The heat of the sun that washed over the village was slowly dissipating into fresh cool air. The ball of fire beginning its long awaited trek behind the mountains, it's counterpart awaiting its turn to illuminate the darkness that was slowly creeping its way out. The day had went fairly well for the blonde mind walker, spending her morning around the village placed her in a happy disposition. That of course, and her chance meeting with the ramen loving prankster. After he left, she made no quarrels about the chores that needed to be done around the store. So involved in her own fantasies, the tasks took no time to finish.
Resting her head in the palm of her hand, Ino stared boringly at the wooden door in front of her. She had an hour left to kill before she could close up shop, and unfortunately, she had finished all her duties for the day. So she stood, willing a customer to walk in through the door and purchase an Orchid or a bouquet of Calla Lilies. Those few hours before closing were agonising, counting each minute until you were set free from any and all duties.
She thought about moving some things around for fun but didn't feel the need to move from her spot. Now she was bored and lazy, how tremendous, Shikamaru would be proud. She took a mental note to contact both him and Tenten, wanting to give them a heads up on what was happening in her life recently. They would find out eventually, and she'd like to be the one to tell them before they found out about it on their own.
She had started to check off discussion topics in her head when the door to the shop ringed open. Ino turned to greet the customer heartily until she saw who it was, her heart sinking to the ground, her smile straining to stay pleasantly in place. The corners of her mouth itching to turn downwards at the sight.
"Welcome, how can I be of service?" Ino forced out pleasantly.
"No need to be so formal," The customer responded, sauntering inside. "I think we've seen enough of each other not to be, if you know what I mean."
"What are you doing here Sakura?" Ino bit back, loosing all pleasantries at her response.
"You're so damn sensitive, you know that Pig," Sakura answered. "I'm only here to check up on you."
"How sweet, what ever for?" asked Ino sarcastically, placing her right hand on her hip.
Sakura squatted down to some potted Red Dahlia's on the ground, smelling and meddling with it's flower petals. "I didn't get a chance to talk to you after that night in the bar," Sakura answered once again. "I got swept up in a mission with Team Guy the day after."
Ino followed her every move as she lingered over the flowers. "So I've heard."
"Naruto?" questioned Sakura, curious to know who had told her that piece of information.
"Tenten." She snickered, shaking her head.
Sakura groaned at the mention of her name, remembering the brunette's deplorable attitude towards her during their time together. If Tenten hadn't been her superior, she would have knocked her on her ass at the start of the trip.
"Is that all," asked Ino, eager to end their conversation. "Cause if not…what?"
Sakura turned towards her comrade in arms and on certain nights, in bed. "You and Naruto were fighting," Sakura responded. "I don't like there to be conflict between us."
Ino eyed Sakura harshly after she looked away to continue her interest in the flowers in front of her. "You don't like conflict betwe—" started Ino before cutting herself off. "Well rest assure captain, we're dandy."
"I could see that," Sakura smiled sickeningly sweet. "You had such a delightful skip in your step after you saw him this morning."
What was she spying on them now, looking through the store windows with a set of binoculars. "I don't usually skip," said Ino, gritting her teeth. "But when I do, it's always delightfully."
Sakura laughed at the comment, the undertone harsh. "Well aren't you just made out of honey."
Ino's brow quirked at the tone, sighing in the process. She leaned over the table once again, resting her chin on her hand, eyeing Sakura with disinterest. If Sakura was looking for a fight, she was barking up the wrong tree. Ino was in no mood to be toyed with or be plotted against.
Ino was visibly ignoring her, right to her face. Sakura chuckled darkly, trying hard to forcibly choke down her animosity. Ino really knew how to get under her skin. Coughing into her hand, Sakura eyed the blonde, her teeth clenched as she spoke. "So you're sure you're ok, you and…Naruto?"
Ino eyed her back suspiciously, a frown settling on her face as she glanced around to see if they were truly alone or if this was part of some elaborate joke. Sakura's change in demeanour frightening her a bit, Ino couldn't remember the last time Sakura asked her how she was. That alone had the hairs on the back of her neck stand up.
