Chapter 11: Flower-Shop
Previously on "The Many Tribulations Of A Flower..."
He had made himself comfortable by sitting down on her bed. He dark eyes shifted towards her blue ones, "...Blondie."
She scooted away from him, making it obvious, "Sasuke? What do you want?"
"You and Sai, huh?"
Wow, that was the most he had said to her independently. And he said it calmly. What was going on?
"No. Me plus Sai equal opposites. But...why do you care? You don't like me at all and its so obvious. I'm actually use to it now. But why? Why do you treat me like I'm below you?"
The tall man shrugged, rubbing his hand through his soft hair, "...Hn. Why do I do a lot of things." he mumbled. Standing up, he headed back to his bed and laid down silently. Ino just watched as he did so. Why did he come over here? she thought to herself. But...what was strangest of all, she had not felt the slightest bit of cold when he approached her. He...Sasuke, was actually normal. She guessed.
Ino put down her papers. She couldn't concentrate while the man was lying down right in front of her. To make things worst, she realized he didn't even have a shirt off. That quick, he pulled off his top and just laid down on the sheet, without a care in the world. He was also facing her, watching her every moment. It made her uncomfortable.
He really didn't seem bothered by her puzzled expression. He still just watched her, with his mysterious onyx eyes.
"...Um." she quickly thought of a name to call him, since he did call her Blondie. That was so rude. So, she played his game, "Cockatoo, stop glaring at me." she smiled, showing all of her teeth. Trying hard to not laugh, thinking about the similiar haired bird. She watched as Sasuke actually turned red faced.
"Cockatoo? What does that have to do with anything?" he barely whispered. His voice was so inaudibly, almost seductive. Woah, woah. What? No, not seductive. Ino shook the thoughts from her mind right away.
"...It's just your hair, in the back. It's the same as a Cockatoo." She then laughed insanely. She couldn't help it, she was weird and outspoken.
He narrowed his eyes at her and rose both his eyebrows, "...Hn. And you're another dumb blonde. Right, blondie?"
Ino's laugh faded, "Dumb? I am not a dumb blonde, I'm a smart blonde. Atleast my hair doesn't symbolize a bird. My hairstyle is unique and always will be. You got yours from a damn creature. What did you mold it that way?" she teased.
"No. But my hairstyles is more real than your breast." The man still looked at the blonde expressionless. He almost grinned once he saw her intense blush.
Ino covered up her chest area as if she was exposed, "...My breast aren't fake! Nothing on me is. Why do you pick on me so much, huh? I don't do that to you?"
"...Hn. I'll change my ways once you stop flirting with every man you see." he murmured, looking away from her.
Ino gasped, "...I do not! I'm not the slut you think I am, Cockatoo."
Sasuke scoffed, "Blondie."
"Cockatoo!"
"...Hn...Blondie."
"Cockatoo!"
"Blondi-"
"Cockatoo and Blondie, I have something to tell you." Itachi walked in with a wide grin across his face. Ino looked surprised, he had returned back quickly, what was that all about?The older Uchiha faced the 'blondie', "Ino, Iruka was currently watching over the flower-shop. But now, he has been called in on a mission. So, by the orders of Inoichi and me, I want you to go there and work for now, alright?"
Ino gritted her teeth. Sasuke noticed but stead quiet, resting his head on his hand. "The orders of Inoichi? Well, where is he?"
"On a mission. If I say so myself, he's been really busy. To busy. Konoha's got a lot of things going on."
"So, I have to go and work there, like, right now?" Itachi nodded. "...But usually I work with my dad, how am I going to do it alone?"
Itachi looked at Sasuke and smiled. The younger male frowned, knowing what was coming next. He lifted himself up and stared at his brother.
"No fucking way I'm working at a flower-shop. Me, Sasuke? Im way to cool for that."
"...Yea, I mean no. He's not to cool for that. He's to inconsiderate for that. My beautiful flowers will die off just at the look of him. He'll probably glare the poor things to death."
