"Come with me, my love," Hinata said. She had her head at an angle and smiled for Sakura. Something untouchable reflected in her eyes. Was it joy? Sadness? Anger? Sakura? Something else? Hinata lifted up both of Sakura's hand's and let them rest atop her palms.

The tranquility Sakura felt disappeared when she could no longer ignore Ino's sobs again. She glanced past Hinata at a blank white wall. "You need to get back to practice," she said.

"No. I'll text Tenten in the car. Let's go, Sakura."

Sakura wanted to turn and tell Ino she forgave her, but something about Hinata's face held her. The white wall, it wasn't solid, but was raised by paint. Between the lines—the undefined borders—she saw what looked like enormous gates (there were houses underneath). Maybe it was a bridge connecting two towers. But those houses—were they on fire? What did these thoughts mean? Nothing. Nothing. It was stupid to think God was sending her a sign. Sakura had always seen a bunch of nonsense in patterns. The problem was that she'd get attached to them and try to find some reason for them being there, without ever considering that perhaps it was all just in her own head. Like whatever was in Hinata's eyes, maybe it was only her who saw it. Now she understood. It wasn't a message from God, but rather her own mind. Like stopping to help a stranger, this was a moment that would define who she was. After everything she had been through, every wrong choice she and Ino had made, she didn't know if telling Ino she forgave her would hurt or help them. She turned so she was looking forward with Hinata and took her hand. The two started to walk by Ino.

"I'm sorry, Sakura," Ino said, sniffing and choking on air. "I'm so sorry."

Sakura stopped in front of Ino and looked down on her. Ino looked so worn and pathetic it hurt. She sat on the floor against the wall with her arms hugging her knees to her chest. Her face was smudged with black tears (some dried). She looked up at Sakura, her lips quivering. "Get help," Sakura said.

Ino buried her face in her knees and cried.

Sakura looked at Hinata then moved away from her. She leaned down and put a hand on Ino's shoulder. Ino gasped and lifted her head. "Get help, and I'll forgive you," Sakura said, "okay?"

Ino looked away. Some sounds escaped her mouth. Were they words?

In Hinata's car, Sakura slouched in her seat and leaned her head against the window. Hinata was on her phone.

"Are you going to be okay?" Hinata asked.

"I wish you didn't call it that," Sakura said. She looked at some parked cars. Ford. Toyota. Didn't know that one. She sighed and let her cheek sink into her hand.

"If you saw what I did—"

Sakura turned to Hinata. "Saw?" she asked.

Hinata dropped her head. "I'm sorry," she said. She put a hand on Sakura's thigh and looked into her eyes. "How did it make you feel?"

"Well..." Honda. Chevy. BMW. "I wanted it. You're right. Her words made me happy. I knew I shouldn't believe them. I knew she was trying to upset you. I was terrified of hurting you. But I wanted it. If you weren't there, I would have taken her with hardly a second thought. But you were, and I was scared for you. She violated me, threatened me, you, but she is Ino, and as stupid as it is, I love her, and if she had said those words to me alone, true or not..." She couldn't complete her thought.

Hinata looked off and was silent for a while. She ran a hand through her long dark hair, stopping behind the ear. Sakura was getting anxious. Hinata's lavender eyes met with hers and she said, "I'm glad you considered my feelings. I don't think it's stupid to love someone."

"Even through all the abuse?"

"You loved her as a childhood friend before you had romantic feelings for her. That's deep. On top of it, she wouldn't leave you alone. How could you possibly forget her?"

Sakura felt the glass again and looked out at the school in the distance. "I could have been stronger," she said.

Hinata rubbed Sakura's thigh. "You're plenty strong," she said. "In a twisted way, she gave you endurance. A lot of people would be more broken than you are."

"That's not true, Hinata. She's a girl. It wasn't much. I didn't even try to fight. I'm just a coward."

"It doesn't matter, Sakura. For whatever reason, you didn't want it, and that was obvious, but she still touched you in a most inappropriate way."

"I think she honestly didn't see it that way."

Hinata sighed. "Sakura," she said, "she violated you. You were crying. She might not have been totally aware of what it was, but she knew what she was doing. She was being malicious to hurt you through me, and the only way she could accomplish that was to get you to say yes, even though you didn't mean it."

Hinata's eyes made Sakura's chest hurt. Everything she was saying sounded true. Sakura wasn't even sure if she would have really wanted it before Ino had confessed her feelings. The thought that the abuse warped a layer over herself that would accept it was seeming more and more plausible. She dug deep and looked at herself. She saw her knees give out. "You're right, Hinata," Sakura said.

"Sakura?"

"Even though my body wanted it, and under the right circumstances, so would both my heart and mind...Ino..."

"It's okay, Sakura."

"Ino..."

Hinata got as close to the edge of her seat as possible. She reached over and gently took Sakura's hand. "Say it, if you need to," she said.

