on her.
She had turned about in her seat to and was content to watch the rainfall when the sound of his office door opening caught her attention. She quickly set the tea cup on the end table and retrieved the basket as she stood. When Nagato emerged, the grin that spread her mouth was wide, but it began to falter when she noted the look of strain upon his brow. She'd managed to advance two steps when he she halted in her track for a svelte blond clad provocatively in a blue dress exited behind him.
No sooner had Ino exited that the two women's eyes met and held. Time for Konan had come to a screeching halt, and all that existed in her world at that moment were the pounding of her heart, the short gulps of breath she sucked in, the swimming dizziness in her head, and this woman that Konan had known - she wasn't aware how she knew, only that she had – was Ino.
The sudden silence was wrought with such tension that could be sliced with a knife. It was Shiho alone who had managed to assume any sense of normalcy as she spoke in her soft voice that was in contrast to the unease that permeated the room. She counted tasks off on her fingers as she verbally listed them. "Ummm, Nagato, sir, I've already contacted the driver. He should be round to retrieve Miss Yamanaka shortly. I've also contacted the local paternity testing center and…" Shiho continued to list the tasks she'd been instructed to complete by her boss, oblivious of her inadvertent slip of the one bit of information that Konan had honed in on.
"Paternity test?" Konan repeated breathlessly, and it was if she could feel the hairs stand on the back of her neck, so electrified she felt at the moment. "Nagato, what is she talking about?" Though she addressed Nagato, her grey eyes were bright and round as they focused solely on Ino. "Nagato, what's going on?"
Nagato sighed deeply as he rubbed a hand along the back of his neck. "Konan," he began, but was cut off when Ino had stepped forward towards Konan, her hand extended.
"So Konan's your name," she stated. "You know, seeing as how he never mentioned you, I had my doubts that he was involved with anyone." Her eyes narrowed when Konan hadn't accepted her outstretched hand. Her smile was smug as she retracted it and hunched one shoulder. "I was beginning to wonder if he'd made you up," she teased, and her bright smile had never reached her blue eyes.
"Ino," Nagato harshly barked in the baritone of his voice that caused all three women in the room to visibly flinch. Ino turned to retrace her steps back to where she stood next to Nagato, but not before offering a smug expression to Konan.
Konan struggled to piece together the bits of information she'd managed to retrieve in the short amount of time. That the beautiful woman by Nagato's side with the triumphant gloat was Ino she'd understood. But what was this about a paternity test Shiho had mentioned?
"Nagato," Konan ventured again, this time managing to tear her eyes from Ino and direct them towards him. Despite the tumult of emotions she'd been inside, her voice was calm and she spoke. "Is there something you need to tell me?"
Nagato's eyes locked with Konan's as he spoke. "There is something I do need to tell you, Konan, yes, though I'm sorry you're finding out this way," he stated, and was cut off when Shiho became rife with apologies.
"I'm s-s-sorry, boss. I… I really didn't m-mean to…" the petite blond stumbled as she wrung her hands. She quieted when a corner of her employer's mouth quirked upward at her.
"It's fine, Shiho," he assured her, and he meant it. He wouldn't penalize her for doing her job. If anyone had really been to blame here, it was him. Chances were likely that had he never responded to Ino's advances back in Konoha, he wouldn't be in this predicament now. His eyes raked over Konan. She'd been exceptionally beautiful today, and he'd favored the style of the dress on her. When he noticed the basket in her hands, he warmed at the realization that she'd wanted to surprise him today with lunch. His eyes returned to her face, and his chest constricted at the unshed tears pooled in her eyes.
"This is Ino," he stated with a slight inclination of his head to the woman standing at his side, "the florist from Konoha I told you about."
"What is she doing here?" Konan asked at the risk of sounding jealous, but she couldn't help it. Nothing was making sense right now, and though she wanted answers, she could tell by the sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach that she wasn't going to like any of them.
Nagato shook his head as he realized there was really no easy way of to tell Konan, other than to just say it, so he did just that.
"Konan, Ino's pregnant," he stated. He watched as her face hadn't registered any reaction. "And the baby could be mine," he finished, and inwardly flinched as she gasped.
Konan tightly gripped the handle of the basket until the flesh over her knuckles turned white. Suddenly it began to make sense. The phone call Nagato had been secretive about, the funk he'd been in this past week, they both added up to one conclusion. Nagato had known. He'd known Ino was pregnant, and he'd withheld it from her.
"How could you?" She eyed him incredulously as she spoke, her voice barely above a whisper. "How could you?"
"What do you mean? Konan, I don't understand," Nagato responded.
"You knew, d-didn't you?" Konan accused, and her voice shook. Don't cry, she pleaded with herself. Whatever you do, please don't cry. Not in front of him, definitely not in front of "her".
Nagato watched Konan's chest began to heave as she struggled for breath. Her face had paled considerably despite her makeup, and a faint sheen had materialized upon her skin. "Konan, I think you need to calm down." He advanced towards her and halted when she retreated a few steps of her own. Anger began to build within him. "Konan, something's going on with you. I don't think you're well."
"No," Konan protested with a stern shake of her head. "Don't you dare try to make this about me. You don't get to get off that easily this time, Nagato." Was it just her, or had the room started spinning?
Konan's gaze reached past Nagato to where Ino had quietly stood, one perfectly manicured brow arched in amusement as she witnessed the scene unfold in front of her. Her gaze then zipped to where Shiho had come from around her desk and now advanced toward her as well, her hands extended before her cautiously.
"Konan, Nagato's right. You really don't look well. Are you okay?" When Konan hadn't responded, Shiho quickly returned to her desk and lifted the receiver of the phone. "I'm calling an ambulance," she stated, and dialed.
"No, Shiho, please," Konan pleaded, "I'm f…" Her voiced trailed away as her world suddenly darkened, and it was the last she saw of Nagato's stunned expression as he sprung forward to catch her as unconsciousness descended upon her.