Ino tried to blink the tears away. She tried to get her breathing back to normal but the pressure on her chest made that difficult. She was failing at staying composed. She tried to jerk the words out of her mouth but nothing came. She was beginning to feel lost all over again. She didn't want to feel this, she didn't want to feel the way she had before she met him.
"You gotta learn to breathe," Tenten softly spoke out. "You have to calm your nerves or else it's just gonna get worse."
Tenten stepped over to the back of the counter to rub Ino's back softly, using her fingers to draw circular motions onto her skin.
"You're gonna hurt yourself, if you keep this up." Tenten chastised.
Ino rested her whole upper body over the countertop as Tenten continued to sooth her. She began to regain some control over her breathing and the tears stopped flowing. She sniffed in the scent of her store. The familiarity of aroma's easing her distress. The storm calming slightly in her mind. She couldn't help but feel a little dramatic at her antics. She reached out for Tentens hand to squeeze it lightly, her current way of showing thanks.
"How about we start of slow," Tenten cautiously inquired. "Why don't you start off by telling me something small?"
Ino took a deep breath in. "Sakura, she came up to me about it."
"Good, can you tell me why?"
"I caught them in the act."
Tenten's eyes narrowed. "Caught them where?"
"In the back of an alley one night."
"In the back of an-" Tenten sputtered. "What the fuck? Wait, which one?"
"The one behind our favourite bar." Ino stated calmly, slowing breathing in and out.
"Are you kidding me," Tenten's face blanked. "Is that alley just famous for late night tryst's."
Ino stared up. "What? Who else uses it?"
"Besides Kakashi and his barmaids, Kiba and his furry's, and Genma with anything with a pulse." Tenten groaned out.
"Genma's not that bad."
"Genma is terrible when he's trying to drink Kakashi under the table." Tenten proclaimed.
Ino smiled at the mental image. She could just imagine that stoic look on a drunk Kakashi as he stares boldly into the eyes of a shit faced Genma. Kakashi knew how to hold is liquor, and if he didn't, he damn well knew how to hide it. He was such a professional at all times.
"I'm sorry, we'll get back to you in a second hun," Tenten huffed out. "I'm just trying to wrap my head around this."
Ino mewled. She was content at the moment to just lay on her countertop. She looked at the time, not much of it had passed. It had felt like hours flew by in those few minutes. She grimaced at the sound of her stomach gurgling. She realised she hadn't eaten at all last night or this morning. Her stomach had felt to sensitive to feed those times but now…it craved substanance. She could feel her stomach muscles cramping.
She glanced up to see Tenten with a similar expression on her face. Her stomach coinciding with Ino's. They stared at one another as their stomachs battled out for the title of loudest rumble.
"Look at what you've done!" Tenten accused.
"Sorry Ten, I haven't eaten in a while." Ino replied sheepishly.
Tenten nodded at the girl in front of her. She could understand, she was just glad she had an appetite. There were times when Ino would get so stressed out, that she wouldn't eat for days. Tenten patted Ino on the head to reassure her.
"How bout we close up shop and you play hookie with me?" Tenten asked.
Ino nodded at the proposal. She could use the fresh air. She didn't think anyone would mind her closing up early. Her father was out of town, so she could make up her own hours as she saw fit while in his absence. As much as she missed her father, she cherished the days when she could work whatever hours she wanted.
"Sure, that sounds like a good idea."
"Good, but you're not off the hook," Tenten explained. "We'll eat and talk."
Ino raised her hands up in surrender. "Deal."
Tenten smiled at that. "Ok, so where do you want to go?"
"Yakiniku Q?" Ino suggested.
Tenten laughed out loud. "Of course you'd want to eat there."
"There's nothing wrong with them. Their food is delicious." Ino pouted.
"Yeh, and they so happen to be team 10's after mission spot." Tenten mused back at her.
Ino continued to pout at her friends accusations. There was nothing wrong with going someplace familiar.
"Well then, were do you want to go?" Ino pointed at her.
"Oh no, Yakiniku Q is fine. I could go for some salted beef tongue," Tenten replied back with a smile. "It's just so you, to aim for something comfortable."
"This is me you're talking about," Ino retorted. "I take you on new and different adventures all the time.
"Exactly, my little spit fire. Your flames seem to be dimming," Tenten acknowledged. "I can only wonder at what's been dousing them."
Ino shook her head, focusing her attention on Tenten, who quirked an eyebrow at the blonde. Ino stood up from her chair and decided to settle herself right in front of the brunette. Placing her hands on her hips and widening her stance, she then hardened her glare. She took a quick inhale as she straightened her posture. As she exhaled, she mustered as much despise as she could and directed it to the weapon mistress. Her eyes narrow and deadly.