Sakura felt tears running after her chin. Hinata brought a finger underneath one eye then the other. "Ino...Ino raped me," she said. The words still didn't sound right. How could Ino rape her? She waited awhile, watching Hinata watch her. She felt something coming, and she took a deep breath. Good. No, her eyes became heavy. The valve broke, and a violent cry overtook her. Hinata leaned forward and grabbed her into her arms. "B-but, I-I w-won't call h-her a rape...rapist," Sakura whispered.

Hinata entangled her fingers down through Sakura's. She lifted herself to look at Sakura again and leaned her forehead against hers. "As long as you're going to be okay, that is all that matters," she said.

"I will," Sakura sniffed, "I'll be okay." She wiped her eyes and Hinata went into the center console. She offered a tissue to Sakura. Hinata was perfect. She really knew exactly what to say to make Sakura feel better. "I need to tell you something," Sakura said. Hinata nodded. "Ino confessed her feelings to me. We cried. We kissed."

Hinata narrowed her brows. "She confessed her feelings?" she asked, "and you believed her?"

"Yes. I do. She said she was scared of them and tried to push me away, but she couldn't stop loving me."

"That's...probably true..." Hinata said. She sighed and her face shifted to worry. "You want to be with her?"

She did, but it was another one of those moments. She'd change her destiny. "No," Sakura said, "I want to be with you." Well, that was true, too. And she didn't want to hurt Hinata. Maybe that was enough. Maybe with something like this, it didn't matter what she felt.

Hinata smiled and brushed Sakura's hair out of her eyes. "Let's go to your place, okay?" she asked.

They were supposed to be going to Sakura's so Hinata could meet her parents, but right now, she didn't want that. "No. Hinata...I think we need to wait to get married."

"Oh, of course," Hinata said. She tried to hold her smile. "Take your time."

"It's just...I don't feel like...I don't feel like we're equals. I need to let these feelings settle."

"Of course, but what makes you think that?"

"Hinata...you're wrong about me. I am weak. Before you found me, I had resolved myself to...to kill myself. I probably wouldn't really of done it, but I'm weak, Hinata."

Hinata's face dropped. "Oh. I see," she said. Sakura felt her eyes leave. "That explains a lot. I'm really glad I talked to you." She smiled at Sakura. "We're equals, Sakura. Take your time to feel that way, but we are."

"How can you be so certain? You're an angel, Hinata. I'm nothing like you."

Hinata planted a soft kiss on Sakura's lips. "You're my angel, Sakura," she said.

"H-Hinata, how can you say that? You've done so much for me, yet all I've done is show how capable of leaving I am."

"That's not true, Sakura. You've done a lot for me. Because of you, I was able to understand my feelings at an early age. I'm really grateful. I thought I was going to have to wait until college before I got to touch a girl."

"That's it? I had sex with you?"

"It's more than you think it is," Hinata said. She leaned close and pressed her lips to Sakura's again, briefly. "And more to it."

Sakura caressed Hinata's cheek. There was a heat in her eyes. "Oh? Tell me," Sakura said.

"Well, we've only been together for a few days, yet I trust you. You could of lied to me earlier and said you were going to the bathroom or something."

"I don't want to hurt you," Sakura said, "that's all."

"No. You're not just saying it. You're trying to figure out the best way not to while combating yourself. We've only just met, yet you're trying to change yourself for me."

"Because of you."

Hinata smiled. "See it how you want, but you're my angel."

Sakura slid her hand to the back of Hinata's head. She brought her lips close. Hinata opened her mouth and Sakura took in the warmth and smell of Hinata's breath. Peaches, again. Why? Oh well. Her tongue tasted good.

"Let's go to your place," Sakura said.

"Oh?"

"Yeah. Let's watch some anime?"

"Anime?" Hinata's face went red.

"You're embarrassed that you like anime?"

"N-no!" Hinata said. She sat straight in her seat and started the car. "Oh, wait." She took out her cellphone. "Texting Kakashi that you'll be over again. You should probably call your mom, no?"

"Yeah, I guess so," Sakura said. She took out her cell and went to the address log. "Mom? Yeah. I was just calling to tell you that I'm going to actually go to Hinata's tonight. Yeah. I will. I will. No, we decided to wait. Yeah, probably. Gotta go. Love you too."

"What'd she say?"

"To do my homework and that I should probably tell my dad I'm gay before getting married to a girl."

Hinata laughed and looked at Sakura like she was a fool. Sakura frowned. "Oh, come on, I'm only teasing," Hinata said. "Your mom is right, though."

"Ch', whatever," Sakura said, "mom says dad is in denial. Maybe it'd better (sure would be funny) if I just came home married one day." She watched Hinata drive.

"Denial? Why are we always the last to know? (can you put your seatbelt on?)"

"Pffft, we've both known for years," Sakura said. She belted up with a sigh.

"Yeah, I guess that wasn't a good joke. How do you think they figured it out?"

"Probably because I talk about how hot female movie stars are."

Hinata smirked. "Ah. And your dad probably thinks that's just how girls talk, eh?"

