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Chapter Text

Inojin was wrapped up in an old shawl that she had tied around her chest. The baby was drooling as she continued to run through the shadows. Like any trained kunoichi, she did not leave a single trace of her presence as she fled. The only sound in the dark night air was Inojin's gentle breathing and her own thundering heart. She tried to preserve her chakra in case she needed to fight later. But she was almost at the Konoha gates by now and she couldn't help but feel the warmth of hope rise up her chest amidst the cold winter air. The enemy nin hadn't managed to catch her yet. If she could just somehow get out of Konoha...

Before she could complete the thought a kunai ripped through the air and whiffed past her ear cutting strand of long blonde hair. She gripped Inojin tighter as she slunk deeper into the shadows. Had they been found out?

"She's here somewhere." said the man wearing a hitai ate with a symbol she didn't realize.

"Such a pretty bit of hair." sneered the large scarred man with him as he smelled the strand. "She's nearby. Her son is with her."

Ino froze as she remembered the sweet smelling jasmine flower Inojin was clutching with his pudgy hands as he slept. Gently she extracted the flower and reveled in the sudden burst of scent.

"There!" shouted the large man as they rushed to where she was.

But as they blundered through with torches, all that lay in the dark alley way was a single white jasmine flower with no sign of the Yamanaka heiress or her son.

Chapter Text

6 months ago

The scalding liquid missed the cup and fell onto the table, rolling down the sides and onto her foot. She yelped in pain and recoiled as the hot tea burned her skin. Sighing in defeat, she went to fetch a rag to clean up the mess. By the time she finished cleaning up, the skin on her foot had turned an angry red, but she was too preoccupied to notice. She worked mechanically rinsing the cloth and setting it to dry. She looked out of the window to see a few chldren playing hopscotch outside. The sun was shining brightly and she thought wistfully of the first time she went to the training fields. It had been a day quite like this. She was five years old and had spilled the tea on the table, but instead of scolding her, her parents had smiled and said that this was the first day she would train with her team.

Still deep in thought, Ino sat down on the chair and lifted up her leg. It would not do to lose herself in memories like this, she told herself. She tried to concentrate chakra on the skin and heal herself.

For the umpteenth time that month, she failed to use her ninjutsu. She did not know quite what was happening to her, but lately, her skills as a kunoichi were declining. She found some burn ointment in a drawer and applied the salve on the blotchy skin. It would take a long time to heal, but at least it was something.

Ino knew she needed to take better care of herself, now that her mother was so unwell. Even though she tried her best to put on a brave face for her husband and mother, she was battling a deeper grief that she refused to address. Whenever Sai was home, he took care of her. He made sure she ate on time, took her to see the starry skies and made her smile. He loved her so much, he almost managed to chase all her pain away.

She loved him greatly too, and over the past year, she had leaned on him for much more than romantic love. He was her confidante, her sole source of comfort and friendship. He held her when she cried and let her hold him when he did. She did not grieve for her father’s death when Sai was around. He made her appreciate the life she had, the joy in the world and the smile she brought to his lips.

It was only when he was not around that she felt almost crippled with loneliness. Sai was the only thread that was holding her together lately. Ino had always known that too much of dependency on a single person was a bad idea. She knew she needed to make new friends, needed to get back to her flower shop, she knew she should talk more and not bottle everything up…but she just couldn’t.

Ino poured herself another cup of chamomile tea. It was supposed to help with the pain on her feet. Lately her whole body was aching in odd places. She felt weak and was turning away from eating meals. She had fainted during an interrogation session last week and it had been dangerous. If she lost consciousness a second earlier, she would still be trapped in her victim’s mind.

When had she started becoming so lost? Where was the bossy, wilful girl who refused to back down. She felt less intelligent, psychically weaker and emotionally very close to a breakdown.

Ino had been living in somewhat of a daze since Shikamaru and Chouji had moved away. It was as though a portion of her soul was missing. She knew it was a selfish desire, for wanting her teammates to be with her forever. They were living in peaceful times now. The war was over. Their parents were growing old or were already dead. There was nothing really left in Konoha for them to pursue.

Having Sai with her dulled the pain and made her feel less alone. But the last mission Sai went on, a dangerous S rank mission had run too late. It was almost three months past since the day he was due back home.

There had been no messages from him and the rescue team Naruto had sent after him came back empty handed. They reported seeing a lot of blood and ink, but Ino could not let herself believe it. She could not go searching for him herself just yet. She had responsibilities at Konoha and at home. Her mother was ailing and the Hokage was short staffed at the Interrogation office as well as the hospital. Ino was running herself thin lately and she knew it. But if she didn’t drown herself in work, she would circle back to the vortex of thoughts in her head that echoed all through the day

He had to have escaped. He was probably somewhere safe, having hot ramen and thinking of home. He had to be. She clasped her hands in front of her chest and prayed. Kami, please bring him home safely.

Ino felt a sharp pain in her chest just then and felt a sudden urge to vomit. Her thoughts forgotten, she wretched into the empty flower vase on the table.

Her mind started whirring at this. Was she suffering from an illness? Or was she…

She hurried to pull out a pregnancy kit from the cupboard.

It couldn’t be.  She thought as she unwrapped the stick. She rushed to the bathroom and waited with baited breath for the result.

She and Sai had used protection, agreeing that they were not ready for children. She must be mistaken. She must just be sick with the flu or something.

The stick turned pink and positive and Ino’s breathe hitched in her throat.

Instead of relief, despair filled her soul. How could she take care of a child, when she could barely keep track of her own self? She’d dropped tea on herself less than a few minutes ago.

She held her head in her hands, as she sat on the toilet seat. She cried quietly into her hands for what felt like hours before her head finally cleared. Slowly, she dropped her hands to palm her stomach.

“I’m sorry, love.” She said as she dried her tears on her sleeve. “If I hurt, you hurt. If I cry, you cry. I won’t despair anymore. I love you my darling.”

Ino left the bathroom, feeling different. Her life had a purpose now. She understood the pains in her body and she knew which supplements she needed to take. She paid a quick visit to the hospital, but Sakura was busy with a surgery. Ino and Sakura barely had time to speak to one another in the past few months since Sasuke had returned. Sakura was swamped with work and so was Ino, but they always held on to hope that they would meet for lunch soon.

Another medic nin checked on Ino.

“Oh you’ve been pregnant for three months.” She said with a smile as she turned the ultrasonogram so Ino could see. “It’s a healthy baby.”

Ino felt a flurry of warmth fill her heart. Their son. Sai and her’s own flesh and blood. No matter how much grief she held, how hard life was seeming lately, it was as though the child inside her had chased all the hurt away.

She soaked in the sun as she gingerly walked back home. She visited the flower shop again on the way and picked out a bush clover for her mother.


She was filled with hope, albeit for a short amount of time. Little did she know what was to come.


***


Inojin was still soundly asleep on her shoulder. Ino had cut a close escape. Her legs shook at the thought of how the large scarred man had almost found them through smell alone. She tried to use her chakra to transport them to saftey, but yet again her body failed her. Cursing, she started to run as she heard footsteps behind her. She was getting tired now, and she couldn't even use her chakra to utilise any jutsu. She was as good as any civilian right now.

Inojin stirred slightly in his sleep, and suddenly Ino felt a stabbing pain on her foot. She was losing her strength quickly. Picking up pace, she ran before her body failed her again. WIthin minutes, she was out of the Konoha gates. She raced through the woods, shielding Inojin from the branches and enduring all the scratches herself.

Panting, she finally stopped when she felt like she was going to collapse. She hid inside a tiny alcove under a tall tree. It was one of the secret hiding places only Team 10 had known. Sagging against the bark, she allowed herself to relax as she cradled Inojin with relief.

She couldn't sense chakra nearby and held on to the hope that she hadn't been followed. Ino was deathly tired by now, her body still weak from what had transpired the previous day. She needed to rest and make a plan.

Chapter Text

It is hard to accuse a nation of breaking a peace treaty if you do not want a war. 

The current Hokage, Naruto knew an accusation could prove to be costlier than what Konoha was willing to pay. In recent times, relations between the villages had greatly evolved to be more accommodating. The leaders now chose to sit and discuss critical matters rather than assume and conspire. In the same vein, friendships were growing and previously hostile nations were warming up to Konoha. 

That said, Mist and Konoha did not dislike one another. In fact, Naruto had done well to foster good relations. However, none of this meant that the two villages actually trusted each other. With a history of treachery and war, it was only natural for inhabitants of both villages to hold some form of animosity. This is why it was so troublesome when Naruto received reports of alleged infiltration by Mist nin. There were two of them, reportedly advancing towards the jounin housing before disappearing. The Inuzaka clan members and their nin dogs could not locate any smells. 

To think these two ninja thought they could take on a building full of jounin was worrisome. Perhaps they had a death wish, there was after all many different ways to die. Naruto did not want to send a message to Mist. If they had indeed planned a covert attack, it was best he didn't reveal that Konoha suspected them.

With no new data to work with, Naruto felt uneasy all morning. He skipped lunch to focus on stepping up security at the gates and held a briefing with the Anbu in his private chambers.

"Keep an eye out." he said as Bear and Raven nodded. They were huddled closely around Naruto as he sat behind a desk. "I want hourly reports."

Perhaps he was worrying too much. But years of nearly dying and surviving had taught him to trust his gut feeling. Also that sometimes Kyubi seemed to growl to him, "Idiot, don't do something stupid and get killed. I don't want to have to deal with the consequences."

The infiltration wasn't serious yet, in fact they weren't even sure if at this point if he intruders were merely travelers who got lost, thieves or rogue ninjas. But Naruto knew they could never be too careful. Shikamaru had taught him that.

"If I see a loophole, I close it immediately." the spiky pony tailed boy used to say. "Because if I'm smart enough to find it, someone else will too. And not everyone will want to do good."

"Damn it." thought Naruto quite often, especially when he was afced with a tactical dilemma. "Never should have let Shika go to Suna." But Gaara had needed an advisor, and Shikamaru wanted to marry Temari. Naruto had banked on the fact that Ino and Chouji would protest, but they surprisingly hadn't and in a couple of months, Shikamaru left for Suna. It had been over two years since he'd seen his childhood friend.

Hawk appeared just then, carrying a scroll. "Two men were seen leaving the gates last night." he said gruffly with a hint of annoyance at the information he had collected. "The chunin on duty fell asleep and only awoke when he heard voices. It was too late by then and the chunin could make out a couple of words the men were saying. He claims sounded they said something like "fair hair". It is possible the chunin was drunk because he reeked of alcohol."

Naruto frowned. Chunin and genin around the village were taking life slightly easier nowadays but he couldn't really fault them. He was the one who spent all his days trying to reassure the citizens that the village was safe. Perhaps it was time he worked to change this lax attitude. It wouldn't do for the majority of the village to be unprepared if there was a surprise enemy attack.

"Our ninken could only track the smell of a strong jasmine flower in that route. The scent disappears once we enter the forest." said Hawk as the other Anbu in the room looked at one another quizzically. They couldn't remember seeing any such thing in the Bingo book.

"Thank you Hawk." said Naruto as he rubbed a hand over his temple. He looked down at his feet. The Hokage's cloak was long enough that it reached his ankles and he was suddenly hit by the thought of how much taller Kakashi sensei was when he stood up straight. He wondered what Minato would have done, how the Third would have handled this. Why had the ninja left so easily? Had they already found what they wanted?

The Anbu waited for his next order, but Naruto was deep in thought now. What had the ninja come for? One would think killing the Hokage would be a good motive. But they hadn't moved towards the Tower at all. 

"That would be all, thank you." said Naruto standing up. "You are dismissed."

The Anbu bowed and disappeared in whiffs of smoke as Naruto set about putting on some civilian clothes. He needed to pay a visit to his father figures.

***

Ino was glad that her son was only two days old and she was producing plenty of milk. The small, fragile child suckled on her breast as she slumped tiredly against the inner bark of the hollowed tree. The night had been restless for her. She had not slept for fear of the men discovering her. Her body ached and she found that she was starving. It had been a bad idea to skip dinner last night.

The sun was rising slowly and as she peaked out of the hollow, she breathed in the sweet scent of the morning. It made her feel better when she heard a bird chirp nearby. She realized how long it had been since she stepped out of four walled spaces. She'd been cooped up in her house ever since Sai had gone missing. She had started becoming reclusive since Shika and Chouji moved away, stepping out only to buy groceries and buy medicines. 

When Sai went missing, it was as though her blood stood still in her veins. Time stopped and for several weeks, she stayed inside her room, surviving on crackers and water. She finally forced herself to leave her room. It had taken enormous willpower but Ino knew she had to. She trained under Tsunade long enough to understand she was suffering mentally and needed to make a change.

She tried to get help, she really did. She called Sakura, asking if she would meet her please, saying it was important. But Sakura said she was swamped with work all week and would it be so terrible if they tried to schedule something next month. Ino had been understanding. She knew how demanding a medic's job was, but a part of her heart felt heavier than usual. Sometimes, even if we don't show people what's wrong, we hope they will see.

She had called Shikamaru nervously on the phone too. 

"Hey Ino." he said his familiar drawl warming her heart. "How are you."

"I- I am not doing so well." she said in a soft voice, so low she was sure he hadn't heard. "I can't seem to use my chakra properly anymore or perform my jutsu. They asked me to leave the Interrogation Department last week."

There was a lot of noise from Shikamaru's end of the phone. A woman was shouting happily, "We're going to be parents!" and there was cheering all around. 

"Hey Ino? I'll call you back, Temari just found out she's pregnant." said Shikamaru sounding slightly excited. "Is that okay?"

Ino didn't know why it felt as though her stomach was full of lead when she said, "Sure. Congratulations Shika."

He called back an hour later. He remembered. This time there was no noise and he had more time to listen to her, but she froze. She found that she didn't want to tell him that Sai was missing and presumably dead, that her mother was very ill, that she felt so lost and tired all the time, that she needed him, needed him to come back and save her, tell her she could do this. Hold her like he did when they were kids and tell her he'd solve all her problems in exchange for a batch of her jasmine cookies.

She said instead, "Don't worry about me, Shika. Do send me pictures of the baby. You'll make a good dad."

He said he missed her. But it was too little too late perhaps, and the words felt hollow to Ino. She hadn't called him back since then, deciding she had nothing of value to share with him and he deserved to live his life unburdened by what was happening in hers. She didn't know if he had tried to send her photos or call because she blocked him.

Life went on indifferently for her after that. She worked mechanically on the garden and sold flowers at the shop. She spent time with her ailing mother, bringing her food and medicine. But her mother fell even sicker one day and she had to be rushed to the hospital. They said she needed to remain there for a while and that Ino would need to live alone for now.

She came home and cried for hours. Why was it that everyone she loved and cared for disappeared one by one? She finally fell asleep tired of life and her pain. 

It was on one of her lowest days that she found out she was pregnant. It was as though after months of trying the matches seemed to work and a fire was started in her soul. Her haze lifted and she suddenly had a purpose. She started eating better, she took her vitamins and she regularly visited her ailing mother. Looking back Ino could almost not recognize herself. She had a pregnant glow about her, she was smiling, she was carrying a life within her. A life that Sai and she had lovingly created. It was as though the puzzle finally fit and she reclaimed a purpose in her life. Even though her husband wasn't there with her now, their child was. She could not give up anymore.

Inojin finished suckling and she patted his back to coax a gentle burp. "I love you 'jin" she whispered as the baby snuggled against her shoulder. The sun had risen fully now and Ino could not sense the presence of any of the men. Was it safe to go back towards Konoha?

Her stomach grumbled in hunger and she realized she needed to move soon. It was worth a try to move back towards Konoha.

***

"Iruka sensei!" exclaimed Naruto as he found himself engulfed in a lung compressing hug. "I...can't...breathe."

"Come inside, dinner is ready." said Iruka ruffling Naruto's hair. It didn't matter if the boy, now a man, was the Hokage. Naruto nodded, his clear blue eyes searching anxiously for Kakashi. 

"He's at home, just terrorizing the neighbors in the backyard. He's been teaching his ninken how to sing."

Naruto snorted. "What the actual---" but stopped when he saw Iruka's stern gaze. After all he was a teacher. 

Kakashi came in just then, sliding onto the chair at the table beside Naruto. "Tell me what's bothering you."

Naruto smiled, he truly appreciated how Kakashi and Iruka always seemed to know if he was in trouble. He launched into his tale and while Kakashi listened with a bored look on his face and Iruka had his back to them while preparing the salad, he knew both were listening to every word he said.

"Missing nin might be wearing Mist hitai ate to mislead us." said Kakashi thoughtfully. "Might even have been a kidnapping."

"Kidnapping?" asked Naruto spluttering against his glass of water.

"It isn't improbable considering it's happened before, in times of peace." said Kakashi. "It would help to find out if anyone is missing. Take a look at the reports."

Iruka nodded. "It could be instead of something, they wanted someone."

"They were moving towards the jounin housing." said Naruto. "That's why I'm so worried. They thought they could take on a goddamn building full of jounin level ninja."

"Maybe they wouldn't need to use force." said Iruka suddenly. "Maybe they had somewhat of a leverage, a blackmail material if you will."

Naruto nodded. The small adopted family ate the rest of the meal in silence, wondering which active jounin might have secrets that the infiltrators were after.

Chapter Text

She was only a few miles away from the Konoha gates. Years of training with Shikamaru had taught her the shadows were her friend.

Even though it was day time now and no one was in sight, least of all the rogue ninja, she preferred to slink to the sides, camouflaged in the greenery.

It was when she thought she was safest and completely alone in the forest that she sensed it. It was a deep and throbbing sonic wave that prickled her skin. She glanced at her sleeping child and realized perhaps only she could sense it. It was unsettling and Ino knew she had to concentrate. She thought back to an old lesson she had forced Chouji and Shikamaru to attend.

"The sound village use their resources very well. While we look for ninja with sensory prowess to detect chakra, their nin are trained to produce different frequencies. Initially it used to be a kekkai genkai but nowadays it can be taught to those without a blood line trait as well. Be careful out there. Try to keep a ninken with you and always mask your chakra."

Ino sighed in relief. She hadn't been able to activate her chakra for several days now. If the mysterious waves were sensitive to chakra, they were safe. Suddenly, the frequency increased and she sensed someone approaching.

It was that moment that Inojin woke up against her chest, somehow looking as though he was in pain and let out a loud wail. Ino froze for a millisecond before sinking to the ground and laying down amidst the bushes. She gently hushed Inojin as she covered him with her body. She knew the soil was damp with dew and the area was full of prickly thicket, but she could heal a few scratches on her baby if that meant they could escape.

She heard footsteps approaching and she hoped to Kami that they wouldn't find them. She still didn't know what they wanted but she didn't want to endanger her child to find out. Inojin was still crying, albeit quietly now. He felt safe with his mother but he looked troubled. Ino was so afraid they would be discovered.

"They are around here somewhere." said a gruff voice and Ino instantly knew it was the taller of the two, the one who had smelled the jasmine on Inojin's hand.

"I sense chakra. It's very faint, but its there." Ino's ears perked up at that. Chakra? was there someone else in the woods too? What wouldn't she give to have a couple of ANBU escort her home right now. She missed her husband so terribly at that moment. Sai would have been ruthless if he knew his family was in danger. But he wasn't here. He had disappeared on a mission months ago and now she was on her own. She shook her head, she was most certainly alone here.

"Duzo, the boss needs the fucking kid tomorrow. He's probably just a couple of days old. Should be easy to take out the mother." said a loud voice. It was the scrawnier of the two and he was the one with the weapons. Ino knew he had more than one katana on his back.

Those bastards were after her son. Ino felt a fierce protectiveness seize her body. Perhaps this is how lionesses felt when someone threatened their cubs.

The footsteps inched closer and the ultrasound waves bounced off her hair and skin. She didn't have much time before they were discovered. But now that Ino knew their motives, she had every reason to dig deep and fight back.

