Ok…This story is supposed to be some kind of challenge between The Three FanFicateers…

Kilulu, Kirri and I decided to write stories with different plots and see who could come up with a better story.

Here goes…

Summary: Ino and Gaara have a one night stand after Ino realizes how depressed she is. Gaara x Ino…Other couples might be included.

Gotta tell ya, Ino's mom is called Asuka in here. I always call her that…Nyahahahaha.

Yeah, and guys….Sakura is unlikable in this story…I don't like her in this story and I don't want anyone to like her so Sakura fans, do not read!!

That night…Chapter I:

July 23rd… it might sound like a simple date for anyone. But it wasn't for Yamanaka Ino, for it was the birthday of the person she looked up to. The person she always admired from the moment she joined the academy. The person she always loved and dreamed to be with…

…Uchiha Sasuke.

Yes, it was his birthday. He's been in a good mood lately so everyone decided to give him a surprised party in the Hyuuga Mansion, since they have the biggest house out of all the Chuunins.

It was two years since Sasuke came home, and a year and a half since he and Sakura started dating, leaving Ino with a broken heart and a shattered soul.

Ino was sitting on one of the couches in the Hyuuga mansion, looking across the room. Naruto was talking to Hinata, holding a couple of candles in his hands and flirting with her while Neji was giving him glares from across the room and being held by Tenten. Shino was talking to Lee, apparently having a funny conversation with him. Of course Ino couldn't tell whether Shino was laughing or not, he had the collar of his jacket high till it covered his face. The hood of the jacket wasn't helping either; he was like an assassin of some kind.

She chuckled when Naruto ran to the middle of the room, almost slipping on his way if it wasn't for his ability to stick himself in place with Chakra.

"Alright everyone, Sasuke is getting near. Everybody, HIDE" he yelled, making everyone go their places of hiding. Ino hid behind the couch. Tenten ran to her side, dragging Neji along. Chouji and Shikamaru hid behind a huge vase in the living room. The rest of the gang were scattered across the big living room. They could hear the conversation between Sasuke and Sakura, who was playing along with the surprise party.

"Why in the world would I LOVE to see something? In Neji's place? Why does everyone think that we're close? I don't even like the guy" Sasuke said, apparently arguing with Sakura. Neji glared at the door, thinking that if he were able to perform a Katon jutsu, He'd simply burn that door down in a second. Instead, he activated Byakugan to check the situation.

"Come on, Sasuke. You're going to love it. Don't you trust me?" Sakura said, holding his arm and pulling him towards the big door.

"I do, it's just…I hope it's worth it" he said, whining. Sakura laughed and leaned on his forearm, then looked up at him

"It's totally worth it" she said, smiling, and then kissed him. After pulling away, both smiled at each other. Sasuke nodded.

"Fine, let's go" he said to a grinning-like-crazy Sakura. He was starting to believe that this is some kind of a trick…or this wasn't Sakura. He shook his head and opened the door.

Inside the mansion…

"Ready….Ready….Ready…" Naruto repeated, until he was slapped on the back of the head by Kiba.

"Could you stop saying that? You sound like a freakin' parakeet!" he said, only to be cut by the sound of the clicking door. All of the guys and girls were ready to shout…

in 3, 2, 1…

"SURPRISE!!!" They all yelled, jumping out of their places. Lee blew on some kind of an annoying whistle while Chouji threw some confetti in the air. Sasuke, for once, was surprised, smiling sincerely.

"You guys didn't have to do that" he said, chuckling like a little boy, making the gang laugh.

"Happy birthday, Sasuke-kun" Hinata said, laughing. Everyone started greeting him, and then slowly started to go around the room to get different things. Ino was the last one in the group.

"Hey, Sasuke" she said, smiling. He turned to face her, smiling. "Oh, I-Ino…" he said, smiling back. She looked at the ground, blushing, and then looked up at him. "Happy birthday, Sasuke-kun, you've finally reached the age of 18, ne?" she said, grinning. He laughed.