Itachi chuckled. That was one of the advantages of Ino living with him. She was always making jokes, "...Sasuke, you do nothing any way. As your older brother, I want you to accompany Ino on this. It's about time you two bond, all you do is go at each other's heads for any little thing. Grow the hell up...with love." he added in.
Ino stood up, "Well I'll go because of you Itachi. But seriously, I dont think Sasuke needs to come. I can handle it on my own-"
"No. Sasuke is going to go. I know that we don't get along but I am his elder, and he will do as I say. That's the Uchiha way. He knows that." The 'marked' man left right after that strict demand. Wow, when he was demanding something, he really showed off the side Ino was scared of.
Ino looked the young man's way, he was still sitting on the bed. Ino shrugged and went into her dresser, pulling out clothes and heading towards the bathroom. Turning on the hot shower, she quickly got in and washed every part of her body. The water felt so good on her skin. She didn't want to get out but sadly had to. Today was going to be a hot day so she decided to wear ordinary blue shorts and a plain white tank top. Her sandals were of course purple and her blonde hair was in a bun. She did not want to change from her long baggy pants and long sleeved shirt but she definitely did not want to burn to death out there. Returning to her room she saw Sasuke dressed in a white sleeveless shirt also and black shorts. Wow, he changed quickly.
Ino and Sasuke exchanged glances, "...So, you're going now?"
"...Hn." he walked passed her and went down the stairs. Ino smirked to herself, he actually listened to Itachi. Hm, he had more power over Sasuke than anyone. Well of course he should, that's his brother. But still...
Itachi was planted to the couch, reading over a newspaper, "Have a nice day, dear."
Ino smiled, following behind Sasuke. She noticed he didn't say anything back, "..Will do, Itachi." she called off while closing the door shut. The man was already down the street. She didn't want to but ran after him, meeting his side. She couldn't help but smirk at his expression.
"...What are you smiling at?"
Ino immediately turned her head away from his direction, looking straight ahead, "...Nothing. Nothing at all."
"Hn..." A sudden ring came from the mans pocket. More like a weird sound. He reached in and pulled out his cellphone. Ino leaned over, trying to see who it was, "...You're on your own on this one. I got to go."
"Go? Where?"
"I have a date with the pink haired chick, remember?" he scowled, texting back something.
"Her names Sakura. And you said you'll call her 'one day'. This is only the second day, Sasuke."
"Yes but it is a 'day'. Bye blondie." he called out, changing his direction, still texting. Ino clenched her fist together, angry as hell. He actually bailed on her. What kind of shit what that? He was such a mysterious, cute, stupid, idiotic, jerk. ugh...how she hated him.
"Thanks for nothing, Cockatoo!" she yelled back, fuming with rage.
"So I told her that she needed to wait. But she assisted on me telling her everything. It was awful." Sakura said finishing up her little story. Her and Sasuke were sitting from across each other in a fancy restaurant. They were the only couple of people there. Sakura decided to dress in a pink kimono decorated with blossoms. Her hair was in a ponytail, only her bangs being out. She noticed Sasuke was dressed in a casual outfit and she was all dressed up. But still, she didn't mind.
Sasuke had been listening to the green eyed woman talk for hours now. They had already eaten and luckily, she was almost out of stories. He'd admit, she looked alright but her mouth ran like a motor. What he would give to be at home, sleeping all day. He situated his chin on his hand, glancing around the empty place, "...Hn. Well, I'm about to go."
Sakura widened her eyes, "R-Really? Oh..I must have lost track of time. You probably have tons of better stuff to be doing right now. Right?"
He cleared his throat, "... I guess."
Sakura realized he wasn't enjoying his time with her. She was a sucker for gorgeous men but she wasn't dumb, "...It's someone else, isn't it?"
The raven-haired man eyed her, "Someone else? I have no one else in mind..."
