Chapter Two

"Stomachache"

Ino showed up at the training field earlier than her teammates. She held onto a couple of kunai, and skillfully started running about the field, jumping and flipping to a series of acrobatic maneuvers, while throwing the kunai at the targets. Whenever she missed a target, she would start again. She worked on her angles and continued to push her physical attacks, believing that they were her weakest point. However, Ino didn't think that yesterday's performance was even close to her typical skill level.

"Ino," she soon heard Asuma-Sensei call out, causing her to quickly glance over, to seem him casually walking toward her. It wasn't unusual for him to be this laid-back. However she hadn't expected him to be early. "The Hokage needs you," he explained. "She's calling for all of the Kunoichi for a special announcement. I think it may be medical related. Can you handle it."

"Of course," she answered without any hesitation, however that didn't change the fact that she would have to be around Sakura. Ino didn't bother asking for Shika to come with her, even though she desperately wanted to talk to him. "I can do this," she told herself as she continued to walk down the dirt road that led to the Hokage's headquarters. However she felt a little awkward when she saw Sakura standing at the doorway. What made even worse was that the girl was obviously waiting for her. Ino had debated on slowing down her pace, but knew it would be obvious that she was avoiding the other girl.

"Ino," Sakura spoke up.

"Sakura," Ino replied with a bit of a laugh. "Eh heh, I saw your note."

"Do...you want to talk after the meeting?" Sakura asked.

"Wait, the meeting wasn't some kind of set up?" Ino immediately asked, causing Sakura to give her a strange look. "Nevermind," Ino awkwardly laughed as she walked into the building as well. Ino didn't know why, but walking beside Sakura, caused her heart to increase in speed. She didn't glance over at the pink haired girl; instead she kept her gaze ahead.

"I saw Hinata-chan leave your house," Sakura spoke up. "Are the two of you friends?"

"We're both part of the Konoha 11, so I guess we are," Ino tried to explain, without going into too much detail. "She was mostly asking me for advice."

"Ino-chan," she heard Hinata's soft cry out, causing both girls to glance back. Hinata ran over to the two, with her hands swinging out to her sides. When she had finally caught up to them, her colorless eyes only glanced over towards Sakura as she greeted, "Good morning, Sakura-chan." "Good morning," Sakura replied, and then Hinata immediately turned her attention towards Ino.

"Ino-chan, do you think we could...help me...again?" she timidly asked, causing Ino to blush. "If not, then I...um...I would understand."

"It's-" before Ino could say the word 'fine', Sakura spoke up, "Ino is actually helping me out with something. But it shouldn't take long."

"Oh..." Hinata softly answered before slipping back into her shell.

"Don't listen to Sakura. I'll gladly help you," Ino told her.

Sakura glanced over, unsure of what Ino was doing, especially after the blonde stepped in front of Hinata and placed a hand on her shoulder. "Because what you're working on is really important," Ino explained. "So how about I find you? At sunset we can meet up at the bridge, okay?" Hinata nodded, and swiftly grabbed a hold of both of Ino's hands. "Thank you, thank you so much." The dark haired girl bowed her head before heading off towards the Hokage's office.

Sakura stared at Ino for a brief moment, unsure of what to say.

Ino didn't know what to say either. Even though she felt proud of displaying that she had a closer friend than Sakura, she felt awkward at the same time. She felt as though she was betraying the other girl, and yet she couldn't understand why. Just as she couldn't understand why she couldn't control her words. The next thing Ino knew, she was saying things like, "Maybe you could use this as a chance to know your teammates better? What was the new one named? Sai? I mean, he looks just like Sasuke."

If looks could kill, Sakura would have murdered Ino with the glare she shot her. She didn't say anything, but continued into the office. Ino followed shortly behind.

Inside of the room, she saw a variety of female ninjas from the village. She even saw Tenten and Kurenai-sensei. Tsunade was sitting behind her desk, as Shizune stood by her side.

"I've gathered you all here to discuss a matter of safety," Tsunade started to explain, as she propped her elbows upon the desk, and trailed her eyes from each girl, one by one, until her gaze fell on Ino. Ino wasn't sure if it was because of where she was standing, or if she was being singled out. "As you know, our operatives are working as hard as they can to discover more information about the Akatsuki. However there is another incident that has only targeted the kunoichi. Several female ninjas were found dead on the outskirts of the village, nude, bruised, mutilated and obviously raped. What is odd about the situation is that something bizarre has occurred with their chakra network. Unfortunately there isn't much information available on who is doing this, how many villages were targeted or what their overall goal is. I want you to stay safe."

Tenten swiftly rose her hand. When Tsunade acknowledged her, the weapon specialist immediately asked, "Are you going to send out any teams to investigate? It seems a little weird if we just stay put in one spot. Won't that make us sitting ducks?"

"Don't you realize how dangerous that is?!" Shizune blurted out, as she held tightly to her little piggy. "You guys are the targets!"

"Once we find out what jutsu the enemy is using, then we'll send out teams," Tsunade voiced, causing Shizune to gasp in disapproval. "Until further notice, none of you are permitted to go anywhere alone, especially closer to the outskirts of the village. It's not that we doubt your abilities as ninja, I simply don't want to lose any brilliant Kunoichi when we're so close to finding out the whereabouts of Orochimaru, as well as discovering the layer of the Akatsuki."

After the announcement, the girls were dismissed, however Tsunade voiced that she wanted Hinata, Sakura and Ino to stay behind. "The three of you are brilliant when it comes to your Chakra control. Sakura, you're my apprentice and one day will surpass me in Medical Ninjutsu. Hinata, you are a master of the Kekagenki, the Byakugan. Ino, you were always at the top of your class and are in your own unique category. I think the three of you working with Shizune, will come in handy in the near future. Be prepared to receive a mission. Don't worry, your team leaders will be notified."

