The Prisoner of the Leaf

Chapter 9; Not a rose but still has thorns

Konan walked through the streets angrily, looking to find Ino before she started to believe Sakura's cruel lies more- it was safe to say that he was thoroughly pissed but he tried to hide it in case he found his flower among the streets. He looked hard for her for atleast an hour before getting worried has he had yet heard anything about her reappearing in the village so he headed the one place he hadn't checked yet and didn't think she would return to if he hurt her..

Sat on top of the village wall, facing the shimmering lake sat a beautiful flower with golden petals and though this flower was not a rose, it had started to grow thorns as those around the beautiful flower had been so cruel but to damage it where it was weak forcing it to push those away even if they meant to admire the beautiful flower or harm it, the flower's thorns kept it away- but this flower isn't a flower, but a girl who was as delicate as one and now secluded herself in the place that reminded her of her love.

Konan appeared behind her on a house roof, jumping over as she didn't make a sound or move after knowing he was there from his oh so obvious enterance, she didn't say a word when he sat next to her and he soon realised that he two would be pricked by the flower's thorns, the flower who now began to speak;

Ino; " I always thought I was never as pretty as the other girls, I was too tomboyish, too dirty from working in the garden, too loud as I argued with Sakura over a boy that didn't matter, a boy that ruined our friendship together but I soon realised I didn't care about that boy as a new one came into my life who I admired much more but as it turns out I was never pretty enough to not be replaced by another girl... "

Konan; " Tell me oh dear gardener, which flower in a field of roses would you count as the prettiest, the one who grows the largest to be seen, the one who grows the biggest and most beautiful petals to be seen, the one that removes it's defensive thorns so people are likely to pick it since it's easier to hold or would you say it's the one that hides amongst the others believing it would never be picked, growing the most thorns to protective itself since who would pick it anyway right? I would, I would allow the thorns to bury into my hands so I could hold that flower for I think it's the prettiest, it always thought it was the ugly duckling but it never was, it just needed the right person to come along and show it it's true worth and show it that the thorns aren't needed... for everything has it's copper and gold- everyone has I mean. You may think you look tomboyish but I like that about you since it's you, you may think your loud but I like your voice, you may think your not as pretty as other girls but to me you have the biggest petals, the tallest stem, the safest embrace because to me your not a rose, you're a person and you mean more than your outer beauty, you're a person prettier than anyone else and the person I fell in love with, I didn't leave with another girl and I certainly haven't kissed anyone yet so don't worry, I only need one flower in my life... "

Ino's face fell still, staring at the gently rocking water below them before rain fell from her eyes and she was pulled closer to Konan who wiped the droplets from her cheeks and held her in his strong embrace- tilting her gaze up to meet his as he smiled gently at her, she could see pain and worry in his eyes but it was glazed over by an intense shell of sincerity as she could tell he spoke from the heart and didn't tell her a single lie, her heart fluttered and her body shook with a feeling she had never felt so strongly before, her thorns no longer pricked him as she burried deep into his embrace and allowed herself to be warmed by the pure radiance of his loving grasp.

Konan sat with her as she calmed, stilling her heart and clearing her mind before she looked up at him and smiled brighter than ever, fireflies trapped inside her eyes as they danced their special trance and caused him to stare, he pulled her closer as their faces lay only inches apart now before he softly spoke;

Konan; " I don't know what made you build up those thorns but please never grow more, you need not push people away and you should trust me to protect you from physical and emotional harm, if you ever need me, if it's only just as comfort or to hold when the night feels especially dark then please don't hesitate, sneak into my room and bed if you need "

Ino laughed at his silly suggestions, holding him in her arms gently as he held her even softer- she could tell from the muscles on his arms that he was being gentle with her and she smiled as she could tell easily now that he cared for her. They held eachother a bit longer before returning back down the wall again but this time they were both awake and holding hands, they decided not to be an official couple yet as Konan needed to adjust to life outside of prison and wanted to get her father's permission first and she wanted to know more about him as a person before jumping head first into his life but for now they were happy just being this close.

Ofcourse all happy things must be ruined as Konan saw Sakura's dad angrily waiting on the street for him and as soon as they locked eyes, he moved Ino back behind him and watched the man approach- glaring at him since he was only a kid despite being a foot or so taller than Sasuke and around 5"11 approximately. The two locked eyes before Sakura's dad went in immediatelt for a punch which was stopped by Konan who simply held a kunai straight between his eyes;

Sakura's dad; " How dare you hit my daughter young man, you should be delicate with girls especially my angel! "

Konan; " angel? the only angel I see is the one stood behind me, your daughter is a devil- no that would be too much grandure for her, she's more like an earthworm- lowely and meek but still at the end of a day just a pest... "

Sakura's dad; " How dare you! "

Konan; " No, how dare you?! you come onto the peaceful streets trying to punch a child who slapped you daughter who was unneccessarily rude and downright disgusting towards a kid her age, I am the same age as her unlike you who is a good 20 years above me if not more, you're lucky I haven't killed you were you stand as by now I've had 20 or more chances since you seem so weak and meager but if that weakness applies to your head than allow me to teach you an ever so needed lesson. Do you expect a ninja on the battlefield to turn away because she's a girl, she'll be treated the same and torn apart just like anyone else so if you allow her to run off into the real world thinking she'll get it easy or not get hurt because you taught her everyone will be soft with her then at the end of the day who's hands will her death fall into, it won't be mine that's for sure so next time your daughter runs her mouth and decides to use it to harm others for no reason other than some perverse sense of amusement despite having no clue how much the person she weaponises her words against is going through just remember that a slap is the least someone could do and I'd love to see you raise your hand against a grown man with a weapon cause who knows who that brat will piss off next? "

He spoke with cold words, having been pushed to his limit after only trying to protect the person he holds dear, who now was blushing behind him at the thought of his protectiveness- the grown man looked the kid who he tried to attack in the eyes and wanted to go in for another punch but after considering what he said wondered if he was the bad guy and began to walk off, Konan lifted Ino into his arms and started carrying her home since it would be quicker and they could avoid any more drama...