So it's 3:30 in the morning and I'm up. Why? Lots of reasons. I'm up because I took a nap earlier and slept for three hours and now cannot seem to fall asleep. I'm up because the freaking smoke detector in our apartment keeps beeping because the battery is low and I'm far too comfortable to get up and change it. And finally, I'm up because yet again, I've got a story idea in my head. I've had it for a few months now but haven't written anything because I honestly feel like this keeps happening. I can dodge it for a while but then the ideas get to be too much and I can't do anything else until I write it down. So this is something a little new, hopefully this will satisfy me and let my restless mind sleep!

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or any of its characters.

Chapter One

"Come on sweetheart, Mommy is going to be late for work," I huffed out, chest tightening with each breath of air that I managed to suck in. The bus that had once seemed so close was now getting farther with every step that I took. The driver had been sitting there for a few minutes already and I was hoping that if I ran fast enough, he'd see me and wait.

But for the second time this morning, my plans had been foiled by some unforeseen circumstance. The sputtering exhaust of the bus drowned out my plea for the driver to stop as he pulled off. A small groan passed my lips as I pinched the bridge of my nose. Today was just turning out to be an all-around shitty day and if my luck was as pitiful as it had been then I'm sure it was only going to get worse.

"Mommy?"

The soft and slightly worried voice of the child clinging to my hand had caught my attention. A sigh slipped my lips as I watched the bus disappear around the corner. I was a little peeved at the moment but I had to contain my frustration, for his sake.

Turning around, I stooped down, carefully balancing myself on the pads of my feet. "Don't worry baby, I'm okay," I smiled reassuringly, reaching my fingers out to brush his hair from his face. His large green eyes searched my own and it was almost too much to bear. It was as if, with one look into my eyes, he could see everything.

All of my anger. All of my frustration and sadness. All of my pain. I think deep down, he knew. He might not have exactly known what I was so troubled about but he could tell I was upset. With a quick blink of his eyes, he gripped my cheeks between those stubby fingers of his. Pulling me closer, he stood on his tippy toes to place a soft kiss on my forehead.

A smile lit my face instantly as I moved to touch my forehead, "What was that for?" Hooking his fingers under the straps of his batman backpack, he rocked back and forth on his feet. "Because," he said with a soft roll of his eyes, almost as if it were the most obvious thing in the world, "You always give me kisses when I'm sad. Kisses make evwybody feel better, you said so."

The giggle following his comment fell so effortlessly from my lips. Shaking my head, I ruffled his hair as I stood, "I guess I did say that, huh?" He nodded, grin pulling at his lips as he adjusted his bag again. Looking around at the now empty bus stop, I sighed. The next one wouldn't come for another half hour and I really needed to get him to school. My bad luck decided to rear its ugly head once more as I felt a drop of water hit the tip of my nose.

"You've gotta be kidding me," I whined, voice teetering on the edge of breaking. I quickly pulled the little boy with me under the safety of the bus stop waiting area. Sure enough, the second we got under, the light drizzle shifted straight into a heavy downcast.

Plopping down into the seat, I ran my fingers through my hair. Today was just not my day. I needed to catch a break before I honestly lost it. Tiny fingers patted my thigh as Ryu held out his hands, "I wanna sit too Mommy." Lifting just beneath his arms, I hoisted him into my lap. Content, he began swinging his legs back and forth, humming some random rhythm to himself.

I held on firmly to his waist, resting my head on the wall behind me as I closed my eyes. I was out of options at this point. It was raining far too much to even think about walking, plus it was entirely too far. I didn't want to deal with the feeling of charity by asking anyone for a ride either. With my car in the shop until tomorrow afternoon, I had been reduced to taking the bus every day for the past week.

And now, I was going to have to wait another twenty-five minutes for the next one. Just my fucking luck. A squirming child in my lap forced my eyes open instantly as I tried to calm him down. He only whined further, turning around in my arms to cling to me tightly. What had gotten him so worked up?

