Story: BOUND (chapter 7)

Authors: Handj

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Chapter 7

BOUND

Chapter 7

Sakura opened her eyes to find herself safely ensconced within Ino’s arm. She smiled when she remembered what happened last night…well it was really early morning but who’s counting? Maybe she was under the first stages of sleep and in her dream Ino actually kissed her, well in her dream Ino kissed her forehead…at least it was a kiss, then she frowned when she remembered how that dream ended, Ino saying she was glad she had a wide forehead. “Way to kill the mood Ino!” she told no one but herself, but the smile still crept on her face especially when she lifted her head and Ino’s sleeping face assaulted her green eyes, “You always look lovely Ino, may you be awake or asleep,” she whispered only to be shock that Ino actually heard her…

I’m glad you think that Sakura,” Baby blue eyes were revealed, “If not, I would push you off me and let you fall on the ground!”

Sakura smiled shyly, “Well that would hurt!” Sakura said before the two women laughed out loud together.

When did that happen again? Sakura sighed once her reminiscing ended. It was the best three weeks of her adult life as chuunin, and that day was the best out of it all. Well it happened once, I don’t think it’ll happen again…but at least I feel like my friendship with Ino has returned. The smile Sakura made after that realization almost broke her face in half.

Spending almost every day with Ino for the last three weeks was always the high light of her day. She stopped doing over time in the hospital and started seeing Ino at the shop, helping her out with the sorting and then finally with the closing.

Three days in each week of the last three were shared with Naruto. The fox ninja trying to appease Sakura and Ino by being there at least three times a week to help out, he even started on saving money so just in case he really is the father of Ino’s baby. He talked about it with Hinata and the two agreed that it is just right for Naruto to help, but HInata was afraid that Naruto might fall for Ino because of the baby which the blonde man denied and said that Sakura have been spending more time with Ino than him that sometimes he thought it was really Sakura who fathered Ino’s baby, which earned him a punch from the said pink haired woman.

But all in all, the last three weeks were great. And this week, Ino will enter her second month of pregnancy, and she was preparing herself for she knows that this month and the next three will be the most difficult month for Ino. More craving, probably morning sickness and depressions could set in and she was mentally preparing for it…and the expected psychological effect of hormonal imbalance of pregnancy.

Her musing was interrupted by Kiyomi who barged in the office, “Hokage-sama and Shizune-san asked me to tell you that they will not be returning so you are free to go,” she looked at her watch, “Oh look…it’s only 3 pm!” she said in her usual monotonous voice then returned her aphasic face on Sakura, “Are you staying until 5 or are you…”

“I’m out!” she said excitedly. She hurriedly stood up, took off her white coat and gave it to Kiyomi, “Unless the whole hospital is burning or there are 100 dying patients, I am not to be called!” Sakura said

“And what if Hokage-sama…”

“She’s not coming back she’s with Shizune, remember?”

“Oh yeah…” she turned around and muttered, “How come I can’t find my own love life so I can enjoy this time of peace?”

Sakura grinned, “Perhaps if you put some life on your face and your movement, then you might find the right man!”

“And here she was assuming I’m looking for a man…” The secretary muttered again before she disappeared.

Sakura shook her head before she took her bag in her locker and hurriedly went out of the office.

XXX

“La-la-lalalala-lalala-lala…” Ino was humming a tune as she spray water to their orchids, her back was to the door that led to the garden. Her mother was at the counter manning it. Ino’s mom was bored in their house because Inoichi was given a week long mission by the Hokage, and to fill her time, she decided to help Ino at the shop. So when someone suddenly wrapped an arm around her still flat abdomen, she smiled and turned around…and her eyes widened when it was not her mother, “SAKURA!”

Sakura jumped away from Ino and her face reddened, “Oh sorry to startle you!”

Ino was clutching her chest, “You gave me a fright! I thought you were my mother!” she said frowning, “And what was that hug for?” she asked faking anger.

But Sakura take it to heart, “Sorry Ino, I didn’t mean to anger you…I just thought…I…just want to surprise you…” Sakura bowed down then she remembered something she bought for Ino, “Oh…” she took it out of her bag and hand it over to Ino, “Here, hoping that you’re still craving for peanut butter, I also got you a peanut butter flavored cookies and peanut…” she was looking at her bag pretending to rummage it while talking,

Ino stepped closer to the pink haired woman who stopped talking when Ino reached out to tilt Sakura’s face up, “Sorry…I should not make a joke like that, I was not angry Sakura.” She smiled to make her point clear, “I actually like it, I mean…you hugging me like that, I was just surprised so you actually accomplished your mission.” Sakura returned her smile.

“Sorry…”

Ino frowned, “How many times do I have to tell you that you should stop saying sorry all the time when you’re with me?”

