A/N: The basic idea belongs to Francesca, who agreed on me writing a fic. Sorry if it won't turn out like you hoped. Everyone, please review!
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto
Oh, yeah. The rating will most probably go up to 'T' in the future.
The sun was setting in Konoha Gakure, shining on the streets with bright, orange light. People were rushing home, hurrying to be with their beloved ones as soon as possible- if they had such, that is. Getting back to an empty apartment, quite far from your friends and family wasn't so fun.
No wonder Yamanaka Ino walked slowly, especially with numb legs, the result of an all-day training.
"Ino-chaaaan!"
Her head snapped upwards and eyes brightened a little at the sight of a pink-haired, young woman running towards her. She returned the smile and waved a little, waiting for Sakura Haruno to near her. Both friends started to walk again, heading for the blonde's home.
"What's with the long face, Ino-chan?" The shorter one inquired, curiously looking at her companion. Ino sighed.
"It's that damned Asuma fault. Since he discovered that I've been accepted into ANBU as the interrogator, he'd been bitching at me all the time, forcing to train. Baka sensei." Ino growled, pretending to be mad and shaking her fist a little. She was too tired to be angry, however such behavior earned her a laugh from her friend.
"So, how's it in ANBU? I was always curious about it and Kakashi-sensei never talks about it." Ino stiffened a little, hearing this question. It's been two months since she joined that group and everyone still continued to question her.
"Oh, it's fine. Nothing special, really. Just more training." Ino shrugged, focusing her gaze on the ground. Sakura mumbled something, she didn't hear. Silence fell over them for a while.
What Ino didn't tell her cherry friend, were the images she saw inside captured nins. Almost all of them refused to answer her questions and usually, she had to use her family technique to get it out of them.
Things she had seen, were too horrible to even try describing. Ino saw their victims, begging for life on their knees; she felt their sick pleasure when they-or, was it her?- cut them in pieces, slaughtered one by one...
She saw innocent children, mixed into rage of battle and killed by pure accident. She felt blood of her comrades on the criminals hands as if they were her own.
The haunted eyes of killed people, ninjas and average ones, children and adults, man and women...they stayed with her all the day. They appeared in her nightmares, they appeared in darkness of her lonely apartment...they were everywhere.
A shudder went down her spine, despite the warm weather. Sakura noticed it, just as she noticed the anguish that filled bluish eyes.
After the chuunin exam, both girls suddenly turned into good friends again. They laughed and talked with each other, as if that gap in their relationship never took place.
Especially, after Sasuke Uchiha's departure, when the two heartbroken friends comforted one another, the bond between them grew stronger. And it still tightens, as time passes.
"So!" Sakura chirped, hoping to distract Ino from whatever is on her mind. "How's it going with Zaishi? Don't you have any date soon?"
"I dumped him."
"Oh, I see..."
A moment of silence.
"Wait-WHAT!"
"Just what you heard, Sakura." Ino shrugged, glancing a the girl. "I simply dumped him."
"B-but...why? Just yesterday you've been rambling how wonderful he is, how romantic...what happened?" The medic blurted out, staring with wide eyes at the female beside her.
"He couldn't understand me. I tried to talk with him about something serious...about my problems, but he just never listens! Or he makes a big joke out of it. It drives me nuts!" Ino exclaimed, raising her arms in desperation. Then, she smiled bitterly.
"Not anymore, though. It's over." She added after a while.
Suddenly, an uncomfortable tension could be felt in the atmosphere between them. Sakura shifted uncomfortably. Too many things were still unsaid. Too many things they didn't know about each other. And Sakura felt guilty about it; some wounds never heal. She betrayed Ino's trust once and although everything seems fine with them, the ghost of that time still lingered with them.
"As much as my life is a fascinating topic that we could go on about for hours...putting it aside, how are things with Naruto? You still haven't killed him?" Ino smiled slyly, clearly not noticing the uneasiness that hung in the air just a moment ago. Sakura smiled slightly.
"Oh, you know Naruto. He's all about being a Hokage, finding Sasuke and so on...this and that, new missions etc. We barely had time to be together, anymore. Not many chances to kill him." She smiled, a little sadly though. Ino shifted beside her.
"Sorry, I never meant-"
"That's alright, Ino. You know, I wouldn't have him any other way. His energy, heart he puts into everything- that's what made me love him. So, it really is alright." Sakura shook her head, all the time steadily walking beside the blonde. "How about your team? How's Shikamaru and Chouji doing?"
"Fine, I guess. We don't really meet up that often, you see. Every time I see Shika, he's just mumbling something about life being troublesome or cursing Hokage for making him work as a special jounin...not to mention the strategies he has to plan, as an extra work. Chouji's just trying his best, being a newly promoted jounin."
Indeed, Shikamaru repeated his success with advancing to a higher level before everyone else-while Chouji was left behind. In the end, he also followed their steps and, about a month ago, got the proud position as Konoha jounin.
"I was too busy to pay attention to them. First, I was preparing to the ANBU acceptation test, then I had to get used to that...job. Also, the obligatory, everyday, ANBU training...I never imagined that it can be so hard, just being a ninja!" She threw her arms, to emphasize the meaning behind her words. Sakura nodded sympathetically.
The building Ino lived in, came into view. Sakura stopped, just like Ino and turned to the other street.
"Well, here's where I have to go. See you!" The medic watched with worry at the absent minded nod she got from her friend. She bit her lip; Ino hasn't been herself lately.
"Ino-chan!" The woman called, running after the already retreating form of her friend. She stopped just in front of her.
"You know...if there's something you want to talk about, I'm right here. Remember, you're not alone!" She spoke, loudly, with confident voice. An encouraging smile grazed her pink lips.
Ino smiled gratefully. "Thanks Sakura. It means a lot to me. I'll remember that." Both of the woman had a happy smile on their faces, as they finally parted. Heavy burden was lifted from both hearts. For now, at least.
Ino walked a few steps, than paused. She looked around a little; the sun was setting more and more with every minute.
That's right; I'm not alone.
She looked behind her. The street was silent and empty, a rare sight in Konoha. Sakura's figure was no longer visible in the distance. The mind walker shrugged and sped up a little, watching her home getting nearer and near. After a minute or so, she stopped again.
Why had I thought about it, just now?
Once again, her gaze focused on the sunset. The red and orange hue grazed the usually blue sky. Another day passed, another day of her ninja life. And she still hasn't found what she was looking for in her life. Isn't life a continuos searching for happiness, for aim of living?
She fingered her long ponytail thoughtfully. Actually, her searching began after Sasuke left...
"Sasuke-kun..." She whispered, brushing back blond bangs of hair. Even though it got in a way while fighting and training, she couldn't find heart to cut it again.
Far, far away from Konoha, a certain raven-haired boy sneezed, watching the same setting sun.
A/N: So? You know what the pairing is? I bet you do.Why don't post areview?