CHAPTER 9

"Shit!" Ino cursed aloud as she slammed the receiver of the telephone down. For the umpteenth time she called Nagato's cell number, and for the umpteenth time her call had gone straight to his voicemail. It hadn't taken a genius to figure out he was avoiding her. She sighed heavily as she turned to lie on the bed and rested an arm across her closed eyes. Her mind reenacted the scene that played out at his office yesterday.

So she had met Konan. She hadn't expected to see Konan, and was surprised when Konan had turned up at Nagato's office. Judging Konan's steely stare, Ino guessed Konan was equally surprised as well, which could only mean that Konan hadn't known that Ino was there, quite possibly hadn't know about Ino at all. Ino had quickly masked her shock by introducing herself in the spiteful manner she had. The situation had taken an awkward turn and she had felt vulnerable, but it was quickly replaced by satisfaction at having her curiosity satiated. She'd wanted to know this mystery woman that held such sway over Nagato, and realized that everything she said to Konan wasn't untrue. Nagato really hadn't mentioned her, hadn't hinted as to the status of their relationship, and she'd just assumed they were no longer seeing one another. She smiled as she replayed her comment about Konan being a figment of Nagato's imagination. She prided herself on what she considered sheer, bitchy genius on her part.

The woman was definitely an eccentric beauty, Ino thought as she continued to reflect. The reserved manner in which Konan held herself accented the haunting stoicism she exuded, and contrasted with the alternative look of her cobalt-dyed hair and labret piercing. Ino shrugged. Okay, so Konan was gorgeous, but that hadn't made Ino feel uneasy in the least. Ino was confident in her own sexuality than to allow herself to feel thwarted by something so trivial. Besides, she was still relatively thin despite the slight swell of her abdomen.

When Konan had fainted, Ino silently stood by, transfixed as she watched a stricken Nagato lunge forward to catch Konan as she fell, scooping her up before she made contact with the ground. Ino noted the protective manner in which he cradled Konan against his wide chest and gently shook her, the trembling hand he tenderly ran through her hair or down her cheek, the strained urgency of his voice as he repeatedly called her name, all of it in an effort to revive her. Ino had witnessed all his gestures that conveyed his love for this woman, and she was pricked with jealousy. What would she not have given to be the recipient of those antics? She clucked her tongue aloud in the silence of the hotel room and willed her mind to shift to more urgent, pressing matters.

Nagato wanted to establish paternity. It initially hadn't been a cause of concern for her as she figured paternity couldn't be proven until after a baby was born. But it was to her surprise to learn that such wasn't true, and that paternity could be established as early as the end of the first trimester by way of a procedure called Chorionic Villus Sampling, or CVS for short. Per Nagato's instructions, Shiho had a packet of the information she obtained sent to Ino that contained facts about the procedure and what it entailed, and even been replete with pictures. It was the same medical procedure used to test a fetus for Down syndrome or a host of other genetic disorders. Ino read the information in its entirety in the privacy of the hotel room. It was as barbaric as the name had sounded. She almost fainted.

A paternity test would completely dash her plan to smithereens. She suddenly felt as though time was against her, and her mind reeled with plausible explanations with which she could delay the test. She initially thought to offer her responsibilities at her shop back in Konoha as an excuse for a quick exit, but realized it was no use. Prior to purchasing her plane ticket to Amegakure, Nagato had expressed his concerns for her shop that she'd put to rest by assuring him all could be handled by her competent assistant manager. So that wouldn't wash. Nor could she offer the shipment of Japanese ferns that had already been in transit as her assistant could oversee their delivery as well. Her blue eyes drifted closed as she sighed irritably. Damn her big mouth! She then remembered the stipulation of her plane ticket, that she couldn't return to Konoha until she'd been departed from there for three days, and immediately sighed. Tomorrow would mark the third day of her brief sojourn in Amegakure, so she'd be free to leave the day after.

Her stomach rumbled low with hunger and it was then she realized she hadn't eaten anything yet. She wondered if she'd missed the cut off time when breakfast would no longer be served and glanced at the digital clock on the nightstand, but remembered that the hotel's restaurant remained open twenty-four seven, so she needn't worry.

Ino rose from the bed and slipped on a pair of flats as she prepared to head out to the restaurant. Her hand enclosed around the doorknob and was startled when a knock sounded on the other side of the door at the same time. Startled, Ino quickly recovered with a deep breath before opening the door to a young bellhop who smilingly extended an envelope toward her.