“But-“

“No buts, I’ll tell you when I don’t like what you’re doing. If I don’t want you here or don’t like what you say, I’ll say it then that’s when you’re supposed to say sorry, but unless I say so, no more sorry from you.”

“Oh…so-“

“Now you’re making me angry!”

“S…here!” Sakura handed the cookie to Ino to stop herself and the taller woman smiled at her.

“That’s better.” Ino released Sakura’s chin and stepped back a little, “So why are you here?” she looked at her wrist watch, “It’s not even four yet,”

“Oh that? Tsunade-sama and Shizune went out again. Tsunade-sama probably said something callous again against Shizune and riled her up.” Sakura explained, “So they told me that they won’t be back which means I’m off!”

“That’s great, let’s go in.” Ino said tagging the girl inside the shop, she saw her mom reading a magazine and stood in front of her, “Mom, I’ll leave the shop to you?”

Mrs. Yamanaka smiled at her daughter then at Sakura, “You two are going somewhere?”

Ino shook her head no, “Not really, I thought since it’s seldom Hokage-sama give Sakura afternoon off, we’ll take advantage of it and spend it at my apartment.”

“Oh? You two know that there’s a new movie being shown at the theater right?” Mrs. Yamanaka said, “I got two tickets free!” she said to sweeten the deal.

Ino frowned, “Why are you doing that?”

Mrs. Yamanaka’s smile widened, “Well the tickets are only until today and it’s just going to waste if no one will use it. I was supposed to watch it with your dad but as you see, he is on a weeklong mission.”

Ino and Sakura looked at each other then Ino lay out her palm to her mother to get the ticket. She looked at Sakura once the ticket was on her hand, “You good to go?”

Sakura smiled, “I was thinking of changing but…”

Ino looked at her mother, “How about the shop? Who’ll help you close it?”

And before Mrs. Yamanaka could answer they heard a call outside, “Oh there is Chouji,” she said.

Ino frowned again, “Did you plan this?” she asked suspiciously. Mrs. Yamanaka shook her head no but Ino was not convinced. “Come on Sakura, I’m good to go so let’s head to your apartment so you can change and then we’re off to the cinema.”

“Okay.” Sakura said then she looked at Mrs. Yamanaka, “Thank you very much for the ticket Mrs. Yamanaka.”

The older blonde waved a hand, “Oh it’s alright, just make sure you two enjoy the movie!”

“We will Mrs. Yamanaka.” Sakura said before she was pulled by Ino outside.

XXX

As it turned out, the tickets were for a sappy love story that was just recently shown in Konoha.

“Why was I bullied into going?” Ino asked, she was frowning but Sakura can’t see her at the darkness of the cinema.

“No one bullied you.” Sakura replied, her eyes weren’t on the screen but on Ino’s face. Her eyes were trying to see Ino even through the darkness.

“My mother did…well actually she bullied us!” Ino said turning her head to face Sakura only find that Sakura hurriedly took off her eyes on her, ho-ho…is Sakura watching me?

“Well…maybe this is a good movie, its full see?” Sakura said, thankful that Ino cannot see the blush that crept on her face.

Ino smirked, ohhhh, you’re blushing Sakura! I might just enjoy this movie… The taller woman nodded her head and returned her eyes on the screen, She resettled herself, bringing her arm closer to that of Sakura, nice move Yamanaka… “So you think this is a good movie huh?”

The pink haired woman swallowed hard and nodded her head, then she said “Yes” when she remembered that Ino might not see her nodding head. What the hell is happening to you Haruno? You’re acting like a guy trying to date a hot woman! Sakura’s eyes widened, Ohhh hot…yeah Ino is absolutely hot!

Ino on the other hand could feel Sakura getting fidgety so her smirk widened and she move closer still, then slowly she leaned her head on Sakura’s strong shoulder, “Sakura?”

“Hm?” The smaller woman’s voice was nervous, and she closed her eyes as she felt Ino’s breath on her shoulder.

“Can you actually lift me? I mean you’re strong and can punch through walls made of metals and rocks, so do you think you could?”

Sakura swallowed before answering, “I haven’t tried lifting people…it’s not that I can’t but I haven’t tried yet.” She said trying hard to ignore Ino’s hand that was snaking on her arm then down to hold her own, cold and sweaty one.

Ino leaned at Sakura, “No one can see us holding hands Sakura, so you don’t have to be nervous…I…I just want to feel your hand in mine…please?” she said sincerely.

