Author's Note: Happy Holidays everyone! I hope everyone is having a great holiday and hopefully looking forward to the new year of 2019. I know around this time, people try to form some New Year's resolutions or goals for what they want to accomplish in the upcoming year. My fanfiction goal is to update every week or at the latest every other week. I know that I have struggled with updating in the past, but I am trying something new that will hopefully give me more me time. I hate that can't update as often as I used to, but as a working adult who is currently working towards her masters, there's nothing that can be done. So, I am working more on myself and taking time to do what I do and love best: writing.
After doing some calculations, I concluded that I have enough chapters to keep this story going for another two years including this upcoming year. So, if I can update every week for the next two weeks, then this story will run until, possibly, the end of 2020. I hope you guys are ready for this long ass ride because I know I am. I wanna take the time to thank everyone who has been with me since I started this trilogy and have reviewed my previous chapters. I hope to hear from more of you and see how you guys are enjoying the story. Also, don't forget that you guys can just drop a pm to me anytime. I love to hear from you guys no matter what you want to talk about. I'm hear and bored, so don't be afraid or feel like you're bothering me. I promise you're not.
Anyway, I hope you guys continue to enjoy this newest chapter and leave a review behind. Love you guys! Have a Happy Holidays!
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Chapter 31: An Artist's Muse
Ino's P.O.V.
(Same Day)
"I really need to go, Ino-chan. See you later," Hinata says as she leaves my shop.
The small bell above the door jingles as she practically slams the door behind her. My teasing smirk leaves my face with a heavy sigh. I stand up straight with my arms folded under my chest. Thinking back to the conversation with Hinata made me think about my friendship with Sakura. With nothing to distract myself with, I grab a nearby towel to whip of the countertop. Feelings of anger and frustration reappear as the conversation between me and that arrogant pink-haired, bunny "friend" of mines replays.
"Stupid Sakura. When will she ever learn,"
Trying to shove the feelings back down, I continue to run the shop in a frustrated silence.
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The evening comes. In the distance, the sun is lower in the sky, but not low enough to consider it setting. After giving my family's flower shop a once over, making sure all the money has been counted and put away, and making sure all my plants are cared for until the morning, I walk towards the door and lock the shop up. Turning to face the evening painted sky, I decide it's too early to head home.
"Man, there's nothing to do. Usually, I have tea and sweets with Sakura, but that's a bust. Plus, my parents are out for the night, so no one is waiting on me. I'm so bored. What can I do to kill some time before going home?"
I raise my arms above my head to stretch and work out the kinks. My body is stiff from standing and cleaning all day.
"Maybe I should go home and take a bath?"
I turn my head slightly to the right to see a set of familiar apartments. My feet already moving in that direction, I shrug my shoulders and continue walking in the apartments' direction.
"I wonder what Asuma-sensei and Kurenai-sensei are doing?"
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After a few moments, I made it to their apartment door and was hugged to death by my sensei's pregnant wife. Asuma was lying in bed, still recovering from the mission with Shikamaru almost four/ five months ago. It's nice to see Asuma-sensei moving around slightly, but there's still not a lot he can currently do.
"More tea, Ino?"
"Huh?" My head shoots up to see Kurenai-sensei smiling at me with a tea pot in her hand. "Oh, yes please," I watch her pour the tea before getting up to go to the kitchen. "Oh, don't stress yourself out with that. I can do it,"
"No, not, that's ok. I need to get up anyway. Lady Tsunade and Lady Shizune says that moving around is good for both me and the baby,"
"Do you know what you're having yet?" I ask.
"Yes, but we weren't going to say anything until later. Can you keep a secret?" I nod excitedly. "It's a girl and we're going to name her Mirai Sarutobi,"
I squeal in excitement before placing my hands over my mouth.
"I'm so excited for you both. Do you have to do anything special? How many weeks are you?"
"Lady Shizune measures me at about 24 weeks. But she says that the only thing she doesn't want me to do is any training or missions until after I give birth. So, I've taken to doing other things such as gardening and crocheting to pass the time. Good thing too. I think I'd go mad if I had to sit around all day like a certain someone," she teases while getting up.
"Hey, it's not like I wanna be bed ridden for most of this, ya know," Asuma chuckles back.
"Yeah, but we all know that if you could, you'd be right back to training us right now," I giggle.
"Exactly. Rest is the best thing for you right now, hun. You'll be back to your old self in no time,"
"I can't wait. All this sitting down is making me stir crazy. I don't know what else I can do. All I've done is watch tv, read some books, been fed and done physical therapy. There's nothing else for me to do," he huffs while slouching further into the couch.
"Asuma-sensei, weren't you the one told us that the best thing a ninja can do to keep themselves in tip-top condition is to listen to their body's needs?" I mock, causing Kurenai to giggle.
"She's right you know, dear. And all your body is telling you to do is rest,"
"Hn. I didn't come out of the bedroom to be teased by you two," he chuckles lowly before straightening up. "So Ino, what is new around the village? How are the boys: Shikamaru and Choji?"
