Two Blondes, One Bond
Chapter One: Shiragiku

A/N-Story takes place three months after the war. Pairing will be Ino and Naruto. Let me know, what are some pairings you'd like to see?

"I'm sorry…I couldn't save you, Hinata." Naruto stood motionlessly in Konoha's cemetery. Hinata had once again sacrificed herself to save Naruto's life, but this time…she wasn't coming back. "I hope you can forgive me."

The war had taken an immense toll on the young ninja of the Leaf. Many loved ones were lost, many loved ones were crippled. It would be a while before things would completely get back to normal.

Not too far from Naruto, Ino stood at her old friend Choji's gravestone, she laid a few white flowers down and said a brief prayer. She'd lost lifelong friends and new ones alike. The blonde girl wiped the stray tears from her eyes before looking over to see Naruto Uzumaki doing the same.

Naruto had finished paying his respects and started to head home. Ino held the remaining flowers in her hand and wondered if Naruto had anybody to talk to. She noticed his sad eyes and knew he was hurting as she was. Ino and Naruto had come to the cemetery almost every day after the war and they hadn't spoke once, Ino felt today was the day that changed.

Knock, knock, knock

Naruto lounged on his couch in his minuscule apartment, until he heard a knock on his door. He wondered who it could be. It couldn't be Sakura or Sai, they were out on an mission in the Sand Village. It couldn't be Sasuke because he'd already come by to say hello earlier. Naruto desperately hoped it wasn't another one of his new fans.

He opened the door to see someone he'd never expect to see at his home. "These are for you." She handed Naruto a handful of white flowers.

Naruto stood there staring at them, before smiling. "Thanks, Ino, these'll go great with the others." He said. Naruto made it half way across the room before turning and telling her, "You can come in if you want."

Ino closed the door before following him to a window. On the windowsill stood four old pots, three of which were already filled with flowers he'd picked himself. "Shiragiku aren't really found around in these parts are they?" Naruto said, smiling at the white flowers.

"You know what their called? I didn't know you cared about gardening." The blonde girl asked, with an obviously puzzled look on her face. Not only did he know what they were, he already had grown some other flowers and plants too. Naruto was the last person she would've thought to have a green thumb.

"I like to water them and watch them grow." Naruto dug a small hole in the pot's soil. He gently placed the the plain white Shiragiku flowers in the dirt, before grabbing the pail and lightly watered the frail flowers.

Naruto slapped his hands together, knocking the remaining specs of dirt of his his hands. "Thank you again for the flowers, I really appreciate these." Naruto thanked her. He knew knew that Shiragiku were usually given to people who were grieving or lost someone close to them. This gesture was one he wouldn't soon forget.

"Its no big deal, Naruto." Said the other blonde sincerely, before receiving an unexpected hug from Naruto. A small smile found its way upon Ino's face

"If only I had something to make you feel better." Naruto said, scratching his head and looking around his home. He continued searching before realizing what obviously always made him feel better. "I have an idea! Ramen!" He howled. "Would you like some?"

"Eww, how can you eat that stuff all the time?" Ino asked. A big smile stretched across Naruto's face.

"Its simple…its the best food ever! Let me make you some of my home cooked ramen, I've been learning from the old man at Ichiraku ramen." Naruto said, hoping to persuade her.

"Sure" Ino said with a sigh. It was obvious that Naruto was feeling better and Ino didn't want to ruin it, so she went along with it.

Naruto grabbed an assortment of products out his fridge and set them out on the counter.

She sat on the couch waiting for Naruto to finish cooking. Only a few seconds later her nose was filled with a hunger inducing scent.

Naruto turned around carrying two large bowls. He laid them on the coffee stand In front of the couch and passed Ino a pair of chop sticks.

Ino leaned over a took a whiff of the steaming bowl of noodles. It smelled and looked delicious, but Ino knew that you shouldn't judge a book by its cover, she never really liked ramen before, why would his any different. She picked up her chop sticks and lifted a single noodle in front of her mouth. "Come on, you're gonna love it." Naruto persuaded.

"Its pretty good!" Ino said before digging in.

"I told you you'd like it." Naruto said proudly.

After finishing her meal. She placed the bowl on the table and sat back into Naruto's sofa. "Hey, Naruto…I'm sorry for being such a jerk to you when we were younger."

Naruto was slightly shocked at the sudden apology. "It doesn't matter." He said.

"Yeah, it does." Ino said. "You know…this is the first time we've really hung out."

"Yeah, I guess it is." Naruto said with a mouth full of ramen, causing Ino to chuckle.

Ino and Naruto continued sitting down and continued enjoying each other's company. Ino would chuckle and laugh at Naruto's antics and Naruto enjoyed having someone new over. But eventually it became time for Ino to make her way back to her family's flower shop.

"I gotta go, I've got work." Ino said, she thanked Naruto for keeping her company and began to make her way to the Yamanaka Flower shop. The blonde then stood in the doorway and turned to Naruto. "Hey, you should come by the shop sometimes, I think you'd like it there, there's all kinds of flowers." She said before heading out.

Naruto smiled before looking in his window to see the Shiragiku flowers swaying in the gentle wind.

A/N-Did you like it? Let me know, All Comments, Reviews, and suggestions are greatly appreciated.