(A/N) New story I started. Would love suggestions for the finish. Reviews please. -disclaimer- I don't own Naruto or any of its characters.

Hey doing a big overhaul. Someone reminded me that I've been lacking in punctuation so here's the up date.

A strange proposal

Ino Yamanaka hated losing to Sakura Haruno in anything, The tall blond Kunoichi was very competitive in everything she did. Especially romance. It was December and her father had just discovered that Ino had been dating without permission. He approved of her romance as long as he had a say in who it was. This time around she had been found "holding hands" with her guy in an alley. Inoichi was not amused.

Thus Ino's third boyfriend since she had given up on Sauske was driven away. There were many ways she could get back at her father for interfering, but none of them were worth his payback. And she couldn't even try to see them in secret afterwards. Her father was an interrogator. She couldn't lie to him. She was beginning to think that Sakura was going to surpass her in her love life too.

Sakura had only ever had one boyfriend. Sai, the socially inept and clueless boy who had replaced Sauske in team 7. Though he looked similar to Sauske and outwardly acted emo, he wasn't even on par with the Uchiha.

"Why is it, that I can't find a boy who really likes me. Grrrr! All three of them have been too Too TOO...boring." They were either afraid of her parents, afraid of hurting her because she was technically a princess, or afraid of her.

She thought of all the boys that she would even consider going out with. Hmm... There's Kiba, Choji, and maybe Shikamaru. All the other boys had too many detractors. Shino is creepy, Negi is well, Negi, and Lee...NEVER! She shuddered at the thought of Lee's flames of youth. There was no time to think about it anymore, she would need her concentration for training. -sigh-

As Ino came back from training field 10, she saw Sakura and Naruto exit Iciraku Ramen. It wasn't a surprise to see them together. After all they were on the same team. Naruto wore his modified orange jumpsuit. It seemed as he got older, less and less orange colored his clothes. Ino's eyes caught sight of his hand. The finger laced with Sakura's! This is unbelievable...unacceptable. Naruto with Sakura, how could. It can't. No.

Her thoughts scrambled. Sakura was dating Naruto, when did this happen. That was two boyfriends for Sakura and three for her. Soon she would be tied with Forehead. Ino saw Sakura's fist crash into Naruto's face...and felt a little bit better.

"What the hell Sakura!" Naruto clasped his face. That was harder than she'd ever hit him. It was starting to tick him off. They had been together a week and she only pummeled him more.

Sakura shouted, "So your calling me fat. Is that it." Sakura's pink hair was in a ponytail with her bangs in her eyes. Her face was red with rage. She punched him again.

Ino watched as Naruto held up an arm to block while he tried to explain. "I only said that you were eating a bit more than usual these days. What wrong with that?!"

A fist smashed through his block and slammed the top of his head. "SO YOU ARE CALLING ME FAT!"

She tried to hide a smile at the thought, Same old Naruto, Taking every blow with out complaint. He probably doesn't even feel it anymore. Then she looked closer at his face. He didn't seem fearful or hurt. Just angry. There was a flash of orange and Sakura flew back to crash into a wall. He stood up, his face and arms battered. Ino was astonished at how much damage he had taken. She thought, Was Sakura really hiting him that hard?

Naruto said, his voice deadly calm, but also sad. "I have had a crush on you since before you even met Sauske. I have taken rough treatment from you for every one of those years. I've asked you out on numerous dates and when you finally accept, what do I get in return. More abuse, Insults, and anger." He glared at her. Sakura's rage melted in the face of Naruto's hurt and she almost started to sob.

He walked over till he was standing in front of her. He was tall, almost a head taller than Sakura. He said, "I'm tired of chasing you. Go find someone else to use as your punching bag."

Was Naruto dumping Sakura! Ino thought, I guess even the hero of the leaf has limits. Poor Naruto.

The blond haired boy pulled something out from around his neck. At first she thought it was his crystal, from Tsunade. Then he dropped it in Sakura's lap. The pink haired girl gasped. Ino remembered it. Many years ago, before either of them had been in the academy, Naruto and Sakura had met each other in a meadow near the village. They had both snuck out to play. Ino remembered when Sakura had told her the story.

Naruto and her had played all day in the meadow. She hadn't known who he was, but when it got dark and she wanted to go home, Sakura had given him a trinket. A small white ring. The symbol that Sakura had always worn even to this day.

He turned to leave. She picked it up as his foot prints became inaudible with distance. Ino saw that she had started crying. Naruto had kept it for more than 10 years. Sakura clasped it in her cold hands and shakily stood. She hobbled back to her house still crying.

