"I got them!" Sakura said as she flung open the door to the flower shop.
Tamar turned from where she was leaning on the counter talking to Ino who was arranging flowers in a vase. Sakura curbed her enthusiasm as she remembered Temari might want to kill her. "Hey…"
"What did you get?" Temari said as Sakura cautiously enter the room.
"Tickets," Sakura said. Her gut was telling her that it was okay to relax around the blonde.
"To?" Temari prompted amused.
"The play, 'The blossom blooms death,' have you heard of it?" She asked politely.
Temari's eyes widened "you got tickets?! They're not even on sale yet!"
"Sakura knows the girl in the box office," Ino said smiling and Sakura beamed back automatically. "Hey, I bet she could get you and Shika tickets too! We could all go together!"
"I, uh," Sakura tried to hide her frown. She could probably get the tickets easily but she didn't want them to come with her and Ino. She had wanted to woe her.
"Please, Sakura?" Ino said and reached across to touch her hand.
She nodded "sure."
"Guess that means I won't have to kick your ass for taking me kid into danger," Temari laughed and slapped her on the back harder than Sakura thought was appropriate.
"And I wont have to kick yours for using my jutsu," Sakura replied. She gazed steadily at Ino who flushed with guilt.
"Its only Shika," Ino said in her defence.
"Yeah," Sakura agreed but in a tone that clearly mean that it still wasn't okay. "Listen I have to get back. My ER's been closed down and I have to supervise the reshuffling of patients until we get it up again. I won't be home for dinner." she left because she didn't want to argue and stress Ino out but she still felt betrayed.
XxXx
Ino slinked into the apartment and Sakura didn't look up from watching TV. She waved towards the kitchen absently "dinner's under the grill."
"Thanks," Ino said brightly hoping she wasn't in trouble.
The TV was the only sound in the room for the rest of the night. Ino had eventually migrated from the kitchen to the living room but felt she wasn't welcome on the couch and instead moved to the armchair. Sakura got up and placed the remote beside her without saying a word. She went in silence to the bathroom to brush her teeth and go to bed.
Ino came in just as she finished changing into her pyjamas "you're mad at me."
"Yeah, I am," Sakura said climbing into bed.
"This silent treatment isn't fair. When I'm mad at you I let you know it and we sort it out, I don't appreciate this passive aggressive tactic," Ino said and have the audacity to sound like she was the one wronged.
Sakura glared at her "like I can shout at you in your condition?! I would rather punch you but that wouldn't solve anything. And you know the worst part? You don't even think you've did anything wrong."
"Sakura, I'm pregnant not made of glass," Ino said annoyed and something in Sakura snapped.
She turned in a furious motion and surged off the bed "You don't get it. That entire sentence I said, you focused on the point that was about you. You taught your friends the jutsu I worked hard on and didn't even bother to ask me if it was okay. All the work that went into that was meaningless to you. You're selling it as a cheap sex toy!"
Ino reared back not used to Sakura talking to her like that. "Well, what else would you call it?!"
Sakura froze then looked down and seemed to collect herself. She gave a self-deprecating smile and glanced up at Ino, she gave a short humourless chuckle and looked away "I thought you…forget it never mind," She stood and walked past Ino towards the door.
"Where are you going?" Ino demanded not liking this new side of Sakura.
"Out," Sakura said pulling on her shoes.
"You're still in your pyjamas!" Ino pointed out. Sakura shrugged "when will you be back?"
"I won't be tonight," Sakura said and went to walk out the door but Ino grabbed her arm and refused to let go.
"So, your just running away?!" Ino said getting furious.
Sakura turned and raised her eyebrow at the blonde "you're getting indignant? You're the one in the wrong and you have the gall to be the one that's upset?"
"I'm not the one running away!" Ino snapped.
"Running away from what?" Sakura said piercing her with her intent eyes "what am I running away from?"
"This argument!" Ino said like it was obvious.
"No, Ino, I'm simply walking away from you," Sakura said levelly "I thought of all people you would understand why but I guess I was seeing something that wasn't there."
"Fine! Leave!" Ino flung Sakura's arm from her and glared "see if I care!"
