"Green Thumb"
By animefan752
Disclaimer: Naruto doesn't belong to me in any shape or form. It belongs to Masashi Kishimoto, respectively.
Caution: There's nothing too dreadful to warn you about, my beloved readers, at least not in this chapter. Of course, I can only warn you beforehand of that particularly blissful yaoi in the future, otherwise known as the unmistakable intimacy or lovely relationship between two males, that of you-know-who.
A/N: Hello, my beloved readers! How are you all? Hopefully you've all been much more productive and enjoyed more out of this spring season, because I've been idiotically wasting my time! But, I suppose we should all think happily and merrily, as today is Easter, after all, and there's plenty of candy, bunny rabbits, yellow baby chicks, and eggs and eggs and eggs to go around!
Anyhow—
Please, indulge on this new chapter, my beloved readers, because this chapter is perhaps one of the most significant in this whole entire story! Read fervently as this new brilliant day falls upon us.
Today, Kurenai's Interview: Kiba
"Naruto?" Kiba suspiciously raised a brow as he easily leaned back, with his arms behind his wild head of unkempt hair. "What's this about Naruto all of a sudden? We're not even on the same team."
"As Jonin ninja, we're under strict orders directly from our superiors to investigate the Genin. They want all possible information they can gather about Naruto in hopes of learning how he'll handle his relationships, which includes his relationship with the Nine-Tails. We all figured we'd ease the tension during the interrogations by asking you each individually and asking every Genin by their team leader." The mystifying woman explained briskly as she gracefully lifted her slender leg over the other, blinking with lengthy eyelashes that smoothly caressed her fair cheeks. "This is why, Kiba, I honestly do need you to tell me whatever you know about him."
"Well, sure, Kurenai-sensei, but I would've thought we were required to discuss less trivial matters?" Kiba asked curiously, dropping his limp arms to his slouched sides. Quickly, Kurenai narrowed her enchanting eyes in response to his ignorant question, silently reprimanding Kiba like the silly little dog that he often was.
"This is definitely not trivial. Take me seriously when I ask you these things; Naruto is the current Jinchuuriki of the Nine-Tailed Beast. His relationships are of dire significance, Kiba, because they give us much more information than you'd think." Knowledgeable and wise, Kurenai straightened elegantly in her simplistic chair as she casually witnessed the disheveled boy tense up. "For example, if he has a negative impression in the majority of his relationships, then the officials will take him into custody and examine him personally."
Wait, what?
Suddenly, an overwhelming tide of concern for the hasty blond flooded over Kiba, swallowing him whole into a perpetual sea of uncertainty and broken bonds. Oh, the thought of allowing something entirely despicable to surely occur to Naruto, the mere idea of allowing the reckless blond to escape through his fingers, they were all impossibly horrid! What if the officials aren't exactly forgiving and gentle with the innocent little blond? What if they're harsh and relentless, seizing him with ruthless and callous grips? And what in the world did Kurenai-sensei mean by examining him personally? "Are you serious? Why would they? That's a total invasion of privacy!"
"With a bad reputation, a bad personality, and bad relationships comes a bad ending." As much as Kurenai would much rather defend Naruto's hopelessly vulnerable case just as much as Kiba's unyielding desire would permit him, the official orders instructed by her wise superiors were far more important. Besides, these inconsiderate inquiries were only measly steps on the long road to safety for Konoha's inhabitants. Everlasting fright struck the unwavering nerves of the jolly people due to the Nine-Tailed Beast's wrathful rampage from years ago, in which carefully concealing the ever fearsome Jinchuuriki and obediently ensuring everyone's protection was of substantially more dire worth. Yet, troubled and distressed over the matter of justice and faith as well as her loyal student, Kurenai released an exasperated sigh that promptly slid through her plump crimson lips. "Interrogation is only the beginning, Kiba."
As the dogged boy's bewilderment to these unexpected investigations engulfed him, Kiba attempted to gulp down whatever plights disturbed him, furrowing his perplexed brows over his forehead. He supposed that perhaps there really and most honestly was no evading the ominous penalty hanging dejectedly over Naruto's narrow shoulders, — unless, of course, someone were to dutifully support and defend his feeble position. If Kiba were to faithfully stand up to those intimidating officials, then maybe the helpless blond would at least have a meager sliver of a fighting chance. Besides, the two boys were friends, weren't they? Not once before has Kiba ever owned the loathsome desire to grimly disappoint his close friends, and never has he chosen to reject his reliable devotion to them either. This was no different; if he were to just speak well of Naruto, perhaps the foreboding punishment would reduce its heavy load upon the hasty blond's lonely shoulders, and an enlightening wave to grant Kiba gracious relief.
"Now will you tell me about Naruto?" The nimble woman probed delicately, placing the bare question ahead of them. Quietly, she observed Kiba as he repeatedly shifted in his seat, as if he was particularly uncomfortable and uncertain, floating hesitantly in his countless thoughts. "Kiba?"
Naruto. How could one ever possibly describe such an unpredictable character? Well, where would he even start, really? Naruto was the unexpected golden boy, suddenly proving everyone wrong with a single careless motion into sinister danger. Certainly, the childish blond's always been irresponsible, hopelessly reckless and hasty with every feat he proclaimed was absolutely necessary to pursue. If anything, the impossible blond was a naïve toddler full of needless enthusiasm and fervor. He would plunge straight into the countless hazards of battle without even the slightest concern for his own safety. He would completely disregard the protests of his admirable friends as he thoughtlessly tailed his enemies. Well, sure, he's courageous and bold, but was there really any need to risk everything so carelessly? Certainly not!
Oh, how does one describe such an unpredictable character? How?
