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"Sakura, you will not believe—"
Ino was accustomed to barging into Sakura's apartment even though she didn't live there. It annoyed Sakura to no end, but Sakura assumed it was how Ino asserted herself as her best friend.
But barging in at this particular moment? It was not a good time. It was not a good time because Sakura was cuddling with Naruto on the couch, and they were both practically asleep.
But it was too late. Ino stood in front of the couch, hands on her hips and an incredulous look on her face.
"This is a joke, right?" Ino smiled. She had that gleam in her eye that told Sakura this wasn't going to be good.
Sakura gave Ino a dirty look, a warning that talking about this in front of Naruto wasn't going to happen. In fact, it was something Sakura wanted to avoid. Ino was going to blow, Sakura could tell. Luckily, Naruto was pretty groggy, and if she could just get Ino to calm down. . .
"Are you serious?" Ino asked, her smile gone. Sakura fought the urge to grimace. "Are you serious!" Ino half-yelled.
Sakura clenched her teeth. Naruto was fully awake now, and he was staring at Ino, surprised and a little afraid.
That does it, Sakura thought.
"Ino," Sakura said too politely, "let's talk." Sakura stood abruptly, ignoring the confused look Naruto gave her as she walked out of her apartment door to stand on the landing. Ino followed her, and when they were both outside, Sakura grabbed her doorknob and pulled the door shut with a loud thud. Then she rounded on Ino.
"What is your problem?"
"My problem?" Ino repeated. "MY problem!"
Sakura folded her arms across her chest in response. If Ino wanted to have this conversation, then they were going to have it; Sakura was tired of skirting around it. Ino narrowed her eyes.
"What do you think you're doing, Sakura? I can't believe you'd do this to him."
"Which 'him' are you referring to?"
Ino spluttered a little and pointed wildly to Sakura's door.
"Just because he'd do anything for you doesn't mean you can use him like this!"
"I'm not using him!" Sakura shot back, incensed.
"Really?" Ino raised her eyebrows mockingly. "Because it sure looks that way to me. Do you seriously believe that when Sasuke figures everything out you won't be right back where you started?"
That was the last straw. Sakura couldn't contain herself.
"Don't talk about Sasuke like you know him! And don't you dare act like you know how it feels! Me and Naruto. . ." Sakura paused, fighting the angry tears welling up in her eyes. "That has nothing to do with Sasuke." Sakura held Ino's gaze. "I don't even know why I have to defend myself to you. Why do you even care?"
Ino didn't say anything for a minute, then:
"He's a nice kid. I don't want you to do something you'll regret. And he's a good friend for you. I can't let you ruin it."
Sakura's eyes narrowed.
"You're one to talk about using good friends," Sakura couldn't help from accusing.
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Chouji."
Ino's face hardened.
"We're not talking about me."
"Only because you're afraid to."
"The situations are totally different—"
"Is that how you justify it?" Sakura interrupted. Ino's eyes snapped.
"There is nothing to justify," she shot back hotly.
The two girls stared at each other, both holding back angry tears but neither willing to concede the point. Finally Sakura broke the silence.
"Fine. I guess we're done here." And with that she turned on her heel and opened her apartment door before slamming it shut again, all without looking at Ino.
Inside, Naruto was standing facing the door, and the look on his face told Sakura he'd heard it all.
