Me: *Yawns* Tsukareta! (I'm tired!/ Worn out!)*teary eyes* which probably
resulted in the crap-ass ending for this chapter, but oh well... it's 1 now
and I've never felt so tired around this time for as long as I can
remember... I think I'm going to lie down and listen to some see saw... nice
soft music... oh! Yeah! Hi! Hope you enjoy the fic! Most chapters won't be as
deadly long but.... w/e I even sometimes add something more exciting or have
an actual point, but unfortunately it left my head with the rest of the
brain. You see... my fingers have typed so much that even if I have no train
of thought they can still manage to rant on and on and...
Ino: Just start the damned fic!
Me: Hi Ino... see this is a fic from your POV.
Ino: -_- I know that... hell... you are TIRED!
Me: And I'm usually such a night person. *starts to walk off to bed as fanfiction posts story and ends up walking into a wall*
Ino: O.o Well, I guess I'll do her disclaimer... lets just say thank GOD she doesn't own Naruto... although... the whole thing with the drunk Rock Lee seems like something she'd do...
Me: Useru -_- Chou baka...( Shuddap, super idiot...(stolen from Shika *peace sign ^^*))
Ino: NOW she pays attention! Augh! ****
I tapped my fingers irritably against the wood of the store counter. Nothing ever looked right on me. I fixed my hair up nicely since I decided to keep it short, well not really, because if there's no one to see your hair, can you really count it as looking nice... all of the things I really did was to please myself, but actually, just to fit in too. Lately I've been trying to be different... The years have passed and passed yet in the Konohagure, I never felt ever quite at home. I guess you could say, for a girl like me, I was just another rabid fan girl of the most popular guy. Okay, sure, it was my entire fault, but as I tried to move past my small crush, all it became was a competition with a former best friend. I wasn't even sure if I really liked him anymore or if I was just another one of those pathetic clones, that really did have no other life than musing over that one particular guy. Maybe, I was developing feelings for well... the one right in front of me?
Tonight was my night to watch over the flower shop. How I would kill for a guy to buy me flowers from the store instead of selling them to other guys who'd give them to the ones they loved. Doubt any guy I'd like, would ever like me back. It wasn't just Sakura or other mindless, giggling Sasuke fans that hated me. I'm sure all of the guys did too. I guess you could say, I, Miss Yamanaka Ino, would never be considered a truly important person. Now that I think about it, I always criticize Shikamaru and Chouji about being unpopular, but who am I kidding? I'm not popular either; no... team 10 is definitely considered the loser team, and I just made the biggest fool out of myself. Well, it's still funny to think how everything's turning out, and I guess I still have to explain why I'm being so insightful, and thinking about not really liking Sasuke... for a change. I guess I also should explain why I'm managing the flower shop, by my actual request, on a Saturday night. And trying to dodge everyone, everyone who I know must be having a great time... wherever they were. Well let me start at the beginning... well there's really no other place to start. It would have to be the day of the week where we get off of missions, and today is the last day of that week, where we have that big party. It takes place in summer, around July. It is where our particular village gets off from any missions, unless there are emergencies, but we're going back to the first day of it. When we have the camping celebration.
Although, most people probably didn't think this would happen in the Konohagure, the teams who took part in the Chuuin Exams that made it to the prelims, were celebrating around a camp fire, eating Smores. I was, of course doing my usual Fangirl routine, my arm wrapped around Sasuke's arm,
"I'm so glad you made it Sasuke-kun! I was so worried!" Shikamaru gave a roll to his eyes and I noticed from the corner of my eye the infuriated Sakura.
"Hello Ino-pig... why don't you be nice and leave Sasuke-kun ALONE?" Her teeth were gritted together, her pink hair flowing down from the top of that big forehead of hers.
"Well... if you continue eating so many marshmallows, your waist size might actually match the same proportions of that forehead." I snickered. I was always one for a good argument, and Sakura knew how to present it well. God knows how much louder she would be if her Inner was actually speaking through her mouth. It's a scary thought to know there are two Sakuras.
