Chapter1: Ego and a Bet

"So, are you going to tell her?" I let my eyes roll over to look at Hinata. Her blank eyes looking somewhat sad, but she gives me a hopeful smile anyways.

"You know how it is… You love someone, care for them, you think about how to tell them; but you don't want to ruin their happiness." Hinata gives me a sad look, and nods in clear understanding. She's had a crush on Naruto for so long, only to find out that he has his eyes on someone else. I'm not surprised really; I think a lot of us knew how he felt about Sasuke. It seems that boy is taking away a lot of love from those who would willingly give it to one's that lust after him. I let out a dramatic sigh; and rest my chin on my hand. I let a smile tug at the end of my lips, and look over at Hinata.

"I'm sorry, you know about Naruto." I offer her softly, even though I know it's not very soothing to her.

"It's OK, I'm sure you know, but when you love somebody you just want them to be happy. I hope he finds happiness. However, you should still be brave enough to tell the one you love how you feel." Hinata says quietly, mustering up the courage to lecture me. I can't argue there, after all Hinata found out how Naruto felt about Sasuke by finely confessing her feelings for him.

"You're right, maybe later not right now. I don't want to interrupt her, she's busy." I give the excuse halfheartedly. Hinata gives me a knowing look, but nods in gentle understanding.

"I wish you luck, I don't think Sakura's completely aware of herself. As long as I can remember all she's been thinking about is Sasuke. Maybe, telling her how you feel will make her think twice about chasing after Sasuke," with that encouraging sentiment Hinata takes her leave. I let my eyes trail over to the hospital doors. Me and Sakura have been at each other's throat for years. Sure she thought I was her love rival; but actually, Sasuke's my rival. The whole time when we were young and she had a crush on Sasuke, I acted like I'd steal him away from her. I was really just trying to get her attention. Even now, I seem to always try to get her attention in the worst way. Sure billboard brow could be seen as an insult, but I think of it as more of a pet name.

I lift my head up from my hand, and watch as Sakura finally leaves the hospital; waving goodbye to one of the nurses. She still finds time to visit the hospital even with Naruto back, and the whole thing with Sasuke. I get up and flip my hair out of my eye—only to have it come back down.

"Hey, Sakura!" I decided against using the nickname I gave her, but I do pop my hip out in a superior pose. Her green eyes sparkly with friendliness just for a moment, before her mind recognizes it's me, and quickly commands those same beautiful emeralds to glower at me.

"What do you want Ino-pig?" She scoffs. I bite my lip, trying to ignore her insult.

"Nothing really billboard brow," I can't help myself. I poke her in the forehead as I lean over. It's times like these that I remember how much shorter she is then me. Sakura swats my hand away with great aggravation.

"Good then, because I promised to meet Naruto for ramen." She starts to walk away.

"Lost Sasuke, so know your setting your sights on Naruto? Never thought you'd be the one to settle for anything less than the, oh so cool Sasuke-kun!" I shout out. The moment the words leave my lips, I feel stupid. It's really my own envy that's making me act like a bitch. Why can't I just stop this act and tell her how I really feel?

"Shove it Ino!" Because I would get rejected, I remind myself, as Sakura hurries off in anger.

"Smooth…" I whisper to myself. I start to make my way back home, having blown my chance yet again to have a civil conversation with Sakura. I let my mind drift back to memories of me and Sakura when we were just kids. Best friend…I loved her even then, and I was overly protective. She'd make me flower necklaces, and I made sure no one made her cry. That all changed when Sasuke caught her eye. I know Sakura thinks I started to be mean toward her because I like the dark haired boy too, but really I didn't know how to handle the threat that Sasuke posed. Instead I let out my anger on her, and tried to get her attention in anyway possible, even if that meant arguing about a boy I didn't even feel attracted to. I tried to convince myself I did like Sasuke, and that's why I was acting up, but really when your that young you just don't think about love that much. You don't know anything about love until you get older.

"Wow Ino I've never seen you dressed like that before," Choji points out between potato chips. I simply slide into the both, and shrug off his comment.

"It's refreshing to see that you don't always fuss over you appearance, so troublesome. It's a waste of time really." Shikamaru adds his two cents.

"Yeah, yeah, Ino's not wearing her lovely outfits, try not to morn; I'm sure you guys can go one day without seeing my lovely body," I joke, and wink at Choji, who blushes in response. I wasn't planning on going anywhere today, really I was studying up on medical jutsus, before I got a message from Shikamaru asking if I wanted to have lunch with him and Choji. I was in lounging clothes ok, a girls gotta be comfortable when she's hitting the books right? I'm simply wearing a baggy white shirt hand some navy pants. My hair is up in a bun, and no makeup on my face—though I don't wear that much to begin with, despite what Shika thinks I'm not that vain.

"You kinda look like a boy." Shikamaru says, with just a slight hint of a smirk on his uncaring face.

"Oh you're just jealous cause I'd make a way hotter guy then you Shika," I tease back. Choji burst out laughing, a few crumbs of chips spewing out of his mouth.

"Yeah right," Shikamaru mumble.

"She has a point, you're not exactly a ladies' man," Choji agrees between giggle.

"Look who's talking." This stops Choji's laughter instantly. His face become a little red, as he looks at the brunette, and I can't help the bad feeling starting to bubble up in me. Shikamaru—who had closed his eyes a while back—opens one eye lazily to look back at Choji.

"What?" He questions, and I shrink into my seat a little. I feel the testosterone crackle in the air.

"I bet Ino would get more dates then you!"

"I don't care," Shikamaru sighs, out but doesn't close his eyes, instead popping open the other one to stare at our chubby friend.

"Oh you don't?" Choji smiles and I can smell the distinct stench of male competition. No matter how uncaring a man is, you don't attack his ego. Even Shikamaru has an ego, and it's just been wounded.

"How about a bet?"

"How troublesome…"

"You don't have anything better to do," Choji states. "Unless you're afraid you'd lose."

"Hey, hey!" I pop into the conversation. "Don't start a bet that involves me without consulting me first!"

"Sorry Ino, but I'm sure you could bet Shika."

"Of course she could, she's a girl she knows what girls want, she could sweet talk anyone into dating her." If only it where that easy…My teammates don't' know about my sexuality, I don't think it's a big deal. If they don't ask, then I won't tell. Besides everyone seems to think I only have eyes for Sasuke…

If I were a guy...I wonder if Sakura would even spare me a glance. I look at my two teammates arguing about how I would have an unfair advantage. Then an idea hits me. I smile a little; this could be a perfect way to get Sakura's attention! Even if it's only for a little while…to be able to have just one date, and maybe just one kiss, from Sakura would be enough. I just want the chance…But, it seems like a hopelessly romantic thing to think about. I shake my head deciding no matter how hopeless, I would love to have a moment to spend with Sakura without having to keep up my charade and hiding my feels.

With determination, I raise my hands up, and stop the two boys from arguing.

"Ok then, how about this, Choji bets you that I can get more dates as a boy, then you can get as a girl."