Sakura & Ino

"...it's Sakura." The absolute certainty in which that simple statement was spoken resulted in several pointed scowls, as the young dark haired girl turned on her foot to smile brightly at the somewhat bewildered pink haired girl behind her.

Another little girl huffed, saying, "You're no fun to play with, Kagome-chan."

"Yeah," another chimed in, "...you're like… like a Hyuuga or something."

Kagome frowned a little, asking, "What do you mean by that?"

"You're always right about who's behind you!" one of them said. "It's like you have eyes in the back of your head!"

"Well," the young dark haired girl pouted, "I didn't pick this game. I wanted to play shinobi tag, but you guys act like that's a boys game."

"Maybe you should just go play with the boys then!"

"Hey!"

Her mouth open to return the fire thrown in her face by the other little girl, Kagome's expression quickly melted into one of surprise at the sudden yell from her right. Turning her head, she blinked at the sight of Yamanaka Ino putting her hands on her hips and jutting her neck out at what looked like an awkward angle to glare at them from her spot in the circle.

"So what if Kagome-chan's always right about who's behind her!" Ino snapped. "It's not her fault that you all are always making her be the Oni when we play this stupid game. You just want to make fun of her, anyway, since her name's in the song!"

"Heh, what's your problem, Ino-chan?" one of the girl's asked. "You think you're better than us just because you decided to be friends with Sakura-chan and her big forehead?"

Beginning to scowl when she heard the little distressed noise Sakura made behind her, Kagome took a step toward the girl that had responded to Ino. Her blue eyes narrowed at the triumphant smile that crossed the other little girl's lips, obviously having heard the sound herself and quite pleased about it. "At least Sakura-chan isn't mean like you!" she hissed. "Her forehead might be big, but she doesn't go around pointing out that you have crooked teeth, Aoi-chan!"

Aoi gasped, covering her mouth.

Ino laughed. "You do!"

"You know what?" Kagome huffed. "I'd rather play with the boys! None of you guys are interested in honing your skills as a shinobi, anyway. I'll be surprised if you ever make genin when all you ever do is make fun of other people!"

Sakura blinked in surprise, watching as the dark haired girl stormed past her without another word. She released a squeak, however, when Ino suddenly grabbed onto her hand and started pulling her in the same direction. "I-Ino-chan!"

"Come on, Sakura-chan, we gotta catch up to her!"

"...why?" Sakura asked.

"Because," Ino beamed, "Kagome-chan should totally be one of our best friends! Didn't you hear her defend you and that big forehead of yours? She's great!"

"But," Sakura protested lightly, "she said she wanted to play with the boys. Why would she be friends with us?"

"Ah, pfft." Ino waved her hand. "Shikamaru's always playing shinobi tag with them, and he's the laziest boy I know. Kagome-chan said something about honing her shinobi skills, and trust me, there's no way she's going to do that if she's playing with Nara Shikamaru! She's way better off with us!"

Sakura started to smile back, encouraged by Ino's enthusiasm. "If… if you say so!"

Fin