Another update... that's like four in just one day (Well for me in my time-zone) So I hope you all enjoy because this is a lengthly chappie (For me) and well this story has two more chapters before coming to an end!
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or the song 'Girlfriend' by Avril Lavinge
Chapter 20 – Ino's day out
"Ino, what are you doing here?" Sakura questioned, eyes widened. "I thought you were still in Suna." 'Ino can't possible be here, why the hell is she even here? Does she just want to ruin my life all over again?'
"Sakura, is that any way to greet your best friend?" Ino queried, tears welling. 'I know I don't deserve to call myself her best friend after all that has happened but still, I want us to still be friends. After I apologize and tell her the truth maybe she'll be-able to forgive me.'
"What are you talking about?" Sakura growled. "We became enemies that night at the club. I thought you were my friend then, but oh how wrong I was," she continued, fist clenching.
"That's why I'm here Sakura, I'm here to tell you the truth about that night in the club," Ino whispered. "It wasn't supposed to happen like that. That drink was meant for me, not you!" 'Please, you've got to believe me Sakura. I wouldn't do that to you on purpose. I'm your best friend for crying out loud! Which best friend would do that?'
"What are you talking about Ino?" Sakura asked, eyebrow raised. "What do you mean that drink was meant for you, not me?" 'I don't understand, she said that she mixed that drink especially for me. How can she say that it isn't for me now? Is it only to get her butt out of trouble?'
"Can we talk somewhere more private? I don't want the entire neighborhood to hear this," she softly questioned, gaze lowered. "Thank you for brining me here Shikamaru but I kinda have something to sort out," she stated.
"I wouldn't want to get involved in this troublesome business anyway," he spoke, shrugging it off.
"But I do still want to get to know you better," she grinned. "But that'll have to wait."
Shikamaru sighed, 'She is one troublesome woman.' "Ah, I'll see you some other time," he said before walking off. 'But maybe she'll be less troublesome if I get to know her better.'
"Now Sakura, can we talk?" Ino asked, eyes pleading. "I really do want you to know how it happened and how it wasn't supposed to happen the way it did," she mumbled. 'Even if we can't be friends, I still want to know that you know the truth. Maybe then it'll stop nagging at me.'
Sakura sighed, "Follow me."
-----
"So what is this truth you have to tell me Ino?" Sakura questioned, arms folded. 'Something about the drink that wasn't supposed to be for me but for her and so on, or something like that.'
Ino sighed, "Do you remember anything from that night?" She bit down on her lip. 'That most probably wasn't the best way to phrase that question,' she thought, wincing.
"I remember that you drugged me and I ended up sleeping with Sasuke, getting pregnant, being sent here and dealing with more problems than I can count," Sakura snarled, eyes rolling.
'I caused all of that?' Ino asked, tears welling. "Do you remember Shino Takahashi?" she queried. "He was the footballer that kept on asking me to date him, the one with the funky greenish highlighted hair?"
Sakura nodded, "What does he have to do with any of this?"
"Everything Sakura," Ino began. "You see, I was also partly wasted that night. So when Shino offered me a drink I took it, despite hearing me say that he added 'a little something special' in it. I should have known he added some sort of drug into it but I just wasn't thinking," she paused. "Then true to my word I went to go and get you something but I unknowingly mixed something the same colour as that drink Shino gave me. So when I arrived back with you and Sasuke I accidentally gave you the drugged drink while I took the one I made for you."
"You said you added a 'little something special' in mine, what was it?" Sakura growled, 'Her story does seem true, but do I really want to believe that that is the way it really happened? Did all this happen because of a simple mistake?'
"I added three vodka shots into it, which would mean that it would have quite a bite to it," Ino replied, smiling weakly. "I only wanted to give you something that would make the night a bit livelier for you, but I didn't want you to sleep with Sasuke, that was never my intention."
"Ino, why didn't you tell me this the day after?" Sakura queried, defenses breaking. 'Ino wouldn't have tried to hurt me on purpose. We've been friends throughout everything and anything. I know that she liked Sasuke but that would have been no reason for her to intentionally hurt me right?'