"Naruto, huh." Kiba contemplated thoughtfully, raising his frazzled mop of wild brown hair to face his graceful teacher, as he began carefully and cautiously, "Well, he and I go way back to Academy times. He, Shikamaru, Chouji and I have a history together as this lowly groupie. We constantly got into trouble and basically every teacher in school was always really cautious around us, actually. Oh, — but I would say Naruto's definitely the wildest one out of all of us."
"Hm, really?" Amused by this new gather of information, Kurenai chuckled maturely, her laughter very respectful and intent on the important task at hand. Still, she decided against becoming entirely serious and emotionless as she smiled sympathetically. "I thought you were wild, Kiba."
"Well, yeah, of course! But Naruto was wilder in a different sense." The dogged boy insisted kindly, grinning out of entertained delight at how insanely wild he himself was naturally. Still, Naruto was far more remarkable, with his persistent bantering and distinguished oppositions. If he only wished to prove himself justly correct or humbly worthy of the attention, he ignored any potential threat and daunting peril. Oh, but that alone was enough to drive everyone up the forsaken wall! Naruto most honestly needed to learn how to truly control himself! "He's reckless and inattentive to the point of risking himself, in which someone would have to be diligent enough to watch over him. I mean, it was always like that before; he would dive straight into danger and one of us, — if not all of us, — would always end up chasing after him. It's not like we didn't care or anything, even if he is the Jinchuuriki of the Nine-Tails."
"Is that so? Can you be a little bit more in depth?" Selfless and understanding, Kurenai questioned the disheveled boy Kiba nicely, elegantly adjusting her refined position in her seat. "Don't you have any specific details to say? Don't be afraid to tell me anything, Kiba."
Oh, the interrogation really asked for such meticulous facts? Surely, his courteous teacher was polite in her dutiful investigation, gently attempting not to request for too much, but were such particular specifics really all that necessary? Tentative and uncertain in the matter, Kiba quickly averted his wandering eyes from Kurenai's enchanting scarlet gaze, as he continued quietly and warily, "Well, it's just, I don't know, there's something about the guy that compels us to follow him. I don't know how he does it, but I know we were all frightened of him being the Jinchuuriki and all, and yet somehow we all grew attached to him."
"Would you say that's a good thing?"
"Y-yeah!" With anxious inhales and dismayed exhales, Kiba reluctantly accustomed himself to the simplistic yet uneasy chair, nervously preparing a fairly reasonable answer to reply with. "I mean, most of the time, anyway. Without him, our groupie always felt particularly empty. No one else could replace his void; otherwise that person would have really big shoes to fill — really funny shoes, like the shoes of a clown, not business shoes or something like that."
They'd have really important, really reckless, really unpredictable shoes to fill—
—really cute shoes to fill.
Oh, Naruto was unmistakably unique, with his constant chanciness and his disbelief in consistent fate and destiny. He was solely exceptional and exclusively brilliant, that when someone as special and matchless as Naruto risks his one precious life to danger, Kiba simply cannot bear it! If that hasty blond planned on endangering his irreplaceable self, someone had to gallantly follow, oh, even the dogged boy Kiba would eagerly volunteer! If that one golden boy perished entirely from the face of the earth, who would be as careless enough as him to continuously make such idiotic mistakes? Who would fall remarkably faithful to such deceptive friends as Naruto had done previously before? Who would readily stretch to such distant lengths just to prove a single point?
Who would be as desperate and almost appealing and adorable as Naruto when he approaches with flowers in hand?
Who?
Similarly, on that previous day, something absolutely astounding happened. Apparently, the hasty blond carelessly stumbled upon Kiba's indifferent presence, and at that second the dogged boy noted how impossibly frantic Naruto was, with that inevitable sense of panicked hysteria glazing over his vivid blue eyes. Their regularly peaceful, admirable, and ocean-like charm was rudely interrupted by his alarming dread, and that much Kiba was definitely certain. Of course, the two disheveled boys quickly exchanged words of impatient reassurance, as Naruto quickly explained the unbelievable situation and Kiba keenly listened to him, — oh, but it was simply too ridiculous! The exact moment he heard the preposterous news, the dogged boy almost refused to believe it!
Someone — he, of all people, — had graciously left such a charming gift of blossoms on Naruto's doorstep?
But, then again, on that very same night, everything purely incredible was revealed. Perhaps too much was completely revealed, to be honest. Incredulous, everyone couldn't believe the inescapable truth, — they all truly thought they were dreaming, hallucinating and foolishly envisioning the entire charade of intolerable affection and concealed love. Oh, how could they all have been so blind? Had loyal truth betrayed them, cheating them into believing in fraud and dishonesty? How could that peculiar yet innocent adoration between them bloom and flourish where they all least expected it?
"Kiba?" Deeply concerned, the refined woman Kurenai soon interfered with the wild boy's chaotic thoughts, which easily brought the dogged boy up to the calm surface when he has just been absently delving so deep into mind. Kiba then briefly shook his unkempt mop of brown hair and reluctantly lifted his head, a scattered expression on his bewildered face as if his dispersed thoughts were all hopelessly stranded and too farfetched for meager comprehension. "What have you been thinking so sternly about? You look as though you can't even form a single sentence."
That wasn't true. Well, perhaps it was; Naruto, — yesterday, everything was suddenly indescribable! That golden boy, who has always been stubbornly obstinate to discover the end of a rainbow, always chasing after the most impossible dreams and fantasies, truly did establish a strange yet delightfully agreeable relationship with another. Absolutely no one in their entire bundle of companions could even begin to understand how or what kind of astonishing occurrence had taken place before them to bring such persistent enemies to loving peace and pleasant harmony, but it just…happened. "I—"
"Kiba? Be honest with me." The elegant woman pressed on gently and delicately, sympathetic towards the matter as she observed her loyal student nod obediently yet also uncertainly. "Relax. I promise nothing horrible will happen; I would never let anything horrible happen. Just tell me something, anything, about Naruto."
