Author's Note:

This is my first time writing a fanfiction, new to the Naruto series so constructive criticism and comments are welcome. Enjoy.
PS. I love Ino. I hate how everyone keeps portraying her as a bimbo just because she doesn't dress conservatively -_-

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters in Naruto, obviously.

The blonde kunoichi sighed. She was still in a daze as she looked at the open scroll on her lap.

It was of no use thinking about things she couldn't change but she couldn't help it. Sakura was getting married to Sasuke.

It wasn't exactly a surprise. She knew deep down she never stood a chance. Sasuke never so much as looked at her- try as she might to catch his eye but she was always part of the background. He cared for Sakura, of course he did. They were team mates- they grew up together, heck they went through hell and back together. Sakura forgave him, Sakura fought for him, Sakura bled for him, Sakura would throw her life away if it meant making Sasuke happy.

Would she have done the same?

Ino shook her head. No. She couldn't throw her life away like that. Not when .. no.

Unbidden tears filled her blue eyes.

'Ino, you are strong willed, and dependable. Chōji and Shikamaru, they are total goof-offs. Keep them in line.'

'And, don't let Sakura beat you. In ninjutsu, or romance.'

"Well.. she beat me Asuma Sensei." She said in a soft almost inaudible voice.

Almost.

"Who beat you?" asked a monotone male voice from above.

"GAH." Ino instantly looked up at the pale boy standing on one of the lower branches of the large tree she was leaning against.

"Who is 'gah'?" Sai asked quirking his head to a side.

"What? Urgh. What are you-?" Ino was momentarily too stunned to come up with a proper answer then quickly rolled up the scroll and stood up.
"Exactly how long were you standing there?! Didn't anyone teach you a little something called PRIVACY?!" She glared at him. Her cheeks flushed pink in shame as she realized he might've seen her crying.

"Eh. Not really. Plus you're kind of in my spot." He said bluntly before landing next to her, "I like to draw here"

"Well I'm thinking here so find somewhere else to draw!" Ino grabbed his collar and glared menacingly.

"Beauty are you going to kiss me?" Sai asked with a serious dead pan expression.

Ino froze, turned beet red and instantly let him go.

"Ack!What?..I..uh what no umm.. I was trying to…" she stammered.
"I read in this book that girls bring their face close to you before they kiss you." Sai said seriously as he held up a copy of 'Makeout Paradise'.

Ino opened her mouth to retort but then tightened her grip on the scroll. She didn't have time for this. "Nevermind. I have to go. You win go ahead draw here all you like."

With that she was gone.
"The female species… Such an enigma" Sai thought out loud.
_

Ino shook her head trying to put that awkward bump-in with Sai behind her. On any other day she would have enjoyed it, maybe even flirt a bit but not today. She was still feeling like a complete waste of a person and the fact that someone may have seen her wallowing in her self-pity was even worse.

Where had it all gone wrong? She remembered when she was still a kid; she was considerably more popular than Sakura. How she helped Sakura out of her shell-only to later have her friend cast her aside for a boy.

Ino gritted her teeth. She would never admit it to anyone but the truth was, it stung. She really cherished their friendship- When it came to Sakura, Ino was always there for her. She reached out to her when no one did, stood up for her and fought off her bullies, she made her feel accepted when she could easily have joined the rest in making fun of the pinkette. The day Sakura announced they were rivals and no longer friends, she was too stunned to react but when the girl handed back the red ribbon Ino had given her it was too much. Like a slap across the face. 'Everything she did for her vanished in the blink of an eye, what's friendship in the light of a cute boy's attention anyways?' She thought bitterly.

Ino liked Sasuke too. Of course she did. He was good looking, smart, mysterious, a skilled shinobi- and did she mention good looking? But past that what else did she really know about him? It's not like the brooding Uchiha ever took the time to have an actual conversation with her. No, Sasuke was hot sure; but she knew in her heart it was her snub from Sakura that spurred that "like" to obsessive levels. She wanted to show her up. She wanted to prove to that stupid billboard brow that Ino Yamanaka did not lose.

But she did lose, and it stung just as much as the day when she was a little girl having her best friend tell her she was no longer needed.

She stopped suddenly when she realized she was already at the outskirts of the village. She looked down and saw a cluster of bush clover she was almost about to step on.

"What am I doing? I should be happy for her." Ino told herself, "It's not like Sakura had it easy! She loves him more that I do. She deserves this. I am not going to be bitter. No."

She forced herself to smile as she headed back home.
_

I have plans for a few more chapters if anyone is interested in more.
Reviews would be appreciated.