Tuesday, Second day of School

The IR meeting ended with rejoices and smiles, except Shikamaru and Naruto.

"Well done Sakura," Kiba congratulated, "there is some work actually going up in there!" He gave me a sharp noogie in the head, he needed to learn how to socialize with girls more. TenTen was glad that I accomplished the mission so far.

"Why are you guys happy about this," Shikamaru spoke coldly. Everyone turned and listened intently. Naruto was frowning as well.

"You guys are going to ruin someone's trust to just benefit the IR?" He questioned again. It has been awhile since I've saw Shikamaru mad, along with Naruto. I had to agree with them, it wasn't exactly the best idea we got but it was our only one. I was even willing to be friends with her, and get the objective done, so it was a victory with sprinkles on top.

"Well she didn't exactly hel-," TenTen began to explain before Naruto blurted, "But no one should deserve to be used like that!" His blue eyes were icy and distant. TenTen became silent and crossed her arms.

"Ok we'll continue this after school. We're going to Naruto's house for it," Shikamaru insisted. Everyone nodded except Naruto who went back to his boisterous attitude.

"I don't think that's a good idea," he yelled at us. Everyone left before they could question Naruto why, except me. We had never gone to Naruto's house before, but it should be fun. Shikamaru probably went there when he was little for play dates, he and Naruto were close.

"It will be fine Naruto," I turned to walk out while Shikamaru waited for the blond. Naruto glared at him before walking away, Shikamaru tagging along. I heard them whisper around before Naruto blurted, "Did you forget?!" Then they disappeared in the morning traffic, never to be seen till after-school.

"Hurry Sakura," Shikamaru grumbled while I ran from the school's exit. Everyone was carpooling with Shikamaru, since most of us didn't have cars. My family was going to give me one when I graduated.

"I'm hurrying, jeez," I retorted while giving a glare to Shikamaru. He smiled before putting his key into the ignition. I quickly claimed the front seat while everyone crammed in back. TenTen was groaning about being stuck between Kiba and Naruto, Kiba whining about not getting shotgun, and Naruto saying it was still a bad idea.

Shikamaru pulled out of the parking lot and started toward Naruto's house. We continued along until I notice Shikamaru started heading towards South Hill, instead of downtown like I thought. South Hill is where the rich people live, while downtown was the medium residence. I didn't know Naruto was rich.

Shikamaru drove up the windy road, and took a turn on a familiar street. My eyes bulged while my mouth opened to protest we should move the meeting. Naruto slapped his forehead and began to mutter blasphemes.

"We're here," Shikamaru pulled up to the gate, which was closed perfectly shut in front of a familiar luxurious two-story house. We were at Yamanaka's House, but why did Naruto live here?

Everyone gasped and complimented Naruto on the beautiful house, Shikamaru verified himself through the intercom. While everyone was busy, I pulled Naruto off to the side. "You live with Ino?! Why didn't you say something, it would've made things so much easier!" Naruto winced before scratching the back of his neck.

"Long story short," Naruto chuckled bitterly, "I'm only half brother to Ino and Deidara." I made a hand motion for him to continue, he stopped to think before continuing. "Their real father was in the army, it was when Deidara was four and Ino was still in her mom. Their father died while in combat, Mom went into depression. Later, my true dad came and they got along well. When Ino turned one, I was born….Then later my dad died from car accident. Big old mess and Mom is away on a business trip." He added sadly. I patted his back in apology. He was correct on the big mess part; I didn't know that they had such a troubled past, let alone they were brother and sister, it was a big shock in my eyes. If Ino wasn't going to be President, then Naruto would be, and how horrifying that would be. He would try to make the school bright orange with blue pokadots. He brushed my hand off with a smile. We joined back with the group just in time to be allowed inside. The gate opened and we scurried in quickly. Naruto opened the door and led us to his room. I noticed the room where I found Ino was shut; Naruto noticed my glance, "that's the cat's room. Spoiled? Very."

Everyone except Shikamaru, Naruto and me let out an ooh. Naruto ushered us along till we got into his room. I was paranoid and scared to find Ino somewhere and have her surprise everyone. Shikamaru must've known this a long time ago, but what was the point? When everyone was eyeing Naruto's room, Shikamaru lightened my mood, "she doesn't get back till four thirty. So don't look so tense."

