Ino Blink of the Eye

10. The Hyuuga mission – Hinata’s defeat.


Ino watched her friends make their way down the street and carefully shifted the bouquet in her hand. This would work, she was sure of it. And then Kiba would be happy, her mother would stop bugging her and the girl would blossom under his caring attention.
Another few feet and the two had reached her location.
“Oh, Ino. What are you doing?” Sakura said.
“Hmm, oh just waiting for the delivery man to take these flowers for me.” She said.
“They are so beautiful. Who are they for?” The medic chuunin said.
“I really can’t tell you. It’s a professional secret.” She explained.
“I know. I could deliver them for you. So they wouldn’t be late. We don’t mind, do we Kasumi?” she said.
“Oh, that would be nice of you. Okay, they are for Hinata.” She said.
“Hinata? Who is sending Hinata a big batch of flowers like this?” Sakura asked.
“Is it Naruto-kun?” Kasumi added her own question.
“Kasumi, you don’t know Naruto very well do you?” Sakura asked her friend.
“No. Not really, why?” the curly haired girl asked.
“Because, Naruto likes Hinata enough, but not that way. See Naruto is kind of hooked on someone else. It’s a long story. I’ll tell you all about it while we take Hinata her flowers.” And the two girls headed off.
Ino went back into the shop and waited until her plan took affect.

Kiba was sitting under the tree that Ino had asked him to meet her at. He pulled out her note once more and read it carefully.

Kiba,
Meet me at the big elm tree at noon. I have something important to tell you. Don’t tell anyone that you are meeting me.
Me.

Ino must have been drinking. The note made no sense. But he was here and had nothing else to do, so he waited.

Hinata walked through the forest and made her way to the big elm tree. She had gotten the beautiful flowers and read the note, without showing it to Sakura and the curly haired girl that had always made her nervous. She pulled it out and read it once more.

Hinata
I have an important confession to make to you. Please come to the big elm at noon. I don’t think I will be able to get my nerve up again.
A friend.


Ino stood at the edge of the trees and watched the Hyuuga girl move toward the tree and the waiting Inuzuka. She smiled as they greeted each other and exchanged some words. She could only hear a few words but they were the right words and she was sure that things would work out.

Kiba watched Hinata cross the distance and looked down at the paper in his hands. Maybe it wasn’t Ino that had sent him the note. He smiled as the thought that the shy little Hinata wanted to tell him something important and he let his imagination supply him with possibilities.
Hinata saw the young man and the two dogs, and smiled to herself. Kiba had always reminded her of a romantic type and flowers were a lovely surprise for any girl.
She looked down at the note one last time before stuffing it in her pocket. If Kiba lost his nerve she would help him find it once again.

“Hinata it’s noon.”
“Yes, Kiba-kun. And this is the big elm.” She said.
“I think that we both know why we are here.” He told her.
“Yes. I think we do. Why did we wait so long, Kiba-kun?” she said.
“I was afraid and I guess you were too.” He told her.
“I am not afraid of you, . . . . Kiba.” She said. Kiba raised a hand and cupped her cheek. Hinata sighed and closed her eyes as the Inuzuka leaned in and kissed her, gently, softly and for what they both hoped, wasn’t the last time.

