Archive of Our Own

Golden rays of light shone through the windows and into the little shop, colouring the tiny place with warm hues of light.

The pink flowers were painted in orange and yellow, making them look like golden marigolds or sweet tangerines one would expect to find in the market.

Ino stretched her arms above her head as she walked down the stairs, yawning loudly as she did.

The Yamanaka opened a weary eye and looked around the warmly-lit room.

She glanced at the maroon pots, each reflecting the dawn’s light, and picked up a purple bush clover that looked almost brown under the intense orange sun. The sweet scent of the flower’s nectar filled Ino’s nose and she felt a tired smile creep up her face.

The sun had barely risen and Ino, by all means, should’ve been a grouchy, sleepy monster. But the fresh scent of the flowers, each varying just slightly yet blending together in perfect harmony woke her up from her drowsiness and energised her spirits for a fresh new day.

Ino sighed as she tossed the beige apron over her small crop top. If her father were still here, he would’ve meekly asked her to wear an ‘appropriate ’ shirt and she would’ve probably replied with an outraged cry. Ino could feel herself smile at the distant memory and suddenly the long day of work didn’t seem so long anymore.

Ino hummed a small tune as she strolled around the shop, examining each of the growing plants as she walked. She grabbed the small watering can her father gave her on her seventh birthday and sprayed some of the plants with water, careful not to overwater them.

She pulled away and wiped her brow, smiling to herself as she saw the perfectly hydrated plants.

Ino grabbed the small clipboard of errands her mother had left her and ticked off a few of them. She placed the end of the pencil on her bottom lip and looked up at the ceiling, pondering whether she was ready to open up the store.

She briefly glanced out the transparent door, wondering whether anyone would even be awake at this early hour. 

The telepath hadn’t expected anyone to be outside, the sun had barely peeked over the clouds after all, but out of the corner of her eye, as she started to turn back to her clipboard, she noticed bright blond hair stick out from beyond the door.

Ino blinked twice, wondering whether the morning haze was playing tricks on her.

She smiled to herself and walked towards the door, there was no harm in opening the shop up a little bit earlier anyway.

“Uzumaki Naruto!” She addressed the blond head of hair loudly as she opened the door, the bell above hanging over the door ringing violently as she spoke.

The blond jolted up, revealing his awkward position.

He had been hunched over, squatting beside the door and he wore a dull orange hoodie that made him look like he had been waiting there the entire night. But now he was standing, back facing the telepath, still as a statue.

Ino stared at his back, eyeing him suspiciously and waiting for a sign of life.

A shaky breath escaped the orange statue.

Naruto chuckled nervously as he turned to look at his childhood classmate.

“Hey Ino…” he laughed nervously, “I thought your mom would be in today?…”

Ino looked at the ‘hero of konoha’ suspiciously.

“My mom wanted to go out with her friend.” She said, cocking her eyebrow to look at Naruto, “why?” 

Ino tilted her head to the side, staring at the hokage candidate.

Naruto suddenly turned red. “No reason!” He said before walking into the flower shop, leaving Ino staring at his back, a look of confusion enveloping her face.

Ino eyed Naruto with suspicion. Every gossiping bone in her body screamed at her to investigate, but the sensible, working woman in her told her to mind her own business and stay professional.

She walked into the shop, turning the sign to “open” as she walked in.

“Ding…” the small bell above the door rang softly, filling the store with a small melodic chime and making Naruto jump.

He had been looking at the display windows that were filled with different arrays of flowers before he turned to look at the big bags of fertiliser which Ino had lazily thrown on the ground the night before.

Ino couldn’t help but smile fondly at the awkward man. He was turning nineteen in just a few days yet he was still the same old Naruto.

“So…what are you looking for?” She asked as she walked behind the counter, resting her head in her hands while making sure to still look at the flustered man.

“Just…browsing…” he answered unconvincingly.

A jeering smirk formed on Ino’s face. Naruto looked away from the smug florist.

“Is this fertiliser new?” He was trying to change the topic, “never seen it before…”

“Yes, actually. The brand reached out to us first! It’s from Kumo.”

“And how is it? Does it work well?” Naruto asked with fake curiosity.

Naruto was trying to be smooth. Ino could tell. What she couldn’t tell, however was what he was really here for.

“It’s pretty good.” She answered carefully as she pointed to a few pots.

“I used that fertiliser to plant those flowers, they haven’t bloomed yet but they seem to be quite healthy. I would recommend that brand for experienced gardeners.” She said, subtly promoting the brand.

Now that’s how you be ‘sneaky’ Naruto! She smugly thought to herself.

“Ahh…I see…” Naruto responded, yet his eyes weren’t looking at the pots, his eyes were fixed on the displays of flowers and he was looking a little too intensely at the purple ones.

Ino sighed. The man was helpless. And if this keeps up, he’ll never get what he came for and she'll never know why he was acting weird.

“C’mon Naruto! Stop beating around the bush!” She chided irritatedly, “what are you really here for?”

“Nothing!” Naruto said defensively, holding his hands up as if Ino accused him of bloody murder.

“Aren’t you supposed to be training with the rest of team 10? What are /you/ doing here?” He added accusingly, pointing his index finger at Ino while raising his eyebrow.

Ino smacked the jinchuriki’s hand away. “Temari made a surprise visit to Konoha so me and Choji decided to give her some alone time with Shikamaru. You got a problem with that?” She challenged him.

“No!” Naruto waved his hands frantically and closed his eyes, “of course not!”

“Great. Then what are you here for hmm?” Ino pressed, now leaning over the counter to look at Naruto, straight into his bright blue eyes.

Naruto looked away, his face was as red as a tomato.

“Nothing…it’s just…” he muttered.

“Just what?” Ino was practically at the edge of the counter now.

“I have a date.”

Ino’s jaw dropped. For a second all the muscles in her body froze from shock.

Hinata had finally worked up the nerve to ask him out huh? She couldn't have been more proud of her friend.

A smile started to lift her lips. She squealed excitedly.

“Omigosh! Omigosh! Omigosh!” She jumped around the counter excitedly.

“You’re such a lucky man, Naruto! You must be the happiest person in the entire world right now! Imagine bagging such a hot piece of ass!” She chuckled to herself as she petted the man’s back with a little too much strength.

Naruto’s face only got redder. 

“Ok…ok…I get it, I get it! Stop talking about it now!” He muttered nervously as he pushed Ino’s hands away. His eyes darted around the store, looking for nonexistent people who could hear them.

Ino couldn’t help but laugh at her friend’s nervousness.

“So…you’re here for flowers right?” She teased, smirking at Naruto.

“Yeah…” he mumbled defeatedly, shoulders slumping as his eyes looked at everything but the woman in front of him.

