Chapter 4. Blossoming of a Flower

Sakura was worried to open her eyes again, half hoping that if she kept them shut she could pretend she was elsewhere, with Naruto and Sasuke again. "Sakura..." She felt Ino's gentle hand brush her hair back, her lips pressing lightly against her cheek.

Stop it! Sakura pressed her palm against Ino's shoulders, trying to peacefully get Ino leave her alone.

Her eyes opened, looking back at Ino's one visible powder blue one. Ino's face looked almost hurt as she stared back at her friend.

Why's she look upset? She's the one who started this? Sakura looked down at the grown, trying to avoid Ino's gaze.

"You don't have to be so cold, Sakura, just let me in." Ino pleaded, placing on of her hands on Sakura's upper thigh.

"I knew you were boy-crazed, but I didn't think you were this desperate." Sakura's eyes shot back up at Ino, her voice laced in venom. In the past, insults were something the two would throw at each other non-stop, a routine act in their friend/enemy relationship, and usually Ino would brush it off and combat it with a remark about Sakura's forehead or some other witty one-liner. This time was different.

Ino stared at Sakura, her eyes wide, her mouth just slightly a gasp. Her blond eyebrows pulled upward, her hand falling away from Sakura's thigh.

Sakura's mouth dropped, her eyes falling back to ground. I've never seen Ino look that hurt... I didn't think...

"No, Sakura, you're wrong."

Sakuras eyes returned to Ino's regardless of her will, a gentle smile covering the face that usually bore a sassy expression. Her eyes were warm, a sense of sweetness Sakura had never felt Ino possess was now emanating from her. In that instant, it seemed like Ino had become a different person, and even though Sakura had no clue why, she found herself believing the words Ino had spoken.

"Because... because I love you, Sakura."

Sakura froze. Why hadn't she thought of that? For all her knowledge and all the books she read, it seemed she had over thought everything. But... this is Ino... she's always been mad over boys... always been my best friend..

Ino took a step away from Sakura, giving her more personal space. "I did like Sasuke, for awhile, anyway." She explained. "But eventually... I grew out of it, you know? I realized that I didn't know him that well, and I never really had... but... I didn't want to lose our rivalry. It was precious to me. Sasuke, he was the link that tied us together.

"When I saw you all alone like that last night, I couldn't help it. I had to do something to get your mind off of Sasuke and Naruto. I couldn't stand to see the girl I love like that. Even if it ruined our friendship, I wanted to. I wanted to do it, and maybe that makes me selfish, but it hurt me too much to see you like that."

Sakura's head was spinning, there was so much she wanted to say to Ino, and yet nothing came out of her gapping mouth.

"If you want to hate, you can go ahead, but you should know what I'm like when it comes to love. I won't give up, no matter the odds." Ino winked.

"Ino I... I could never hate you!" The thought sounded outrageous to Sakura, even after everything she had been through. "You're my best friend, Ino, and you always will be, regardless of what you do! Nothing could change that!"

Ino's eye grew wide once more, but slowly faded back into a pleased look. "Thanks Sakura."

"No," Sakura changed her mind. "there is something that could change that." Ino stood still as Sakura walked up to her, standing only inches apart, there bodies almost touching. "Ino, I love you, too" The pink-haired kunochi pressed her lips against Ino's holding the blonds hand as they both truly kissed together for the first time, the taste of Ino's plum lipgloss now a welcomed flavor in Sakura's mouth.