"So how's it been Mr. Chuuin?" I said to the otherwise melancholy Shikamaru. Weird, was the only description at the time that I could think of. Maybe it was just my imagination, or so I thought, but I definitely could tell that this wasn't the Shikamaru I was used to. Yet, my other teammate was in his normal mode. God, how could that boy stand to eat so much? If he hated being called "fat" then why didn't he fix it? Maybe... he just can't help it... and I would always criticize him. God, was I really such a jerk?
To ruin my observations came the groan of the obnoxious Naruto.
"This is booorrrring... all we're doing is sitting around a stupid campfire! Where's the action? Where are the A rank missions!? Where's the perverted hermit to help me train!" He fell to his knees and crossed his arms, grumbling on and on when Sakura's fist plowed into Naruto's head,
"Can't you ever relax... at least once?!" She roared, as I remember happily grinning that he was at least good for diverting her attention away from Sasuke.
"Hi...Naruto-kun..." I heard a whisper of a voice from behind me, and I already knew what team had just shown up, Team 8. Hinata has always reminded me a bit of the old Sakura... before we became friends... I still remember that day when she announced she liked Sasuke-kun too... and from then on we would be rivals. What was I? I had helped her find the confidence she needed and for what? To knock me back down. I'm jealous of the fact that she has such a close bond with Sasuke, their auras connect in this unbelievable way. She knew a lot more about Sasuke now. I liked Sasuke, because he was cute and every girl liked him. When you're young all you really want is for the popular guy to notice you from the crowd and make you feel, well, special. And seeing Sakura falling into the category of that girl slowly, pissed me off even more. Maybe that's always set me so against becoming friends, or even just acquaintances with Hinata. It was somewhat ironic that she became friends with Sakura instead. Kiba raised an eyebrow at Hinata and just sat down at the edge of the circle. He grabbed the bag of marshmallows from Chouji, who gave a low whimpers. Kiba stuck a few onto some sticks and gave another stick to Akamaru who held it over the crackling flames. Shino stood at the back as Hinata handed him a stick. In his strangely monotonous voice he added a polite thanks and held it over the fire as well. Chouji was fidgeting with trying to grab a stick, but everyone was diverting their attention away from him. Shikamaru blandly shook his head,
*"Mendokusaina..." He mumbled as he handed a stick to Chouji, who gave an oversized grin.
"Shikamaru, you shouldn't do that! He should learn to control his eating habits!" I rambled off, neglecting to realize that my 'beloved' Sasuke found his way out of my grasp... he had some strange technique he must have developed. Shikamaru rolled his eyes and got up, my eyes diverting their attention to him. He took off, quiet as a mouse, and faded away as everyone else occupied themselves with the sugary gelatin and melt-in-your-mouth chocolate. I was then stunned by a sudden burst of a voice,
"Hello Sakura-chan!" Lee's voice rang loudly over anyone else's. He was an 'interesting' person. But he did have one quality I admired especially. His ability to always speak his mind. I might sound like I do, but I always say farther than what I really want to say.
"Hello Lee-san." She smiled lightly and waved. I stared back and forth between the two. She's been a lot nicer to him ever since he basically lost the ability to be a ninja again, yet knowing him, he was already back on his feet training harder than ever.
"Hey thick-brows! You going to- OW!" Sakura plummeted a fist into Naruto's head,
"Don't talk to Lee-san that way!" She growled at Naruto who grumbled and then turned his head to the side, puffing his cheeks. Lee had characteristically overdramatic tears streaming from his exaggeratedly round eyes.
