Disclaimer: Naruto characters are exclusive property of Kishimoto Masashi.
Chapter 3 – Time and Memories
"Ten enemies found. 2 at nine o'clock three kilometers away, 1 at eleven o'clock one kilometer and a half away, 4 at three o'clock four kilometers away, 2 at six o'clock five hundred meters away and 1 more at eight o'clock one kilometer away" a greatly focused twenty year old blonde girl was in the middle of what used to be team ten's training grounds, her eyes shut "They're dispersing now and coming this way" near the girl, two men were observing closely from the shadows "Five of them are one kilometer away and getting closer, the rest of them..." Ino wasn't done talking, but was able to block Shikamaru's attack with ease "...the rest of them are only two hundred meters away, and one of them is in front of me" the Yamanaka opened her eyes to se her attacker and smirk. Shikamaru returned the gesture "Good job Ino, but we're not done yet" now Tenten went after the blue - eyed, who in less than a blink was now behind the weapon specialist ready to attack without loosing focus "Now three will come from ahead", and right at the moment Neji, Shino y Hinata aimed for the attack. Ino avoided again with no complications and knew the demonstration was over. Instantly, she was right beside her father Inoichi.
The kyubi vessel grinned and took her left hand to her father's left shoulder. They were facing opposite ways "Chouji, Kiba, Lee, Naruto and Sasuke are behind those trees" the blue - eyed said so the boys would go our of their hideout. Inoichi smirked, clearly proud of his daughter.
"Whoa! Amazing Ino, even with distractions you knew where we were all the time. Just great" Naruto said with thumps up. Sasuke nodded in agreement.
"Yeah, awesome", "Well done Ino", "Great perception" the rest of her friends agreeing. However, there was somebody else to impress. She hoped this was good enough.
"And well Jiraya - sama. What do you think?" His daughter has been working hard in some kind of connection with the kyubi which helps to use the tailed beast's chakra to benefit the vessel, in this case Ino, and the green - eyed man fully trusted this ability. But as soon as he let the sannin know about it, his reaction wasn't what he was expecting. Being an expert in seals, he said it wasn't very convenient that the Yamanaka would do such things without supervision, believing the kyubi would take possession over her body anytime if there was a chance. That's why he invited him today, so he could see himself what she could do with the kyubi's chakra, or better said Kurama. Years ago it was the kyubi's vessel herself who gave away the name, shortly after telling her father what she was doing.
"You're so talented, just like your mother. I am so proud of you" he told his daughter back then.
"Mm, I'm very impressed I give you that. The reach and the perception capacity are magnificent. But that's not insurance that the kyubi won't take control over Ino's body if there's a chance" Jiraya was still being resistant. "Oh c'mom ero sennin it's not the first time Ino does it. We've trained with her many times and I assure everything's under control" Naruro spoke a little pissed that his godfather wouldn't see how great this was.
Everyone's gazes were on the white - haired man waiting for him to speak again. He could feel the trust everyone around had in the young jinchuriki so he turned towards her asking one last time "Are you sure about this?" Ino knew exactly what to reply "Absolutely" Jiraya smirked before the girl's determination "Alright then, continue to be the great kunoichi you've become" Ino thanked him for his words and Jiraya stopped being his serious self and started joking with his godson, told him about his last adventures at the hot springs and of course, women. Sometimes it was hard to believe this man was a sannin.
The group started dispersing, everyone with their own activities to do. Ino was waving goodbye to each but not without thanking for their support. It was only five people at the end.
"Oi Ino. Chouji and I are grabbing something to it. Are you coming?" Shikamaru asked while slowly walking away "sorry guys, I have something to do. Maybe some other time?" The shadow master understood what she meant, so he only nodded with a slight grin. Chouji being far away yelled "LATER INO" to then leave with his best friend. Ino couldn't keep herself from smiling, Chouji would never change.
"Dad, I have to go now. See you later, okay?" After that, it was only Inoichi and Jiraya.
"Sometimes hard to believe it, you know?" Jiraya was listening closely to the gree - eyed one "That the time passes by so fast I mean. I still don't believe that beautiful young lady used to be my little girl" Inoichi said feeling a little nostalgic. "Yes I get it. Naruto is the living image of Minato. And to think all those boys and girls are jounin now" Jiraya seconded.