"Naruto, Naruto, Naruto…well, I guess I'd say he's one of those people you just can't take off your mind. Once he's in there, he's in there." Kiba admitted truthfully, finally realizing how awfully long he has been completely engrossed in discerning and thinking wistfully about that hasty blond. And, with that understanding awareness of Naruto's oblivious ability to captivate and hypnotize anyone he encounters with undefeatable faith, Kiba happily grinned. He was mesmerized, just like everyone else, — a mere prisoner to the boisterous blond's enthusiastic influence and blissful euphoria. "He's just someone you can't stop thinking about."
Yesterday, 2:37 PM
Red and White Camellias: "You're adorable, and a flame in my heart burns for you."
Frustrated over such false hopes, Naruto simply could not bear the unfathomable thought that he actually did depart from his disappointing conversation with Sakura only to be left stranded further into the bewildered sea, floundering and flailing helplessly in the baffled water with more doubtful questions rather than satisfactory answers. But, the hasty blond supposed it couldn't be helped if the boisterous girl truly wasn't the one who had actually delivered it.
But who else could it be?
With a defeated resolve to request Shikamaru's cunning intelligence for at least some feasibleanswer, Naruto dejectedly strolled through the bustling streets of midday Konoha, amidst its afternoon crowds of occupied people and mischievous children. Tenderly, the blissful sun shone its brightest around noon and a little afterwards, joyfully showering the lively citizens of the Hidden Leaf Village with soothing rays of warmth. And yet, the flustered blond was the least comforted by its peaceful ease, what with the infinite number of questions and issues and unsolved equations cluttering inside his golden head. Oh, perhaps the languid genius would at least enlighten him from his perplexed incredulity with some trustworthy words.
Well, then again, the mere knowledge of the divine present was pleasing — certainly someone had compassionately gifted him with such a lovely pot of delicate blossoms. Sure, the noisy pink girl Sakura wasn't the destined contributor of the valuable ceramic vessel, but Naruto couldn't lose hope yet! This one cherished pot, which contained wonderful green life of the most charming flowers, was more than anything the hasty blond could ask for. The plain existence of such a darling gift was enough evident proof that someone in that forsaken village actually cared about him — him, Naruto, the cursed boy of the Nine-Tailed Beast!
Just who could have left it for him?
Thus, as Naruto reluctantly sauntered towards the unperturbed Nara residence, he anxiously grasped at the beautiful pot of precious green life, his clammy hands obviously tense. Nervous, the blond swallowed whatever anxieties littered his mind and headed straight for the door. Oh, how his little heart raced within his constricted chest, pounding and punching and drumming away against his feeble ribcage. Well, with one knock, Shikamaru could so easily provide him with a conceivable answer. The lethargic genius certainly was beyond the average intelligence of Konoha, regardless of his constant hesitance to participate in anything, really. Oh, his clever intellect would definitely suffice, as long as Naruto received the one honest name of his giver!
And so, as he lifted a timid fist towards the door—
"—Naruto?" Suddenly, a languid voice called out from above him, and almost instantly, the boisterous blond raised his golden yellow head. It was the cunning prodigy, Shikamaru, perched comfortably on the roof beside his closest friend Chouji. "Naruto, what are you doing here?"
"Shikamaru, oh, there you are!" Immediately, Naruto grinned as he clumsily retreated backwards in an attempt to clearly view the idle genius. In return, suspicious of this unexpected arrival, this unexpected visitor, Shikamaru scrutinized the beaming blond, his drooping eyes expressly widening at the ludicrous object within Naruto's doting embrace. The boisterous blond quickly beckoned them to come down, "I need your help!"
Were those flowers?
Blossoms that have been kissed by the blissful sun, swaying gently in the warm spring breeze, they danced delicately in their ceramic vessel. How baffling it was to discover their humble abode within the affectionate squeeze of Naruto's thin arms, when such charming blossoms should only be discerned in a girl's tender hold. Increasingly curious, Shikamaru casually inquired the enthusiastic blond below. "Oh, well, what do you need help for?"
"This!"
Were those charming blossoms purchased for the ever revered Sakura? Judging by the excitable face gracing the boisterous blond's face, Naruto must have prepared the blooming flowers for the noisy pink girl, Shikamaru concluded. Although, those innocently white and yellow flowers certainly did accent and emphasize the hasty blond's admirable features. And from what Ino has repeatedly and consistently explained, gifted blossoms are given to others to display and indicate their emotion and relativity. But, then, if Naruto honestly planned on presenting the boisterous girl Sakura with those adorable blossoms, wouldn't the message be rather self-centered? The lovely flowers were more suited to the enthusiastic blond instead of Sakura, which only bewildered the languid genius even more. If Naruto desired nothing more than Sakura's recognition and acknowledgement, then he should have at least chosen pink blossoms. Pink would have been more characteristic for the noisy girl, Shikamaru decided, — but then again, the intelligent prodigy supposed that he really wasn't the admirer in this case; that perhaps Naruto had ulterior motives behind such an egoistic present.
Indifferently, the two lazy boys nonchalantly dropped down from the roof, temporarily startling the hasty blond. At the cute expression of surprised shock adorning Naruto's cherubic face, Shikamaru grinned, asking disinterestedly, "I'm assuming that those are for her, right? And you're here because you need help confronting her?"
