Blue eyes fluttered open. A heart beat calmed down. Ino blinked as she stared at the ceiling above her. She could hear the energetic buzz of Konoha outside the window. She could smell the clean scent of a hospital. Her head throbbed, but her mind was clear. Open. Suddenly she felt so alive. She sat up and glanced around the room.

She was in the hospital. How did she get here? Ino rubbed her aching temples and then glanced at the door. Then her eyes widened. It was like a whole new world opened before her. She opened her mouth to call for someone, but her throat was dry. Her hand automatically clutched her neck.

Her necklace was gone! The necklace Sasuke gave her was gone!

Where did it go?

Ino turned to look outside the window. Konoha. When did she get here? Ino frowned. The last thing she can remember was cooking dinner and then something hit her on the head. That was in Suna. So how did she get here? Ino pulled her eyebrows together as she tried to scramble her scattered memories together. So many things were streaming through her mind.

The door opened. Ino looked up, hoping to it was someone who could help her. Ino smiled. It was Naruto. Naruto blinked at Ino's sudden smile, but returned it anyway.

"You're awake," Naruto commented. Ino nodded and then her eyes darted down to the infant cuddled in the Hokage's arms. Ino blinked. Where did the baby come from?

"Who is that?" Ino asked. Images of two infants flashed through her mind as well as Neji and Hiashi holding them. Ino frowned. When did this happen?

Naruto quirked an eyebrow, "It's Ichiro. Don't you remember?"

"Oh. Hinata gave birth? When?" Ino asked. Naruto gaped. Ino chuckled. He looked like a fish opening and closing his mouth like that. In an instant, the Hokage turned around and scurried out of the room.

"Gaara! Gaara! Gaara!" Naruto yelled so loud, the entire Fire Nation probably heard him, "Ino remembers! She remembers!"

Ino heard the skeptical tone of Minami, "Calm down, idiot. What about Ino?" Minami was here? When did she get here?

Naruto's voice was heard next, "She remembers!"

A familiar red head appeared in Ino's room next. He stood rigid at the door, his turquoise eyes burning with hope. Ino found it odd that he suddenly seemed so distant. She smiled. Gaara smiled in return.

"Hey," Ino grinned.

Gaara remained where he stood, "Do you really remember...?"

Ino kicked her legs over the edge of her bed, "Not completely. I remember the main events of my life though."

Gaara narrowed his eyes, "When was our wedding?"

"Two years ago on the seventh of March," Ino replied in a blink. Gaara sighed in relief and then he relaxed.

"You remember," he whispered. Ino nodded. Silence enveloped them. Their eyes met and suddenly it felt like they haven't seen each other in years. Ino removed the needle from her arm and slowly approached Gaara. Her head ached, but she ignored the pain. All she wanted was to collapse in his arms. Ino stumbled, but luckily Gaara stepped forward and caught her before she could collide with the floor. Ino smiled as she buried her face in his chest. His warmth circled around her. This is where she belonged.

"I missed you," she mumbled. Gaara's grip on her tightened.

"I was always there, wasn't I?" Gaara asked.

"True," she whispered, "but it wasn't the same."

Ino pulled away so that she could look Gaara in the eye. He leaned closer, she stood on her toes and then for what seemed like the first time in years their lips met. Warm, soft and perfect. Ino clutched unto Gaara's shirt as their lips brushed together. He buried his hands in her soft blonde hair, she pulled on his shirt.

"Shush, Naruto," Minami warned outside the door. Ino's eyes shot open. Those little sneaks. They were spying on them! Minami laughed nervously and waved and then pushed Naruto away. Ino pulled away.

"Where's Sakura?" Ino asked.

"She went in labor while you were unconscious," Gaara replied. Ino's eyes widened.

"She's in labor? Isn't it too early?" Ino gasped.

"Only two weeks," Gaara stated. Ino's heart clenched. She must have worried Sakura and the stress put the poor woman in labor. So many things were happening at the same time. Ino tightened her fists. She felt so...lost, yet she felt like herself again. It was a strange feeling. Ino buried her face in Gaara's chest again.

"I love you," she whispered.

"I love you too," Gaara whispered back.

Ino ignored the nurse and scurried along the corridors of the hospital until she reached the maternity ward where Sakura and Lee would be. On her way, she spotted Gai with a energetic Uzuna sitting on his lap. Ino smiled. Gai looked like such a natural with children. Uzuna seemed to be attached to the man since she often wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed his forehead. It was cute.

