Neji was watching them closely. Every movement they made, every word they said. He would make sure things went alright.

Because even though they were just sparring, Naruto and Sasuke were both known to go by emotions.
If they'd clash, either of them could do something stupid.

It had been a few weeks after Sasuke and Naruto had first spoken to each other, after Sasuke's release.

Sasuke had briefly told him about it, how Naruto had looked at him as if he was ready to fry him up.

How Naruto was on the verge of yelling, until Sasuke had told him he was sorry and Naruto had shut his mouth in surprise.

Then, according to Sasuke, the blonde boy had smiled at him and had told him it was ok, as long as he wouldn't do it again.

The Uchiha had told him Naruto had become quite sappy, giving him a speech how they were like brothers and nothing could seperate them.

In a way, Neji knew that was true. No matter how much Sasuke didn't want to admit, he cared for the blonde like family.

Neji had seen how relieved Sasuke had been that Naruto had forgiven him so easily.

Ever since, the two were back to their old selves, annoying each other, calling each other names.

The rivalry was there once more, and so was the sparring.

Only this time, there was someone to make sure the two would stay friends.

This time, Neji would make sure Naruto influenced the young Uchiha into staying the way he was now.

Patient, forgiving and dare he say it; loving.

He would do anything to protect that guy.

It had been a rather pretty day. The flowers were blooming, the sun was shining and the people had been friendly.

Ino had enjoyed her day, as it was peaceful and without any problems.

She had helped out in her parents flowershop, Chouji and Shikamaru had stopped by.

It had been a good day.

Except there had been something in the back of Ino's mind for the entirety of it.

Something she remembered every single year on the exact same date ever since she graduated the acadamy.

It wasn't as if she had anything to do with it or that it affected her in any way.

But she always felt bad for the person it did affect and she couldn't help but want to show him that she cared.

And as the day was closing to an end, Ino decided she could at least bring him some flowers.

Chouji and Shikamaru had called her crazy, after all, it wasn't like Sasuke was innocent.

Maybe he didn't deserve it, but Ino still thought that deep down her former crush was just the product of a very sad past.

And nobody should bare it alone.

She even wondered if anyone remembered. The massacre had been so long ago and beside Sakura, it had probably been a long time since people thought about Sasuke as the survivor.

Naruto was too dumb to remember anyway and he was pretty much the only one Ino thought would be there for Sasuke.

And that just didn't sit well with her.

So she was now on a stroll towards Sasuke's new home, a bouquet in her hand.

Not sure what she was going to say if he did open the door, she just rid her mind of anything negative.

She would tell him she remembered the day and that she thought he could use some cheering up.

Or something like that.

She almost hoped he wasn't home, so she could just place them in front of the door.

But as Ino walked up the stairs of the apartment complex, she saw Sasuke was home.

And he was not alone, standing in front of his front door.

Ino stopped walking, almost dropping the flowers she had brought.

In front of her were Sasuke and Neji. And they were hugging.

Ino could have told herself that it was just friendly, but she wasn't dumb and she wasn't naive either.

Her mind went over all other possibilities, because Sasuke and the Hyuuga? That was just too weird.

She may have been able to convince herself that it was just a friendly hug, until the two boys pulled apart.

And kissed instead.

Ino had to admit, seeing two of the hottest guys in the city kiss each other, wasn't really a bad sight.

But she was too overwhelmed by this. Sasuke and Neji. Together. As in a couple?

Two guys together was rare to begin with, but these two?

As Ino stared on, she completely forgot about the fact that the two boys were ninja too.

In the heat of the moment they might have missed Ino's presence. But as the boys parted, Neji quickly caught on and looked at her, followed by Sasuke who followed the other's gaze.

Neji looked rather angry, Sasuke just looked like he didn't care.

Ino had to think fast. Should she act like she hadn't seen them? Just leave? No they weren't stupid.

"I.. I just. It's that.." She rambled on, not knowing what to say. "I'm sorry."

She turned around and hurried off, hoping they wouldn't follow her and threaten her or something.

She probably shouldn't have seen that and even though she would never tell anyone, the two boys probably didn't think she would keep her mouth shut.

She was known to be a gossip after all, since she acted like one when she was younger.

As Ino had made her way down the stairs and was rushing away from the apartment, she was brought to a halt.

"Ino."

It was Sasuke, standing halfway on the stairs, and Ino feared what was about to happen.

She turned around nervously and looked at Sasuke. He didn't seem to be mad, but you never knew with that guy.

"What were you doing here?" Sasuke asked her, before she could say anything.

She hadn't expected that.

"I.. Well I came to bring you flowers." Sasuke seemed to be a bit confused about that, so Ino started to explain.

"You see I remembered. What day it is you know. I thought you could use it." She walked up to him, still nervous about what he might do.

"Here." She said and handed him the flowers. It was what she came to do after all, might as well finish it.

Sasuke stared at the flowers for a while, keeping silent. Ino took that as her cue.

"Ok, well goodbye then." She turned around, but once again was stopped by Sasuke's voice calling out her name.

She turned around once more, surprised when Sasuke was looking directly at her with what seemed like a smile.

A smile from Sasuke was rare. Ino didn't think she had ever really seen one.

It made her blush, even though her crush on him was long in the past.

"Thank you." Sasuke told her and that caught her by surprise even more.

Then she smiled back as she realised Sasuke actually had appreciated the thought.

It had been the least she could do and the fact that it made Sasuke out of all people smile, made her feel good about her decision.

She had been right thinking Sasuke had changed.

"You're welcome, I'll be on my way then."

"Wait." Sasuke said, stepping down one more step from the stairs. Ino waited for him to continue.

"Can you promise not to tell anyone?" He asked.

Ino just smiled at him some more and nodded. As the two of them exchanged a look, one that Ino could only count as a look of gratefulness, she told the boy goodnight and went off on her way.

Having to keep such an important secret made her feel important too.

This whole thing made her think she could actually become friends with Sasuke someday and that made her feel good.

All she wanted for the people she cared about was that they were happy.

So if Sasuke was happy with Neji, then who was she to stand in his way?

Ino smiled all the way back home, just remembering the genuine smile she had received in return for her flowers.

-.-.-