Looking past the mess of blonde hair on his head, I stared into the bright green eyes of a girl about my age. She was standing there, warm smile reflecting on her lips as she held an umbrella over her head. I looked around, trying to see whom she was staring so intently at only to realize that we were the only ones there.

"Umm, can I help you?" I asked, fingers rubbing at the back of the whimpering child in my arms. "Ah," she started, rubbing her neck with her free hand, "I was actually going to ask you the same thing." Frowning only slightly at her comment, I shook my head, "I don't understand."

Clicking her tongue, she stood up straight. Her eyes looked from me to Ryu as she stood in silence, seemingly contemplating some idea in her head. "I uh…I know this sounds extremely sketchy but…would you like a ride?" She asked, dropping her hand from her neck to slip it in her hoodie pocket.

I was caught mid reply, breath stuck in my throat as I tried to process what she had just said. Before I could reply, Ryu shifted in my lap again, a small whine sounding from his lips. I patted his back softly, rocking from side to side, still not understanding why he was so upset.

"Look, that's nice of you but I'll pass. No offense but I don't know you and I'm not taking any chances with him," I finished, indicating to the boy in my arms. She nodded, taking a look outside to watch the rain, "Ah, I see. You look like you've got somewhere to go though. You'll be late messing around and waiting for the bus."

I arched my brow at her comment, shaking my head as I sighed. "I'm going to be late regardless," I huffed out with a slightly annoyed look. She was silent for a moment, leaving the rain to serve as the only sound between us. Soon, she began fiddling around in her pocket before handing something to me.

Eyes narrowing at the item in her hand, I scowled, "What is that?" She shrugged, still extending her hand my way, "It's my license. It has all my information on it." I eyed her nervously before taking the card with a sigh, "Why are you showing me this?"

"Let me give you a ride to wherever you need to go. You can hold onto my ID, take my picture, send my information to your friends or whatever. Trust me, I'm not a creep. You have your kid with you and I'd just hate to see you both out here in the rain," she admitted.

I was slightly taken aback, torn between the decisions I was gifted with. I could take the ride and there was a chance that she wasn't a creep and was honestly just trying to do something nice. Or she could be a total creep and plan to kidnap me and my son for whatever sick twisted plot she had reeling in her head. What mother in her right mind would be willing to take that chance?

But then the bus.

Did I really want to sit here and wait another few minutes for it to get here? Sigh falling from my lips, I looked over the girls' license. I studied the picture, carefully analyzing the girls' features. Green eyes and…pink hair? I looked up, squinting at her hair that was hidden beneath the hood of her jacket. Sure enough, bright pink locks framed the contours of her face.

I glanced back down at her license, searching for her name. Upon finding it, I whispered it softly, "Sakura?" Her eyes shifted from the rain before falling staring into my own curiously. "That's your name," I asked, glancing between her and the card in my hand for confirmation.

With a nod and smile, she answered, "Uh huh. Sakura Haruno, at your service." I handed her back her ID, shaking my head, "Go on. I don't need it; I don't think you're a creep. But…" I paused, glancing down at Ryu who had taken up interest in playing with my necklace. "He's going to need a car seat."

Her smile broadened as she nodded, "Ah, I have one." She quickly moved to explain when I shot her a rather nervous look. "My friend has a daughter about his age. Sometimes I drop her off at daycare so I have to keep one handy, ya know?"

Her reason seemed valid enough that I didn't bother questioning it. The girl, now discovered to be Sakura, seemed trustworthy enough. At least for a ride that is. With a sigh and after yelling at myself to just get it over with, I gave in, "Alright. I just need to get him to school and I have to get to work, if that isn't too much."

Her eyes bristled with a bubbling sense of happiness as she nodded, "No problem at all! I don't have to be at work for another two hours so I don't mind. Come on, my car is this way." I nodded, hoisting up Ryu into my arms as I quickly scurried under Sakura's umbrella. I followed her into the parking lot behind the bus stop as we approached a red SUV.

