Perhaps she had not been clear enough, perhaps Sakura had misunderstood her intentions. Because when she had asked for her company in tonight's festival, Ino had not intended for them to have one of their typical 'girl's night outs'.
It had been many months since they'd had one of those.
Because the soft smiles, stolen glances, and "accidental" touches from these months in between had been the catalyst for this. Ino had been sure that Sakura knew this was a date. She had asked her on a date.
Tired but happy, the pair were pouring over books in the hospital's library this afternoon. Then, Ino had closed her eyes, and taken a breath, before asking out the pink haired kunochi. Sakura had replied happily with a 'yes'.
And Ino had been sure the implication for the evening together was set.
Ino was sure Sakura had understood.
They were not going to the festival as 'just friends'.
"Ino, did you see that?" Sakura jumps with a cheer, pointing at the seven darts she'd successfully hit on target.
The man at the stall sighs dishearteningly, before grabbing a small plush bunny rabbit and handing it over to the pink haired kunochi. Sakura beams, taking her prize with enthusiasm.
"It matches you," Ino jokes, noting the pinkness of the toy rabbit.
Sakura giggles, "so, where do you want to go next?"
Ino smiles, and suggests perhaps getting something to eat. Sakura obliges, and the pair head off towards the food stalls. They walk side by side, the blonde's fingers twitch with her desire to reach out and interlock Sakura's fingers with hers.
Walking with hands held, exchanging soft looks – this date was not panning out as Ino had hoped.
In fact, this date felt like nothing more than two friends enjoying the village's carnival together.
Ino bites her lip; maybe I should stop stalling.
She takes a breath, clenches her jaw, and takes Sakura's hand within hers. Their fingers interweave, Sakura stops walking.
So does Ino.
"Ino," Sakura whispers, looking down to their linked fingers.
Ino swallows – crap; crap, crap crap.
She had gone too fast, she had misread the signs. Oh how she curses her impulses.
Before Inocan think of anything more that can go wrong, Sakura takes a step forward, and presses her lips against the worried pout of the blonde's.
Ino's eyes widen, she can see peripherally a few villagers of the crows notice the display of affection with surprise. But she doesn't care, she kisses Sakura back. Relaxing into the sensation, Ino smiles as she feels Sakura giggle and pull away.
"I suppose we're both a little nervous," Sakura whispers whilst she smiles.
Ino holds back her urge to cheer, and laugh with delirious happiness. Instead, the blonde smirks and replies, "maybe you are, forehead," before leaning in once more to catch the pink kunochi's lips for their second kiss.