Chapter Two
She meets a girl who loves flowers.
Her name is Yamanaka Ino and she loves making flower crowns. Sakura meets her during the fourth week she journies to the Academy to use the training posts. The sun is glaring down at the people of Konoha, taking great pleasure in causing their suffering. Because it's so hot, Sakura abandons her kimono blouse for a simple light green t-shirt and brings a water bottle with her. She cannot do much for her hair. It is far too short to put in a ponytail and she owns no hair clips to keep her long bangs out of her eyes.
She spends much of her training blowing her hair out of her face. Frustration crawls over her skin like a bad sunburn, but she carries on. Her determination runs heavy in her bones and, frankly, outweighs the need to stop and figure out something. When the last of her kunai - thwack, thwack, thwack - is embedded in the targets posted on the trees, Sakura pauses to tuck hair behind her ears.
A bell rings.
Much like nearly a month ago, she begins collecting her weapons to store away and leave. Academy students tend to venture to her location within the first five minutes after lessons are done for the day. She doesn't mind being seen nor has a problem with communication, but - logically speaking - it's better for an adult to find her rather than a child.
But logic is often discarded.
"Who are you?"
Sakura turns only to see a girl - her age, perhaps - standing several feet away from her, pretty pale blue eyes equal parts curious and cautious. She's wearing an identical shirt, only hers is pastel orange. Upon her blonde head is a flower crown of daisies and jagged leaves. The contrast suites her. A pretty face to distract from a skilled mind.
Pretty.
"My apologies," Sakura intones while bending to pick up her backpack. "I will be leaving."
The blonde girl huffs and Sakura doesn't understand why she's annoyed. If this girl wants to use the training posts then she merely needs to wait until Sakura walks away. "What's your name?"
"Sakura."
"What clan are you from? I've never seen you around before."
"I hail from no clan," Sakura replies. "I only wish to use the training posts."
Blue eyes narrowing, the blonde girl takes a few steps forward. "Are you allowed to be here? You could get into big trouble if you're here without permission." And then offers a small smile. "They're pretty strict around here. The Academy runs on multiple clan funds."
Sakura recites what she learnt from in her copy of the Academy's guide: "On page 25, section 6, paragraph 2, bullet point 9, it states that a non-Academy participate - someone who is not faculty or student - may make use of Academy resources - training posts, for example - until an Academy participant requires use of them."
"You talk like Shika-chan's dad."
Not knowing who "Shika-chan" or his dad is, Sakura chooses to remain silent. She does, however, tilt her head when the girl's eyes suddenly go wide and doesn't know how to react the girl gives her a sort of semi-bow.
"Sorry! I was being rude. My name is Ino. I'm from the Yamanaka clan."
Sakura blinks. Information floods her mind. Yamanaka clan. 35 living members. Leader; Yamanaka Inoichi. Specialization; mind-based techniques. Property; Yamanaka clan and Yamanaka flower shop. She returns the bow. "Pleased to meet you, Ino-san."
Again, Ino huffs. Again, Sakura doesn't understand why.
"Don't attach '-san' for me! I don't like it."
"My apologies. My full name is Haruno Sakura. I am a civilian."
Ino walks towards her until she's standing directly in front of her. Sakura remains still as Ino leans forward and looks over her face as if looking for something specific. Whatever it is, she seems to find it when she pulls back and nods, satisfied, to herself. After that, Ino pulls something from her pocket. It's a long red ribbon, wide, and catches the sun like a dream of fire.
"Let me help you with your hair," Ino says. "It's way too hot to have it all in your face."
And Sakura lets her.
They end up spending the afternoon together. When Sakura inquires about her caretaker, Ino brushes her off with a simple "sometimes, my daddy has to stay at work late and my momma runs the family flower shop so she can't leave." Since this seems to be a normal occurrence, Sakura doesn't push. She doesn't return home herself. Her mother mentioned having to stay after late and he father took on a side project with a friend eight days ago. Permission to alter hours has been granted ahead of time.
In the process of getting to know her, Ino makes it quite clear that she adores flowers in any fashion. She is absolutely delighted when Sakura answers her flower-based questions without so much as blinking. Another fact she learns about Ino is that the blonde girl loves to make flower crowns. There is currently a small pile between them.