"Don't you tell me things I don't know, things that you've figured out, that haven't registered to me yet." Ino yelled out rapidly.
Tenten blinked. "Damn Ino, I thought it was about to go down."
"Tenten I'm not going to fight you…inside the shop," Ino proclaimed. "There's breakables in here."
They laughed for a few minutes, before Ino suggested that Tenten walk up ahead to grab them a booth in the back while she closed up. She gave Tenten her order and sent her on her way. The sooner she got out of the shop, the better she'd be able to think, and the quicker she'd be able to get some food in her as well. She moved some planted pots into the back, watering them all for the day. She swept up the floors, rubbed down the counter and closed up the greenhouse.
She moved from one task to the other with delicacy and speed. She'd done this so many times before, it had become such a simple routine. She was precise and effective. If her father had his way, he'd always opt for her to close down the store. Ino wouldn't have any of that though, something he knew all to well. If Ino didn't want to do something, she damn well wasn't going to do it.
She placed all the tools back in their rightful places, switched off the lights, turned the 'open' sign to 'close', and locked the doors. She stretched her arms over her head and began her trek to the restaurant. The cool breeze feeling nice against her sweaty body. It took so much work and energy to run a flower shop. She walked briskly as she glanced around her village, noticing little shops and the people sauntering around. She smiled at a group of rambunctious kids playing in the dirt.
She should do this more often. It had been a long while since she just strolled around her village. She use to do it all the time, she would find new places and drag Tenten with her to check them out. Tenten was right, she was loosing that sense of adventure, a boldness that made her…her. It must have taken a step back. The way she acted when in the presence of those two seemed to venture out into her actual life. She was timid around them, a timidness she started to adapt outside of their gatherings.
She didn't like that. She didn't approve. She wasn't being herself. This whole mess aggravated the hell out of her, and the fact that she hadn't shouted from the top of her lungs, scared her. Ino Yamanka, if anything, was loud. She shook her head and stomped her feet, not caring about the looks she got. She grunted loudly. After a minute, she looked around and bowed her apologies to the innocent bystanders for her weird behaviour.
She continued on her way, picking up the pace a bit so that Tenten wouldn't lash out on her. Ino knew she had a lot of explaining to do, she just hoped Tenten would understand. As she walked up to the front doors, she began to berate herself on staying on the topic at hand. She wasn't going to distract Tenten or herself about this any longer. There were things that needed to be said and she'd be damn if anything stopped her.
She opened the door to the restaurant to be greeted with an overwhelming aroma of sizzling meat. She felt as if her senses had died and went to food heaven. She could hear the meat sizzling on the grill, the smell of their specialty sauce filling up her nostrils, and the smoke clouding her sight. She drooled at the scene before her. She only got a step in before a waitress came to help.
"Welcome back, Yamanaka-san. It's been to long." Greeted the smiling waitress.
"Mmm, it has."
"How may I help you, Yamanaka-san?" The waitress continued.
"I'm here to meet a friend, she should be reserving us a table in the back."
"Ah yes, Twin Bun-san."
Ino deadpanned, laughing after at the name. "Yeeeh, I'm not sure about her last name either."
The waitress smiled in return as she led Ino towards their table. The familiarity of it all causing her to smile, it really had been to long. As she reached the back, Ino thanked the waitress kindly before pulling back the cloth that separated them from the rest of the restaurant. As she entered, she was greeted with an unpleasant expression on the brunette's face.
"Took your sweet time, didn't ya?"
Ino smiled sheepishly. "Got a little caught up in myself on the way here."
"Our food should be out shortly. I also ordered an extra bottle of peach sake." Tenten said as she wiggled her eyebrows.
"Isn't that a lot of alcohol Tenten?"
"To much you say, or not enough," Tenten asked accusingly. "We're going to need all the help we can get to survive this."
Ino laughed. This was going to be a long day and the booze was just a helping hand. Ino settled into her seat as the waitress arrived with their food, placing each dish meticulously on the table. The pork dazzling you into a food frenzy, and the vegetables steaming. Her mouth was starting to water again. The soups and side dishes looking delectable, but honestly, nothing could beat the array of meat in the middle. The waitress ending her services by filling their cups up with sake, and placing the bottle near.
"Now that our food has arrived," Tenten basked. "Shall we begin?"
Ino positioned herself comfortably on the green cushion below her, as Tenten began to heat up the charcoal brazier. She looked out the large window before picking up her own pair of tongs to place the meat onto the grill. They sat in silence for a few minutes, taking in the serenity. The only sound being heard, came from the sizzling meat.