This wasn't the first time Ino had been cornered and in trouble. She had faced this several times on missions, with or without her team. At that time, she had greater confidence in her abilities, she was somewhat of a daredevil, using her feminity and strength as a kunoichi to get out. Shikamaru always said she could derail even the most thought out plan because she was so unpredictable.

"Don't kill the kunoichi, we can have some fun with her before we go back." said Duzo with a sneer that made Ino's skin crawl. What would happen to her son if she died without killing off the enemy nin? In her desperation, a memory took over her mind.

"You know how Naruto gets chakra from Kurama when he needs it? Even without the Kyuubi, we all have a bit of back up chakra in our bodies. If you really need it you will find it." said Shikamaru after he'd saved their asses once again. He was exhausted, but he'd carried her all the way back to Konoha. He would pass out a few seconds later on her lap, due to chakra depletion, with a soft smile on his face knowing everything would be alright..

"Focus Ino." she told herself. "Focus."

"There are many traps laid out all the way to the gates. Kraken took out the two ANBU patrolling and the three chunin at the gates. Sudra masked their bodies with a seal. They won't be found unless someone comes specifically with their chakra signature and even then it will be difficult because they are slowly dying. It will be a few hours before they are discovered, based on the patrolling schedule.

This was new information. There were two more ninjas near the Konoha gates. It was alarming that they had taken down two ANBU squad members. But Ino knew that even if they were the most powerful enemies in the world, she would fight till she got the best possible outcome. She could no longer go back to Konoha, she knew what fate lay there for her and her son. But she needed to send out a message to the Hokage tower. If they found the bodies on time, they could be saved.

"Come on Ino you can do this." she whispered to herself. She struggled to establish contact with her chakra, but in her desperation her nerves were already on fire and it was like a faint lit match near gasoline.

It happened all at once.

A large hand grabbed her shoulder and she found her soul charge with fire. Chakra piled onto her arms and she elbowed the man down to his knees. He got up quickly and chased her as she retreated to the top of the tree. Her new found chakra was blaringly bright and surged through her veins. The sound waves found her easily, but she knew speed was the deciding factor here and not the ability to track.

Inojin was smiling now, happy to be away from the two men and Ino felt a surge of unadulterated confidence. She smirked and looked Duzo dead in the eyes as she threw a masked kunai at him and ran. She didn't stick around to see Duzo deflect the kunai with his own and fail as it turned into fine poison dust and shrouded his vision. Ino made these hollow kunai's herself, with deadly mushroom spores and pollen. All you had to do was hit the kunai and it would explode.

Duzo flailed in pain as his vision turned dark and he mindlessly threw his katana. Ino dodged easily as she used a few precious moments to decide her movement. As she noticed Duzo's unnamed partner come running to help, she passed him overhead on a branch. He looked up to find an eyeful of poison pollen dust that rendered him partially blind. 

But they were dangerous ninja with the power of sound waves by their side. Ino wasted no time and took off. After all Team 10 specialized in sneaky escapes.

And so the chase began. Her mind set, she raced through the tall branches in the opposite direction of Konoha.

***

"Temari, we need to find a solution." said Shikamaru as he held his son against his chest. The baby boy was drooling after crying himself to sleep.

"We can't divorce so soon." said Temari irritably as she set down her cup of sake. She wasn't producing enough milk for Shikadai and in her frustration she had given up on it altogether. The only good thing about this arrangement was that she could go back to getting an occasional drink.

"Yes." agreed Shikamaru as he sat down at the table across Temari. "It would ruin diplomatic ties."

Temari scoffed. "Why the hell does it even matter to two nations whether we are happily married or not."

Shikamaru gave a wry smile. "Marriage has historically always been used to establish ties and protect prosperity."

Temari frowned but she was glad that she was able to have this discussion with Shikamaru. They'd been walking in eggshells around each other for months now and it looked like the awkwardness was permanent. It wasn't that they didn't care about one another, she didn't think they could ever stop, it was just that something was always missing,

They were better off friends and co-parents and she was grateful he felt the same.

"What should we do?" she asked, knowing Shikamaru had a solution for everything. 

Shikamaru cradled his son closer as he sighed. The solution he was offering was clearly one he did not like very much, but was probably the smartest and least painful way of dealing with the situation. 

"You and Shikadai can stay with Kankuro for now." he said. "I'll set things up with the Kazekage so Suna and Konoha relations don't suffer. You can file for divorce in about three months."

Temari nodded.

They sat in silence for a long time, interrupted only by the gently sound of their baby's breathing. At some point Shikadai was put back in his cot and the two adults sat in the semi darkness wordlessly drinking sake. When Temari finally got up to go to bed, she paused at the door and asked Shikamaru, who was still sitting at the table, a hollow look on his face.

"Do you think we should have tried harder?" she asked. 

Shikamaru looked at his empty arms and then back at her. "We already had a child. What more can we do?"

Temari nodded and shut the door.

Shikamaru let the weight lift off his shoulders and he felt tears prickle his eyes. He thought back to a small incident Ino and Sai had been through years ago.

"He doesn't love me." said Ino suddenly bursting into tears as she faced Shikamaru at the last training ground.

"Who?" asked Shikamaru stopping the spar immediately. He stood close to her, tilting her face gently upward with his thumb under her chin. Her eyes were flushed and angry.

"Sai." she said. "I asked him if he did. You know he never lies Shika, he said, he said, he can never love me. That he has forgotten how to love at all. That he cares for me a lot, more than anyone else in the world, but he doesn't love me and doesn't think he ever can."

"Oh Ino." he said, suddenly glad it was just the two of them in the training ground. He engulfed her into a hug and let her rest against his chest. Now that she had told him what was bothering her, she felt calm and content in his arms. It ahd been like this since they were kids. She'd bottle up her feelings thinking she would burden him. But he'd push and prod anyway because Kami knew nothing she ever did was a burden to him. She would eventually tell him and all of a sudden she'd look less troubled. She never demanded he solve her problems, but he always did. Even if she never found out who helped her, anything that hurt her would be resolved once she told him.

It was the same here as well.

"Ino, Ino listen to me," he said cupping her face to look into her eyes. They were so blue he could drown in them. It was a miracle he hadn't yet. "He loves you. He loves you. It's not the typical romantic love Ino, that is all. He may not think of you as his soulmate, he may not even know what that even is, but he will still fight for you. Hell, he'd kill for you and you know he would cry if something happened to you."

Ino nodded, her hands fisting against his shirt, her knuckles turning pink again as she let his words sink in.

"I-I understand." she said quietly. "You think he's the one for me too Shika?"

It took everything in his power to convincingly tell her, "Yes Ino, he is."

The truth was he'd analyzed everything in every possible direction. Ino needed to be with someone who complimented her fighting style, someone well trained and capable of supporting her. He wouldn't stifle her and she would not have to give up being a Yamanaka. Sai respected her, cared for her, and the majority of the time was able to help preserve her happiness and individuality. That was all Shikamaru ever wanted. 

He looked at the beautiful woman in his arms. He didn't know how long he had been holding her. She was smiling and suddenly the sky was sunny again.

"Thanks Shika," she said gently detangling herself from his hold. "I should get going."

"Yeah," said Shikamaru hoarsely snapping back to reality. "Yeah."

She smiled again as she walked away before turning around,

"What would you do Shika if something happened to me?" she asked looking at his brown eyes.

"I won't let anything happen to you Ino." he said holding her gaze. 

She smiled and walked back to give him a quick kiss on the cheek. "Thank you."

He looked at Temari's shut bedroom door and thought of the empty training field all those years ago. Even though it was probably too late, he could finally admit to himself which one of these women he wished he had tried harder to keep.

Chapter Text

Ino had taken off towards the only place she knew her heart had once found a home. Who would have thought the girl who loved a cool valley of cosmos could also love the desert sun. But she always said it was never about the sun or the skies, it was the kind of life you had under it.

Ino had happy memories of Suna that ran back several years. Team 10 had made trips there. She thought of the missions they'd had under Asuma sensei and she felt a smile form on her face. She no longer cried at his memory and it had been years since she had openly grieved.

Inojin was fast asleep against her chest and she allowed herself to run slightly slower through the trees and indulge herself in a memory.

It had been a cold and miserable day. The mission had dragged on longer than necessary and they had all almost died. The worrying thing was, none of them were truly upset. It was as though a part of them was okay with giving up. In the end, when Ino was filled with despair and Chouji was drowning in self criticism, Shikamaru had yelled out for them.

He said, "The king damn it. The king! We have to return."

It was as though their bodies decided they wanted to fight for one more day, the words held so much power. Ino completed her mind transfer jutsu in a single try after that, and Shikamaru caught her like he always did. They completed the mission and Chouji bulldozed the enemy nin and got them back home safely.

It was once they'd finished reporting to the Tower did they realize how lost they felt. None of them wanted to return to their homes. It was as though the dark cloud of regret and grief hung upon them and they could not escape.

Wordlessly, the three of them went to the far flung training grounds and lay on the grass. It was evening already and the birds overhead were flying home.

Ino lay between Chouji and Shikamaru, neither of them looking at each other, yet completely aware that each one was teary eyed. 

Asuma's death was still so raw. It was so hard, as though a large portion of their soul was gone. Ino berated herself, she knew Asuma sensei had asked her to take care of Chouji and Shikamaru. But she had failed hadn't she? Chouji hadn't eaten in over three days and Shikamaru had taken to smoking several cigarettes daily. 

The srars popped out soon enough and the tepid grass underneath turned cool with gentle dew. On a normal day, Ino would have marveled at the beauty, but now all she wanted to do was curl up and cry. She forced herself not to, at least not when she was supposed to be the strong one. Her throat closed up in her attempt to be brave and finally gave way with a loud sob. Shikamaru turned to look at her, guilt etching his face. 

"What are we doing?" asked Ino suddenly breaking the silence. Chouji flinched at her question and turned away.

"I don't know Ino." said Shikamaru letting out a sigh through his lips as his eyes took her in for the first time that day. She was a mess. Her hair was tangled and her clothes were torn at the edges. She hadn't taken a moment for herself since Asuma sensei had died. He thought of how she brought Chouji and him their meals and offered words of comfort. in their hesitant acceptance they forgot to notice Ino needed care too. 

She coughed, her watery eyes spilling over as she sat up to clear her throat. She rubbed her face on her dirty sleeve and looked away from Shikamaru to choke back a sob and sniffle. He sat up anyway and laid a hand on her shaking shoulder. She shuddered back another sob and she thought she heard Shikamaru say something under his breath before pulling her into a warm hug.

"I'm sorry Ino."  he said rubbing soothing circles on her back. "I messed up."

"It's not your fault Shika." said Ino instantly pulling back to look into his eyes. "There's nothing we could have done-"

"I'm not talking about sensei Ino. I'm talking about you and Chouji. I have been so wrapped up in thinking about the past that I've failed you both."  he glanced at Chouji who wasn't listening anymore and had drifted off to restless sleep.

"Ino, listen to me, we have to find a way out of this. This grief is a vicious cycle and it's going to kill us if we don't."  he pulled her closer, regretting how cold her body was. "Please Ino. Let's stop this."

Ino understood what he was saying and she agreed. But it was easier said than done. Shikamaru did not expect her to answer and he held her head against his chest gently to warm her and so she could hear his heart beat.

"We can do this." she said after a while, her cheek against his coarse shirt. "We'll get through this and we'll live full lives."

Shikamaru smiled at her words. He'd missed her spirit, the sheer willpower with which she always pushed them. Some would call it stubbornness, but Shikamaru knew she only tried with those she loved, and only gave up if they hurt her irrevocably. Shikamaru often wished he had done more to keep her away from Sasuke.

"I want to have kids one day Shika." she said suddenly as she pulled away to look at him. "I want to give them the best life possible."

Shikamaru saw the twinkling stars reflected in her eyes and knew he would move heaven and earth to make sure she got her wish. 

They fell asleep, with Ino tucked under Shikamaru's arm. When sunrise hit their skin, they were changed people. Ino had got back her fiery spirit.

"Come on! Wake up!" she said pushing and prodding her companions. Shikamaru groaned, "Troublesome woman, it's not even morning yet."

Chouji awoke looking confused. Weren't they supposed to be sad?

"Chouji!" she said giving him a spontaneous Ino trademark hug. "We've decided we won't cry anymore. Asuma sensei would want us to be happy and live well. He'd want us to make Konoha a better place. We can't do that if we're not at our best. So come on, we need to make a plan. We need to finish what those assholes started and get back on with our lives."

Chouji felt a small smile tug at his lips. Despite his heart saying he shouldn't stop grieving, he knew Ino was making sense. "So we'll fight for sensei?" he asked.

"We'll fight and WIN." said Ino determinedly. Shikamaru felt the sun on his skin and looked at his teammates. They were smiling again and finally the cogs in his own brain were turning at the pace they used to. He knew he'd soon have a plan for Hidan and his companions. Shikamaru would make sure they rotted in hell. 

Ino dug into her weapons pouch and pulled out three ration bars. "Eat this you guys."

Chouji shook his head at the ration bars. "After that speech? I'm starving, lets go get some ramen. You think Ichiraku is open so soon?"

All three of them burst into laughter at the familiar comment and Ino forced all three of them to hug. 

Things were alright after that. They did not grieve to that extent again. They honoured Asuma sensei's memory in different ways, but mostly to try to make the world a better place for his daughter Mirai.

Ino was already regretting taking such a long route towards shelter. She was exhausted and all her limbs ached. Her back hurt from carrying Inojin for so long and teh sheer fatigue from her sudden chakra usage was too much. She slowed to a walk and it was only then that a wave of nausea hit her and she collapsed on her knees. She dug into her weapons pouch and pulled out a soldier pill. Grimacing at the chalky taste, she swallowed it without water.

She'd outrun Duzo and his comrade narrowly at first but then when she began changing her direction, she felt their distance grow farther. Even though she was terrified, they'd catch up if she stopped to rest, she knew they would not find her too soon, if only because of the unpredictability of her actions. 

Inojin wasn't crying anymore or fidgeting. He giggled against her breast as he suckled. He was happier every mile she put between them and the enemy nin and she couldn't really fault the child. She was very relieved too.

The pill worked like a charm. Ino felt strength return to her limbs and she knew she had to be quick. She was somewhat close to Suna's border by now, roughly about 6 hours away if she kept up the pace. But the outskirts were a good enough place to rest. There were several inns and farm produce shops here. Civilians stayed in little houses in the countryside before the Suna desert began. It would be a good hiding place until she had the strength to reach the city and knock on a familiar mahogany door that belonged to the Kazekage's key advisor.

***

The house felt utterly empty once Temari had left with their son. He switched on the lights hoping the nihght would seem less lonely.

He sat at the table contemplating if he should drink until he blacked out again. 

Shikamaru almost wished he had bought a few cigarettes. He'd stopped smoking years ago almost as abruptly as he had started. He had to laugh at how easy it was to quit once Ino said it bothered her he wasn't caring about his health. He wondered what she would say if she found out he and Temari were divorcing. Would she try to get them to reconcile? It was possible, Ino was always a romantic at heart and she believed in happy endings. But in recent years she had been proving him wrong everywhere. It was as though he didn't know her anymore.

Ever since he'd married Temari, something seemed to have changed. Ino was smiling and she was happy with Sai. It had been over three years since he'd seen her. He stopped actively seeking information about her, forcing himself to move on knowing she already had. Last he heard, they were trying for a baby and Sai had taken a lengthy mission.

He chuckled as he thought back to a memory from Ino's big day. Her wedding had been far from perfect. It had surprised Chouji and him how well she handled each unpleasant surprise. She did not throw a single tantrum and was understanding and kind throughout. He felt so proud of her. He wished he could go back and tell her again, just how wonderful she made the difficult day.

"I bought the wrong flowers." said Sakura slapping her forehead and looking at the table full of bouquets. "They don't do with the decor. Oh my God Shikamaru do something!"

Shikamaru shrugged. Pink flowers, dark pink flowers he couldn't really tell the difference. 

Ino came in just then, her eyes landing at the table instantly. But instead of freaking out, she squealed. "I love this colour! Thanks Sakura!" she said. "Could you ask the caterers to change the table cloths to red? They said they had two options and I think it will go better with this colour."

Surprised, Sakura nodded and hurried off to get that done.

Just then Lee came running in tears pouring down his face, "Ino, someone pushed the cake, its fallen and the frosting is ruined - I am so sorry."

Ino looked a little disappointed but shook her head. "It's fine Lee, it's not your fault. Could you pick up a small cake from the bakery across the street? Any will do." 

Lee nodded and rushed away.

If this wasn't enough to cause a meltdown, TenTen came in just then clutching a torn vest. 

"Sai's vest tore." she said. "I tried to get a new one, but they didn't have one in his size, the tear is visible near the collar and---"

"It's okay TenTen, give me a minute, I have a sewing kit in here."

Dressed in her bridal wear, Ino sat sewing back the popped button near the collar as Shikamaru left the room to make sure there were no more disasters.

When he came back, Ino was sitting in the empty room, looking ethereal with a touch of makeup and a simple white dress. Shikamaru was glad Sai knew just how wonderful this young woman was.

"Are you okay Ino?" asked Shikamaru coming to stand in front of her. She gave him a soft smile. "Yes Shika." she said honestly. "None of this matters. I'm marrying Sai and I know he won't mind if our cake is a little small or if the tablecloths look different."

"You've grown up so much Ino." he said warmth filling his heart. "I am so proud of you."

In the end, Shikamaru's heart swelled as he watched her walk down the aisle and he felt himself freeze when they said the vows and finally when they sealed the marriage with a kiss, Shikamaru knew it was no longer his place to be. 

They said true love is letting go, and he'd done just that.

Chapter Text

Shikamaru was utterly drunk. He knew he could take only a few more cups of sake before he blacked out. Honestly, the darkness numbing him was a welcome feeling. It was the only time in his life since he left Konoha that he didn't wallow in what could have been. Regret was not an emotion he handled very well, especially when he spent so much brainpower thinking every thing through.

He didn't want to dwell in the thoughts of what a hollow shell his world had become. A genius, a brilliant strategist, an asset for every nation... and yet an utter failure in his personal life.

His marriage had crumbled in less than two years. No matter the reasons, facts were facts. His marriage was over and here he was in a foreign country, working for another leader, away from home, away from everyone he once loved and who had loved him. The alcohol brought back repressed desires, and he found him self falling down a slippery slope of unattainable whimsical dreams.

He was sixteen and his father was dead. Chouji was comforting a crying Ino, as she wept against his chest.

He felt hollow, purposeless and unemotional for a while. What was the point of tears?

But he knew why their parents died. He knew their purpose. Their sacrifice would not go in vain.

He was the first to recover from his grief only because he repressed most of it. It would be a year later when he was alone in his room, mourning the loss of his sensei on his death anniversary, that he would finally finally let the pain overwhelm him. He knew this would forever stay on his conscience.

Their son was barely a few days old and Shikamaru was having to deal with joint custody. What happened to his simple desire for an unremarkable life and close family? He blamed himself for the end of his relationship with Temari.

Perhaps he should have fought harder for her, should have begged for another chance. What killed him really was the nagging voice in his head that said, Temari deserved better than what you gave her. He hoped she would find love again, this time with a man who would fight for her and meet her intelligence with passion. Shikamaru was beginning to think the reason they didn't workout was because they were too similar.

They planned their dates, planned their shopping, meal prepped, paid bills on time and pre ordered. Meticulous, calculated and careful. Not a good mix for a relationship.

He laughed at the thought of what Ino would say if she heard his thoughts. "There is no spontaneity Shika. One of you had to balance it out by being a little crazy." It brought back an old memory.

"You can't plan life Shika." Ino said sagely. She was only fourteen but wise beyond her years in her philosophy. "Some things are just...spontaneous."

