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Chapter One: Tension

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The next day, Sakura found herself at the Yamanka household. She thought about earlier this morning, when she went to Naruto's apartment to get the scoop directly from him, but to no avail. He was either away on a mission, already out, or sleeping so heavily that he did not hear her knocks. She guessed it probably wasn't the last option. She knocked so hard that she practically woke up all his neighbors, to her embarrassment.

She decided that she would just go to the next best thing: Ino. She was sure to have answers. Sakura crossed her arms and began to tap her foot, very impatient. It took a minute for the door to swing open and the girl she had been waiting for to appear.

"Sakura? Is that really you?" she asked, appearing as though the girl standing before her truly was a ghost. Sakura was taken aback for a moment, wondering if it was really a shocker to see her here.

"In the flesh," she smirked, sticking her tongue out teasingly. Ino stepped out of the way, welcoming her inside.

"So, what bring you here? You're usually at work by now."

"I arranged to come in late today. I wanted to talk to you as soon as I could." Ino raised an eyebrow at the urgency. She wondered what was so pertinent for her to miss work.

"I was just curious about something. When I was walking home yesterday, I saw you and Naruto eating dinner together. I-I was just wondering if anything was going on."

"Going on? What do you mean?"

Sakura's faced heated. "You know, like, if you two were dating or something."

Silence.

The silence unnerved Sakura.

And then, she heard the girl across from her snort. These snorts turned into soft giggles, until her giggles cresendo'd into full out cackles.

"W-what's so funny?" Sakura asked, shocked at the platinum blonde in front of her.

"Y-you," she managed to say in between laughter. Sakura's eyebrow quirked up, unsure what she meant. "It's just, you're hilarious." Sakura's cheeks flushed, a bit embarrassed. She wasn't sure what she meant. Ino took note of this. "Don't worry, we're just friends. I'm not trying to steal your boyfriend, if that's what you're worried about."

"Eh? Boyfriend? You're crazy. It should be my turn to laugh now." Ino rolled her eyes, and Sakura sighed in annoyance, wishing she could wipe that smirk off her face. Ino thought she knew something, which clearly, she didn't.

"Look, truth is, I was just curious. You two never hung out before, so I didn't understand. Both of you are my best friends, so I really wanted to know what was up. If you two were together, then, well, I just wanted to know." Sakura shrugged nonchalant, seeming as professional as she could muster. Ino raised an eyebrow, not sure if she should believe her or not.

"Well, I can assure you, there's nothing going on between us. Truth be told, we've become pretty good friends, actually. We went on a few missions together after you took on more shifts at the hospital, and things took off from there."

"Aaah, okay. Was that all?" Sakura asked. "I remember hearing him thank you a lot last night. I was kind of curious for what." Ino wore a grin that almost matched Naruto's then. She seemed very mischievous today.

"I see you've become very nosy, huh?" she giggled. "Look at you, playing detective like that. All for the guy you claim to only be your friend, but is getting jealous because I just had dinner with the guy, geez Forehead. I knew you got jealous, but I didn't think you'd be that kind of girl."

"What do you expect? When an idiot like Naruto steals my best friend, of course I'm going to get jealous," she countered, smirking at Ino who was shaking her head.

"Oh goodness, Forehead, you definitely can make me laugh. Just like that other knucklehead. I wish we could have more fun like this," Ino confessed, and Sakura sat confused by this.

"This always happens when we get together, Pig."

"Forehead," she began. Sakura pursed her lips, seeing how Ino seemed down for some reason. "We haven't talked like this in so long."

"It has been a while."

"To be honest, you kind of depress me."

"What?"

"You've been working a lot recently, haven't you? You don't go on missions anymore with your team. It makes both of us sad. I can't figure out why you've turned so bitter."

Sakura was utterly confused by this. Bitter? When did she turn bitter? How? She never once would use that adjective to describe her current situation. Tired, yes, but bitter?

"I don't know what you're talking about, Pig."

"Well, to a lot of us, you were intentionally trying to distance yourself away from everyone that cares for you."

"That's stupid. I wouldn't be here if that were true," Sakura argued, knowing full well that she was wrong.

"Then why don't you hang out with us anymore?" she inquired.

"Well, I'm working at the hospital, they need me-"

"Sakura, that's just an excuse."

Sakura breathed.

"Look, whatever you're thinking, you're wrong, okay? To be honest, I miss all of you. I just… I just know I'm needed more at the hospital, alright? I want to do everything in my power to save lives. Truth is, I don't want to go on missions anymore. If that means I'm constantly at the hospital, then so be it. But don't associate that with me trying to stay away from everyone, because that's not the case."

"So it's the missions? I thought you liked missions," Ino rationalized, attempting to make sense of it all.

"I did, but I found my place, to be honest. Don't get me wrong, I loved traveling with my team, it was fun, but… well, I just realized my purpose, you know? I know where I belong, and I know where I'm needed," Sakura explained, knowing it was the truth. If she could spend the rest of her life working at the hospital, then she would. She knew where she was needed, and she knew what she had to do for her village.

"Is that what you need?" Ino simply asked. Sakura nodded, unable to say more. Ino smiled. Sakura could tell it was strained.

"What's wrong?" she wondered.

"I just can't help but wonder what changed, for you to think this way? I remember you loved missions. I remember you would do anything to save Sasuke-kun, too. Yet here you are, saying you don't want to go on missions anymore. You're basically saying you don't want to save him." Sakura's teeth ground against each other, her fist clenching. "I hit a nerve, didn't I?" Ino wondered. Sakura took a deep inhale, then exhaled loudly.

"Look, Ino," she began as calmly as she could. "Whatever you're thinking, stop, please. I've grown up, and maybe you should do the same."

"And turn into an old hag like you? No thanks." Ino's glare bore through, but Sakura paid no mind. Sakura seemed to not acknowledge that seemingly cold blow, even. "This is what I was talking about. You're so bitter." Sakura's eyebrow twitched, shaking her head.

"You're being so annoying right now, Pig. I knew I shouldn't have come here. I should be going now."

Sakura frowned, realizing how unexpected things turned out. She didn't mean to act so cold, truly. She didn't know what came over her, but she hated when other's questioned her motives. Anyone who did was trying to dig deep, trying to uncover something already buried and long gone. She shook her head, getting Ino out of her head and heading to the hospital where she kept telling herself she belonged.

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AN: Well, I hope this chapter was much better than my previous one, haha.