"I was scared Sakura, I was scared of what would happen to us. At that stage you were most probably angry that it had happened to you so if I had told you, you would have never forgiven me," she confessed. "I wanted to tell you so badly but it just didn't want to work out the way I wanted it to." 'I feel as if I'm going to cry,' she thought. 'I really do want Sakura to forgive me so that we can be friends again.'
"Ino, I…I… don't really know what to say," Sakura replied, wordless. 'I've been blaming the wrong person all this time. It wasn't Ino that got me like this; it was just a careless mistake that even I could have made. It was better that I got the drink instead of Ino, who knows what Shino would have done to her. Then if she had gotten pregnant Shino wouldn't have supported her like Sasuke supported me. Her family would have been a lot harder on her. Oh Ino, you're forgiven!'
"Just say you've forgiven me?" Ino offered, tears breaking.
"Ino, I could never not forgive you," Sakura called, tears falling as they both embraced each other, frames trembling, tears streaming. "We're best friends aren't we? And best friends stick with each other until the end," she continued, voice straining.
"So I guess this mess has been sorted out, huh?" Ino stated, futilely wiping her eyes. 'I can't believe that she actually forgave me, I thought she wouldn't. Hell, I thought she would have kicked me out.'
"Yup, this mess has definitely been organized."
-----
"So what do you do around here for fun?" Ino questioned. 'Mm, I slept with a good conscience last night. Sakura's bed is really comfortable. Yet I still can't believe all that happened to her, it's like a circle of never-ending nightmares.'
"Well usually Naruto and I would have found something to do but since he isn't here I'm not too sure," Sakura replied, sighing. 'Naruto, I haven't seen you for so long.' "Besides, we can't do anything too strenuous, my arm is still in a sling. And my leg does still need time to heal you know."
"I can't believe you died, and then were brought back to life," Ino stated. 'She was practically dead; her heart did stop didn't it? Then they brought her back, meaning she's died once and been brought back. That's so legend.' "Although I am glad that they did bring you back."
"I guess, all I can remember is seeing a 'white light', like the one they always have in movies and so on," she replied, shrugging her shoulders. "But I'm glad Tsunade was able to bring me back, otherwise I wouldn't be walking here right now. I'm just still a bit sad that baby-chan didn't make it."
"I would have been an aunt," Ino stated. "That would have been so awesome, especially since little Sasuke or Sakura Jr would be so adorable." 'Sakura would have made a really great mom, this shouldn't have happened to her.'
"I know, it would have been Sasuke or Sakura Jr bossing around Obito or Rin Jr," Sakura spoke. "I think it would have been so sweet to have two new Uchiha babies since I'm almost 100% sure Rin-nee is pregnant."
"What makes you say that? Haven't they only been engaged for about a month now?" Ino queried, somewhat bewildered. 'Isn't that way too soon to be trying for a baby? Especially when Obito's just come out of hospital?'
"Have you seen them together? It can be quite scary, I mean you'd think they would admitted their feelings much earlier at the rate they're going, besides Rin-nee is eating a hell of a lot lately," Sakura replied. 'Not to mention I accidentally walked in on them making out the other day.'
"I can't really see Rin eating a lot, she's always been so conservative on what she eats," Ino responded, eyebrow raised. "Besides, that isn't the only way to tell if someone is pregnant. You should know."
"Well I have seen her puking in the mornings, but she then says that she ate too much the previous night. That just makes me think she is, and I've also heard her going through mood swings. I actually feel bad for Obito."
"Well they'll have to come out with it sooner or later, maybe they just want to wait awhile before springing it on everyone," Ino suggested. "I mean he has just gotten out of hospital, everyone would think they're just weird. I mean even to me that seems kinda fast."
"I agree but you know the saying, 'when you're in love…'? I think it applies to them," Sakura offered. 'Well I guess if they're just happy to be together then I don't mind what they do. But if Obito had to break Rin-nee's heart I will personally make him wish he was still in hospital.'
"Hey Sakura, do you hear that?" Ino queried, eyes shining. "It sounds something like music!"
Sakura strained, "I do. What do you think it is?"