“Haha! You’re so cute Naruto! I can’t remember the last time you were this nervous!” She made idle chatter as she walked to a small pot filled with white lilies.

“That’s not true!” Naruto defended himself, “I’m not that nervous!”

“Yes you are! You’re up at like 6 in the morning just to buy flowers for your date! You weren’t even this nervous during the war and you almost died like twice!” She joked as she cut the long stalk of the flower.

“Ok first of all. It’s not 6, it’s like 7! And secondly, I didn’t have time to be nervous during the war dummy! Oh and lastly, you stink!” Naruto huffed, crossing his arms while turning his head away.

“What’d you say to me?” Ino turned to glare at the jinchuriki, “I can kick you out right now and you won’t be getting any flowers for your date!”

“Ah! Sorry! Sorry Ino, I’m joking” Naruto surrendered while frantically waving his arms.

Ino huffed before turning back to the lilies. He was lucky his date was Hinata, if not she would’ve long kicked him out.

Suddenly a cruel idea popped up in Ino’s head and a sly smirk creeped up her face.

“Say…Naruto…” Ino said softly as she snipped the head off another lily, careful not to act too suspicious.

“Yeah?” He replied as he pulled the strings on his hoodie, completely oblivious to Ino’s true intentions.

“I can’t really arrange a bouquet unless I know more about your date.” She said slowly, “How's your date like?”

Ino didn’t look back at Naruto, distracting herself with the white lilies in front of her, hoping he wouldn’t catch onto her obvious attempt to pry.

Thankfully, Naruto was still as oblivious as always.

He immediately lit up, his voice so bright it made the streaks of light entering the shop pale in comparison. If Ino had looked back she was sure he would've blinded her with his bright blue eyes.

“The most beautiful person in the entire world!” Naruto immediately replied.

“Honestly, I’ve never seen anyone even compare when it comes to looks!” He continued to ramble, “not only that, but personality-wise?? So adorable! The Gods seriously blessed me!”

Ino rolled her eyes as she cut the lilies, only listening to snippets of Naruto’s gushing. 

“Such a cutie!…so sexy!…never seen hair as dark and beautiful…those eyes too…always so quiet…tries to hold back…” Naruto just kept going. It was like Ino accidentally opened a tap that wouldn’t stop flowing.

Ino shut her eyes, cringing at her horrible mistake. She had forgotten how long Naruto could go on for if given the chance. She should’ve learned from the time she had asked him about Sasuke when she was worried about him.

Ino felt a shiver run down her spine as she thought about that time: he kept going for hours! Even when she had told him she needed to train he had just trailed along and joined her training just to whine about Sasuke.

At least this time she knew how to handle his rambling.

She nodded and let out a soft ‘mm’ every now and then, subconsciously blocking out most of Naruto’s words and hoping Naruto would just catch the hint.

She snapped the last lily off and went back to the counter. She pulled out cellophane wrap and kraft paper, ready to start wrapping the flowers up.

“What chu’ doing?” Naruto asked as he peeked at the counter, finally catching Ino’s uninterest.

“Wrapping the flowers, duh.” Ino responded shortly.

“You’re making a fresh new bouquet for me?” Naruto asked, eyes watering slightly.

Ino rolled her eyes as she placed a few yellow baby breaths into the mix of white lilies. 

“I’m not doing this for you silly.” She scoffed in spite of her smile, “I’m doing this for your hot date!”

Naruto looked at the flowers, a small pout on his face.

“I don’t know how I feel about you calling my date hot…” Naruto said meekly.

“Well, deal with it! Dattebayo!” Ino mocked as she tied a blue ribbon around the bouquet.

Naruto rolled his eyes, but a wide smile was still plastered on his face, making him look a little bit foolish and very much lovesick.

“There!” Ino said as she handed him the bouquet of white lilies and yellow baby breaths.

“Make sure you pay for dinner and don’t go to Ichiraku again okay?” She said, hands on her hips as she sneered at Naruto.

“Hey! How low do you think of me!” Naruto said, feigning annoyance.

“Not low at all!” She teased, “just a little bit broke…”

Naruto scoffed.

“I’ll have you know, I reserved seats at that new expensive restaurant!” He boasted proudly, puffing his chest up with pride.

Ino’s eyes widened at the news. 

“What? No way! How?” 

Naruto looked at Ino smugly, nodding in the most annoying way Ino had ever seen. 

“Oh…y’know…me and the owner go wayyyy back.” He bragged, making Ino’s left eye twitch slightly.

“How can that be possible? I’ve known you since you didn’t know how to make shadow clones! And I’ve never seen you make friends with a restaurant owner!” 

“I have connections…” Naruto said smugly, a hand placed over his chest in an extremely pretentious manner.

He gently picked up the bouquet of lilies and baby breaths and a look of admiration and joy replaced his smug expression almost immediately.

Naruto eyed the flowers, longer than any of Ino’s customers ever had and his wide smile dropped ever so slightly.

“Er…Ino…are you sure these are the best flowers for a date? It feels very Mother’s Day.” Naruto asked as he examined the flowers.

Ino rolled her eyes. Does he even know Hinata? She loves lilies!

“Trust me! Shy people loveee lilies!”

“Shy? I don’t know Ino…I wouldn’t say Sas—” 

“Are you questioning my experience with flowers?” Ino said accusingly, cutting the jinchuriki off. She couldn’t have him ruining the date by buying boring old roses when Hinata has been dreaming of receiving lilies on her first date since the start of time.

“No! Of course not!” Naruto defended himself, “it’s just—aren't roses the more common flower for a date? Lilies seem too specific!”

Ino could feel her left eye twitch. She wanted to shout at Naruto for being dense but breathed in deeply instead.

“Do you want it or not?” Ino scowled as she reached out her hand, “if you don’t, give it back and go find another shop that sells flowers!”

Naruto held the bouquet to his chest, like he was protecting treasure. “No! No! It’s fine! I’ll take it! Thank you for your hard work and brilliance!” 

Ino scoffed and crossed her arms across her chest. “Good.” She replied, a small smile started to form on her face. She would never understand how Hinata could fall for such a clueless mumbling idiot—but to each their own she guessed.

“How much do I owe you?” He suddenly wore a serious expression as he pulled out his old and tattered frog wallet.

Ino shook her head and waved the wallet away. “It’s on the house. Keep your money.”

Naruto looked at Ino with wide eyes. 

“Seriously?” He eyed her with suspicion.

“Yes seriously. I just hope you have a good date. Don’t mess it up, you hear?” Ino said in a low threatening voice.

Naruto chuckled and scratched the back of his neck. 

