The Real Reason
The next day
Class was already in session. Everyone was paying attention to Iruka except for the two blonds at the end of the class. There was an awkward atmosphere around them. Ino had her head slightly away from Naruto who also did the same.
Yesterday was a frightening experience but what was able to top that was when Naruto offered Ino to come to his place after school today. She couldn't sleep all night, thinking what he meant by that. She was tapping her finger quickly out of nervousness. She kept on glancing at the clock. There is still a couple of hours left before school finishes. Still isn't enough time for her to prep herself for what Naruto has in store for her. "What kind of guy tells someone to come to his place!?...the only reason would be-" she thought, stopping herself. Her face exploded with pink and she rested her head against her desk.
Naruto also wasn't himself. He could keep staring through the window all day but he can't erase the image of what happened last night. "Why..why!...idiot!" he thought wanting to smash his past self into a wall. Inviting her to his place was not part of his plan or any plan he came up with. Her words got to him.
"Those eyes of yours...they look like they judge whoever they see" Ino's words echo in his head.
OOO
"Ino..hey I was wondering something?" Sakura said, walking up to her desk.
"What is it?" Ino asked.
"Wanna help Neji out with his club...its for the festival coming up" Sakura states.
"O-oh...um..actually-" Ino said, wasn't sure how to answer her.
Ino glances to Naruto hoping he would do something but he wasn't there. "He left early for lunch?" she thought.
"So?...can you spare the time to help him?" Sakura said with her hands together.
"well..I-i..would but...I have plans I have to do" Ino states with a nervous laugh.
"Like your job?..couldn't you call a day off...we just need you afterschool for a few days" Sakura tells her.
"I know but...I actually have something else going on after school besides my work" Ino said looking down, playing with her thumbs.
"Uh?" Sakura said, confused why she looks shy. "Like what?"
"...well...just meeting with someone" Ino said raising her head.
"Meeting with someone….ohhh" Sakura said, understanding what she meant. "Did someone ask you out?"
"What!?...d-dont b-be serious" Ino stutters with a crooked smile. "It's not a date"
"So you are meeting a boy?" Sakura said with a smirk.
"There's nothing going on" Ino said rising from her seat with a light blush. "Let's go for lunch now"
"Hmm.." Sakura said following Ino. "is he attractive?"
Sakura whispered in Ino's ear which made her jump and blush madly.
"Shut up!" Ino said raising her voice and rushing out from class while Sakura giggles.
"Poor Neji...seems like he has competition" Sakura thought with a slight frown.
OOO
"I think your walking in the wrong direction?" Sara spoke leaning against the wall in front of the club room.
Naruto was surprised to see her here. He was about to go to the roof until he heard her voice. He wasn't sure what he should do but from her expression, she didn't seem like she was going to let him go to his favorite spot.
"Right, and you think the club room is where I have to be?" Naruto asked sarcastically.
"Maybe" Sara said crossing her arms. "That stunt you did yesterday...wasn't cool you know"
"What stunt?" Naruto said surprised to hear that from her.
"Letting Sasuke win" Sara said entering the club room.
Naruto couldn't reply and looked down. He can't help but feel a little bad about it. Sasuke was going to throw him a good one if Anko didn't show up. That shows how serious the game was for Sasuke. However, for Naruto, it's nothing but a game now. He walks to the club room and sees Sara sitting with her bento box in front of her.
"I'm curious why did you throw the game?" Sara asked.
Naruto took his seat across from her and pulls out his lunch.
"Sasuke was going to win anyways" Naruto replies.
"How do you know that?...if you just met the guy?" Sara asked confused.
"...we were childhood friends" Naruto said taking a bite from his sandwich.
"Really now…thats hard to believe" Sara states.
"Why, you think I don't have any friends" Naruto said glaring.
"Well have you met your attitude...though, you are nice...but that's not what I'm getting at" Sara tells him. "Just seeing Sasuke personality and yours...friend doesn't come to mind"
"Eh, funny...well even you and Ino...a friend doesn't come in mind either" Naruto said to her.
