Hello again. This story started with an event that I was waiting to happen, but it never did… Oh, well.
Disclaimer: I do NOT own Naruto
"Enough, Pig," Sakura growled. She didn't know how much more she could take.
"Come on, Forehead! There's something you're not telling me! The moment you got back from Iron, you've been acting weird…er." Ino stared at her pink friend. Something was up, and she was NOT letting her off the hook so easily!
Sakura remained silent. She closed her eyes and turned away. Ino sighed. "Sakura, please…"
Wow. Ino called me by name. She must be serious. Sakura looked over to see Ino, eyes filled with distress. She must be worried…
"Ino… I get it. Really. But… I just don't want to talk about it right now."
There was a glint in Ino's eyes. "If you won't tell me, I can always ask Naruto."
Sakura smirked. "Like he would tell you anything."
"What if I bought him some ramen?" Ino grinned mischievously. Everyone knew that baka would do anything for ramen: even rat on Sakura.
Sakura sighed in defeat. Honestly, she didn't want Naruto to tell the story. "Fine. Here's what happened…"
"WHAT?!" Sakura groaned. She was sure the whole village heard that one. Heck, anyone within a five-mile radius probably thought someone was dying.
Ino was looming over Sakura as she sat on the oh-so familiar bench, but it seemed appropriate. This conversation was about him…
Ino sputtered, at loss for words. "So… he… you… how… no! He wouldn't… I … how could…" Tears were starting to form. She just couldn't believe it. Sasuke Uchiha, the man of both their fancies from so long ago… had tried to KILL Sakura… twice in one meeting!
"Ino. Please, calm down."
"CALM DOWN! How can YOU of all people be so calm in the first place! If it weren't for Naruto, Sai, and Kakashi-sensei, you'd be…"
"Dead?" Sakura cut her off. "I know that Ino. But, death is part of being a ninja."
"So wait, that's NOT why you're acting weird?" Now she was curious. If death didn't throw her into this depression, what did?
Sakura lowered her head. "… You're going to hate me for this…"
Ino was shocked. "Forehead! I could NEVER hate you. At least not for real!"
"Ino!" Her voice was firm. Ino knew it was time to shut up and listen. "Ok. Tell me."
Sakura took a deep breath. "You remember that I went after Naruto when we heard about Sasuke becoming a criminal, right? Wait. Why am I even asking? You were more heartbroken then anyone…"
Ino frowned. You and I both know that's not true, Sakura.
"Naruto wouldn't listen to me. Even when I "confessed" to him…"
"You WHAT?"
"Never mind. He saw right through me. I got angry and took off. I had Kiba track Sasuke for me, and when we got close… I kind of knocked them out and went on my own. I had made a decision." Her hands fisted in her lap. "I… was going to kill Sasuke myself."
Ino's eyes widened. She couldn't even speak. She wanted to scream at Sakura, giving a lecture a traitor deserved. Yet, at the same time, she could almost understand. She waited for further explanation.
"I've… never been so scared. I panicked. At the time, I couldn't think of another option. Sasuke was falling fast, and I just couldn't bear to see what he's becoming. I still can't…"
Ino could see Sakura struggling to hold back her tears. This was new.
"So, I'm not upset that Sasuke almost took my life. I deserve it. I'm… upset with myself, for sinking so low."
So? What do you think? There's more to come!
