Hi guys. I meant to get this chapter out sooner. I had it finished on Tuesday, but for some odd reason I was unable to log on. And then, life got unbelievabley busy Tuesday night and Wednesday. All I can say is that my family is crazy. Moving on, here is chapter seven. Enjoy!

Ino sat cross-legged on her bed with a magazine in her lap, an ink pen firmly grasped in one hand. She would circle something on the page every few seconds, bring the pen up to her lips when she contemplated it, and scribble some notes before starting the process all over again. Sakura lay on the lush cerulean carpet beside the bed, arms tucked behind her head as she stared up at the ceiling.

"What do you think of this one?" Ino held the magazine over the side of the bed for Sakura to see. Sakura shook her head.

"No."

"Okay then, how about this one?" Ino flipped the page and held it back out.

"No, I don't like that color." Ino's temple twitched slightly as she realized the roseate kunoichi had not even looked at the page. She stuck her head forward to study Sakura's face.

"Sakura, are you listening to me?"

"No."

"Aha!" Ino pointed an accusing finger in triumph. "Sakura, you haven't paid attention to a word I've said!"

Sakura stared at her blonde haired friend and shrugged. "You should have known better than to ask me to help you pick out a new dress; you know I hate shopping."

Ino jumped down to the floor and got uncomfortably close to Sakura. She observed the roseate kunoichi suspiciously with a critical blue eye. "You've been sitting there all afternoon with that stupid daze. I think it's more than that. I think you're hiding something from me."

"And I think you've lost it," Sakura said flatly. She sat up and tried to nudge away, but Ino moved even closer.

"I went by your apartment the other night to see if you wanted to go to a party with me," Ino said. "Where were you?"

"Wait a second," Sakura interjected, "Why were you going to a party?"

Ino smirked and brushed her shoulder off. "Because," she explained, "I broke up with Chouji again."

"Again?" Sakura gaped at Ino in shock and shook her head sympathetically as she pictured the heartbroken Jounin.

Over the last few years, Chouji had slimmed down a bit and had become quite handsome. By that time, Ino had developed an infatuation with the timid ninja, and they started dating. Chouji was obviously crazy about the blue-eyed kunoichi, so Ino had the poor guy wrapped around her finger. However, Ino could be quite demanding; this was the hundredth time she had "broken off" the relationship.

Ino shrugged. "He took my last piece of chicken at dinner."

Sakura clicked her tongue in disappointment. "You're ruthless."

"Oh, don't worry; I'm going to go see him after I leave here," Ino said, pushing the issue aside. "But we're supposed to be talking about you." She fixed her eyes on Sakura. "What were you up to that night?"

Sakura sighed, "Alright. But if I tell you what happened, then you can't say anything to anyone. It's really no big deal. I was with Kakashi-"

Suddenly, Ino jumped up and squealed, cutting Sakura off in mid sentence. "Oooh," she cried, "I knew it was a man! But Kakashi of all people! I mean, not that there's anything wrong with older guys…" Ino continued to ramble on as Sakura's face blushed profusely. She started to repeat Ino's name in an attempt to gain her friend's attention until she was on the verge of yelling.

"Ino."

"…you have to admit there's something about him…"

"Ino."

"…he's so mysterious with that mask…"

"Ino."

"...it's kind of sexy actually…"

"Ino!" Sakura glared at the young woman beside her.

"What?" Ino stared at Sakura knowingly, as if there was nothing else to tell. Sakura glowered at her and shook her head.

"You didn't let me finish," Sakura said through clenched teeth. She took a breath as she tried to regain her composure. "Okay; I was supposed to baby sit Mayu last night, and Kakashi came to keep me company. He gets there and we eat dinner and talk for a while; it was like I was hanging out with you." She pointed to her blonde friend.

"Well, the time comes for Mayu to go to sleep, so I tell Kakashi that she won't sleep unless someone sings to her. Now, I was just trying to mess around with him; I didn't think he'd actually take me seriously. But we start rocking Mayu together, and he ends up singing. Mayu and I both passed out, and that's about it."

She thought briefly of telling Ino about the dream she'd had as well but decided against it. She knew Ino would take it the wrong way. She kept her mouth shut as she waited for Ino to respond.

Ino stared blankly at the roseate kunoichi. She folded her arms and tilted her head. "Sakura," she said flatly, "that is the lamest thing I have ever heard."

"It was not lame," Sakura retorted, and then laughed. "Yeah, okay; it was a little silly," she admitted, "but it's the honest truth."

