Disclaimer: I dont own Naruto or any of the characters in it. I wish I did.

Pairings: In this chapter, just Sasu/Saku but later on...

Author's Notes: A lot of the feelings Ino has in this are based on mine during my own experiences. I think she's an easy character for me to relate to, so I hope you like what I've done with her. Enjoy and please review!

Chapter 1

I hate them. I hate them both. Sasuke and that stupid pink-haired freak Sakura. Why did it have to turn out this way? Why am I the one left on my own again? Everyone seems to have known that they would be together; everyone except me that is.

I always kept on trying to convince myself that a mysterious, handsome prince like Sasuke would want a beautiful, blonde princess like me. Not a ragged, servant-girl, billboard-brow like Sakura. He's way too good for her. He always has been and always will be.

"Ino-chan!"

Oh great. A hyper, blond idiot is running full-speed towards me in a bright orange jumpsuit. What horrible thing did I do in my past life to deserve this?

I turn back around and start to head back to my beautiful flower shop. I can hear his footsteps behind me, but I pretend like I didn't notice him. Ha! That's rich! Not notice Naruto? Is that even humanly possible?

"Ino?" Grr…his annoying, whiny little voice piping up over my shoulders is so not what I need right now. But I grit my teeth like I always do. If you shout at Naruto, he just gets even more infuriating.

I don't turn round, but instead I keep walking straight towards the Yamanaka flower shop. My shop…and my shelter! But he just keeps stalking me; trailing along behind me like Akamaru follows Kiba.

"Naruto…" I say through my clenched teeth. I'm so pissed off it comes out like a growl. My teeth are grinding against each other and my hands are clamped tightly into fists too, knuckles glowing bright white against my normally perfect skin tone.

Come on Ino; breathe. You can do it. Calm…. Think calm thoughts…think calm thoughts…

"Huh Ino? What did you say? Huh? Huh?"

Oooh! How the hell can I be calm with this idiot behind me?

"Just leave me alone Naruto!" I scream, pushing him away from me. If I go into the flower shop, he'll just follow me and have me cornered, so I just run in the other direction.

As I dart off, I look back. He's just standing there in all his orange glory watching me run away. He looks hurt. I guess he didn't mean to annoy me so much…

I scream, frustrated and keep running, leaving Naruto behind just staring at me. I can feel hot angry tears welling up as that awful scene of Sakura and Sasuke starts to replay itself over in my head. I start to run faster; I've worked out where I'm going now.

People are watching me judgementally as I sprint through Konoha, but I really don't care right now. 'Think what you like!' I scream at them in my head. 'I don't care anymore!'

I keep running past them towards one of the training grounds where I can beat the crap out of a tree or something. My eyesight blurs slightly as I let the tears roll freely down my cheeks.

I hurtle at one poor, unsuspecting tree and send my tight fist flying at the target again and again. It feels like I'm shattering the bones in my fingers and my wrists as I make contact on each solid, powerful punch, but I keep going. I couldn't stop myself now even if I wanted to. Something about the pain seems to make me feel human again.

I'm sobbing so hard now, and I can barely see with my distorted, tearful vision.

I try to talk myself out of this rage. Frowning causes wrinkles. Remember Ino? For someone as beautiful as you, wrinkles would ruin everything.

Not that there's anything left to ruin. The whole time that I've been obsessed with my looks was all for the same stupid reason: that vile, arrogant asshole Sasuke. And he doesn't even like me anyway. Not even one tiny little bit. Everything I've ever worked at for him was all a waste.

Of course, this seems to just make everything a whole lot worse and I'm screaming with every hit I throw.

"I hate him!" I yell, smashing my fist into the wood. Oh dear. It seems I've destroyed the target. And I really couldn't care less right now. "I hate both of them! I hate everybody!"

The tears are starting to stop now and dry on my flaring hot cheeks, but I want them to keep going so I can keep making a huge fuss and getting myself in a state. My eyes are still bleary, but I can't be bothered to wipe the tears away.

I must look like such an idiot. I'm standing here beating a tree to pieces, screaming at air. I'm breathing heavily, streaky red cheeks, red eyes and red, splinter-filled knuckles.

I stop attacking the wood and try feeling sorry for myself instead. Yeah, so I say I hate everybody, but I don't really. People like Hinata and Naruto are all right really, just incredibly annoying sometimes.

But what if everybody hates me? Maybe that's it. Maybe I'm such a selfish, spoilt, vain bitch that there isn't a single person left in the world who likes me anymore.

I scream again in my depression and throw my fist hard towards the tree. I still can't see anything. I should probably wipe my eyes in a minute.

I withdraw my hand from the wood and throw another punch. But this time I don't hit the bark.

I pull my arm back again and smash my fist at the tree again, but I still don't hear that satisfying crunch as my hand hits wood. Something warm holds my hand steady. Gripping my splintered fist gently, yet firmly enough to stop it from making contact.

I lift my other hand and wipe my teary eyes fiercely, glaring at the hazy figure in front of me.

So who is it? Can you guess? I bet you can't.

Stay tuned for CHAPTER 2!

xxxSammi-chanxxx