"I guess. He should realize by now that I've never had a boyfriend or even talked about boys or men."

Hinata raised her shoulders. "Do you think your kids would talk to you about that stuff?" she asked.

"I'd try to raise my kids to, yeah. My mom and I are pretty open, at least," Sakura said. It was mostly true, if one overlooked the whole Ino thing.

"You want children?" Hinata asked. Her face was red, and Sakura felt herself become a mirror.

"Yeah, someday. You?"

"Haven't really thought about it," Hinata said as she watched the road.

"Oh..."

"Would it be a problem if I didn't?"

"I'm in no rush..."

"But, what if I never did?" Hinata asked. She glanced at Sakura.

"Well, until I have children, I guess you'd be the most important thing in my life, so as long as I love you, I guess it wouldn't matter."

Hinata smiled. "That's a good answer," she said, "I hope it remains true."

Woah. She was talking about children with this girl. Was this what it meant to be married? What had she thought it was? Sakura looked at the ring. A show of love? A promise? No, it was more than those. A commitment. A commitment. Yes, she had decided that she would stay with Hinata (but her concept of that was dubious at best—forever seemed both like tomorrow and like she'd never die). What did that really mean? The rest of her life, however long that would be...it felt so romantic. She knew this, and she accepted all it meant, except one thing: did she want to experience other girls first? She...did. But, why should it matter? She loved sex with Hinata (even though they had only done it a little, and there were some strange circumstances around them). Would a different girl really be that different? Better? Was it these thoughts that would decide the answers?

"Hinata?" Sakura asked.

"Yeah?"

"Can I ask you something and you'll be honest with me?"

"Yeah, Sakura..."

"Can you really see yourself with only me for the rest of your life? Only me?"

Hinata went silent. Finally, she said, "If I continue to love you, then yes, I can. Why?"

Sakura felt her teeth on her bottom lip. She really wasn't where Hinata was. Was that a surprise? She would have fucked Ino just to prove something to herself. "I..." she said. Maybe she should just lie, but Hinata should know this. "I'm worrying I'm not ready to make that commitment. I mean, I just had sex for the first time. Am I ready to not experience others?"

"Oh. I don't know, are you?" Hinata asked. Her eyes narrowed at the road, but not with anger.

"Why do you want to marry me?"

"I think it'd feel really nice to be married to you."

They pulled up to Hinata's front gates. The large metal contraptions parted on their own. Down the long driveway, Hinata parked her car in the garage. Kakashi was, of course, waiting for them at the door (someone must monitor the gates or something).

"Little Miss, Sakura," he said and bowed. "Do you require anything?"

"Yes, Kakashi," Hinata said. She went into her backpack and pulled out some cloth. "One of my tennis skirts tore when I pulled it out of my locker." She showed him the tear.

Kakashi took it from Hinata then pulled out a sewing kit. In about five seconds he handed it back to Hinata.

"You're rich," Sakura said, "why not just buy another one?"

Hinata held the skirt up to Sakura. She turned it all around. "See?" she asked.

"See what?" Sakura asked.

"Exactly!" Hinata said. She smiled. "Can't even tell it was ever torn."

"Anything else, Little Miss?" Kakashi asked.

"Hmm, yes. My car sounded funny today."

Kakashi saluted and ran off into the garage. Sakura raised a brow. "Well, should we...?" she started to ask, but in a few seconds, Kakashi was back.

"There was just some loose shit in the radiator," Kakashi said, "anything else?"

"No, that'll be all," Hinata said. She smiled. "Thank you, Kakashi. Just call us when dinner is ready. We'll be doing homework."

"Very good." He bowed to Hinata then Sakura and disappeared into the mansion.

Sakura turned to Hinata and quirked a brow. "Just some loose shit in the radiator?" she asked.

"Yeah, I never understood what the fuck he was talking about, so I told him to cut the details and tell me what shit was going down," Hinata said.

Sakura made a face and shook her head. "Alright. Well, when you said he knew a bunch of trivial skills—"

"A thousand, not a bunch."

"Okay, well, I mean, fixing a car in less than a minute and sewing a skirt in a few seconds...I think that's a little better than trivial. And his perception...jeesh, why is he working for you and not MI6 or something?"

"Well, that's because his family has butled (is that a word?) for ours for generations."

"(No, it's not) next you're going to tell me you're a vigilante by night."

Hinata's eyes went wide. She got very close to Sakura, glared and said, "Don't. Tell. Anyone."

"H-Hinata?"

Hinata smiled and tapped Sakura on the nose. "C'mon, let's get our homework done," she said.

After homework, they ate (Hinata and Sakura ate alone again).

"Sakura, are you okay?" Hinata asked at the dinner table.

"Y-yeah."

"You're staring off a lot. Do you want me to take you home?"

"No!" Sakura said, "I want to spend time with you. It's..." Making me feel better. "Nice." She watched Hinata eat, but tried not to stare, and soon enough, they were done.

