Until We All Fall Down Chapter 1, Inevitable, a naruto fanfic

Until We All Fall Down

XxMookinexX

I do not own Naruto or any of its characters, I only wish I did. Any and all unrecognisable characters and situations belong solely to me and are not to be touched without permission. I am not making any money off of this and I write with the soul purpose to entertain.

This story takes place when our characters are 18/19 and takes account of everything up to chapter 337 of the manga. Written in Ino's POV.

Heya, this is my first Naruto fic so... read on!

– Chapter One –

Inevitable

We both knew it could happen. We'd seen the signs. Even so, standing there with that scene laid-out before me, I couldn't help but feel like someone had stabbed a kunai deep into my chest and was cruelly twisting it, slowly ripping my heart to shreds.

I kept my smile firmly in place though, because that's what best friends do. They support one another, even if it means sacrificing their own happiness…

I could see his smile too… rigidly fixed on his face. If I didn't know better I would almost think that he was happy for them. In a way, I suppose he is, but there must be more of him that is discontent with the situation. I hope my mask is equally as good.

It's funny, I never expected to feel such familiarity with Uzumaki Naruto… but here we are, false smiles painted on our faces, both getting our hearts broken at the same time.

There they stood – the perfect couple… honestly, it made me want to snort… or it would have if I didn't feel so much pain right now. It's obvious that Sakura needs to learn some tact.

But I always knew… some small part of me always knew… It's why I resented her so much when we were little. I mean, I made her, god dammit, and then not only does she become really popular with my friends but she has to go try to steal my love too! 'Does she think she's better than me?' 'Does she really think she has a chance with him?' 'Does he like her more than me?' These were the thoughts that this small part of me occasionally voiced in the back of my mind. Not that I paid them much heed. I mean, come on, if there is one thing I know I'm better at than Haruno Sakura it's being confident about myself. There's no way I could attempt to change that. Why would I? I'm always going to be better than her. I like being better than her. Even if she is my best friend.

But…

Fate doesn't like me very much. Otherwise I would have ended up in team 7, not her. Not that I don't like my team-mates, because I do, very much so. I've known Chouji and Shikamaru since we were kids – we go way back. It's just I can't help wondering 'what if'… 'What if I was with Sasuke, not Sakura?' 'What if I had been in that team?' 'Would I get to know him like she has?'

I guess not…

I'm not sure that he would ever open up to me like he has to her.

I don't think I would be able to get through to him like she did… even back at those Chunin Exams when he went berserk and broke that Sound guy's arms… he listened to her when she asked him to stop. Watching her hugging him like that… it was then that I knew… it was then that I noticed the gap between us. That she had changed… and she was taking the lead in our imaginary race.

As time moved on I saw that gap transforming into a chasm… a rift which left me stranded far from Sasuke and that kept expanding. There were months when I barely caught a glimpse of him. He became more and more distant and removed from me. There came a point when I realised I hardly knew him anymore.

I never expected him to leave the village. I was shocked, surprised… maybe a little hurt, and very, very angry… but I could see the knowledge slowly tearing Sakura apart over the years. Sakura said she'd asked him to take her with him when he left. He'd refused.

Just that small divulgence of information sparked hope within me. He didn't love Sakura. He'd thrown her love away. It made me very happy… and very sad at the same time. And I felt more than a little guilty for my feelings.

Part of me rejoiced because I still had a potential chance. Part of me was miserable. 'If Sakura can't keep him, how can I?' The final part of me wondered why Sakura appeared to be so much more upset than I was. 'Maybe because they were team-mates as well, the feelings of betrayal were doubly reinforced?'

I suppose I would be just as upset if Shikamaru or Chouji turned traitor. But that would be ridiculous. They aren't the types to defect.

Shikamaru would find it too 'troublesome', he's too lazy to bother with the effort of running away. As for Chouji… well, he's a tiny bit simple minded. Besides, he's far too kind to ever upset his friends like Sasuke did his.

But my life kept on going. All of ours did.

Being apart from him… I practically forgot about him on a day-to-day basis. Every once in a while I'd stumble across a reminder… a place where I shared a memory with him, but I suffered less than Sakura whose mind was permanently orientated around him and Naruto who disappeared shortly afterwards. Determined to move on and not dwell on the loss of both the boys she loved, Sakura busied herself with her studies under the fifth Hokage.

As for me; Chouji and I trained to catch up with Shikamaru. And when we'd passed our Chunin exams, we continued to train because by that time Shikamaru had become an ANBU member. My sightings of him diminished as well, and as a result I often found myself missing Shikamaru, perhaps with more regularity than I missed Sasuke… even though my heart-ache was more severe when I thought of Sasuke.