She handed me the umbrella as she opened the trunk, hauling out the new looking car seat to secure in the backseat. Taking the umbrella back from me, she held it over us as she moved to the side, "You can strap him in. I see he's not too fond of strangers."

I gave her an apologetic smile as I moved to place him inside. "Yeah, sorry about that. He just needs to warm up to you," I finished, tugging on the straps to make sure he was secure in his seat. "No worries. Just means you taught him right," she assured me with a smile before opening the door for me.

I nodded my thanks, slipping inside as I fastened my seatbelt and closed the door. Quickly moving around, she slipped inside the driver's seat. Fastening her seatbelt, she pulled the hood from her head with a sigh of relief. The second she did, I found my eyes instantly focusing on her hair.

Without thinking, I quickly blurted out, "Is that your natural hair color?" It wasn't until after I said it that I realized how stupid it must've sounded. She watched for a second before a smile tugged at her lips as she backed out of the parking lot with a chuckle, "Now that's a first. Nah, I'm afraid not. I dyed it a few years ago, just kind of grew on me."

I nodded, studying her for a bit longer, "It looks good on you." Grinning, she let a soft chuckle pass her lips, "Thanks. Although I'd have to say your blonde looks a lot better on you and I bet it's natural." A small heat rose to my cheeks as I mumbled my thanks, turning around to eye Ryu carefully. Sure enough, he'd somehow managed to fall asleep in less than five minutes.

"Where to ma'am?" She asked, fingers turning down the radio as to not wake the sleeping child in the back. I gave her a grateful look before sighing with a drag of my fingers through my hair, "Yamada Childcare Center."

She nodded, pulling onto the road as we headed to the daycare. I quickly pulled out my phone, texting my boss that I'd be a little late. I was grateful that he was so understanding with my current situation. Had it been anyone else, I'm sure I would have lost my job already what with all the tardiness this week.

"Day starting off kind of hectic huh," she asked, eyes glancing to check the mirror before shifting to the road. I snorted, folding my arms as I leaned back in the seat, "That obvious? I overslept and with my car in the shop till tomorrow, I've had to take the bus all week."

With a sigh, I turned to face Ryu, brushing his hair back gently. Small smile pulling at my lips, I finished, "It's hard just trying to get myself together in the mornings, I've got him to take care of too. But…I don't mind too much."

"Ah, he seems like a good kid," Sakura responded, her eyes glancing at him in the mirror as a smile found its way to her lips. I nodded, "He is. Most of the time when he's not driving me crazy. But I wouldn't trade it for the world."

"You're a good mom," she whispered carefully. I turned to face her but her eyes were still trained on the road. Choosing to keep my comment to myself, a quick glance out the window confirmed that we were at the daycare. Unfastening my seatbelt and moving to grab Ryu, I asked, "How'd you know how to get here?"

She shrugged, throwing her arm around the passenger's seat as she turned to watch me, "Coincidentally enough, this is the daycare where I bring my friends' daughter." My surprise flickered in my eyes as I hoisted Ryu into my arms and grabbed his bag, "Odd indeed. Alright, let me run him inside and I'll be right back."

"No problem, I'll be here," she answered, leaning back in her seat as she fiddled with the radio. I quickly rushed him inside, signing him in and handing him over to one of the staff, not before placing a quick kiss on his cheek, promising my return.

Racing back to Sakura's car, I climbed in, securing my seatbelt again as we pulled off. "Where do you work?" She asked with a glance my way as we jumped back onto the road. "I have an office in the Konoha West Towers."

A whistle passed her lips as she faced me, "That's pretty fancy." Arching my brow, I shrugged, "I guess so. I'm a physical therapist in the medical district there so I suppose a nice office is one of my few perks." She chuckled, maneuvering as we made our way there.

Curiosity flared within me as I turned to face her, "What about you? Where do you work?" Running her fingers through her hair, she gave me a smile, "You could say I'm a dancer. I have this studio not too far from here where I teach kids how to dance."