"Sure you do." Sakura admitted sadly, "You aren't interested in me and never was. I finally see what Ino was saying now..."
"Ino?" Sasuke asked.
"..Yea, but that doesn't matter. Who ever it is, they are very lucky. I..I still hope we can be friends." she stood up and took out her hand.
Sasuke first hesitated but shook it. This was the most un-irritating she had ever been. When she didnt act like a dumb bimbo, she was actually nice, "...Hn. Yea, we can." he tried his best to pull out a grin but failed.
Sakura nodded, "That's good. Um, Im going to go over Tenten's right now I guess. See you later Sasuke-kun." She said while her heart was aching. Finally, she had now seen Sasuke didn't see her as a girlfriend. He was obviously thinking about someone else. As she walked out of the place, she whispered to herself, "...I guess Im going to have to get over him."
Ino had been selling flower for hours. She was already getting tired and holding a huge line. "Sorry guys, Im by myself today." she announced to the crowd, "Just give me time." rushing towards the back, she grabbed a dozen dasies and 'Buttom Pom', rushing back and headed it to some lady. Ino hadn't realized who it was since she concentrated on the others.
"Thanks Ino."
Without turning her head that way, she asked out of breath, "H..How.. do you know name?"
The woman laughed, "Because I know you."
Ino turned her way. There she spotted out a beautiful dark haired, red eyed woman, "Kurenai!" she shouted, hugging the lady, "How are you and Asuma doing? And how are the babies?" Yea, babies. Her first child was a girl, who was now at least three and she also had a baby boy recently. He had to been one.
Kurenai sniffed her flowers and sighed, "Asuma's great and so are the children. How are you Ino? I heard about the 'incindent'."
Ino placed her elbow on the counter, pouting out her bottom lip, "Yea. But I'm sort of over that. At least I think I am..."
Kurenai heard the growls behind her and got the message. She gave Ino another thank you before she took off with her flowers. The next customer was more rude and look really impatient. But she dealt with it and got her what she wanted right away. Luckily, the shop was about to close soon. Only on weekends were when the shop was open.
"Ino."
She heard someone call her name. She recognized the voice all to well. Turning her head, she saw Sasuke, "Finally decided to come?" she asked him while telling some woman about the flower she had just picked out.
"...Yea."
Ringing up the flowers she called back, "Good, I needed help." Good thing the woman she was giving her flowers to was middle-aged. Otherwise, she would be gawking at her helper. How annoying...
Sasuke saw a man behind Ino's customer and went up to him, "How may I help you?" Ino was surprised at his manners.
"...Yes, I was looking for a flower that would represent love. It's...for my girlfriend." The man was about twenty, with brunette hair and dark eyes.
Ino went up towards himand Sasuke, "Love, eh? What's the background?" It was always a good thing to associate with the customers. The nice ones anyway. Sasuke looked at her in confusement but said nothing.
The male blushed, "...Um, we are a new couple and I just wanted to show her that I like her. And care." he turned to Sasuke who looked very uninterested, "You're a handsome fellow, you should know."
Sasuke shrugged, "Know what?"
"About love. About how that one girl who could change your whole life around. She's my everything. And, I know that we only known each other for a while but I feel really connected to her. A while ago, all we use to do was argue and talk about one another. But you know what they say..."
Ino looked clueless, "What do they say, sir?"
"That when a boy messes with a girl, he likes her. That's the males way of doing things. Why, sometimes girls even do that. Yep, me and my girlfriend are the same way."
Ino rushed over and grabbed the flower she had in mine. Returning quickly, she handed it to the man with a genuine smile, "You two are the perfect lovers. Red Tulips, represent that. She, your girlfriend, is so lucky to have a boyfriend like you." What could she say? Ino, was a sucker for an romantic story. She loved when boys did things for girls, it was mind boggling.
"Thank you so much." he nodded her way and handed her the money. Looking at the two he smiled, "I hope you two are a happy couple."
