Disclaimer until the very end: Naruto isn't mine and never will be.

Summary: Ino was Sakura's girlfriend. A joke that turned into a serious commitment. Ino wanted Sakura for herself, but she knew what they have was wrong. So she gave Sakura freedom to love somebody else. However, she promised Sakura that she'll never leave her side until the right guy for Sakura came. She loved Sakura more than anything but she was willing to let her go to avoid future pain, for herself and for Sakura. But then, there's Sasuke. Was Ino as prepared as she thought she was?

Misery: Yeah…it's me again with another fic. This time it's a Naruto shoujo-ai. Yeah. It's shoujo-ai, meaning girl/girl relationship. I warn you now. Anyways, this is an AU. No ninja stuff. Just using the characters from Naruto for a change. I don't watch Naruto that much so if you notice anything unusual, forgive me, ok? So, on with the story. Hope you'll like it. Drop a review to let me know what you think and if I should continue on with this fic. Thanks!

P.S. Sasuke here will be more like a shy, sweet and understanding guy, ok? Lol. Just so you won't be surprise. On with the fic!

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Chapter 1

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Ino leaned on a tree with her arms crossed over her chest while watching her girlfriend, Sakura, play volleyball. She smiled at

herself. It felt good to finally say that Sakura was in fact her official girlfriend now. It wasn't a joke anymore. No more

pretending. There was always a warm feeling in her heart that overwhelmed her every time she thinks of the status of their

relationship. However, unlike other love stories, Ino didn't see their love story coming to a happy ending. Both of them were

scared. Scared of the consequences that their relationship might cause the moment people find out about them. Her smile faded

and her expression was grim. She was no longer watching Sakura but she was looking at her. She had a far away look on her

face.

Ino was a popular kid. She had been since the first day she had transferred in that school. Many guys found her attractive

because of her actions and appearance. Ino wasn't the average teenage girl who wore make-up and sexy dress. She wasn't

called hot but she was a definition of a cool girl. A bit boyish and yet, there's a hint of femininity and sexiness. She always wore

her cargo pants and a tank top that would show her flat tummy. Still, she was labeled as snobbish by those who didn't know her

and was afraid to even get close to her. Sakura, however, was different.

A year ago, Sakura transferred to Ino's school. That time, Ino was already on her junior year while Sakura was only a freshman.

One of Ino's friends, Yumi, was Sakura's cousin. It began with a simple hi and hello. It turned into teasing each other until they

arrived in to whatever they were now. Ino was already a senior while Sakura was a sophomore. It was Sakura's idea, asking Ino

to be her girlfriend. They've only been close for only two months then. Ino laughed at that but agreed on it, thinking how it

exciting it would be. They didn't know when that joke became something serious that both of them couldn't hold back their

feelings anymore.

Ino knew that she was beginning to fall for her friend but she tried to control it. Not until Sakura admitted that she was falling

too. Ino was so overwhelmed that she had forgotten about everything. She had accepted Sakura and let her be part of her life.

And now, she was afraid...afraid of the possible painful outcome of their relationship.

Ino sat down, leaning against the tree, one knee up where her arm rested. She adjusted her semi-transparent shades with her

finger while looking at the volleyball court. There was Sakura, resting...and beside her, was Sasuke, Sakura's long time

boyfriend. She watched as Sakura placed her head on his shoulder with her eyes closed. She gritted her teeth as she continued

to stare. There was jealousy and anger. She knew she couldn't keep up with Sasuke. He had been Sakura's boyfriend for almost

a year now. And she, just a month. Ino shook her head. Of all the guys that courted and dated her, why does she have to fall in

love with the wrong person? Not only to a girl but was also taken. Speaking of hell.

Ino took a deep painful breath as Sakura gave Sasuke a kiss before they've gone to their separate ways. Yeah. What she and

Sakura have was wrong. But she can't seem to stop.

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Sakura bid her boyfriend good bye and went to the locker room freshen up before finally going home. She rested for a while

longer, sitting down on a bench and leaned her head against the wall and closing her eyes. She knew Ino was watching her

practice. In fact, she was the one who insisted that her girlfriend stay and wait for her despite Ino's protest. Ino didn't like to

stay with her every time Sasuke was around. She knew why. There were a lot of reasons and it didn't have to take a genius to

figure it all out. They were jealous of each other. Sasuke was but she doesn't know about Ino. Ino and her stupid pride.

