Sakura was walking across the bridge when she suddenly froze. Up ahead was the guy who had stolen her heart after Sasuke had left for the Sound. Unfortunately, he didn't care for her in the same way. He had a girlfriend for two years, and they were crazy about each other. However, as far as Sakura was concerned, that girl was a total whore. But, she'd given up trying to separate them, so all she could do was deal with it...and complain to Ino.
"It isn't fair, Ino."
"I know, Sakura, but think about it. Those two are madly in love with each other, and if they've been together this long, they probably won't break up any time soon." She sat on her bed next to Sakura. "But I know what you mean. It's hard seeing the man you're in love with with someone else."
"Yeah...I'm not sure I can take much more of this...I mean how am I supposed to continue day in and day out seeing him and that...that...that whore! She soooo doesn't deserve him!"
"I think I agree with you actually. She DOES seem kinda-" Her cell phone began to ring and when she saw the number her face lit up. "Hold on a sec..." She slid open the phone and smiled. "Hey, honey."
"Hey, beautiful. We're still on for tomorrow night, right?"
"Of course. Hey, can I bring someone?"
"Sure, the more the merrier! Who is it, Sakura?"
"Yeah, I really want her out of the house and out having fun instead of sulking alone all night."
"Okay, that's fine...but you DO know that Shino will be there, right?"
"Wait...he will?" She paused for a second then smiled wider. "That's perfect! Will she be there too?"
"Well, since he's singing in the contest, I think she will...I'm sorry, how is that a good thing?"
"I'll tell you when I get home."
"Okay. I love you."
"I love you too. See ya!" After she hung up, she turned to Sakura. "We have plans tomorrow night."
"Ugh...where are you taking me now?"
"To a karaoke contest. I'll be in it and I want you to get out of this place and have some REAL fun! Oh, and you don't have to sing if you don't want to."
"Okay...Will you guys pick me up?"
"Yeah. Oh hey, I'm gonna leave now. Choji's making pork and I LOVE his pork! See ya tomorrow!"
"Okay...Tell your "honey" I said hi." After Ino left, she looked sadly out the window at the Leaf Village. When she got this depressed, all she wanted to do was run up and down the streets. But instead of attracting attention, which is SOOO not what she wanted to do, she stayed in the safety of her apartment and cried to herself.
"Why can't that be me...what does she have that I don't?" She continued like this for the next few hours, ultimately crying herself to sleep. She woke up early the next morning, and for some reason, she wasn't crying. No, instead, she felt determined; determined to win over the heart of the man she loved. So, she called up the one person who could help her.
"Ino? It's me."
"Sakura? That's you? You sound so...happy. Is everything okay?"
"Yeah, but could you come over? I need help with something."
"Umm...okay. Can you give me a few minutes?"
"Sure. See ya soon." That gave her enough time to take a shower. As soon as she wrapped herself in the towel, the doorbell rang. "It's open!"
"Okay." Ino closed the door and sat on the couch while she waited for Sakura to come out. "So, why the sudden change in attitude? You sound all…happyish."
"I was thinking…Ino, I'm sick of sitting around and hoping that he'll realize that I'm in love with him. I'm going to that contest and by the end of the night, he'll know I'm the one for him!" She walked out of her bedroom and stood, dripping wet, in the doorway. "But I need your help...I'm not sure what I should wear."
"Finally! I was getting worried about you, you know." Ino walked into Sakura's closet and looked around. "Hmm...He's a mysterious one so...Ah!" She pulled out a black robe and a purple fish net hood. "How about this? You'd look totally hot AND mysterious!"
"Let me try it on..." She took it from her and went into her bedroom. After putting it on, she looked at herself in the mirror and smiled. "Perfect..."
"Can I come in?" Ino cracked open and when she saw Sakura, she smiled. "You look amazing, Sakura. If that doesn't blow Shino's socks off, I don't know what will."
"Thanks...Now what song will I sing?"
"Wait, you're gonna sing?"
"Of course! I just don't know what..."
"Well...hmm...Oh! Why don't you sing Girlfriend?"
"Because...I don't know if he even LOOKS at me...I could be just some other girl to him like I was to Sasuke..."
"Hey don't feel bad. I was just some other fangirl to him too!"
"I know...but...I want a song that will tell him that I love him...but won't be too much..."
"Okay...how about Next To You?"
"Huh...that could work...I love that song and I know all the words already...Yeah! I'll sing that! Thanks, Ino."
"No problem! It's my job."
She was feeling confident as she walked with Ino and Choji to the club. She looked up at the star-lit sky and smiled. "Today's the day, guys. He'll finally be mine."
Ino and Choji looked at each other and smiled. His hand weaved his way into hers, which made her turn pink. "I know what you mean, Sakura. And trust me...finally being with the person you love is well worth the wait!"
"Aww...Choji!" Ino smiled and kissed him lovingly on the lips. "You're so sweet!"
Sakura giggled. "You guys are so cute. I just hope that-"
"...Hey guys..."
Sakura immediately turned pink and giggled. "H-Hey, Shino!"
"Hey! You're here early, aren't you?"
"...Yes...I wanted to see who I'd be up against...Are any of you singing?"
"Yup! I am and-"
"I-I'm g-going to enter, t-too." Sakura looked to the side and giggled.
"Oh...Well have you signed up yet?"
"N-No..."
"Then you should probably hurry to the registration table. They're closing soon."
"CRAP! Sakura, we have to go!" Ino grabbed Sakura's hand and ran away.
Choji stood with Shino and watched them leave. He turned to Shino and smiled. "Sakura looks pretty hot tonight, doesn't she?"
"...Yes..." He looked at Choji and walked away.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA! YES!" Choji hurried to the registration table and caught up with them. "Hey guys, guess what? You're never gonna believe this!"
"What is it, honey?"
"Yes...What is it? I'd loooove to know." The devil herself came strolling over to them and grinned evilly. "What kind of news could be that important that it made someone like you run over so quickly?"
"What...did...you...say?"
"Hey, that's out of line!"
"...Hana...So good to see you again..."
"Sakura. Don't tell me YOU'RE singing too!" She laughed. "Do you really think he'll notice you like THAT?"
"Yes, I AM singing in this contest! And I'll blow you out of the water! Come on, guys." Sakura walked away, leaving Ino and Choji speechless.
"Heh...It's kind of sad really...she thinks she stands a chance against me? HAHAHA!"
"You just watch...She's gonna sing so well it'll make you sound like a horse!"
"At least I don't look like one."
Choji growled. "LET ME AT HER!"
"No, Choji stop!" Ino tried to hold him back, but he was too strong.
"What's going on here?"
"Oh, hi sweetie." Hana walked over to Shino and wrapped her arms around his waist. "Just...talking to some friends."
"Yeah...friends..." Ino rolled her eyes and held Choji close to her.
"Ino...I want to rip that girl's eyes out..."
"You and me both..."
"Sakura deserves to be with him...NOT her...ugh..."
"Hey guys, what's taking so long?" Sakura came back and stood next to them.
"Look who's here..."
Sakura turned around and saw Hana hugging Shino. She felt her heart race as she thought about the fact that if things went the way she planned, that would be her at the end of the night. However, she looked away as soon as Hana pulled him into a steamy hot kiss.