"Hey! Hope you guys still have some left!" A voice called out, and thus the rest of Lee's team appeared. Tenten waved to everyone, as Neji gave a soft nod, a smug smile seemed to always reside on his face. It was hard to tell what was really up with that guy. As Hinata was becoming closer friends with Sakura, I had with Tenten, which worked out great. After all, neither Hinata nor Tenten liked Sasuke, or so I figured, so we wouldn't end up like I did with Sakura. I wasn't really sure how our friendship started. Tenten's mother was buying flowers for a celebration and brought along Tenten. I was working the shift so we both started talking as her mother browsed. One thing led to another and that was basically the jist of it. I handed two sticks to Tenten, the other one she automatically gave to Neji. She really did admire him. I wonder how much of that admiration he knew of.
I moved to the side and let them move in to make the circle even smaller. Upon doing this was when it dawned on me,
"WHERE DID MY SASUKE-KUN GO?!" I jumped up, looking from side to side like a watchdog going on a hunt.
"He left to get away from the smelly, FAT Ino-pig." Sakura smirked, narrowing her eyes. This triggered me to twitch irritably.
"You made him leave... didn't you...? You probably blinded him by the light reflecting off of your oversized forehead!" I growled, until sparks of energy emitted from us, anger clashing between us.
**"Demo.... Ano sa, ano sa, I'm here, so we don't need Sasuke, right?" Naruto accidentally blurted out, it was from then that we turned our anger to Naruto.
"What... did... you... SAY?!?!" Sakura barked at her teammate, her aura screaming flames. Naruto shivered weakly beneath our glares,
"Sa...Sakura-chan... I...."
After Naruto was basically beaten to a bloody pulp, Sakura sat down as did I, completely forgetting about our quarrel. The rest of the night was basically a blur of everyone in characteristically appropriate scenarios, until we started talking about the rest of the week...
"Tomorrow's team activities, right?" Kiba asked, biting his marshmallow of his stick viciously. Shino nodded softly, carefully pushing his rounded sunglasses to fall more appropriately on his nose. Team activities were basically Chakra enhancing. Kinda like the walking on water and other molding techniques, Asuma-sensei and all the other Jounin teacher have taught us. But these were a touch different and were lots of fun. We would sometimes practice these activities as a group. Tenten then spoke up.
"Yeah, Wednesday is the continuation of them too. Then the parade and firework celebrations are Thursday night. Friday's the Ichiraku's Special's Night and the Carnival too. And Saturday..."Absolute silence fell, all heads looking down. Everyone knew what it was... the Dance... everyone here, except for me of course were novices at romance... well I guess I am too... since I am trying to be truthful for once(see how hard it is?)
"Do we really have to go with someone?" Chouji whimpered. I could tell he was nervous. He was not really confident about his weight and especially when it came to girls. He almost waited for Shikamaru to make an on-cue response, but this was the point where everyone came to realize that Shikamaru had disappeared. Strangely enough, everyone looked to me,
"Ino, do you know where he went?" They all chorused together. The "he" part everyone already knew. I raised and eyebrow and shrugged,
"Don't be ridiculous, just because I'm his teammate doesn't mean I know where he is! I'm more worried about Sasuke-kun!" In truth, I wasn't even really sure about that.
"Maybe he just left to sleep... or play Go... or maybe his mom wanted him home now..." Chouji offered as we all simply shrugged. It was funny how everyone was so used to Sasuke taking off that no one even suggested a reason for him. Shikamaru going off on his own was a little odd, and those excuses seemed to be the only things that could make it work. My mind wavered a lot, between what to do and what to say. I was never really quite sure of myself. I guess the saying is true, 'Those that are loudest have the most to hide.' Soon, Shikamaru with lost with the night and we basically all went home, everyone was either laughing or at least showing some sort of content with the night, except for me. When no one's there, it's a lot easier to walk around without that perky smile. I always feel best when I'm alone, but at the same time I want to be in the arms of someone I could truly love. Is this hormonal girl asking too much? Pretty much at this point all I could think was, I needed some sleep.