Ino grinned as a thought came to her mind. "Listen," she said, "I don't think I could get Chouji to even pull that one off; and he'd probably jump off a bridge just for me. Oh, wait; he already has." Ino giggled as she recalled the memory.

The two kunoichi sat in silence for a moment. Sakura sighed.

"So, what does it mean?" Sakura whispered, gazing at her friend. Ino peered up at her with eyes that were surprisingly soft and warm.

"Well," she said, "Even if it was cheesy, it sounds… kind of romantic." She paused and thought for a minute. "He must really like you."

"Well, I know he likes me," Sakura said. "I'm a very amiable person." Ino shook her head and sighed.

"No," she asserted, "He really likes you." Sakura blushed and looked away.

"Don't be silly. Even if he did, you have to look at the circumstances. He's fourteen years older than me. He used to be my sensei; I even still call him sensei."

"So what?"

Sakura took a breath. "Y-you can't be serious," she said as she glanced at Ino.

"I'm very serious," Ino assured her. She watched as Sakura fidgeted slightly and rubbed her hands together, an indication that the roseate kunoichi was getting nervous.

"Ino, even if you're right," Sakura said, "I don't know if I could do it." She sighed. "I mean, you know how it was," her voice dropped to a whisper, "Sasuke is the only man I've ever been with, and…"

"And he's gone, Sweetie," Ino said quietly. She put an arm around Sakura's shoulder. "Look, I'm not saying you should become a swinging bachelorette," she cooed, "but maybe you should start thinking about something other than that hospital. Two years is a long time for anyone to be…"

"I'm not just anyone," Sakura scowled, cutting her off. Ino shook her head.

"Just give it some thought, okay?" She looked at Sakura with her piercing blue eyes. "If Kakashi does make his interests obvious, then you should go along with it. See where you end up. It wouldn't hurt to open up a little more."

"H-he… He asked me out to dinner this Friday. It's his birthday," Sakura murmured, her face slightly flushed.

"That's the 15th, right?" Ino stared inquisitively at the roseate kunoichi. "Sakura," she said hurriedly, "It's already Sunday."

"I know," Sakura admitted as Ino gaped at her. Then, Ino's face lit up, and she placed a firm hand on Sakura's shoulder.

"What are you going to wear?" Sakura shrugged.

"I don't know."

"Have you decided how you're going to do your hair?" Sakura shook her head.

"No."

"Well then why are you sitting here with me? You're the one who should be looking for a dress," Ino squealed. She grabbed Sakura's hand and tugged her onto her feet.

"What are we doing?" Sakura stared fearfully at her friend. Ino grinned wickedly.

"We are going shopping for your date," Ino teased as she pulled Sakura toward the door.

Sakura's face paled to a ghostly white. "We don't have to do that. First of all, it's not a date; and second, I thought you were going to see Chouji."

Ino waved her hand at Sakura's excuses. She grabbed her purse. "No," she said, "First of all, it is so a date; and second, Chouji can wait. He'll understand."

Sakura stared helplessly at the firm hand grasping her own. She decided to not fight it. Once Ino's determination was set, it was like attempting to knock down the ultimate barricade with a single stone: Ino would still stand as strong as the day was long, and whoever objected to her undertaking would be left sitting there, feeling like a complete idiot for even trying.

As long as everything goes according to plans, chapter eight will be out within the next day or two. I had kind of hit a writer's block, and then I got this brilliant idea! I had to write it down on a napkin so I wouldn't forget it. I just need a little time to formulate how to introduce it. I feel a war brewing...

Anyways, thanks for reading and responding. I'll post some more of my own responses to reviews. They are truly an inspiration and help me decide how to continue the story. Thanks again!

bijou: Thanks : ) I know what you mean. I thought it would be cute, and it is; but after I posted it I was kind of like oh crap. Still, I'm glad everyone likes it. And see? You're review kind of altered how I took on this chapter.

chocmilkchan: I don't know of many Japanese dishes, but I do love chicken fricasse; so there you have it : ) I'm glad you like it XD

Faery: I understand. It was kind of harsh, and I didn't even take that into account. Hmm... you just gave me an idea, though. Thanks!

Afiag: Thanks :) And yeah, I felt like it's a bit lacking, but the flachbacks kind of add to her inner struggles, I guess. I'm not sure what I mean, actually XD

aNgeLoFdArknEssmaRie-chAn: No problem : ) I plan to write another story eventually, but plot ideas for future stories are always welcomed. I might do one on Yondaime. We'll see, hehe.

optionxx1: Yeah, I'm dorky and love fluffy stuff, so I figured I'd throw that in. Thanks : )