With that information, I floated along like a feather. We began to discuss the whole idea, I was quiet with guilt. Naruto and Shikamaru continued to debate what would be easier, while Kiba and TenTen fought fiercely back. It was only twenty minutes later that we got an agreement.

"Ok, Sakura, you can continue to persuade her but you must at least make her happy then let her down slowly afterwards," Shikamaru told me with some betterment. Naruto nodded with a brotherly protection. Shikamaru either was like a brother to her or was more, I couldn't place my finger on it though. What if I wanted to know Ino a little more? I didn't bring it up. Ino was our enemy, right? I felt like some object to them, getting told what to do and not do, but I nodded numbly in agreement. We wanted to beat the Elders by protesting with good reasons; we had many, and winning. A thought stuck to my head, what if I wanted to continue to do this, but still be her friend? I don't think that's against the rules in this game. I began dive deeper into my thoughts, reasoning looming over like a rain cloud.

After that they, while I continued to bicker with my conscience, chatted along about situations and problems that might occur during our scheme. I would nod away whenever someone asked for my opinion. It was four twenty when Shikamaru said it was time to go, though he looked at me dryly. "Sakura will stay with Naruto to think of ideas," he told before shepherding everyone out of the house. I watched them leave without complains. I already knew before Shikamaru spoke that there was a reason for leaving me behind. Naruto yawned loudly before going to his window and watching them drive away. I walked to the window and watched the day go by with him.

Soon enough, Ino came walking down the street with a gloomy face. "Why does she walk? And she looks so sad," I felt somewhat obligated to ask questions and learn more about her. Naruto gave a lopsided smile, "She says she feels more rejuvenated and happy when walking. That's practically her only time to enjoy life," he informed. I didn't say anything but Naruto seemed to understand.

I continued to watch Ino who wasn't aware of us. She clicked buttons on the intercom, the gate swung shortly after. She continued to speed walk to the door. I listened and heard the door open and shut. The sound of footprints was deadly loud in the quiet house. She started ascending the stairs, and Naruto got up to greet her. He went outside of his open door with a smile.

"Hey Naruto," Ino said in a warm voice. Naruto greeted back with a smile, "I got a surprise for you."

"A surprise, it isn't a holiday," she mumbled with some confusion before coming inside. She opened her mouth while her eyes got big when she saw me. I smiled, "hey Ino."

She turned towards Naruto with an inquisitive look. Naruto chuckled warmly, "I knew Sakura for quite some time, and thought it was ironic that she just met you. So I thought you guys could catch up!" He scooted Ino inside before saying something about making some pizza. He quickly left us alone in his room, to let the silence devour us alive. I kid.

I averted my gaze to Ino. She was shyly kicking the ground. "How was your day?" I questioned curiously. She glanced up at me with those soft eyes, "it was ok."

"Just ok," I probed her quietly. She flinched lightly but sighed.

"Well ok, it wasn't great at all. The Elders were angry today, don't know why..." She averted her glance to glare at the wall. "They said something about students who dyed their hair neon green to protest. I had to expel them from school." She looked at me with a knowing smile. She didn't seem happy about having to expel people.

"Though you're hair is naturally pink, which is odd, if it wasn't... Well I would have to expel you!" She started laughing, thinking it was the funniest thing in the world. What if she knew about the rebellious club I was in and the others?

I quickly tried to recover my composure, "so you don't like expelling students?"

She was caught off guard and stopped her laugh immediately. I gave her a tantalizing look. "No I don't, the students blame me for everything the Elders do. I'm just a person to speak between their two worlds, their very different worlds." She gave another crooked smile at me. She wasn't very fond of this from what her eyes were telling me. Her blue eyes were cold, distant, and hurt. But she was being melodramatic about the whole situation.

"Well what position do the Elder's hold?" I asked curiously. She gave me this odd look, like I was stupid to ask that.

"Well they were the past presidents and give wise information to the School staff." I nodded before sighing. She wasn't really getting it. The whole moral purpose of that was to make her understand that she didn't have to obey them, at all. They were nothing to the school, but an old and strict tradition.

