Kunoichi Love
Part Two -- Chapter One
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The pain I cause...
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I glared at the miserable reflection that stared back at me from the mirror. Its tousled hair and puffy eyes from crying half the night combining to create such a pitiful image that I could hardly bear to look it. To make matters worse I knew there was nobody to blame but myself for the state I was in. Of all the people I'd ever expected to be put in my place by, Hinata had to be damn near the bottom of the list and unfortunately for me it wasn't only surprising... but it had been blisteringly accurate as well. The normally shy girl had painted an ugly picture for me to look at, one I really wasn't sure how to fix.
'I can't believe I'd let myself become so self centered and petty... and for what? I don't even know anymore... but I need to apologize to Naruto...' It was an ugly thought. 'I don't even know how you'd apologize for something like that!' “Hey Naruto, sorry I toyed with your emotions for all those years only to start leading you on with false hopes because I became lonely and confused after the person I thought I liked ran away and became a jerk hell bent on destroying us,” I said mockingly to my reflection before rolling my eyes. 'Yeah, I'm sure that'd go over real well...' Thankfully, my self pity was interrupted by someone knocking on the door.
“Sakura?” came my mother's voice.
“Yeah Mom?”
“When you're done could you stop by the Yamanaka's shop and pick up some of those new lilies for the walkway?” she asked. The idea shot through me like a thunderbolt.
“Flowers! That's it!” I shouted triumphantly. “Some flowers and an honest apology would be a great place to start!” With the new plan in mind my spirit was renewed and I was on my way... only to stop two steps from the door upon remembering how ragged I looked. So, after a shower, some vigorous hair brushing, and a little makeup to cover the bags under my eyes, I was on my way for real.
-Ino-
As had become routine; I was currently behind the desk in the lobby of the flower shop, leaned back in my chair and using one propped up leg to slowly rock myself back and forth. For entertainment I had the exciting prospects of... drumming my fingers idly away on my stomach or blowing at the lock of the hair that fell in front of my face. I think it's pretty safe to say that I was... had been bored, and miserable when I stop and think about it, for months. First the number of mission requests had started to drop off when it had become obvious that my fighting skills were nowhere near the rest of my class. This combined with the increase of missions for the others left me with nobody to talk to most of the time. Even more painful was that with Sasuke gone the excuses to get Sakura all riled up had all but disappeared.
'Sakura...' The mere thought of the pink haired kunoichi brought a sad smile to my face. 'So much lost time... so many regrets...'
“Ino?”
'How pathetic, I'm so lonely I'm even hearing her voice in my head.'
“Ino, are you okay?” her sweet voice came again. I turned to see Sakura standing at the other side of the desk with a curious look on her face.
'Just look at her there, how could I have been so...' Realizing that I was, in fact, staring at the real Sakura caused me to jerk in surprise, an action I wouldn't recommend when you're bracing yourself on one leg. I was promptly sent topping over backwards with a squeaked “Sakura!” on the way down. 'Oh yeah, that was smooth...' I thought to myself bitterly from where I lay, wishing I could simply lay there forever and not have to face the other girl amid all the embarrassment.
“Ino-chan are you okay?!” Sakura shouted, leaping over the desk to stand over me.
'She called me Ino-chan...' Mistaking my silence for injury, Sakura quickly formed a few Seals and placed her hands on the sides of my head to allow her healing chakra to flow into me. 'So warm...' I can't be sure but I think I let out a quiet whimper from the connection.
“That should do it,” Sakura gasped, slightly out of breath from the transfer. “Are you okay, Ino?” she asked, offering her hand to me. I was a little disappointed by the loss of the honorific and the severing of the connection but, nevertheless, took the girl's hand. As if I hadn't embarrassed myself enough already, I let out a rather loud yelp of surprise when Sakura easily pulled me up with the single hand, causing me to stumble into the girl's waiting arms.
'She's so... powerful...' I had to fight down a shudder as a familiar wave of emotions washed over me. I found myself ever so slightly stroking my fingertips across the front of Sakura's shoulders where I'd braced myself. 'I've gotten a lot taller than her though... I'd have to lean down to...' Blushing slightly at the wandering thought, I stepped back from the other girl and took a deep breath to steady myself. “Thank you... Sakura-chan, I've been so clumsy lately.”
“Ah, no worries, Ino. Are you feeling okay though?” I put on my prettiest smile and nodded. “Good,” Sakura said, then began to fidget a little as an awkward silence settled over us.
“So, what brings you here?” I asked to clear it.
“Oh, nothing much, my Mom heard you have some new kind of lily and she wanted me to pick some up.”
“Oh...” I murmured, slightly crestfallen that she'd actually come to the flower shop to purchase flowers.
“Something wrong?” I shook my head.
“No, just thinking about something else. Yeah, we've still got some in stock, they're over here in the back,” I managed with a bright smile, one which melted the instant I turned around. 'Stupid... did you really think she'd come here to see you? You're second rate fodder and she's an apprentice to the Hokage...'
