Sasuke’s been gone for a while. I’m starting to lose hope that he’ll ever come back. I miss him, but, the truth is, he’ll probably never come back. I’m walking down the street when I see TenTen. “Hi TenTen!” She turns around, “Hi Sakura!” I smile and walk over to her, “What’s up?” She shrugs, “Not a lot. I was just heading over to the training area. Do you want to come?” I smile and nod, “Sure!”

            Naruto is training with Jaraiya today, Kakashi Sensei is on a mission, and Lady Tsunade is buried in work. Also, training with Sai would be very hard because we both have such different techniques. I probably wasn’t going to train, but it never hurts. “You could help me show the guys that we’re not totally helpless.” I snap out of my trance, “What? Lee and Neji?” She nods, “Not Lee. He believes in everyone, especially you. Neji is the real problem. He doesn’t think girls should fight.” I giggle, “Well, I don’t think I could beat Neji, but I can do some pretty amazing things.” TenTen smiles, “You know, no one thinks they can beat Neji, but Naruto did. You guys just need to believe in yourselves.” I smile, “Okay, but I’m still not challenging him.”

            We walk up to the training zone, and Lee runs up to us. “Sakura! You will be training with us today?” I smile, “Uh, yeah! My whole team is busy, and Lady Tsunade is pretty tied up too.” Lee smiles really big, “That is good!!! I would like to see some of your technique up close!” I want to show Lee some of my moves to show him that he’ll see that he doesn’t need to come save me anymore. “Sure! I’ll show you some of my moves.” TenTen smiles, “Well, why are we standing here talking about it? Let’s go!”

            Gai Sensei runs over, “Sakura! It’s great to have another youthful person with us today!” “It’s good to be here,” I say. “Well, you could start by sparing TenTen. Lee, Neji, and I will be warming up being ready to fight the winner.” I nod and walk over to TenTen, “Sounds like we’re fighting.” TenTen takes a fighting stance, “Try me.”

            “GO SAKURA!!!” We didn’t even start yet and Lee is already cheering for me. “Begin!” Gai Sensei says. TenTen stands a bit of a distance away. I don’t feel like waiting for her to attack. I build up chakra in my left arm and punch the ground. TenTen flies up in the air and hits the ground hard. “YEAH SAKURA!!!” TenTen stands up and throws kunai at me and I dodge each one neatly. She whips out a scroll. Before she gets any of the weapons out, I hit the ground again to make a large rock rise in front of me. I keep doing the same thing until there are rocks at my sides too. They all hit the rocks. I jump out from behind them, “My turn!” I hit TenTen hard in the gut. She flies backwards and goes through a couple trees. Gai Sensei stands up, “Looks like we’re done here.” He runs into the forest to go get TenTen who’s probably knocked out.

            “Sakura! That was amazing!!!” I smile, “Thanks Lee! I’ve been training hard.” Neji finally says something, “You have good chakra control.” “Thanks, I’ve always been pretty good with chakra.” Lee keeps smiling, “You’ve been training very hard lately.” I keep smiling too, “Yeah, I was tired of people having to save me all the time.” The look on Lee’s face shows that he remembers the day when he had to come to my rescue. I’m still completely thankful for that, but I hope he won’t have to save me any more. “Sakura, I will always protect you,” Lee promises. I smile, “Yeah, I know, but, hopefully, you won’t have to anymore.”

            Gai Sensei emerges from the trees with TenTen. I run up, “TenTen! I’m sorry!” TenTen grins, “It’s okay! It just shows that I need to train more!” Gai Sensei smiles, “Yes! We shouldn’t waste our youth!” I really have no idea what he’s talking about half the time. “Uh, okay,” I say. “Now,” Gai Sensei says, “Let’s do one hundred push-ups.” I raise an eyebrow, “I thought one of you were going to fight winner.” Gai Sensei smiles, “I would never wish that kind of thing to happen to one of these boys; having to fight such a powerful girl.” I knew the real meaning behind his words; he thought they’d pummel me to the ground. Which was probably true, but I’d still like a chance.

