«28» ENTER: A MOTH OF THE PAST

A/n: based from the manga; Also Inojin and Inomi bonding chapter.

—

"THAT'S CODE." Inomi pointed to the paper handed to Naruto. "Details are already displayed in that paper, Hokage-Sama."

Naruto smiled at her and nodded. "Thank you Inomi-san."

"Konoha patrols recently launched several incursion ops on the Kara base, but they all failed." Shikamaru informed the other Kages from the Computer.

"From what I have collected and known about.." Inomi continued. "Kara bases are located in other dimensions... Though this could be located by transfer portals scattered around."

"Patrols have recently reported that they all either don't activate or they are damaged." The Nara muttered under his breath.

"There's already a possibility that this investigation has failed... It's that he may or may not know that Amado-San is already with us in Konoha." The Yamanaka rubbed her chin.

"... So that's their only base?" Kurotsuchi cocked her eyebrow from the screen. "There aren't any related facilities?"

"So far... From that's the only base I have been in." Inomi muttered and glanced at Shikamaru.

"We're still tracking leads based on Amado's intel but..." The Nara furrowed his eyebrows. "As of now, they've all been busy at the very least.. he doesn't seem to be stupid enough to show up at a regular haunt."

"So no clues huh?" Darui grumbled. "So what's the plan then?"

"We predict his moves and intercept him?" Chojuro suggested. "What are his motives?"

"Inomi-San?" The girl jolted up as she heard the Mizukage's concern.

He looked at her through the screen with a little sense of hope.

"... Uh..." She regained composure. "One thing for sure is that he's trying to bring back Otsutsuki Isshiki.. if he gain power from killing Hokage-Sama and other Shinobi who possesses great chakra."

"Second one is.." The Yamanaka pressed her lips into a thin line. "There's no doubt that he's feeding the ten tails to grow a Divine Tree."

"Ten tails?" Gaara repeated. "We have to fight that thing again?"

"In the worst case scenario, yes." Naruto responded. "But that's partly why we need to find Code now... To stop his plans."

"Alright we get your situation.. though.. one basic question." Darui muttered. "The Scientist Amado you've got.. can we really trust him?"

Everyone fell silent.

"I trust you, Konoha." Darui continued. "This dependance on a bastard who just until recently belonged to an enemy organization.. you sure he's not using you for his own purposes?"

Naruto looked at Inomi. As well as Shikamaru who just sighed.

"What a drag but kid... You gotta answer this one."

Inomi stared at the Nara before her eyes gazed at the Uzumaki who nodded his head.

"Personal opinions must come first but... Trusting him won't really be the word to describe this." Inomi started. "Though I've work with him for years, he shows pure intention all the time. He showed and gave us what we can to survive the battle against the Otsutsuki. There may be a slight chance that he will do it for selfish reasons but I doubt that it would even happen... Despite the fact, we haven't let out guard down."

"So as long it's not a big dog and pony show.." Kurotsuchi hummed. "Well it does seem his life is being targeted, and his intel itself, atleast, it's credible to a certain extent."

"All's well that ends well in terms of Isshiki." Gaara commented. "But what of Momoshiki's karma? Is Boruto alright, Naruto?"

"We're still looking for an effective Solution." Naruto responded but he furrowed his eyebrows. "But it's not looking good.. though Boruto is doing fine."

"The Kara holdout is a problem too but... This issue, frankly is my bigger concern." Gaara mumbled. "If Momoshiki or Boruto himself were to become Isshiki- level threat.. sorry to be harsh but.."

The Red-head looked at Naruto with an intimidating stare. "Would you be able to take down your own son?"

Inomi and Shikamaru looked at Gaara as their eye twitched in sync. Well in all honesty, he was really harsh and definitely speaking the rough truth.

"I'll do what needs to be done as Hokage." Naruto answered.

~

"You've given Naruto-San the pills, Amado-San?" Inomi tilted her head as she sat down on a couch beside his working table.

He blew out the smoke from his stick and nodded. "Mhm, it's the least thing I could do to ease him up in this situation."

"How thoughtful." The girl smiled and took a lollipop from his jar. "Though, Boruto won't be affected at least with the minor side effects."

Amado cocked his eyebrow and turned to her— his full attention wasn't with his work anymore. "Care to tell?"

"Surely he has Hyuga blood but.." Inomi rubbed her chin. "There's a chance he'll be okay since he has never inherited the power of the Byakugan."

"His Jougan, perhaps." Amado commented. "That'll be an indicator, won't it?"

"Definitely... Since it still has roots of the Otsutsuki-Byakugan." Inomi hummed in agreement. "Have you told him the whereabouts of those pills?"

Amado turned pink and grumbled. "... I didn't... At least— I won't say a word about it."

"I see." Inomi giggled. "... Are you least certain that Boruto would handle  the major side effects?"

"Most likely...not." Amado rubbed his chin. "Most consumers either didn't survive or couldn't handle the pain... Let alone a kid would take it."

