**I want to thank everyone whom has followed/favorited this! I haven't written stories in a verrryyy long time, so I feel a little rusty. I hope you're enoying it though! Not everything is 100% accurate, but hey its fanfic. I promise to try and pick things up some more with the Chapters, excitement wise. If you have any comments/reviews please leave them, just if it's completely rude/bashing, well "if you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all" I don't mind constructive criticism tho!**
Blinking she slowly awake to the world, she went to move but realized something was different immediately. Someone's arm was around her, a warm breath on her neck, her eyes shot open and darted around the room. She had forgotten where she was for a moment, in his bed, with him, and he hadn't let her go all night. Ino then realized she never told her mother she was staying out, oh man she would hear it later. She'd have to think of something quick, she may've already went to Sakura's or something. The sunlight was soft in his room coming through his navy blue curtains, it looked to be early morning, she could hear the pitter patter of rain outside, drumming on the roof quietly. Ino turned under his arm to face him, he fidgeted a little, but held his position.
So handsome... Her fingers moved some of his slick black hair from his eyes, her mouth curving into a warm smile. I could get used to this...
Ino was actually hoping this could become a normal thing, she had never stayed the night at a boys house. Well, aside from Shikamaru or Chojis when they were younger and either of their parents wanted some alone time. But times change as you get older. Moving her head forward she kissed him in his sleeping state. His eyes fluttered open, confused, and then saw her. He brought her closer, yup, these kisses were still just as sweet as last night.
"Good morning..." Ino whispered, playing with his bangs.
"Good morning, you're still just as beautiful..."
What was he expecting? Her to grow ugly over night? She shrugged the nonsense from her head. One positive way Sai was clearly impacting her, was that he was making her think over her actions. Ino wasn't even aware of it, all of his questions, and comments made her realize that not everything needs an immediate reaction, or even needs one in general.
"You're still just as handsome!" She retorted a few moments later, giggling. He kissed her forehead, moving her hair away from her face and body. Man how could she even deal with this much hair, he was already exasperated by it. But it was always so well maintained, and silky, slipping through his fingers easily. She nestled into him a little more, and he held her closer, stroking the back of head, resting his face on top of it.
Close to an hour passed as they stayed intertwined like this, till finally Sai got up. Stretching, he walked to the bathroom taking off his shirt, and shutting the door behind him. Ino admired his muscular shirtless back before he shut the door. She rolled off the bed, and did some stretching, then made her way over to his little kitchenette, and made some tea for the two of them. Sai exited the bathroom, and looked over to see her pouring the tea. Walking up behind her, he wrapped his arms around her waist, and pressed his cheek to hers. She placed her arms on his, hugging them the best she could before turning around and kissing him again. Sai was slightly egging these on, he had never had this feeling in his chest before, or had someone stay on his mind the way she did. Of course, you could bring up Shin, but there was a different emotion behind what was going on here.
"I made some tea..." He took a cup, and they sat at the table. Lightly conversing over what their day would have in store for them.
"Oh no..." Ino put her cup down suddenly, "Shit, Shit shit!" She ran to the door putting on her shoes, looking around the room to ensure she didn't forget anything.
Sai quickly rose, "Whats wrong?"
"I have to open the shop!" Ino quickly opened the door, then turned right back around and ran to Sai quickly wrapping her arms around his neck and kissing him. "I'll see you later, okay?" He nodded, and gave her another peck on the forehead, before she departed. He watched her flip open the umbrella, and jog through the damp roads. As she disappeared from sight, he walked to his bed, pulling out a few books from under it, then sat in front of the window. The titles reading 'Dating & Romance', 'The Eternal Flame', and 'Love Me, Love Me Not'. This one specifically caught his attention more, since it had flowers on the cover. He sat down, and began his studies.
Ino arrived at the shop, she went to open the door only to find it was already unlocked Oh no... her stomach dropped. She entered the shop, and looked around. Nobody seemed to be here... She tied her hair back, and started her opening prep.