Sakura turned her head to see Ino looking at her then she squeezed the taller woman’s hand to grant the request, If you only knew how I wanted to do this earlier Ino…if you only knew…

XXX

Sakura and Ino were standing in front of Ino’s apartment. Ino holding the bag where the goodies brought to her by Sakura was placed. They were both staring at the door, both thinking of what to say

“I had a great night/ The night was good…” both said simultaneously causing the two to laugh at their silliness.

“I had a great night Sakura.” Ino said smiling sweetly at the pink haired woman.

“Yeah, I had a great night too Ino.”

Then another awkward silence which was broken this time by Sakura, “Ino…ah…do…do you want to try?”

Ino scrunched her forehead, “Try what?”

Sakura blushed, “I mean you asked me at the cinema if I could lift you, and…I thought you want to try and see for yourself?”

Ino’s heart leaped inside her chest, “You would?” Sakura nodded and when Ino nod her head to signal that she was ready, Sakura stepped closer, brought Ino’s arm that was not carrying the bag over her neck, then she lean forward and placed one arm under Ino’s knee and she lifted Ino bridal style. “Wow…”

Sakura just smiled, “Can you open your door?”

Ino looked at Sakura surprised, “You carrying me inside?”

“Don’t you like that?”

“Ohhhh…I like!” Ino said cheerfully then Sakura stepped closer to the door for Ino to open it. And once done, Sakura enter carrying Ino in her arms.

“Where do you want me to take you?” Sakura asked

Ino smiled, “I would have suggest my bedroom,” and she was not wrong thinking that the innuendo will put another blush on Sakura’s face, “…but that would be too much, so the couch at the living room it is.”

Sakura nodded and headed to the living room, slowly and carefully she put Ino down the couch. Ino once on the couch did not let go of the smaller woman’s neck pulling Sakura’s face close to her, “Ino…”

“Thank you Sakura for this wonderful night…” and before Sakura could reply, Ino’s lips landed on hers. It wasn’t long, just a smack but it still sent shivers down Sakura’s spine.

“Ino…” Sakura’s face was red as tomato when Ino let go of her neck, “Your…welcome.” She then smiled.

They didn’t move, and their eyes were locked at each other daring one to move first…and Sakura did. “I have to go…it’s late I have an early work tomorrow…”

“Bye Sakura…”

“Bye…”

“See you tomorrow then?”

“Yeah,” and with that, the spell was broken and Sakura walked out of Ino’s apartment.

XXX

Sakura felt she was on cloud 9 as she walked home. She has no idea why, so she started analyzing the last two months. Okay way before that. So before the incident that led to Ino’s pregnant, Sakura was already feeling odd…well if her feeling weak kneed every time she saw Ino was indication, so then she felt odd. She felt odd that she was angry at Ino for dating Kiba, but she knew she have no right to get angry since she’s not even best friend with Ino and Ino could date anyone because Ino was not hers…and she’s not gay to think that she could have Ino. Then came the incident, she was mad at Sasuke for threatening Ino, was mad at him for making Ino’s life miserable for a month then getting nightmares of him raping Ino and abducting her, then she got mad at the men trying to pose as Ino’s husband and be Ino’s baby’s father. But what stood out was her sudden protective attitude on Ino, her sudden wanting to be with Ino all the time. So she got weak kneed before but she never wanted to be this close to Ino all the time…which she does right now. And then the kiss…it was like that kiss in her dream…when Ino kissed her forehead…

Her analysis was interrupted by the sudden appearance of a presence near her that stopped her in her track…

“Just as I thought…you’re good Sakura.”

Sakura’s eyes widened and she turned around to face the presence, “Sasuke…” she hissed.

“Ohhhh, Sakura is angry,” Sasuke said walking out of the shadow with his palms raised in surrender, “I’m not here to fight.”

“Then what do you want?” she growled

Sasuke smiled, “Before, you would have jumped me if I come this close to you, so what happened?”

“You left.”

“I left and you started resenting me.”

Silence

“Why are you here? If you are here for Ino…”

Sasuke waved his hand saying ‘please…as if’, “I wanted to talk to you, that’s all so you can relax your stance. I’m not going to fight.”

“I can’t trust you, so talk then get out of Konoha if you don’t want to get hurt.”

At that Sasuke laugh, “Oh come on Sakura, you think someone at Konoha could hurt me?” Sakura frowned and did not relax her body, “Okay! I’ll talk.”

“Talk!” she shouted

Sasuke smiled, “I came here because you Naruto are still my friend, whether you believe me or not.” No reaction from Sakura, “And as your friend it is just right that I tell you a secret.”

Sakura looked at him intently, looking for deception in her eyes and found none, “Go on…”

“Naruto is not Ino’s baby’s father.”

Sakura’s eyes widened when she realized that indeed, here in front of her is the man that knew who the father was, “Then who?”

Sasuke grinned evilly, “You.”

-End Chapter 7-

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