three.

"I've created a monster"

Queen of Foreheads

Sakura and Ino laid out in the field of wildflowers near Ino's house one late Sunday afternoon, braiding flower crowns and the chocolate chip cookies Sakura had made with her mother that morning.

"Oh these are amazing, Sakura!" Ino exclaimed happily as she finished of her second helping.

"Oh it w-was mostly my mom really, I just helped a little." mumbled Sakura sheepishly. Ino rolled her eyes and grinned and gave Sakura a good natured poke in the side, which made Sakura immediately erupt with giggles.

Sakura squirmed and squirmed laughing hysterically as Ino tickled her. "Ok, ok! I get it." Sakura said in between breaths. Ino grinned wickedly and eased up only to have Sakura launch herself up and start her revenge only to be disappointed when Ino didn't so much as flinch. "Oh no fair!" Sakura huffed, "You're really not ticklish?"

Ino gave another cheeky grin and held up the peace sign. "Nope!"

"Not even a little bit?" Sakura asked.

"Nope." Ino replied as she reached for another cookie.

"That is so unfair." Sakura repeated as she flopped back on the grass with an huff. "How can you be so cool?"

Ino handed the container of cookies to Sakura so she could pick one and then set it back down. "What do you mean?" she said laying back down.

"I mean….how are you so good at everything?" Sakura said with a pout.

"Sakura, no one is good at everything. Not even the Hokage!" Ino said throwing Sakura a look.

"But you're pretty and charming, and everyone likes you. How can someone be that perfect?" Sakura said exasperatingly.

It was a few moments before Ino replied. "People only like me because I'm "pretty". I never get asked to study groups, or get called on to answer questions. No one ever asks me to help with their homework."

"Ino, you don't even like being in study groups or being called on, and you always wait until the last minute to do your homework." Sakura said sitting up to look at Ino.

"Yeah but no one even bothers to ASK if I want to. They look at me and see a pretty face. But you, you're smart and pretty, Sakura." Ino replied staring up at the sky.

Frowning, Sakura took Ino's hand and pulled her up so that they were both sitting. She reached to the side and placed the daisy crown she had been working on atop Ino's head so that it looked like a halo. "There," she said smiling at Ino. "A flower crown fit for a Flower Queen." Sakura beamed. "I'm supposed to be the gloomy one remember?" she said with a small smile.

"You don't have to be ya know." Ino replied. "We could both be Queens."

"But what would I be Queen of? Foreheads? That doesn't really roll of the tongue like yours does." Sakura said with a giggle.

"Maybe you just haven't found your yet, you are still a bud." Ino said with a toothy grin. "But maybe we could help each other out? I can teach you how to be confidant and you can help me study?"

"You know what Ino?" Sakura said looking up at the setting sun. "I think that's a great idea."

Grinning, Ino stood up and started to collect their things. "Do you want to sleep over tonight? You could just leave with me in the morning to go to school. Plus my Dad is making dumplings tonight."

"Sure! I need to go by my house first to get clothes and stuff." she sent Ino a knowing smirk. "We can start on that homework I know you didn't do."

"Oh shut up Forehead, you know way too much." Ino gasped. "I'm sorry Sakura it just, it just sl-"

"Well you see Ino-pig, I need a lot of space to keep this big brain of mine in top condition." Sakura said tapping a finger to her temple and grinned from ear to ear.

Ino could do nothing but laugh.

"I've created a monster."

And so it went. Sakura would help Ino study and in return Ino would help Sakura develop a backbone. Before either of them knew it both Sakura and Ino had rubbed off on each other. Ino had started receiving higher marks on her tests and homework and Sakura had developed a quicker wit and more confidence in herself.

Sakura the Flower Bud was finally starting to bloom.

