She reminded her of winter. Her pale pastel coloring – Icy blue, white-blonde, and skin that but for a few shades would match the color of snow. Her attitude was refined and careful, and yet, not always. When she looked at her, it was rare not to see a smile. A smile for her, and only her.

She reminded her of spring. Her love of flowers and knowledge of them surpassed that of any other kunoichi her age, and some beyond that. She remembered the first time she ever gave her a flower – A pink carnation. She'd said that whenever she saw her, she saw a girl that would one day become a great mother, and that's why she had thought a pink carnation would suit her.

She reminded her of summer. Her fiery emotions were impossible not to be detected, especially by one with eyes as special as hers were. When she was happy, her smile warmed her heart, and when she was angry, the offender would soon feel the heated flush of embarrassment when they were thoroughly beaten by the girl.

"You remind me of autumn."

"H-Huh?"

Ino grinned, "I said, you remind me of autumn. Right now. You're in the process of… Getting rid of old leaves, so to speak." Her grin dimmed to a saddened smile, "…There's a tough winter ahead for you, Hinata-chan… Before you make it to spring."

"Will you stay beside me?" She blushed, clutching a bento she'd made that morning, "Walk me through the snow… And see me bloom again in the springtime?"

"I wouldn't miss it for the world."

"A-And…" She added, feeling emboldened by the positive answer. "Will you stay beside me… After that? Through the coming seasons, every season?"

Ino kissed her quickly. She felt soft, like newly bloomed petals. "Until our last winter, I will stand beside you, Hinata." But Hinata couldn't help but notice that even as she said this, her smile was still sad. Because of its astounding beauty, she didn't believe the situation to be real.

She kissed her back, hoping that the feeling of reciprocation, a feeling Ino had not experienced as many times as Hinata would have wished, would ease some of the doubts her eternal flower had.

"Never forget, Ino…" She whispered, their lips still close, "I love you. And come heat or cold, fire or flood… I always will."

And she always did.