CHAPTER 11

Nagato gazed up at the towering structure of Ame Casino and Spa from the vantage point upon his bike beneath the constant pelting of the rain. He inwardly struggled with his decision to abandon his self-imposed edict to keep his distance from Ino until she submitted to the paternity test. Yet, his pretentious air was rebuked by the reminder of his ill visit with Konan earlier that morning. He still bristled from the encounter, and at the manner in which she sought to break up with him. A prelude to a break up, she'd termed, and a corner of Nagato's mouth lifted wryly. The hell if he'd let that happen.

And he meant what he said. He had no intention of allowing her to walk out of their relationship. He realized he'd never felt more poised to fight for anything in his life the way he did for Konan right now, and if it meant divesting himself of every ounce of his damned pride, it was worth it. It was that line of thought that justified his being here right now. He would see Ino and seek the closure to this predicament, regardless of the outcome. Sighing, he secured his bike and strode through the double doors of the hotel.

I hope it's worth it. Karui's words weighed heavy on Ino's conscience and replayed in her mind like a bad commercial jingle as she sat on the foot of the bed and inwardly examined herself. The fact that it hadn't been worth it – to borrow Karui's words - was no epiphany. She'd been aware prior to exacting her plan – she winced at how that even sounded – that it was ill-fated. Hadn't she? Ino groaned. Oh, God, what the hell was she doing? What had she been thinking by coming to Ame with her scheme to entrap Nagato? Had she honestly thought she would succeed? She shook her head. Ino had never been a religious person, but ducked her head and silently prayed nonetheless that she'd one day look back on this and laugh at her folly, because right now she'd settle for fading into oblivion.

She began to ponder how Karui had come to know as much as she had. Ino knew the red head hadn't gotten her information from Konan as she was certain Konan had been none the wiser about certain facts like her having yet to submit to the paternity test, or that she was even staying at Ame Casino and Spa. So how had Karui known? And had it really mattered? Ino sighed, for she knew the issue wasn't whatever information Karui may or may not have had on her, or how she even managed to come by it. Rather, the issue was her own selfish self, she thought, and the manner in which she was allowing the pain Shikamaru was putting her through to justify what she was doing to Nagato. And to Konan, who had been the true innocent in all this. Ino's head lowered. There was no doubt in her mind Konan thought her the Wicked Witch of the fucking East … or West. No, wait, what was it again? Oh, to hell with it!

Ino ran a hand through her hair as she stared at her cell phone she'd been cradling in her other hand. She was going to have to make it right, and she would, at least before she left which, she thankfully remembered, was tomorrow. Truthfully, she'd entertained the idea of making for a quick exit, leaving before the news of her deceit was revealed. Such a cowardly attempt in which to save face, she knew, but felt that Nagato had deserved to know the truth, to hear it from her so as to leave no room for misunderstanding. But why was he still avoiding her? She dialed his number yet again and rolled her eyes when her call went directly to voicemail.

"You have reached the voicemail of …" the pre-recorded voice began, and Ino disconnected the call. She tossed it atop her suitcase lying open on the bed behind her. She noted the haphazard manner in which she'd thrown her clothing in the luggage and sighed. She'd been so vexed after her visit from Karui that after she stormed back to her room, she began carelessly throwing her belongings inside without regard for efficiency. Standing, Ino commenced to properly refold her clothing when her cell rang. She immediately reached for it and gazed at the caller ID. She sighed to find it was the number of her shop. It was her assistant manager that called. She turned to reclaim her seat on the bed as she took the call.

"Hello, Hinata," Ino greeted. She was aware of the lackluster tone of her voice and regretted it. Hinata was a sweet girl who hadn't warranted her nonchalant behavior. Besides, who had she expected the caller would be? Nagato? Perhaps even Shikamaru? Wishful thinking, she chided herself.

"Hello, Miss Yamanaka. Umm, is this a bad time?" Hinata asked timidly as noted the indifferent tone of her employer. She fumbled on the other end of the line. "I mean, I called to give you a status update."

Ino smiled. "Just Ino," she reminded, and knew it was futile. No matter how much she insisted Hinata address her informally – they were the same age after all – the young woman insisted on the honorific. Ino was sure it was something to do with Hinata's upbringing. The beautiful brunette was born an heiress into an affluent family where cultured civility reigned as supreme as her father did as the head of their family. "And the timing's fine," she assured. "How's everything?"

Hinata sighed before she began. "Well, for starters, the Japanese ferns arrived."
"Oh, really," Ino exclaimed. Her eyes widened as she was truly surprised. "That was quick," she mused. "What was their condition?"

