Two days.
That's how long Naruto left Ino in silence.
No glances. No visits. No words.
She thought it would be like the others. A spark, a kiss, a flirtation that hung in the air until it turned into something. That was how it always worked with her. She danced the line, made them chase.
But Naruto didn't chase.
He left.
Like nothing happened.
And Ino?She wasn't used to being the one waiting.
On the third night, she broke.
She didn't even knock.
Naruto's apartment was on the edge of the village, higher than most, close to the cliffs. Isolated. Of course it was. She knew it would be. She had waited by his training post for hours. No show. She had walked past the academy rooftop, the library, even the forests he usually haunted.
Now she stood in front of his door, fists clenched, throat tight.
She hated how nervous she was.
She hated that he made her feel ignored.
But more than anything… she hated that she wanted him to look at her like he had that day.
Like she was already his.
She opened the door.
The scent hit her first—light sweat, fresh earth, something faintly herbal. His scent.
The place was small, but spotless. A table near the window. Weapons neatly arranged. A futon folded with soldier's discipline.
He stood near the window. Shirtless. Bandages along his shoulder. Reading something. Calm.
He didn't even look at her when she stepped in.
"Didn't knock," he said.
"Didn't feel like waiting."
"Clearly."
The silence stretched.
She hated it.
"You're just going to pretend it didn't happen?" she snapped.
Still not looking at her.
"What didn't happen?"
Her throat burned.
"Don't do that."
"Do what?"
"Act like I didn't kiss you. Like I didn't feel what you felt."
Finally, he turned.
And when his eyes hit hers, her breath caught.
That calm, deep gaze—cold, unreadable, piercing. Not angry. Not indifferent.
Worse.
He was measuring her.
Like she was still being tested.
"You think a kiss means you matter now?" he asked quietly.
She flinched.
"Why are you doing this?" she whispered.
He took a step forward.
She didn't back up.
Another step. Closer.
"You're used to being wanted," he said. "Chased. Worshipped."
His voice wasn't cruel. It was… observant. Like he was reading a scroll he already knew the ending to.
"You thought you'd get a taste, and I'd come running."
"I thought—" Her voice cracked. "—you'd want more."
"I did."
That stunned her.
"But that doesn't mean you get to have more. Not unless you earn it."
She was trembling now.
Naruto circled her—slowly. Like a storm wrapping around its center.
"Hinata didn't kiss me first," he said. "She gave me her heart before I ever asked for it."
"I'm not her."
"No. You're not."
He stopped in front of her.
Ino's eyes were bright now. Angry. Wet.
"I've never begged for anyone."
"Then don't start now."
Her lip trembled.
He watched it happen. Every twitch. Every flicker of pain.
And then—
"I want you."
The words fell from her mouth like a prayer.
"I want you to look at me like you did that day. Like no one else existed. I want you to want only me when I'm with you. I want your hands. Your eyes. Your time."
Her fists clenched.
"And I hate that I want that."
Naruto's eyes narrowed.
"You don't hate it. You hate that you're not in control anymore."
That broke her.
She looked away.
And for a second… she looked small. Beautiful, but broken open.
"I'd give anything to feel that again," she whispered.
Naruto stepped forward.
And lifted her chin.
He kissed her cheek.
Then her jaw.
Then lower.
And when his lips brushed her throat, she gasped—soft, sharp.
"I won't chase you," he murmured against her skin. "But if you kneel for me now… I'll never ignore you again."
She froze.
Her pride screamed. Her mind rebelled.
But her body?
Her soul?
Already falling.
She dropped.
Knees to the floor.
Eyes lowered.
Silent.
Begging.
Naruto said nothing for a moment.
Then knelt in front of her.
He didn't touch her.
Just looked.
"You did this," he said quietly. "Not me."
"I know."
"No one else gets this. You know that?"
She nodded.
"I won't love you softly, Ino. I'll be in your head. In your dreams. I'll make you want to destroy anything that tries to pull me away."
"I already do."
His hand lifted, brushed her cheek.
And she leaned into it.
They didn't have sex that night.
Naruto didn't need to fuck her yet.
He'd already claimed her soul.
And Ino?
She didn't need his body.
She needed his presence.
She stayed curled beside him on the floor, head against his chest, his hand in her hair.
No words.
No moans.
Just belonging.
And the fire between them…
Didn't burn.
It devoured.