“I won’t, I won’t.” He laughed.

Naruto looked at the bouquet of flowers, a fond expression covering his face.

“Thank you Ino…really” Naruto said with the most sincere eyes Ino had ever seen anyone have.

Ino smiled but waved him away. “Save the thanks for your date for accepting to go out with you in the first place!” she joked.

“Hey! I’ll have you know we both asked each other out at the same time!” Naruto defended himself.

“Whatever you want to believe…” Ino waved her friend away.

Naruto stuck out his tongue but he still smiled brightly when he walked out the store, giving Ino a friendly wave as he walked away.

Ino sighed to herself as she slumped behind the counter. While she was working at this tiring shop, standing up the whole day, Naruto and Shikamaru would both be out, going on dates with beautiful women.

But Ino could feel a small smile creep up her lips. She could try to act as jealous as she wanted, but secretly she was happy for her friends. They were all starting to grow up and move on to the next stages of their lives. If she told her young genin self that Shikamaru would be dating a hot babe from Suna or that Naruto would actually be close to becoming hokage or that Hinata would finally work up the courage to ask Naruto out, she was sure she would have exploded from shock.

Ino sighed wistfully before walking back to the flower pots. She had no time to reminisce now, she still had at least a hundred bouquets she needed to make for a big client and there was no time to waste.

She wiped her brow before crouching down towards the flowers. Time to get back to work. She thought to herself.

~

Ino opened her bento box and sighed happily as she sniffed in the rice’s delicious aroma. The smell of the takoyaki blended perfectly with the salted salmon and teriyaki sauce.

She pulled out her chopsticks and started to stuff her mouth with the box. It had been a long day. She somehow managed to deliver all hundred bouquets to the client while simultaneously helping a peculiarly annoying customer pick out which flowers they wanted to buy.

Ino massaged her shoulders. After lunch she had to go back to work immediately. The tiring day ahead weighed on her shoulders and she had the urge to just close the store early. But the Yamanaka flower store was the only flower store in all of Konoha and her father had passed on the role of taking over the shop to her so she had to just suck it up and keep going.

“Ding…” the familiar ring of the bell echoed through the store.

Ino looked up hurriedly and closed her bento box. “We’re not open right now, sorry! It’s lunch hour!” She said as she looked up at the door.

“Lunch hour? It’s 3pm…” the familiar feminine voice said.

“Sakura?” Ino asked.

The pink haired woman stood in front of the door. She smiled at Ino in spite of her obvious weariness. 

Sakura wore the new konoha flak jacket, her headband held loosely in her hands—and she looked absolutely stunning.

Ino could feel her eyes widened and her heart stopped beating for a minute. She was in complete disbelief—she hadn’t seen her friend in at least a few weeks after all.

“Oh my god!” Ino cheered before running over to hug her friend.

“You’re actually back!” She cheered as she jumped up, her tired friend still in her arms.

“Careful…I’m still a little sore…” Sakura said wearily as she patted Ino away.

“Ahh! I’m so glad to see you!” Ino squealed as she pulled away, “I have so many things to tell you, you don’t even know! Oh, but how was your mission?”

Sakura sat down on a small stool and pinched her temples tiredly. 

“I’m so tired…that mission was so rough!” Sakura whined.

Sakura slumped on the table, cheek squished against the wooden surface. “Me and Hinata had to chase down some cringy ass murderer and you won’t believe how hard it was to hold back!”

Ino poured a cup of tea for Sakura as she listened to her talk.

“For some god forsaken reason, the village that hired us wanted us to capture him alive and I cannot stress to you just how hard that was!” Sakura ranted irritatedly.

“That man has got to be one of the most annoying ass murderers I’ve ever met! Not even—I don’t know—Zetsu was that annoying and mind you, that plant said so much stupid shit!”

Ino laughed as she slid the cup towards her friend.

“Thanks—oh and whatever happened to quiet, cool murderers anyway! I hate Kaguya with every bone in my body but at least I can respect her? She was quiet and cool during the entire fight and the only time she really talked was when it was needed or when she was angry!” Sakura sipped her tea before almost choking on it when she remembered something, “someone like Sasori y’know? I miss villains like Sasori! He was soo scary and you could just tell he was planning everything two steps ahead of me! I mean, obviously I can beat him now, but back then? I genuinely think I survived him by luck…”

“How annoying was this kid anyway?” Ino eyed the small healed over scars on her tired friend.

“Such. A. Bum!” Sakura scowled as she placed her tea down a little too roughly.

“When we captured his annoying ass, he kept comparing me and Hinata! Saying stupid shit like how I was better than her for being ‘strong’ or something? God, I really wanted to blow his brains out! I hate it when people hate on Hinata for being ‘too quiet’. It’s so annoying! I hope all those people who say that stupid shit die in a hole or something!” Sakura ranted uncontrollably. 

Ino covered her mouth in amusement, tilting her head to the side to look into Sakura’s green eyes. “Wow…you’re really intense about this…” she teased.

“Well, it’s annoying okay!” Sakura defended herself.

Sakura sipped the tea Ino poured and looked around the small store, a comfortable silence filling the room.

Ino opened her bento box and offered a small piece of meat to Sakura, who accepted it gleefully.

“What’s been going on here anyway?” Sakura asked as she chewed, suddenly recalling Ino’s earlier words.

Ino squealed in excitement and closed the bento box up again with a loud slam.

“So, so much!” She started, breathing a huge breath to prepare her long ramble.

“Firstly, Shikamaru and Temari are officially dating!” Ino said expectedly, waiting for Sakura’s response.

Sakura almost choked on the meat. “Seriously? No way!” Sakura coughed out as she covered her mouth in shock.

“Yes way! They’re out on a date right now actually!” Ino gushed.

“Is that why you’re here and not training?”

“Well…that and the fact that my mom wanted to go out with her friends and—oh my god— guess who she’s going out with…” Ino lowered her voice.

“Err…Mrs Nara?” Sakura looked at her friend with expecting eyes.

Ino smiled widely. “She’s out on a double date.”

Sakura gasped loudly and almost jumped from her seat.

“Oh my god! Seriously? After all this time?” Sakura squealed happily, “I’m so happy for her!”

“Me too! And the guy seems like a huge gentleman too! Y’know he bought her flowers from Iwa?”

“Stop, that's so sweet!” Sakura covered her face and kicked her feet girlishly.

“Right? Oh, and speaking about gentlemans…guess what the ultimate gentleman, Lady Tsunade did!” Ino giggled to herself.

Sakura raised an eyebrow, her smile wide as she narrowed her eyes at Ino. Ino could feel her heart race.

“What’d she do?” Sakura asked and Ino had to take a moment to collect herself.