Ino's small hands are quick and efficient. Sakura accepts learning how to make one and finds herself smiling somewhat when Ino speaks animatedly at her, smile wide and carefree.
"Pick off the leaves that you don't like, Sakura-chan."
"No, no! Sakura-chan, you need to be more careful with the petals."
"Oh, that looks so pretty, Sakura-chan! You'll become a pro in no time!"
So when the topic turns to her, Sakura feels inclined to answer. "My momma teaches at the school in the civilian district and my daddy is a carpenter." Ino nods thoughtfully. "Our home is large enough for us to move about comfortably."
"Do they know that you come here?"
Sakura nods. "I have a schedule that I'm required to stick too unless otherwise stated."
"And that happened today?" Ino asks. "We've been here for a while."
Again, Sakura nods.
"You don't talk a lot. No need to be shy, Sakura-chan!"
She blinks. "I am...rather bad at developing friendships. I will do better."
It's true, in Sakura's case. The neighborhood children tend to stay away from her for one reason or another. Sakura has attempted to make contact in the past, but that's an experience she doesn't want to mention in front of Ino. That's beside the point. Her love of reading and recent desire to become a shinobi to continue her love for reading have kept her away from interacting with other kids her age.
"So, I'm your first friend?"
Ino seems pleased by this statement.
"Is that what we are?" Sakura asks. "We've only met two hours ago."
Ino likes to scowl a lot.
"Yes, Sakura-chan! We're friends!" She gestures to the flower crowns between them. "I only do this with friends."
Sakura focuses on the flowers, head tilted to the side, before nodding. She quite likes the idea of having a friend. "Ino-chan is my first friend."
"Don't worry, Sakura-chan! You'll make more friends. You just have to put yourself out there. Don't be shy or whatever." Then Ino's eyes light up as if she were struck by a fantastic idea. "I'll introduce you to Shika-chan and Choji-chan! That way there's an even amount of boys and girls." Sakura blinks. "Shika-chan likes to sleep a lot and likes to watch clubs. He also plays these boring board games with his dad. Choji-chan likes making and eating food. He also likes to read a lot."
That catches Sakura's interest.
"I like reading."
"Then you'll like being friends with Choji-chan. He goes to the library, like, twice a week."
Sakura leans forward. "I've been to the library 279 times."
Ino leans forward too. "Really?! Why? The library is so boring and quiet."
Lips twitching into a barely-there smile, Sakura just repeats her earlier statement. "I like reading."
"Will you be here tomorrow - "
"Ino-hime! I'm here!"
"Daddy," Ino cries out merrily while getting to her feet quickly. "Daddy, I'm over here!"
In a flicker of black, a man bearing a good amount of resemblance to Ino stands before the two girls. He swipes Ino into a hug the moment she launches herself into his arms. With long, dirty blonde hair hoisted into a ponytail and matching pretty pale blue eyes, Sakura immediately knows this man to be Yamanaka Inoichi. Unsurprisingly, to herself, she is not overwhelmed by the fact that a clan leader is before her.
"Daddy, this is my new friend. Her name is Sakura!" Ino wiggles to be set down and take Sakura's hand, without hesitating, when she's at her side. She is very mindful of the flower crowns on the ground. "Sakura-chan, this is my daddy."
"Nice to mee you, Sakura-chan. My name is Yamanaka Inoichi."
Still holding Ino's hand, Sakura does a complete bow. It's only respectful given the status of the man before her. "Pleased to meet you, Inoichi-sama."
"'-san' is just fine, Sakura-chan." He glances around. "Is it just you two? Where are Shikamaru and Choji?"
Ino huffs. "Probably off sleeping somewhere. You know how Shika-chan is, daddy!"
"Yes, yes. You're right." He turns to Sakura. "Are you a student here, Sakura-chan?" Though his face remains friendly, his eyes are calculative. Sakura is aware that he's trying to place her within a clan of some sort.
"No, Inoichi-san. I am a civilian and am not at the age requirement to join." After that, Sakura turns to pick up her backpack and put it on. She will not be staying once Ino leaves.