Sakura snorted and smiled grimly "always about you isn't it?" She shut the door behind her and heard the thump as something heavy hit it.
XxXx
"Did I over react?" Sakura asked Tenten suddenly riddled with doubts.
"No, Ino is being selfish. It was your jutsu and she was the one that stopped you from making it public. You're the one who wanted to publish it to help people," Tenten said dusting the bookshelf behind the counter "okay, so it was also for selfish reasons because you wanted the fame and stuff but that's not a crime. You did all the hard work, of course you would want some acknowledgement."
"Yeah," Sakura nodded then sagged on her chair in front of the counter. She had borrowed Tenten's clothes after sleeping at the other girls house. "You know what annoyed me most of all? She didn't think she had did anything wrong and then she acted like the injured party!"
"The bitch," Tenten agreed absently picking up a clip board and checking the stock.
"What should I do though?" Sakura asked.
"Well, you want to get this sorted fast since you can't kick her out of your place and you need to live there," Tenten said wondering why she had a hardback copy of The Second Great War; The Rise and Fall of Hero's. She picked it up and turned back to the counter.
"Oh, that's mine!" Sakura said reaching for the book only to have Tenten snap it away.
"What are you doing with this trash?" The book was all about them and the war they fought in when they were younger. It had been agreed between the two not to look at anymore of those so called 'history' books since they were usually, and insultingly, wrong. Especially in regards to Sakura who took part in some of the climactic battles.
"That's were I put my final research report," Sakura said opening it up "no one would think to look there for it since everyone knows how much I disdain these type of books." So much of those years were shrouded in rumour and exaggerated facts that it was easier to let the world believe it was more like the soap opera they portrayed it as than a devastating event that destroyed so much.
"I hate this one," Tenten said glaring at the book "this is the edition that has me and Lee shacked up in a love triangle with Neji and you as a brunette and Naruto as a serious martyr."
"How are your guys anyway?" Tenten was lucky enough to have both her team mates survive though Gai didn't. He died fighting with Kakashi. Always in competition right until the end.
"Lee's staring in a new musical in the big city. Apparently he's a real hit, can't walk down the street without being recognised but you know how he exaggerates and Neji," Tenten's eyes lost the warmth they had when she was talking about Lee "he's still on a mountain somewhere feeling sorry for himself. Like he was the only one that fought in the war."
What they had done to survive wasn't their proudest achievements but Neji seemed to take it the hardest. Sakura could only conclude that either he was more sensitive or he did something worse than the killing. "Oh, shoot, talking about plays, I still have those tickets."
"Tickets?" Tenten asked taking a break from cleaning to sit down.
"Yeah for that 'The blossom blooms death,'" Sakura said watching as Tenten grimaced "I hated the ending in that, it was so…depressing."
"Really? Ino loves it, I thought she would like happy stuff," Sakura said and Tenten just shrugged.
"I'll see you later, I have to get those tickets," Sakura stood up and waved.
"Hey, are you still going tonight?" Tenten asked.
"No, probably not," Sakura yelled as the door swung shut it a flurry of jingling bells. She made it to her office without running into Ino. She opened her top drawer and pulled out the four paper tickets. She then went out into the corridor and looked about for someone who wasn't busy. She spotted an intern crying at a candy machine.
"Just take the note! I don't have the correct change! Just take the god damn note!" He wailed still trying to stuff a badly wrinkled note into the machine.
"Oh that won't work," Sakura said her voice filled with many years of knowledge trying to do the same thing "nurse Betty usually keep a change drawer for situations like this. Make sure you have enough to buy her a peanut butter bar and she'll help you out."
"Chief!" The inter snapped to attention and tried to smooth down his wrinkled scrubs. She knew he was mentally going over how tried and grubby he looked in his mind and cursing. She used to do that when Tsunade would surprise her. She smiled in understanding "I need you to deliver these to the Yamanka flower shop in town. You should grab something real to eat while you're there. Go to Old Man's sandwiches, he gives discounts to interns. If you don't have the cash, put it on my tab, that old man has fed me since I was an intern."