 

ROCK LEE

 

            I am glad Gai Sensei decided to make us do one hundred push-ups. I did not want to have to fight my beloved Sakura. “Alright everybody,” Gai Sensei says, “On your hands and knees. We begin…NOW!”

            Everyone has completed their one hundred push-ups, but I keep going. I promised myself that if I did two hundred push-ups before Gai Sensei hit me than Sakura would realize she loves me. “Lee,” TenTen complains, “You do this every time Gai Sensei asks us to do something simple. Just stop already!” “No,” I argue, “I must do two hundred push-ups before I stop.” She rolls her eyes, “Sakura, this might take a while. Let’s hit targets.” I admit that I am sad that Sakura won’t be watching me, but if I can complete all of this than she will love me! And that is much better! Neji goes and follows them while Gai Sensei watches me and give me a thumbs up. The nice guy pose shows that he is not going to interfere. Which means, I will complete the two hundred push-ups!!!

 

SAKURA

 

            Rock Lee is doing crazy push-ups so TenTen and I go to work on target practice. She hits the bull’s eye every time right in the middle. I’m not as good as her but I got almost every single one right in the middle too. “TenTen,” I say, “Does Lee always do that?” She smiles, “Yeah, it’s usually because he makes some crazy promise to himself that something amazing will happen if he finishes, but Gai Sensei usually hits him in the head before he finishes.” I tilt my head to the side, “But, he didn’t hit him just now; he gave him ‘the nice guy pose’.” TenTen shrugs, “It’s probably because of the way he snapped at me. He’s probably promising himself something big.” I shrug to and go back to concentrating on the targets.

            “Bye Gai Sensei. Thanks for letting me train with you!” I wave goodbye to Gai Sensei and the rest of the team comes to town with me. “I have to go back to the house,” Neji says, “I have to train with my uncle before Hinata comes home so I cam train with her.” “Is she getting better?” TenTen asks him. He smiles a bit, “Yeah, she’s doing a lot better.” He walks away swiftly. “Wow,” TenTen says. “What?” I don’t really know what amazes TenTen so much. Shouldn’t she be used to this? “Well, Neji used to hate Hinata. I’m kind of shocked that he cares about her so much now. He runs off to make sure he can train on time.” I smile at the thought, “That’s really sweet. Hinata’s gotten so much stronger.” Lee smiles too, “Yes, she has gotten more strong and confident. We have seen her when we went to go to see Neji once.” “Do you want to go get some ramen?” I look at TenTen, “I guess. Naruto will probably be there by now.” “That is a splendid idea!”

            “Hi Naruto!” Naruto turns around and smiles at us, “Hi guys! What’s up?” I sit down, “Just getting some ramen after some training.” Lee, TenTen, and I order a bowl of ramen. “Yeah, Sakura did really good at training,” TenTen says, “She knocked me through a couple trees.” “I’m really sorry about that,” I say. TenTen just smiles, “No pain no gain!” Lee smiles too, “Yes! That is true! We all so youthful!” TenTen rolls her eyes, “Yeah, okay Lee.” When I finish my ramen I start to take my wallet out. “No,” Lee says, “Today I will treat both of the ladies.” Lee pulls out his money and pays the man. “Such a polite young man,” his daughter comments.

            Naruto glares, “Yeah, I’d pay for you guys, but I don’t have any money.” I roll my eyes, “No you wouldn’t, Naruto.” TenTen smiles, “Yup, Lee might be annoying, but he’s very polite.” Naruto folds his arms, “I could be polite too.” “Who are you kidding?” a voice says. We turn around and see Kiba and Hinata. “You’re no gentleman,” Kiba says. “Oh yeah, Dog Boy? I could be a better gentleman than you!” “Doubt it,” Kiba says. “A-are you guys going t-to have another bowl?” Hinata asks. I smile, “I wasn’t planning on it, but, if you want, we’ll sit with you.” She smiles, “Th-thank you.” Naruto has another bowl while Kiba and Hinata eat their first. “Sakura,” Naruto says, “Why were you hanging out with TenTen and Bushy Brows?” I glare at Naruto, “For your information, I was training with them.” “Why didn’t you train with Kakashi?” “He’s on a mission. Don’t you notice anything?” “Even I knew that,” Kiba says. “Kiba,” Lee says, “Where is Akamaru?” Kiba shrugs, “My mom was going to make my sister wash all the dogs as a punishment so she took him. Also, a dog of his size isn’t allowed at the ramen shop.” When everyone finishes their ramen Naruto pays for his and stands up. Kiba pays the man, “That’s for me and Hinata. Told you I was more of a gentleman, Naruto.” Naruto’s jaw drops, “That’s no fair! That doesn’t count!”