"So, what did you want to watch?" Hinata asked. She opened cabinet doors to reveal a six-foot tall collection of DVDs and Blue-rays. Now the stool over there made sense.

"I dunno, anything, I guess," Sakura said. She sat down on Hinata's bed. "One of your favorites?"

"Do you watch anime?" Hinata asked.

"I've seen some..."

"Oh, uh...okay, whatever, we don't even need to finish an episode if you don't like it," Hinata said. She pulled something out and went to the Blue-ray. She grabbed a remote and sat down next to Sakura.

Not five minutes into the show there was a decapitation and arms flying everywhere (well, maybe not quite, but there were ridiculous blood splatters). "Well, this is violent," Sakura said.

"Yeah. Wanna watch something else?"

"No, I'll see it to the end."

At the end of the episode Hinata asked, "well?"

"I really wouldn't have taken that as your type of thing."

"I like a lot of stuff. What did you expect?"

"I dunno. Maybe something smutty. Something girly."

"There's not a lot of anime smut that I'd be into," Hinata said. She chuckled. "Do I come off as girly to you?"

Sakura glanced around Hinata's pink and frilly room. "Um, yeah, kind of," she said.

"Oh, c'mon, it's just my favorite color and style. Eh, so, you wanna try something else?"

"Sure," Sakura said.

Hinata put in another disc. "Are you interested in anime?" she asked.

Sakura shrugged. "I never really had much of a reason to watch any, but it's nice to do something with you," she said.

Hinata's lips went wide. She hit play. "This is one of my favorite rom-coms. It's a straight couple, though."

"That's fine," Sakura said. The title screen came. "Mongoose and Cobra? That's a weird name."

"Yeah, well, they're like eternal rivals, you know?" Hinata said. She hit play again and the anime started.

"Huh?" Sakura looked at Hinata. She was smiling and sitting with her legs crossed.

"Yeah, mongooses and cobras. They're always fighting. But they like, help each other evolve. So they say."

"Ah, I see, so she's a tsundere," Sakura said.

Hinata turned to her. "I thought you don't watch anime?" Hinata asked.

"Huh? Oh, yeah, some people I follow have talked about it from time to time," Sakura said. She turned to Hinata. "I eventually looked into it and all. You know, after I read your diary, I was wondering if you were like a yandere or something."

"Sakura!" Hinata said. Her face went red. "Oh, jees, so that's why you were saying all that stuff! Ack, how embarrassing." She brought her palms to her cheeks. "Please don't think of me that way."

Sakura got closer to Hinata and laid her head on her shoulder. "Don't worry, I don't," she said. She put a hand on Hinata's thigh and grazed her fingers against it. "You're my perfect angel."

"Sakura..." she said and nuzzled her cheek against Sakura's.

Her perfect angel, huh? If Sakura were the main character of a TV show and Hinata were her love interest, Hinata would seem like she was just handed to her. There wasn't even a good backstory. Hinata was just a girl with a crush. But Sakura found that her feelings for her were, maybe not growing, but starting to feel like something she could trust in. She hadn't even realized until she contemplated marriage that she was unsure of what her feelings meant. She was so behind when it came to love, but maybe these extreme circumstances were pushing her along at a higher than normal pace. Most of her deep thoughts before then had to do with religion, right and wrong, and, of course, wondering why she couldn't stop loving Ino. And, of course, she could never come to any answers for any of them. With Ino, she just kept running in a circle. She was her only friend. But she wasn't a friend anymore. And the way she had treated her, she hated it, yet, as she started to expect it, some strange desire had awoken in her. She didn't want to be abused, but if she was going to be, she'd pretend it was for some greater purpose. And no matter how she looked at it, it did work out that way. Ino abused her because she was in love with her, and Hinata came to her because of it.

"This is cute," Sakura said, "but I feel bad for the guy. She's a bit of a psycho."

"Oh, it's just ridiculous. It's like an exaggeration. I mean, could she really even hurt him?"

Sakura shrugged. Could Ino? Stupid, this show is a comedy. Nothing like her life.

The next episode started. "You want to watch more?" Hinata asked.

"Sure," Sakura said. She wrapped an arm around Hinata. "Oh, hey, this theme song is really catchy."

"Yeah, it's good."

"Wish I understood the lyrics."

"Oh, they're pretty cheesy."

"Can you understand them?"

"Yeah."

"You speak Japanese?"

"Well, I am Japanese, after all. I mean, my parents are. I grew up with both English and Japanese."

"That's really cool."

"Yeah? What are you? Half?"

"A quarter," Sakura said, "some Swedish, some Irish."

They watched a couple more episodes (and made out in between, duh).

"So, I guess I should get you home," Hinata said.

The two were still wrapped up together. "Aw, do I have to?" Sakura asked.

"Well, yeah, I mean, don't you think it's about time?"

"If I weren't staying over. If that's okay with you."

"I'd love to share a bed with you," Hinata said. She turned red and looked up at Sakura. "But what would you do about clothes?"