"Well, Choji has been busy helping with his family's restaurant and taking a few missions here and there. Shikamaru has been working with Lady Tsunade and the others with the Akatsuki, especially the member who put you out of commission,"
"Have they found anything yet?" he asks.
"No, not that I know of. However, we have Sasuke and his team members in captivity. So, they're hoping to get some answers out them,"
"You mean Sasuke Uchiha is back in the village and hasn't been executed yet? Wow, we've really missed a lot, eh Kurenai?" she nods as his statement.
"Yeah. From what I've heard, Naruto has taken responsibility as his charge and has been by his side the whole time. He's been back for about a month now, but he seems to be cooperating as much as he can. So, that's a good thing, I guess,"
"And how are you taking him being home? Have you visited him?" Kurenai asks.
"No. Lady Tsunade had forbidden anyone except Naruto and Sakura from seeing him. In fact, not a lot of people know about him even being back,"
"Good thing I suppose. I can't even imagine how the villagers would take the news of his return very well,"
"I agree. If they couldn't even handle the news about Naruto, I can't imagine how they would deal with Sasuke Uchiha being back in the village alive. It's a shame too. I believe that boy isn't as evil as everyone says. I believe that Naruto is right about his soul being lost. Poor boy,"
"Yeah. But, with Naruto and Sakura being there for him, I can't imagine him being less comfortable in his cell,"
I take a sip of tea before placing it back on the table. My hands fold in front of me at the thought of my former classmate being incarcerated. Pity spreads through my heart. When I feel Kurenai's hand on top of mine, I snap out of my thoughts.
"Ino, how are things with Sakura?"
"What do you mean?"
"We know that you and Sakura made up after Sasuke left the village, but since the mission where they first saw him, you've said she's been different, right? Have you talked to her lately?"
"I did talk to her recently, but it didn't end well…" I trail off.
She places both her hands on top of mine with a gentle smile, encouraging me to continue. I shrug my shoulders and sigh as I rest my chin on the back of my right hand. My lowered pink ears do nothing to hide my sad expression.
"She was the one who told me about him being back and her assignment as his personal nurse. She was excited, and I was happy for her, until we started talking about her feelings for him. She was telling me about how he doesn't talk to her, he seems cold and distant towards her, she tries to get him to talk and be comfortable around her again, and about how he was acting crazy and everything before he was brought back. After listening to all of that, I had to tell her~"
"You told her that he wasn't into her, didn't you?" Both Kurenai and I look at Asuma in surprise. He shrugs his shoulders and says, "What? I watch those lovey-dovey, romantic, girly soap operas too. It's about the only interesting on during the day,"
Shaking my shock off, I nod my head. "I just didn't want her to get hurt again. I remember how devastated she was after he left the village all those years ago. I know that both of us had a rival crush on him, but that was all that was to me: just a crush. After he left, I realized I didn't know anything about him except his name and that he was attractive. But, other than that, there was nothing special I truly saw in him like she did. That's why we were able to make up and start our friendship over. But, now that I told her what I thought, she thinks that I'm just trying to steal him away from her again and that I was jealous. It's frustrating to know that she's being so stubborn about this. It's like she's obsessed with him or something. It's sad to see, but if she wants to keep chasing him, then she can. I don't care anymore,"
"Do you really feel that way, Ino?" Kurenai asks.
"No, but what choice do I have?"
"You don't have one, but you're doing the right thing," Asuma starts as he adjusts himself. "Listen, Ino, you can never control how others feels, view, or understand you. You can't even make them listen. Sure, you can yell at them until you're blue in the face, but it won't do any good to someone who has already made up their mind on something. Now, sometimes, they can change their minds, but it's up to them to do it, not you. You taking a step back from this is very mature of you. Sakura will eventually come around, maybe. And if not, then that'll be her lost, no?"
"He's right, Ino," Kurenai uses her right hand to lift my chin. "Friends fight all the time. But a true friend would never let their friendship die over something so trivial. Trust me, if she values your friendship, she'll open her eyes and see that you were only trying to protect her. And if not, she'll lose a beautiful friend for a lost fairytale,"
I felt a lone tear warm the corner of my eye as I move to hug her. She pats my shaky back before I hug Asuma.
"Thank you… both of you…"
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I leave their apartment an hour later. By this time, the sun has set, the sky is dark, and the stars are over shined by the street lights as I walk home alone. It doesn't take me long to reach my house when I see a dark shadow coming from my rooftop. I look up to see a pale man with black hair, eyes and panther appendages. I squint a little see a white book in his lap and his face twisting in concentration.
"Sai? What are you doing up there?" I call out and catch his attention.
He looks down at me, pausing for a moment before answering me.
"You're Ino Yamanaka, right?"
"You remembered me? I feel honored," I giggle with my hands behind my back.
"Of course, I do. You were the one I called beautiful when I first met you. How could I forget such a lovely creature?"