"Huh?" That adorable face of joyous wonder soon shifted into slight confusion, what with his large questioning eyes, swirling with anticipation like a freshly brewing ocean tide. As Naruto's curious expression inquired Shikamaru quietly, Chouji's obnoxious chewing of his precious barbecue chips successfully filled the silence. "What are you talking about? Confront who?"
"Sakura." Shikamaru raised a skeptical brow, suddenly ailed with the uncertain doubt of his own calculations. And, as if the boisterous blond was unfazed by the noisy girl's name alone, Naruto shot the lethargic genius another weird glance of misunderstanding. "Didn't you get those flowers for her?"
"What? No, no! I just came from there, I already talked to her." Naruto happily laughed at their laidback miscomprehension, exuberantly approaching both Shikamaru and Chouji as he obliviously fluttered those long golden eyelashes. Although the enthusiastic blond would have been ecstatic if the lovely giver was Sakura-chan, he was still content in knowing that the charming pot of blossoms existed solely for him. And even though he would've much rather preferred the contributor of the endearing flowers to be Sakura-chan, Naruto was still content. Sure, the giver wasn't the boisterous girl, but someone still cared enough to give the excited blond those adorable blossoms.
"Ohh, I see, so she rejected you, huh?" Shikamaru appeared almost sullen, pitying the reckless blond for admiring such an insensitive girl who didn't return the same feelings. "Don't feel bad."
Once the ridiculously loud chewing had finally ceased, Chouji suddenly squeezed into the flawed conversation. "Well if she rejected you, then what's with that giddy face?"
What?
"Wait, what, giddy, me?" With a baffled gaze of his brilliant aquamarine eyes, Naruto anxiously grasped at his precious pot of charming flowers, stubbornly possessive over the cherished item. Oh, Shikamaru and Chouji were horribly mistaken; these endearing blossoms were rightfully his to claim, not at all for Sakura whatsoever! Of course Naruto direly wished the noisy pink girl to be the one to devotedly deliver it to him, but, apparently she wasn't that mysterious contributor. Still, what in the world were they thinking? "No, these weren't even for Sakura-chan at all!"
"What are you talking about? Of course they're for Sakura." As Shikamaru relentlessly insisted on the matter that he definitely wasn't wrong, the boisterous blond instantly recoiled, appearing a little hurt and pigheadedly upset that his friend simply refused to believe him. At that determined disbelief blatantly obvious in Naruto's petit character, Shikamaru's expression immediately softened.
Chouji was next to question him. "Well if they weren't for Sakura, then who were they for?"
"I found these guys on my doorstep earlier when I was getting out! Honest! Well, actually," Naruto smiled hopefully as the joyous sun blanketed them all beneath a canopy of gentle heat. Bashfully expectant and optimistic, the hasty blond blinked with those appealing lengthy eyelashes, which continuously kissed the uttermost top of those rosy pink cheeks. And for all they're worth, those gorgeous pools of aquamarine gleamed with confidence and hope. "I came here hoping you'd tell me who it could've been."
Insane! Someone actually gave those charming blossoms to him? But, for what possible reason have they? And who could it have probably been? Oh, that's preposterous! There was absolutely no way that someone has been generously cordial enough to purposefully leave those gracious blossoms on his doorstep. Well, at least Shikamaru was skeptical and unconvinced of it, or he found believing to be rather too troublesome. "Are you sure you aren't just blowing things out of proportion, like you usually do, Naruto?"
"I'm sure!"
Oh, he was most definitely making mountains out of molehills!
"Well, I'm not a big flower expert, but, I know someone who is." Suspicious of Naruto's ridiculous explanation and even more so cynical and doubtful of those delicate flowers, the exasperated genius slowly turned on his heel and slightly twisted his head back around to face them, or really only inspecting those strange flowers. "Let's go. We'll ask Ino. She should know. Besides, she's not too far from here; she's working the flower shop today."
The three companions wasted no valuable time as they strode both casually and hastily. They dared not make any reluctant hesitations, despite accompanying the lethargic prodigy Shikamaru, who repeatedly considered slowing his pace or even stopping completely. And yet, regardless, the small group of three thoroughly enjoyed each other's company, humbly disregarding the peculiar object within Naruto's loving grasp and conversing nicely with one another while they cracked jokes and grinned all the same. Eventually, their fond chattering and brisk stepping led them dutifully to the Yamanaka Flower Shop, which was surrounded by a significant amount of countless flowers and delightful scents. The floral sight was one to behold, in which there was a pleasant display of colors perhaps everywhere, littering and strewing the contents of the entire store with blossoms of all shapes and sizes and hues.
Once they were inside, a brief exchange of greetings and bitter recollections was exchanged between them as Shikamaru, Chouji, and Naruto arrived at the front counter in which Ino tended. The fresh and enchanting fragrance of floral greens drifted amongst the air of the flower shop, swallowing the small group of three in a courteous gather of scented air. It was rather refreshing, and the mere sight of the grand and exquisite blossoms enlightened them. Each beautiful array of flowers appeared to be dancing gently, appealing to them with their delicate petals and unique arrangements.
As mainly Naruto marveled and admired the exclusive new blossoms around them, Ino watched the three gradually move to approach her. And, the moment she saw that ceramic pot in Naruto's petit hands, she looked almost hysterical, her absent blue eyes widened. Yet, her bothersome suspicions were quickly dismissed as soon as they all delved into conversation, with the slothful yet quite loyal genius casually explaining the situation. Regardless, the talkative blonde Ino was almost completely immersed in examining the abnormal blossoms within Naruto's doting embrace than actually listening to Shikamaru go on and on. Well, it was simply unnatural! What in the world was that clumsy, naïve, and immature idiot doing with that precious ceramic pot of flowers?