***** Set fire to Naruto's hair but not my reviews please... Sorry it's so crappy but I had no time to edit and I'm just thankful I finally was able to pry myself off of homework to be able to write a fanfic... yey! Adieu, my loyal reviewers.....*falls asleep on keyboard*
*Mendokusaina: What a bother/How troublesome : What shika is known for
**Demo... ano sa, ano sa: But... hey, hey: Naruto always says it.
Ino: Just start the damned fic!
Me: Hi Ino... see this is a fic from your POV.
Ino: -_- I know that... hell... you are TIRED!
Me: And I'm usually such a night person. *starts to walk off to bed as fanfiction posts story and ends up walking into a wall*
Ino: O.o Well, I guess I'll do her disclaimer... lets just say thank GOD she doesn't own Naruto... although... the whole thing with the drunk Rock Lee seems like something she'd do...
Me: Useru -_- Chou baka...( Shuddap, super idiot...(stolen from Shika *peace sign ^^*))
Ino: NOW she pays attention! Augh! ****
I tapped my fingers irritably against the wood of the store counter. Nothing ever looked right on me. I fixed my hair up nicely since I decided to keep it short, well not really, because if there's no one to see your hair, can you really count it as looking nice... all of the things I really did was to please myself, but actually, just to fit in too. Lately I've been trying to be different... The years have passed and passed yet in the Konohagure, I never felt ever quite at home. I guess you could say, for a girl like me, I was just another rabid fan girl of the most popular guy. Okay, sure, it was my entire fault, but as I tried to move past my small crush, all it became was a competition with a former best friend. I wasn't even sure if I really liked him anymore or if I was just another one of those pathetic clones, that really did have no other life than musing over that one particular guy. Maybe, I was developing feelings for well... the one right in front of me?
Tonight was my night to watch over the flower shop. How I would kill for a guy to buy me flowers from the store instead of selling them to other guys who'd give them to the ones they loved. Doubt any guy I'd like, would ever like me back. It wasn't just Sakura or other mindless, giggling Sasuke fans that hated me. I'm sure all of the guys did too. I guess you could say, I, Miss Yamanaka Ino, would never be considered a truly important person. Now that I think about it, I always criticize Shikamaru and Chouji about being unpopular, but who am I kidding? I'm not popular either; no... team 10 is definitely considered the loser team, and I just made the biggest fool out of myself. Well, it's still funny to think how everything's turning out, and I guess I still have to explain why I'm being so insightful, and thinking about not really liking Sasuke... for a change. I guess I also should explain why I'm managing the flower shop, by my actual request, on a Saturday night. And trying to dodge everyone, everyone who I know must be having a great time... wherever they were. Well let me start at the beginning... well there's really no other place to start. It would have to be the day of the week where we get off of missions, and today is the last day of that week, where we have that big party. It takes place in summer, around July. It is where our particular village gets off from any missions, unless there are emergencies, but we're going back to the first day of it. When we have the camping celebration.
Although, most people probably didn't think this would happen in the Konohagure, the teams who took part in the Chuuin Exams that made it to the prelims, were celebrating around a camp fire, eating Smores. I was, of course doing my usual Fangirl routine, my arm wrapped around Sasuke's arm,
"I'm so glad you made it Sasuke-kun! I was so worried!" Shikamaru gave a roll to his eyes and I noticed from the corner of my eye the infuriated Sakura.
"Hello Ino-pig... why don't you be nice and leave Sasuke-kun ALONE?" Her teeth were gritted together, her pink hair flowing down from the top of that big forehead of hers.
"Well... if you continue eating so many marshmallows, your waist size might actually match the same proportions of that forehead." I snickered. I was always one for a good argument, and Sakura knew how to present it well. God knows how much louder she would be if her Inner was actually speaking through her mouth. It's a scary thought to know there are two Sakuras.
