"Hey Ino-chan!" Sakura called, her eyes shining as she ran towards Yamanaka Flowers. Ino was busy sorting potted plants but she looked up and waved her arm long before Sakura was in view.

"Ino-chan!" she said breathlessly, holding out a bundle of wilting wildflowers. Ino eyed them, puzzled.

"What is it, Sakura?"

She held out the flowers. "These are for you!"

Ino resisted the urge to giggle and took the flowers in her hand. "You should have placed these in cold water to keep them fresh longer."

Sakura's face fell.

"Though, your cutting skills are incredible. You're getting really talented," Ino continued, examining the end of each stem closely. Sakura brightened instantly.

"Sakura," Ino asked, looking up from the flowers for a moment to see what Sakura was doing. She was now poking half-heartedly at her flower bunch, her expression mild.

"Yes Ino-chan?"

"Would you like to pick flowers with me this afternoon? I could show you how to do it properly, if you'd like."

Sakura bit her lip, looking guiltily down at her feet. "I'm sorry Ino-chan…Akari asked me to hang out with her today, and I told her I would. Maybe tomorrow?"

Ino couldn't help but feel a stab of jealousy. Sakura had really opened up these past few months. Her sweet disposition and bubbly personality attracted friends as well as admirers. Gone was the shy, self-conscious girl Sakura used to be. She had become popular, confident, and cheerful, like Ino had wanted her to be. Her weeks were booked with activities and she was constantly going out with friends. She rarely had time to visit Ino anymore.

"Ino-chan?" Sakura's voice was soft and concerned.

"Oh, okay. Tomorrow, yes," Ino nodded vigorously. Sakura flounced over to inspect the rows of flowers lining the walls. She picked up a small potted rosebush and weighed it in her hand experimentally.

"Ooh, this one is pretty," she remarked.

Ino didn't look up, but she smiled indulgently. "Do you like roses, Sakura-chan?"

She giggled, setting the pot back on the shelf. "Of course! They're so pretty, but I like cherry blossoms more."
"Cherry blossoms?" Ino raised her eyebrow, "Because they're pretty or because you're named after them?"

"Both," Sakura said sweetly, before dissolving into helpless giggles. Ino laughed too.

Just then, the front door to the flower shop opened, and three girls stepped cautiously inside. The door closed. Ino recoiled, but relaxed when she saw Sakura waving at them.

"You're here!" she exclaimed, standing up to greet her friends. Ino recognized Akari from the Academy, but she had never seen the other two girls before. She nodded formally at them, and they smiled back.

"You ready?" one of the girls asked. Sakura nodded energetically and turned to Ino.

"Sorry Ino-chan. I have to go, see you later!" she said apologetically.

Ino just started at her blankly. She thought Sakura had plans for the afternoon, not right now.

Akari seemed to be able to read her mind. "We're taking Sakura shopping," she explained, "She needs a pretty dress for this afternoon."

"Oh," was all Ino could manage.

Akari giggled and patted Ino on the head. "It was really great of you to give her that ribbon, Ino-chan. Sakura really is cute when she's not trying to hide it. She has lots of potential!"

The other girls winked knowingly and before Ino could say anything, they were gone, taking Sakura with them.

Ino slumped against the wall and sighed. Her mother, who had been busy helping a customer, approached.

"Where's Sakura going?" she asked, dusting off her gloved hands. The customer thanked her and left the store. Ino's mother knelt down beside her and began to water the potted rose Sakura had been admiring.

"I don't know," Ino admitted. Her mother looked like she was about to say something, but Ino cut her off. "I'm going out, okay?"

She stood up, undid the knots of her soiled apron and silently handed it to her mother. She took it reluctantly, but was too surprised to say or do anything. Then Ino walked over the front entrance and pushed open the door.

"Ino!" her mother called warningly.

"I'll be back soon," she muttered, quickening her pace deliberately so her mother would not be able to catch up immediately if she decided to follow her. Soon, she was running through the streets of Konoha, headed towards her sanctuary, her precious meadow of wildflowers.

As Ino neared the forest, she slowed down. A grin spread across her face as she glimpsed familiar flowers growing among the trees and grass. CRASH! She suddenly collided into a dark shape.

"Hey! Watch it," she heard an irritable voice say. Ino leapt backwards in fright.

"Ah, I'm sorry," she mumbled, hanging her head, embarrassed.

"Just watch where you're going, Ino," he said crossly.

She blinked in surprise and inspected the person more closely. He had already turned away to leave, but she could tell who it was by the prominent symbol on the back of his shirt.

"Okay…Sasuke."