"Gai-sensei," Ino called as she came to a halt beside him. Gai looked up and blinked.

"Oh, youthful Ino!" Gai exclaimed, "Perfect timing!"

Ino sweat dropped. Some things never change, "How is she?"

Gai poked Uzuna's forehead, which caused her to giggle, "She's doing wonderfully. This is the second time, so the labor should run more smoothly."

Ino sighed in relief, "Thank goodness. My amnesia must have caused a lot of stress for her."

Gai said nothing, but his eyes sparkled with joy. A few minutes passed and then the wailing of a baby echoed from the room opposite where Ino stood as well as the excited laughs of Lee. Ino couldn't hear Sakura at all, the woman was probably tired – or maybe Lee was just noisy. Gai jumped up with Uzuna in his arms. He looked genuinely excited. The door burst open and Lee twirled -yes, twirled- out with a huge grin plastered on his face.

"It's a boy!" he exclaimed as tears started to flow down his cheeks. Uzuna lifted her arms in the air and shrieked.

"I'm sister! I'm sister!" Uzuna sang. Gai burst into tears as well and together the teacher and student started to twirl. Uzuna giggled as Gai threw her into the air and then caught her again. Ino could only watch and laugh. Gaara joined her.

"They are always so energetic," he stated. Ino nodded. Gaara took Ino's hand in his and their fingers locked. Ino smiled. Soon, they will have a family of their own too.

Ino was discharged later that day. Truthfully, the doctor wanted her to stay longer, but Ino refused and Minami believed that no real harm was done to Ino. Ino visited Sakura before they left and got to meet the newest edition to their family. A little boy with dark hair and green eyes. He looked a lot like his father, but had his mother's nose and eyes. Sakura did not yet have a name for him, so she asked Ino to name him. Ino was reluctant at first, but her best friend squeezed her hand and smiled weakly.

As tears rolled down her cheeks, Ino whispered, "Katsuo."

"Hello, Papa," Ino grinned when they arrived home. Inoichi stared and then pulled his daughter into a tight embrace.

"You remember, right? You remember?" he asked. Ino nodded. Ino's mother joined and the three held each other as they smiled. Otome sat in the living room, her knees pulled against her chest and her head hung low. Ino pulled away from her doting parents' embrace and sat down next to her sister. Otome refused to look up.

"Otome," Ino whispered. Otome still did not respond. Ino sighed and patted her sister's shoulder, "It's alright. I love you."

Otome looked up, tears flowing down her cheeks, "O-nee-sama!" The younger girl collapsed into her sister' arms and sobbed. Ino smiled and patted he sister's hair. Inoichi, his wife and Gaara watched the two with smiles on their faces.

"So," Inoichi spoiled the moment, "what will happen now?"

Ino and Gaara glanced at each other.

"Well, we're going back," Ino stated, "however, I have some unfinished business before that."

The rest all quirked an eyebrow while Ino smiled wickedly.

The wind was chilly as it passed through the trees. Kankuro ignored the noise of the rattling branches above him and remained sitting on the cold rock with his knees drawn against his chest and his arms wrapped around himself for warmth. Sulking was his new found hobby.

Footsteps approached him from behind, but Kankuro didn't dare to turn around and determine the source. He just wanted to be left alone. The sun set hours ago, the night danced above him. He had no source of light, nor did he have something for warmth. He didn't care. If he could freeze, then perhaps all his shame will disappear. Sulking was definitely his new found hobby.

"Are you just going to sit there and mope for the rest of your life?" asked a very familiar voice. Kankuro knew that voice. It belonged to his little brother. The cute monster he always hated and then came to admire when the boy hit the teenage years. Kankuro smiled at himself. At least he could hear his brother's voice one more time before he truthfully vanished.

"Kankuro," another voice called. It was a woman. At first he thought it belonged to his sister. He always found Temari annoying, but he even came to admire her over the years. But, this voice was way to feminine for Temari.

"Leave me alone," Kankuro moaned. He knew who it was behind him. There was only one person witch a voice like hers.

Gaara sighed, "Why did you leave Suna so abruptly?"

No reply.

"Temari is worried sick," another male voice added. Shikamaru. Even he was here. That means Temari was either with them, or she was home with his niece. Kankuro smiled at the thought of Kagome. Sweet little Kagome. She was a angel most of the time, but it seems she has inherited her mother's attitude and her father's intelligence.