I feel my cheeks heating up at his compliment. I reach up to play with my bang but not breaking our eye contact.
"Would you like to come in for some tea? I'm sure you could use a break from… whatever you're doing,"
He looks down at me some more before packing his stuff up and jumping in front of me.
"Tea sounds lovely,"
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I lead him into the kitchen table where he rests his art tools and scrolls. I pour two cups of tea before putting the pot away and sitting across from him.
"So, Sai, what were you doing up on my rooftop anyway? Were you drawing?"
"I was trying to. I hadn't found anything I wanted to draw in a while, so I decided to rest and try my hand at free drawing. But, nothing I did worked,"
"Are you having writer's block?" He looks at me in confusion, so I continue. "I heard that's where people who write have trouble finding things to write about. I figured you might be going through the same thing, but with drawing?"
"Hn. I guess you could be right. I have never had trouble drawing before, especially with it being my main fighting skill, so this is very much new to me. Have you ever had to deal with this problem?"
"Kind of. I create different flowers from time to time. But, there are sometimes where I don't know what kind of flower to create so it comes out looking a mess,"
"What do you do to cure it?"
"Well, sometimes I try doing it in another place or I'll leave it and come back with fresh eyes. Sometimes, being in a different environment can spark something new. Or if you give yourself a break, you might be able to even figure out what went wrong,"
Sai lowers his head in thought. I start to feel nervous, thinking I said something wrong. But, he slowly raises his head and smiles at me with his eyes closed, "I would have never thought of that. Thank you, Ino. I will have to try that later,"
I nod back to him, glad that I could help him. We sit in a comfortable silence, drinking our tea, as my mind wonders.
"This the first time I've ever got to talk to him. I've seen him in passing and he's smiled at me a couple of times, but we've never sat down and talked before. He sure is a quiet guy and so handsome too. I wonder where he came from? I know Naruto and Sasuke said he was from a secret organization for the Hidden Leaf, but that's all I know. I wonder what other secrets he's hiding under his weird smile?"
"~ your parents,"
"Huh?"
"I was asking where your parents are. I don't sense or hear them anywhere,"
"Oh. They're on their second honeymoon. They haven't had another honeymoon since I was born, so they decided to go this week. I have to run the shop alone,"
"It must be nice,"
"What is?"
"Having a family and to be surrounded by loved ones,"
The silence between us thickens as I continue to conversation.
"Do you not have any parents?"
He shakes his head. "I only have a brother, but he died a while ago,"
"I'm sorry to hear that,"
"It's ok. I've… come to accept his death… It hasn't been easy. He was one of the reasons I started drawing. He inspired me when he gave me my first sketchbook. I've been drawing ever since,"
I look down at the little gray booklet next to him. I gesture towards it, asking for permission. He nods as he slides it towards me. I gently pick it up, feeling my heart race slightly. Swallowing a lump in my throat, I open the book and gasp in amazement. The draws he's done were amazing and so realistic. There were people, flowers, scenery, and other images from around Konoha. I recognized most of the pictures he drew as I continued to flip through the book.
"Sai, these are amazing. I never knew you were so talented. I feel like I'm actually staring at these people and scenery,"
He doesn't say a word as I continue to look through the booklet. Finally, I flip towards the ending of the book to find a picture of me. I was wearing my work apron and watering one of the flowers outside of the shop. I remember the day clear because it was just earlier this morning.
"You drew me…" I whisper.
"I'm sorry if that weirds you out. I just couldn't help myself. I know my drawing sometimes makes people uncomfortable. A lot of time they don't know I'm doing it. I can destroy it if you want,"
"Absolutely not! I'm not offended at all. I'm just surprise. I've never been drawn before. Do I really like this pretty?" I ask with a blush on my cheeks.
He nods. "Yes. I know this isn't the best thing to say, but I have been watching you for a while now and can't stop myself from wanting to draw you. You're just so strikingly beautiful. You're like a muse to me, if you will," he admits.
The blush on my cheek deepens with each word. I have been told how beautiful I am from my parents but having this handsome alpha talk to me in such admiration and gentleness sparks something within me. Trying to calm my nerves, I place the book down and play with my hair to distract myself.
"Ino, forgive me for my forwardness, but I have to say this. I am not good with… social interaction with others. I don't know how to speak when I'm around people and always end up saying something wrong, awkward, inappropriate, or worse. Everything I have learned about social interaction came from books, but I feel that isn't enough. I would like to learn the proper way to communicate with people and I was wondering… if you could help me. It might even help with my shyness of asking people to draw them,"
Flattered by his words. I let a bright smile grace my lips as I place my hands in my lap.
"I'd love to help you, Sai, if you agree to keep drawing me,"
He lets a smile grace his thin lips, but it is much softer than the first one.
"I think I can arrange that,"
We both wear gentle smiles through the rest of the evening. Sitting in silence, we sneak a few glances here and there. But the majority of the time, it's just indirect flirting and silence.
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To Be Continued…