"Nothing has to be spontaneous Ino. A good strategist plans and predicts everything." said Shikamaru in a bored tone as he shielded his eyes with his hand. He had been lying on the grass all morning and now the sun was in his eyes.

"That's rubbish." said Ino confidently. "You can't control or plan things like the kind of music you like or the person you will fall in love with. These things just happen."

"Hmm." said Shikamaru, already thinking it was less of a drag to have just agreed with her.

"I agree with Ino." said Chouji surprisingly. "It's important to not be in control too."

Shikamaru didn't say anything to that, instead pondering over the words he'd just heard. Ino didn't press him further, knowing she'd got through to him. 

Shikamaru couldn't believe it took him the better part of twelve years to understand what she meant.

***

Lost in thought, Chouji stared out of the window as they finally entered the familiar roads. 

Chouji always said Ino was the passionate one and Shikamaru the practical one. Chouji was the one in between, a good mix of emotion and common sense. They made a sensible team in the end, with neither the head nor heart overpowered at any moment. Chouji's father awlays said Ino-Shika-Cho survived all these generations because of their teamwork and it would be the only way they could weather rough times in future.

He had been hesitant to leave Konoha. He had been raised in a way that the Will of Fire always came first. But Shikamaru had made his decision already. He was leaving for Suna soon after Ino's wedding. Shikamaru had explained to him, that in times of peace, it was okay for team 10 to not be neighbours.

Moving to Kumogakure hadn't felt right in the beginning but now, Chouji had a wife and a child, and responsibilities. Missions with team 10 were always in his memory and he thought of Asuma sensei everyday. He wondered about Ino and Shikamaru, but always assumed they were doing well. Sometimes he'd read about Shikamaru in the newspaper. It would be about Suna's latest diplomatic decision or strategic ploy that yielded huge dividends for the nation. Every time he noticed a particularly beautiful flower, he would think of Ino. He couldn't remember attending any wedding in the last couple of years where he actually liked the bouquets on display. Yamanaka Flower Shop was a class apart from the florists at Kumogakure. Karui disagreed, but of course, he was her close friend, he was allowed to be a little biased.

He had been wanting to go back to Konoha for a while now. It had been a long time since he had seen his family. He wanted to visit Ino too. Last he heard Sai was on a long term mission. He wished his friends would call more often, but then again perhaps they were busy with family like him.

The carraige came to a gentle halt in front of his childhood home just then. Karui prodded his shoulder as she held Cho-cho closer to her chest. "We're home." she said.

He felt a huge wave of nostalgia hit him and a wide smile formed on his face. He kissed his wife and helped her out of the carriage.

The front door opened and Chōza greeted him with a hug. The smell of delicious lunch wafted through the air as Chouji felt for the first time in long while, truly and utterly content.

***

For the first time in days, Sakura had a chance to oversleep. It was her rare day off and she finally had some time to herself. Sarada was with her grandmother and there was not much to do in the house. Sakura decided to go pay Naruto a visit at the Hokage Tower. It had been too long since she'd seen his blinding smile. She hadn't seen Sasuke for just as long but she was used to that.

Tightening her hitai ate, she stretched and put on her slippers. She walked for a while in the cool morning air, before the clouds started to shuffle away and clear the sky.

The sun hit her pink hair, showing her rainbows through the strands in front of her eyes and she was suddenly reminded of her sunshine haired friend. 

"I wonder what Ino is upto." she thought. Sakura was walking past the jounin towers when she noticed the Yamanaka flower shop on the right. She hadn't seen Ino in months, maybe she should stop for a visit. 

Her mind set she jogged up to the shop and tried to push the handle. To her surprise, she found that the shop was locked. It was unusual for Ino not to have opened the shop early in the morning.

Suspicious, Ino pressed her face against the glass window and tried to detect any anomalies. She spotted a pot with a wilted cosmos on the counter. It looked parched for water and was struggling to survive. Sakura had to question, why had Ino not been to the shop lately?

Her first thought was that Ino was away on a mission. Then she remembered how Ino had been let go from her position in the Interrogation department as well as active shinobi duty recently. It seemed she had some trouble controlling her chakra. Reasons behind it had been classified information and Naruto was not willing to share. Sakura hadn't pushed much back then and she still regretted it. Though it comforted her to note that shinobi or not, Ino would always be Ino-pig to her.

Not one to give up though, on a whim she set off to Ino's house. With her ninja speed she reached fairly quickly.

Sakura's gut clenched. Something felt off about the house. It was deathly silent and reeked of something unpleasant.

Concerned, Sakura bolstered chakra on her fists and clenched her kunai as she approached the house. The front door was not locked. 

Dread took over and Sakura kicked open the door.

"Ino pig. Where are you?" yelled Sakura as she looked around the house. Nothing was out of place and yet it looked as though the house hadn't been lived in recently. On the table was a spilled cup of tea and the remnants of a sticky mix on the table.

Panicking now, Sakura searched the house for Inojin.

"Inojin!" she called, hoping to hear a cry. "Are you here?"

She searched every corner but found nothing. On Inojin's cot there was a bunch of dried jasmine flowers that still smelled sweet. She touched them stupidly hoping Ino would come back.

Sometimes, you just know something is not right. Sakura wasted no more time in racing to Mrs. Yamanaka's house and pounding on the door.

Mrs Yamanaka was bedridden and her new nurse opened the door. She was surprised to see the medic at the door.

"Is Ino here?" Sakura asked, having no time or patience for small talk.

"No," said the nurse, shaking her head. "We haven't seen her this week."

Guilt can be a horrible feeling, but regret can be worse. 

Sakura felt dread in the pits of her stomach. Something had happened to Ino, someone had taken her away. Was she in pain, was she hurt, what did they do to her son? 

She ran to the Hokage Tower and demanded to see Naruto immediately. 

"Let me in. I need to speak to Naruto right now." she said showing him her badge. She was a reputed medic nin, and Naruto's former teammate.  

The young new ANBU at the gate looked at her tiny form up and down and said, "Fuck off."

He'd been told explicitly not to let anyone in.

Sakura didn't want to hurt the new ANBU but she was losing patience. She could knock him out with a sucker punch, but then tensions were high lately what with she'd heard through the grapevine of some kind of infiltration, and she didn't want to risk being the target of ANBU incineration. 

"Fine." she said and backed off to sulk.

But the cogs in her brain was turning very fast. She remembered what the last patient was saying about the alleged infiltration, 

"My cousin at the mission desk overheard someone say that Mist nin entered our village. They were moving towards the Jounin tower but never reached there it seems. In the end the trail goes cold and they were never found. Six guards, 4 chunin and 2 ANBU are missing. They say all that's there to say rogue ninjas were here was a jasmine flower.

No one knows what they came for. I think they came to kill the Hokage and then chickened out. Have to be a special kind of stupid to take on the Seventh."

In the end Sakura's body acted on it's own accord. She pushed past the ANBU after she knocked him out with a chakra concentrated punch. Moving faster than ever she reached the familiar office door and shoved it open.

She was instantly surrounded by ANBU who pinned her to the ground. But Naruto could see her now. 

Squinting she saw Chouji, Kakashi and Iruka in the room all looking at her with concern. Naruto was about to tell the ANBU to release her, but Sakura thought everything could wait.

tears were falling from her face now, as the ANBU held her hands behind her back and forced her to stand. Even though Naruto trusted her, they didn't.

"They took Ino!" she cried out when her eyes met his. "They took her and Inojin." She wasn't able to explain more coherently, due to her being so distraught.

Naruto stared at her, looking slightly worried. He'd had his share of crazy so far and he had to wonder whether Sakura was okay or had the months of low sleep took their toll.

Kakashi and Iruka seemed to grasp what she was saying first and tensed. This was not a good development. Chouji was on high alert at having heard Ino’s name, but he didn’t have enough context to be worried.

Naruto in contrast was still looking detached. Sakura spoke in a pleading voice as she repeated. "Ino and Inojin are gone. They took them away."

Naruto did not show any reaction even then and Sakura felt her stomach drop. The Hokage didn't care. Ino and her son weren't important enough to warrant a stronger reaction.

Ino was no longer an active shinobi. Declaring war against another village for her sake was probably not worth it.

Sakura could not stop her tears. She would search for Ino herself, she didn't need the Hokage's help---

"Let her go." ordered Naruto calmly. 

Sakura was released a little hesitantly and she wiped at her tear-streaked face. 

"Are you sure?" he asked her. She stared into his blue eyes for a moment before nodding. Her bubbly and endearing teammate had long since grown to be a calm composed leader. She missed him, missed the clumsy way he would rush head first into situations if it meant saving a friend.

Just then, the Naruto in front of her popped.

"God damn it." cursed Iruka loudly. "The fucker was a clone all along."

But the clone's memories reached the person concerned just then and Sakura was filled with hope again. She wished the real Naruto would understand how important this was, that Ino and her son's life was valuable, that she had friends and allies who would fight. She begged Kami that he would agree to help.

***

In the farthest training field, Naruto sparred with Sasuke. He had missed days like this, when they just had fun. Sasuke was back for a short visit again and Naruto was stealing away time everywhere to be with him. Ever since reports of the infiltration, Sasuke insisted he shadow Naruto everywhere.

"Dobe, I won't let anyone touch you." he said kicking the kunai out of Naruto's hand and pinning him to the ground.

Naruto laughed and pulled the former avenger in for a kiss. It had taken many many years and hardships to get to this point. Hell, they were both fathers already. But life was still worth living and they had a chance to spend it together.

Just then memories flooded Naruto's head and he broke the kiss in shock.

Sasuke stared in bewilderment as Naruto's clear blue eyes turned to red.

Chapter Text

Ino gave a sigh of relief as she finally reached the end of the woods. In front of her stood a vast brown, empty landscape that went on for miles into the horizon.

Tumbleweed rolled through the arid ground and the sun shone mercilessly over the earth. There was no vegetation here, and for miles in the distance all she could see was lifeless arid land giving way to several sand dunes. It looked a lot like the dead valley of a dried river.

Dry and damaged for so long, that no matter how much water it received now, no vegetation could ever grow. The locals called it the curse of Suna. The curse was well known and as a result, no one lived in the periphery of the actual village. 

The first time Team 10 had heard of it, Shikamaru had scoffed and called it a load of crap. Ino also found herself not quite believing it either. She knew that with the right nurture any soil could yield beautiful flowers. Looking at herself now, however, she felt differently. She found herself agreeing with the old Suna legend that stated - - "that what is forgotten and unwanted will die."

Her eyes settled back on the task in front of her, as she shook back her melancholy. She needed to cross this arid land so her son could be safe.

It helped that she knew the landscape like the back of her hand. Shikamaru had forced Chouji and her to memorize the entrances and traps in the route to all the neighboring villages.

"You never know when you need to run away." he used to say. "It will save your life if you know more than your enemy."

The real, habitable Suna, was surrounded by vast mountains of sand and arid ground. It allowed the Kazekage complete view of the surroundings at all times, and because of the perpetuated story that the land was cursed, no one lingered for too long. The only way to reach Suna's gates was through this desert. One had to travel for at five hours in the sun, before they could see the first entrance. If anyone tried this at night, they would lose the way and die of hypothermia in the desert cold. 

"A desert does not offer sympathies. There is no God that can save you if you do not follow the rules of the Sand." Temari had told her once when Ino had tried to step out during a sandstorm. Needless to say, Ino had waited till the storm ended.

If by circumstance or luck, a person did manage to reach the gates of Suna, they would be greeted by a huge wall surrounding it. They would not realize that over fifty ANBU equivalents stayed hidden in the dunes watching. Suna was very careful who they opened their gates to. If a traveler reached these gates and found themselves unwelcome, they would be turned away mercilessly. It was possible that the traveler would perish eventually due to fatigue and dehydration.

Ino had to hand it to Gaara, this was a pretty smart tactic. In times of war, he would always get a heads up and because of the harsh climate in the desert, very few foreign soldiers could withstand the elements long enough to challenge him.

Over the years, Ino had learned the importance of sending a message. Shikamaru used to instruct her to communicate with the Kazekage Tower several hours before they began travelling. She would use her mind jutsu for secure information transfer with the Kazekage headquarters. The person handling those calls was a woman named Sema. Her kekkai genkai had few similarities with the Yamanaka's but was not quite as powerful or versatile. However, it was enough for Ino to find an opening in her mind and transfer information. Over the years, Sema had come to recognize Ino's voice in her head and would welcome her in every time. Ino would always ask her how she was doing and if her two children were home from school yet. She had learned that Sema's husband had passed away many years ago and would enquire about her wellbeing. 

"You are the only one who asks me if I have eaten." Sema had once said to Ino through her thoughts. "Everyone else stops at asking about the children."

Ino closed her eyes and formed her palms into a sign. She would try to send Sema a message. It had been over three years since she'd last spoken to her, but hopefully Sema would remember.

But Ino faltered as weakness made her knees wobble. She was low on chakra and the mysterious illness that was suppressing her strengths was resurfacing. She could not explain it, and yet suffered for it.

She thought for a moment as she watched the overhead sun. It was roughly two in the afternoon now. If she reached Suna by sundown, she would have a chance to negotiate with the guards.

Perhaps they would let her enter. If not, Ino knew another way. Smiling to herself wryly, Ino adjusted her shawl so it covered more of Inojin's delicate body. She didn't mind if the Suna sun burned her. She had many scars already, but Inojin would be protected.

In the very least, she vowed, she would make sure her son was safe and well before she died.

"God of the Desert," she said out loud. "Help me protect my child."

With that, she broke into a run. She didn't falter and she didn't turn. It would be a long five hours, and the fatigue would probably kill her, but a soldier pill worked for 10 hours and she had about six left. 

***

"Naruto!" shouted Sasuke, shaking his shoulders to try to snap him out of his anger.

"Sasuke?" said Naruto, calming down slightly but still looking delirious. "The fuckers took Ino."

Sasuke paused, surprise on his face. It was a testimony to how good a listener he was to Naruto's rantings, that he instantly understood who Naruto was talking about.

"Her son?" asked Sasuke, knowing that Sai was missing for long already. He believed the ink painter was dead, killed in an unfair battle, but he didn't like to destroy the hope Naruto held on to.

"Gone too." said Naruto, grabbing Sasuke's arm and racing through the woods back to the Hokage Tower. "No one noticed Sasuke. It's been three days since they've been missing."

Sasuke's mouth formed into a thin line.

"Why?" he asked softly.

Naruto stopped running, and turned to look at Sasuke with tortured eyes. "I think we got used to not missing her anymore." he said, his voice cracking.

Sasuke nodded. It happened sometimes, that people forgot other people and let them fade away. He saw it all the time during his travels. Many of the homeless and prostitutes in the alleyways once had loving homes. All it took was a few months of bad luck and life would turn on its head. If one was lucky, someone would remember them, recognize them and bring them home.

He looked at his lover and soulmate. How many times had Naruto chased after him, kept him from spiraling into an abyss? He had lost count.

They reached the Hokage tower and the ANBU bowed respectfully. They let Sasuke pass close behind Naruto, knowing that he was to be trusted when it came to the Seventh's safety.

The scene that greeted them was solemn. Iruka, Kakashi, Chouji and Sakura were sitting at the table, their bodies tense. 

Naruto knew the unspoken question. Would he authorize a war on the suspected Mist village? What if another village was responsible and they only wore Mist headgear to mislead them?

He glanced at the clock. It was 2 o' clock in the afternoon. It had been over three days since Ino and her son was missing. There was a possibility that they died fighting, or were held captive somewhere.

Who knew what they were taken for? As far as Naruto knew, Ino was no longer a kunoichi. She was essentially a civilian who ran a flower shop.

"Naruto." said Kakashi looking at his adoptive son with a concerned glance. He understood the emotional turmoil that came with responsibility and he hoped Naruto would not crumble under the pressure.

"I can't accuse Mist of kidnapping and infiltration." said Naruto firmly as Kakashi nodded. "It will lead to unnecessary war, especially because Mist would see that they were being accused of taking a civilian.

Sakura looked like she would start crying again and Chouji's eyes were hollow.

"Is there no way to reach her?" asked Chouji desperately. Sakura had told him about Ino’s recent demotion to a civilian and how she could no longer perform ninjutsu. "She can't forget her mind control jutsu so easily. Perhaps another Yamanaka can---"

"They can't Chouji." said Naruto grimly cutting him off . "We tried everything. She went through a lot of therapy and trials. Her chakra no longer exists and she cannot use any of her ninjutsu. She has also physically weakened considerably in recent years."

He left the explanation unsaid but everyone heard it just the same. It had no longer made any sense to devote time and resources to Ino's rehabilitation and so Naruto had to take the difficult choice to let her go of her duties at the Interrogation Tower and instate her to the role of a civilian.

Sakura gave a small nod. She'd done a check up for Ino a tear ago. She hadn't found anything wrong with her. Just that her chakra pathways no longer existed. It was strange but there was no explanation at all. Ino herself didn't know either.

"We could ask for help." said Iruka and Naruto's mind immediately went to the one man who always solved his problems. He missed him often, especially in times of crisis.

"If he was here, Ino would not have been missing." 

"Enough." grumbled the Kyuubi frustrated by the turmoil in Naruto's head. The gruff voice shook him out of his stupor and Naruto finally made a choice.

"Sasuke, get our fastest hawk ready." said Naruto turning to look at the former avenger. "Tell Shikamaru we need his help."

***

Hawks can fly for many hours without tiring. They can travel in the night and high up in the clouds. They can also be discrete. With a simple jutsu, they could be rendered invisible for a while.

Sasuke had cast the jutsu on the hawk with a scroll on it's leg, just as it took off. The hawk had felt a cool sensation and knew when it's shadow disappeared that it had become invisible. Undetered he flew on till he reached the beginnings of the dusty desert.

This hawk had been to Suna before, but never during his travels had he seen a young woman and child attempt to cross the desert on their own. She was running at full speed, but stopped to look up once. The hawk knew he was invisible and yet the woman had noticed something.

Perhaps the woman was no ordinary woman. Of course, if she were ordinary she would not be in this part of the desert. Her shoes were torn already and her skin was blistered. But Suna wasn't too far and she looked like she had a lot of spirit. 

If she was dead by the time he flew back he would carry the child back with him to Konoha. He looked at the tiny child and hoped the woman would stay alive.

The hawk flew on, leaving her behind, as the sand dunes grew in the hot ground below.

***

It was the beginning of dusk and the sky had turned a wonderful pink. Shikamaru returned home after a tiring day with the Kazekage.

Gaara had wanted to sort through the existing treaties and wanted to forge more relations with Sound village. Shikamaru thought the village was bad news but also that they needed to keep their enemies closer.

Setting the tea pot to boil, Shikamaru was distracted by a tapping against the kitchen window.

He couldn’t see anything and yet he knew something was there. Opening the window he felt a peck on his palm.

“A Konoha Hawk.” Supplied Shikamaru’s mind immediately and his heart started to race.

Was everyone okay back home? Was there an attack?

He retrieved the scroll and the hawk pecked his hand again.

Shikamaru turned the encrypted scroll in his palm and looked critically at the puzzle. He switched around a few chakra strands tying everything together until finally, the scroll opened and a small message greeted him. As expected, it was coded, but such things did not slow him down.

“Flower and bud taken. Search will cause war. Dobe hopes you will forgive him.”

It was as though time stopped still for a moment. Shikamaru knew what the letter meant and even though there were so many unanswered questions, the blatant facts remained.

Ino and Inojin were missing. Someone had taken them away. But why? Was it for Ino’s mind jutsu? It was possible. The last time he saw her, she was a powerful konuichi.

He was sure she would not have gone quietly. She must have fought. She would never go quietly.

But the next line said searching for them would cause a war. That meant Naruto suspected an allied nation.

Ino could not fight against a nation. Not on her own.