"Right," each girl voiced, however Ino wasn't sure how she felt about the idea of being on a team with both Sakura and Hinata. Just as Ino didn't know why she was selected in the first place. Even if she was always at the top of her class and mastered a variety of types of jutsu, she wasn't a genius like Shikamaru. She didn't have the physical strength of Chouji.

As they were walking out, Ino couldn't help but notice Hinata continue to glance over in Sakura's direction, however no words were spoken. They only walked in silence, until Sakura spoke up. "If you guys really need to meet up with each other...then I guess I could try to find Naruto to train against. Sometimes he summons his clones and-"

"Are you and Naruto-kun close?" Hinata suddenly asked, causing Sakura to give her a puzzled expression.

"Of...course?" the girl chuckled slightly before explaining, "We're both members of Team 7, it only makes sense that we're friends."

"Do you like him?" Hinata hesitantly asked.

Sakura didn't answer at first and lightly laughed before looking ahead as she thought back to Naruto's crazy antics. "He's definitely different. I guess he inspires me in ways I never expected...that's why I want to bring Sasuke back for him, so he can stop searching and focus on accomplishing his dreams. When Naruto says that he'll be Hokage one day, I can't help but believe him. I just want to help him accomplish all of that."

Hinata fell silent for a moment and Ino glanced between both girls wondering if Hinata would admit her feelings for Naruto or not. Although now she wondered if Sakura had a crush on Naruto as well.

"Have you ever kissed anyone before Sakura-chan?" Hinata suddenly asked, however her voice remained soft and timid, despite the hint of bitterness present.

"It's funny that you ask that," Sakura awkwardly laughed, "What, have you?"

Hinata didn't answer and continued walking, causing Sakura to wrinkle her brows for a moment before glancing over at Ino. "I wonder why she would ask something like that."

"You haven't kissed Naruto or Sasuke?" Ino asked, however Sakura shook her head. "They've kissed each other on accident, but beyond that, no I haven't...I haven't had time for relationships or anything like that. You?"

"I've had a few relationships," Ino admitted. "Nothing special."

"Are you still...um...a virgin?" Sakura suddenly asked.

"WHOA! Where did that come from?" Ino started laughing before patting Sakura on the shoulder. "Anyways, if you didn't have something you wanted to specifically talk to me about, I should probably head back to Asuma-Sensei."

Sakura pushed open the door to the tiny bathroom, and gestured for Ino to come inside. Once she was in the room, Sakura closed the door behind her. "I couldn't think of anywhere else...that was private," Sakura explained before glancing over at the door, before looking back towards the blonde. "It's about yesterday."

Ino could already feel herself beginning to panic.

"Did you really think that I act like...I'm the best thing that happened to anyone?" Sakura suddenly asked.

Ino wanted to tell her that she didn't mean it, and that Sakura was the best thing that happened to her, however the blonde found herself rolling her eyes. "Ever since you started working under Tsunade, you've turned into a little princess."

"But you train under her as well!" Sakura argued.

"You're obviously the favorite!" Ino snapped. "You're everyone's favorite! God, Sakura, you're not even pretty!"

Sakura stared at Ino in disbelief, as pain was present in her eyes. "Ino-pig-chan," Sakura forced herself to say with a bitter laugh. "You really are a boar."

"Oh yeah?!" Ino snapped as she placed herself directly in Sakura's personal space, so that she was able to glare the pink haired girl directly in the eyes. Although that's when she was able to see that Sakura's green eyes weren't filled with hatred...but tears.

"I thought you wanted me to blossom?" Sakura whispered as she fought against the urge to sob. "I thought you wanted to have more confidence and to push myself?" She wiped her eyes with one of her hands, however her body was now trembling as well. "You told me that I was pretty...I...I didn't realize that you were only lying."

Ino felt that sickening feeling twist in the pit of her stomach. Sakura started crying, even though she was trying not to. Even though Ino was trying to distance herself from the other girl, she suddenly hugged Sakura as hard as she could. The pink haired girl hugged her back and cried into her shoulder.

'I wish I could explain what these weird feelings are...Sakura...I wish I could tell you why I've been such a bitch,' she thought as she continued to hug the other. Sakura rarely cried in front of anyone. After Sasuke had left, she voiced that she crying was a sign of weakness. Ino knew that Sakura was determined to keep up with Naruto and his level of growth. One of the things she couldn't do...was openly cry. Hearing her cry now, made Ino want to cry. The sound of those sobs made Ino want to hate herself, and yet, holding Sakura close like this...made her want to never part from her.

"I'm sorry," Ino whispered in Sakura's ear. "I...I don't know what's been up with my head lately...I'm..."

Sakura wasn't listening and stepped back. Tears stained her cheeks, as her puffy eyes continued to stare at Ino. "Why?" she asked, "Why Ino? Why do you hate me?"

'I don't know,' trailed her thoughts, but she knew she couldn't voice that. "I don't," she told her. "We're friends, but as rivals-"

"Fuck being rivals!" Sakura snapped. "Why do we have to compete?! Why can't we just work together?! Isn't that what you said after we fought in the Chunins? Why do we have to let one boy turn us into enemies?! Don't you remember that, Ino?"

Ino suddenly kissed Sakura, cutting her off. The kiss was short and brief, but enough to surprise the other girl. Ino was surprised at herself as well. Sakura touched her lip, unsure of what just happened. Without another word, Ino left the bathroom, leaving Sakura standing there. She was puzzled. Ino felt embarrassed. Why did she keep kissing girls? What was wrong with her...?