"You're correct. They have no control over the school, but the tradition got so great it over-flowed. The school lost its independence," I added. The whole thought hit her like a criminal off of Cops who was getting tackled.

"They tell the Staff to expel this person because they broke one of THEIR rules," I continued, "The Staff does it because they think the Elders are correct. They lose their ability to think rationally and make their own ideas."

She nodded like a child. I began to feel older than I really was. I shifted from my position near the window. I stood up and walked to her. I was maybe one or two inches taller than her, though she was older than me, I believe. Naruto came in with a smile, before noticing Ino's confusion. He crossed his arms with a frown. He didn't look to happy with the view of things.

"So you're telling me to what?" She asked, beseeching guidance, Naruto quirked an eyebrow from behind his unaware sister. I smiled at Ino to warm up the atmosphere, but to also get myself out of this rut.

"I'm not telling you to do anything, but make you realize what I view in my own eyes." I spoke truthfully. It was altered to a less blunt statement than the real thing. If I didn't, Naruto would've tanned my hide for trying to get to the prize first. Naruto smiled and walked away. I bit my lip to release some tension. That was close call. Naruto would've sent me home then later given me a lecture to be nice to Ino.

"Oh," Ino furrowed her brows, "Ok." She looked like she was expecting more from me. I would tell her there was more, but with Naruto lurking in every corner…Well it wasn't safe one bit.

We needed to get out somewhere to further our conversation, and to make her become more content with me. There were many ideas in my head where she would be more open, like the mall? Yes the mall was a perfect place to get to know a person without suspicion, but it was too distracting there. An idea came into my head. We should go to the park! Naruto did say she enjoyed walking.

"Hey Ino, we should go to the park." I suggested with an enthusiastic smile. She flinched at the sudden out burst.

"Well that was unexpected," she spoke with a small smile. "Yeah that sounds good, let's go!"

She began walking away before I grabbed her shoulder. She turned around with a confused face, she looked beyond beautiful. Her blue eyes were beyond gorgeous with pretty blond hair to frame her face. Her lips quivered lightly, and she blinked once again. I don't think she is use to human contact much. It was cute to see her like this, curious and confused. It was enough to…

"You need to change out of your school uniform," I pointed while patting her shoulder. She flinched inwardly and glanced down with a blush. I giggled while she scratched her neck bashfully.

"I will go change," she excused herself before wandering to her room. I never got to see where her room. I'll remember to take my time to go see it one day. I sat back down on Naruto's bed to plan our trip to the park. We could get ice-cream before we head out, it would lighten the mood definitely. After walking around, and commenting the late summer weather, I could try to coax some ideas into her head. I felt another pang of guilt. I could always do that, but it would cause my conscience to riot within me. I wasn't exactly sure if I could pull this off. I wasn't a good liar, but I could handle small white-lies, yet this was a whole black fib. I was tricking some innocent person, from my current knowledge, into being my friend for benefits, to some club, to win a practical one-sided battle? It sounded bad enough, but I had the option to continue being her friend, right? It would save me from being mad at myself.

That idea some how didn't make my guilty side falter. Was there not a way out of this without inner-fighting with myself? It apparently looked like there wasn't.

I sure don't want to hurt Ino. The blond was too naïve to me, just like a cherub child which you would never want to taint. At first the whole idea of pretending Ino to be my friend was a joke, in my ears, but soon it became a repulsive scheme. I thought I could do it, but now I am surely having regrets. How was I persuaded in this? TenTen was the cause of this, but I doubt she was taking in the whole situation. She was a person who loved to win with below average standards for cheating. I couldn't get totally mad at her, or forget her slight coldness, but Kiba was in it too, did that make him heartless? I noticed I was more angered towards Kiba than TenTen, showing my picking of favorites which shamed me.

I would never fight with TenTen, or Kiba at least, over there own opinions, especially over this scheme. I felt bad for calling it a situation, Ino was being categorized almost like an object, a non-important thing while in real life she was very important. I noticed how Naruto and Shikamaru were coming from, this whole plan was horrible: To trick someone into being your friend and turn them against their group then ditching them. It was an evil idea indeed.

