Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto - Naruto belongs to Kishimoto-sensei. I do own the plotline of this story.
Author's Note: This is my first NaruIno. In fact, it is the second one I've ever written, but the firstisn't ready for posting yet. It is better than his one though, evolving around life as an ANBU for both Naruto and Ino. Anyhow... This piece is a little something about Ino shwoing her gratitude to Naruto in her own personal way.
Read and Review, Onegai!
-xx- Nika
I admire you, Naruto.
You have the power to make your dreams come true and that's what I wish I had. You can work hard and tire yourself and push to the edge just to get further, just to widen your range and push away those borders, just to reach that horizon.
I wish I was more like you sometimes. Deep down inside there is a small part of me that's like you. But the rest of me is doubtful and insecure. I cover it up with courageous confidance and playful flirting. I can't hep but feel like I'm a package wrapped up so beautifully that everyone fails to notice there's nothing real inside it. I wish I could be more like you - you are who you are, always. I admire that.
I know I should try harder. I can do better than this, I realise it well. But most of the time, I lack the motivation. I miss you, Naruto. I miss making fun of you. As long as you were around, there was always someone to look down on. I really shouldn't have, but I needed to push you down so that I would not be the one that is pushed down. You didn't deserve to be floored by my attitude like that. I still have that problem... But you don't know that.
I wish you knew how much you've done for me. You've helped me see a lot of things I would not have been able to grasp myself. You're sort of like a mentor to me, yet you don't know you are. You're just you, and that's enough. In case that you never get this letter: One day, I'll say all of this out loud. I'll say it to your face, because you deserve it. Give me a little time to build up the courage, alright? One day...
I hope you'll be back soon. I miss you.
Ino.
She stared down and let out a deep breath, forcing her quivering limps under control. This had gone different in her mind. She'd been through it half a dozen times, but she'd never considered she'd be so nervous about delivering a letter to the place of someone who wouldn't be reading it for months, maybe years to come. Yet she was nervous, and her trembling hands proved it.
Sliding the window open, she stealthily hopped into the apartement. She had tried the door first, but it was locked shut tightly (which had surprised her - she had half expected him to have forgotten to lock up his place before he left). The window was always a good second option.
This place could use some cleaning, she mused as she cast a glance about. A thick layer of dust covered every single piece of furniture. Clouds of dust rose when she sat herself down on the matress, sending her straigth into a five minute coughing fit. Cobwebs settled in every corner, spreading silvery threads all across the cealing. Ino was glad she'd left the window open, for it would have been too without the fresh air streaming in.
She shook her head to clear away the thoughts holding her captive, and brought the envelope to her lips. Pressing a gentle kiss onto the paper, she lowered it onto the phillow and let out a deep breath. She had done it. She'd left the letter. Now maybe finally, she'd have some closure.
Before standing up and leaving, her eye caught the picture on his nightstand. She'd thought he had taken it with him when he left with the Sannin, but apparently he had refrained from it as the pictureframe holding the image of his old team was still there.
She lifted it from the nightstand leaving a neat clean print on the dust covered surface, and brought it closer to her face, gently blowing the dust away. A small smile graced Ino's lips, as she rubbed the glass in a caring manner.
Ino did not know how much time she spent on that same spot, perched on his bed and hugging her knees while staring at the picture and taking in every feature of his young face. She awoke from her daze when morning was already marching up and the sunrise was battling the moon for the reign over the sky. A soft light shone in through the open window and reached the bed, slowly creeping further and further until she felt it hit her face.
It was time to go. Soon, Ino's mother would come wake her up and the older woman would not be pleased if she wasn't where she was supposed to be when that happened: in her bed, asleep. She set the picture back in it's place and leaped out of the window, halting or looking back not once. She was done.
One day, he would know.
Click the pretty button, come on!