After the last goodbye, the field was left alone.
"And so Jiraya - sama accepted the way I work with Kurama at last. I wasn't easy at all, but with everybody's help we finally convinced him. It's actually a great relieve" Ino was on her special place, the flower field where Sakura had taken her to, because that's where she feels closer to the pink - haired's spirit. The Yamanaka was about to speak once again when a sudden airstream made her shiver slightly and caused her hair to move at the same rhythm as the wind, which she now leaves loose and short to the middle back "Uff, I think I should've brought something to cover me up. The weather is getting cooler, specially up here" the blue - eyed said rubbing her arms slightly to warm up.
"It's amazing, you know? It's been five years since you left us and it would seem you are still here motivated us each day to get stronger" Ino said to the air with a smile upon her face while remembering some of the things that had been happening the last years.
Shikamaru and Chouji both perfected their family's secret jutsus with their parents help and along Ino, they've achieved to keep up with the Ino-Shika-Cho formation after so many generations. Naruto, training with his godfather Jiraya has learned the rasengan and with his sensei's help, Kakashi, he managed to change it with his air manipulation and called it rasen shuriken, and Sasuke thanks to his brother Itachi and his cousin Shisui, achieved high levels of his sharingan. Shino and Kiba have been sent together to many missions, since their considered the best trackers of the generation. Neji and Hinata have preserved and honored their clan's unique techniques and the pearl - eyed boy is now part of the main family. Tenten and Lee have both became experts on their own specialties, weapons and taijutsu respectively.
Ino on the other hand, has managed to accomplish a stable connection with Kirama, and they trust one another, despite the difficulties and differences they had at the beginning. Her shintenshin has overcame all expectations thanks to the great reach and precision Kurama's help gives. And also, her along all the others, have been training to their full potential because of a possible battle against Akatsuki, which haven't happened according to the warnings of their leader already known as Yahiko. It was like they have just vanished from the earth a little after Sakura's death, they haven't even tried to go after Gaara and much less Ino, getting the hokage and jounin to suspect even more about the group of criminals. But the problem was, they didn't even know what to suspect of, because they didn't have any clues apart from the ones that were reported by squad ten five years ago. And Danzo was another problem, he was still an expert hiding his tracks.
Everything was going very well for Konoha, but the imminent danger because of Akatsuki and Danzo was still there. After all, they are enemies yet to defeat.
"Yeah, we've all been doing great. It's just you who's missing" Ino closed her eyes as a treasonable tear fall down her cheeks.
"So? Is everything fine?" A tall man with orange hair questioned.
"Yes Yahiko - sama. It's all going according to plan" a shark looking man replied "We can even start in two days from now if you like" Kisame suggested with his loyal samehada on his back.
"No, we'll wait a little longer. We don't need to rush. After all, it's up to the result of Danzo's plan now" the Akatsuki leader said.
"So if he fails again, we'll have to keep waiting" a visible blue eye set on Yahiko.
"No Deidara, not this time. Whichever result Danzo gets now. We agreed to start moving again" the leader's eyes filled with determination.
It was almost time to bring true peace to the world.
"...don't have to worry about that Sakura - chan, I'll protect you" a very cheerful five year old Ino told her best friend. "We'll both protect each other Ino - chan. Because we'll always be together" the pink - haired replied with a huge smile.
"...make it for Sakura - chan, isn't that right Sasuke teme?" Naruto said with natural determination. "Hn, you don't have to say it again urosontachi" the Uchiha answered back. After canalizing their chakra they yelled at the same time "RASENGAN", "CHIDORI"
"... If I try to talk to the kyubi, do you think I would actually make it?" The Yamanaka was still undecided, she didn't want to take any chances of making a mistake and hurting someone. "I already told you, don't try. Do it. If you're show yourself secure of what you're doing, everything will go just fine. There is nothing to be frightened about" Sakura replied without hesitation and a smirk. That was more than enough for fear to fade away from the jinchuriki.
