Ino Blink of the Eye

7: Mission – Pregnant girl in a cabin. Kabuto is near.

It was colder at night than when he had found the first girl, but that had been in August and this was December. A light dusting of snow had covered the tents when Kotetsu woke him for his watch, and he immediately stoked up the dying fire.
Genma walked the perimeter and then settled in the crook of a tree to scan the area and keep a look out for things that should not be there.
A movement in the camp caught his attention as a figure emerged from a tent and crept over to some bushes. Genma averted his eyes.
The girl returned to poke at the fire and sat near for a while warming herself, and stretching tired cramped muscles. The Jounin watched her from the corner of his eye as he looked at the tree line.
Ino rose and crossed to the bag of supplies and pulled out a small pan. She added some ingredients and stirred the concoction before placing it on the edge of the fire, and stirring it occasionally.
When she was satisfied, she pulled it back and dished it into two bowls and placed them on a flat rock.
“You could watch from down here, you know? Then, you wouldn’t have to keep looking away.” She said as she pulled out two spoons and picked up a bowl. “It’s just miso soup, but it is warm.” She added.
Genma dropped from his perch and walked up to the fire. He hoisted the bowl and sniffed its contents, causing the girl to laugh.
“I didn’t poison it. Eat, silly.” She said, handing him a spoon and finishing her bowl.
Genma took a tentative taste and then smiled. “It’s good.” He said. Ino smiled into her bowl.
“Will we be there soon?” she asked. It had been a week and they seemed to be going farther than she had expected.
“Tomorrow. I think we need to be more cautious today. I smell something and I don’t like It.” He said, giving her more information than he had over the last week.
“You sound like Kiba. Tell me.” She said.
“Hmmm. I think that we are being followed, or perhaps we are just crossing the same path as someone. I don’t like it.”
“Kabuto?” she said, and the name sent a shiver up her spine. Orochimaru had been dead for two years and yet the man continued on in his name. As if possessed by the evil spirit of the Sannin.
“Perhaps.” He said.
“You don’t say much, you know that? It’s just you and me here, no one to tell on you for talking to me. Hell, you can just deny it again, anyway.” And she once more hid her smile.
“Yes, about that. I am sorry. It was reflex.” He admitted.
“So, tell me. What is the big secret about this mission? I deserve to know, if I have to put up with you for another week.” And she tilted her head as she added. “I may need to know, if He catches up to us.”
Genma stared at her as if assessing her worth. He sighed and began, “Kabuto wants the girl. Well actually, he wants the baby. It isn’t a normal child, and he will take it anyway he can. I want you to be there if he gets too close. The girl is not as well trained and may not resist very well. If you can take over, we have a chance to get away with her. I know how long you can hold the jutsu, but what effect does the condition of the body have on you?”
“I can function better than the body, but not much.” Something was wrong with this. “The baby? It’s? It can’t be Orochimaru’s.” she said, her mind moving over the dates.
“Not actually. Both babies are clones. Made from DNA and a forbidden Jutsu. There may be another, but we don’t have that information. It will take careful measures to raise them without loosing them to the madness. The mothers will not survive the birth so two families have been made available for this. It is to be a guarded secret, and you are one of a few who will know this.”
Ino just stared at him, realization flowing over her in tidal waves. He Had chosen her because of her Abilities and Experience. Her Jutsu and what else?
“I see it, you know? The question on your face.” He answered himself. “I have seen your ability at the Yamanaka Jutsu, you have taken it to the farthest extreme in your family’s history, not to mention perfected your taijutsu’s without anyone knowing. Leaving, not only enemies, but also friends to think you are only fair in it. And you have a unique ability to see the truth in a man’s eyes, right? That comes from experience. I had heard that you were one of the Uchiha fan girls until recently, what happened? What did you learn Yamanaka-san?”
“Sasuke could have all the fan girls in the world and it wouldn’t effect him. He isn’t made that way. And, I am not plumbed right.” She said, sighing. “Sakura didn’t believe me at first, but she saw it eventually.”
“Yes, I see. We have similar friend, you and I. Kotetsu and Izumo took forever to finally find each other. Perhaps the Uzumaki is faster at catching on then my friend,” he said gesturing toward the tents.
“I think we have discussed this for too long, I should make some more soup. You should go check the perimeter again. Wouldn’t want to be caught in the act of humanity, now would you?” Ino said, rising to fill the pan once more. Genma smirked and disappeared into the trees.
Ino smiled to herself. She could always torture him another day. When she felt more evil.