"Couple?" Ino asked, "We aren't a-"
Sasuke covered her mouth, "Thank you. Have a good day now." He waved off the man and started to head off to the back. Ino followed behind him closely, confused.
"Sasuke, why did you tell him that we were a couple?"
Sasuke shrugged, "Why not?"
"Um...because thats lying."
"Blondie, it's not that serious. Get over it and sell some more of these flowers." he ordered while leaning on the wall. Ino slowly walked up by him and did the same.
"You came late so of course you didn't know. It's already closing time." she sighed while shaking her head. He didnt respond back but muttered out an 'oh well' and continued his pose. Ino looked into at his folded arms. He wasn't as skinny as she thought he was.
"What was that suppose to mean?" Sasuke asked out of the blue.
Did he just read my mind? "Uh...what?" she hesitated, "What is what suppose to mean?"
"The flowers, You said the red tulips had something to do with love. When did flowers have meaning?"
Ino jumped up from her spot, "When? Flowers had meaning ever since you had an attitude. No...longer than that."
"Hn." The pale man bended down and picked up a random flower. By the looks of it, he didn't have any idea what it was or what it meant. He had thought flowers were just there, decorating the ground. Never had he studied it like Ino did. Handing it to her he asked, "What does this mean?"
Ino blushed while taking the flower. It was a white camellia, "Um, the definition is that it means 'Your...adorable.'" After she had said that, she turned around, with him facing her back.
"...Oh."
Ino frowned. Not like he saw. She extended her arm to the side, "...Here. You can take it back. You didn't knew what it meant so it's ok-"
"Keep it." he stated bluntly, "... I did what I did."
Wait. Was this the same Sasuke? Her face reddened even more. She suddenly felt her heart race in a incredible speed, never had it been that way before. Not even with Itachi. She put the flower to her chest and smiled. She felt as if she had somehow gotten through to him. But then, why had he talked about her so much? And now...he had technically just called her adorable. Facing him again, she decided to change the subject, "So how the date with Sakura go?"
Sasuke sighed while looking at the rest of the flowers, "She talked for hours then realized I didn't like her."
"What!" Ino quickly exclaimed. Exhaling, she continued, "Sasuke...I told you not to break her heart. Ugh...Now I have to go and talk to her and stop her from crying. It's going to be a long night..."
Sasuke glanced at the blonde, "No. She said she knew I didn't like her and went over Tenten's."
"Oh my goodness. That's horrible. Did you comfor her?"
"I said I'll still be her friend and managed not to glare at her."
"Well, did she say anything else?"
"No." Sasuke lied. He purposely kept out the other thing the woman had said to him, "...She's alright though. I didn't tell her to leave or that she was annoying me."
Sasuke was actually talking to her. They were having a real conversation and not a spat. Progress...
"Oh. Thank you then." Sasuke nodded. The blonde approached the curious man and stood by the side of him. Noticing his weired out expression, she laughed at what was causing that, "That's what you call a Spider Flower. Yea, I know it looks scary and disguisiting. It gives me the creeps also."
Sasuke looked over at her, "...Yea. It actually looks like a spider."
"So true." Ino blurted out, "But I don't recommend you give it to me."
"Why not?" Sasuke lifted up the item and put it in her face, "...Scared?"
Ino backed away, "That to. But a spider flower is an...eloping flower."
"Oh." Sasuke said once again feeling awkward, "...Good thing I didn't give it to you." he muttered with a light chuckle.
"Yea." Ino sighed a sigh of relief.
"So, blondie, why do you like flowers so much?" he asked. Did he really want to know? Yes and no. No because he didn't want to get bored with her story but yes because he was curious.
Ino touched a rose pedal gently, smiling and thinking of a never fading memory, "..It's because of my mother. She loved flowers and passed it on to me. She even knew every meaning of a flower. Everyday, we use to come here and talk about each and every flower, listing it's qualities. It..It was great." she said sadly with low eyelids.