"Ino" She jumped
"Oh hiiii mother!" Ino waved, not sounding guilty at all...
"Where were you last night"
Think quick..Think quick..
"I was with TenTen, helping her train, and I ended up staying her house!" Her and TenTen weren't amazingly close, but their families weren't, so there was no way her mom could know if she was lying.
"Oh, okay," Her mother walked over to some flowers starting to tend to them, plucking away the dying ones. "Just wanted to make sure you weren't out with the boy all night"
"His name is Sai," Ino grumbled, "But nooo! Of course not! I was helping Tenten, yup helping her out!"
Her mother raised an eyebrow, staring at her daughter, Ino wishing she knew what was on her mind...well...she could know...
"I want you home tonight, unless you have training to do."
"Nope! I can be there tonight!" After reassuring her mother a little further, she finally left Ino to the shop.
That was a close one...
Her day was easy, as always, a little slower today. But it went quickly, and before she knew it she was walking to the door, flipping the sign to 'Closed'. As she was locking up, she saw two figures in the distance that caught her attention. One being Sai, and another being a brunette girl. Their age, very pretty, Ino studied her she was familiar...how did she know her...AH! The daughter of the local MetalSmith, Cratfsman, whatever you please. She watched, the girl was laughing, and Sai had a smile on his face. They were just talking it looked like, but Ino felt anger welling up inside of her.
Oh...so you have me over, and start talking to some girl the next day?! Her hands balled into a fist, and she started to walk over, well more or less beeline it over to them in an obvious angry state. Before she could reach them, she felt herself being pulled to the side, "Ino stop!" It was Sakura, pulling her into an alley.
"What the hell Sakura, let me go! That jerk is talking to another girl! After I stayed at his house last night!" Sakura's eyes widened.
"You stayed at his house..? Did you-?"
"NO! WE DIDNT." Ino crossed her arms, and huffed, "But seriously Sakura! He's flirting with another girl!"
Shaking her head, and sighing Sakura chuckled, "No, he got his blades sharpened, and she had to deliver them to him..."
Ino and her locked eyes, giving each other a heated stare, "Why are you defending him?"
"Cause he's not doing anything wrong you pig!" Sakura exclaimed, she shook her head at her long time friend/enemy, "Look Ino, you've actually been in a better mood than usual lately. And Sai has been happier too, he likes you Ino. Just trust him..."
Sighing, Ino shook her head pressing her fingers to her temples, "But Sakura...he's-"
"Not. Doing. Anything. Wrong." The pink haired beauty stated firmly, she grabbed Ino's shoulders, "Don't be such a drama queen!"
"Listen Forehead, I'm not a drama queen!"
Sakura rolled her eyes at this statement. They quarreled a little more, before finally Ino gave in and actually apologized. To which this took Sakura by a huge surprise, and then they both left the alley. Of course as they did, they bumped into Sai and the girl.
"Oh hello Ino, Sakura!" Sai greeted, smiling.
"Hey Sai!" Sakura chirped back, seeing the anger well up again in Ino she jabbed her in the ribs.
"Hello Sai," Ino said shortly, crossing her arms, "What are you two doing?"
"Ayama just gave me my blade back, she was telling me how her father just made some new Kunai, and I do need some more. Would you like to come?"
Sakura narrowed her eyes at Ino, hoping for the right answer.
"No. I have to go home," She slightly snorted, "It was nice seeing you though! You two have fun!" And with that she turned on her heel, and walked off, her blonde hair trailing behind her like ribbons. Sai raised an eyebrow and looked at Sakura.
"Is she okay?" He questioned.
"I think..." Sakura sighed shaking her head, jogging after her friend.
Sai was confused by both of their actions.
"Ino what the hell did I just say?!"
"Look, it doesn't matter. He can go do whatever, with whoever. I don't care!" Childish.