By the looks of it, Naruto had not communicated to the nations of the distrust. Why hadn’t he? Ino was a valuable kunoichi. She deserved to have a war held for her and her son. Hell, Sai should be starting one right now…

Unless…

Shikamaru did not want to believe it.

It could not be. Had no one checked on Ino in the past three years? Where was Sai? Why hadn’t he sent a message, why hadn’t she ever said anything, why hadn’t she called him---

Shikamaru did not have any response for the waiting hawk. But the invisible bird was persistently pecking at his finger.

Shikamaru wrote a hasty message to the Hokage he no longer respected, one he hoped showed his anger.

“I understand you have a duty. You had one to them too.”

Chapter Text

Sema finished tucking her children into bed before she settled at the futon and sipped a cup of tea.

She had been getting weird visions all day. She kept seeing the Suna desert through shaking, tired eyes. When she concentrated, she could feel the person's fatigue, the blistered feet and heartbeat of another on her skin. She saw clear skies and sensed an invisible Konoha hawk in the sky. She couldn't explain it and that bothered her to no end.

Was she hallucinating? It was possible, she had been grieving lately, swiveling in the thoughts of her dead husband and the life they could have lived.

Sometimes Sema wondered why fate had been so cruel to her. She was only thirty years old and yet felt as though she was a hundred years old already. But she wasn't depressed anymor, especially now that she knew her reasons to live. She could count them on her fingers - her two children and the promise she had made to a young girl the better half of a decade ago.

"Sema, I know it's not my place but, I sense that you are unhappy." Ino had said to her the second time she had entered her mind.

"I am." conceded Sema. It felt oddly lightening to speak through her thoughts. No one else in the intel tower knew what she was thinking or who she was talking to. Sema reveled in the feeling that no one knew she was depressed, except a calm clear voice in her head.

Sema was reeling under the stress of losing her husband in a fatal war, and being left to care for two small babies alone. Money was tight and she suspected she had post-partam depression. She loved her husband so much. Why did he have to be taken away from her when she needed him the most. Why did she have two innocent children who reminded her of him everyday?

"We have stopped to rest for the night. I can listen if you like." said Ino, her voice tranquil. Her presence inside Sema's turbulent mind felt very calming. "Send me a message when you get home?"

An inexplicable force pushed Sema to take a quick decision. She took her leave from the tower for the day and rushed home to her crying children. In her depression, she hadn't fed them since the morning. The poor children were hungry and it was all her fault. She suckled them instantly, guilt enveloping her. She was so selfish to be crying all day when she needed to be there for her children. She was shuddering with sobs when she made the connection with Ino's mind again.

Ino didn't say anything, just stayed as Sema cried, holding the babies close to her bosom. Surprisingly, Sema did not feel ashamed to cry in front of Ino, even though she would rather die than be seen crying by her co workers. She couldn't explain it, but it was as though Ino truly understood her sadness.

It was only when the babies were asleep and Sema had tucked them back into bed that Ino finally spoke.

"Hush, you are not alone. I am here." said Ino, her voice soothing. Sema sobbed harder at that. She had been feeling so lonely lately, so terrified of continuing to live. A rational part of her brain berated her for talking to a stranger and yet her heart healed with the knowledge that someone somewhere cared about her.

This girl was barely eighteen and a Yamanaka, supremely talented in mind control. If the Kazekage knew she was talking to her in secret Sema would lose her job and possibly be banished from Suna. But Ino wasn't digging into her mind for trade secrets, she was simply sitting still with a warm aura that seemed to engulf Sema. She chased away every bad thought in Sema's mind with soft reassurances and for the first time in days, she felt alive again.

"Does it feel like a hug?" asked Ino eagerly, when Sema felt her skin feel slightly warm as though she was under a blanket. "I've been practicing."

Sema let out a weak laugh at that. This girl was unbelievable. She was so kind to have listened to a complete stranger cry all night and she had comforted her with everything she had.

"Yes, I feel it." said Sema. "I wish I could hug you back."

"You can!" said Ino and even though Sema had never seen her before, she knew the girl had a beautiful smile.

They finally met two days later when the group from Konoha reached Suna. Ino sought her out in the tower and gave her a bag of sunflower seeds. 

"Plant them and they will remind you to always seek the sun." she said.

Sema was rattled out of her thoughts when she heard a knock on the door. Clutching her kunai she peered through the keyhole. It was late in the night and people in Suna were typically asleep by now.

She gasped as she recognized who was outside. He was baring the glowing tattoo on his wrist and Sema knew instantly who it was.

Immediately opening the door she bowed, "Good evening, Shikamaru san."

***

It was almost time for the sandstorm to hit. The guards were ready to lock up the gates and settle in for the night. The day had been rather uneventful, but now as though to make up for it, a mysterious woman had showed up. She was limping, her shoes and clothes were singed and torn by the Suna sun. Yet, she held a healthy baby to her bosom. The child smiled at them, fair hair touching his eyelashes.

"Please, I must meet the Kazekage." she said. Her voice was throaty from lack of moisture. Her lips were parched and bled when exercised her mouth.

"Everyone wants to meet the Kazekage." said the tallest guard. "But very few actually do."

"Tell him I am Ino, Yamanaka Ino." she said. Her voice was breathy now, as though she would faint at any moment. "Please. Tell the Kazekage's advisor, I must - it's urgent!"

The guards took a look at her ragged form and talked amongst themselves. They discussed her condition and their options.

She was thirsty, on the verge of collapse, and carrying a young child.

Should they separate them? Take away the healthy child and send away the mother? Suna could do with a few more sons.

She snarled when they said that. So no she would not let them take her baby.

"She is a civilian, no skills at all. What is the point of granting entry to her." said one of the men.

"She could be pretending. I'll check for chakra." one of the sensory guards said. "Hmm. Very weak, almost no chakra."

A look of understanding passed through the guards. They had made their decision.

"Then she is no use to us." the tallest guard said grimly. "Begone and never set foot this path again."

It was inhumane, but it was the law of the land. The guards could not afford to be compassionate and risk Suna's security. The desert was cruel, and to be trusted, you had to find a way to live through it.

The woman stared at them through bloodshot eyes. It seemed she was too exhausted to cry. But it was obvious she was frustrated.

She finally turned around, pain inhibiting her movements but not restricting her. She did not attempt to fight or cry like the others did. She simply turned and walked into the desert just as a sandstorm hit the gates.

The guards shook their heads sadly. They knew the pair would die soon. There was no way they could survive the storm.

***

Ino felt humiliation seep into her bones as she undid her top and revealed some of her cleavage. 

"Hmm. Not as big as we would like. But you say you're from Konoha." said the Pimp. She looked at Ino from head to toe sizing her up. "I could get a good price for you for the night. Probably much more if I sell you to a rich merchant for a whole day."

Ino nodded. "I have a child." she said. "I think you should sell us."

"Smart one aren't you." said the Pimp with a laugh. "You're lucky I have a bit of a heart. Go stand near the edge of the pavement. Carriages will come by and the men inside will look at you. I will tell them the price. When I tell you to go, you get in the carriage. I will pay you 20% of what the man gives me."

Ino nodded. She did not care about the money, she just wanted a way to get through the Suna gates.

Many rich men from Suna frequented this brothel. It was hidden amid the dunes as prostitution and sex work were illegal in Suna. But desire is a lethal sword and men often found ways to reach the brothel and smuggle the unnamed women inside with them.

The pimp would lease them for the night as she deemed fit. The man who bought her for the night was to return her the next morning. Failing which, the pimp would alert her network of spies and there would be unpleasant consequences. It was unknown whether the Kazekage knew of the brothel's operations. Ino wondered if he did, because the Kazekage's advisor himself had once shown Ino and Chouji this covert way of entering Suna.

Ino clutched Inojin to her chest as she waited under the street light. She had taken off her robe to reveal the unburnt skin of her breasts. Even though she was exhausted and on the verge of passing out, she hoped some man in a carriage would find her attractive enough to take home.

A few carriages rolled by, with leering men looking out the windows sizing her up. Ino took deep calming breaths and reminded herself that she had to somehow reach Shikamaru.

She waited as the dust grew thick in the air, coughing as the dryness irritated her lungs. Another carriage was approaching very slowly. The person inside was sizing up all the women before her. Ino sighed. It was unlikely this customer would choose her either. 

Ino was feeling very weak now. The soldier pill was wearing off. She had a few minutes left before she fainted, probably for the last time. She reproached herself for not giving Inojin to the guards. She had failed to protect him. Regret washed over her and she felt the urge to cry. But there were no tears left in her. She was in the brink of death.

She wished Sai had a chance to meet Inojin. She wished they could have grown old together. She wished Shikamaru and Chouji never left the village, that Asuma sensei and her father had not died. She wished that she had been more honest with Sakura about being alone and she wished she had not lost her ability to perform jutsu.

She bit her lip hard enough to draw blood. The pain kept her awake a little longer, even though her vision was starting to blur. She sent out a quick prayer to Kami, she hoped her mother would be alright. She prayed the pimp would find and return Inojin to the guards.

The carriage was a lot closer now and Ino felt her knees buckle. She fell to the ground, Inojin cocooned under her weight.

"Ino!"

Shikamaru's voice cut through her heavy lids. For a short conscious moment she thought he was here to rescue her.

As she felt Shikamaru's strong arms lift her up, and smelled the chamomile shampoo he always used, she quickly dismissed the thought.

No, she was dead and this life's regrets would remain with her forever.

Chapter Text

Sema didn't know the Kazekage's advisor had so much up his sleeve. He had a cold calculating gaze locked on her while she had relayed her visions. Then he'd asked her to get on a carraige with him. It was being led by one of the unmarked horsemen, a burly bearded man who did not have a license. There were few like him in Suna, men who were wanted for misdeeds in other lands, but found ways to blend into the shadows of the Suna desert. Every village needs people to do the dirty work and Suna was no different. The unmarked men stayed because they were allowed.

One of their key sources of income was smuggling. Sema knew there were secret entries into the village, that not even the Kazekage knew about. They had driven through one such road in the black night. No one had noticed them leave, no one had followed them. Within an hour, they were out of the province, moving through a secret passageway hidden between huge sand dunes. Her mouth dried up when she saw a line of women looking up at the carraige expectantly. Shikamaru had not reacted at all, but continued to look out the window as he instructed the driver to go slow.

What was the Nara doing? Sema did not want to consider the possibility the Nara already had. Ino could not possibly be here.

The dust picked up around her and Sema forced herself to return to the present. She was seated inside the carraige, the unmarked man still at the wheel. But Shikamaru was outside, kneeling amidst the swirling desert sand, holding someone in his arms and shielding them from the force of the storm.

Could it be, that he had found her? Her heart beating fast, Sema fastened her headscarf and jumped out of the carraige. She protected her eyes with her hands as the desert sand lodged into her eyelashes and hair. The particles were moving so fast, they cut the exposed skin of her cheeks.

Sandstorms in Suna were brutal. There was little chance of surviving this. Sema briefly wondered if the unmarked man would leave them and go. But when she glanced back the carraige was still waiting patiently. She finally approached Shikamaru, who was relieved to see her.

Her eyes widened with shock as she saw Shikamaru holding a baby close to his chest. He had pulled his coat over the child in an attempt to shield it, but the baby was crying uncontrollably at the sudden removal from his mother.

Sema glanced at the mother and her heart rose to her mouth. Ino. She looked so different, and yet so familiar. Sema moved of her own accord, her gratitude and love fueling her motions. In an instant she knelt down and checked her pulse.

Relief washed over her as she realized Ino was still alive. She looked at Shikamaru, who understood without the need for words. He gingerly handed her the crying baby, and she wrapepd him securely with her scarf and held the child close to her bosom. The motherly touch calmed the child and he stopped crying to the point of exertion.

Shikamaru knelt down and picked up Ino in his arms. He hid her face within his coat, in an attempt to protect her from the sand, but the hard set of his jaw let Sema know Ino had already endured the worst of Suna's desert.

They reached the carraige and for a brief moment, Sema thought she saw the masked driver raise his eyebrows at the sight of Ino. He grunted indicating they hurry and Shikamaru complied. In a few seconds, they had boarded the carraige, and the horses took off.

Sema did not know which route they took or which direction they went, but the storm had stopped where they were. It was completely dark and it felt as thought hey were the only living beings for miles.

"This is a tunnel." said Shikamaru softly, as though afraid to upset the baby. He lit a candle and set it on the floor bwteen their legs. "We are safe here. We will reach my house in an hour."

Sema nodded as she rocked the baby boy in her arms. The baby was tired, and was almost asleep. Sema could tell he had been fed recently as he let out a soft burp when she gently patted his back.

She looked at the weak woman lying in the seat in front of her, her head resting on Shikamaru's lap. Ino's face was tanned, and she had blood blisters on her skin. The sand had left marks on her hands and legs, scratching and irritating the pores. Sema could only imagine how much the woman had suffered. The Nara... Sema thought he looked different.

He was gently cleaning out her hairline, stroking the soft strands. Sema knew he did not dare touch her injuries without knowing the extent of it.

"She is exhausted." said Shikamaru quietly. "Sema, we don't know how much longer she has. You need to check her."

Sema nodded. She handed the sleeping baby boy to Shikamaru and started to unbutton Ino's dress. Shikamaru looked away, although Ino's head still rested safely on his lap.

He waited for a long time while Sema checked her heart and stomach for injuries. She checked her abdomin and sighed with relief when she realized, Ino was not carrying any deep injuries. She had some angry purple lines on her shoulder and chest but that was probably from the strain of carrying Inojin with the help of a badly tied thin shawl.

Sema knew Ino needed some strength soon. The hour to Shikamaru's house could very well be her last unless she was healed.

Sema was not a shinobi. She did not know how to mould chakra. There was no way she could heal Ino without the use of traditional civilian balms and medicines.

"Nara san." she said tentatively. "She has only minor cuts and bruises. but she is so exhausted."

Shikamaru nodded. He handed the baby back to Sema and gingerly laid Ino's head on the seat. He knelt on the carraige floor beside Ino, eyebrows furrowed but otherwise unreacted.

He was not trained in medical jutsu, but he knew enough to heal small injuries. He began with the blisters on her feet, he charged up chakr aon his palm, hoping to find the pathways of her own and channel his energy into them.

A sharp sensation akin to an electric shock jolted through his body the moment he tried. What was going on? Sema looked at him with concern, but Shikamaru was already deep in thought. Reachng his hand out he checked for the chakra pathways on her head and hands. Each time he came away with a horrid shock that left him panting for breath. Ino’s own breathing turned further sluggish.

Sema looked on in disbelief. Even though this woman was almost dead, she still had enough strength to repel a person's foreign chakra?

"Ino." said Shikamaru, his voice hoarse. “Give me a sign please. I need to know. I need to know if I can try it."

Sema did not know what he meant. Try what? He should try everything he knew, for god's sake the girl was dying.

To Sema’s utter surprise, Ino stirred. She was too weak to speak, or open her eyes, but she gave the tiniest of nods. That was all the confirmation Shikamaru needed as in an instant he took her hands in his own and closed his eyes.

Time seemed to pause as Shikamaru closed his eyes and the carriage picked up pace, the horse breaking into a gallop.

A long moment later, Shikamaru’s eyes opened. He looked at Ino’s body and let out a hiss. He spun around in panic until his eyes landed on the child in Sema’s arms and asked,

“Sema, is Inojin alright?”

Sema froze at the words. Shikamaru was speaking, but the voice…the voice. Sema could recognize it anywhere.

The voice was that of Ino Yamanaka.

Chapter Text

If anyone had asked Inoichi (and if he were still alive) when this madness started, he would have said it was when his daughter was very young.

"What if the man dies when Ino's still inside his head. Does she die too?" asked a young Shikamaru to Inoichi. His brows were furrowed and seven year old Shikamaru was clearly peturbed by the thought.

"Anything that happens to his body, happens to her's as well." said Inoichi calmly. He had long since made his peace with this disturbing fact, but he understood why it would upset a child like Shikamaru. 

Almost simultaneously, Inoichi and Shikamaru took a moment to glance at Ino, who was sitting in the meadow, weaving a garland. When they turned back to face each other, both had a steely expression on their face.

"One of you has to protect her body when she performs the Mind Transfer jutsu." said Inoichi, hoping the boy would forget about what he had asked. "It has to be someone she trusts."

"I'll do it." said Shikamaru without need for thought. They sat in silence for a while, looking on as Ino finished making the azalea garland and put it around Chouji's neck who giggled while munching on crunchy potato chips.

"Yellow looks good on you." said Ino happily, sunlight catching in her hair as Chouji shrugged. He honestly couldn't care less, but if Ino was happy, he could eat his chips in peace.

Ino looked over at her father and Shikamaru standing under the shade of a tree a little higher up on the hill. She waved merrily and grinned at them. The first couple of milk teeth in front had fallen off and she looked a rather funny, but to the concerned onlookers, hers was the most beautiful smile in the world.

As the boy had not spoken another word in a long time, Inoichi thought Shikamaru had cornered him to ask just the one question. He straightened up, ready to say his goodbyes and return to his chores, when Shikamaru tugged at his shirt.

"I need your help." said Shikamaru seriously. "I need you to teach me."

Inoichi was intrigued. "What do you want to learn?"

There was a brief pause as Shikamaru took a deep breath. "How to do a mind transfer jutsu."

Inoichi sighed wearily. The boy wasn't the first to have asked this of him. He was slightly disappointed in the Nara boy. He knew better than to ask for impossible things.

"Shikamaru, it is a bloodline limit. It cannot be taught." he started patiently.

"No no, you don't understand." interrupted Shikamaru. "I know that. I need you to teach me how to get Ino to switch with me when she's in trouble."

Inoichi almost did a double take at the words. He should have known better than to underestimate the boy. The Nara was asking that he learn of a way to knock on Ino's mind, no matter who's body she was occupying at the moment. He'd switch with her and she could return to her own body and save herself, while his own soul remained trapped. Though this was a truly valiant thought, the boy was too young to understand the consequences of what he was asking.

"Shikamaru, son, listen to me." said Inoichi sternly. "This is a dangerous thing to ask. Do not pursue this anymore. I will not allow it."

Shikamaru's mouth formed a thin line. "It's not your choice to make." he said defiantly.

Inoichi was surprised at Shikamaru disobeying him. He had not seen the boy fight for anything in his life. Everything was usually too troublesome to pursue, yet here he was fighting to learn a forbidden jutsu for a hypothetical situation in the future.

"No." he said finally. "I cannot do that to your parents."

Shikamaru paused for a moment before nodding in agreement. "Okay." he said thoughtfully before lying down on the grass and closing his eyes.

Inoichi knew this was a dismissal and that the boy was annoyed with him. He sighed but decided bearing the child's wrath was easier on his conscience than allowing him to die. As he turned to leave, he saw Shikamaru staring at the clouds with a determined look on his small face.

Inoichi walked back home, knowing that this would not be the last time he heard Shikamaru speak of this matter. In fact, the next time, Inoichi feared it would be harder to turn him down.

***

Ino was twelve, when she successfully performed her mind transfer jutsu in a real battle. Shikamaru was right beside her and caught her deftly. The enemy nin were stronger than they'd anticipated and despite the fact that Ino had embodied their leader, the nin were not backing down.

In the crossfire, the leader was struck by a kunai on the side of his cheek.

Shikamaru could not describe the uneasiness in his belly at the sight of crimson blood trickling so suddenly down Ino's cheekbone.

He grabbed the leader's body with his shadow in an attempt to get Ino to change back so they could escape. But Ino was stubborn. She shook her head and Shikamaru knew it was a lost cause. He let go of the crippling shadow on the leader's body and tried not to freak out everytime a cut appeared on Ino's own.

It took a few minutes, but Ino and Chouji were finally able to immobilise the three enemy nin.

After turning in the mission report, Ino went to meet Tsunade and was healed within seconds. She returned to her merry self, as she joined Asuma sensei, Chouji and Shikamaru for a barbeque dinner.