"Well, yours are baggy. I'd just have to reuse my bra, but it's not like I got sweaty or anything."

"You should call your mom, then," Hinata said. She kissed Sakura then got up. "I'll go get some pajamas!" She giggled and pranced across the room over to her closet. Sakura had to wonder if they really had already fucked or not. Whatever, Hinata was cute, and that made Sakura smile. Then Hinata started to strip. Oh, that's right, she's also hot as fuck, and Sakura had definitely seen those tits and that ass before.

Hinata put on some pajamas. Sakura contorted her face. She should have pounced on her. She sighed and picked up her phone. "Yeah, hi, mom. Yeah, all done. Yeah. Yeah. Well, I was just calling to tell you I'm going to stay over tonight. Yeah, yeah, she has clothes that'll fit me. Yeah. Mom! Mom! Stop it, c'mon! I'm hanging up now! Love you too. Goodnight."

Hinata handed Sakura some pajamas. She tilted her head. "What was that?" she asked.

"Pfft."

"Come on, Sakura, tell meee," Hinata said.

Sakura's face was hot. "My mom said to use protection," she mumbled.

Hinata laughed. "Well, you told her we were getting married. It's kind of your fault."

Sakura started to take off her clothes. She undid her bra last. Hinata had already seen her naked, and she had been so loving, so why did Sakura still feel so embarrassed? Her nipples were too big, weren't they? Did Hinata like them like that?

They cuddled up and started watched another episode together, then brushed their teeth.

Sakura pushed Hinata down onto the bed and buried her face into her neck. Her cell went off. Who in the hell would be calling her? Her only friend was right here. Surely her mother wasn't calling about condoms or birth control.

Yamanaka?

"Hello? Yeah, it's Sakura. No, I haven't. No. Oh my God, I'm sorry. Yeah, I'll try. Bye."

"What was that?" Hinata asked.

"Ino hasn't come home and she's not answering her cell," Sakura said. She hit Ino's number and put the phone to her ear. It rang. "If this has to do with me, maybe she'll answer." And rang. And ra... "Ino! Where the hell are you? Your parents are so worried! No, stop it. Just call your parents. Ino, tell me where you are. Ino! She hung up."

"Sakura?" Hinata asked.

"She just kept apologizing and calling herself a monster. She wouldn't tell me where she is, but I think I know. You have to take me, Hinata. Please."

Hinata looked at Sakura like she wanted to light the world on fire, but wouldn't be enjoying any of it. Was that a growl?

"Hinata, please, if she's where I think she is, she might be in trouble," Sakura said.

Hinata looked to the side and down at the floor. "Fine," she said, "damn that bitch."

Sakura and Hinata bundled up and made their way to Hinata's car. The thermostat in the car read 7 degrees (F).

Hinata drove, and Sakura guided them. After about fifteen minutes, Sakura pointed at a car parked on the side of the road. "Is that hers?" Hinata asked.

"I'm not sure," Sakura said, "never seen it. But I'd take a good bet, considering this is only few minutes away from our spot. Go up the road a little bit more. Yeah, okay, I think it's around here."

They got out of the car. "Damnit," Hinata said, "it's cold. And pitch dark." Hinata had a flashlight from her glove compartment and Sakura turned her cell's light on.

Sakura walked close to Hinata. Their breath was like fog. "I'm sorry," she said.

"It's not your fault."

Sakura pointed at the snow on the side of the road. "She's here. Or someone is. Well, at least we can follow them. I'm not totally sure where the entrance is anymore."

They followed the footprints until they reached some pine trees. They had overgrown where Sakura remembered a path, but there were some broken branches. "She's definitely in there," Sakura said.

"She better be, or we may be in trouble," Hinata said.

Sakura gulped. Why'd she have to go and say that? Oh no, Sakura felt her cowardice creeping in the shadows. There could be Big Foot in there, or aliens...or...or a person who wasn't Ino. She shined her light in, but angled it down at the ground only a few feet in front. It looked like the path was still good. Only the entrance had been overgrown. "Hinata, can I have the flashlight?" she asked.

"S-sure," Hinata said. She wrapped her arms around one of Sakura's. "If anything happens, you better not leave me."

Sakura laughed nervously.

Hinata stamped a foot. "I'm serious," she pleaded. She sounded terrified.

Sakura's own heart was racing a mile a minute. "You can wait in the car," she said.

"No way! I'm not letting you go in there alone!"

Sakura looked at Hinata. She was somewhere between a frown and about to cry. Sakura pulled her close and gave her a kiss. Her lips were like soft ice. "Let's go, then," Sakura said.

"I really wish we fucked one last time," Hinata said.

"Don't say shit like that! You've got me scared enough!"

"Sorry, this is just really stupid. That fucking girl."

"Yeah, I know."

Sakura pushed the tree branches out of the way. White powder swirled around her and Hinata. She tried her best to make sure the branches wouldn't snap back.