"They were in excellent condition," Hinata confirmed happily. "I inspected them for damage and found none. Oh, and I also added some natural compost to their pots. I also made sure to set the irrigation timer to ensure they receive no more than an inch of water a day," she finished and inhaled deeply, and it was then that Ino realized Hinata had spoken in one breath.

Ino smiled despite her weariness. She'd done right to hire Hinata, though she'd had her misgivings when the young heiress had first applied for the assistant manager position. Hinata hadn't possessed any previous experience in the florist business, but she'd been insistent in her desire to stake her own independence and eventually won Ino over with her knowledge of plants and flower arrangement which had proved wondrous in terms of displaying the flowers her shop offered.

"Thanks, Hinata," Ino stated genuinely. She glanced at the departure date on the ticket. "I'll be leaving out tomorrow and should arrive home sometime tomorrow afternoon. I'll see you then."

"Oh, umm, and so you know, Shikamaru's been by," Hinata stated as an afterthought.

Ino's back straightened as she sat up bolt right. "I'm sorry, but did you say Shikamaru came by?" She asked to assure she hadn't been hearing things. When Hinata confirmed, she shook her head. "Well, whatever for?"

"He came looking for you the first day you left. I told him you left for Ame on a business trip for a couple days, but he still came by the next day."

Ino's pace quickened, which angered her. Why the hell was she getting excited to hear Shikamaru came by looking for her? She rolled her eyes. It hadn't meant anything. For all she knew, he probably only came by to offer his monetary support. Whatever his reason for stopping by the shop, it wasn't to see her, at least not the way he used to.

Ino sighed. "Did he say anything else?" She asked, annoyed that she may have sounded expectant.

Hinata shook her head on the other end. "Hmm, no, just that he'd be back after you returned."

Ino smirked. Sure he would, she thought. She once again reiterated her return flight tomorrow and thanked Hinata before they concluded the call. She was suddenly tired, and a tell tale of an oncoming headache began to throb at her temples. Apparently the art of deception required a great deal of energy that she was no longer sure she wanted to expel. Perhaps it was time she diverted what was left of her energy to more worthwhile ventures, like preparing for the baby she was going to have. She turned to reach for her toiletry bag which still sat on the dresser into which she'd packed a bottle of ibuprofen. She washed two caplets down with a glass of water when a peal of thunder exploded in the sky outside. Glass in hand, Ino stepped over to the window and watched as the rain had intensified.

One thing was for certain, she'd had her fill of rainfall, and was surprised to find she was excited to return home to Konoha, where at least weather patterns were a bit more normal. Thunder boomed in the sky again with a rumble that Ino felt where she stood. If the past couple days she'd been here were anything to go by, the storm was more fierce than usual. And though she had no idea where Nagato was, she couldn't help but hope it wasn't out on the road.

Just then, another booming clap of thunder burst. But when the cacophonous noise hadn't ceased, Ino realized that it wasn't the thunder outside but rather a loud rap of knocking that sounded at her door. The knocking becoming louder and louder to the point she feared the door would be broken down. What the hell…? Downing the last water, Ino set the empty glass on the corner of the dresser as she crossed to the door.

"Who is it?" Ino called nervously.

"Nagato," the deep voice announced in a clipped tone on the other side.

Ino sighed. She barely opened the door when she quickly retreated to keep from being knocked down as Nagato forcefully barged in. He was soaking wet and carried the scent of the outside.

"Nagato," Ino started as she closed the door. "What are you doing here? I just called you a moment ago, but didn't get an answer." She noted the air of impatience as he swiftly turned towards her, his eyes ablaze. "Can I get you something," she offered and motioned for him to have a seat.

"Cut the bullshit, Ino," Nagato ground harshly. "Why haven't you submitted to the paternity test yet?" When Ino didn't answer right away, he advanced a couple steps closer to her but stopped himself when he checked his irritation. "I've tried to remain civil so far, but you're really trying my patience right now."

Ino's gaze lowered. "Umm, that's actually what I called you about." She clasped her hands as she lifted her gaze back to meet his. "Won't you please sit down, Nagato?" When Nagato remained rooted where he stood, Ino sighed. "Please," she pleaded and watched as he relented and crossed to sit in one of two chairs at a small table next to the window. She joined him and claimed the other chair across from him.

"My plane leaves tomorrow," Ino began again by reminding him.

"I'm aware," Nagato stated tersely as he leaned over the small table toward her, "which is why you'll submit today." His eyes narrowed when she sighed. For the life of him he couldn't understand her hesitance. If she was so certain he was the father, why was she pussyfooting around the issue? He thought he was making it easier for her by keeping it out of the courts, save her the hassle of the whole legal procedure so as to salvage her dignity in the process. But apparently she wanted to do this the hard way. Nagato scoffed. Have it her way, then, the hell if he cared, so long as everything was properly dealt with and the truth was out in the open. He leaned back in his seat and shrugged as one brow rose. "Should you still choose to exit Ame without submitting the test, I can have it ordered and ready for you back in Konoha." No worries. After all, the law was far-reaching.

