Author's Note: Well hiya's everyone. This is the sequel I've been talking about... err well the beginning of it, anyway. This took me in all a month or two to write, right? Well in fact, it didn't take me much more than like 7 hours, I wrote most of it today. I was just pretty much blocked. So I have no idea how often I'll update. Hope you guys can deal with that. If you have not read Promise of a Leaf I strongly suggest that you go look it up, since this is a direct sequel to it. Otherwise you'll end up confused, just a tad.

Disclaimer: Naruto doesn't belong to me. All our bases are belong to Masashi Kishimoto. Save a few characters... But i owe them to the Naruto-verse anyway.

Warning(s): I'm not gonna fool around here. This is a Yuri story (two female characters in love with each other). If that irks you up, walk away now.
Rated T for possible violence, foul language (maybe, I don't dig cussing so much, but it could happen), angst. (Contrary to how the first part of this story, I won't focus all that much on action, if at all.) Also, ability to deal with long gaps between updates highly recommended.

As a last note, I'd like to thank all my fateful readers, and everyone who's reviewed/favorited/alerted my stories. It's the kind of small thing that means a lot to a writer. Also would like to give my special thanks to DarkInu418 who's been a source of inspiration all the way through, and who's story Living With My Worse Nightmare really rocks. You should check it out /proud beta reader mode. I also owe her the title of this sequel The titles for my chapters are usually taken from songs I like, this one's from Social Code. Check 'em out! And on with the show!


Chapter 1: Bomb Hands

The breeze blew a few orange-colored leaves up and around the two girls facing each other. There was a small crowd gathered in the clearing, some knowing what was about to happen, some had been attracted to the scene simply by curiosity. Everything was so quiet – so still… There was one blonde girl, about fifteen years old, wearing a purple tank top and skirt, standing tall, a kunai in hand, it's tip glinting in the late afternoon's sunlight. Her blue eyes reflected a determination common to none other: It was Ino Yamanaka.

The other girl had her pink hair loosely flaying about in the wind, flapping against the side of her face, complimenting her deep green eyes and large forehead perfectly. Her red vest was zipped up to prevent it from catching in the breeze, and her medic skirt was tied tight around her waist. She too held a kunai in one hand, eyes focused on her target. Sakura Haruno was as ready as ever.

As if on cue, both girls dashed towards each other in womanly fury, their eyes sparkling and lips smirking at the challenge before them. The weapons collided, resulting in an echoing clang that would resonate all through the fight that was about to follow. The first hit landed, every movement following was faster, more fierce, and soon it was an all out brawl between the two kunoichis. Then all of a sudden movement stopped, and as the dust landed it was revealed that the two girls were simply caught in a power struggle. The audience was divided as to who they should root for. Dasane Hanmaru's voice resonated higher than everyone's. "C'mon Ino get'er!"

Unexpectedly, Iketetsomaru's resounded even louder. "Go Haruno!"

"You won't get me, pig!" Sakura let out, through gritted teeth, pushing a little harder, but not gaining any ground.

"You can't win, forehead!" Ino retorted, pushing a little harder herself, and apparently managing to gain an advantage. She grinned a bit wider and pushed on, only to find herself stumbling forwards as the clone she had been holding dissipated. Her head whipped around, her eyes desperately scanning the area for the pink haired girl she was fighting, but before she could realize what was happening, a hand gripped her right foot and dragged her into the ground. Then before she could even think about freeing herself, high boots appeared at her eye level, and as she looked up, the blonde could see the crossed arms of her opponent, and the smug look on her face behind it.

"That was a cheap trick…" She muttered to no one's attention in particular, highly conscious of the disappointed sighs coming from the already dissipating crowd. They had expected the fight to last longer than that, and Ino could understand them. "Hey, we're ninjas. It's all about stealth and surprise. Don't forget that." Sakura answered, holding her hand out to help her friend extirpate herself from the ground. She was a little startled when her arm was yanked down instead and she ended up splayed on the ground with her revenge-thirsty girlfriend straddling her hips.

