She was told to look both ways as a child.

Told quickly morphed into Taught and before she knew it, considering things from alternate perspectives became a mantra of her personality. Look both ways, be careful, watch your step, offer kindness no matter what. She liked to think all of these virtues could simultaneously coexist within her values. At least in an ideal world they could.

The duality of it all would never leave her, despite any major discrepancies that could present themselves. After all, as the light words of her parents turned to consistent nagging she, rather than puff her cheeks or throw some tantrum, developed a deeper connection to everything theoretically paired.

With passing years, the words of petty children tried against her solid disposition. She didn't cry, she didn't scream – tantrums were beneath her thoughts – she didn't even flinch as mud was thrown in her face time and time again.

The subtle prodding of her parents was no different from these juvenile forms. Just as she saw the other side of the initial, aggravating lessons; the encounters were simple to internally resolve. What reason did she have, anyway, to project her personal ideals on the world?

So she fell into a silent routine of belittlement and composure, and she felt pride at the grateful glances fellow civilians sent her way. No one liked a loudmouth or worse, a tattle. She fell so far into her quotidian; even the bullying became a matter of enjoyment in her (gratified) opinion.

One day however, the spell was broken. In great haste something within her, beyond her stunted comprehension, snapped. Such that as the insults of the day began "forehead this," her mind supplied, "forehead that" a young Ino Yamanaka blocked her view and screeched at the aggressors until they vanished.

She wanted to call out for them to return (for her precious routine) but didn't. She wanted to snarl at the smiling face before her (for ruining everything) but she didn't. Instead a modicum of legitimate normality, that she had thought her brain was fine without, inched its way forward. The ideal that didn't care for hidden meanings or understanding – that, just wanted to be a kid that had friends.

In her baffled state, she doesn't even notice the majority of her personality, her ideals and values, being stuffed into a dusty corner; her mouth curling into a bright grin for the first time in years.

wWw

When she tells her parents she wants to be a ninja, all the while smiling as though someone had given her a puppy, their faltering expressions meant nothing. What child would see the concoction of terror and confusion they tried to hide? Definitely not her because by this time she has seen the last Uchiha, and she knows for sure that it's true love. Even with the removal of her original friend, she will let the world (her hidden self) know that she is exactly as she needs to be.

She is a living duality however, and it's only a matter of time before the mirage is broken.

Holy shit it's been a while.

I don't even know if this makes any sense.

I'd like to have a new chapter out soon, a real one – but I figured a little interlude is better than nothing. This snippet should be a decent clue as to what's coming up real soon.

Perhaps some real plot will appear as well…

Feedback is always appreciated :]