A/N: Ok so, remember when I promised to split couple chapters. Here's that. I will be deleting the Ino/Sai from the first EOW. I'll be adding new chapters to this story really soon :D
Ino's P.O.V
She's joining a dating site, under one of those stupid alias' that seem too bot-like to be real. Thus, being too ridiculous to implicate any likeness of her.
Naughtynanners22
Fuckin' hideous, absolutely hate it—it's perfect.
She confirms that she's satisfied or whatever, clicking impatiently—hoping her laptop would discontinue its insistent lagging. I want to be done with this, today.
The fury of clicks only triggered what she had been hoping to avoid. A buffering circle of perpetual standstill suddenly poisons the monitor with its evil presence. She resigned from her incessant prodding with a sigh of exasperation. The holdup strained her tendons as she fought the impulse to toss a fist at the glitching ASUS.
Not this shit again!
She slouched back in the recliner, massaging her taut temples to relieve the pressure that threatened to cut off circulation. Registering to vote wasn't even this complicated, so why the hell was this?
How many Naughtynanners are on this goddamn site! A name like that shouldn't even be that common! It took me ten minutes to come up with this shit!
She braced herself for the kickback. Registration always seemed to drag if the name was already in use or maybe it wasn't even the site. The modem her internet carrier provided, likes to disconnect from servers—or whatever the fuck it likes to pull when she's in the middle of vital shit.
The blonde purses her lips, hissing out a weakened breath. Her cellphone, lying face down on the desk—flashes awake soundlessly. The light crawls up and down the screen like it's scanning the desk.
Ugh, what the fuck now!
She shoots a cursory glance back to the laptop monitor and isn't surprise to see that the entire screen goes pale with inactivity. Worthless piece of shit. Overpriced shit wifi.
The laptop makes some type of discouraging noise, like it's being gutted or spun on a turntable. None of it convinces her that the problem would repair itself anytime soon.
"Useless piece of shit." she sneers, slamming the laptop shut. Ino snatches up the phone from her desk, forcing her thumb against the home button to unlock her phone. She couldn't remember the last time she's had to think up a pattern or remember some guessable number. Thumbprint suited her, though she hardly cared if someone got into her phone. They'd be a lot more traumatized than her.
Her sinews and tendons feel raw in some places, but tensed in others. The lights are never on in her room—not at this hour. Lights on only gave her mother the incentive to barge into her room (whenever she came waltzed in from her night job) and demand that they had some sort of talk about how to cope with one another. Ino could certainly do without one of those unpleasant reality checks tonight. They'd had enough talks to know neither of them were going to make it any easier on the other. No use in pretending.
We're oil and water.
There are over 200 notifications on Instagram that she doesn't even care to entertain, not tonight, not while her laptop rested guiltlessly on her desk like a smug little asshole.
Several people are in the process of sending video-snaps and a litter of texts await her response.
Not tonight.
It isn't what she wants. She's given enough of herself today. From the time she woke up depressingly early, in a rush against time to catch the bus and fail the interview—till the time she called an Uber (who had been a whole twenty minutes late, but she didn't even give the asshole shit for it) to get to Hinata's. Either her tolerance for people had expanded overnight—or shit was figuratively about to hit the fan. All the stars were lining up to illuminate the exact moment she'd resort to stabbing her problems away.
Ino Yamanaka was never the passivist. Dealing with things on the spot has always been her area of expertise. People respected her for not having a filter, being the type of no nonsense bitch that everyone else pretended not to be. She embraced the pistol that was her mouth, whether people liked her or not.
The usual nocturnal noises seep into the spacey bedroom; dogs howling at the top of their lungs outside, the volume of the crickets loitering outside the windows and the indistinct chatter of the neighbors. When she was younger—she'd listen to the neighbors fucking through the walls. They were always loud; the walls were always shaking—the ceiling fan rattling. She recalled inching towards the headboard like a creep, barely breathing. Both curious and annoyed.
They seem to have gotten bored of each other throughout the years and Ino was too busy entertaining her own guest to keep an ear out for that sort of stuff. The neighbors were probably listening to her now. They should be so lucky.
Her phone trembled against her clammy palms, as she blindly trudged towards the twin bed in the center of the room.