Slightly perturbed by Ino's intense staring, that clumsy, naïve, and immature idiot recovered quickly from his impressed state of awe and followed her stern gaze to his cherished pot of precious green life. And, noticing how solemn and somber the loquacious girl was intently staring at it, Naruto confirmed her purpose to stare by moving the lovely pot continuously left and right, which only caused Ino to meekly shift her pale blue eyes in the same direction. Childish, Naruto snickered and returned her fervent stare, looking back at the blonde girl with large curious eyes that mocked her meddlesome gaze.
"And we were wondering if you could tell us something about this — Naruto, stop it." Shikamaru sighed at the moronic expression that masked the hasty blond's face. Although Naruto would have originally protested against being scolded and disciplined like a mere child, he obediently did as he was told, in high hopes of gathering whatever clues he could obtain of his charming floral gift. The lethargic prodigy soon jumped back into the discussion, casually inquiring Ino for some beneficial answers. "Well, Ino?"
At the exasperated call of her name, Ino soon blinked alive, as if she has just awoken from some indescribable dream. Once the thoughtful blonde finally collected herself, the three friends patiently waiting for her trustworthy response stood there watching quietly. "Oh, what was that?"
"Ino, those, what are they?" Weary and frustrated and fatigued from this absurd conversation, Shikamaru rolled his eyes, gesturing half-heartedly at the cherished pot in Naruto's thin arms.
"Those? Those are obviously primroses!" Ino instantly bantered, continuously motioning her slender limbs as if to accentuate the words that were already fairly well emphasized. And, as she began to speak, she stared specifically at Naruto out of intensified curiosity. In return, the bewildered blond immediately flinched under Ino's intimidating glower. "Why would anyone give you a collection of primroses — and spring primroses at that? Did they leave a note or something?"
"No, nothing at all! They're so vague, it's annoying!" Flustered, Naruto quickly sputtered out his careless words, which clumsily tumbled out of his mouth. Although, it certainly was true; absolutely nothing was spared of his destined contributor for the ceramic pot of precious green life. They left no honest trace at all, clever and cunning in their admirable endeavor and swift escape. Oh, why, it only frustrated Naruto beyond recognition! If they had the nerve to compassionately deliver such lovely primroses, they should have at least left some clue, some note, some charming sign or hint that would have valiantly revealed their fated name! Oh, they could have at least stayed! "They should have said something!"
Effectively concealing their profile from the anxious blond was more than anything Naruto could bear! Obscuring their noble name and character was against his humble opinions; Naruto faithfully believed in decent honesty and benevolent truth. That one person, that determined deliverer, might as well be an enemy, declining to surrender their name!
Quickly, before Naruto seriously blew a fuse out of defeated concern, Shikamaru soon interrupted the boisterous blond's train of aggravated thoughts. He regarded Ino expectantly, "What does a primrose symbolize anyway? Doesn't the meaning of the flower help say something about the giver and receiver?"
"Well!" Thrilled to be of further intelligence in floral expertise, Ino happily exclaimed with an eager grin sitting upon her face, arrogantly brushing her long blonde hair aside. For the briefest moment, she had ignorantly forgotten the inevitable reason for her obvious suspicions and perhaps jealousy. Earlier, those charming primroses instantly caught her eye because a particular someone suddenly came in that unbelievable morning, coolly requesting her for blossoms — particularly primroses. And yet, Ino had obliviously disregarded the truthful memory, beginning her speech proudly, "Generally, primroses are split into two different categories of meanings: either devoted love or inconstancy."
"But what does that mean?" Almost desperate in this ridiculous search, Naruto cried helplessly, rapidly blinking those luscious yellow curves that continuously obscured his glistening blue eyes. Oh, it was because he simply didn't understand! Flowers were flowers, weren't they? There were deeper and more significant implications behind them, behind those adorable petals of utter delicacy? "Ino! Ino, I don't get it!"
"Hold on a second, Naruto! I'm explaining it right now!" Annoyed, Ino bluntly scoffed and casually gestured to the potted plant, which expressively smiled up at them with their endearing white and yellow petals of innocence. Increasingly fretful, the boisterous blond immediately grew restless. "See, those are spring primroses—"
"—and?"
"And, I'm saying that if they were evening primroses, the symbolism of the flower would be negative rather than positive, since they mean false and ephemeral love. Evening primroses intend to make the assumption that the love won't last. But, but since those aren't evening primroses, this must mean they're spring primroses." Suddenly uncertain of whether or not explaining the dire significance of primroses honestly benefitted any of them, Ino hesitated. Curious eyes from the three antsy companions around her impatiently threw the loquacious blonde gazes of edginess. Ino reluctantly continued, stirring uncomfortably. "They symbolize something along the lines of dedication and eternal love, or, well, basically someone would only give it to their special someone, someone they just absolutely can't live without!"
"What?" With an incredulous expression masking his cherubic face, the boisterous blond exclaimed out of disbelief, timidly clutching at the precious ceramic pot in his tense hands.
"That's what I want to know!" Ino shouted in response to Naruto's constant impatience. Oh, how infuriating and humiliating this ludicrous situation sank in for the loquacious blonde! Naruto, the clumsy, noisy, and untalented Jinchuuriki of the Nine-Tailed Beast, received such charming flowers even before Ino herself did? Despite her being far more attractive, with bright cerulean eyes, lengthy blonde locks, and an appealing body, Naruto was first? Oh, it was impossible for the unskilled blond to modestly obtain those endearing primroses! Preposterous! Absurd! Outrageous! She would never truthfully admit to it! And so, with a vicious glare of her spiteful blue eyes, Ino harshly scowled at Naruto with blatant anger and callous envy, her every enunciated syllable dripping with venomous disdain, "Who in the world would ever send you a gather of spring primroses? Huh, Naruto?"