Sighing again, Sakura stopped walking, "Well, have fun with whatever you think is happening Ino! You're just gonna push him away!" She placed her hands on her hips, glaring at Ino, then turned and strutted off.
Ino stopped, and looked back, nobody was there, maybe I shouldn't have done that..
She arrived home quicker than she expected, lost in her own thoughts. As she walked in her mother greeted her, having her sit down and eat. Her mother asked her about her day, and the work she did at her shop, her mother was a very formal person. Which is where Ino got some of her stuck up-ness. She always wanted things in place, done timely, and correctly, and was very set to her ways. As they were finishing eating, Ino took their plates to wash them, and heard a knock at the door.
Her mother went to answer, "Oh hello dear! Come in! We were just about to have some tea!" Her mother exclaimed, Ino paying really no mind, as it was still elsewhere.
"Thank you,"
Ino stiffened, recognizing the voice.
She turned around, and of course, there he was, sitting down at the table, her mother asking him about his day, grabbing the cups, and hot kettle. He was smiling, and engaging her mother in conversation, almost a little better than he would with her. A small smirk cracked on her hardened face.
"Hey Sai," Ino said, wiping her hands dry, and sitting across from him at the table, taking a cup of tea.
"Hello Ino," He smiled, "I wanted to stop by and make sure you were okay"
Her mother looked over raising an eyebrow, with a small smirk adorning her face.
"Yes, yes I'm fine, just a long day!"
"You said today was easy," Her mother hummed, and Ino gave her mother the look of 'really'.
"Yes, but it was just long, is all," She sipped her tea.
They all sat and chatted for about an hour, her mother asking questions about Sai, when she got around to asking him where he came from, his answers got short, Ino gave her mother a look to which her mother stopped prying.
"Well, if you're going to make a bride of my daughter, I have to get to know you" She chuckled, "Since her father isn't here, I'll have to ask extra questions!"
Ino was surprised by how smoothly those words seemed to roll off of her mothers tongue. Always showing how strong she is, without even knowing it. Ino smiled, and looked to Sai, he was laughing nervously it seemed. He better be thankful her father wasn't there, he used to grill any guy he realized Ino was talking to. Not in so many words, just those evil father looks when he'd see them out, or the guy would walk Ino home. He never seemed to approve of any of them, and he made this known once she was inside, she felt like he might have liked Sai though.
Her mother rose slowly from the table, "It was very nice to meet you Sai, I hope to see more of you," She then headed off towards her room. Ino cleared the table, and brought back some berries setting the bowl on the table.
"Are you still mad at me?"
Ino blinked, "What?"
"Your body language, and face. I read about it a long time ago, when I first met Naruto and Sakura," He grabbed a blue berry and ate it calmly, "Sakura once smiled in my face, but then punched me. I learned then that sometimes the tone of voice matters compared to the actions. Or maybe not at all. She's very good at faking her emotions" He was reflecting back to when she 'professed her love' to Naruto. That still slightly angered Sai.
Ino stared at him for a moment, before reaching over and grabbing a few berries, slowly eating them, "I just saw you laughing with Ayama...and I mean, she was probably trying to flirt with you" She laced her fingers together, and looked away. Obviously a little embarrassed by her actions, thankfully she hadn't gone all out in a fit of rage thanks to Sakura.
"Trying to flirt?" Sai stared, he crossed his arms. He knew what that word meant, "Do you think every girl does that?"
Ino turned red, still looking away from him, hiding her face slightly with her fingers laced, elbows on the table, "I-I mean...no..but...you guys looked happy..."
"Ino, I'm sorry if you got upset over that. But, don't you laugh and talk to your customers?"
"Shut up," Ino was now staring at him, she looked angry, "Look I don't know her intentions. And besides, you looked like you were being all friendly and-" Ino stopped, she wasn't sure where she was going with this. Obviously around in circles.