"Thank you!" The interns eyes lit up at the possibility of real food. She knew that feeling as well. The intern then grew worried and cast a glance behind him "my resident…"
"Don't worry, if you tell him I sent you their shouldn't be much trouble," Sakura said ushering him away.
"Okay, thanks chief!" he literally ran off to do her bidding. She remembered when she had the energy to work 27 hour shifts and still run at the possibility of a free meal. Oh, to be young again. She went back to her office. She noticed that she had a few loose ends that needed tiding up since the bandit attack. It was best to get them out of the way before the acting chief came on for his shift.
She cursed as she read that her mild sonic boom had crack some pipes in the wall and might have damage the infrastructure of the operating room. Where the hell was she going to get the money for that?! Wait, she had saved a plumbers wife last year, the family was only starting out their new business and didn't have the money to pay. She had let them go free of charge. She could ask him to do it as payment. She frowned, she didn't like the idea of calling in favours that she would have done regardless. But she couldn't risk the pipes bursting and closing down sections of the hospital. She would find out how his business was and give him a call. She made a mental note on a yellow sticky pad.
Her intercom buzzed and she jumped in surprise. She had thought she was alone. She cleared her throat and answered "yes?"
"Chief, Yamanka-san has been spotted storming into the building," there was hesitation and Sakura heard the unsaid 'again.'
"Kei what the hell are you doing here?" Sakura asked instead "you got off the same time I did this morning!"
"I had some paper work to catch up on," was the slightly defensive response.
Sakura rolled her eyes but couldn't very well shout at the other woman when she had did the same thing. They both needed to get lives. "I'll deal with Ino when she gets here, please leave. I don't want this to be public."
"Yes chief," the secretary said and buzzed out.
Instead of the door bursting open like it had in past Ino tantrums, it was opened gingerly and it was a few minutes before Ino was brave enough to look around it. "Hey…" Ino said tentatively.
"Hello," Sakura said putting her pen down. She folded her hands and sat up straight at her desk. Ino came hesitantly into the room "can I sit?" she asked and Sakura nodded stiffly.
"Listen, I didn't realise what I did was wrong. I still don't really think it was," Ino said then hurried on as Sakura's eyes narrowed and she picked up her pen again "but I do understand that it hurt you! A-and that this jutsu was important to you and I should have asked, if only to keep you from being hurt!"
Sakura sighed "Ino-"
"No! I get it Sakura I do! Well, I don't but I realise that I hurt you and that's the last thing I want to do. It might not be important to me but it was important to you and I should have considered your feelings. I'm a jerk," Ino said looking apologetic "but you have to forgive me because you've always been the smartest of us two and it's only fair."
Sakura tried to stop the smile but Ino teased it out of her. "So am I forgiven?" Ino grinned.
"I suppose…" Sakura said reluctantly.
Ino cheered and she came around the desk to hug Sakura. Sakura pushed at her but made sure that it was half hearted because she didn't actually want the hug to stop.
"So, you'll still come with us tonight?" Ino said hopefully.
"…Well, I have other plans," Sakura hedged.
"Come on!" Ino begged "I really want to go with you!"
"I-I…" and she tried to think of an excuse but the truth was she was lying. She didn't want Ino to think she was so sad that she had no other plans for a Saturday night. "Fine," she gave in and Ino squealed with joy.
"Great, I can't wait to show you my dress!" And with that Ino was gone.
XxXx
"So, what do you think?"
Sakura turned and her eyes exploded. Or felt like they did anyway. She blushed in embarrassment "what are you wearing?!"
"This, is my little black dress," Ino smiled lifting her leg the dress parting beautifully around a cream calf and thigh. The dress itself came just below the blondes knees but was slit high enough that it exposed both her legs stopping just short of her panties. Ino was grinning at her from under her lashes and Sakura tried to stop her eyes from following all the way up her naked leg to her breasts that seemed to be extra perky tonight. She failed horribly. Ino had on small black heels and the normally tall woman now towered over Sakura reeking of sex. She tried to ogle discreetly when it became apparent that she couldn't resist. "Don't worry Sakura everyone wants to screw me in this dress," Ino patted her on the shoulder in a sisterly fashion.