“You’ll never believe it…” Ino paused for a few seconds for dramatic effect (but mostly to calm herself), “she got us reservations at that new expensive restaurant!”

“What!” Sakura shouted, eyes lighting up excitedly, “no freakin way…”

“Yes way! She invited the rest of the girls too! Everyone’s gonna be there! Tenten…Hinata…Karin…Shizune…”

“Oh my god! I need to go home then! I have to wash my hair…pick out new clothes…oh! And makeup! God I haven’t felt the cool touch of foundation on my skin in such a long time…” Sakura closed her eyes and held her face in her palms in a futile attempt to remember the feeling of foundation.

Sakura stood up and picked up the cup of tea, ready to chug it down and leave.

“Well, hold your horses girl!” Ino said as she held Sakura’s wrist, pulling Sakura down.

Sakura leaned in to listen to Ino.

“Guess who else is going to that restaurant tonight…” Ino smiled cheekily.

“Who?…” Sakura returned the same cheeky smile.

Ino looked around the empty store and lowered her voice, barely above a whisper. “Naruto and his date.”

“What!” Sakura shot up from her chair in shock now.

“I know right! Our Naruto! On a date! The same Naruto who used to paint on the Hokage rock!”

“Why didn’t he tell me?” Sakura asked herself, an annoyed expression started to form on her face.

“Probably caus’ he was too embarrassed…” Ino laughed, swiping at the space between them. 

“Y’know he was my first customer today? He came at like 6am in the morning to buy flowers!” 

“Seriously? I didn’t know he knew how to pick flowers.” Sakura cocked her brow, tickled pink at the idea of Naruto buying flowers.

“He didn’t! I picked and wrapped it for him! If not he would've bought Hinata some basic ass roses!” Ino laughed to herself, expecting Sakura to return the laugh.

Sakura scrunched her nose and furrowed her eyebrows, making a weird expression on her face. “Hinata? He’s going on a date with her?” She asked, a tone of confusion dripping from every word.

Ino looked at Sakura in confusion and a pregnant silence filled the air.

“Well, duh?” Ino said slowly, “Who else would he go out with?” 

For a minute, Ino saw a flustered look on Sakura’s face but she quickly turned to look at the displays of flowers, avoiding Ino’s eyes.

“Hmm…I don’t know…Hinata didn’t say anything about a date while we were on the mission.” Sakura responded thoughtfully.

“Maybe she was nervous about it too?” Ino added as she tried to look at her friend’s face.

“I don’t know…I’ll go drop by Naruto’s house later to ask him.” Sakura shrugged as she sat down again, gulping down all the tea in one chug.

Ino smiled sadly, sensing her friend’s hurry to leave.

“Well, make sure to have some rest before we go out okay?” Ino said, “Tenten’s picking me up at 8pm but you should meet us there so you can have more rest.”

Sakura smiled fondly at Ino. “

Don’t worry about me…you should close up early too. You look like you’ll drop at any moment.”

Ino returned Sakura’s smile. “Look at yourself before you judge others, billboard brow!”

Sakura chuckled softly. “Same goes for you, Ino-pig!”

The two girls hugged each other tightly before Sakura waved goodbye and left the shop, bidding a final “bye” as she left.

Ino waved at Sakura’s back before returning to the counter and putting away the cup Sakura drank from.

A strange strain scratched at Ino’s heart as she placed the cup into the sink. She felt an awkward mix of feelings. On one hand, she was happy to see her friend for the first time in so long, on the other, she felt a strange longing sensation that made her heart hurt just thinking about it.

Ino sighed as she went back to sit at the counter.

She opened the bento box, ready to continue digging in before she saw an old lady outside the door, looking at her with a judgemental look.

A loud sigh escaped Ino and she closed the box again while sliding it to the side. /I’ll just eat at dinner tonight, no big deal./ She thought to herself as she went to open the door, letting the judgemental little lady in.

~

Ino looked at the clock that hung above the door. Only 30 more minutes to go. 

If she closed the shop at 7pm, that would give her enough time to go upstairs, take a shower, choose what to wear and do her hair and makeup before Tenten comes at 8 right? Maybe she could close the store a little bit earlier? There probably isn’t going to be anyone who wants to buy flowers at 7pm anyway right?

She looked at the door and pressed her hands together, praying for no one to come in.

She closed her eyes and faced the counter, begging to any god to not hear that familiar jingle she loved so much.

“Ding…”

Ino groaned out loud. /Why does life hate me!/ She thought as she opened her eyes to see the customer.

And to her surprise, a beautiful man wearing a brown poncho walked into the store, the poncho followed each movement he made and made him look completely majestic. He wore a dark blue sash on his forehead which complimented his pitch black eyes. His hair was worn down, unlike its usual pointed form.

If it was any other man, Ino would be swooning and blushing at the sight of him. But it wasn’t any other man. It was Uchiha fucking Sasuke.

Ino gasped at the sight of him, mouth opening slightly. She rubbed her eyes, maybe overworking herself was making her see things? There was no way Uchiha Sasuke was in her store, buying flowers of all things.

But nope. Her eyes weren’t playing tricks on her. They were working quite well actually. It was as if seeing Sasuke’s ethereal face made her eyes even healthier.

Sasuke stood in front of a panel of flowers, eyes narrowed as he stared down an orange petunia.

Ino blinked twice, but the gorgeous man still stood in front of her, looking at a few colourful pots of flowers.

Thousands of thoughts ran through her brain, she couldn’t piece together what he could possibly be doing in a flower shop.

He must be interrogating some Otsutsuki and needed flowers to torture him right? 

No, the flowers might carry some clue that will lead him to finding some secret Akatsuki member right? 

No, no, he must be gathering the flowers to track down a distant Uchiha relative right?

Sasuke placed a small bouquet of flowers onto the counter, making Ino snap back into action.

Ino wanted to slap herself. Professionalism, Ino, professionalism! She scolded as she patted her cheeks lightly.

She grabbed the bouquet and smiled at the quiet man awkwardly.

But when she actually looked down at the bouquet, a loud gasp escaped her and she almost threw the flowers to the other side of the room.

“You can’t buy this!” She shouted, making Sasuke pull back in shock.

Sasuke’s eyebrow cocked in confusion. He looked at Ino for a few silent moments before he asked, “why?”

“Well, caus’ these flowers mean hate obviously!” Ino replied almost immediately, appalled he didn’t know about flower language.

“Right…” Sasuke said with a hint of annoyance in his voice, “then what should I get?”

“Uh…well it depends on who and why you’re giving it.” Ino choked out nervously. She wouldn’t usually talk in such a casual manner to a customer, let alone to Uchiha Sasuke, but she was passionate about flowers and she couldn’t bring herself to hold back this time.