"Kankuro," Ino repeated. Kankuro ignored her. There was no way he could face her after what he has done.

"Are you going to keep running away?" Gaara asked.

"You don't understand," Kankuro mumbled, "I never meant for any of this to happen."

"For what to happen?" Shikamaru asked. He was clearly lost in the conversation. Ino and Gaara on the other hand knew exactly what was going on.

Ino stepped forward, "I'm not mad."

Kankuro grumbled, "How can you ever forgive me?"

Gaara sighed, "I already have. Accidents happen, Kankuro."

Kankuro finally turned around, "Oh yeah? Well, this accident just happened to erase my brother's wife's memories!"

Silence followed after Kankuro's outburst. His eyes met with the blue orbs of the woman that stole his brother's heart. She was smiling. Genuinely smiling. There was no anger. No regret. There was only a warm smile that wanted Kankuro to come home.

"She might not remember everything," Gaara pointed out, "but, she will...one day."

Kankuro stared shocked at his family, then he sighed, "Guess I can't remain like this forever."

Gaara and Ino grinned while Shikamaru scratched the back of his head, "Wait, Kankuro...you were the one who hit Ino over the head?"

A nod.

"What possessed you to do that?" Shikamaru asked as he tried to hold back a laugh.

Kankuro snarled, "I thought she was a...a...intruder."

Shikamaru blinked and then burst out laughing. Gaara and Ino followed, leaving Kankuro angry and pouting. But as he watched his family laugh happiness filled the void inside of him.

And so under the full moon, Kankuro laughed with them.

Ino rolled over and came face-to-face with Gaara's back. She smiled and pulled the blankets higher. The desert got rather chilly at night. Luckily she had a wonderful husband who kept her warm. Slowly she poked his back.

"Gaara," she whispered. No response. She poked him again, harder this time. Once again, no response. She poked him several times, each time harder than before.

"Hm?" came a muffled response after several attempts of poking.

"Hamburger," Ino whispered, "with extra pickles."

Gaara sat up and groaned, "Alright, alright. What else?"

Ino grinned, "Chocolate mousse."

Gaara kicked his legs over the edge of the bed and got dressed. Ino watched him with a prideful smile on her face as she watched the most handsome man dress under the moonlight.

"And mustard. Remember the mustard," Ino warned. She received a nod in return. Then the Kazekage disappeared in a swirl of sand to buy his pregnant wife the food she craved.

Ino could not fall back asleep, so she decided to make herself some tea. She silently climbed down the stairs so that she did not awake the rest of the household. Kankuro returned with them, so their home was once again a whole. Temari was so grateful that she kissed Ino at least ten times on the cheeks. Ino could do nothing but laugh.

It was good to be home.

Ino was halfway finished with her tea when a bag of items was placed before her and a very tired Gaara collapsed in the seat opposite her.

"Have some tea," Ino pointed out. Gaara poured himself a cup and they sat together in silence. It was nice.

"I noticed," Ino suddenly broke the silence, "that we are out of cherry tomatoes."

"So?" Gaara asked.

"So, we're out of cherry tomatoes."

Gaara groaned, "Alright, alright. But, please just let me sleep!"

It was that one day of the week where Ino was in charge of shopping along with Temari and Kagome. The three usually woke up early and set out for the market. Temari would buy Kagome a large lollipop to entertain herself with and then the two women would shop for food and other household items.

They were greeted by numerous people. Some were complete strangers who simply bowed to show respect to the wife and sister of the Kazekage. It was flattering, but something it got annoying.

"Look, Ino!" Temari called, "These are so really cheap!"

Ino bent over to have a look at the produce, only to feel a strange sensation run through her. She stood back up in an instant and blinked.

"Temari," she mumbled as she reached for her sister-in-law and grabbed her arm. Temari frowned.

"Yes?"

"I think my water just broke!" Ino exclaimed.

"What?" Temari shrieked and then she turned to the clerk of the fruit stall, "Don't just stand there! Help me get the woman to the hospital!"

The clerk hurriedly obeyed the woman's orders.

The joyful cries of a baby echoed through the room as Koga lifted the small bundle and handed it to Ino.

"Well done, Lady Ino," Koga smiled, "it's a healthy baby boy."

Ino took her son from the doctor and smiled through tears of joy as she watched the small bundle of joy. Gaara sat beside them, a smile present on his face and his eyes shining with pride.

