Flowers For Gaara

Chapter 3 :Kindness

I wake up an hour or two early. I was so excited that I didn't get much sleep. I was burning with energy. I dress myself quickly and run downstairs. I find mom my in the kitchen and I kick her out so I can make breakfast for everyone. She's so shocked she doesn't put up a fight. I cook everything I know how to cook and by the time my dad gets up, the table is covered with food. My mom sits down warily and somewhat suspiciously. My dad yawns and sits down too.

"Wow! My beautiful bride! You've outdone yourself today! I always knew you loved me deep deep down inside!" my dad beams at my mom when he sees the food.

"I didn't make it. Your daughter did," she responds.

"Ha ha ha! That's funny...wait. Really?" he says, turning to me.

"That's right, dad! Eat up! Tell me if you like it!" I smile. This is fun! I like seeing them so surprised. I giggle to myself.

"It's good! Thank you, Ino-chan! You've made me proud," he smiles cheerfully. I blush in embarrassment.

"Heehee, I'm glad you like it. I wanted to show my appreciation. I love you guys!" I beam, handing a plate of food to my dad. I think I can see little tears of gratitude in his eyes. Yay! I smile even brighter.

"Ino! What's wrong with you? Are you on your period?" my mom asks sharply. I frown.

"No, Mom! I'm not! Have some more, Mom," I say handing her another plate of food. She eyes it skeptically. I didn't know she trusted me so much. She finally takes some and chews it very slowly searching me with her eyes the whole time to try and see what's wrong with me. I sigh sadly. I must have been really bitchy and selfish before for her to act like this.

"Actually, now that you mention it, my lovely bride, it is odd for Ino to make us all breakfast," he tilts his head in my direction,"You seem awfully 'animated' this morning, Ino-chan...You're not on drugs, are you?"

"Dad! No! I'm not on drugs! Honesty! Why can't I just do something nice for you two?" I say, nearing the end of my patience. Being kind is difficult. We eat the rest of the meal in silence. My mom always asks me if I'm on my period if she thinks I'm acting weird. It's so annoying. I can't believe my dad would ask me if I'm on drugs. Drugs...that brings back a memory. Gaara.

I blush.

I clean everything up and bid farewell to my parents. I'm going to open the shop early today. I walk down the street cheerfully. It's an awfully quiet morning and the sky is still a little dark. The morning rays just barely touch my face. It's a little warmth and light that makes me happy.

I unlock the place and walk in. It really is a slow morning. I sit behind the register for at least an hour and hardly anyone even walks by the shop. Finally, an old lady comes in to buy flowers for her daughter. I help her out as best as I can and try to be as polite as possible. You should be nice to old people, right? She most definitely was old. She looked kind of like one of Kakashi's dogs. I've heard some people say that as you grow up, you end up looking like your parents. I shudder behind the register after I kindly usher the old lady out. I don't want to look like my mom.

A little girl comes in about a half an hour later. She's bouncing with energy and just looking at her makes me feel a little dull. Maybe it wasn't such a good idea to get up so early. She's looking for a flower for her friend. I give her a small white flower that symbolizes friendship and youth and some other crap like that. Really, it's freaky that I can look at every flower in our shop and say exactly what it stands for.

I need a life.

She's a bit of a tomboy. She's dragging mud all over the store and when she finally pays, it's in over 200 coins that I have to count out to make sure she has enough. She doesn't have the right amount, but as she starts to tear up and whine, I just push her out of the store and let her have a "special deal".