"rude...I may not be pretty than her...or have her charm.." Sara said making circles with her finger. "But we became friends"
"So you weren't before?" Naruto asked, curious.
In the back of his thoughts, Naruto does wonder. How Sara and Ino even became friends. When he first laid eyes on Sara, he felt comfortable. Even now, the atmosphere felt a little lighter. He was able to breathe easier. Even talking. Sara had her way of trying to get him to talk. Mind boggling to think Sara was friends with Ino. Naruto starts tapping his fingers.
"No...we were strangers" Sara said leaning back in her chair.
"Strangers?" Naruto replies.
"I met Ino during my vacation from here….at my summer home which was near a beautiful beach...and that's where I met Ino" Sara tells him.
Flashback
Sara was walking in the sand, loving the scent the wind was carrying. It was refreshing. Her hair was loose and was dancing with the wind. She stops walking and stares at the horizon. It was nice but it didn't get rid of the boredom she was feeling. People would think, going to your summer home that was near the beach during your vacation from school would be so great.
Though, the sad truth. It was lonely. Sara couldn't help but feel alone in such a wonderful place. She needed something to do. Then, a few feet from her another person was staring at the horizon. A blond girl who looked to be a little older than her. She had a frown on her face. She was hugging herself.
"What's wrong?" Sara asked wondering why she was sad.
"..have you ever lost someone close to you?" Ino spoke softly.
"Oh..sorry" Sara said looking down.
"Uh?...oh no no not like that" Ino said shaking her hands.
"Uh?" Sara said tilting her head.
"This place just reminds me of when my friends left me...without telling me" Ino said in a sad tone. "A few years ago, when I came here"
"Oh, well you should be a little more careful with your words...you might give someone the wrong idea" Sara tells her.
"Ya sorry….by the way..i'm ino" Ino said raising her hand to her.
"I know" Sara said with a smile.
"You know!?" Ino said a little frighten.
"Well...you are called the queen of hearts at school" Sara said giggling.
"Oh..so you go to the same school as me?" Ino asked.
"Yup...but I'm not that popular so you wouldn't know me..I'm Sara" she said.
"Popular...that I am" Ino said turning to the horizon with the same expression as before.
"What's the matter?" Sara asked. "Did I say something wrong?"
"Oh no…" Ino said with a small smile. "I just thought I was going to escape from that title here"
"You don't like being popular?" Sara asked.
"There is a difference between popular...and being acknowledge Sara" Ino said stretching her arms up. "But enough of that...is there something we can do on this beach...my legs are starting to hurt"
"Well i do have a bucket and shovel at home" Sara states, looking up. "We could make a sand castle"
"Aren't we too old to make a sand castle?" Ino said.
"If its fun...I don't think so" Sara said with a smile.
"Uh…" Ino said with a smile growing on her face. "But I think it's better if we make a little competition"
"My thoughts exactly" Sara states with a smirk.
"ohoh...I didn't think you were the type-" Ino said.
"Don't judge me on my looks Ino" Sara said turning around. "I am more than what I look"
Flashback ended
"And that's how we became friends...and if you want to know who won...I did" Sara said with a confident smile.
"Uh...i've heard that enough already" Naruto said shaking his head to the ending of her story.
"What?...being old too make a sandcastle?" Sara asked.
"No the-" Naruto said.
"Or the part where you don't judge me on my looks" Sara said with a slight smirk. "One other person that I know that would say that to you would be..In-"
"Alright.." Naruto said taking his last bite and getting up from his seat. "I'm done...class is about to start"
"Hmm...Did she finally tell you why she created this club?" Sara asked.
"didn't she already?" Naruto asked, not sure.
"Its not something that easy to forget if she told you.." Sara said, getting up from her chair. "But if you keep seeing her like you are now…"
Sara stood in front of Naruto who felt uneasy seeing her up close. It soon hits him, the answer to his question. He doesn't really know Sara. She's a mystery. He hasn't heard rumors about her or anything. He can't really guess who she really is if he doesn't have anything. Unlike Ino, the rumors, the chatter, her status, her name kept appearing.
