Never Have to be Alone
It was just a little argument.
"PIG!"
"FOREHEAD GIRL!"
Okay, maybe it was not so little.
There we are, myself and the pink-haired medical nin, who stopped by our
flower shop. I was not surprised to see her, however, it seemed like she
was never around without looking all down in the dumps.
Of course she could not stop thinking about Sasuke-kun. But what good
what it have done if she kept dwelling over him? It was not good for her
health, and I pointed this out to her.
"Sakura, most of us have moved on without him. You should do the same.
Keep this up and you'll end up with wrinkles all over your----"
She snapped at me.
"You think it's that easy, Ino?! Damn it, you weren't the one who was on
the same team with Sasuke-kun!"
I throw my hands up in complete frustration.
"Hey, I'm trying to help. If all you're going to do is mope around, then
don't do it inside our shop!"
"FINE! SEE IF I EVER COME TO YOU FOR SUPPORT AGAIN!"
She stomps herself out.
"YEAH, FINE! AND DON'T BOTHER COMING BACK!"
Watching her leave, I slump down against the counter, heaving a big
sigh. That was way out of line for me. But I'm not feeling in the mood
to chase after her.
I close my eyes, and my mind slowly drifts back to when we were kids.
***
Little Sakura is sitting by herself, hugging her knees close to her
chest, sobbing quietly.
"Not again, Sakura. Did you get picked on again?"
She sniffs, but does not even glance in my direction.
"Why do they always pick on me?"
I shake my head and approach her.
"It's because you never stand up for yourself. And I can't always be
there to back you up."
She sighs. "It's because of my stupid large forehead. I should just hide
somewhere for the rest of my life....I'm sorry....."
"What are you talking about? And why are you apologizing? I know you're
not that weak, Sakura! Take it from me! Until the day comes when you
fully blossom, don't hide yourself from the sun! We'll do it together!"
She wipes her tears away, then finally looks to me, her bright green
eyes glossing in tears. I reach out and wipe them away, smiling.
"Together, Ino-chan?"
"Yep, together! Always!"
***
I wake up with a start, rubbing my eyes. I knew what I had to do. And
leaving the shop to my mother, I take off running.
***
"Why am I not surprised to find you here?"
Where do I find her? In the same exact spot where used to cry to
herself.
She sighs. "Came to tease me again, Ino?"
I pause. "Look, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you. It's just, well, I
don't like seeing you sad."
She looks to me with those same bright green eyes. Her pink hair
flutters gently against the warm afternoon breeze.
"I'm sorry, too, Ino. I shouldn't have yelled at you. It's just hard not
thinking about him."
I approach her, and offer my hand.
"I'm no Sasuke-kun, but at least, I was able to see something that even
he was too blind to see."
"What's that?"
"A beautiful blossoming flower."
She blushes, and takes my hand, standing up.
"Let's go back?"
"Let's."
And I think to myself as we walk back to the shop.
'I'll never leave you alone, Sakura.'
Back to Naruto Shoujo-Ai Fanfiction