Ino put it out of her mind with some difficulty. She didn't want to worry about Sakura or Naruto. She thought, I wish I could have helped, but Sakura has been like that for a while now. Naruto's matured a lot since the academy. In comparison to the rest of the boys he's matured more than anyone. I can barely imagine the devotion he must have had to love Sakura for ten years and what he must have felt just now. Ending it almost before it started.

But she had things to do, after all she was a princess.

Naruto woke the next morning. He smiled at first thinking of Sakura, then he began to cry, remembering last night. Why did she have to be like that all the time. It was a week and he hadn't even tried to kiss her. She acted as though she were doing a house call on a sick person the whole time. He loved her so much. For years he had done everything short of slapping her in the face with a board saying I LOVE YOU!

He winced at the pain. She was using chakra enhancement last night. Why would she do that? Was she trying to injure him on purpose. There was a nock at the door. He slowly slipped out of bed and over to it. The handle turned and the door opened. He asked, "Who's there?" There was just an empty hall. He looked down. There was a bundle of yellow roses on the floor. Naruto stooped down to pick them up. They smelled good and he tried to think of who would bring him roses.

The obvious answer was Sakura, but he had just broken things off with her. Was the color significant, was she trying to tell him something... Wait! I remember. Ino said something to me once during a mission. Yellow flowers mean lost love or... a break up. His head dropped. Naruto let the flowers slip out of his fingers. "I guess Sakura has no intention of trying to make up."

Naruto got an Idea. Maybe he was wrong and yellow flowers meant something else. He dressed and walked to the flower shop that Ino's family owned. When he arrived he saw that it was Ino's mother working. She looked up to him when he entered.

"Ah, Naruto, How are you today?"

"I'm alright, It's just that I broke up with Sakura." Ina was a lot like her daughter Ino. She seemed sad. "I'm sorry for you. You seemed so happy when you stopped in for roses the other day." Ina was honestly sorry for the Uzumaki boy. He'd been through so much.

Naruto said. "Well when I woke up this morning these were at my door." Ina saw the roses he was holding. "And I remember a long time ago during a mission, Ino said that yellow roses mean lost love..."

Ino's mom nodded. "That's very true Naruto. That is what they mean. However they can also be given to some one who has just went through a tough time." "I suppose, Naruto thought, But hardly anyone knew we were dating so it was most likely Sakura." Naruto left the shop.

Ino was down an hour or so later, she was renowned for sleeping in, but today she had gotten up very early. She asked her mother how things were going so far. "Well, Naruto was just by with a question about roses."

Ino thought, Damn he's smart. How'd he figure it was me so fast?!

"He seemed very sad. He even mentioned that you told him that they mean a break up during a mission?" Ino knew it was a question not a statement. "Yeah it was almost five years ago. I was sent to stand in for a noble woman who didn't have the heart to ask her crush to marry her. Naruto was my partner for the mission." Ina seemed satisfied with her answer.

Ino thought, Wow. Naruto remembered something I said five years ago. He must think that Sakura put the flowers there. Poor Naruto. She walked out to track him down. She caught up to him at the door to his apartment, but when she saw Sakura there, Ino hung back.

"Hey Naruto, I..I'm sorry about last night. Could you give me another chance?" Ino peeked around the corner. A tear fell from Naruto. It seemed to fall in slow motion. He just looked at her for a full minute. His hand reached out and his thumb press against her cheek. Startled she reached up for his hand, but he had already withdrawn. Naruto turned and entered his apartment. Sakura held her cheek. here was a flower petal where he had touched her. As she pulled her hand away the yellow rose petal fell to the floor.

Sakura's breath hitched. She closed her eyes several times. It was like she was dumbstruck by it. Then it occurred to her. Yellow means goodbye. She ran down the hall and out of the building.

The gravity of her mistake shocked Ino. Did I just trash their last chance together. I have to make this up to Naruto somehow. But if I tell him it was me then he might be angry or even more disappointed. Then she heard a bang like a hammer hitting metal. Her blue eyes detected a shift in the wall.

He must have hit the wall with something. She waited to see what else would happen, while trying to figure a way to help the situation. There was a jingle and Naruto stepped out of the room with a large duffle bag on his back. His knuckles were healing, but the skin was still split.

Ino followed him to a secluded training area. Naruto sat with his back against a tree. He opened the bag. It was large and brown. It clinked as hundreds of Kunai spilled out. As he threw each one, he looked like he was in a trance. His clothes seemed ruffled and his hair was uncombed. He was still handsome, if morose. Ino decided to take action. She stepped out and called his name.

"Naruto, It's me, Ino. I want to talk." Naruto made no move to stop or to look at her. She said it again. Then she realized he was in a trance. For a moment she thought about shaking him, but that was a bad idea. Instead she used her newest jutsue.

Her newest move was called Mind Espionage jutsue. It allowed her to peek into the thoughts of her target.

