Sasuke twisted around and looked inquisitively at Ino. His appearance was terrible and battered, but his eyes shone with a strange, feverish light.
"Um, are you okay?" Ino fretted, wondering what Sasuke was up to. Surely he wasn't training like a maniac again?! Last time he stayed out in the forest doing shuriken practice all night, he had ended up in the hospital. And he didn't want her to visit him, even though he said he was completely fine. The nurses however, told him he was in no condition to have visitors. So she shoved all the flowers she got him under his door. When Sasuke was discharged from the hospital, he claimed that he thought she was Ami, but Ino knew he was lying.
"I'm fine," he said tersely, leaning against a tree. He winced at the contact but otherwise acted as if he wasn't hurt.
"Alright," she agreed, though her tone made it obvious that she didn't believe him.
Sasuke threw up his hands in exasperation. "I was training."
"I knew it!" Ino cried, glaring pointedly at him. That would explain his condition.
He glared back heatedly. "It's none of your business, Ino."
"It doesn't matter, you still shouldn't be overexerting yourself like this," Ino said crossly.
"Who said I was overexerting myself?" Sasuke snapped. Ino was about to reply when Sasuke collapsed onto the ground.
"See?" Ino said triumphantly.
He groaned and covered his face. "Go away."
"I don't think I will –" Ino began, but when she heard the rustling of leaves nearby and a high-pitched shriek of laughter, she changed her mind. "Never mind, I think I will. Later, Sasuke."
She leaped nimbly into a tree, quickly obscuring herself from view before Sasuke could react. She peered around a particularly thick branch, and spotted him almost at once. He was still in the position she left him in, sprawled on the ground and gazing up blankly. Ino stifled a giggle. Apparently Sasuke heard, because he glared up in the general direction where he knew she concealed.
"Sasuke!" the bush behind him emiited a loud, high-pitched squeal that grated on Ino's nerves. She clenched her fists, preparing to make a run for it if it was Ami. She had a nagging suspicion that the bully liked Sasuke, so she didn't have any particular feelings of remorse for leaving him alone to deal with her. Ami would never hurt him physically. Worst case scenario, she could damage his pride, which was probably far worse for him than being whacked to death. Not that Ami would do such a thing. Ino smirked, waiting for her to make an appearance.
She froze when four girls came into view, arms linked and giggling madly.
"Hey, Sasuke-kun!" one of them cried, her face alight. Sasuke covered his head with his hands and closed his eyes. Ino moved so that she was better concealed in the leaves. That girl…there was no doubt about it. It was Akari. Which meant one of them…must be Sakura.
We're taking Sakura shopping. She needs a pretty dress for this afternoon.
So that's what she must have meant. Ino groaned inwardly and risked a fleeting peek below. All she needed was a glimpse of brilliant pink hair to be certain, but she couldn't help but notice Sakura's garments. Her friend was wearing a red sundress that matched her ribbon. Ino would have sworn the corresponding outfit was Akari's idea a few hours ago, but now she wasn't so sure.
"We were talking to Kiba earlier, but he had to go home to feed Akamaru," one of the girls that Ino didn't know explained. "Do you mind if we came to talk to you?"
"Hn. I'm training."
Ino heard a loud squeal and a burst of shrill laughter. "Oh, can we watch?!"
"No, I'm going home."
"Aw, but Sasuke-kun," Akari pleaded.
There was a rustle of leaves and a grunt as Sasuke got up. Ino grinned when he heard him walking away from them. It wasn't likely that they would let him go without giving chase, however. As if on cue, the girls burst into giggles again and followed him.
"Sasuke…!"
The sound of their voices grew faint as they chased after Sasuke. Ino sighed, stunned by what she had just witnessed. Sakura…