"Why are you wearing that then?!" Sakura snapped turning away to hide her flush. She did not blush well. She looked like a diseased tomato.
"It's going to be a long time before I can fit into it again. It's already extremely tight," Ino said reasonably using the mirror hanging over the TV to put on simply diamond earrings. She had already put on a diamond necklace in the shape of a star. It hung just below her collar bone and pointed the way downwards to her bountiful bre-stop it! Sakura shook herself. She was not leering at Ino!
"Is that what you're wearing?" Ino said critically and Sakura immediately became defensive.
She was wearing a red Chinese style dress with pink flowers twining about it. It wasn't as daring as Ino's dress but it was nice enough. She hadn't been on a date in a sad amount of time. The hospital kept her busy. She groaned at the need to defend herself in her own head. That was bad, next time Tenten offered to set her up she was taking it. It might help her get over this Ino fixation. "What's wrong with it? Besides aren't you a little overdressed?" or under dressed considering her hormones.
"Nothing," Ino said her eyes sliding to the side in a way that clearly said that it wasn't 'nothing.'
Sakura tugged at her hair self consciously. Ino had put hers up in a decorative twist that framed her face. If Sakura did that it would make her heart shaped face look fat. She decided to leave it down and brushed it with a few quick swipes.
"Give me that!" Ino rolled her eyes. She snatched the brush from Sakura and dragged her over to the bathroom for better light. She pushed Sakura down on the edge of the bath and stood in front of her. She ran her fingers through Sakura's hair. "It's so soft," Ino bent down and brought her cleavage close to Sakura's face. She stiffened and smelt the perfume that Ino had dabbed there. "It smells nice too, vanilla?"
"I thought strawberries would be to much of a cliché," Sakura coughed turning her head away when Ino straightened. She remembered how warm and heavy her breasts felt in her hands.
"Aw, I suppose you're right but I kind of like the idea of Sakura smelling like strawberries," Ino teased brushing Sakura's hair. She pulled it into a pony tale then gave a twist. She lent over to the sink and grabbed a handful of hair pins. She looked cute standing with a stern concentrated look on her face and little brown pins sticking out of her mouth. "There, stand up," Ino took Sakura's hands and guided her to her feet. She turned her towards the mirror and Sakura gasped and tried to touch her hair. Ino slapped her hand away playfully. Her hair was in a messy bun that looked artful instead of sloppy. Two long stands of hair framed either side of her face "to take the bad look off that big forehead of yours," Ino laughed but Sakura's indignant reaction was cut off by a kiss to her forehead.
Ino quickly disappeared into their room then out again. She came towards Sakura and wrapped a black scarf around her waist. She tied the knot off to the side then slid two black bracelets on Sakura's wrists. "the black breaks up the design and creates a new, more desirable look. The scarf also pulls the dress in and draws the eye to your breasts."
Sakura tried to laugh but Ino was standing close enough that she could feel the heat of their bodies mixing "thank you, oh fashion diva."
Ino shrugged with a smile "I know what looks good on girls. I am fabulous," she popped her hand like a gay man and cocked her hip. Sakura did laugh leaning into the blonde. She looked up at the blonde smiling. Ino looked very serious as she brought her hand up to cup Sakura's cheek "you're much prettier as a girl," she said softly and the good mood drained from Sakura. Ino was stroking her cheek softly and Sakura angled her head to the side. She held her breath, Ino was going to kiss her she just knew it.
"Isn't this a pretty picture?"
They both jerked their heads towards the door to see Tamari standing in a purple dress with a smirk. Behind Shikamaru was leaning against the door with his own smirk. He was dressed in a suit with a black tie and since it was ironed Sakura guessed Tamari had bullied him into it.
"I've told you your timing sucks, right?" Ino said pulling away and grabbing a white bag. She draped it over her shoulder then handed the still flustered Sakura a black clutch purse.
Sakura took the bag and tried to act normal. Tamari was having too much fun at her expense and she decided right then to talk to Shikamaru instead. "Who's babysitting?"