"Eventually-" Sara spoke, snapping him out of his thoughts. "She will let it all out"
Sara taps his chest then walks out. A sudden action that caused a hint of pink to appear on his cheeks.
OOO
Ino and Sakura were heading back to class since lunch was over. Ino spotted Sara walking to her class. It seemed to her that she came from the top floor. Ino soon notice Naruto coming down the stairs. She turns to Sakura.
"Hey, I'll be right back...I need to use the restroom" Ino tells her.
"Oh ok…" Sakura said entering class.
Ino speeds walk to Naruto who looked deep in thought. Ino looks from left to right, to see if there was anyone. She grabbed Naruto's arm who didn't realize she was there and was pulled behind the staircase.
"Naruto...were you serious yesterday?" Ino asked him, gripping his arm.
"Uh..huh?" Naruto replies, unable to think of an answer quick enough after his interaction with Sara.
"What do you mean uh?" Ino said glaring at him, squeezing his arm.
"..argh...you have crazy strength…" Naruto said pulling her hand away. "..and yes I was...why did you have to pull me here to ask me that...class started-"
"Because...someone!...won't answer my texts" Ino said holding in her anger.
"...tch" Naruto said looking away.
"Don't tch! Me…" Ino said stomping her foot. "This could be alot easier if you answered my texts"
"Fine fine...I will" Naruto said. "So are we done now?"
"No…" Ino said softly, crossing her arms. "What are you planning when I go to your apartment?"
Naruto kept his mouth closed. In order to prove his point to Ino, there was something he has to show her. It was spur of the moment last night and she kept on talking, unable to understand what he was saying. She might still not understand if he brought her to his place.
"There's...something I want you to see" Naruto replies looking straight into her eyes.
"What are you going to show me?" Ino said looking straight back.
"...my true self.." Naruto said walking past her.
Naruto decided to be a little mysterious and tell her something that will give her the wrong idea. From what he understands, she easily misunderstands and thinks of something different from what someone tells her. Though, it will be fun to see. Then the image of Sara enters his thoughts. She is a mystery and when she brought him to the club room. No, it was more about their talk. Thinking back on it, he had the urge to ask more about herself.
A small smile appears on his face. He had to admit to himself, he has been judging people by their looks. Point proven with Sara even by Ino. She may seem a shy and kind girl but there's a fighter in her. He seen her play cards and how she acts around people.
Naruto sighs, realizing he's thinking to much about Sara. He can't get distracted. There is something he is reaching for and he needs to do it alone to achieve it. He needs to remind himself of that.
While Naruto was walking away, Ino couldn't stop imagining wild ideas of what he meant. "My..true...self?" Ino thought wondering, what more could he show. That's when a picture of him without clothes appeared in her thoughts. Her face became pink. She shakes her head rapidly. "No,no,no!..." she thought and turns around. She starts walking back to class trying to get rid of that imaginary image from her mind.
OOO
The last bell of the day rings. All the members of the card club were in the club room.
"So, let's start off by brainstorming about what are we going to do for the festival" Ino spoke.
"Aren't we just going to play a card game?" Choji said.
"Well ya but...will it attract anyone?" Ino said. "No, we need to do something creatively"
"You should also remember, the card club hasn't really made public...meaning, no matter what we do..we won't attract people...since we don't exist" Sara states.
"...I'm asking for help here…" Ino said glaring at Sara.
"Hehe...well maybe" Sara said leaning against the chair. "Why not we do something that allows students to get involved?"
"I don't see that working" Choji states.
"Why?" Ino asked thinking Sara had a good idea.
"Well...how could you get everyone involved if there is other clubs...they wouldn't want to stay for long" Choji said. "I wouldn't"
Choji mutters the last part. Ino was in a stump. Planning this was harder than she thought. She can imagine it now. Their table being the one being passed by while the others were lined up of students. Plus, she isn't able to even join her club. It would be the three of them. She frowns then remembers.
"Naruto!...Sasuke!...why not give your ideas" Ino asked them.
However, the two had their heads looking away from each other. They didn't look like they paid attention to her. Ino couldn't help but be pissed.