Noriko
L8te night at the bar bb. Left money for pizza. :*
Me
S'not like u live here anymore. U just make random appearances to criticize my lifestyle. Have a great statutory weekend. #Milfgoals
Her toes curled against the charred feeling of the carpet she stumbled upon. The telltale signs that she was nearing her destination. She used to light up in bed, well, before her mother had to go and blow it out of proportion.
There was a time when she'd do the right thing and stumble out of bed just to put out a cigarette on the windowsill. That's the furthest she'd journey through her room at night. The trip to the sill was what got her caught and her mom believing she had been sneaking out. Even if she was, what the hell did that matter? She was old enough to consent to sex and walk out of the house—whether though the fucking door or the window, it was her choice!
Needless to say, she resorted to putting out the cigarettes on the carpet. Mommy dearest would be none too pleased and that's exactly what she was banking on. Sweet confrontation. Every inch of her bedroom could be covered in an article of clothing still attached to a price tag but this spot—this spot would always be on display. Like some sort of underlying mark of territory. There shouldn't be any limitations to her freedom.
The blonde did a belly flop on the bed. Silky pink shorts riding up her ass, socked feet swishing idly behind her.
ZZZZZZZZt!
Noriko
Ino, bb, it's not like that. I love you bb girl, don't say those sort of things.
Me
I'm not 5 mom, I can identify ur tramp-tivity. And I don't give a shit—no judgements here lady. It's ur life but don't come at me whenever ur feeling like u wanna be self-righteous and u need someone to take it out on. I keep my nose out of ur shit, least u can do is not try to pick a fight w/me—and stay the fuk out of my closet.
Noriko
Excuse me? That is NO WAY to talk to your mother. You're living under my roof, eating my food, rent free! A little common courtesy wouldn't kill ya. It is my obligation as a mom to—to look after you, to make sure you're not getting into anything you can't find your way out of. I know about the websites, about the girls—the boys, the sex, the smoking, the drinking.
Me
So what, should I be like—embarrassed? U do a little detective work, prying through my shit and suddenly I have to answer to u about my private life? U went looking for things to be pissed off about and congrats, u found them. Sounds like a personal problem.
Noriko
Are you ok bb girl? Have I done something to make you feel like I'm against you?
Me
Seriously, trying to flip the script…classic Noriko.
Noriko
Don't you dare call me that…I deserve the title, I've always been here. Never abandoned you like-
Me
Watever, gn Noriko. Don't expect me to be around when u decide to show up tomorrow. I'm moving out, ur relieved of these 'obligations' u feel the need to list. The plan was to stay until I got back on my feet anyway.
Noriko
bb girl come on. I love having u around, ur the only thing I have…u can't be serious…
Noriko
bb we can talk this over when I've finished up here…you've misconstrued this whole thing. I don't want you to leave bb. I just want the best for you. Whatever you're going through…it doesn't matter, I am your mother. I get that we butt heads, always have, but we can sort this out. We always do.
Noriko
Ino?
Ino is sick of, sorting things out. Things never get resolved, it's just a temporary agreement that goes null the moment things invariably go wrong. Things always go wrong, on both sides.
Incoming call
Noriko
Ino's blood froze, the color drained from her face. She swiped a finger over the, 'ignore' option several times before the command took.
Like she's doing me a fucking favor…
Why the hell did I even take her up on it. We could barely get along back then. Fuck was I—was I thinking? Stay with your mom—they said, you can save up until you're ready to get your own place—they said.
She reminds herself to never listen to Sakura's unwanted advice again.
She rolled over on her back, phone fisted in her palms as she dug her knuckles into her prickly hot eyes.
What now? You wrote a check your ass can't cash. She'll be expecting you to be here and you're an unemployed piece of shit so she'll be right! Fuck, why'd I say that!
Something heavy compressed her chest and with each waking moment it felt harder to breathe. She bumped her fist lightly to her head, inhaling a sharp breath.
She's been looking through my things. Violating my privacy. Doesn't surprise me.
Who cares if she knows, she's no better than I am.
She tried to reason with herself, tried to alleviate the rawness her chest has become. Unshed tears angrily stinging her eyes. Fuck where am I going to go? I can't just spout off some shit and be here like a dumbass.
Sakura's place? No, she wakes up too early. She'll put me on that horrendous settee with the plastic. Tenten, she'd be too eager about it—pretty sure she has a roommate. Tema—fuck has it really come to that? I'd rather swallow a street rat than to entertain that idea. Hinata? She and her boyfriend are in a honeymoon phase that I want no part in. Fuck, thought I had more reliable friends.
