Wildflower: a Very Special Valentine's Day Special


Jizouko sat on a bench watching the couples walking arm-in-arm through the park. She thought it was so weird that they only acted this way one day a year. February 14th sure had a strange effect on people…

"Hey, Jizouko-chan," she recognized Haruno Sakura walked up to her with a cloud hanging over her head.

"Hi, Sakura-chan," she said happily, maybe her friend would cheer up if she acted happy.

"Don't tell me you have someone, too!" Sakura groaned as she flopped down onto the bench beside her.

"What're you talking about?" Jizouko asked with a slight frown.

"A Valentine! Everyone in the village has one but me!" Sakura cried as tears slid down her face.

"Oh, that," Jizouko dismissed the subject. "Nah, I don't have one either," she said as she stretched her arms above her head.

"Eh? How is that possible?" Sakura asked, sitting up right. "There has to be someone you plan on doing something with today!"

"Well," Jizouko started as she thought of her schedule for the day, "I'm going over to Taka-kun's later so we can eat the chocolates that girls get him… but other than that I can't think of anyone I'm hanging out with…"

"So is Akazaki-kun your Valentine?" the pink-haired kunoichi asked with an expectant look. "Is he?"

"If by Valentine you mean boyfriend, then no," she shot down the idea.

"So you're alone as well?" Sakura looked strangely pleased at the thought…

"No," she shook her head, "I'm here with you, aren't I?"

"How is it possible that you don't have a Valentine, Jizouko-chan?" her friend practically screeched. "If you can't get someone then there's no hope for the likes of me!"

"What are you talking about, Sakura-chan?" Jizouko asked as she arched an eyebrow at the girl's actions.

"Well I'm going to change that!" Sakura continued, paying no heed to Jizouko's question. "I will help you find a Valentine today; and then there will be hope for me!"

Before she knew what was happening Jizouko was pulled off the park bench as Sakura ran off with a death grip on her wrist.

Jizouko sighed and went along with it; this must be what Valentine's Day did to Sakura…


"Sakura-chan… why are we doing this?" Jizouko asked in confusion.

"Hush, Jizouko-chan," Sakura scolded as she continued to fuss over her hair. "I'm going to find you a Valentine today if it's the last thing I do!"

Jizouko shifted in her seat uncomfortably, something told her that this wasn't going to end well for her.

"How do you plan on doing that?" she asked after a while, maybe Sakura would give up if she realized that she didn't have a plan.

"I'm going to introduce you to all the guys I know," the pink-haired girl said with a determined light in her eyes. "I just know one of them is perfect for you."

"Okay," Jizouko shrugged her shoulders; maybe this wouldn't end too badly…


"So uh… who's this, Sakura-chan?" Jizouko asked nervously as she shifted under the brown-hired boy's gaze.

"This is Nara Shikamaru," Sakura declared, "Shikamaru-kun, this is Moriyama Jizouko."

"Hi," she greeted the boy.

Shikamaru just yawned tiredly as he waved his hand. Jizouko watched in mild amusement as Shikamaru proceeded to walk away from the two.

"I don't think you plan is working," she whispered into Sakura's ear.

"I guess Shikamaru-kun's just not your type," the pinkette shrugged her shoulders. "Come on, I know who you should meet next!"


"Kiba-kun!" Sakura called out to a hooded boy not far in front of them. "Hey!" she waved her arm wildly to get his attention when he turned around.

"Hi, Sakura-chan," the boy greeted as he slowed his pace to match theirs. "Who's your friend?"

"This is Jizouko-chan," she said as she nudged said girl towards Kiba.

"Oh yeah," he said in recognition, "I remember you from the Chunin Exams! You're really strong, would you like to train together sometime?" he asked with a hopeful look.

"Sure," Jizouko smiled, "when's good for you?"

"Why not today?" Sakura suggested before adding quickly, "If you're not doing anything, that is…"

"Sorry," he said with an apologetic smile, "I already have plans. Maybe another time."

"Okay," Jizouko smiled back, "I'll look forward to it!"

"Well, we have to go now, Kiba-kun," Sakura cut in, "it was good to see you, though!"

The next few hours passed in a similar fashion. Every one of the guys that Sakura had introduced Jizouko to didn't seem to be interested in starting a romance with her. Not that she had a problem with it, she just felt bad because Sakura always looked so let down when they said they had plans.


"Sakura-chan," Jizouko started as the two sat on a bench, "why are you so intent on pairing me up with someone?"

"Because I think that Jizouko-chan shouldn't be alone today!" Sakura explained with an earnest look, "Nobody should be alone on Valentine's Day…" she trailed off as she let her head hang low.

"Well that's a dumb reason," Jizouko scoffed and Sakura's head snapped up to look at her.

"What are you talking about?" the pinkette practically screamed. "Today is a celebration of love! What have you got if you don't have even that?"

"You never specified what kind," Jizouko pointed out. "I have plenty of love in my life already from my friends; you've proved that much today."

"I don't mean that kind of love," Sakura sighed heavily as she shook her head. "I mean like the kind that your parents have!"

"I wouldn't know," she said softly as she turned her head away. "And besides," she continued before Sakura could say anything, "if I really wanted that I could have it."

"Really?" Sakura blinked in surprise, "Who?"

"That doesn't matter," Jizouko brushed the question, "and the same goes for you, Sakura-chan."

Sakura looked down at her hands and Jizouko took this chance to take her leave. She got up from the bench and said goodbye before leaving for Takashi's. She was sure there were plenty of love-sick girls who had left him cards and chocolates today, Valentine's Days did have a strange effect on people, after all.