A/N -I took so long with this update you guys. The pizza… it's burnt you guys.

Don't worry if I'm delusional. Worry about the pizza. THE PIZZA IS BURNT!

This is actually to one of my newest followers. I wanted to entertain them. SO QUICK WHILE THEY ARE DISTRACTED, GET ME A FROZEN OVEN PIZZA.

Hurry the hell up you slow little-

DISCLAIMER – I do not own Naruto

Needless to say, after that night and whole day Ino, I spent most of my time with Tenten to make it up to her. When I showed up after everything that had happened, she kind of just stood there, not knowing what to say. Instead it was me who rushed to her and gathered her in my arms, squeezing her tightly into me as I apologized all over again for my behavior and actions.

She was surprised at first, but melted into me and laughed with every apology I repeated, continuously stating that it was fine- that everything was simply fine.

I just couldn't help but have this overwhelming sense that she deserved every apology I had to give, because I had sidelined her for Ino in a heartbeat. At the time, the choice was an easy one. But now, as I looked back on exactly what happened and how I handled it, my behavior worried me. I continuously told myself that this doesn't need to happen again, that I have to hold more firm to my promises even if Ino is in trouble.

In the back of my mind, though, I understood very well what would happen if Ino was on the verge of crying again. I would dial up my girlfriend and do the same thing I had that night: flat out say I can't make it and I couldn't explain why. Then, I would just have to expect Tenten to trust in me in the situation.

And that made me very wary.

Still, despite all that has happened between me and Ino, it seemed that what I preached was true: If we truly worked at trying to keep everything normal, than everything CAN be normal. That night was lost in the wind, but I knew both of us kept it at the back of our head. You could tell by the way we nervously separated after a hug, or even while drinking we didn't cuddle as much anymore. What happened between us back than was an… eye opener. It was like seeing something that could not be unseen. So, the twist and twinge that lingered in our relationship morphed into something a bit more complex and real.

But despite the few changes that were BOUND to happen after the fact, we were as normal as we could be. Well, normal enough for me to come over for dinner anyway.

Yup, Ino offered to do some cooking tonight. It was Wednesday; The middle of the week, so the only real home meal I was going to have if I stayed at home was bowl of cereal. SO, without any second thoughts, I rushed over to that woman's house like a staved pack of wolves.

I was asked to bring over some materials she needed for the dinner; you know the basics: eggs, whole milk, and some flower. I guessed that maybe she would be baking me a cake afterwards. Actually, it was my hope. I haven't had a good home made cake since I left my parents place. So I've been craving one for years.

When Ino opened the door to let me in, she didn't even bother looking at me. Actually, just snatched the bag and complained, "Did you manage to find everything I needed in CHINA?!"

I laughed, caught a little off guard at her angry tone. Grinning, I kicked the door shut and followed her in the kitchen, "Sorry, I don't do much shopping so the materials were kind of hard to find… Actually I ended up having to ask this very pretty girl for help. She kindly showed me around to everything I need, even talked to me a bit as I walked to the register."

Ino turned towards me, an eyebrow raised with mild curiosity. I gave another grin, but it flattered when I heard her say in a dangerous tone, "Oh yeah? I wonder how Tenten would feel about that."

Eyes widening, I stumbled out a cover up, "Well, I was having some trouble and she was totally out of my league anyway." A teasing smile slipped into Ino's face as she noticed my mistake. Heart dropping, I rushed out, "Not that I was aiming for anything but getting some help! I'm just saying she probably didn't even notice me."

"Suree," she replied, laughing as I groaned.

"Jesus woman," I complained while hopping on the counter, "You never cease to scare the living hell out of me."

"It isn't me who scares you obviously," she corrected with a roll of her eyes, "It's Tenten you seem to be mostly worried about."

I thought about it for a second, then nodding as I made the sense of it, I added, "But you are scary too."

"Scary enough for you to tell me about these girls, huh?" she drawled, moving about in the kitchen as she prepped to cook, "Yeah, I must be completely scary."

I kicked my feet thoughtfully, "Well, not about the girls. I have no reason to be scared about telling you about the girls."

A sigh huffed out of her as she pressed, "Have you ever thought maybe I could get jealous too?"

I blinked, kind of surprised by the question. When Ino kept her back to me, I scrunched my eyebrows and asked the obvious, seeing as I felt like I was missing something, "Why would YOU be jealous?"

Watching her shoulders shrug, I listened carefully as she practically mumbled out, "I don't know. Maybe I feel like these random girls you meet everywhere are going to steal you away. I was one of those random girls, you know, and look at us now. Best friends and hanging out every day, until recently another random girl popped into your life."

I blinked again, but this time in disbelief. After a moment, I laughed, thinking this was all some sort of a joke. When Ino's blue eyes slid to mine as she turned around though, I realized that she was serious. Scrunching my eyebrows again as I quit my laughing, I stated, "You can't be serious? Oh come on, Ino, unless these girls have some scolding coffee, a completely HECTIC look as they explained how they were going to be late for work, and an absolutely DAZZLING smile to them, I hardly doubt I will be whisked away by these women to their homes practically everyday."

She shrugged as she crossed her arms, pointing out, "So you are telling me Tenten had all of this then?"

I frowned and rolled my eyes, "Tenten is different, obviously."

"How?" She countered, looking at me expectedly, "How is Tenten different than that extraordinarily pretty girl at the market tonight? How am I different from Tenten? All three of us, counting the unknown girl, met you the very same way in the end, by accident. Or did you know Tenten already before you started dating her?"

Rubbing the back of my neck, I struggled to find a difference. She was right, but technically everyone I met was by accident. Finally coming up with an argument, I spoke, "Then you are suggesting that every random person I meet is going to magically take me away some place."

Ino's eyes rolled as she pressed, "And maybe that is exactly what I'm trying to point out. Maybe that is my whole argument. If every girl had the potential to take you away, did you ever stop to think that I could be jealous about this."

I opened my mouth, completely stumped. When she kept watching me expectedly, I shifted a bit uncomfortably and spoke, "Well… I never thought you would really be jealous over things like that Ino. I mean, we are best friends and I come over everyday…"

"Well," She sighed out before going back to prepping, "There goes an off the wall thought for you."

Sitting there completely confused about what had just happened, I couldn't shake the feeling that there was something I was missing about this WHOLE argument.

Oh Sakura, we all know how much Ino is a mind fuck throughout this whole story. But goodness, even when she is being obvious, it flies RIGHT over your head.

Look, we finally got back to the shorts! It took like 2 LONG chapters after me explaining it would be shorts for a bit. Sheesh, it's like I do the opposite of what I say.

Omg look you guys, we broke a 100 reviews. :) You made that happen guys, thanks so much. This would be the Third story I've manage to do this with, and I've been on this since 09.

I'll try to update soon. Love yous! HEARTS

Shy loves, out!