Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto

Chapter 2

"Sakura"

"I know"

"This is the third time this week"

"I know"

"Do you know how many customers we could lose if you're not there to serve them?!" The blonde in front of me seemed to have a vein popping on her forehead.

"Geez, Ino, I was only five minutes late" I said, trying to keep the annoyance out of my voice (failing miserably).

"Those five minutes could have been extremely important; there could've been a big sell to be done"

I rolled my eyes and retorted with "Ino, we work in a flower shop."

Ino thought about this for a second "Oh well I guess it couldn't make that much of a difference. What is your excuse this time?"

My eyes dropped to the ground and I stared there for a while before answering her question.

"Naruto came round, he told me that…"

Ino held her hand up in front of my face to stop me from finishing.

"The concert, I know, he told me as well."

I was kind of relieved that I didn't have to explain the story all over again. But, wait a second…

"How many people has Naruto told?"

"Err, well I was with Hinata and Tenten when he told me. I think he mentioned that he had told Shika-kun and Chouji as well. That was all I heard, but knowing Naruto he has probably blurted it out to everyone!"

I felt my blood boil. I was going to kill him.

Ino saw my dark expression and tried to rectify the situation immediately.

"I'm sure he meant no harm, Sakura, I think he just wants everyone to help!" Ino was grinning nervously, so I decided to let her breathe easily again.

"Yeah, well, he should stay out of other people's business" I grumbled, averting my eyes to the side.

Ino let out a sigh of relief; I really don't like talking about the Uchiha Sasuke situation.

Yamanaka Ino has been one of my best friends since middle school. With her long blonde hair, sky blue eyes, pretty face and her ability to speak with anyone with no problem whatsoever, she has always been popular. Of course, as much as I love her, she does have a little vanity problem, and is constantly on ridiculous diets to try and improve her already perfect body. There are times that I don't understand her reasoning's.

"Yeah well," Ino said "Shikamaru, the lazy ass invaded my apartment yesterday because he couldn't be bothered to cook his own meal. He said that now he's at university, he doesn't have his 'troublesome' mother to do it for him, so I will have to do! Can you believe him? And then he had the cheek to insult my cooking! I shouldn't forget the other day he…"

I really can't believe she hasn't noticed that she is totally in love with Shikamaru. No girl can talk about one guy for that length of time without having strong feelings for him.

Even if all Ino was doing was complaining about him.

"Sakura, are you listening to me?"

It seems everyone is saying that to me recently.

"Of course… Actually, no I'm not, what were you saying?"

"I was saying that the stupid idiot has gone and got himself a girlfriend!"

This shocked me back into my senses.

"A girlfriend? Who?"

Ino blew the blonde strand of hair on her face in (unconscious) annoyance.

"She's called Temari or something like that. She's also like, years older than us; I bet she's just toying with him because he's younger."

I studied Ino's face, and I could see her blue eyes following my every movement.

"Just what do you think you are doing?"

I stood back, and replied with a touch of smugness in my voice.

"You, my dear friend, are jealous."

Ino turned red with anger "Je-Jealous?! What p-planet are you on Forehead-girl? Of course I'm not jealous! I'm just annoyed that the lazy idiot can manage to get a girlfriend while spending all day doing nothing, while I am still single!"

I knew it. She is so jealous that she's even stuttering.

Ino never stutters. That's Hinata's job.

Then, Ino's last statement sunk in.

"Oh, don't remind me"

My friend looked at me sympathetically "Date not too good I'm assuming"

I dropped my head on the counter and groaned which gave all the answer Ino needed.

She wrapped an arm around my shoulder as she said "Cheer up, we're still young. We've got plenty of time. But until the right man comes around, how about you come over tonight to get royally smashed in a girl's night in to celebrate our singleness!"

With all her faults, Ino sure knows how to cheer me up.

Suddenly, the shop door dinged signifying that a customer had arrived.

Our chat was interrupted, as rush hour for the shop headed in, making us very busy. Before I knew it, it was time to go.

"I'll see you later then Ino-pig" I yelled as I left the shop.

I swear that I could hear her curses at the old nickname all the way down the street.

I work at the Yamanaka flower shop at weekends for money to allow me to eat. It's quite good pay, and the fact that my best friend is my boss helps me get out of sticky situations like being late a few times each week, ha ha.

I'm evil, I know.

I had a few things I needed to pick up at the shops so, I headed over to the nearest convenience store.

"Hmm, apples or bananas?" I thought to myself out loud as I was staring at the fruit section.

"I'd go with the apples" A voice said which made me jump out of my skin; I had not been expecting an answer.

I turned around to see Shikamaru standing lazily next to me with one hand in his pocket, the other clutching a plastic bag.

"Now this is a surprise, Shikamaru, going shopping? I never thought I'd see the day"

Shikamaru just shrugged "It's not my choice, I was forced."

I snickered "I take it that it was this Temari who sent you here?"

If I hadn't have known the lazy genius for years, I would have missed the slight shock in his eyes that I had known about his new interest.

"So the harpy told you." He stated.

"Hey, don't call Ino that!"

Once again, Shikamaru shrugged, I wish sometimes he could be bothered to answer with words.

"It seems Temari's a good influence on you; I've never seen you do any kind of chores without Ino or your mother threatening you."

Shikamaru sighed "They're all as bad as each other."

"What did Ino say when you told her?"

The man looked at me strangely "Would there be any reason why her reaction would be interesting?"

Seriously, everyone is clueless.

I looked at my watch, and yelped at the time. I needed to get over to Ino's soon, and I hadn't even gone home yet.

Shikamaru noticed my reaction, and being the genius he is, worked out I needed go.

Without saying a word, he turned and walked off, sticking his hand out once as something like a wave.

"Yeah, bye to you to"

I quickly picked up the apples and walked to the counter.

As I was paying, the TV above the counter changed to a local news report.

Just so happens it was about Hebi's concert.

Can't I ever have any peace?

I could see the keyboard player, Fujiwara Karin, being interviewed. I never liked her.

I just wanted to get out of there as quickly as possible, so I rushed home to pack.

I grabbed a load of clothes from one of the shelves, and stuffed it into a bag. I didn't bother to check what I'd put in.

After gathering all necessary items, I raced out the house, ready to get very drunk and watch soppy romance movies.

Ino opened the door with a big smile.

"Forehead-girl, come in, come in. The party is just starting. I hope you don't mind terribly, but I invited Hinata to join in with our night of feeling sorry for ourselves."

I laughed and the gloom and depressed feeling from before lifting off right out of my head.

"Of course I don't mind, I haven't been seeing enough of Hinata lately anyway!"

Just as I spoke, the said girl appeared from round the corner.

"Hi S-Sakura" The dark-haired girl said timidly.

Both Ino and I pounced on her, pulling her cheeks whilst shrieking about how cute she was.

This made her go very red, but after years of the same thing going on; she was kind of used to it.

It is our self-proclaimed goal in life to make shy Hyuuga Hinata more confident.

If you think this is bad, you should have seen her a few years ago.

I'm surprised she was still alive for being scared of breathing!

"Right girls, lets get down to business. Sakura needs to unpack" Ino promptly grabbed my bag, and emptied it upside down.

"Ino-pig!" I cried in anger, but before I said anything more, I saw the black book that had just fallen out.

I should really check what I put in my bag.

I haven't looked at that book in years.

I think someone up there hates me. Big time.

So, that's chapter 2. I'd really like some feed back and tips. Thank you so much to everyone who reviewed, they were all much appreciated!