It was average day. The sun was shining, the birds were chirping. Somehow, Ino just couldn't cheer up. Her relationship with Choji just wasn't working out. Now, she never felt happy with him. The one she truly loved was Sasuke. There was just something about the way he smiled that made her feel as if she were back home, with mom...

"Hey..." muttered Sasuke.

She got so caught up reflecting on her past that she hadn't noticed him approach her. Embarrassed,

she thought of something to say. "Oh! Uh...er, hi!", was the best she could think of. No! She had wanted to say something graceful, just for once. But no. It was just her luck to have embarrassed herself in front of Sasuke.

He quietly sat down, without another word. As he began to take out his textbooks, she tried to make up for her previous humiliation "So, uh, what page are we on?".

"Huh?"

"Um, oh! Never mind."

With a deep sigh, Ino promptly walked out, needing some fresh air. But where to? There were numerous street vendors, selling all things imaginable. "No, I'll go to the lake, where I can get away."

This was just what she needed. Staring into the cool glassy surface water, she saw her past, her ambitions. And there, shimmering before her, was her mom, peaceful and serene. Oh, how she missed her! Mom was always caring for her, always there. Until that day. She wished she could erase her memories, run from the past, run from that fire. She always wanted to feel alive because when she felt alive, it didn't seem like mom was dead.

"How could I, Why?"

She knew that her mom would be disappointed. She had given her life for her, yet somehow Ino could never repay her.

"Don't be so critical. It's not you fault."

Came a voice.

She froze. It was him, Sasuke.

"Relax. You're with me now."

As she was about to lea- What? What was this feeling? All was calm.

He sat down beside her. She blushed. Noticing this, Sasuke knew that the time was now.

Puling her towards him, he gave a gentle kiss. The tears flooded to her eyes. How could one person be so happy, yet so sad? She thought that he was all she wanted, and, well, he was. Still, she felt a sense of betrayal as she thought of Choji.

"Choji, uh, we need to talk."

Pulling him aside she knew was about to be said.

"We can't be together anymore. I don't love you. I love Sasuke."

Afraid of his response she ran away. To be with him, Sasuke.

"I'm sorry..." He said.

"What?"

"I shouldn't have intervened. I never meant to hurt you, yet I couldn't control my heart."

Tears fell down his dark eyes.

"No"

She pulled him towards her, returning his kiss.

"Don't you see? I can't go on without you. And you without me"