"Good morning, ma'am," he greeted. "This is to notify you that you have a visitor."

Ino's brows slanted inward as she accepted the small envelope. She opened it and extracted the small calling card that invited her to dine in the hotel restaurant. Considering her hunger, it was convenient. Her eyes remained lowered to the card as she spoke, turning it over in her hands. "And just who might this visitor be?" she asked.

The bellhop stood erect with one arm crooked around his back. "The visitor failed to provide a name, ma'am," was all he stated with an unwavering smile.

One of Ino's brows shot up. Who paid a visit without revealing their identity? How odd, she thought. Her eyes then brightened, for surely it could be none other than Nagato who had come to pay her a personal visit. After all, he was her only contact here in Amegakure. Her face beamed with anticipation, and she quickly reached into the pocket of her jeans to offer a tip, but was halted by the bellhop's wagging finger.

"That won't be necessary, ma'am. Your visitor has already seen to that," he stated. He tapped the brim of his cap that was part of his uniform and turned on his heel to retreat down the hall towards the elevators. From the smile on his face, Ino guessed the visitor had been a generous tipper. She smiled. Nagato really had been too thoughtful throughout her stay, making sure she hadn't wanted for anything, and she would thank him.

Ino closed the door and walked to the mirror where she glanced at her reflection and deemed her jeans and sweatshirt grossly inappropriate. She didn't want to keep Nagato waiting much longer and was grateful she had showered earlier. She hastily changed into a white sarong dress held by a single strap around her neck and secured above her breasts with a single golden fastener. A pair of gold heeled sandals and a few pieces of matching jewelry completed her attire. Bending at the waist, she brushed her hair in upward strokes from the nape and flipped her hair back as she stood to allow it to cascade over her shoulders in golden waves. She manipulated her tresses with her fingers until she was pleased with the style. She hadn't had time to apply makeup and settled for a bit of tinted gloss to her lips, which she figured would suit what she surmised was Nagato's preference for a more natural look. She turned to assess her finished look in the mirror. She wanted to please Nagato. Though she had seen him yesterday, the circumstances weren't favorable. Sighing, Ino rummaged inside her suitcase and produced a small golden clutch into which she placed her a few essentials and her room key and left the room in the direction of the elevators.

At the restaurant, Ino paused at the entrance. Her eyes scanned the interior. Save for a few families that dined quietly, the restaurant was pretty bare, but she knew that would change when lunchtime approached. She entered and was greeted with the sound of dishes clinking in dishpans as busboys cleared tables in preparation for other guests. Her eyes shifted to the bar located opposite the glass wall where a young woman sat, and it was there she headed as her eyes continued to search for Nagato. She hadn't seen him and wondered where he may have gotten off to. She supposed he would return momentarily and sat on a stool.

Karui watched Ino enter the restaurant through a mirror that lined the upper portion of the wall behind the bar. Her eyes narrowed on the attractive blonde when she entered, her temper already stirred by the fact that Nagato had even deigned to put her up in such a swank hotel as Ame Casino and Spa. Such opulence for the very woman who posed a threat to his happiness for the woman Karui knew he loved. She snorted. Men could be so damned stupid sometimes, she thought testily, though she figured she could understand the attraction. Karui continued to watch as Ino made her way to the bar. The woman was beautiful in a very 'sandy beaches with clear blue skies' kind of way. For a moment Karui decided that woman's profession as a florist suited her; that Ino's beauty was such that Karui could imagine her surrounded by the delicate beauty of flowers.

Karui noticed the way Ino's eyes glanced about as if she searched for something. Or perhaps someone, Karui thought. Perhaps Ino had expected Nagato was the one visiting her, hence the sexy getup.

Karui watched from the corner of her eye as Ino selected a bar stool seat a courteous distance away from her. "Please, allow me," she offered and raised her hand to alert the bartender when Ino made to do the same.

Ino swiveled in her seat and watched as the woman she noticed at the bar rose from her seat to boldly perch on the stool next to her.

She smiled as she extended a hand towards Ino. "Karui," she introduced herself.

Though she was taken aback by Karui's boldness, Ino still didn't want to appear rude and tentatively accepted the outstretched hand. "I'm –," she started but was cut off.