"Damn it," Hinata muttered. Her teeth were chattering now.

"Sorry," Sakura said. So were hers.

"It's okay."

When they got a bit deeper, there was some rustling above them and a flapping sound. Snow rained down on Sakura and Hinata, and they heard some hooting. "Ino?" Sakura called out, a whisper at first. She cleared her throat. "Ino? Are you there?"

They kept walking. Hinata clenched Sakura's arm. "We're almost there," Sakura said.

They got into an opening, and Sakura turned the flashlight to the spot she remembered well. Ino was sitting on a fallen tree, wrapped in a blanket. She had a backpack by her side. There were drops of blood around her. A kitchen knife. "Ino!" Sakura shouted. She yanked her arm out of Hinata's grasp and made a dash towards Ino. It only took a second, but she knew the feeling well: the feeling of air beneath your feet and no ground to be found. Well, until it met her face. Sakura pushed herself up and flicked snow off her hands then face. She reached for the flashlight. Fingers touched her cheek.

"S-Sakura?" Ino asked.

Sakura reached forward and took Ino into her arms. "Ino, you fucking idiot," she said. Tears started running down her cheeks.

"Sakura." Ino cried. "Why? I didn't...I didn't get help. Just made it worst."

"Stop it, Ino, just stop it," Sakura said. She held Ino tight. "I forgive you, okay? I forgive you for everything. Just stop it."

A light came on behind Sakura, and snow and leaves crunched as Hinata walked over to them. She tugged on the flashlight, and Sakura let her take it.

"How can you forgive me, Sakura?" Ino asked.

"I don't know. I just can, okay?"

"But I...I..."

"Just stop, Ino, it's okay," Sakura said. She felt a hand on her shoulder.

"No," Hinata said, "it's not. Say it, Ino."

Ino's cry shook the forest. She buried her head in Sakura's neck. "I raped you," she said, "I raped you."

"You did," Sakura whispered.

"How can you forgive me so easily?"

"It's fucked up, but it didn't affect me too much. Such things bother me far less than others."

"Because of me."

"Yeah, because of you."

"And you're comforting me. This is so stupid."

"Damn right," Hinata said, "now get up, Ino. We need to get you out of here before you freeze to death." Ino left Sakura's arms and as soon as she stood, Hinata smacked her across the face. "Don't ever make me come looking for you again." She shined the light on Ino. Ino had a hand to her cheek and nodded.

Sakura stood up. "What's all the blood from?" she asked.

"I...I cut myself," Ino said.

"Ino, show me."

Ino looked away. Judging by the blood in the snow, it was her left arm. Sakura grabbed her by the arm and rolled up the sleeve of her sweatshirt (she really hadn't dressed for this weather). There was a giant gash across her underarm. Muscle was exposed.

"For fuck's sake," Hinata said. She kicked at some snow. "We're going to have to take you to the hospital."

"No!" Ino said.

"If you don't get that stitched up, you're going to have a huge scar."

"Whatever. I deserve as much."

"You're a real project, you know that? Fine, have it your way. Let's head to my car. I'm fucking freezing."

Ino held her head down. Sakura picked up Ino's backpack then grabbed her by the hand and followed Hinata. "The tree's over," Sakura said.

"Happened last year," Ino said.

Hinata drove past the car on the side of the road. "My car!" Ino said.

"Are you fucking kidding me?" Hinata asked. She kept driving. "I'm making sure you don't do anything stupid. You're going to stay with us tonight. We'll get your car tomorrow. We're going to skip school and sort all this shit out. You'll go back to school come Monday, and leave us alone for good. Got it?"

Ino didn't answer. Sakura had thought like Hinata and sat in the back with her. The ride back to Hinata's was a quiet one.

"Holy shit this place is huge," Ino muttered as they pulled up to the mansion after the minute-long ride down the driveway.

"It looks even bigger from the inside," Sakura said.

Hinata sighed. "I'm glad you two can bond over my house, but let's get inside," she said while parking. Hinata gave Ino the short tour up to her room.

"Here," Hinata said, shoving some pajamas and a toothbrush into Ino's chest. "Take a shower, then I'll have Kakashi sew you up."

"Kakashi?" Ino asked.

"Her butler," Sakura said, "tape measurer. Seamstress. Mechanic. And now I guess he's a doctor too."

"Next you're going to tell me—"

Sakura held up a hand and shook her head. "Already made the joke," she said. "Hinata told me not to tell anyone. I kind of think she might be serious."

"I'm right her," Hinata said. She pushed Ino forward by the back. "Shower. Now. That needs to get fixed up."

"It's going to hurt," Ino said.

"Maybe. Probably. Fuck you, just go."

Ino shut the bathroom door.

"Don't be so hard on her," Sakura said.

"Someone needs to be," Hinata said. She fell back onto her bed.

Sakura sat next to her and leaned over her, placing a hand to either side of Hinata. "Am I worth it?" she asked.

