I DO NOT OWN NARUTO AND THE CHARACTERS. They belong to Masashi Kishimoto. Now let me continue my story in peace, please.
*~*
Someone was shaking me. Hard, attempting to wake me up. No…I still want to sleep… Then, a faraway voice called out, "Ino! Wake up! We're resting for the night now!"
Well, if that's the case, then why are you telling me to get up?
"Your brother wants you to go the hot springs and clean yourself up. Ino!"
I slowly opened my eyes and blinked to see Tenten hovering over me, snapping her fingers in my face. "Huh…?"
She sighed, "Finally! You're awake! Deidara wants you to-"
"I know, I know. He wants me to freshen up at the springs." I muttered.
Tenten nodded. "I'm coming with you, if you were wondering."
"Okay…let's get going then."
"Coming!"
I peered at my dress and gasped. All the wrinkles…and the stains!
Tenten heard my gasp and asked, "Is everything all right, Ino?"
"No…! My dress!" I wailed, "It's ruined!"
I swear I heard Tenten face palm and sigh, "It's just a few stains-"
"Just a few stains?!"
"-and we can clean it when we get to the Uchiha Castle."
"…"
"…Ino?"
"Okay! We'll do it your way then, Tenten!"
"Sure…" I'm pretty positive that she's thinking that I sneaked some sugary substance – or just sugar itself – into my mouth on the way here. Why else would I be this hyper? To assure my best friend that her assumptions were very wrong and what happened was quite the opposite, I turned around and said, "Don't worry, Tenten. I didn't have any sweet things today."
She looked at me as if she didn't believe me. "Right…"
I looked at her innocently and beamed. "Of course I'm right!"
She rolled her eyes (probably at my complete and utter hopelessness) and moved her head east and west. "Ino, Ino…"
I smiled.
*~*
"This feels so good…" Tenten murmured as we sank into the spring.
"I concur."
The water was hot, but not hot enough to burn our skin off. Thank goodness for that. Tenten and I had found a secluded spot among the trees where we were sure that nobody could see us unless they made themselves visible to us. We do not want perverted men peeking on us…especially if they're old…
Tenten slid under the warmth of the water until her closed eyes and the damp brown hair on top of her head was the only part if her in sight. I decided to leave Tenten in her peace. Besides, it was rare that she ever got the time by herself to mull over life. I followed her lead and let my body draw toward the bottom of the spring until my blonde hair and sky blue eyes were the only things above the water. The warm water surrounding me soothed my cramp muscles that I received from sleeping in a very uncomfortable position on the carriage. I sighed softly. It's a pity that the baths that I have at home never manage to bring me at peace like this spring.
"…Ino…?" My best friend inquired quietly.
I raised my eyes to meet her chocolate orbs. "What is it, Tenten?"
"…I…" She paused slightly as if to change her mind about something and continued, "I think we should be going by now. Your brother might be worried."
"I agree. We'll leave in a few minutes." What is with Tenten? I'm pretty sure what she wanted to say to me wasn't that…
*~*
Tenten and I sat down in my carriage, preparing for the second half of our journey. Both of us had denied the food that Deidara offered earlier since we weren't hungry for any. I want to question Tenten about her actions over the past few days…I would if it was some other random person, but this is Tenten. She's my best friend and one of my only true friends that I have. Asking her something that she obviously doesn't want to discuss feels like I'm invading her privacy. And I'm not about to do that.
Tenten looked at me with concerned eyes, "I know you slept on the way here, Ino, but you seem a bit tired. I suggest that you sleep for the next part of the trip."
I wanted to protest, but I didn't. "M'kay." I murmured. I let my back fit against the curve of the seat, trying to get into a comfortable position to sleep in. When I finally found one, my eyelids were already covering my blue eyes and I fell asleep.
*~*
-Sorry for the uber short chapter! I was going to add on the when Ino got to the Uchiha Castle, but it didn't seem to go well...I also wanted to make it clear that something is troubling Tenten, and even Ino doesn't know what.
Thanks for all the reviews you guys gave me! :)