“If you’re giving flowers to a friend then your best pick would be sunflowers, caus’ they represent loyalty and positivity. If it’s for a special occasion like…uh…funerals or something, then chrysanthemums are more appropriate since they represent mourning. But, flowers don’t always have a strict code, like if you’re giving flowers to a lover or something, it’s always better to give them their favourite flower—unless it’s a first date, and you have no idea what’s their favourite flower, then the best type of flower you could give them is peonies since they represent lushness and romance.” Ino explained, careful not to be too boring.

Surprisingly, Sasuke listened to her explanation thoroughly and even seemed a little interested. He nodded after her explanation and looked at the annoyingly bright orange flowers on the counter.

Ino swallowed her spit nervously. “So…who are you getting them for?” She asked as casually as she could muster.

And for a split second, Sasuke’s indifferent exterior broke, a sliver of agitation slipping through his cold, hard expression. Ino swore she could even see a small blush appear below his eyes.

But before Ino could properly observe it, Sasuke quickly rebuilt his walls again, replacing it with an even more stern look than before. 

“They’re for an annoying person,” he scoffed.

But his voice quickly softened and he looked away from Ino’s stare. “But I’ve known them since forever.” He answered, being as discreet as possible.

Ino felt herself swallow her thick spit. Sakura.

She could feel thorns in her throat but she stopped herself from reacting. 

Professionalism Ino. She reminded herself as she looked back up at Sasuke.

“They must mean a lot to you…” she said in a controlled voice.

Sasuke looked away, stopping Ino from seeing his blush—not that she wanted to anyway. Ino clenched her hands into tight little balls at her sides.

“Sort of.” He replied, and Ino could feel annoyance start to creep up her heart.

“Well, if you’re not sure of what flowers you want, feel free to look around the store! I’ll be right behind you, helping you pick the perfect ones!” Ino said, as cheerful a voice as she could muster her pained throat to say.

Sasuke turned away from Ino. Eyes wandering around the store to look at all the flowers on display.

Sasuke walked away from the counter and Ino followed closely behind him, willing every muscle in her body to not kick the man.

He pointed at the sakura flowers that were on display 

“What do those mean then?” He asked quietly.

Ino felt a strange sensation run through her body. ‘I didn’t plant them for you, asshole!’ She wanted to shout, but she bit her tongue.

“New beginnings.” Ino answered carefully as she patted the goosebumps away from her hands.

Now she got it. Sasuke was in the village for Sakura! It all makes sense now! He must’ve heard that Sakura had finally returned from her long mission and wanted to see her! That’s why he was in her flower store, looking for flowers. He was looking for flowers to give her!

Ino could feel her heart tear into little pieces but she couldn’t understand why. 

Ino looked at the gorgeous man in front of her, and for the first time in a while, she felt envious.

He’s probably here to take Sakura out on a date! Ino couldn’t stop her thoughts from spiraling. 

The more she thought, the more she could feel her frown deepen. If Sasuke was here to take Sakura out on a date, then Sakura wouldn’t be able to come to their girl’s night. Ino doubted that there was a better place Sasuke could take her than where they were going tonight.

Plus, the thought of Sasuke and Sakura dating rubbed Ino all the wrong ways. Maybe she was jealous of Sakura? 

Ino couldn’t place the feeling, but the idea of her best friend dating the man who tried to kill her twice—without even a single apology—made her feel annoyed.

He pointed at carnations now, breaking Ino out of her train of thought.

“What do they mean?”

“Love.”

Sasuke scrunched his nose, as if in contemplation.

Flowers to show your love? You need to do far more than that after what you’ve done! She glared at the Uchiha. 

“How about them?” He pointed at lilies.

“Purity.”

Doesn't really suit Sakura…

He pointed at the bouquet of tulips Ino had made just that morning.

He didn’t even need to ask for Ino to respond. 

“They mean sorry.” Ino replied in a clipped manner.

“I see…” Sasuke responded, “Then I’ll take it.”

Ino nodded and took the bouquet from behind the display.

Finally this man is gonna give a proper apology to Sakura! Ino thought to herself as she rang up the bouquet.

Flowers aren’t nearly enough though! Ino scowled as she handed the bouquet to Sasuke.

“Thank you, Ino.” Sasuke said before he left the store, leaving Ino to stare at the man’s back for a while.

For a moment all her negative feelings washed away and she stared at the empty doorway in cold guilt. Despite becoming a terrorist and a horrible person, Sasuke was still Ino’s first crush. He was still Ino’s classmate. And at the end of the day, Ino was glad Sasuke had come home—if not for her, then for the remnants of the team he had left.

She was happy as long as Sakura and Naruto were happy.

Still, she couldn’t believe Sasuke still remembered her name. It had been such a long time. The last she saw him was after the war.

Sasuke looked exactly the same as when they were younger. Except, now he looked more mature and tired? Still as beautiful as ever though. Oh, and that rinnegan is definitely a look.

Ino was still staring at the empty door. Sakura must be happy. And if she was happy, Ino was too. 

Ino forced a smile on her face.

She blinked twice and looked up at the clock. It was 6.58pm. She couldn’t believe her interaction with Sasuke took so long. But now she had no time to waste thinking about it. If she didn’t close shop now, someone might come in and stop her from changing.

So, she quickly turned the sign hanging outside the door and closed the lights, rushing upstairs to change as she threw her apron off.

~

Ino rushed down the stairs, only stopping to check her reflection in the mirror.

She brushed her long blonde hair to the side of her face and admired her makeup.

She wore a purple crop top and hanging loosely from her hips was a long black skirt which dragged on the floor.

Ino twirled in front of the mirror and watched as the skirt followed her movements.

If she wasn’t a shinobi, she would’ve definitely been a model or at least a fashion designer.

Ino smirked at her own appearance and admired her own perfection before a soft jingle brought her back to reality.

“Ding…”

Ino ran down the last few steps and was greeted by a cheerful Tenten.

Tenten wore a reddish-brown cheongsam. A small slit was on the side to allow for movement and she wore her signature buns, pinned up with golden hairpins.

“Ahh!” Ino squealed as she hugged her friend, “you’re so pretty!”

“You more!” Tenten laughed as she pulled back.

“You have got to teach me your makeup skills!” Tenten gushed.

“Stop it!” Ino blushed, waving away the kunoichi.

The two girls linked their hands as they walked out the store.

“Oh! Wear this Tenten!” Ino said as she handed her a pink peony.

“Awh…this is so cute Ino!” Tenten gushed as she hung it in her buns, “what’s the occasion though?”