"Urgh!...guys let go of what happened yesterday and help us!" Ino shouts.
"...Ino" Sasuke spoke in a deep tone. "It doesn't seem like this will work...if someone came to our table and only if...what can we offer them"
Sasuke stands up.
"The rules on how to play...they will get bored hearing them and leave…" Sasuke states, walking to the door.
"Wait hold on where are you going?" Ino asked him.
"Home...there is nothing to discuss here" Sasuke said looking over his shoulder to Naruto then heading out the door.
"Wait Sasuke…!" Ino yells following him out.
"...well..I guess this meeting is over?" Choji asked uncertain.
"I guess so…" Sara said and looks at Naruto. "You do know that this is your fault"
"What did I do?" Naruto replies.
"Its obvious that Sasuke held on to what happened yesterday...you better apologize if you know what's good for you?"
"B-but-" Naruto said until he sees a creepy smile on Sara's face.
"I do want this club to do well in the festival...and if it doesn't because of a fight you and Sasuke had...you better be careful" Sara said getting up. "I know where you live"
Sara said it in a tone that sent shivers down Naruto's back. "creepy...I never seen this side of her" he thought. Sara walks out along with Choji. Naruto stayed in his seat. His pocket vibrates. It's been happening a lot than before after he got Ino's phone number. He hasn't looked at his message recently since he probably figured them out, it was Ino texting him wondering where he is or that they are having a meeting.
The message he probably received was about when they were going to his apartment. He deducted that after Ino pulled him under the staircase. He gripped the phone in his pocket. "hmm...I don't need to respond if I know what it is already". He sighs heavily, can't wait to get over with it. He gets up from his seat.
OOO
Sasuke was close to the entrance doors. He hears Ino coming from behind.
"Sasuke!...stop!" Ino yells.
"...what?" Sasuke replied turning around.
"What was that back in the club room?" Ino asked angry at him.
"Nothing but my opinion" Sasuke answers.
"well you don't have to give your...FULL opinion!" Ino said shaking her head.
"Its not going to work" Sasuke tells her. "Until certain things get dealt with"
Sasuke said the last part a little quieter. Ino was interested in what he meant and was about to stop him but it was already too late. Sasuke went through the doors. Ino crosses her arms and watches him leave.
Meanwhile, nearby Sakura was lurker behind a wall. She didn't leave right after. Instead, she went to help Sai and Neji also letting Neji know that he might have a rival.
Sakura was shocked to see Ino still in school and that she's talking to Sasuke. The transfer student who became popular on his first day. She wasn't thinking to go up to Ino but it seem like the two were having a serious conversation. "does Ino like Sasuke" Sakura thought. The rival and a good one. Still, seeing Ino still at school makes her wonder. If she had a part time job. She sensed something out of place with Ino. She needed to have a talk with her.
Sakura leans against the wall. Her eyes shot open when she sees Naruto coming down the stairs. "He's here!?" She thought feeling her heartbeat a little faster. Images of that night came to her mind. It was an experience to remember. "Why is he still doing in school?" She thought. It isn't wrong to ask.
"N-" Sakura said feeling nervous. "Naruto"
Naruto froze before taking his last step. Hearing his name from that familiar voice means trouble. He moves his eyes to Sakura. "Why is she still here!?" He thought. His eyes shift to Ino who was leaning against the wall facing the door. She was on her phone
"Why are you still at school?" Sakura asked walking up to him.
"I was about to say the same thing" Naruto replies.
"I was helping my friend" Sakura said.
"Oh" Naruto said, feeling his phone vibrate again.
"...are you going to tell me why your here?" Sakura asked, noticing him patting his pocket.
"Hmmgh" Naruto replied looking away then turning back to her. "I kinda...have the same reason"
"Oh?...seriously..your helping a club?" Sakura asked surprised. "Wait...is it the one you told me about"
"Ya-" Naruto said until feeling his phone vibrate again. "Stop it, I'm coming!?"
"Are you alright?...looks like something is moving inside your pocket" Sakura states.
"Its just my phone..won't stop vibrating" Naruto said with a fake laugh.
