Yamanaka Ino sighed in depression. "How could those guys screw up this much? Because they didn't follow my plan, Sakura and Hinata are a total mess."
The girl lifted the bouquet she was working on and placed it with the others. "Hmmm… maybe I can help them somehow…"
"That won't be necessary, Pig. You've done more than enough."
Ino gasped as she witnessed Sakura entering the flower shop. She had expected the girl to be angry, but she seemed… rather calm. Maybe too calm.
"Uh… Sakura! What brings you here?" Ino proclaimed with a shaking voice. There was no way of knowing the pinkette's purpose for showing up. One could only assume she came to rant some more, since Hinata had interrupted the last session.
To Ino's surprise, Sakura smiled and said, "Oh, just checking in."
The two looked through the flowers in silence. However, it didn't take long for the blonde to crack under the pressure. "Sakura, I… I'm sorry, okay? I had no idea that Sasuke would react that way! If you want, I can fix it! I'll talk with him, and—"
Ino was abruptly cut off as Sakura placed her hands on the Yamanaka's shoulders. "I already said your help isn't necessary."
"But Sakura-"
"Nope," Sakura stated as she held up a hand. "Yamanaka Ino, your assistance will not be required."
A vein popped on the blonde's head, but she knew she had to hold it back. She was working, and her mother had already reminded her time after time about losing her composure in front of the customers. Honestly, that was an experience Ino had no desire to endure again.
At the sight of Ino squirming, Inner Sakura was having the time of her life. While Sakura kept her cool, Inner would hurl insults and gloat, or simply snicker at the blonde's gullibility.
'IF SHE THINKS SHE'S THE ONLY MANIPULATIVE KUNOICHI, SHE'S DEAD WRONG!'
Sakura smirked as she lowered her hand. "Besides, everything's fine, now. We already settled things with the guys."
Turquoise eyes widened in disbelief. "You did? Seriously?"
"Of course. Once Hinata and I took matters into our own hands, mediating the situation went smoothly."
Without warning, Ino began to laugh haughtily. "Ahahaha! So in the end, everything went exactly according to my plan!"
'That smug expression is pissing me off! Maybe I should wipe it off…' Sakura thought as her eye twitched. But, she had to follow the plan.
"I… I don't know, Sakura… is this really necessary?" Hinata hesitantly asked. She was not exactly comfortable with the idea the medic presented.
Sakura held Hinata's hands. "I'm sorry, Hinata. It's the only way to make sure that Pig never repeats this again. If she finds out that we're with the guys now, she'll go on a match-making rampage!"
Hinata twiddled her fingers. "I can't deny that. But still…"
Naruto plopped one hand on his girlfriend's shoulder. "It's okay, Hinata. You don't have to do anything if you don't want to. I can help instead."
"Huh?" Sakura responded, shocked that the Uzumaki would want to get involved. "You want to help?"
"You bet!" Naruto exclaimed as he beamed. "Come on, Sakura, who do you think you're talking to? Pranks are my specialty!"
Neither girl could deny that; his statement forced them to recall their academy days.
Though, she had to admit, Naruto made an excellent partner for this. And despite her worrying, Sasuke seemed fine with it.
'Now it's time to put the plan in motion. As we speak, Naruto should be talking with Sai.'
Sakura broke from her thoughts to find her friend exactly how she left her: laughing in self-acclaimed pride. 'This is going to be priceless.'
"I guess you're right. Your plan worked out."
"Of course it did!" Ino beamed. "Because I'm a genius when it comes to love!"
Sakura held her chin in thought. "You've got a point there. You managed to trick Sai into dating you…"
"Yep… wait, what do you mean, 'trick?!'"
The medic simply ignored the fuming girl. "But you know, when we were younger, I always thought it'd be you and Shikamaru in the end."
Ino looked absolutely mortified at the thought. "That lazy-ass?! No way! We were only close because of our family training!"
Emerald eyes innocently looked back at the Yamanaka. "Really? So… does Sai know this?"
"Huh? What's that supposed to mean?"
Before Sakura could explain, Sai walked through the shop door. Of course, he immediately captured Ino's attention.
"Sai! What brings you here? Did you miss me?"
"Oh. Was I supposed to?"
Sakura and Ino sweat-dropped. Old habits die hard, and emotions were still a foreign concept for the former-ROOT members…
"Hehe… okay, then… what did you need Sai?"
"Well, Ino… I was just talking with Naruto, and he explained the situation to me."
Ino blinked. "Situation? What are you-"
"It's fine, Ino. I think I understand. You've been harboring intimate feelings for Shikamaru since childhood."
"What?! That knucklehead said that?! Why would he-"
Ino turned her head to face Sakura in disbelief. The girl was smirking to herself while looking away; an obvious act of guilt! 'Of course Forehead was the mastermind behind this!'
"Sai, wait, I can explain!"
A fake smile covered the teen's face. "No need, Ino. Naruto has been extremely helpful in explaining everything, so I already understand."
"But, Sai, that's-"
She couldn't squeeze in the truth; Sai was already out the door with a wave. "I wish you luck in your adulterous affair. You are going against Temari, after all."
"SAI, WAAAAAIIIIIT!"
It was too late. Sai was long gone, leaving Ino in a frozen state of horror.
"Oh, wow," Sakura innocently stated. "I guess it is a bad idea to give people false information."
Something clicked within Ino's mind as she caught what Sakura was implying. "Saaaakuuuuraaa!" she growled.
"Maybe this'll teach you not to mess with other people's business," Sakura said as she smirked.
Just as Ino reached out to strangle her so-called "friend," Sakura disappeared in a puff of smoke. It took a moment for Ino to organize her thoughts on what had just happened, then she whirled around and ran out the door!
"SAI, WAIT! IT'S A MISUNDERSTANDING!"
Two spying figures had witnessed the kunoichi's desperate run from the roof. Seeing that their plot was a success, they bumped fists.
"Haha!" Naruto laughed. "That was too good! Think she learned her lesson?"
Sakura giggled. "Nah. But I know how to deal with her."
"Are you two done yet?"
Naruto and Sakura turned to see Sasuke standing right behind them!
"Teme! What're you doing here?"
"Yeah," Sakura added, "I'm pretty sure that you wanted nothing to do with this 'idiotic, childish plan.'"
"Hn. Someone had to be here to make sure you didn't screw this one up."
Sakura grinned knowingly. 'Translation: "There's no way I'm leaving the dobe alone with Sakura."'
Naruto glared. "Well, joke's on you, you bastard! The plan went without a hitch!"
"Hn. A miracle."
The two entered a glaring contest, leaving Sakura to sigh. "Come on, guys. We better leave before Ino comes back."
As soon as the words escaped her mouth, a cloud of dust was filling the streets, heading toward the shop.
"Speak of the devil," Sakura observed as Naruto froze in panic.
Without a word, Sasuke grabbed Sakura and teleported away, leaving a stupefied Naruto. "Hey! Wait a minute!"
"NARUTOOOO!"
The Uzumaki gulped as he spotted Ino fuming on the ground below. She leapt up to the roof, causing Naruto to fall backwards in surprise! He watched in horror as Ino slowly approached him while cracking her knuckles.
"Wait… Ino, it wasn't just me! Come on… I'm too young to die!"
The sound of Ino's punch echoed throughout the village, along with Naruto's cry of pain.
END