"We talked it out." Ino responded cautiously, her eyes still darting around the room for someone to jump out at any time.
Sakura started to fidget, clearly contemplating how to word herself but finding difficulty in saying them out loud. "That's...good."
"You came all the way here to know that," Ino blinked rapidly, confused. "You could have just asked Naruto."
Sakura shook her head. "Then that would ruined the plan."
"Oh, I knew this shit was a set up."
"Ha, funny, you're so fucking funny," declared Sakura, her hands intertwined. "You know what else is funny. Me, coming all the way over here to extend an olive branch."
"A what?"
"The plant expert doesn't understand the expression?"
"Oh, I fucking understand it," clarified Ino, her anger bubbling. "I mean, what the hell are you talking about?"
"Amends Ino, that's what I'm talking about," Sakura mouthed back, her sass in full gear. "I thought we could finally use it."
"Are you fucking kidding me?" Ino quietly responded.
"Look, I get this might be sudden." Sakura started, flaring her hands in front of her.
"Oh, you've got to be fucking kidding me," Ino started out quietly, her voice rising the longer she continued. "I need a second. The girl who cut me out of her life without any warning wants to do what now?"
Ino felt heat consume her body. Her anger beginning to override all other emotions, her mind running a mile a second. Ino couldn't believe the words that were coming out of the pinkette's mouth, was she just begging for a fight? Clapping her hands in front of her face, Ino closed her eyes, her entwined fingers resting on her lips.
"I get it, it look's bad how the situation went do—"
"What situation," Ino shouted, cutting Sakura off. "You just up and left, you never explained anything to me!"
"Ino, I'm try—"
"You know what the worst part is," Ino continued angrily. "That I let myself get sucked up in this god damn mess with you!"
Ino was furious. "You said nothing," She shouted. "You acted as if nothing happened, as if you hadn't thrown me away like some old wash rag when you came knocking on my door!"
Sakura groaned, grinding her teeth as she tried to listen, but wanting to explain. "Ino—"
"We were supposed to be friends," Ino cried out. "Following Sasuke, and all the shit that came after and you do this to me again!"
"In—"
"How dare you," Ino spat venomously. "How fucking dare you?! Who the hell do you think you are?!"
"God damnit Ino, would you let me talk?!" Sakura finally shouted, sick of being talked over.
"Why the hell should I," Ino retorted. "You sure as hell didn't give me any chances to."
"This is exactly what I wanted to avoid." groaned out Sakura, rubbing her temple.
"Having to actually own up to your shit?"
"Ok, first of all—" Sakura tried, pointing her finger at Ino before she was cut off for the umpteenth time that night.
Ino grabbed Sakura's extended index finger. "Point that finger at me again and I'll break it the fuck off." Ino stated, pushing it back to Sakura's side causing her to stumble back.
"For fuck's sake Ino," Sakura shrieked. "I'm just trying to be civil."
"Oh, you don't know the first thing about being civil," Ino countered. "You're to much of a sadistic bitch."
"You know what, fuck you," Sakura responded, clenching her fists to her sides. "I don't even know why I try."
"Are you trying to indicate that you ever have before?" Ino questioned, her head titling to the side.
Sakura huffed at the question, not sure on how to answer. "Technically…"
"No." Ino finished, her face scrunched up.
"I'm trying now, doesn't that count for something?" Sakura shrugged.
Sakura watched as Ino eyes dilated. Her body stiffening as the scowl on her face deepened. Sakura was waiting for another outburst, but when nothing came, she waved her hands frantically to catch the blonde's attention but received no response. Sighing deeply, she rested her hands on her hips. Maybe she could use the time to regroup her thoughts. Sakura was in deep concentration when she heard the shattering of glass next to her, water splashing on her calves. She didn't see the blonde move.
