I (kind of) have an excuse for the lateness of this chapter! I have been trying for a loooooooong while to post it but ff has been stupid. It's fixed now though! :D

As always, I own nothing. Please R&R

This is Ino's POV by the way.

53. Keeping a Secret

Wanna know a secret? Promise not to tell?

I hate Sasuke. (Almost) always have and (probably) always will.

I hate his stupid chicken-butt hair and sickly pale skin. I hate his stupid twiggy elbows and his old man knees. I hate the way he scrunches his nose whenever he doesn't want to talk to you. I hate that he just looks straight past you when he doesn't want to acknowledge your existence. I hate his attitude problem (his 'holier-than-thou' personality is so cliché and way old news). I hate that he thinks he's better than everyone else. I hate that he is better than everyone else. I hate his stupid Sharingan (who the heck needs a Sharingan anyways?). I hate his stupid fire-jutsu (they are WAY overrated. And predictable. And showy. Just saying.)

I hate that he broke your heart and left. I hate that he hurt you (and Naruto too, I suppose). I hate that you feel like you won't ever be whole without him (you're much better than he ever was and you deserve much better than that nut.)

I pretended, you know? I'm surprised that you didn't see through the act (you who knew me best of all). He lost all appeal to me when you told me that you liked him. The only reason I chose to keep going, to pretend that I still did like him was to keep you near me, to protect you from his vicious tongue. I didn't want to lose your friendship (to lose you) but he changed everything between us.

The only way I could keep you near me, the only way you would still look at me (I couldn't live without you, stupid.) was to keep on pretending. So I did.

I may seem strong, tall, proud, unbending, wilful, confidant.. but without you I am nothing.

You always thought that I was the center piece and you were the accent, but you had it backwards. You were always the most beautiful blossom in the bouquet. We, the Rookie 9, the Konoha 12, all of those people out on the street, anyone who has ever met you, we are the accents.

You were always the best of us.

Shh. It will be our secret.