"You dance?" I asked, unable to contain my amazement at the newfound information. "Yep. I've been dancing since I was a kid and I'm 24 now so I guess that's a while," she informed me with a pull of her lips. Suddenly wanting to know more, I asked, "What's your style?"

"Ah…I can do most of them but of course I'm a cliché because I'm into hip hop," she replied with a soft chuckle as we pulled into the parking lot of my job. "That's amazing," I sighed out, fixing my purse on my shoulder, "I used to want to be a dancer when I was a little girl."

"It's not too late," Sakura voiced from beside me, hand massaging her neck. Shaking my head with a smile, I stepped out of her car, "No I'm pretty sure I don't have it in me." With a shrug and glance my way, she mumbled, "You never know."

Rolling my eyes, I smiled, "Thank you for the ride Sakura, I appreciate it, really." Reaching into my purse, I grabbed a twenty and handed it to her. She simply sat there, eyes scanning the money with a bit of skepticism before her lips pulled down into a frown.

"What?" I asked, eyes narrowed in confusion. "What am I supposed to do with that?" She mumbled, keeping her hands firm on the wheel. Seriously? I mean, it was money. What else do you do with it? Groaning, I moved to the other side of her car to hand it to her, "Sakura. It's just thanks. You can use it for gas or whatever." She only shook her head, frown deepening.

"Sakura," I pleaded, not sure why my voice was growing so desperate. It's obvious she either was waiting for me to insist that she take it or she really didn't want it. Something told me however, that it was probably the latter.

"I didn't give you a ride to get something out of it. I just wanted to get you and your son out of the rain," she murmured out irritably. It was obvious she wasn't going to take the money but I had to make it up to her, whether she wanted me to or not.

"Well can I give you anything else?" I huffed out, brushing my hair behind my ear. A smiled instantly worked its way onto her lips as she nodded, "How about the name of the beautiful lady whom I had the pleasure of having in my car this morning?"

Thrown off by her comment, I quickly turned away to mask the steady blush. After a few seconds, I mumbled, "Ino. Ino Yamanaka." Her eyes sparkled at the mention of my name as she leaned back in her seat, "Ino huh? That's a beautiful name."

God, I couldn't take much more of this. Readjusting my purse on my shoulder, I muttered my thanks as I moved to leave.

"Hey uh…wait a sec!" I turned around, just in time too considering she had jumped out of her car to chase me. Rubbing her neck, I noticed the small pinkish tint to her cheeks as she avoided my eyes. "You mentioned your car is in the shop till tomorrow, right?" I nodded, waiting for her to finish.

"If you want, I could give you a ride tomorrow too. I could drop you both off and then take you to get your car later since I'm off tomorrow." Stunned at how nice she was being, I quickly stumbled an excuse in my mind, "You don't have to. I'd hate to drag you out on your day off."

Folding her arms behind her head, she smiled warmly, forcing my heart to flutter softly. "No worries. I don't mind at all." Sighing, I cast a glance in the direction of my building before nodding. "Okay," I whispered with a smile, "Thank you."

Reaching into my bag, I found a pen. Testing it on my skin, I took ahold of her arm before scribbling my number down. "Text me so I have your number," I told her, dropping the pen in my bag before moving towards my building.

"See you tomorrow Ino. Have a good day at work," she called from behind me. Pausing at the front door, a sincere smile traced my lips as I waved. "You too Sakura. Thanks again," I called back. I watched as she did a bit of a moonwalk back to her car before pulling off and back down the road.

Shaking my head with a soft giggle, I slipped inside and took the elevator up to my office. As I waited for each of my clients, all I could think about throughout the day was the sweet pink haired girl who gave me a ride. Granted, she was a tad bit on the goofy side, but still extremely sweet.

So it's now seven in the morning. Just something slight that's been on my mind. Tell me what you think about it. Read and review! Kat is off to get some sleep, later lovelies!