Chapter 1: Empty Point

Warnings: None, really. Though you should be notified there's quite a lot of Konoha junk.

A/N: My first posted fanfic. ^^ I really hope you enjoy it!

Update: I have updated this fic multiple times in hopes of improving the
writing of the weak chapters. ^^;

Ino's feet moved swiftly across the ground as she tailed after the ominous shadow ahead of her. The figure was too swift and evasive for her, motivating her to mold her chakra onto the soles of her feet as she launched forward. The raven-haired shinobi churned his head, the dangerous realization that the Yamanaka was nearing him flooding in. Hastily, he jumped out of sight. The blonde kunoichi blinked. Where did he go? Her mental thought was quickly answered as gentle rustling in the bushes a few meters away from her brushed against her senses. She trailed after the sound, slowing down her pace as she neared the source. Ino peeked through to see the man standing in an open field. He was still, so vulnerable, his back facing her.

Ino smirked. The dirty, bearded ass was just a few meters away. Now all she needed to do was perform her Shintenshin no Jutsu, retrieve the scroll from his pockets and then, success. Ino formed the first hand seal of the jutsu before cupping her front fingers and thumbs into a rectangle. The seal was formed firmly, chakra running through it, and she pushed her seal forward.

Shintenshin no Jutsu.

And with that,she felt her senses began to fade into sheer darkness.

"Ino...! Wake up already, will you?" She found herself hearing. Oddly enough, she was isolated in eerie darkness, yet an untouchable sense of the presence of others surrounded her. The voice belonged to Asuma-sensei, and she mustered as much strength as she could handle. Her eyes slowly lifted, fluttering open.

"What...happened?" She croaked. The last thing she remembered was performing her Shintenshin no Jutsu, but nothing else. She did not remember taking the scroll from her victim as she planned. Amnesia? Memory loss?

In that familiar, lazy tone of his, Shikamaru elaborated. "We found you lying on the ground unconscious. You didn't have any bruises or cuts or anything so we're guessing you missed your jutsu..." His thin lips curved curtly.

She missed her jutsu? They did the work for her? A tight clench at her chest caused her to draw a swift, shallow breath as she lugged her body upright. "Wait, how could I have missed the jutsu? My aim was perfect!" She stated with protest, bewildered at such nonsense - though she knew that her gentle clamoring was just an excuse to defend her own reputation and display from her teammates. There was no way that she could've missed!

"Yeah, well, that's what I thought too. It turned out to be genjutsu though," Once more, his lip curved in lacklustre. "He countered my Kagemane no Jutsu."

So the man had been planning that the whole time. He was more intelligent than he seemed. A mental cuss whispered viciously - Ino didn't know what to say, lost for words, lost for thoughts. Blank. "...Oh...so...you got the scroll back?" An idiotic question, it was, considering they had already done their jobs.

Choji held up the scroll between his meaty fingers. "Right here."

"What about the other scrolls? Did you guys get your assigned victim?" She asked, persistent on having someone unsuccessful with her. It may have been selfish, it may have been wrong, but if she was going to go down, then having someone else would ease things out; cynical, it was.

"Geez, what's with all the questions?" The Nara sighed, prominently exasperated. "Yes, we got them all."

Their mission was to capture every member in the criminial cult so Shikamaru suggested for them to be assigned a certain victim to make things easier and run a lot smoothly. So everybody in Team 10 was able to get capture their assigned criminal. Except for her. Her face fell, as her insides twisted with the feeling of being degraded.

Asuma's eyes locked on her, feeling her discomfort rise to its peak. "Hey, it's alright, Ino. Remember, you guys were just replacing the Jonins that were supposed to be on this mission. This is much more advanced for a Chunin." Comforting wasn't his best point, though he had tried.

Yeah right. So why was everyone else able to get their target except for me? The words may have been inward, but Ino stifled the urge to screech them loud enough for everyone to rock with confusion and shock. Yet, at the same time, it could've just left as a baby's whisper.

"Alright, let's head back to the village now." Shikamaru cut her thoughts, strolling past the trees as Ino frantically rose and strode after.

Ino leaped onto her bed, plummeting on her back with shame. Why was she so useless? In every single mission, success may have been captured, but... she didn't do anything in any. Two and a half years ago, she had considered herself futile; and now that she was a medic-nin, things...didn't seem to change. The frustrating thoughts crowded into her mind, pricking at her most unbearable ideas until she fell into an unnerving slumber that had yet to prove their worthy.

The Yamanaka felt her eyes flutter open at the beating, irritating Sun. Releasing a loud yawn, she hauled herself up, flexing her arms before ambling across the room. The blonde eyed herself in the mirror inquisitively, realizing the mess she was and how she had not changed when she got back from the night before. Her hair was still up in its perky ponytail. Scornfully perceiving herself with one last glance, she scurried into the bathroom, taking a shower. Once finished, her usual purple top and skirt served their purpose and traced her figure, as her long bangs draped over one side of her face. Her netted shorts were concealed by her violet skirt, though it didn't matter too much. Her cerulean eyes roved over her figure, nodding in satisfaction at how she looked.