"Calm down, Ino." Shikamaru quickly noticed Ino's unyielding contempt, witnessing the anxious blond beside him wince and shrink pitifully beneath the talkative girl's brutal stare of nasty malice. The lethargic genius carefully shielded Naruto, as he gently seized him and discreetly motioned for him to move behind him and Chouji, speaking cautiously yet indifferently, "There's got to be some kind of valid explanation."
"Then, tell me what kind of reasonable explanation would make up for this, why don't you!" Ino heatedly barked in reply, crossly folding her slim arms across her chest as her harshly unforgiving gaze spotted Naruto's petit figure quite roughly between the two best friends. Although, in spite of Ino's frantic efforts to glare enviously and viciously at the distressed blond, Shikamaru stubbornly pressed against Chouji's side and caused the furious blonde girl to glare scornfully at him instead of Naruto, successfully concealing the fretful blond. "Well, Shikamaru? Say something!"
"Don't look at me; I'm not a love doctor. Besides, I thought you were the flower expert here, Ino." Shikamaru briefly said, casually attempting to smooth over her dismayed rage with distracting words he knew would certainly remove her from her venomous path to ultimately destroy Naruto with her callous glares. "You say you don't know who'd ever give him those flowers, but then aren't you able to track down the person who gave it to him? You always do that for your customers. Just do it for Naruto and this whole situation will finally settle down."
"Well this is different! Firstly, I do it for girls, Shikamaru! Usually the guys are the ones who just buy the flowers for them in the morning! When the girls drop by in the afternoon saying they don't know who gave it to them, then I help them. Just because there was an unexpected customer this morning and Naruto's here with those — oh." As this abrupt realization swept through Ino like a peculiarly mental punch to the face, everything instantly returned to her. That brief moment of hideous envy and dreadful wrath against Naruto immediately vanished as she remembered that incomprehensible break of dawn, there, in the store. Oh, the unforeseen arrival of that guy and his astonishing demand for primroses suddenly crashed over Ino like a resolute wave that convinced her of the unimaginable truth. But, still disbelieving and in constant denial, Ino repeatedly shook her head. Although, even the loquacious blonde eventually accepted honest reality, but she acknowledged the facts both sourly and bitterly, as if the painful truth was a repugnant piece of candy in her mouth. "Oh, it does make sense."
As Naruto's childish curiosity overwhelmed him to the point in which he'd briefly shove and cutely squirm through the incredible gap between Shikamaru and Chouji, the boisterous blond asked boldly and courageously, "What makes sense?"
"Still, it's impossible." Refuting against her experience that definite morning, Ino's obstinate denial struck again, which conflicted and perplexed the distraught blonde between her own devoted feelings of affection and the inconceivable facts. "No, it can't be. It just can't be! He couldn't have!"
"What? What is it?" Naruto tilted his head slightly, those mesmerizing pools of aquamarine catching Ino's own blue eyes, captivating the talkative girl entirely before the softest strands of his golden hair slid over his curious gaze. Perhaps vindictive and swallowed completely by her hideous and hostile envy once again, Ino quickly diverted herself from facing that idiot's moronic expression and distracted herself with the despairing thought of him and those cursed primroses. Those stupid, ridiculous primroses — they really should have been hers!
"Oh, I thought he would have given them to me! Oh, I can't believe this!" Ino whined and perhaps even wailed and cried pathetically, repeatedly protesting against the distasteful truth she stubbornly denied. And, considering the small possibility of her formidable foe, challenging rival, and ultimate enemy, Ino inquired the cherubic blond for some compensation and eagerly leaned forward upon the wood table counter. "Does Sakura know?"
"Sakura-chan?" Naruto absently repeated as Ino nodded fervently in response to his expression. Witnesses to this odd and rather peculiar discussion, both Shikamaru and Chouji quietly observed the two frantically speaking. And, blatantly nervous as to Ino's keen anticipation, the clumsy blond grasped at the ceramic pot of precious green life — that were apparently called primroses, — adorably stumbling over his meager words, "W-well, yeah, I guess. I talked to her just before I came here. I mean, I didn't actually get to talk to her much because she was too busy looking for Sasuke or whatever."
The handsome and charming Sasuke-kun was insanely mysterious, always isolating himself and constantly ignoring his enthusiastic acquaintances and several fans. But, the Uchiha's disappearance definitely proved everything solely horrible to be true, with those sweetly poisoned primroses. They weren't actually toxic and lethal, but figuratively speaking, it was the dreaded apocalypse for every single one of Sasuke's countless admirers! Was honest reality truly so cruel? Oh, it surely was as if an entire boulder has fallen upon Ino's delicate head! "Ah! I knew it —I just don't believe it. Oh, no, no way, I can't believe it's true. It has to be true; I just can't believe it's true! Oh, this is awful!"
"What's true, Ino? What's awful?" Naruto soon inquired of her, his swelling curiosity persistently building within his petit frame. All at once, he could clearly feel the rapid thrashing of his flustered heart, he could hear its consistent pounding in his ears, he could visibly see the scattered expressions gracing his hysterical companions' faces, and he certainly could smell the sweet fragrance of those blasted primroses that did absolutely nothing but torment him all day. "What can't you believe, Ino? What?"