"Are you going to answer?" Sakura asked, raising an eyebrow.
"In a minute...though I already know what it says...so I'll just go now-" Naruto said walking past her.
"Um...wait" Sakura said softly causing Naruto to stop. "You've helped me a lot these past days-"
Naruto notice Sakura fiddling with her fingers. Her cheeks were slightly pink. "Have I been helping her?" he thought remembering the time he gave her his umbrella and the time where he gave her back the notes.
"So I want to repay you...by helping you with-" Sakura said.
"Sakura...you don't have to repay me...I did it out of kindness" Naruto said with a forced smile. "Well almost….more for good karma and so I don't get bothered with it!"
"But-" Sakura said.
"Its fine...but I have to go now..bye" Naruto said waving and leaving.
Sakura watches Naruto leave. "Uh...kindness...never would have imagined he was that kind of guy when I first met him" Sakura thought with a smile.
OOO
Ino sighs and turns off her phone. Seconds after, she feels a soft tap from Naruto who came from behind her.
"N-nar-" Ino said startled.
"Let's go" Naruto tells her walking through the exit.
Ino wasn't sure why he was in a rush. She decided not to ask and followed his lead. They were taking the usual route to his apartment. Ino was a few minutes behind Naruto. She was nervous, her hands were sweaty and her heart kept beating harder in her chest. She stares at Naruto's back wondering what he was going to show her. It annoys her that she doesn't know but it could be the person himself.
Naruto was feeling the same. It's one thing to let someone come over and another inviting a girl to come over. He's still a guy and does get those ideas. Though, this wasn't for anything of that and not with her. He shakes his head. He is bringing her to prove a point.
The two entered the building. Naruto and Ino were walking up the stairs then walked toward Naruto's apartment. He unlocks the door causing Ino to gulp, wanting to run. Naruto turns on the light.
Ino looks around. The last time she was here, the lights weren't on most of the time so she couldn't really see anything. Though now, she can see everything. It was a simple place and a quiet one. "Where is his parents?" she thought.
"Are you coming?" Naruto asked in front of his bedroom door.
"Coming?...aren't we here?" Ino asked confused.
"Your going to have to come in my room" he replies.
"Y-your room!?.." Ino said flustered with red cheeks, stepping back.
"Well what I have to show you is in my room" Naruto replies.
"But...w-what about your parents….t-they make get the w-wrong idea seeing you with a girl in your room!?" Ino said nervously.
"They're not here..." Naruto states. "And won't be"
"W-why?" Ino asked, not curious about his parents.
"Ugh...just get in Queen of hearts" Naruto said annoyed.
Ino's eye twitched. It surprised her that her nerves disappeared so easily. Now, she's just pissed. She stomps to Naruto room and flings her hair at him.
"Why thank you…..serrvant!" Ino said acting elegant.
"Servant-" Naruto whispers to himself and twitched. "Grrr"
Ino smiles seeing that what she said affected him.
Once Ino entered his room, she notice papers were scattered on his desk. Above his desk, there was small notes pinned.
She walks closer to it. Her eyes began moving from one note to the next then moved down to the sheets of paper on his desk. She knew what it was. It was the notes taken in class from every lesson. There were some that she doesn't remember learning. The small notes were reminders of lessons.
"uh...you study" Ino said dumbfounded since all this time, she thought he was a slacker.
"..I judge what I see… i study for all my test and exams non stop...meaning every day...I even made a schedule...also started reading more advance lessons" Naruto exclaims.
"Your doing so much work...why?...some of these notes we aren't learning this year" Ino states.
"...because of the future" Naruto replied leaning against the wall. "well more like secure it...get good grades, learn some more then find a job….then have a stress free life...since I would be in a good place"
"Eh?..uhm...are you serious?" Ino asked crossing her arms, raising an eyebrow.
"My grades never been lower than a 90 so...I am" Naruto said in a serious tone.
"So why tell me this….how does this connect from what you told me yesterday-" Ino said not understanding his point.
"Well queen of hearts...have you done anything to prove who you are?" Naruto asked.
"Prove who I am?" Ino repeats.