"Ino Yamanaka," Karui finished with a single nod. "I know." She chuckled briefly at the apprehension in Ino's eyes. "Let's just say I'm a friend."

Ino's eyes narrowed on the woman whose outfit – a pair of cream colored palazzo pants and off-the-shoulder, bell-sleeved tunic of the same color - played nicely against her brown skin. Her red hair, that was parted at the center and gently framed her slender face as it hung just past her shoulders, contrasted with her piercing yet bewitching amber eyes. "But I'm sure we've never met," she stated slowly. She was certain she'd remember making the acquaintance of a woman of such unique beauty.

"I said I'm a friend…" she shook her head, "…not your friend."

"Excuseme?" Ino was quickly offended, and one brow rose upward with shock at the woman's blatant rudeness. Just then, the bartender approached.

Karui lifted her glass. "I'll have another," she stated. When the bartender glanced questioningly toward Ino, Karui intervened. "Oh, and a juice for the lady, please. She's expecting," she emphasized, and the bartender smiled and offered his congratulations before turning to fill their drinks. "Gotta love Ame, right?" Karui stated as she tapped the rim of the glass with a manicured nail. She was referring to Amegakure's relaxed drinking laws, which granted that alcohol could be bought and sold from any business or vendor licensed to do so at any time of day to any patron that proved to be of age. She downed the last of the drink she'd been nursing; it was her third. She didn't usually drink so liberally. Or, rather, she didn't get the chance to. Omoi preferred her to only drink in his presence. Apparently a fiery Karui was one thing, but a drunken fiery Karui was an entirely different matter. Like setting a lit match to a barrel of oil, Omoi had said; whatever that had meant. She shrugged. She would take advantage of his absence.

Ino's sharp intake of breath was audible as she stared at Karui. She suddenly felt at a gross disadvantage, for this Karui obviously knew a great deal about her while she knew absolutely nothing about Karui in return. And who in the hell was this woman? How did she know about her pregnancy? Her eyes narrowed as she asked in a cautiously low voice, "Exactly who are you?" She cast a quick glance over her shoulder. And where in the hell was Nagato?

Karui chuckled as she shook her head. She turned to thank the bartender as he placed their drinks before them, her drink upon a cocktail napkin, and a glass of orange juice before Ino along with a straw. When he left to resume his duties, her gaze swiftly refocused on Ino. "If you're looking for Nagato, don't. He's not here."

Ino's blue eyes sharply focused intently on Karui. Her visitor. Her mind worked. "So you're a friend of Nagato's," she surmised. And even if this woman had been a friend of his, it still didn't explain why she deemed it necessary to pay her a visit. She knew Nagato hadn't sent Karui to act on his behalf. He was much too upfront for such condescending tactics. So why was she here? And how had she known as much as she did? If Karui was a friend of Nagato's, perhaps he'd confided to her about Ino? Highly unlikely, Ino quickly decided as she recalled Nagato's taciturn demeanor. Somehow she couldn't imagine him confiding in anyone.

One corner of Karui's mouth twisted. She'd never been one to beat around the bush and decided to delve into the heart of the matter. "My acquaintance isn't nearly as important as the stunt you're pulling," she accused, the nod of her head toward Ino indicative of Ino's pregnancy.

"I'm not sure I know what you're talking about," Ino stated, feigning ignorance in her defense. She still hadn't known who this woman was and hadn't wanted to offer any information unnecessarily.

Karui clucked her tongue impatiently. Oh, for crying out loud! She really couldn't be bothered. "Look, I'm well aware of you being pregnant and that you claim Nagato is the father."

Ino bristled and regarded Karui with a steely gaze. "I don't know who you are, or what this is all about. I don't even know how you have acquired whatever information you think you know about me, nor do I care."

Karui's expression was bored as she gently swirled the amber liquid in her glass, causing the ice cubes to clink together. "Well, just so you know, Konan and the baby are fine."

It was if she'd been punched in her chest, the way Ino expelled her breath at what she'd just heard. Konan and the baby are fine. Her eyes narrowed despite the shock that rooted her to the bar stool. "What did you just say?"

"Konan. And. The. Baby. Are. Fine." Karui repeated with an emphasis on each word. Her eyes were keen on Ino's reaction.