Ino eyes pressed close momentarily as she pressed a hand to her temple. She reopened her eyes and regarded Nagato steadily. "I won't be taking the test, Nagato," she stated. "I have no need to." She watched as Nagato's brows furrowed. She paused to summon her courage. She had been earnest in her desire to set aright her misdeed, and Fate had apparently deemed no better opportunity than the present. She realized there was no easy way to break the truth to him, and decided to just say it. She drew a deep breath and sighed heavily. "Nagato, the baby isn't yours," she admitted softly, her voice barely audible. Her eyes were wide on his face for his reaction.

"What did you just say?" Nagato's voice was low.

Ino swallowed. Her eyes blinked once before her chin jutted forward. "I said the baby isn't yours, Nagato.

Nagato's eyes shifted toward the window at the rainfall outside. They danced back and forth in his head as he processed what Ino had just told him. "So that means…" His voice trailed away. "That night in Konoha…"

Ino's eyes were downcast. "I was already pregnant."

For a moment the two sat regarding one another silently before Nagato's face began to cloud with a rage that caused his body to tremble.

It hadn't gone unnoticed by Ino. She'd never felt cause to fear him before, but now was a completely different matter as fear suddenly claimed her with lightning speed. She was suddenly aware of the fact that she was alone in this room with Nagato.

"Wait, Nagato, please," she quickly began when he rose. Her hands involuntarily lifted in a defensive manner as he advanced towards her, gripping her shoulders in the same manner he had Konan only moments earlier. The only difference was he didn't give a damn how much he hurt Ino as he held her fast in his death-like grip. And though he was angry enough to do her bodily harm, he was tempered by two facts. One, this was a woman, and he was strictly against exacting violence upon women. Second, she was pregnant, and his stance on that went without saying. Instead, he pinned her back against the wall and leaned close, towering over her. She began to visibly tremble in his grip.

"N-Nagato, I can explain," she pleaded in a quivering voice.

"You can explain?" He asked incredulously. "Is this some joke?"

"No," Ino quickly answered with a shake of her head.

"Are you laughing at me?"

"No," again quickly.

"Perhaps this is your M.O., to pick up a guy and see how much you can fuck up his life?"

"No, never."

"'Cause quite frankly, I don't find this as entertaining as you do," he ground as if he hadn't heard her, as if she hadn't spoken, hadn't answered him in a string of negatives. His eyes narrowed on her. "Do you have any idea what you've done?" He asked angrily. "Do you?"

Ino could feel the warmth of his breath against her cheek as he spoke. She cried out against the pain as his fingers dug deeply into the flesh of her upper arms. Tears began to slip from her eyes. "I'm sorry," she apologized and began to sob, her tears flowing freely now. "I'm so sorry."

"You're sorry, are you?" Nagato snorted. His mind immediately thought back to the night they shared in Konoha, and his face then contorted with disgust as he held her fast. "You slept with me while carrying another man's child," he spat. He suppressed the nausea that churned in his stomach. He closed his eyes and turned his head aside. The very sight of her sickened him, and words alone couldn't describe the revulsion he felt for her now. Good God! He released her and watched without the slightest morsel of compassion as she limply crumpled to the ground like a mere rag doll, her body racked with her sobs. He turned to leave but was halted by her voice.

"I'm so sorry, Nagato," she continued to plead. "I'm so sorry." She swiped a trembling beneath her nose. "You have to believe me. If I could make it right, I would. I swear I would," she declared, and surprised herself that she meant it. She would say or do anything she could to undo the damage she'd done.

Nagato regarded the pathetic manner in which she sat on the floor and snorted. Despite Ino's admission, he feared the damage was already done. Konan had just broken up with him, and all was lost. The woman he loved, the life of happiness he was sure they would share as they raised their baby together…their baby…all of it, gone.

"I know I can make it right," Ino continued to plead, and for a moment Nagato thought she looked comical the way she sat there, her head bobbing up and down like one of those wind-up toys that one let loose to bumble about in senseless circles. "My plane leaves early tomorrow afternoon. I still have time. I know I can make-," she began to repeat, but screamed when Nagato quickly, lithely, returned to her. He bent and snatched her in his iron grip again and shook her very hard.