"Oh." He seems at a loss of what to say - only briefly - before smiling once again. "Are your parents coming to pick you up soon?"
Sakura shakes her head. "No, sir. I am capable of walking home on my own."
Inoichi's smile flattens a little. "Are you sure? Ino and I can walk you home."
Ino seems pleased with that idea. "Sakura-chan, let us walk you home. It's what fri - " A sudden, sharp gust of wind cuts Ino and lifts her flower crown off her head and up into a tree. "No!"
Without hesitating, Sakura pulls free with a distraught Ino's grasp, walks over to the tree while gathering chakra into her feet, and starts walking up the side in a steady, determined pace. The sharp gasp she hears surely comes from Ino.
"Sakura-chan! You can tree walk?! That's so cool!"
Sakura doesn't reply in fear of becoming distracted and falling. She manages to get to the branch the flower crown is on, plucks it up as gently as she can, and walks back down until she's able to safely jump the last few feet. Ino's on her in a hot second. Her tiny arms wrap around Sakura's neck and squeeze. Words of gratitude spill from Ino's mouth and, when she pulls away, Sakura places the saved flower crown on her head.
"Thank you!" Ino beams before turning to her dad. "Daddy, did you see that?!"
"I did." There's something about his tone that causes Sakura to avert her gaze to the ground. "And you used your princess manners."
Gripping the straps of her bag, Sakura finally looks up. Ino is obviously happy if her continuously touching her head is anything to go by. Ino's dad is looking at her like she's a puzzle.
"Where did you learn tree walking, Sakura-chan?"
She meets his eyes. "A book I borrowed from the library."
He appears skeptical at her reply. "Which book, if I may ask."
Is this an interrogation?"
"Genin Basics: A Beginners Guide by Hiro Taiga. I am able to apply theory when given the opportunity." And then, "I practiced."
"Learning to tree walk on your own is very dangerous. Please be careful in the future."
"Yes, Inoichi-san." Sakura dips her head. "I really should be leaving. I've been gone long enough."
"Oh, let us - " But she cuts Ino's dad off.
"I appreciate the offer, sir, but I truly am capable of seeing myself home." She bows to her and then looks at Ino. "Thank you for teaching me on how to make a flower crown, Ino-chan." Sakura bends down to collect them and hand them to the other girl, declining to take any for herself. "I must be going."
Ino grabs her hand, eyes imploring. "Be back tomorrow?"
Sakura nods.
"Then I'll see you after class. You can meet Shika-chan and Choji-chan!"
She leaves after that but the feel of Inoichi's calculating stare follows her all the way home.
"Daddy, can I bring an extra bento to school tomorrow?"
"For Sakura-chan?"
Ino, bathed and ready for bed, nods sleepily. "She uses the training posts when the rest of us are in class. I found her there when I got mad at Shika-chan for falling asleep under that one tree by the front yard."
"Oh," Inoichih tucks her into bed before kneeling on the floor, arms folded on top of the comforter, "and what did you learn about Sakura-chan today?"
"Her momma teaches in the school in the civilian district and her daddy is a carp-penter." Ino yawns again. "And she really likes to read."
Inoichi brushes a stray hair out of his daughter's face. "She seems nice."
"She is, but also quiet. H-Her daddy can fix our table so Shikaku-oji can s-stop complaining about the wobbling."
He leans forward and brushes a kiss over her forehead. "That's a good idea. Now, it's time to sleep."
She's out like a light a few moments later, only managing a half complete 'good night,' and he can't help but smile. Then his thoughts stray back to Ino's new, skilled friend. And one from the civilian district. This is something he wants to talk over with Shikaku and Choza. His friends can provide a unique perspective. But in any case, Konoha rarely - if ever - lets talent go to waste.
Chapter Word Count - 2,428
Targeted Word Count - 2,500
Total Word Count - 5,142
Typically, I like writing fanfic where Sakura meets Ino's first since Ino's her first friend in the manga. The moments between them as kids will always be some of my fav. I am also posting this 15 minutes before midnight, but that's still within the chapter deadline. I'll try to be more careful about that. If you have the time, please review.
~i-just-really-like-sakura
Edit (11/13/2017): Changed a small piece of dialogue. Word count remains the same.