Hinata shut her eyes and stuck out her tongue. Then she sighed. "She could have really died," she said, "I think she really intended to. You may have saved her life."

"You drove. Would you have been happy if she died?"

Hinata sighed again. "No. But she might deserve it."

"Come on, you saw her."

"I'm still not 100% convinced it's not all some act."

"You think she bet her life on it?"

"Who knows what she's thinking."

Sakura stroked Hinata's cheek. She felt warm, at least. "Whatever it is, I'm really grateful," she said.

"Yeah, yeah. I wasn't about to let you live with that guilt. Nor myself...convincing yourself that someone deserved to die...that doesn't sound pleasant."

Sakura leaned over Hinata and ran her fingers through the deep purple-black hair. "You're a good person, Hinata," she said.

"I would have let her die if it weren't for you," she said.

"Even so," Sakura said. She brushed her lip's against Hinata's. Hinata reached a hand up and held some of Sakura's bangs out of her face. They looked at each other lovingly then Sakura got on top of her and began kissing her.

"Let's fuck her," Hinata said.

Sakura's eyes shot up. "What?"

"You heard me. You want to fuck another girl (proper) at least once, right? I wouldn't mind trying it, and if what she said is true, God knows that girl needs it. She'll live the rest of her life regretting what she did to you, because she could have so easily had you."

"But you hate her."

"I hate what she's done."

"This is weird, Hinata. I don't want to cheat on you or feel like you're doing something like this for me."

"Sakura, it wouldn't be cheating. We'd be doing it together. I just want all of this behind us."

Sakura glanced past Hinata's head at the pink comforter. "I don't know, Hinata," she said.

"Well, it's out there. Let's just see what happens, then. If something starts to go somewhere and one of us changes our mind, let's just say...I dunno, mongoose?"

"Mongoose? Well, alright, Hinata. But I'm not going to be trying to lead this anywhere. I want to be with you, Hinata."

"Stop pretending like you don't have doubts. There's no way these complex feelings you have for her have disappeared in the matter of half a day."

The door opened. Ino slowly shut it behind her. Sakura and Hinata watched her. Ino glanced around. "What?" she asked, "was I interrupting something? Sorry, but I was done."

"No," Sakura said, "we were just talking." She and Hinata sat up.

Ino walked to the opposite end of the bed. "May I sit down?" she asked.

Hinata nodded, then she went to her cellphone.

"What were you talking about?" Ino asked.

"Oh, nothing," Sakura said.

"You," Hinata said.

"Me?"

"Yeah, you." Hinata narrowed her brows. "That a problem?"

"N-no. What about me?"

There was a knock on the door. "We're talk later," Hinata said, "come in, Kakashi." The door opened. "Kakashi, she has a wound on her left forearm. Stitch her up and dress it." Kakashi nodded. Hinata pulled him in with a wave of her index finger and she whispered, "Use the weak painkillers." He nodded again then went to Ino and guided her back into the bathroom.

"That's not nice," Sakura said.

"Huh?" Hinata asked.

"You want her in pain."

"Oh, no, it's not like that. I just don't want her out of it when we fuck her."

"Hinata...I really don't think this is a good idea."

"Ow!" Ino screamed from the bathroom.

"It'll be over in a minute," Kakashi said, "just bear with it."

The door opened and Kakashi walked to Hinata's bedroom door, stopped, and turned. "Thank you, Kakashi, that'll be all," Hinata said. He bowed to all three of them individually, then left.

Ino sat on the bed, glaring at the wrapping on her arm. "Damn it," she said.

Hinata crawled over to her. "Yeah, you really shouldn't have done that," she said. She was over Ino's shoulder, looking down at the bandages. Ino turned to her and stared. Hinata brushed some hair behind her ear. "What?" she asked.

Ino went red. "S-so, what did you want to...talk about?" she asked.

"Don't be stupid," Hinata said, "Sakura told me about how you confessed your love for her."

Sakura stayed on the other end of the bed. Somehow, it felt like she was an observer in one of the most important moments of her young life.

Ino looked down. "Oh." Hinata gave her some space and sat down. Ino fidgeted, looking like she wanted to turn to Hinata. "Yeah, so? What about it?"

"If you love her, how could you do those things to her?" Hinata asked, "what you told Sakura may be good enough for her, but not for me."

"What do you know?"

"It started as an insecurity, and escalated. Before you knew it, you were feeding off of doing terrible things to her."

"I didn't even realize it had gotten that far."

"Why did you let it?"

Ino sighed. "I can't be gay," she said.

"What's wrong with being gay?" Hinata asked.

Ino looked down. "You don't understand."

"You haven't tried to explain."

"My parents...they are extremely religious. The kind where they see being straight as nature, and being gay as a choice. I think they'd stop talking to me. Maybe even disown me."

"God damn it," Hinata said, "that's fucked up. I get it, Ino. The world is fucked up, and it's easy to slip. But you can't change who you are. Look what happened when you tried."

Ino glanced away.

"You have a boyfriend, right, Ino?" Sakura asked.