            “What are they fighting about?” Lee asks me. “About being polite,” TenTen tells him. “Why? Why are they fighting about being polite?” “B-because you’re p-polite, Lee,” Hinata stutters. “I am not that polite.” I smile, “Yeah you are, Lee. You’re the most polite person I know.” Lee blushes a bit, “Sakura…” “Come on!” Naruto yells, “Let’s get out of here.” “Where are we going?” I ask him. “I don’t know, but I’m bored.” TenTen smiles, “Oh, I met him at the h-house and my father told me that I didn’t have to train today. I g-guess he plans on e-exhausting him.” “Okay, what should we do?” “Let’s just…go hang out in an empty field somewhere.” “Naruto,” I say, “Only you would suggest that.” “What else is there? There’s no missions or anything.” “GUYS!!!” We all turn around and we see Ino completely out of breath. “What is it, Ino?” She holds up a finger, “I-I saw…. and t-they…” She’s too out of breath to get a word out. “Ino,” I say, “Calm down. What’d you see.” “THE SAND VILLAGE KIDS HAVE A NEW TEAM MATE!” “Gaara’s here!? Where are they?” I glare at Naruto, “Naruto, is that all you care about? Going to see Gaara?” “Well, yeah! Now that I know he’s here!” “You have to see her!” Ino yells. “Okay,” TenTen says, “Which way?”

            We all follow Ino to Lady Tsunade’s office. “There in there. We should wait for them to come out,” Ino says. Of course, before Ino says that, Naruto starts rushing up the stairs. “What are all of you doing here?” We turn around and see Shikamaru and Neji. “We’re here to see Gaara,” Ino says. “Well,” Shikamaru says while walking up the steps, “What are you waiting for?” We all follow them up the stairs.

            We see Naruto waiting outside of the office, “I knew you guys would come.” “Shut up, Naruto. You just didn’t want to go in alone,” I say. I know it’s true because Naruto is a wimp sometimes. Shikamaru knocks on the door. “COME IN!” Lady Tsunade yells. We all stumble in. “See,” Ino whispers, “There she is.”

            Everyone in the room had turned around to look at us, including the new girl. She has sparkling brown eyes, floor length brown hair in pig tails, and she’s really tan. She’s pretty average height; a couple inches shorter than Gaara. She has a short-sleeved aqua shirt that’s side cut at the bottom with a netting shirt showing at the top and black pants. She’s wearing her headband on her neck and has gloves and she has her left hand bandaged. She’s wearing two thin but long swords on her back with a huge case with who-knows-what in it on her back.

            The girl probably notices she’s being stared at because she says, “Uh, hi?” I blink, “Uh, hi! My name is Sakura.” She stares at me for a moment then looks at Gaara; he nods. “Um, my name is Arissa.” She seems shy but tough. “This is Ino, Hinata, Naruto, Shikamaru, Lee, and Kiba,” I say while gesturing to everyone standing next to me. She smiles and nods. “Gaara,” Naruto says, “What are you doing here?” Gaara rolls his eyes, “Once again, you fail to notice that the Chuniin exams are coming up.” Naruto smiles, “Oh yeah! Now I remember! So, as Kazekage you had to come, but why are they here?” “Because we’re his brother and sister, Stupid,” Temari says. “Well, what about her?” Arissa glares at Naruto, “I’m his girlfriend.” It’s silent for a while. Then, Naruto says, “Are you serious?” Arissa nods, “Yeah. I’m serious.” Naruto shrugs, “Are you going to be too busy with Kazekage stuff or can you hang out with us?” Gaara shrugs, “Sure. What do you want to do?” “Naruto wanted to sit around in an empty field,” I say. Temari rolls her eyes, “Is that your idea of fun?” I shake my head, “Not mine, but apparently its Naruto’s.” “May I suggest that we train?” Lee says. “I’m fine with that,” Gaara says. “Gaara,” Kunkuro says, “I think it’s better if you don’t fight. We’ll go back with less ninja then we came.” Gaara shrugs, “I’ll be the judge.” “Then let’s go!” Naruto yells and jumps out the window.

