"Ino, ¿do you know why I smile and don't react to whatever people say?", she asked me and my answer was no, "Because the best way of facing problems is with a smile and a happy heart", in that moment I knew I wanted to keep her smiling face, the smile of the girl who made me believe in love at first sight. AU (Ino's POV).

Disclaimer: Naruto characters are exclusive property of Kishimoto Masashi.

Chapter 1 – The Day I Met Her

"All right, today's the day" I said while I was getting ready to go to high school, but it was not any day, this day I was finally starting my senior year. From now on, I would take every single day to prepare myself and go to college. I knew it was gonna be harder that usual, but my dream was to study psychology and I would do everything in my power to do it.

"Ino sweetheart, hurry up if you wanna have breakfast before going to school" I heard my mother say from the kitchen, "Coming" I answered back.

I quickly finished making my hair in a high pony tail, I fixed the last details of my uniform and shoes to finally take my things, making sure not to forget anything. After all, it was a very important day of my senior year.

I then walked to the kitchen and I found my mother, Aiko, whose hair is light brown and has beautiful blue eyes. While she was serving breakfast, I saw a man with blond hair, a little darker than mine and green eyes, taking a seat on the table, my father Inoichi.

"Good morning" I said to both of them, to which they looked at me with a warm smile and answered "Good morning princess". I smiled because of their reply, with my parents age doesn't matter, they will always see me as their little and only princess, and that makes me very happy.

I won't say we're a family with many resources or economically stable, it would be a lie, but there's no need for us to fight everyday just for surviving. What it is true, is that despite the fact that sometimes we are in need of some stuff, it was never and obstacle for the three of us to be happy together, we would always look forward and find a way to keep going, sometimes we made it and in others we didn't, but that only made us closer and stronger as a family.

"Is the breakfast ready?" I asked with a smile in my face. "You got here just in time, take a seat princess" I heard my mother say back while I nodded and took a seat besides my father. "Ready for your first day?" my father asked me, to which I replied a confident yes. He smiled at me and nodded in approval and satisfied with my answer.

My parents, something I got from them are their values, they constantly taught me that life is hard, for some more than others, which is why we should always look for options and never give up, they used to say that perseverance and determination always would be important words to succeed at something, and those sayings were something that I had seen by myself with time. It had been thanks to them that I became a capable person to take care of myself, somebody who would look after her friends and loved ones, somebody confident of herself and who wouldn't surrender to any adversity.

I didn't notice I spaced out until my mother put my breakfast in front of me, who immediately noticing my distant look asked "Are you alright honey?, suddenly you seemed a little distracted". I reacted and replied, "Of course I'm fine mom, it's just that I got myself into thinking some stuff, that's it". She hesitated for a couple of seconds, but finally smiled at me and I could see all worries disappear from her eyes.

"Very well, it's best if you eat your breakfast soon so you can go to school. After all, we don't want you to be late, isn's that right princess?" my father said after a while. "You're right dad, I better hurry" I replied while eating my breakfast.

Once I finished eating, I took my things and said goodbye to my parents with a kiss on the cheek and wishing them a good day. Now this was it, my day was starting.

I arrived to school with time to spare before my first class, so having the opportunity I took my time to go to my locker and make my bag lighter, just taking with me what I would be needing for my first class.

"Hey Ino!", I heard somebody yell, and even though it was not necessary to turn around and see who it was, I directed my gaze to the person who called out for me just a moment ago. And in just a second, right in front of me was my best friend, Tenten, her dark brown eyes just like her hair fixed in me, she was of my same height, so it was not difficult for our gazes to find one another. She lived only with her mother, never got to meet her father.

"Hi there Tenten, ready to start the day?", I asked, "But of course I am", she cried out with enthusiasm, which took me by surprise because it was not normal that she was so eager to take the lessons.

"Although I'm actually excited only because I get to see the other guys and not because of wanting to make it to class like somebody I have in front of me", she rapidly whispered, and I snorted because of what she just said, but almost immediately laughed, that's the Tenten I know.

"Yeah well, say whatever you want. I like to study" I answered back. She just rolled her eyes in sign of understanding and said "Yes I know, you're not going to become a great psychologist some day for nothing, isn't that right?, I could only give her a big smile and nodded in gratitude.

"Hey, did you hear the rumors?, people say that Haruno Kiyoshi's grandchildren will be studying high school here", we heard one of the students say, "Mmm, Haruno, where have I heard that…?, wait!, you don't mean the ones who own pretty much every hospital here in Konoha, right?, I don't think that's possible. With the money they have, they wouldn't send their family members to public school" another student immediately replied, and that was what caught my attention entirely.

"And why not?, being a public school doesn't mean it's a bad one" I heard somebody answer back, and I couldn't agree more, the fact that we study in a public high school didn't make us any less than the ones who go to private schools, however, what got my attention the most in that moment was the fact that they mentioned the Haruno family, because frankly, everybody in Konoha had to know about that family thanks to their long history and transcendence in the medicine field, and because of the great number of skilled and excepcional medics that were born in it.