The phone vibrated with yet another call from her persistent mother. Whosever bed she was in, Ino was certain she was probably playing the victim. That's all she's ever done—all she ever would do.
She closed her eyes, taking refuge in the darkness behind her exhausted lids. A paralyzing silence settled over her bones. The intermittent buzzing of her cell ceased after her mother's tireless attempts to get through to her.
Talking to her, the way she was feeling now, would only revive her resentment and fury. Not to say her mother doesn't deserve a dose of her own medicine but that would only make things more aggravating and aggravating isn't what she needed.
The blonde inhaled a lung full of breath hoping to inflate her heart beaten chest. Being mad wouldn't solve a thing, especially not the fuckery that was she and her mom. Neither of them would fold and break, they were much too intent on getting the last word in. Establishing who the alpha female was, neither of them enjoyed taking orders.
She bit her lip, hoping to draw her mind off the topic currently swarming her mind like a brewing storm. Her fingers fumbled for the phone on her chest.
She knew just the person to ask.
Me
Karin? Wake tf up hoe.
ThatGingerchick
Wasn't sleep. How nice of you to text, was beginning to think I'd never hear from you. Not since we did that thing w/my roommate. He misses u, well, we both do. :}
Me
How…sweet, not here for that. The website, the one where u met ur roommate—what's that site called.
ThatGingerchik
Oh, I knew you'd come around! The site will do wonders for you.
Me
That's what I'm banking on, u gonna tell me the name, I'm in a hurry.
ThatGingerchik
Mmm. It's called ROOT. Rooming or treats.
Me
Dumb ass acronym, dumber ass meaning. Is the website ROOT or it's stupid meaning?
ThatGingerChik
Yeh, the name is a letdown. It's just ROOT. What changed your mind? If you don't mind my asking.
Me
I mind. Fuck off Karin.
ThatGingerChik
Wow. Just FYI, be careful with choosing a Rootmate. It took me awhile to get someone half as generous as Suigetsu. Most men just want the, 'treats' end of the deal, their prices be wonky.
Me
Noted.
ThatGingerChik
Be careful plz. ROOT can be dangerous, especially for new comers.
Me
So can I.
Ino wasted no time googling, Root. The first link that appeared gave a secretive synopsis with just the right amount of mystery to attract its targeted audience. Using words like, 'Adult', 'over 18', 'casual encounters', 'consensual' and terms of that nature.
Ino padded the option. Turning a deaf ear to the heart galloping in her chest, breath heavy with anticipation.
The site was coded expertly; a three-column layout with a black backdrop and bold white font. There are advertisement photos promoting other sex-based sites. All and all, the sight was rather straight true to its core and straight to the point.
She scrolled down, skimming over profiles. She gets an eyeful of rippling torsos from different angles, on a rare occasion some idiot provided a face photo. She attempted to click, in hopes of coming to some conclusion but the site insisted she had to join to review the profile. It urged her to consider going joining a premium. Something about it increasing her enjoyment.
The blonde retched, exiting the offer. Yeah—don't think so.
Drop down menus in the form of candies—or the 'treats' they signified came into view. The grainy clipart was an eyesore that she could hardly take seriously. The fuck…even is this?
Ino scoffed.
How cheap.
She figured they weren't trying to glamourize exactly what this was. Which was…
The testimonials.
She thumbed down curiously, already anticipating the load of shit reviews. She was certain that half of them were generated through the site itself. For the greater good of this anonymous business—or to sucker people into feeling secure. That's how they get you.
Kurenai Y.
I met my ROOTMate two years ago and since then we've become inseparable lovers. It's been a dream, though it isn't without it's trying times. I initially registered to ROOT looking for a platonic roommate, boy was I in for a treat-no pun intended! Lucky for me my ROOTMate turned out to be a wonderful man, he's become my best friend and I can't imagine my life without him. We're expecting our first child this December and I have ROOT to thank for connecting us. Thanks ROOT.
Is this a fuckin infomercial? What a crock of shit.
Rin N.
