A/N: I suddenly had a random urge to write for Naruto. Won't be doing it often. Enjoy.
xxxxx
She loved her.
As a best friend, as a teammate, as something more. Everything in her head and heart just screamed that she loved her in some way, and the frustration that came with not knowing what it was came out in the form of mocking words and spiteful insults. Her attempts at hurting the other only backfired. Every word she spat was reflected, accompanied with venom underlying every syllable and a painful look that lasted seconds at a time.
It just happened to go so far as to get out of hand, the regret coming too late to be of any use.
Fists pounded at skin, nails clawed into cheeks and pulled at hair. No one around wanted to stop it, instead watching intently in silence. She never understood what made it so fascinating, but she couldn't think properly at the moment.
To the ground her 'opponent' went, trying to fight her best with the weight sitting on her stomach, as balled fists hammered away at her. Blocking, biting, scratching, kicking. The incapacitated girl did her best, but her assailant wasn't letting up. Tears streamed without resistance as she yelled with each punch. It would only be minutes later, after the beaten girl resorted into pulling the long hair that billowed above her before someone stepped in to break them apart.
The walk home wasn't as long as she wanted it to be. Her paced slowed down considerably, even without the limp she gained from a well placed kick. Nothing but choked sobs escaped her, despite the constant worried questioning of people she passed on the way to her house. The moment she stepped into her door, she crashed to the floor and cried, angry at herself for making things worse and angry at her for not understanding.
"Ino."
The voice washed over her way before the familiar body did. The scent of sweat mixed with blood and grass invaded her senses as the crook of her neck was nuzzled from behind.
"I'm sorry."
Somehow it calmed her, that voice. Without a sound the pain of her wounds slowly faded as soft fingers ran over her skin. Scars would likely set in time, but the stinging that accompanied it was gone now. A glance over her shoulder locked her eyes with the green color that she had grown so used to.
"Sa-"
Instantly the fingers were on her lips, followed by a quiet "shh". The throbbing that had once been there lifted, and she knew that the bleeding had stopped. Physically, she felt remotely better. Yet...
"What abo-"
Again she was cut off by that gesture, a small smile gracing her healer's own maroon tainted lips. Keeping that smile as she shakily rose to her feet, she turned to walk out of the door. Learning from the other times she was hushed, she held back a protest as the female disappeared. The lack of another person beside her suddenly reminded her how chilly it was. Her arms wrapped around herself, her fingers ran lightly over where it was touched moments ago, eyes closed. The night was spent alone once again.
xxxxx
Morning came sooner than she wished, but as she tied her apron around herself and tended to the flowers in her shop she was glad it did.
"Ooh? So you did fix yourself up. Would've been a shame to leave permanent scars on that nicely clear billboard of a forehead you have."
A knowing smirk, followed by a defiant hand on a hip.
"Is that how you thank someone, you blonde pig?"