"Fair enough." Inomi stood up. "I'm off to my Brother, see ya next time Amado-San."

She went through the window and jumped out.

Amado watched her flee from his office as he sighed. "Kid...."

He had a small smile. ".. what would I do without your help?"

~

"Shika..!" Inomi tapped his shoulder which made him turn to her in surprise. "Inomi-San.."

She stared at the direction he was currently looking at. "Oh I see, Kawaki on broad daylight..? That's rare."

"I think he needs a talk." Shikadai mumbled as he walked towards him.

"Hey Kawaki—"

"I SAID SHUT UP!!!"

The sudden yet awkward yell made heads turn to him with strange looks.

Shikadai and Inomi nodded at each other as they approached the boy.

Inomi giggled. "Ignore them... Let's walk like nothing happened."

Shikadai nodded — trying to ignore the fact Inomi was holding him by his arm.

"It's pretty obvious that your existence is still being kept secret by us." Inomi started the conversation as they walked together. "So civilians in Konoha shouldn't know anything about it..."

"But, ever since Isshiki came to attack... Rumors have been flying around both true and false." Shikadai continued. "Just don't mind them. Konoha's your home no matter what anyone says."

"Even Hokage-Sama said so." Inomi commented and smiled at Kawaki.

Which made him pink and he turned to look at the ground instead. "Sorry to make you both put up with me.."

"Enough with glum face." Shikadai scoffed. "I bet they're all just scared.. keep holding your head up high."

"Yeah.." Kawaki shrugged. "Thanks.."

Shikadai turned to Inomi. "Inojin just went home a minute ago.. he was hoping to have a chat with you."

"Oh right." Inomi smiled and waved at them. "Gotta go!"

As both of them watch her run— Kawaki turned to the Nara.

"What do you think of her?"

"Huh?" Shikadai cocked his eyebrow.

"I mean.." Kawaki started while he held the nape of his neck. "You know her more than I do.. so.."

"She's.." Shikadai puts his head low. ".. Inomi is very unpredictable.. one time— well we just knew,  she has abilities just like yours but didn't dare to show off.. another is that, she knows something we don't know."

"But.." He faced Kawaki. "Inomi never masks her thoughts.. even to her brother I'm pretty sure you could say that." He sighed. "She feels bad at the fact she doesn't get time to spend every minute with Inojin at all. All I have to say is that I admire her."

Shikadai felt his cheeks turn warm.

Kawaki somehow.. well somehow— felt something inside sank as he heard those words.

Shikadai noticed the look on his face as well as he pressed his lips into a thin line.

The sudden realization hits both of them. Like two big boulders ran over their bodies.

They felt the same way towards her.

"She's a great teacher too, I guess." Shikadai ended while scratching the nape of his neck. He didn't want to make the situation awkward.

One thing for sure. They won't bring up this conversation again.

~"I'm home!" Inomi took off her shoes as she saw Ino on the entrance of the house — with a small smile but a worried expression.

"Welcome home, Inomi." She started. "Inojin is waiting for you upstairs."

The girl nodded at her mother. "Yeah I know mama." She smiled as she headed upstairs.

Ino held her by the shoulder before she could.

She sighed. "... Please be gentle and don't be harsh." She murmured to her daughter. "We've talk about this, I'm pretty sure you know what to say. That's your brother."

Inomi immediately knew what her mother meant as she hugged her tight. "I will mama." She smiled. "I promise."

Ino kissed her forehead before letting her go— her eyes never leaving the young Yamanaka before she headed to another room.

"Ji-Nii, I'm home." Inomi greeted — a few steps before entering his room.

"You think... You'd be ready to die Inomi?" Inojin asked the moment Inomi stepped foot on his room.

So this is why he wanted a conversation? Inomi sighed and leaned on the doorframe of his room.

Silence filled the room.

This is why Ino— their mother— warned her.

Be calm.

Be gentle.

This is your brother, Inomi. She reminded herself.

"Not entirely that easy, Ji-Nii." Inomi started. "A job for a Shinobi is very... complex. You'd never know when to take action nor when to appear—"

"I'll be blunt with you." He scoffed, interrupting her words. "Do you really think it'd be easy for me, mom and dad that you'd go home with a lost eye and chopped off hair... Somehow broken bones that Sakura-san managed to heal.. and call it a day?"

Inojin grumbled. "I'm your brother, I'll be harsh on this but... I also have the responsibility to stop you in this. This is not okay." He clenched his fists. "I'm surprised why mom and dad lets you off like that... It's pretty disappointing."

Inomi's expression turned stoic.

He wanted the harsh truth, didn't he?

She sighed. ". . . I didn't entirely asked for this, Inojin." She started.

Inojin felt his heart sank. Not Ji-Nii? She was being serious...