Perhaps it was because I was unused to the silence from Shikamaru, whereas Sasuke seemed to have deserted me long ago. For as long as I could remember Shikamaru had always been with me and Chouji… it was strange to be distanced from him… but in the same way, I had loved Sasuke for as long as I had known him. So perhaps the same thing could be said about both.

I often think things would have been so much easier if I'd fallen in love with Chouji. He didn't leave me… but we can't choose who we love. He was a constant in my life, and often when the loneliness became too great it was him I went to for comfort. He would let me curl up in his arms, never bothering to question my presence. I think he knows why I go there without me needing to explain it to him. That's just the type of friendship we have. And he seems perfectly amiable to have me there… or rather if he's uncomfortable with the arrangement he's never voiced his complaints.

Yes, Chouji is very kind… almost too kind. I hope that one day he'll meet someone who will fall in love with him for that kindness. But there's all the possibility that whoever he falls for will love someone else… and he's the sort of person who would let his own kindness hurt him. He would let them go if it meant their happiness. It's admirable… but very saddening at the same time. He deserves better than that… better than what Naruto and I are facing right now.

"I'm happy for you, Sakura-chan, Sasuke…" Naruto managed to force out, the merest hint of unease in his voice.

I glanced sadly at his expression. Naruto was admirable too… even he, a complete hyperactive loud-mouth, could put other people's feelings before his own. Forcing back a grimace I tried to make myself do the same…

"Yeah, you guys look good together," I agreed, managing to keep the bitterness out of my voice. After all… I've always known. It's no surprise that they finally got together. When he came back, she was at his side almost immediately. I suppose I'm just surprised it took them so long. It certainly would have helped me immensely if they'd put me out of my misery earlier. The delay only served to further raise my hopes. And now they lie shattered in my chest. Naruto must feel the same.

"It's about time," I said jokingly. If I'm going to act I'll damn well act like myself. I put my hand on my hip and mock glared at them. "I swear, any longer and I'd have to lock you in a room together to give you the encouragement you needed."

Sakura laughed happily as she clung to Sasuke's arm. Smiling at something he whispered to her she rested her head on his shoulder before directing her attention back to me and Naruto.

I have to hand it to them… they really are the perfect happy couple; sharing small secret smiles and furtive glances at one another. I do want them to be happy… Looking back, I guess it was inevitable. My feelings never had a chance.

"Thank you, Naruto, Ino," she acknowledged, nodding at us both in turn. "We felt that you two should be the first to know."

The use of my name was rather strange… perhaps she's trying to stop our game of immaturity.

"This changes nothing, Sakura…" I said to her with an evil smile. She stared at me in dumbfoundment. Perhaps she was thinking that I would try to steal Sasuke from her. No chance… I know when I'm beaten. Besides, I want to go out with someone who will love me and only me. Winking at the startled pair I continued, "…you've still got a big forehead."

She blinked those large green eyes of hers a few times, and then she laughed. I smiled, nodded at the pair of them, then at Naruto, and turned away. I'm sure the three of them have things to discuss on their own… things I won't be welcomed to hear. After all those three have been through… perhaps that's for the best. To give them their shot at happiness and back-down from what I really want. They deserve some small peace, just for a little while.

I glanced back at them as I turned the corner, three swirling colours of black, pink and gold merging into one. The next sannin… a trio… a three-man team, perfectly balanced and stronger than almost all the Konoha shinobi.

And it was only as I passed out of sight that I allowed the tears to form in my eyes. I raised my head to glare at the sky, using gravity to defy the wetness from sliding down my cheeks. Pausing to regulate my breathing, I tried to think of where to go next. Chouji? Shikamaru? No… right now I knew exactly who I needed to talk to.

Smiling slightly I allowed my head to drop to its rightful position and walked calmly through the streets to our flower shop, ignoring the concerned mutterings of passers by.

Ten minutes later I sat in front of the memorial stone, a freshly cut bouquet of flowers lay reverentially before me. I smiled shakily at a particular name on the stone, sadness flowing through me.

"Hello, Asuma-sensei…" I greeted. My voice was much weaker than I had expected it to be. "I know… I'm early for our monthly visit… but I needed to talk to you, you know, on my own this time…" I trailed off, wondering what else to say. I'd never talked to a grave before. Usually I'd just come here to pray for him. Whatever I wished remained fervently in my head. But I feel like I need to vent a little, and Shikamaru said that he came here sometimes to sort out his thoughts and did exactly that by talking to our old sensei. Smiling slightly at the thought of my companion's serious expression at the time, I finally voiced what was on my mind.