This website has quite a little grey area on how treat exchanges work. I've been with three ROOTMates in the last seven years and all three only catered to their relentless libidos. I would perform up to twenty treats a day. At first they were the simple stuff; kisses, blowjobs and anal stimulation. I get it, they're rich and exercising their full rights in the exchange but I drew the line at asphyxiating. It's sick and no amount of currency and security is worth someone putting your life in jeopardy for twisted enjoyment! This was a last resort on my end but I was on the streets with no place to go. I'm not stupid, I know this isn't the type of place to find love but some of the men here are downright pigheaded. If a woman must resort to ROOT she's obviously in a bad place. You can either make or break her. Keep that in mind fellas.
Feminist, but unapologetically honest—that review must've snuck pass the weeding process.
Might Guy
I took in a ROOTMate previously! We're more on the platonic side of things—the mutually beneficial type. the only treats we traded were the treats of youth and bromance! He's a very vivacious soul that I can relate to and quite the bookworm. We just hit it off immediately! It's like we met in another life, I know what you're thinking but hey kids—don't knock the powers that be. We're both currently public figures on what you kids call, 'The Instagram'. Check us out! Hell, if you're local—we coach insanity classes at the academy of fitness. Don't be shy we're hip guys! You can find us under the name; GuynKashiFitness. Thanks.
Weird. The Instagram? Uncultured swine.
The reviews weren't much to go by and just from skimming a few others, she was certain they wouldn't help her come to a definite conclusion.
I'm doing it. What's the worse that could happen?
Treats didn't seem very intimidating. Not enough to make her back out of it.
I've done worse for no money at all—a hell of a lot worse.
She found the option to register and poked it.
Her phone buzzed and a message came from the drop menu.
Noriko
You're really starting to piss me off. I'll be there shortly and we can sit like proper adults and discuss the issue.
Ino swiped the message away carelessly, instinctively rolling her eyes.
Screenname?
Naughtynanners22
Hey, it grew on her. She didn't feel inspired enough to formulate another.
She is less than enthused to fill out the bio box, particularly because it has a word limit. Fuck this box.
She tries to skip the option but it insists that it needs to know her. It wants a summary on who she is and why she's joined. Fuck me. Her reply must be more than fifty words. Sounds simple enough—even if she doesn't want to do it.
Ino growls through clenched teeth, she can still taste the toothpaste from her midnight brush. Though they were nice and gooey, the brownies were clingy—and mingled with vodka, they were orgasmic separately but rancid together.
Ok. Bio—here goes nothing,
A down to earth Japanese native who doesn't mind getting her hands dirty if need be. I like walks on the beach,
(a little smoke and mirrors just to seal the deal, clichés scream submissive helpless female. Guys still get off on vulnerability. Especially on sites like these when they believe they're at the helm of our bodies.)
long cleansing showers and I love to dance. If I could find a platonic friend and ROOTmate I'd be happy to perform alleviating duties. I'd be just as gracious for any takers. I'm hoping to move A.S.A.P. My lease is up the ending of this week.
Signed. Sealed. Delivered.
She proofs read her handiwork with a grin of superiority. Never had she ever dressed herself up so nicely to the general public. Was this too generic? Would someone really buy the bait? And if they did, how far would she really be willing to go? These are the questions that required further thought—that they wouldn't get. Not tonight. She couldn't afford to second guess herself, she'd convince herself to back out.
Next order of business.
There was an option for her to upload a photo. She bit her lip thoughtlessly. She sure as fuck wasn't putting a noticeable photo up. There's just no telling with sites like these, who'd make it their personal goal to hunt you down.
People have always admired her for her European looks; her teal eyes and pale-gold streams of hair. She definitely had a distinctive look in a country where everyone resembled someone else.
That's what cropping is for.
If she was going to go all the way with this thing, she'd need to crop a standby photo that's never seen the light of day.
Plenty of those to choose from.
She taps the home and surfs quickly through her gallery. Bits and pieces of skin and smiles blur in passing until she neared a week of notable outfits that bared her prominent collarbone and gracefully long next.
There's one in particular that looks like a money shot and regrettably she'd have to crop it up for the sake of being discreet.
It's one of her more mellow ensembles; a black cashmere tube top that latches around her chest, leaving both her neck and shoulders bare. Her hair is pulled into the messiest of buns, twirling wisps of hair spilling from the high bun—windblown and over her forehead and shoulders. She's wearing a dead cat's collar, the black leather one with the silver tag that identified said, cat.