            We all follow Naruto to an open field. “This is where we fight!” We sit on the ground and watch Naruto and Lee spar, which is really boring. Lee and Naruto fight all the time. Gaara, the judge, calls the fight on a count of boredom. “Well, that was quite boring,” TenTen says. “Than why don’t you fight?” Naruto says. “Give me a break. I was just flung through five trees. Also, I probably can’t beat any of you.” “That’s the spirit, TenTen,” I say sarcastically. “You know what? How about you go fight, Sakura?” I smile, “Sure! Who wants to fight me?” She looks at Ino. Ino rolls her eyes, “Sorry, Sempai,” she says sarcastically, “I can’t fight you.” Arissa stands up, “I’ll fight you.” I smirk. I can’t wait to see this girls moves, “Sure, let’s fight.” We go to the middle of the field. I get in fighting stance and Arissa just stands there. I build chakra in my hand and punch the ground. I’m surprised when I see her jump in the air and her pigtails are spinning. I just stair at her as she flies, “My turn.”

            She spins in the air and she pulls out the two long swords with her hair. She plans to make her hair fight me. I pick up a huge boulder to block myself with. Suddenly, the bolder is cut to pieces. I run at her to sock her in the face, but she cuts me with her swords. I only have a couple deep gashes. I stand there for a moment. Then, she takes that box off of her back. “What’s that?” I ask. “This is my Jack in the box.” Arissa opens the lid to the box and something strange happens. I can’t see anything, but I can sense a presence. I look at my self. I suddenly have bruises where I didn’t have them before and I have cuts where I didn’t before. My head hurts, and I’m suddenly out of breath. “W-what is this?” And, so fast I don’t even realize it, I’m passed out.

            “Sakura! SAKURA!” I slowly open my eyes and see Lee, Naruto, and Ino kneeling above me. “Sakura! You are okay!” Lee seems so happy. “I knew you’d be fine, Sakura,” Naruto says even though I’m sure he was worried. “Sakura, you should never agree to fight a sand ninja! They’re dangerous!” I sit up slowly. Arissa is standing in front of me and she looks guilty. “I’m sorry…. perhaps I went to far.” I smile, “No, it’s okay! You were just doing your best!” “Even if I was, I still apologize.” “No, it’s okay, but that really was a cool technique. What is it?” She smiles, “ ‘Jack in the Box’ is a technique my father made for me. A spirit by the name Jakku lives in the box. He was a trained assassin in his fighting days. So, when I unleash his spirit onto someone, he surrounds in a dangerous aura. Whatever ‘punishment’ I think of at that exact moment will happen to the person. I probably shouldn’t have gone so hard on you though. Even if I’m a master at Jack in the Box, he sometimes goes a little over the limit.” “That’s an amazing technique! That’s so cool!” I try not to act mad about my loss. I don’t want the new girl to feel bad because she beat me. That just makes me look worse.

            “Sakura,” Lee says, “I was very worried. I advise you not to do that again.” I smile at him, “Thanks for worrying about me, Lee. But, really, I’m fine!” Lee smiles, “Then, I am glad!” “It’s getting dark,” Gaara says. “Afraid of the dark?” Naruto says jokingly. Gaara glares at him, “No, but I need to go talk to Lady Tsunade. Also, I’m sure you’re going to get scared any minute when that sun goes down. You should get home.” “Ha ha! Very funny!” “Well,” I say, “I’m going to get going. It’s getting cold.” “Me too,” TenTen agrees. “I will walk you ladies home! Ladies shouldn’t walk home alone at night,” Lee says eagerly. I smile, “Thanks Lee. Bye guys!” We all wave goodbye to our friends and we start to walk home.

