Fighting with Sakura was never fun.

Ino knew this, yet she still fought with her former best friend. What was it for?

Sasuke Uchiha.

He was everything to both of them, and neither girl was going to give up on Sasuke any time soon.

But, what if by some weird miracle, Sasuke Uchiha vanished? What would their life be like then?

" Sasuke isn't here today, " Ino whispered to Shikamaru, whom was sitting beside her. Being at the Ninja Academy was hardly any fun, but without Sasuke, the place was torture. She sighed.

" Cool, " Shikamaru said. " Maybe the fangirls won't be so annoying today. "

Ino growled and hit him hard on his leg, which made him groan. " My apologies to the number one fan of Uchiha. " He rolled his eyes. Ino hated how Shikamaru always had something negative to say about Sasuke. Every single time Sasuke was mentioned, Shikamaru would instantly be put in a foul mood.

" Not cool. " Ino said, looking down. Sadness lurked in her, but also anger. Anger, because she noticed Sakura staring at her for the past ten minutes. " Billboard Brow, " She snapped quiet enough for Iruka to not hear, " Stop staring at me! "

" I wasn't staring, Ino . . Pig! " Sakura snapped back, turning her back on Ino to face Iruka. Ino sighed.

" Ino, you know . . you will need friends throughout your entire life - not Sasuke. How much longer are you going to keep fighting over him? I just don't see what you find so great about him, anyways. " Shikamaru glanced over at the clock. Time wasn't going fast enough for his liking. He wanted to sleep very badly, but Iruka had already caught him mid-nap four times last week. Once more, and he was going to be in serious trouble.

Ino frowned, then pouted. " I don't see why Sasuke hasn't noticed me yet! " She said, putting her head in her hands. " I mean, I am gorgeous! Just look at me! Right, Shikamaru? "

Shikamaru blinked. How would he answer that one? There was no real way to answer without something going wrong. He started to analyze everything. If he said yes, which was the truth in his opinion, that would make their friendship even more strange. But if he said no, Ino would be hurt and angry, and Shikamaru would be at blame. What kind of situation is that?

He decided to take the risk of making their friendship even weirder. " Yes. "

Ino smiled, pleased. " I wish you were Sasuke sometimes. You are so easy to get along with. " She said, with regret instantly seeping through her. Why would she say that? That just might make him think she likes him. Which was NOT the truth - at least, that was what Ino would say. She only had eyes for the most popular boy in the class - Sasuke Uchiha.

But, every other girl had eyes for him, too. Except Hinata, whom liked Naruto for some strange reason. And everyone knew TenTen liked Neji - and perhaps Rock Lee a little. No one ever really asked her.

It was obvious, however, that Sakura and Ino both shared feelings for Sasuke. And whoever won his heart would be the ultimate queen bee. Ino was going to make sure that was her. No matter what she had to do, Sasuke would be her boyfriend.

" Do you think my hair is pretty? " Sakura asked Naruto.

Naruto blushed in response, happy that Sakura even spoke to him. " Yeah, it's beautiful! "

Sakura smiled, running a hand through her long pink hair. It had taken her a while to grow it out, but if the rumor that Sasuke liked girls with long hair was true, . . . Sakura had a chance at getting Sasuke. But so did that pig, Ino Yamanaka!

" Thanks. " She said to Naruto. Naruto smiled in return.

But where was Sasuke today? Sakura was worried.

Maybe that Ino pig will get to talk to him after school first! If that happens . . . I will be done for! Sakura sighed and tried to finish her work. Sasuke had her worried sick. And, the thing that was worse - Ino looked like she was keeping her cool while Sasuke was gone.

How did she always seem like she was cool with everything? It made Sakura angry how Ino made things that were huge seem like nothing.

For yet another time in her life, Sakura was envious of Ino.

Ino was jealous of Sakura.

She seemed fine with Sasuke being gone while Ino was about to rip her hair out from being nervous! And Naruto was drooling all over Sakura, just like Rock Lee was - from across the room, of course. Why did the boys like Sakura? How come no boys liked Ino? Ino did everything the magazines and TV said was right. And she grew her hair out, and made sure it was shiny and in a pretty ponytail everyday. What was she doing wrong?

" Stop making that face. If you don't relax sometime, Ino, you are going to die. " Shikamaru yawned and put his head on the desk.

" Shikamaru, get up. You know Iruka will catch you if you even attempt to take a nap! " Ino nudged him with her book. Shikamaru raised his head back up, looking as bored as usual. Ino sighed.

" I try to relax, I really do. But then that stupid Billboard Brow ruins it! " Ino said, squeezing her own hand. It made her calm herself down - even the tiniest bit. Shikamaru smirked.

" Just tune her out. She isn't important, anyways - at least not right now. How about we go get some ramen after school and chill out? I think you could really use that. "

" Agreed. " Ino said, a slight smile washing over her face. She almost forgot about Sasuke for a minute . . . - Almost.

NOTE FROM ME. ^^

Hello there! I hope you enjoy this, and I want you to know that Masashi Kishimoto is the author of Naruto.

(I hope I didn't spell his name wrong... 0.0 xD