CHAPTER FOUR.

Sakura got comfortable with regularly going home with Ino to the Yamanaka flower shop, and every day they seemed to progress further; past friendship and beyond boundaries. Reflecting back on it, she'd say they didn't know what they were getting themselves into. Though Ino may have. She may have meant every single glance and touch. But Sakura was too naïve to notice.

"Sakura what'd you do to your hair?!" Ino asked, horrified.

The girl in question scratched the back of her head guiltily, "I just woke up and had no time to brush it before coming over." (Sheesh. Naruto's mannerisms were rubbing off on her.)

"You can't go out looking like that!"

"Where are we going?"

"To see the play, Ellen: The Marshmallow Queen!"

"But we already know what happens. Doesn't she melt in the end?"

"Duh! But we have to go see it! Here, let me tidy you up."

She gently ran her fingers through Sakura's hair, smoothening it out before giving it body. She brushed the pink strands away from the girl's eyes and tucked them behind her ears. Her hands fell to the overturned collar and lingered when she touched her neck.

All while her eyes smiled into her friend's.

Ino was always there for her, too. After Sasuke left the village, Sakura and Ino comforted each other. They slept over at each other's houses and argued over who would get him when he came home. They talked about what they'd do to him and vise versa. They ate sweets and stayed up late talking about all their thoughts, emotions, and memories. While all the boys were pursuing the Uchiha, the two girls had more time to spend together.

And as their alone time increased, so did their scandalous activities. It was gradual at first, but since everything was new to them they wasted no time in familiarizing themselves with their bodies. The things they did had a far deeper meaning than Sakura could comprehend. She always passed it off as friendship rituals, or seeing who can do things better. It was all just for the fun of it.

"Dare," she responded confidently, not wanting to sound afraid of what her rival might say. Alone together in Ino's bedroom and nobody home, she couldn't make her do anything too mortifying.

"Hmmm I dare you to show me how you pleasure yourself at night!"

"Whaaat?! I don't do that!"

"You don't know how to?" Ino laughed, "I thought everyone knew!"

"I know how to, pig! I've just never done it before."

"Then I guess you're just afraid."

"Am not. I'll do it now! It's not even that big a deal." (16)

The obvious sexual tension soon became present. It could have been because they were curious, or because they wanted to practice for Sasuke, or simply because they felt something for one another. Besides, it was perfectly normal to get caught up in the moment.

"What the hell Ino, get it out of me!" Sakura squirmed.

"Don't fuss, you'll enjoy it. Trust me."

Ino's movements quickened.

Sakura threw her head back. Suddenly she understood.

Sometimes it would get embarrassing—how much she liked it, how her body reacted and how she couldn't always keep down her whimpers. But Sakura would always show up at their oak tree the next day. She did have fun those past few nights, she did. Ino taught her a lot when they weren't arguing over Sasuke or ninja techniques. Those actions were all outside of her knowledge sphere. Ino had to guide her and even then, she never took it seriously.

"Now flick your fingers like this right over here."

"I've got it!"

"No, stupid! Let me show you. Like thi-i-s. Just keep it-ah-there."

Sakura eventually got over her initial hesitance (she was becoming a strong woman under Tsunade's care, after all) and things became more comfortable. She initiated the groping more often and more aggressively.

Sakura shoved her rival into the wall, fingering the final button on her blouse. She attacked her neck, aroused and painfully frustrated after a rough day of training. It didn't take long before they were a mess of limbs eagerly indulging their lust.

Nevertheless, those actions destroyed them in the end.

"I'm not doing this because I want to relieve stress! It's much more than that!"

"Then why are we doing this? What is it all about?!"

"I thought you knew, Sakura. I thought you grew up. This isn't something shallow for me."

"What are you trying to say…?"

"Isn't it obvious? I love you."

"I couldn't be with you like that, and if you were an adult you'd know that!"

"Why not? We had sex for a reason."

"No we didn't!" Sakura stormed out.

And they never had a real conversation ever again.

They were separated due to Ino's lack of returned love, and Sakura's confusion. She couldn't decipher what their relationship meant, or what it would mean if they put a label on it, or…they just jumped into things too fast. They weren't ready.

Sakura brought her pillow over her head. It wasn't Ino's fault. It was hers.


(16) This all sounds sortof lolicon. Ignore that.