            I know Lee is always worrying about me and wants to protect me, but I don’t need to bee protected all the time now. I’ve grown as a ninja. I bet Lee would guard my house if he thought it was necessary, but I’m not going to yell at Lee for being a nice guy anymore. If he wants to protect me, I might as well let him. “Are you okay, Sakura?” TenTen asks. “Huh? Yeah, but I’m a bit mad that I lost…” “It is okay Sakura! You are a good fighter! And there’s always room for improvement!” I sigh, “Yeah, I guess, but I was hoping to show off a little. Everyone still thinks of me as some little girl that needs protecting.” Lee looks away. I can tell that he knows I’m referring to him. TenTen giggles, “Well, you’re strong. I’ll give you that.” I laugh nervously, “Yeah…are you okay? I didn’t mean to hit you that hard….” TenTen smiles, “No worries! I’m fine! Oh! We’re at my house!”

            “Bye guys! You should train with us tomorrow, Sakura.” I smile, “Sure!” TenTen walks through her door and Lee and I keep walking. “So Lee, have you gotten better? I didn’t get to see you fight anyone besides Naruto.” Lee smiles, “Of course! We all improve everyday!” I giggle. That’s such a Lee thing to say. We stop in front of my house. “Bye Lee! Th-” “Wait,” Lee says, “I have a question.” “Yeah?” “Why was Naruto fighting about being polite?” I sigh, “You’re still wondering about that?” Lee just waits for an answer. “I don’t know Lee. I guess Naruto is jealous of you.” “Why? I’m jealous of Naruto.” “You are? Why?” “Because he has such a beautiful girl on his team.” I blush, “Uh, Lee, I’m not that beautiful…” Lee smiles so softly it reminds me of a cloud, “Do not be so modest, Sakura. I think you are the most beautiful girl in the world.” I can feel a small smile crossing my lips. “Thanks Lee,” I whisper. Then, before I even notice it, Lee bends down and kisses me.

            I quickly pull away. “Lee I-…I mean….I can’t-” I can’t even explain all the reasons why this is wrong. Lee stands there, “Sakura! I am sorry! I just…” I turn to the door, “I have to go.” I shut the door and run to my room.

 

LEE    

            I just lost my mind! I can’t even believe I just did that! Sakura is stuttering like Hinata while I’m in a daze. I just kissed Sakura! But I’m not happy about it because I know she didn’t want that. Which just makes me feel like an idiot! Sakura and I were just getting along just fine as friends! I’ve probably made her feel very uncomfortable. “Sakura! I am sorry! I just…” I don’t really know what to say. What can I say? “Sorry I kissed you. Let’s pretend this never happened”? There’s no way I’m saying that. Sakura turns away and mutters something. She closes her door and leaves me standing in the light of her porch.

            I start to walk home while sulking. I feel like such an idiot! I know Sakura loves Sasuke and she’s really distressed right now because he’s gone. I probably just made everything ten times worse, and she probably never wants to see me again. I sigh. Why am I such an idiot? I enjoyed it of course, but I don’t want to enjoy it if it is going to make Sakura mad. I cannot believe Naruto thinks I am polite.

 

SAKURA

            When I get to my room I start to cry. I can’t help it. Lee stole my first kiss. I know I love Sasuke! But the worst part about Lee’s kiss was that I liked it. I thought I loved Sasuke and now I don’t know what to think anymore. I’m so confused. I thought Lee was just some annoying kid, but now… I DON’T KNOW WHAT TO THINK!!! I’m not crying because I hated it, I’m crying because I liked it. And that just stresses me out. This can’t be possible! I hear a knock on my door, “Sweetie? Are you okay?” I sigh, “Yeah Mom! I’m going to bed!” I didn’t really think I could fall asleep, but I cried myself into a dream.

            In my dream, I’m walking in the park. It’s a park I imagined Sasuke and I walking hand and hand. But, when I walk to the cherry blossom tree to meet him, Lee is waiting there. Then, I’m walking to a fancy restaurant where I expect to meet Sasuke. But Lee is sitting in his place.

