Short, but I have a lot due at school tomorrow.
I know I haven't updated anything. No excuses but I am busy writing another fanfic and a story.
"I think you like one or both of them." Sakura, ever so blunt.
"Maybe, but I refuse to acknowledge such feelings for them."
Sakura rolled her eyes and took a long swallow from her virgin martini, "You only say that because of Kankuro, forget him, it was a mutual break up. Now, help me up." Ino stared at her. "Did you really think I'd get a virgin martini?"
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"Gawd, you've gained weight, Forehead." Ino gasped as she took another heavy step up the long and winding trail that was to Sakura's home. Sakura was out cold. Surprisingly the girl had very low tolerance to alcohol.
"If I had known you would have ordered a regular martini, I would have too." Ino pouted, feeling left out. She finally reached the top of Sakura's hill and collapsed, dropping her cargo.
The loud scream of Ino and the thud that followed alerted Sasuke who was waiting silently for Sakura. He quickly bolted out the door to check on her and upon finding her ok, helped Ino up.
"Are you okay?" He looked at her blankly. Sasuke was never friendly with her, but his relationship with Sakura caused him to grow a certain respect for the blonde that could boss around the bossiest.
Ino groaned and rubbed her shoulder. "You're girlfriend weighs a ton! No offense of course, but owie!" She pouted openly and Sasuke just shrugged, picking up his girlfriend. "Wait!" Ino ran to the stoic man, "Has Sakura told you about my situation?" Ino looked down slightly embarrassed.
"Yes."
"What do you think I should do? I mean, I know you don't have feelings-,"
Sasuke sighed loudly and tipped his head to look at Ino. "Don't tell anyone I told you this, but I think you should not pick one." Ino's eyes widened and he just glared at her again, "Don't get me wrong, I do have feelings, but the choice you have is much harder than what me and Sakura had to go through. You either have to decide to hurt one and love one or leave them both."
Ino exhaled a breath she didn't know she kept. "Can I stay here tonight?" She asked shyly. Sasuke rolled his eyes and nodded.
The next few mornings Ino woke up bright and early, but today she woke up earlier than usual. Her mind was made up after a few days of…talking to herself and her friends. She had decided to stay secluded in Sakura's home for three days.
After she showered and got dressed in her most comfortable ninja clothes she pinned up her hair and wrapped it so only her eyes showed. Her body was covered in a dark purple fabric.
She had to admit it wasn't her bravest decision, but it was the easiest. After all, she only had to get three things, but she still classified this as an A class mission.
Mission: Break into Kotetsu and Izumo's home and steal three items.
It wasn't guilt that made her pause at Sakura's front door. It was regret and pain. She just sighed and smiled though no one could see it, it was more for her own benefit than anyone else's.
As she sped through the trees she understood why she never woke before 6 am. It was creepy without the loud sounds of the markets and ninja training. She shivered at the thought she might actually get away with this.
Finally reaching the house she silently opened the window and went in through the second story floor. She took a steadying breath and walked to her old bed. It took her a few moments to notice something odd.
It was empty. Actually, her whole room was empty.
Next thing she knew four figures jumped her and she woke up tied to a chair. Her mask was off and her hair was a mess.
Chouji walked out of the darkness. "Chouji?" She asked, squinting. He nodded and pulled out a bag of chips.
"We finished early and the Hokage said she had a new mission for us." At Ino's confused looked he continued. "We know of your love problems."
"I don't have love problems!" Ino yelled back, trying to find her hidden kunai, but they were gone.
"You have a fear of commitment, troublesome woman." Shikamaru held her kunai, looking rather bored. "This is a troublesome thing we're doing for you and a favor to Sakura and the Hokage. I'll have you know for a fact that I don't enjoy stupidity." Ino's eyes twitched and she was about to start yelling at him when he turned her head to look straight at him.
"Ino, pick one and get over with it."
"But-," "No buts, now." This was unlike him but she decided to ignore it.
In her mind Kotetsu's wild looks and Izumo's soft nature flashed through her mind. It was almost impossible to even think of picking one when both were so different.
"I…I pick Kotetsu." She winced, but only slightly. Shikamaru sighed and Kotetsu walked to her with a large smile on his face. He cut her binds and brought her up in a long and passionate kiss.
"I knew you'd pick me." He smiled and kissed her again. Ino couldn't help the guilt she felt, but she didn't stop kissing him back.
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;D Second to last chapter.
KotetsuxInoxIzumo is super hard to write so this story will be short, but I'm hoping after I finish this and another fanfic to write more and more Kotetsu and Izumo stories :D