When Ino failed to answer, shaking her head as her mouth worked and struggled to articulate words that hadn't made it pass her lips, it was all Karui could do to set her glass down with force on the counter to quell the anger that zipped through her. "You didn't know," she stated, her tone laced with anger. "You breeze into Ame poised to forever ruin my best friend's happiness, and you didn't even know she's pregnant with Nagato's child?"

Ah, Ino gleaned. That Karui was Konan's friend explained why she was here. Ino quickly recovered from her momentary shock by assuming an indifferent expression of her own. "So Konan has sent you to do her bidding, is that it?"

Karui's anger crested. Her amber eyes hardened to golden shards. "No one sends me to do a damned thing." Her brows rose. "I'm actually here to help you out with a piece of friendly advice, kind of my Good Samaritan deed for the day."

Ino chuckled. She shook her head. "I'm sorry, but what advice exactly do you think you can extend me?"

"To do the right thing by Konan. Leave Ame and step off from Nagato," Konan commanded in a low voice..

Ino shook her head. "Your concern for your friend is touching, and I'm sorry about what happened to her and all, but it really has nothing to do with me." She shrugged. "Nagato never mentioned anything about Konan being pregnant. As a matter of fact, he didn't mention her at all. We didn't do a lot of talking," she finished smugly to drive home the double meaning of her words.

Karui waved her hand dismissively. She wouldn't breach a discussion as to why Nagato hadn't known Konan was pregnant as she didn't consider it any of Ino's business. But she would address the snide comment Ino just made. "So Nagato fucked you." Her eyes rolled upward before settling back on Ino. "Some men are like dogs, sniffing from one skirt to the next, so I wouldn't pride myself on that if I were you. It's a man's nature to differentiate between lovemaking and a friendly fuck."

Ino gripped her clutch where it lay on the counter. "I don't have to take this," she exclaimed through clenched teeth and prepared to leave.

"Oh, come on, Ino," Karui pleaded tersely before downing the last of her drink. "We're intelligent women. I'm hip to your game. You and I both know the night you and Nagato spent together meant nothing. It was a one night stand. And I daresay that child is his."

"What reason would I have to lie about the paternity?" Ino gritted between her clenched teeth, color suffusing beneath the surface of her complexion as her anger continued to climb.

"It's funny you should ask because I thought about it, and it just doesn't add up," Karui confessed. Then again, it was just a theory. She turned to alert to the bartender again. She'd pondered the situation all last night as she lay curled beneath Omoi's chin, her back tucked into his chest.

Though Nagato's involvement with Ino ranked him amongst the top three of her most hated people's list, Karui had to give him credit for his honesty. He'd been upfront with Konan about Ino, all the way down to relaying news about Ino's pregnancy. But why had Ino waited as long as she had to contact Nagato about the pregnancy? That had been the head scratcher. And all Karui had been able to come up with was the possibility that Nagato wasn't the father of Ino's unborn child. Besides, the idea of a gorgeous and successful young florist as Ino acting so carelessly as to become impregnated during a one-night stand with a man she hadn't known from Adam just didn't make sense to her. It seemed like a very dangerous gamble, and Ino seemed much too intelligent for that. Karui had no other reason but to assume Ino was reacting to some hurt inflicted upon her by another man who was, Karui was almost certain of it, the true father of Ino's child. That Ino had ended up bedding Nagato was a simple case of unfortunate timing, Karui thought.

"I'm aware of the paternity test Nagato ordered," Karui continued. "The way I see it, you have to choices as to whether you'll submit or not, but either way the truth will be known. You can take the test and the results will be negative, or you can run back to Konoha, which will conclude the same as a negative test result." She shrugged. "No matter what plan of action you take, you'll still call your own bluff. You'll still be known as a liar."

Karui extracted a single large bill from her wallet and passed it to the smiling bartender when he returned. "Keep the change," she instructed. Shifting her gaze back to Ino, she shook her head as she slipped her purse strap on her shoulder. Only Ino was truly aware as to what her motive was, what she had hoped to accomplish with her agenda. "I just hope it's worth it." She shook her head.

Ino's response was icy silence as she blinked back unshed tears.

"Look," Karui started, "that you didn't know about Konan or her pregnancy, okay, I'll give you that. Fair enough. But now that you know, you need to ask yourself if the pain you are going through justifies you damaging the relationship of another innocent couple. So again, I hope it's worth it." And with that, Karui left.