"Yeah, we're growing too fast…" he said, chuckling. Ino nodded and looked down. He reached his hand to her chin and made her look at him. "Hey, are you ok?" he asked, worriedly. Ino smiled and took half a step back.

"Oh, yeah, I'm cool" she said, chuckling nervously. Sasuke simply nodded, looked to his left and then smiled at Ino.

"Sakura's calling me, thanks for being here, Ino. It means a lot to me" he said, nodding and walking off towards Sakura, leaving a very devastated yet happy Ino.

'He's glad that I'm here….but…' she thought, looking at him and Sakura, flirting publicly. She nodded slowly and took a deep breath, walking away.

A few minutes later…

Everyone has gathered around the table, around the cake to be exact. Naruto was counting the heads. "9...10…Wait a second. There's supposed to be twelve heads in here!" he yelled, making everyone look at each other. Neji looked around.

"Your head is one!" Sasuke said, making the others chuckle. Naruto smirked, "Ok, there're only 11 head in this room" he exclaimed, counting again.

"Are you sure? Because you always miscount someone…or count twice" he said, crossing his arms. Sasuke looked around, "wait a second…" he said, making everyone look at him.

"Where's Ino??"

A few blocks away from the Hyuuga mansion…

'No one had noticed my absence; I guess' Ino thought as she walked alone in the dark street, holding her arms and looking at the ground. She couldn't take it, seeing Sasuke happily with someone else. It hurt her, she had her feelings that no one could understand. She had a feeling for the guy who, not even once, thought of her as more than friends. She reached for the little bridge above the river. While crossing it, Ino took a look at the river below. She smiled and walked towards the wooden railing, leaning on it. She liked how the river flowed endlessly, freely and beautifully, almost wishing to have a life that resembles this river. She narrowed her eyes; a single tear strolled down her cheek.

"What does Sakura have that I don't?" she said, burying her face in her hands and cried. She sobbed until she felt someone's presence on her side.

"Nothing, really. She's just some kind of a failed experiment of a Barbie doll" the person said, making Ino look up at them. The guy next to her stood with an emotionless expression on his face. Ino knew, this red hair, those killer looks and that tattoo only belonged to someone she new dearly. She chuckled and looked at the river again.

"Hey, Gaara…" she said, sobbing a bit. He scooted closer and draped his arm around her shoulder.

"Now, what's wrong with the flower girl today?" he asked, making her laugh.

Gaara has been their friend and a recurring visitor of Konoha ever since Naruto managed to save him out of the grip of Akatsuki. He has gotten really close to them, especially to Team 10… and Naruto.

She put a stray of her hair behind her ear, "nothing, It's just…nothing" she said, sighing. Gaara smirked and leaned his face in front of hers, tilting his head in the process and looking her in the eye.

"Well, that attitude won't work on me, missy. You were wondering what the difference between you and cotton candy was." He said, mocking Sakura's hair color again. Ino's lips curved slowly into a smile. Gaara was almost cheering.

"There ya go, that's what you have to do. You should always smile; you look beautiful when…you smile." He said, realizing what he said last. Ino looked at him, tears slowly forming in her eyes. He didn't look away; instead, he looked back with much passion and care.

"…what I meant was…well…You shouldn't compare yourself to others. You're a person on your own. Sakura is nothing compared to you…you've got my word" he said, smiling sincerely, and wiped the tears off of her cheek. Ino simply nodded as he held her in his arms as a reassuring gesture.

"Come on, now. It's not safe for you to stay out here for long. Your parents might get worried. I'll take you home, what do you say? " he said, pulling away from the hug. Ino smiled, in spite of the tears flowing like a river on her cheeks. "They're out of town…" she said, chuckling, making him laugh. Gaara wiped the tears away again, telling her not to cry, and walked with her.