“We just haven’t hung out in such a long time! I made sure to get all the girls a flower they could wear for the night!” Ino pulled out her own purple bush clover and placed it above her ear, “see! This is mine!”

“Awh!!! That’s so cute!” Tenten squealed and she hugged her friend closer.

The two girls walked together, arms tightly linked together in a hold that looked like a pretzel, making idle chatter as they walked.

Ino suddenly gasped and turned to Tenten, a wide grin spread across her face. 

“Guess who came by the store in the morning!” Ino sang, leaning in close to Tenten as if she was telling a secret.

Tenten cocked an eyebrow at Ino and smirked. “Who?” She asked, leaning into Ino too.

Ino giggled and lowered her voice. “Naruto.” She said, voice barely above a whisper.

Tenten let out a huge gasp, causing a nearby woman to jump in shock.

“She finally did it?” Tenten asked loudly, placing a hand over her mouth to hide her smile as she jumped up in excitement.

Ino shushed the older woman and looked around the small park they were walking through.

“Quiet down!” Ino chided, causing Tenten to shrink back to Ino’s side.

“Sorry…sorry…” Tenten apologised light-heartedly, “so what happened?”

Ino looked around again before turning to Tenten and giving her a cheeky smirk.

“Well I don’t know the full details. But Naruto came into my store at like 6 in the morning to buy flowers and he said that he was going to the same restaurant we’re going to with. His. Date.” Ino gossiped as quietly as she could, making sure to whisper everything into Tenten’s ear.

Tenten didn’t catch the memo though and squealed excitedly.

“My otp!” Tenten cheered as she skipped in joy, “if only Neji was here! He would be so happy to see his little Hinata finally get the man she wants!”

Ino smiled fondly at the kunoichi. “He was so nervous too! I bet the smallest thing would’ve thrown him off!” She fanned Tenten’s flames.

“Stop! They’re so cute!” Tenten cried, “finally he’s the one acting nervous around Hinata right?”

Tenten suddenly stopped jumping and stuck to Ino’s side again. “But y’know…” she whispered, “I saw Hinata and Sakura off on their mission. Hinata never mentioned going out with Naruto.”

“Well—maybe it’s caus’ she was too focused on the mission?” Ino replied.

Tenten hummed in contemplation. “But y’know, I went over to the hyuga residence today—when I found out they returned from their mission.”

Ino looked at Tenten with great consideration. “Yeah?”

“And when I got there, Hinata was asleep!” Tenten said, “that doesn't sound like a girl who’s going on a date with the man she’s been pining for since forever!”

“Well, that’s not fair though!” Ino rebutted, “she was probably really tired from her mission! Sakura came by my store too and she looked like she was running on one percent battery!"

Tenten laughed. “You’re right. I’m probably just overthinking it!” 

She thought to herself for a minute. “I’m happy for them, but it is kinda sad that she won’t join us tonight.”

Ino nodded in agreement and memories of her evening interaction suddenly flooded her brain, making her heart ache.

Ino sighed deeply. “Speaking about people who won’t come…I don’t think we should count on Sakura coming tonight either.”

Tenten gasped loudly but this time Ino didn’t stop her.

“What!” She shouted before sensing someone staring at her.

Tenten lowered her voice in shame and asked, “why not?”

“Caus’ Sasuke’s in town too!” Ino replied in a whiny voice.

“Sasuke?” Tenten’s eyes widened, “like *the* Sasuke? Like Uchiha Sasuke, Sasuke?”

“Do you know any other Sasuke?” Ino snapped.

Tenten laughed awkwardly. “It’s just I haven’t heard from him for so long…” she sighed, “why do you think him being back will make Sakura not come though?”

“Caus’” Ino looked at her friend like Tenten had just asked her what one plus one was, “he came to *my* store to buy flowers!”

Tenten looked at the telepath with a blank expression. “And?…”

Ino became a little flustered now. “And he bought tulips, Tenten! The flower of apologies! Who else would he be giving it to if not Sakura!”

Tenten stared at Ino, trying to piece together whether she was being for real.

“But Sasuke has a lot of people to apologise to—did he even say he was giving it to Sakura?” Tenten continued to press, finding gaps in Ino’s logic.

Ino became flustered. “Well, no—but it was obvious! You should’ve seen him! He was looking at sakura flowers too, so obviously he was thinking about our Sakura right?”

Tenten looked at the hokage rock.

“Feels like a stretch…” Tenten shrugged.

“It’s *so* not a stretch!” Ino argued, stopping mid-way to glare at Tenten.

“What’s not a stretch?” A confident voice suddenly piped in.

Ino and Tenten turned sharply to look at the voice, only to be met with a head of flaming red hair.

“Karin!” The girls both cheered as they hugged each other.

Karin wore a tight dress which accentuated her curves, but she covered it up with a large grey jacket which had fur ends.

“Heyy!” Karin laughed as she hugged them back, “what chu’ guys talking ‘bout?”

Tenten pointed at Ino. “Ino thinks Sasuke bought flowers for Sakura.”

“Caus’ that’s what he did!” Ino barked back at Tenten as she handed Karin a dark orange rose, “for you.”

“Thanks—and what’s this about Sasuke and Sakura?” Karin smiled as she hung the flower in her hair.

“Well…Sasuke visited Ino’s flower store and for some reason, Ino’s convinced that he was there for Sakura!” Tenten replied.

“You’re making me sound crazy!” Ino shouted at her friend, “you didn’t see him! He was looking at sakura flowers and he bought tulips! Tulips, people!”

Karin looked at the two girls and a small smirk started to form on her lips.

“Ino, I promise you Sasuke wasn’t buying flowers for Sakura.” Karin said as she turned to walk to the restaurant.

“But!—”

“But if you don’t believe me…” Karin interrupted Ino’s defence, “we can go to the restaurant and see for ourselves whether Sakura is there.”

Ino thought to herself for a minute before nodding.

“Ok…but if I’m right you have to buy me dinner!” Ino shouted as she followed behind Karin.

Karin scoffed. “You’re on blondie!”

Tenten giggled as she followed her friends. 

“But now that we’re on the topic of love…” Tenten started, “Ino, tell her what you told me in the morning!”

For a minute Ino looked at Tenten with confusion. The entire Sakura-Sasuke thing had consumed her every thought.

“Ohh! You mean the thing about Hinata?” Ino suddenly recalled.

“What happened to Hinata?” Karin asked, concern in her voice.

“Nothing yet!” Ino smirked as she gossiped, “but…Naruto was at the store in the morning buying flowers for his date…”

Karin cocked her eyebrow. “And you think it’s for Hinata?”

“Duh! Who else could it be? I can’t imagine anyone else wanting him…” Ino thought out loud.