Sai's eyes got a little wide, he had never seen this, maybe this was that 'she's ino' thing everyone was talking about. But really Ino was seeing the error in her ways, and didn't want to talk about the subject any further.
Sai started to raise himself from the table, "I feel as if I should leave, I hope you have a good night Ino" He walked over and gave her a kiss on the forehead, then departed.
Ino sat at the table, her fists clenched resting in her lap. She was angry at herself, Why does he do this!? Ugh.
It was a headache for her, because she was having to come face to face with her own actions. Ino wasn't ashamed her pride wouldn't let her be, but realized that she was in the wrong for assuming, and getting uppity about it.
"Go apologize.." Her mother walked in, leaning on the door frame, "If you want this to work, you have to communicate, compromise, and understand. But if he was just talking to a girl...it's nothing to get upset about. Isn't he on the same team with Sakura?"
"Yeah..."
"Does that bother you?"
"No.."
"Neither should anyone else...trust me, me and your father had some moments. Girls couldn't keep their eyes off of him back then.." Her mother stared off, remembering the days, she sighed and smiled, turning red, "I mean he was sooo handsome"
"Ok mom," Ino gagged, and stood up, "I'll be back."
"It's okay Ino, these moments happen, part of growing up. And if he wants it to work too, you both will make it through these times. Communicate." Her mother squeezed her daughters shoulders, and hugged her quickly before watching her walk out the door.
Ino kept repeating her apology in her head, saying Sorry wasn't that hard. But in this situation, it was. She had never really had to apologize in a relationship before, she was always so straight forward, and put her foot down. Insuring she was right, even when she was wrong. Maybe this is why some of them didn't always work out...but she had never been with someone they made her actually think over her actions.
She was at his door, her nerves were setting in, she lightly knocked on the door. Oh well not here... No she knew better, so she knocked louder. The door opened, and he stood in it, an eyebrow raised. He wasn't expecting this.
"In-"
"I'm Sorry!" She kept her head down, she felt tears welling up, her hands shaking. It wasn't that serious of a matter, but it was when you were falling for someone extremely hard.
Sai lifted her face up, placing his fingers under her chin. He was smiling, his eyes closed, "It's okay, I had gotten word that you could be a troublesome sometimes."
She smiled, and it quickly faded into a look of confusion mixed with distain. Ino knew she was known for a being a little highstrung, her reputation surely followed her.
"Did you talk to Shikamaru?" She sounded a little annoyed, but a small smile cracked across her face, "I uhm...guess I got jealous."
"Hmmm...jealous?" Sai brought his hand to his face, stroking his chin, "..feeling or showing envy of another"
"Yes..." Ino had her hands behind her back, looking away.
"Well, you shouldn't be," He moved her bangs out of her face, "Whatever caused your jealousy, ignore it." He was smiling, always trying to be optimistic it seemed. She smiled back, and wrapped her arms around his waist. Sai embraced her back, kissing the top of her head.
"I have to leave tomorrow," He was stroking her hair, "I'm glad you came over."
Ino didn't look up, she was glad she came over to, she would've hated herself for leaving things weird when he left.
"Would you like to come in?"
Of course, she went inside. They ended up cuddling together again, talking, he pryed a little more about why she got upset earlier. But she didn't really respond, and had a bit of an attitude about it, so he stopped bringing it up. And instead enjoyed his time playing with her long hair, and having her next to him.
"Does this make you my girlfriend, Ino?" Sai asked, as she was slowly dozing off. Which of course, she opened her eyes to, sitting up, her hair waterfalling down her back, and front, she looked surprised.
"Really?" She asked astonished.
"Do you not want to be?"
"Sai...of course I do! I just..you know what, yes. Yes. I'm your girlfriend" And with that, she laid her head back on his chest, squeezing him a little tighter than before. She couldn't wait to tell Sakura this one. Ino was officially about to be a great mood...
