I am very sorry for not writing for this long. I really don't know what happened. I quite literally have no memory of the last two months. But, no worries. I'm getting patched up on what I missed.

Anyways, for those of you who are reading this, thank you and please bear with my lame excuse for writing.

This chapter is still in Ino's POV and is still rated PG-13 for god-knows-what.

Not my characters, but they are used for my imagination.

Chapter 2
So we're friends now. Good friends. There's nothing I can think of that we don't to together. The bestest of friends!

But, then, there's this small problem nagging at the both of us. The summer would be ending soon. School was about to start. Which meant… separation.

"You're older than me!" Sakura gasped, almost howled.

I laughed simply, "You just noticed? You idiot."

She pouted, sticking out her lower lip childishly. "Shuddup. But this means we'll be in different grade." Sakura looked heartbroken. I saw fake tears welling up in her eyes.

"Oh please," Guilt trips do NOT work on me. I smiled. "If you want, I could fail for you. Would that make you feel better?" My voice held a tone Sakura was bound not to miss.

She shook her head rapidly, like she was being possessed or something. "NO! Your grades are important! No failing."

"I shrugged and muttered under my breath, "Predictable."

Sakura glared me in the eyes, "What was that?"

"Eep."

"Uh-huh. But don't you understand? We won't be in the same class. You're a grade higher than me. This sucks!" She pouted again. So emotional.

I sighed. Talking to her can get to be hard. "Sakura, chill." I ordered like a master telling their dog to sit. "There's no need to worry. We'll always be friends right? And besides, there's lunch, after school and the weekends. Ok? Now get over yourself."

Sakura slumped in her chair. "Yes, you're right. You're always right? How are you so smart?"

"I dunno."

"Ok, then why is it that you're so mature?"

I couldn't stop my laughter. "Mature! Hahahahaha! You've got to be joking! Sorry, I've got to go." Still laughing, I attempted to leave. But, something had snagged the hem of my shirt. I down behind me and saw Sakuras' pale hand holding me back. "What is it?

Her voice was small and meek. "Don't go. Please." I couldn't help but think something was wrong, but then she blushed. "Oops, that came out differently than I meant. I mean, just don't go. It's so boring around here."

I hesitated, trying to make an excuse, but my best was: "Sakura, it's getting late. I—"

She cut me off, "Please Ino." I gave in. Guilt trips may not work on me, but puppy dog eyes (especially from my first friend) made me melt.

"Fine, but only for a few more hours. I don't think you're mom would let me stay the night."

"Done. So what should we do?" Sakura smiled.

I sat down on the floor next to her chair. My mouth formed words, but I didn't feel I should say them. I decided to bring back the school thing and fact of my being older than her. "Well, since you're going into the ninth grade and I'll be in the tenth, I might be able to put in a good word for you at my high school."

"What high school is that?" She inquired.

I frowned. I had forgotten the name. "Well, then again. Knowing me and what kind of person I am, they might not trust my word."

Sakura rolled her eyes and plopped herself on the floor in front of me. "That's reassuring. So then, without your help, is there a chance of me getting into this school of yours? And where is it?"

I leaned back on my hands and spoke, "Well, there must be a very good chance of you getting in there considering it's the only high school in this small town. And it's very near my house. I don't know the name of the street its by."

"Oh, you're so informational."

"Yup! Aren't I great?" I grinned. Sakura stuck out her tongue. Friends are great to have.

The next day started off horribly. I was abruptly awoken by loud knocks at the door. I peered through my old curtains to see who it was. Not good.

I opened the door, "What is it, Naruto?"

His face went wide with seeing me here. "Ah, Ino! I wasn't expecting you."

I interrupted him, "And who were you expecting? Your birth parents?" His ocean blue eyes went wide with pain. I knew that would hurt him, knowing that he too was an orphan. But his dad was still alive. He had left Naruto at the orphan edge one day, because he couldn't care for a kid. But, Naruto didn't know this. Poor boy.

"Ino, that was mean. BUT! I won't let it get to me, because at least some family wanted me as their child. Unlike you, that nobody wanted."

Ouch! But I didn't express my emotions as easily as some… most of the time. Instead of the pained expression he wanted me to do, I curled my lip and growled at him, and barking my words at him, "What is it that you want, dobe?

He shuddered, "You sound like Sasuke." I wasn't sure if that was good or bad. Sasuke is hot, but a totally horrible when it comes to being human. "Anyway, forget it. I didn't know this was your clubhouse. I'll just be going then."

"Yeah, and 'get going' faster!" I snapped as he turned and left. Slamming the door and threw myself back on my bed. What Naruto said really hurt. There has to be someone out there who would want me for a child? Right?

I mean, if Sakuras' mom didn't think of me as some hooligan, she'd take me in?

Only a miracle could let that happen.

I rolled over on my back, blinking back the tears, I said to myself, "Now, where was I?" And not long after, I fell asleep.

TBC...
Took my two months and two hours to write this. I found this file, half-written, when searching around my compy yesterday. I bet some of you are glad I found it. And the ones who aren't: why not? I'm working my butt off here!

Review:

Kikirini-chan: You have no idea how much I long hearing your reviews! Actually, the first chapter wasn't a spoiler (and I think I've said this before), it was a teaser to get people to want to read until those parts of the story happen. And telling then that Ino gets amnesia is not giving anything away, trust me. Thank you, I sure hope this story does get more absorbing and deep. But I'm only a beginner in writing. Don't worry, I changed my mind, there will be a few chapters later on in Sakuras' POV. And by the way, (cause I'm too lazy to review right now, in which I'll do later) your story Still a Child from the little I've started reading is pretty good. Ha, long answer to a long review.

Ok now, my fans, please RR. More the reviews, faster the writing.