“That’s my cousin Ino!” Karin said but she still laughed. 

“And I don’t think he bought flowers for Hinata…”

Now Tenten was the one to gasp loudly. “How could you think that!” She questioned loudly.

“Hinata has been pining for Naruto since they were in the academy! There’s no way they aren’t dating now!” Tenten said.

Karin laughed. “Okay, okay, same bet then! If Hinata really is on a date with Naruto, then we won’t see her at the restaurant right? If she isn’t there, then I’ll buy you whatever weapon you want!”

Tenten and Ino looked at each other suspiciously.

“Why are you so confident anyway?” Ino asked the redhead.

“I mean…” Karin started as she looked back at the two girls, “Naruto’s my cousin and Sasuke’s my friend. I think I would know…”

“Oh!” She fully turned back to face her friends, “if I’m right…you both have to treat me to anything I want for an entire day! Deal?” She looked at them smugly, as if she knew something they didn’t.

Ino refused to back down. “Fine! I have the money to spare!” She lied.

“Well…I have been wanting to buy this new katana recently…” Tenten thought out loud.

“It’s a deal then!” Karin said smugly before pausing in front of a big entrance.

“Woah…is this the place?” Karin looked at the restaurant, stunned by its grandeur.

“Yup!” Tenten smiled as she looked at a piece of paper, “Lady Tsunade should be waiting inside so let’s not keep her waiting!” 

Tenten grabbed the two girls’ arms and pulled them into the restaurant.

~ 

“Ladies!” The voice of a matured woman called out.

“Lady Tsunade!” Tenten replied, stars in her eyes.

Tsunade smiled at the three girls. “What took you guys so long? Sakura and Hinata are already here!”

Ino looked at the fifth hokage in confusion.

“Sakura and Hinata?”

Tsunade led the three girls to their table as she talked. “Of course! They’re already ordering what to eat with Shizune.”

Karin smirked at Ino and Ino responded with an eye roll.

“Ino! Tenten! Karin!” Sakura waved as the three girls walked into their stall.

“Hi guys!” The quiet voice of Hinata chirped.

Tenten’s jaw dropped and her eyes widened. She slammed her hands on the table roughly and almost jumped on Hinata.

“What are you doing here?” She questioned loudly.

Hinata recoiled from shock. “What do you mean? You invited me here?” Hinata asked in confusion.

“Aren’t you supposed to be on a date with Naruto?” Tenten interrogated.

“Uh-no? Where did you hear that from?” Hinata blushed madly as she looked at Shizune and Sakura for help.

Sakura sighed deeply and glared at Ino.

“Did you tell that stupid rumour to Tenten too, Ino-pig?”

Ino scowled and pointed a rude finger at Sakura. “Naruto came into the flower store to buy flowers for a date! Who else would it be other than Hinata?” She defended herself frustratedly, “and—aren’t you supposed to be out with Sasuke or something? What are you doing here, billboard-brow?”

Now it was Sakura’s turn to turn bright red. “Where’d you hear that from stupid!” She shrieked loudly.

Karin observed the scene with a smug grin, Tsunade stared at the shouting girls in bewilderment and Shizune looked back and forth around the girls, frantically waving her arms and hoping to calm them down. A few of the waiters were staring at them.

“Girls, settle down!” Tsunade hushed, waving at the girls, signalling for them to sit down.

“What’s this about Naruto and Sasuke?” Tsunade looked at the girls in confusion.

And as if on cue, all the girls started to talk over each other, Ino and Sakura’s voices being the loudest.

Tsunade groaned. “Stop! Karin, do you know what this is about?” She asked as she turned to the only quiet girl in the stall.

Karin chuckled to herself. “Well, both Sasuke and Naruto went to Ino’s flower store today to buy flowers. And I guess Ino thought they were buying them for Sakura and Hinata.”

Tsunade looked at the four girls then looked behind her and started to laugh loudly.

“What are you laughing about!” Ino shouted at Tsunade angrily.

Tsunade wiped away a stray tear. “Sorry…sorry…it’s just…” she looked behind her again, “here. Look at that.” She said as she pointed to what she was looking at.

All five girls stood up and looked at the stall Tsunade was pointing at.

“Oh. My. God.” Was all Ino could utter when she saw the sight in front of her.

In front of her, was the bouquet of flowers she custom-made for Naruto’s date in the arms of a very familiar looking man. And in Naruto’s arms, the bouquet of tulips she made in the early morning.

The two men were starting to get up from their table. Naruto smiled at his date with the same loving look Ino had only ever seen him make when talking about his ‘rival’, and his date was looking at him with the same adoring eyes, making an expression she didn’t even think he had been physically capable of making.

Sasuke was Naruto’s date. Sasuke had bought those tulips for Naruto.

Ino could feel a weird sensation of relief wash over her. But it was quickly replaced with the dread of having to buy Karin anything she wanted for a day.

Ino looked back at Karin’s smug expression, then Sakura’s annoyed look.

“Ohhh….” Ino said as she stopped looking at the two men.

“Yes. ‘Oh’.” Sakura said angrily, arms crossed over her chest.

“They’re gay.” Ino said in a clipped manner as the realisation started to hit her.

“Have been for a while now.”

“How long have you known…” Ino asked quietly, the embarrassment starting to creep up her face.

“After the war. When I treated them.” Sakura said shortly.

“For at least a year now I think.” Karin said as she started to look up in deep thought, “Naruto was asking me for advice.”

“A few months…” Hinata’s shy voice peeped up, “when I confessed to Naruto.”

“Since forever honestly.” Shizune added on, a cheeky smile plastered on her face.

“Me too.” Tsunade said, “I helped Naruto set up the date actually.”

Ino pointed at Tsunade in a lost manner, “so, you’re his ‘special connection’.”

“Yes, Ino.” Tsunade shook her head fondly.

Looking back now. It was pretty obvious. Ino thought back to the war when Naruto somehow projected his thoughts into every shinobis’ minds—alll thoughts about Sasuke. She couldn’t believe she didn’t catch on earlier.

She recalled the time she asked Naruto about Sasuke when she was seriously worried about his mental state. Looking back, some of the things he had said were so similar to her romance books that it was honestly creepy.

Then she recalled the morning. That’s why Naruto didn’t think lilies suited his date. 

Then his stupid rant started to make more sense. Ino couldn’t believe she actually redacted the word ‘Sasuke’ from his long rambling. 

Ino sighed and pinched her nose bridge. “Of course…” she muttered to herself.

“Wait, I don’t get it. How did everyone know?” Tenten asked.

“Tenten, sweetie…you need to talk to more men…” Sakura sighed. “I mean, the way Naruto talked about Sasuke…” she made an expression likened to being ‘blown up’.