            I jolt up really fast. What is wrong with me? It’s early in the morning so I have nothing to do. So I sign onto AIM.

 

Cherry_Blossom has signed on

 

Cherry_Blossom: Hi guys….

ShyButterfly: What’s up?

Cherry_Blossom: Nothing much. You?

FlowerPower: I’m so bored!

WeaponsMaster: I can’t wait for training! Just don’t punch me through a tree

Cherry_Blossom: I don’t think I’m going…

WeaponsMaster: Why not?

Cherry_Blossom: CUZ!!!

FlowerPower: Is something wrong?

Cherry_Blossom: No… Why?

ShyButterfly: Because your status says CONFUSED

Cherry_Blossom: Hinata, I have a question.

ShyButterfly: Go for it

Cherry_Blossom: If Naruto never figured out you liked him and someone else asked you out, would you say yes?

ShyButterfly: Idk. I don’t think anyone’s going to ask ME out though…

Cherry_Blossom: It’s just a rhetorical question.

WeaponsMaster: What if it was…Shino?

FlowerPower: I think Shino and Hinata would make a cute couple!

ShyButterfly: Sure, I guess

WeaponsMaster: What’s this all about Sakura?

Cherry_Blossom: I’m wondering about Sasuke…

FlowerPower: Oh, that he’ll never come back…?

Cherry_Blossom: I just don’t want to wait around for him and he’ll never come back

ShyButterfly: Sakura…

FlowerPower: Don’t give up hope!

ShyButterfly: I don’t know… Maybe you shouldn’t wait around…

WeaponsMaster: Yeah, Sasuke isn’t the only boy out there.

FlowerPower: Wait! Did someone ask you out!?!

Cherry_Blossom: No!

WeaponsMaster: Than what happened? Does this have to do with not going to training?

Cherry_Blossom: Kind of….

ShyButterfly: Wait…I have a question! Were you implying that I should give up on Naruto?

Cherry_Blossom: No! Well, he is sort of a lost cause…But no!

FlowerPower: LOL! Well, Shino and Hinata would make a cute couple…

WeaponsMaster: Wait! I want to know about Sakura!

Cherry_Blossom: Lee kissed me okay!?!?!

WeaponsMaster: O_O

FlowerPower: SAY WHAT!?!?

ShyButterfly: Are you mad?
Cherry_Blossom: No, I’m confused…

WeaponsMaster: Why?

Cherry_Blossom: Because…I kind of liked it….

FlowerPower: HOLY SHNITZEL!

ShyButterfly: Wow… Maybe you should take that into consideration….

Cherry_Blossom: I don’t want to! I don’t like him like that!!!

WeaponsMaster: Well, you should think about it…

FlowerPower: Just like how Hinata should think about Shino!

ShyButterfly: I don’t like him like that…

WeaponsMaster: Give him a chance!

ShyButterfly: WHAT DO YOU MEAN!?! HE DOESN’T EVEN LIKE ME!

Cherry_Blossom: What if he did?

ShyButterfly: I’d give a chance.

FlowerPower: I’m going to go talk to Shino! BYE!!!!

ShyButterfly: WHAT!?!

FlowerPower has signed off

Cherry_Blossom: I have to go to. TenTen just tell everyone I don’t feel good

Cherry_Blossom has signed off

INO

            I run right over to Shino’s house and pound on the door. Shino opens the door. “This is a surprise. May I help you?” I smile, “I have to ask you something! It’s important!” Shino looks back into his house, “Dad, I’m going on a walk.”

            “Why do we have to go on a walk?” “Because my dad can hear everything. So what’d you want to ask me?” “I’m going to make this short and sweet. Do you like Hinata?” Shino stops walking and I think he blushed but it’s hard to tell because of his jacket, “What!?!” I sigh and repeat myself, “Do you like Hinata?” “W-what makes you think that?” My eyes bug out, “No way! You actually like her!?” Shino shrugs, “A little, I guess. I never really thought anything of it though. She likes Naruto.” I smile from ear to ear, “You should ask her out.” “No.” “WHAT!?! Why not?” Shino shrugs, “She’d just say no. Also, it’d make our team very weird.” “What if I can guarantee that if you ask Hinata she’ll say yes?” He shrugs, “I guess I would.” “So ask her at training! And I’ll ask her to make sure you did!” Shino shrugs, “Why is this so important to you?” I smile, “I think Hinata deserves someone good. And waiting around for Naruto isn’t good. You’re good for her.” Shino doesn’t say anything. I smile, “So you’ll ask her out?” Shino sighs, “Sure.”