"You won't get away with that so easily." Ino said with a grin, leaning down to put a kiss on the helpless girl's lips. Sakura whimpered before accepting the kiss, but she didn't let things get any further.

"Ino… I just don't feel like it right now…" She said half-heartedly as she pushed her girlfriend off of her, and went back to a standing position. Ino was a little slower at getting back up, and she did it with a pout. "You're never in the mood lately, Sakura…" She trailed off, conscious that what she had just said – even if it was just some harmless whining – had just struck the girl in front of her just as hard as a punch she could've thrown. Maybe even more. But there was a limit to how much she could accept for Sakura to feel that way, and this had reached it.

"I'm sorry Ino…" came Sakura's weak reply, her eyes were now cast to the ground. The brave look she had worn earlier replaced by sadness, and a hint of pain. "I just still can't believe I…"

"Oh come off of it Haruno! I forgave you for Hokage's sake!" Ino said, slightly exasperated, searching Sakura's eyes with her own, hoping to make contact and mark her words.

"I know you did!" Sakura nearly shouted, looking up all of a sudden, meeting Ino's gaze and colliding with this mixed feeling of apprehension and knowledge she'd get when she knew Ino was right, but still couldn't bring herself to accept it. "But I still can't…"

This time Ino couldn't take it anymore. "No right, you never can deal with your own mistakes like anyone else. You keep blaming yourself. Even after everyone's moved on, you're still dwelling in the past! I've had more than enough Sakura." She almost yelled, her face now inches from the pink haired girl's face, her eyes reading the shifting of emotion on her face, and seeing that highly expected guilt ridden expression. She sighed, deciding to give Sakura a chance to pick herself up and show that it wasn't all that she was about.

At a loss, Sakura leaned in and kissed Ino's lips in what she wanted to be a deep, meaningful kiss. But it was broken only half a second later by a raging Ino shoving her away. "This is not what it's all about Sakura!" Ino closed her eyes for a moment, trying to control her anger. She loved Sakura so much, yet the past few weeks had been hell for them. She had tried every single thing she could've thought of to help her friend get over it, the sparring match had been her last idea – her last resort. And that had failed just as well. She was now thorn between feeling extremely sorry for her friend, and wanting to tear her apart for not even showing the slightest improvement after all the efforts she had put into it.

"I love you Ino…" Sakura's voice didn't sound as convinced as she had wanted it to. It was strained and shaky from the tears that threatened to spill from her eyes. More pleading than loving. Ino opened her eyes nonetheless, her gaze wary as if she was in disbelief, but a small smile crawled onto her lips as she nodded and proceeded to hug her friend tightly. Sakura hugged back just as tight, her mind set on not letting go. "I'm sorry." She repeated, tears now flowing down her cheeks, as she held onto her blonde everything as if her life depended on it – and to a point, it did.

"I love you Sakura, please never doubt that." Ino said softly as she started stroking Sakura's back in a gentle, comforting motion. She did hope that her message had gone across this time.

"I'm so sorry…" Sakura said again as she pulled back slightly – just enough to look Ino in the eyes. "It's just that… everything I do as of late, I seem to fail. I break things, I hurt people… I can't seem to do anything right…" Ino cut her off.

"Do you think that wallowing in self-pity will fix any of that?" She asked, holding onto Sakura's gaze. The young Haruno flinched slightly.

"No." She answered sadly. She knew that Ino was right. She knew that she couldn't keep doing what she was doing. But she didn't know how to change anything either. "But I don't know what to do to fix it." She finally admitted, at the same time swallowing the lump in her throat.