I managed to hold a smile on my face. I guess I could try and remain friends with Ino, if things don't get awkward. A thought occurred to me, would I need to tell her about this plan if I did choose to remain her friend, or would I be considered a friend at all if I have a goal to get close to her?

"I'm ready Sakura," Ino announced at the doorway. I quickly got off the bed, almost in a desperate fashion that made me mentally slap myself. Ino didn't take notice of it, a smile spreading on her lips when I walked towards her.

"Ok then, let's head off," I suggested while Naruto was outside the room with a curious grin. I felt myself feel withdrawn and caught in the act.

"Where you guys going?" He asked curiously. I knew his interested tone was false, covering up his suspicion towards me. Ino stopped with her oblivious smile.

"We're going to the park for a walk. Want to come?" I froze at her suggestion. No, Naruto couldn't come because he would ruin my chance for getting closer. I frowned quickly. That did not sound evil and demanding at all. I was seriously thinking I was the antagonist in this house. Naruto glanced between Ino and me, debating on to go or not. Ino's smile faltered, slowly realizing that something was wrong from the silence.

Naruto shrugged, "No thanks Ino, but I'm going to play Halo. See you soon." He answered while waving goodbye and walking to his room. I sighed before Ino watched Naruto retreat into his room and shut the door. She didn't talk until a few seconds later.

"What was wrong with Naruto, he was all…quiet like, he normally yells with enthusiasm about decisions." She inquired while staring at me with confused eyes. I looked away with a lop-sided smile before scratching my neck.

"I don't know, maybe he is just tired from school." Ino shrugged in agreement before walking away, I tagged along quickly and happy that she didn't question me further. We descended the stairs and Ino excused herself to tell Nana where she was going.

Once Ino was back we headed out of the house, the gates creaking open, "Nana your grandma?" I asked curiously. Ino smiled warmly at me.

"No, but she practically is, she worked for us as a maid for a long time, before I was born to be exact." Ino commented about Nana. The old woman seemed like a very gentle and sweet person from Ino's honey coated words. I nodded.

After a few minutes of a quiet, but comfortable walk to the park I spoke, "So you like walking any?" I inquired. It was an already known answer, but I wanted to hear it from Ino herself.

"Yeah I find it refreshing from working with the Elders, they are… well boring." Ino admitted with a sigh, almost tired from the very thought of it. I smiled brighter.

"Am I boring to you," it was just a fun question. Ino stopped walking and stared at me when I stopped. Was it a bad question? Apparently Ino had quite a reaction to it though.

"No, you're… you are very fun and interesting Sakura." Ino bit on her finger while saying it with a smile, an almost hidden blush crept to her face. My smile still remained on my face, maybe growing warmer.

"You are fun and interesting yourself, Ino," I answered back. Ino smiled before walking again, a new pleasant hop in her step. I followed after her and walked beside her.

Once we reached the park we found an ice-cream cart, and got two cones. I ordered myself a plain orange sherbet ice-cream cone, and Ino reluctantly ordered vanilla with sprinkles instead of cookie dough.

"Here you go ladies," the old man weakly spoke with a soft wink. He reminded me of a grandfather figure with his white beard and big wrinkly hands.

"Thank you," Ino replied before I could. She began to dig into her pocket for money to pay him, before I held my hand up to object.

"Nope, I'm paying," I snatched my wallet from my pocket and began to dig out the money. Ino opened her mouth before shutting it and opening it once more to speak.

"Are you sure, I got money, I don't want to be a nuisance," Ino intervened while I gave the ice-cream man the payment.

"It isn't a problem Ino," I added while saying a quick thank-you to the owner and started to walk down the dirt path, Ino gasping before running to catch up with me. We continued to walk in silence while we licked our ice-cream. Every now and then I stole glances at Ino.

Once on the bridge Ino stopped, "Sakura let's sit down on the bench, my ice-cream is melting."

I nodded before going to the nearest bench. I already finished my sherbet ice-cream. Ino followed and sat down; I noticed her ice-cream was half way finished. It was melting quite exceedingly. The vanilla was getting all over her fingers.