Another day in the wilderness found them outside of a small meadow and just beyond it was a small wooden cabin. Ino shivered at the structure and remembered the last wooden hut she had been in. The team moved carefully across the distance keeping to the trees and skirting the open space.
Kotetsu and Iyashi were in front, and Konohamaru was next to Ino. Moegi had become Sakura’s shadow during this trip. Genma and Udon brought up the rear.
The cabin was silent and there was not even a wisp of smoke rising from the chimney. Genma told the youngsters to stay outside with Kotetsu, guarding the cabin as he, Ino and the two medics entered.
The inside of the cabin was as cold as the outside, and huddled on a bed under a pile of ratty blankets was a dark haired girl of about sixteen, with an obvious bulge across her midsection.
Sakura and Iyashi hurried over while Ino began to search the cabin for supplies and food to supplement their trip back.
“Genma-sensei, she isn’t well. It looks like she hasn’t eaten for several days. The baby seems fine. I think she needs some of Ino miso soup, fast.” The two medics looked up as she turned.
“Okay, I’ll make some. Um, there isn’t much here, but I think we should take this stuff.” She said, indicating the pile she had made. It wasn’t a good amount and was worthless alone but would be useful with some of the things they had and another mouth to feed was going to tax their dwindling supplies. “I’ll bring back an empty pack with the soup mix.” And she headed out the door.
When she returned she found a small fire in the fireplace and Genma took the pack from her and began filling it.
As she made the soup, Iyashi squatted next to her.
“He wants you to take over that girl, doesn’t he?” He asked her. Ino nodded. “It will be hard, you’ve never been in a body that was pregnant. There are hormones and such. I hope you can handle it. Remember when you had to take over that drunk girl and got messed up by her mood?”
Ino stared at him, and smiled. “Don’t worry so much. I have been practicing. I even used one of Hana’s bitches when she was in heat. It isn’t so hard and I can do It.” She said, dismissing him. Iyashi returned to his charge and helped Sakura complete the examination.
The girl had eaten the entire bowl of soup and thanked them quietly, asking about her friend, Samia. She was genuinely happy in the knowledge that Samia was in good hands. They were packed and ready to leave when a sound outside caught their attention, the girl stiffened in Iyashi’s arms and Ino was immediately alert.
Genma signaled them to stay as he slipped out the door and disappeared.
Ino waited by the packs while Sakura helped wrap the girl in the tattered blankets as Iyashi held her.
“Iyashi if I have to take her, you will need to back me up. I rather treasure this body, so protect it well, okay?” Ino said, as Sakura looked on.
“It doesn’t make sense, Ino. Why take on her body, if we need you in your more healthy state?” she asked.
“Because Kabuto will not be after me. He wants her. I am going to make sure he doesn’t get her, that’s why. Don’t worry Sakura-chan, I know what I’m doing.”
The door opened and Genma peeked in, gesturing for them to follow. Once outside they traveled through the trees, a little slower due to the weak girl, but moving along as well as could be expected.