"What the fuck?!" Sakura shrieked, but Ino was relentless, throwing another vase towards her. Sakura dodging just in time to miss the object that was being propelled towards her head.
"Are you crazy?! That could have actually hit me!"
"That was the point! I am so sick of your shit!" Ino shouted, picking up a small clay pot on the counter and throwing it once again at Sakura, who weaved out of the way.
"Are you trying to kill me?!"
"No," Ino responded, pointing a vase at Sakura. "But I want to hurt you really, really badly."
She threw the object at Sakura, watching the pinkette squirm as she slipped on the water that was filled inside the vases. Sakura landing directly onto her back, groaning at the pain that shot through her as the water began to dampen the back of her clothes.
"How do you do it?" Ino asked honestly, her wild eyes settled on Sakura.
She peered at the blonde from the wet cold floor. "Excuse me?"
"How do you so easily disregard the people who are always there for you?" Her voice shaky, her hair wet from the splash back, sticking to the sides of her face.
Sakura couldn't move, watching the anger so freely escape the blonde, paralysing her. She didn't want to say the wrong thing and get chucked at in the face.
"You were my best friend...and…and I can't do this anymore…" Realisation washed over the blonde.
"Ino…" Sakura managed to squeeze out, trying to support herself on her elbow.
"You are poison." Ino stated so matter of fact, picking up another vase from the counter, she turned towards the girl on the floor.
"Get. Out." Her tone calm but hard before shouting out at the pinkette who hadn't move.
"GET OUT," The blonde roared, shocking Sakura into silence once again, her eyes wide. "GET THE FUCK OUT!"
Ino threw the vase down, watching the pieces shatter near Sakura's head. A few shards flying past her cheek and neck. Ino's attack was vicious, throwing vase after vase, tossing them at no particular target. Sakura was frozen to the spot, her mouth agape and eyes widening at every pot aiming closer to her. She couldn't believe what was happening and she was to stunned to do anything about it.
"I SAID GET OUT!" Ino continued to yell, lifting the last vase in the air, ready to throw it at the source of her anger. As she was about to slam it to the ground, she heard the bell of her shop ring and a rough voice yell out to her.
"Enough!"
She adverted her gaze from the girl below to the boy above her, watching as his frantic eyes glanced between the two women. He scurried to the floor, sliding through water to lean Sakura up a bit, who clutched at his jacket for support.
"What the hell is going on here?!"
She was watching him now, hand still high up in the air. She laughed, letting the vase slip through her fingers, shattering into pieces that sliced through her leg. She felt the warmth of her blood slip down her ankles, her gaze never faltering. His blue eyes divided between the look on her face and her newly form cuts. Her head began to buzz, the sound deafening. Numb. That's what she felt. She felt it all over her body.
"Poison." She managed to whisper out, not particularly to them or herself but in general.
"What," Naruto couldn't figure out the expression on Ino's face. He couldn't figure out how anything like this could have happened. "What happened?" Directing his question to both female's now.
"She's out of her frigging mind is what happened," yelled Sakura, trying to sit upright. "Look at this place."
How could he not. The shop had been trashed. Both the floor and women drenched in water, shards of glass scattered every corner of the floor, even the shelves had been knocked down by the blonde's rampage. The store was an absolute mess. In her rage, Ino seemed to have swung away at anything upright. This was bad if Ino willingly participated in the destruction of her own store.
"What. Happened?" He asked again, hoping his assertive tone would finally get him some answers.
Ino stood, her eyes still glued on the two figures kneeling on the ground. Naruto cradling Sakura safely in his arms, idly passing his fingers through her hair. Sakura glaring at her as she massaged her left shoulder.
"Get out."
Naruto paused, his undivided attention finally on her. "Get out of my shop and get the fuck out of my life." She stated coldly, and for the first time in a long time, Naruto felt stumped. What could have possibly happened between this morning and now to cause such a reaction, and what the hell was he supposed to do about it?
Author's Note: It's been so long I don't even know how I feel anymore! But I can say is that we have a new direction.