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Things hadn’t been going well. Shinobi from every nation were being hauled in left, right and center to the back lines where medics had been running around like chickens without heads for days. People had limbs hanging on by fleshy threads, while others had gnarly wounds that weren’t quite labeled as ‘critical’ and were healed swiftly to be sent back out to serve their duties.
The ones that came back poisoned, or under some variation of genjutsu, oftentimes took longer to cure and had its own team assigned – working ‘round the clock to help those afflicted by varying ailments. Ino had been one of those victims, getting bested by a rather nasty (and fast-acting) toxin… and Sakura had been the first to rush over to confirm the rumors she’d heard.
”Tell me it’s not true, Ino! What did they do to you?! Oh, wait until I get my – no! Cool yourself, Sakura… You need to tend to her first. You can be upset later.” Sakura was in utter disbelief, erupting into a short-loved fit of rage over having to see her dearest friend laying so helplessly upon the steel table simply not meant to have her on it.
Ino was exceedingly pale, her flesh clammy to the touch as venom keeping her ill forced her body into a constant state of the chills. Sakura’s heart panged for her, her pulse being felt vividly in her throat before she could sense it becoming taut, a dense knot forming from having to withhold her sadness that accompanied her frustrations. Withdrawing a red ribbon, Sakura’s hair was taken back out of her face and tied into a bun before she even-so-much as glanced back at the rest of the staff to start barking orders.
”Well, what are you all standing around for?! I need a vial of the antidote, and something to administer it with… pronto! You, and you –“ Sakura’s commanding presence sent a shockwave through the cluster of people that sprang into action, the rosy-haired kunoichi singling out two individuals and ushering them over, ”Hold her down. There’s a good chance she’s not going to like being sticked, and no one needs to get hurt… anymore, anyway.”
Sakura instructed the younger, more apprehensive medics through the grueling tasks they’d been ordered to perform, and Haruno’s skillful digits worked open the antitoxin with ease as they each took a side of Ino. Sakura dipped the tip of her needle into the vial and extracted the appropriate amount she’d be dosing her with soon – brows knitted together, and the tip of her tongue peeked out just barely as Sakura channeled all of her concentration into her work.
”I sure hope you’re ready. Brace yourself –“ Sakura alerted her appointed assistants to their impending start, the expert medic swiping an alcohol swab and drawing a tiny circle around the area she wished to puncture.
The pressure applied to Ino’s limbs almost wasn’t enough to bite back her violent fit when Sakura finally did inject the cure into her system, and she helped the overwhelmed novice by subduing the tormented blonde as well. She was afraid her grip might’ve been a bit too strong as she clutched at the flailing appendages threatening to harm them, and Haruno was thankful when Yamanaka’s convulsions started tapering off until all that remained were residual tremors.
”S-Sakura..? Is that really you?” Ino’s voice was weak, and attempting to move made her erupt into a nasty cough that rattled her rib cage and made Sakura urge her to take it easy.
”Shh, don’t push yourself! You’re not in any condition to be moving around too much… but you’re safe now. It’s okay to rest.” Sakura’s features were soft, her tone gentle compared to just a few moments prior as her hands flew out and clasped around a quivering hand of Ino’s.
Her thumb tenderly massaged along the surface, attempting to give her friend some form of comfort as Ino gave her a weary smile before succumbing to her exhaustion and fainting.
”You know you didn’t have to do that, billboard brow. Although… I am thankful. So, thank you – Sakura.” Ino lightly bantered with Sakura, earning a fleeting scowl from the spunky woman before her features melted into a moreover contented expression over being acknowledged and appreciated.
”Don’t mention it… although you should really try not needing me to come to your rescue, Ino-Pig.” Sakura jested, unsure of how to process the fuzziness creeping up her body and making her feel a bit hot under the collar – handing over a steaming mug of herbal tea and exchanging giggles over how silly the pair were being.
”Hey, take that back! I wasn’t purposely trying to get murked! I was just taken by surprise, is all… Thanks.” Ino was animated, her expression feigning shock as she started aimlessly moving her free hand around to emphasize her jokester spirit, and then becoming more mellowed-out as she accepted the toasty beverage.
The duo meandered around until they stumbled upon a singular bench abandoned at the way-back of the camp, catching up the entire time and poking fun at each other as they settled down on the wooden structure. A fleeting pause passed as both girls took sips from their mugs, exhaling satisfied sighs one after the other as the heated liquid did wonders in alleviating the soreness from their throats.