"Well let's go and find out! It's bound to be somethingexciting!" Ino called, grasping Sakura's wrist. "C'mon!"
----
"Oi Rin-chan, are you sure you're okay," Obito worriedly questioned, gently pulling the loose brown locks from her face. 'She's been puking for over ten minutes, even if she is pregnant, isn't that a little too much?'
"I'm fin…e Obito, stop worrying," she playfully stammered. "This is normal, I asked Shizune, one of your doctors about it."
"She won't tell anyone will she?" 'No-one knows that Rin-chan is pregnant yet, and we want to surprise Fugaku when we get back.'
"Of course she won't," Rin replied, washing out her mouth. "I'm just scared that Sakura will notice. She was pregnant before her accident." 'In fact, I think she already knows that I'm pregnant.'
"She won't tell anyone will she?"
"Stop worrying Obito, Sakura will keep it to herself if she does know. Why do we have to be so secretive anyway, we are engaged." 'Come to think of it, he hasn't told me why we can't tell anyone that I'm pregnant.'
"Because I want to surprise Fugaku when we get back, I've always been the runt of the family. I want to show him that I've grown up," he confessed, blushing. 'Did that sound as childish as I think it did? I hope Rin-chan doesn't think that it's a stupid reason.'
"Aw Obito," Rin said, embracing him. "That's so sweet, I'm sure that he'll realize how mature you've become. You've got me, don't you?"
"Ah, I've got you Rin-chan," he replied, returning the gesture. "And you are all I'll ever need."
----
"It's a karaoke Sakura!" Ino squealed. "Please can we do it? Please?" she begged. 'I love singing and what better way to do it than out in the park?'
"You can, I'll just say out and watch how you embarrass yourself okay?" Sakura teased. 'Ino really is a good singer, she loves doing it anyway. Ah well she can have fun can't she?'
"No fair, you haven't heard me sing for five months now," she pouted. "So I'm just going to have to blow you away with this performance." 'Just watch Sakura, I'll show you how good I've become.'
"Then go, I really wanna hear this," Sakura replied, urging her forward. 'She's gonna have fun.'
Ino nodded, stepping forward. 'Just watch Sakura, I'm going to 'wow' everyone with my amazing voice. I have been taking lessons since you left and my teacher says that I'm pretty good.' She nodded, giving the assistant her name and choosing random song. 'I hope they don't pick something stupid for me to sing.'
Stepping upon the stage, she scanned the crowd. 'Hey, isn't that Shikamaru? But who is that girl next to him and why the hell is her hand on his arm?' she growled, eyes narrowing. 'No-way am I allowing that, he's my crush.'
'Fine, we'll just have to play it the hard way,' she thought, smirking. Knowing he had seen her, she waved and winked. 'Hah, how do you like that 'girlfriend'?' she questioned. Gazing downward, at the word prompt, her smirk deepened. 'Hmm, this is going to be very, very interesting.'
Hey! Hey! You! You!
I don't like your girlfriend!
No way! No way!
I think you need a new one
Hey! Hey! You! You!
I could be your girlfriend
'Ha, I can see him gulping from all the way here!' Ino thought, smirking deeply. 'Mess with me and this is what happens!'
Hey! Hey! You! You!
I know that you like me
No way! No way!
You know it's not a secret
Hey! Hey! You! You!
I want to be your girlfriend
'It just happened to be a coincidence that this song decided to want to be played,' she thought, gesturing towards him. 'Ha this is so much fun.'
You're so fine
I want you mine
You're so delicious
I think about ya all the time
You're so addictive
Don't you know what I could do to make you feel alright?
Don't pretend I think you know I'm damn precious
And Hell Yeah
I'm the motherf*****g princess
'I wonder if this'll actually work, well it's bound to get his girlfriend away,' she assumed, making sure that all knew she was singing to him.
I can tell you like me too and you know I'm right
She's like so whatever
And you could do so much better
I think we should get together now
And that's what everyone's talking about!
'And here comes the chorus,' she thought, raising the bar.
Hey! Hey! You! You!
I don't like your girlfriend!
