Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the trees and emerald eyes fluttered open. The owner of the beautiful eyes sat up and looked around, surveying the area. After several moments of inspection, the girl sighed. The training grounds... she thought to herself, I must have fallen asleep here after training yesterday. She concluded.

Gorgeous velvet-like pink sakura petals fell silently and serenely from the trees, giving off a very calm and tranquil aura. The gentle breeze flew past her and her hair flowed in rhythm softly. For a while, she merely basked in the serene scene's glory. The sakura's are blossoming...

She stood and stretched. She adjustered her hitai-ate and tied it tighter around her head, and brushed her rose bangs out of her face. She dusted off her uniform and remained still in the breeze. She wished Naruto was back. Ever since he had left to train with the perverted Sanin, she had been feeling so lonely. She had been training more to take her mind off of the loneliness that consumed her.

She shook her head and frowned. "Don't be foolish, Sakura," she scolded herself sternly. "You're a kunoichi - stop feeling sorry for yourself." She ordered. She soon deflated. Easier said than done. She thought miserably. Shaking her head of her negative thoughs, she proceeded to depart from the training grounds. "I should ask someone to spar with me. That should get my mind off of things." She confirmed.

With that, she began to trail around town until she arrived at the infamous Yamanaka flower shop. She paused outside, inwardly debating whether to enter or not. She raised her hand to the handle, preparing to enter, but soon let go of the idea and let her hand drop to her side. Ino probably wouldn't want to see me. It's sad, really... we used to be best friends, and now... "Sakura?" a male voice broke her out of her reverie and she came to face Shikamaru.

"Shikamaru..." she said. A small smile formed on her face and she nodded politely as a greeting. He waved off her greeting with a dismissive hand, and then looked up at the flower shop.

"Are you going in?" he enquired. Sakura looked down at her gloved hands and sighed in defeat. She shook her head despondantly. The Chūnin inspected her with inquisitive eyes. After a few moments of silence, he let his gaze travel back to the shop. "You should," he murmured. "The reason you broke up was because of Sasuke, right?" he paused, and Sakura reluctantly nodded. "He isn't here now; there's no use in fighting for him." The rosette lowered her gaze dejectedly. She knew it was true – but that didn't mean it still didn't bring her heartache.

"You're right," she whispered. Her emerald gaze also rose to the kanji upon the shop, and Shikamaru turned to view her. Her eyes were dazzling with fierce determined resolve. He closed his eyes and smiled slightly.

"Good luck." He said before departing. The pink-haired kunoichi took a deep breath and opened the door. She took a step in and met her ex-best friend's gaze instantaneously. Cobalt locked with emerald, and an overwrought atmosphere arose. Silence ensued for what seemed like an eternity, and Ino brought it upon herself to break the tense air.

"What do you want, forehead?" she sneered. Sakura's expression didn't change, but a shadow loomed over her face. Much to Ino's astonishment, the rosette kunoichi didn't retort.

"I want us to be friends again," Sakura answered quietly but resolutely. The blonde girl blinked in surprise. The other kunoichi had indeed grown - despite knowing that Sasuke apparently preferred long-haired girls; the rosette cut her hair short to save her team mates, and she had kept it shoulder-length ever since. It didn't change her beauty, though. Her vibrant emerald eyes always dazzled with determination and maturity. Her chest was no longer flat - far from it. Along with growing up with Tsunade-hime's stubborn attitude, she had also gained some appearance from her.

She had a curvy yet slender figure, and her skin was just a slightly darker shade of porcelain. However, Ino also noticed her drastic change in behaviour and attitude. Instead of the timid and shy, unspoken girl she once was; she was now a very mature young woman, with determination flowing through her. She was definitely stronger now, too. To be mildly honest, Ino envied her. She didn't enjoy being worthless to her team - and that was why she went to Sakura before to learn some medical jutsu.

However Sakura's last statement took her back slightly. They hadn't been on friendly terms recently - not since they were small - but here the remarkably stunning girl stood, claiming she required their friendship to blossom again. Her cobalt eyes widened when she felt soft arms envelope her in a tight hug. The rosette wrapped her arms around the blonde girl's neck and buried her head in her shoulder. "Sakura...?" Ino whispered questioningly.

She suddenly heard soft sobbing erupting from the other girl. "I'm sorry," she said. "I wish I never fell for Sasuke-kun! If it weren't for him, we'd have never broken up! We'd still be friends! Ino, please tell me it isn't too late for our friendship..." she pleaded. Ino hesitantly wrapped her arms around Sakura's waist and pulled her closer. She closed her eyes and soothed the crying girl.

"I'm sorry, too," she replied gently. "I'd love to be friends again." A long, comfortable silence passed, until Ino decided to lighten the mood. "Now, stop crying," she scolded gently. "You're getting my outfit all wet!" she complained. Sakura pulled away, laughing softly at her best friend. They both soon burst out laughing and continued hugging.

"We've been such idiots," Sakura concluded. Ino smiled in response and stroked the delicate pink bangs that framed the strong kunoichi's face perfectly.

"Yes, we are." She confirmed. A wide grin spread across her face after a while. "By the way..." she began shrewdly. The rosette immediately became cautiously wary. "Do you have a crush on Naruto?"

"INO! YOU PIG!"