The kunoichi quickly rushed out of her house, in hopes of finding someone she could comfortably confess her incident to. She scanned the crowd of people, careful on who to choose, though most were villagers and strangers that had yet to be met.

Stranger, stranger...Naruto. Ino grimaced; she definitely was not going to confide in Naruto, that big mouth. A streak of pink strands caught her eye and she quickly waved, her hand swishing against the gentle, silent breeze.

"Sakura! Over here!" Her voice called, reaching the Haruno's ears.

Sakura twirled around gracefully, lips curing into a delicate smile as Ino skirted through the chain of people. "So, where are you headed to?" Ino inquired once caught up, attempting to start a good conversation that could melt her jumping nerves and twisting mind.

"Oh, I was just headed to Tsunada-sama's office."

Ino rolled her eyes. "Seriously, again?" How typical.

The rose-haired kunoichi giggled. "Well, gotta do something. Wanna come?"

"Why else would I be walking with you?" Ino snorted with a gentle, vibrant chuckle.

As the two females ambled, they talked about their medical training. The two debated over processes, operations and precision of how things were meant to be taken. They clamored and quarreled, persuading one another into believing their own side. While walking down the hallway that lead to the Hokage's office, the news about her mission swamped her thoughts. Confiding in Sakura would be a good remedy, wouldn't it? Her lips parted to speak, but before she could, Sakura had swung the door open. What? Her eyes scanned the room, the bewilderment eroding past her skin, the orbs widening in shock.

Shikamaru quickly whirled around, his alarmed eyes expanding as if he had just been caught doing a crime.

"Uh, Ino," Asuma ran his hand through his tousled hair.

Ino's gaze flitted around the room once more, registering every single person; Team 10, Hokage, Shizune, Sakura, herself, Tonton. "Something up here, Sensei?"

"Well, um, Ino we're-" Choji began, feeling pitiful for his kunoichi teammate.,

She interceded with her own words, slicing his words off with a deadly glance. "Shut it. I'm asking Asuma-sensei - the leader of the team." The ordering matter of her voice was almost reprimanding. A disdainful sneer tugged on her lips as she turned expectantly to the nervous Jonin, her arms folding together with a knowing look. Ino's heart pulsated frantically, as he did not say anything in response; she was not ready to accept the tiny truth. Not yet. "So we're all going on another mission?" She questioned, glimpsing at the expression on everyone's face, any hope dropping with an icy barrier.

Shikamaru sighed. "Ino..." He sighed, a pinch of sympathy knitting his words. "it's just us. You're not coming."

Ah, shit. "What? Why not?" Her mouth tugged back, her teeth barring as if she were ready to snarl and growl.

Choji hesitated. "Uh, there's no specific reason..."

"Hey, this isn't about the last few missions, is it?" The anger ran through her veins, tangling with her dubious thoughts. "I mean, we're a team after all..."

Shikamaru averted his gaze. "Ino, it's nothing serious." He reassured her - and rather weakly at that.

"Then tell me." The Yamanaka simply demanded, hope engulfing her chest, despite the fact that she knew why. But still, she was persistent.

"Alright, why don't you guys just take this conversation outside?" Shizune nervously sliced through their conversation, the hot air strangely turning icy cold. Ino discharged a sigh, her eyebrows knitting. Oh, great... Team 10 strode into the hallway, leaving the office and exiting the building.

"Well?" Ino bound her thin eyebrows as they stepped onto the ground.

Asuma sighed, the truthful words escaping his mouth. "Alright Ino, we just thought that you could take some time off from missions to...well, train."

Being squashed under a boulder was how it felt. "So...you're saying I need to improve..." Her chest tightened as she sucked in deep air; it had to be noticeable sometime. There were no excuses when your flaws were witnessed.

"Everyone needs to improve, Ino." Choji commented supportively, offering her a cracked chip.

Yeah, well, you're excluding me from the mission... Don't try that on me. Her nostrils flared, as she stifled the words, managing to keep her mouth shut from shooting anything out that could very well shatter her dignity, or anyone else's.

Her mouth wavered dangerously. "Okay.", was all she choked out before strolling away, leaving the rest of her team staring at her with doubtful, guilty orbs that would've haunted herself with guilt, if not for her anger that shadowed any resistance to continue forward.

She returned. Even after recovering and incorporating medical ninjutsu on herself, her arms and back were still battered, being in terrible condition as they stung with immense affliction that stabbed through her skin. Ino discharged a sigh; she had done the training. She had done tons of training. Suicide, almost. Her teammates were probably off on their mission, whilst she stood at the entrance of the flower shop. The sweet aroma of wild and tame flowers filled her nostrils before spreading through her whole body. Oh, how she wished she could move around. The smell of flowers would've been the best medication for her.

