...Amaranthyz Presents...

The Cold & The Crystallized

Chapter 1: Changed

Character(s) [By appearance]: Yamanaka Ino, Nara Shikamaru, Akimichi Chouji, Inuzuka Kiba, Hyuga Hinata

Pairing(s): slight SasuSaku

Characters from Naruto - rightfully belongs to Masashi Kishimoto

I strongly disclaim all rights on the characters but the entire story was originally and rightfully created by me


It's been 3 years since the shinobi world had claimed peace and every country was happy. The Land of Fire was at its peak in their standing amongst the other countries and its main hidden village was giving birth to the most elite groups of shinobi and ever since Uzumaki Naruto claimed the position as Hokage, the village's growth was intense.

One of the outgoing news across Konohagakure was the fact that the international S-ranked criminal has receded from his crimes and took place as an ANBU member in the village; Uchiha Sasuke. Thus, his comrades were very glad to have him back. Although he kept up in getting on the Lord Hokage's nerves, he had several changes in his personality and tried very hard to break the icy walls isolating him from his friends and newly confessed girlfriend. Haruno Sakura couldn't be any happier to be 'Sasuke's girl' even if she still had feelings for Naruto.

In the midst of the 3 years, Yamanaka Ino was buried in insane envy towards Sakura but it died down slowly and steadily. So, in the end, everyone was happy.

Until a shattering love story began…

Yamanaka Ino walked along the village's main road with a bouquet of flowers in her arms. She took her time in her steps, one at a time. It's not as if she was rushing or anything. She was wearing her casual clothes; a peach t-shirt, white pants. It was nothing flashy although she liked to wear something which was more noticeable. She could've worn her red, spicy dress or a pink tank-top which revealed her stomach and most of her back.

But it would totally piss Sakura off.

And they've just made peace with each other and Ino wasn't stupid to go and ruin it all over again.

Ino was deep in her thoughts when she stumbled with Nara Shikamaru and Akimichi Chouji; her best friends even if they did start off annoyingly.

"Ino, where are you going?" Shikamaru playfully asked when he saw Ino walking past the turn she should've taken.

Ino blinked a few times before turning around and saw her absolutely lazy-butt friend with Chouji as he stuffed his mouth with potato chips. Be warned to never call him 'fat' even though he is, "Wha…Oh, Shikamaru it's you. What's up?"

"You do know that you're heading the wrong way, do you?"

Ino looked around her and blushed, "I…I know that! Don't pull that smart-filled face of yours at me!" She headed towards the two boys and headed for the Uchiha manor.

It was the 23rd July and it was a special day; coincidentally, it was Sasuke's birthday hosted specially by the Hokage himself. It was an honourable thing for the Hokage to do something such as this for a mere shinobi but the Hokage himself was a complete dunce at times anyway.

Shikamaru, bored at the silence of the walk, came up with a chat, "Hey Ino, why aren't you dressed up for this? I thought you loved coming up with new fashion statement especially on celebrations."

Ino made a look, "I was just not in the mood for it. Anyway, I don't want to show off in front of Sakura."

Chouji almost choked at his potato chips, "Why is that?"

"I don't want to end our friendship because of me anymore. I'm tired of it."

"You've changed Ino," Shikamaru complimented.

"I know," Ino boasted before playfully skipping up front.

Shikamaru and Chouji sighed, "That part of her has not changed one bit."

The 3 came across the manor a few moments later. The manor was crowded with familiar faces and it was decorated with white, blue and red streamers and there were tables and chairs arranged for the guests. Surely Naruto and Sakura did a good job for their friend, Ino thought. Ino saw Inuzuka Kiba walking alongside with Hyuga Hinata and called for them, "Kiba! Hinata, over here!"

"What's up, Ino?" Kiba said as he and Hinata got closer.

"Uh, hello Ino, Shikamaru, Chouji," Hinata said being as shy as she have always been.

"Don't you play innocent with me you two. You guys haven been going out for a few weeks haven't you?" Ino provoked.

Hinata blushed shyly as Kiba stuttered, "Wha…what are you talking about, Ino?? We…we're…we're only coming here together as…uh…friends!"

"Uh-huh. Please kindly explain why are you two holding hands, friends?" Ino eyed at Kiba and Hinata's hands which clasped with each other in a soft but belonged grip. The hands quickly separated as Ino laughed.

"Mind your own business Ino. The two are together, so what? It's only troublesome," Shikamaru criticised in his ever-so-lazy tone. Ino glared at him.

"Oh, so you're pretending you have never kissed Temari before?" Ino teased as the lazy-butt blushed.

"H…How the heck did you-,"

"I'm very observant, Shikamaru. Grow up and notice that already."

"C…Cut it out, you two. We are at the party for Sasuke so, uh, let's get inside," Hinata softly persuaded them (especially Kiba).

"Speaking of Sasuke, Ino, are you still…jealous?" Chouji asked before Shikamaru hit his head.

"Idiot! Don't say that to her!"

Ino stood in silence. The bouquet, consisting of white daisies, was gripped tighter in her arms. Shikamaru flashed a worried look; so as Hinata who knew well to be jealous at times. In the past, Ino had been very jealous when she saw Sakura kissing Sasuke. Even if Ino did playfully tease Sakura then, it was only the tip of her envy. As Shikamaru was the second closest person to Ino apart from Sakura, she has once told him on how much she hated the two's relationship so much she had planned for vengeance. But as the days passed, Ino's jealousy was washed away bit by bit. Shikamaru was fond of Ino's change but he knew well that the mention of the word 'jealous' scarred her deeply.

Shikamaru reached out for Ino's shoulder, "Ino, are you-"

"I am jealous," Ino said, "I'm very jealous, but I don't want this feeling to corrupt my friendship with Sakura!"

Her words burst out with true energy, "I'm tired of playing warfare with her and I know from the second I met her she was better for Sasuke than me. In fact, they are closer to each other. I'm envious but I've changed like you said, Shikamaru! I've changed so I won't be sad. Trust me, you guys."

Kiba smirked, "You're strong, and I'll give you that, Ino."

"Thanks Kiba. Now, let's get in won't we?" Ino said perkily.

She was jealous. Very. But she wouldn't want it to be an obstacle for her life. She knew well that it wasn't her style. And her style was always the top.


So...this is the first chapter of my newest story, The Cold and The Crystallized, and it's a fresh-start fanfic of mine... I was thinking of creating a SasuNaru fanfic before I got hold of SasuIno but I just couldn't get the idea of the storyline...

I love SasuIno and in fact, it's my favourite girl/boy pairing in Naruto... I just had to use it for a fanfic after watching a video on YouTube... I hope the first chapter made a good start since there will be more to come and I assure you that I will try my best in making every chapter a good read.

So, if you like the story, fav & review! Thnx!

-Amaranthyz