Summary: Ino notices that her fellow ninja have been feeling lonely. Solution? Improve their love lives! But while Ino is busy making matches for others, she never stops to think about making a match for herself... Ino's POV

Pairings: InoSai, ShikaTema, SakuKiba, NaruHina, NejiTen

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto

Chapter 2: Flowers

"So, how was your afternoon?" I asked. "Sorry I couldn't make it."

"It was good. We had a really great time!" said Sakura, her eyes shining. She looked a lot happier than she had yesterday. I felt really good about myself.

Going back into the flower shop, I looked through the ones we had on display. What was the best kind to give Sakura? She liked pink and red, but maybe would prefer something more individual? I crouched down and examined them all closely.

"I thought you worked here, not shopped here."

I jumped and turned around to see Sai standing there, holding a canvas. He was smiling at me, as if he was really happy I was there. His black hair was falling into his eyes and he looked really cute standing there... What was I thinking? I shook my head and stood up. "Hey Sai! What's the canvas for?"

"Well... I wanted to paint something, but I couldn't think of anything to paint," he said. "So I thought I'd take a walk and maybe I'd find some inspiration. It was a good idea."

"Really? So you've found something to paint now?"

He nodded.

"Well I suppose mum wouldn't mind you painting the flowers as long as you stay out of the customers' way."

"I wasn't going to paint the flowers. I was going to paint you."

A blush spread across my cheeks. The guy was so sweet sometimes. "OK, sure. I got time on my hands. Where do you wanna go?"

"There's a place outside where I go to paint."

I followed him out of the shop, my mind still on the flowers. Red? Pink? Gold? White? I had no idea what Sakura would like.

"Hey, Sai. You're good with colours and stuff aren't you? I mean you are an artist," I said while I posed for him.

"Why? Are you learning to paint?" he asked, beginning work on the canvas.

"No, I'm wondering what kind of flowers Sakura would want."

Sai raised an eyebrow. "I didn't realise you liked Ugly Sakura like that -"

"No no! Not like that! I'm trying to set her up with Kiba!"

Sai blinked. "Dog-breath?"

I laughed. "You like coming up with nicknames, don't you? But yes, Kiba. But what kind of flowers would she like?"

Sai shrugged. "To someone like her, I'd say flowers were flowers."

I shook my head. "I've always known more about them than her, but she did win second prize for flower arranging when we were at the Academy."

"And what colours were those flowers she won the prize for?"

I tried to remember. "Pink and white I think."

"Then give her red and white flowers."

"Red and white? Where did that come from?"

"Pink and white would bring back too many memories of her early childhood which would make it impossible for her to think of Kiba romantically, so use red instead of pink to add more seriousness and passion. Also, the clothes she wears are normally red, pink and white, so it would make her feel that the person who gives her the flowers truly understands her style."

I whistled. "Wow, Sai. You're smart."

He gave me one of his cute smiles. "Thank you, Gorgeous."

I blushed again and grinned. I never could figure out why he called Sakura Ugly, Kiba Dog-breath, and Naruto Idiot (among other things), but he always called me Gorgeous. Well, Sai was quite strange sometimes.

Later, when Sai's portrait was done, and I was aching all over from holding a pose for so long, he let me see it. It was absolutely amazing. He'd made me look a lot prettier than I really was. "Wow, Sai. You could stop being a ninja and make a living out of this." He smiled again. "Thank you."

I was on my way home when I passed by the Hyuuga house. Outside was Neji, but I was surprised to see he wasn't training. Instead he was sitting down, staring at a picture in his hand which I couldn't see. Being extremely curious, I crept closer, but of course he sensed me and stood up abruptly, stuffing the picture away. "Who's there?"

"Only me," I said, walking closer. He nodded at me, looking slightly relieved. I wondered what picture he had that he was staring at.

"I heard that you spend most of your time these days training with your uncle," I said.

He nodded. "He's training with Hinata-sama right now. He told me to take a break." I could tell something was bothering him.

"What's wrong, Neji?"

He opened his mouth to say something, then shook his head and closed it again. He didn't want to tell me. I nodded. "It's OK, I don't mind."

Then, as suddenly as I could, I grabbed for his equipment pouch where he'd stuffed the picture. Taken by surprise, he didn't react in time, and soon I held in my hand a photo of a smiling Tenten, waving at the camera. I stared. Neji was in love?

Neji wrenched the picture out of my hands, his face scarlet. That was more surprise. Neji never blushed. Ever.

"Neji..."

"What?" he snapped, not meeting my eyes.

"Never mind. I'll see you later." I walked away from the Hyuuga house, deep in thought. Neji liked Tenten. Wow. Normally I would tell everyone I met, since this was a very juicy bit of gossip, but I didn't. Maybe it was because of my efforts with Kiba and Sakura, but I wanted Neji to be happy. I grinned. What if I helped him be happy? If I could do it for Kiba and Sakura, then I could do it for Neji and Tenten.

Congratulating myself on my plan, I went into the flower shop and collected a pretty bunch of red and white flowers, just as Sai had suggested. I tied them together with a ribbon and attached a note saying, "From an admirer. I think you know who". I giggled quietly to myself, before sneaking over to Sakura's house and leaving the flowers just outside the door, which she would see when she went home later. Delighted with the day's work, I made my way back to the shop. I was tempted to buy a box of chocolates and leave them at Neji's house, but Hanabi or Hinata might find them, and even so Neji would probably guess they were from me, not Tenten. I was lounging behind the counter of the shop, thinking about how to bring Tenten and Neji together when I saw Tenten walk past... arm in arm with a boy!

Horrified, I leaped to my feet and ran out the door. Sure enough, there was Tenten walking up the street, linking arms with one of the local boys who wasn't a ninja, which was why I couldn't put a name to the face. I'd seen him around the village, of course, but never talked to him. They might not be going out, I told myself quietly. Maybe they're just...

But just then the boy stopped and Tenten turned to face him. They both smiled and bent their heads towards each other. I felt like screaming when their lips touched. Why? Why would Tenten go for such a guy if she could have Neji? That guy wasn't even good-looking! Well he was a bit... But not as cute as Neji! Not that I thought Neji was cute. Neji was OK (despite the long hair), but not as good-looking as, say... Sai. I surprised myself with that. Normally I would have thought, not as good-looking as Sasuke. Sai...

I shook my head, stopping my mental babbling. Tenten and her boyfriend had stopped kissing and were walking again, Tenten's head on his shoulder. All traces of my self-confidence and satisfaction vanished. I was mad. This stupid boy had made things difficult for me. And I would get him. He would pay.

Scary Ino! Don't make her angry or you will regret it!

Hope you liked that, I'll add the next chapter soon.

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