Ino smiled faintly at her, realizing how big a step Sakura had just taken. She had just asked for help, and she wasn't going to deny her that. "First of all, forehead…" She started in a slightly mocking tone, in an attempt to relieve some of the tension of the moment. She then poked her friend's forehead for emphasis. "You need to stop worrying so much about everything. When you've made a mistake, do you enjoy when people keep reminding you of it?" Sakura sniffled and shook her head in answer, and Ino ruffled up her hair a bit as she smiled a bit brighter. "It's the same with the people that were affected by your mistakes. They don't need to be reminded of it every step they make. Especially if they forgave you already."

Sakura nodded and nearly giggled at the hand in her hair. She closed her eyes for a bit, collecting herself and printing the information to her memory, hoping she wouldn't forget these few words of advice any time soon. She was about to reopen them when warm lips pressed against her own and her body was enveloped in the warmest of touches. She decided to listen to what Ino had said, and let herself be engulfed in the scent of her girlfriend, melting in the warmth of her body, nearly dying at the sensuality of the kiss. And she realized that Ino was right, she had to enjoy what she had instead of dwelling on what she had lost.

--

The next morning brought with itself a bright sunlight and the incessant chirping of the autumn birds. Sakura yawned, stretched, and then decided that, since this was her day off of training with Tsunade, she could idle in bed for a little while longer with Ino, who she was staying over with. Little did she expect to wrap her arm around, well, nothing as she turned around. Her heavy eyelids slowly lifted over her still sleepy emerald eyes, noting while trying to adjust to the light that Ino was, in fact, not there. When her vision became clearer, she also spotted a note on the blonde's pillow.

Our team was called early this morning for an emergency mission. I didn't have the heart to wake you up since you were sleeping so peacefully, and I hadn't seen you like that in forever. I don't know the specifics yet, but I'm probably going to be gone a little while. Just ask Tsunade for details. And don't forget to smile, forehead. Your smile is precious to me, even when I can't see it – you know I feel it.

Good luck with the training, I love you.

Ino

Sakura read the note twice, to make sure this wasn't just a bad dream. She then laid sprawled on her back and let her head sink into the pillow wearily. Things were starting to look up the last day, but it was all thanks to Ino. What all was she going to do without her there? Especially since this whole situation had been the cause of a prolonged absence on Ino's part too. One that had nearly gotten her to get killed on a mission as well. Her mind drifted off to those times without her consent, and she once again relived the memory, only this time, she was intent on not repeating the same mistakes, and so she tried to learn the lesson.

...

It had been two months since the last time Konoha had had news from Team 10, who had left for a reconnaissance mission in the country of Mist, which should've normally taken a few weeks at most, yet they had been gone for a good fifteen weeks already. Sakura's concentration was failing. She was missing Ino so bad, and the prospect of her friend not ever coming back from the mission was terrifying.

She had been assigned on a mission with Hanmaru and Ike the day before, and had nearly gotten killed in a small skirmish with a team from another country that they had spotted spying. Hanmaru had left her and Ike alone to bring the spies to the Hokage, not wanting to interrupt the mission for something so silly. And Ike had confronted her about how she lacked any motivation to survive on the battlefield. She had instantly broken down and started crying, and the young Ematai had instantly switched into comfort mode, understanding how the loss of someone precious could affect someone. He too had had to deal with that kind of heartbreak, and in a desperate attempt at making Sakura feel better, had used an henge Jutsu to look like Ino. He remembered how he had wished to say goodbye to his family, see them and touch them just once more, and thought that was what Sakura needed.

Sakura had been confused at first. She knew this wasn't the real Ino, and that whatever she would tell this version of her, the real one wouldn't know. Would never get her chance to hold Sakura in her arms once more. And as unfair as that sounded, she still couldn't let this opportunity go. She just couldn't.