They camped for the night in the forest without a fire and grouping up in the tents to preserve body heat. Ino and Sakura took both sides of the pregnant girl, with Moegi asleep behind Sakura.
“What’s your name, honey?” Sakura asked her.
“Tamika. I was named after my father. Am I going to die?” she asked. “I don’t mind. I just don’t want to go back there.”
“No. We won’t let him take you back. And we are going to take good care of you. You’ll be fine.” Sakura assured her.
Tamika turned to Ino. “Tell me the truth.” She said ignoring Sakura’s assurances.
“There is a problem with your baby. If it is born, you are likely to die. Our Hokage is trying to find an answer. I can’t promise you anything.”
“I understand. It isn’t my baby, but keep it away from that madman. I don’t care if I die, just take care of him.” She said, rubbing the rise of her belly. Ino nodded to her.
They were sleeping when Ino felt movement near her. She kept still and opened her eyes. The girl was attempting to crawl out of the tent and there was silence otherwise. Ino was suspicious and when she knew the girl was unable to see, she began her hand signals. Soon, she could feel her consciousness soaring through the air and aiming straight for the weak young girl who had just made it out of the tent and was trying to stand on her own. Ino slid easily into the girls mind and looked through her eyes. There on the edge of the clearing was the familiar form of Kabuto. He was haggard, but still the same handsome man, behind the same round glasses. Ino allowed the girl to continue to believe she had control as she looked for Iyashi who should have been on guard. It was still early evening, and Genma wouldn’t be relieving him for another hour or so. He was nowhere to be found, and Ino could wait no longer. She guided the girl’s foot to a forgotten piece of kindling and allowed her to step on it. It crunched under her weight and she let out an unmuffled cry.
Ino smirked to herself, as she was sure that was enough to alert the sleeping Ninja’s in the other, nearer tent. Then she kept back as the girl continued on toward the S-class missing ninja. When she had reached the edge of the camp, Ino took full control.
“I won’t go with you.” She said, defiantly to the cocky bastard that just stared back at her. Even with the glasses blocking his eyes, she knew that she had surprised him. He wasn’t expecting his summons to be defied.
“Now, Tamika. You have my child. Do not make me hurt you.” He called back.
No sound was heard, and Ino was a little afraid she had failed to get the attention of the others in time, so she continued to stall.
“I said no. The baby will never be yours. I know that, and you know it. It isn’t right, and you will never have it.”
“I created it. It is mine. Now, come.” He said, his stance rigid and his face set.
Suddenly from the side, a kunai flew toward the man, and Ino dropped to the ground. She had to keep the girl safe and with a battle raging this was not a safe place to be.
Ino crawled across the ground feeling the flight of weapons over her as she moved toward the large rocks at the far end of the campground. Her new limitations were telling on her, as she was already tiring in this body. She shimmied across the last few feet and curled up between two of the rocks. Her lungs were pressed with the growth of the baby and she couldn’t regain her breath. He legs hurt and she was straining to sit with the unfamiliar obstruction before her. Weapons met and she heard explosions around her. It was going badly, and she wondered who was currently fighting and in what positions. She trusted Genma but if another were blocking him, such as Iyashi he would not be able to make a killing strike. As she thought these things over, she felt a stirring in the baby the body held. It moved an extremity toward the place her hand rested and pushed firmly. Ino was shocked and as she touched the place she lost all focus on the battle behind her. It was some time before she noticed the quiet.
The battle was now over and Kabuto had managed to escape but Kotetsu was hot on his trail. Sakura had come out and now found her where she sat.
“Ino, are you in there?” she said, gazing into the eyes of the body she inhabited. The most she could come up with was a slight nod, and Sakura smiled. “I had a feeling when all this noise didn’t wake you up. Are you all right?”
“It was a compulsion spell. She didn’t really have the strength to follow it, but couldn’t help herself. It must have been keyed to her mind, cause it didn’t affect me. I think I can get her back into the tent. Can you help me?” And as she rose Sakura slid her arm around her back
Once in the tent, she released the Jutsu and returned to her own body. Genma and Iyashi were tapping on the canvas as she sat up and looked around.
“Just a second. Ino are you all right?” Ino nodded and the pink haired kunoichi smiled.
“Did you get him?” Ino called out and the two men opened the flap and looked in.
“No. He got away. I think we should move out. Iyashi has a bit of a bump on his head, but he seems fine. I’ll carry the girl.” Genma said, and Ino got the distinct impression there was more to it than he was saying. She nodded and began packing up her things. If they moved quickly they could stop in a local town before the next night and it might be safer.
They were on the move in less than an hour.

The next night was not spent in a town, but at a camp near a waterfall. Genma was making the fastest paced trip he could with three young children and a pregnant woman, but they were not moving fast enough.
Ino worried that the crazed sound ninja would catch up again and try a compulsion that involved the body. She wasn’t sure if she could stop the girl the next time. It was affecting her temperament and she was cranky.
Genma set up a perimeter of traps and settled against a fallen tree. He looked over at the blond near the fire and spoke softly for her ears only.
“You are a vital part of this team, but if you neglect yourself, you are worthless to us. You must relax. I can’t rely on you in this condition. Don’t take the whole load on yourself. No one expects it of you.” And he leaned back, closed his eyes and chewed on the toothpick in his mouth.
Ino stared at him and watched his features to see if there was any tension there. “How do you do it?” she asked. “It’s like nothing bothers you. Don’t you feel anything?” and she rose and stalked to the tent.
Genma didn’t open his eyes, didn’t watch her go. He just sat there and held his posture, keeping his face calm and neutral.
Feelings could get a man killed on a mission. He didn’t know how to impress that upon the girl, so he didn’t try.

:::That one was longer. I hope it was good but I was a little unhappy with it for some reason.


Reya - Woah, I sure hope this answers your questions. I am trying to get the point out without just s-p-e-l-l-i-n-g it out. If you still don't understand, e-mail me and I will respond with the answer. Otherwise, thank you for the nice review. I was hoping no one was disappointed that I haven't gotten any major humpy stuff going on. I like to build my stories and this one needs a lot of work up. I guess that is how I took a simple short story for the original section of this site, and turned it into a 465-page book, huh?

Anon - You're here! Now the party is complete. Welcome honey, ***Author Glomp!!****

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