"Ino?" Inoichi, her father, strode into her sight, greeting her with a grave, unwelcoming expression. "What happened?" His lion eyebrow cocked quizzically, his eyes grazing her with examining intent. She swallowed; her father was quite stern at times.

Ino's voice masked well. "Yes...?"

"Did something happen?" His words were coated with expectancy, as his gaze laid upon her.

The words played in her head, as she faltered. "I was training," Her throat cleared as she fixed her gaze to the ground. "just to, you know, get better."

Skeptically, he cocked his head to the side, before scanning her once more. "Hm, yes, training is good."

That's true.

"Ino?" A light, feminine voice called. Ino recognized the voice immediately. She whirled around, her cerulean eyes locking into the jade eyes of Sakura. Behind the emerald moss, there was a considerate, caring shadow - what linked them as 'friends', despite their rivalry.

"Obviously." She chuckled.

Sakura rolled her eyes, before glancing back. "What happened this afternoon?"

Ino cringed; a subject she was rather touchy on. "Some training pizazz is all." She mumbled, coyly twirling her corn silk locks with her finger as her eyes flickered away indifferently. No big deal... She wished she could believe it. What if she would never change?

"Oh, really?" She tilted her head dubiously, eyes narrowing with skepticism. "C'mon Ino; you and I both now there's something bothering you."

She vacillated, but the words spluttering from her lips was a submission. "My team didn't want me to come on the mission because they thought I wasn't skilled enough." The words burned so badly, smoldering in her throat like flames.

"Oh..." Sakura turned away. "You just need to improve a bit, is all. That's not too bad, right?"

She drew a shallow breath. "Yeah, I guess not..." You don't understand...

"Alright then." Sakura felt a smile of relief tug on the tips of her thin lips.

The blonde plastered a fake, sweet smile on her face. "Thanks... I trained a bit harder today."

"Well, no problem. You need the improvement." Sakura beamed lightly before comprehension flowed through her of the last few words that had slipped out of her mouth. Ino just stood there, staring with wide, light cerulean eyes at her. Another unintentional diss. Just what I needed.

"'Kay, it's late. We're closing. Get out." The blonde kunoichi muttered bitterly and pointed at the door.

Sakura scurried out, a knot of guilt and anger entangled.

After taking a longer shower, the Yamanaka finally got snug in her bed. The bed stood against the wall, next to a window so that she had an open view on the glowing moon. The flawless, bright sphere was shining so brightly with evasive luminescence. She exhaled loudly, pulling her knees to her chest. The rest of her team were probably out of the village already. She closed her eyes and mentally wished them good luck. Despite this, Ino was still upset. Sakura's words echoed in her head. 'You need the improvement.' That nerve...the next time Ino saw Sakura and her large forehead, she was going to gift her a punch. But then again, Sakura was right; She needed the improvement. She had failed too many times on the mission. How many missions? About...6, 7, 8, 9...

9 missions she had done nothing. She couldn't do that again.

So Ino, you better get stronger before other people doubt and deny you! Her mind screamed.

Her eyes flitted open, a new glow shielding them. Ino laid her back down on her soft bed and pulled her thick covers over her figure, the thought still in her mind. Ino almost whimpered - she had to grow stronger.

The dim cave with walls that echoed of darkness was not empty. Inside, behind the murky, clammy rocks that shielded the rocky floor were S-ranked criminals that have scarred many lives from before, and continue to do so. The multi-colored holograms circled their holographic leader, some stern and austere, others free-spirited and outgoing. Murky droplets of water plummeted on the cold floor, dripping and echoing like the call of a dying fish.

"Deidara, this is where one of the families from this clan reside." The deep voice of the leader said, tossing a picture to one of the holograms.

"A flower shop, un?" An inquisitive simper marked his face. "This should be complex." One of the holograms, Deidara, spoke, slight fascination and curiosity portrayed by his eyes.

"We only need one person from the clan; their abilities will be used to aid us in gathering the information that our victim here holds." Pein gestured to the unconscious male body lying in the middle of their large circle, as everyone gazed wantingly, mockingly and bloodthirstily at him.

He voiced, "Konohagakure, un?" A hint of scorn smoldered his tone, but he swallowed quickly to conceal any reluctance.

"Yes. This is a simple, quick mission that will be done solo. Complete the task soon." Pein spoke, his eyes set on him with full confidence.

Compelling, it seemed - what artistic aspects of a Yamanaka would fascinate or disgust him? If any artistic points at all. His eyes flickered around the room before setting with simple ease. "Understood. I'll have captured a Yamanaka within a week, un." Deidara declared.

A/N: How was that? :D Hope you liked it-!

Review please. xoxo.