Ino found herself in a dark room. This was his mind, and it seemed very bare. Naruto's mind shape (his mental manifestation) was lying on the floor. He looked up at the ceiling. She tracked his gaze. Images of Sakura flashed in the air above him.

After a while he stood and walked out of the room. Ino quietly followed, not wanting to get lost in his mind. She thought, His thoughts are very dark right now, he's pretty depressed. Naruto came to a huge chamber. It was divided by an colossal iron cage filled with shadows. He walked up, almost to the bars and sat down in the ankle deep water.

This place is awfully dank and gloomy. She almost screamed when the shadows dispersed in the cage. It was the Nine-Tailed fox bound inside him. The beast shifted its eyes to Naruto. Massive red eyes. It said, "What have you come to say mortal." Naruto didn't speak. He looked up at the demon, with out flinching. "Something has disturbed you. Something is eating away at you. I can feel it." Naruto asked, his voice quiet yet clear in the large room. "Why is it that I can't have the one girl that I love." The demon shifted again and sat in the cage. "You speak of the girl Sakura. I'm glad you stopped wasting our time." "But I loved her!" "So. Do you think a demon wouldn't understand that. She is not the one for you." "Then who is? and why would I even trust your answer? You could just tell me about someone who would make me miserable." "If you don't want to listen to me...That is you choice. I can't force you to do what I say. You may listen to what I say and decide for your self. Otherwise be gone." "Who?"

"You need a mate who respects you, unlike Sakura who has always seen you as a pest or at best an annoying little brother. I pay little attention to the outside world in times of peace. You would know better than I who respects you." "Plenty of people respect me for what I've done, but that doesn't help me." "Is there any one who you care about in a romantic way besides Sakura?" The beast was honestly curious. Its tails twirled in anticipation. Naruto said, "I don't know. I would have to think about it." "What of Ino?" Naruto blushed, remembering when he saw Ino at the festival the last year.

Ino heard every word, When she heard the demon mention her, she too blushed. To be considered by the Nine-Tails as a partner was scary... in a weirdly good sort of way. Then she saw images and scenes from his memory. They were all about her. Even as far back as the academy.

Naruto said, "Yes I like Ino." "And What of the others, the weapons master or the Hyuga heir?" "Tenten is just a friend and Hinata. I know she loves me, but I'm not sure I feel as strongly for her." "Are there any others I am missing in the village?" "Not really." "Then you have no one who matches you feelings for the Haruno girl?" "I'm not sure. Uumm, Thanks for the advise Kyuubi." "Just leave me in peace. Come back when you need help with something destructive."

Ino saw Naruto stand. She quickly retreated from his mind. It was amazing the Nine-Tails hadn't sensed her.

Naruto's eyes gained focus and he saw Ino off to the side. She was looking at him. And she was...Blushing. "He asked, Ino what are you doing here?"

Ino thought, Oh shit, I forgot I needed a moment to return to my body. Naruto did it instantly. He dropped his Kunai and pushed himself to his feet. "Is something wrong Ino?" His hand fell on her shoulder and her body toppled. He managed to catch her and lay her down gently.

Was she attempting a mind transfer jutsue on me. That would explain her fainting. He saw the light return to her eyes. She sat up. She said, "Sorry Naruto. I didn't mean to do that."

What did she mean to do?

"No problem Ino." She was acutely aware that his hand was on her shoulder. She looked at his hand and he let go immediately. An awkward silence stretched between them. Ino thought, Maybe I can make him feel better. Before she could stop herself she said, "Naruto...Do..you want to go out to lunch...or something?"

One eyebrow raised in question, but he said, "Sure." They didn't go to Iciraku, there was too much sadness there still. Instead they went to team 10's usual hangout. Even though Ino offered, he paid for them both. She thought, Where did he get the money to treat me and when did he become a gentleman.

They made small talk until Naruto finished eating. When he put down his chopsticks she said, "Mom told me that you and Sakura broke up." Naruto stiffened like someone had punched him. He looked at her intently. His blue eyes matching her's.

He said, "I didn't know you even knew we were dating." She paused, biting her bottom lip. "Well I'm sorry it didn't work out." He put on a fake grin, "Yeah Believe it!"

The quaint use of his old favorite phrase made her feel very sad for him. She sighed. He dropped the stupid grin. As if taking her sigh as a cue to open up he began to speak. Slowly he told her everything. It seemed like he'd been waiting to say it for a long time, but his voice never rose the whole time. Midway through she ordered desert and listened to the entire story.

As he related the story to her he slowly relaxed, his face regaining most of it's color. By the time he finished he was almost back to normal...and Ino felt as though she saw the real Naruto for the first time. He was strong and kind, however he was also heartbroken. She thought that he must have cried for a long time for him to be dry now.

