Slow Burn

Never Ending Nightmare

Ino was once again awoken from her nightmare, drenched in a cold sweat. Except, it was nothing like the movies, she wasn't trembling or crying.

She was just frozen.

The memories played on repeat in her mind, tormenting her with every breath. Her hands were clammy and joints awkwardly stiff, she stood from her bed, knees wobbling as she sprinted out of her house.

• • •

Anger flooded through Hinata as her bedroom light flicked on, bringing her from the-luckily- dreamless sleep.

When she looked at the panting form in her doorway, Hinata feels bad for getting pissy. Ino looked like a wreck, sweat drenched, her usually shiny, flowing hair was out of its ponytail, her bangs sticking to her forehead. It must've been bad for Ino to come without her foundation, or at least try to cover the dark circles under her eyes.

"Hi-Hinata... We need to rewrite the mission reports, we have to." She ran a shaky hand through her platinum blonde hair, "I can't..."

Hinata nodded, "I thought so too." She pulled her knees up, granting Ino access to sit on the foot of her bed. Silence blanketed them, save for the incessant ticking of Hinata's wall clock, making the pair feel like fucking insomniacs.

"We... Fuck..." Ino's shoulders shook as she began to tear up, "We killed someone, Hinata..."

Teeth tugged on her bottom lip, "This wasn't the first, Ino." She inhaled deeply and gripped her knees, "This is our job."

"Oh fuck you!" Hinata was almost surprised at Ino's outburst, "Cut the bullshit Hinata! It was never supposed to happen like that and you damn well know it!"

The bed dipped, the old twin mattress groaning as Ino stood, "I don't even know why I came here." She said, venom lacing her words, "This is why you're always second to Sakura in my book."

Maybe she was right, Hinata knew deep down that Ino never meant the harsh words, but they still cut deeply. An emotional wound that would never heal completely and Hinata knew it.

So to keep Ino— and herself— from saying anything she'd regret, Hinata said nothing and watched Ino flick off the lights, storm out of the room and out of the apartment completely, slamming the door on her way out.

Dread filled Hinata as her heart pounded, the feeling left a bitter taste in her mouth, Ino's words ringing in her head like a sadistic mantra.

Hinata looked over at her loud clock; 3:17 am.

She sighed and her head fell onto her knees, it was going to be a long night.

• • •

This had to be the messiest, vaguest report Sakura's ever written, her mentors would be disappointed.

Well maybe except for Kakashi, His reports were usually just one long run on sentence with vague details and spelling mistakes.

Not only that, she was late. Kakashi would approve.

"Sakura what the hell?! You were supposed to be here thirty minutes ago!" Ino's voice was impatient, increasing Sakura's anxiety and headache tenfold.

A growl tore from her throat, "Zip it Ino. I had the night shift at the Hospital."

The blonde, who now had her full face of makeup on, scoffed and rolled her eyes at the obvious lie, "Yeah right. Hinata and I had hard nights too, but we're still fucking here. I bet she feels the same way as me."

That wasn't true, Hinata wanted to say, but she didn't, only letting the air fall awkwardly and silently upon them.

The two bullheaded females began sizing each other up before the quietest of the three spoke up, "We should go." They silently agreed and the trio of Kunoichi made their way to the Hokage tower.