Tenten took a sip of her sake, pushing Ino's own close to her, indicating that she wanted Ino to have a try. She smiled softly at the gesture. Tenten was biding her time, she didn't want to rush her. Ino picked up her glass, and downed the small cup. Tenten raised a brow to her actions but Ino only snickered. They both picked up their chopsticks and began to eat. The hot juicy meat filling their stomachs with warmth, grateful for the nourishment.
"I didn't want to be a part of it," Ino started. "Sakura, kind of just, persuaded me."
"She persuaded you," Tenten questioned. "Or did Naruto do all the work?"
Ino glared back. "Yes…but no. It was what she said."
"Did she know you had a crush on him?"
Ino shook her head. "I haven't told anyone, exactly."
"Who else knows besides me?"
"Shikamaru, he figured it out, just like you did."
Tenten shrugged her shoulders. She placed a piece of meat between her lips, waving her hand for Ino to continue. As retaliation, Ino placed of few of her own side dishes into her mouth, crunching down on the raw vegetables.
"You're such a baby," Tenten glared. "How about you tell me about the night in the alleyway?"
Ino poured herself another drink, trying her best to remember the night in question. Ino began to explain how she ended up at the bar with Chouji and Shikamaru, celebrating another achievement her lazy companion had earned. They had lost track of time, and had consumed a generous amount of alcohol before Ino suggested they part ways. Chouji being the surprisingly light weight that he was, had to get Shikamaru to help him back to his place.
It was just another InoShikaCho night. Chouji getting a little tipsy, Shikamaru being bashful about his accomplishments, and Ino just basking in the presence of two of her closet friends. She waved her goodbyes, trying to attain a sense of balance before heading home. Her head was spinning. She rubbed her temples hoping to ease some of the pain. When she felt the required affect, she hobbled against a wall to keep herself upright. She had decided to take the back route to her home, it was longer but she had hoped the time she spent outside would sober her up.
She hadn't managed to get far before she heard rustling. The noise didn't frighten her, she was a ninja, a not very clearheaded ninja at the moment but a ninja non the less. As she turned the corner she was met with a sight she had to do a double take to notice. She blinked away the haze in her eyes, and had stopped to stare at the scene before her.
Nothing seemed to register until she heard a throaty moan escape the blob she saw against the wall. She blinked once again, wiping the black spots from her eyes to notice the form of two people trying to mesh into one. It was to dark for her to identity the masses. She groaned inwardly at the thought of having to watch such an act in front of her. As she turned around and started to walk away, she heard one of the voices call out for Naruto, stopping any movement from her part immediately. She listened as their whimpers and panting became more frantic and wild, any effect the alcohol had on her, disappearing quickly. She turned to the bodies once more, and let herself take in the sight.
She watched darkly as their bodies connected, pushing the other into ecstasy. It was difficult to see, but she could hear everything loud and clear. They kept at it for what felt like an eternity. Ino doing nothing but listening to such madness unfold. As they both reached their climax, grunting out names of profanity, their breathing hitched and eyes closed, Ino felt a sense of emptiness she hadn't recognised before.
Throughout the whole event that had just transpired, neither one had noticed her presence. She turned her back on the scene and slowly walked out from where she came. As she moved away, she tried to support her body against an opposing wall. She couldn't believe what she had just witnessed. She didn't understand why she had stayed. She had just watched Naruto, her unexplainable crush, having a romp with some stranger. After a few minutes of pondering, she heard footsteps walking out from the direction she had just been. She turned her head to see that it was Sakura, fixing the straps of her shirt, a street lamp a few feet away illuminating her form.
She gawked at the pinkett, before gasping a bit. At the sound, the girl in question twirled around, her eyes widening in shock. Sakura had called out to the blonde, but she had refused to respond. She pushed herself off of the wall, and her gaze lowered to the pinkette's skirt that was still hiked up. She swallowed the lump in her throat, turning on her heel, and tried miserably to find her way back home. She blocked out the sound of Sakura's shouting, picking up her pace, and sprinting home.
When she had finally reached her destination, she dove head first into her sheets, to exhausted to push her body any further than it had been. She would eat and shower in the morning. When she woke up the next morning with a splitting headache and a patchy memory, she convinced herself that she had dreamt up the whole night. She'd seen alcohol do worse. It wasn't until Sakura approached her a few days later to talk, that she realised it hadn't been an alcoholic induced nightmare.
Ino finished her story with another swig of her drink, slamming the cup down harder than she expected. She glanced at Tenten to see that she too, was nursing her drink rather fondly.
"I don't know what to say," Tenten said. "I'm sorry you had to go through that or that you stayed to watch."
Ino shrugged in response.
"No, they both need to be addressed."