So she cuddled up into Iketetsomaru's arms. Nothing wrong there, she'd have done that with him as he comforted her, anyway. The only thing she hadn't calculated was that Ike was good at what he did. So damn good at it that even Kiba's nose wouldn't tell the difference in scent between him and Ino at that moment. She hadn't taken into account that she'd somehow float through this dream, half-awake, and for a moment believe it really was Ino, there holding her. It didn't help when Ike, with a perfect replica of Ino's voice, told Sakura that she loved her. Sakura had felt the urge to kiss Ino, not knowing if it was a reality anymore. She thought Ike had tried to stop her, but his own feelings were clashing with his sense of duty, and for a moment they were Ino and Sakura kissing, passionately.

Then the lack of concentration made Iketetsomaru's jutsu go out. Yet the kiss kept going, hands began roaming, and Sakura, in search of comfort, didn't even care, although she had noticed, that she was doing this with a guy. Who would never be Ino. Whom she thought she'd never see again, anyway.

Things hadn't gone too far, only because Hanmaru had come back and caught them all over each other. The look he had given them was enough to strike guilt into both Sakura and Ike's hearts, but they didn't understand why he looked so gloomy. It's when they had finished their mission and gone home that the whole of what they had done had engulfed them and marked the beginning of what was to be Sakura and Ino's biggest trial. Nothing had been hidden, Sakura couldn't bring herself to believe what she had done was true, nor forgive herself for even thinking it had happened, but Ike had been the first to apologize to Ino. And she didn't have a choice but to admit to it herself.

Ino had cried in front of them, asking why over and over again. She had fallen to her knees, head in her hands, trying to control her sobs. It didn't help the scene that it was raining hard that day. Sakura had gotten to her knees as well, and hugged her friend real tight at that point. She wanted to say how glad she was that Ino was back. Alive. She wanted to tell the girl that she still loved her beyond everything. But no words came.

Ino had returned the embrace however, hanging onto her with all the strength she could summon. The blonde started whispering "I love you." Over and over again, as if trying to convince herself and Sakura at the same time. Now crying, Sakura echoed Ino's words, putting in as much conviction as she could find, until a single "I'm so sorry." Escaped her lips. Ino had sniffled and pulled back slightly to look at Sakura's face, scanning it thoroughly, as if trying to find a flaw in it – or as if trying to commit it to her mind for eternity. "I know…" She finally said, biting her lip. "I understand." She then added, before once again hugging tight to her girlfriend. "I love you so much…"

...

Things had gone back to normal, mostly. Ino had forgiven the incident, not quite willing to have to get rid of the person she cared the most about because a mission of hers had dragged on for so long. She wasn't about to give up on what had been so hard to get to begin with, anyway. And she probably didn't trust herself not to do the same thing if Sakura would be gone for so long. But Sakura still couldn't get over it.

The pink haired girl sighed and then glared at the window, as if blaming the sunlight for bringing the memories back to her once more. "I need to go see Tsunade." She said to herself. After a few more moments of staring at the ceiling, she finally threw her legs over the bed and proceeded to find where she'd left her day clothes the last night, since being dressed in one's pajamas wasn't exactly a proper way to present oneself in front of a teacher and Hokage, even on an off day. Or a day off…

"Two or three days at most…" Was Tsunade disinterested answer to Sakura's question about how long Ino would be gone. She was well absorbed into a few tomes on her desk and couldn't seem to be bothered with anything else. Sakura sighed and went for the door, knowing she wouldn't get any other information from the Hokage, but she was interrupted about halfway past the door by Shizune's voice. "Hold on Sakura.." She said, causing the pink haired girl to turn her head towards the voice. "I know this is your day off and all but… I need you for something, if you don't mind."

Sakura was about to decline, with the excuse that she really needed her day off with the latest emotional strain, and then she realized that keeping her mind busy while Ino wasn't there was probably a better idea than just sulking alone, at home, with a bucket of ice cream and a cheesy movie. "Aye." She agreed, fully turning around. Ready to accept the task Shizune would give her.

