𝙎𝙮𝙣𝙤𝙥𝙨𝙞𝙨 : Ino returns to her hometown after her father’s passing. She’s plagued by the memories of him, but most especially his love for surfing. To feel closer to him one more time, she turns to the mysterious boy who surfs all the time in front of her beach house, hoping he’ll teach her.
Warnings: No warnings, angst, sfw
The piercing beep from the monitor beside the hospital bed speared into Ino’s head, her shaky blurry eyes shifted to the computer to confirm her suspicions, the green flatline on the black screen echoed in her skull. If her father’s limp cold hand in hers wasn’t enough to tell her that he was gone, then this was it.
…Why did someone so loving, caring and bright have to go out this way?
She jostled in her seat and held onto her bag tighter on instinct, her mother hadn’t always been the best driver, she usually left the driving to Dad. Ino clenched her fists and let out a shaky exhale, bringing her gaze to her mother driving, the brunette sharply wiped her nose and dabbed the corner of eyes before steadying both her hands on the wheel.
‘Mom, are you okay?’ Would’ve been such a stupid thing to say. She just lost her husband of twenty five years to cancer, of course she wasn’t okay and Ino knew that and for some reason she couldn’t find anything to say to console her.
The silence settled in and Ino directed her gaze to the crashing waves across from her, just below them reflecting the orange light from the setting sun in the horizon.
“Um…” Her mother began, her voice cracking, almost shattering Ino’s heart. “It’s really nice that you’re moving in with us— I mean, me. Your room is exactly how you left it, I didn’t touch anything… I’m sure you’d like the place. It may not be as big and bustling as the city but it’s pretty peaceful…”
“It’s okay mom…” Ino smiled, reaching over and resting her hand on her mom’s thigh. “Besides I needed to get away from all the loudness and city people, I’m sure I’d love staying with you.”
Her mother smiled a bit and flashed her a quick gaze, “You’re right… We can even look around, do some stuff together.”
“Yeah,” Ino returned the sentiments, squeezing her mother’s thigh, “We can definitely do that.”
The cool wind pushed Ino’s long blond locks as her mother made her way up the staircase to their beach house. Ino stared at the lights in the distance and the crashing waves behind her home, her skin prickled with goosebumps and strands of hair blocked her gaze.
“Wow… This place hasn’t aged a day.” Ino blinked at the appearance of her home, worn down a little by age, some of the paints chipped and faded, the wooden poles darker as the flower pots in front had some more texture.
“Ino! Come in! I have something to show you!” Called her mother.
The young woman turned on her heel, pulling her gaze from the mesmerizing waters to her mother standing at the door frame.
Ino climbed up the sandy wooden staircase onto the front porch. She walked into her home and shut the door behind her, the little chimes on it ringing in her ears at the impact, she looked at the purple chimes and grinned.
“Hey! I remember these! Me and Dad made them.” Ino marveled and took the little metal pipes in her hand, feeling their smooth texture. “That time when I was a kid… his friend taught us how…”
“So you remember.” Came her mothers voice from another room and Ino rolled her eyes with a smirk.
“How could I ever forget. We sat on the porch all day trying to make it.” Ino replied and reluctantly pulled away from it. She took slow steps down the living room, admiring the photos on the wall.
Her parents' wedding pictures could be seen, a wonderful beach wedding with tropical flowers her mother grew, timeless expressions of joy on their faces as he kissed her cheek, her legs in the air, long white airy dress complimenting her flushed skin. Ino’s gaze rested on their happy faces prompting a weak smile.
She took slow steps forward admiring the photographs, her father sitting in the backyard hammock with his funny fisher hat, a little sleepy with baby her in his arms fast asleep. There was another with young her kissing his stubbled cheek, his long blond hair packed in twin messy ponytails and clips, he wore the most funny expression that managed to make her laugh. Ino continued walking and admiring the collage of photographs all on their wall, him in the ocean with her, their surfboards in hand, him sleeping on a reclining chair hugging her, she sitting on his shoulders and reaching for the camera.