Even though everything felt okay, Shikamaru did not sleep that night or the next.

***

Breaking into the Yamanaka library was not something Shikamaru thought he would ever be doing. The Ino-Shika-Cho was created so they would protect each other and uphold their legacy. But here he was on the third sleepless night, inching through the friendly shadows to steal a few scrolls.

"There has to be a way." he muttered to himself as he climbed a small staircase and beamed his flashlight on the top shelf.

His heart rose to his lips when he caught sight of the rumoured sealed scroll. It was written on red parchment paper, indicating the level of risk. It was sealed with a secret code that Shikamaru knew would take ages for him to decipher. He did not doubt that he would be able to solve it.

Pleased with his findings, Shikamaru carefully climbed down the stairs, the scroll hidden in his breast pocket.

He almost made it to the window, when he heard her call out.

"Shika?" it was Ino in a pink frock, with sleep laden eyes. Her room was the closest to the library and it was possible she had heard him and come to check. Shikamaru frowned at that. She should have brought someone to investigate with her. What if he was an intruder who harmed her?

He was ready to scold her for a foolishness when he realized that Ino was not alone. Inoichi was waiting by the window, a grim look on his face.

Shikamaru cursed under his breath. "What a drag."

***

The next day, Inoichi gave him the scroll and made him promise he would not use it. Shikamaru had nodded solemnly and both men knew he absolutely would use it if he wanted to. Inoichi knew the Nara would find a way to learn if he wanted to and by denying it to him he was only delaying the inevitable.

***

"Are you stupid? Of course you are." said Ino angrily. She was sixteen and her parents were dead. She couldn't lose him too. "You could have died."

"So could you!" yelled Shikamaru uncharacteristically angry. Ino faltered at that. In all her years she had not heard Shikamaru raise his voice at her. He glared at her and Ino knew she had to hear him out. She sighed and gestured for him to sit down at the table as she served them both some tea.

She replayed the day’s battle in her head trying to justify her side.

She had returned to her body only to see that Shikamaru and the wounded rogue ninja had collapsed. It took her and Chouji to notice the same injuries on Shikamaru's body to understand what had happened. Shikamaru had used the forbidden retrieval jutsu. ‘Shika, I’ll kill you if you die like this’, she thought panic slipping into her bones.

Despite being almost totally chakra drained, she refused Chouji's hesitant suggestion to retreat. She swallowed a soldier pill and as soon as she felt it’s effects, performed a mind transfer jutsu. The Shikamaru inside the rogue ninja's head was not happy to see her. He was about to protest, but Ino had no time for it.

"Get out." she ordered. "NOW."

She was stronger than him and she expelled him from his mind. The rogue ninja was about to die but Ino sighed with relief when she saw Shikamaru stir and wake up. Ino forced herself to come up with enough chakra to return to her own body. It was draining and Ino knew it was highly plausible that she would die with the rogue ninja, but she had to try. Based on the murderous look Shikamaru was giving her, if she didn't make it, he'd hate her forever.

In the end it had worked. She returned to her own body, battered, bruised and at the brink of death – but not dead as evidenced by the deep sigh of relief from Shikamaru when he felt her pulse return. The rogue ninja passed away from his injuries on the way back to Konoha. Ino tried not to feel bad about his death, there wasn’t anything they could have done other than fight back, considering he had ambushed them.

When they finally returned to Konoha, Tsunade had worked her magic on them and kept them in the hospital for a week. When they were finally released, Ino and Shikamaru immediately picked up the fight where they had left off. Chouji conveniently made himself scarce when he heard raised voices.

Ino blinked and forced herself to return to the present. Looking back, she did understand how afraid Shikamaru had been considering how close she was to death. She sighed, the boy had a right to be angry but it wasn’t like she could always run away from a fight because it was dangerous. Life as a shinobi had it’s risks and they chose to live that way. Even Shikamaru always imagined a simple civilian life for himself, yet he loved Konoha too much to give up his shinobi duties.

Shikamaru did not speak for a good four minutes during which Ino counted the tiles on the floor seven times. He finally looked at her, eyes full of regret as he wrestled with words to provide an explanation.

"Ino, look, I'm sorry for yelling at you. It's just, Kami help me, I can't let anything happen to you Ino." he said sounding conflicted. "I learned this jutsu for the sole purpose of protecting you."

Ino's eyes flashed with unshed tears. "That is so selfish of you." she said earning her a look of utter shock from Shikamaru.

"Selfish?" he asked, clearly not understanding.

"Yes, you idiot." she said unable to hold back her tears any longer. They fell down her cheeks as she messily wiped them with her knuckles. "You want me to live, knowing I am the reason you died. I can't live like that Shika, I'd commit Seppa---"

"Ino!" shouted Shika panic laden in his eyes. He was shaking now, his brows breaking into a sweat. Ino recognised this as an onset of a panic attack. In an instant, she had him lying down with his head properly positioned. She brought him sugar water and some food as she opened his hitai-ate and stroked the soft hair behind it.

"Ino." he murmered. "I'm sorry."

Ino sighed as she propped his head up onto her lap. It was soft and sweet, a gesture borne out of pure love, though she could not label which kind. If Shikamaru's heart stopped for a moment, Ino did not notice.

"Shika, you can't take decisions like this on your own. What if you died today? You need to discuss this with Chouji and me. We need to always have a plan." she said quietly. "You taught us that."

Shikamaru nodded. He sat up a little, and drank the sugar water Ino held to his lips. "I didn't discuss it because you would never agree."

"The hell we wouldn't." said Ino, but there was no heat to her words. "Still, there is always a way."

"Ino, I searched the Yamanaka library. This Mind Retrieval Jutsu is the only one that works in such a situation. There is no other way to bring you back."

"Hmm" said Ino thoughtfully. "You know Shika, I am the head of the Yamanaka clan."

Shikamaru sat up straight at that and raised his eyebrows. "Yes?"

"Clan heads can make their own jutsus sometimes." she said simply.

Shikamaru had to grin at that. He didn't resist when she pulled him in for a comforting hug. He needed her to remind him he didn't need to do everything alone.

***

"This is a forbidden jutsu. If my cousins or uncles find out, I can't be clan head anymore." said Ino as she looked at each of her teammates. They were standing in a desolate training ground without risk of anyone overhearing them.  This was important and Chouji had even put away his potato chips. "You cannot tell anyone."

“Of course.” Chouji said while Shikamaru nodded lazily.

Ino nodded.

"Shika come here, let's try it." she said holding out her hands.

Shikamaru stepped forward and grasped her hands, threading his fingers between hers. He couldn't give a name to the gentle fluttering in his stomach or the way his heart stopped when she looked at him through her beautiful blue eyes.

"Ready Shika?" she asked. "Remember, all you have to do is think of a memory of us. If I have the same memory too, we will connect."

He did. He thought of the first time Asuma sensei had taken them out for a team dinner. Ino ordered a salad, but stole barbequed meat from his plate all night. Shikamaru noticed but figured it was less troublesome to just pile his plate more often.

It worked, the connection was instant and felt very different from the usual mind transfer jutsu. Right now, his own chakra had forged the connection. Ino had simply let him in.

This was smart, in case Ino was low on chakra and exhausted, Shikamaru could still reach her without dying as long as they maintained a skin-on-skin touch like holding hands.

But now that he was in, how could he get her out?

***

It felt like a gentle tug on her mind at first, then she realized the person was drowning. 

"Shikamaru!" she screamed hysterically. "Someone help!"

She looked around desperately, but they were in the middle of a forest and Shikamaru was spluttering in the rough river. They were trying to cross the bridge, but Shikamaru had fallen into the rough river below. The current was strong and kept dragging him further down. Ino didn't think as she immediately used a substitution jutsu to get down to the opposite bank and run along side the swift river to keep up with Shikamaru.

The river was too strong and she couldn't get close enough to help him. It didn't help that she was so tiny and had small limbs. She wished Asuma sensei was here to help them. But today, it was only Shikamaru and herself on a small herb gathering mission for their parents.

If he knew how to swim, he could get to the other side of the river bank himself. But he couldn't swim.

There was only one way to save him.

She was nine and had never done this before, but she knew the theory well enough. She brought her palms up to her chest and made the familiar hand signs. In an instant, her body dropped to the ground and she found herself spluttering in the water.

Good for her she was an excellent swimmer, and she was able to manouver Shikamaru's body well to the other side of the river bank. She coughed out water from his lungs and sat down on the grass before returning to her own body.

When she sat up too, she saw Shikamaru putting two and two together and grinning at her widely.

"You did it Ino!" he said between coughs. "You learned the Mind Transfer Jutsu. You saved my life."

He sounded so proud. Ino's heart swelled and she grinned back.

The memory ended abruptly, and quite honestly, everything felt a rather surreal.

Ino felt a sudden calmness and familiarity when she entered Shikamaru's body. She knew every corner of his mind like the back of her hand and she knew his. Yet, unlike the other times, there was so much knotted tension in every muscle.

She looked at her own body, lying on the rickety carriage seat, illuminated only by a flickering candle.

Her clothes were torn and her skin was full of cuts and scrapes. Her lips were cracked and bleeding, the sand had drawn patterns of blood on her hands and legs. Yet, her tired heart was beating still.

It has to. Shikamaru is in there.

She had to bring him back.

She flexed his muscly hands, marvelling at the smooth and unblemished skin. There were no angry sunburns on his hands or painful blisters on his feet. It made her happy to know that he was well and healthy, albeit  a little stressed.

A million currents were moving inside Shikamaru's brain, even though he was not there to guide them, the thoughts whirred around with knowledgeable inertia.

She smiled despite the situation she was in. His mind felt like home. It had always felt like home.

The thought of Inojin pulled her out of her comfort. She spun around, eyes searching for her son, finally relaxing when she saw him drooling on Sema’s shoulder.

“Sema, is Inojin alright?” she asked, barely registering the shock on the woman’s face.

Chapter Text

Thunder roared from a distance as the sudden crackle of lightning brought an abrupt end to Sema's question. Hot rain fell against the cave, and a rhythmic tapping vibrated off the walls.

“It hasn’t rained in Suna for over a hundred years.” Sema remarked, her eyes bright in the candlelight. “Surely the God’s have blessed us.”

The carriage shook as the horses picked up speed. The masked driver had been reliable, despite his ill repute. He had not abandoned them.

Yet.

The cave was long and winding, but it was safe from the sandstorm. The singular candle flame danced in time with the slight wind. The soft light shone on Ino’s unconscious body, as  Shikamaru knelt beside her. Sema sat on the closest carriage seat, gently tapping Inojin’s back, lest he awake too soon.

The buzz of strong chakra throughout Shikamaru's body gave Ino the feeling of security and power, something she had missed for so long inside her own body. Though, being with Shikamaru always felt like that, even if she wasn't inside his head.

Ino flexed Shikamaru's fingers and got to work. She concentrated on securing healing chakra at the edge of his fingertips and brought them close to the blistered ankles of her own unconscious body, laying in the carriage seat. She felt a jolt of electricity as soon as she touched the skin. Recoiling, she stared at her own body, stupefied at the strength of chakra that had flared. For the past year, she hadn't had the feeblest of it in her body, but now, when she was almost dead, the chakra was splaying and preventing anyone from touching or healing her.

"It happened just like that when Nara san tried it." said Sema her voice regaining some of its strength after the initial shock of seeing a Yamanaka clan jutsu in action. "Is Nara san in your body?"

Ino paused to look at her properly. “Yes.” She said, her eyes lingering on Inojin’s sleeping form. The child was drooling slightly and Ino relaxed a little knowing that Inojin was fine.

“Sema, do you know why this is happening?” Ino asked thoughtfully. She knew Sema did not have chakra of her own and that she was a civilian, but Sema was wise and perhaps she knew something.

Sema swallowed audibly before shuffling closer to Ino’s body and examining the stillness of her form.

“This looks like an opposing force.” Said Sema hesitantly. “I have had this happen to me once. I don’t know if it is the same.”

“Opposing force?” asked Ino, intrigued.

“Yes, remember, a few years ago when I was very depressed after my husband died.” Said Sema calmly. “I wanted to die too. I had fallen ill with fever and none of the civilian doctors could heal me.”

“They sent me to an old doctor in the outskirts of Suna, who told me I needed to want it – that I needed to want to live. He said my mind had given up and so my body was rejecting every healing attempt.”

Sema paused to look at Shikamaru’s eyes. Ino met her gaze and the two women spoke to each other silently as their thoughts rested upon a common memory.

Sema dabbed her eyes with her headscarf, before continuing. “Shortly after that day, Ino-san, you entered my mind and gave me so much comfort. I found many reasons to live. The joys which I thought  could never enjoy again returned to me little by little. It took me a long time Ino-san, but I healed completely – though only because I wanted to.”

Ino’s mind was racing so fast she almost collapsed at the weight of her epiphany.

Must want to live. Must want to live…

Perhaps there was more truth to this- that the mind always dictates how the body behaves. Maybe, she hadn’t had a mysterious illness after all. Perhaps the explanation was as simple as the fact that her desire to give up on life was far stronger than every attempt to cure her.

Ino gritted her teeth and squared her shoulders. If this was a battle of willpower, there was no doubt that the Ino from Now would beat the Ino from Yesterday. She took a deep breath and concentrated a large amount of healing chakra in her fingers.

She brought her hands close to her unconscious body and laid them flat on her blistered forehead. Immediately a violent surge of chakra pushed against her, burning and electrifying her. Though she winced at the pain, Ino did not stop or let go.

Sema watched in horror as the skin of Shikamaru’s hands turned black and started to bleed, but Ino did not remove the healing chakra from her hands. She was dtermined to see this through. Shikamaru was ready to die for her. Damn it the idiot had switched with her. There was no way she could let anything happen to him. The guilt would kill her sooner.

Blue sparkling light radiated off Shikamaru's skin and onto Ino's own body. They left unique patterns on botht their skins, long thin branches as though they were struck by lightning.

"Do you have lightning affinity Shika?" asked twelve-year-old Ino as they spied on Kakashi sensei teaching Sasuke how to perform the chidori.

"I don't know Ino." said Shikamaru with a yawn. "It's a drag to find out."

"Sasuke kun is so handsome and cool. Look how amazing it is, pretty and sparkly." said Ino heart eyed as she peered over the rocks.

Shikamaru sighed. Why were girls and their crushes so troublesome.

"You probably have an affinity too." said Shikamaru as he grabbed Ino's wrist. "Come on, let's ask Asuma sensei to help find ours."

Ino's smile returned full force and she took only a few seconds to get up and follow Shikamaru, pausing only to blow a kiss in Sasuke's direction as she raced off.

"Affinity you say." said Asuma as he ordered more pork for Chouji at the barbeque table.

"Yes." said Shikamaru in a bored tone though Ino knew 100% this was a farce. 

Asuma smiled as he lit a cigarette. "Tomorrow at 6am. Training ground 14." he said between puffs as Chouji and Shikamaru groaned.

But Ino was excited. If Sasuke -kun was learning cool new jutsu's so would she. Twelve year old Ino was probably the most opinionated and willful person Shikamaru ahd ever met, so he didn't bother to dissuade her and turned up sleepily at the training grounds at the said time.

"Concentrate your chakra." Asuma sensei was saying. He had been patient with them all month and Ino was frustrated to see no results.

Shikamaru was laying on the ground watching the clouds. He had made a couple of attempts to learn, but gave up citing tiredness.

Ino knew he wasn't tired, just lazy. But he was also a genius and Ino had an inkling feeling Shikamaru could already perform the jutsu and was not saying anything yet just to avoid working.

"I did it!" yelled Chouji happily from a distance and all three of them turned to look.

Chouji was surrounded by a sturdy stone wall.

"Ah. Chouji finally mastered the earth release." said Asuma with a huge grin. "Come on now Shikamaru and Ino. Get your act together."

Ino gritted her teeth and tried again. She seemed to have an affinity for water and the complex jutsu that Asuma had taught her was too difficult for her to master.

“Shikamaru show us your jutsu.” She called. Surprisingly, Shikamaru did get up from his spot on the grass and facing away from the group, blew an intense wave of fire through his mouth and into the clear meadow in front.

“WOAH!” squealed Ino in delight as Asuma let out a low whistle. “That is so cool!”

Chouji could swear Shikamaru blushed a little at that. It was rare nowadays for Ino to call anyone other than Sasuke ‘cool’.

“I’m sorry guys. I still can’t do mine.” Said Ino in a dejected tone, her smile faltering. She was close to tears by now. Both Chouji and Shikamaru had done theirs and she was falling behind. It didn’t help that she was very competitive.

Shikamaru frowned at that and quickly approached her.

“Concentrate your chakra.” He said as he started to concentrate fiery red chakra on his own palm.

Ino blinked away her tears and did as she was told. Shikamaru rarely asked her todo anything and when he did he usually had good reason. Besides she was too tired to argue. A feeble blue water style chakra formed strings on her open palm. She closed her eyes tightly to focus but opened them swiftly when she felt a warmth underneath her skin. She saw that Shikamaru was holding his fireball close to her weak ball of water. So close now that they were touching.

She wondered what good that would do, but the thought was interrupted as she felt a sudden surge of chakra in her veins. Her chakra flared like never before and the ball in front of her turned to a beautiful white and blue light.

“What’s happening?” she asked, her eyes widening at the sight. She looked in utter awe and noticed Shikamaru staring at her, a twinkle in his eyes.

“This is quasi electric.” said Shikamaru a blush returning full force on his face. “Like lightning, but more precise. Lightning with the Sharingan makes it more accurate, but you don’t need that with this.”

“This is so brilliant Shika.” Said Ino, tears of happiness pooling in her eyes. “Did you think of this on your own?”

Shikamaru nodded. “You were struggling with water alone so I researched how we could make up for it. Next time you cast the jutsu just channel a bit of fire element into it and you will get this. Try it now. It’s helpful in medical ninjutsu too.”

The light in front of them was beautiful, and she sensed Shikamaru’s firelight fading slightly so she replaced it with her own. Her own fire chakra braided with the strands of blue and replaced Shikamaru’s. In the end, Shikamaru’s chakra slowly left his palms, and it was only Ino’s chakra that held up the sparkling ball of bluish light.

She barely noticed Asuma sensei and Chouji looking at them slack jawed. Shikamaru had an unreadable expression on his face but when Ino finally extinguished the light and wrapped him into the tightest hug, he blushed a beetroot red and awkwardly patted her back.

She blinked back into the present. It wouldn’t do to escape into memories like this. There was barely any time left. She redoubled her efforts and focused more chakra into the burning palms. The skin had turned black now and Ino wondered whether she had destroyed all the cells in Shikamaru’s hands. She couldn’t give up now, not when every other option was losing him.

Just then, she sensed a little voice protesting against her healing chakra. Sensing an opportunity, she pushed herself to build a connection with the resisting force.

“Stop! Stop!” came a feeble voice.

“I don’t want to do this anymore.” the feminine voice got louder and Ino recognised it as her own.

“Let me be! Let me be!” the old Ino was pleading.

“Listen to me.” said Ino firmly. “You are strong. We must survive this.”

“Get out. Get out. GET OUT!” she screamed in agony.

“Ino-pig stop being stubborn. You have to get better.”

“I don’t want to! No one loves me, or cares about me. I have been humiliated so often. Let me die in peace.”

“I would have. But Shikamaru is in this body. He found us Ino. He saved Inojin and me. Come on Ino, let me fix you.”

“Shika? He’s in here?”

“Yes Ino. I was hurt so he switched with me.”

“I don’t believe it. Shika…are you really here?” she asked, her voice softer now, with a hint of hope.

“Yes, Ino. I am here. We don’t have much time. I can feel the vital organs failing.” came Shikamaru’s weak voice.

“You idiot.” she said, but her words held no heat. “Fuck. Hurry up Ino and save us. I’ll stop resisting.”

