Fox In The Leaf

consequences of an action

Inoichi had given his report on what had happened the previous Naruto's apartment. To say that the hokage was worried was an understatement, he wanted to leave the office immediately to see how the boy was doing after hearing that he went through hours of pain, although he didn't know from what, he would be sure to ask the boy later since he couldn't leave his paperwork. "Are you sure that Naruto-kun is alright?"

Inoichi nodded his head "yes from when I saw he was still alive but he was in a lot of pain. You should check on the boy when you can"

Hiruzen agreed, thinking he could meet the boy for dinner later. "I guess I'll have to meet him after I finish doing my paperwork, thank you Inoichi". Hiruzen nodded his head as he watched the Shinobi leave his office. after he was alone in his office he sat in his chair and giving a tired sigh he looked out the window and just thought 'Naruto what exactly is happening with you'

~Konoha streets after team training~

Ino was making her way back home after she had a 3 way sparring match with her team, and based on how she was stomping down the street, she was not happy "ARGH I can't wait till I get home so I can get the dirt off me! My outfit is ruined because of that free for all that Asuma-sensei made us do! I am so going to get him to pay for my next shopping trip!". She would have kept her rant going if it wasn't for the fact that she had bumped into someone, causing both to fall on their ass and due to her mood she was not in an apologetic mood "Hey! Watch where your…..Forehead?". The person she had bumped into was her ex-friend Sakura but she looked miserable

Sakura wasn't looking where she was going, in her depressed state she had been walking aimlessly through Konoha, not even sure if she was going home "oh….hey….Ino…." she would have called Ino by the nickname she usually used but she had other things on her mind

Ino had gotten up and looked down at Sakura. She had never seen Sakura look so depressed and Ino could see the puffy red eyes, which meant that she had been crying and even if they stopped being friends when they both liked Sasuke, she didn't like seeing her like this "ok Sakura, what happened? I haven't seen you like this before."

Sakura just got back up and just started walking again "it's nothing Ino". she would have kept walking but Ino grabbed her by the wrist and started to drag her away

"Oh no you don't! We are going to get you something that I know will cheer you up" Ino said heading off towards the shops. Sakura didn't have the energy to deny or escape from Ino, so she just let herself be dragged away

~1 hour later at an Ice cream parlor~

Ino and Sakura had spent 45 minutes on a clothing shopping spree but Sakura just wouldn't cheer up. Ino had even seen Sakura pick up a beautiful yellow Sundress that would have looked good on her and just put it back without even thinking about getting it. Ino decided that they would cut the spree short and go get a frozen treat, thinking that it would help, but so far it only brought up Sakura's spirits a bit.

Sakura had been staring at her ice cream for 7 minutes without taking a bite and Ino was really wanted to know what was eating at her "ok Sakura what happened that made you this sad?"

Sakura was startled by the question and lifted her head to look at Ino for a few seconds before she gave a heavy sigh and stare at her Ice cream again.

Ino was about to ask again with more force this time but she stopped when she had finally heard Sakura speak "Ino …..am I useless?". Out of many things that might have made Sakura this way, this was not on the list Ino had. She was taken aback from this question and wanted answers "Why would you think that Sakura? You are the smartest girl in our class, you got the title of top Kunoichi and are on a team with Sasuke….and Naruto"