"Haruno Kiyoshi, and who would that be?", I couldn't help but to hit my forehead with the palm of my hand due to Tenten's question, of course, only her in all Konoha could be that clueless.

"Tenten, Haruno Kiyoshi is nothing more and nothing less than the current director of the hospitals that carry the same as his family, and the ones that are located in every single corner or street in Konoha, you really don't know who he is?", I asked her with a hidden hope that she would answer yes, however, the confusing gaze she directed me was more than enough to confirm my biggest fear in that moment, it was official, Tenten didn't know about the Haruno family.

I sighed and started thinking in a way to clarify a little Tenten's confusion and finally said, "You see Tenten, the Haruno family is very well known in a lot of places around the world because of their great contributions to the medic field and because as the time passed by they managed to establish their own hospitals beginning with their home place, meaning here in Konoha. The person who began to set up the hospitals and make his family name important and known was Haruno Kiyoshi's great grandfather, the current director as I already told you, and it was from then on that the family legacy has been passed on from generation to generation from father to son, however, a lot of people say that this time it wasn't like that, and that Haruno Kiyoshi has decided to leave his position to one of his grandchildren, although I'm not sure if that's true", I finished telling Tenten and a little thoughtful about if the rumors, such as the grandchildren coming to study here as well as that one grandchild who would be receiving all the heritage, were truth.

"Oh, really?, I never thought that one family would be able to be that powerful and famous, and much less here in Konoha", I heard my best friend say and I directed my gaze to her, when she suddenly starting talking again, "Wait, if you know so much about them, how is it that you don't know if those rumors are truth or not?", she asked, which got me thinking a little while until I found a definite answer, "Well, they left Konoha a little time after the birth of Kiyoshi – san's second grandchild saying in front of national media that there had been a new business opportunity outside the country, and that they would be gone for a while. Or at least that's what my parents told me, after all, we were barely two years old back then" I concluded taking my gaze to the floor as I starting thinking.

"Mmm, I see. Then there's nothing to do but to wait and see if the rumors are real or not, right?", I raised my head and it was my turn to give a confused look to Tenten, dark brown eyes crashed against blue ones, surprising me a little when I saw a smirk on her face, only achieving to increase the intensity of my gaze and with the hope that she would keep talking.

Noticing the curiosity that my eyes reflected, she sighed and laughed a little, and finally clearing out my doubt she said "Well it's very simple really, if the rumor about the grandchildren studying here are true, we just have to wait for the day to pass by. If it's truth, in some moment we'll see them walking by the halls, on the cafeteria, outside the building, or even on the bathrooms. C'mon, there are a lot of places where we could perfectly see them", Tenten concluded.

I replied "Yeah, you're totally right", however, I noticed there was something still missing and so I asked her "Hey, and what about the family heritage rumor, how will ve know if that one's truth or false?".

"Well, everything at its own time, that part will come later" she answered back, and with a new confusion growing into me I asked her, "And now what do you mean with that?". She let out a loud laugh and I frowned. When she took notice of my discontent, she suddenly stopped laughing and calmed herself, "C'mon relax, don't get mad. It's just that the face you made was very funny" she told me with her regular tone of voice.

"You see Ino, in order to solve the other doubt we have, the only way to know if it's truth or not is asking to the person directly. And that's what you'll do as soon as you make yourself the Haruno grandchildren's friend, and then of course you'll introduce me to them as your best friend that I am, and everything solved" she concluded with a big smile and her thumb up in sign of victory.

And it was then that I noticed what she had just said… "Hold on, what!?, me being their friend just like that?, yeah right" I cried out with obvious sarcasm in my voice. Tenten looked at me and asked "Why do you react like that?, it's just about introducing yourself and that would be it, it's not a big deal".

I hesitated a little because of the statement she just gave me and lowered my gaze ashamed, "Well, it is truth that introducing myself wouldn't be a big deal, but they are people from a different level, or well, I don't really know how to say it out loud, but I can't help not to feel nervous to the thought of talking to people like them, speak directly to them, I don't know, I wouldn't feel confident or comfortable I think" I said. I'm usually somebody secure of myself, however, it was unavoidable that the nervousness appeared inside of me because of Tenten's comment, I guess it was due to the status that family possesses.

Don't get me wrong, I'm very grateful with my parents because of everything they've given me, and of course I'm not ashamed because of my economic status, but when I thought about them, I don't know…

I felt small.

I wasn't sure what those thoughts were about, but at the end I deducted that it was due to the fact that never in my life I have had the chance to face the people of that kind of family, and I left it like that.

Taking notice of the sudden silence, I raised my gaze and saw that Tenten was trying really hard not to laugh, obviously because of what I just said. Forgetting my sudden shyness and embarrassment, I frowned before my friend's terrible attempt to simulate, who seeing my expression finally gave into uncontrollable laughter.

"Oh my dear Ino, there are times when I honestly don't know what to do with you, you make me laugh so much" she said. "Stop it Tenten!, I mean it, stop laughing" I requested a little upset due to her reaction.