Tenten still looked confused. “He talked about Sasuke normally?”

“Tenten, baby,” Tsunade patted the girl on her shoulder. “You’re surrounded by men like Gai and Lee.”

Tenten looked as if she was in deep thought before plopping down on the seat with a loud thud.

“Yeah, that makes sense.” She groaned loudly as she rubbed her temples.

Ino sat down after her, mind still focused on the sight of the two men. They looked so happy, the happiest Ino had ever seen them, actually.

She smiled in spite of herself. That must be how it feels to meet your soulmate huh?

Then Ino looked up at the rest of the women who were chatting about some mundane subject.

She turned to Sakura. “So you aren't upset that they're together?” she asked as delicately as she could, “I know you used to love Sasuke like…a lot.”

Sakura smiled at her friend's thoughtfulness.

“At first it was hard to accept.” Sakura said, “but after a while I just got used to it.”

Sakura looked at Ino. “They've just always had a deeper bond. I couldn't understand it, and I know Kakashi sensei couldn't either. But it's fine now,” she squeezed Ino’s hands.

“I’ve realised that there’s someone else for me now.” Sakura smiled at the telepath.

A strange sensation ran down Ino’s body. It made her nervous, flustered even.

Ino turned to Hinata. 

“How bout’ you Hinata?” she said abruptly as she let go of Sakura's hands, “how’d you handle the news?”

Hinata let out a small laugh, almost like she was laughing at Ino for who knows what reason.

“It was pretty difficult for me.” Hinata replied, “but I'm glad Naruto's happy. Even if the reason isn't me.”

Tenten looked at Hinata with a pitiful look. “I’m sorry you never got the guy you wanted for years.” Tenten said sincerely as she held her hands.

“Don’t be!” Hinata laughed.

“It’s hard to be upset when Naruto rejected me in such a funny way!” She giggled at her own memory.

“Naruto never did tell me what happened that day,” Sakura raised an eyebrow at Hinata, “he didn't act like a jerk did he?”

Hinata laughed loudly, louder than anyone had ever heard her. 

“No! No! Far from it actually!” She started, “it was hilarious!”

“So, I went to visit him at his house right, the scarf I knitted for him in hand, when he opened the door before I could even knock!”

“Obviously, I was really surprised and nervous. So I acted like a complete idiot—stuttering like crazy! When—can you guess what happened?”

Hinata paused to look around the table.

“Oh! Oh! I know he started to talk about Sasuke right?” Shizune replied.

“Worse!” Hinata laughed at the memory, “Sasuke shows up at the door half naked and asks ‘why are you taking so long, you usuratonkachi’” 

Hinata bent over the table and started to laugh hysterically. Ino couldn’t help but wonder whether she had drank before they arrived.

“Why are you taking so long, you usuratonkachi!” she mocked in a low voice.

The rest of the table looked at her awkwardly, waiting for Hinata to settle down.

“Shouldn’t you be more heartbroken about that?” Ino asked with concern.

“Well, of course I was sad when it first happened,” Hinata said as she wiped her tears of joy away, “but looking back now, isn't it straight out of one of those stereotypical yaoi mangas?”

Tsunade gasped loudly. “Hinata!” she exclaimed scandalously, “I didn't know you were a fujo!”

Hinata waved her hands. “No, no. I'm not into that stuff” she laughed, “Hanabi is. She makes me read some of her manga sometimes. And God are they graphic!”

Ino laughed. “I didn't know Hanabi liked that stuff! Remember back when we were fresh out of the academy? She was such a stick-in-the-mud! I'm surprised she became so laid back.” Ino reminisced.

Hinata shrugged as she took a sip of water. “Times have changed I guess. We're more free to do what we want now.”

“Yes, yes and that's all really nice and all,” Karin looked at Ino and Tenten, “but you two still owe me a fully paid day of fun!”

Ino groaned. “But that can't be fair! You already knew Naruto and Sasuke were dating. You tricked us!”

“Yeah!” Tenten added on, “you did, didn't you, you meanie! I rescind the bet!”

“Nuh-uh!” Karin jeered, “you guys said that if Hinata and Sakura were at the table, you would pay for anything I want for an entire day! No takesies-backsies!”

“You guys are so immature.” Sakura said as she shook her head, “you guys seriously made a bet over whether we were dating gay men? I thought it was clear to everyone that they swung that way!”

Ino stuck out her tongue at Sakura. “Not everyone is super close to them y'know!”

Shizune raised her hand. “Well, I'm not close to them at all. In fact I could count the number of times I've talked to Sasuke on one hand!” she said, “but even I knew that they were gay for each other.”

Ino grumbled, “okay! I can understand Sasuke, he's never really liked women before. But Naruto? Who would've guessed? Didn't he have a crush on you Sakura?”

Sakura sighed. “He never really liked me, Ino.” she said it like it was the most obvious thing known to men, “if anything he was overcompensating! When we were young he kept making fun of men for liking women—oh!—and he only ever talked about how ‘pretty’ I was.”

Sakura shrugged. “Compare that with how he talks about Sasuke—all that carry your burden and die together shit—and it doesn't even exist on the same plane!”

Ino sighed. Was her gaydar that bad? Why didn't she see that they were gay earlier?

“Okay, enough talk about men” Tsunade said as she waved her hands, “it’s a girls’ night! Let's stop talking about those two.”

The girls laughed and started to chat about mundane subjects, some of them talking about what they should order from the menu and others talking about Sakura and Hinata’s mission before Ino stopped midway and gasped loudly.

“I almost forgot!” She said as she fished through her small purse for something.

With great flourish, Ino placed four flowers on the table.

“See,” she said as she pointed to her own flower, “it’s to match!”

The women around the table awed and wooed as they picked up their own respective flowers.

“These are so cute.” Tsunade said as she slid the green orchid into her hair.

“You’re so sweet Ino!” Shizune complimented as she picked up the dark blue iris, admiring it for a few seconds before placing it above her ear.

“Adorable!” Hinata gushed as she picked up the white Lily, sliding it into her long ponytail while smiling at Ino.

“Seriously? Sakura flowers?” Sakura mocked as she wrapped the flowers around her hair band. “Couldn’t you be more original, Ino-pig?”

Ino scoffed. “Don’t get the wrong idea billboard-brow, they just reminded me of you, is all.”

“How’d you even plant them during this time of the year?” Sakura asked suspiciously.

“Its a secret.” Ino said nervously, “Now let's order our food please? I'm hun-gry! I didn't eat lunch today!”

The rest of the women laughed but went back to ordering food, all ready to enjoy the rest of the night together for the first time in what seemed to be forever.