~Scroll 19~
Ino watched as her former friend was horribly beaten…
"Everyone always calls you "Billboard Brow", and picks on you…" A six year old blonde girl casually stated to a six year old pinkette, who looked up with her tearstained face.
"Who are you…?" She asked between hiccups.
"My name is Yamanaka Ino. What's yours?"
"I'm Sakura… Haruno Sakura…"
"I can't help noticing…" Ino tapped the pinkette's forehead, "You do have a high forehead… so of course, you get teased. And you hide behind all of that hair… like a sheepdog… or a shy little ghost."
Ino then tilted her head to the side and smiled.
"Tell you what, Sakura… meet me here again tomorrow, okay?"
"Huh?"
"I'll make it worth your while… so don't stand me up."
The next day…
Sakura, with a light blush on her cheeks, looked at her new friend in confusion.
"It's much cuter like this, Sakura." Ino declared, "You can keep the ribbon…"
"Th-thanks… but…" The pinkette began to stutter.
"But what?"
"People can see my forehead!"
"The only reason they tease you about it is because you've made it obvious you're sensitive. Don't play their game. Show it off! Let the world see that pretty face! Strike a pose!"
Later that day, Ino introduced her new friend to her other friends and was happy that they got on very well.
Months later…
"Hey, everyone…" Sakura greeted as she ran toward her friends, "want to know a secret? There's boy I think is cute. Guess who it is!"
"What are we, mind readers?!" A brunette asked.
"Don't tell me it's Sasuke!" An auburn haired girl guessed.
"How…" The pinkette blushed, "How did you know?"
Ino gasped.
"Hey… Ino!" Another blonde girl looked at the short-haired blonde, "Sakura's gotten to be a real ray of sunshine lately hasn't she?"
Ino stay quiet.
Months later…
Sakura was laughing and happily blushing.
"Hey! Ino! Sasuke seems to like girls with long hair, so I'm going to grow mine…"
Years later…
"Everyone says you're after Sasuke, too, Ino…" Sakura calmly stated one day, "I guess that makes us rivals…"
Months ago…
"I noticed your hair is lot longer…" Sakura remarked, "Ino."
"What's it to you, Sakura?!" Ino snapped.
"Think you're so great?" The pinkette sneered, "Well, top this! Sasuke and I are on the same team!"
"What?!"
"So, Ino… you'll never beat me now."
"That goes double for me, Sakura… I don't care what it takes. You're not going to show me up!"
Ino felt tears gather in her eyes as she continued to watch her former, dear friend be abused by the Oto-shinobi.
"Th-this is not good…!" Choji whispered as he look at his teammates.
"Ino…?" Shikamaru questioned, watching as the Oto brunette toss the pinkette off of him.
"You little bitch!" Zaku screamed as he was about to blast the Konoha kunoichi with a Zankuha.
Suddenly three more Konoha shinobi appeared, blocking Zaku from attacking Sakura.
"Ino…" The pinkette whispered both in relief and surprise.
"Hmmph!" Zaku sneered, "The freak parade just goes on and on…"
"Sakura…" Ino's voice carried too many emotions to identify but the hint of longing could be heard between the two former friends, "I told you… I'd never let you show me up!"
"Ino…" Sakura whispered again with a faint smile.
Both girls knew why Ino was really there but neither of them would admit it. Their pride would not allow it; however, they both also knew that now was not the time to try to mend old wounds. There was an enemy that they must defeat first.
"More of these annoying little bugs from Konoha village have crept in…" Dosu sneered, "and started swarming."
Choji twitched in realization that he and his teammates were standing in front of the Oto-shinobi.
"Wh-what are you guys thinking?!" The plump ninja shrieked in horror, "Those creeps are too dangerous! They'll eat us alive! Shikamaru… let go of me!"
"Sorry, buddy." The Nara heir stated, still keeping hold of his friend's scarf.
"Heh heh…" Zaku chuckled, "We'll let you off the hook if you want to run… Fatty."
Choji flinched.
"What did that guy just say?" The teen's voice became cold, "I… could've sworn he called me…"
Shikamaru winced as he watched his friend's entire demeanor changed.
"You're welcome to run away… if you can find a hiding place that's big enough… Fatso!'
The Konoha brunette let go of his friend's scarf.
"This is turning into a complete mess!" He stated while Ino was pleased to see her teammate willing to go to 'war'.
"Sakura…" Ino called, "stay here and watch over your team."
"Right." The pinkette whispered.
"This is it, Team Ino." The blonde cheered, "Up and at 'em, full speed ahead!"