Calming herself and resuming her posture, Tenten looked me in the eyes and with a renewed seriousness she said "My dear friend, they're just people, like you and me, there's no need to act different or suppress ourselves in front of people like them. Just be yourself, keep it in mind!".

My eyes got wider in surprise before the words I have just heard, Tenten is right, we are all humans, there's no reason to be insecure. I rapidly got my confidence back and with a big smile in my face I say "Thanks Tenten", earning a smile back.

Suddenly, muttering starting increasing on the hall "Is it truth then?", "How exciting", "Blah, I'm sure they'll be just a couple of vain brats", "Just what we needed, wealthy kids in the school", "I already want to meet them, I'm certain they're the kindest people ever", "They're from a family full of medics, seriousness and coldness must be everything they give away", a lot of students were whispering around, Tenten turned to see me with the same visible interest I was seeing her.

It seemed, one of the rumors had been quickly confirmed.

"Here they come" somebody at last shouted, automatically earning the attention of every single person, student or teacher, on the hall. Tenten and I turned to the main entrance of the school. With a new curiosity about how the new students would be like.

The first person I got to visualize was a boy, light skinned but not too much to make him look sick, blond hair and dark green eyes, he was surely the youngest of the grandchildren, since although he seemed to be the same height as me, he still carried some features similar to a kid. While he was walking down the hall, he carried a smirk on his face, and his gaze gave away nothing but enthusiasm, he seemed to be a really kind person. I had to admit it, even now he was good looking, surely when growing up he'd turned into a girls magnet, and I believe that's a lot to say for somebody who doesn't feel attracted precisely by the opposite sex.

In an instant, his calmed and relaxed face turned into a one of bewilderment, and his smirk faded away while turning to look at his back. His gaze was moving around, it seemed he was searching for somebody that was supposed to be following him, al least until a moment ago. And just when he seemed disposed to go back outside to search for that person and I swore seeing somebody with pink hair on the main entrance about to enter, the inevitable happened… "Kyaaaaa!", a lot of girls started screaming excited due to the new student in our high school.

I rolled my eyes before the childish reaction. Typical of the girls to do that. I thank Kami – sama everyday for not making that way.

"What the heck!, it's like they've never seen a new student before… and handsome" my best friend snorted with a little blush on her cheeks and looking discretely at the one that was the center of attention at that moment, I laughed before her action. Even though Tenten acts indifferent, I know when she feels attracted by somebody and this was the case. But knowing my friend, she surely would let it go soon.

While the crazy students were still around the blond green eyed boy, it was heard how the main entrance opened again, however I couldn't see the person that just came in, the girls that were suffocating the boy wouldn't allow me to.

All of a sudden, a sweet and kind voice could be heard among the crowd, I could even say angelic, at least to me.

"C'mon girls, a little space please. I wouldn't like to see my otouto ashamed so early. You see, it may not seem like it, but he tends to get very nervous when he's the center of attention", said that beautiful voice.

"Oi onee – chan. Don't say those things", the boy said back.

"Haha, I'm sorry otouto, I couldn't resist", the voice replied quickly, making me blush due to the melodious laughter. "Now girls and boys, otouto and I need to check some things before class. If you'd excuse us…?", the yet mysterious voice just now requested to boys as well as girls. It seems her, just like her brother got the attention of the people around.

Slowly, the crowd started fading away and there were left some students around yet, but that didn't prevented me from finally landing my blue eyes in the person whom only by listening to her voice I wanted to meet so badly.

In the moment I saw her, my heart starting speeding up.

Before my eyes, there was a light skinned girl, but her skin seemed a little more tanned than the boy's, she was around my same age and height, with a body that would make anybody turn to see her, with a hair so long that it reached her lower back and pink, but what got my attention the most…

Her eyes.

Green emerald eyes that reflected warmth and charisma. They glowed so much that it would have been possible that those eyes reach the deepest part of your soul.

While they were going away, I kept watching absorbed to such beautiful girl that I didn't even notice when Tenten talked to me.

"Oi Ino, earth to Ino. Did you even hear me out?, it's getting late for us to get to class. I thought you were excited for getting there" I heard the girl who kept me company all this time say, finally getting me out of my trance.

"Oh sorry Tenten, I spaced out for an instant" I told her a little ashamed, she just let out a small laughter, "Don't worry Ino, it's alright" she replied with a smile, and for that I was grateful.

"See you on the break time then?", I asked with a smirk. We both go to the same school, but unfortunately our schedules are entirely different, mainly because of some advanced classes I will be taking this year. Oh well, we still have the break time to see each other.

"Of course baby!", you don't even have to ask" she said back, and I couldn't help but roll my eyes before the nickname she sometimes gives me. Finally I nodded to my best friend and rushed to the classroom.

My thoughts went back to the one that just a moment ago speeded up dramatically my heartbeats. Without thinking about it, a smile made its way to my lips. Maybe Tenten's suggestion wasn't so bad after all. I had to meet her. I wanted to meet her.

I couldn't wait to see her again.