Gah, I don't want to do homework! Why?! Why?! Why?! (Bangs head on keyboard)

Disclaimer: Don't own Naruto.

Ch.10: Unexpected Help

Sakura was lazily sitting on the couch when the doorbell rang. 'Weird, I'm not expecting any visitors. Wonder who it is?'

She got off the couch and walked to the door. She placed her hand on the knob and opened the door. "Hello?"

And no sooner had she said that did she found herself on the floor. "Forehead girl!"

Sakura spat out the hair that had landed in her mouth. "Nice to see you too, pig, now get off." Ino got off her best friend and helped up the girl.

"What are you here for?" Sakura asked as she dusted herself off.

Ino smiled. "Well, Sai and I were in the neighborhood and we decided to see how you were doing."

"You mean, you decided to see what I was up too and decided to drag him with you. Hi Sai." The man grunted in return as he stepped through the doorway and seated himself on the couch.

Ino smiled cheerfully at her friend. "So how have things been for you lately?"

"Pretty good."

"What about your love life? Any boyfriends? Potentials?"

Sakura's face frowned for a second before smiling again. "How about I get us some snacks?"

Ino nodded. "I'll come with. You don't mind, right Sai?"

"Go ahead." he said as he grabbed the remote and started flipping channels.

Sakura was fishing for snack items out of her pantry when Ino appeared. "Hey forehead, need help?"

"Sure pig. Get me a bowl, would you?"

Ino nodded and got the bowl from the cupboard. Sakura opened the bag she had found and began pouring the food in. Ino sat across from her as she poured. "So Sakura, who's the guy?" she asked.

Sakura fumbled with the bag before catching it. Setting it down with a sigh, she started to scoop up the mess she had made. "I don't know what you're talking about." she said as she dumped the crackers in the garbage can.

Ino looked at her suspiciously. "Oh really? Then why were you all defensive when I asked about your love life?"

"I don't want to talk about it, Ino."

Ino sighed. "Sakura, come on. I'm your best friend. You can tell me anything. What's wrong?"

It was Sakura's turn to sigh as she pulled back a chair and unceremoniously plopped into it. Clasping her hands in front of her, she looked Ino in the eye. "Ino, how do you know you're in love?"

"Nani?"

Sakura ran a hand through her hair. "Well, how did you know you liked Sai?"

Ino redid her ponytail and placed her hands in front of her. "Well, I don't know. I mean, when I found out that when he called me beautiful, he was really saying I was ugly, I beat the shit out of him. You remember that right?"

Sakura laughed. "Of course, I had to heal him afterwards."

"Well, he apologized to me later cuz you told him to, but I still hated his guts. After a while, I got to know him better. You know, running into him at places, missions together and I guess I just, you know, fell for him. Why did you want to know?"

Sakura looked down into her lap. "Well, a lot of things have been happening lately."

Ino smirked. "So who's the guy that wittle Sakura has fallen in love with?"

Sakura smiled softly. "I don't know if I love him, but I think you've just helped me figure out how I feel about him."

"No sweat. Now come on. Sai probably thinks we got sucked down the garbage disposal." she said, holding the bowl of snacks.

Sakura smiled at the retreating back of her friend. 'Thanks Ino.'