Yamanaka residence…

Both of them walked silently, none of them speaking a word after they started their stroll towards Ino's house. Gaara looked at her and draped his arm around her shoulder. She looked at him, wondering what he has in mind. 'Gaara never does that unless there's something to be said.' She thought as she crossed her arms.

"Spill it out, Gaara. What is it?" she said, looking at him with the corner of her eye. He chuckled.

"Ah, nothing, just wondering where your house was..." He said, rubbing the back of his neck with the other hand. Ino shook her head, "we've known each other and yet you've never been to my place?" she asked, chuckling. He simply shook his head, making her sigh.

"It's over there…do you see that lit up banner? That's my house!" she said, pointing at its direction. Gaara narrowed his eyes and frowned.

"You live in a casino?" he blurted, earning a smack from Ino. He laughed out loud, making Ino laugh as well. In a few seconds they were in front of the house.

Gaara stood in front of her, smiling at Ino who was feeling a bit down. He sighed.

"Ino, Ino, Ino, Ino, Ino…If you stayed like that, you're going to be disappointed for the rest of your life. You don't deserve that, Ino" he said, putting his hands on her shoulder. She sighed and started sobbing silently. He shook his head and brought her closer to his chest, she clung to his chest, crying.

"C'mon, Ino, please…" he said, rubbing her back as she sobbed in his chest. She backed away, still clutching his dark-blue-soaked-with-tears shirt. He held her forearms, rubbing them slowly to make her relax; she closed her eyes and leaned her forehead against his chin, sighing heavily. He lowered his head and kissed her forehead, keeping his lips in contact with her forehead. She looked up to face him, raising her hands to the side of his face, tears strolling down her cheeks. He looked sincerely at her, he hated seeing her like this, she was always cheerful and happy, but ever since this day came closer, she became more devastated than before.

"Ino…" he whispered, taking a deep breath, and rested his hands on her waist. "…What can I do…to help you?" he asked, not knowing what he has offered to do. Ino looked at him, then at his lips and then claimed them with hers, kissing him with hunger yet with passion. Gaara was caught off guard but soon kissed her back, circling her waist and pulling her closer. Ino snaked her arms around his neck, and then moved them down to his chest, playing with the top button of his shirt before unbuttoning it. Gaara moved his hands to her cheeks, cupping her face.

He wasn't sure of what he was doing, but he was doing it for her, for Ino, for the girl he always cared for, for whom he would do anything to help through the times of need. He unconsciously slipped his tongue out, licking her lips before she let him in, moaning with pleasure. It wasn't long before she unbuttoned the second button of his shirt. Gaara, living the moment, moved his hands back to her waist and slipped them beneath her shirt, touching her navel with his right hand, making her breath get caught in her throat. He pulled away.

"Ino…" he said, panting. Ino looked up at him, playing with his hair. "…Please…Gaara…" she said, crying. "…just tonight…I need you…Gaara" she said, leaning her head on his chest. Her words making him have a mental battle. If he said yes, A) he would have the night of his life with the girl he cared for and B) he would help his friend in need. If he said no, A) he won't be able to do anything and B) She might do something to herself in that depressed state of hers. It was easy, he knew which choice he had to make.

He kissed the top of her head and hugged her tightly. "Ino…are you sure…this is what YOU want…" he said, leaving the choice to her. Ino didn't look at him; instead, she backed away, held his hand in hers and tugged on it a bit. She turned around, making Gaara slip his arm around her waist while she unlocked the door, getting both of them inside the house.