”You don’t have to be so quiet, Y’know? Is something up, Sakura?” Ino breached the silence, no longer able to withstand her fraying nerves and the queasiness that came with being near the quirky woman.
”Nn…” Sakura began, her fingers tapping against her cup as she mulled-over just what she should say… and if she could muster the courage to have it expressed aloud. She shifted her knees together (a habit Ino knew was all-too familiar with), and after a few more seconds – Sakura’s head turned to glance at Ino.
Her emeralds scoured Ino’s for any hint that she would regret getting things off her chest, and Yamanaka almost told Sakura to ‘spit it out’ based off of how uneasy Haruno was beginning to make her feel.
There, there it was…
The feather-like sensation that came with stealing a glimpse at Ino’s naturally soft features. That rushed over her like gigantic waves every time she got to hear the sweet melody of her voice, and the pyrectic feeling of those rare times when she was blessed with a graze across that smooth skin of her’s.
”Say something, please! You’re making me nervous… is there something in my hair, teeth? What is it?!” Ino experienced word-vomit, pleading with Sakura to confess whatever it was already after having tolerated so much of Haruno’s uncertain gaze.
”Ino, I… I need to tell you.” Sakura attempted to swallow down her anxieties, her eyes watering over from how long she’d spent disassociating while staring at Ino – grappling to find the resolve she needed.
Ino seemed to understand the sheer difficulty that Sakura was being subjected to, and although she had no earthly idea what was giving her friend such grief, she exercised just a smidge of patience and gave Sakura the space needed to ready herself.
”I think – no, I’m sure. I like you, Ino. And not just as a friend. I’m not sure when, but it happened.” Sakura blurted, the confession making her instantly want to wretch as the statement lingered out in the open.
Her face drained of color, and Sakura experienced a deep tingle that assaulted her spine and accompanied an incessant hum that drowned out surrounding noise as she watched Ino process what she’d just been told.
It wasn’t unwelcome, and it took much longer than Haruno would’ve liked for Ino to come around due to the utter disbelief that she hadn’t been hallucinating things. That the rumors she’d been hearing from a few birds were true!
”It’s okay if you don’t feel the same! I’m sure with time, and some distance –“ Sakura began babbling, attempting to slice the awkward tension with the promise of a salvageable friendship… if Ino wanted it, that was.
”No, it’s okay! I just… I guess I needed to hear it to believe it.” Ino assured Sakura that she hadn’t made a mistake, finding relief in watching the stress dissipate from her face, only to be replaced with an innocent inquisitiveness, ”I was always under the assumption that you liked Sasuke?” Ino shot a question, wanting to confirm that Sakura, indeed, wasn’t into him.
”It’s true. I thought I was going crazy at first – what, with the insane butterflies and nervous sweats n’ all. I thought I liked Sasuke… but I don’t. I don’t think I ever really did. If I’m being completely honest here: I have feelings for you, Ino.” Sakura assured the blonde, feeling a bit more confident to divulge her secrets with Ino being reciprocative with her.
A light dusting of pink tinged Yamanaka’s nose and ears, her stomach and chest fluttering as her light-blue’s flickered between Sakura’s own green pools and her highly inviting lips.
”Would you mind if I?” Ino sheepishly inquired, bashfully pointing to her lips to indicate what she’d like to do… and Sakura lit up. Redder than a tomato freshly picked, too!
Where words failed her, her head did not. She gave a nod to signal her ‘okay’ for Ino to proceed, and both set aside their beverages before shifting to face each other more appropriately for what they were about to do.
Ino’s fingertips were barely felt as they settled onto Sakura’s cheek, and she gave a sigh before gingerly leaning into the hand to reached out to cup the side of her face – Haruno’s digits weaving into the silky tresses and relishing in the wonderful feeling between her fingers. Both gradually leaned forward after a loving glance between each other, and just the slight tilt of their head gave them the access they needed to lock lips for a first-time kiss.
The peck was experimental and short-lived with neither woman being satisfied with just one. And so they went back in for another, and then another until they found a rhythm they fancied best. The make-out session didn’t last too long, and both were disappointed having to peel away for oxygen after having waited so long to do just this.
”Let’s do that again! Especially if there’s no guarantee we’ll both survive this war…” Ino was the first to suggest they continue their fun, prying he self away from Sakura altogether and standing before extending a hand for her to take.
”You don’t have to ask me twice! Although, can we find somewhere a bit more… private?” Sakura purred, accepting Ino’s hand and threading her fingers with hers as she, too, stood and got dragged behind a giddy Yamanaka also eager to find somewhere more secluded.
”Duh, of course! I think I know just the spot – too!”