Ino looked at Sakura. She smiled. "That's right," she said, "I'm just going to stick to boys."

"Do you fuck your boyfriend?" Hinata asked.

"Y-yes."

"And you enjoy it?"

"Y-yes. It's...fine."

"Fine?"

"Yeah, fine," Ino said. She glanced at Sakura. "I'm uncomfortable."

"Ino," Sakura said, "be honest. Do you like having sex with boys?"

Ino clenched over her heart. "I said it's fine!"

Sakura crawled to Ino and sat next to her. She ran a hand down the side of Ino's face. "Ino, what do you mean by 'fine'?" she asked.

Ino's eyes became glassy. "If I... if I think about someone else, I can get through it," she said.

"Ino, you can't do that. Not to him. Not to yourself. You're going to really hurt yourself."

"Like I haven't already. Look, it's just because I'm in love with you, okay? Once I get over you, everything will be fine."

There was movement on the bed. Sakura turned to see Hinata walking around and taking her pajama's off.

"Hinata?" Sakura asked.

"I've heard enough," Hinata said, "I'm putting an end to this." She stood naked in front of Ino, red in the face and eyes narrowed. She ran her hands down her body. "Do you find me attractive, Ino?" she asked.

Ino looked away. "Wha-what are you doing?" she asked.

"Do you find me attractive?"

"...I find you scary, to be honest," Ino said.

Hinata made an annoyed sound. She put on a smile and turned so her profile was facing Ino. "How about now?"

Ino glanced at her then looked away, red in the face.

Hinata turned back and licked her index finger then began playing with herself, rubbing her lips up and down, one after the other. She let out an exaggerated moan. Ino looked at her, blushing. Hinata's face was red, too, and she watched Ino with half-open eyes. "You find me attractive, don't you? Are you getting wet?"

"I know I am," Sakura said. She got on her knees and crawled to the edge of the bed. She placed a hand on Hinata's hip that was furthest away and her other on Hinata's navel. She began to slowly glide her fingers down Hinata's stomach and followed behind with kisses.

"Yes!" Ino shouted, "God damn it, yes!" Tears ran down her cheeks. "You're wicked fucking hot!"

Sakura guided Hinata onto the bed and laid her down. She laid between Hinata's legs and took over on her pussy for her. She ran a finger around her lips and would dance one just outside of her vagina. She did this until it was about as moist as she thought it would get. "Mmmm, fuck yeah, Hinata," Sakura said and licked it. She kissed Hinata's pussy then rubbed her cheek into it. "God damn it, baby, you're so wet for me."

"Yeah, Sakura. Please, give me more. Eat my pussy. And Ino, eat Sakura's pussy for her."

"W-what?" Ino asked in a small voice.

"You've never done it before, have you?"

Sakura got on her knees. "Go ahead," she said, then tasted more of Hinata. After a little while, she felt air against her pussy, then something wet. It was just a little here and there, then there were hands holding onto her hips and more pressure on her pussy. Ino's tongue went under her lips and circles around her vagina. "Oh, yes! That's great! Play with my clit!" She felt Ino's hand against her lower stomach. A finger touched the desired spot.

"I'm going to come, Hinata said. Sakura started rubbing Hinata's clitoris as she continues to lick her vagina. Her legs shook and closed around Sakura's head.

Sakura, her breathing getting heavy, looked at Hinata's pussy with a promise to return, then moved off of Hinata. She hesitantly tried to pull away from Ino, but Ino was holding her close. "Ino, I want to get on my back," she said.

"Oh, okay," Ino said and let go of her.

Sakura flipped over and looked up into Ino's eyes. She had that red, timid look about her that Sakura hadn't seen until earlier that day. "Come here," Sakura said.

Ino tilted her head then looked down. She slid her hands between Sakura's legs.

"No," Sakura said, "come here, so I can kiss you."

Ino went down on her hands over Sakura's body. Sakura tugged on Ino's pajama shirt and began to lift it over her head. She pulled Ino down so she laid atop her, her head lifted just above Sakura's and looking down with her bright blue eyes. Sakura brought her hands up to Ino's cheeks and pulled her down to get a taste of her lips. She held Ino there and kissed her passionately, nipping on her bottom lips and kissing her tongue. "You can taste Hinata, huh?" Sakura asked, "doesn't she taste good?"

"Yeah," Ino said. She looked down at Sakura and tears started down her cheeks. "I really fucked up."

"You don't need to keep apologizing."

"I'm not. I just want you to know I love you," Ino said.

"I love you, Ino, and I would have forever," Sakura said, "but after tonight, I'm going to be with Hinata, and only Hinata. Please accept that."

"I will, Sakura," Ino said. She laid her head down on Sakura's chest. "But until then, will you hold me?"

Sakura wrapped her arms around Ino. She was warm. "Do you want me to do you?" she asked.

"No," Ino said, "I just want to be in your arms for as long as I can."

Sakura felt tears run down her cheeks.