"Our son," Gaara whispered. Ino nodded. Gaara reached out to stroke his son's small red locks. A strange feeling washed over his insides. Gaara could still not believe that he was a father. That months earlier he watched Naruto with Ichiro and found himself wishing he had a little boy to coddle. Now he did.

"I'm a aunt!" Temari exclaimed as she picked up Kagome and twirled the girl in circles. Kagome giggled. Kankuro nodded proudly and Shikamaru...well he was Shikamaru.

"What will you name him?" Temari asked a she set Kagome down.

"Mamoru," Ino and Gaara said proudly in unison. Temari grinned, Kankuro nodded and Shikamaru patted his daughter's head.

"Can I hold him?" Kagome asked. Ino nodded. With the help of Shikamaru, Kagome climbed onto Ino's bed and sat down. Slowly, Ino lowered Mamoru into Kagome eager arms and lap, so that his weight would not overpower the little girl. She watched him in amazement.

"He's beautiful," Temari stated. Shikamaru and Kankuro could not agree more.

"Momma, can I have one?" Kagome asked. Temari blinked.

"I think you're too young to have a baby, my dear," Temari laughed.

Kagome pouted, "Can I have brother, then?"

Temari blushed and glanced at Shikamaru who's face remained passive, "Ask your daddy, dear."

Kagome stared at her father with hopeful eyes. He groaned and rubbed the back of his head, "It's troublesome...I'll think about it."

"Yay!" Kagome exclaimed.

"Now then," Temari changed the subject, "Aunt Ino must be tired, so let us leave her and Mamoru alone for awhile, okay?"

The group left, leaving Ino and Gaara alone. Gaara kissed Ino's forehead.

"He's beautiful," he whispered. Mamoru was fast asleep in Ino's arms.

"Yes," she breathed.

A few years later...

Ino hummed while she prepared breakfast for her growing family. Kankuro was officially engaged, Kagome got her wish and ended up gaining two brothers instead of one! She found it funny that the two boys were identical. Shikamaru simply found them a 'drag' but still loved them. Mamoru was a energetic toddler who soon was going to become an older brother. He wasn't looking forward to it, which surprised almost everyone in the family.

"Morning, beautiful," Gaara whispered in Ino's ear. She shrieked at the sudden appearance. She turned around and wrapped her arms around his neck.

"Don't sneak up on me like that!" she scolded. Gaara smirked and then leaned down to kiss her. Their tongues rubbed together while Ino buried her fingers in Gaara's hair.

"Ew," came a tiny voice from the doorway, "Ma and Pa are kissing!"

Gaara and Ino pulled away, breathless and embarrassed as they noticed that Kagome and Mamoru was standing in the doorway. Kagome was grinning evilly while Mamoru was making gagging noises.

"What are you two doing spying on us, hm?" Gaara asked.

"We were not spying!" Kagome giggled.

"Oh really?" Gaara chuckled darkly, "Because I think the Cookie Monster is going to catch you!"

Mamoru and Kagome shrieked as Gaara started chasing them, making funny noises and claiming he was the 'Cookie Monster'. Ino chuckled and returned to what she was doing before her husband sneaked up on her. A sudden memory etched into her mind. Ino looked up, shocked.

In an instant she spun around and scurried out of the kitchen, up the stairs and into her room. She opened the cupboard doors and immediately started rummaging through her stuff. Boxes, clothes, shoes and other junk ended up being scattered on the floor until she finally found what she was looking for. A small jewelry box so old, the color was fading. With a smile she pulled it closer and opened it. The ballerina inside started twirling to the tune. There it was. The one treasure Ino thought she lost. How could she forget that this was where she put it? With a smile she reached down and picked up the item into her hand.

"What are you doing?" Gaara asked from where he stood leaning against the doorway with his arms crossed. Ino glanced at him and smiled.

"Put this on for me?" she asked. Gaara glanced at the item in her hand and his eyes widened. He stepped closer, took the item from her hand and carefully placed it around her neck and fastened it. Afterward he wrapped his arms around her waist and kissed her neck. Ino giggled and trailed her fingers over the gem that hung around her neck.

'You're watching us, aren't you...Sasuke?'

She might not remember everything clearly, but deep down the memories were waiting to be discovered. Slowly but surely, Ino was getting back up on her feet and she had the most wonderful family to support her way through the journey one calls life.

The End.

Can you guess what Ino found in the jewelry box?
And that concludes Hearts Grow. Thanks to all my readers for enduring with me through this! I love you all!