"Shut up! Shut the hell up," he commanded. What was she thinking?! "You still don't seem to get it, do you?" He barked. "Perhaps I can dumb it down for you. The damage is done, Ino. Konan is lost to me now," he stated as his eyes bore into hers. "And if I find you anywhere near her, so help me, it will be the last thing you do," he promised, and it wasn't a threat. He wouldn't allow her to hurt Konan any more than she already had. "Do you understand that now? Do you get it? Do you?" He yelled and roughly shook her once for effect. His eyes scanned her tear-streaked face as she nodded mutely. He roughly released her again and began to pace as he raked a hand through his hair at the front of his head.

"Just answer me one question," he stated as he wheeled around to her. "Why? Why me? Of all the assholes that passed through the bar that night, why the hell me?"

Ino drew a shaky breath. She lifted her gaze to Nagato's and couldn't bear the anger –and hatred, perhaps? – reflected in his eyes. She looked away as she began to explain.

"I loved the father of my child," she began. "I still do. And I gave him every part of me, Nagato. There was nothing of me that I denied him. So you can't imagine how I felt when he walked away from me when he found out I was pregnant. I'm carrying his child, and he walked away… from… me." She gave a short and bitter laugh. "That night at the bar," she continued, "you walked in looking like some rock star in your black leather, wearing your heart on your sleeve as you drown thoughts of your girlfriend in your beer." She shook her head. "You should have seen yourself. It was so poetic. And I felt I could relate to whatever pain you were feeling. Would you believe me when I say I was even a little jealous?" Her eyes rolled when Nagato appeared confused. "Yeah, jealous, 'cause I sensed what you felt for your girlfriend, and I missed that. Shikamaru used to feel that for me, and I wanted to be a part of that, to feel it again." Her face assumed a far off expression and it felt to Nagato that she saw right through him. "And when we had sex that night, I could feel your love for her. I could feel it when you touched me, when you kissed me, when you…"

"Stop," Nagato commanded as he averted his gaze. He didn't want to hear anymore. What the hell had he gotten himself into by getting involved with this woman? She was damaged. She was hurt, and she was toxic. And she was looking for any fool desperate enough on whom to exact her poison that night, regardless of the consequences. And he'd been the one stupid fuck to fall for it when he'd taken leave of his better judgment long enough it took to succumb to her advances.

Nagato turned and strode to the front door. He hadn't wanted to hear anymore; it hadn't been necessary. As far as he was concerned, her admission had been all he needed to hear to completely sever all ties with her forever. Anything else after hadn't mattered.

"Get the hell out of Ame," he stated without turning to face her.

"Nagato, please, I…" And whether Nagato hadn't heard her or chose to ignore her, Ino's voice trailed away as she watched Nagato disappear out the room. He slammed the door shut so hard behind him that a decorative picture hanging on the adjacent wall clattered to the floor.

Ino remained on the floor where Nagato left her, and it was then that she was momentarily seized by a feeling of déjà vu. She'd been here before, hadn't she, left crying and bereft on the floor as she watched a man walk out on her? But the only difference this time was Nagato wasn't the man in her life, had never belonged to her at all. And he hadn't deserved the deceit she'd exacted on him. What had she done? She thought miserably. Her body continued to be racked by her sobs as she vented all the pent anger, frustration, and loneliness that she'd been holding onto. Perhaps it was that admixture of negative emotions that fueled her actions; actions that resulted in the shame she felt now. And she'd deserved it all.

The rain beat furiously upon Nagato's back as he bent low over his bike, as if doing so would encourage it faster still beyond the speed at which he precariously sped along the rain-slicked road. So electrified had he felt as relief mixed with joy coursed through his veins.

He wasn't the father of Ino's child after all. He'd had the word straight from the source, and it was if a heavy burden had been lifted so light had he felt. He wondered at the saying 'bursting at the seams with happiness', and chuckled aloud at the mental image that conjured in his mind. His thoughts immediately flew to Konan, and he couldn't wait to tell her the truth. It would set everything right, he knew it would, it just had to. He'd have the woman he loved, his baby, and they'd be a family, a real family.

So preoccupied was Nagato with his thoughts and his feelings of happiness in general, that he was oblivious of the rain that intensified and pelted against the face shield of his helmet and decreased his visibility. It was as if a dark shade had been drawn all around him. But he'd known the roads of Ame like the backs of his hands and therefore thought better than to cease riding until the storm lessened. What he hadn't known was that he'd been rendered practically invisible to other motorists in the dense weather and there, less than twenty feet before him, an operator of a car unknowingly switched into the lane Nagato's bike traveled.

It all happened rather quickly. Too late had the operator of the car realized his error and tried to steer his car back into his lane. Nagato's own knee jerk reaction was ill-timed as well, as he tried to safely maneuver his bike onto the shoulder of the highway and around the car despite the speed at which he drove. And it was due to a combination of that speed and the wet road that his bike hydroplaned and slammed into the concrete barrier along the outer edge of the highway.