In a flash, the opposing chakra flare stopped and disappeared. Ino’s own healing chakra entered the blistered skin and patched up the cells in milliseconds. Ino let out an enormous sigh of relief. She could work properly now.

Sema gasped as Ino turned to look at her before resuming. The two women exchanged reassuring nods and Sema shuffled closer to take a better look.

Ino ignored the angry chakra burns on Shikamaru’s hands and decided she would heal them last. Satisfied with the fresh grown skin on the forehead, Ino moved Shikamaru’s hands all over her legs and hands, healing every cut and bruise. It helped that Shikamaru’s body had a large chakra base when she started, so she didn’t have to worry about collapsing soon.

She checked the pulse on the unconscious body and was pleased to note that it was not as sluggish. Her joy was short lived however. Shikamaru had said the organs were failing, but he didn’t know which one. Ino checked the heart and lungs before shifting her attention to the kidneys.

Sure enough, the lack of water and extreme exertion had pushed her kidneys to the verge of failure. Her blood was contaminated too raising the risk of other organ failure.

Ino knew it would take a lot of chakra to do this, but it was a matter of life and death. She laid her palms on the forehead and muttered a jutsu. It was one of Tsunade’s creations and while Ino was nowhere nearly as skilled, she could do enough to save a life. The blood throbbed against her palms and got purified before moving along. It took about 10 minutes to purify all the blood in her body, but Ino was exhausted by the time she finished.

Forcing herself to continue, she resumed work, carefully checking each nephron strand and healing them. The light from her chakra moved like an artist who was painting with fluorescent ink and Sema was mesmerised. Inojin had woken up at some point and was silently watching a strange man make patterns on her mother’s skin. He did not cry.

Ino was sweating profusely by the time she finished working on the defective kidneys. She checked the rest of her body and realized she had just enough chakra to change back and push Shikamaru back into his own body.

She cast one longing look at Inojin before informing Sema, “I am going to switch back now. We are both out of danger, but Shikamaru’s body will be very chakra drained when he returns and I will probably be unconscious for a while.”

“You can leave it all to me.” Said Sema confidently. “I give you my word.”

Ino smiled. She regretfully glanced down at all the chakra burns she had given Shikamaru’s perfect hands. The muscly wide hands that had always been there to pick her up and lead her out of trouble. How did he always manage to find her and fix everything even when everyone else had failed?

“Sorry for putting you through this Shika.” Ino said as she brought her hands to perform the final jutsu of the night, her specialty – releasing the mind transfer jutsu.

Chapter Text

Ino dreamt of death quite often. Her life had become unbearable until she learned she was pregnant with Inojin. Some days she thought death would be a kind option for her – that she could slowly wither away into dust without causing as much as a ripple in time. No one needed to know someone called Ino existed and breathed. There was no point anyway, Ino was done living.

Shinobi are supposed to be brave. 

She scoffed at that. She was barely a shinobi anymore. Stripped of her position at the Interrogation department, reduced to a civilian at the dilapidated flower shop, she was barely anyone important. How did it matter if she lived or died?

She missed Sai every day, at some point every waking minute. But lately, her own depression had taken over. It would be kinder to let her give up. After all, it would never matter and no one would miss her.

Her thoughts got darker and she entered a familiar dark alleyway. She was dreaming right now; she could tell as she walked down a cold black abyss. Barefoot, invisible nails dug into the flesh as she persevered onward. She had seen this dream enough times to know there was a cliff a little ahead. Like always she hoped she would fall through it, landing into the blackness and finally accepting an end to life as she knew it. 

Yet inevitably, every time she fell, she awoke, still breathing, still aching, still human and broken. She hoped this time it would be different.

She walked close to the edge and relished the feel of nothingness around her. She couldn’t see ahead or below. There was nothing to look forward or miss at all and thus, it almost exhilarated her to jump.

And jump she did.

Suddenly, she was falling.

Falling fast until time slowed down and she hit the bottom with a loud thud she was sure had shattered her bones.

Finally.

Perhaps today...

she really would...

she smiled and stopped breathing.

***

“Ino Ino INO INO!” someone was shouting. 

Ino couldn't tell if it was a dream or reality. She felt numb and there was still darkness all around. Her lungs felt like they were on fire.

With a rush, she realized she really was not breathing anymore. Her body was paralysed and she couldn’t feel her limbs. Even though she willed herself to breathe, she couldn’t. Panic set in instantly as she realized she really was going to die. What would happen to Inojin? What of her poor sick mother? Sai, she hadn’t had a chance to say goodbye. She barely had looked at Shikamaru either. She regretted so much in this life, even the way she was leaving it.

Perhaps some people were bound to live a wretched life, no matter how hard they tried to change their circumstances.

Maybe in her next life, she would be able to tell Shikamaru how she truly felt.

But just then, parched lips found her own and pumped her lungs full of air. A gentle and firm hand held the back of her neck and a desperate mouth kissed life back into her.

 "All shinobi should know first aid." said Iruka sensei. "Today we will learn what civilians call CPR or cardiopulmonary resuscitation."

"What's that?" asked Naruto scratching his ears.

"It's mouth to mouth transfer of air. We do this when a comrade is unable to breath." said Iruka in a matter-of-fact manner. "I will divide you into groups of 2, and you can practice."

Shikamaru was groaning saying "What a drag." but Ino was excited. Perhaps, today she would get to kiss Sasuke-kun!

"Neji and Lee, TenTen and Sakura, Sasuke and Naruto, Shikamaru and Ino, Hinata and Kiba..." said Iruka as he read off the names from the roster. It was according to their roll numbers, and the same order as everything else they did in class so honestly no one could complain.

Naruto and Sasuke almost destroyed the classroom before they learned the procedure with both boys claiming the other is too icky to touch.

Shikamaru hadn't protested much, when Ino asked if she could try giving him mouth-to-mouth first. She realized it would be each of their's first kiss ever. Honestly, she had hoped her first kiss would be special, under a starlit sky with a boy she loved, while wearing a princess dress.

But, as she saw Shikamaru lay down on the classroom floor and close his eyes, trusting her completely, her heart fluttered. Shikamaru with his boyish grin and incomparable intelligence. The boy she grew up with, the one she trusted to catch her whenever she fell. 

She pecked him softly on the lips and pulled back. Shikamaru opened his eyes slowly and looked at her in surprise. She was supposed to be pumping air into his mouth not kiss him.

"I thought our first kiss should be a bit nicer." she said quickly and turned away blushing furiously. Shikamaru had let out a little snort but declined to comment.

In the end she had done CPR sloppily and it took a few tries but she got it right finally. Shikamaru did not stop blushing the whole day and Ino found herself flushed pink as well. But neither said anything to the other and the day was carefully packed and stored as a fond memory in the back of their minds.

Ino's eyes flew open as she relished the taste of familiar lips on her own. Shikamaru's long hair tickled her face as he continued to give her CPR. She raised her hands weakly, tangling them on Shikamaru's hair. She was shaking and very weak, but she got back the use of her muscles.

He stilled against her and pulled back immediately, his eyes scanning her face for injury. Ino, rather selfishly she knew, felt sorry to have the touch disappear. But it was back almost instantly as she found herself pulled into a tight hug.

Shikamaru's arms encircled her and held her upright as she took deep breaths of her own accord. If she had never felt at home in years, in that moment in time, she felt safe, wanted and oh so loved she wanted to cry.

"Drink some water," said Shikamaru, his voice very rough, as he passed her a large crystal glass. 

Ino nodded and tasted the liquid on her tongue barely registering the fact that the glass was an expensive antique piece. She was so thirsty she drank the whole glass quickly, her body eager to make up for lost resources.

"Shika-" she said as soon as she set the glass down. "We need to talk."

Shikamaru laughed. It was mirthless and sad at the same time. If Ino's heart wasn't broken already it would have shattered at the sound. 

"We sure do Ino." he said not meeting her eyes. He slowly let go of her and Ino sorely missed his skin against hers. "I thought you were dead."

His voice sounded broken at the thought and Ino felt guilty to have put him through any kind of pain at all. He did not deserve it.

She wanted to apologise, but judging by how tired and upset Shikamaru looked, it probably wouldn’t be enough. Instead, Ino glanced around the room, surveying each item searching for the most important person in her life.

They seemed to be in a majestic bedroom of sorts. There were velvet curtains and the bed was made of the finest linen. Her hungry eyes finally spotted the tiny baby cot near the window where Inojin was sleeping peacefully. Ino relaxed at the sight instantaneously – her child was safe. She suddenly felt very tired.

"We're at my house. In Suna." said Shikamaru by way of explanation as he grabbed a couple of medicines from the bedside table and handed them to Ino with a fresh glass of water.

Her eyes widened in realisation. So, this was where the Kazekage's advisor lived. Expensive ornaments hung from the walls and there was a small photo of Shikamaru and Temari on the bedside table. She felt guilty as she recalled the small minutes of tenderness just a while ago. Of course, she hoped Temari knew, that Shikamaru was just trying to save her life and that if there was any love at all, it was wilfully platonic.

"Where's Sema?" asked Ino, her memory coming back in flashes as she proceeded to swallow the medicines. Despite being a former medic, she didn't bother to check what they were. She trusted Shikamaru more than she could ever put to words.

“Ino, you’ve been unconscious for a week.” He said rubbing circles on his temples tiredly. He looked ragged, fatigued and so enormously relieved at the same time. “I almost lost you.”

Ino did not expect the level of surprise she felt at his words. Why would it matter to him if she lived or died? They had been out of touch for years. That’s what she believed, though it seemed to be an untrue thought now. He hadn’t slept properly in over seven days, constantly checking on her, making sure her pulse was even. That’s how he knew immediately when she stopped breathing. He was right there, just like he’d always been. Of course, he cared.

“Was it hard to take care of Inojin?” she asked instead. “I hope he didn’t cry too much.”

Shikamaru’s forehead creases loosened a little at that as he smiled. He walked over to the baby in the cot to check on Inojin. The baby was still fast asleep, cuddling one of Shikadai’s old stuffed toys. “He’s been very cooperative. Didn’t cry or fuss over bottled milk. I made sure to keep him near you and he was happy with that. Even let me pat him on the back after a feed.”

Ino smiled at the image in her head, of Shikamaru holding her baby. It was a soft, sweet wishful thought, one she was too afraid to ever say out loud. Shikamaru was Temari’s and Ino had overstayed long enough.

She tried to stand up, blood rushing to her head and she promptly started to fall. He weak legs couldn’t hold her up and she swayed for half a second but never fell. With a wry smile, she noticed a shadow jutsu holding her in place. Shikamaru was across the room, but a shinobi very much worth his salt.  

“Why are you trying to stand up?” he asked quirking a brow, as though daring her to say what was on her mind.

Ino swallowed nervously but said it anyway, “I was thinking of staying elsewhere for a bit.” She spoke. “I’ll stay at a hotel or something, and we could talk? I don’t want to impose on you and Temari, I’ve been here long enough.”

Shikamaru hadn’t interrupted her at all. Instead, his face had darkened a little. He looked at her with hollow eyes and said quietly. “Don’t worry about that Ino. You can stay here as long as you like. Temari and I are separated.”

Ino felt her world collapse. Temari and Shikamaru were the perfect couple. With brains to match, they were gifted both intellectually and in looks. They had a child. Shikadai was destined for greatness, Ino knew it. How could, how could his parents part ways?

“I’m sorry.” She said feeling numb.

Shikamaru sighed as he closed the distance between them, his shadow jutsu mimicking the steps on Ino’s own legs, bringing her to him.

He cupped her face and kissed her forehead. It was gentle and soft and full of care – a kind Ino had long felt undeserving of.

“I will never leave you again Ino.” He said his breath ghosting over her lips. “Let’s have dinner and then you can tell me everything. Anything that is hurting you, I will fix it.”

Ino felt like she was six years old again. Tripping over a rock, so close to landing face first onto the gravel, but caught by a shadow jutsu just in time. Her skin tingled from his kiss and she ached to touch him again.

“Come on Yamanaka.” He said trying to lighten the mood.

Ino startled at the use of her surname. No one had acknowledged she was a Yamanaka ever since she stopped being able to channel her chakra. She had even had to step down as head of the clan. Of course, Shikamaru didn’t know that.

Her stomach grumbled in hunger as she smiled up at Shikamaru best as she could. He took her hand in his and released the shadow hold on her. She wobbled a little, but he held her firm and guided her to sit at the dining table.

He placed a bowl of hot rice porridge in front of her and poured some for himself as well.

“Thank you Shika.” she said softly as she raised her the first spoonful to her mouth. “For saving me.”

Shikamaru looked at her, his black eyes boring into her own, an unreadable expression on his face. Ino stared back, her clear blue eyes welcoming the familiar sight.

“We will talk about this later.” said Shikamaru quietly. He clearly did not accept her expression of gratitude.

He passed her a piece of soft grilled fish and bowl of vegetables.

Ino managed a small smile and they ate dinner in silence.

Chapter Text

“The Nara wrote back.” Commented Sasuke as grabbed the falling scroll from the hawk’s beak. The bird acknowledged his receipt before circling over his head and settling on a tall faraway tree.

Naruto was lying flat on the grass, sweat gleaming on his bare torso. He’d just lost a sparring session to Sasuke, and though his ego was bruised, he wasn’t really upset.

“What does he say?” he asked, sitting up and reaching out for the scroll. Sasuke unsealed it with his chakra and handed over the note to him without looking at it himself.

Naruto opened it and grimaced.

“He hates me.” He said.

Sasuke frowned. “It was … expected. Does he suggest a solution?”

Naruto shook his head and handed over the scroll to Sasuke who took it wordlessly.

“I understand you have a duty. You had one to them too.” The note read. Shikamaru’s neat handwriting did nothing to soften the blow.

 It was cutting and harsh to hear, but it was the truth. Sasuke was far more hardened to criticism than Naruto at this point and he was able to look at the situation more objectively.

“I am optimistic the Nara will fix this himself.” He said but Naruto ignored the words.

“He’s right you know.” Naruto said, absently uprooting the grass by his feet.

Sasuke said nothing as he sat down beside him, his hand rubbing soothing circles on the blonde’s back.

“I failed them.” He said his mind went back to the heartless moment when he signed the document to relieve Ino of her duties at the Interrogation department. “I – I spoke to Kakashi and Tsunade about this and everyone told me that I had to do it.”

“Dobe, politics is complicated and in this situation… it is best for Konoha to sit out.” said Sasuke.

“Sas’ke. You don’t understand.” said Naruto with a sad wry smile.

“What don’t I understand?” asked Sasuke, his eyes scanning the blonde.

“Put chakra on the letter. Read the back.” he said.

Sasuke frowned as he did so.

Words lit up in red behind the parchment. This time in Shikamaru’s calligraphic handwriting lay the most damning words he could ever imagine.

“Who are you covering for? The master or the slave?”

Sasuke’s eyes widened and shock percolated his system. How could- how could Nara know this. There was no way. No one knew about this, not even the elders, not Tsunade or Kakashi, no genius - he realised in defeat - except Shikamaru perhaps could figure it out.

“Sasuke…” said Naruto, taking his head in his hands and weeping. His torso shook with the force of repressed sobs and his voice broke when he spoke. “I can’t do this anymore. I want to quit. I am not cut out to be Hokage. I - it’s killing me to do this every day. Fucking choices given to me are horrible - it’s always pain. Why does this keep happening?”

“Dobe,” said Sasuke softly, worried lines creasing his forehead. Naruto hadn’t cried in years and there was not a thing he could do to stop him.

***

Ino bit her tongue by accident as she chewed on soft rice for the first time in days.

“Ouch.” she said, wincing as she tasted the coppery trickle of blood.

“Hold on,” said Shikamaru, instantly getting up and fetching a small cube of ice from the refrigerator. “Here, you can suck on this.”

She gratefully accepted it, her tongue quickly lapping against the soothing cold.

“Guess I’ve forgotten how to eat.” she joked. Shikamaru did not look amused in the least but instead pushed her bowl back in front of her.

“Take your time. We can talk after the meal.” he said.

Ino nodded. They ate in silence for a while. Shikamaru was deep in thought and only looked at Ino occasionally to push bowls of soup and vegetables in her direction.

Ino nodded, but felt oddly guilty. She knew that he wanted to hear more about what had happened to her and though it had been over a week since she was unconscious, he still wasn’t pushing her for the story.

Unless. 

He already knew.

But how?

“I can’t eat anymore Shika, I’m sorry.” said Ino, suddenly feeling nauseous. After so much strain to her body, food was proving to be too difficult.

“That’s okay Ino, you can eat when you feel like it.”

“Shika,” she said, getting straight to the point. “Do you know what’s been going on?”

He looked at her then, brown eyes boring into her cerulean ones.

“I have sort of pieced together a lot of it.” he said honestly. “You’ve been unconscious for a week and aside from making sure you were okay, I had a lot of time in my hands. Gaara sort of gave me two weeks off to grieve over the end of my marriage.”

Ino looked at him with guilt ridden eyes so Shikamaru hastened to explain.

“Don’t worry about it. I’ve grieved enough. Temari and I have known we weren’t working out for a while now. I think she’s happier away from me, if I am honest. Shikadai deserves to have parents who don’t resent each other and this is probably for the best.”

Ino nodded. Shikamaru and Temari were both intelligent enough to know when to walk away. Sometimes Ino wondered if it was stupidity or just stubborn love that had kept her in Konoha after Sai’s disappearance. Now that she thought about it, she realised Naruto and the village hadn’t done enough to find him. She should have turned rogue and searched for him herself. Her breath hitched in her throat as she wondered - inexplicably if there was anyone in Konoha looking for her right now at all.

“I didn’t think you’d stop breathing this morning.” said Shikamaru quietly, his voice cutting through her thoughts.

Ino’s cheeks burned with embarrassment. She hadn’t meant to stop breathing today. Not now that Inojin needed her protection.

“I’m sorry Shika.” she said looking down at her half empty bowl of rice. “I’ve been depressed for a long time, I’ve dreamed of dying in my sleep many times before. It’s always been the same dream - where I almost stop. It never got so far before, I didn’t realise until it really started to happen.”

She half expected Shikamaru to lecture her on how she could be so selfish, of how big a coward she was trying to end it all like this. But Shikamaru had never been like the others and he didn’t failed to surprise her with his responses.

“Were you very unhappy Ino, the day I left for Suna?” asked Shikamaru softly.

Ino closed her eyes. In hindsight, the day he left had been the day she started spiralling. He found her Achilles’ heel in one. Ino plucked up the courage to look at him. “Yes.”

“I’m sorry Ino.” he said with a sad laugh, frustration staining his voice. “I keep making the wrong decisions. I shouldn’t have left you. Should never have got married or come to this godforsaken place.”

He got up abruptly and went to fetch a medicine bottle.

“Sema asked me to give this to you after your meal. Take one spoonful.” he said calmly when he returned.

Ino took the bottle and poured out the required amount. Quickly swallowing the bitter taste, she set down the bottle.

“You didn’t make a mistake Shika.” said Ino, her throat warm from the liquid. “We did what was best for the clan and the village at the time.”

“I should have done better, Ino.” he said, sounding rather angry. “I fucked everything up.”

“Shika, you shouldn’t blame yourself for what I’ve been feeling. I should have reached out to you, I should have sought help—” she started.

“But you did Ino.” he said in a defeated voice. “You called me and I never understood the deeper reasons. You always asked if I was okay and when I spoke to you you sounded happy. I should have known. I should never have stayed away for so long.”

Ino sighed. She got up from the table, wobbling slightly and in an instant Shikamaru was at her side.

“Why do you keep trying to leave?” he asked with a hint of exasperation in his voice.

“I want to clear the table.” she said gesturing at the cluttered table. “Then sip tea and talk to you properly.”

Shikamaru smiled at that. “Okay Ino. I’ll clear up here, you can sit on the sofa until I’m done. I’ll walk you there.”

