Ch. 3

Sasuke sits in his room. It had been two whole days for him since his last anbu assignment and four days since his bicker with Ino. Since he had few acquaintances in the village, and nothing else to do, sitting in his room was the most he could think of doing.

As he sat, he had plenty of time to think and do some self reflection. Ino along with many other of his comrades had shut him out. He needed a way to get her to open up to him. He knew that Ino wasn't the type of girl to be easily won over with flowers or chocolate, or flashy gifts. That's when an idea came to him. Sasuke puts on a green long sleeve button down shirt, black slacks and black sneakers. He sprays on some cologne and smoothes back his hair. Then, he leaves out for the flower shop.

Sasuke walks casually through the village. He keeps his hands in his pockets and balled in tight fists as his palms became sweaty. As thoughts of how his plan could possibly fail floats through his head, he took deep breaths to calm himself down. Never before had he felt this nervous. He was so on edge that he was thinking to just call it quits and go home. His plan was farfetched and he wasn't even sure he was ready to go through with it.

He stops for a second to debate whether or not he should really do it, and he happens to be in front of an ice cream stand when he hears a familiar voice.

"Sasuke-kun?"

Oh God, not right now. Sasuke thought as he turns slowly to face Sakura.

"Why are you all dressed up?"

That's when Sasuke decided. He'd already come this far, he couldn't turn back now.

"I'm going to win the girl of my dreams." He replies to his comrade confidently with a small smirk.

Sakura's cheeks turn a bit red. Then her expression saddens.

"That's nice." She replies softly.

"Sakura. I know you've been in love with me forever, but you need to get over me. I don't love you and you should stop ignoring the guy that does."

Sakura feels the heat behind her cheeks rise. She opens her mouth to respond, but no words came out. Sasuke rests his hand on her shoulder and looks deep into her green eyes.

"We're not kids anymore Sakura. If you don't start acknowledging the guy who loves you, he will find someone else."

Sakura holds her head down.

"He already did." She whimpers.

"Well there you have it. Opportunities don't wait around. They come and go."

"I don't want to be alone anymore!"

"Then prove it." Sasuke says, and he walks away from her.

At the Yamanaka Flower Shop

"Sasuke?!" Ino's older brother Katsu asks surprised as the raven hair ninja enters the shop.

"What do you want? You know Ino's not here." Katsu nervously says as he sweeps the shop.

"I understand that Inoichi is deceased, please accept my deepest condolences for your lost." Sasuke stands by the door making sure to keep his distance between himself and the nervous Katsu. Katsu bit his lip and nodded in response. He begun to sweep the floor furiously to avoid getting emotional.

"I know most people in the village are still weary of me…including Ino. I want to prove that I've changed to Ino and I want to win her heart. So I've come here to ask your permission to take her out on a date."

Katsu gave the broom one hard push as he heard this, and the broom went flying. Katsu looked at Sasuke sheepishly, and Sasuke pretended not to see as he examined a bouquet of roses.

"Uh…that's fine I guess." Katsu responds after a while.

Sasuke winked coolly at Katsu.

"I'll be here to pick up Ino at eight but don't tell her I'm coming just tell her to dress nice for a fun evening out…and I'll be taking these." Sasuke picks up the bouquet of red roses.

They shook hands after Sasuke paid for the roses and Sasuke left the shop feeling quite accomplished. He walked out into the midsummer sun and feeling a warm breeze against his face he shouted,

"Yatta!" Unable to contain his excitement.

A few young kids walking past giggle and gave him a thumbs up. He grinned wildly and gave them two thumbs up back.