 

ROCK LEE

            I’m sitting in the middle of our training zone waiting for my team. Neji gets here right on time as usual. “Why aren’t you warming up?” Neji has a good reason to seem surprised because I’m usually so youthful during practice, but I’m still upset about what happened with Sakura. Surely I should be punished for enjoying something that hurt Sakura.

            TenTen walks up a bit late as usual, and I’m not surprised to see that Sakura’s not with her. “Where’s Sakura?” Neji asks. “She doesn’t feel so good,” TenTen replies. I know that that’s not true. Sakura just wants to avoid me and I don’t blame her. I sigh, “So, what shall we do today?” Gai Sensei runs over, “Lets all take a lap around the town!” Neji and TenTen groan, but we all get ready to run. Hopefully this will take my mind off Sakura.

 

HINATA

            It’s twelve o’clock so I decide to go to practice. Shino and Kiba are already there collecting bugs and jumping through trees. “Hi guys,” I say softly. Shino gets a bit red, but I don’t know why. “Hi.” “Hi Hinata!” Kiba calls from the trees. “So, what are we doing today?” Kiba jumps down from the trees, “I don’t know. What do you want to do?” I space out for a little bit, “Uh, I’m not sure.” “How about we train you, Hinata?” Shino says. Shino is always willing to help me, and I’m grateful for that. I smile, “S-sure. Thanks you!”

            I’m panting because I’m so out of breath. “Your getting better Hinata!” Kiba praises me. “Th-thank you.” “Seriously, we took it a notch that time,” Kiba says. “He’s right,” Shino says. I smile, “Thank you both for t-training me.” Kiba stretches, “Well, my mom wanted to help me and Akamaru with some ‘special’ technique. I have to go.” “B-bye Kiba. Thank you!” Kiba just waves as he walks away. “Where are you going now Shino?” I turn to talk to Shino and notice he’s standing closer than I thought. Also, he’s not answering my question. “Shino?” He seems to snap out of it, “Oh, uh, actually I was wondering if you wanted to go get some ramen.” I smile, “Sure, let’s go.”

 

INO

            Practice is boring as usual. I go to a field, train with Chouji and Shikamaru, and then I start to walk home. I’m thinking about visiting Sakura because she’s so sad. I- hold on! Did my eyes just deceive me? I see Shino and Hinata walking into the ramen place. I walk over and sneakily grab Shino’s arm and pull him around the corner. “What’re you doing?” I ask him in a whisper. “Hinata and I are getting ramen,” he answers. “That doesn’t count as a date. You have to say ‘Hinata, would you like to go on a date with me?’. I mean, even Kiba has gone with Hinata to get ramen.” Shino doesn’t say anything. He just turns around and goes into the ramen shop where Hinata is waiting.

            I start to walk to Sakura’s house. I hope she opens the door. I knock on the door and wait for an answer. After a few minutes of waiting that seem to drag on forever, a Sakura with eyes so red they’re practically glowing answers the door. She sniffles, “Oh, hi Ino.” It’s obvious she was crying.

 

SAKURA

            After signing off I just don’t know what to do. I go back to my bed and lie down. I try to remember all the great times Naruto, Sasuke, and I had. It’s so long since I’ve seen Sasuke that the memories are just black and white on my mind’s little television screen. They’re not the vivid color pictures I used to have of Sasuke. I miss him so much I can’t contain it. Little streams start to flow down my face. “Sasuke…”

            Sasuke never returned my love, but he always tried to protect me, he knew I wasn’t as good at fighting as Naruto and him so he always tried to guard me. Even though he’d never admit it, he was my friend. He was Naruto’s friend too. I wonder if Sasuke ever thinks of us…of me. Does he ever look back at what he left behind? Does he ever wonder how we’re feeling? What we’re thinking? If he had an answer to what I was thinking all he’d see was a picture of his face and a storm of tears following. I wonder what he looks like now. How tall is he? How much has he changed? Does he still say my name with the same sound of annoyance? If something bad was about to happen to Naruto or me would he still shout a warning? The truth is, I’ll never get an answer for any of my questions because Sasuke’s gone and he’s not coming back.