Chapter Text

Rain fell steadily on the forest floor, running into the crevices at the roots of the trees and making the thin streams overflow. Two renowned shinobi, sat on the lush grass at the edge of the training grounds, hidden from view beneath a tall tree. They were both shirtless from a recent sparring session, hair drenched from the rain and caught in the middle of an emotional upheaval.

Is there a way to grow from pain? Or do we merely learn to live with it. A dull ache that sits in the pit of your stomach like a blunt knife. Oh no darling, it won't kill you and the fact that it doesn't is what eventually will destroy you.

Sasuke knew this all too well and God damn the whole world who tried to do this to the blonde crying in his arms.

"Naruto." he said quietly, wiping away a tear from the man's face. Naruto's skin was still hot from their sparring session, but his heart had finally burst with heaviness. He couldn't do it. He couldn't. He couldn't.

He couldn't be like the Third or the Fourth. He was selfish. He wanted to protect his friends. There was nothing worth living for if he failed them. But less than a few years in, and he'd already failed so many people.

His body ached and his chakra turned cold with grief. To Naruto, all hope was lost and based on what he knew so far there was no way he could fix what had happened.

"Sasuke, what do you think happened to them. Do you think they are still alive?" he whispered, not daring to open his eyes lest he see the world that Sai, Ino and Inojin couldn't. Fresh hot tears fell down his cheeks and when he choked on a sob, he told himself he deserved it.

"Dobe," said Sasuke softly. It killed him that there was nothing he could do to help Naruto.

A sudden rustle in the trees made Naruto pause. The ache in his chest remained, while his body reacted the way any shinobi would, turning alert at once. He gripped the kunai on the ground and instinctively started to concentrate chakra onto the palm of his hand. Sasuke, taking cue from Naruto's reaction, instantly activated his Sharingan to look in the direction of the forest. His eyes darkened as he blithely drew out his katana.

"There is someone behind the tree." Said Sasuke in a deceptively calm voice. He could see at least two hearts beating in a distance. But the beats were heavy and erratic, like they belonged to children who'd run a huge distance. Naruto gripped his arm, his eyes exhibiting a familiar orange near the edges letting him know that Naruto had entered sage mode.

"Don't." said Naruto softly, knowing Sasuke was itching to attack. "The chakra feels familiar. They are kids. I think they are kid's I once knew."

Sasuke gave him a curt nod. Just because they were children didn't mean they were not dangerous. Sasuke knew of enough child prodigies who could wipe out entire clans. He stilled the hand that was about to throw the katana and waited for the first move from the unknown. It didn't matter if it was an enemy ambush. He would kill whoever it was or as many there were. No one would ever lay a finger on Naruto again.

Just then, like lightning in a dry sky, a kunai flew out through the leaves towards Naruto's head, but Sasuke caught it deftly by the handle before it could reach. There was a paper note attached to the end of the kunai. It was burning, and Sasuke knew he needed to read it quickly before it vanished.

Swiftly, eyes swirling red, Sasuke looked in the direction of the trees again. Whoever had thrown the kunai had disappeared.

"What does it say?" Asked Naruto as he reached for the kunai. Sasuke inspected it before handing it over. The paper was burning fast, but somehow the ink didn't disappear and seemed to float in thin air.

There was a small chakra seal on the burning paper that Naruto broke easily, but the moment he did, out burst a magnificent ink hawk that continued into the clouds above, unperturbed by the wetness. The remaining paper burned away despite the heavy rain all around and the ink words started to disappear, but Naruto had already committed them to memory.

The hawk glanced at them and flew overhead dripping dark ink like blood as it rose. It's exquisite, patterned eyes looked over them through the puring rain, as though beckoning them to follow.

A storm was coming soon, Sasuke could sense the lightening in the air. But none of it mattered. There had been something in the note. Something that sparked a hope inside Naruto. He could see it in his lover's eyes, the glint of determination and blatant faith start to burn again. He didn't know what the note said, but he was grateful.

Naruto was frozen. The words repeated in a loop inside his head and for a moment he felt dread thinking he would forget. 

"Quick Sas'ke, give me something to write this on." he said, his voice laced with urgency. Sasuke expertly conjured up a bit of paper and a dripping quill all the while covering them from the rain with a huge leaf as an umbrella.

"Thanks." said Naruto with a smile as he quickly wrote the words on the paper. "Read this Sasuke."

Sasuke nodded, his eyes still burning red as he committed each word to memory.

"I once told you I am nobody, that I do not really exist, I am just a tool.

Even though I believed for a while that I am not

I am afraid I have become one again.

I do not mind being used; it is all I have ever known

But I have heard my love is in danger and this heart cannot beat anymore." 

There was only one man he had this conversation with. A thin, pale man, with darkness in his eyes. A man who had killed all his emotions to become a machine for whatever a certain man wanted him to do. But love had drawn him out, had given him back many of these feelings he had so desperately been made to lose. It was unmistakable. It had to be him. The design, the ink, the eyes of the bird spoke of only one style. Naruto hadn't been able to sense a familiar chakra on the paper, but he knew shinobi especially as talented as the one he suspected, could easily mislead with his chakra fingerprint.

"Sasuke." Said Naruto, hope sparking in his chest that was swiftly burning out the shock and trepidation running through his skin. Kurama purred lightly, glad that Naruto's brightness was finally drowning out the sadness in his heart.

"Yes Dobe. It could be him." Said Sasuke grimly. He didn't want Naruto to be heartbroken if he was mistaken. "That means -"

Naruto's eyes flashed in anger and even Kurama inside let out a cry of frustration. The ink hawk flew in circles overhead looking impatient.

"But that means the council, the elders --- I can't believe they fucking lied to us. Again. Did they learn nothing from the war?" He bit out, grabbing his shirt and putting it back on.

"History has a tendency to repeat itself because people remain the same - selfish and greedy." Said Sasuke, his eyes hard with hatred. Naruto looked into the burning red with his own blue eyes and Sasuke's gaze softened. "There is no way we could have known Dobe. To run a nation, you need to be able to trust some people. The downside is that they can always betray you."

"They told me he was dead Sasuke. That his body was in shreds after a fight. They said it was the Shibou ninja who had done it and to fight them is to risk everything."

Sasuke nodded. He knew all about the story they had been fed.

"What are you going to do?" He asked eventually although it was obvious what Naruto had in mind.

Naruto smiled, leaned up and kissed Sasuke full on the mouth. The taller man was caught off guard and took a moment to kiss him back. It felt good to see the fire back in the eyes of his lover and the smile return to his soft lips. A face like Naruto's should never have to be in tears. He was full of too much love and joy to ever have a mean bone in his body. He was also trusting to a fault.

But the elders had been sneaky. The story they'd been told was foolproof and Kakashi, Tsunade, himself and even the heads of neighbouring nations believed it. But if the note they just recieved and the ink hawk overhead was anything to go by, there was no other truth than the fact that they had all been played.

"Fuck Sasuke, I am going to bring them all back. Believe it." said Naruto running an energetic hand across his face and wiping off the final tears. As if on cue, the rain slowed to a drizzle and bits of sunlight staretd to peak through the clouds. The ink hawk looked down at them impatiently, letting out a small cry.

Sasuke smiled and kissed him fondly. "I have waited so long to hear you say that Dobe."

"Dattebayo. I am sending a clone back to the tower and you and I will follow the hawk. I should never have trusted the council anyway." Naruto said with conviction before his smile dimmed. His face was bright with hope marred with regret - like a sunlit valley without flowers around. "Do you think our friends will ever forgive me?"

Sasuke couldn't bear it. If he needed to fight a war to fix this he would fight it for Naruto to smile again. He couldn't care less about the elders and the council. "We worked with what we knew Dobe. Don't beat yourself up. If he's alive this can all be fixed."

Naruto nodded. "We will find and bring them home. I hope they find it in them to forgive me one day. Sasuke, let Kakashi know we are leaving the village. Tell him to take over when my clones can't handle it any longer. Let's not let anyone know we are leaving the village."

Sasuke nodded and summoned his own hawk which was sitting on a tree branch overhead. It was handsome and more majestic than the ink hawk and its keen beady eyes met Sasuke's with a look of understanding. Sasuke's hawk settled on his shoulder as he tied a chakra sealed note onto its leg. It was a short note in code only the white haired former jounin sensei could understand.

The bird let out a shrill cry as it entered the sky above, trailing the path of the previous hawk until they met face to face. For a mesmerizing moment the real and ink hawk in the sky looked at each other. They were so similar and yet so different.   It flew away towards the Hatake compound after casting a final cry at the ink hawk as goodbye.

"My hawk recognizes the ink hawk." Said Sasuke with a frown. "I wonder where it has seen it before and how long ago."

"We'll find out." Said Naruto, eyes glinting with a familiar determination that Sasuke had missed. He picked up the wet shirts from the ground and tied his weapons pouch to his waist. They had no food or other provisions, but between Naruto and Sasuke's power they figured they'd be okay. "Let's go."

Sasuke nodded, every muscle on his body ready to protect Naruto at every step of the way. They took off in the direction of the woods, the ink hawk flying over them.

***

Ino sipped the warm jasmine tea and felt her strength return a little bit. Her fair hair was knotted at the edges and she desperately needed a bath. She felt self-conscious sitting on the soft clean sofa and sipping from royal china cups. She was in the midst of richness suitable for a high ranked official and felt like an imposter.

"Tell me what you think is going on Shika. I know you have most of it figured out." She said as she leaned against the corner of the sofa and Shikamaru sat beside her.

He looked at her, eyes full of emotions she couldn't identify. 

"I have a few theories Ino of what most likely has happened. No matter what I say, I want you to know that you and Inojin will be safe and protected from now on." He said with a deep breath.

His face was close to hers but Ino told herself it was only so he could whisper his story to her.

She nodded. "I trust you." she said simply. Shikamaru paused his dark eyes full of a subtle tinge of regret as he laughed.

"Ino." he said softly putting some distance between them and sitting on the other corner of the sofa. "Thank you."

She smiled up at him. "Tell me what you think is the whole story. Start from the day you first left Konoha after your wedding. I will interrupt if I think something is incorrect."

Shikamaru nodded. 

"I always thought my wedding would have been the happiest day of my life," he said, pausing to take a sip of tea. "But it wasn't. I wasn't ready to leave Konoha, to leave Chouji and you behind. I loved Temari and was mature enough to understand why I had to leave, but my heart wasn't in it. It still isn't honestly. This is a house, but the clouds and grass in Konoha, that is home.

I was packed and ready, sitting inside the carriage and Temari was a little late to join me. I sat alone for a while, just looking at the wedding party that was still ongoing. No one seemed to have noticed I was gone. Not Chouji or Naruto or anyone. But I saw you Ino, you were sitting alone at the white table near the gate, eyes looking over the fence and at the carriage. You couldn't see me through the darkened windows, but I could see you fine. You looked until Temari arrived, and everyone came to the gates to say goodbye."

Ino cast him a sad smile. "You got it right for the most part, just the end - I came to say goodbye to you too. I think I was at the back, and you missed seeing me? But I looked Shikamaru, I looked until the carriage disappeared down the hill. It was as though a part of my soul went with you. Today though, I think I got it back."

Shikamaru looked as though he was fighting a decision in his head. His eyes filled with regret and Ino wished she could take her words back. "Ino- I - I am sorry." 

"It's not your fault Shika." she said with a soft smile. "It was supposed to be the happiest day of your life. I am sorry I didn't realize it wasn't."

"We both missed some things that day." said Shikamaru with a pained smile. "I blame myself for being this stupid. I usually am smarter than this. Could have saved us a ton of trouble if I'd just taken better decisions."

"Hush." said Ino cutting him off. "Shika, you are smart, but you are useless with emotions and dealing with them tactfully. That's what I am good at, and I messed up by not doing enough to get my issues addressed."

"Ino," said Shikamaru with a hint of frustration. "Do not blame yourself. You lost so much in such a short time; it is difficult to realize when one is spiraling into depression. Sometimes we need others to notice and rescue us, even if we are fully capable. I am sorry we all failed you Ino. But most of all I am sorry I wasn't there for you, and you thought even for a moment that you are not loved."

"Shika," Ino said, her voice tremoring as tears fell down her cheeks. She was overwhelmed with everything that happened and though she promised herself she wouldn't cry anymore, she couldn't stopt he tears. Shikamaru's arms engulfed her into a hug and she cried against his coarse cotton shirt. She felt a heaviness lift off her shoulders with every tear as Shikamaru rubbed soothing circles against her back.

"You are loved Ino." he said again. "You've always been loved."

There was so much he wanted to tell her. To hold her, to kiss her, to tell her he loved her. But he wouldn't. He probably never would and that was alright. All he'd ever wanted was for Ino to lead a full and happy life. He'd already failed to give her that. He would ensure that she never suffered this way again. 

She curled up and cried into his shirt and though his soul shattered to see her like this, the fact that he hadn't lost her despite everything filled his heart with gratitude. Thank you Kami for leading her to me safely.

Every day Ino. I thought of you every day. I planted cosmos in the garden the very day I arrived at Suna. They bloom as we speak and soon you will bloom again. I love you Ino, I always have. I will never let you feel alone again."

Chapter Text

She gave him a watery smile and said, "I'm okay Shika. Go on with your theory."

Shikamaru looked at the woman in his arms with concern. He was calculating whether Ino had the strength to go through a retelling of the pain she'd endured or if it would be better to just tell her the crux of it.

Ino wiped her tears and pulled away.

"I want to hear the whole thing." She said. It's like she was always in his head even when she wasn't using her jutsu.

He laughed despite himself. "Okay Ino. I'll tell you. But you can't cry anymore, at least not for a while. I just fed you and got you all hydrated."

Ino laughed, and Shikamaru realised that seeing a little spark back in her eyes was honestly all that mattered.

Shikamaru glanced at the room behind them, where Inojin was fast asleep. He was suddenly aware that even though Ino and Inojin were safe now, there was still danger awaiting them in the world outside. He needed to make sure Ino understood his theory and agreed to the plan he had thought out.

"Well, after I reached Suna, I found out quite quickly why Gaara had asked specifically for me to be in his advisor circle.” said Shikamaru in an even voice. Ino knew him well enough to know that Gaara’s reason must have been unsettling.

“What did he need your help with?” she asked.

Shikamaru raised an eyebrow at her but answered anyway. “Suna has a radical group of missing nin. They go by a few names, but Shi or Shibou nin is the most common.”

Ino nodded. She wondered what their motive was. Historically, such groups have been formed out of dissatisfaction, anger, helplessness alongside poverty.

“The Shibou ninja are mostly skilled nin who grew up in Suna, but lived on the fringes. Their parents are either dead or earn through nefarious means. Some however, are orphans or children abandoned by poor mothers. They are historically a very powerful group, known to raze entire cities to the ground in a few hours. Old literature indicates they’ve been around for hundreds of years, mainly working as mercenaries or simply playing Robin Hood. In general there is very little evidence of the Shibou actually harming innocent people in their village.

The crime rate in Suna is quite low, so the count of unexplained fatalities is alarming. Gaara couldn’t understand why some of his strongest ninja were dying so easily while doing day to day tasks such as guarding the gates or overseeing development activities in the village. He strongly suspected the Shibou were involved.``

Ino looked at Shikamaru, urging him to continue, sensing his disagreement with the statement. She’d heard of the Shibou ninja before. Her father had told her stories about them during one of her psychology training sessions.

“No one is a villain by choice Ino.” he said, gently tapping the forehead of a very pouty eleven year old Ino. She very clearly disagreed with the assessment her father had made earlier. “You have to believe in the goodness of people. You have to believe that they can change. If you do not have faith in them, as an intruder in their mind, how can you rescue them?”

“But Dad, he is a thief! Just because he’s new to Konoha doesn’t mean he can get away with this! I saw him stealing money from Iruka sensei’s wallet. He’d left it on his desk by mistake when we all went for kunai throwing practice. It’s so lucky I came back to get my weapons pouch and saw him. This isn’t even the first time he’s done it.” she protested. “I didn’t tell him I saw him Daddy, I pretended I hadn’t seen. But I think we should tell Iruka sensei.”

Inouchi hummed. So his little daughter had decided against confronting the boy she knew was a thief.

“Ino, have you thought of why he might be doing this? Or why for that matter Iruka continues to leave his wallet unattended on the desk?” asked Inoichi, a little smile on his face. His headstrong daughter still had a lot to learn, but it was good to know she already had strong morals.

Ino’s mouth was already open to retaliate, but she faltered at her father’s questions.

“Oh.” was all she said as her empathy caught up to her and her brain created a multitude of scenarios. The boy could be poor, hungry, alone, an orphan, and it was possible Iruka knew that the boy was too proud to ask for help, so he let him do the only thing he knew how to, even if it was to steal. Iruka had the rest of the year to teach him good and bad, but until then the boy had to eat.

“It’s okay princess.” said Inoichi, hugging his daughter. “You did nothing wrong. Remember, when you come work for the Interrogation department in the future and have to interrogate a prisoner, or a lost warrior, do not begin with a gilded heart. Be open. Be accepting. Move gently inside their mind. Do not cause them any more pain.”

“Yes, sometimes you will find vile, disgusting humans. You will feel like your skin is crawling and bile is bubbling up your throat. Sometimes you will want to burn everything and run. These are the people you cannot change. It is important to understand that. But you cannot hate them Ino. You have to believe that there was a time, when they too were innocent. Even if that was when they were a child. You have to search for those memories Ino - of utter naivette, of complete innocence and vulnerability. Once you find those, it is much easier to complete the mind transfer jutsu. It is also guaranteed that you will be able to return to your body once you are done. But if you move with suspicion and hate in your heart, the rage and anger in the person’s soul will draw you in and trap you.”

Ino nodded, wiping away her tears. “I won’t Daddy. I promise.”

Inoichi smiled. Oh what wouldn’t he give to freeze time where Ino and her mother was safe under his protection forever and always. Alas, life would go on and it was inevitable there would be heartbreaks along the way. He would do his best to be a part of her life for as long as he could.

“Remember never to let the darkness of others consume you, my darling cosmos. Show them the light within themselves, help them be kind and open again.” he said, taking a flower from the vase on the table and tucking it into her hair.

Ino trembled at the memory and almost like magic, a soft coverlet was wrapped around her. She looked up and saw Shikamaru looking at her questioningly.

“You okay?” he asked quirking an eyebrow and Ino nodded.

“Yes, just thinking about something Dad told me a long time ago.” she said shaking her head. “I'm fine, tell me what happened next.”

Shikamaru looked like he wanted to argue but decided it would be a drag and instead chose to plop back on the sofa and continue his story.

“Well, I spent the next few months gathering intel while the deaths continued across the village. They were few and far in between, but Gaara’s records showed it was only ninja who were getting killed. Ideally we should have declared an emergency in the state and tightened security. But if it really was the Shibou who was responsible for this, they would most certainly declare war on us. Locking the gates would trap the whole village, a majority of whom were civilians. I told Gaara we needed to continue business as usual, and not let the perpetrators know we suspected anything. Gaara cares about his people more than his own well being, so he had all the Black Ops - they are the Anbu equivalent in Suna, under strict surveillance. He didn’t let Temari, Kankuro or me leave his sight either.”

Ino found herself trembling a little. Shikamaru and the others had been in so much danger and she hadn’t had the slightest idea. She thought of all the nights she felt lonely and hurt because Shikamaru hadn’t written to her or called in months.

“Did you find out who was responsible?” she asked, her voice coming out in a raspy whisper. An irrational part of her wanted to be held again. To be rocked like a baby and told that everything was alright. She shook her head, and willed herself to be strong. Even if she was weak and barely had her jutsu skills anymore, she would always be a konuichi at heart.