And last but not least, she recreating a picture from when they were younger but it was her high school graduation, she kissed his cheek as he laughed, tears of joy in his eyes.
The young woman froze and turned to see her mother standing at the kitchen counter staring at her. She didn’t notice it before but when the tears started falling from her eyes she couldn’t stop it, even if she tried.
“Ino.” Her mother ran towards her and embraced her, hugging her tightly, burying her daughter in her chest as if smoldering her will relieve all the pain and in a way it did. “It’ll be fine, it’s alright. It’s alright.”
Ino clicked her bedroom door open as her mother handed her the key, smiling softly at her daughter, caressing her cheek and admiring her face before pulling away.
“I made sure to clean up your room before you arrived, got you a vase of fresh flowers from the shop. I know how much you like sunflowers.” Her mother smiled and Ino returned the gesture.
“Thank you mom.” Ino walked into the room with her baggage, taking in the surreal nature of a room she once used to stay in before she left for college. A room that exuded nostalgia and of times she would remember and cringe.
It still had some elements of her tastes, like the murals of flowers and water on her walls, plus the shelf of many outdated magazines that was filled with celebrity gossip issues and fashion tips or the vanity her dad built when she started wearing make up, her little sewing machine in the corner.
“Really brings back memories.” Ino laughed, entering into the room and observing the place. She settled her stuff down and turned to her mom, wanting to come forward.
“No it’s okay.” Her mom halted her in her tracks, “You should rest while I go make dinner, go take a bath and when you’re ready come downstairs and have dinner.”
“No it’s fine, I’ll be fine.” Her mom waved goodbye and quickly left, leaving Ino alone in her room. Ino stood for a while before sitting on the soft clean linen of her bed. She was already tired from a full day of moving, right now she had to focus on arranging her stuff and taking a much needed shower.
“Goodnight baby, see you later.” said her mother before they parted ways, Ino crashed onto her bed, resting on the fluffy dreamy bed that seemed to alleviate all the aches in her body.
She hugged her pillow and quickly browsed on her phone, texting her friends and thanking them for their condolences. She scrolled through her Instagram page and liked some photos before finally switching her phone off and going to sleep.
Soon, she opened her eyes and drowsily looked side to side, why was she awake now? It almost sounded like something was knocking on her window. She sat up and rubbed her eyes, swiftly checking her phone to see the time.
The knock came again and she brought her gaze to her balcony, she gulped and reached for one of her high heels from her shoe rack, silently making her way towards the glass slide-in door. She pulled the door open and braced herself, ready to swing and scream for her life if it called for it, instead all that was there was a branch stuck to the glass, locked in a loop of hitting it because of the wind from the beach.
Ino rolled her eyes and sighed, breaking the old thing off and massaging her temples.
“It’s just a branch… why’d you have to wake me up now.” Ino tossed the thing aside and looked ahead at the shimmering waters before her, her ears filled with the crisp sounds of the blowing winds and crashing waves.
It was a pretty sight to say the least, she crossed her arms and rested on the wooden railing, admiring the ocean her dad loved so much. He used to take her surfing all the time, but Ino wasn’t sure she still remembered how to.
“Huh? What’s that?” Ino paused her pondering and squinted her eyes at the figure that was zipping across the ocean waves effortlessly. The blonde focused on what that figure could be but it was impossible, just as fast as it came it went.
Ino pulled back, her brows curved. “What was that?”
Suddenly, it came gliding back and slid onto the shores. She stood as still as possible, hoping the moonlight wouldn’t give her away, standing below her in the pure white sands of the beach was a person, but specifically a man. A young lithe man from the looks of it, holding a surfboard.
‘Who the hell surfs by this time?’ Ino thought to herself and squinted closer to see who it could be but she couldn’t see his face.
A sigh escaped his form as he stuck his long board into the sand and sat down, resting comfortably.
Ino blinked, taking a step further to get a closer look.
‘Shit!’ Ino winced to herself and looked down to see the branch she threw away earlier, there to exact vengeance and give away her presence.
