: waltzes into the room : Yes, Ino-chan is back with the second rose! But before I post it, let me acknowledge my reviewers.

Josh - Thanks for your time! English is my first language, but I do have a poetic way pf expressing myself, so excuse the formal language!

Masiyuu - I'd love to do a fic with you! Just tell me and we'll talk about it. Sakura sucks. I have no time for a foolish little girl that used to follow in my shadow and gave back the ribbon I gave her… And excuse Sasuke's formal language. I see him as a boy who never got the chance to be a child because he endured so much. Let's just say I fell in love with the darker side of Sasuke…

: does Ninpou Shintenshin technique on Sakura and makes her do the chicken dance :

On with the fic! To let you all know, I am a girl. Even though it's rather obvious through my username and actions…

Second Rose: Immortal Beloved

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or any of its characters. If I did, SasuIno, NejiTen and NaruHina would be the canon couples. The song is 'Bring Me To Life' by Evanescence.

Ino checked her watch. He was running late.

I wonder what's keeping him. Or maybe he forgot…

"Ohayou gozaimsu, Ino-dono".

She turned to see the sleepy Uchiha boy blinking up at her as he neared. She smiled understandingly.

"Ohayou, Sasuke-kun. You overslept?"

"Training", Sasuke answered shrewdly. "I want to make myself stronger".

How can you see into my eyes like open doors?

Leading you down into my core

Where I've become so numb

Without a soul

My spirit's sleeping somewhere cold

And will you find it there

And lead it back home

There you are again, Sasuke. Exerting yourself until your own health decides to dwindle. Why do you do so much for revenge? You're still young…

Sasuke paused and turned to his female companion.

"Doushite, Ino-dono?"

"It's nothing", Ino lied, faking a smile.

Sasuke gave her a look that said he didn't believe a thing she said. She thought he was going to force it out of her.

"Okay", he said simply. "Here, take my hand. You may get lost in the crowd".

Ino blinked. Take his hand?

"Come on", Sasuke held it out. "I washed my hands before I left".

His lips were on the brink of curling up into a smile. It was the closest he had come to a joke. Ino smiled and reached for his outstretched hand. It was a bit rough, a little calloused from training. But it was warm and comforting.

"It's a nice day", Sasuke remarked as he led her through the crowd. "Cloudy, but not too dark. Just the way I like it. So that I won't have to squint and shield my eyes from the sun".

Wake me up inside, wake me up inside

Call my name and save me from the dark

Bid my blood to run

Before I come undone

Save me from the nothing I've become

"Where are we going, Sasuke?" Ino asked.

"To a special place", Sasuke answered. "It's a somewhere I like to sit down and think".

Ino let him lead her. Never in her life had she expected to be taken by the hand by this stoic Uchiha.

"Close your eyes".

"Why?"

"Just do it", he ordered gently.

Ino obliged, and let him lead her to god-knows-where. Then he sat her gently on a grassy slope.

"Open them".

She opened her eyes and discovered she was in a large meadow on top of a hill overlooking the town. It was carpeted by soft, green grass adorned by fresh wildflowers. She laughed in delight.

"It's beautiful here!"

"Hey, Ino", Sasuke suddenly turned to her, his expression grave.

Now that I know what I'm without

You can't just leave me

Breathe into me and make me real

Bring me to life

"Yes?" she asked.

"You were concerned about me when I came to see you, right?" he rested his chin on his hands.

"Yes", she admitted.

Is he capable of reading minds, I wonder? But I guess the look on my face gave it away…

"Why?" he asked.

"I know you told me your story, but I don't understand it fully", Ino confessed. "Why live on revenge when there are so many other things to live for?"

She clasped his hands in hers without knowing it, an imploring look upon her face. He didn't pull away.

"I told you, Ino", he said simply. "That man has done too much to me. He has stripped me of a family, childhood and happiness. He has stripped me of a heart".

Ino stiffened. But her hold on him tightened.

"You're wrong".

"What do you mean?"

"You have a heart, Sasuke".

She placed a hand over his chest, where his hear was.

"I can feel it", she closed her eyes. "It's beating, and I can almost hear it".

Wake me up inside, wake me up inside

Call my name and save me from the dark

Bid my blood to run

Before I come undone

Save me from the nothing I've become

"I'm a worthless, heartless fool", he said bitterly. "I, don't deserve a place in this world".

"You do", Ino tried to assure him. "Yes you do".

You belong in my heart, but I can never tell you that…

"Where?" Sasuke looked to her for confirmation.

"You have friends, Sasuke", Ino said quietly. "You belong with your team. With all of us here".

"Do I?" Sasuke sighed glumly.

"You do", Ino said softly.

Sasuke slowly leaned on her shoulder and closed his eyes.

Even for just a few moments, let me feel I belong. Let me feel real…

Ino was surprised at the shinobi's sudden action, but she let him. She slowly stroked his soft hair with her slender fingers, giving him the comfort he so long deserved.

The world should give him more mercy. It's not his fault. Not his fault at all.

She felt tears stinging her own eyes.

Frozen inside without your love

Without your love, darling

Only you are alive

Among the dead

A slim finger brushed the tear from her eye. Ino looked down to see Sasuke's head on her lap, her tear falling from his outstretched index finger. He wasn't smiling, or angry or sad. He was just looking at her in a way she couldn't describe.

"Please don't cry", he said. "It doesn't suit you".

Ino blinked.

"I'm sorry".

"Don't be sorry. It should be me".

"Why?"

"I don't know".

A smile appeared on Ino's face. She started giggling. Sasuke was confused.

"What's so funny?"

"That expression on your face!" Ino giggled. "You look so, oh, I don't know!"

Sasuke was confused.

I…don't understand women.

He had an idea. While Ino was laughing, he rolled over from her lap…and tackled her from behind. She shrieked as they rolled down the hill. When they finally came to rest in a bed of flowers, Ino rolled over, laughing.

Wake me up inside, wake me up inside

Call my name and save me from the dark

Bid my blood to run

Before I come undone

Save me from the nothing I've become

"I didn't know you had a fun bone in you, Sasuke", Ino giggled. "Why I…oh no!"

"What's wrong?" Sasuke asked.

"I have to help my mum close down the flower shop", Ino grinned an embarrassed grin as she bit her tongue in a playful way. "I'll see you soon, Sasuke-kun".

She raced up the hill, leaving the shinobi sitting there. He stood up, and picked up a rose that had fallen into his lap somehow.

Hey, there are no roses in this field…how…?

: To be continued :

Note: I hoped you liked it! I wanted Sasuke to have a little fun, that's why. Please R&R! Thanks!

CelestialGeisha (or your Ino-chan!)