It was just another normal day in Konoha.

On a house in Konoha, she proceeds to go down the stairs and go straight to her only place of solace, her garden. This has always been her family's pride, growing the best flowers in all of Konoha. Everywhere, there are piles of roses in different colors, daisies, lilacs and all kinds of beautiful flowers which brings a sense for her an inner peace. If there is one place in Konoha or in the world for that matter, she considers this as her only place of freedom. With great care she watered and planted additional flowers on the garden.

Hours passed and she is satisfied that all of her plants are taken cared of. She carefully picks the flowers that are in the stage of blooming. These are the best sellers on her store. Apparently, it blooms and opens up at the precise moment the flower is given to someone. She doesn't know why,but she guesses that this is just so a normal part of life. She continued on selecting and picking flowers, when she was satisfied she entered the house again and entered a room connecting to her flower shop.

Putting the flowers down, she undo the lock and placed the open sign on the door. She then proceeds to carefully put the hand picked selected flowers to each vases. Deep in thought she remembered what her father used to say...

"The beauty of the flowers also represent the love of your smile and the passion of your deeds."

She smiled remembering that tough as her father was, he can still be pretty much sensitive. He was the one that taught her everything about growing plants and flowers. Doing this ritual everyday, gives her a sense of nearness to her father. Come to think of it not only of her father but of her mother and Asuma-sensei.

She rarely let herself think of the all the things that happened for the last two years, doing so will only open a gate that she is sure of will not be easy to close. But at this moment, she let her mind wandered.

Her father died during the war, but for the brief second he was able to send a message that he is proud of her. Her mother followed soon, because of the heartache of losing her dad. Asuma-sensei , having died on her arms, last said that he is proud of her and not loose to a certain pink haired girl. Thinking to herself, all of them saying one thing in common, that they are proud of her. At that precise moment, she could fear her eyes becoming misty with tears. Proud of her? Why? She wasn't able to do anything to stop any of their deaths. She just wasn't strong enough.

"Oi Ino"

She turned around, her thoughts deeply interrupted. She turned around and see the pink haired girl, a while ago she was thinking about.

"Ohayo, Sakura". She forced herself to smile, which in turn really did look like forced. "I've already put your orders on the right corner". Pointing at the flowers, she has previously arranged. She should have known, Sakura usually is the first person in her shop. Collecting flowers that she will distribute to all the patients in Konoha's hospital. Her friend, now the head of the Konoha's hospital.

Sakura frowns, noticing the sad look on Ino's face and concluding that her friend has been having troubling thoughts again. "Thanks Ino." Thinking to put her friend out of her current reverie she proceeds to make a bright and nonchalant conversation.

"Have you heard the latest rumor?" She giggled.

"What?" Ino getting curious.

"Naruto and Hinata are going to be engaged!"

"Really?" Ino shocked with the news. Her first thought of how about Sakura. "So he really did like her, I thought he is only doing that because you dumped him".

"Yup, they are. And for your information I didn't dump him Ino-pig, he is a friend and a team-mate which is far more valuable" Sakura answered back.

"Forehead, I was only generalizing, but I guess they do make a cute couple. How come I heard of the rumor just now".

"Because you really don't go out much, Ino. I swear you need to get out more." Sakura frowns. For the past two years, she hardly recognizes the Ino she met as a child. Like the person who is in front of her now did a complete 360 degrees. The Ino she knows before, will always know the latest gossip and rumors, concerned of being the center of attention as well as being completely confident. The Ino that is in front of her now, is a person who reminds her of a certain person in the past.

"And I swear to Kami-sama, you are acting like Shikamaru, nowadays being lonesome and boring". Sakura continued.

Hearing the name of the boy she once knew, just put another sadness in Ino's eyes. "I am nothing like that baka".

Sakura being curious. "Have you talked to him lately?"

"Not in a while. Chouji will come here a lot and talked about Shikamaru being always out in a mission or being head of a meeting or something." "Which I really don't care." She added.

"I guess you're right" Sakura pondered. "Shikamaru has been very busy lately with being asked to be an adviser of Tsunade-sama and all"

"He is?" Ino looking surprised.

"I guess, you really don't know anything!" Sakura thought she really need stop her friend on this reverie. Knowing Ino now, deep in thought it would take weeks, before she feels better again. Sakura smiles as if an idea hit her in that instant. "What you need Ino is dinner with friends. Let me gather some of our friends and let's have a dinner in Akimichi tonight. What do you say Ino-pig?"

"I am not really... "

"No but's Ino-pig, you are going and that's a medic-nin order!" Sakura demanded.

"Alright, forehead" Ino surrendered.

Sakura smiled. At least she can do something for her best friend. She knows that she has been through a lot compared to her ordeals, the past war has been much tougher on her best friend than on hers. And if this can helped her friend she is determine to do it. "I'll arrange it right now!" She smiled. "And thanks for the flowers, Ino". Sakura picked up the flowers and heads out the door.

"See you tonight" Sakura waved before she leaves.

Ino sighs again.


Outside on a bright day, a shadow looms across the flower shop. A cowardly genius looks upon the shop as he always does in this precise hour of everyday for the past two years.


Thanks for the review! :)