Two days have passed since Ino had walked through the rain to come see Sakura. Today is the day of their date. Sakura feels happy as she gets dressed for the evening. She doesn't want to look over or underdressed. She wants to look perfect for her new girlfriend. Sakura is standing in front of her closet as she looks at all of her outfits. She knows her typical shinobi attire won't work but she doesn't want to wear her elegant and flowing evening gown she had bought once for a formal affair some months ago. She settled for a Chinese styled top with a knee length skirt both a cherry red with cherry blossoms in pink bloom as a small design accent. It's not what she's used to wearing and it's not her typical outfit but Sakura feels like she looks good in it.
Ino has been ready for over an hour as she slowly walks through the muted streets of Konoha. Her outfit is a deep violet in color and the styling of her top is of a more traditional Korean style. Her skirt bears the only interruption of solid color, having a small light purple floral design that is of a lotus. It is not immodest but it still accents Ino natural beauty perfectly, following every curve of her body with seamless, tailored precision. It too is not typical for Ino, her usual outfit being far more revealing and yet she looks far more beautiful in this than her more typical, skin showing ones. She only hopes that this is something that Sakura will enjoy.
A knock come to Sakura's door a short while later and she answers it promptly this time, knowing exactly who it is this time. Her jaw drops slightly as she looks at Ino. Sakura is immediately drawn to how beautiful Ino looks in her outfit and by the look on her girlfriend's face she is too. She smiles and says, "You look amazing Ino. That outfit suits you perfectly."
"You really think so? I wasn't really sure of it myself. Yours looks just as amazing though." Ino says with a smile and look that just hints at how badly she wants to see what's under that outfit of Sakura's.
Sakura's eyes drift across Ino's body, taking in all the curves. They were perfect and despite being covered they were accented nicely. Sakura smiles to herself as she knew her date for the evening could see her ogling her. "Thank you for the compliment Ino. You ready to get going?"
Ino nods and says, "Of course my little cherry blossom."
Sakura feels her face blush at hearing Ino call her that. It is a pet name she hasn't heard in a long time. Ino had called her that a long time ago but had stopped when they had gotten into the academy. It brought back so many good memories for Sakura. It also brought back the memory of what Ino had said that night. "I love you my perfect little cherry blossom."
Ino smiles at Sakura and gives her a light hug before they leave. It is a simple gesture that Ino wanted to do, just to let Sakura know she was cared about without making the moment awkward. The two of the walk out of Sakura's house and out into the quiet streets of Konoha. The breeze was light and carried with it the scent of cherry blossoms. The irony of it didn't escape either of the girl's notice. The flowers they smelled on the evening air were Sakura's namesake and Ino had just called her a cherry blossom.
They decided to go see the movie first and then go out to eat dinner. The early show at Konoha's only theater gave them ample time for dinner afterward. The only problem they saw was deciding where to eat. They talk back and forth quietly as they enter the theater and sit, waiting for the film to start.
It's not something Sakura would normally go watch. The story of that the film follows is of two lovers who are sent to the opposite end of their world and have to find each other again. Normally this is something that Sakura would find boring and only mildly interesting but tonight, with Ino sitting next to her, the story grabs her in a way it never would have. She relates to the girl having to go through so many hardships and rough times just for the chance of seeing her lover again and it is because she knows she would do the same for Ino. It wasn't something that she had thought of before. It just fell into her mind that this would be how far she would be willing to go to get Ino back if this ever happened to them. Sakura takes a hold of Ino's hand and gives it a gentle squeeze as they watch the movie. It's just her way of saying what's on her mind without saying anything at all.
The movie let out late enough in the evening that stars were coming out. Ino and Sakura are walking down the main road through Konoha talking about the film as they headed to a restaurant. There weren't too many places open to choose from but Sakura finally settled on a nice, quiet place that served a variety of things. As they are seated the two of them start talking about the movie and the story behind it.
"You know something Ino. I think that was the first time I've ever enjoyed a movie like that. Normally I hate romantic stories but this one was different. It was like I felt the same way and would do the same things that the girl did." Sakura says, a light blush covering her cheeks.
"Oh? I didn't know you didn't like those kinds of movies. You should have let me know. Then again it's not like you go there that often. Missions tend to prevent us from relaxing like normal people." Ino says, trying to hide her slight embarrassment.
"I guess so. It's been forever since I last went there. That was before the mission Kakashi, Naruto and I had escorting that princess to the Land of Snow." Sakura says as she smiles slightly.
Ino knew Sakura left someone out but also knew that bringing him up would end badly. It always would. Time had passed and still it was an open wound that she knew better than to re-open. It had affected her as well. She cleared her mind of the negative thoughts and smiled at Sakura. "I had forgotten that. That was a long time ago wasn't it?"
"Only a couple of years. Still, it really does feel like a long time doesn't it?"
"It does and it doesn't. Just the other night feels like weeks ago." Ino says as she tries to redirect the conversation.
"Bet you can still remember what it's like to kiss me." Sakura says, glad for the new direction of conversation.
Ino smirks at this and slyly says, "Is that an offer to try it again when we're both sober?"
Sakura leans over and kisses Ino lightly. "No. It was an offer for right now."
Ino blushes brightly at this. The kiss was a bit unexpected but wasn't unwelcome. Ino is surprised by how much she enjoyed the feeling of Sakura kissing her. It was so familiar yet different. This time had been out of genuine love rather than whatever feelings had been going through them the first time. Ino returned the kiss with more passion than had been put in the first one. It's the only logical thought going through her head. She realizes now just how much she wants Sakura and how much she loves her.
The rest of the dinner after that went smoothly with the two of them smiling and talking about all sorts of things again. It was something Sakura found nice and enjoyable. The kiss hadn't really been planned but it had just felt like something that needed to be done. Being kissed back told her exactly what she had wanted to know. Ino felt the same way she did. It was odd being able to fully remember it this time though.
"Hey Sakura, what do you want to do now?" Ino asks as they leave the restaurant.
"Come back to my place with me. Spend the night and we'll see what happens tomorrow." Sakura says with a smile.
"Sounds like an interesting idea, but what on earth do you have planned for tomorrow?" Ino says as she tilts her head in a puzzled expression.
Sakura pulls Ino in closely and whispers in a sensual tone, "You'll just have to wait and see now won't you?"
The words send shivers down Ino spine. They cause all sort of thoughts to run through Ino's mind. She smiles and says, "Of course I will. Lead the way to your house then. It looks like I'm spending the night. I really want to see what you have planned."
Sakura smiles and leads the way back to her house. She hopes to herself that Ino will be willing to go through with what is going through her mind. Her own advice was coming back to her. She would just have to wait and see.
(Author's note: Alright. Well at the outset I had only wanted to do two chapters but now I'm extending it to three after which it will be finished. Hopefully you are all liking this story as it goes along. So what exactly does Sakura have planned? Guess you'll find out next chapter which should be up soon. Read and enjoy.)
Shinobi of the Onyx Sands