start. A fifteen minute drabble. Meaningless interpetation of a broken friendship and what it might be on the inside. Ino x Sakura - friendship.
x.
Haruno Sakura like most girls, have keepsakes of a fond childhood memory lost in the endless pages of time. Her room is neat, orderly, a bit like her in a way. Not a single piece strew out of place--perhaps that is what differentiates her from Ino. She brushes her hair softly as she glances quickly in the mirror. And for a brief moment, Sakura notices the faded strip of pink that is tied into a loop carved into the wood. It was an old tradition, one she prefered not to remember. Sakura smiles sardonically at the fact that she used to treasure it everyday.
Because that was what it was--a treasure. In her eyes anyways.
But instead of being tied to locks of rosy strands, it can only stare forlornly at what was home. Her forehead protector took the empty place on her head as cold metal and rough fabric replaced the silky ribbon. Sakura doesn't know why she still keeps it, and hestitates to ask herself.
Outside, Sakura secretly eyes Ino. In return, Ino pretends she doesn't notice it, but looks anyways--only when Sakura turns around. It is a tradition that has patched over the days of being best friends and flowers. An inside joke that only those two secretly know--and perhaps secretly treasure. But maybe, for a second or two; kind of like those quiet moments in the morning when Ino regretfully caresses an old picture of her fondest memory with Sakura--or perhaps when Sakura wipes her tears and clasps the ribbon close to her heart.
But maybe...just a moment, they'll turn to each other and pretend that they are still best friends and smile. And it'll be about as real as a smile could get between two girls; because maybe they don't practice real smiling everyday. Because maybe they're too busy playing make-believe and being perfect instead of being something honest and worthy of respect. Who they want to be--who they hope to be--who they are.
Y'know, kinda like being people.