"Jeez it's all over," she murmured to herself while bringing up her hand to lick off the mess. I watched curiously, un-aware of my stare. After cleaning the melting ice-cream off her fingers she began to finish her cone. It was only a minute later that she gave up and threw it away in the nearest trash can.

"Got more than you can handle?" I prodded her with a smile. She rolled her eyes with a smile.

"Right," she questioned with light sarcasm while giggling. My eyes averted their gaze from her smile to a small smudge of vanilla on right cheek. Ino noticed my gaze and stopped smiling.

"Something wrong Sakura?" She asked while imperceptibly furrowing her brows.

"Uh you got something on you-actually here," I began to explain the smear on her face before scoffing playfully when she didn't understand. I leaned over and brought my hand up before brushing away the smudge with my thumb. Ino tensed with widened blue eyes.

I quickly wiped the vanilla on my pants while sticking my tongue out. "I got it. You had ice-cream on your face." I explained with my teasing tongue still poking out. Ino traced her fingers where the vanilla was, feeling the sticky residue. She giggled again.

"Thanks," she said with gratitude. I had to join in with her bubbly laughter, it was contagious. After the laughter sub-sided we got up and began to walk again, the sun was starting to descend.

"So, if you could make a difference, would you do it?" I inquired with a smile gracing my lips. Ino mused about this before answering with a carefully thought out reply.

"Depends on what type of difference, I wouldn't want the wrong kind." She answered. I nodded in agreement, my question wasn't specific enough.

"What if it was a good difference, where everyone viewed you as a different person, a normal person." I replied, trying to coax a more specific answer from her. She frowned.

"I'm not a normal person?" She retorted softly while looking at me with a raised brow. I sputtered and about slapped myself, wrong move, wrong freaking move.

"Well y-n-yes you are, but you said so yourself," I quickly tried to change the direction of the conversation, "people think that you're some snob bosses people around, but they don't see you're a very good person like I do right now."

Ino didn't like this answer much either, "I didn't quite say it in that way with such harsh words though Sakura."

I frowned, "I'm sorry, my words were un-called for, but some people think that way."

Ino remained quiet for a long period of time. I wasn't sure if I hurt her feelings or if she was mad at me. I didn't attempt to make eye contact, afraid I would see un-wanted emotions in her eyes.

"Yes," she said, I blinked in confusion before adding on.

"Yes what?" I replied in uncertainty.

"Yes I would want to make a difference then," she replied with an adamant tone of determination, resembling her younger brother's iron will. I smiled at her, my eyes softening. I could tell where they got the willpower from in the family, their mom.

"I'm glad you would like to," I complimented. I was starting to see the mental resemblance between Ino and him now, even though they both had blue eyes and blond hair. Naruto also couldn't complain that I wasn't totally using Ino, neither could Shikamaru. An almost forgotten question hit my mind.

"What relationship do you hold with Shikamaru? Is he a childhood friend," I questioned before a sly smile corrupted my lips, "or perhaps a boyfriend?"

Ino, once I added my last words, began to choke on air with a burning blush tinting her cheeks.

"No!" She answered abruptly in a loud voice. I began to giggle despite how offended she was by this.

"Do you like him?" I continued to tease her. I didn't see what the fuss was about really, Shikamaru was a nice guy. Sure, he was lazy and all, but still a gentleman.

"Sakura, this is ridiculous," she piped at me in embarrassment.

"So you do like him," I replied mockingly with a lifted eyebrow. Ino growled in discomfort before lightly smacking my arm. I couldn't help but laugh and continue my pestering, "Ino Nara, it has a nice catch to it."

I added Shikamaru's last name on her name to cause more humiliation, but this time Ino came at me with a fist cocked into the air. I started giggling before running down the dirt path, Ino on my heel with a flailing fist. We continued to run around laughing and teasing each other. It was sunset by the time we subsided our playful taunting and started heading back to Ino's home.

"-and that was the time when I almost burnt the kitchen down," I ended my long fruitful story with a smile. Ino's mouth was agape before she began to chuckle.

"Wow, so, how did you manage to bake the cookies you gave me?" She inquired with a teasing tone. I sighed and gave in by telling her the truth.