“Mm?” Came his voice, calm but with an edge, sending her sliding back into her room quietly. Not wanting to be seen by a random stranger by this time.
Ino let out a breath she didn’t know she was holding and kept her back glued to the wall. To think she almost got caught, maybe going back to sleep or just mindlessly browsing on her phone was a better idea.
“Hey Ino? Are you heading to the beach?”
“Yeah! Gonna look around!” Ino yelled from below the stairs, walking to the gathering at the beach ahead.
“Okay have fun! Don’t forget to call me when you need help.” Added her mother from the window, resting against the frame and staring at her daughter growing smaller in the distance.
“Okay! No need to worry so much! Not a kid anymore!” Ino waved before disappearing past some stone walls making her mother sigh.
Ino walked around the shops and kiosks, passed the little stands with peoples paintings on display for sale. She greeted and waved at the familiar faces, friends of her dad and people her mother socialized with.
“Ey Ino!” Came a boisterous voice, dragging her name in excitement. Before she could see who it was, she was embraced in a tight hug, swinging her about like she was nothing.
“Aaagh!—uncle Choza!?” Ino widened her eyes at the man wearing a tropical yellow shirt, his red hair, messy and long as usual. He quickly dropped her down and rubbed her shoulder.
“It’s so good to see you back here! To think you’d come here and live with your mother!”
“It’s so hot and you’re all sweaty!” Ino cried, shrugging off her body from the feeling of him, “…and you got it all over me! Social distancing!”
“Huh? Guess I forgot all about that.” Choza rubbed the back of his head as the young woman in front of him wiped herself with a tissue from his kiosk.
“… And it’s good to see you too, yeah I had to return. It would be quite lonely if mom stayed at home just by herself…” Ino looked at the brawny man rubbing his chin, contemplating her words.
“Wouldn’t you be lonely too?”
“…Hmmm, anyways since you’re back, come later in the evening for some good barbecue! We’re having pork and seafood.” Choza snapped his fingers and grinned at her, “…If only Choji and Shikamaru were here, well it’s not a vacation so there’s really no point for them to be here.”
“…Thank you uncle, I’ll be there.” She smiled, her mind filling with the familiar faces of her two childhood best friends, not to mention her dad’s favorite food was pork. “…Yeah…”
Just as Choza was about to leave Ino caught his attention.
“Is the surfers hut still open?”
“Why yes.” Choza gave a nod and pointed to the shops in the distance, “…Are you interested in riding a big wave?”
“No.” Ino swiftly countered, her cheeks flushed and brows crossed. “You know I haven’t surfed in forever, I don’t think I still know how.”
Choza raised his brows, hands on his wide hips, “I don’t think it’s that easy to forget something you did all the time when you were a kid.”
“Well, only kid Ino would know.” Ino shrugged and left, passing through the paths between and in front of the shops.
Ino stood feet planted in the white sand and stared at the blue crashing waves, the wind caressed her locks as she remained seated on the ground, a place far from where people were. A heavy sigh left her lips, her back pressed against the bark of the coconut tree and she couldn’t help but sink further into the ground.
The chills from the breeze blowing seeped into her bones making her shiver a bit.
“I hate this.” Ino dug her nails into her palm and mumbled to herself. “…I hate it.”
She pulled her knees closer and embraced herself tighter, maybe it’ll make everything feel a little bit better.
Ino mindlessly stared at the ocean waves, in a couple of days he’d be cremated and his ashes would be brought home, just the way he said he wanted it to be. Ino wiped her eyes and sniffled, this was really it, wasn’t it?
It wasn’t a dream she could just wake up from. He was never going to come back and there was nothing she could do about it
She aggressively wiped her tears with the heel of her palm and rested her forehead on her knees, embracing herself closer but the pain in her heart remained the same.
Ino wasn’t aware of how much time passed as she sat on the sand, staring thoughtlessly at the horizon of the ocean and the kites in the distance. If she could sink like a stone she probably would, but she wasn’t and all she could do was stay afloat in a place she wanted nothing to do with.