“Oh wow! They're beautiful!” Looking up upon Sakura's exclamation I realized I'd actually managed to lead the girl to the flowers she was looking for. As she stepped forward to admire them I had the chance to really look Sakura over. I noted that the pink haired girl had gained a fair amount of weight but it was in all the right places, serving to fill out her curves rather nicely. It wasn't long before I found myself lost in a daydream as I watched the other girl, feelings I had tried so hard to bury came bubbling to the surface all too easily and stronger than I remembered them ever being.
“So beautiful...” I said, clapping a hand to my mouth when I realized I'd spoken out loud.
“They really are! I'll take... three dozen.” I let out a sigh of relief.
“Yeah, sure thing,” I said sadly, realizing that I was about to be left alone again, only to perk up as an idea struck me. “If you'd like I could package them up and bring them to your house for you?”
“No, that's okay.”
“Are you sure? No charge or anything!” I continued, a hint of desperation showing through my guard.
“I appreciate it, but no thanks.”
“Never mind then,” I said quietly, hanging my head slightly as I began collecting the most beautiful of what we had in stock to fill Sakura's order.
“Um... Ino, there is one other thing...”
“Yes?” I asked, suddenly hopeful as I whirled around to face the girl. It was obvious that whatever it was, was making the girl nervous because she couldn't stop fidgeting and was unable to meet my gaze. 'It couldn't be...'
“I wanted to get something for a really close friend. I... she's someone that's come to really mean a lot to me. I've been selfish... and up until now I didn't even realize how badly I've been ignoring her feelings...” My heart was practically beating out of my chest. “Ino, do you think you...”
'Oh you sweet beautiful girl... you really do care. I thought I was all alone but you...'
“...could help me pick out something for Naruto?” The flower I'd been holding fell to the ground as a stabbing pain shot through my chest, I could feel a single tear slide off my cheek to follow the lily to the ground. “Ino? Is something wrong?” With every last bit of willpower I could muster I formed a fake smile and turned away quickly before it could falter.
“How about you just take another dozen lilies, I'm sure he... she would love them,” I managed, ducking down to collect the fallen flower an instant before my resolve could break.
“That's a great idea! Thanks Ino!”
“Just doing my job...” I said evenly, biting my lip to keep from crying out in misery. I managed to finish picking out the flowers and arrange them in separate boxes, being sure to keep my back to the pink haired girl as much as possible. When finished I took several deep breaths and forced the smile back onto my face before turning and handing the bundles to her. “That'll be fifty for the set, you can just leave it on the table, I have something I need to take care of in the back,” I said quickly, spinning on my heel to walk away only to be stopped by a strong yet still so delicate hand on my shoulder. Try as I might, I couldn't help the soft whimper that escaped my lips as silent tears began to fall.
“Ino, are you okay? You seem sad or something...” Unable to turn around and face her, I simply shook my head.
“Don't worry about me Sakura, you've got to get those flowers delivered, right?” I said, voice quivering as the tears began to fall harder. The hand removed itself and I hurriedly walked to the door that lead to the stockroom and flung it open.
“I guess so... thanks again Ino!” the pink haired girl called out just before the door closed behind me. Dropping slowly to my knees, I wrapped my arms around my waist and allowed my resolve to break.
“Stupid Ino... stupid and weak! No wonder they all abandoned you, you're pathetic! Clinging all over her like some desperate loser, she probably thinks you're crazy...” Several months of bitter loneliness came bubbling to the surface, causing me to cling to myself tighter and tighter in hopes of staving off the heartache. Time seemed to fade into the background as I gradually felt my body going numb as I squeezed myself harder and harder . By the time a pair of arms, so strong but still so delicate, slid around my waist and under my legs to lift me off the ground I was barely conscious of my surroundings. Still, it felt so safe in those arms that I allowed my head to fall against the form that held me... and then... all I could do was cry.
-Sakura-
I hadn't taken two steps out of the flower shop before something deep within my chest told me that I needed to go back. Reentering the store, I made my way to the door Ino had went through. When I'd come within a few steps of it I could hear some low noises coming from within. Curious, I pressed an ear to the cool metal, eyes going wide when I realized what the sound was.
'She's... crying? I knew something was wrong... but what could it be? She looked fine when I showed up but she was acting strange after... after she fell and hit her head! She probably really hurt herself and didn't want me to feel bad about causing it!' Intent on apologizing, I opened the door and stepped into the darkness of the room. “Ino, I'm so sorry I...” the words trailed off as I took in the state of the girl. My heart, the thing that had told me that something was wrong, let out an agonized wail at the sight of the brokenhearted girl. 'Ino-chan...' My body seemed to move of it's own accord, stepping forward and lifting the sobbing girl into my arms. “I've hurt you too and I didn't even realize it...” I sniffled, tears of my own beginning to fall as I cradled the girl tightly to my chest and for several minutes, the silence was broken only by our quiet sobs.
“S-Sa-Sakura?” she managed through a fit of hiccups. Her whole body seemed to go rigid and for a second I was afraid she'd try to break away. “Y-You came back... for me?” The desperately hopeful look on her face was too much for my shame to bear. I clutched her tighter to my chest, pressing my face into the river of blonde hair.