He paid the bill and then he walked her home. It was snowing lightly. He gave her his pair of gloves when he saw her hands shaking. When they arrived at her door she turned to Naruto. He still looked sad. She stepped forward and gave him a kiss on the cheek. Then she headed for her door. He said, "Ino!" She turned. "Thank you for listening." She smiled and went inside.

He walked for a while in the deepening snow. He was almost surprised when he found himself back at his own door an hour or so later. He went in and took a long bath. To get warm and to try to relax. He thought of Ino, Was she simply trying to be nice or was it more. She had been there in the clearing. She invited him to lunch, even listened to his whole story about growing up crushing on Sakura...and all the times he tried to asked her out. He thought of Sakura then. No, she wasn't a prospect any more. He had his chance to be with her and they hadn't connected. He and Ino had more of a connection in three hours then he and Sakura had in a week.

No more time to think about it tonight. He dried himself and crawled into bed, foregoing his pajama's they made him feel like a genin... wearing PJs at his age. After all that had happened he wanted to distance him self from the naive boy who fell in love with Sakura.

In the morning there was a letter to him from Ino. It was on flowered paper that smelled strongly of perfume. He opened it.

Dear Naruto

I hope your feeling alright. You seemed kind of depressed yesterday. If you want a partner to train with I'll be at field 13 this afternoon

Ino -

Naruto reread the letter twice. Was she really inviting him to train with her. She's just doing this to be nice, he thought. However he didn't need to think twice about going or not.

Field 13 was a large clearing that was completely over grown with trees, however they were small and therefore provided only dappled shadow. Naruto walked out into the clearing. Ino was hiding in a tree to the left. Naruto thought, I guess she isn't here yet.

He took a seat by one large trees at the edge. The same one Ino was hiding in. She had secured herself to the tree so she wouldn't fall. She used her special jutsue as he closed his eyes.

To her surprise he wasn't thinking about Sakura. He was thinking about her. I wonder If Ino actually wants to train. She listened to my rant about Sakura last night. Maybe she's trying to help me get over it. But then again aren't they rivals. Could Ino be trying to get something over on Sakura...No. She wouldn't do that. Well she might, but she wouldn't use me to get at Sakura. -sigh- I wish I knew how to talk to girls... Hm...Maybe Ino likes me. . . . Who am I kidding. She's my friend but she doesn't think of me like that.

Then he remembered the kiss, That kiss last night was a bit strange. Ino doesn't just kiss anyone. Then again It was probably a "friend" kiss not a "like" kiss.

She never imagined that he would think like she did. He really did think the same way. Did he have a crush on her too? Ino silently untied her legs and torso from the tree. Then she walked into the clearing next to Naruto as though she hadn't just read his thoughts.

Naruto looked up at her as she stopped a foot or so away from him. She sat in the grass next to him. Her hair was long and glimmered in the tiny spots of light from the canopy. She asked him, "How are you today?" he said, "I'm better, Thanks."

He did seem much better mentally and physically. She said, "You know if you need to get anything off your chest you can tell me." He thought, So she is trying to help me. Well what would I tell her. It would be crazy if I told her that I had a crush on her, two days after I break up with Sakura.

She placed her hand over his. He felt the contact as a jolt through his arm. He could practically hear the Kyuubi shouting, WE have a WINNER! Ino scooted closer to him. He smelled her subtle perfume now. Ino thought, He's always kind and helpful, while at the same time he is vulnerable. She said

"Naruto, Can I be brutally honest?" He looked at her uncertain, "Yes..." She said, "I really like you Naruto." The air went out of his lungs.

For a second Ino thought that she had said the wrong thing. She blinked, as Naruto's hand grabbed her by the front of the shirt. She was about to protest when he kissed her. His lips were very soft and his hand pulling her against him was a welcome pressure. Ino kissed him back. Naruto wasn't inexperienced, but she was. For all she pretended to be the love master she had almost never kissed anyone. Her arms wrapped around him and his arms circled her waist.

It was insane. Insane that she was making out with Naruto less than a week after his breakup with Sakura. Naruto felt much the same, but he didn't care enough to stop. A long time passed before they slowed down and Ino's eyes were hungry. So were his. Their eyes were matched pairs of deep blue. Her hair was let down now and tangled with his hand's insistent work. His hair was just as messy. The blush that had crept in on them was there as well.

Naruto had to admit, Ino was beautiful and incredibly sexy. His hand traced the line of her neck of it's own accord. Ino didn't need to, but she asked it anyway. "Would you be my boyfriend?"

(A/N) So how was it. Still only my second fanfiction. Likes are great, Reviews are divine :) (I don't own any part of Naruto!)