"Okay, okay, this morning, I was tending to the Yamanaka Flower Shop because my mom was out running errands, you see, and you won't believe who walked in!" Ino blathered on uselessly as she furrowed her knitted brows over her forehead, impossibly distressed in this humiliating conversation. Well, did Naruto really need to know? Would he even want to know? Oh, if that clumsy blond idiot desired nothing more than to know of his destined contributor, Ino could very easily confide it with him, regardless of whether or not Naruto actually wanted his exclusive deliverer to be that specific person. Perhaps that ridiculous idiot would reject the giver of those supposedly precious primroses? Ha, would Ino be remarkably ecstatic then! "Originally, I'd work the store starting from noon, but because my mom nagged me into it, I've been working since early this morning."
"Just say it." Shikamaru has long grown exhausted of this, of Ino's preposterous dramatizing. If the talkative blonde had something to say, the exasperated genius would have preferred it if Ino didn't constantly lengthen such gossipy discussions with her troublesome exaggerations and obnoxious suspense. If she claimed to have something to fearlessly declare, it was ultimately better if the girl was simply straightforward with them and announced whatever pointless truth, lie, gossip, or fact that Ino believed was absolutely necessary to proclaim; she just needed to hurry up and be done with it.
Bothered by Shikamaru's lazy impatience, the loquacious blonde pressed on with an astounded grin, "It was Sasuke-kun! He strolled in with a cool look on his face—"
"—and you swooned, as usual." Shikamaru simply yawned, causing Chouji beside him to snicker foolishly at Ino's embarrassed red face.
"Shut up! You're just jealous of him!" The talkative blonde angrily barked back in reply, glowering at her friendly companions who were merely poking fun at her predictable affection. And yet, Ino soon gathered herself and smirked proudly at the fascinating memory of that charming, handsome, and silently cool Uchiha most honestly conversing with her, Ino Yamanaka! "Well, anyway, he came in and asked me which flowers in store would suit someone blond, cheerful, and cute!"
Wait, wait, wait, clearly Naruto was misunderstanding something. What did Sasuke have anything to do with his exceptional pot of charming primroses? Well, if Ino was simply excited and blissful about the unexpected appearance of the rude and inconsiderate Uchiha-jerk, then Naruto should have at least expected as much. The chatty blonde was essentially notorious for her endless Sasuke-talk, but, well, Naruto only approached their intelligent team because of the unmistakable questions he wanted inevitable answers to! He sought answers! It was extremely pointless if all he came here for was more of this Sasuke-Sasuke business! Enough about Sasuke!
The name itself was cursed!
"Of course, I assumed he was thinking of me since I'm blonde, cheerful, and most definitely cute. That's why I told him white and yellow primroses would be best. Primroses are innocent flowers, but at the same time cute and happy. I said white and yellow because they suited blondes best. Then again, if he had said blonde and blue-eyed, I would've had a totally different choice for him, because sometimes flowers are better off matching the recipient's eyes, you know? Oh, but he was so cool about everything, he didn't even hesitate or flinch or anything! As usual, I saw him and he was so serious—"
"Skip the drama, Ino!" Shikamaru sighed.
Oh, wait, wait, wait just a second, stop! Did that loquacious blonde just say what Naruto thought she said?
Oh, no.
Oh, no, no, no!
Earlier that same exact morning, while Naruto was peacefully sleeping in his deep and tranquil slumber, he said to Ino that he desired nothing more than endearing flowers that effortlessly suited someone who was blond.
To suit someone who was cheerful.
To suit someone who was cute.
Sasuke Uchiha said all of that.
He bought white and yellow primroses.
He disappeared.
Later, I found primroses on my doorstep…and they were white and yellow.
They were the incomprehensible pieces to his preposterous puzzle. And yet, somehow, they made perfect sense, connecting to one another flawlessly! Wasn't Naruto most definitely blond? Well, certainly, those soft and silky tresses upon his yellow head were strands and locks of wild golden hair. And wasn't Naruto cheerful? Well, the enthusiastic blond simply can't help himself when he feels particularly blissful and joyous during those random occasions. It's not entirely his own fault that he just finds an occasion to be so exceptionally happy about every single day.
But, was he perhaps…cute?
No way. There was simply no way! Sasuke wasn't like that at all! That Uchiha-jerk was silently rude and impossibly arrogant. He would never be compassionate enough to kindly leave such endearing blossoms of innocently white and yellow primroses on the hasty blond's mere doorstep. No, Naruto couldn't and wouldn't believe it. What did it matter that Sasuke casually requested Ino for charming flowers that certainly appealed to someone blond, cheerful, and cute? What did it matter that Sasuke had chosen precisely white and yellow primroses? What did it matter that after that fated purchase, he mysteriously vanished and wasn't seen? And what did it possibly matter that Naruto coincidentally found white and yellow primroses on his doorstep after noon that same exact day?
It didn't have to be Sasuke!
"Okay, fine, Shikamaru! Listen, Sasuke-kun came in, I helped him pick the flowers out, and in an instant he was gone!" Oh, Ino truly did appear uncertain herself, but simultaneously satisfied once she had slyly stolen a meager glance at the flustered blond, who stubbornly avoided eye contact. She might not have won Sasuke's lovely flowers first, but what was most definitely certain was Naruto would never willingly accept those charming primroses. He would readily and quickly return those lovely flowers to her and after that, Ino would immediately soothe Sasuke's bitter rejection with her own delightful presence, perfectly claiming him all for herself! "I guess he went out and left those on your doorstep, huh, Naruto? Those flowers are from Sasuke-kun, I suppose!"
"Y-you're lying!" Pathetic and unaccustomed to such shocking news, Naruto stuttered pitifully, his gorgeous aquamarine eyes glistening with the confusion and the bashful racing of his heart.
