Ice Cream and Pick-Me-Ups

The blonde girl sat up on a high stool tying a silky white ribbon around a beautiful white and red porcelain vase. Sighing softly she finished tying the bow and closed her eyes. The bells on the front door jingled softly in a whimsical tune and she opened her eyes. A small smile crept onto her face and she waved her hand at the rosette that entered the colorful flower shop.

"Ino-san, how are you?" Sakura asked softly walking up the main isle hoping that Ino would have just let it go. The blonde shrugged her shoulders meaning she was still bummed about what had happened. Though it wasn't like something happened she was just bummed because she knew Shikamaru had always liked her and she blamed herself for that. "The guys told me, you know?" Sakura said lightly and Ino blinked her ocean blue eyes shimmered over.

"I was doing great," Ino mumbled and Sakura leaned against the counter looking at her friend as she arranged some lilies into the vase. "Then reality all came screaming back at me." Ino faked a gently laugh and Sakura frowned, the girl was so depressed and she didn't have to be. Sighing softly Sakura ran her fingers through her shoulder length pink hair.

"It doesn't have to be this way," Sakura paused when Ino turned to her. "You need to stop beating yourself up. You have no reason too." Sakura explained and Ino shook her head in disagreement.

"I do though, Sakura!" Ino snapped at her and the emerald-eyed girl stared at her friend with a look of question on her face. "I'm just so hard to be with!" Ino griped and Sakura scowled waving the matter off.

"Ino there's always a reason you'll feel not pretty enough, not smart enough, not good enough," Sakura shook her head and Ino stared at her when the bells went off again. Ino's eyes shifted to the door and Sakura continued. "Ino you don't have to feel like that though." Sakura assured her and Ino smiled weakly at her. The rosette turned to see who the customer was.

"Why are you here?" Ino questioned the new arrival. He shrugged his shoulders and leaned against the counter to the right of Sakura.

"You were a mess last night, so I guess I came to check on you." He said simply and Ino nodded her head stiffly. Sakura smiled at the guy standing beside her his chocolate hair rustled up a bit and his black jacket unbuttoned.

"I'm fine Kiba," Ino smiled weakly at him. "Thanks for coming." She said sullenly and Sakura nudged Kiba. He looked at her and she gestured for him to do something. Kiba thought for a moment it was still early, but he figured ice cream would make her feel better.

"No you're not. Now come on let's go do something fun," Kiba said walking around the counter and gently pushed Ino off the stool. She looked at him and he pulled the apron off of her. Sakura smiled warmly and walked over to Ino putting her arm through hers. "I'll take you girls for ice cream, my treat." Kiba smiled and Ino looked at them in protest, but they both said she had to go no excuses so she went along with it.

"Now I'm going to be fat," Ino muttered taking another bite out of her banana split. Sakura chuckled lightly and Kiba rolled his eyes shaking his head. "Another reason why I'm not good enough." Sakura glared at Ino and Kiba slapped his hand to his face.

"Ino stop, really you're bringing me down and I don't wanna be down I'm on vacation!" Sakura snapped at her and Ino scowled licking the chocolate syrup off of her spoon.

"It's true though!" Ino snapped back and Sakura grumbled something and Kiba looked at Ino, why would she think she's fat, her body was flawless. If anything she was a tad too skinny. "I'm gonna stop." Ino said pushing away the bowl and Kiba raised an eyebrow. Akamaru sat under the table and whimpered slightly.

"No, no. Eat up, I paid for it and you are not fat!" Kiba urged her and Ino looked at him with her pretty blue eyes. "If anything Ino-san you're too skinny." Kiba told her and Ino looked at him with softened eyes.

"Okay, I guess one banana split won't hurt." Ino sighed taking another bite and Kiba smiled nodding to her eating his own ice cream. Sakura looked between the two and a plan started to storm in her mind.

"Hey Kiba!" Sakura called out running after the dog like guy. He turned around and gave her a small smile his fangs showing slightly. Sakura new that this was the pick-me-up that Ino needed. She never figured it be Kiba, but the way Ino looked at him at the ice cream shop it was so meant to be. Kiba was becoming concerned that Sakura was just staring at him and not saying anything. He raised an eyebrow and Sakura shook off her daze and laughed lightly. "Sorry, I have a question to ask you." Sakura said and Kiba blinked a few times.

"Um, sure ask away." Kiba told her and Sakura licked her soft petal colored lips.

"What do you think of Ino?" Sakura asked and Kiba stared at her blankly. He was completely caught off guard by her question. His eyes looked around the surrounding area hoping that no one was around. Kiba suppressed a soft laugh and shoved his hands into his pockets. Akamaru wagged his tail and nudged Kiba's hip lightly. The dog boy turned to his companion and then back to the rosette awaiting his reply.

"What?" Kiba asked shaking his head. He understood the question, but he didn't get why she was asking him so randomly.

"What do you think of Ino?" Sakura repeated her question looking straight into Kiba's eyes.

"Why are you asking?" he asked. She chuckled softly and started to rock back and forth on the balls of her feet.

"Just answer the question." Sakura told him and Kiba shrugged his shoulders, what kind of answer could he really give her. She stared at him waiting for him to speak again.

"She's a beautiful, sweet, woman." Kiba replied and Sakura smiled warmly.

Here's the second chapter.

What did you think, please leave a review!

Love ya!

-Sunny