--

The rest of the day went by rather quick, and so did the next one as Sakura busied herself at the hospital and with a few kids at the academy, performing her training half-heartedly, her mind drifting off to Ino from time to time, in anticipation of the blonde's return. She had the best plan to welcome her girlfriend back, consisting of a slightly romantic dinner, and a sensual back rub to relieve the strains from the traveling – and that would lead up to more if things were to go that way. She was quite set on showing Ino that she was ready to move on, and that she indeed, wanted to spend the rest of her life with the blonde. But when she didn't get home on the second day, nor on the third, Sakura started to worry. A lot.

The fourth day's morning, under a moody sky, Sakura had the firm intention of asking Tsunade about the advancement of Ino's mission. She was on her way to the tower when she spotted a familiar hint of purple and platinum blonde turning a corner. Frowning, she followed up to find Ino sitting and chatting with the rest of Team 10. None of them looked like they were just back from a mission though. "Uhm Ino?" She hesitantly said, waving her hand shyly, not really understanding why she felt so uneasy all of a sudden.

"Huh, forehead? You need something?" The blonde asked, frowning slightly, her eyes questioning why Sakura would talk to her. Sakura's frown widened.

"Wh-when did you get back from your mission?" She tried to ask without looking too hurt. If Ino was playing a game, she didn't want to fall victim of it.

"Sometime in the late afternoon yesterday? Why would you even care?" Ino asked, visibly annoyed. Sakura flinched.

"But… I thought you would've cromths sheaf…" Shikamaru put his hand over Sakura's mouth before she could finish her sentence, earning a curious glance from both his teammates, and a questioning glare from the pink haired girl. He smiled sheepishly and whispered into Sakura's ear. "Ino was caught in some weird jutsu during the mission, and lost part of her memory in the process. Tsunade told us to not try to force stuff into her mind, since this would most probably confuse her more than anything and alter the way she'll remember things if she ever gets her memory back."

This time Sakura's eyes grew wide in shock, which increased the confusion visible on Ino's face. "What's that you're telling her Shika?" She asked her teammate, not too sure what all to think about the situation. It was the Nara boy's turn to grow wide eyes as he raked his brain for a good excuse. Thankfully Sakura was faster than him. "He just nicely warned me that you might not be in the best of moods for me to try and be friendly with you. " Or maybe not thankfully…

"Nara Shikamaru! My womanly condition does not concern miss Haruno, you hear me?" The blonde shouted hysterically, causing Shikamaru to hide behind Sakura cursing under his breath. 'You're troublesome, Haruno…' He said, earning a shrug from Sakura.

"Look, Ino…" Sakura interrupted, hoping to save Shikamaru and at the same time keep her composure. The Yamanaka girl raised an eyebrow at her. Sakura sighed. "I'm sorry about everything." That was true no matter what stage of their lives Ino remembered, even though it was pretty obvious it was during the time they were rivals that the blonde had regressed.

"Hn." Was Ino's answer, who's pride somehow held from apologizing back just yet. Sakura raked her brain for something to say, memories of that dinner she had planned for them both surging up and leaving a void in the pit of her stomach. The idea wasn't too bad though. "How about we just go out for dinner and try to… fix things up and catch up a bit? I missed you…" Once again, a statement which Sakura knew was the whole truth, and Ino would probably be oblivious to most of what it meant. But it was still something.

Seeing that Ino was hesitating, Sakura added that the meal would be on her. That was enough to make the girl accept, to Sakura's partial relief. "Just meet me here at six tonight then." Sakura said, in an attempt to be cheerful, putting on a fake smile. Ino smiled back. "Will do."

Sakura nodded at the confirmation and then waved goodbye to the team before heading off into the direction of the Hokage tower once again. Only now, she was going to extirpate every single detail she could about Ino's condition from Tsunade, before, she thought gloomily, breaking down and crying every last tear in her body about losing Ino the way she just did. The prospect wasn't bright, but she was Haruno Sakura. She was going to fight to the end for what she loved and believed in. Even if that meant dealing with an Ino that didn't love her anymore.