            I take a deep breath. Maybe it’s time to stop having such strong feelings for Sasuke. I’ll still always love him in my heart, but I can’t live my life filled with tears. I can’t let Sasuke rule my life when he’s not even here. I’ll still keep trying to find him with Naruto, but I can’t be so attached to him anymore. Sasuke won’t be my whole life anymore, and that’s a promise.

            I walk around the room gathering things. I find several pictures of Sasuke, things he wrote, things I wrote of things he said, and his headband that Naruto gave me. I put all the things in a box. I go under my pillow and pull out a pink diary. My diary is overflowing with scribblings about Sasuke. Things that I fantasized over that would never happen, and things that he did that just made me happy. I put my diary in the box too. The pink shoebox was very pretty. I take a red permanent marker and drew a big heart and wrote Sasuke’s name in the middle of it in black. I surround that heart with other little hearts to represent all the little things he said and did that made me so happy. And I make dots smaller than the little hearts that represented other people who were so less important to me compared to Sasuke. I start to cry a river this time. I’m really about to get rid of Sasuke. Not forever, but as long as he’s gone, I won’t obsess over him. Underneath the big heart I write ‘I’ll miss you. It’s not a goodbye, just a see you later’. I know that I won’t ever fully get over Sasuke, but I have to try. Until he comes back, I won’t be so possessive. I shove the box into the dark corners of under my bed.

            I lay in my bed and cry until I hear a knock on the door. I sigh. I’m thinking about just not getting it. I just want to be alone, but there’s another persistent knock at the door so I drag myself out of bed and shuffle downstairs to the door. I open it slowly and see Ino. “Oh, hi Ino.” I guess Ino was just bored. She must not understand that when people are sad they want to be alone. I’m sure when she’s sad she demands attention. “Sakura, are you okay?” The deep concern in Ino’s eyes changes my mind, she’s not just here because she doesn’t understand, she’s here because she’s worried about me.

            “Sakura,” Ino says, “Are you okay?” I nod, “Um, yeah. I just did something… difficult.” Ino doesn’t bother to ask what it is. “Do you mind if I come in?” I sniffle, “No, come on in.” Ino walks in cautiously as if she expects to see a murder scene, but it’s just my normal house. The only thing that’s changed is that my pillow is a bit tear stained and all my pictures of Sasuke (except for the one of our team) are under my bed in a heart covered box.

            “What’s with the tears?” Ino tries to be casual to point out she doesn’t want too much information but she wants more than none. I sigh, “I’ve decided not to chase after Sasuke anymore. He’s not here and I’ll forget about us ever being together until he is.” Ino’s eyes get wide, “That’s a big step for you. What brought all this on?” I sigh again, “I realized how many great things are around me, and thinking about Sasuke all the time makes all those things seem so lame. I can’t miss the world around me.” Ino nods, “I think it’s more than that. Does this have anything to do with Lee?” I look down at my hands, “I don’t want Lee to be my rebound. I don’t just want to cling to him because I know he’ll protect me like Sasuke did. Who knows? Maybe that’s what I’ve been doing this whole time.”

            Ino shakes her head, “It can’t be. Ever since that day in the Forest of Death when Rock Lee saved your life you’ve been his friend. You were his friend way before Sasuke disappeared.” I think about it in my head, and Ino’s right. Lee’s not just some replacement for Sasuke; he’s a true friend. I smile, “You know what? You’re right, Ino. Thanks! Lee’s just not some replacement for Sasuke. He’s my friend.” Ino sighs, “Yeah, he’s a good friend to you.” She stands up, “Well, I’m going to go. I have to work.” I smile, “Thanks for stopping by. You really helped me.” Ino smiles and walks out.