"Ino-san!" Called a quiet voice from beyond the door of my apartment. I turned over and faced the wall. All was well and quiet… for about one minute.

"Ino-san, please wake up!" Call the voice once again. I shut my eyes and covered my ears with one of the three pillows supporting my head. "Ino-san!"

Ok, this was getting annoying! It was nine thirty-four in the morning for God's sake.

"Ino-san!" This time when she call my name, it sounded close. I flipped back over to my original position to come face to face with Hinata Hyuuga. "Good morning Ino."

A small growl escaped my lips. "What?" I asked a bit sharper than I intended. I saw the hurt in my friend's eyes; I sat up and sighed. "Sorry. What do you need Hinata-san."

A smile appeared on her face, "I got your mail."

My blond eyebrow twitched followed as the clenching of my teeth. "Ok, what's new? Naruto is an idiot and always put my mail in your box on accident."

"Well, this time it's different. The address says it's from the collage you wanted to get into!" I quickly snatched the envelope of her hand and opened it with one of my nails.

Dear Ino Yamanaka,

We are sad to say that you are rejected to the Collage of the Gifted.

Sincerely,

The head principle of the Gifted

Short, simple, and sweet as that. Well, not really sweet but you know what I mean. No explanation or anything! What kind of school is this?

"So? What does it say?" Hinata asked full of hope for me.

"I… didn't get accepted…" I explained to her as I got up. She jerked her head back in a surprised motion.

"W-what? How could you not get it?"

"I don't know. Thanks Hinata-san, but I think you should go. I'll talk to you… later."

I got up and walked her to the door.

"Bye. If you need anything, you know where to find me!"

"Yeah… Bye."

She walked out of my apartment and waved goodbye from the other side. I returned the gesture and lock my door.

I felt the tears swell up in the corners of my eyes as I walked to the kitchen to make some coffee. Every time I blinked, small little streams fell down.

Okay, yeah. Maybe I was overreacting to such a small thing as getting into the collage of my dreams. It was only the thing I ever wished for when I was young besides becoming the wife to Sasuke Uchiha. I gave up on that second dream when I realized how close Sakura and him were getting and the other one got crushed.

Look at yourself Ino! You're better than this! Where is the confident girl that never gave up? The one that would do anything to get what she wanted? Where the hell is she? Tell me that! Come on...

I bit my lip as I realized how much I changed sense I was twelve. How old was I now, nineteen? I remembered on the motto that I used to live on.

"If anyone every pushes you down, get back up and kick them in the crotch. Doesn't matter if they are a girl or if they are a boy, just do it." The words slipped off my tongue like butter.

I small smile curled on my lips. No more of the pushover, soft skinned female that I was being! I was gonna go to the toughest girl that I knew!

Temari.

Author's note: Yes, yes. I know that was not the way Ino Yamanaka lived by. I think it fits her though! I will do requests. Don't ask do lemons… Please? I would feel so… dirty! Well reviews would be nice. Yes? :) Oh, and I don't own anything in Naruto!