She sat up, body stiffening at the sight right before her.
“D-Dad?” Ino gasped, staring at the lithe figure gliding across the waves in such a familiar way, all those moves and tricks, the balance. It was all her dad’s.
Ino rose to her feet and followed the figure with her gaze, she didn’t realize when her feet started moving, getting her closer to the person. Following across the shore, chasing to keep up with the pace of her dad.
“Dad!” Ino screamed, her feet digging into the sand, running, running as fast as she could.
She swung her arms with each stride, racing to nowhere, chasing a person she could never reach no matter how hard she ran.
Ino halted in her steps, almost tumbling over her feet.
“…Come back.” She cracked and covered her face, sobbing into it. “…Please don’t leave me.”
Ino fell to her knees into the shore, splashing the waters around on her descent.
“Please! Please I can’t.” Ino hiccuped, staring into the distance, eyes wide as she caught herself from saying another word, the sudden realization of what she just did. Ino knelt in the waters, silent like an abandoned mansion on a hill, the crashing of the waves and the wind blowing into her ears was all she could register.
She tried to get up but she couldn’t, she knelt, stuck in the ground, unable to tear her gaze away from the darkened horizon.
“Hey, get up.” A voice came from behind her, “…The tides are rising, it’s not safe to still be in the waters.”
Ino looked back to see a lithe figure standing with a dark blue surfboard, his eyes were black and he was pale. Ino stared at him trying to formulate words, to pretend she was alright and lie but she couldn’t bring herself to say anything.
He raised his brows and stared at her, his silence deafening as he tore his gaze away and looked at the dark clouds in the distance. He turned on his feet after some idle contemplation and Ino watched, her mind snapping into reality, she got up from the salty waters and made her way back home, oddly enough they were heading in the same direction.
The black haired man flashed her look and swiftly asked, “Why are you following me.”
“I’m not following you.” Ino clenched her fists, trying to regain her spunk after her mini breakdown from moments ago. She shook her head and walked faster, getting ahead of him so he wouldn’t have to see her face.
He stayed quiet but Ino could feel his gaze on the back of her head and his footsteps behind her. She passed the kiosks and soon turned to look to see him, walking with his gaze ahead. Ino stopped walking and watched him pass her, going in the direction she was heading that was near her house.
“Hey!” She called, gaining his attention, “Who are you!?”
He paused, turning to face her with his long surfboard in hand and black strands sticking to his face, his brows were crossed and eyes centered on her before he chuckled deeply and tilted his head to the side.
“Uchiha Sasuke, second son of Uchiha Fugaku.”
Ino froze a bit upon hearing those names, those were the names of strong political people in the country, anyone who was a citizen knew them. She stood feet planted in the ground aware of the way he was sizing her up, analyzing which behavior she was going to put up now.
“I’m Yamanaka Ino, daughter of Yamanaka Inoichi.”
If he was thinking about anything his expression didn’t give it away, he stood silent for a moment, his face calm yet stoic.
“…” The wind caressed their hair as his gaze shifted to her home nearby. “…Condolences.”
Ino widened her eyes and watched as he turned on his feet and continued walking away, Ino looked and shook her head before walking to her home, when she reached the crossroads she heard his voice.
“Ino.” He called as she turned to look back at him. “Your father was a powerful chairman and had many advantages that benefited not just him but my family—“
Ino tilted her head to the side, wondering where this conversation was going. Was he planning to make some sort of alliance with her?
“… But neither of those things interest me now, what I want to know is—“ He pointed his finger and stared straight at her. “—If you’re half as good as him when it comes to surfing.”
“What?” Ino blinked at him, confused but at the same time she understood, her father was an amazing surfer.
“I want to know if you have the skills and knowledge he had.” Sasuke added. “Do you?”
Ino shook her head and held her face, “I’m grieving and that’s all you can ask!? Get bent.”
She stormed off, leaving him standing with a somewhat confused look on his face, he nodded to himself and clicked his tongue.