"The girl next door that Tamari hates," Shikamaru said pushing off the door and allowing her to pass him. She nodded her thanks.
"You're staring at her ass," Sakura heard the murmur behind her and stiffened.
"Can you blame me? It's one of the nicest parts of her," Ino whispered back to Tamari obviously thinking Sakura couldn't hear them.
"Shika's is nicer it's bigger and more to spank," Tamari argued good naturedly and Ino gave a tinkling laugh.
Sakura forced herself to relax. It was a good thing that Ino like her ass right? She didn't know what Ino was doing. She hadn't expressed any interest in her until just a few moments ago. Or had she and Sakrua just hadn't realised it? She started to go over every conversation she had had with Ino.
"Relax you look like you're going to explode," Shikamaru said glancing over at her when they hit the street.
"What?" Sakura said startled.
"Just enjoy the night," Shikamaru said patting her on the shoulder "she's as nervous as you are."
Sakura looked back to see Ino laughing and joking with Tamari seeming very relaxed. She turned to look at Shikamaru sceptically. "She is, she's wearing her sure thing dress," he said.
"That doesn't mean anything, she said she wanted to wear it before she got too fat," Sakura said forcefully deflating the small bubble of hope that Shikamaru's words had caused.
Shikamaru just gave her a look that told her she was foolish for believing such a reasonable explanation. Sakura looked back and caught Ino staring at her, she smiled and saw a light blush cover the blondes cheeks. Maybe he was on to something. He would know Ino better being her team mate. She allowed her hips to sway a tad more provocatively than before.
When they reached the theatre they were immediately shown to the box office seats. Shikamaru had smartly grabbed the aisle seat and Ino grabbed the other leaving Sakrua and Temari in the middle. Sakura fanned herself with the programme out of boredom.
"Are they going to do one of those mini plays before the real show begins?" Temari asked leaning forward to talk to Ino.
"Oh God I hope not," Ino replied also leaning forward. Sakura felt trapped and tried to back into her chair for some room. "They're all about some epic battle during the war. I'm all for letting new talent practice on stage but if I have to sit through another defeat of the big bad then I'm throwing my heels at them."
Temari laughed "it can't be any worse than that time when they did the 'Orochimaru; the snakes life through interpretive dance'."
"Oh! I had forgotten about that!" Ino snorted with laughter.
"Do you guys go to the theatre a lot then?" Sakura asked feeling left out.
"We used to bring our dates here back in the days of our wild youth," Temari grinned she then frowned and scanned the balconies "in fact I think Shika was conceived on that one over there," and she pointed to the second balcony closest to the stage.
Sakura made a mental note to never, under any circumstances sit at that balcony.
She was saved from replying, and really what could she say to that, when the lights dimmed. Three teenagers somersaulted onto the stage. One girl and two boys, Sakura's heart plummeted as she thought they were going to have to sit through another wrong rendition of the Final Battle. Her eyes widened "are they…?"
"Oh…" she heard the faint echo beside her.
The young teenagers continued to strip until they were naked.
"Love," the blonde boy cried shrilly at the audience. Sakura didn't think his voice had even broke yet.
"Lust," the red haired boy obviously wearing a wig intoned.
"Jealousy," the child like voice of the female actor stood in contrast to her male counterparts.
"Sex," they chanted as one.
"Is that possible?" Sakura asked mid way through the performance turning her head to see if she could make out the angles better that way.
"Oh, yeah it's just difficult," Temari said "it's better if you use shadow clones rather than another person. They tend to be more flexible."
Sakura edged closer to Ino and away from Temari. "We never…" she started then trailed off as the mass of twisting limbs turned upside down.
"I don't think I could have bent that way," Ino confessed mirroring Sakura and turned her head "that's an arm right?"
"No, I think that's the girls leg," Sakura said seeing what Ino had pointed at.
"No way! Her heads all the way over there, that's just wrong," Ino said "I'm glad we didn't try that. I think we would have killed each other."
The actors climaxed or pretended to, please let that have been pretending to Sakura thought, and separated. Their sweaty bodies glistened under the light and the blonde boy stepped forwards "now that we have shown you how these three powerful emotions combat each when joined in a single act you should keep this in mind when watching the powerful performance…" and he bowed.