"...thank Sakura - san for me? The advice she gave me about chakra control helped me a lot with my gentle fist technique" a very grateful Hinata said enthusiastically enough due to the results.
"...Sakura, do you remember your parents?" Ino asked with delicacy. It was the anniversary of Sakura's parents death, and she was more distant than other years. "Not as much as I'd like, I think I remember their voices, but their faces not so much" her best friend answered with weak voice. Ino did what thought was best for the situation. She hugged her.
"...challenge you here and now Sakura. I want to see how strong you've became" Tenten was more than decided to fight the pink - haired, since she was the apprentice of the kunoichi she admired the most and was now godaime. "But Tenten - san..." The emerald - eyed girl couldn't say anything else, "No buts Sakura, c'mon!"
"...one of us ever dies in a mission, we must promise it won't matter how hard it is, we'll move on" Sakura told the blue - eyed firmly. The Yamanaka only nodded "I promise"
"... I WON!" yelled an enthusiastic Sakura giving Ino hi five. Shikamaru couldn't believe it, he had lost, AGAIN! And now they were even. "It's okay Shikamaru, you'll get the next one, I just know it" his best friend Chouji said with thumps up. "Thanks man" was the answer he got back.
"...I envy you at times. It'd seem you don't have to push yourself to get stronger" the older of the girls said with a pout faking to be upset. "Oh please, says the one who has greater chakra levels" Sakura defended herself imitating the blonde's attitude. In a couple of seconds later, they both burst into laughter.
"...uff. Alright, who's next?" without showing tiredness, Sakura was waiting for the next fighter. Kiba, Shino and Lee looked at one another. "What, is that it? I thought you could actually help me to train my taijutsu. I must say I'm a little disappointed here" the emerald - eyed girl said waiting with teasing voice. Neji laughed very slightly "To you think it's three of you and you can't handle her" noticing the boys' indignation, Sakura answered for them "Well Neji - san, if you don't mind. I'd like to talk about that one time when you yelled 'I GIV...'". "I'm next" Neji almost yelled, trying to hide the red color on his face.
"...Sa-Sakura. I have to tell you something" the young jinchuriki couldn't stand it anymore, she had to say it. "Alright, what is it?" Sakura's curious eyes only managed to make her more nervous. "I th-think I fell in love with you" Ino shut her eyes waiting for the worst. "You think? Because I am sure I have fallen for you" Sakura was smiling from ear to ear. Ino smiled back.
Yamanaka Ino unconsciously smiled in her sleep by remembering all those happy moments she had along her beloved Sakura. But suddenly, her smile was replaced with a frown and her heartbeat started increasing.
"What the, what is this Where am I?" Ino was standing in the middle of pure darkness. She was trying to move, but she couldn't. She wanted to scream, but she couldn't either. She couldn't hear, and couldn't see. Her senses were gone.
"HAHAHAHA. How sad you actually thought you could win against me" A voice filled with hate, which Ino happened to find familiar, said.
"Who are you, where are you? Show yourself" the Yamanaka wasn't going to get intimidated.
"You know very well who I am. You just don't remember it. But maybe, with this you will" an unbearable pain overpowered the blue-eyed, but then it slowly turned into a fire sensation in all over her body. Suddenly, the black of the darkness changed into blood red. She felt her body heavy, out of control. She was slowly losing consciousness. It was too much. She screamed.
"...AHH!" The jounin woke up abruptly to find herself within darkness again, but the burning sensation wasn't there anymore. She looked around, and checked. She was alone. But then, what was that voice? After waking up, it was impossible for her to sleep again.
"I'll wait until morning and go see mom and dad" she thought trying to relax. And after wandering about it, she was grateful she had her own place now. That way, she wouldn't bother anybody with a nightmare she didn't even understand. Because that's what it had to be. A nightmare.
"It was harder this time, they brought greater back up than last time. Even we had to request support" a veteran anbu spoke with tired appearance after a long fight.
"Honestly, I think we got lucky this time. I have no idea what they would do for a next occasion" another anbu supported his partner.
"Mhm, I see. I'll have to think about something else then. I really appreciate your support, even more because we are not top priority for you" third voice answered.
