Chapter 3- The Truth can sometimes be EVIL…
"Ack! Aggh! Awww…"
"Naruto-kun, you should drink some water and rest for a while!"
"Sakura… I've already become Hokage and you still treat me like a child. You haven't really changed much…"
"Stop it and drink this."
They were soon in Sasuke's residence, a simple yet happy home next to the village mountain of Konoha. They were all gathered in the living room, where Sakura gave Naruto some medication. Naruto continued choking and sometimes, even puked a lot. As she was treating him, Sakura noticed the blonde girl sitting on the couch in front of her.
"Darling, who's that?" she asked.
Sasuke cleared his throat and tried his best not to throw up. "Sakura, honey, would you believe that she was your best friend back when we were kids?"
"Sasuke! You don't mean…"
"Yup, that's Ino."
Sakura's eyes grew bigger and her jaws dropped down 'til it reached the floor.
"NAAAANIII! YOU'RE INO! I CAN'T BELIEVE MY EX-BEST FRIEND IS A STRIPPER! ARE YOU INSANE! WHAT WERE YOU THINKING! #$$(&)&!"
Ino quietly looked down and her eyes looked as if she was about to cry. Sakura suddenly calmed down and bent down to talk. "Ino, please, tell me I'm only dreaming."
Ino looked at her and sighed, "This is reality, Sakura. Yes, I am a stripper."
Sakura gasped and asked, "What on earth made you decide to become a ho! WHO ARE YOU AND WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO THE REAL INO!"
"Sakura," she replied, "I'm the real Ino. I didn't really want this job, but I didn't have a choice! No one else wanted me!"
"The flower shop?"
"Went outta business. It's gone now."
"Your parents?"
"They migrated to Hawaii."
"The teaching business?"
"Scared the kids."
"How about being a waitress in Ichiraku?"
"Got fired last month. Don't even bother asking why."
"So… That's why you're a stripper now?"
"Yup."
Sakura fell on her knees and stared at her friend who was now wearing a tube top and a tiny mini skirt. "Your life must suck a lot," she said. Ino just sighed and looked down once again. "Is there anything I can do?" Sakura asked. "No, it's fine," Ino replied, "I'm okay."
Then, she stood up and said, "Well, it's getting late. I'd better be going home to my apartment."
"You sure you'll be alright? I mean, there are thugs and all-
"Don't worry; I'll be fine. Thanks."
And off she went to go home.