"Oh so that's what that was about," Sakura said joining in with the unsure applause of the rest of the audience. They seemed as shocked as her.
"It must be new age arty crap," Ino said also clapping.
An expectant hush fell over the hall as the red curtains shuddered then flowed open to introduce the real play. Sakura saw the woman on either side of her stiffen as the actress playing the heroine burst dramatically onto the stage. She was beautiful with long raven hair and a slim build. Her voice was smooth like honey as she lamented on the unfortunate situation of being in love with the leader of the rebels she was supposed to infiltrate. She was really good and didn't seem overly heavy handed with her woe. Sakura was totally convinced of her plight.
When the intermission came Sakura was fairly energised. She followed the others out into the lobby where Ino was immediately grabbed by a furious Temari and dragged off. Sakura watched them go in confusion before turning to Shikamaru who also looked slightly angry "okay, I'm missing something aren't I?"
"Yes," he said simply and walked away.
"Hey!" She followed him to the bar.
"It's not my business to tell," he said expecting her questions.
"It's not fair that I'm the only one that doesn't know!" she whined then stopped because she wasn't twelve anymore. She regained her composure and tried again "Shikamaru, if something's upset Ino I want to know about it."
"Ino is my team mate I won't betray her confidence," Shikamaru said ordering bourbon. Sakura eyed the heavy drink and wondered if that was an indicator of the trouble. Shikamaru caught her look and said "no, this is for the terrible play. Really how believable is it that the guy that's supposed to be insanely powerful falls for the first girl he sees and doesn't suspect that the only reason she sleeps with him after meeting for fifteen minutes, is because she's sent to kill him?"
"She could be a slut?" Sakura offered.
"Then why does he compare her to the virginal priestess that rescued him when he was young?" Shikamaru countered.
"He's very stupid and thinking with his little brain," Sakura laughed though now that she herself had experience having a 'little brain' she could excuses most thinking with it.
Shikamaru tilted his head acknowledging her point "though you would think as a villainous mastermind he would be planning for that."
"He's not a villainous mastermind, he's misunderstood," Temari said coming back from wherever, obviously she had had this conversation before.
"Yes, of course and that's why you forgive him for killing Zula," Shikamaru rolled his eye and Sakura gasped "Zula dies?!" She cried in surprise "the bandit king kills her?!"
"Oh Shika! You spoiled the play for Sakura," Ino swatted him on the shoulder and he glared at her like a fat cat that has just been disturbed from its sleep.
"Something tells me that finding out Zula's death won't be the thing that spoils the evening for Sakura," Shikamaru said and the air seemed to freeze. Temari was glaring at him and Ino, Sakura couldn't describe Ino's reaction. She seemed to have shut down.
With a visible effort she jerked herself back into motion "let's go back already, the break's nearly over."
Temari nodded and dragged Shikamaru away. Ino made to follow them but Sakura took her hand before she made it very far. "Ino, if you want to skip the rest of the show and get out of here…?"
"I know you want to find out what happens," Ino smiled.
"So, tell me over coffee. I know a place that serves really nasty coffee that could keep you awake for days," Sakura smiled to comfort the frazzled Ino.
"You'll let me have coffee?" Ino said sceptically as the usher called for everyone to take their seats again.
"Just this once," Sakura said seriously but a smiled tugged faintly at the corners of her lips.
"You're too sweet to me," Ino said sadly and Sakura frowned in confusion. "Come on lets go back. The second half is starting."
"You're sure?" Sakura asked her eyes darting around Ino's face to see if she was hiding something form her.
"Yeah lets go back," and Ino said tugging on her hand and Sakura smiled and caught up to her. She couldn't shake the feeling of loss though. Ino jerked to a stop as Temari leaned against the door to the theatre. She looked furious and stared evenly at Ino through narrowed eyes "you should have went for coffee," she said then turned sharply around and back into the theatre.