No way! No way!
I think you need a new one
Hey! Hey! You! You!
I could be your girlfriend
Hey! Hey! You! You!
I know that you like me
No way! No way!
You know it's not a secret
Hey! Hey! You! You!
I want to be your girlfriend
----
'I can't believe Ino actually is doing this,' Sakura thought, somewhat bewildered. 'Well it is Ino after all, but to go this far? I know she's likes Shikamaru but this is crazy. Ah well maybe this is why she's my best friend, we do balance each other out.'
'So what am I supposed to do while she does that? I could walk around because she's gonna be busy with Shikamaru after this, isn't she,' she nodded. 'That girl…'
"Sakura, is that you?"
"Hinata-chan and Kiba?" Sakura replied, shocked. 'Oh damn, why is it them? I haven't spoken to them since the incident! What am I going to say?'
"How are you feeling Sakura? Are your injuries healing?" Hinata softly questioned, gaze lowered. "I'm sorry we didn't get to visit you at the hospital, Kiba-kun and I just weren't sure what would happen if we went."
"Oh, I'm fine and I didn't expect you to visit me at the hospital anyway, there were just too many bitter memories," she whispered, weakly smiling. 'You have to say sorry for hurting them. You've only got another day left so you can't waste this time Sakura.'
"It's okay now though, everything worked out fine in the end," Kiba offered, gently intertwining his and Hinata's fingers. 'I mean Hinata-chan and I got over this and we gained something more than just friendship from it.'
"I guess, but while I'm here I just wanted to say that I'm sorry for causing you and Hinata all that pain," Sakura responded. "But I'm leaving back to Suna in a day's time, so then I guess I'll never see you two again." 'But I think that that is a better option, we've caused too much pain.'
"I thought you were in Konoha to stay," Hinata spoke. "What about Naruto-kun, how will he take this?" 'I'm sure Naruto-kun will be very sad that Sakura is leaving, they do love each other don't they?'
"Things are on hold with Naruto for the moment," she gently replied. 'Things happened on that night which are rather left unsaid for the moment.'
"So then this is goodbye Sakura," Kiba offered, extending his hand. "Despite everything, it was nice meeting you." 'And I do feel sad that you have to leave after only five months of being in Konoha.'
She nodded, "This is goodbye," and she gently embraced Hinata.
"I'm sure we'll see each other again Sakura," Hinata reassured, smiling. "A goodbye can never last forever."
"I'll keep that in mind."
'But I can't, I'm leaving Konoha for good.'
----
I want to be your girlfriend
No-way, no-way
Hey, Hey!
Ino finished, bowing as the crowd applauded. 'Yup, whose the girl?' she thought, gazing upon Shikamaru. He still seemed somewhat shocked. 'So I'm just going to have to go and hear what he thought about my performance.'
Dodging through the crowd she finally came to his side, finding the blonde beside him was not amused. "Hey Shikamaru," she said warmly, embracing him. "I see you saw my little performance, what do you think? Singing material ne?"
"Troublesome but yes," he mumbled, blushing somewhat. 'Temari is bound to be pissed off at Ino after this.' "You do have a good voice."
"Did you like the song I sang?" she questioned, leaning in closer, "I sang it just for you." 'This so getting that girl mad, just look at how she is fuming.'
"Shikamaru," Temari growled. "I'm leaving, we can play shogi some other time," she snarled, walking off.
Ino feinted shock, "I'm sorry, did I do anything to upset your girlfriend?" 'Actually, that's the reaction I wanted. No-one takes Ino Yamanaka's potential property!'
"She wasn't my girlfriend," Shikamaru stated lazily.
"So I didn't have to do that to get your attention?" Ino questioned, eyes widened.
"No but despite being troublesome…" he trailed off, allowing her to cling to his arm. "… I liked it anyway."
He, he sorry if Ino was slightly OOC but I find as someone who'll do anything to claim what is hers and well in this case, Shikamaru is hers! Then I know that there is just so much pregnancy in this story but well... I don't have a reason... just makes everything interesting! Thank you for the support for my new idea, I might post it tomorrow!
Lorelock :)