"Nor I do not know the origin of this vessel thing, I didn't know Toneri would be stuck with me the moment I was born." She mumbled while taking a seat across him. "I had this conversation done with mom and dad... They didn't have a choice but trust me that everything would work out. It'll be much of a concern if a Shinobi would come up to you all and announce my death. Sasuke-San is the only person who could bring me back to my senses in this battle."

"When I returned, I kept a low profile about my abilities and my mission.... because I thought it would never be brought back up. My karma was already handled perfectly and I trained for years to connect with my Host. I swore I wanted to go back to my normal Yamanaka life... Being part of Mama's work... Selling flowers... and I wanted to be a teacher... which I accomplished the moment I got back. Those were things I wanted when I go back. I wanted to start fresh but... with the Otsutsuki involved, I really don't think so."

She took a deep breath. "I'll hate myself if I didn't even say goodbye to you when I die."

"I get it you're... Concerned.. but I'm not that kind of sister that would leave you unattended." She lowered her head. "I can't promise to show up in this house clean and safe but I would never step foot in this house with the feeling of guilt."

"I hate to say this but you'd understand what I've been through if you look at it in the next 3 years... Looking up to Kawaki and Boruto's experiences as well."

Inojin bursted in tears as he ran towards her and hugged her tightly. "I don't know what to do without you..." He croaked out. "I really don't know how to feel... I feel so anxious when I hear that you'd be facing with enemies... I'd hate myself that I wasn't there with you."

"I'd hate myself if you got caught up with it and died." Inomi mumbled as she ruffled his hair. ".... I love you Ji-Nii."

"I love you too.. Imouto." He responded, burying his face on her shoulder. "Can we go out?"

Inomi couldn't help but chuckle. "Dry your tears and we will."

~

"You like books?" Inojin felt his eye twitch. They were inside a bookstore which was a rare sight to see the twins inside of it.

Inomi scowled at him. "Hey, I love this place as much as you love Art."

She picked up a book. "Besides, books are also a form of art.. through words."

"That's a Women-Love-Women book Imouto.." Inojin pointed out. "Volume 2 huh? So that's what you're reading when I was in the Academy."

She turned pink and grumbled. "Shut up."

Inojin smirked. "You love me admit it." He grinned. "I always feed your goldfish, so you don't have any grief against me."

Inomi couldn't help but huff. "Fair enough." She bought the book, much to her dismay that her brother found out about her likings.

As they headed out, Inojin suggested something.

Grumble

Grumble

Grumble.

While his stomach made noises of course. "Taiyaki?"

She chuckled. "On you?"

"On me."

They headed towards a Taiyaki store. It was hurting Inojin's wallet— he only bought two custard taiyakis while her sister got 2 Red bean and 3 chocolate Taiyakis. A total of five.. Taiyakis are expensive.

They also headed towards a Dango shop to buy 4 sticks for Inojin and 5 sticks for Inomi.

Breaking the fourth wall here but whatever— Fun fact about Inomi! She was chubby when she was young, because she loves to eat.

Inomi felt relieved as she finished eating her taiyakis.

Inojin on the other hand, looked at his wallet to see few coins left. He regretted this.

"Imouto..." He sobbed. "Why do you have to be such an eater..?"

She scowled at him. "You told me it's on you. So, don't blame me." She huffed.

She took a bite of her Dango. "Besides, B-Rank missions— especially escort missions, pay off very well. It'd be no problem to waste that money me." She grinned.

"I still haven't got your Shinobi Card." He pouted and sobbed once more. "Cruel life...!"

She punched his head as an irk mark grew on her forehead. "Hey! Shikadai told me you got it!"

"I did..!" He cried out. "But I gave it to him.!"

That shocked her. "Huh?" She cocked her eyebrow.

"W-Well." He cleared his throat. He held her hand as they speak. "It's guaranteed that I'll always have you by my side." He murmured.

Inomi's cheeks flushed pink. "That's sweet, Ji-Nii."

"Shikadai also wanted it." Inojin's aura felt dark. "... But I felt bad so I gave it to him."

Inomi felt something was very off. "I feel like you're lying." She squinted her eyes.

Inojin felt his sweat trickled down. "N-Nothing..!" He gulped. "I'll buy you 3 more Dango sticks, and no more questions."

"Deal." Inomi smirked before her Twin left and went to buy some more Dango.

But she couldn't help but feel something was being kept as a secret. What are you doing, Nara?

Meanwhile...

Click.

"They look so cute.." Ino sobbed while they hid behind a bush. Sai sighed and patted his wife's back.

"Easy there.." He whispered. "Let this moment last for them. This may be the first time we've seen them together without Inomi getting too busy."

Ino nodded and clicked her camera once more— staring at the image. "... My twins..!" She sobbed again. "What would I do without these angels?"

And yes, Inomi was wary of their presence. The bush was moving too much and she could hear camera clicks. She silently laughed at her parents. They were too precious.

—

A/N:

Inomi and Inojin bond but secretly a Family bond moment is sooo... 🙌🙌

And spoiler alert:Shikadai obviously has a crush on Inomi, since Academy Era.

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