Ino swallowed then smiled unevenly back at Sakura who had grown weary. Ino let go of her hand and Sakura's brows furrowed feeling like an important clue was whizzing by her. They retook their seats but Sakura couldn't concentrate. She looked between her three companions. Temari seemed to be glaring at the stage while Shikamaru seemed tense only Ino seemed to be concentrating on the play. Her eyes followed the actors with a hunger that-Sakura crashed to a stop. She had only seen Ino stare like that when she had burst into her office and declared boldly that she wanted sex. Even then the look was watered down compared to the ferocity that Ino now ate the stage with.
Sakura sat back in her seat and didn't say a word until the curtain fell for the last time. She clapped politely but Ino stood and clapped hard. She followed Temari and Shikamaru out subdued. She still didn't fully comprehend what was going on but didn't think it would be good.
Temari linked arms with Shikamaru as they left. The night had settled in and the streetlamps had been burning awhile when they got out. A stream of people flooded out the doors and Sakura grabbed Ino's hand to make sure she didn't get lost. Sakura was jerked back as Ino pulled away violently. She turned to stare at the blonde and Ino looked ashamed of herself. She tried to smiled and moved forward but Sakura stood like a rock in the middle of the still flowing crowd.
"Sakura…" Ino said and her voice sounded small in the vast open air.
"Ino!"
Sakura turned to find a woman hurrying out of the open doors of the theatre. Most of the crowd had dissipated but the few that remained began to whisper in excitement. It was the star. "I knew it was you," she smiled wildly.
"Hello, Minako," Ino said coming to stand by Sakura.
"I had hoped to run into you, its part of the reason why I took on this show since I knew it would tour your village," Minako said with a perfect smile. She looked flawless up close with perfect skin and painted pouting lips of vivid red. Even her eyes seemed gold instead of a dull brown.
"I'm surprised you remembered its name," Ino said and reached to link Sakura's arm.
When Ino had touched her before she would always blush or feel warm. Now she wanted to shrug it away but the move brought the star's attention to her. She stiffened under the stare that seemed to be assessing her. The star's lips quirked in amusement as her eyes flickered over Sakura and she had the distinct impression that she didn't measure up to whatever scale she had just been put on. "How could I forget anything about you, Ino?" And just like that she was forgotten about.
Ino gave a laugh and turned away, the actor danced around them to stop them from leaving "Ino, don't be so cold. I made a horrible mistake and now I want to fix it," Minako grinned and it seemed charming and apologetic all at the same time.
"Things have changed," Ino said "I'm not interested in you anymore," and Sakura whished that was true.
"Yeah, I see you're wearing your little black number for someone else now," Melinda again flicked her eyes at Sakura like she wasn't important. Sakura gritted here teeth, why was she here?
"How rude of me, Kina Minako meet Haruno Sakura," Ino stressed her name the same why TV presenters and sleazy managers that had tried to use her to sell their products. And she suddenly realised her purpose.
"You're Haruno Sakura? The Legendary Blossom?" And she felt herself be revaluated "I thought you would be bigger."
Sakura looked away in disgust, she wasn't in the mood for this, "I didn't even think of you," she turned to Ino "are you finished?" Her voice was hostile.
"Yes," and Ino smiled and they walked away. She could feel Ino strutting at her side and knew it wasn't for her. She swallowed hard, she was angry not hurt.
When they reached their apartment Sakura threw her bag on the chair and kicked off her shoes. She didn't speak as she went to the bathroom and washed her face. She heard Ino rustling about the apartment quietly. She untied the black scarf and took off the bracelets. She fingered them sadly before setting them to the side. She padded barefoot into her bedroom. Ino was pulling on her pyjama top but paused. She seemed awkward and unsure. Sakura gave a small bitter laugh. She went to her dresser and grabbed a night dress.
"Where are you going?" Ino asked sitting down on the bed.
"Couch," Sakura answered shortly.
"Sakura…" Ino bit her lip and looked torn.
Sakura waited but when nothing came she left.
XxXx
They seemed to be a little too happy for me so cue the drama! Thanks again for all the support especially kirbygirl13 who seems to be my most vocal support. I'm glad this story is being enjoyed so enthusiastically!