“I'm so sorry Ino... I'm so sorry I didn't notice you were hurting!” I cried into the silken blonde tresses. I could feel Ino's arms slip around my neck and relished in the comfort they offered.
“I... I was so lonely Sakura-chan. All of you...” she paused for several hiccups to pass, “all of you got so strong. But I didn't and... and the missions stopped being offered. You all became so important and I... I didn't have anybody!” she wailed, burying her face deep into the crook of my neck. Things seemed to settle into an easy calm, both of us simply holding the other and drinking in the comfort of the embrace. Slowly but surely allowing the sadness to fade away.
“Not anymore, Ino-chan... I swear I'm not going to let you be lonely anymore,” I whispered after the worst of it had passed. I gave the blonde a reassuring squeeze for emphasis before easing her down to the ground.
“You really mean that, Sakura-chan?” Ino sniffed, keeping her arms around my neck despite being on her own feet. I gave her the brightest smile I could manage and nodded.
“Let's go out tonight and spend some time together, eat dinner or something, it'll be just like...”
“Hello! Is anybody here?” someone called from within the shop. Ino, almost seeming reluctant, pulled away from me and frantically started to smooth out her dress.
“Oh a customer... and I'm a mess!” the blonde whined, wiping at her tear stained cheeks and running her fingers through her hair. “How do I look?” I paused in wiping at my own cheeks to take in the frazzled and puffy eyed girl.
“Like a working girl who's had a few too many.” Ino's eyes went wide with shock and I couldn't help but giggle.
“I hate you!” Ino shouted, smacking me playfully on the arm.
“Relax, you look fine,” I said, taking Ino's hand and pulling her out the door, managing to plant my face right into Tsunade's cleavage as she had been about to knock.
“Well, at least the service was worth the wait!” the woman chuckled as I managed to push myself free and stumble backward, sputtering breathlessly.
“Now who's the working girl?” Ino whispered cattily, my cheeks taking on a furious blush. “So, what brings you here Hokage-sama?” Ino asked the woman, who was looking back and forth between the two of us suspiciously.
“Oh nothing much, just a single red rose, preferably without thorns, for a certain someone's... um... uh...”
“Birthday?” Ino offered with a knowing smile.
“Yeah, let's go with that!”
“Oh?” I questioned suspiciously after recovering, what I'm sure was a rather nasty grin spreading across my face. “Should Ino wrap it for you or just tuck it into your cleavage now and save you the trouble?” Ino tried and failed to disguise a giggle as a series of coughs. I'd heard enough flirtatious comments around the office that were enough to give even me a nosebleed so I knew full well what the rose was for. Tsunade's eyes narrowed into a glare even as a hint of a blush crept across her cheeks.
“Well, I take it you're volunteering for that new toilet cleaning mission that just came in. I'll just go ahead and sign you up for it, ne?” the woman countered, raising an eyebrow in challenge.
“Oh you must have misheard me Tsunade-sama, I was simply commenting on how lovely you look today!” I said sweetly.
“Ah, I see. Why thank you Sakura,” the woman said, all three of us sharing a quick laugh.
“Oh! It's good that you're here actually, I was just going in to ask you if I could take the day off, it's really important!” I pleaded.
“I have... plans myself so I don't see why not.”
“Thank you Tsunade-sama! You're the best!”
“That I am,” she said with a chuckle before her eyes hardened somewhat and flicked between to two of us. “Is everything okay now?” she asked seriously. Ino bit her lip and turned away, using the pretense of trimming the rose the woman had ordered. Thinking for a moment, I stepped forward and nodded.
“It will be.”
“Good. Just remember that if you girls ever need to talk to a caring and well adjusted older woman...”
“Find Kurenai-sensei and ask her?” I asked with a giggle.
“Bingo!” Tsunade said, taking her trimmed rose from Ino and dropping some money on the table. “Beautiful as always Yamanaka-san.”
“It's nothing special...”
“That's not true, you have a beautiful gift that I think any girl could appreciate.” This brought a rather adorable blush to the blonde's cheeks. “Well, I'd best be off,” she said, turning and heading for the doorway, calling out, “don't have too much fun!” over her shoulder just as she exited onto the street.
“To think that woman is the leader of us all...” Ino said quietly.
“Yeah... we are so lucky!” We shared a giggle that slowly died down into an awkward silence. I stood fidgeting nervously for a few moments until noticing my bundles on the floor. “Well, I guess I should go drop off those lilies and take care of a few things.”
“Um... when should we...?” I couldn't help but notice that Ino seemed incredibly nervous.
“I guess I'll come by around six o'clock, would that be okay? We could get something to eat and then do something around town maybe?” I asked, collecting the boxes and moving towards the entrance.
“That sounds wonderful... Sakura-chan. I'll be waiting for you,” Ino said dreamily, gazing into my eyes with such burning adoration that I had to turn away. Waving over my shoulder I made my way onto the street and back towards my house to drop off the flowers for mother first, figuring it would give me some time to prepare a decent apology for Naruto.
Still, I couldn't help but think that I had missed some important detail about what had just happened. But what could go wrong, we were just two friends planning to hang out...