"Sakura and Sasuke are going out together…" My voice caught in my throat as I choked down a sob, hunching my shoulders slightly from the strain of holding everything in. I didn't want to cry here… it would feel wrong… I would be crying for the wrong reasons. This was a place to reminisce about the dead, not despair of the living. "I… I'm sorry…" I whispered, thinking back to that day – the day he died.

"Ino…" Asuma wheezed, blood trickling down his chin as he lay with his back to the ground, surrounded by team 10 and various ANBU members.

"Yes" I asked, feeling my eyes stinging, desperation in my soul. I couldn't heal him. I don't want him to disappear… but I couldn't heal him. His wounds were too serious.

"You're very confident, but… you know how to take care of yourself…" he said. I watched him tilt his head to look at me directly as he gave his last advice to me. "Chouji and Shikamaru… These guys are kind of clumsy… so take care of them."

"…Yes…" I whispered, feeling the tears starting to roll down my cheeks.

"And… don't you lose to Sakura… in ninjutsu or in love…"

"Yeah!" I promised as my throat burned and the tears became a steady stream down my face. I promise, sensei… I promise.

I sniffed as my memories of that day came back to me.

And… don't you lose to Sakura… in ninjutsu or in love…

"I'm so sorry," I whispered. My arm lifted to my face automatically to angrily brush aside the tears that had collected there.

"Ino…?"

I turned, wide eyed, to see Shikamaru staring down at me with shock.

"Oh… Shikamaru… I…" I was lost for words. I wasn't expecting anyone to come here… I thought I would be safe for a while. "Uh… Hi…" I greeted lamely before realising that I couldn't stop crying and rubbing viciously at my eyes in a frustrated attempt to stem the flow. He just looked at me as I tried to hide the tears, even though he'd obviously already seen them.

"Ino…" he sighed tiredly and sat stiffly down beside me, wincing slightly when his hand brushed a wide cut on his leg. It was only when I saw it that I remembered that he was supposed to be nearing the end of a week-long mission. He must've finished it early and just handed in his report only to come here. I almost hit myself at my own stupidity. Of course he'd come here; he always visited Asuma sensei when he got back from a mission.

"What's wrong?" he asked. It looked to me as if he was about to pass out from exhaustion, but even so he was still trying to be kind towards me. I exclaimed angrily at my failed attempts and gave up all together, allowing the salty water to stream down my cheeks. Shikamaru put his hand on my head and pulled me sideways so that I was leaning against his side as he wrapped an arm around me. I twisted so that I could bury my head into his shoulder.

"…Troublesome…" I heard him mutter, but I didn't care. That phrase is just a part of who Shikamaru is. He waited patiently for me to calm down, and calm down I did. I always did when with Chouji and Shikamaru. They helped to ground me when I got overly emotional. They always look out for me… they're such great friends. Like family.

"I failed him, Shika," I muttered, leaning my head against his chest. Shikamaru looked at me, and then glanced at the memorial stone, frowning slightly as he pieced together what I was saying. "I lost…" I finally admitted, ashamed.

"Sasuke," he said as if to confirm, not question. I nodded numbly. My hands were gripping his uniform. "Ino… you don't need to worry about that. I'm sure Asuma just wants your happiness… besides; you've done a good job of looking after me and Chouji, haven't you? We're still in one piece. And you haven't lost to her in ninjutsu either… And if you find someone else to love and have a better love life than Sakura then you'll still have won. Sakura and Sasuke are going to have some problems, you know? Because of Naruto… and team 7's past together."

I sniffed and lifted my head to smile shakily up at him.

"Thank you, Shika…"

"Ino…" he started seriously. "You're troublesome, but your tears are more so."

I grinned and pulled away from him so that I could heal his leg wound. He didn't complain as I fussed over him.

"You cause me as much trouble," I said jokingly. "I can't let you go anywhere without you coming back hurt."

"…Troublesome woman…" he muttered, looking sullen at my reprimand. I smiled, kneeling beside him and pulling my hands back as the cut healed completely.

"You wouldn't have me any other way," I replied. He reached out and brushed my fringe off the right side of my face, revealing it to the morning sunlight.

"No," he agreed, a very strange look in his eyes. "No, I wouldn't."

Despite the already flushed state of my skin from all my crying, my blush was obvious in that light.

Okay, so that was the first chapter. Did you like it? It was my first Naruto one so be gentle with me! Please review 'cos I'm not entirely sure what I'm doing here and feedback would be extremely useful.

Updates should be hopefully every monday.

Luv ya

XxMookinexX