AUTHOR'S NOTE: I am so sorry for the lateness. I was suppose to update in January but I was out of the country, and more packed in my schedule than I thought I would be. I was only able to update Birth of a Lord and that's simply because I had that chapter written way back in November of 2023. Anywho, y'all get two chapters to make up for it!

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4 years later...

The train attendant in his black suit, tie, and slit back hair guided Kura and Ino to their room. The two hadn't communicated since four years ago, too much had taken place all so fast, keeping them occupied with everything. And Sakura, Sakura was so fixated on the words that Naruto gave her, that he'd be gone and he'd want Hinata to have someone...someone like Tenten. Sakura hadn't mention to Naruto at the time that Temari had a liking for Tenten that was just as overbearing and intense. Naruto probably hadn't known Hinata would also disappear right along with him. 'Disappeared', Sakura chose that word because she believed the words that came from her daughter, now sixteen, that Boruto hadn't killed them. There was a time when she, Sakura, nearly gave up on Sasuke, she wouldn't do that to Boruto-Naruto's son.

"Do you want dinner...do you want dinner?"

Sakura snapped her head to Ino. "What?"

"Do you want dinner?"

In the sex transformation jutsu for the mission that was postponed for four years, Sakura waved her hand through her pink hair. She touched her chin and felt fuzz, she'd have to shave soon. Pushing it back in her mind, she looked at Ino. She was older, they both were, 36 years old. Regardless, she was still pretty. Besides, this was the first time Ino had initiated the conversation. The look on her face when the eighth Hokage, Konohamaru, said she was the kunochi on the mission along with Tenten, Sakura about wanted to beat the shit out of the eighth.

Sakura nodded her head. The compartment they were in was a room on the train. A train taking them to Suna where they would then take off on the same train to the edge of the nation, where they would board an airplane. A new feat in the east.

"They have western food on the menu," Ino said, flopping down on the bed on her side of the room, while she flipped through the menu. "We should get used to their food since we're gonna be there for a few years." Ino sighed, probably thinking about her son. But like Sarada, Inojin was becoming a young man, and in two years, an adult.

"I can't believe just how severe the drug problem got though since Naruto disappeared." Crime had risen in the city, petty crime and even more serious crime. Kiba and the police were dealing with a lot, plus Boruto, and of course, the Ostuski.

The rustling of clothes caused Ino to look up to see Sakura taking off her suit, first starting with her tie. The jacket, under shirt, shoes, socks then pants.

The menu risen so Ino could hide the heat rising to her cheeks. Sakura, on the other hand, just wanted to get out of those clothes. She wanted to get out of the jutsu too, but was warned by Sai the trains had traffickers who were cautious of Kura.

She picked at her blue boxer briefs and slammed her self on her bed, the small compartment had two beds. One on each side and attached to the wall. Maybe the briefs were just too small.

"I'll have whatever you're having," she said with a simple wave of her hand, dismissive really.

The smell of a common western dish, spaghetti and meat balls, filled the woman's nostrils, her eyelids lifting as she allowed herself to sit up.

Just ahead in the small modest room she shared with Ino, there was a small round table with the ordered food. Sakura through her feet over the side of the bed and walked over to Ino, only to have the woman suddenly turn a light shade of pink. When Sakura looked down, she saw the reason for it, and apologized for the biological reaction taking place in her pants upon her sleeping for a couple of hours. It was no matter, for Ino gestured for her to sit at the table.

Both picked up their silverware, after having a few years of practice with the western tools, they were more adjusted to their usage.

Ino popped a meatball in her mouth then hummed, approving the taste of this new meal. Her childhood friend followed after, closing her eyes to fully feel and appreciate the texture of the red, chunky marinera sauce which covered, and soaked the meatball.

"What'd you dream about?" Ino finally asked, simply just trying to make small conversation. It was for the best anyway. After all, they were to appear as close friends to the west while Temari and Tenten would appear as lovers.

"Tenten's baby...she'd had been four if I hadn't done what I did."

No one spoke of the situation. It was too much for the women and it weighted heavily on Sakura's heart. She was amazed at how Tenten could even smile at her, even knowing what she had done. It was a secret all four women shared yet never discussed. It showed how dark and ugly they could be just to get what they wanted. If Temari had known what Sakura was to do, she wouldn't have stopped it. No, she'd hate for Tenten to have Hinata's baby and then for Hinata to request it in the first place-

"After dinner, let's go to the casino." Ino interjected Sakura's thoughts.

"Hmm." The fork rolled in noodles, Ino now consuming her salad with a small smile to her face, chipper. Sakura's facial features soften and she smirked at the woman before her. She nodded her head. What Ino wanted, she would provide. Sakura was tired of hurting. She wanted a new start.

After dinner, both Ino and Sakura got dressed, Sakura in a flashy dark suit, the smell of Zara cologne she had recently bought on a shopping trip fit nicely with the tight dress and high heels Ino wore. Her make up modest yet bright.

With one hand holding the purse and the other arm wrapped around Sakura's arm, the two left their cozy bunker and started down the hall.

"Do you remember when we had to clean up after Naruto and Jiraya in the bath house?" Sakura laughed.

Ino stared at the windows as they passed and rolled her eyes.

"He was such a pervert...I'm glad he's dead."

The laughter stopped and Sakura looked down at Ino. Such harsh words, though not always the nicest, that was unusually harsh for Ino.

"You don't mean that." Sakura said.

"I do." A simple response back and strange, Sakura had the strongest urge to ask Ino to have sex with her. Morbid and cruel at such a time. Sakura forced the thought out of her mind. She closed her eyes, tight. Were they all just getting so dark? ...She needed a drink.

The noise from the cabin came into ear shot and the two pushed the doors open to reveal a cart filled with music, tables, slots, and alcohol. Their night just got a lot brighter.

"Let's loosen up a bit, Kura. We deserve it." The way Ino looked at Sakura was in a flirtatious manner, her body, as she moved to the poker tables swayed, hips going side to side like a beat of an orgasmic drum.

Sakura...had a new mission...she was going to simply enjoy her time with Ino for the night, and nothing less.

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AUTHOR'S NOTE: Next chapter...02/19/2024