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There was a time, when mortals were still new to the world, that Ino loved to visit Hashirama and Mito’s creations. To sit with them and tell them stories of the world. Teaching them to take care of their bodies. How to decorate their hair with the flowers that she gifted them. Even showing them how to plant and care for the flowers that she held so dear, so that they may enjoy their beauty as much as she did.
They were so curious back then. Always asking her about the various gods. Begging for her to show them the best way to twist flowers together into crowns, or organize them into beautiful arrangements that they could give to someone they cared for.
There was no question that they wouldn’t ask. Always seeking to understand the world around them better, and she loved them for that.
Visiting them was something that she had looked forward to backing then, and she couldn’t imagine anything that would dim her love for the innocent, curious creatures.
Every creation had its downfall though. Just as a flower would wilt away and die, Human’s curiosity became warped. No longer satisfied with simply understanding the world around them, they began to seek out material and emotional gains that would make them more important than the others around them.
With Kakazu’s greed for material wealth seeping into their minds, they turned their attention away from Ino. No longer asking her questions, nor sitting by her side twisting her flowers into beautiful crowns for their heads.
Instead, the only time they sought her out was when they wanted something from her.
A wish for more beauty, so that they would stand out above all of the rest.
A request for the love of someone they held dear, with no regard for Ino’s words when she tried to explain the intimate details of soulmates and the purpose of love to bring people together in a way that would make their lives more fulfilling.
Wishes for the worst harm to befall those they did not like.
Every day she would listen to the mortal’s prayers, and every day her heart would break a little bit more. To see the people that she had loved so dearly choosing such selfish paths that would only lead them to loneliness and anger when all she wanted for them was love.
No longer did Ino find herself sitting among the mortals of Mito’s world. How could she, when the only use they had for her anymore was personal gain? When she was needed in the mortal world to push two lovers together, or to tend to the flowers of the world so often forgotten by those she had taught to care for them, that was the only time anyone would see Ino in the land of mortals.
Otherwise, she kept away.
Refused to mingle with the people she had loved so dearly so long ago. Only making herself visible to those few who still seemed to care, but never opening herself up to even them.
Her time was spend with Sai or Itachi. Gods who understood her and saw the beauty in the universe that they inhabited. A beauty that no mortal could ever hope to understand. It was a life that she was happy with.
Perhaps not the one that she had envisioned for herself thousands of years ago, but even the gods didn’t control fate, and she had come to accept that. There was nothing wrong with the life that she had.
“You look like you’re thinking hard,” the voice in her ear surprised her. Pulling her attention away from the flowers that she had been tending to, she turned to see a pink-haired mortal standing there with a kind smile. Her clothing was that of a priestess, which made sense since Ino had decided to check on the small garden that often went untended around Tsunade’s favourite temple. “Do you come here often to think?”
“I-” a mortal. She usually didn’t make herself visible to them, so how was it that the woman was seeing her? Had she made a mistake? Let her guard down?
“You don’t have to tell me,” stepping up to Ino’s side, the woman knelt in front of the flowers and gently cupped one of the tulips. “I was just on my way to tend to the garden after a long day of studies, but I see you have done the job for me already. Thank you for that.”
“You-you’re welcome,” she watched as the woman examined the flower. Carefully taking off a small spider from one of the petals and placing it back on the ground. “I didn’t realize anyone took care of this garden. I have noticed it went untended for a few weeks…”
“Ah, yes well-” laughter fills the air. Soft and sweet. A sound that she wouldn’t mind hearing more of. “I regret to say that I fell ill for a while and was unable to come out to tend to the flowers as I would have liked. I had feared they would wilt away during my absence, and then I would have to start all over again. Right when the tulips were just starting to bloom too.”
Sickness. Something that she sometimes forgot that Mortals had to deal with, and which she felt a little bad for. When she had found the garden in such a poor state, she had assumed the worst. Muttered angry words for the mortal who had failed to take care of her gift.
Perhaps, for once, she owed mortals an apology. At least one of them.
“Did you want something to eat?” she’s taken back by the sudden request and the smile that follows it when the woman looks back up at her. “I don’t have much of course, but what I do have I would be happy to share. A thank you for your help.”
“I wouldn’t want to impose-”
“You wouldn’t be,” standing up once more, she turned to face Ino. Her hands clasped behind her back and a look on her face that Ino couldn’t help but admire. One of innocent and kindness that she only ever saw on mortal faces when she used her powers to make them fall in love. “Please. I so rarely get company at mealtimes. Especially the company of someone so beautiful that the gods would find themselves falling for her.”
So beautiful that the gods would find themselves falling for her.
Ino couldn’t help but chuckle, wondering to herself what her new friend would think if she found out the truth about who she was. “I would be honoured to join,” she smiled back at her. “Though, it may be a more enjoyable meal if I know what name to call you by while we speak over our food.”
“Oh!” bright emerald eyes widened with shock. “Sorry, that was rather rude of me,” placing a hand over her chest, she bowed her head slightly. “My name is Haruno Sakura. I am the priestess of this temple. Guardian of the Goddess Tsunade’s sacred ground.”
Sakura. A beautiful name for a beautiful woman.
“Well, Sakura, I would be glad to accept your offer,” Ino responded with a smile of her own. “Thank you for your hospitality.”
It was no wonder that she was a priestess of Tsunade. Even with her legendary anger, Tsunade always managed to gain some of the most devout and kind followers. She liked to think it was because they were drawn to the older goddess’ skills in healing, but there were some who appreciated her ferocity just as much.
Either way, Ino knew one thing for certain.
There were still some good mortals left on the earth. Capable of that kindness and love that she had adored about them all those years ago. Perhaps she would have to visit this temple more often.