"You want to be seen has someone other than their looks….yet that's what you are...you haven't changed" Naruto states.
"How could you say that.." Ino said uncrossing her arms. "You don't know me"
"True but the rumors i kept hearing about you...the gossip, the whisper...for 2 years now...always been the same...the only difference now is the fact you own a club that you kept hidden...and plan to use this club to make your true self known" Naruto said massaging his head. "Sadly i don't think it will"
Ino clenched her hands. Hearing the words coming out of Naruto's mouth is making her blood boil. Though, she can't think of anything to say back. "Naruto…" she thought gritting her teeth. The one person she never thought she would talk too ever since the first day. The person who wasn't a fanboy of hers and who she thought was a slacker turned out to be someone with goals.
Naruto eyes slightly widen after seeing a tear drip down Ino's cheek. She couldn't hold them back. She didn't know what to say. Everything he said was true. Her image at school will always be the queen of hearts. More tears begins to slide down her cheeks.
Flashback
"Why are we here Ino?" Sara asked standing in the middle of the forest.
"Just wanted to look at something" Ino answers, sliding her hand across the tree stomp. "Has it always been so smoothed"
"Uh..almost like a table" Sara states doing the same.
"This was where I played my last card game...with my childhood friends" Ino said with a small smile.
"Last card game" Sara said.
"ya...I haven't played ever since" Ino tells her.
"Uh...well...your in luck" Sara said pulling out a maroon coloured deck. "I brought mines here"
"W-why did you have it?" Ino asked.
"Well you never know who you will meet and have the same interest as you...playing a fun game of cards is good to break the ice with someone and get to know them...that is my opinion though" Sara said placing her deck on the tree stomp.
Ino stood there shocked then it hit her. An idea. She turns her head to Sara and smiles big.
"You just gave me an idea" Ino states.
"Oh whats that?" Sara asked sliding some cards to her.
Ino placed her hands over them.
"Lets make a card club!" Ino said with excitement in her tone.
"I get where you got that idea but...I don't think it will work...not many members will join…" Sara said until she remembered. "Then again...if you were in it….tons of people will join-"
"True…" Ino said tapping her fingers. "We need members who aren't in it for me but the game itself and the purpose"
"And what purpose will that be?" Sara asked curious.
Flashback ended
"...t-there..there's another reason for why I created this club" Ino said sniffing and rubbing her eyes.
Naruto leaned away from the wall. The words of what Sara told him came to mind. "Is she going to tell me the real reason" he thought.
"...I-i want my club to create friendships….well in Sara's words...break the ice.." Ino said with a light hearted smile. "I almost forgot about that...and your right...I really haven't shown much...thats why-"
Ino steps forward. Naruto was stunned seeing Ino's eyes up close and her cheeks tinted with red caused from her crying. Though her eyes were sparkling.
"I need your help...Naruto Uzumaki...you seem capable to show what you want….and I bet..you already know how to make my club popular without my status influence" Ino said raising her hand to him. "So if what you see is how you judge...then...I'm am asking for your help Naruto...and also..I will show you I'm not just a pretty face"
"Those determination eyes" Naruto thought unable to look away. Then her words were similar to Sara. "I am more than what I look" he thought repeating Sara's words. Ino's eyes were like a whirlpool, pulling him in. He can see something different in her. His hand started to raise. Ino continued to stare at his eyes, already feeling his heat coming from his hand.
"I-in-" Naruto said until his phone vibrates.
Ino shifts her eyes to his pocket. Naruto moved his hand away from hers and reached down his pocket.
"Who else's is texting me besides you" Naruto said pulling his phone out.
"I haven't texted you in awhile since you never answer me" Ino states.
After hearing her words, Naruto froze. He gripped his phone tightly. "Wait if she didn't text me all day...that means-" he thought with his eyes widening.
"They're-" Naruto said turning his head fast to his door.
OOO
The entrance door knob shakes then turning slowly. A tall male with blond spiky hair enters along with a red head female.
"Naruto we're home"
OOOOOOOO
Sorry for the wait….but I hope the last part excited you in what I have in store next chapter!