"Don't worry. Because of the situation we're dealing with. You are top priority" the voice behind a wolf mask said with understanding.
"Thank you, Akiyama" Kohei nodded.
"And what have you decided? Will you tell her yet?" A tiger mask asked.
"No, it's still not the right time, Hashimoto" Ryu didn't say more and nodded as well.
"We'll leave now. If you need anything, you know how to find us. Inoichi - san" after that, it was only the head of the Yamanaka clan joining darkness.
The green- eyed sighed and then left.
"Mom, dad. Are you home?" Ino went into her parents' house, and found it odd she didn't get a reply since she made sure there was nobody at the flower shop.
She called them again and nothing. No answer.
She tried a third time a little frighten. Fortunately, this time someone did answered back.
"Good morning sweetie. What are you doing here so early?" Inoichi checked. It was seven o'clock.
"Nothing really, I just wanted to come and say hi. But I think you're right, it's still too early" the youngest of the family was feeling embarrassed for going and bother her father just because of a nightmare. She was feeling like a five year old again. But the sensation that was left due to the strange nightmare wouldn't stop bothering her and she wanted to be with someone. And there's no one better than her family.
Well, her family and Sakura but she wasn't here anymore. The thought of her, made Ino's eyes watery in a matter of seconds and of course her father noticed.
"What is it my child, what are you thinking?" The worry was evident in the green - eyed.
"I'm so-sorry dad. It's just I th-thought about Sakura for a mo-moment" Ino replied with great difficulty to speak clearly. Inoichi's heart shrink while seeing his daughter in such state, so he didn't think further and embraced her.
"I know honey, I know. It doesn't matter how many years go by, we will always remember and cherish them" his arms wrapped strongly around his daughter wanting to protect her from the entire world. What Ino didn't know, was that her father was also thinking about his own lost all those years ago. His best friends and Sakura's parents.
"Why dad, why did th-this happened? It h-hurts too much" Ino was trying the impossible not to let her tears fall, but it had been so long since she last cried for her lover, she couldn't hold it anymore. Maybe, letting the tears fall that were caused because of the lost of the love of her life, was for the best. At least each time she really needed it. Such as this case.
"Shh. You don't have to say it, I know. Just let it out honey. Cry" the blue-eyed nodded the best she could while being trapped within the strong and protective embrace of her father.
Seconds went by, then minutes and finally a little more than an hour and Ino's breathing was going back to normal at last. Her eyes were puffy now and her cheeks flushed. But she was feeling a lot better.
"Thank you dad, I really needed it" a weak but meaningful smile showed up on her lips. Inoichi fluttered his daughter's hair slightly causing her to make a pout. They burst in laughter.
"Have you been sleeping well? You look tired" Ino stiffen remembering what woke her up in the middle of the night.
"Yes dad, I just had a nightmare last night. But it's all good now" she replied not wanting to give many details, since she knew her father would worry too much. Inoichi didn't believe her entirely, but let it go. For now.
"Hey dad, is mom still sleeping?" Now it was Inoichi's turn to stiffen.
"Yes, she is. She occupied herself with stuff las night and went to sleep quite late" it wasn't a good feeling lying to your own daughter, but Inoichi knew it was the best for now.
"Mm okay. I'll come back later to see her. For now, I'll leave you to get some rest. You seem tired too" Ino told her father getting ready to go.
"Ino?" The jinchuriki turned towards her father.
"Eh... Take care and get some rest, alright? I'll tell your mother you'll stop by" Ino noticed his hesitation, but didn't think it was important.
"Okay. See you later" four words and a grin later, the silence was back on the Yamanaka house.
Shimura Danzo was inside of a room full of the bodies of anbu specialists, of his anbu. He had just killed them.
"Fuck you incompetents. I hope you learned your lesson" the rage was obvious in his voice.
Back in the shadows, the silhouette of a woman was shown.
"I'll tell Yahiko - sama what happened" Konan was about to leave when the deep voice of the other person in the room stopped her.
"Why isn't he here?" Konan was glaring his back and only said "Because he's getting started with the plan" and then vanished.
Danzo's smile was grim.
"It's finally starting"