-xxxxxxx-

Days turned into weeks, and weeks into months. Summer had come and gone, bringing Autumn in it's wake, the cooler weather a welcome reprieve to the overheated citizens of Konoha. The leaves were turning into a myriad of warm colours. Reds, oranges, and yellows drowned out the few greens left. Cool enough to need a sweater but not cold enough to bring out the heftier of coats. Sakura loved it all. Autumn was indeed her favourite season. It had the perfect balance of not being too hot or too cold, just right in the middle.

This particular Autumn morning found Sakura walking alongside her best friend Ino on their way to school. Ino had just been telling Sakura about the new round of flowers her mother had grown.

"...and Mum just got a new batch of Sedum and Aster flowers in the shop. They actually remind me of you a bit. All pinks and reds…" Ino said as she applied a layer of chapstick in her lips. Which reminded Sakura to do the same.

"I should ask my mum if we could plant something next spring, I don't think our garden would be as big as the Yamanaka gardens but I think it'd be pretty." Sakura said with a smile.

"Oh, Mum got dad to agree with her on expanding the garden by the way, as if we needed more space, but I guess you can never really have too many flowers. Let me know if you want me to go with you to help convince your mum. You know she loves me." Ino mused.

"She really does though, I should bring you with me if I don't ace this test today, she might go easy on me if you're there." Sakura giggled.

Ino laughed at that as the Konoha Elementary front gates came into view.

Off to the side Sakura had noticed a small commotion in the courtyard near the side of the building. "Oh what's going on over there?" Ino wondered. Sakura tried to peek in between the crowd to see who or what was causing such a grouping but ended up getting blocked. Sakura turned to Ino who had attempted to do the same. "Well whatever it is I'm sure we'll hear about it eventually." Ino sighed. Sakura glanced back as she walked away from the scene "We have to return those books we used to study anyway." So the two girls walked on with the rosette haired girl throwing one last glance at the crowd.

-xxxxxxx-

Sakura and Ino made it to class after stopping by the library with a few minutes to spare, so they decided to kill time by gossiping. "Sakura did you hear Ami's Dad was caught cheating...again!" Ino said with a wicked cackle. "How do you even find these things out?" Sakura gave her best friend a look. "Oh shove it Forehead, everyone knows, because her dad tries to hit up every female over the age of 18. It's no secret, really." Sakura gave Ino a thoughtful look. "I guess it could explain why she's always such a bitch." That sent Ino and Sakura into a fit of giggles until movement at the door halted their laughter. The subject of their discussion walked through the door with her standard bitch face. "Speak of the devil…" Ino mumbled. "And she shall appear." Sakura recited the end of the saying under her breath.

Ami surprisingly payed them no mind as she was flanked by her two lackeys, Kimi and Mei. She walked walked straight past with her usual brand of self-labeled "superiority" and went straight to her desk, her little sycophants following suit.

"Well there's something you don't see everyday…" Ino said under her breath. As the rest of the students piled in Iruka-sensei stood up and waited for everyone to sit down and for the final bell to ring before talking.

"Good morning class. I have some exciting news today. It appears we're going to have a new student joining us this year." Footsteps could be heard approaching the doorway. "Ah that should be them now." A figure dressed in a black shirt and light grey shorts came to stand next to Iruka. As customary for new student introductions, the class stood. Hushed whispers, and excited murmurs could be heard through the room. Ino and Sakura exchanged a look.

"Please introduce yourself to the class.." Iruka said to the young boy at his side. Sakura watched as he took a small and graceful bow.

"My name is Sasuke Uchiha."

A/N: Let me first apologize for the extremely long wait to those of you who liked this story. I had honestly just lost inspiration for it. But I'm back now with excitement and vigor! So please R&R if you'd like. I post updates on my writing and art tumblr "thedrawingowl" and I also post these chapters and other stories on AO3 under the same username "Wisteriaa" So please check those out if you want.

I'll also be working on a NejiTen oneshot for my drabble collection "Different Strokes" so stay tuned for that.

Stay safe!

-Wisty