“I did.” said Shikamaru, his mouth settling into a thin line and creases forming on his forehead. He brooded for a moment before shaking his head and snapping out of it. “I hoped I was wrong, but it was still a possibility. I told Gaara who I suspected in complete confidence. He agreed to handle this without ever letting it leak to the world who was responsible. Less so for it would cause death and destruction across the villages, but more due to the fact that Suna’s integrity and political favour was on the line. Temari eventually found out but she also agreed that keeping this quiet was the best way ahead.”

Ino nodded. She still didn’t know who Shikamaru had zeroed in on, but it was obvious that politically, everyone wanted to keep it under wraps. She wasn’t a genius like Shikamaru or Sasuke, but she had strong intuitions and a determination that matched Naruto sometimes.

“Is it someone close to Konoha?” she asked. “Is that why Gaara decided to keep this hushed?”

Shikamaru looked at her in surprise, before loosing the stress lines on his forehead and letting out a loud belly laugh. “You got it in one!” he said.

But his voice had been too loud in the quiet night and Inojin let out a panicked cry from the other room. Ino found herself getting up automatically.

Shikamaru’s story was at its climax, but Ino was a mother first and she found herself hurrying to the little bed in the other room and picking up her baby. He was hungry and had definitely missed her.

Ino adjusted her nightgown so Inojin could suckle and he quickly latched on, his tears subsiding.

Shikamaru stood by the door, his back towards them. “Do you need anything?” he asked. He was holding a breast pump, a bottle and a towel.

“No, Shika, thank you so much.” Ino smiled at his thoughtfulness. She was feeling weak earlier, but the sensation of Inojin’s skin touching her own, and the feel of his little heartbeat, completely reignited her will to survive and thrive.

***

The ink eagle was blurring as the day went on. It turned darker, the finer detailing of it’s feathers bleeding into itself.

“It’s jutsu is dying.” said Sasuke, a frown on his face as he jumped from a tree to another. “We don’t have much time.”

Naruto nodded and cast a clone. They were already going at breakneck speed and he could feel Sasuke start to get tired. It was no secret that Naruto’s stamina surpassed everyone else's.

“Usuratonkachi, what are you —” protested Sasuke but it was too late. The clone grabbed his hand and pulled him onto his back.

“Giving my boyfriend a piggyback ride.” said Naruto, a tad too gleefully. “Now hold on.”

The Sasuke from a few years ago would have destroyed the clone instantly. But the Sasuke of today wanted to protect even Naruto’s clones. He didn’t think it was emasculating to be carried, if it meant they could get to their destination faster.

Naruto stopped beside his clone and leaned in to kiss Sasuke slowly.

“I love you.” he said, his blue eyes shining. Sasuke was actually glad someone was carrying him, because his knees had turned to jelly. This was probably the first time Naruto had said this to him.

I love you too. Sasuke would say it back one day. He already meant it in every word he said to Naruto, but one day he would say it out loud.

“We are going to fix this. We will bring them home.” he said instead and Naruto sensed the emotion in it anyway. He kissed him once more before telling his clone to match his pace.

They took off with the speed of Kurama’s ass on fire and Sasuke was glad he held on. The Hokage was not the son of the Yellow Flash for nothing. Sasuke eventually relaxed his muscles and resigned himself to enjoying the ride. He’d learned how important it was to rest a while, and fight when it was needed.

“For the record, the only reason I am not carrying you myself is because having you all pressed up against me is definitely going to give me a hard on, and I am kind of saving the celebration for later.” came Naruto’s voice.

Sasuke snorted, but both of them knew he agreed.

***

Chapter Text

Inojin snuggled against her chest, his little hands clutching her nightgown as though afraid she would disappear. She gently rocked him and patted his back as she sang a soft lullaby. She didn't know how long she was in the little room, holding her son. She hoped Shikamaru wasn't bored waiting for her.

She cast a look behind her, eyes searching for Shikamaru, wondering if he had retired to his room for the night. He hadn't had much rest for several days considering she was unconcsious through it all.

She needn't have worried, however, because Shikamaru was never going to let them out of his sight again. She found him sitting at a small mahagony table nearby, as he flipped through a large pile of papers. He looked up just then, sharp eyes catching hers and instantly softening as he saw her. Her heart swelled with the knowledge that she had him back in her life again. She'd msised him so much over the years, it was like coming home to a missing part of herself.

"Shika," she said quietly as she approached him, Inojin now almost asleep in her arms.

Shikamaru looked up, a little splattered ink stain making it's way to his nose as he set down the ink quill. She resisted the urge to lean in and wipe it away. It was not her place anymore.

"Tell me the rest." she said and Shikamaru gave her a tired smile. He held out his hands, reaching for Inojin, and beckoning her to sit down on the wide chair beside him. Her eyes widened at his casual request, but her body moved on it's own, safely delivering Inojin to Shikamaru and sitting down close beside Shikamaru. The baby didn't register any complaints and snuggled deeper into Shikamaru's chest, happily drooling against the lightly course cotton. 

"He cried a lot the first time. But he got used to my smell afterwards." he said fondly, gently removing little stray hairs from Inojin's face. He turned to look at Ino, his face almost touching hers as they shared a chair. The cloth of his trousers brushed against her thin dress and she felt his warmth on her skin. She thought of Sai and hoped to Kami he was warm too and not suffering wherever he was. She was too weak to save him, but she had so much faith in Shikamaru that giving up on finding Sai was not an option.

"How are you feeling? Drink this." said Shikamaru handing her a small purple coloured vial. It looked like a multivitamin mix of some sort. Ino hadn't realised how light headed she was until she drank the medicine Shikamaru gave her and felt energized again.

"Breast feeding takes a lot out of your body." he said a melancholy look on his face. "We - we tried with Shikadai but he was born premature and didn't have the strength to suckle. Temari and I used to stay up all night trying to get him to suckle in the beginning. Shikadai struggled so much in the beginning, we had to use little droppers to get him to drink anything. He's still not eating well and cries a lot. He sleeps a bit better when I am there, but with us seperating, we decided it was best if Temari kept him with her. Temari and I we - we promised to always be there for each other. But things didn't get much better. She gave up towards the end, and I ... never could."

He sighed again and shook his head, trying to plaster a smile on his face for Ino's sake. Of course, that sort of fakeness would never work on her.

"You know what Shika?" she said placing a warm hand on his shoulder. "It's going to be alright. Shikadai will be okay. He's only a few weeks old, just like Inojin. He'll get stronger and so will you." she said firmly. Once all this was over, she'd make sure Shikamaru took some time off to heal from his seperation. 

He chuckled at that and it eased the knot in Ino's heart a little bit.

"I don't think I was a good husband." he said, regret dripping through every word. "I failed her - us. I let our marraige crumble. And now Shikadai will have to grow up in a broken family."

Ino clenched her fists as a mix of sadness and rage filled her veins. How long had Shikamaru been feeling like this and she hadn't had the slightest clue?

"Shikadai will grow up to be a fine man and it will be because of how much you and Temari loved him. It doesn't matter that you are seperated now, he was and always will be a product of your love." she said , her eyes finding his own and holding their gaze. Were there really so many shades of green?

"Ino," he said, his voice cracking as he spoke. "I couldn't love her the way she needed me to. I married the Kazekage's sister, the smartest konuichi in Suna and ruined her life."

"Shika," she said quietly instead. "I know Temari. She's headstrong and always speaks her mind. If you fucked up, she would have told you. From what I've heard, this is just a case where you both drifted apart. No one is to blame for this."

Shikamaru nodded, his eyes still holding on to a lot of unsaid things. Ino reached out her arms and wrapped him and Inojin into a hug.

"I'm here now." she said, mouth against his ear. "We'll figure this out together. I promise, you will feel whole again."

In that little moment, where the firelight lit up their skin, to an outsider looking in, they really did look like a whole , family.

***

The last of the ink dripped onto the wet ground, splatterng against Naruto and his clone's feet. They were at a small clearing in the dense forest. It was raining so heavily that it was hard to see anything clearly aroud them. But Naruto could see tall pine trees and dark green creepers hanging over them. There was a waterfall nearby, judging by the sound of fast moving water, but that also meant there was a tunnel network somewhere close too.

"Look for a cave nearby." he said and Sasuke nodded, still holding on to the back of Naruto's clone. He activated his Sharngan and checked for any danger. He couldn't see anything suspicious, but the thought that someone had lured them so far made him feel on the edge. 

"Let me down now Naruto." he said softly as he finally spotted an interlink of caves beneath a broken boulder. He paused, straining his eyes to make sure he wasn't mistaken. He felt his stomach drop as he finally fathomed what he'd seen inside the cave's chakra history and what it might mean for Naruto. "I sense something inside that cave."

"Really dobe?" said Naruto sounding excited, as his clone relaxed his grip on Sasuke's knees. "Tell me we found them? I'm going to sage mode to see if I can sense any chakra."

"Don't do it." said Sasuke immediately, his voice sharp. He got down from the clone's back and unsheathed his sword, sharingan spinning wildly in the direction fo the cave.

"Why not?" he asked.

"I don't want you to see or find out anything about what's in there." said Sasuke softening the Sharingan spins to a slow kaleidoscope as he reached over and kissed Naruto's confused face.

"Don't go in alone Dobe." said Naruto breaking away and grabbing his face with both hands.

"Usuratonkachi, I can't see any life inside, but I see traces of chakra lingering meaning the deaths are quite recent. If things are ugly inside, I don't want you to see it. Wait here, I will be back."

Naruto swallowed as he fathomed what Sasuke had just told him. "These chakra traces, are they Ino's and Sai's?" he asked, trying to ignore the feeling of ice in his intestines.

Sasuke's face hardened a little, but he saw the pain in Naruto's blue eyes felt his resolve break a little. "Yes Naruto, there is."

Naruto couldn't help the tears that started to fall down his face. In his pain, he didn't realise he had dismissed his clone and it had vanished with a puff. He was all alone again. When Sasuke left him to go inside the cave, he would be all alone again. He'd failed them. He'd failed them. He'd failed them---

"Naruto, stop thinking." said Sasuke breaking him out of his thoughts. "I am not a Hyuuga, I cannot tell for sure. Let me go inside and check. I will come back and report."

"But Sasuke, what if something happens to you in there, there's now way I am letting you go alone ---" but his sentence was drowned in the next kiss that Sasuke bestowed upon him. It was sloppy and urgent and full of the same emotions that had come crashing over them after their final fight against each other all those years ago.

"Please Naruto, don't fight me on this." he said, kissing his cheeks with open mouthed licks that took in the rainwater and tears. "Please, I'm begging you, I cannot let you ---."

Naruto sensed the desperation in it the next kiss, the fear, the horror in his mouth and knew what Sasuke had seen was bad news. News that Sasuke would never forget because he'd seen it with his Sharingan.

"Okay Dobe." Naruto said finally, as he pushed Sasuke away gently. "Go on if you have to. If you don't get back in twenty minutes I'm going in to get you."

Sasuke sighed with relief, his Sharingan swirling rapidly again as he gave Naruto one last kiss on the forehead and said. "I'll be back in ten."

He spun around instantly and was gone so fast, if Naruto had been a lesser ninja he would not have noticed. But Naruto being who he was, watched his lover expertly find an opening under the boulder and jump in. He climbed a tall tree and waited for Sasuke to return, ignoring the growing desire to chase after him or at least turn on sage mode. 

"Kami, please for the love of everything I hold dear, spare their lives won't you?" he prayed. "Now that Sasuke and I know what's going on, we'll get to the bottom of it. Just, please please give me all the Yamanaka's back."

Chapter Text

Sasuke slowed down his breathing and masked his chakra completely as he entered the cave. He was used to the darkness.

His sharingan was activated, spinning wide as he memorised the surroundings. Long splatters on the walls added to the blackness of the cave. It looked like death, like a blood soaked room. But Sasuke couldn't smell blood. Only the unmistakable freshness of Indigo ink.

He walked in deeper, his nose catching a soft smell of jasmine. A lingering scent. It smelled of hope to him just then. He continued to walk. His wooden sandals made no noise and with his masked chakra it was as though he didn't exist. A snake slithered quietly past, a few bats above resettled themselves, but there was no other movement.

Just as he was beginning to think perhaps he had misread the chakra signs from outside, he saw it. A patch of the cave floor, that looked like someone had recently lived there. Cans of food, foul smelling and uneaten but opened. There was a makeshift bed, a canister of water now almost dry. A few torn pieces of paper. Ink knocked over, with the shattered glass all over the dark floor.

But Sasuke took heart. It didn't smell of death. Yet.

He picked up the torn pieces of paper, eyes scanning the entire area as he combed it for more fragments. He tucked them all into his pocket.

Something scurried past the the edge and Sasuke's musles tensed, ready to attack. But it was just a rat. 

He turned back to the makeshift bed. There it was. A quill. It was of a rare bustard that didn't live around here. Sasuke remembered it on Sai's hand. Against his will, Ino had once gushed to him how she found it on one of her missions and gifted it to Sai when they had just started dating. 

Sai would not leave that here under normal circumstances. He tucked it into his pocket.

Sasuke had sensed death from outside, but for some reason he couldn't find traces of it now. He didn't have as good a sense of smell as Naruto and was beginning to regret not bringing him along.

Then he sensed it coming from a little ahead. There was death, but of a chakra he didn't recognise. It was definitely not Sai's. His pulse picked up and he carefully walked ahead. 

There was a body in shackles. Tied up, gagged, with crusted ink pouring out of his chest. Sasuke stepped closer, it was obvious the man had been tortured in the Root's cruel style. The sight didn't make him flinch. Orochimaru had done far worse, but he was glad Naruto didn't have to endure this.

He stopped as his sandal crinkled against the floor. He glanced down and saw specks of it all around the body. 

Sand.

He tightened his jaw. This was going to be a diplomatic nightmare, but they had an ally and it looked like Sai had made it and got some critical information in the process. He took out a scroll and took the body in.

He walked ahead. There were no more bodies or death. Just some more ink stains that ended abruptly. He continued further as he spotted a tiny patch of sunlight. It got brighter and brighter until he reached at a clearing that opened up to the roots of a large tree. 

There was signs of a tussle. Torn ropes, broken kunai and a stronger scent of jasmine. Konoha didn't have jasmine as native plants, but he knew someone who grew them.

It was almost seven minutes now. Naruto would be waiting.

He smiled as he raced back to the front of the cave where his lover was anxiously waiting. Sasuke had plenty of good news.

***

Temari could not get Shikadai to stop crying. He missed his father, he always used to fall asleep to Shikamaru rocking him. Temari didn't want to go back so soon but her son was suffering. He refused to drink formula milk and she still wasn't producing enough naturally. The doctors wanted to put him on the drip, but she wanted that to be the last resort.

Temari was finishing her duties at the main office with Shikadai tucked into her back when she noticed one of her employees also clearing up her desk. The woman - she remembered her name was Sema - had been behaving differently lately, like she was less stressed. Since her husband passed away Sema had been in therapy for a long time, but Gaara had insisted she come back to work soon as Suna needed her skills. Perhaps that had helped her mental health. Temari knew Sema had young children too and thought perhaps she could get some advice before having to go to Shikamaru.

She cornered Sema after her night shift to ask what she is doing differently. Sema smiled, "I made a friend." she said happily. "She made me feel seen and then my chores and work don't feel as burdensome. Also, she gave me a lot of herbs, now my children sleep better."

"Herbs?" Temari frowned. They had succulents here. Herbs were rare and very much a Konoha specialty. "Who is your new friend?"

Sema hesitated, like she had overshared and was trying to cover up her regret. "Yes, herbs, from my friend from Konoha."

Temari nodded. She let Sema go, bidding her good night. But she didn't go home herself. She went to the watch tower and looked at the legal entrants list. In the past three months, there was no entrant from Konoha.

Shikadai started to cry again in her arms and she was overwhelmed. If only she had somehow managed to make it work with Shikamaru she wouldn't have to do this alone. But there had been days when she hated him. Hated him and blamed him for everything. Her failed romance, her abandoned career, her changed body, her failure as a mother. She hadn't said it out loud before. Until one day she did and watched Shikaamru break. Resentment is a terrible thing and she knew that harbouring it for so long hadn't helped. She'd tried. She'd tried to make it work. She had tried to be the doting wife, the reliable one who challenged him intellectually. But she didn't understand much of him.

She didn't know why he watched clouds every chance he got, couldn't understand why he was so lazy all the time now that he had responsibilities, but most of all couldn't fathom why he was unhappy in Suna when she was here. She felt like she wasn't enough and she told him so.

They had seperated by now, so he hadn't argued. But she could not forget the pain in his eyes. Maybe it would be kinder to ask Gaara to let him go home. To go back to Konoha. 

Temari wasn't cruel. She still loved Shikamaru. In ways he didn't understand. She loved him, loved Shikadai, but sometimes love isn't enough.

Shikadai had cried himself to sleep against her back. She smiled wryly. Like mother, like son.

***

Ino had fallen asleep against him. Tired but happy, with Inojin also drooling on her arm. Shikamaru felt a burst of contentment, like he was truly happy for the first time in months. He untangled Inojin from his mother and put him in his cot and resisted the urge to wake Ino so she could move to the bed. He supposed it would be too much of a breach to carry her there himself, so he covered her with blankets on the sofa. He hoped she wouldn't be too uncomfortable.

He lay in bed, the stars twinkling outside, the dust storm having finally settled. He hadn't seen or heard from Temari in weeks. He missed Shikadai, missed her. Missed the warmth of her on his bed, missed what they had. But it was gone now. Even, the desperation he had once felt when she said she was leaving him. They pain had dulled, and he had accepted it. Perhaps one day, he could be in the same room as her and not die of regret.

He thought of Ino. He hoped for her sake that Sai was alive. Ino had had a good marraige, a man who loved her and a child too. She had been happy. He wanted that for her again. Wanted the universe to return Sai to her so she could heal again. So they could go back to Konoha, raise Inojin and be a family. He sighed. God knows all he wanted for Ino was to be happy. 

Ino-Shika-Cho had complicated things. But a part of his soul believed that in another life, he would have married Ino. He let himself drift off into an older memory.

"Shika, why don't you like me?" she asked, pouting on Valentine's Day, clutching a few cards she'd recieved. She was thirteen years old and already the crush of many young ninja in the village. It helped that her old man was scary so Shikamaru didn't have to fend off too many ill intentioned suitors on his own.

He stared at the sky, a single cloud drifted by as he muttered. "Don't be a drag."

A pause. Her soft golden curls glistened in the sun as her face fell.

Okay." she said softly, getting up. She had made a little braid of flowers for him. She placed it beside him and started to leave.

He sat up instantly. He had expected her to protest some more, to drag out the conversation. "Hey, don't be mad." 

She looked at him, then plastered on a smile that didn't reach her eyes. "I'm not, I'm not mad Shika. Thanks for ... telling me." She ran off, leaving behind the cards, the back of her hands finding her eyes as she dissappeared.

Shikamaru sighed. She never brought it up again and neither did he. But heaven knew, it wasn't because he didn't like her. It had always been that he wasn't allowed to like her.

In the past, in the present, the fu - the thought couldn't fully complete itself in his head.

A hawk knocked against his window. Hard and cold, as drops of rain started to fall outside. The bird was battle worn and majestic, Suna was a difficult route and it was obvious that the bird knew the route well enough to survive the sand storm. He opened the panes and the bird dropped off a small scroll, quickly flying off as soon as he had untied it.

"He's alive. We're coming to Suna." An elegant handwriting. Purposeful.

His heart pounded. This meant a lot of things for both nations. It would take them 2 more days to arrive. He would go back to work tomorrow morning and brief Gaara. He read the message again. It meant a lot of things for Ino and Inojin too and he was so glad.

He went to get a glass of water and saw Ino smiling slightly as she stirred in her sleep. He smiled in a bittersweet way. He would never get to hold her, never get to kiss her or show her how much he truly loved her.

But as long as she was loved, even if it wasn't by him and she was safe, well fed and happy, it was enough for him. After all, he always did well in the shadows.