Ino looked up, the sake was keeping her lightheaded and at ease. Tenten made the right call at ordering two bottles.
"I can't even remember much of that night," Ino confessed. "I can only recall the slapping of skin and his name being called numerous times. I was so out of it I couldn't even register Sakura's voice."
"Well that's rough, seeing your crush have sex with another girl," Tenten explained. "And that girl being your number one rival since childhood.
Ino groaned out. She didn't need any mental images of them swimming around.
"So then what? She just asked you to join in their fun?" Tenten questioned perplexed.
"She wanted to know what I knew, and I told her the truth.
Tenten's eyebrows shot up at that declaration.
"Well, I didn't tell her about, actually, watching all of it, just the moaning and name calling on her part before I saw her walk out." Ino confessed.
Having completely forgotten about the food on the table, Ino moved to place a couple more pieces of meat on the grill. She then stuffed a good portion of vegetables in her mouth to help balance out the amount of alcohol she was drinking.
"She didn't say much, until she came back a few weeks later and asked me over to her house."
Tenten raised her eyebrow, leaning over the table to hear more.
"When I got there, I got a little ambushed…by Naruto's tongue."
Tenten squeaked out a gasp through a closed smile.
"I don't get it," Tenten's smile widening, "I like it, but I just don't get it."
"Apparently, she had talked to Naruto about the whole ordeal," Ino groaned out. "As if her knowing wasn't bad enough."
"And he just jumped at the idea of having two beautiful women in his bed complicating his already complicated life."
Ino laughed at that. She never understood why Naruto had suggested it, or why Sakura went along with it. It was complicated, something she thought those two would try to stay away from. She hadn't asked either, she didn't think she could.
"What sold it," Tenten questioned, setting her gaze on the blonde. "What made you say yes?"
Ino looked out the window, thinking back to those first moments she had with them.
"It was the look on their faces," Ino proclaimed. "Naruto wanting me stay and Sakura challenging me to go."
Tenten placed a couple more pieces of meat into her mouth and she leaned in closer, invested in Ino's story.
"I've rivalled Sakura my entire life. I know that look in her eyes when she thinks she's got me beat," Ino continued. "I don't back down from a fight, and by Kami, does she love a challenge."
Tenten continued to eat as she bobbed her head up and down, signalling Ino to continue. This being the most interesting thing she'd heard all week, but the fifth most interesting she knew happening in the village. Twas the time of scandelous shin-obi's.
"She even had the balls to wager if I could keep his attention for more than two days."
"Is she even into this?" Tenten asked, confused by Sakura's actions.
"Oh, she's into it," Ino told. "She thinks it's hot to dominate over me."
"Well, now that you've put it like that."
Ino glared at her in response. She picked up a piece of meat and shoved it down her throat, chewing vigorously. She didn't want to think about the stuff Sakura did to her to get the upper hand. Sakura was a dominatrix in the making. A real life masochist in bed. Ino poured herself another glass of sake, feeling the effects of it dimming.
"Was your rivalry the only reason you stayed?"
Naruto's compelling blue eyes flashed before Ino's mind. His quirky expressions, that wide grin of his, and that voice. A voice that could pressure her into anything.
"His stupid face is that what you want me to say?"
Tenten could only hold in her giggles for so long before breaking out into a fit. She held her cramping stomach, her breathing becoming ragid. Ino stared harshly, willing Tenten enough harm to feel remorse by her actions. No matter the circumstance, Tenten just had to pry and tease. Ino stifled a yawn, the effects of the sake making her drowsy.
"So what's the problem?" Tenten questioned.
Ino's eyes dropped and she sighed, her expression disheartened. "I feel as if they don't need me…want me…I don't know."
Ino groaned out loud as she continued. "It was…active at the beginning but lately, I've felt more like a witness than a participant."
Tenten nodded her head in understanding, realising that Ino was upset at being left out, of not feeling needed anymore. As if falling for a man such as Naruto wasn't difficult enough, she had become dependent on these meetings and to feel as if your presence was no longer required, hurt. They kept up the rendezvous, but kept her at arms length, just enough to reach out to but torturing her by not doing so.
Tenten wondered what was going through the blondes head. Did she think this was another ploy by Sakura or did she think Naruto had become bored of her and this was just a form of punishment on both their ends. Ino had fallen so deep, that she had allowed herself the disdain, because anything was better than not having him at all. Tenten's need to crack the skulls of both Sakura and Naruto increased that instant. If they truly cared about her, how could they not see what they were doing? How could they not tell that she was broken and in pain?
Tenten could only sympathise as the tears ran down Ino's face, hoping that one day, Ino would find the love that she deserved.