Ino felt different after hearing the story. She was back up in their flower shop. She was still amazed how two people thought separated for a long time are still able to see each other. She looked at the flower Gaara left, it hasn't withered, and it still looked beautiful. Then she looked at the mirror. And a thought came to her.. How she used to be… she used to tease Sakura a lot, and Chouji too, she would be really close to Sasuke, she often thinks he is annoyed with girls, she's vain.. a little, cocky… but she is stylish sure.. She is pretty; some boys would swoon over her with her high pony tailed hair.
And now she looked at herself once more, she wears her long hair down, with a clip on the side of her hair. She still likes purple, but recently she became so demure. So shy to do something stupid like tease Sakura, call Chouji fat shout out loud and jump on top Sasuke's back. She just can't do those things anymore; she didn't realize it until someone leaned on the cashier table. Ino was startled that she almost drop the mirror, "Gomen!" she said "Can I help you?" the guys smiled at her, it was Sasuke "Sasuke-kun" Ino said blushing slightly. "Did I disturb you?" he said, he has some difficulty speaking to her thought he is blushing really hard
"No" Ino said gently, "I was just surprised you came" she said. "Sakura sent me coz Naruto is still asleep she said something about a bouquet for her sick mom.." Sasuke said now a bit easy. "Right!" Ino said as she got out of the cashier and started arranging the flowers. Sasuke watched he closely. "You're pretty good at that ne?" Sasuke asked. "Yeah.." Ino said, "All you have to do is pick out the main flower and then the little flower like this thorough weed would just add accent to it… it will just make it more beautiful.." Ino said smiling.
At that moment Sasuke stared at her, the raw Ino, the natural Ino… and then he felt himself getting attached to her even more. Her smile, her eyes, everything is just so simple and beautiful. Then finally the bouquet is finished, it was a white Lily, and it was so pure she handed it to Sasuke. "There" Ino said. "Yeah…arigatou" Sasuke said as he was about to leave he looked at Ino who was smiling back, "Ino-san…" he called her name with respect… "Just like you.. You are the main flower and the flowers around you right now just adds accent and makes you even more beautiful" Sasuke said as he smiled and immediately left.
Ino was left, shocked and speechless… she held out a white lily.. "Sasuke-kun… " But then she saw a sakura on the far end of the shelf… "Sakura-chan"…that afternoon Ino went to Sakura for a walk.. The two haven't done this for a very long time.. They walked by the meadows followed by suspicious stares from Shika, Chou, Naru and Sasu. "You've really changed Ino-chan" Sakura said, "Yeah.." Ino said. "You have too.. You're a flower now…" Ino said, Sakura smiled, she remembered how she used to a bud.. how Ino took care of her and turned her into a flower.
"Demo…" Sakura began, "You're a more beautiful flower," she said in a sigh. They sat under a Cherry blossom. "What gives you that idea?" Ino asked as she looked at Sakura who was staring at the distance. "…..Sasuke-kun" She replied. Ino doesn't know what to say. "Remember how we used to fight over him?" Sakura asked, Ino smiled as she looked at the sky, "Yeah… I always took those fights seriously but at the same time for fun" Ino answered. Sakura smiled as she began to reminisce. "You win…" Sakura said out of nowhere. "huh?" Ino asked, "You win" Sakura repeated. "What do you mean?" She asked. "I am ending out rivalry here.. You win.. He is yours…" Sakura said smiling at her.
"I won?" Ino thought. "Was I selfish… is he worth our friendship…Sakura or Sasuke…"
"I have always liked him…" Ino said, "But you were pulling me… I can't imagine being with him.. because I didn't want to hurt you… because I know you liked him too…and then you would just give up…" Ino scolded. Sakura wiped a tear, "I tried to get him back too Ino… when he was in the darkness… I tried to be his light.. but I failed..", "I failed too Sakura, it was Ryumi-sama and Itachi-sama who saved him" Ino protested. "Iie it was you… you were that light… that's why you deserved him.. you were there when he needed us most…that's why… that's why.." Sakura was now crying. Ino didn't let her finish the sentence and embraced her.
"He loves you… " Sakura whispered, "I know ever since, I have no match if I could rival you but I tried.. but then I know you were the one he liked..". "Shhh" Ino said, "I do like Sasuke-kun… but I still want your friendship" Slowly Ino and Sakura parted. "I live in a world where I am the only girl.. you know other girls don't like me very well.. Sakura… you were the only person who became my best friend… when I'm with Shika and Chouji… I feel different, they don't know that I am hated by many.. that I only have a few good friends.. that others only pretends to be my friends…that is why despite our clashes I treasure you… you are still my best friend" Ino said wiping Sakura's tears. "Thank you… Ino-chan.." Sakura said, "Stop crying now" Ino said, "you're such a cheesy klutz" they both laughed, at least now they are friends…
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Hi guys! Well I dunno if I am still going for another chappy but thanks so much for reading pls. Review! Sorry if I didn't put author's note on the other chaps.. its just coz I was done with 5 chapters before I posted it.. hope you like… do you still want InoxGaara? Or SasukexIno? Big question I still don't have an ending!
Whoops! If you want to know more about Ryumi and Itachi, you should go read my other fic, its 15 chapters but its all good, the beautiful balance between good and evil it needs all the readers it can get coz it only has like 3 reviews… it's like my own version of Naruto with a little InoxGaara pairing on it! Ja!