(I HAVE TO SKIP-SKIP-SKIP!!! Leaving this part to your imagination)

Yamanaka Residence, 7:42am…

Baby blue orbs slowly opened to the sound of birds, chirping and knocking on the window with their little peaks. After blinking several times, she got up, rubbing the sleep out of her eyes. She clutched the blanket closer as soon as she figured out that she was naked, completely. Remembering last nights events, she and Gaara have apparently had a one night stand, that's what she called it. Ino wasn't a one-night-stand kind of girls, but it helped her forget about Sasuke for once. She looked around the room for a sign for the red-head that shared the night with her…

He was gone…

She looked to her right, where he'd slept, to find a small note on the pillow. She picked it up and unfolded it, reading the delicate handwriting…

Ino…

If you found this note, then I'm not in the house. I had to leave, Suna-related business. I'll explain everything when I see you again, hopefully.

I hope you're better this morning

Love

Gaara

She didn't know why, but she was smiling when she read his words. Perhaps because he was her first to take her virginity or maybe because he was as good in words as he was in bed. Ino shook her head to get those thoughts out of it. She folded the note neatly and put it on the nightstand, got up and wrapped the blanket around her naked body, making her way to the bathroom.

A few minutes later, she was wearing a red sleeveless shirt and black ¾ pants with black sandals, tied her hair in a high ponytail and picked up her equipments' bag. Ino took a good look at herself in the mirror before walking out of the bedroom and out of the door.

In a couple of minutes, she was in the flower shop, helping the customers pick the right kind of flowers for the right occasion. It's the one thing that helped her get over a lot of things. But every now and then, she keeps recalling the previous night's events. How he held her, how he kept reassuring her during the whole time, telling her it might hurt a bit, how he told her it's going to be alright, how he kissed her after it was all over.

'It was a one night stand, Ino; he doesn't even think of you more than a friend'

Ino took a deep breath, and closed her eyes, not noticing the person coming into the shop. She took another breath, but this time it was scented with a scent only one person wore…

'Sasuke…' she thought, opening her eyes. Only to see the pink haired girl along with a couple of shopping bags.

"Hey, Ino, Good morning!" she cheerfully said, making Ino look away and roll her eyes. Sakura was the reason of her misery, the reason she was mourning over Sasuke, the reason that kept her up all night thinking about the Uchiha genius…

…The reason she had to sleep with Gaara the previous night…

Ino raised her eyebrows, "Hey, Sakura. How can I help you today?" she faked a smile. Sakura smiled, squeezing her eyes shut, and put the bags on the ground.

"Well, I don't want anything, but I came here because Sasuke couldn't come…" she said, smiling at Ino whose heart skipped a beat upon hearing Sasuke's name.

"Sasuke-kun…" she whispered, out of Sakura's hearing range, then looked at her "…why couldn't he?" she asked, absent-mindedly. Sakura was quiet for a couple of seconds, wondering what had caused Ino's reaction, and then smiled.

"He's training with Naruto. He wanted me to ask you where you were yesterday. You disappeared into thin air." Sakura exclaimed, waving her hands in the air. Ino smiled, looking at the ground. She thought. She's not going to be like 'Oh, Sakura, I had to leave because you stole Sasuke away so I ended up spending the night with Gaara." She had to make something up.

"Well…" she started, resting her index finger on her chin. "…I was a bit tired and the house was empty so I had to leave because I was afraid some kind of a burglar would come over and …you know" she blurted out, grinning at the end.

Sakura was silent. The tone which Ino spoke with was clearly a dishonest one, but who was she to judge. She smiled and nodded.

"Well, you missed a lot back there. Sasuke wanted to talk to you, he kept calling you but your phone would give him the disconnected signal" Sakura explained, crossing her arms. Ino looked at the counter and thought of the reason why the phone never rang the previous night. She smirked.

'Oh yeah, we unplugged it…' she thought, shaking her head. "I m sorry, there might have been something wrong with the network, I'll make sure to check it out today." She said, smiling. Sakura nodded, bent down and picked the bags.

"Well, I should get going now. Sasuke might be waiting for me; I'm really getting the feeling this is going to be the best relationship I could ever have… See ya" she said, turning around and walking off the store. Ino waved at her, smiling on last time. When Sakura was gone, she slumped down on the chair and rested her elbow on the table and her chin on her hand, sighing heavily.