Somehow, it was Ino's pride and toughness that made Sakura love her girlfriend more. Ino was the exact opposite of Sasuke.

Sasuke was compassionate and sweet while Ino was a bit tough and sometimes called stone-hearted. But she knew better.

That's what made their relationship exciting to her. She was being challenged to make Ino show her soft side. And it sure wasn't

very easy. Ino was emotionally strong just as she was weak.

Sakura finished her shower within twenty minutes. She had realized that everybody was gone already. She must've rested

longer than she had intended. After fixing her stuff, she made her exit. She saw Ino standing outside, waiting for her with her

usual serious expression that kept on scaring other people. She smiled as she approached her waiting girlfriend.

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"Hey!" Ino heard Sakura called. She looked up and saw her smiling face. The image of Sakura and Sasuke kissing came back to

her. A frown was visible on her face. She wanted to yell at Sakura but she knew she didn't have the right. Sasuke was her

boyfriend. He had the right to be kissed. She was the one who was on the wrong track which only made her more frustrated but

she was trying to control it.

"Hey." Ino replied grimly. She swore she was trying hard! She felt herself moved away when Sakura tried to kiss her on the lips,

kissing her cheeks instead. She just can't forget about what she had seen. After that kiss with Sasuke, there was no way she'll

let Sakura kiss her on the mouth. For now. She took Sakura's bag and carried it for her.

Sakura looked at her girlfriend. A little hurt. With that tone and attitude, she knew something was up. "What's wrong with you?"

"Nothing." Ino answered a bit roughly than she had intended. She felt a hand on her arm, stopping her on her track. She was

faced with Sakura who didn't look happy at all. "What?" she barked, couldn't hide her annoyance anymore. Sakura can really be

pushy sometimes. But somehow, she knew she needed this. Through their arguments that Ino could feel how special she was

for Sakura.

"I know there's something."

"There is nothing, ok?" Ino swayed her arm away from Sakura's grasp.

"Was it because I let you stay and wait for hours? I'm sorry, ok?"

"No. Of course not. You know if I really didn't want to stay, I wouldn't."

"Then what's wrong?" Sakura's voice was beginning to rise.

"I told you! Nothing! Why do you have to be so damn pushy!"

There was silence as Sakura stared at her girl. She couldn't see her girlfriend's eyes because of the shades she was wearing. But

she could tell that she was pissed and she didn't like it when Ino was pissed. "Fine." Sakura said finally as she snatched away

the bag from Ino's grasp.

Ino was taken aback from Sakura's action but didn't mind it and let Sakura take the bag. She followed Sakura as she hastily

walked out of the building. However, for Ino's part, she calmly walked her hands inside her pockets, plugging her earphones in

her ears. She will not be the one to make the first move, that's for sure.

They had reached Sakura's place. Sakura went straight towards their house while Ino walked straight ahead. Her house wasn't

far from Sakura. Through her earphones, she could hear Sakura calling her. But she didn't stop. She pretended not to hear

anything. She tried to walk faster but Sakura had caught up with her and grasp her arms.

"Ino wait. Please."

Ino tried to remove her arms from Sakura's grasp but Sakura kept on holding her.

"Ino!" Sakura's voice was begging.

"What?" Ino answered, looking at Sakura. "What do you want!"

"I'm sorry."

Ino was amazed. "Do you even know what you're sorry for!"

Sakura was silent. The tears were threatening to fall but she stopped it. Ino shook her head and turned her back. Again, she felt

Sakura hold her.

"Ino..."

"Go home!" Ino answered back as she swayed her arm free. She tried to hold back her tears as she walked away without

looking back. She knew she had hurt Sakura and she wanted to comfort her. But she was hurt too...as much as Sakura was.

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A.N. Ahh...first chapter done. What do you think? Hope it didn't bore you. Lol. I just had to get this one out of my head. I got the concept of this story from real life. The events weren't exactly the same though. Well, drop me some comments, alright? I'd be glad to read them. Even just a single word would be fine. Lol! Thanks!

-misery13