Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto series,if i did, then Ino would have been the one ending up with Naruto.

Border of Hi no Kuni ( land of fire )

"Speech"

'thoughts'

(...) Panting

Two silhouettes can be seen rapidly jumping from one tree to another. while traveling the female companion complained to the male one," Naruto, when are we gonna stop? I just want to take a break already ". The man, now identified as Naruto answered," stop whining Ino, next stop is just ahead a kilometer. Honestly, you take a lot of breaks. I mean, who stops six times to take a rest in a three-day mission dattebayo"

At this Ino closed the distance between them and bonked him on the head while saying "not everyone is a stamina freak like you, now I pity forehead, cuz, she had to keep up with you on a mission".

Naruto frowned at this and thought out loud "I still don't know why Baa-chan sent you along with me, I alone was enough for this diplomatic mission".

"no you idiot" Ino replied and then continued sagely "you may be a war hero but, you're not a good enough diplomat or an ambassador for Konoha, I am a noble clan heiress, no offense but, you are a civilian ninja and I'm trained for these type of negotiations from my childhood by my father".

He first sulked after hearing her explanation but then after a few seconds he smirked at her and in a teasing voice e said " I get where you are coming from but looks like you suck at history" she initially became confused at his statement but glared at him and demanded, "where did that come from? and Baka, my knowledge reservoir is far bigger than yours".

instead of answering He suddenly increased his pace and landed on the now plain land "looks like we reached the town" and hearing this, she brightened up and pushed the questions in the back of her mind and cheerfully started running towards the civilization and then stated, its already twilight, we should find an inn or a hotel for the night and then something to fill our tummies", as if on the cue, his stomach growled in a loud manner.

They made their way to the center of the town and to her disgust, he found a ramen stand, and not only that, he forced her to come along and eat with him 'the supposed food of gods. He ordered a Miso char siu (miso pork ) ramen and she demanded a low-calorie ramen. Before eating, he smelled the broth like a drug addict and literally melted in his seat while muttering, "oh man, that's the stuff" but before he could savor any flavor, a scream fell into his and Ino's ears, both of them were now perked up and on full alert " what was that Naruto? I think someone's in danger". Naruto agreed with her suggestion, tapped into Kurama's chakra, started sensing negative emotions on the town-wide scale, and picked up strong hostile emotions along with fear and dread. Without a second thought, he shot up in the direction where he sensed those emotions and Ino followed behind him at her top speed( which was slower than naruto for obvious reasons ).

before entering the alley where Naruto went, she heard a loud voice ' RASENGAN and became extremely worried cuz, it's not a move Naruto throws around randomly when she finally entered the alley, she became shocked by the scene in front of her, a person was lying on the ground with tattered clothes and spiral injuries on his belly, probably from the RASENGAN Naruto used earlier, a lady was resting by the wall on her back with her one hand pressed on her bloodied abdomen, and other hand holding a cluster of blankets, protectively pressed to her side. Ino snapped out of shock and ran straight to the woman to tend to her injuries with her SHOSEN JUTSU( mystic palm technique). The woman tried to say something but nothing left her mouth except a few words " s..st.. stop this ", Ino glared at her after hearing this and the glare did the magic.

Naruto then came close to them and kneeled beside his fellow Kunoichi and put his hand on her shoulder and told her, " it's futile Ino, the wound is fatal, directly below the heart. Let her talk, please", after hearing him she snapped out of her state and motioned to the lady signaling her to say something and the lady complied," th..thank... you both... if.. not.. for you then... we both could have died... but.. now. looks like.. only one.. of us.. will li.. live". they both became surprised by her words but then the lady unfolded the blanket with her shivering hand and revealed a small face of a baby, this answered their unasked question. " whe.. when i.. entered here. that thug snatched.. him out o.f my hands and threa...threatened me... to kill the.. baby.. if I didn't gave.. h..him my money... I was successful.. getting him ba.. back but... he shoved a knife in m...m..me" she coughed up some blood but continued," my child... do..esn't have...anyone other..than me in t...t..this world, p. .ise me bboth of..you, please, that.. yo..you will take care of him".

"Da faq? I mean, we have to do what?", Ino agreed with him but the lady again spoke," i. I dont want him to grow up lonely and as an orphan" she said in one breath and puked some more blood.

Now Ino who was going to refuse but Naruto looked at her and then at lady with a determined gaze and said," we promise that we will take care of him, right Ino?", she was dumbfounded at first but then also nodded with confidence.

Ino took the baby from her hands and caressed he infant's cheek softly and asked about his name, the lady tried to say something but words didn't came out of her mouth but blood did, and light left her eyes on an instant and she died.

Both shinobi broke into tears and Naruto closed her eyes with his hand before taking Ino and the baby in a tight yet comfortable hug.

A.N. Here folks this concludes first chapter. I first read similar story to mine on WATTPAD and my idea is inspired by that. ik ik wattpad story, the idea was good except grammer and chapter length (story name = BONDED TOGETHER)

P.S. this is my first story and English is not my first language, Punjabi is. This is also my first fanfiction so honest reviews are welcomed