Ino, while waiting for more costumers to come by, started to think about her fellow team-mates, Shikamaru and Chouji. They always used to come by and make her laugh once in a while, but ever since Shikamaru started dating Temari, he stopped coming by. He was getting pretty occupied with her. Even Chouji, he probably found some girl he could hang out with, leaving his female team-mate behind.

"… I'm not seeing them that much these days…" she said, frowning, and looked at the clock, a few more hours to go till she could leave this shop.

A few hours later…

'The last customer for me' she thought, sighing. After the woman had left, Ino took off her apron and hung it on the hanger next to some shelves. It's been a busy day ever since 10am for no reason. It was now 2pm and she was a bit tired of all the customers. The door opened to reveal Asuka, Ino's mom.

"Hey sweets, you can go home now. I'll take over" she said with a smile on her face, wrinkles have appears around her mouth and eyes, her hair was getting lighter by time. Ino smiled at her mother to whom she's always looked up, not only because she's her mother, but also because she's a great example of hardworking even with age.

"Ok, mom, Take care…see ya" Ino said, walking out of the door. She took a couple of steps then she heard a voice calling her.

"INO…!" Someone said, a male voice, a very familiar male voice. Ino turned around to see Sasuke, running in her direction. She grinned from ear to ear, seeing the young man she's always loved running in her direction.

"S-Sasuke-kun…" she said, blushing. She's always felt nervous around him, ever since he came back a couple of years ago, ever since he's grown into a fine young man. He ran a couple of steps before stopping almost a meter away from her.

"Ino…Hey" he said, breathing heavily. He then smiled at the glowing Ino. "How are you?" he asked, genuinely. She chuckled nervously. "I-I'm great, what about you?" she asked, moving her hand in his direction. He nodded, chuckling as well. "I'm great, um…Can I talk to you, on private…for a second?" he asked, looking at the ground. Ino's eyes widened.

'Sasuke…wants to talk…privately?' she thought, grinning like crazy. But she removed that grin off her face when he looked back at her, raising his eyebrows and waiting for an answer.

Ino chuckled and fidgeted with her fingers a bit, then moved her hand to put the stray of her hair back behind her ear.

"Um, Sure…" she said, smiling. Sasuke nodded and walked past her, making her follow him.

In one of Konoha's parks, in a secluded area…

Sasuke took a couple of steps before stopping, making Ino stop. He didn't turn to face her.

"S-Sasuke-kun…Are you alright?" she said, worried, taking a couple of steps towards him, and touched his shoulder. He suddenly turned around and encircled her waist with his arms, making Ino gasp.

"Sasuke…" she whispered, not believing what was going on. He then, in one swift move, leaned closer and kissed her. Ino gasped, her eyes widened but soon she closed her eyes and kissed back, not realizing there were a couple of sea foam green eyes watching them. The eyes were narrowed as their owner stood up and jumped away.

Ino and Sasuke were having their own blissful moment, kissing passionately and…well, roughly, you might say. Ino snaked her arms around his neck as he leaned closer and deeper.

'…Sasuke might be waiting for me, I'm really getting the feeling this is going to be the best relationship I could ever have…'

Ino gasped and pulled away, taking a couple of steps away from Sasuke who was startled by her sudden action.

"W-What's wrong, Ino?" he asked, his eyebrows knotting. Ino, panting, shook her head. "I-I can't do this…" she said, covering her mouth. Sasuke took a deep breath and looked at her. "What the hell do you mean? I thought this is what you always wanted…"

"…I wanted it to be special… not in the middle of nowhere!" she yelled, tears strolling down her face. "…and I can't do this to her...I can't…" she said, running off, leaving a very shocked and disappointed Sasuke.

Stupid closure for this very short chapter, but anyways...tell me what you think so far.

Please review...