/A.N./ Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.
I apologise for the inexcusably long delay. Life Happened. With that said, hope you enjoy the chapter! :D
Fidgeting fingers, cautious eyes darting around furtively, feet alternating between purposeful strides and hesitant, small steps.
Had it been someone else, Ino would have ignored it, after throwing the rumbustious noisemaker out of the shop. As it was, the awkwardly held limbs that had sent Yamanaka Flower Shop in a tizzy, and broken two rare, exotic vases, Ino noted dryly, belonged to none other than Sakura. Once Ino's best friend, now ...a little lesser than a stranger.
Ino hid the frown already setting onto her features and turned to her unexpected customer. She'd shared the rosette's fixation on the last member of the Uchiha clan once upon a time, although it never compared to the tumultuous link that Sakura now shared with the former. Ino had witnessed first-hand how Sakura had given, and given, and given to the point which made Ino fear that nothing would remain of Sakura at the end of it. Sasuke had fed it, this fixation of hers, relished the devotion she harboured for him till she'd hollowed herself completely.
Then Sasuke had tired of the game and turned his sights onto Karin. Foolishly enough, Ino had been relieved then, thinking that their Sakura would no longer be his marionette; that with her friends' help, with her help, she'd nurse a broken heart, cry it to exhaustion and get back on track. She'd be her best friend again.
However, Karin was as much a sadistic viper as Sasuke was a self-conceited snake. And, Sakura was none the wiser. She'd heard vicious rumours of how he flaunted Karin in front of Sakura, just for kicks and giggles.
If Sakura was here to get flowers to show her despairing call to return her affections to Sasuke, she'd throw the purple hyacinths and daffodils at her head. It was this visceral thought that turned her query harsh. "What can I get you?", Ino quipped, with barely restrained disdain and fury.
However, Sakura surprised Ino.
"Bluebells," Sakura said mutely, " I want bluebells. To go. Uh, seeds or smaller saplings would be preferable. I...I mean to take them to Suna with me."
With just that, Ino felt her reservations give way to cautious hope. Her next words reflected it.
"You accepted the Medical Recon mission."
Sakura nodded, "I figured it would be a good way to come back from early retirement. Start afresh."
Sakura's eyes mirrored Ino's hopeful, albeit anxious gaze.
"Tell me about it over tea?", Ino asked.
"Sure. Let's call Hinata over too!", Sakura replied with visible enthusiasm.
It was early as yet, but Ino thought she saw a glimmer of her old self in Sakura again.