Well, if anything, it couldn't have been Sasuke! There was just no way! Why, even if it was the most unrealistic end of the vile world, even if the ever respected Sakura confessed to the perplexed blond, even if absolutely nothing made sense, Naruto would've eagerly believed it before believing that the haughty Uchiha committed himself to such a pleasant deed — for him. The handsome and superior Sasuke Uchiha bought the clumsy and worthless Naruto Uzumaki flowers?Was reality mistaken? Was the dreadful world really coming to such a sorrowful end?
Sasuke — was the one who left this adorable pot of precious green life on Naruto's doorstep?
"That's not true." The mortified blond continued on absently, as the three accompanying him further added onto the impossible pressure applied onto his vulnerable heart with their curious gazes. Oh, Naruto's heart pounded so harshly in his tightening chest that perhaps all he could even hear was its insane drumming. "It c-can't be true. You've got to be lying, Ino. Y-you're lying!"
"I'm definitely not lying! I might be a little bit of a gossip, but a liar, I am not! That's not my style." Ino insisted stubbornly, glowering at Naruto's petrified figure out of hideous jealousy and insulted pain of being a potential liar. And so, despairing, she quickly shoved her blonde head upward, with her nose pointed directly in the air above them, attempting desperately to conceal her envy with a sense of pretentious superiority. "I swear that what I say is one hundred percent true! I remember; I myself picked those primroses with him! If you don't want to believe me, then don't! But Sasuke-kun definitely came in and bought those same exact primroses. It's the same pot and they're white and yellow and everything!"
But who did he buy them for? Himself?
Me?
Why, Naruto's heart just stopped. The whole entire world just stopped precisely in its tracks. Oh, it was as if some rude folk just dumped an entire bucket of ice cold water over his head, leaving him hopelessly soaked and drenched in the freezing liquid that would eventually seep through his cotton clothes and force him to surrender to some terminal illness. Well, the bewildered blond simply didn't know what to feel, he simply couldn't comprehend the mere idea of that arrogant and inconsiderate Uchiha — oh, it was absolutely impossible! There was just no possibility whatsoever that that same emotionless, rude, and selfish Uchiha graciously purchased such endearing blossoms only for him, Naruto! It wouldn't compute! It didn't compute! Every single day that the two tenacious rivals came across one another, Sasuke constantly pushed the hasty blond's littlest buttons, toying and teasing him delicately, cleverly placing the end of his swift foot across their distinguished line — only to withdraw as soon as Naruto could even catch him in the offensive act.
Well, even if it was that blasted Uchiha, why, why, why would he so suddenly and unexpectedly baffle the disoriented blond with this precious ceramic pot? Was he actually attempting to reach out to him, possibly? Did Sasuke merely wish to apologize for his discourteous actions those recurrent times before? Did he want to be friends?
Could it be — Sasuke?
In one quick and embarrassed motion, Naruto soon dropped his golden head, faced the adorable blossoms of primroses directly, and blushed both cutely and insanely.
He blushed like a tomato, blushing in deep, crimson, scarlet red.
Look Forward to the Next Chapter!
Side Notes:
- Wow, what a busy social week! I expected much more out of myself since it's spring break and I have so much free time, but the blissful week continuously shortened — and with less and less writing accomplished! I know, I know, procrastination is the best friend I hate, but, I can't help myself! First of all, on Sunday, I anxiously met my friends at the local movie theater, and together, we watched the Hunger Games. (Spoiler: I cried when Rue died, and everyone pretty much laughed and ridiculed me. I called them my manly tears, but they didn't believe me either! Thanks, guys!) And on Tuesday, I eagerly went out at night to play some laser tag with them. And after that, on Wednesday, we went out together to play whirly ball, which is basically a game that involves these bumper cars in addition to something similar to lacrosse and basketball? (Whirly Ball: Well, in whirly ball, there are two teams which both consist of five members, and each member has their own racket. In the actual game, you ride the car and attempt to catch this softball-sized plastic ball and throw it at the goal, which is somewhat as tall as a basketball hoop. You're just not allowed to use your hands, and etc.) And then on Thursday, we all gathered at the mall and dawdled away. It was some pretty funny stuff.
- Then again, one of my friends was dutifully participating in one of those volunteering activities for our French class; she happily accepted an actual French student from France and graciously hosted her, permitting her to stay at her humble abode. Of course, she had the nerve to do it, but I was just as eager. Well, the entire week has been exclusively busy, — what with Easter and all, — but as well as entertaining the interesting French student, which honestly only led to the insane busyness of the week! Anyhow, she's very kind, gentle, and generous, and I also love and adore her accent. Oh, and also, she has a very good sense of fashion! Although I never would've imagined her to be that tall, she never expected us to be so short!
- You must be wondering what in the world was with me and the distinction between "blond" and "blonde"! Well, as you all may know, I'm learning French as another language, and to describe someone as either blond or blonde, it depended entirely on whether or not they were a boy or girl. It's a masculine-feminine thing between the nouns and adjectives. The adjectives almost always have to agree with the noun, if not always. Well, once I've accustomed myself to that grammatical rule, I never knew which blond(e) to use when writing! When I only used blond, the females were particularly more boyish. And when I only used blonde, the males were particularly more girlish! I must apologize if I've confused any of you, my beloved readers, but my indecisiveness on the matter of hair has overwhelmed me. I mean, I made the same exact distinction between "brunet" and "brunette"! It's true!
- Chouji didn't do much here, did he?
- I feel as though this significant chapter was one of the most important because almost everything is revealed with Ino's reliable help, and yet, I rushed this portion of the story within the span of mere hours and perhaps failed to even write it successfully, like the first two prosperous chapters. Oh, it was difficult, squeezing time for all of this, whatever this is. I must sincerely apologize, my beloved readers! Please, with all due respect, pardon my lame excuses, but, they're all I can offer as a sign of apology!