"My mom actually did most of the work, but, hey, I helped!" I added quickly with a proud smile, Ino's laughter continued. We reached her house, still talking about nonsense while she opened the gates with the security number, and walked to the porch. We stopped there because I stopped, remembering I had to get home quickly.

"I am sorry Ino, but I got to go," I added with disappointment. I was actually having a real good time with her. Ino nodded with a lopsided smile.

"Ok, well I'll see you tomorrow, right?" She asked hopefully, showing she had fun as well.

"Uh-huh, and I will torture you the next day after that too," I sarcastically smirked. She laughed with warm eyes staring at me.

"Good, I think I would have it no other way," she added before opening the door and stepping inside. She stopped before turning around, "thank you Sakura, and good night."

"Good night to you too Ino," she nodded before softly shutting the door. I heard Naruto's voice question what we did. I smiled heartily before ambling out the gates and towards my house. Thankfully, I didn't go far before a car pulled up and rolling down its window revealing a grinning Shikamaru.

"You need a ride," he asked civilly, I smiled before running around the side and entering the car. He smiled wider, almost saying I did a good job with Ino today, and started driving towards my home.

"Thanks Shika," I yelled from my doorsteps when he hauled off towards his house. I entered my house with a sprightly smile, just in perfect time when the phone rang. I quickly ran towards the phone and answered it.

"Finally you're home," the voice sighed with false exhaustion before I could speak. It was TenTen trying to guilt trip me.

"Hey TenTen, what's up?" I asked while walking towards the sofa and languidly slumping into it.

"Nothing, how about you," She replied, I was struck with sudden boredom while examining my hands intently.

"Got back from Ino's house," I replied.

"You were at Ino's house? I thought you were at Naruto's," she questioned in confusion. I stopped examining my interesting fingers before remembering that TenTen didn't know Naruto and Ino were related.

"Naruto and Ino live together," I replied with a brief explanation. TenTen gasped in surprise.

"They're that far in a relationship, we should've as-," I slapped my forehead in amusement.

"TenTen sometimes you amaze me on how dense you can be," I added before quickly intervening her series of verbal assaults, "They're siblings."

Another gasp erupted from the phone, "why don't I know this?"

"That's because you don't know crap," I commented, feeling more confident that I knew something TenTen didn't.

"Oh you whore, anyways," TenTen retorted, "how was it hanging with miss boring?" She said referring to Ino. I frowned. TenTen was acting quite rude today, like usual.

"She has a name, and it's Ino, it also happens that she's a very fun person," I responded in Ino's defense. "Actually, she's more fun than you," I sarcastically countered. I heard TenTen scoff on impulse.

"I'm sorry darling, but I'm the most fun of them all." I giggled at TenTen's false self-centeredness.

"Sure, sure but she's really fun and nice to hang out with TenTen, I personally think you would like her." I added to try and coax some respect for Ino.

"Ah, if you insist, but I highly doubt it," she replied with a mocking snort. TenTen could act like a complete ass, but it was part of her personality and I didn't mind it, most of the time, I actually didn't hold a grudge against it, but this time I felt bitterness at how she was judging Ino quickly.

"Seriously, I think you guys would make great friends. She isn't like what people say at all," I addressed to TenTen head on. TenTen's teasing side left and was replaced by a serious one.

"Is she actually that nice to change all your opinions just like that?" She inquired.

I mused about this question. Ino was actually super nice, and did alter all my opinions on her quickly with ease. Our first meeting, when I found Stoner, was rough but this was actually heading in a good direction. She had a way of making my opinions and bluntness crumble like walls of dust. I hadn't notice how my perspective on her changed dramatically, two days ago she was a snob and now I considered her like a friend. How things changed in little time.

"Yeah, she really did," I muttered more to myself than TenTen in realization.

A/N:

Only one review? Do you guys seriously not like it that much? I totally feel so... so... ashamed for showing this hellish fiction then! I'm totally kidding, but it would be nice to show if you like it or not. It would make me know that this isn't a crappy piece of writing, but I'm pretty damn proud of it! So either way, I'm continuing it, so pork off! (That's for you h8trz lol)

I'm also going to be doing a drabble series soon. You like the idea, do not like the idea? Tell me in review, if you can spare the time!