Ino's upset with her for scheduling a date with Jin again. Sakura explains that they are not that serious. If her only female friend rolls her eyes anymore, she might not have them.

"That's your problem. You just go from one guy to the next guy to the next."

Sakura takes a long sip of coffee and stares out of the window. It's not true but it's also not wrong. She has been on a lot of dates recently. Maybe she's feeling a bit lonely because it's near Christmas and watching couples walk down the street, sharing hot chocolate, snuggling up next to each other makes her stomach turn with longing. There's a small chance that she calls Jin because he's easy. Because both of them know it's just a hook-up sort of situation. They don't invest too much into their…whatever it is. Sakura only calls when she wants someone around. Jin calls when he needs to impress his family at functions or equally wants someone around during the most coupled-up seasons of the year.

Sakura's sigh betrays her heart. She doesn't like unspecified relationships. She's not trying to be someone's sneaky link forever. She also wants to share hot chocolate, snuggle and walk dogs in the snow.

Ino snorts invades her introspection and her words even more so.

"And you've been like every sense you broke up with Sasuke."

Well, that's just not fair. Green eyes cut across the table in a scowl that Sakura believes is totally warranted.

"How did Sasuke get into this?"

The blonde shrugs, flicking the side of her Starbucks cup. "I feel like he's always been a part of your dating life since you kept him around."

"He's my friend!" Sakura declares, appalled at the insinuation.

"He's your ex-boyfriend that left you crying in my room for days and weeks at a time until you finally gave up and settled for the friendzone."

Sakura wrinkles her nose at Ino, who clearly knows nothing. "That was years ago. If you remember correctly, I broke up with him."

"Yeah, the last time." Ino gripes. "Before that it was him. Then you. Then him. You again. But it started with him. Now you're in this never-ending loop of guy hopping. What happened to that one guy?"

"Zabuza?"

Ino brightens a little. "Yeah, him! He seemed nice. A little bit older and kind of rough around the edges but, I think that works for you. You like a little roughness anyway."

Sakura manages to look utterly appalled. "The guy with the tattoos who I later found out was in a gang, actively in a gang?"

"He always brought you flowers."

"He was in a gang!"

"And he had such a cute pet for you. What was it again…plum head or something like that?"

"Are you even listening to me? He recruited his nephew to the gang. The gang, Ino."

Ino pouts and mumbles under her breath. "At least you know he cares about family..."

Sakura glares, throwing her hands up in defeat. The people behind them try not to get too invested in the gossip that is Sakura's love life.

Despite clear misunderstandings, she knows Ino means well. And maybe she's being unfair to Zabuza. Yes, he was in a gang but, he never involved her in any of his affairs. Maybe she liked it when he called peach face (not plum head). He did order flowers for her once a week. Maybe his nephew was already following in his uncle's footsteps. So really, he probably would have joined the gang regardless. Okay, yes, she does like a man with a little bit of unscrupulous character. Zabuza ticked about every box: tall, older, kind of machiavellian. But his danger meter had her waking up in the middle of the night at every sound his condo made. When you're wondering if one day you or your boyfriend will end up in the same hospital you work at, things become a little more complicated and a lot more stressful.

Zabuza was the one who broke up with her. Ironic considering he was the problem. But once again, she finds herself single. Jin has always been there just…hanging out. So really, her current situation is her own fault. Although Ino insists that Sasuke is to blame for her shitty luck with guys, Sakura knows otherwise. Especially because, before Ino got to her to complain about Jin, Sasuke already gave her an earful when he found out she was stood-up.

She winces at the thought, hearing Sasuke call her an idiot and annoying all over again. Which is also unfair in her opinion. Sasuke runs through more women than she does men. If her dating life is trash, then his is a dumpster fire. And the fact that she draws comparisons only makes it worse.

Sakura groans under her breath, letting her forehead drop on the table. "I suck at dating. "

Ino hums encouragingly at least. "Only sometimes but, yeah, you kinda do."

"This is not about Sasuke."

"If you say so."

"I just haven't found the right one."

"Also true."

"I doubt he's out there."

Ino reaches over and pats the back of her head. "That's not true! I'm sure he's out there waiting for you. Probably taking care of puppies in a shelter or something really generous and kind-hearted like that."

Sakura peels her forehead away, resting her chin on the tabletop instead. With a forlorn sigh, she dares to hope.

"You think so?"

Ino smiles like good friends do, lacing fingers around a Starbucks cup that shows off a glistening 2 carats diamond engagement ring. Because Ino already found her guy to sip hot chocolate, snuggle while walking a dog in the snow.

"Of course! You just have to be patient and leave Jin alone. He's no good for you."

Sakura eyes the ring with growing skepticism and shrugs. "I don't know what I'm doing anymore."

"You'll figure it out or I'll beat some sense into you. Either one. "

She laughs because she knows Ino probably would. Also because her friend believes in her.

Sakura wrinkles her nose, trying to imagine such a man who would check all the boxes but comes up short with Ino's scenario.

"Puppies?"

Ino beams. "Puppies!"

A/N: He was in a gang!

-CeCe^^