“What are you doing?” Genma asked the blonde as she hid behind a tree.
“Shhhh.” She said, clamping her hand over his mouth and holding it there.
Genma’s eyes went wide and he said nothing more. Ino pushed him through the trees never releasing his mouth until they were out of the hearing of the two in the glade.
“I thought you were some expert on stealth. You almost gave us away back there.”
“I am an expert. But, I wasn’t aware that there was a mission going on in the woods so close to the village. And against our own people, too.” He admonished her.
“Well, there was. It was the all-important Inuzuka/Hyuuga Mission. And I never fail a mission.” She told him.
“I see. So, it this anything like last years Anko/Raido mission? That was exciting.” He asked and she stared at him.
“You were the one who undertook that?” she said, her voice awed. “I almost believed that they found each other. Until I heard that they never had a chance.” She said, stifling a laugh.
“Do you ever wonder if someone is out there plotting your own demise?” he asked as he chuckled with her.
“I’ll be safe as long as it isn’t you that is out to get me hooked up with someone.” She said, patting his shoulder.
“And, I hope the same is not true for my own future.” He granted her. “As you are one of the few who know about the two babies from the sound, I thought you might want to know who had been given custody of them.”
“The babies. I would like to know.” She said, as they sat beneath a large spreading tree.
“The first child was given to Kakashi and Iruka. They named him, Hebichani. They had been preparing for this for the last few months. The second child was given to Izumo. He and Kotetsu have already established a house near the border of the village. They named him Shinja. The children will not be allowed access to each other.”
“That sounds kinda sad. Will I be allowed to visit them?” she asked.
“I’m sure that can be arranged. You do know of their secret, but we are trusting you with it.” He added.
“I won’t let you down, sir!” she said, in mock deference. “Let me know when I can go. I haven’t seen a newborn since Amisa-chan was born. Kurenai let me hold him, too.”
“I am sure that you will also be allowed to hold these boys. They are over two months old, and quite sturdy. I could not even damage them easily.”
“Don’t try to kid me, I bet you begged to hold them. Babies are irresistible.”
“Hnnnh.” He said, peeking through the trees to where the two new victims were walking away with Kiba’s arm possessively wrapped around Hinata’s shoulder.
“Are you sure about those two?” he asked.
“They are perfect for each other. And besides, now my mother will stop looking at wedding pictures for a while.” And Ino smiled her most wicked smiles.


The boys were three months old and Ino sat in Iruka’s kitchen, watching him test the temperature of the milk in the bottle. He handed it to her and she offered it to the baby in her arms.
This child, she had felt him. He was the baby that Tamika carried when Ino had inhabited her body. In a way Ino felt she was as much the baby’s mother as Tamika at the moment.
Now, his face lit up when she came to visit and he always finished the bottles that she gave him. It was amazing to her.
Iruka sat on the other chair and smiled at her as she made faces to the child.
“I heard how hard you worked to save him. Thank you, Ino.” He said.
“I wish his mother had lived. I liked Tamika. But, you and Kakashi are much more fit to raise a baby as special as little Hebi.” She admitted.
“This is the only chance I will have to raise a baby. And you helped make it possible. We owe you a great deal.” He said, as Kakashi entered the room and nodded to them.
“Well, I have a mission to go on. Bye my little Hebi-chan.” The copy ninja said, patting the baby’s head before placing a kiss on Iruka’s cheek. “I’ll be back in a few days.” He said as he headed out the door.
Ino smiled as she watched the interplay between the two Jounins. It was fun to see how so many of the inhabitants of the village had found the one person that they would want to spend the rest of their lives with.
Ino would have sighed but the baby fussed and she lifted him to her shoulder to pat his back and bring up a small burp.

Tsunade paced the room. It infuriated her when problems arose. Now she had another and she had just sent off every available Jounin this morning. Only Asuma and Genma were left and the prior had damaged his leg and really should be resting.
So, she had sent for the Shiranui man and was now waiting for him to arrive.
Genma tapped on the Hokage’s door and waited to be granted admittance.
The Godaime called out and he pushed the door open, standing just inside to assure himself of the rooms security.
“You called for me, Tsunade-sama?” he asked.
“Yes, Genma. There is a problem. Iyashi has escaped. And he knows about the babies.” She said.


::: Oh, no. How did he get away???

Ruka - You inspire me. Here's another chapter and a tissue for the last one.

vashta - I'm sorry. I guess you don't want to know that I am starting a Bleach fic, then. Oh, and I'm sorry to hear that I can't tempt you with the Yu gi oh!'s. Of course, I could tell you that I rarely write about Yugi. I'm a Seto/Jou - Jou/Seto fan. I also adore Otogi and he is the main character in my most recent fling.

Okay, there was another update. I am going to have to stop for a few days, as I made myself a promise to update all my current works in progress and finish the first sequel to my book by Monday and then take Tuesday off. It's my birthday, and I am exhausted. So don't expect to get anything more until November 7th and then nothing until the 9th. This Scorpio needs a full day of no typing, writing or drawing to give my brain the time to adjust to the new age level.
And no, I'm not saying what level it is.