"So how's it been Mr. Chuuin?" I said to the otherwise melancholy Shikamaru. Weird, was the only description at the time that I could think of. Maybe it was just my imagination, or so I thought, but I definitely could tell that this wasn't the Shikamaru I was used to. Yet, my other teammate was in his normal mode. God, how could that boy stand to eat so much? If he hated being called "fat" then why didn't he fix it? Maybe... he just can't help it... and I would always criticize him. God, was I really such a jerk?
To ruin my observations came the groan of the obnoxious Naruto.
"This is booorrrring... all we're doing is sitting around a stupid campfire! Where's the action? Where are the A rank missions!? Where's the perverted hermit to help me train!" He fell to his knees and crossed his arms, grumbling on and on when Sakura's fist plowed into Naruto's head,
"Can't you ever relax... at least once?!" She roared, as I remember happily grinning that he was at least good for diverting her attention away from Sasuke.
"Hi...Naruto-kun..." I heard a whisper of a voice from behind me, and I already knew what team had just shown up, Team 8. Hinata has always reminded me a bit of the old Sakura... before we became friends... I still remember that day when she announced she liked Sasuke-kun too... and from then on we would be rivals. What was I? I had helped her find the confidence she needed and for what? To knock me back down. I'm jealous of the fact that she has such a close bond with Sasuke, their auras connect in this unbelievable way. She knew a lot more about Sasuke now. I liked Sasuke, because he was cute and every girl liked him. When you're young all you really want is for the popular guy to notice you from the crowd and make you feel, well, special. And seeing Sakura falling into the category of that girl slowly, pissed me off even more. Maybe that's always set me so against becoming friends, or even just acquaintances with Hinata. It was somewhat ironic that she became friends with Sakura instead. Kiba raised an eyebrow at Hinata and just sat down at the edge of the circle. He grabbed the bag of marshmallows from Chouji, who gave a low whimpers. Kiba stuck a few onto some sticks and gave another stick to Akamaru who held it over the crackling flames. Shino stood at the back as Hinata handed him a stick. In his strangely monotonous voice he added a polite thanks and held it over the fire as well. Chouji was fidgeting with trying to grab a stick, but everyone was diverting their attention away from him. Shikamaru blandly shook his head,
*"Mendokusaina..." He mumbled as he handed a stick to Chouji, who gave an oversized grin.
"Shikamaru, you shouldn't do that! He should learn to control his eating habits!" I rambled off, neglecting to realize that my 'beloved' Sasuke found his way out of my grasp... he had some strange technique he must have developed. Shikamaru rolled his eyes and got up, my eyes diverting their attention to him. He took off, quiet as a mouse, and faded away as everyone else occupied themselves with the sugary gelatin and melt-in-your-mouth chocolate. I was then stunned by a sudden burst of a voice,
"Hello Sakura-chan!" Lee's voice rang loudly over anyone else's. He was an 'interesting' person. But he did have one quality I admired especially. His ability to always speak his mind. I might sound like I do, but I always say farther than what I really want to say.
"Hello Lee-san." She smiled lightly and waved. I stared back and forth between the two. She's been a lot nicer to him ever since he basically lost the ability to be a ninja again, yet knowing him, he was already back on his feet training harder than ever.
"Hey thick-brows! You going to- OW!" Sakura plummeted a fist into Naruto's head,
"Don't talk to Lee-san that way!" She growled at Naruto who grumbled and then turned his head to the side, puffing his cheeks. Lee had characteristically overdramatic tears streaming from his exaggeratedly round eyes.
"Hey! Hope you guys still have some left!" A voice called out, and thus the rest of Lee's team appeared. Tenten waved to everyone, as Neji gave a soft nod, a smug smile seemed to always reside on his face. It was hard to tell what was really up with that guy. As Hinata was becoming closer friends with Sakura, I had with Tenten, which worked out great. After all, neither Hinata nor Tenten liked Sasuke, or so I figured, so we wouldn't end up like I did with Sakura. I wasn't really sure how our friendship started. Tenten's mother was buying flowers for a celebration and brought along Tenten. I was working the shift so we both started talking as her mother browsed. One thing led to another and that was basically the jist of it. I handed two sticks to Tenten, the other one she automatically gave to Neji. She really did admire him. I wonder how much of that admiration he knew of.