Sasuke peeked over at her, "..Hn. You talk as if she is dead..."
That sparked a certain feeling in her that she hated. That word, dead, was so horrible, "...S-She is. She died in the...war a while ago."
Sasuke s dark widened on its own, "...I'm sorry." he apologized, "...I didn't know."
Ino smiled, the hurt splashed all over her face, "It's ok. It's not like you knew. But..sometimes I feel as if I'm the only one in this world. Like...I'm all alone. She really was my role model, my eveything. I wanted to be just like her when I was younger. That's why I dressed that way. My mom had a great style. But then...I realized, none of that mattered. Beauty, can only get you so far...
Sasuke followed behind Ino as she flipped over the 'open' sign, reappearing as 'closed', "I understand."
Ino faced him, "...You do? How? How can someone who never went through that understand?" she said angrily.
Sasuke remained calmed, "The only other way a person could understand. Having it happen to them."
Ino was completely shocked. So no wonder he acted the way he did. Wait, she should have realized that, his parents were never around. But...she had thought he just had moved in with his brother because he didnt want to live with them anymore, "...Sasuke..."
"It happened years ago also. They...died in war."
Sasuke was astonished once he saw Ino smile at his bad news.
The blonde patted his shoulder once, "So, the blondie and the cockatoo have something in common at least. I...I hope are bad backgrounds can make us at least under stand each other." Then Ino saw something she never thought she would she. Sasuke, the conceited jerk, had grinned. He had actually grinned.
Sasuke looked at Ino as she smiled. Yea, sure she was loud, obnoxious, outspoken and blonde, much like Naruto, but she had something he hadn't seen in many girls. She was so different...and had actually made him not frown. No other girl did that in his entire eighteen years, besides his mom, "...Hn. So, why do you dress that way?" he suddenly ask.
Ino's smile faded, "..What do you mean, that way?"
He pointed to her as if she was a statue on display, "At home, you wear pants and shirts. Why, blondie?" he scoffed.
So, he tried to hide their connection by acting mean again? It was so obvious, "...Because I want to."
"You're so ungirly, I thought women was suppose to dress.. you know, not like you."
"Saaaasuke!" she screamed.
"Blonnnndie?" he smirked with a raised eyebrow.
Hmmph! He was trying to annoy her. What a smart, mean, man! She did not want to lose to that game again. She saw how Sasuke's smirk left when she also smiled. She knelled to the ground and picked up a flower, handing it to him.
Knowing Sasuke, he of course didn't know what it was but he took it nonetheless. Squacking down at it, he looked back up and saw the blonde's wide smile. The sun had shined in right on her at that moment, glistening her flawless skin and light hair. "...Blondie, what is it?"
"It's a flower, Star of Bethlehem to be exact. It represents hope. Hope for people like us, to soon find peace in our hearts. Y-You should keep it, because no matter where you go, 'blondie' well be there with you, showing you the way. Yea...I know it sounds corny but...I..I-"
"Mean it. You meant it." Sasuke confirmed for her, still looking at the star shaped flower, "...Thank you blondie."
"No big deal. You gave me a Camellia so I gave you the Star of Bethlehem, it's a beautiful flower." The two looked at each other. Taking in one's smile and long stare. Ino thinking about how similar Sasuke was to her and how she finally met someone who could feel the pain she felt. Sasuke thinking about how this woman whom he once though of idiotic and another Sakura, was actually human. Not awing at his every word, neither squealing. Ino Yamanaka, was alright in his book.
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU.
TELL ME WHAT YOU THINK SO FAR AND WHAT U WANNA SEE.
BE TRUTHFUL, KK. TELL ME WHO YOU WANNA SEE INTERACTING MORE OR
AUGURING MORE. AND HOW DO YOU WANT THE COUPLES TO GO? TELL ME, I
MIGHT LISTEN. =p, XD btw...cute SasuIno moment, huh? lol