Kiko, was run down by her mother several years ago. The cat hadn't been with them long enough for her to mourn but the fact that her mother ran over a defenseless creature only solidified their estranged bond. In her defense, Kiko was fond of nesting under the car in the garage. Probably to escape their constant bickering.
The cat choker only accentuated the fragility of her throat. She had to admit, she was looking exceptionally good that day, her father's overbearing leather jacket shed due to the heat. Shikamaru took her out for lunch without her having to ask. They met at a deli place and he allowed Ino to pick through half the sandwich he ordered, while he bitched about being an accountant. Ino suggested he quit if it was such a hassle but he simply pinched at the bridge of his nose and they sat in silence for the duration of the lunch hour.
She snaps out of the memory and starts cropping.
She reluctantly crops off her face and midthigh, until she's only visible from neck to midriff.
Perfect.
Once she's uploaded that photo, she picks through a few more photos to crop. Eventually she's uploaded seven faceless photos of protruding collarbone and scanty tops. Sometimes her hair brushes her shoulders, sometimes only threads touch her delicate throat.
She forwards the profile and is accepted immediate. The site grants her the power to use its basic functions, which—thankfully, include perusing profiles.
She paws at a photo of bare chest, that opens up a profile called, 'Wedoitraw95'. The bio isn't wordy and practically lists the treats and their respective rewards.
Blowjobs= $100
Anal= $250
Unprotected sex= $350
'This is the gist of what I'm putting down ladies, with the added bonus of taking up residence in my furnished apartment far-far-far away from my wife. I'll be around to visit you on weekends, if the wife is away. The apartment is a quaint space and I don't ask for much but to keep it presentable. My schedule disables me from getting out there as often as I'd like to. I've taken to this site for a fuckable treat who loves to be good to daddy. NSA fun, you can think of me as your boss whom you occasionally swallow. Whatever helps us both sleep at night.'
A grimace took her face. Sure, he seemed like a cheating asshole but the prices were doable. Nothing a few drinks and maximum effort couldn't override. She could essentially be being a homewrecker but these were rich people problems.
Under personal interest she skimmed his response:
My personal interests are sneaking around, lying, being bad and doing what I'm not supposed to be doing. I hope that clears that up. I've got a sense of humor.
She found herself giggling at that. What could be a sweeter deal than this? She got to live alone—the weekends would be blehh but, she was certain she wouldn't find a better offer.
Naughtynanners22
Hi cool profile…
No.
Hey there, how soon are u hoping to get this started. I'm available tonight.
Too desperate.
You have a new message!
Well that was fast.
She swallowed hard and sighed. Deciding to message the guy a simple, hello. He'd reply, her photos may not have contained a face but her petite body would never be out of style.
She went into her messages and spotted the message under the username; Inkbeast2k17
InkBeast2k17
Hey.
Naughtynanners22
Hey urself.
InkBeast2k17
You real?
Naughtynanners22
Last I checked, yeah.
InkBeast2k17
If it's you in the photos, I'd like to see you. Now, if you're available.
Now?!
Is this some sort of red flag? A sign from some deity that this isn't a wise idea?
Naughtynanners22
What's in it for me? U don't even have photos…u could be a raging lunatic with a death wish. I will fight.
InkBeast2k17
I could be a lunatic but that's the risk you take when you signed up for this place. It's entirely up to you whether you come or not. I'm just casting a line.
We can discuss such matters upon our meeting. I'd like to get a look of the merchandise up close. Photos don't necessarily provide chemistry. Plenty of catfish on a bottom feeding site like this. Do you have something to hide? I'm simply proposing a public meeting; the night is still young. Are you hungry? I'm just getting off work and it's been awhile since I've grabbed a bite to eat with a floating torso. Your photos are missing a face, so, let's call it even.
Naughtynanners22
Well, if ur buying…I may show up.
InkBeast2k17
Great. I'll forward you the address. If you really are the woman in those photos, you have a beautifully dainty neck. In case I haven't been blatantly obvious about it, I like a good neck. Ever thought of getting ink?
Naughtynanners22
Oh baby, I don't do needles.
InkBeast2k17
What do you do?
Naughtynanners22
For starters...I can use my mouth, u have front row seat to watch me eat. :}
If all else fails, she'd get a good meal out of this.