I moved to the side and let them move in to make the circle even smaller. Upon doing this was when it dawned on me,
"WHERE DID MY SASUKE-KUN GO?!" I jumped up, looking from side to side like a watchdog going on a hunt.
"He left to get away from the smelly, FAT Ino-pig." Sakura smirked, narrowing her eyes. This triggered me to twitch irritably.
"You made him leave... didn't you...? You probably blinded him by the light reflecting off of your oversized forehead!" I growled, until sparks of energy emitted from us, anger clashing between us.
**"Demo.... Ano sa, ano sa, I'm here, so we don't need Sasuke, right?" Naruto accidentally blurted out, it was from then that we turned our anger to Naruto.
"What... did... you... SAY?!?!" Sakura barked at her teammate, her aura screaming flames. Naruto shivered weakly beneath our glares,
"Sa...Sakura-chan... I...."
After Naruto was basically beaten to a bloody pulp, Sakura sat down as did I, completely forgetting about our quarrel. The rest of the night was basically a blur of everyone in characteristically appropriate scenarios, until we started talking about the rest of the week...
"Tomorrow's team activities, right?" Kiba asked, biting his marshmallow of his stick viciously. Shino nodded softly, carefully pushing his rounded sunglasses to fall more appropriately on his nose. Team activities were basically Chakra enhancing. Kinda like the walking on water and other molding techniques, Asuma-sensei and all the other Jounin teacher have taught us. But these were a touch different and were lots of fun. We would sometimes practice these activities as a group. Tenten then spoke up.
"Yeah, Wednesday is the continuation of them too. Then the parade and firework celebrations are Thursday night. Friday's the Ichiraku's Special's Night and the Carnival too. And Saturday..."Absolute silence fell, all heads looking down. Everyone knew what it was... the Dance... everyone here, except for me of course were novices at romance... well I guess I am too... since I am trying to be truthful for once(see how hard it is?)
"Do we really have to go with someone?" Chouji whimpered. I could tell he was nervous. He was not really confident about his weight and especially when it came to girls. He almost waited for Shikamaru to make an on-cue response, but this was the point where everyone came to realize that Shikamaru had disappeared. Strangely enough, everyone looked to me,
"Ino, do you know where he went?" They all chorused together. The "he" part everyone already knew. I raised and eyebrow and shrugged,
"Don't be ridiculous, just because I'm his teammate doesn't mean I know where he is! I'm more worried about Sasuke-kun!" In truth, I wasn't even really sure about that.
"Maybe he just left to sleep... or play Go... or maybe his mom wanted him home now..." Chouji offered as we all simply shrugged. It was funny how everyone was so used to Sasuke taking off that no one even suggested a reason for him. Shikamaru going off on his own was a little odd, and those excuses seemed to be the only things that could make it work. My mind wavered a lot, between what to do and what to say. I was never really quite sure of myself. I guess the saying is true, 'Those that are loudest have the most to hide.' Soon, Shikamaru with lost with the night and we basically all went home, everyone was either laughing or at least showing some sort of content with the night, except for me. When no one's there, it's a lot easier to walk around without that perky smile. I always feel best when I'm alone, but at the same time I want to be in the arms of someone I could truly love. Is this hormonal girl asking too much? Pretty much at this point all I could think was, I needed some sleep.
***** Set fire to Naruto's hair but not my reviews please... Sorry it's so crappy but I had no time to edit and I'm just thankful I finally was able to pry myself off of homework to be able to write a fanfic... yey! Adieu, my loyal reviewers.....*falls asleep on keyboard*
*Mendokusaina: What a bother/How troublesome : What shika is known for
**Demo... ano sa, ano sa: But... hey, hey: Naruto always says it.